I am supporting my friend, Tucker McClendon, as the next County Commissioner for District 8. Tucker has served with character and integrity on the Hamilton County School Board. Serving on the school board is a difficult challenge under the best of circumstances. Tucker has served District 8 well during his term.

For many years, East Ridge High School has needed upgrades to the football field house. Tucker led the way and helped secure needed funding for the new state of the art field house. In the recent search for a new superintendent, Tucker again helped lead the way to hire a local candidate, Justin Robertson, as HCDE Superintendent. Providing resources for 75 schools and over 45,000 students is not an easy task and Tucker has not shied away from tough decisions.

Recently, many property owners in East Ridge received a negative mailer from Tucker’s opponent. Like most of you, I want someone to tell me what they believe about government’s role in my life and most importantly my pocketbook. Tucker McClendon clearly states where he is on issues facing District 8 and Hamilton County on his website https://www.tuckermcclendon.com/.

When I searched for Mike Chauncey on the internet, the first thing that grabbed my attention was that he voted for a 28 percent tax increase last year. At a time when East Ridge had an increase in sales tax revenue and additional federal funding, Mike Chauncey raised property taxes by a million dollars a year. Unbelievable.

Interesting note about the 2022 East Ridge City budget, personnel costs (raises) were up by $600,000 and yet the operations budget was decreased. Typical politician; don’t look at my record while I trash my opponent.

I hope the good people of East Ridge and District 8 will vote for Tucker McClendon.

_ Randy Johnston