After a six-day trip to Iraq , Pakistan and Afghanistan , we were back on the campaign trail today canvassing Nashville , Lawrenceburg, Waynesboro and Linden , Tennessee .Our first stop with Steve Hayslip on the local CBS early show in Nashville came after I did an early morning interview with Don Imus on his morning show at 530a CT. We left Nashville for Lawrenceburg for two local radio show interviews with Eddie Lantroop at WLX and Jack Cheatwood at WDXE radio. Both went well.
After our radio appearances, I spoke to the senior class at Lawrence County High School where Mickey Dunn is the principal. Caring and committed, principal Dunn and his faculty do an outstanding job with the kids. The question and answer session with the kids revealed a serious thoughtfulness on the part of these kids. From ethics in Washington, to being free of Middle East oil to balancing the budget, the students, led by Michael Miller, Jacob Powell, David Lee, Elizabeth Rolen, Russ Moore, Tiffany Story, Chelsea Beckman, Lauren Harris, Ben Lowry, Ryan Evers and Kathryn Eck inspired me to want to campaign harder to win this race.
We left the school with my friends Chris Jackson and Mayor Allen Chapman, heading to the county courthouse to meet up with county Mayor Ametra Bailey and tour the county courthouse where I visited the offices of the Property Assessors - Barbara Kizer, Circuit Court Clerk - Leon Clanton, County Clerk - Chuck Kizer, Trustee - Cindy Benefield and Register of Deeds - Teresa Dunkins. The reception and support felt strong in each office. I thank the mayors again for their kindness, courage and support. My friend Mayor Chapman, I learned, spends his evenings as a state trooper. I appreciate his commitment to his constituents and our state.
Then, we headed to lunch at 1215p for a meet-and-greet at Square-Forty restaurant. The crowd was large and lively as Lawrence Co. Party Chairman Chris Williams greeted and introduced me to leaders in attendance. I spoke, took questions and asked people for their support. It was an interesting visit because a theme started to emerge there - people's confidence and trust in government is eroding, and our campaign has to be a part of restoring and rebuilding it. We did so well that the first person who walked up to me after the question and answer period shared that she came to the restaurant as a Republican committed to voting for the Republican nominee, but was leaving as a Republican supporting our campaign. I want to thank Ms. Marjorie Shaffer, an avid leader in the Lawrence County Republican Women organization, for her sweetness and sincerity -- and her support.
The crowd was full of local elected officials, including Clerk Leon Clanton, Mayor Ametra Bailey, Clerk Chuck Kizer and Property Assessor Barbara Kizer. I also want to thank Debbie Riddle, Paul Lee, Paul Plant, Bobby Thompson, David Lee, Robert Hyde, Carol Nelson, Lois Ray, Duane Whitten, Maurice Ayers, Bryan Bates, Joe Gieske, Howard & Ann Olive, Gail Hughes, Tim Jackson, Rodney Curtis, Dave Curtis, Jim Gabel, Janet Durham, Ruby Belew, Carolyn Kirchner, Elmor Cooke, Randall Staggs, Ray Blair, Vivian & Terry Gordon, Darlene Hamilton, Charles Clayton, Lucas Hunt and his mother Dru Henson-Hunt. I can't thank them enough. And finally, thanks goes to Ms. Shirley Clark for hosting us at her great restaurant. The chopped steak and string beans were good. We are going back soon.
From Lawrenceburg, we went to Waynesboro for meetings with County Mayor Willard Pope and local Democratic Party Chairman Ken Meredith. We met at the courthouse and were joined by Sheriff Carl Skelton, Police Chief Ric Wilson, City Manager Victor Lay and Collinwood City Mayor Jasper Brewer. The conversation centered on ways to help the Sheriff and Police Chief fight the spread of Meth, lower the cost of health care and natural gas and balance the federal budget.
I also want to thank Ms. Kay Meredith, Chairman Meredith's wife, for all of her kindness and hard work.
After the courthouse meeting and briefing, I took a tour of Tennessee Apparel Corporation, whose main clients are the United States Marine Corps and United States Army. They make dress uniforms for the Army and all weather jackets and pants for both the Army and Marines. Employing about 110 people, Tennessee Apparel is a good American company that creates and keeps jobs in Tennessee . Greeted by Owner Ted Helms and General Manager Doug Barnett when we arrived, and briefed by them during and after the tour, I learned that the Berry Amendment, which mandates that military uniforms be made in America , is important to keeping jobs in rural America . I gave them my word that as a United States Senator, I would continue supporting the amendment.
Our next stop was with local radio station WWON, located on Waynesboro's square. I want to thank Chris Lash for having me on his show.
From there, we traveled to the Wayne Medical Center for an important visit, tour and conversation about the shortcomings of the new prescription drug bill. In short, it is confusing and burdensome for seniors, hospitals and pharmacists. I want to thank Byron Quinton, Shirley Harder, Kay Casteel, Mike Sears, Jerry Duren, Antonio Uvas and Ray Kelso for sharing their valuable insight.
We had dinner with Douglas Bates of Centerville at the Rusty Fish Hook before our meet and greet in Linden.
Our final stop of the day was fantastic meet and greet in Perry County, organized by Chairman Tim Armstrong. I thank Mayor Benny Howard, Linden Mayor Jim Azbill, Lewis County Chairman Ronnie James, Perry County Sheriff Jerry Blakemore, Titus Durden, Ralph Stewart, Debera Bell-Beam, Jerry Risner, Doris Harlow, Jimmy Williams, Richard Vaughn, Rodger McDonald, Jesse Lee, Barbara Savage, David Ramey, Martha Canoll, Diane Armstrong, Bill and Sandie Stover, Florence Vaughn, Luther Jones, Randy Mackin, Bill Robert, Margaret Dill, Sharon Doyle, Jo Dailey, Linda Spencer, Sandra Warren, Dorothy Edwards, Kimberly Adkins, George Duncan, Paula King, Randy Wasson, Melanie Pace, Pam Wade, Dora DePriest, Eldon Smothers, Paula Fisher, Gene Cobel, Norma Henderson and John Carroll. There were supporters there from Perry, Lewis, Carroll and Hickman counties.
Our campaign is gaining more and more momentum, and I feel good.
Sincerely,
Harold
