Rolling into the Senate-Steve Roller takes oath of office
|
State representatives from several counties gathered at McMinnville Civic Center to watch Judge Larry Ross give Roller his Senate oath. Roller then said he’s ready to get to work.
‘I was talking to Judd Matheny the other day as we were going down the highway and I said to him, ‘Judd, this highway is neither Republican, Democrat or independent,’ said Roller, indicating he’s not worried about party lines. ‘I just want to get things done.’
After his speech at the podium, Roller identified the main issues he sees facing the 14th District while talking to reporters. Among those is the four-lane to Woodbury and a water project in nearby Bledsoe County.
‘We got our funding to pump water atop Harrison Ferry Mountain,’ said Roller. ‘There’s an area just like that, it’s Beach Mountain in Bledsoe County, and those people need water just like we did. So that’s something I’m going to get to work on right away.’
Roller also said he’s going to try to make lottery scholarship money available for older students who are going back to school. Currently, lottery money is geared to only benefit students who enter college right after high school.
‘Everybody has told me to listen and be quiet when I first get there,’ said Roller. ‘That’s fine, but I want to see if we can open up some of that lottery money to the non-traditional students who are over 22 years old.’
Before Roller took his oath, other state representatives offered him words of wisdom.
‘Don’t compromise your moral values to fit in with one particular group,’ said state Rep. Charles Curtiss. ‘Always do what’s right in God’s sight and you’ll be able to come home and hold your head high.’
State Rep. Matheny has already made an effort to show Roller the ropes. On Friday, Matheny took him to a legislative breakfast at the main campus of Motlow College and he’s pledged his full support.
‘Steve Roller will get 100 percent from me and I’m proud to do it,’ said Matheny. ‘He’s in for a very wild ride, but he’ll do a great job.’
Matheny said state lawmakers have three primary responsibilities: 1) to take care of their constituents; 2) to be the white blood cells of government and rush to fix every problem; 3) to be advocates of change and positive ideas.
County Executive John Pelham said Roller will have the opportunity to have an impact on projects that will benefit the entire region. The 14th District serves seven counties ‘ Warren, Bledsoe, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Sequatchie, and Van Buren.
‘Public office is a challenging life,’ said Pelham. ‘For those who have a heart for people, there is nothing like a life of public service.’
Franklin County resident George Fraley, the state representative for the 39th District which serves Moore, Franklin and Lincoln counties, says he’s going to count on Roller for support in the Senate.
‘I already have bills filed that I’m going to want him to be the senator to carry my bills,’ said Fraley, who has served in the General Assembly for 12 years.
Roller said he’s been to Nashville two days to get his office ready, and he plans to return tomorrow before the first official day Tuesday. He says he appreciates his constituents not flooding him with an abundance of questions during this adjustment period.
‘Everyone has been nice not to overwhelm me,’ said Roller.
‘Don’t compromise your moral values to fit in with one particular group. Always do what’s right in God’s sight and you’ll be able to come home and hold your head high.’
‘ State Rep. Charles Curtiss to Steve Roller