Bob Luna, senior partner of Luna and Birdwell Investment Group was recently chosen to lead the Highlands Town Hall Debate 2010 Task Force. As chairman, Luna and the task force will have the responsibility of planning the first-ever televised General Election gubernatorial debate held outside of a major-metro area in Tennessee history.

Luna is also current chairman of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) also recently joined as a sponsor of the debate. The town-hall-style debate, which will offer a unique focus on rural economic development, education and health care needs, will be held on Tuesday, September 14 at 7 p.m. CST. It will be broadcast statewide by WTVF and covered by other media outlets.

The debate will take place in Bryan Fine Arts Building (Wattenbarger Auditorium) on Tennessee Tech University’s campus in Cookeville.

Republican Bill Haslam and Democrat Mike McWherter will hear first-hand about the challenges facing rural and suburban voters.
 
“It is vitally important that our next governor hear the concerns of rural voters and formulate plans to address their challenges,” Luna said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this first-time event in the Highlands and what it means for the rural voter’s voice statewide.”
 
Luna encouraged those who want to be a part of the action to go to the debate Web site, click here to submit questions by video or in written form. Video questions can also be submitted via YouTube. “Remember that your questions must be on hometown issues – those mostly affecting rural and suburban areas of Tennessee,” Luna said.
 
“Rural and suburban areas require different tactics to meet their needs, and this debate provides a link between those voters and the candidates,” said Robert Bell, Tennessee Tech University president and vice-chair of Economic Development for the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
 
Other sponsors of the debate include the Upper Cumberland Development District, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency, Putnam County, the City of Cookeville and Chartwells.
 
You can also follow the Highlands Town Hall Debate on Facebook and Twitter for key updates leading up to September 14. For more information or questions about the debate, contact the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce at 931-526-2211.
 
Historical Significance

Traditionally, Tennessee’s major-party candidates for governor participate in three televised debates - one in each of the state’s major media centers (Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville).

This is the first televised gubernatorial debate held outside of a major metro area in Tennessee history.

Because over 50 percent of voters in Tennessee live in rural/suburban areas, Cookeville and the Highlands are ideally situated for this first-of-its-kind platform. Furthermore, the debate format opens new avenues for voters to learn what the candidates really think about hometown concerns.
 
With unemployment hovering in double figures and large employers leaving small towns across the state, many are calling for an increased emphasis on aid to small businesses. In a recent poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, it was revealed that the downturn of jobs and the economy are in the forefront of the minds of Tennessee voters. 
 
About the Highlands

The Highlands of Tennessee was formed in 2006 when Overton, Putnam and White Counties developed a strategic plan to accelerate economic and community development in their respective communities and in the Upper Cumberland region. The plan, the Highlands Initiative, is administered by the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, which is guided by a tri-county Highlands Initiative Steering Committee.

The plan has raised over $2 million from the private and public sectors. The Highlands of Tennessee speaks literally of the region's mountains and figuratively of the higher economic level toward which its citizens climb. For more information about the Highlands click here.