Candidate for Commission District 5-C
Richard M. Briggs
Richard Briggs
966-5125
To see his website
Occupation: Cardiovascular (Heart) Surgeon
Three Reasons to
Vote for Richard.....
1) Leadership and Experience:
I have extensive military and civilian leadership experience. I have been
a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve for over 30 years and
obtained the rank of full colonel in 1996. I have commanded several
military units including an Army Combat Support Hospital (over 600
personnel) and served as a senior staff officer in a medical brigade (over
10,000 personnel). I served in combat with the 1st Armored Division in
Iraq in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-91, with the 10th Mountain Division
in Afghanistan in 2004, and with the 10th Combat Support Hospital in
Baghdad, Iraq in 2005-06. I commanded smaller medical units during
military exercises in Egypt in 1993 and in Ecuador in 1997.
I am on the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors of the St. Mary’s/Baptist Health
System as well as Chairman of the Quality, Safety and Professional
Relations Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Policy and Strategy
Committee. I am President-Elect of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine
and have served on the Board of Trustees of the Academy for several years.
I will join the Board of Trustees of the Tennessee Medical Association
this year. I have worked with our legislators in Nashville on health
care issues since 2001.
I am a senior partner in the East Tennessee Cardiothoracic Surgery Group, a private medical practice. As a small businessman, I understand balancing a budget, meeting a payroll, and providing full benefits for our 23 employees.
In summary, I have
extensive and proven leadership experience that should serve the citizens
of Knox County well.
2) Integrity: As a military officer, heart surgeon, and physician leader in our community, I have always felt integrity matters and character counts. I have never been involved in any incident where my character or integrity has been questioned. I have been married to my wife Stephanie for 34 years and I’m proud of my military service defending our freedoms. In my campaign, I have not accepted donations from any companies, organizations, or special interest groups. I want to sit as a commissioner with no obligations to any person or organization and to represent only the interests of our citizens.
3) Vision: I want to serve as Knox County Commissioner because I understand the issues that are important to all Knox County residents, from improving the quality of our schools to protecting homeowners' rights and ensuring public safety. Every voter should trust his or her elected official, and as Commissioner, my first priority will be to reestablish that trust. I am firmly dedicated to restoring an ethical government in Knox County – one that is composed of public servants who will always put the voters’ interests before their own. I will do my best to make Knox County government responsive, transparent, and citizen-driven. Good government requires an attentive and involved citizenry, ethical and competent leaders, and a watchful and independent press. I will never forget that I am a servant of the people and serve as their voice on the Knox County Commission.
Richard's
Thoughts On....
Knox County Schools:
I have a passion for education and acknowledge our schools as a top priority. We now live in a global marketplace which demands an educated, skilled and capable workforce. Communities prepared to meet the challenges of a competitive world will prosper and enjoy a high quality of life. A great public school system is the 21st century foundation for the community’s workforce and the cornerstone for industrial recruitment and economic development. The school system needs to partner with government, labor, business, and industry to insure every student leaves the system ready to compete in the modern marketplace.
The commission is a
partner with the school board and should provide the resources for the
best education possible for the students of Knox County. The message
to our teachers, principals, and school administrators: We recognize the
value of the important work you do and we must do everything we can to
support you.
The message to parents and
students: Our children are the future of our country. The school
board and county commission have the solemn responsibility to equip the
graduates of the public school system with the skills they need to succeed
and prosper.
Property Taxes:
Property taxes are an “investment” that homeowners make in their community. Like any investment, tax payers should expect value for their money and for their investment to be managed efficiently and honestly. Return on investment is measured in the quality of our schools, public safety, roads, and public services. Tax payers should insist on the highest ethical standards of the public officials “managing” their investment and demand accountability for every cent. Property taxes need to be keep as low as possible yet provide the maximum value in terms of service. I support legislation for the Senior Property Tax Freeze for qualified seniors.
Elected officials should
never forget: it’s not their money, it’s the tax payer’s money.
Development:
Successful economic development and industrial recruitment are inextricably related to low property taxes, excellence of schools, jobs and quality of life. Property taxes are kept low by expanding the tax base through business development. Increased tax revenue through business expansion allows greater funding of our schools and improved public services without burdening the homeowner with higher property taxes. Responsible development respects our neighborhoods, provides job growth opportunities and does not overtax the underlying infrastructure of roads, schools, or sewers. I pledge to encourage responsible economic development but never at the expense of neighborhoods and quality of life.
Environment: