| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 172, 363.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 29 Jan 2006.
Source: The Newport Plain Talk <http://cocke.xtn.net> 01-29-2006
Charles Lewis Moore is announcing his candidacy for the office of county mayor in the Republican primary on May 2.
Having served 12 years as a previous county mayor (county executive), Moore said he brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership ability to the office. Moore has been married to his wife, Ellen, for the past 46 years. They are the proud parents of a son and a daughter. Their son, Charles Lewis Jr., is a United States Air Force Lt. Colonel who just completed another overseas tour, flying fighter missions over Iraq. Their daughter, "Mellen", is a successful architect in South Carolina.
"I have always felt a strong commitment to serving my country and my community," said Moore.
He was born the son of Charlie and Ellen Moore and raised in Grassy Fork, attended school in Cocke County, and later graduated from The Citadel in South Carolina. While serving in the United States Army, Moore completed two tours in Vietnam as a commander of a US Army helicopter squadron. Firmly believing in "hands on" leadership, he flew more than 1,800 combat hours, piloting his own helicopter gunship alongside his men. Sharing in the dangerous missions was not without consequence though. He was shot down three times by the Viet Cong, and wounded twice.
"If it weren't for everyone's prayers, while I was over there, I really don't believe I would have made it back alive," commented Moore.
For service to his country, he was awarded 16 medals, including a purple heart and the coveted Silver Star. After serving 22 years in the Army, he retired as a full colonel and returned to Cocke County.
Moore has always been actively involved in his community. He has been a member of the Cosby Ruritan Club since 1980, enthusiastically promoting one of Cocke County's largest attractions-the Cosby Ramp Festival.
"The people of Cocke County are my friends, neighbors, and family," said Moore. "I see them out in the county; I listen to their concerns; and take their concerns and comments to heart. Being born and raised here, I have known a lot of these people my whole life," he said.
He is a current member of the First Baptist Church in Newport. Also, part of his community involvement includes being a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
As a former county executive for 12 years, he is credited with bringing several businesses and industries to the county, one of which is among the largest employers in Newport-Falcon Industries. He has also been instrumental in getting county water to families with children who needed clean drinking water. Also, Moore was the driving force behind the last substantial pay raise for teachers, bus drivers, cooks, aids and county employees.
"We were able to provide these raises without increasing property taxes or trying to burden the people with a wheel tax," replied Moore. "One of the most important roles you play as county mayor is to watch over the taxpayer's money, as if it were your own. Most of the people here don't make much money, so even a small increase in taxes can have a devastating effect on a family."
While in office, he always kept an "open door," assisting those with problems and concerns. He is also a firm believer in keeping the taxpayers informed about the state of the county's budget.
"And, if elected, I will do everything in my power to increase the county's convenience centers' hours of operation so they are open all day long, six days a week" he said.
Moore said he believes in education and keeping the county debt to a minimum. He also thinks the county must work within its budget and not put the burden of poor money management on the backs of the taxpayers by raising property taxes or inventing new taxes to cover for political mistakes in the county budget. "We all must live within our means, and that includes county government," adds Moore.
Concerning the direction county growth should take, Moore said, "Tourism is a great stream of revenue, but it is seasonal in nature. Our families here in Cocke County deserve jobs that provide a living wage, 12 months of the year. Everyone should have the chance to afford to own their own home and provide a comfortable place to raise their children, without the fear of being laid off in the winter."
In keeping with his promise to listen and act upon what the people want, Moore encourages anyone with a concern or comment about the direction the county should take to call him on his personal cell phone at (423) 721-0702 or visit his website at www.charleslewismooreformayor.com and email their comments. Finally, Moore asks that everyone register and vote in the upcoming elections on May 2.
Former executive Charles Lewis Moore in mayor's race
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 15 Feb 2006.
CHARLES LEWIS MOORE Former county executive Charles Lewis Moore is seeking the office of county mayor. He is a Grassy Fork native, married to Ellen Moore, with two children. Col. Moore is retired after 22 years in the military. He served two tours of Vietnam and is a highly decorated combat pilot. During his 12 years as county executive, he helped bring in industry and improver services for citizens, he said. This included helping to bring Falcon Products to Newport. He worked with Gordon Denton on retail development, helped the state acquire the Gulf Tract as a state park, and supported the accreditation of county schools. Moore aid that he believes citizens deserve a living wage and assistance when they ask. He cited how his office responded to the needs of Sweetwater community when wells ran dry. Moore said he helped get a grant in 72 hours. He also worked with the Cherokee Forest Service to get the Hartford Road paved. "Some call it partnering, I call it getting the job done," he said. Moore said the county has high debt and a lack of good-paying jobs. "Why did Colgate-Palmolive go to Hamblen County?" He noted that the convenience centers had been closed from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and he would reopen them. (Recently, the CLB voted to open the centers fulltime.) Moore is critical of bringing in out-of-county people to handle county business when there are qualified people here to be found. He also believes in conservative financial management. "You can't spend more than you take in." Moore said he cares about the county and can help it do a better job of serving citizens. He also "strongly supports" the volunteer fire department and Newport Rescue Squad.
Republican primary candidates introduce themselves
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 15 Feb 2011.
Cocke County Democratic Women served Valentines for Vets breakfast, Col. Moore is keynote speaker
Majorie Ramsey, chair of the Cocke County Democratic Women, presented Col. Charles Lewis Moore with a box of chocolates on behalf of the Democratic Women in appreciation for being the keynote speaker during the Valentines for Veterans breakfast.
Author: Katie Pittser
NEWPORT-The Cocke County Democratic Women prepared and served a large spread for the Valentines for Veterans breakfast, which was held Saturday at the Newport/Cocke County Community Center.
Col. Charles Lewis Moore (Ret.) was the keynote speaker during the breakfast. A past Cocke County Executive for 12 years and serving 22 years in the U.S. Army, he reflected on the sacrifices veterans have made to serve the country.
"February 12 is Lincoln's birthday," Moore said. "His life is a display of how you can overcome despite hardships. And without veterans, we wouldn't have this great country, which is the envy of all countries."
For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 15 Feb 2014.
Former county executive Charles Lewis Moore announces for mayor
United States Army Colonel (retired) and former Cocke County Executive Charles Lewis Moore is seeking the office of Cocke County Mayor in the 2014 Republican Primary on May 6.
Moore said he has watched “the progress or, more accurately, the lack of progress that has beset Cocke County in recent years and cannot sit back silently and do nothing to help our county prosper.”
“My parents instilled in me a deep-rooted feeling that if you can contribute to society, then you should,” Moore said. “I learned that in the Army, and then later during my three terms as Cocke County Executive.
“When I was county executive, we kept taxes low and industry was doing well here,” he added. “I’d like to know, and I think the people of this county would like to know, what happened to our industry?”
Moore said it is painful to reflect on the fact that 65 percent of Cocke County’s workforce is employed outside the county.
“What is the reason for that?” he asks. “Is it a reputation problem? Is it our leadership? Whatever the problem is, we need to fix it,” Moore insists.
Moore said that, of the 16 East Tennessee counties, “We should be leading the pack in growth of industry and expanding our revenue streams from the abundant opportunities that our county has at its disposal.”
“We have a wealth of natural beauty and attractions for tourism, and Interstate 40 passes right through the county, as well as a rail line and three beautiful rivers,” he said. “And yet, we lag behind all the surrounding counties.”
Moore points t0 the fact that Hamblen County has added five new industries, bringing 150 new jobs; Jefferson County has added four new industries, bringing 421 new jobs; Sevier County has added two new industries, bringing 200 new jobs; and Greene County has added at least two new industries, all in the last four years.
“Is there anything we need more than new jobs, jobs that will pay a living wage for our people?” he asks. “Yes, we have problems, and our county is economically distressed, but I think we all understand that the answer to those problems is to provide decent jobs for our people.”
Moore said that local people have been maligned in the past for not having proper education, and that industry has avoided Cocke County because of that. He insists, however, that Cocke County workers are as capable and hard working as anyone in America.
“What our people are looking for is hope, and opportunity to make that hope a reality,” he said. “Our people don’t want a handout, they want a leg up. And for that to happen, we need good, proven leadership.
“And if I am elected, I will watch our budget like a hawk. I have always believed that you can’t spend more than you take in. I would oversee each department of county government to make sure it stays within its budget.”
Moore said he also intends to make sure county government does not “tax our people into poverty. Taxes are necessary to operate our schools, our road department, our sheriff’s department, and other necessary departments, but we have to make sure our people can afford to pay them, or things will only get worse,” he said.
Moore also wants to work closely with the county legislative body to keep the county’s operations working smoothly, but he will ask the hard questions as they arise to make sure spending is kept in check.
“I intend to look at any and all major purchases and ask, ‘do we really need that? Can we afford that?’” he said.
As an example, Moore said that many people have complained to him about the addition of trash compactors at county convenience centers. He said that county residents are unhappy about the “foul smell and inconvenience of having to use the compactors.”
“And we were told the compactors would save the county money, but the facts don’t seem to bear that out, as I understand it,” he said.
At the same time Moore is quick to point out that Cocke County needs to look to improving its infrastructure to attract new industry, and, above all, to make sure the county’s school system is kept at the highest level of learning possible.
“Our children are our future, and we cannot and must not forsake them,” he said.
Moore is well known in the county, partly because he was born in Grassy Fork and raised in the Waterville area, and partly because he has been active in civic affairs for many years. His parents are the late Charlie and Ellen Ford Moore; grandparents are the late Charlie and Winnie Ford and John Lewis and Caloat Leatherwood Moore. He and his wife, Ellen and have two children, whom both attended Cocke County High School; Their daughter, Mellen Moore Thackeray and her husband Shawn, reside on Johns Island, South Carolina, where she is a registered architect with Glick Boehm Architecture. Their son, Charles Lewis Moore, Jr. and his wife, Nichole, are presently stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada and have a son, Walker, age 3, and a daughter, Ava, 7 months.
He attended The Citadel in Charleston South Carolina, where he received a degree in political science. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he commanded an air cavalry unit. He was shot down three times by the Viet Cong and was wounded twice. He served 22 years in the military, and for his service he earned the coveted Silver Star, 2 Legion of Merits, 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 5 Bronze Stars with Valor, the Purple Heart, and many others. As an Army helicopter pilot he logged nearly 2000 combat hours. He went on to further his education by completing Command and General Staff College. He served his last 10 years as a Congressional Liaison Officer to the Secretary of the Army in Washington, D.C.
Upon returning to Newport, he served three terms as Cocke County Executive, and has been a member of Kiwanis Club, Cosby Ruritan Club as a member and officer, and a 32nd Degree Mason. A Baptist by faith, he enjoys attending various rural churches in Cocke County. His interests include visiting with his children and grandchildren, cattle farming, fly fishing, and attending family gatherings at the Waterville picnic area where bluegrass music and square dancing are a family tradition.
Moore is particularly proud of the fact that his son has achieved the rank of brigadier general, recently having commanded the air wing at Nellis Air Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will be transferring to Iraq to take responsibility for the purchase of military equipment from the United States by the Iraqi government.
“Ellen and I would like to ask all our friends and neighbors here in Cocke County for their prayers to bring our son home safely,” said Moore.
Finally, Moore said he wants the people of Cocke County to know that, as a former county executive (the position now renamed as county mayor), “I was always accessible to the people.
“I fully realized who I worked for,” he said. “I was then and am now very interested in our people’s opinions and ideas. If elected, I will be there for every citizen of our great county--not just the ones who supported me, but every citizen.
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1936 - (88 years)
, d. 21 Mar 1983 (Age 66 years) 
