I believe in public service.  I believe in open and honest government.  I believe good government occurs only when citizens are allowed to participate in the process.  We simply must return our government to the people it is meant to serve – its citizens.  That is why I am a candidate for Knox County Commission, District 4 Seat A in the Knox County Republican Primary, February 5, 2008.  I am asking for your support in this important election.  I appreciate your allowing me this opportunity to tell you about myself. 

I have lived most of my life in the Fourth District, attended its public schools, and graduated from West High School, as did my husband and children.  I graduated from Sullins College in Bristol and attended the University of Tennessee.  I have been married to Russell Briscoe Kuhlman for 29 years and have two children, Hannah Kuhlman Gard and Briscoe Kuhlman. 

My work history includes working as Director of Public Relations and Marketing for the Dogwood Arts Festival and Executive Secretary to the Director of Public Affairs and the Deputy to the Mayor under Mayor Victor Ashe.

Community service is an important part of my life.  I have served as Elder and Deacon at Second Presbyterian Church where I still do volunteer work.  I am on the Board of Directors of the Second Presbyterian Pre-School and I volunteer for Mobile Meals.

My family has a long history of civic involvement.  My parents, Tom and Joan Stone, served on many boards including MPC, the Airport Authority and the Chamber of Commerce.  I am a member of the Knox County Republican Executive Committee and have been active in Republican politics for many years.

I know you and I can agree that restoring the trust of the people of Knox County in the Knox County Commission is critical.  I hope I can count on your support and your participation.  If you have questions or comments, or would like to be involved in my campaign, please call me directly at 850-4955.  Thank you.

Check out my new information card with a quick bio that you can print and give to your friends. Click Here to view the card.

A reminder why we need Ruthie Kuhlman on the County Commission: open, honest government for the people, by the people.

School Matters: The Knoxville News Sentinel launched a new social networking site that focuses on Knox County schools. Check it out at: KnoxSchoolMatters.com. For more information, check out the article on knoxnews.com. School issues focus of new Web site.

Billing discrepancies: A billing scheme that auditors said cost Knox County taxpayers thousands of dollars: Whistleblower seeks his share from county.

More auditing in Knox County: The State of Tennessee Comptroller’s office has offered to help with the ongoing audits: Comptroller’s office offers help in probe.

Knox County - One Question
The Knox County - One Question report has been released. You can view the 134 page report here: Final Report.

Recommendations will be released after an August 14th public hearing. The report was produced by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee.

The Knoxville News Sentinel has an article about it here: Knox report shows need for citizen involvement.

Check back for updates from local blogs.

As I read the paper daily, it is obvious to me that no one understands that by definition, ethics must be without exception and inflexible if it is to have any impact at all. There is nothing else to be said. What is there about this that the Commissioners can not understand.