Colbaugh announces candidacy for county executive

From Staff Reports

   Carter County native, Kevin Colbaugh, this week announced his candidacy for County Executive. Colbaugh said his vision for the future is what makes him qualified for the position.
   "I remember when people dreamed of living in a new land and of walking on the moon. Today, those dreams are a reality accomplished not by experience but by determination and a vision for the future," Colbaugh said.
   Colbaugh said his goal as County Executive would be to build tourism and industry in order to increase revenue and bring jobs to the area. Colbaugh also believes that companies would come to Elizabethton if they had the ability to transport their products by rail into and out of the county.
   "They have no need to come to Carter County because they have no way to move their product," he said.
   Colbaugh's focus would also be a dedication to enabling the children of Carter County to stay in their home community by creating better education for them as well as employment. "As County Executive I would make education one of my top priorities. I think all children should have the same opportunities no matter which school they attend," he said.
   Leadership experience, according to Colbaugh, hasn't necessarily proven itself to be beneficial for political leaders in the area. "Since experience has not helped the progression of Carter County I feel that a fresh, young mind and a new vision would be the key to progress," he said.
   Finally, Colbaugh believes the county's success lies not in one man or woman but in a unified people working toward the benefit of their community as a whole.
   Colbaugh's wife, April, is an employee at Burgie Drugs. He has one son who attends Unaka Elementary School. Colbaugh is a member of New Liberty Free Will Baptist Church where his father, Ray Colbaugh, is the pastor.