SIXTH DISTRICT: Mark Ferguson

Jonesborough
Owner, Mark’s Car Wash, Mark’s Self Storage
Seeking third term
“I have always tried to be a sounding board for all citizens with a concern,” Ferguson said. “Most commissioners have attempted time and again to have honest dialogue and ascertain the best avenue of advancement when considering every resolution brought before us.”
1. What are two specific goals you will work toward?
“Two of the most important are school funding and intergovernmental relations. The state funding formula for schools is badly out of balance. We are facing a lot of capital expenditures and will have to work with the state diligently to improve it. This ties into intergovernmental relations. I’ve been on the commission since 2005, and I have never seen a strong city/county liaison.”
2. What will you do to help unite commissioners?
“The only problem on the commission right now is communication. We operate through a committee system, and that’s where we need to work everything out. The commission is not in that bad of a state, but we’re not getting the legislative and the executive branches working together. We come to the meetings and we don’t have the (needed) information.”