Meet Michael O'Neill

Dedicated to serving District 1 with transparency and community focus. 

I’m Michael O’Neill, and I’m running as an independent for Weakley County Commissioner, District 1 because I care about how we live day to day in this part of the county—our roads, our services, our schools, and the way county government treats people.

My career has centered on public service and leadership. I serve as the Director of Public Safety and Police Chief at the University of Tennessee at Martin. I also teach as an adjunct professor, with a focus on public service and criminal justice. Before that, I spent more than 30 years in the military, serving in both the Marine Corps and the Army, and I retired as a Command Sergeant Major. Those roles taught me the value of steady leadership, clear standards, and taking care of people.

I’m also invested here at home as a small business owner. My wife Barbara and I co-own Karma Coffee in Palmersville. Running a small business reminds you fast what families and working people need: fair rules, safe communities, good roads, and county decisions that make sense.

If you elect me, I will bring a simple approach to county government: listen first, do the homework, and make decisions you can explain in plain English. I will treat every person with respect, and I will work with anyone who wants to move Weakley County forward.

• Good stewardship of taxpayer dollars
   
• Reliable core services (roads, public safety support, and county operations)
   
• Respect for rural life, farms, and small businesses
   
• Straight answers and open communication
   
• Practical problem-solving over politics