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By Lance Coleman
Blount Today
U.S. Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp brought his campaign to Blount County on the morning of Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, for a sit-down breakfast talk with a group of seniors at Panera Bread in Alcoa.
Called “the committee” by some, the dozen of so men who meet each morning for coffee to discuss the issues of the day were visited last month by Knoxville Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam and on Veteran’s Day by candidate Zach Wamp. They grilled the lawmaker on issues and listened as he spelled out his “20/20” vision for the state.
Wamp said his “20/20 vision” for the state encompasses improving the overall health of residents, improving the state’s education system, promoting the state as a defense contractor and making Tennessee more secure by keeping repeat offenders off the street.
Regarding health, the congressman said Tennessee is 47th out of 50 states in terms of overall health. “Obesity is a problem among young people. I’m talking about ways to improve health of citizens. You can’t create enough health care to solve every problem. The most effective antidote is sweat,” he said. “I want Tennessee to be a healthier state. We’ve got to have prevention, maintenance and wellness.”
Improving education, Wamp said, is not as difficult a problem as some would have the public believe, Wamp said. “It’s not all about money. Early childhood reading is the key,” he said.
Wamp said students need to be plugging into classes they’ll need to go to work at places like the new Volkswagen plant or other employers and that community colleges can help by offering classes to high school students. “Plug them in now and let them get excited,” he said.
Regarding the economy, Wamp said investing in energy production; transportation industry and defense contract work could be boons for the state economy. “Our best years are ahead of us,” he said.
Click here for photo gallery of Zach’s Blount County Reception
