Cliff McLarty For Mayor

[Wake Up America]

If you voted for liquor by the drink, then you need to thank Cliff McLarty for the right to vote. He has always tried to do things to enhance this community, at least to get things moving.
If you really want CHANGE and someone to take the lead we need, let's get Cliff to run.
I have asked him to run, but he is not sure of the support he would get.
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE A CHANGE.
I do know he believes in term limits and a directed approach to economic development in the city.
Come on, let's get him to run!!!

[tubohio]

I asked him last month if he was going to run, but he said when he ran last time for City Council, he did not get one cent from anyone and was not sure if people REALLY wanted to change.

He did "hint" to me that if he got enough "pushing", he might think about it.

I'm with you Wake Up America, this is the guy that could move us a long way towards economic development and he does believe in term limits too. I like that part.

I'm calling him tomorrow to "push" him along.

[Edward]

Would be nice to see Cliff (or any forward & progressive thinker for that matter) in office for once. As long as the same remain, Marion will not change and grow. Pretty sad considering the potential that is here for a really nice town. Could be like Blowing Rock or Black Mountain or any other place that has kept their downtown viable and attractive. Would beat the pants off lawyers' offices, pawn shops and bail-bondsmen.

How many would love to see real shops and restaurants in town? How many would love to ramble through a store like the old Jimeson Hardware again?(Okay, Lowe's almost makes that impossible, I know) But it would be nice to have a real Main St. again instead of a drying up town.

Of course, it would be nice to see some new business that could supply jobs come into the county first. I'd be willing to give a business a tax break to employ people again like the 'good old days' of all the mills and factories. Lots of potential for businesses in those old buildings.

[BobCrack]

Edward, I agree to a point with you. It will never be like the "good old days", as far as downtown goes. I remember walking in Jimeson's Hardware and Belk and loving it, however, I believe other types of retail could survive downtown.

I have heard, through the all-mighty grapevine, that Cliff would run if he gets enough people to ask him to run and support him. I think he is gun-shy from the last time he ran. That is unfortunate because he only lost by a very narrow margin, being that was his first time to try for a spot on the council.

There have been others on this forum that wants "new blood" in the city council and mayor positions. The only way to get that is to ask these people to run for office and support them financially and with your time.

Personnally, I think Mr. McLarty would have a good shot at the Mayor's office AND could bring in some great business ideas for jobs.

[TomH]

Yes, let's get Mclarty to run for mayor. He seems to be for growth and jobs. I need one.

[Gofigureitnow]

I know Cliff personnally and let me tell you this town could do no wrong in voting him in as Mayor. I have rented from him and worked for him and all he has been is fair. Even as a worker for him he always asked what my thoughts were. If that be on what we were working on at the time, the city, jobs, or life in general. He cares about people and tries to help those that really want it. Now I will tell you that he is a bear if you don't do what you say you are going to do. I found that out too, but he is fair.

I guess it is time this city votes in new people to put us in a different direction. I worked in furniture manufacturing for 25 years and I know that industry is not coming back. You younger people had better get the right type of folks in office that want to see this place grow and can bring in the jobs.

I don't drink either, but I was in favor of him getting the city council to allow a vote on the subject. That is all the citizens should ask for, a voice in how things are done around here and I believe Cliff would do that.

[Bushy Tail]

I wouldn't vote for him. He only paid me $10 an hour to clean out trailers. He is too cheep and wont let you slide on the rent no matter what the reason is.

[Wake Up America]

Hmmm. Sounds like we are now going to hear from the "entitlement" section.

[Grounds for support]

I don't know this guy, but have read and watched what he tries to do around town. Every time he pushes for something different he is shot down, but he still keeps on pushing forward. That's the type of person I want to see in the Mayor's office. Of course, I want to see all new people on the City Council too.

My vote will be for ANYONE who is NEW.

[Preacher man]

Yes vote for he will buy all of marion and sell it to walmart like he did those poor people in his trailer park.

[Wake Up America]

Well...I see another "No" voter has raised their hand on the issue. Guess you wouldn't sell anything to support your family mr preacher man. Remember, those people only RENTED LAND... THEY DIDN'T OWN IT. Geeee, you are one of those bleeding hearts that thinks someone making a little bit of money is the devil. The book does not say money is evil, just what you do with money.

[John Baker]

I don't know Mr. McLarty, but I do appreciate his willingness to stand up and progress forward.

As many of you know, I was not a liquor by the drink supporter. But it was the right thing to let the people decide. The people's voice was heard, and that is the American way.

Run, Cliff, run!

[Buda Square Pants]

Please Cliff, run. For the sake of this town RUN!! How do I contact him to voice my support other than this forum. Don't know if he even looks at this forum.

[Cliff McLarty]

Today, I was told about this thread and wanted to see what it was all about. I am considering running for Mayor. My main reason is to offer the citizens of Marion a choice. The platform I would run on is Economic Development and Stability, Education, and the Marketing of Marion. Marion needs a "Sales Team" to go out and recruit businesses. The "Team" should be paid on a production basis. You don't bring in businesses, you don't get paid. Very simple. History, culture, family life style, charm, mountains, lakes, tax structure, etc. are just a few of the selling points we have to offer. We need to aggressively court mom and pop businesses and young entrepreneurs for downtown. Corporate businesses should be courted for the main city corridors leading into Marion. I courted Super Wal-Mart for over 5 years and soon over 400 jobs will be coming. It may not be manufacturing jobs, but it will be jobs. Small manufacturing is the next area of focus. I am negotiating with 2 companies, at the present, to start up operations in the Green Industry. This will equal more jobs. What I need from you is your input and support. Just like the LBD vote, I want the citizens of Marion to have a voice in the way Marion grows. This is our city and it is time to put new ideas to work and green jobs in our environment. If you wish me to run, let me know. If I do run, I will put forth a complete platform outline for all to read.

[New Voice]

Well I am not sure Cliff will run as he is friends with Steve Little. And his wife, Sharon I believe is her name, use to work for the new Mayor to be, Mr Little. I think they all attend Church together as well..

As everyone well knows in this town it is more of who you know and what your views are, what values and beliefs you stand for so that you are just like those who are in charge? If not, well then they will find others that are and those will be the ones put into office.

I would love to see change and if I thought that there was the slightest chance that a newbie would be elected to city council or god forbid, Mayor then I would run and or vote for that newbie BUT it will not happen.

I know Steve Little and he has done many good things for the city and actually has good ideas that would help the city improve and grow but he also has the mindset that many things are still okay and need no change.

This just being a difference in one's view of change but Cliff has pushed for change and also did as the above fore mentioned stated, and that was sell out the property to Walmart but let's all be honest... in this economic time would any of us hold onto that property?

I still believe that next year we will see very little change and the same old elders will be in place making the decisions for us with one small change.... Mayor Little and Councilman Clark..

[Cliff McLarty]

New Voice: I respect your opinion, however, let me set the record straight before the rumor mill really gets going.(1) Yes, I am friends with Steve,(2)Yes, my wife use to work for Steve (quite a few years back),(3)We do not go to the same church, and I will add:(4) I am beholding to no political party or person(s).

[Mingle]

I hope he runs. We need something new. I'd rather have someone with economic, marketing, and business sense running.. then a lawyer with a few good ideas.

Has that lawyer done anything "significant" that we can be proud of, other then 100 new shiny asphalt speed humps?

Clif McLarty pushed to have the citizens of Marion to have a voice, and now over 400 new jobs coming to Marion, without having his foot in any politics of Marion. Just imagine what he could do in a position, to achieve so much more.

Just my $0.02.

[Wake Up America]

Just Found Out...

Cliff McLarty has filed to run for Mayor.

Happy days are here again!

He will need your support, so contact him and let's get this place turned around.

[I am Awake]

Go Cliff...What a refreshing change that will be. And real change too. Not just a change from mayor to council or council to mayor..As a resident of marion i have been under the same rule all my life. Time for some new blood.

[seekthetruth]

Now's our chance folks!