Attention all Candidates: Going into the August Elections, The Independent Appeal is attempting to contact each of our candidates in our contested local elections to give each candidate an equal chance to address the voters of McNairy County.

We are asking each candidate to submit biographies to highlight your qualifications, share information about your background, set goals for your term in office, if elected, and to discuss some of the pressing issues concerning the county. A sample bio is included at the bottom of this document for your review.

All Bios should include: Contact email and/or Phone number (We will not print this information) All Bios should also include:Candidate Name, Seat in Which you are running, and General Background information. (We will print this information)Also, Please answer the following questions regarding your election.Why are you uniquely qualified to be elected to the office in which you are running?What would you like to accomplish, if elected?What is the most pressing issue regarding the seat in which you are running for, affecting the citizens, and how would you resolve it?

In order to give each candidate an equal voice with the voters we are setting strict word count limits for candidates in each race. Submitted Bios must come within 50 words of the limit for your respective race to assure equal space for each candidate. Bios which exceed the set word limits will have to be edited to conform to length limits. Word counts can be easily checked on MS Word or OpenOffice by selecting <Tools then <Word Count.

We will also need a high quality photo of each candidate. Candidates can submit a high-quality digital photo of their choosing to editor@independentappeal.com. Candidates can also contact the Independent Appeal to set up a free photo shoot for bio pictures by contacting Christen Coulon at (731) 645-5346.

Thanks for you help, and please let me know if you have any questions Christen CoulonManaging Editor, Independent Appeal

(731) 645-5346(731) 434-8387 cellEditor@independentappeal.comWord count limits by Race and Bio Deadline.

County Mayor word limit 700 words (May 30 deadline...Will run earlier if all bios submitted) Expected Pub Date June 4.Ronnie Brooks (D) County MayorLarry Smith (R) County Mayor

General Sessions Judge word limit 700 words (June 6 deadline...Will run earlier if all bios submitted) Expected Pub Date June 11.Pamela Drewery Rodgers General Sessions Judge

Terry L. Wood General Sessions JudgeVan McMahan (D) General Sessions Judge

County Sheriff's Race word limit 700 words (June 6 deadline...Will run earlier if all bios submitted) Expected Pub Date June 11 or 18.Guy Buck (R) SheriffRicky Howell (D) Sheriff

District Attorney General District 25 word limit 700 words (June 6 deadline...Will run earlier if all bios submitted) Expected Pub Date June 11 or June 18.David Michael Dunavant District Attorney General District 25D. J. Norton District Attorney General District 25

Public Defender District 25 word limit 700 words (June 20 deadline...Will run earlier if all bios submitted) Expected Pub Date June 25.Bo Burk Public Defender District 25Lyle Jones Public Defender District 25Shana Johnson Public Defender District 25

County Road Commissioner word limit 700 words (June 20 deadline...Will run earlier if all bios submitted) Expected Pub Date June 25.Harvey Neal Smith (R) County Road CommissionerSammy Hill (D) County Road Commissioner

County Commission word limit 400 words (June 27 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 2.Kenneth Amerson County Commission, District 1Aubrey W. Harris County Commission, District 1David McCullar County Commission, District 1James “J-Mac” McNeil County Commission, District 1Darrell J. Roberts County Commission, District 1John Edward Talbott County Commission, District 1

County Commission word limit 400 words (June 27 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 2.Troy L. Berry County Commission, District 2Stephen Ross Browder County Commission, District 2Jeffrey A. Lipford County Commission, District 2Matthew S. Wood County Commission, District 2

County Commission word limit 400 words (June 27 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 2.James L. Hollingsworth County Commission, District 3Kevin Lipford County Commission, District 3Troy L. Moore County Commission, District 3Carol A. Woods County Commission, District 3William F. Yarbrough County Commission, District 3

County Commission word limit 400 words (July 1 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 9.

Tammy D. Dillon County Commission, District 4Keith A. Jernigan County Commission, District 4Judy Brush McLean County Commission, District 4Jay Weatherford County Commission, District 4

County Commission word limit 400 words (July 1 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 9.Brenda E. Cauley County Commission, District 5Stevie J. Clark County Commission, District 5Steven W. Hunter County Commission, District 5Stanley M. Wheeler County Commission, District 5

County Commission word limit 400 words (July 1 deadline)Expected Pub Date July 9.Wilburn Gene Ashe County Commission, District 6Billy Wayne Brown County Commission, District 6Neal Burks County Commission, District 6Jeff R. Kelley County Commission, District 6Joe D. Maness County Commission, District 6Sandra Barnes Whitaker County Commission, District 6

County Commission word limit 400 words (July 1 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 9 or 16.Charlie Garrison County Commission, District 7Gregory L. Martin County Commission, District 7Jim Rickman County Commission, District 7Anthony D. Smith County Commission, District 7

Constable word limit 400 words (July 8 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 16.Bradley Huckabee Constable, District 6William Perry Price Constable, District 6

School Board word limit 400 words (July 8 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 16.Frank H. Lacey School Board, District 2Mark Massey School Board, District 2

School Board word limit 400 words (July 8 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 16.Tony A. Chapman School Board, District 3Bradley J. Hendrix School Board, District 3

School Board word limit 400 words (July 8 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 16.Johnny Blakely School Board, District 5Jarrell M. Stanfield School Board, District 5

School Board word limit 400 words (July 8 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 16.Monica D. Matlock School Board, District 6

Jean R. Jones School Board, District 6

Eastview Alderman word limit 400 words (July 8 deadline) Expected Pub Date July 16.Elvis Butler City of Eastview, AldermanJeff Coln City of Eastview, AldermanJames G. Humphrey City of Eastview, AldermanLucy H. Martin City of Eastview, AldermanTerry L. Pearson City of Eastview, AldermanBurl Sutton City of Eastview, Alderman

Early Voting Begins July 18

Two Races????????J. Webber McCraw Circuit Court Judge Part I District 25Joseph H. Walker Circuit Court Judge Part II District 25

Two Races????????William C. Cole Chancellor Part I District 25Martha B. Brasfield Chancellor Part II District 25

Sample BioCandidate Name: John Smith Running for: Mayor, Town of Selmer

Background information: -John Preston Smith, 40 years old-Alderman for Town of Selmer for 8 years-Treasurer for Town of Selmer for 6 years-Member of the Planning Commission for the Town of Selmer-Policy Council Board member for Southwest Human Resource Agency-14-year veteran for the Selmer Fire Department-Son of Dr. Jamie and Sherry Smith-Father of two, Cross Smith and Cana Smith-Sports Announcer for McNairy Central basketball-Local business owner - Yards-N-More

Why are you uniquely qualified to be Mayor of Selmer?

I am uniquely qualified because of my relationship with the great citizens that choose to call Selmer home, as well as my background with Selmer city government. Serving Selmer as Alderman for the past eight years has been a wonderful position to hold. The fine folks of Selmer have elected me for two terms, where I have always tried to put the people first in every decision I made. I believe the relationships I have built throughout the state of Tennessee and in Washington, D.C. will definitely help our town in moving forward together. There is no big “I” in my name. John Smith is a team player who understands and appreciates what other citizens can bring to the table. I’m not writing this to convince you how smart I am, but rather how hard I will work for YOU, the hardworking citizens that choose to work in Selmer and call it home. I’m not the type of person who wants a pat on the back, but rather

wants to make your life a little bit better by the end of the day. At 40 years old, I can relate to the younger generation as well as understand and work with those older than me. I have been in the trenches and understand the value of a hard-earned dollar. Vote John Smith November 5th and let’s move forward together.

What would you like to accomplish, if elected as Mayor of Selmer?

What I WILL accomplish for Selmer will be totally different environment for the employees of the city, those who own or manage businesses, manufacturers, and those who choose to call Selmer home. As your next Mayor of Selmer, I will give 100% dedication toward marketing and promoting Selmer . I think we can all be in agreement that Selmer faces many issues. As your next mayor, I will address all issues, both large and small. I believe Selmer has some areas geographically that would be great for various types of business. We live in an era that you have to know people and have relationships to “get the ball rolling”, as they say. I am that person. I believe there are three things we have to focus on quickly:

1. Attracting jobs to expand our tax base – this will enable us to make improvements in the parks and recreation department, our roads, and clean up throughout town.

2. Better communication between city and county government – this is an absolute must. The county mayor and I have a great relationship which will benefit the future and ultimately the direction in which Selmer needs to be headed.

3. Marketing Selmer to industry, retail and tourism – all three are different and need to be marketed differently. As your next mayor, I will be contacting the governor, looking and numbers and meeting with various manufacturers. With YOUR vote for John Smith, and my dedication and commitment, we will be moving forward together.

What is the most pressing issue affecting the citizens of Selmer, and how would you resolve it?

I think the most pressing issue Selmer faces at this time is jobs. As I have met and visited with so many great people living in our town, the number one thing that arises about 9 out of 10 times is jobs. As your next mayor, I cannot promise you some great industry will be here tomorrow, but I can promise you that I will dedicate 100% towards working for those jobs so many need. I will use every ounce of effort and deploy every contact I have towards attracting those jobs. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with the help of great and smart citizens such as yourself we can move forward together. I’m not the type of person to wait for something to fall in my lap, but understand and believe that hard work and dedication is how things get done. If I fall down 7 times, I will stand up 8. I believe in marching through life rather than being pulled through it. Vote John Smith November 5th and let’s move forward together.