The Hamilton County Commission District 8 Republican Primary candidates for the May 1 primary  gathered with friends and supporters for lunch and a debate Monday at the Pachyderm Club weekly meeting.

The two candidates, two-term incumbent Tim Boyd and East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert, first gave opening remarks followed by questions from the audience.

Lambert told those gathered that during his eight years as mayor that East Ridge had gained “Border Region” status which has spearheaded economic development. The construction of a Bass Pro Shops at Jordan Crossing has increased city sales taxes. A Chick-fil-A store is now under construction. Lambert said that East Ridge has an improved relationship with the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority and that the city moved forward with the formation of a city planning commission under his tenure.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner Boyd spoke about how this all got started in 2010. He stated that there is more to the county’s  8th District than just East Ridge. He said that there has been more than $300 million in private investment in Hamilton County since he took office.

 Boyd, who has been criticized for being abrasive, talked about how it is worth making people uncomfortable if it means more transparency on where our tax dollars are spent. He said he asks the hard questions and is not sorry for scrutinizing the county’s budget. Boyd stated as nice as Exit 1  may be, was it worth it to the citizens of East Ridge with the city borrowing more than $3 million?

Boyd told the audience that he was the only commissioner to vote against the last tax increase implemented by the county. He voted for a $110 million bond to improve county schools. Boyd pledged to continue fighting for people and asking the good questions.

When asked about school safety, Boyd stated that we all deserve safer schools where no student lives in fear and we all have to support the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

In closing remarks, Boyd called into question Lambert’s campaign receiving contributions from the Exit 1 developers that were used to pay back a personal loan that Lambert floated for his campaign in 2014. 

Lambert responded by saying that Boyd did not have his facts straight and that more would be revealed about the issue in the future.

_ Laura Mathis