Commission District 1 candidates describe their goals, experience
Blakemore, Hill will square off in May 19 Republican primary
Robert Blakemore and James “Jim” Hill have qualified as Republicans to run for the Walker County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat. The election will be Tuesday, May 19. To help voters learn more about themselves, the candidates have answered a series of questions submitted by the newspaper.
Robert John Blakemore
Your age. 30
How long have you lived in Walker County? I am a lifelong resident of Walker County.
Are you a member/officer of any clubs, organizations, charities, church, etc.? (No response given)
What are your past/current educational/career/work/political experiences, particularly any that make you a better choice for the post you’re seeking? I graduated Ridgeland High School in 2007. I completed auctioneer school at Nashville Auction School in the summer of 2007. I worked for Walker County Road
Department for 7-½ years. While there I ran every crew that they have. I know all the ends and outs of the day to day operations of the road department. I left the road department in September of 2016 to go and work for our family owned trucking company, HJ Blakemore and Sons Trucking. I am part of the management team and since I have been here our company has grown from 2 new dump trucks to 20 new dump trucks.
Any other things about you that make you a better candidate for the post you’re seeking? I am a limited government Republican candidate. I am the only candidate for District 1 that stands for smaller government and less taxes. I am stand for property owners rights and less regulation on property and business owners.
What are the issues that most concern you? If elected, what changes, if any, would you make and what goals would you have?
♦ Our road department has been neglected and needs to be rebuilt. If elected I will submit a pledge to the board of commissioners at the first meeting to rebuild the road department so we can get the infrastructure that we deserve and that our tax dollars pay for. The road department is vital to our county. Funding for our road department will be a top priority.
♦ I will stand against clean and lien because not only are we stealing from property owners, we are also stealing from every tax payer that funds the road department equipment we use to do it. Currently our codes are too strict and if elected they shall be re-evaluated.
Any final words to voters? I know that I could be a positive change and present a more well rounded approach to Walker politics. We need a representative that not only understands the needs and concerns of community, but has the ability to take action, and represent these concerns. The future of Walker County depends on the new five member board.
How can voters with questions/comments contact you or get more information about you? They can call me on my cell at 423-619-9724, look me up on facebook at Robert Blakemore for District 1 or visit my website at www.robertblakemore.com.
James “Jim” Hill
Your age. 50
How long have you lived in Walker County? 50 years. I am married to my best friend, Paula. We have one married son. And two grandchildren who live in Cedartown, Georgia.
Are you a member/officer of any clubs, organizations, charities, church, etc.? No.
What are your past/current educational/career/ work/political experiences, particularly any that make you a better choice for the post you’re seeking? I graduated from Chattanooga Valley High School and attended Columbia School of Broadcasting. Following my studies, I began my career in broadcasting. Throughout the years I have held positions including Program Director, News Director, On-air staff and currently off the airwaves as Production Director. My career has blessed me with the opportunity to work with local businesses to increase their revenue through advertising. That one-on-one business relationship provides me with a unique ability to help local entrepreneurs to prosper. The Rossville/Fairview area needs more businesses and I bring the experience to help them grow.
Any other things about you that make you a better candidate for the post you’re seeking? Being able to listen is most critical. Through my career, listening to what the client needs and then working to find a solution was the only answer. Too many times we have folks who say they have “all” the answers. I do not have “all” the answers and seek to find what is best for all involved.
What are the issues that most concern you? If elected, what changes, if any, would you make and what goals would you have? The largest concern for District 1 is cleaning up our area. Codes enforcement has been overlooked for many years with nothing done to clear the area of old buildings with boarded-up windows, homes left to ruin, and not to mention the homes which are not fit for a soul to live being used as a rental property. Second is giving Sheriff Wilson more deputies and equipment. He needs more deputies to cover the most densely populated area of the county which is District 1
My goal when elected is to give to the taxpayers the services required. That includes roadside mowing, ditch cleaning, animal control and more. Our citizens pay plenty of taxes, we need to provide plenty of services.
Any final words to voters? Friends, the Rossville-Fairview area of Walker County has been neglected while other areas have been invested in and flourished. We must change that. I plan on having quarterly meetings with the citizens at our local restaurants to hear their vision and concerns. We must work together to make the entire county a success, not just one area.
How can voters with questions/comments contact you or get more information about you? You can visit my website at www.voteforjimhill. com, look me up on Facebook at Jim Hill for Walker County Commissioner or leave me a message or text at 423-505-8700.