Bill Gibbons for Tennessee Governor http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 Elected State Officials, Grassroots Team Join Gibbons Campaign http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/elected-state-officials-grassroots-team-join-gibbons-campaign/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/elected-state-officials-grassroots-team-join-gibbons-campaign/#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:27 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=170 MEMPHIS - A group of leading elected state officials and community leaders, including many of the top law enforcement officials in Tennessee, are taking major roles in Bill Gibbons for Governor.

The state elected officials will serve as an initial group of campaign vice chairmen and key advisors. The group consists of leading Republicans and some Democrats and independents who have declared their support for Republican Gibbons in next year’s election. The area coordinators will take the lead in the campaign’s grassroots efforts across the state.

“I am honored to have the support and trust of such an outstanding group of state public officials and grassroots community leaders. They are crucial to helping carry the message of good jobs, good schools, and safe communities across our state,” said Gibbons, district attorney for Shelby County.

“This is an impressive group of leaders who have earned the trust of folks in their own communities and are very accomplished campaigners themselves,” said Gibbons’ campaign chairman David Kustoff, a former Tennessee campaign chairman and manager for President George W. Bush and for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander.

“Like the many people in west Tennessee who knew him before this race, these leaders believe Bill Gibbons is the best qualified candidate to be our next governor. These folks will energize a grassroots organization that was already growing very well, and they will make a big difference in a strategy we believe will win the nomination.”

Newly established Gibbons state vice chairmen include:

Rep. Ron Lollar, Bartlett

Rep. Steve McManus, Cordova

Rep. Curry Todd, Collierville

District Attorney Phil Bivens, Dyersburg

District Attorney Mike Bottoms, Lawrenceburg

District Attorney Garry Brown, Trenton

District Attorney Tony Clark, Jonesborough

District Attorney Mike Dunavant, Ripley

District Attorney James Dunn, Sevierville

District Attorney Kim Helper, Franklin

District Attorney Randy Nichols, Knoxville

District Attorney Bill Whitesell, Murfreesboro

East Tennessee Coordinators

Rob Ailey, Sevierville, former President Bush campaign chairman

Jerry & Robin Estes, Athens, former district attorney for the 10th judicial district and educator, respectively

Middle Tennessee Coordinators

Jim Looney, Lawrenceburg, former Lawrence County GOP chairman

Laura Roberts of Franklin, former staff aide to U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, and campaign aide to U.S. Congressman Ed Bryant and State Sen. Jim Bryson

Joel Wallace, Clarksville, City Councilman

West Tennessee Coordinators

Bill Cloar, Dyersburg, former Dyer County chairman for Ed Bryant

John Cloar, Dyersburg, former Dyer County GOP chairman

Ryan Ellegood, Union City, former Obion County GOP chairman

Jim Rout, Memphis, former Shelby County mayor

Nancy Strawn, Jackson, former campaign chairman for President Bush, and U.S. Senator Bob Corker

“Bill Gibbons is the best prepared, best qualified candidate to lead Tennessee. His plans for jobs growth, better schools and safer communities will address our state’s top priorities. I can assure you this group is committed and will work tirelessly in our respective communities to build a winning coalition to put Bill Gibbons in the state capitol,” said Jerry Estes, former district attorney for the 10th judicial district in southeast Tennessee.

“Bill has been one of the great leaders working to make our communities safe by pushing for sentencing reform. He is respected across the state by law enforcement officials, and it’s why he has my support,” said Kim Helper, district attorney for the 21st judicial district serving Lewis, Hickman, Perry and Williamson counties.

Gibbons is the Shelby County district attorney General, serving as the top law enforcement official in the state’s largest jurisdiction. He entered the governor’s race on Jan. 4, 2009.

]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/elected-state-officials-grassroots-team-join-gibbons-campaign/feed/ GM Plant http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/gm-plant/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/gm-plant/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:18:45 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=166 This past Saturday morning, I spoke at the Wilson County Republican Party headquarters in Lebanon. We had a great conversation about crime, taxes, healthcare, and many other issues facing our state. One person inquired about what I would do to keep GM from shutting down the Spring Hill plant if I were governor. It is a great question, and one that I know many are concerned about. After all, not only are hundreds of jobs at stake, but the closing of such a plant would not fare well for the local economy.

My answer to this question is simple- As governor, I would do any reasonable thing in my power to keep those good paying jobs in Tennessee; however, I would not allow GM to put a gun to my head and say, “Give us $200 million or we’re gone.” I will not allow a company to simply raid our state treasury in order to be “bailed out.” I feel strongly that GM should remain in Spring Hill. After all, that plant is truly state-of-the-art, and capable of producing the cars of tomorrow.

As governor, I will work hard every day to bring new businesses to Tennessee and to retain businesses that are already here. I will not, however, allow such businesses to decide how we spend your tax dollars! You deserve more from your state government. I will be held accountable for the way your tax dollars are spent, and will not allow that accountability to be compromised.

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]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/gm-plant/feed/ FROM THE ROAD: Oakland http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/from-the-road-oakland/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/from-the-road-oakland/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:12:11 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=163

]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/from-the-road-oakland/feed/ Bill Gibbons’ Statement on the 106th General Assembly http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/bill-gibbons-statement-on-the-106th-general-assembly/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/bill-gibbons-statement-on-the-106th-general-assembly/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:49:55 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=157 The Tennessee General Assembly has adjourned with at least some progress on the big challenges facing our state but with much more left to do.
 
Most disappointing is the continued failure to make major, comprehensive changes in our sentencing laws to keep violent offenders off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. Legislators did enact tougher sentences for attempted first degree murder involving use or possession of a gun, and every step helps. We are in a battle with the gang members and drug traffickers. As governor, I will make it a legislative priority to give law enforcement the tools it needs to win the battle, including elimination of parole for violent offenders.
 
Adoption of legislation to expand the pool of students eligible for charter schools is a big step in the right direction. It was a tough fight, especially in the House. This is not the end of the fight. Many in the education bureaucracy will continue to resist change. Charter schools are still limited to just five communities in Tennessee. Every community in our state should have the right to create charter schools as alternative types of public schools. As governor, I will push for that.
 
The General Assembly provided bond funding to acquire 1,700 acres in Haywood County for a megasite industrial park to help position west Tennessee for recruitment of new industry. Such megasites have been successful in east and middle Tennessee. Earlier this month, I had the chance to visit the middle Tennessee megasite, where Hemlock Semiconductor will locate, bringing hundreds of good paying jobs to the Clarksville area. The Haywood County site will help west Tennessee compete for new, high-paying jobs. It’s a perfect example of how state government can provide the necessary infrastructure for job growth.
 
As governor, my legislative priorites will focus on the need for more good-paying jobs, good schools, and safe streets.

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]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/bill-gibbons-statement-on-the-106th-general-assembly/feed/ Hemlock Semiconductor Plant http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/hemlock-semiconductor-plant/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/hemlock-semiconductor-plant/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:31:37 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=149 Yesterday, I had the opportunity to tour the construction site of the Hemlock Semiconductor plant in Clarksville with James Chavez (CEO of the Clarksville-Montgomery Economic Development Council).  It was encouraging to me to see such development take place during tough economic times.  It’s a reminder that despite the many challenges our state currently faces, we can and will rebound together. I not only witnessed  the construction of a new plant, but I also witnessed the creation of new jobs for many in the Clarksville area.  As govenor, I will work hard every day to attract such “growth industries,” like the Hemlock Semiconductor plant, to our state.  The key to attract such businesses is to maintain our low tax rate and to offer tax incentives to the types of businesses that can maintain a solid workforce in our ever-changing economy.  It is a good thing that Tennessee has a relatively low tax rate, and that we do not have an income tax.  Look at California, for example.  They have one of the highest tax rates and an income tax, and they are going bankrupt.  In addition, businesses are fleeing because the tax burden is too great.  As governor, I will make sure that we do not follow California’s lead.  Rather, it is my hope that such industries, like Hemlock Semiconductor, decide that Tennessee is the place for them to relocate and expand.
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]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/hemlock-semiconductor-plant/feed/ Facebook.com/gibbons2010 http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/facebookcomgibbons2010/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/facebookcomgibbons2010/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:45:04 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=146 You can now find Bill on Facebook at Facebook.com/gibbons2010.

Bill is also on Twitter and YouTube.

]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/facebookcomgibbons2010/feed/ “Turning Up the Heat!” http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/turning-up-the-heat/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/turning-up-the-heat/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:25:55 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=142

]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/turning-up-the-heat/feed/ The Real Challenges Facing Our State http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/the-real-challenges-facing-our-state/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/the-real-challenges-facing-our-state/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:04:41 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=138 While on the campaign trail, I have been talking about the real challenges facing our state. I don’t have to tell you about the dire economic situation that many Tennessee families are facing today. As Governor, I want to focus on creating new and better jobs and to maintain a low-tax rate. That means No Income Tax!

You may also know that Tennessee ranks 42nd in public education. This is simply unacceptable! I had the opportunity to go to a great public school. That is an opportunity that every child in our state deserves.

You may have also heard me talk about the fact that Tennessee has the 2nd highest violent crime rate in the nation. Although the primary role of state government is to provide for the peace and safety of its citizens, we have not had a Governor who has taken seriously the problems of gang violence in our urban centers and the scourge of meth in our rural communities. You can be assured that I will be a Governor who will take crime seriously.

I will continue to talk about how we can make Tennessee a state with good jobs, good schools, and safe streets. But I need your help! Please consider getting involved with our campaign. You can simply e-mail me at Bill@Gibbons2010.com. Also, if you are able, please consider making a donation of $10, $25, $50, or $100. You can contribute securely on our Contribution Page. Your help will go a long way, and I would sincerely appreciate it.

I hope to see you soon,
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]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/the-real-challenges-facing-our-state/feed/ Bill Talks About Crime to Williamson GOP Women http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/bill-talks-about-crime-to-williamson-gop-women/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/bill-talks-about-crime-to-williamson-gop-women/#comments Fri, 22 May 2009 17:29:46 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=136

]]> http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/bill-talks-about-crime-to-williamson-gop-women/feed/ The Man Who Would Be Governor http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/httpwwwmemphisflyercommemphisthe-man-who-would-be-governorcontentoid1516780/ http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/httpwwwmemphisflyercommemphisthe-man-who-would-be-governorcontentoid1516780/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 18:08:41 +0000 admin http://www.gibbons2010.com/blog/?p=127 This week’s Memphis Flyer documents a day on the campaign trail with Bill and details his life story.

“Bill Gibbons, the district attorney general for Shelby County and a candidate for governor of Tennessee, is the head of the largest single prosecutorial unit in state government…”   Read the full article HERE.

Memphis Flyer cover

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