Hubert Smith Radio Show

I had the great honor of being a guest on the Hubert Smith Radio show this evening. I got the second hour of his show to talk about teen drug and alcohol abuse and treatment. I had such a good time on the show and Hubert is a wonderful host. I do look forward to going back on his show to continue this segment and hopefully have time to talk to some callers next time. We have so far to go and the fight against drug and alcohol abuse in our children is one of the toughest battles we will ever be faced with. This is a difficult battle because our enemies are everywhere and they look like everyone else. Our greatest weapons against drug and alcohol abuse are knowledge and communication. We have to make the business of our young people our business. We have to intrude on their lives and be active participants. Parents TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN and show them you are interested. We must realize that nationwide numbers show young people using drugs and alcohol is declining slowly, but the ages of these children are also declining. This is good and bad because at younger ages children are more impressionable negatively and positively, but at younger ages there is a better chance that those impressions will be made by us, their parents.

Tennessee Juvenile Court Services Association

The Tennessee Juvenile Court Services Association (TJCSA) held it's annual conference at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville this past week. I am a member of the TJCSA and I serve on the training committee. This association offers scholarships to young people all over the state and training in many different areas to those who work with the troubled youth of this state. Some of this year's training sessions included MySpace and our youth, growing up in gangs, common sexual deviances, progression of bipolar disorder in adolescents, signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, and many, many more training options. These conference meetings also allow a great opportunity to communicate with workers and judges from other courts in the state to learn new ways to work with youth and to give advice and encouragement to our professional peers who are doing a very difficult and rewarding job. I want to thank the TJCSA and all of its dedicated officers and all of the juvenile court staff in the state who help to make the lives of Tennessee's children better one child at a time. The next annual TJCSA conference will be in Knoxville at the Marriot downtown on August 10th through the 13th 2008. If you would like more information about the conference please visit tjcsa.com.

Convicts day out at the Powell Station Park

Me and my son Turner were enjoying the cool water fountains of the Powell Station Park today when all of a sudden a Sheriff's department truck with what appreared to be four plain clothed prisoners and one uniformed officer who was driving pulled into the park. The truck parked about 40 or 50 yards from the park and the four men ALONE approached the water park area where about 12 young children and several parents were sitting around the water. The prisoners began picking up trash and working on the facilities and of course looking at the women around the park in a very upsetting fashion. I began to notice that parents were pulling their children close to them and one lady was packing up her belongings and her three children and leaving. We were all very upset that the Sheriff's department would bring criminals of any kind into our neighborhood park. One lady even approached me and said " I was glad you were here because that officer would not have had time to get over here and help us if one of those guys did something". I took it upon myself to contact my father who is now a captain with the Sheriff's department and he said that those prisoners were very low level security concerns and some of them are only in for a couple of weeks. He did not see any merit in my concern so I will be taking this to a higher level. I will be taking this concern to the people because we should be the ones that they are responding to. You know we would probably be able to afford a few extra workers to clean and maintain our parks if our government officials would quit stealing our taxpayer's money. Once again, a change is coming. Vote Matthew Jones County Commission District 6 Seat A

School is in session$$$$

Wow!!
I am going to have to take out a second mortgage to send my daughter back to public school this year. I am a young parent and really haven't even thought about the cost of sending our children to school. If we have to pay school fees to cover books, and we have to buy our child's school supplies, and we have to pay to get them into clubs and other school activites, well why do we pay so much in taxes? I have an idea, maybe it is because our schools have to beg for money from our government because they are busy cushioning their own lifestyles. Let's try not spending thousands of dollars on fancy dinners and vacations for "political dignitaries"and instead look at how we can quit wrenching our community's hard working parents for every little cent that you power hungry gold diggers can get your hands on. Don't worry, a change is coming. VOTE THEM OUT!!
THE COUNTY GENERAL ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN AUGUST OF 2008
VOTE MATTHEW JONES COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 6 SEAT A

What an honor it is

I have trouble putting into words the feeling that I am getting each time that someone shows approval about me running for commissioner. I talked with two ladies yesterday and they were just bubbling over with excitement and wanted to do things to help me get elected. I have to ask myself what does that mean? If it means that they are glad that someone like me could be the one to represent them and be their voice in Knox County government, if it means they trust me to do that, wow, it almost overwhelms me. What an honor... and watch out because I am starting to get greedy for that feeling. Thank you all for your support and I want you to know how much it means to me. I will not let you down.

Knox Young Republican meeting

The Knox County Young Republican club met last night at the Greene Hills Grill and although the scheduled speaker could not attend it was a very beneficial meeting for all and I was not the only candidate represented there. County Clerk candidate Foster Arnett and his wife Dottie were in attendance and Foster appears to be well prepared for the primary race approaching in February. The current county law director John Owings had three very supportive representatives at the meeting. The group mostly carried on discussions surrounding everything from the presidential candidates to the 1982 World's Fair. It was good fellowship and a good time. We missed you Brian.

Full Speed Ahead!

I am about four months into my campaign for Knox County Commissioner of the 6th district, and I have to say that campaigning is everything they say it is. I am tired, my family is tired, and the hardest part (fundraising) is just beginning. We are still extremely motivated and I get more excited with every hand shake, every encounter with a critic, and every smile and nod of approval for what I am trying to do. What I love most about campaigning is that even if you don't win, you still win. There is no way to lose because you get to meet so many people and you build relationships with those you would never have known because they work and live in different circles. We participated in the Powell parade celebration on the 4th of July and all I can say is "WOW". One of my favorite songs is My Hometown by The Boss and when we were walking down Emory road (downtown Powell) I felt like I was living that song. We were surrounded by smiling faces and proud families all sharing this day together as a community. We reached a lot of people on the 4th and I say reached because we do have a message to get out to the people. They have convinced us that they are the people who are supposed to be controlling what happens to the citizens of Knox County and we have allowed it to continue for far too long. We have seen the greed that comes with sustained power in the excessive waste of taxpayer money, and the outright slap in the face of this year's county government appointments. We can put a stop to it. Whoaa...where did that soap box come from. I will end with thanking all those who walked with me and showed their support for me and my family on the 4th, you guys were all amazing.