Although Wade Inmon is seeking political office, the Halltown native is far from a professional politician. And that could be his secret to winning the March 1 Republican primary nomination for Franklin County Commission District Four.
Inmon will face William David Hester in March. The Republican nominee will run in the November general election against the winner of the three-man Democratic primary, which includes incumbent commissioner Don Hastings, Norris Lewey and Anthony Bentley.
Inmon, 45, and his wife Gina make their home in Halltown. Inmon has one son from a previous marriage, Holden, a fourth-grader at Red Bay School. Gina has two kids: Caleb, who along with his wife Courtney has two children of his own; and Jordan, who is engaged to be married this week. Inmon is an active volunteer as a coach, including Red Bay and Vina football, basketball and baseball youth leagues. Inmon is a member of Vina First Baptist Church, and his family attends New Union Missionary Baptist Church in Red Bay.
This is Inmon's initial run at public office. He decided to seek office, in large part, because he believes the average Franklin County citizen doesn't have a voice in county government.
“I'm running for the people of Franklin County," Inmon said. "I want them to have a voice that will be heard at the Franklin County Commission and make sure they know they have someone who will represent their interests."
Inmon is employed as a teamster by Tennessee Valley Authority, where he's worked the last five years. Gina is office manager for SEC Roofing and Construction in Florence, and she is vice president of operations for Paradise Cleaning Service, LLC, in Gulf Shores.
Inmon is a 1989 Vina High School graduate who went to work for Tiffin Motor Homes after high school. He obtained his commercial driver's license and began driving over the road for Movin' Iron in Red Bay. He later purchased his own truck and worked as an owner/operator until starting with TVA.
While Inmon is concerned about road conditions and quality in Franklin County, particularly on the west side, his motivations for public office go beyond potholes.
“I'm concerned about safety and protection of our families in Franklin County,” Inmon said. “I'd like to see Franklin County hire more deputies to patrol our areas not covered by local police departments. How effectively can two deputies cover over 600 miles and provide the protection that is needed?
“I'll work for an increase in pay for our sheriff's department here in Franklin County. It's been brought to my attention that the only pay increase they've had in the last eight years is $1.50. Our roads are a huge concern, and we need new industry and business in our area. We're losing jobs being shipped to Mexico every day, and that needs to change.”
Inmon said he understands the time and accessiblity demands on commissioners, and he's prepared for that obligation.
“I don't want to be your usual politician who just tells you what you want to hear. I want to be the man you can come and sit down with and express your concerns,” Inmon said. “Together, we can make a difference. This isn't just my district—this is your district as well.”
He's heard concerns from Franklin County citizens about the conditions of some county roads used by school buses.
“There's a concern about safety for our kids on these roads," Inmon said. "Half of the county roads on our end are gravel roads that are unsafe for travel."
If elected, Inmon pledges to work with local governments and the Franklin County Development Authority to recruit industry.
“The work force and people of Franklin County are its biggest asset," he said. "They stick together and work hard every day, and any industry who comes here won't find any better people to work for them than the people of Franklin County. Our people here work hard every day for what they've got."
Inmon has created a Facebook page, “Elect Wade Inmon, District 4 County Commissioner,” that provides more information on his ideas for Franklin County.
