Guest Editorial in the Knoxville News Sentinel by Bill Baxter, Chairman of Holston Gases Inc.
Over the last 20 years, I’ve had the chance to get to know U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp very well, both during my time in the private sector, running my family’s business, and during my time in public service, as the commissioner of economic development for Tennessee and as a director of the Tennessee Valley Authority, serving as its last full time chairman.
During these same years, I’ve also had the chance to get to know and work with Bill Haslam, the mayor of Knoxville.
I am proud to be a life-long Knoxvillian. My family’s company has been headquartered here for 50 years. My wife, Ginger, and I grew up here, and we’ve raised all four of our children here.
So people all over the state ask me: “Why are you and your family supporting Zach Wamp, and not Bill Haslam, the mayor of your hometown, for governor?”
I am clear and firm in my answer: Based on 20 years of experience, there is no comparison between Wamp and Haslam.
Quite simply, Wamp has the vision, the energy and the leadership abilities we need in our next governor, and Haslam does not.
And though Haslam is one of the nicest fellas you’d ever want to meet, the plain truth is that his record of performance, both in the private sector and in public office, does not measure up.
The leader we need is Zach Wamp.
I base this conclusion on three vital factors: Consistent, reliable conservative values and a philosophy of limited government, low taxes, free markets, and individual liberties; proven, accomplished leadership in the critical area of economic development – how to attract capital investment and create new jobs for our state; demonstrated commitment to truthfulness, transparency and full disclosure to the people whose trust he seeks to earn.
In all these areas, the mayor of Knoxville’s tenure has been disappointing.
As soon as Bill Haslam was elected mayor, his very first order of business was to pass the largest property tax increase in our city’s history. Not exactly a conservative’s approach.
Many of us who had hoped he would bring his family’s business acumen to his office were sorely disappointed.
In the critical area of economic development, during his six years as mayor Haslam’s record is anemic. His “crown jewel” is a taxpayer subsidized movie theater downtown – a movie theater!
But perhaps raising the greatest concerns, as mayor Haslam has steadfastly refused to comply with decades of common practice in his financial disclosures, choosing instead to meet only the bare legal minimums, with the greatest possible vagueness and difficulty of public access.
We are seeing the same attitude now in his incomplete, customized financial disclosures as a candidate for the highest office in our state. He refuses to do what our last four governors have all done, both Republican and Democrat – Openly and completely disclose to the voters the sources and extent of his financial interests, so that the voters can determine if there are any conflicts.
But Bill Haslam refuses to do this.
That is not the kind of leadership we are looking for in our next governor.
My family and I are so strongly supporting Zach Wamp.
He is the right man, with the right values, and the right solutions for these tough times.
And that is why Zach Wamp will make us proud as Tennessee’s next great governor!
Bill Baxter is chairman of Holston Gases Inc.
