Welcome
Hello and Welcome!
THIS IS THE WEBPAGE OF GREG ARIAS, CANDIDATE FOR SUMNER COUNTY MAYOR
"No man can always be right. So the struggle is to do one's best, to keep the brain and conscience clear, never be swayed by unworthy motives or inconsequential reasons, but to strive to unearth the basic factors involved, then do one's duty."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
What I Stand FOR
The 1st Amendment: I will always stand for citizens' rights to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances. That means citizens should ALWAYS be allowed to speak on issues before their government.
The 2nd Amendment: As a former police officer and handgun carry permit holder, I will always support the rights of every American to keep and bear arms.
Limited Government: Our government is entirely too big and invasive. I am for cutting the red tape and bureaucracy from Washington to Sumner County.
Property Rights: Eminent Domain is not a word or action I support for the irresponsible reason that does not benefit the majority of the citizens of this county
Responsible Growth: We can't stop growth and development, but we MUST begin to gain control of what's happening in our county. Responsible growth includes making sure developers pay for the necessary infrastructure for their sites and not have the burden of funding those things fall on the backs of citizens.
Fiscal Responsibility: We currently have debt between $290 and $411 million, depending on whose figures you use. While a new school campus was needed, the bonds were taken to allow for its construction. However, it's time to pay off this debt and stop the interest portion payments. Granted, the interest rates on those bonds were historically low, but we must begin to be able to free up those funds for the growing needs of the county. I know that we will sometimes need to borrow money to fulfill requirements, and being able to work within the budgets and funds we have is responsible governance.
Managing Taxes: We as citizens of this county have endured two large tax increases in both 2014 and 2019, and are very likely looking at another in 2024. We must find a way to pay off debt, and grow our income without taking it from citizens through even higher property taxes.
I-N-T-E-G-R-I-T-Y
Additional Information
integrity ĭn-tĕg′rĭ-tē
noun
1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.
"I" is for initiative. Take the initiative to do the right thing even when no one else will know. "N" stands for nurturing. Nurture others through the quality of your actions even when no one else will know.
"T" is for teamwork. Teamwork is service before self even when no one else will know.
"E" is for excellence. Excellence in all we do even when no one else will know.
"G" is for giving. Giving 110 percent even when no one else will know.
"R" is for respect. Respect each other even when no one else will know.
"I" is for intelligence. Be intelligent by knowing your job better than anyone, even when no one else will know.
"T" is for true. Be true to the best in you even when no one else will know.
"Y" is for you. You and I can make a difference even when no one else will know.
The word "integrity" is used regularly in politics, but fr too often, the candidates or elected officials fall short of the meaning. Integrity, as defined above, is one of the only things a man can truly control. Whether I win or lose this election, I will walk away from the experience with this, my integrity intact.
That means we will run the campaign with the utmost respect for other candidates and the citizens of Sumner County. No dirty politics or cheap shots here. We have enough of that already. Our county needs leadership and someone with the desire to work for all residents of Sumner County. That's why I'm in this race, to provide those things to our county government.
SUMMARY
My grandfather told me long ago that no one knows everything, and no one is always right, while others are always wrong. I admit that I'm not a politician, and I don't know everything. In fact, like many of you, I have many questions that I'm looking to find the answers to daily.
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Since I'm not a politician, and this is my first ever campaign, I've been on a listening tour of this county by meeting with the mayors of Hendersonville, Gallatin, Portland, White House, and Westmoreland. I've met with the director of schools, the sheriff, and various current county commissioners and asked questions while listening to their ideas and opinions to learn as much as possible.
It's a given that politicians will make promises in hopes of getting elected. Well, this campaign and I personally are only making some fundamental promises.
One: Being open, honest, and transparent- there's that word again, where usually it's just a word, but to me, it is a necessity in everything I do if elected to serve as your next county mayor.
Two: I will always be approachable and accessible to the citizens who entrusted me with this responsibility.
Three: I will ALWAYS put the best interests of the majority of citizens at the heart of every action I take.
I'm not naive and believe that I can please every person with everything I might do, but those actions will ALWAYS benefit the majority of our citizens, period!