It is important that UTM students get to know whom they should vote for in Martin because Election Day is just four days away, on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Students that have registered to vote in Weakley County have three wards in Martin in which they are able to vote in. In Ward 1 students a have five alderman candidates to chose from; Wendell Cates, Mary Ann Gearin, Bill Harrison, Tim McCollum and Lt. Darrell Simmons. In Ward 2, alderman candidate David Belote is running unopposed. And in Ward 3, Natalie Dickerson-Boyd and Rusty Goad are the alderman candidates the students have to choose from.

The Pacer asked the alderman candidates for brief bios and questions. The following are bios and question and responses from the candidates in each ward in alphabetical order:

The Pacer : What are you goals if elected?

Ward 1

Cates: “Help bring in more industry and retail establishment. This will broaden our tax base in Martin.”

Gearin: “I would work closely with the Mayor and the Board of Alderman to continue the progress that the city enjoys today and to continue to add to the quality of life in Martin.”

Harrison: “Recruiting and locating new industry, getting to know each so we can know each other work together and getting more jobs in the city.”

McCollum: “1) Represent all people in Ward 1 by letting their opinions, ideas and views be known. 2) Evaluate each issue and project on a case-by-case basis to ensure that it is the right time, it is beneficial and cost justified, and that any money that is spent allows us to maintain a low property tax rate. 3) Utilize an engineering background to assist Martin in planning future infrastructure needs. 4) Keep and grow job opportunities here in our community. 5) Put to work a younger person's new ideas and energy for the benefit of Martin.”

Simmons: “1) Freeze on major capital outlay projects until the city debt of $18 million is greatly reduced. 2) Amend the City Charter to state that property taxes can not be increased unless each citizen has an opportunity to vote on it at the ballot box. 3) Require all City Managers to take mid-level supervisor training in order to operate more. efficiently. 4) Help design a 25 year Economic Growth plan that would include service as well as industrial businesses to increase the revenue base of Martin.”

Ward 2

Belote: “Primarily, I want to serve and represent the people of Ward Two and the citizens of the City of Martin in a caring and honorable way. I want to be open to their cares, concerns, dreams, and visions. I sincerely feel that managing government is a community affair and it is my job to actively involve people in the decision making and planning process.”

Ward 3

Boyd: “My goals if elected as Alderperson would be to help make sure the voices of the citizens in my ward are heard and acted upon. I will also ensure the persons of my ward that I am about the business of Mar-tin...and do have the best interest of Martin at heart.”

Goad: “Listen and represent the people of my ward and help Martin to grow and prosper.”

The Pacer: How will UTM students benefit from your position if elected?

Ward 1

Cates: “With the present enrollment of UTM, bringing in more businesses and retail establishments will help to create more jobs, both full-time and part time for both UTM students and the citizens of Ward 1 and the citizens of the City of Martin.”

Gearin: “The City of Martin has in the past few years learned to embrace the university as a friend to the city. My connections with the University as an active UTM alumni and supporter will help to keep the lines of communication open and I will encourage additional relations between the city and UTM.”

Harrison: “After locating industries, provide more jobs for students and everyone everywhere. Create as many jobs so everyone can have jobs. Instead of students going home, students may want to stay permanently and make a life in Martin.”

McCollum: “1) I myself am a 93 graduate of UTM with a Mechanical Engineering Tech-nology degree. I understand and remember what it is like to go through school in this town. We need more jobs for students while attending school. We need more jobs for our graduates to be able to keep them in Martin and Weakley county. I have been on the Board of Directors for the Martin Economic Development Corporation, MEDC, for 3 years. One of the main goals of the MEDC is to attract more jobs to Martin in the retail and industrial sector. I will continue to sit on this board and make every effort to attract more jobs to Martin. 2) We need to find ways to keep the UTM students here in Martin during the weekends. Hopefully jobs would be one way, the second would be entertainment. By giving the students the opportunity to stay in Martin, during the 32 weekends per year, Martin would see an increase in the sales tax revenue collection. This will help Martin and give all students the option to stay in Martin.”

Simmons: “Once elected, the UTM students will have the same access and will be given the same attention as every other citizen in Ward 1. The civic work I have done in the city, as well as my responsibility at the university has allowed me to listen to the concerns of the students and the concerns of the people in my Ward. My objective is to bridge both concerns.”

Ward 2

Belote: “Students will benefit from my position as alderman because of my position and relationship to UT Martin. This fall I began my twenty seventh year as an employee of the University serving in the student services area. I have served in a number of administrative positions over the years including the positions of Hall Director, Assistant Basketball Coach, Assistant Director of Housing, Director of the Office of Campus Rec-reation, Director of the Office of Student Life and I am currently serving as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. My current position allows me the opportunity to work with and be in contact with various students and student leaders on a daily basis. Members of my staff include the Director of the University Center, the Director of Campus Recreation, and the Coordinator for Student Organizations and Greek Life. I am also directly responsible for the management of the Office of Student Life, The Freshman Experience Program, the advisement of the Student Activities Council, and the Leaders in Residence Program. I am also very proud of my association over the years with the Student Government Association. My job and life are centered around UT Martin students. It is my job to assist them in their development, to be aware of their needs, and to actively seek ways to address those needs.”

“In my 31 years in this community, I have never known of anyone serving as an alderman with this much direct involvement with UT Martin students. It is my sincere hope that I will be able to carry your needs, concerns, and ideas to the City administration like never before. I plan on actively seeking your input.”

Ward 3

Boyd: “The students of UTM will benefit by being included in the decision making process of Martin...because they too make up the population of this city. Being a student at UTM entitles their voice to be heard...and involved in the growth of this town.” Goad: “I have two sons who attend UTM. I know they have felt the University student body has not been heard by the City of Martin. I will listen to the students and be their voice to City Hall.”

The Pacer: What are your views about the restaurant referendum?

Ward 1

Cates: “I feel that I am open enough to serve the wishes of the citizens of Ward 1, and support whatever the election brings.” Gearin: “As an Alderman, I would honor the vote of the people. If the referendum passes, the city should be in line to seize any positive business that the vote generates. Martin could certainly be in competition with Union City for the same businesses if each city's referendum passes.”

Harrison: “I voted early and I didn't find that this question concerning a restaurant referendum was not on the ballot. I have no further comment.”

McCollum: “This is a very controversial issue that Martin and Union City have been through before. There are good points to each side, but there are a few more items that need to be understood by all parties. 1) I have set on the MEDC board for the past 3 years. The MEDC directors have contacted numerous restaurant's that do not sell liquor. Each of these have said that Martin does not have the traffic counts to justify a location in Martin. It has been said that before they locate here, they would first locate in Dyersburg, I-155, I-69 and restaurant referendum passed, then Union City with the proposed I-69. Then Martin if we were to get the I-169 spur from Union City. 2) Personally I would like to see Martin grow at the same rate or faster than Dyersburg and Union City. I think that Martin needs to be proactive in attracting retail business's and the restaurant referendum would be one way in attracting these companies. We may not have the traffic counts to catch the eyes of a major chain, but we do have other attributes that could be marketed; a major college, a large base of small business's and professional of-fice's and major industries. These items might catch someone's attention to locate here if it is known that we have the restaurant referendum. These items could be marketed to potential restaurant's and could be a selling feature for them to locate here. 3) If the people of Martin pass the restaurant referendum and if I am elected as alderman, I would take the proactive approach to see that zoning ordinances are in place and that we aggressively recruit the ‘chains’ to try and bring them to Martin.”

Simmons: “I am for the restaurant referendum for several reasons: 1) Restaurants are service industries that would increase tax revenue to the city treasury. 2) Restaurants create jobs. 3) Restaurants will enhance growth potential. 4) Restaurants will create competition, raising quality, as well as service. 5) Finally, everyone should realize that liquor by the drink is a Constitutional decision and an individual decision. I support the Constitutional pro-cess that we are about to experience. I respect the churches' fears and concerns, but that individual who enters a restaurant and whatever choice he or she decides is protected by the Bill of Rights. My fellow citizens, I will NOT tread on the Bill of Rights.”

Ward 2

Belote: “I have to truly admit that I have struggled with the issue of restaurant reform. I am a proponent of a progressive Mar-tin. When I say progressive, I am very much in favor in doing those things that continue to enhance our city economically and add to the quality of life for our community. I am proponent of doing those things that would create more jobs for the youth of our community and the students of UT Martin. I see the need. It is not uncommon for a student to come by my office and tell me that they cannot stay at UT Martin because they need to work and they cannot find work locally. I know most UT Martin students struggle to make ends meet as they pursue their education. It is unfortunate that our community does have more opportunities for students to work.

When a UT Martin student chooses to leave the University for any reason other than graduation, then the entire community loses. It is also unfortunate that our community does not offer more positive leisure opportunities not only for our community citizens, but for our student citizens as well. Opportunities for leisure pursuits including a variety of places to eat, shop and socialize for UT Martin students are limited and to be honest I have not seen too much done over the years to address the leisure and recreational needs of university students in our city. UT Martin students are powerful contributors to the economic well being of the community. Not only that, we have not even begun to tap into the wealth of talent and productivity contained in the UT Martin student body. I know it is there, I work with it daily. In some way, there has got to be a coming together of city and university to address leisure opportunities for students. I am also a proponent of maintaining those positive values that have made Martin, Tennessee unique over the years and a very attractive place to live for those who are seeking a way of life centered on traditional family values. This is one of the reasons why I chose to make Martin my home.

The issue as I see it with restaurant reform or liquor by the drink, is will its passage enhance our community and be the impetus for growth and prosperity, or will it give the appearance of growth and prosperity, but quietly and slowly be something that erodes the moral fiber of the community? The fear of ‘liquor by the drink’ for many and for me included is its potential for what it can do in a negative way quietly and slowly.

I work in an environment and in an office that on a daily basis must deal with the negative side of alcohol and its abuse. You would be amazed at the number of disciplinary and academic problems at UT Martin where the root of the problem was centered on alcohol consumption. It is an unfortunate fact for some, that after the consumption of alcohol beyond a balanced limit, poor choices follow. Over the years, I have seen the lives of many young people changed negatively and changed permanently due to the misuse of alcohol and their lack of experience and understanding in regard to alcoholic consumption.Tragi-cally, I have peered into more than my fair share of caskets only to see a UT Martin student with all the promise that the world has to offer, with that promise completely snuffed out by a poor decision influenced by alcohol. What a waste of life! One of my greatest fears is that one of my own children will meet with this fate either by their own poor decision or the poor decision of another. When we invite liquor by the drink into our communities, then we also must be willing to accept all of the negatives that are associated with “it along with what it might do in regard to creating more social outlets, more work opportunities and the chance of enhancing the local economy. I want to believe that most of the people who choose to drink can do so in a responsible and educated manner. My experience has shown me that unfortunately, many do not. I have to admit that I have seen and experienced so much negative with alcohol abuse over these many years, that it has changed me. It is very difficult for me to support any more access opportunities than what the community has already allowed for.”

Ward 3

Boyd: “I personally feel that we must focus first and foremost on the recruitment of industry into our city. I truly believe that economic development will influence the growth of Martin...and if we have a solid workbase it will increase the population of Martin which will definitely increase the potential of businesses recruiting to our area. I will be most receptive to the choices made by the people of Martin whether or not the restaurant referendum is passed. It is up to the people of Martin to help bring about a positive change for our city...and that begins by each of us voting responsibly.”

Goad: “We have to improve the quality of life in Martin; we have to expand the recreation, entertainment, dining and employment opportunities in the city of Martin. Liquor may or may not bring more restaurants to Martin. But one thing is sure, if you don’t have reform, this limits the number of available options.”

The Pacer: How will you communicate with UTM students to make sure their voices are heard?

Ward 1

Cates: “Due to my experience with 3 children, Whitney Cates, UTM Class of ‘99, Tripp Cates, UTK, class of ‘02, and currently with Barrett Cates, a junior at UTM, and a UTM Graduate myself, Class of '74, they need a voice in city affairs. One of my reasons for running is to make our city more sensitive to the needs of UTM. Our city officials need to meet with UTM students and administration on a regular basis. Make students aware of city meeting by announcing it in the Pacer newspaper.

Gearin: “E-mail is a wonderful tool of communication and mine is always available. A regular article for “The Pacer” from the Board of Alderman would be another effective tool. Harrison: “By creating an open line with Student Government Association and its officers to get to know one another. This way when we interact with each other in public, I will be able to learn about the ideas and concerns of UTM students.”

McCollum: “I have several ways of meeting and talking with UTM students. 1) I sit on the Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, this board meets twice a year at the College. I can arrange a meeting prior to or after this meeting. 2) I have worked at MTD for the past 9 years, we employee several UTM students including the 60 job shares that work here during our peak season. I can be reached at work anytime during the day. 3) I can be reached at my home or at my e mail address timmccollum@yahoo.com. 4) I am open to any other forms of communicating with any of the residents of Martin.”

Simmons: “I will hold a town meeting anywhere that I am invited to speak. I will listen to anyone who has concerns or ideas that will benefit the city, as well as the university.” Ward 2

Belote: “Again, I see myself in a very unique position as alderman and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. My position with the University already allows me a wealth of opportunity to communicate with a variety of students concerning campus issues. The reason for this is that I already meet with or have the opportunity to meet with a variety of student groups on a consistent, regular basis. I can also exercise this same practice in regard to communicating city concerns and issues especially those issues that have a direct impact on the lives of UT Martin students. The prospect of being able to be one of those links between city and university student is one is that is truly exciting. I would be open to explore other productive ways to meet with students concerning city issues.”

Ward 3

Boyd: “UTM Students are a part of my Ward, therefore I would make myself readily available to them. First, I would meet with students monthly to inform them about issues of interest to them and encourage them to become active in city hall meetings. My involvement with students would come easy due to me being actively involved in UTM student life. Being a UTM alumni and a citizen of Martin has allowed me to have close ties to the school, faculty and the students.”

Goad: “Monthly meeting with people of my ward (including students) will be held at on and off campus locations.”

The Pacer: What are your views about the state lottery?

Ward 1

Cates: “At this time I am not in favor of a state lottery, there should be other ways to remedy our state economic problems.”

Gearin: “With state lotteries in so many states, including our neighbor Kentucky, the people of Tennessee can play the lottery at any time and many play regularly. A state lottery might keep those dollars local rather that sending them across state lines. My personal belief is that the lottery and our excessive sales taxes are oppressive to lower income families.”

Harrison: “I vote early and against a state lottery. I don't believe this is a basis for sound tax structure. I think that there are other ways to raise revenue to make everyone gets a good education.”

McCollum: “The state lottery is the other controversial issue on this year’s ballot. My view on this is that the lottery would provide some help to the funding of education, but it is not a fix-all. We have major issues with the State’s economy and budget that the lottery or this past year’s sales tax increase is not going to fix. We need our representatives to take a good look at our revenues and spending and make some hard decisions. There are several options that could provide more money for our education system than that, that the lottery would provide. If the lottery is passed I urge everyone not to sit back and let things continue on an as-is basis. We need to continue to talk and push our representatives to fix the system.”

Simmons: “I will support the lottery because we have failed to practice good citizenship. For the last twenty years, we ignored the cries that led to the shutdown of our state government in July. We forgot that we are the government, not our politicians. It was our responsibility to hold them, as well as ourselves, accountable. We failed miserably. If the lottery will keep more teachers employed, keep the arts in our schools, provide prescription medicines for our Senior Citizens, health care for our uninsured children and lower property taxes for everyone, how can one vote against it? I agree, gambling is not a Christian value, but not practicing good citizenship for the last twenty years is morally inexcusable.”

Ward 2

Belote: “I am against the lottery. It is an exceedingly weak way to dance around the real issue of tax reform in the State of Tennessee. As an administrator of higher education and advocate of access to public higher education, I have very little confidence in the current tax system based primarily on sales tax revenue. It will never provide a solid and consistent form of funding for higher education. I am tired of having a funding formula that cannot be funded 100 percent. I am tired of passing on tuition (30 percent increase in the last two years) increases to students when I can see first hand the financial burden that is being placed on them. I am tired of going through the yearly process of telling the state how much of our budget we are prepared to give back to the state because of revenue shortfalls. We cannot even plan effectively for one year, much less plan for the future in this current system. There is a way to tax fairly and effectively. The only obstacles I see at arriving at this way are courage and a willingness to understand that we are truly “our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.” All a lottery will do is indirectly increase the tax burden on a good number of our brothers and sisters. All of us who see the value in higher education especially at UT Martin need to once again mount a campaign for tax reform.

Ward 3

Boyd: “The dependence of funding education through a state lottery is a gamble. We as voters in Tennessee should focus on making education top priority. It would be unfair to only give a few pennies to education...when our education system deserves the very best. We should demand that a good education be implemented in our children's lives beginning at the primary level. If we give them the best of an education at an early age then we can expect the best from them. We must ask ourselves... “Can we honestly say that a state lottery is the primary answer to improving the education dilemna in which we are fully aware?”

Goad: “The state has continually shifted the burden of financing higher education to the students. Anything we can do to relieve that burden and make college more affordable is good. Lottery procededs are one way to do this.”

The Pacer: What is your platform?

Ward 1

Cates: “1) Work for the people of Ward 2) Make the City of Martin a business friendly city by promoting business, industry, and retail establishments. 3) Improve the working relationship with UTM students, administration, and the city of Martin officials.”

Gearin: “Volunteering to make a difference now and in the future. Let's work with Martin's most valuable resouce, People, to maintain and enhance our great city.”

Harrison: “I want bring in new industry and creating new jobs for Martin residents and UTM students. I want to may sure that do not raise any new taxes. We need to learn to live within the means of what our revenue will let us spend because we can't spend anymore until we control our expenditure. Managing The City of Martin’s business needs to be managed in a sound operating way. It is important that we make sure every dollar spent gets a dollar worth of service. We should run the city like a business and a personal household. I think my previous experience as mayor and alderman in another city will help Martin.”

McCollum: “My platform is for Martin to continue to grow, a stagnant city can be a dying city. We need to grow Martin with new industry and continue to grow, or at least maintain, our existing industry, we need to attract more retail and service business's, and we need to expand our recreation and entertainment areas for Martin's younger population. Before any of these ventures are taken on we need to ensure that proper zoning ordinances are in place to keep Martin a safe and friendly city. This is what has made Martin the city it is today and something that we do not need to forget. Our City should be one that attracts people to live and work here and at the same time keep our young people here versus moving off to a “BIG” city. Martin should be a City that attracts visitors to come to here to spend their tax dollars. If elected I will work towards making Martin a City everyone wants to be a part of and live in.”

Simmons: “My platform is simple, no taxation without representation and to protect our two greatest resources in Martin which are our children and our Senior Citizens. To my opponents, Mrs. Gearin, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Cates and Mr. McCollum, I am asking for your vote and the votes of your supporters, not because your are not good people, but because of what Thomas Jefferson once said. When asked about Shay’s Rebellion, Jefferson replied, “a little rebellion is good for a Republic every once in a while.” The city of Martin is over due, my name is Darrell Simmons and I am that rebellion. I am asking for your support on November 5th.”

Ward 2

Belote: “The most meaningful experiences in my family life, my work life, and my civic life have been centered around those things that have lead toward the building of community. “Building Community” or to continue to build community would be my platform. The beauty of building community is to know that there are hundreds upon hundreds of citizens (and that includes UT Martin students) who involve themselves daily in an effort to make our town a better place to live. Martin is a very special place to live because of its capacity to rally its citizens. It is a citizenry that cares. It is a citizenry willing to do those things that build community. Community Building takes work and it takes sacrifice. It takes a city government willing to involve its citizens and a citizenry willing to get involved.”

Ward 3

Boyd: “One people building One community with One vision beneficial to all citizens of Martin. I want to see this city progress and move ahead in the new millennium united as a people striving to make this city... “our home”...the very best that it can be. We all can make a difference...VOTE Nov. 5th !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I give special thanks to the UTM Pacer for allowing me to share my views with the wonderful students of UTM. Please remember to cast your vote...and know that it counts!!! God Bless!!”

Goad: “Growth, jobs and improving the quality of life in the City of Martin.”