Mike Sparks

Mike Sparks, County Commissioner and Smyrna Planning Commission Member

Bio: Rutherford County is fortunate to have an opportunity to use this forum and share ideas and hopefully impact others in a positive way. My late father was stationed at Sewart Air Force base, thus I was born at the old base hospital (now Smyrna Airport) and raised in Smyrna Tennessee. My wife Felicia and I have been married for almost 20 years and have 2 sons Preston and Payton. Serving Smyrna and Rutherford County as a Commissioner for District 11 and serving on the Smyrna Planning Committee is fulfilling in many ways. As I watch our country's problems from a falling dollar, jobs moving overseas, rising fuel prices, declining moral values (that cost you in higher taxes), countless layoffs, sky rocketing foreclosures, deadbeat parents, an "epidemic" drug problem, gang problems and other social "ills". I feel led to speak out on various issues and I thank WGNS for allowing me this opportunity.

You're most likely to see me around town at: www.MidTnAUTOS.com Smyrna Rotary Club, Making repairs or improvements to Spoolies Hair Salon or The Vanity Zone Salon & Gifts. On the weekends I love to: Spend time wife my wife (smart answer right), work to improve one of the businesses, church, visit the YMCA and read. I am passionate about teaching kids to make good choices in life, "thinking outside the box", classic cars, improving efficiencies and services in county government and avoiding waste. I believe government should be run like a business. What upsets me the most is people who whine about everything and do nothing about it (they are usually the ones who never vote). More people should get involved in the process and voice their opinion. Just ask yourself, Will the next generation be better off than ours?

Everyone seems to blame the country's problems on Congress or the President, but many times local government and its decisions (or lack of) impact our lives more so than the federal and state governments. Luke 12:48 it states "To whom much is given, much is also required". Many times I have watched so called "leaders" who have served for years never speaking out on issues and only looking for new ways to increase taxes, fees or bureaucracy. Bryan Barrett and myself can often be heard here on WGNS at 3pm on when we do "The Smyrna Show" at the YMCA (Smyrna) in which we discuss issues and bring awareness to the many positive happenings here in Smyrna and the North end of Rutherford County. We try hard to improve our community by bringing awareness to important issues facing our community. If you have something you feel should be discussed, a non profit or an event feel free to email, fax or deliver it to Melissa at the WGNS, 306 South Church Street Murfreesboro, TN 37130 and we will get it online or on air for you. Feel free to send me your comments about issues that are important to you (even constructive criticism is appreciated) to mike_district11@comcast.net