Here's the perfect gift for the Appalachian Trekker in your life! Each month features one of our region's most beautiful landscapes or waterfalls. Quantities are limited, so if you're interested please email your orders today to markwpeacock@yahoo.com. Price: $16 each -- or two for $30! Shipping and handling $6 (within the US). (Preferred payment method is via PayPal).Rasmussen Shows Frist on Top in 2010 -- Former Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist would lead a potential matchup against Harold Ford, Jr. for the TN Governor's Office in 2010. A Rasmussen poll found Frist won the head-to-head 54% to 38% against Ford, while Ford lead another potential GOP candidate Rep. Marsha Blackburn 42% to 40%. Frist has slightly lower favorability than Blackburn, but significantly lower unfavorables; while Ford, has a near 1.0 favorable-to-unfavorable ratio. 84% of GOP voters support Frist for the governor's mansion while Ford attracts at most 74% of Democrats. The MOE was ±4.5%.
Open Meetings Panel Approves Sunshine Exemptions -- The State's legislative study committee looking into the state's Open Meetings laws made a half step backwards yesterday, backing down from an earlier proposal to limit open meetings violations of local governmental bodies to a quorom. However, the committee did vote on a new standard that as many as four members of a governmental body could meet privately - provided that did not constitute a majority of the public body. The study commitee also recommended exemptions to open meeting requirements for "executive sessions" - where the body is deliberating terms of property settlements and other legal matters where privacy is a concern. Frank Gibson of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government: "This committee has reversed on that, and so that's good. But then, by adding a bunch of exemptions that were copied out of an Alabama law book ... goes back in the other direction." More here and here.
In Memphis, Further Crackdowns on Corruption -- Federal prosecutors have indicted former Shelby Co. Commissioner Bruce Thompson on one count of extortion and three counts of mail fraud. Prosecutors allege he squeezed money from H&M Company of Jackson, to help it win a lucrative Memphis City Schools contract in 2004 - and then funneled $7,000 to a minority contractor to pass on as campaign contributions to school board members, hinting that other indictments may be coming. The indictment continues a long-line of federal investigations since Operation Tennessee Waltz uncovered corruption in state government trailing back to the city, including City Councilman Rickey Peete, who is sentenced today. The indictment of Thompson, an affluent, white businessman also helps with charges that black politicans were unfairly targeted by the federal investigations.
Law Enforcement Update -- In Memphis, a Shelby Co. Commission is asking a task force studying law enforcement consolidation to recommend a merger of the crime-fighting functions of the Sheriff's Office with the Memphis Police Department. Under Commissioner Mike Carpenter's proposal, the job of patrolling and crime-fighting in unincorporated parts of Shelby County would shift to city police under the command of a new police director. The director would still be nominated by the city mayor and approved by the City Council, but additional approval would be needed from the County Commission. In Knoxville, the Knox Co. Sheriff's department is coming under fire from the County Commission over an investigation that revealed the Sheriff's office authorized p-card purchases of half a million dollars worth of clothing for members of the Sheriff's department, including purchases at Belk, Dillard's, Kohl's, Parisian, Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger and other retailers. Sheriff's department officials defended the charges saying they were part of a "professional image."
Knox Commission Appointments After Hearings -- The Knox Co. Commission finally got it right. The Commission will proceed with appointments after holding public fora in all of the County Commission districts with vacancies created after a Chancery Court threw out the appointments of several officials after finding Open Meetings violations in the appointment process. The appointments will happen December 9, after public hearings at 7 p.m. every weekday between Nov. 26 and Dec. 6. The Commission also agreed not use a rolling swearing in process, whereby appointed replacements could influence other appointments.
Littlefield Backs Down on Rutherford -- Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield backed down from rewarding former City Councilwoman Marti Rutherford medical benefits from the City after the Chattanooga City Council threatened legal action to stop the Mayor. Rutherford resigned from the Council a few days short of qualifying for medical retirement benefits, which the Mayor wanted to reward anyway. The Council meets next Tuesday to appoint a temporary replacement for Rutherford's seat.
Funny stuff...
The final score was simple, Titans 38 - Texans 36, but the process of getting there was not so simple. The Titans dominated the Houston Texans for the first three quarters of their game today, but the Texans staged a massive fourth quarter comeback to take the lead, only for the Titans to win on Rob Bironas’ last second NFL-record 8th field goal of the game.
Our little town is going through quite the retail outlet and restaurant boom. We have large shopping complexes going up right and left. They are full of chain stores like Target, Old Navy, Lifeway, and Books-a-Million. There are chain restaurants either already in or on the way. We are even getting our very first Starbucks. Evette is very excited about that. She loves kool-aid coffee in cups who's sizes have cool nonstandard names.
But I am a little worried by all of this. What will all of this do to a town that has always had thriving Mom and Pops and quaint little coffee shops and restaurants?Wal Mart has already done a number here. Most folks are excited we are growing. They are glad that we'll have all these new places to go and spend our money. And I will admit, I will enjoy having more choices.
But I think a very practical, missional thing we can all do is to continue our support of local business. We do more shopping at Wal Mart than I would like, but we do try to frequent a local grocery chain all we can. Likewise, we've not had a Starbucks before and do not need one now. So I won't be feeding their corporate machine and hope to talk Evette out of it. She has a favorite coffee shop in town and I don't think she'll forsake it for the siren's call. Oh, and we'll still buy books at our local store and stay away from Lifeway. Lifeway creeps me out anyway with their books about people going to heaven and hell and coming back.
So, I propose that if you want to do something very simple for your community in your everyday life, go out to the old local shops as much as you can. Support them, get to know them. Tell them how much you appreciate what they add to your community. Encourage others to meet in these places.You can go to those other places, I know I will go to many of them myself, but don't be to wowed by their cool logos and all the hype to the point you forget the little guy. The folks who put those businesses there did it for money. Most if not all of your local businesses do it for more than that.
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On a day when the offense turned the ball over five times and could only find the end zone once, the Titans used a dominating performance by the defensive line and an interception return for a touchdown to run their record to 3-1 by defeating the Atlanta Falcons, 20-13. (more…)
If you are in Johnson City tomorrow (Sept. 15 2007), make sure you swing by and see the Dragon Boat Races at Winged Deer Park.
Fred In! -- Well, it's official, former TN Sen. Fred Thompson is a candidate for President of the United States. Fred skipped the GOP debate in New Hampshire to seperate himself from the other pack of candidates by appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Thompson used the opportunity to take some jabs at his fellow candidates, saying: "We've done in a few months what a lot of people have been working on since they were in the choir in high school." And answering pundits who say he got in too late: "No, I don't think so, but of course we'll find out. I don't think people are going to say that guy would have made a good president, but he didn't get in soon enough."
New Officers at State GOP -- New GOP Chairman Robin Smith talks to Tom Humphrey about Fred Thompson's campaign and the changes at the State GOP. Smith characterizing the Thompson campaign: "He’s got so much ground to cover, I don’t think a pickup truck, in its truest form, will work ... I know he will have a very hybrid campaign, employing high-tech methodology (but, at the same time, reflecting a personality) as a grassroots, look-you-in-the-eye person.” Smith outlined some changes to the state GOP: former state Rep. Randy Stamps, who had been known as political director, will now hold the title of state director. Mark Winslow has been hired to serve as chief of staff, responsible for “day to day operations and scheduling." Charlie Schnider will hold the title of political director, a “campaign-oriented” position with emphasis on legislative races. He now holds a similar position with the Virginia GOP. Bill Hobbs, as the blogging community already knows, will become the party’s communications director next month.
Coming to Cohen's Defense -- Rev. Dwight Montgomery, Chair of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, envoked Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his defense of Congressman Steve Cohen, saying race is irrelevant to who represents the 9th Congressional district in Congress. Montgomery: "We support justice and equality for everyone, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation." Cohen has come under fire recently from some black ministers in Memphis, who think the district should be represented by an African-American.
Duncan III Considering House Seat? -- The MetroPulse carries a rumor that John Duncan III, son of 2nd district Congressman Jimmy Duncan (and the subject of an interesting cover story of that same issue of the MetroPulse), is interested in running for the State House, either for State Rep. Parkey Strader, who is battling cancer or in a primary against State Rep. Stacey Campfield. Duncan III, who works for Fred Lawson's BankEast, previously told the Halls Shopper he was not interested in running for Knox Co. Clerk in 08. [Update: Duncan III apparently called Campfield to say he was not planning on running against him.]
Rutherford Moves Back into Own District -- The Chattanoogan reports that City Councilwoman Marti Rutherford has moved back into the district she represents on the City Council. Rutherford's Attorney John Anderson said she has moved to Sweetbriar Avenue, well within the confines of the 6th district. The Chattanooga City Attorney is currently investigating what to do about the Rutherford residency issue. More here.
Knoxville Turnout; Nashville Embellishing -- Two mayoral race notes. Early voting has opened for the Knoxville Mayor's race where incumbent Bill Haslam faces nominal opposition. Turnout was light the first day, with just over 100 people casting ballots for the City elections. In the Nashville Mayor's race, we are edging closer to the September 11 election day. The Tennessean continuing its coverage today covers the topic of whether campaign promises mean anything. [Ed: Updated to reflect that Haslam does have opposition. Thanks, Brian.]
Ford Gets 5.5 Years -- Former State Sen. John Ford was sentenced yesterday to 5.5 years in prison for his role in the FBI's Operation TN Waltz investigation. Ford's attorney has argued that the judge should keep him out of prison until the trial begins in Nashville on a separate charge of misrepresenting consulting fees with a TennCare contractor. The Memphis Commercial Appeal quotes John Ford from 1994 and says it didn't come out like Ford has hoped: "When I do quit, I'm going to go out on top. And I guarantee you when I leave the Senate, the Senate will not be the same and everybody in the Senate will know that." More here and here
Cohen Meets with Black Ministers -- Following reports yesterday that Congressman Steve Cohen may again face a challenge from airline exec Nikki Tinker, Cohen met with a group of black ministers who had come out against him for his support of an expanded federal hate crimes bill which covered homosexuals. Cohen accused Tinker of using the issue as a wedge issue to drive further opposition from the black community. Rev. Robert Poindexter of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church summed up the feelings of some of the black ministers, but also caused the group that invited Cohen to issue an apology. Poindexter said: "He's not black and he can't represent me, that's just the bottom line ... I don't care how people try to dress is up, it always comes down to race and he can't know what it's like to be black."
Chattanooga City Council Puts Rutherford Under Fire -- After a spat with a Chattanooga radio jock brought up the issue, City Councilwoman Marti Rutherford is facing criticism from the Council on whether she lives in the district she represents. A special meeting of the City Council has been set for next Tuesday at 2 p.m. after two citizen complaints and a union complaint were filed against Councilwoman Marti Rutherford. One complaint was from the Service Employees International Union Local 205 and the other complaint was filed by some residents of District 6, which Rutherford represents on the City Council. More here
