August 6th, 2008
In close, tough race, Overbey has edge
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Originally published by the News-Sentinel
There are several interesting primary races for legislative seats but none more contentious than in the 8th District that involves voters in Blount and Sevier counties. In that spirited Republican contest, incumbent Sen. Raymond Finney is being challenged by state Rep. Doug Overbey.
The race is being watched for its money and its rhetoric. Records through July 28 show Overbey has spent $208,186, with $114,363 on hand. Finney’s total is $136,763, with $165,344 cash on hand, courtesy of the senator’s personal loans to his campaign.
Both men have accused each other of misrepresenting – in fact, that might be a kind word for it – the other’s records. Finney has pointed to Overbey’s vote for House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, a Democrat, to retain his leadership position, while Overbey has pointed to Finney’s vote in favor of a revised Basic Education Program (BEP 2.0) that restored needed school funding to Knox, Hamilton and other populous counties but left Blount and Sevier without funding increases.
Overbey, a lawyer who was first elected to the House in 2000, said his vote for Naifeh illustrated realities in the House, which has a Democratic majority. “In order to be effective and pass legislation,” he said, “you have to reach across the aisle.”
Finney, a retired physician seeking a second term, said his vote for BEP 2.0 also reflected the reality of the situation; it passed in the Senate 32-1. He said there were other parts of the bill that were good for local schools and that funding-formula alterations that addressed complaints in his district could be made in the 2008 session. However, that did not occur because of the state’s tight budget.
Both men sponsored a number of bills that became law during the two-year session: Finney 25 and Overbey 38. In fact, Overbey’s total was more than any other House Republican and ran the gamut from revising medical malpractice laws to funding hospital trauma centers. Chairing a House subcommittee that dealt with health care issues put him in a good position to shepherd those measures, but it is important to note the bills passed with a Democratic majority.
And, beyond the rhetoric and spending, Overbey’s effectiveness in working both sides of the aisle and his energetic approach to issues give him the edge in this race and our endorsement.
His bill on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits is an effort to keep frivolous lawsuits from being filed but at the same time to allow people who have been injured to proceed with their cases. Likewise, he is proud of pushing through legislation to provide sprinkler systems at all long-term care facilities following a disastrous fire at a center in his home county.
And we like Overbey’s enthusiasm for the job. He says he enjoys being a legislator and enjoys the legislative process. “At the end of the day,” he said, “it seems to work.”
We think Overbey deserves a chance to make the process work in the state Senate.
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August 4th, 2008
August 1, 2008
Following an interview with local teacher representatives, the Tennessee Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education (TEA-FCPE), the political action arm of the Tennessee Education Association, has announced its endorsement of Doug Overbey for the Tennessee Senate in District 8. Senate District 8 includes all of Blount and Sevier Counties.
In making the announcement, TEA’s Vice President, Gera Summerford, stated that Mr. Overbey won the organization’s support based on his past support of education issues. Ms Summerford stated that “Doug clearly understands the problems facing public schools and has a proven record in support of issues facing education and public school employees. He recognizes that Tennessee’s future depends on strong public schools, and merits the support of the education community, parents, and all others interested in the future of public education. Public schools have a friend in Doug Overbey. We look forward to working with him as a state senator in the 2009 legislative session.”
The Tennessee Education Association is the state’s largest professional organization representing over 55,000 elementary and secondary teachers, school administrators, education support personnel, higher education faculty, and students preparing to become teachers.
One of the defining issues of the campaign for Senate District 8 has been education, in particular the BEP 2.0 plan passed last year which cut funding for schools in Blount and Sevier counties.
That underscores the importance of the endorsement Doug Overbey has just received from the Tennessee Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education (TEA-FCPE).
Overbey was honored at the endorsement and issued the following statement:
“Elections are about the future, and nothing is more important to our future than the education our children receive. I am the only candidate for Senate who voted to protect our school funding, and I am gratified that the TEA-FCPA has chosen to stand with me even though I am taking on the tough task of running against an incumbent. If elected, I will continue working to change the funding formula and help Sevier and Blount counties get the funding they need to educate our children,” said Overbey.
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August 4th, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Originally published by The Daily Times
Dear Editor:
I’m writing to express my support for Doug Overbey for the state senate in the upcoming Aug. 7 primary. As a long-standing member of this community, I have seen Representative Overbey’s hard work for our county, including supporting veterans and protecting our children.
He has helped elect strong Republican conservative leaders such as Jimmy Duncan, Howard Baker, Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker and Fred Thompson. He helped restart the Blount County Young Republicans and was parliamentarian for the State Republican Executive Committee.
Furthermore, Doug has always working vigorously to promote conservative ideals such as the sanctity of life, low taxes, economic growth and less government waste in Blount County and in Nashville.
I truly believe we can trust Doug to continue to carry the conservative message for our county to the state senate just as he has in the house of representatives. His history, character and actions will serve Blount County well in Nashville.
Sincerely,
Mike Lewis
1627 St. Ives Blvd.
Alcoa, TN 37701SClB
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August 4th, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Originally published by The Daily Times
Dear Editor:
When there is a wreck, eye witnesses will often have very different views of what occurred, even though they witness the same wreck. Apparently, this is the case with the situation that occurred in the mid-eighties concerning the financial situation of our hospital.
As one who was there and involved in the process, please allow me to offer a different perspective of the situation than the one expressed in this forum earlier.
Blount Memorial Hospital has always been very important to this community. There is a great deal of pride in this institution because the community as a whole came together in the late forties to build the first building. Over the years, the board of directors has done an excellent job of guiding the hospital and making it one of the finest in the area. However, there was a time in the mid-eighties that the hospital experienced severe financial difficulties.
The reasons were varied, but the hospital had just completed a major building addition and at about the same time the federal government changed the formula for payments under medicare, which resulted in a substantial decrease in revenue for the hospital.
Since the hospital is actually owned by the county, the county commission became aware of the financial crisis and was active in determining what solutions were available to solve the crisis.
As a member of that county commission and serving in my capacity of chairman pro tem, I asked Doug Overbey, who was also a commissioner at that time, to serve as chairman of a blue ribbon panel comprised of distinguished citizens of the community to determine what would be the best solution to solve the financial crisis that was facing the hospital.
I believe Mr. Overbey will tell you that was one of the most difficult assignments anyone ever asked him to undertake. Because of the personal attachments and deep feelings for the hospital, emotions ran extremely high. Some of those meeting became very intense and I assure you not a fun place to be. Doug Overbey, as chairman, did an excellent job keeping those meetings civil and on task.
It is true that one of the options that the group considered was the sale of the hospital, but not because Doug Overbey wanted to see it happen. It was merely one option that was put on the table for discussion. But, as an eye witness, I can assure you that Doug Overbey never once advocated the sale of our hospital. In fact, he cast the deciding vote in the County Commission meeting that allowed Blount Memorial to refinance its outstanding bonds and prevented any further discussion of the sale of our hospital.
Moreover, I also know that as chairman of he House Health Care Facilities subcommittee, Doug Overbey has worked hand in hand with the administration of Blount Memorial in regard to legislation important not only to our hospital but governmental hospitals across our state.
In closing, space does not permit a detailed summary of the actions of the committee, but it was at that time that the current administrator, Joe Dawson, took over the reins of the hospital. As one who lived through that trying time, I truly believe that Doug Overbey was very important to the process and I think most who witnessed the wreck will say he helped save our hospital.
Sincerely,
Darrell Tipton
812 Royal View Drive
Maryville, TN 37801
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August 1st, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Originally published at www.thedailytimes.com
Dear Editor:
One of the most important issues to me as a voter in the Eighth Senate District is our Second Amendment rights. As American citizens, we have a distinct right to bear arms in order to provide for our own self defense, the defense of our home, and even the defense of our nation, if needed. In Blount and Sevier counties, we need a state senator who will protect our rights and fight anti-gun legislation, and that is one of the main reasons why I am supporting Doug Overbey for State Senate on Aug. 7.
Doug Overbey was given an A+ rating by the National Rifle Association, and has been given that rating ever since becoming a Representative. He has been endorsed by the NRA in previous elections, and will continue to fight for our rights in the state senate. As an endowment member of the NRA, that is something that is of great importance to me.
It is not enough to say that you will protect our rights, but as a legislator, you must be effective and reasonable. I have read in the Knoxville News-Sentinel that Doug was rated the most effective Republican member of the state house, and that translates to more effective representation for gun owners. Doug has voted with the NRA numerous times on gun legislation, and will continue to do that for the next four years. As a representative, he has demonstrated his desire to personally contact the people of Blount County on any issue that may concern them.
Blount and Sevier counties need an effective, conservative senator who will stand up for the rights of its citizens. That is why I am supporting Doug in the Aug. 7 Republican Primary and believe that all gun owners in the eighth district should consider him as well.
Sincerely,
John Dixon
5515 U.S. 411 South
Maryville, TN 37801
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August 1st, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Originally published at www.thedailytimes.com
Dear Editor:
I have been reading with interest the recent campaign literature and opinions regarding the Aug. 7 election between Senator Finney and Representative Overbey. I respect both men and deem them both to be dedicated to what they do.
However, the one page advertisement in Sunday (July 27) The Daily Times provides a good example of selecting details to support one position and with a careful reading, it appears the details selected prove exactly the opposite of what the writer had in mind.
Specifically, starting with “no new tax pledge.” Senator Finney has signed such a pledge which then raises the question for me, how does he expect the state to pay for increases in teacher pay, increases in pay for at-risk students, increases in English Language Learner Teachers and future road and bridge work? Senator Finney said in his ad that he voted for all of the above.
It is my understanding that a true conservative is one who takes responsibility for getting his own house in order and takes care of the fiscal needs in his own house. That translates to me that the local community bears the greatest responsibility for providing the services, which are needed locally. A true conservative does not want or expect the “state or federal government” to step in and solve every problem. If on the other hand, we expect the state to increase their share of solving our local problems, then we must be prepared to pay for it.
I am and have been an educator (retired teacher and school district administrator) for my entire career and am aware of the issues surrounding teacher pay, providing programs for at-risk students, as well as teachers of English Language. Senator Finney suggests that the local government’s share needs to be reduced while the state government’s share needs to increase. I oppose this position because no matter who pays, state or local government, it is still coming out of my (our) pockets. It is better to have more control over where our local money is used and not be tied to the state mandates that always accompany state funding.
Senator Finney also takes great exception to the fact that Representative Overbey voted for Jimmy Naifeh and refused to vote for “conservative” candidates. I applaud anyone who has the integrity to vote for a particular person for what they perceive to be valid reasons and is not intimidated by others into voting a party line – no matter what.
I agree that Senator Finney has done a good job of keeping us informed. However, until I read the ad run by his campaign staff, I did not fully comprehend how inconsistent his message and actions are. Increasing state share or burden increases our taxes with no local control. I trust the school administrators in Blount County to make the best decisions for us, not the “school experts” at the state level.
I believe that Senator Finney’s staff has done Doug Overbey and unintended service by demonstrating that Rep. Doug Overbey understands the connection between taxes and local and state burdens and local and state control. Representative Overbey voted based on understanding the whole picture that cannot be captured in the one line format that Senator Finney’s staff ran.
Sincerely,
Christy C. Walsh
926 SW Cross Road
Maryville, TN 37803
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July 30th, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Originally posted at www.thedailytimes.com
Dear Editor:
In an election year, sometimes real accomplishments are obscured by slogans. I would like to remind this community of a situation that demonstrates the kind of leadership that I value in a public servant.
In the spring of 2006, the Fort Craig School community was shocked to find that convicted sexual offenders were receiving group therapy in an office directly across the street. Some of these sessions were being held during the school day. We were also dumbstruck that convicted sexual offenders were receiving pre-sentencing evaluations at this same location. Via calls and e-mails, I (and other parents) communicated with our local officials in law enforcement, in the court system, city government and school officials. While all those folks deplored the situation, the bottom line was the same — the practice was legal.
After our legislators were contacted, Doug Overbey took charge. It was late in the legislative session; there was not time for the processing of a new bill. But due to his commitment to our children and his knowledge of the legislative and legal system, he found a way to add to a bill that was already in the pipeline. I do not know the right language for what he was able to do, but I do know that in the waning days of the legislative session the bill was passed.
Doug gave me the bill number and told me how I could follow its progress via the legislature’s web site. It was signed by the governor just weeks before Fort Craig children started back to school in July. Because Doug empowered me to follow this bill, I was able to make sure that our local authorities had the information long before any official communication from Nashville. His Herculean efforts meant that when school started back, sexual offenders were not allowed at that site.
Doug Overbey crafted a solution that improved safety not just for the children of Maryville, but also for all children throughout the state of Tennessee. He listened, he understood, and he acted. Doug was not paralyzed by the status quo or by the time crunch at the end of the session. Doug knew what was the right thing, he knew how to do the right thing and he was able to get the right thing done.
Sincerely,
Diane Pezick
110 Piedmont Circle
Maryville, TN 37803
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