Patrick
Anderson County Commissioner Buzz Patrick was appointed to his seat last year, and now he’s seeking to be elected to the 16-member legislative body in an Aug. 2 special election.
The Commission appointed Patrick to the District 8 seat in March 2011, filling it after former commissioner Myron Iwanski was named Anderson County interim mayor.
“When I was interviewed by Commission, they asked if I intended to run in the 2012 special election,” Patrick said in a press release. “I responded, ‘Yes, if I feel that I am contributing,’ and I believe I’m contributing a much needed business-minded approach to Commission.”
Patrick is chief operating officer for Omega Technical Services, an Oak Ridge-based company whose largest customers are the U.S. Department of Energy sites.
Patrick serves on the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board and is a member of East Tennessee Economic Council, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board of directors for seven years and executive committee for three.
In a press release, Patrick said he has also served in leadership capacities for two Fortune 500 companies, Fortune Brands and Harley-Davidson, and has been leading multimillion dollar operating budgets for more than 10 years.
“I believe the biggest driver of my appointment was my (business) leadership experience,” he said. ” Several commissioners recognized that my executive business experience would add value and perspective at a level no other commissioner had. However, I feel equally important is my experience with economic development.”
Patrick said county officials have increased property taxes to raise revenues, but those rate hikes drive away businesses, jobs, and residents.
“It is unfortunate that more elected officials do not see the correlation,” he said.
Last year, Anderson County Commission approved a property tax rate increase of up to 16.2 cents to pay for a major jail expansion and new alternative school, among other things
Still, the trend could be reversed through the generation of new sales tax revenues, and the future is bright for local retail, Patrick said.
“There is significant momentum for Oak Ridge retail, but it takes community leaders who understand the economic development process to close these deals,” he said.
He said spending should be cut if economic growth cannot keep pace with spending.
“A business does not survive very long by spending more than it takes in,” Patrick said. “Government really should be no different.”
Patrick is also active with the United Way of Anderson County, serving on its board of directors, executive committee, and as vice president of fund distribution, the press release said, and he is an assistant coach for the Atomic City Bomber’s Baseball program.
Early voting for the August election begins July 13. District 8 includes the Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland precincts.
Iwanski has announced that he will not seek election to the county’s mayor position, choosing instead to run for re-election to the county commission seat now held by Patrick.
L Byrge says
Buzz Patrick, has a pro business ouitlook that is very much needed in this down cycle our country is now experiencing. A tax and spend mentality is how we created our current problems.
Robert M says
I disagree strongly with the first comment. I do not feel as though Buzz is the right man for the job. Although the responsibilities for such a minuscule local government position are limited and few, I don’t think someone who is doesn’t even have the respect of his own employees and co-workers should be elected. Buzz Patrick is a joke and the only reason why he has previously been appointed in this role is because of who he is friends with.