Jim Bates

Links to specific Questions:

  1. What sets you apart from the other candidates?
  2. What are your greatest achievements?
  3. What are the biggest issues voters should be thinking about as they consider candidates?
  4. What kinds of businesses do you hope to attract?
  5. Is there anything in the County budget that you see as a waste or a misuse of government resources?
  6. What are your thoughts on State and Federal grants?
  7. Do you have plans to involve the voters of Hickman County in policy decisions? If so, how?
  8. Do you have anything else you’d like to share?

Links

Personal Facebook Page
Voices of Hickman Interview

Candidacy Announcement

I, Jim Bates, am seeking the office of Hickman County Mayor and would like to share a little about myself.
I have been a public servant for 30 years as a Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic with my last 14 years serving Hickman County and it’s citizens and visitors. I retired from emergency services on July 17, 2017. I served as the Assistant Director for Hickman County Emergency Medical Services from 2010-2017. I am now a substitute teacher in the Hickman County School system.
I have served as a Medicolegal Death Investigator under the Hickman County Coroner and as a reserve deputy for the Hickman County Sheriff’s Department. I coached youth football/softball/T-ball at East Hickman for 12 years. I am a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association high school official and serve as the State of Tennessee Umpire in Chief for Dixie Baseball, as well as on the Tri-County Jr Pro Football board as the football league commissioner.
I have received a number of awards and letters of commendation over my many years of public service, with the most recent award being the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce Law and Safety Award in 2012.
I am married to Tonya Tidwell Bates of Hickman County. We have three children, David, Drew and Montana, all three of whom were graduated from East Hickman High School.
My major goals as Mayor of Hickman County are to lead our county into the next decade by working hard for the citizens and serving with openness and integrity. I will remain honest in my dealings for Hickman County while representing the county in a professional and respectable manner. My office will always be open to the public for citizens to voice their concerns.
I have a vision that an achievable future will be realized by hard work on my part, so on August 2, 2018, I would appreciate your consideration, and vote for Hickman County Mayor.

What is the role of government, as you see it?

Our government’s role plays a big part in our society as Americans. Our founding fathers set in place a government that is for the people, by the people, and this took the place of a king. I am a firm believer that no one man shall be able to rule without a checks and balance system in place. Our government’s main role is to pass laws, (or resolutions in County Government), that helps enhance the lives of our citizens.

What is the county mayor’s job, as you see it?

The County Mayor is responsible for a lot of roles and responsibilities. The County Mayor should first and foremost be a leader, and work with the County Commissioners to enhance Hickman County to become it’s best. I think the Mayor should always be honest, especially with dealings with and for Hickman County. I also think that the County Mayor is a voice for the people and should always listen to the concerns of the citizens. The Mayor is the representative of the County and should work hard with local, state, and Federal government to accomplish the goals of the county.

What do you think are the most important qualifications for a mayor?

I think there are several qualifications to the County Mayor. First and foremost, as I have always said, The County Mayor should be honest at all times. The Mayor should have good work ethics. He/She needs to know how the government works, and be able to understand the the workings of local, state and Federal government. The Mayor should know how budgets work, and how to maintain a budget. Again, I think that the Mayor must be a good representative of the County, and he/she must have a good rapport with the citizens as well as the governing entities, and a good business sense.

What are the main things you see holding this county back?

Let me say first that I see potential growth in Hickman County. I do not want to be a Franklin, or Dickson, but I would love for the citizens to be able to buy the amenities that we need right here in our own county. Right now the majority of our tax revenue dollars are being spent in other counties helping their economy. There are reasons that companies, or even retailers, do not come here. It is because our infrastructure in this county is way behind and does not facilitate companies or retailers. Before any company, or retailer, moves into a community they look at several things including the infrastructure as a whole. The infrastructure that I am talking about is not only water, sewer, gas, but the use of broadband internet, police coverage, ambulance service and healthcare, ISO rating and fire service, schools, and workforce here in the county. These are all part of the infrastructure that are essential for the survival of business. Once the infrastructure gets to where it needs to be, or at least a good start on it, then businesses start taking notice and moving in and therefore bring jobs to our county as well as give us places to shop, and keep our sales tax revenue in our county, so that we can keep enhancing Hickman County.

What are your top three goals for Hickman County, and how, specifically, would you work toward them as mayor?

I am promoting a positive, safe community and economic growth for our county. My major goals as Mayor of Hickman County are to work hard for the citizens, and always be honest in my dealings with and for the county, and to represent the county in a respectable manner. I have a vision that an achievable future can be obtained, but it will take a lot of hard work on my part. I plan to lead Hickman County into the next decade by working hard to obtain the amenities for a better life for all Hickman County residents by building and maintaining the proper infrastructure needed for industry, commerce and economic growth. I plan on transforming a beautiful Hickman County that is needing an infrastructure in place that promotes safety, jobs, and a growing economy to a more beautiful Hickman County that can offer our citizens a county of wellness, safety and jobs close to home while enhancing educational opportunities and economic growth, thereby reducing property taxes for our citizens. Hickman County citizens have been tired of political promises. Some citizens feel like nothing ever gets done. There is a frustration of lack of work for industrial movement. There are county employees that are frustrated for various reasons. Citizens complain that there is nothing to do for the youth of our county. Author Donald Miller once wrote, “Our desires to avoid pain motivates us to seek a resolution to our problems.” I will be a part of that resolution! Working as a public servant for 30 years, I have worked with 3 county governments, 2 city governing bodies and the State of Tennessee. While working with these entities, and having a good rapport with them, I was able to help create change for the good of the citizens of each. The citizens of Hickman County want more businesses, more jobs, lower property taxes, and more amenities. When all possibilities have seem to have been exhausted to reach growth in our county, remember this: I have not exhausted all of mine!

By default, how will you advocate resolving budget shortfalls?

Cutting costs of the county and stop spending needlessly.

Is the county government responsible for creating economic growth?

I think it is a little of both. Working together is the key.

What are the most important things Hickman County could do to attract businesses?

I think the most important thing that would bring business to Hickman County, as I said before, is the infrastructure being built and maintained to support the businesses needs. At the present time Hickman County as a whole is behind the times, and needs to be brought up to the bar that can maintain economic growth. This and a hard working Mayor that will go out and help facilitate the process of bringing business to Hickman County.

Do you believe the Bible gives guidance on how the Mayor should discharge his duties? If so, what are some of the main verses or principles that you look to?

Absolutely! I think that the Bible gives us guidance not only in our everyday lives, but gives leaders of our communities, and country, and the world for that matter, guidance on how to be great leaders. There are so many versus in the Bible that have given me everything from courage to leadership. I think that the County Mayor should not only lead but should serve others as well. This comes to mind when Jesus was speaking to his Disciples in the book of John. John 13:13-17 13- You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right, for I so am. 14- If I then, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15- For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16- Truly, truly, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17- If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.