Steve Godsey
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Steve Godsey (born June 25, 1955) was the County Mayor of Sullivan County, Tennessee from 2006 until 2014 when Richard Venable was elected.[1] He was also a former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Early career
Godsey attended Tennessee High School in Bristol, Tennessee, followed by Bristol College (now defunct), Appalachian Flight School (defunct), Dana Automotive Technology School, and Cooper Automotive Sales and Mark School.[2][3] He worked for many years as a small business owner selling used cars.[4] For ten years, he was a sales manager for Dana Corp, and for five he worked as a sales manager at Champion Spark Plug-Cooper Automotive. For eight years, he was a sales manager and special projects coordinator.
State Representative
A Republican, Godsey represented the 1st District, which encompasses part of Sullivan County, in the Tennessee House of Representatives in the 100th through 104th Tennessee General Assemblies. While serving within the Tennessee General Assembly, Godsey was at various times a member of the Education Committee, the Transportation Committee, the Commerce Committee, the K-12 Subcommittee, and the Small Business Subcommittee.
County mayor
Godsey was elected to a four-year term as county mayor of Sullivan County in 2006 and won re-election to a second term in 2010.[5] The county mayor is the chief administrative officer for the county. Sullivan County elects its mayors on a partisan basis. As of 2010, the mayor's salary was $101,024.[5] He was defeated by Richard Venable in the 2014 election.
Defending Christian Values
Godsey used the platform of the National Day of Prayer to exercise his freedom of speech and religion to express his displeasure at both NBA player Jason Collins' admission of homosexuality and President Obama's congratulatory phone call. Mr. Collins' admission was significant as he was first openly homosexual major professional sports figure.
References
- ^ http://www.heraldcourier.com/elections/venable-defeats-incumbent-to-reclaim-sullivan-mayor-s-office/article_102d0118-d594-11e3-b807-001a4bcf6878.html
- ^ "Steve Godsey profile" (PDF). Tennessee Blue Book, 2005-2006. p. 57.
- ^ the Tennessee General Assembly website archive
- ^ Tennessee 2006 Statement of Interests - Steve Godsey
- ^ a b Mac McLean, Commissioner will challenge incumbent for Sullivan County mayor's office, Tricities.com, July 12, 2010
External links
- "Sullivan County official: Nothing unusual about vehicle for Godsey". Times-News.net. J.H. Osborne. November 11, 2006.
- Steve Godsey's profile at the Tennessee General Assembly website archive