Conley Underwood or McMillan? Shopper's Clark or Hunley's Focus?

This could be fun (for me, anyway) It is time for a little contrast and compare. Both Shopper News Publisher Sandra Clark and Focus Publisher Steve Hunley have published opinions on the School Board Race in the Eighth District. The School Board Race pits former Commissioner Mike McMillan against Husband, Father and Small Business Owner Conley Underwood.

Before we get to far, many of you are saying "oh my gosh Shock And Awe ain't found of either publisher". That is not true. I have respect for Sandra Clark's ability to maintain a newspaper through all the years. She first reported on me when I was 23 running against a 23 year incumbent. Had Clark not recruited a third candidate, oh well, I would still be stuck in the eighth district. Thanks Sandra! As for Steve Hunley, I respect his ability to manage multiple businesses and make cash with most of them. He and I share the ability to keep a school board seat for only 4 years. So, he ain't that darn bad. Do I disagree with some of their editorial positions? Absolutely! Just as they probably disagree with things I editorialize and report here. It is just competitive courtesy. 

As Mike Donila says, "Anyhoo"


Here is Sandra Clark's editorial position on Conley Underwood and how she arrives at her decision. Sometimes you are known by the company you keep and Sandra details some endorsements that McMillan has trumpeted a bit.

Here is the link to this week's Focus. There are two articles, on page A3 is the "Publisher's Position It Isn't All About The Kids" and then on page A5 is "Political Analysis: The 8th District School Board Race". The A3 article is identified as having been authored by Hunley. The political analysis is identified as being authored by Focus Staff. Both articles possess the same negative venom verbiage all focused on Conley Underwood. Oddly, Hunley trashes Underwood for being a father. He says that does not make for a better candidate. However, Hunley does not discuss the reason that McMillan ended his 30 year career as a classroom teacher. McMillan faced with a termination hearing due to in part to inappropriate material in his classroom closet. Also, when Hunley ran for election and his failed re-election, he too used the "for the kids" slogans. Hunley also doesn't reveal that Shirley Underwood (Conley's Aunt) managed the campaign of former School Board Member Jim Williams and that campaign and Mr. Williams defeated Hunley in 2000. Hunley also doesn't reveal that he also voted against Roy Mullins for Superintendent of Knox County Schools in 1999. It is because of Hunley's vote that Roy Mullins is a sometime Superintendent, to take a shot at all three is unwarranted. But now you know why. Hunley also has proclaimed that only McMillan in 2010 began the move for a new Carter Elementary School. This is not correct either. As a board member in 2003, Jim Williams proposed and I along with a majority of the board at that time voted to purchase the land on Strawberry Plains Pike that the new Carter Elementary School is being built on. 

While I support every one's ability to advance the candidate of their choice. In this contrast and comparison exercise. It is obvious that Sandra Clark was more informative with both sides then Hunley was. Conley Underwood and I went to high school together at Carter. We both graduated Carter High School in 1984. So, yes I have a favorite. I support the husband, father and small business owner that is young enough (45) to be able to relate to the new technologies and today's students and that candidate is Conley Underwood.