Blackwood announces candidacy for County Mayor

 

Shane Blackwood

Dear Neighbors:

Hello voters, my name is Shane Blackwood, and I am excited to formally announce that I'm running for Lewis County Mayor. I have already begun my campaign by reaching out to you, my friends and community, through personal home visits, public forums, texts, phone calls, social media, and community events. I do this because I believe that communication is what builds relationships, develops people, leads change, inspires others, and creates accountability.

Lewis County has always been my home. I am a family man with emotional ties to our community. My grandparents are the late Grady and Palice White. My father is Arlind Blackwood, and my mother is the late Patricia Blackwood. I was raised on our family farm located on Metal Ford Road, with three sisters Lorie Lineberry, Denise Staggs and Jennifer Hood. I am married to my beautiful wife of 26 years, Jennifer Johnston Blackwood. We have two daughters, Emily and Holly. I am a man of faith. I am a member of Springer Church of Christ. Growing up we were raised to work hard and in whatever capacity that might be, we were taught to serve others. I believe this is where my drive for perusing the office of mayor stems, along with love for community.


I have a strong work ethic. I commend individuals who are committed to bettering themselves. Some do this through enhancing their education, learning a valuable trade or through service to our country in our armed forces. Personally, I learned through trade. I went to work right out of high school. As a husband and a father, I believe it's my duty to provide a good living for my family. I have always worked long hours and if I put my mind to it, my hands follow. I have been blessed to continually work for family-owned businesses. I labored in the log woods for over 25 years. Currently, I am employed by Highland Oil (Fuel Transport). Working several years for David Adcox and the Highland Family has been a great testament as to how to correctly bring a sense of family to the workplace, by motivating integrity, respect, and excellence in others. In public service I served as a County Commissioner. This is where I gained firsthand knowledge about our county's budget and the specific issues that affect Lewis County. As county mayor, I will continue to have a hands-on approach and I do have the grit to follow-up with goals set before me.


Being Mayor comes with certain expectations that must be met for outcomes to be successful. I believe legitimate improvement begins with a refusal to ascribe to a one-size-fits-all solution. My goal is to get citizens aligned and moving in the same direction toward improving issues that impact our people.


While on the campaign trail, I have been actively listening to voters' interests. Many of the same topics were discussed time after time. I would like to highlight some key areas of concern in the hearts and minds of many citizens...

1.) Public safety along with the criminal behavior and problems associated with drug use. In Lewis County, substance use and misuse is prevalent. The Hohenwald Police Department and the Lewis County Sheriff's Department ARE to be commended for their efforts and the successful drug busts they've made. There is still much work to be done and many prayers to be said. Sadly, too many friends of our number (adults and teens) are dying due to fatal overdose and other drug related deaths. I will make it a priority to ensure law enforcement has the resources and training they need to combat this drug epidemic. Addiction impacts everyone, not just the user. Together, with the help of recovery programs, law enforcement, and available educational supports, we must empower our friends and loved ones to reach the point of being willing and engaged in treatment, while getting dealers off the street.


2.) Financial management. The mayor must possess financial management skills that allows him to use the available budget effectively to maximize the benefits it provides. While chair of the commissioner's budget committee, I gained an understanding of the principles of financial management and how the mayor is to efficiently allocate funding and identify the most beneficial uses of all available funding, as well as make more informed cases when the mayor feels a change to the budget or spending plan will benefit Lewis County residences.

3.) Lewis County Transfer Station and Landfill is facing some waste management barriers. There is no quick solution to this. It is not always cost-effective; however, waste management practices need to be done uniformly. Solid-waste management is a multidimensional issue that incorporates social, environmental, and economic aspects. None of us want trash dumped along the side of our roads; therefore, we must seek solutions to waste management and sanitation. I believe that will require that we raise public awareness, build expertise, practice principles of waste management through reduction and segregation at the source, reuse items and participate in recycling. Ultimately, it is up to all stakeholders involved to work together towards the common goal of sustainable waste management.

4.) Supporting our youth is on the mind of many parents. Education is of the upmost importance and will remain a priority. Lewis County Schools does an outstanding job of educating our children. Sporting events are a point of pride for Lewis County. "Once a Panther, always a Panther." What I am hearing from many parents is that they want adequate attention placed on facilities and desire the addition of more sports. I believe sports is a big unifying force for Lewis County. Wins and losses do not matter as much as the teaching of team camaraderie and community spirit. While some parents push for sporting activities, some parents have voiced that they'd like to see their children involved in interests other than sports. I understand that not all children are athletically inclined. Lewis County Schools Trap Team is a great example of a sport where modifications could be made for children with certain health or medical concerns to participate. Trap gets our youth outdoors while raising gun safety and teaches competence in shooting targets. I promote sports, community programs, and youth groups that focus on the developmental relationships young people need to succeed. Programs that are in the pursuit of academic and life goals. We are fortunate to have a few great youth organizations such as 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, etc. I would like to see more sports, clubs, and groups for our youth available. Involvement in such programs would help kids make friends, while practicing their social skills with both adults and peers. Participation in youth groups nurtures feelings of competence, confidence, and self-esteem. In clubs, our youth would be able to learn new skills, foster creative thinking and grow effectively in working with others.

Speaking of clubs, even as we get older the need to feel a part of something larger than us remains. I'd like to give a big shout-out to the Elks Lodge, American Legion, Historical Society, PTO, Little Swan Hunting Club, Pilot Club, Senior Citizens Center, Cancer Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc., for all the community service and fundraising they provide to Lewis County. It would be wonderful to have more fellow citizens actively involved in community service associations, fraternal organizations, and rotary clubs. Members could volunteer their time, money, and efforts toward various deserving charitable works, while being great examples to our youth.

5.) Economic Development. Of course I want to cultivate economic growth within our community. I wish to improve conditions within the county and make Lewis County residents more prosperous. Having said that, I cannot promise to lure in corporations that will provide massive amounts of new jobs. I can build on our communities' workforce by ensuring both existing and potential new businesses have access to the talent they need to run their company. Fortunately, we have a high graduation rate, a career technical program, and TCAT is also helping to prepare our future workforce. I will likewise work with educational leaders and workforce boards on policies that align to educational programs in high demand.

Grants are additionally a great avenue of revenue for needed economic relief; however, grants are not "free money." Grant funds are often restrictive and may only be used for the purposes outlined in the proposal. Grants also just offer a percentage of the cost of the projects. We'd be responsible for sourcing the rest of funding needed to complete the project; therefore, we should only apply for grants with beneficial scopes of service, (agreeable terms and conditions).

We have seen much growth in Lewis County. Many have moved here from out-of-state. I believe the word has gotten out, "Lewis County is a great place to live, work, & grow old!" With growth comes the hope of newcomers opening businesses, thus creating new jobs and services. If we focus on Lewis County's qualities, such as close-knit community, slower pace way of life, less traffic and pollution, equitable educational opportunities, wonderful place to raise a family, beautiful scenery, quality local businesses, where residents smile, and neighbors lend a helping hand, more people will want to live or at least visit and spend their money here.

People have different behavioral styles. Some are talkers, supporters, doers, and controllers.  Each type has its own strengths, as well as things that are hard for them. I am a Doer. I am willing to stray from the way things have always been done and be open to better ways to succeed. As mayor, I will take responsibility for my leadership. I understand that as mayor everything I do directly affects the people of Lewis County. Traits I admire in others and strive to hold myself accountable: trustworthiness, bringing positive energy, willingness to listen, reacting calmly, stability (ensuring others can count on you), consistent, hopeful (encouraging people to believe in a better future), and most importantly being a follower of Jesus Christ.

My heart is full of love for Lewis County. I believe every individual can see an opportunity and take initiative, set a goal, and create a plan to get there. As mayor it will be my job to set an example for that. I can solve problems while ensuring people have what they need to get the job done. There are plenty of things I will need. I will need time to reflect and plan. I will need to pursue building a great team, while distilling vision to the team. I will need to work on creating a culture of unity. And I will need to cultivate characteristics like humility, patience, and grace. What I will not need is credit. Sure, we all want affirmation, encouragement, and recognition in our lives. But I don't think credit should be sought. I never want to communicate that I am more important than those around me or make others feel they are replaceable.

I hope I can count on your vote and support. "Because principles matter, character counts and grit perseveres." I would like to end by thanking all the folks who have already welcomed me into their homes. I appreciate your contributions, interest, and kind words. I also covet your prayers. If elected Lewis County Mayor on August 4, 2022, I will be the best servant I can be.

Sincerely,

Shane Blackwood (931)-306-8266

 

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