NEWPORT-Mike McWherter, 2010 candidate for state governor, made a stop in Newport on Saturday, March 6 as he held a "meet and greet" at Lily's Restaurant inside the Mountain Crest Inn.

As his attempt to visit all 95 Tennessee counties comes to a close, McWherter's goal of "getting out and listening to the issues" proved a success. His ultimate goal was to learn about the qualities and assets that each county possesses because that is what is important in taking Tennessee into the future.

"Last month, the state unemployment rate was the highest I've seen, ever," said McWherter. "Tennessee needs a governor that will put jobs front and center, and one with the skills and background to maintain jobs. That's why I am running in this campaign."

As a businessman from Jackson, McWherter explained that he understands how to build a budget and live with in it as he has done for 20 years in his business.

Fundamentally opposed to a state income tax, McWherter said the lack of the state income tax is a huge selling tool to bring industry to the state, which he says is why Volkswagen chose Tennessee as the location for its newest manufacturing plant.

"Keeping Tennessee a low tax state create jobs for residents," said McWherter. "Low tax equals consumers, which equals revenue. That is key during the current economy."

The residents of Cocke County had their time to ask questions about various issues they face on a daily basis. Education proved to be the biggest issue most local residents sought answers to.

With the ever-rising standards for students, residents asked McWherter's opinion on how the state and the education commissioner can ensure no student is left behind.

"I agree with rising the standards for students and aiding them to graduate college in the normal range of four years," said McWherter. "Tennessee has one of the highest failure/drop-out rates in the country for students, especially when it comes to going to higher education schools. We need to better prepare students for higher education by providing more necessary courses. The problem is we do not have the certified teachers to teach several courses, but we should look more into providing these courses via Internet and broadband access. Of course, I would not ask elementary school students to do online course work, this would be more for the high school level students."

Several concerned residents questioned where special education students would fall if the standards would be continuously raised, and the system would provide more attention toward the education for other students, setting them up for a college-bound future.

"We cannot allow special education students to be left behind in the system," said McWherter. "We need to make sure they have adequate amounts of extra attention and help so they are able to succeed just as well. Students can still be successful and do well in life with the right training. We need to make sure of that."

McWherter's father, former Governor Ned McWherter, introduced the TennCare system to the state, and "it worked wonderfully".

"Health care is big to me and my family," said McWherter. "But health care is eating away the majority of the budget. The next governor needs to maintain the health care budget at a responsible level without harming families."

Residents asked what his plans were for the health care in Tennessee and if any change would be made if he were elected into office.

"Until we know what is happening in Washington, D.C., we need to maintain Governor Bredeson's plan then plan accordingly after a final decision is made in D.C.," said McWherter.

Following his 95-county tour, McWherter will return to the area to look at regional approaches and issues. For more information on McWherter's campaign, please visit www.mikemcwherter.com.