Letter to the Editor:

In response to Patti Baker Ray attempting to challenge Knox counties' referendum against solar farmland based on the recent election, she neglected to add to the election totals Bob Phillips’ votes, also an anti-solar candidate.

Between Bob and myself, we garnered 73 per cent of the vote to Collier’s 27 per cent. In both races for county commissioner, anti-solar candidates won! 11,007 votes were cast in my Commissioner’s race, and the tally was:

Keesee- 4,364 votes (39.65 percent)

Phillips- 3,667 votes (33.34 percent)

Collier- 2,953 votes (27.04 percent).73 per cent of voters in one race rejected solar farmland.

Knox County residents are tired of half-truths from the establishment that have not represented the will of the people. 

Solar farmland is a terrible idea for Knox County using 20 times the amount of land with only 10-11 per cent efficiency. Big money should not control our county! Barry Lester and my victory represent that engaged voters do not want solar farmland as a blight to our beautiful rural community. 

Thank you Knox County voters. I continue to fight for you. 

Drenda Keesee

Republican Primary Commissioner Candidate