Sunday, March 2, 2014
J. Mack Chandler Asks For A Second Term
Press release
I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your 
support and vote for a second term as your County Executive.
I care about Lawrence County and am an active member of our community. I attend OK Baptist Church, am past-president of the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club, a member of the Elks Lodge and Mimosa Lodge #542.
While serving as your county executive, I have managed our government like most of us run our homes, on a very conservative basis. We had the first true balanced budget in thirty years – that means we did not have to raise property taxes or dip into our savings to balance our budget.
At no time did we cut the services to the citizens of Lawrence County. This is what you elected me to do and this has been achieved by being conservative and spending tax dollars wisely. I feel the people of Lawrence County are taxed enough.
We have added jobs in Lawrence County and prevented jobs from leaving. We have added water lines through grants, Air Evac for quick medical response, cardiac monitors on all ambulances and helped our fire departments, community clubs and farmers.
We have had a great recycling program and roadside cleanup. We have reduced our debt by $20 million in the last four years without raising taxes or cutting services to citizens.
In 2012, I was re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Tennessee Southern Railroad Authority which regulates the operation of state funds for maintenance of railroad tracks and bridges in a three-county area serving Lawrence, Maury and Giles counties. The railroad is essential to the economy and growth to the many businesses it serves.
Recently announced was the Lawrence County HUB and Spoke grant, a huge plus for Lawrence County. It was a team effort that means even more success for our recycling program.
Lawrence County received the Rebuild Tennessee Award for 2012. The award was presented by the Tennessee Development District Association and the South Central Tennessee Development District. Lawrence County was the only county that received an award for creation of new jobs due to the expansion of industry.
In 2012, we announced that TPR Federal-Mogul Tennessee, Inc. would be establishing operations in Lawrenceburg. The move represented 72 new jobs and an investment of $31 million in Lawrence County.
Last year Lawrence County was awarded a $240,000 Life Skills Re-entry Grant that provides federal funding to train inmates of the Lawrence County Correctional Facility and newly released offenders who are struggling to succeed as productive citizens. This will be a major benefit to our community.
In the past 4 years I have spoken several times to the Community Clubs and any place I had a chance. I feel it is very important to Lawrence County to always keep our citizens informed on how we are spending their money and what’s going on in our government.
It has been one of my goals as county executive to do all I can to see us achieve a better quality of life for citizens, one of the most important factors in economic success.
Financial stability, low taxes, tax incentives to prospective businesses, funding for local schools, support for non-profit and civic groups, our on-going recycling and litter-grant programs, waterline extensions, industrial park improvements, are all very important in helping our local citizens to enjoy life and to draw others to our area.
We offer a strong workforce, technology programs that match skilled graduates with local industries, and partnerships between industries. We have so much going for us including the teamwork necessary for success. It takes a village to keep Lawrence County on a progressive path and through teamwork, we cannot fail.
In the next 4 years I want to have a Economic & Community Development plan that is superior to all which I feel will bring more jobs to Lawrence County. At this time I have several leaders in this community working with me who have the same vision as I to help formalize this effort.
I feel we are headed in the right direction for our county and I need your help to continue my efforts in helping Lawrence County. Please give me a second term and together we will continue to make a difference that will benefit the people of Lawrence County, your vote and influence is greatly appreciated.
