Archive for November, 2009

At the Square Forty in Lawrenceburg, TN

On Monday, we started in Marshall County where we had an early breakfast in Lewisburg.  Crissy and I were overwhelmed by the large crowd that met us next in Lincoln County at the Fayetteville Fairgrounds, where we were joined by State Representative Pat Marsh.  Crissy and I really looked forward to our visit at the Sun Drop distribution center in Giles County where we learned more about the business that has been family operated for three generations.  We met with another large crowd in Lawrence County for a lunch at Square Forty Restaurant in Lawrenceburg.  In Wayne County, Mayor Jason Rich introduced us to a great group at Bradley’s Restaurant in Waynesboro, and we finished the day meeting folks at the courthouse in Lewis County.

Crissy and I had a great time during our trip across southern Tennessee this week and want to thank each of you who came out to see us, as well as those who volunteered to help put together some of the events along the way.

Yesterday, we made a trip through White and Van Buren County, and met with folks in Sparta to talk about issues facing the state.

It was a busy short week before the Thanksgiving holiday, but Crissy and I thoroughly enjoyed our southern Tennessee travels.  It was great to see you all, and we look forward to our next visit.

Thursday is our day of Thanksgiving.  It speaks well for our country that one of our most treasured holidays is one that is set aside for sharing time with those we love, while giving God thanks for the blessings in our lives.  Even in times of hardship, we can see all around us the gifts to be thankful for.

I am thankful for the love of my family and friends.  I am thankful for their steadfast support and encouragement.  I am thankful for every man and woman who wears the uniform of our country, for their courage that protects us, for their sacrifices that allow each of the opportunities that only freedom can afford.  I am thankful to live in this great state, one built upon strong values and hard work, and to serve a cause greater than oneself.

I am thankful for each of you, the people who have helped us along this terrific journey.  Crissy and I continue to be amazed by the people we meet along the Tennessee trail, those who are so willing to give of their time and resources to help this campaign.  I pray that each of you will have a safe, restful, and happy day of Thanksgiving.

MEMPHIS – Today, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam announced his plans for leading Tennessee through the state’s budget crisis.  As state budget hearings continue this week, Haslam discussed the important role fiscal management plays within state government.  Haslam’s plans are being shared across the state via video and through his website at www.BillHaslam.com.

This final video of the three-part series outlining Mayor Haslam’s plan for making Tennessee the #1 state in the Southeast for growing and retaining high-quality jobs focuses on his priorities to make our government leaner and more efficient by managing the state conservatively, fundamentally rethinking the role of state government by calling for a top to bottom review, while steering away from high taxes in order to encourage economic growth.

On Monday, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen stated that Tennessee could face a $1.5 billion budget shortfall next year.

“The fiscal crisis actually presents us with an opportunity to make our government leaner and more efficient,” Haslam said.  “As Governor, I’ll use my years of experience, in both the private and the public sector, to make certain that Tennessee emerges from the tough times with a smarter government that makes the most of our assets, provides conservative stewardship of every tax dollar, and focuses on high-priority functions.”

Today, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam reported that his gubernatorial campaign has received more than 6,000 contributions, and has raised another $1,000,000 in contributions since the June 30^threport which stated that Haslam had received $3,890,137 from the January to June reporting period.

These 6,042 contributions demonstrate the wide-spread support the campaign continues to build across the state.  With an increase of 2,151 contributions since the end of June, Haslam continues setting the record for contributions for this point in a Tennessee statewide campaign.

“These continue to be tough times for Tennesseans, and Crissy and I are extremely grateful and humbled by the support of so many,” said Haslam.  “And we truly appreciate the graciousness and hospitality we’ve received as we’ve traveled the state.”

“The number of contributions is an incredibly important and telling statistic,” said Mark Cate, Haslam’s Campaign Manager. “We’ve been sensing growing support from across the state and these numbers certainly validate what we’ve been feeling and hearing.”

Today we commemorate Veterans Day, a day when our country honors every man and woman who has worn the uniform of our military.  We thank those of our armed services for their courage, sacrifice and willingness to protect.  I appreciate the commitment to our country that our veterans have made, those who have made a commitment to serve a cause larger than themselves.

Honor Air 2009

I recently had the opportunity to attend Honor Air, a group that works to honor those who served during World War II by taking East Tennessee veterans to our nation’s capital to see the memorials that represent the bravery of their courageous fight for the liberties that we are blessed to have today, and pay respect to those fallen soldiers who placed this fight above all.  It is always a moving experience and a day I look forward to participate in each year.

As we honor those who have served in previous wars, let us remember those who serve today.  The men and women who continue the tradition set forth by our founding fathers to defend and protect our freedoms, who enable us to live the lives we choose with leaders of choice.

It is also during this time that we remember those men and women who did not live to see this Veterans Day, those who paid the ultimate price for our liberties.  Men and women such as the brave soldiers who lost their lives at Fort Hood.  Crissy and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families of these brave men and women, and we thank our veterans of today, and our veterans of tomorrow.

Hawkins County GOP Meeting

Yesterday, Crissy and I had another great visit to Hawkins County for a meeting at Hawkins County Elementary School in Rogersville, TN.  We were overwhelmed by the record-breaking crowd that filled the school for Monday night’s GOP meeting.  I had the opportunity to discuss issues that I believe are important to this state, while listening and learning about issues that were important to those in Hawkins County.

Crissy and I enjoyed listening to Chairman Cecile Testerman and Judge Taylor speak on the Hawkins County GOP’s community service project, Troop Greeters, a group of volunteers that welcome home the men and women who have served overseas.  What a terrific project to honor our servicemen and women.

We stopped by O’Henry’s on our way back to Knoxville, for a big piece of their famous chocolate pie.  It was a great trip, and Crissy and I appreciate the warm welcome in Hawkins County and words of support for our campaign.

The U.S. Department of Labor released its October jobs report Friday, stating that the unemployment rate rose from 9.8 to 10.2 percent in October with a loss of 190,000 jobs.  For the first time since 1983, 1 out of every 10 Americans is out of work.  With numbers like these, the report shows that it’s going to be tough in the near future, and this is why Tennessee needs a Governor that knows how to recruit and create jobs.  With both business and government executive experience, Mayor Haslam has shown he can create jobs.  And through his travels across the state, he has heard loud and clear that this is weighing heavy on the minds of Tennesseans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlnApy4s4d4

KNOXVILLE – Today, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam announced his priorities for job growth and economic development as part of his overall plan for making Tennessee the #1 location in the Southeast for growing and retaining high-quality jobs.  His plans are being shared across the state via video and through his website at www.billhaslam.com

Haslam Talks Jobs at Wayne's Glass in Murfreesboro, TN

This second video focuses on Mayor Haslam’s priorities to achieve a vibrant and secure job environment for Tennessee.  Mayor Haslam has developed four priorities for job growth – helping people get back to work immediately through the use of a jobs clearinghouse, ensuring a business friendly environment that includes no state income tax, creating regional economic development strategies, and building on each region’s existing assets to help create jobs in all communities across the state.

In the past year, more than 100,000 Tennesseans have lost their job.  The state’s unemployment rate is over 10 percent, and in some counties the unemployment rate is approaching 20 percent.

“Voters in Tuesday’s elections across the country said over and over that job growth was their number one issue—and I believe that’s the same for Tennesseans,” Haslam said.  “Our next Governor needs to be not just good, but great at recruiting and creating jobs.  I’ve done that both in the private sector and in my role as Mayor.”

As both a private citizen and Mayor of Knoxville, Mayor Haslam has been a leader in creating jobs and championing economic development.  While working in his family business, he helped create more than 11,000 jobs.  During his tenure as Mayor, Knoxville was a city repeatedly named  “one of the top ten metropolitan areas for business and expansion,” and ranked in the top 10 in Forbes Magazine “Best Places for Business and Careers” in America.