CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Bradley County's financial standing was a recurring theme Tuesday in a debate among the three candidates for county mayor in the May 4 Republican Party primary.
Incumbent D. Gary Davis told an audience of several hundred at Lee University that the county's economy is strong and Bradley has a AA bond rating. Only six other counties in the state can top that, he said.
County Commissioner Lisa Stanbery said the county's potential for growth is not being tapped. She said her administration would be more open and transparent on fiscal and other issues.
Political newcomer Chris Weir said the county has too much debt and should look for other sources of revenue. He agreed with Mrs. Stanbery that more openness is needed, although Mr. Davis said, "My door is always open."
Mr. Davis said he has submitted 10 balanced budgets and won county commission and state approval as mayor without a property tax increase. He said the county's $80 million in debt, all approved by commissioners, is far under what the county conceivably could borrow.
And Mr. Davis said the county has added more than 1,600 jobs in the last three years.
Mrs. Stanbery said she is a small-business owner who would work to create jobs at livable wages, build a good quality of life for seniors and look for funding and land for infrastructure for industry and housing.
"Bradley County is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the huge impact VW is going to have in our community over the next five years," she said. "But today Bradley County is not poised and ready for this opportunity."
KEY ELECTION DATESMay 4: County primary electionAug. 5: County general election, state primaryNov. 2: State/federal electionSource: Tennessee Division of Elections
Mr. Weir said he has business and military experience as a supply sergeant in Iraq that includes managing huge amounts of equipment and material and hundreds of people.
He said he would "get rid of" county debt through repayment and looking for more revenue sources.
Mr. Weir said he does not doubt his opponents love Bradley County and that he prays for them each night.
The debate, organized by the Bradley County Young Republicans and Lee University Young Republicans, ended with a straw poll.
Audience members were asked to place slips of paper in separate bowls, but few people voted. The results were 53 votes for Mrs. Stanbery, 52 for Mr. Davis and 16 for Mr. Weir.