Published: October 27, 2009 03:27 pm      

Gubernatorial hopeful Haslam knocks on doors in Cumberland County

He came to town to meet Cumberland Countians where they live. That was the mission of Republican gubernatorial candidate and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, on Monday, Oct. 19, as he made the rounds in Cumberland County.

This was Haslam's eighth trip to the county, and joining him was his wife, Crissy, and campaign aide Andrew Hogan. Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill was their host. "He is real and very genuine in his desire to serve our state," said Hill.

"We've been walking through neighborhoods about three days a week knocking on doors," said the gubernatorial candidate, "because you hear a different set of issues at someone's front door."

Haslam's focus lately has not only been meeting Tennesseans face-to-face, but also getting the word out on his five-point education plan.

"Improving education is fundamental to job creation and economic development," said Haslam. "We must improve the skill level of our workforce and make sure every child is prepared for the future." His five points include:

1. Higher expectations for Tennessee students, with the reliable factor being, at minimum, a high school diploma. The dropout rate is too high, and the state ranks 42nd in the country in education. Only 22 percent of Tennesseans over age 25 have a bachelor's degree.

2. School principals need more training, more authority and responsibility. All 1,718 schools in Tennessee need good principals with the autonomy to make good decisions. Haslam foresees developing a statewide principals' leadership academy with regional hubs across the state.

3. He wants to recruit, support, and retain great teachers, who have the skills, passion and knowledge needed, for every classroom. He supports a teacher advancement program that allows time during the school day for teachers to interact with each other and further development.

4. Assessments, interventions and accountability measures in education must be rooted in reliable data.

5. Parents need more control over the education of their children. No child should ever be trapped in a low-performing school. Additionally, home schooling and charter schools deserve greater support.

To improve education, Haslam foresees making better use of the state education system's existing assets and resources.

Other interests for Haslam include improving the skills of the workforce and the creation of economic development focus groups. "Every region of the state has different circumstances and needs," said Haslam. "Regional job councils made up of people from that area can focus on developing the strategic resources of that region. One of our next governor's biggest challenges is economic development in rural areas."

With the great debate over health care occupying much of the citizenry's and politicians' attention, Haslam wants to create health care focus groups. He is very concerned about whatever health care bill may be passed, since it could be very burdensome on a state budget already dealing with a shortfall running $1.3 billion annually. It was only saved this year by the federal stimulus money, which will not be available next year.

Haslam stated that even though the state budget will be "under water" by $1.3 billion, he still will not raise taxes. He prefers, instead, to dramatically restructure the state government he would inherit. Tennessee's annual budget is $29 billion, and he will be looking for ways to trim that $1.3 billion out of it.

Regarding roads, an issue close to the heart of Fairfield Glade residents, Haslam said, "The reality is that all around the state we have roads in need of improvement; here it's Lantana and Peavine." While he wouldn't commit to beginning construction the day after elected, Haslam did say, "I will commit to getting that road built while I'm governor."