ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Two candidates running for Anderson County mayor argued why they would be the better choice for leadership in the county on Monday night.
Dozens of people from the community came out to watch at the Roane State Community College. The candidates touched on a range of topics including the opioid epidemic, county infrastructure and the county's EMS contract.
The two also spoke about sexual harassment in the workplace in light of the recent allegations against Anderson County Circuit Court clerk William Jones.
"As soon as it comes up from H.R., I think H.R. needs to be included in a bigger role in the government level," Steve Emert, one of the mayoral candidates for Anderson County mayor, said. "We cannot tolerate sexual behavior, bullying or intimidation, and that's what we're dealing with right now."
Terry Frank, Anderson County mayor incumbent, says she would rather see things addressed and handled in a timely manner.
"If you go and you expect leadership to do something, it should be handled promptly. That's what the law says, and that's what our policies say," Frank said.
The two both agree that the issue should not be tolerated.
"Addressing the culture means addressing the issue, and I think that's going to be where we have to start," Frank said.
The Anderson County Primary Election is on Tuesday, May 1.