WASHINGTON, DC—U.S Rep. John Rose (TN-6) spoke on the House Floor Wednesday in opposition to many of the provisions included in the House Democrats’ latest appropriations funding bill.

H.R. 8294, a package of six appropriations bills for fiscal year 2023:

• Increases overall domestic spending by 14%
• Increases the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 20%
• 17% increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Increases funding for general government activities by 17%
  • $1 billion increase for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • 30% increase for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • 20% increase for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

The full speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:  

Madam Speaker, on many different occasions I have come to this chamber to point out exactly how we arrived at this moment where we are experiencing record-breaking inflation. Each time, Congressional Democrats’ desire to recklessly spend trillions of taxpayer dollars continues to be the answer.

Here I am again, as the House passed yet another spending bill costing hundreds of billions of dollars and is filled with socialist wish list items that increases federal spending by double and triple percentage increases in some cases.

I, of course, voted “No.” Not only because it increases the size of our government by increasing spending on non-defense programs by 14%, but because it also fails to include the Hyde Amendment, which is a long-standing bipartisan agreement that protects taxpayer dollars for being used to fund abortions.

Overall, the bill would increase the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency by 20%, increase the budget for general governmental activities by 17%, and include a 10% increase for the Food and Drug Administration—the same department that botched the baby formula shortage.

This funding bill rewards bad behavior by giving funding increases to departments that have failed the American people. It encourages illegal immigration, it discourages increasing our domestic energy output by restricting offshore oil and gas activities, and it fails to fund our national defense construction priorities like the sea-launched cruise missile-nuclear. 

It’s been almost two years of complete Democratic control of government, and instead of addressing the root causes of the crises Democrats created, the bill doubles down on their failed socialist agenda. Tennesseans are fed up with the out-of-control spending. Americans all across the country are fed up with it, too.

Early voting for the August 4 election begins on July 15 and runs through July 30. Click HERE to view the sample ballot.

Early voting will be available at two locations: The Smith County Election Office and the Gordonsville Municipal Building.

Early voting at the Smith County Election office will be open from July 15–30 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Late-night early voting will be available on July 21 & 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Voters may vote early at the Gordonsville Municipal Building on Thursday, July 21 from 8am to 7pm, Friday July 22 from 8am to 4pm, Saturday July 23 from 9am to 12pm.

Both early voting sites will be open to all Smith County voters, regardless of where in the county they live. On Election Day, the Gordonsville location will only be available for those voters who live in the Gordonsville district. The Smith County
Election Office is not a voting location on Election Day.

If you wait until Election Day (August 4) to vote, you must go to the polling location that is located in the precinct where you
live.

Tennessee’s generous early voting period for the Aug. 4 State and Federal Primary & State and County General Election begins this Friday, July 15, and runs Monday to Saturday until Saturday, July 30.

“More Tennessee voters take advantage of the convenience and flexibility of our state’s generous early voting period every year,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “There is a longer ballot for the Aug. 4 election, so I encourage Tennessee voters to cast their ballot early.”

On the August ballot, Tennessee voters will see primary races for Governor, U.S. House, State Senate, State House and the State Executive Committee members for each political party and retention or general elections for judicial offices and other state and local positions. 

Early voting allows Tennesseans to avoid Election Day crowds and shorten their wait time. Early voting also offers the flexibility of evening and Saturday hours and multiple polling locations in many counties.

Tennesseans can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view sample ballots and more with the GoVoteTN app or online at GoVoteTN.gov. The GoVoteTN app is free in the App Store or Google Play. 

Voters are encouraged to review their sample ballot on the GoVoteTN app or GoVoteTN.gov before they head to the polls. Reviewing your ballot and deciding how you will vote will also reduce your time at the polls.

“There are several judicial retention questions on the ballot this year.  I want voters to be aware that the August ballot is longer than normally and will take additional time to complete,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. “When you vote early, you can help reduce wait times for yourself and other voters.”

Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day need to bring valid photo identification to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee state government or the federal government is acceptable even if it’s expired. Student IDs are not acceptable. Out of state driver’s license are not acceptable.  More information about what types of IDs are permitted is available on GoVoteTN.gov.

For the latest accurate information about the upcoming election, follow the Secretary of State’s social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate.

For more information about early voting, visit GoVoteTN.gov or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.

I, Jerome Donoho, would like to formally announce my candidacy for Smith County Clerk.

I grew up in the Pleasant Shade community and I am a member of Pleasant Shade Upper Cumberland Presbyterian Church. I have remained a resident of Smith County throughout my entire life.

I have been married to my wife, Kelly Bane Donoho for 30 years. Together we have 3 wonderful daughters – Kelsey, Katie & husband Damian, and Maizey, as well as one grandson – Cole.

I started Donoho’s Muffler Shop in 1983. It has been a privilege to have developed so many relationships with the people of Smith County these past 35+ years, and I feel extremely blessed to have had the support of this community throughout my career thus far. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve the public in a different way through this new avenue.

I will be running as an Independent candidate – I hope to have the opportunity to speak with you in person, but if I am unable to reach you, I humbly ask for your support throughout my campaign over the coming months, and for your vote in August.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans who want to cast a ballot in the Aug. 4 State and Federal Primary & State and County General Election must register or update their voter registration before the voter registration deadline on Tuesday, July 5. 

“Going into this 4th of July holiday, I can’t think of a more patriotic thing to do than to register to vote,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “With our convenient online voter registration system, it’s never been easier or safer for Tennesseans to register to vote or update their registration.”

Registering to vote, updating your address or checking your registration status is fast, easy and secure with the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system. Any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security can register online in minutes from any computer or mobile device at GoVoteTN.gov.

Voters can also download a paper voter registration application at GoVoteTN.gov. Completed paper voter registration applications must be mailed to your local county election commission office or submitted in person. Mailed voter registrations must be postmarked by July 5.

Election Day registration is not available in Tennessee.

Early voting for the Aug. 4 election starts Friday, July 15, and runs Monday to Saturday until Saturday, July 30. The deadline to request an absentee by-mail ballot is Thursday, July 28. However, eligible voters who will be voting absentee by-mail should request the ballot now.

For up-to-date, accurate information about the Aug. 4 election, follow the Secretary of State’s social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate.

For more information about registering to vote, voter eligibility and other Tennessee election details, visit GoVoteTN.gov or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.

This Friday, July 1, the Smith County Young Republicans will host their Summer Meeting at the Walton Hotel in Downtown Carthage. The event will begin at 6:30 PM and will feature the Republican candidates for State Representative, Michael Hale and Representative Terri Lynn Weaver. In addition to Mr. Hale and Rep. Weaver, all local Republican candidates are invited to attend and be recognized.

This will be a great opportunity to hear from your Republican candidates. You can find more information at the following link: https://fb.me/e/3yQuz0HEp.

I, Justin Mauldin, am honored to announce my candidacy for County Commissioner – District 6 in Smith County. I reside in the Town of Carthage with my lovely wife, Sarah, and we have been blessed with two young boys. I am a Christian, Husband, Father, and Conservative.

I have the privilege of serving as the youth minister for the Carthage Church of Christ and also work for a local telecommunications cooperative. Before my current employment, I was in the banking sector with work focused on operations and anti-money laundering analysis.

I am seeking this office to be a voice for Smith County values. We are all fortunate to be Americans and Tennesseans, but even more significant than those two identities is that we are Smith Countians. We are lucky to be able to call this wonderful county our home. It’s home to my family and me now, but I want Smith County to be the place that all of our future generations want to call home and continue to be proud of.

I make the following commitments to the people of Smith County:
-to promote fiscal responsibility
-to partner with everyone in our community and build positive working relationships
-to work for a better quality of life and leave this county a better place.
-to conduct myself with the utmost integrity
-to fulfill all the duties and responsibilities of the office of county commissioner as efficiently and competently as possible

I ask for your vote in the county general election on August 4th. I am excited about this journey that I am embarking on and would be delighted to serve you as a commissioner for District 6. It is an honor and a privilege to be considered for this office. Please reach out to me to share your ideas about how to improve our community and improve Smith County. This is your community and your county. Please allow me to be a voice for Smith County values. I look forward to hearing from you.

You may follow my campaign on Facebook page or reach me by phone at 615-486-2079 or via email at jmauldinforsmithcounty@gmail.com.

Submitted by Smith County Mayor, Jeff Mason.

I wanted to update the citizens on the budget plans we have worked on this Spring. Each year, we begin internally discussing budgets in January and February. Budget work sheets are sent to elected officials and department heads in February each year. Elected officials and department heads compile their projected budgets for the next year and return the forms. The Budget and Finance Committee, which is made up of 11 county commissioners, begins budget meetings in March. During these meetings, elected officials and department heads present their proposed budget, explaining why they have requested the funds they have for the next year. This year we ended those in late May. Below I will lay out some of the high points of the proposed budget the Commission will vote on June 27^th. We are mandated by the state to pass a balanced budget by July 1^st. If a budget is not passed, then a continuing budget based on the previous year’s budget is in place until a new budget is passed.

Tax Rate

The state certified tax rate will be $1.7331. This rate is set by the state and determined by the new property values and what the rate should be set at to bring in the same amount of property tax dollars as the previous year. As all of you know, our property values increased significantly in the past 5 years. I believe the actual increase in values was 43%. Our property tax rate last year after reducing it 25 cents was set at $2.48. In full transparency, I will use my home as an example of how this effects your tax bill.

2021

• Total Appraisal $229,000
• Assessment 25%
• Total Assessment $57,250
• $57,250 X .0248 Tax Rate= Tax Bill Due Oct 1, 2021 -$1419.80

2022

• Total Appraisal $329,900
• Assessment 25%
• Total Assessment $82,475
• $82,475 X .01731 Tax Rate = Tax Bill Due Oct 1, 2022 -$1429.37

I know this will be different for every parcel across the county and some will go up more and others may decrease.

We had several different allotments state and federal money that was directly allocated to the county over the past 2 years from the Pandemic. There were heavy restrictions placed on some of the money and others were not. Some of those restrictions have been eased and others have not. Below I will lay out the plan I proposed and that has passed the Budget and Finance committee.

Roads

From our Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funds, $1.5 million will be placed in a Highway Capital Projects account. This money will be only used to buy oil and rock for road improvements, a chip spreading machine, and an engineering study to develop a master road plan.

Also, I am proposing to shift 17 cents from the General Fund to Highway Capital Projects account which will add another approximately $1 million into the Highway Capital Projects account for the 2022-2023 budget year. This is only for one year and it is because we have a healthy enough fund balance to support this for one year. If revenues are more than expected and costs are less than projected for 22-23, we may be able to do that again in the 23-24 budget.

I know how bad our roads are and how much work that needs to be done. This not enough to fix them all but it is a start. Road Superintendent Mickey Barrett will develop a list of roads that this money will be used on and will develop a plan to fix those roads. He will then report on the road improvement progress to the Road and Bridges Committee and full Commission as it is made.

Fiber Internet

We will allocate $512,000 dollars of our American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to either match a grant that DTC has applied for or directly pay DTC a portion of the total project. DTC has agreed to either use grant funds and the local match, or their own capital dollars and the local match to finish supplying fiber internet in Smith County. Within the next two to three years, every home should have access to high-speed fiber internet. DTC, North Central and Twin Lakes have worked hard to get grants or have spent their own money to high-speed internet throughout Smith County.

TDEC ARP Water, Sewer, and Wastewater Grants

I have proposed to set aside another $700,000 of ARP funds to provide match money to utility districts to do water line extension or upgrade projects. Smith County has been allocated $3.9 million from the state ARP Funds to do these projects. We must match up to 35% of that money with our own federal ARP money. My plan will be to split that 35% with utility districts to get their projects done. My one desire is to make sure this money is used to get water to people that do not currently have access to water.

State of Tennessee Direct County Grant

We received $342,000 dollars in a one-time direct allocation from the Governor and the State Legislature in July of 2021. I have proposed to set aside that money to make the needed repairs and or replace the playground equipment at Kidz Central and other projects at Crump Paris and the Ag Center complex.

County Capital Project Fund

We started a Capital Projects fund in the 19-20 budget year. The purpose of this fund was to avoid the county having to borrow money to replace police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, etc. We place approximately $400,000 per year in this fund. This year we will buy the sheriff’s patrol 3 cars, which cost more than $40,000 each and an ambulance remount, which is over $160,000 and fund the match portion of the CDBG (Community Development Block) Grant that is purchasing a new rescue squad truck for the south side of the county, for which our match portion will be approximately $60,000. We do not spend every dime in this fund. We are trying to meet our needs but also build a balance for future purchases of fire trucks and turn out gear that will be needed in the next 10 years.

This proposed plan does not fix every need we have in the county, but it does make some improvements. The library, the old courthouse and the Turner Admin building still need updates and repairs. I will continue to try and make those happen as we have the funds.

Thank you for allowing and trusting me to lead our County. I love my job and I love this county and its people. – Jeff Mason

You are invited to attend the ‘Rally on the River’ candidate forum at the Smith County Fair on Monday, July 4, 2022. This event will be held at the Smith County Fair Grounds located at 159 Ag Center Lane – Carthage, Tennessee. The event will begin around 6:00pm, immediately following the Apple Pie Contest in the Pioneer Village area of the fairgrounds.

This event is sponsored by Smith County Insider and the Smith County Chamber of Commerce.

All candidates are invited to attend. Each candidate will have the opportunity to speak for 3-5 minutes (time limit will depend on how many candidates participate). There is NO COST for candidates to come speak except for the $5 fair admission.

The forum will be streamed LIVE on Smith County Insider’s Facebook page and viewers will be able to watch for free.

Click HERE to see the full schedule of events at the 2022 Smith County Fair.

We look forward to seeing you at the Smith County Fair ‘Rally on the River’!

Hi! My name is Brian Goodman and I am seeking the office of District 8 County Commissioner as a write-in on August 4th, 2022.

I have served our community with the agency that I am employed by, which is UCHRA where I serve as the County Coordinator in Smith County.  I have a beautiful family, Renee’ and myself have been married for 18 years and we have 4 boys. I am also the Pastor of Grace Family Fellowship in Lebanon, TN. 

I want to be a Candidate that will work for you regardless of your Political views and insights that you might have. I believe every Candidate has to treat the voters all on the same level, “No one is higher than the other one.” It would be an honor to work alongside the other County Commissioner to help serve the Citizens of Smith County.

I’m Clay Faircloth, a candidate for Tennessee’s 6th congressional district, and my name will be on the Democratic Primary ballot this year on August 4th and again on November 8th. I would appreciate your prayers, support, and vote! Please visit clayforcongress.org to learn more about how to get involved! 

I’m a hometown boy, born and raised in Middle Tennessee. My wife and I raised our family in Donelson; however, we did live for a time in Wilson County and in Murfreesboro. We grew up down the street from one another and now live on her grandparents place we purchased twenty-one years ago. This land was originally granted to a distant relative of mine for his service in our war for freedom from Great Britain.

This part of God’s country means a lot to me, and yes, it’s still worth the fight!

As a young child growing up in Nashville, I had free rein to play in the fields and cow pastures surrounding our home.

My paternal grandparents had a farm with animals and a large garden, and once we were old enough to reach the pedals of the truck, we helped haul hay.  The men in the family spent this time loading heavy bales of hay into the back of the truck, but I too would soon get a turn doing my share of the heavy lifting.

While playing in the fields and woods surrounding our home, my brother and I would often pretend we were one of the first settlers to this land or one of our great war heroes fighting off the “commies” in our town. Yes, Nashville was a town not too long ago. Our imaginations would take us on a path to conquest and freedom, protecting our land, families, etc.

Another character I often dreamed of one day becoming was Perry Mason. The television show was one of my favorites. I thought he was brilliant! He always knew the right questions to ask and almost always it helped his client secure their freedom while simultaneously winning their case.

For years, when anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say, I want to be a lawyer, like Perry Mason. I even began my college career as a political science major hoping one day to attend law school and fulfill that dream. As the country song goes, thank God for unanswered prayers!

Years later after finally finishing college, earning a masters’ degree in counseling, and serving as a pastor in Nashville, I recently offered myself some of the same advice I had given so many others over the years. To determine where a person’s passions lie, I would often ask them questions like why did you choose this training or what ability do you possess that will help you succeed in this field of work? As I had been praying about the opportunity before me now, I did a brief review of my career and noticed something as obvious as the nose on your face. What I discovered was this: I did not want to be Perry Mason because he was a lawyer; I wanted to be Perry Mason, because he helped people.

That’s who I am, a helper. Now I know that doesn’t seem like a grand title for someone seeking the office of United States Representative from Tennessee’s new 6th district would covet, but I wouldn’t trade it for any other. That’s who I am. I want to help.

As I assessed the growing vitriol language and angst in our society, I knew my time had come to do the “heavy lifting” once again. I’m a candidate for Congress not because of the fancy title and the prestige that comes with the office. I am going to be your next Congressman from TN6 because you know that’s what we need as well; someone who will help. Help heal our land and help people communicate their beliefs and ideas without hatred or indifference for those with opposing views. I want to serve you and all the people of our region, all 2.3 million of you who reside in the greater Middle Tennessee area. As one of three votes/voices in Washington representing us and our Tennessee values I pledge to help us come back together as a nation and as a people. I will work for our families, our communities, and for each of you too, as we imagine what the world could be if only someone cared…. if only someone believed in us again. I believe in you! Let’s do this together. Vote Clay for Congress TN6. Your vote is your voice! clayforcongress.org.

A Meet and Greet will be held Friday, June 10th from Noon-1:30 p.m. at BB’s Bistro, 4 E Main Street, Gordonsville TN.

In accordance with Article IV, Section 4.05 of the Bylaws of the Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, hereinafter called “cooperative,” notice is given of three impending vacancies on the Cooperative’s Board of Directors due to expiring terms of three incumbent directors.

One directorate term will expire in District One and one director will be elected or re-elected from District One.

One directorate term will expire in District Three and one director will be elected or re-elected from District Three.

One directorate term will expire in District Four and one director will be elected or re-elected from District Four.

• Directorate District No. One consists of the areas served by the cooperative in Smith, Dekalb, Macon, and Wilson Counties.
• Directorate District No. Three consists of the areas served by the cooperative in Overton, Clay, Fentress and Pickett Counties.
• Directorate District No. Four consists of the areas served by the cooperative in Jackson County.

Any member meeting the qualifications for director as specified in Article IV, Section 4.02, of the Cooperative’s Bylaws may petition to become a candidate for election to the Board of Directors. Any candidate for director must file a qualifying petition with the Secretary of the Cooperative, Alan Pippin, or with the Cooperative’s General Manager, Jennifer Brogdon, on or before June 12, 2022.

Petition packages containing petition forms, the Cooperative’s Bylaws and the board’s policy governing the Directorate Election activities will be issued from UCEMC’s Corporate Office located at 907 Main Street North, Carthage, TN 37030. Requests for petition information may be made to any cooperative office.

• 1794 West Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38503; 800-261-2940
• 320 Celina Highway, Livingston, TN 38570; 800-261-2940
• 1085 N. Grundy Quarles Highway, Gainesboro, TN 38562; 800-261-2940
• 138 Gordonsville Highway, South Carthage, TN 37030; 800-261-2940
• 907 Main Street North, Carthage, TN 37030; 800-261-2940

A Credentials Committee, appointed, meeting, and acting in accordance with Article IV, Section 4.07 of the Cooperative’s Bylaws, will determine the eligibility of each petitioner to become a qualified candidate.

If required to comply with Article IV, Section 4.11 of the Cooperative’s Bylaws, a district directorate election will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM in the cooperative’s office in each directorate district. Early voting will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM in the cooperative’s office in each directorate district.

On Tuesday, Smith County voters cast ballots in the first of three elections for 2022. For the first time in county history, primaries were held for locally elected officials, with only 29.7% of registered voters going to the polls. The winners of the party primaries move on to the county general election in August as nominees for their party; however, two races served as de-facto elections, with only Republican candidates qualified for the County Mayor and Sheriff’s races.

Riddleton resident Art Shady challenged first-term County Mayor Jeff Mason in the mayor’s race. Mason won the Republican nomination and presumptive general election victory with 2,937 votes to Shady’s 532 votes. Mason will begin serving his second term after the August election.

Incumbent Sheriff Steve Hopper faced opposition from Scott Moore, Captain and Public Information Officer for the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, for the sheriff’s race. Steve Hopper earned the Republican nomination and will be elected to a fourth term during the August elections.

In the race to succeed retiring Trustee Lee Ann Williams, Julie Wright defeated Jackie Gentry 2,385 to 898. Wright will serve as the Republican nomination for Trustee in the August election. Independents Ronnie Lankford and Craig Williams will also appear on the ballot during the general election.

The fourth and final contested primary was for County Commission District 5 – Gordonsville. Danny Irizarry, Steven Lish, and Eddie Stout earned more votes than incumbent Linda Nixon in the Republican primary. In August, the three will appear as the Republican nominees against Independent Blake Richmond.

The remaining races were uncontested, and all candidates moved on to the general election in August. You may see the complete list of election results here.

For future local political and election news, keep an eye on Smith County Insider’s Politics Page!

Voters had the opportunity to cast ballots in a variety of races during the county’s first primary election, including circuit court and general sessions judge, public defender, county mayor, sheriff, trustee, county commissioners, and several more.

Polls were open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and voters had the opportunity to vote early from April 13-28 or by absentee ballot.

Below is a PDF of the election results for the May 3, 2022 Smith County Primary.

Use the up and down arrows at the top and bottom of the PDF to scroll between pages.

8 of 8 Precincts have reported, along with Early and Absentee.