Gibbs, a former director of schools for Cheatham County, said quality education is the number one issue facing Tennessee. Education is more than just what politicians talk about at election time, Gibbs said. He said local school districts should have more say in students?
education, rather than the state. Strengthening vocational programs would help lower the dropout rate. And developing apprenticeship programs would be a viable tool in helping those not planning to attend college move into the workforce easier, Gibbs said.
?Education of our children is one of the most important things we do as a community, and it represents the single most expensive expenditure of state and local tax dollars,? he said.
Johnson spoke of his support for education during the last four years as a state senator. He supported the state salary increases to bring local teacher pay to the Southeastern average and brought in Tennessee Technology Center officials to meet with county leaders to explore a possible satellite campus locally. He said a program he helped develop is bringing more health and fitness back to the classroom over the next few years.
He sponsored a bill that helped teachers, who were struggling with the conflicting requirements of No Child Left Behind and Tennessee?s Value Added scoring, be judged fairly on their performance, Johnson said. ?
Illegal immigrants should not receive state services and healthcare,? Gibbs said. ?
And businesses that knowingly employ them should be punished. We must respect those that are here legally, but we must also hold accountable those that break the law.?
Gibbs and Johnson said they were against a state income tax. Johnson said he supported an amendment that would give tax relief to seniors. ?
So older members of our community won?t see going to the doctor or pharmacy as a choice between healthcare and food,? Gibbs said.
He?d support gun owners and an increase in the minimum wage, Gibbs said. Johnson detailed several items that have been accomplished during his four-years in office, also.
More than $1.2 in grants have been approved for Renaissance Ashland City, and the intersection at Highway 49 and Old Clarksville Pike in Pleasant View is now on TDOT?s fix list, he said.
Renovations to the intersection at Little Marrowbone Road and Highway 12 corrected a hazard in front of the fire hall, and new turn lanes in front of Hickory Hollow Condominiums created a safer entrance, Johnson said.
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