The Paddling Alderman

Hendersonville Alderman Russ Edwards has come out decidedly in favor of paddling in schools in a Facebook post. Here's what he had to say (and the picture he attached):

I distinctly remember being paddled many times by my middle school principals and teachers, almost all of which I deserved. They hurt so badly, but I couldn’t cry because I would have been made fun of. I couldn’t tell my parents because I would have gotten in trouble for getting a paddling. My parents certainly wouldn’t have complained to the school or taken my side in any way. It was just something I accepted - I got in trouble, I got paddled.

Mine was probably the last generation of students to get paddled at school. I know this is a controversial topic, but I’m glad I was paddled.

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TN COVID-19 Update -- May 12, 2020

Here's key information from Gov. Bill Lee's COVID-19 update today:

Testing Update

The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) and the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) are working together to increase testing accessibility for intermediate care facilities and members of the Employment and Community First CHOICES program.

The first testing event will be held Friday, May 15 in Scott County, utilizing DIDD’s mobile clinic and nursing staff specializing in care of persons with disabilities. Based on this provider assistance, an estimated 12,500 tests will be conducted in the coming weeks to support Tennessee’s intellectual and developmental disability community.

More information on the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) is available here.

Stimulus Financial Accountability Group

The Stimulus Financial Accountability Group held its second meeting on Tuesday, May 12. As the state reviews federally permitted uses for the first round of CARES Act funding, we expect additional guidance from Congress that includes the potential to reverse course and allow for the backfill of Tennessee’s lost revenue.

While prudently managing state finances, Gov. Lee and the Stimulus Financial Accountability Group are focused on getting money back into the hands of Tennessee business owners, strengthening public health response, providing support for the unemployed and those negatively impacted by this crisis.

More details on Tennessee’s bipartisan Stimulus Financial Accountability Group are available here and information on today’s virtual meeting can be found here.

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Fauci's Warning

Dr. Anthony Fauci, America's top infectious disease official, warned today against opening the nation and our communities up too quickly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's more from Bloomberg News:

Fauci told the Senate Health Committee Tuesday that he’s concerned about cities and states reopening without reaching “checkpoints” outlined by the administration in guidelines to help them decide when it’s safe.

“I feel if that occurs, there is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak that you might not be able to control,” Fauci said. “In fact, paradoxically it will set you back -- not only leading to some suffering and death that could be avoided but it could even set you back on the road on trying to get economic recovery. That would turn the clock back rather than going forward.”

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An Ice Hockey Rink in Sumner?

Gallatin News has the story:

A local hockey group has purchased property between Gallatin and Hendersonville that has previously been considered as a possible location for an indoor ice rink, according to Sumner County property data.

Old Hickory Hockey, LLC recently acquired a total of 54.32 acres at the eastern corner of Shute Lane and Nashville Pike across from Devonshire Trail, according to copies of warranty deeds obtained by the Gallatin News. The total purchase price was $4.92 million.

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An "F" in Social Distancing

That's the score Tennessee has received according to a report noted by WKRN:

Unacast’s data shows that we are doing worse than before at staying apart. Tennessee’s score on Unacast’s Social Distancing Scoreboard is an ‘F.’ In Davidson County, where restrictions are just being loosened, the score is a C-.

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TN Coronavirus Cases Surpass 15,000

WVLT reports that as of today, there have been more than 15,000 cases of COVID-19 in Tennessee and 251 deaths.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state of Tennessee increased to 15,544 as of May 11. 8,038 patients recovered and 251 people in Tennessee have died from the virus.

Sumner County has 699 reported cases as of today.

Main Street Media Sues Election Finance Board

Main Street Media, the publisher of The Hendersonville Standard, has joined a lawsuit against the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.

In an effort to uphold the Open Meetings Act, the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government has joined news media organizations, journalists and press associations in filing an open meetings lawsuit against the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. (Main Street Media of Tennessee, publisher of The Cheatham County Exchange, has joined the lawsuit as well.)

On the evening of April 1, the election finance board took an email vote in secret to reduce by $44,100 the fines owed by longtime lawmaker state Rep. Joe Towns, D-Memphis.

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Election Safety in the Age of COVID-19

Some recommendations via Hana Ali, Chair of the Sumner County Democratic Party.

*Expand early voting by increasing the number of polling locations and extending polling hours.

*Expand access to absentee ballots.

*Give all voters an option to safely vote by mail. This is the best way to preserve and protect our right to vote. It reduces hurdles faced by elderly, disabled and sick people to effectively participate in the democratic process. During this Coronavirus pandemic no one should be asked to choose between their safety and their right to vote. All registered voters must receive a mail in ballot.

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How to Get Blocked on FB by Mayor Clary

Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary took to Facebook to explain the activities that cause people to be blocked on his personal Facebook page. Here goes:

I have been asked what behavior has caused some people to be blocked from items on my personal Facebook page. Without pointing any fingers, here is that list:

Stalking my kids during trick-or-treating to take their picture.

Publishing my home address and threatening me on Facebook.

Falsely accusing me of breaking the law.

Hacking my personal and work email.

Repeatedly writing false statements on my personal Facebook page.

Harassing business owners because they praised my work as mayor.

Badgering non-profit leaders to un-invite me from their fund-raisers.

Gaining access to my mother’s house under false pretenses.

Republishing pictures of my kids on social media.

Stealing from my office.

Calling the city’s insurance carrier claiming to be my wife.

Filing false police reports.

Stealing prescription drugs.

Threatening to punch me in the throat.

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Sizemore Pitches Progressive Campaign in House Distric 40

40th District candidate for State Representative Paddy Sizemore (I) is pitching a progressive campaign in his bid to unseat incumbent Terri Lynn Weaver.

Here's a bit from his Facebook page pitching Roosevelt's New Deal progressivism:

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Transparency, Clary Style

Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary has something to say about transparency, and in typical Clary fashion, he's taken to Facebook to say it:

These are my eye glasses. If I don't have them at a restaurant, I have to order by pictures. If I don't have them in the morning, I cannot tell the time.

They have a certain style to them, but their main role is to help me get information.

We need more than just glasses, though. We need the information to be made available. When it comes to government, we need transparency.

In response to public requests, I have set up a new Facebook page for me to communicate city information directly with residents. It is "Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary."
By contrast, the "Hendersonville City Hall" page on Facebook will continue to be controlled by staff, as it has been for several months.
Recently some members of the public complained about the City Hall page's lack of information. Since I don't have access to post to that page, I am creating the new page, allowing me to communicate directly with residents.
The complaints about the City Hall page had merit. I appreciate the people who brought them to our attention. They recognized that city staff has withheld information about Covid-19, SBA loans, and the processes for businesses to re-open.
We have had similar problems with other city media: Channel Three, the city's YouTube channel, and the city web site. Many recent items that I submitted for publication were altered, delayed, and ignored by staff.
Transparency has been important to me since I came into office. I have answered 7,200 emails from residents, sent 42 monthly newsletters to more than 4,400 people, and taken 650 phone calls from taxpayers.
I have met with thousands of residents at their homes, giving them the opportunity to ask questions about city operations. Frequently, I speak to church and civic groups.
This new Facebook page, “Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary”, is another step in city transparency. I hope you find it helpful.

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36% Spike

WJHL reports that COVID19 cases are up by 36% in the last week even as Tennessee begins "re-opening."

Tennessee has seen a 36% jump in new coronavirus cases in the past week.

Health officials on Sunday reported 516 new coronavirus cases, pushing Tennessee’s total to at least 13,177.

A week ago Sunday, the state had at least 9,667 confirmed cases.

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