Hyde, Holt back Rogers

According to her financial disclosure, Courtney Rogers has received donations from Merrol Hyde and Anthony Holt, two of the County leaders who repeatedly stand in the way of increased funding for our schools.  Joining these two, Bob Pospisil, another school funding opponent, also has donated to Rogers.

She earlier received a $400 contribution from Jerry Stone, another frequent critic of school funding.

This fact might be of interest to voters making a decision before Election Day -- Rogers has a base of support that includes the NRA in Washington, DC and the most ardent local opponents of a fully-funded school budget. 

Maggart Takes on Memphis

She's not happy that they can use photo library cards to vote.  TN Report has her story.

Brewer Takes to the Air

State Senate candidate Maria Brewer is out with a new campaign ad:

Aldermanic Money Chase

Or, the story about how County Commissioners Freels, Stone, Pospisil, and Hyde are trying to beat Paul Goode in his race for Alderman...

Looks like Monte Green benefits from animosity among certain County Commissioners and Comm. Paul Goode, also a Hendersonville Alderman.

In other races, Scott Sprouse appears a safe bet for re-election and has been a solid alderman through two terms. 

Kee Bryan-McCormick is running strong, but then so is her opponent, Darrel Woodcock -- Woodcock's support comes from the tea party crowd and an early fundraiser included mayoral candidate Tommy Elsten, tea party State Rep. candidate Courtney Rogers, and tea party School Board member Vanessa Silkwood. 

Look for new faces to greet the next Mayor -- likely Foster or Elsten, but possibly Steve Brown.  Certainly, it won't be Garry Forsythe, rumored to be in consideration for a top post in the "new" Foster administration.

Foster Takes Money Lead into Home Stretch

It seems Scott Foster has the most money remaining in the final days of the Mayor's race.

Steve Brown is next, followed by Tommy Elsten -- who has clearly spent heavily on yard signs and bumper stickers.

Faux candidate Garry Forsythe is far behind, with numbers indicating he is less than serious, despite being a really, really nice guy.

Textbooks vs. Teachers?

According to County Commissioner Jerry Stone, Sumner County can afford EITHER textbooks or teachers, but NOT both.

That's the essence of his comments after a recent County Commission workshop on school funding.

The County Commission is to be commended for finally digging in to the details of how school budgets work.  The workshop, instigated by Commission Chair Merrol Hydge and presented by the County Technical Assistance Service from UT, gave Commissioners information on the BEP (the state's school funding formula) and local allocations. 

At meeting's end, however, Stone (the vice-chair of the budget committee) found fault with the School Board for allocating some BEP funds for teachers and then asking the Commission to fund textbooks. 

He then pointed out that the Commission gave the schools extra money for books.  The reality is that the Commission used accounting gimmicks to move some money from capital funds (thus preventing needed improvements at schools like Gallatin High School and Hendersonville High School) to allow them to be used for books.  Thus, no new money was "given" to schools as Stone suggested.

He further failed to explain the utility of textbooks provided to students without teachers to offer instruction.  Or, perhaps he wants the Board of Education to continue providing teachers but not giving those teachers the resources they need to best educate students? 

Jackson Says Opponent "Bought and Paid For"

The 45th District State House race has been relatively quiet.  Courtney Rogers won an upset victory in the primary over incumbent Debra Maggart.  Jeanette Jackson is the Democratic nominee.  The two have not made much noise and only put out a smattering of signs.

But, Jackson recently sent out a press release attacking Rogers for a campaign funded by DC-based special interest groups.

Here's the text:

45th District State House candidate Jeanette Jackson today touted her independence from special interests as voters began heading to the polls in early voting.

“I’m not owned or paid for by any interest group,” Jackson said. “Voters should know that I’m independent and will go to Nashville to fight for them. On the other hand, my opponent won her primary because of Washington-based special interest money. My campaign’s not about money, it’s about putting people first.


Jackson noted that a Washington-based special interest group spent heavily over the summer to support Courtney Rogers’ successful primary campaign. She said that means Rogers will owe them should she win the General Election.


“She’s bought and paid for, plain and simple,” Jackson said. “You’ve got someone vying to represent us who is a single-issue, special interest candidate. We deserve better. I haven’t taken PAC or special interest money. I won’t anyone any favors after the election. My only focus will be on serving the voters of the 45th District.


Jackson said that as the next state representative for the 45th District, she’ll focus on two important issues: Schools and jobs.

“We deserve excellent schools and investments in education,” Jackson said. “We also need someone who is committed to fighting to bring jobs to Tennessee and Sumner County. I’ve worked 30 years in our schools and I will fight every day for new jobs and opportunity in Sumner County.”

Dog Lovers for Steve Brown

Well, they should be.  In his latest direct mail piece, Mayoral candidate Brown tells voters:

I feel we need to establish some more recreational and passive areas in our park system along with a dog park for our pet lovers.

No word yet on whether or not he'll be proposing a cat tunnel for the city's feline loving families.

County Insurance Trust Faces HUGE Deficit

Years of rising premiums -- and underfunding by the County Commission -- have led to a $6 million deficit in the County Insurance Trust.  The situation could impact more than 1600 County employees insured by the Trust.

County Executive Anthony Holt notes that a $4 million cash infusion would help solidify the trust for now.  Where would those funds come from? The "Hospital" Fund -- that big pot of over $18 million the County is sitting on.  This is in addition to the County's "reserve" fund, which has a balance of $11 million.

Readers might recall that these funds were not "allowed" to be used to help in this year's school budget crisis because they can only be used for "economic development" purposes. 

However, it is hard to see how a one-time expense of $4 million to make up for an under-funded insurance plan furthers economic development.  All it does is prevent a crisis County Commissioners have known about and chosen to ignore. 

And, how is this MORE economic development than say, improving schools? 

The Wellness Initiative seems a reasonable proposal and should likely be undertaken no matter what. 

But for County Commission leaders to call the School Board fiscally irresponsible is simply laughable in light of this revelation. 

Lamberth Maintains Big Money Lead

Backed by a host of big money, Nashville special interests, Republican William Lamberth has maintained a big financial lead over his opponent, Steve Glaser, in the race for the open 44th District House seat -- held by Portland's Mike McDonald for the past 18 years.

Lamberth currently has more than $60,000 in cash on hand with donations from a laundry list of PACs and interest groups.

Glaser has been endorsed by the teachers' association and at least one labor group -- and has received contributions from them.  But, his more modest haul reflects donations mainly from individuals.  His cash on hand reported was $14,000.

The final weeks of the campaign have seen the race heat up.  Lamberth's money lead could be the deciding factor.

Mayoral Candidate Forum

The four men running to be Mayor of Hendersonville participated in a forum this week where they discussed their plans for the City.

Incumbent Mayor Scott Foster expressed his belief that things are going well and we should continue following his proposed path.

The other four, to some degree, differed with Foster.  Alderman Tommy Elsten and Alderman Steve Brown offered the most pointed criticism, with Brown noting "blight" in the city that has gone unaddressed.  Elsten focused his attacks on drainage issues that continue to plague residents.

Forsythe agreed he voted with Foster most of the time.  But, he said, he offers years of experience in finance that could help keep the city on-track.

Turn ON the Lights

At least in a couple subdivisions, anyway.  The lights are coming to brighten dark streets. 

Greene Backs Jackson

In the race for 45th District State Representative, Tara Greene is backing Jeanette Jackson.  She says so in this letter:

Dear Editor,



For the first time a new name for Representative of the 45th District will be on the general election ballot on November 6. Jeanette Jackson was chosen by the people of Sumner County, in the August Primary, to represent them as a candidate to oppose Courtney Rogers.


Jackson, a mother of three, an employee of the Sumner County School System for 28 years and a resident of the 45th District for 34 years, intends full dedication to THE PEOPLE of this district, with no monetary influence from any lobbyists when making legislative decisions, as to what is desired and best for the families she would be so honored to represent.


A vote for Jackson is a vote for a fight for the voice of teachers to be heard once again. It is a vote for the families of Sumner County and all of Tennessee to be served with their well-being first and foremost as a priority and concern. It is a vote for a true representative of the people of the 45thDistrict to go to the Capitol and bring with her, the voices of all in this community and not the sole voices of a few major campaign donors.


Jackson’s opponent, Courtney Rogers, apparently has at least two issues of concern for the families, schools and businesses of the 45th District. “I might have as many as two issues,” Rogers has been quoted as saying. “I might have guns AND ammunition as issues.” This would indeed imply that she is being true to her major funding source.

Jackson has more than two issues of concern for the families of the 45th District. If you have the opportunity to hear Ms. Jackson in a debate with her opponent you will hear these expressions. “My passion is to bring forth the opportunity for 21st Century jobs to Tennesseans, to fight for the Tennessee First Jobs Act, to provide a means to affordable health care to all, to concentrate on fully funded public education, to review and amend sensible tax reform in our state and to fully respect the 2ndamendment of our U.S. Constitution by being a proponent of responsible gun ownership legislation.” This is Jackson’s response when asked what her issues and concerns would be if she were so honored to represent the People of the 45th.

Primary voting is over. The General Election will bring the voters a choice for a new beginning. A well informed electorate is the basis to a strong community. Know your heart. Know the candidate’s intents. Know that Democracy has spoken when you see the two choices for the 45th District. The people have spoken and it is Jackson vs. Rogers in 2012

Tara Greene

Fuzzy Numbers and Lunch with Ted

The County Commission's Education Committee got a dose of explanation for fuzzy numbers from the School Board.  And, Committee members expressed interest in eating lunch with new Board Chair Ted Wise. 

Mr. Hyde noted that he and Benny Bills, who traded places as Director of Schools over a nearly 40-year period ... interrupted only briefly by short-timer Levon Hubbard ... could do math and predict student numbers and reserve balances.

What he didn't say was how the system could go on for so long without adequate technology, no Pre-K program, and PTOs paying for basic school supplies.  Or, how he proposed that the school system compete with higher salaries for teachers offered in nearby districts.  He failed to mention poor planning in terms of facilities and zoning or a lack of interest in accounting for predictable growth in certain zones -- zones which now have overcrowded schools (Madison Creek, Station Camp, and Jack Anderson come to mind). 

So, Merrol can do math.  And Benny could, too.  But did either of them have a vision of excellence for our community's schools?

Republicans want it back

The 44th District House seat in Tennessee, that is.  They had it once before, all the way back in 1972.  But since then, the seat has been held by Democrats, most recently for 18 years by Mike McDonald of Portland.  Now, redistricting gives the Tennessee GOP a good shot at getting the seat back.  The race pits Steve Glaser against William Lamberth. 

For more on both men, go here.

They've got Vision

The four candidates running for Mayor of Hendersonville recently attended a forum and stated their visions for the city.  The candidates -- incumbent Mayor Scott Foster, Vice-Mayor Garry Forsythe, Alderman Steve Brown and Alderman Tommy Elsten -- each offered their thoughts on what could make Hendersonville, TN even better.

While Foster, Brown, and Elsten have raised significant sums and are running serious campaigns, it is difficult to tell why Forsythe is in the race and if he's even really running. 

Nevertheless, there's more about the forum and the answers from the candidates here.

The money is rolling in ...

The tax money, that is.  Well, not exactly rolling in ..but, sales tax collections are up 9% over the same time period last year.  That means more money is going to the school system - a system desperately in need of new investment.

If these numbers hold, it could make it easier for the County Commission to invest additional funds in the school system in the 2013-14 budget year.  With increased sales tax collections, the dollar amount needed for a property tax increase for schools could be kept fairly low -- around $50-$60 a year per family. 

What's your theme?

You can tell the school system what theme you like ... for high school ..via a survey at sumnerschools.org

You can read more about the proposal here.

Lamberth Fires Back

After a barrage of Steve Glaser press releases attacking his ethical integrity, William Lamberth is firing back -- by way of his friends at the TNGOP.  Lamberth is focusing on Glaser's difficulty paying his bills ... even his taxes. 

More here.

Glaser Keeps the Heat on Lamberth

This time, it is all about alleged violations of the Hatch Act.  While this sounds pretty serious, we're betting Lamberth won't bow out of the race OR resign. 

Glaser, Lamberth race heating up

Steve Glaser and William Lamberth, candidates for the 44th District House seat being vacated by Mike McDonald, are heating up the race -- lobbing attacks at each other in an attempt to sway voters.

Glaser accuses Lamberth of the appearance of impropriety for taking campaign cash from family members and attorneys involved in cases before the DA's office (Lamberth is an assistant DA). 

Lamberth continues to harp on bankruptcy in Glaser's past. 

See it all here.