Phillip Lowrey Is A Candidate For Alderman
BY JOHN M. JONES JR., EDITOR
Phillip Keith (PK) Lowrey, of Ell Street, is a candidate for 2nd Ward alderman in Greeneville.
The election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1, but early voting is currently under way and will continue through Thursday, May 27.
Elections for the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen are conducted on a non-partisan basis. Candidates run for office as individuals rather than as party representatives.
Lowrey, 58, is a retired college teacher, an accountant, and a private businessman.
He states that he was born and reared in Greeneville. He is not married.
He attended elementary school at Crescent Elementary and graduated from Greeneville High School.
He received the Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University, the Master of Arts degree from Virginia Tech, and ABD (All But Dissertation) status from the University of Wyoming in work toward a doctoral degree.
His education, he states, has included logic, mathematics, political economy and history, accounting, and computer technology.
Lowrey taught classes at Steed, Walters State Community College, Tusculum College, and Lindsay Wilson College.
He states that he served as Controller of the Reason Foundation and has been involved in several business enterprisese.
He also notes that he has been active in "the pro-liberty movement."
He is a member of the Tennessee Firearms Association, Tennessee Farm Bureau, Sons of Confederate Veterans, American Contract Bridge League, Mises Institute, Foundation for Economic Education, East Tennessee Liberty, and NorthEast Tennessee Liberty Coalition.
He is the Webmaster of the etliberty.com website.
Lowrey was a candidate for the 2008 Republican National Convention, and was the lead Tennessee delegate to Continental Congress 2009, sponsored by the We The People Foundation in November 2009.
He provided the following responses to questions asked of all five candidates for 2nd Wald alderman.
* Why are you a candidate for Alderman?
Lowrey: "I am a candidate for alderman because ordinary citizens (me included) need independent, principled leadership. The national situation is unstable. We can endure by building a solid foundation of liberty on the local level. I have the ability, experience, and drive to pursue that."
* What do you believe is the most important quality that an alderman needs in order to handle this complicated, many-faceted job? What in your background and experience do you believe best prepares you for this office?
Lowrey: "An Alderman not only needs to be void of any conflict of interest or egotism, but also needs to possess knowledge of natural rights, political economy, and organizational management.
"If government is going to benefit citizens in general and not just a specific group, then government leaders must apply principled methodology to decisions.
"An understanding of how to test the appropriateness of government actions is essential. I do not want a leader who is ignorant of this.
"My independence, humility, and knowledge prepare me for this office."
* Think 20 years into the future. How do you see Greeneville in 2030? Do you expect growth by "infilling" within the town limits? Do you anticipate a substantial amount of annexation around the current town limits?
Lowrey: "The most significant phenomenon in our future will be further erosion in the value of money. People will be amazed at the increases in prices of goods. Accumulated savings will seem to disappear.
"People will also see more strife between those factions agreeing to fascism and those opposed to fascism. Of course, fascism occurs when government and corporate business control the people. This, along with decline of money value, may be chaotic.
"The Town of Greeneville must be prepared for the future. Our chance to maintain prosperity depends partly on the extent of leadership.
"Population growth, infilling, and annexation are, in the big picture, immaterial."
* In your opinion, should the Board of Mayor and Aldermen take any action concerning the controversial 2008 transfer of maintenance staff from the Dept. of Parks & Recreation to the Dept. of Public Works? If so, what action should be taken? Please explain the reasons for your reply?
Lowrey: "Yes, the BMA should convene a public hearing on the matter and adopt a resolution to end the controversy.
"Two statements contained in Section 4 of the Town Charter are applicable here: 1) 'The Mayor shall have a general supervision of all officers of the municipality' 2) 'The Mayor shall by written communication, lay before the Board any information needed, and recommend such measures as she may deem expedient.'
"Moreover, Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA 6-3-1060), to which the Town of Greeneville Mayor-Aldermanic Charter is subservient, states that the Mayor may 'employ, promote, discipline, suspend and discharge all employees and department heads, in accordance with personnel policies and procedures, if any, adopted by the board.' "
* Within the last 10 years, have you been a business partner, property co-owner, etc., with any other candidate for mayor or alderman? If so, give the basic details. Would you see it as a problem for current or recent business partners to serve together on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? Why or why not?
Lowrey: "I am independent of any such relationship, but see no problem with such relationship among others.
"It is definitely a problem, however, when any BMA member has a conflict of interest. In fact Section 13 of the Town Charter specifies (in part) 'that no officer of said Municipality shall directly or indirectly be interested in any contract for work or purchase, or any other purpose to which the city is a party.' It is only a conflict of interest that produces a problem."
* Closing Highland School has been mentioned as a real possibility after the upcoming 2010-11 school year, to balance the school budget. What is your position on this question?
Lowrey: "Highland School's year-round program has been very successful. Year-round schooling should be considered for all schools as a way of increasing efficiency throughout the system."
* What steps do you see as appropriate and needed in the Greeneville Historic District?
Lowrey: "The Greeneville Historic District should not be allowed to distract or otherwise interfere with important matters of town government. Our focus must be directed toward the pressing problems we face."
* Are you comfortable with Greeneville's current level of long-term debt? Why or why not?
Lowrey: "No. Greeneville's current $25 million debt results in $2 million paid yearly in interest payments. The bulk of the debt was incurred during the reconstruction of Greeneville High School, and no principal has been paid since then.
"I favor a plan to pay it off completely, and spend within our means without borrowing in the future."
* Unemployment has been very high during the past year, and while somewhat better now, is still around 15 percent. What, if anything, can the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen do to help employers keep jobs here, and help in attracting new jobs and employers?
Lowrey: "The stagnant local economy is much caused by United States government policies. However, the local economy's health can be optimized by eliminating all entry barriers.
"Unemployment can be curtailed by promoting an environment which fosters business, creating new jobs for citizens.
"Entry barriers take many forms, but are usually erected by government, and benefit existing participants by excluding competition. We have little control over state and national governments, but we can strive to make Greeneville conducive to a free market economy.
"The planning of outcomes is a socialist activity, different from spontaneous outcomes arising from free market activity. Individuals can plan for themselves.
"Governments should not plan or be influenced by the planning of others, but instead remain neutral and allow the market to function."
* If you wish to comment on something not covered in a question, please feel free to do so.
Lowrey: "1) Transparency is lacking in town government.
"In order for government to honestly serve citizens, information about all government activity must be openly revealed and easily accessible. It is such transparency that allows citizens to control the government, and prevent the government controlling the people.
"Town government should post: current budget, history of budgets, employees and salaries, all boards/committees and members, notices-agendas-minutes of all meetings,
"Look at the website of Greeneville government; it is inadequate. Citizens are lacking the information needed to be well informed about their government.
"Town officials take an oath, swearing to uphold the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. The first section of the first article of the Tennessee Constitution recognizes that government is instituted solely for the benefit of taxpayers.
"Transparency of government activities is consistent with that recognition.
"2) Citizens are paying too much for TV/Internet.
"The increase in rates for cable has exceeded the inflation rate in past decades. A cable company (currently Comcast) is granted a monopoly in Greeneville.
"Since most citizens use television/Internet, the monopoly price allowed by government can be considered a tax. Our town government can take action to lower the prices and effectively cut taxes.
"3) More information, including the Town of Greeneville Charter, is posted on the electpk.com website."
FULL RESULTS OF COUNTY ELECTION
All files are in PDF format. Files will open in a new window.