BY DOUGLAS WATSON
MANAGING EDITOR
Seven more candidates filed last week to run in the May 4 county primary election.
County Administrator of Elections Donna Burgner has reported that:
* Eddie O'Brien, 63, of 1034 W. Vann Rd., has filed to run as a Republican for county mayor.
O'Brien, who is retired, was the third mayoral candidate in Greeneville's 2008 election and received 23 votes. He is a perennial candidate for local office, but has never been elected. This will be his second run for county mayor.
O'Brien said he would like to get more jobs for the community and would seek to have safety plans instituted to reduce crime and vehicular accidents.
* John S. Waddle Jr., 60, of 1101 Wilkerson Road, in Mosheim, has filed to run for re-election as a Democrat in the 6th commissioner district.
If re-elected this year, Waddle, a farmer in the Mosheim area, would begin serving his third term as county commissioner. Waddle said that he seeks "to continue to serve the people of the county."
* Wade McAmis, 39, 3010 Whitehouse Road, Baileyton, has filed to run as a Republican for the Greene County Commission in the 1st commissioner district.
He is a co-owner of Coz's drive-in restuarant in Baileyton.
McAmis said he is running for the first time for county commissioner. He said, "If I am fortunate enough to be elected, it would open an avenue to better serve my community."
* Kent Key, 43, of 1012 Sun Valley Village, Apt. A, has filed to run in the Republican primary for county clerk. He is employed at Jewel City Auto Sales in Greeneville.
Key said he is running for county clerk to provide a more effective, secure and customer-friendly clerk's office for the citizens of Greene County.
* Michael T. Jones, 28, of 2305 S. Wesley Chapel Rd., has filed to run for re-election as a Republican in the 1st Constable District. He is Baileyton's building and street maintenance supervisor
Jones, who is seeking re-election to a second term as constable, said he appreciates the position because " I like helping out my community."
* Carl Walter Ball, 61, of 505 Swanay Road, in Chuckey, has filed to run as a Republican for constable in the 2nd Constable District.
Ball said he is running for constable because, "I served 34 years in the military and feel I still have something to contribute to the community." He is employed by the Borlea Cop. in Johnson County
* Phillip Belisario Sr., 50, of 104 Skyview Drive, Apt. 6, has filed to run in the Democratic primary for constable in the 5th Constable District. He is retired.
Belisario said he is running for constable as a way of "giving something back" to the community. He thinks a constable should be more than a glorified process server -- someone who is proactive in crime prevention and community policing.
Feb. 18 is the last day to file a qualifying petition for the May 4 primary elections.
