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August 20, 2008
Representative Heath Shuler is receiving continuing heat for a lake front development deal with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Highlands Development Group, a company primarily owned by Shuler, successfully negotiated a land swap involving lake front property and water access. The 11th District Representative has taken a position that he did nothing wrong, although he serves on the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment - a committee which holds regulatory authority over the TVA.
In an interview with the Hendersonville Times-News, Shuler challenged editors questioning his involvement with a development needing TVA assistance while also serving on a board overseeing the agency. "My name is never on any documentation, zero documentation," Shuler said. "There is no way that the people who actually looked at the information would ever know who owned it unless they went to the secretary of the state and asked who owned this (corporation)."
Shuler's Republican opponent in the 11th District Congressional race, Carl Mumpower, has not accused his opponent of dishonest dealings. "I am not suggesting that Mr. Shuler exerted any direct influence on this transaction," said Mumpower. "I believe the issue is the appropriateness of serving on an oversight body and then participating in deals involving the folks you oversee. It is naive to believe that people would not know a sitting Congressman owns a multi-million dollar company or that indirect influence peddling is not alive and well in Washington. This was risky behavior for Mr. Shuler, but, per his comments, he is not getting the connection."
"The issue currently on the table is the judgement of Mr. Shuler and his advisors," said Mumpower. A quick glance at the millions accepted from special interest PACs demonstrates he is an enthusiastic player in Washington's 'Buy America' game."
Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate
#150
Principles first - always.
Principles of the Republican Party
I'm a Republican Because...
I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.
I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.
I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.
I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.
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