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Chamber legislative breakfast features candidates Voters from Dyer County joined at the Chamber on Friday morning to hear from local candidates at the organization's legislative breakfast. Norris is unopposed for his position in the upcoming election. Fitzhugh's opponent withdrew from the race after the deadline, so his name will still appear on the ballot although he is no longer running for the position. Candidates vying for the state representative seat left vacant by Phillip Pinion were the first to speak: * Shelly Arnett Arnett discussed her third attempt at candidacy for the state representative's seat. "You have to be crazy or really want it (to run three times)," said Arnett. "I really would like to serve in this position. I think we would work together hand in hand." A teacher and small-business owner from Lake County, Arnett named three areas she feels are crucial to the area's foundation: education, industry and agriculture. All areas, stressed Arnett, that should be tempered with fiscal responsibility. "Don't promise what you don't have and get the most out of what you do have," said Arnett. "So why do I want to (run for this position?) To get rid of old politics. To bring fresh energy to the House of Representatives. I want to be the voice for Dyer County." * Judy Barker Barker said most of the people she has talked to in her campaign are concerned about jobs. "Better paying jobs, quality jobs, and - for some - just a job," said Barker. "I have specific plans to address these problems." Barker said she is dedicated to the completion of I-69, the Northwest Tennessee River Port and improving Everett Steward Airport in Union City and the Dyersburg Airport. She also is in favor of providing financial resources to students who wish to continue their education after high school at either a college or technology center and for granting second chances to students who have trouble maintaining their grades in their first year of college. Barker also expressed an interest in working with Gov. Phil Bredesen on Tennessee Choices, funding caretakers to come into the homes of senior citizens and care for them. * Larry Bennett Bennett stressed hard work and doing the right thing as keys to success and said he is proud to be from America and the West Tennessee region. "Folks, as I always say, 'What you see is what you get,'" said Bennett, one of nine children born to a sharecropper. "I was born 10 miles down the road. (We knew we were going to) church on Sunday and to the field on Monday." Bennett said Bennett's Tool and Die was started with a $20 machine and has grown to a multi-million-dollar business. "I'm the most blessed country boy that has ever lived," said Bennett. "I have already been blessed with money and I don't want any power, I just want to help people." * Bill Sanderson Sanderson said he will bring a new perspective to the job of representative as a successful businessman. "I'm not a politician, I am a businessman running for political office," said Sanderson. "There is a difference. I think we attack problems from a different (angle.) I am a conservative businessman." Sanderson said his decision to run on the Republican ticket has to do with being a conservative. "Show me a businessman that is not a conservative," said Sanderson. "I am pro-life. So is the party I represent. I think the government is too big. So does the party I represent. I am a conservative. So is the party I represent. Do you want a conservative candidate who will run (the government) like a business and hold people responsible? ... Just go down the line - vote John McCain, Lamar Alexander and Bill Sanderson." Candidate Jerry Grady was invited to the forum, but did not attend. Candidates running for Chancellor of the 29th Judicial District who spoke at the breakfast include: * Tony Childress Childress said candidates for the chancellor's position cannot make promises and that his past experience as a staff attorney for the Tennessee Court of Appeals has provided him with essential experience for the position he is seeking. "All I can promise you is to be a fair and consistent judge," said Childress. "(In the Tennessee Court of Appeals,) we managed the appeals from the entire West Tennessee region. (We) looked at what the chancery courts do and looked for mistakes." Childress said he takes each case before him seriously. "Every case that comes in front of me, I look at as (my) most important case," said Childress. "Because it is the most important case to the people who are involved in it. It's their Roe vs. Wade, their Brown vs. the Board of Education. I will be fair and consistent and try my best to make it correct and I will start court on time. That's important. It is something I do now and something I will continue to do." * Danny Goodman Goodman, who serves as General Sessions and Juvenile Judge in Lake County, presented his speech with no notes. "Let me tell you a little about what I do now and how that relates (to the chancellor's position,)" said Goodman. "(As a) juvenile judge, I have a lot of experience." Goodman has worked for the Department of Youth Development, formerly the Department of Children's Services; as a probation officer for Dyer County, and traveled to Nashville three nights a week for five years to complete his law degree at night while he supported his family. "I can send a person to jail today and go home and go to sleep tonight," said Goodman. "Because they are an adult. They made a choice and there are consequences. The most difficult (cases are) custody cases. These are the cases that I take home with me at night. I promise to do everything I can to be fair and every decision made will be in the best interest of the child." * Mark Hayes This is Hayes's first political effort. "This is my first time knocking on doors and going to fish fries and shaking hands," said Hayes. "It's been a tremendous experience. I have practiced law for 26 years and been in every Chancery Court in West Tennessee. I've handled every kind of case that goes before (the Chancery Court.) That's my experience. For 11 years, I have been mediating cases. That is a tremendous component of the court system that most people do not see." Hayes began practicing law in Tiptonville in 1983, moving to Dyersburg in 1988. "That's 20 years, best I can tell," said Hayes. "I am heavily involved in the community. All four candidates are good guys. All four are involved in the public, their community, church and family. I sure do humbly ask for your vote for Chancellor." * Stephen Scofield Scofield said with 30 years under his belt practicing law he has already served a "life sentence," in the law, including service as a clerk for the Court of Appeals. "I'm last on the ballot, but I hope first on your mind," said Scofield. "I really would like to cap my career off as a judge - I'd really like to finish it as a judge. So, I'm running the race, but at 55, it's more like I'm walking the race." Scofield has served as Newbern Judge and as Juvenile Judge Referee for three years. "The purpose is to get these children help," said Scofield. "They are in some really, really difficult family situations. They need a system to pull them out, not put them in jail. I've handled all types of disputes. It's about common sense, your values." Scofield said he has not accepted any donations from attorneys for his campaign, has handled his own campaign, and, therefore, he will have no agenda or obligations to anyone if he is elected. "I think that is what sets me apart," said Scofield. "I am an individual candidate. I run my own campaign. It's a two-person show, but when it's over I won't be obligated to anyone. (If elected,) I will work hard for you and be fair."
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