Common Sense Conservative

I hold Conservative values in areas of public safety, property rights, money and debt, waste, laws, parenting, public safety, Biblical citizenship (which includes limited government), low taxes, legal immigration, romance, welfare, safe food, law and order...and more. I believe the Town owes its' taxpayers basic services that include many of the above. The Town however, is NOT your HOA. If you don't like your neighbor...well I probably don't them either, but our tax dollars are not going to cure that relationship for you. The Town also also is not a piggy bank, that can be raided for special hand-outs and privileges. In other words, my opinion is The Town owes few organizations their ultimate success.
 

I believe however, if you are "hard line" on every single one of the above values...you'll become isolated in your opinion, and get nothing accomplished. That's where the common-sense comes in. Some call it "bending", others say you are a "turncoat" when you modify a non-biblical principal. I just have found that trying to find common ground is both fun and profitable. It also allows you to support the other Aldermen...and the Mayor in their special projects.
 

I also believe "Common-Sense" can be bestowed to a politician, by the electorate. Two local examples...Tennessee Hills Distillery vs Jonesborough et all, and The Jonesborough Repertory Theater vs the Jackson Theater (thus the Town). Our visitors  look at Tennessee Hills, and see a cool business, with a good product...and expanding recognition. TN Hills was born here, and many new folks may not know Stephan Callahan (the founder) was an Alderman around the time the business started! The Town (and almost every elected official), along with TN Hills has been locked in a legal battle for years now. Now the 'sacred cow' arguments that each side hold near and dear could be discussed and debated (and have been) until we all either fall asleep, or shake our head. A common-sense Conservative steps back, and looks at things with new and neutral eyes. Local boy made good story meets a really cool old Town...that's what visitors (and locals) want to experience...and it is wasteful and defies Common Sense for the relationship to be otherwise. If elected, I pledge to do my best to have the lawyers look elsewhere for a job, and together we can restore what this business should have always meant to Jonesborough, and vice-versa. 
 

Another currently failed relationship has to be the divorce between the Jackson Theater (the Town), and the Jonesborough Repertory Theater. I wish the JRT would present a play around the Hatfields and McCoys...because to me that's what it feels like. Again, I won't go into the good arguments either side has expressed...but boy what a shame. Our family loves both the JRT, and the Jackson Theater restoration. Common Sense says that these two "artistic" entities should be rowing their boats in the same direction, and most Locals articulate the same position to me.  Taxpayers shouldn't have to foot that bill for the JRT to use the Jackson, since JRT collects revenue (like a business). Maybe that's where common-sense Conservativism could come in. JRT produces a large-scale musical (in their usual outstanding way), and the Jackson provides explementary seating and superior acoustical elements. Try it once. JRT sells more tickets (and pays a bit for the privilege of a larger place, better seats, and better sound). These two entities working together could place both the JRT and the Jackson on an artistic pedestal that will benefit all.