Chad Williams: Why I am a Republican

My name is Chad Williams, and I am running for State Representative in the 40th District. This district, which includes Smith, Trousdale, and a part of Sumner and Dekalb counties, shares a common interest in the conservative, independent values I believe in. As your State Representative, I will uphold the principles that define the modern Republican Party, such as low taxes, less government intervention, increased personal responsibility, and pro-life values.

My experiences as a small business owner have equipped me to understand these conservative values firsthand. Being the owner of the Lebanon Antique Mall has taught me how to responsibly manage money in a business setting, and this skill will serve me well as an elected official.

Since high school, I have been active in community organizations like the Southside Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. I recognize the value of civic engagement, and I strive to give back to my community. My involvement in these organizations has motivated and inspired me to make a difference on a larger scale by advocating for my hometown values at the level of our state government.

I am a Smith County native, and many generations of my family have lived in Tennessee. My civic and business experience has taught me the importance of returning to a common-sense approach to government. I am passionate about infrastructure, public education, and the support of small businesses that contribute to our economy.

The Democratic values my grandmother and family before me supported are very different from the values of the modern Democratic party. The old-time “Southern Democrat” that upholds to conservative values are now a rare breed. What were those Southern Democrat values are now those of the Republican Party.

Within the last 15 to 20 years, the Democratic ticket has turned away from those independent, conservative values it once stood for, effectively abandoning constituents in its historic base here in Tennessee. I chose to be active in the Republican Party because this party now represents the strong, God-fearing values which are very important to me. As your State Representative, I will make sure those values are the ones that will lead our district, state, and nation in the right direction.

Tennessee needs new, passionate conservative leadership, and I promise to uphold that as your State Representative

I would greatly appreciate your vote in the upcoming Republican Primary on August 2, 2018. Early voting begins July 13 and will continue through July 28. Conservative values are the backbone of this district, and I look forward to representing you and upholding the values you support.

(This media release was paid for by Chad Williams)

All current and incoming Motlow State Community College Tennessee Promise students have until July 1 to complete and submit eight hours of community service in order to remain eligible for the Tennessee Promise scholarship.

Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship which allows recent high school graduates to attend a state community college or technical school tuition-free.

“There are numerous ways that students can complete their community service hours, including job shadowing, cleaning local, state, and recreational parks, or by volunteering at local non-profit organizations,” said Jonathan Graham, Tennessee Promise director at Motlow.

Students can visit the tnAchieves website, tnachieves.org, which lists a host of community service opportunities for students in their local region. Community service hours must be submitted to tnAchieves at tnachieves.org.

Students may also visit the Motlow Tennessee Promise webpage at tnpromise.mscc.edu for an up-to-date listing of community service opportunities in their area.

For further information regarding the Tennessee Promise program at Motlow State, contact Graham at jgraham@mscc.edu or 615-220-7839 or Debra Smith at dsmith@mscc.edu or 931-438-9766.

A Watertown man answered to an ecstasy drug charge last Tuesday in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

Judge Gary McKenzie presided.

27 year old Robert Jacob Hardison entered a plea by criminal information to possession of a schedule I drug (ecstasy) with intent to sell and deliver. He received a 10 year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction and was fined $2,000. He must forfeit his weapon. The sentence is to run consecutive with a violation of probation case against him in General Sessions Court but the term will be suspended upon his successful completion of a long term treatment program.

Hardison was originally charged with driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, possession of a handgun while under the influence, tampering with evidence, and possession of methamphetamine and schedule I, II, & VI drugs with intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Thursday, January 25 a deputy stopped a vehicle on Smith Road for a non working tail light. The officer spoke with the driver, Hardison and detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Hardison admitted to having used marijuana and hydrocodone earlier in the day. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to implied consent (blood test). During the investigation the officer learned that Hardison is on probation for a previous offense and that his license were suspended on October 14, 2017 for failure to show proof of insurance and that he had continued to drive even after receiving a citation in Wilson County for driving on a suspended license.

A search of Hardison’s vehicle turned up a Jennings 22 caliber handgun which is illegal since Hardison had the weapon in his possession while under the influence.

Drugs were also found in the car including six green pills believed to be ecstasy and three separate baggies of a crystal like substance suspected to be methamphetamine, which were in a metal tin on the driver’s side floorboard along with scales and separate baggies.

During a search of Hardison’s person, the deputy found a white pill believed to be hydrocodone. After being placed in custody and seated in the back of the deputy’s patrol car, Hardison pulled a silver container from the area of his crotch and put several pills from that container into his mouth and into the seat of the car, trying to dispose of them.

After Hardison admitted to the officers that he had other drugs in his home, they conducted a probation search of the residence upon containing consent from Hardison and found 37.19 grams of a leafy substance believed to be marijuana along with another baggie of meth and more scales and baggies.

The total weight of all four baggies of meth found during this investigation totaled 3.6 grams.

In other cases Tuesday, 31 year old James Robert Lee Fuson entered a plea by criminal information to criminal simulation and received a two year TDOC sentence to run concurrently with violations of probations against him he is already serving. Fuson is also to make restitution of $988.90 to the victim. He was given jail credit of 59 days.

42 year old Angela Nichole Vallem entered a plea to delivery of a schedule II drug and received an eight year sentence suspended to supervised probation. She was fined $2,000. The sentence is to run concurrently with a case against her in Coffee County.

41 year old Brandon Lee Starnes entered a plea to possession of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) with intent to resale over 0.5 grams. He received a ten year sentence but he will be on TDOC probation after serving one year in the county jail. He has been given jail credit from August 27, 2017 through June 19, 2018.

33 year old Rhonda Joy Goff entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) under 0.5 grams and received a ten year sentence but she will be on TDOC probation after serving 365 days in the DeKalb County Jail. She must pay a $2,000 fine and make restitution of $1,200 to a victim. Goff was given jail credit of 246 days.

32 year old Clent Shehane entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and received a four year sentence but he will be on TDOC probation after serving 150 days in jail. He was fined $2,000. The term is to run concurrently with a violation of probation against him in DeKalb County General Sessions Court he is already serving. Shehane must also make restitution of $180 to the Sheriff’s Department. He was given 79 days jail credit.

36 year old Angie Dawn Taylor entered a plea to sale of a schedule III drug and received a two year TDOC sentence all suspended to supervised probation. She was fined $2,000 and must make restitution of $150 to the Sheriff’s Department.

39 year old Amber Lynn Matchett entered a plea to simple possession of a schedule VI drug and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days suspended to supervised probation. She was fined $250.