Archive for May, 2009

The last two weeks on the trail mean…

…two more weeks visiting with people from one end of the state to the other – and I’m enjoying every minute of it!

Lunches with great crowds at Jackson’s historic Casey Jones Restaurant and in beautiful Pigeon Forge were wonderful opportunities, and meeting with community leaders in Shelbyville about the Walking Horse Industry and other important community issues was engaging and productive. I was also deeply honored to help celebrate 100 years of service for the firemen at Mechanicsville’s Station #5. For news coverage from this event, please follow this link.

Another highlight was speaking at the Hamilton County Lincoln Day Dinner, where I was welcomed by so many friends. I am excited about our support in the Chattanooga area, which is growing every day. Great events recently in Cookeville, Cumberland, Franklin, Maryville, Morristown, Mountain City and Murfreesboro have been encouraging as well. Whether I am in East, West or Middle Tennessee, I am thrilled and humbled by these experiences and the support I am receiving — I am committed more than ever to serve our state as Governor and help make Tennessee an even better place to live.

My travels up and down the Tennessee trails remind me of the days, weeks, months and years I spent driving from one end of the state to the other as President of Pilot Travel Centers. Some of my favorite memories are of traveling across this state and around the country working with our stores and finding new locations to grow the company. I will equally cherish the new opportunities to visit with local communities discussing how we can help recruit jobs to their towns, and how we would help give back to their communities. My experiences and travels – then and now – solidified my appreciation for our great state and the wonderful opportunities it provides for families and businesses. There is no other place I would rather live and work than Tennessee.

Please check back on the blog for the latest news and updates. We are continuing to update our website so I hope that you will visit us often. And I hope to see you soon on the Tennessee Trails!

Bill

On Monday, we started with a breakfast at Heritage Café in Munford were I met lots of new friends. Next, I met with Farmers and other local business leaders in Fayette County. I ended the day in Memphis where some friends hosted a reception for Crissy and me in their home.

Late Tuesday afternoon, I drove up to Greeneville for a quick meeting to hear some ideas and concerns of folks in Greene County before heading back to Knoxville for City Council that night.

Wednesday afternoon brought us back to Nashville for a few meetings and a meet and greet in the home of a new friend.

It was great to join the Williamson County GOP for Just Desserts on Thursday night before Crissy and I headed back to Knoxville.

Tonight, I’m honored to be the commencement speaker for Johnson Bible College which will be held in the Knoxville Civic Auditorium.

This weekend we’ll be in Northeast Tennessee for an event with the Hawkins County GOP. Things are really clicking for us in upper East Tennessee. If you’re coming to the Hawkins County event, please be sure to say hi.

I’ll continue to keep you posted. Hope to see you on the trail soon.

Bill

P.S. We’ll be in Jackson on Monday having lunch at Casey Jones Old Country Store at noon. If you’re in the area, we’d love for you to join us.