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Stokes, Strader, Shouse, Wright, Maroney Trainor, Kincannon

Our editor-in-chief, Joe Sullivan, listed his local election recommendations in his regular column, Insights, last week. Metro Pulse is publishing its endorsements today. Those endorsed are:

State Senator (District 6)— Bill Stokes

Stokes, a Knoxville lawyer who served as the state’s commissioner of employment security under former Gov. Don Sundquist should prove to be a more progressive-minded state senator than his opponent, Jamie Hagood. While Hagood has served ably in the Legislature, her staunch conservatism could prove to be a hindrance in getting much-needed tax reform passed in Nashville.

State Representative (District 14) — Parkey Strader

Strader is the far more appealing candidate in this primary. During his 28-year tenure as Knox County’s property assessor, Strader proved himself to be both affable and capable. While always keeping an open-door policy with property owners, his office maintained a very low appeal rate, and his efforts in modernizing the property assessor’s office saved taxpayers more than $2 million. By contrast, his opponent, Dianne Jablonski, who served on the Knox County school board for eight years, was voted off in large part because of her contentiousness.

State Representative (District 17) — Ed Shouse

There are two good candidates in this primary race. Jim Bletner is the director of concessions at the UT Athletic Department and is also president of the Kingston Pike-Sequoyah Hills Homeowners Association. Ed Shouse, a resident of downtown Knoxville, is vice-president of Gulf and Ohio Railways and served for 20 years on Knoxville’s City Council until being term-limited out of office last year. While we feel that both candidates would serve the district and the community well, Shouse’s political experience better equips him for the job and, therefore, our endorsement goes to him.

State Representative (District 18) — David Wright

Each of the candidates in this race is ultra-conservative, and perhaps the main difference between the two is the way they will conduct themselves with their fellow representatives, as well as with their constituents. David Wright is the owner of Wright’s Cafeteria, a landmark Knoxville eatery, and he has a very personable and respectful style of dealing with others, even when he may disagree with them. His opponent, Stacey Campfield, who was once thrown out of a barbecue hosted by Republican U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan for heckling Democratic candidate and now Gov. Phil Bredesen, has gained a reputation for brashness.

County Commission (District 2)— Pam Maroney Trainor

A native South Knoxvillian, Pam Maroney Trainor is president of parent-teacher organizations at both Doyle Middle School and Dogwood Elementary School. She also serves on the board of Project Grad. Her opponent, Paul Pinkston, is the brother of the late County Commissioner Howard Pinkston, and shares his ultra-conservative political leanings. Maroney Trainor will be a champion of schools, neighborhoods and, as a small business owner, of economic development, as well. Our endorsement goes to her.

Board of Education, (District 2) — Indya Kincannon

The two candidates for this seat, Indya Kincannon and Patsy Vittetoe, finished in a virtual tie in last February’s primary and now face each other in the Aug. 5 runoff. Both are good candidates, but our endorsement goes to the 32-year-old Kincannon. She has a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University and has worked as a budget analyst for the Arizona state legislature. Budgetary constraints are the biggest problem confronting the Knox County school system, and Kincannon’s energy and experience in this area should help the school board gain much-needed credibility with County Commission where fiscal matters are concerned.

Vote for the candidates of your choice, but please vote.

July 22, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 30 © 2004 Metro Pulse