Commissioner Charlie Cox

One of the most important issues facing Union County today, believes Charlie Cox, is the jail lawsuit.  According to him, overcrowding would not be a problem if we adapted other methods of treating prisoners.  Charlie feels that non-violent probation violators should not be jailed.  It would be more effective and cost-efficient if these folks were put on work gangs during the day and sent home at night.  The county could use them for litter pickup, cutting brush along the roadways, mowing lawns and other county maintenance activities. Part of the Strategic Plan is to beautify the county and using the non-violent probation violators for maintenance would also help to meet this goal.  More importantly, the county would not be responsible for feeding these prisoners and would save money that way as well.  He believes that the county jail should be a workhouse and that it is not necessary to use a deputy to supervise the prisoners; volunteer civilians could be used to do this.

With all of the traffic that travels on Highway 33, there is an increase in the number accidents and fatalities.  It is important that this roadway be widened to four lanes and some of the curves straightened out to reduce the number of collisions. Charlie Cox believes that widening this road and making it safer will also assist in attracting tourism, industry and businesses to the area.  Our schools are overcrowded and some are in need of repair and/or remodeling.  Mold has been an issue in some schools.  He believes that we need to take a hard look at the school system.  Union County students have to go to Knoxville for graduation and Charlie feels that there should be a facility here in Union County for such ceremonies.

As a commissioner for the past 8 years, Charlie believes that one of his strengths is that he keeps a conservative eye on the General Fund budget.  It is important to him that the County Commission does not spend any money unnecessarily.  “I know the voters in this county – it’s a poor county. Voters in my district say that if it weren’t for me, they would be paying higher property taxes,” Charlie said.  “We have the money in the Undesignated Fund, we don’t need to be raising taxes.”  Charlie has three wonderful grandchildren: Brandy, Jacob and Austin Cox.

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