Gubernatorial Candidate Karl Dean Talks Public Education, Health Care, and Economic Development (VIEW VIDEO HERE)

February 19, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean would like to be the next Governor of Tennessee.

Dean spoke at the DeKalb County Democratic Party Mass Meeting Saturday at the high school.

During his remarks, Dean said he has three areas he is focusing on in his campaign: public education, health care and economic development.

“This is a great state. We have so much going for us. We are a state that has sound fiscal management. We are a state that has low taxes. We have a good business climate. We have a lot of things that make us tremendously appealing and I really believe that Tennessee’s best days are still ahead of us but we have to take care of the basics and that is health care, economic opportunity, and public education,” said Dean.

“The reason I am running for Governor is I am convinced that the people of Tennessee want a pragmatic, common sense, get it done Governor who is not an Idealog but someone who is going to focus on the issues that really matter to people and get the job done in a way that moves our state forward,” he continued.

“I believe public education is the overriding issue for the state. It is the issue that will move our state forward, improve the lives of our young people, strengthen our economy, and make us a safer and healthier state. We need to be a state that produces more college graduates but at the same time we have to recognize that we need to be a state for the young people who choose not to get a four year degree but have the opportunity to get the vocational, technical, and apprenticeship training where they can get a job and raise a family. We need to pay teachers more. We need to make sure that all parts of the state can pay their teachers more so they can keep them. We need to be able to attract the best teachers and keep the best,” he said.

“I am a big believer in having a strong private sector that is creating jobs and opportunities where people can get ahead and live the American dream. When you have a strong economy and private sector, you are creating the tax base that allows you to do the investments you need to make in education, health care and other areas that makes Tennessee have a higher quality of life. Part of that is doing rural broadband and having great schools, but we have to take care of the communities that have not had the same economic success as other parts of the state. We can’t leave anyone behind,” Dean said.

“Health care is the issue you hear the most about around the state. The worst mistake our state legislature has made in decades was the decision not to do the Medicaid expansion. By doing Medicaid expansion our state would have received over the past few years somewhere between $3.5 and $4 billion dollars. That’s money that would have given access to health care to people of low incomes, disabilities, pre existing conditions, changing jobs, and people who are aging. We should have done the Medicaid expansion and done what is right for the people. Around this state in rural areas largely, ten of our hospitals have closed. We are second only to Texas in the number of hospital closures. When your hospital closes and you are a small town its that much harder to keep people in your community, to attract new people, and to attract new business. The next Governor has to be a champion for this state to get its fair share of Medicaid dollars to make sure our people have access to health care and that we are a viable state in terms of attracting people and keeping people,” said Dean.

Having been mayor of Nashville, Dean said he can bring that executive experience to the office of Governor in managing state government just as the last two Governors have done, Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen .

“When you run for mayor, you don’t run in a partisan race. You have to get Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to support you. And when you do the job, you don’t do it along party lines. You do it based on what’s best for people. That’s what we did as Mayor of Nashville,” said Dean.

February 19, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A local runner was a big winner at Saturday’s All State Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race in Nashville, a benefit for Make-A-Wish.

14 year old Megan Cantrell, daughter of Todd and Jenny Cantrell, won the race in the category for females ages 14 and younger. Her time was 24:18. She came in first out of 81 runners in the division and finished seventh place out of all 1,559 female runners in the race. She was 39th overall among 2,121 runners. Cantrell is a student at DCHS.

The Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k, coined as America’s Sweetest Race, is brought to you by RAM Racing. Established in 2008, the inaugural Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k ran through the streets of Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, over 200,000 participants have run for chocolate, making it the fastest growing race series in the nation!

Saturday’s race in Nashville began and ended at the Bicentennial Mall State Park.

Each Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race features both a 15k (9.3miles) and 5k (3.1miles) distance and all runners are encouraged to join the fun! Participants receive an award winning goodie bag, which they collect at the expo along with their race packet.

The chocolate really begins to flow at the Post Race Party where runners enjoy music, a family friendly kid-zone (complete with bounce houses and games) and a finisher’s mugs filled with hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and tasty dippable treats!

Make-A-Wish® is the official race charity of the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k! Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

February 19, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A mother and son were left homeless after a fire destroyed their residence Saturday night at 851 Cooper Street.

According to Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker, Carolyn Hale and her son were home when a grease fire in the kitchen got out of control and spread through the residence. After trying unsuccessfully to put out the blaze, Hale and her son escaped unharmed.

Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department quickly responded but the home was almost fully involved in flames upon their arrival.

Chief Parker said the home was gutted and the family lost all their belongings including an automobile which was parked near the residence.

American Red Cross volunteers arrived to provide assistance to the family.