With a promise that the door to the County Mayor's office will "always be open," Bettye Carver has announced her candidacy for the office of Cocke County Mayor.

Carver cites her many years of experience as administrative assistant to two Cocke County Executive/Mayors as of primary importance in preparing her for the office she seeks.

"I have been administrative assistant to Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan, Jr. since 2002, and prior to that served in the same position to Cocke County Executive Charles Lewis Moore from September 1998," said Carver.

"Some of my responsibilities in this position include, but are certainly not limited to, the development, interpretation, and administration of policies and procedures for Cocke County in functions such as worker's compensation, safety training and development, planning commission, resource and conservation, and related activities."

Carver presently serves as director of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), Risk Management/Loss Prevention Coordinator, Cocke County Regional Planning Commission recording secretary, the County ADA Coordinator, Title VI Compliance Coordinator, Local Chair for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, and Smoky Mountain RC & D Council.

Additionally Carver is Appalachian Quilt Trail Coordinator for Cocke County, works with the Emergency Management Director as the Local Emergency Planning Commission  Secretary, and Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) Committee.

"Through my work in the Cocke County Mayor's office, I have also assisted in the successful application for grants from the East Tennessee Development District and other agencies," she added.

"My daily work in the Cocke County Mayor's office has brought me into contact with countless business, educational, and political leaders from Washington, D.C., to Nashville, to all parts of Tennessee," Carver pointed out. "These contacts will be of tremendous help as Cocke County continues to grow and develop."

A native of White County, Carver attended Tennessee Technological University and the American College.

It was while she was a student at Tennessee Tech she met her husband, Cosby native Carl Jay Carver, Jr., to whom she has been married for 42 1/2 years.

As a partner in the family's diversified farm operation (farrow to finish commercial market hog operation, tobacco, and beef cattle) from 1975 until her husband retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves, Carver increased her broad knowledge of Cocke County's agricultural base and needs. This knowledge, she feels, will be of importance to her as Cocke County Mayor, because of her intimate knowledge of state and federal farming programs and regulations and their effects on local operations.

Her professional and community activities include serving on the Cocke County Health Council, Smoky Mountain RE&D Council, Douglas Cherokee Authority Board, working with the Cocke County Partnership, East Tennessee Development District, East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

A member of Laurel Springs Christian Church since 1973, she served as youth teacher 24 years and president of the church's ladies group for 30 years.

An active member of the Cosby FCE Club, Inc. for many years, she has served as the group's president since 1988. "I love my work with the Cosby FCE as we work to promote the countless good things about our community, its heritage and culture," said Carver.

A member of the Cocke County Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 1976, she has served as chairman of the Cocke County Farm Bureau Women since 1982.

Further agriculture-related work includes her association with the Cocke County Board of Education since 1976 in implementing agriculture-related programs and Ag in the Classroom since its 1986 inception.

She is a member of the Cocke County Literacy Council. A member of the Foothills Land Conservancy Board from 2007-2010, she served as that group's Fall Fundraiser Chair for two years.

A lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, she has served on the Keep Cocke County Beautiful Board since 1998 and is a member of the RID (Remove Illegal Dumpsites) committee.

Carver has long been known for her devotion to Cocke County's youth and cites her work as a 4-H Leader since 1974 as evidence of her dedication to them.

For 30 years (1974-2004), she was a member of the Cocke County A&I Fair Association's board of directors and chaired the fair's Agriculture and Horticulture Departments for 30 years.

A longtime member of the Newport/Cocke County Chamber of Commerce, Carver served that group as director from 1987-1995 and as president in 1989. She was also named Citizen of the Year in 1990.

For 13 years, she chaired the Newport Street Festival and worked with the Cocke County Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1998-2001.

"For nearly half a century, Cocke County has been my home," said Carver, in explaining her decision to run for office. "Our people here are top-notch and deserve the best leadership possible. Cocke County has made great strides in the last decade, but I firmly believe there are much greater things in store for us. Truly the terrible economic situation our country continues to cope with is a major factor, but with the proper leadership and prudent decisions, Cocke County will emerge as a better and stronger community in the future."

Carver and her husband are the parents of two children, Tamara Carver and Carl Jay (Jayson) Carver, III, and grandparents of four: Addy (7), Kale (5), Dacey Jay (4), and Ava Lee (3).

Her other areas of interest include her grandchildren, walking, hiking, reading, yard work, and toile painting.