http://www.blounttoday.com/news/news/politics/?partner=RSSblounttoday.com Stories: Politicsen-usnews/politicshttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/sep/28/tim-helton-kicks-campaign-property-assessor/?partner=RSSTim Helton wants to be Blount County’s property assessor. The former employee of the office is challenging his former boss Mike Morton for the position. On Sept. 13, he kicked off his campaign with a reception in the Sharon Lawson Room at the Blount County Public Library. Friends, family and neighbors dropped in to wish him luck during the afternoon reception. Helton greeted them and talked about what kind of property assessor he would be. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19190-734408news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNTim Helton kicks off campaign for Property Assessorblounttoday.comtim-helton-kicks-campaign-property-assessorurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19190-734408Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/aug/31/bob-ramsey-kicks-bid-return-state-house/?partner=RSSKeith McCord joked that the reason he supports Bob Ramsey for State House has nothing to do with Ramsey’s voting record. “He has a pretty wife and a pretty daughter,” he said with a laugh. Bob Ramsey kicked off his re-election campaign to return to represent the 8th District in the State House Tuesday evening with a reception at the Blount County Public Library. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19095-734380news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNBob Ramsey kicks off bid to return to State Houseblounttoday.combob-ramsey-kicks-bid-return-state-houseurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-19095-734380Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jul/27/peggy-lambert-honored-gop-statesmens-dinner/?partner=RSSBlount County Commissioner Peggy Lambert was honored recently during the Tennessee Republican Party’s Statesmen’s Dinner in Nashville. She was given the 2nd Congressional District’s Statesmen of the Year award. This honor is bestowed to an individual in each of Tennessee’s nine congressional districts for dedicated service to the Republican Party, candidates and elected officials. Lambert was nominated for the award by Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. representing the 2nd District. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:46:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18953-734345news/politicsFrom press reportsMaryville, TNPeggy Lambert honored at GOP Statesmen’s Dinnerblounttoday.compeggy-lambert-honored-gop-statesmens-dinnerurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18953-734345Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jul/27/blount-democrats-making-plans-2012/?partner=RSSWith the year at the half-way point, Blount County Democrats are gearing up for the 2012 election cycle, planning for and raising money for their headquarters. In addition to materials for the 2012 re-election campaign for President Obama, the group will have local election materials, buttons, bumper stickers and T-shirts. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:34:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18942-734345news/politicsStaff WriterMaryville, TNBlount Democrats making plans for 2012blounttoday.comblount-democrats-making-plans-2012urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18942-734345Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/apr/14/blount-democrats-reorganize-sets-sights-2011-12-el/?partner=RSSThe Blount County Democratic Party gathered Saturday, April 9, to reorganize their team and refocus on issues facing the community and the country. About 25 folks were on hand in the Sharon Lawson Room of the Blount County Public Library for the convention. The members were situated in rows that were labeled according to the districts where they live in Blount County. Tony Webb was re-elected chair of the party. Also elected officers were Lee Erickson, first vice chair; Ronnie Astor, second vice chair; Marte Lawrence, secretary; and Tom Miller, treasurer. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18559-734241news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNBlount Democrats reorganize, sets sights on 2011-12 electionblounttoday.comblount-democrats-reorganize-sets-sights-2011-12-elurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18559-734241Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/apr/14/reagan-day-dinner-speakers-share-stories-reagan-co/?partner=RSSIt wasn’t too long ago the Grand Old Party was losing elections, and nobody wanted to be Republican. Attorney James Bopp Jr. said times have changed, and folks are clamoring to the party of Reagan and Lincoln. “Hardly anyone wanted to be a Republican a year and a half ago. Boy has that changed,” Bopp said as he addressed members of the Blount County Republican Party during their annual dinner on Friday, April 8. The banquet was held at William Blount High School. While usually dubbed the Lincoln Day Dinner, the event was renamed the Reagan Commemorative Dinner this year in honor of the late president’s 100th birthday. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:24:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18558-734241news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNReagan Day Dinner: Speakers share stories of Reagan, confidence in party’s futureblounttoday.comreagan-day-dinner-speakers-share-stories-reagan-courn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18558-734241Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/jan/03/blount-county-democrats-celebrate-holidays/?partner=RSSThe Blount County Democratic Party and the Blount County Democratic Women took time to celebrate the holidays recently with a party at the American Legion. Gerrae Messer with the Blount County Democratic Women said about 20 to 25 people turned out for the Dec. 18 Christmas party. “We had a fellowship, and it was a good time. We didn’t have a formal program speaker because everybody wanted it to be a Christmas party,” she said. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Mon, 03 Jan 2011 05:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18156-734140news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNBlount County Democrats celebrate the holidaysblounttoday.comblount-county-democrats-celebrate-holidaysurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-18156-734140Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/oct/20/candidate-conversations/?partner=RSSThere was a “Q & A” at the lunchtime meeting of the Maryville Kiwanis club on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at Green Meadow Country Club. Asking the questions was Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam, and the crux of the matter was the future of the state of Tennessee. Haslam found little disagreement in the room when he asked for feedback on the major issues facing the state as Kiwanians pointed to problems with education, jobs, health care and ways to raise state revenue without raising taxes. gardner@blounttoday.com (Sherri Gardner Howell)Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:13:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17838-734065news/politicsSherri Gardner HowellMaryville, TNCandidate conversationsblounttoday.comcandidate-conversationsurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17838-734065Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/oct/14/endorsements-all-around/?partner=RSSMore than 125 people turned out to support Republican nominee for District 8 State Rep. Art Swann during a reception Tuesday evening at Peggy and John Lambert’s home. The drop-in fundraiser drew people from throughout the area as well as state and federal lawmakers. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and U.S. Rep. John Duncan, Jr. stopped by to greet guests. Lt. Gov. Ramsey said Republicans have the opportunity to strengthen the majorities in both the State House and Senate this year but cautioned those at the reception to not take the elections for granted. “We can’t take chances. We have a shot at gaining 10 seats in the House, and I’m excited,” he said. “I get chills when I think about this opportunity.” colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17817-734059news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNEndorsements all aroundblounttoday.comendorsements-all-aroundurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17817-734059Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/sep/30/democrat-commissioners-honored-hotdog-reception/?partner=RSSMembers of the Blount County Democrats Party honored the three outgoing members of the Blount County commission during a hotdog reception Sept. 25, at the Blount County Public Library. Former commissioners David Ballard, Dr. Bob Proffitt and Wendy Pitts Reeves were honored at the event. Proffitt said they appreciated the good wishes, and the folks who honored them. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17743-734045news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNDemocrat commissioners honored at hotdog receptionblounttoday.comdemocrat-commissioners-honored-hotdog-receptionurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17743-734045Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/sep/22/county-commissioner-accepting-nominations-district/?partner=RSSThe Blount County Commission is currently accepting nominations for the District 1 seat left vacant recently with the resignation of U.S. Postal Service worker Shawn Carter. Carter, a Republican, won the Aug. 5 General Election to District I Seat B seat when he defeated incumbent Democrat David Ballard. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:37:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17711-734037news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNCounty commissioner accepting nominations for District 1blounttoday.comcounty-commissioner-accepting-nominations-districturn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17711-734037Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/sep/20/community-meetings/?partner=RSSMore than 100 people turned out for a reception to support Republican State House of Representatives candidate Art Swann earlier this summer. Swann said the get-together at Gwen Berrong’s home at Lambert Acres Golf Course went extremely well. “We had a good crowd, probably 100 people, and we raised a little money,” Swann said. Swann said his team has been successful raising money throughout the campaign. “People have been generous, and we appreciate that,” he said. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Mon, 20 Sep 2010 04:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17692-734035news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNCommunity meetingsblounttoday.comcommunity-meetingsurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17692-734035Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/sep/01/saying-thanks/?partner=RSSUpgrading technology and using it to streamline the office operations of the Register of Deeds are some of Penny Whaley’s proudest accomplishments. On Aug. 31, Whaley retired from public service after eight years as Register of Deeds for Blount County. Whaley said her team’s proudest achievement was upgrading to new technology that allowed them to computerize the office. “That helped us streamlined daily processes and procedures so we’re more effective. We preserve records by scanning, which reduces the need for additional storage space and cuts operational costs and manpower,” Whaley said. “I was really pleased we could do that because it was a savings to the taxpayers.” colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:30:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17613-734016news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNSaying Thanksblounttoday.comsaying-thanksurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17613-734016Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/aug/09/welcoming-new-mayor/?partner=RSSTwo words describe the outcome of Thursday’s general election -- surprise and shock. And that’s if you are speaking to Republicans, who swept three Democrats off the Blount County Commission. Add disappointment to list, and you’ve got the reaction of the Democrats and Independents as well. Republican Party chair Susan Mills said she knew the Blount County Republican Party had a good group of candidates, but she was surprised by the outcome in some races. “I was shocked we had a clean sweep,” she said. “You couldn’t have asked for more effort from our candidates, and it paid off for them.” colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17503-733993news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNWelcoming a new mayorblounttoday.comwelcoming-new-mayorurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17503-733993Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/aug/05/mitchell-says-thanks-supporters-watermelon-slicing/?partner=RSSEd Mitchell said he wanted to thank friends for supporting him as the Republican nominee in the race for Blount County mayor. “What better way to do that than with cold, sliced watermelon,” he said July 31 during a “watermelon-slicing” in the parking lot Law’s Brickmill Market, off U.S. 411 South. “Today is a chance for me to give back to a lot of people who have helped me so much.” colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:34:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17492-733989news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNMitchell says thanks to supporters at watermelon slicingblounttoday.commitchell-says-thanks-supporters-watermelon-slicingurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17492-733989Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/aug/05/road-nashville/?partner=RSSGood intentions will not win a gubernatorial primary. That was the message Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam had when he addressed a standing-room-only crowd in the back of Aubrey’s Restaurant in Maryville. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:33:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17491-733989news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNOn the road to Nashvilleblounttoday.comroad-nashvilleurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17491-733989Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/jul/29/sweet-treat/?partner=RSSTonya Burchfield wanted to do something different as part of her campaign to win a second term on Blount County Commission. While some candidates planned barbecues and others opted for golf tournaments, Burchfield chose to slow down and make some ice cream. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:24:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17453-733982news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNSweet treatblounttoday.comsweet-treaturn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17453-733982Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/jul/29/down-river/?partner=RSSBlount County Republican women turned out in force and hosted a crowd of well-wishers at their annual picnic. “It’s our annual summer picnic,” said Susan Mills, chair of the Blount County Republican Party. “Typically we’ve had it at the Greenbelt Pavilion on a Monday. This year Tom Hatcher, Blount County Circuit Court Clerk, had booked Franklin Pavilion on Sevierville Road, and he let us use it. That’s why we had it on Saturday.” Mills said about 250 people dropped by throughout the afternoon for the picnic. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:13:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17444-733982news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNDown by the riverblounttoday.comdown-riverurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17444-733982Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/jul/21/announcing-support/?partner=RSSChristi Sayles has no doubt why she supports Ed Mitchell for county mayor. Sayles, Maryville school board chair, said Mitchell is the salt of the Earth. Years ago, Sayles said, when her mother died and then her father died two weeks later, Mitchell and his wife, Kim, were there to help. “Ed and Kim came and took care of my 2-year-old and my just-out-of-the-hospital neo-natal baby. They helped get the yard work done and did the laundry. Then, when dad died, they came and did it again,” she said. “We absolutely need him in Blount County. We need cohesive government. It is not easy right now, and we need somebody who can make it work.” colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:48:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17418-733974news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNAnnouncing supportblounttoday.comannouncing-supporturn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17418-733974Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/jul/21/rallying-candidate/?partner=RSSMore than 200 people dropped by Savannah Park club house recently to support Jerome Moon in his bid to win the District 4 Seat C county commission seat. Steve Deck said Moon is his neighbor, and he supports him for county commission. “I believe he will bring back to the commission concern for the people above his own interests,” Deck said. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:47:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17417-733974news/politicsLance ColemanMaryville, TNRallying the candidateblounttoday.comrallying-candidateurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17417-733974Change0Usable