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.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Turn ON the Lights
At least in a couple subdivisions, anyway. The lights are coming to brighten dark streets.
Monday, October 8, 2012
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
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?
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?
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