JOHN COFFELTContributor

While the Tullahoma News and 93.9 The Duck will combine to host a political forum for city mayor and aldermen and county mayor on July 10 at the high school auditorium at 6 p.m., some of the county mayor candidates got a chance to first introduce their platforms at a forum hosted by the Manchester Times and Rooster Radio.

Attending the Manchester Times/Rooster Radio Political Forum on June 27 were county mayoral candidates republican Dennis Hunt and independent David Nipper. Fellow independent candidate Roxanne Patton was unable to attend.

Nipper, a part of the community for 32 years, is the chairman of the Wayside Acres Authority and the regional manager for Burger King.

“I’m looking forward to serving the community if elected as the next county mayor,” Nipper said during the event.

Hunt, a County Commissioner currently serving as Interim Mayor, is a lifelong resident of Coffee County.

“I own my own business that I started in 1973,” Hunt said.

Hunt said that he could bring to the office knowledge gained from his years of running a successful business and his 10 years serving as a commissioner.

Nipper answered that he would bring his 28 years of management experience to bear as county mayor.  Nipper described himself as problem solver in business.

“Not saying that there is a problem in the county, but if one arises, I know what I’m looking at,” Nipper said.

He said his biggest strength is surrounding himself with people with the expertise needed in a specific field.

Addressing political affiliations, Nipper said that people should vote for the person and not the party.

“More so for local (elections), it’s more about the individual, how the individual is presented, how they run and what their values are,” he said.

Hunt responded that the issues at the local level are different from those at the national level concerning partisan politics.

“We have two municipalities that have substantial oversite that are not partisan offices. The county-wide offices, I feel, fulfill the political affiliation that we all associate with social and economic responsibilities,” Hunt said.  

He said that national issues like gun control and abortion are separate from the responsibilities of county officers.

Hunt, addressing county animal control, said that he will continue the late mayor’s vision for a new animal shelter.  He said called the current design fiscally responsible, and that while the process of getting the new facility built is by necessity slow, that the “wheels are turning.”

Nipper added that that he didn’t agree with any decision to let go any government employees.

“There’s always another way around it unless it’s a disciplinary action,” Nipper said. “If it’s just laying someone off because we can’t find it in the budget, there’s always a way around it.”

Rounding out the segment the candidates were asked how they felt the county needs to prepare for the I-24 Industrial Park (formerly called the Megasite).

Nipper said the county needs a sewer system in preparation for the development.

“We need another school,” Nipper said. “There is going to have to be a school in place for that. We don’t want to over pack the schools that we have now. We’re not going to put 30-35 kids in a classroom and have teachers who are struggling to educate the kids that we have.”

He called for slow growth that allows the area to maintain its small town feel.

Hunt said that the state is developer of the site, but noted that the county needs to be proactive regarding the residential and commercial development that will come related to the site.

He said the county is in “good hands” with zoning resolutions to control land use policy.

“I feel like we are totally ready,” Hunt said. “I have contacts with state officials… I’m pretty sure we will get the help we need for infrastructure without issue.”

In addition to schools, Hunt said that public safety should be addressed.

“Our sheriff department is going to need attention when we start building all these homes. We’re going to need potable water going to all these homes. It’s going to be a challenge, but I think we’re up to it, Hunt said. ”

When asked about concerns within county government, Hunt said that in his interactions with department and employees, “Our county is in excellent hands. We have management and management skills I feel that are second to none. As far as problems, if there is any problems, I feel it is personalities. But that’s going to be in every work environment.”

Nipper addressed transparency in his response.  He said praised the late mayor’s work at televising every county meeting and said that is something that needed to continue.

“I don’t see very many problems except for staying on the course of being transparent,” he said.

He then called for more public participation in meetings.

Hunt said that the streaming of meetings provides access to meeting to the public and the meeting times are posted on the county website calendar.