A Tennessee Message for Education Secretary Cardona

 From NewsBreak:

During Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's recent visit to Nashville, a group of Tennessee pastors and parents urged the Cabinet leader to take action to protect public schools.

“No matter what we look like, where we live, or what's in our wallets, most of us want our neighborhood public schools to inspire imagination, cultivate critical thinking, and ensure our children can live fulfilling lives,” said Rev Dr Kevin Riggs, Pastor of Franklin Community Church. “But Governor Lee and the Legislature are dividing us and working to bypass local leaders and voters when they promote charter schools over local public schools."

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County Poised to Pass "NO NEW TAXES" Budget

The Sumner County Commission passed a budget recently and that budget does NOT include new taxes. Here's more from Gallatin News:

Sumner County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a combined county government and school system budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year next week, which does not include a property tax increase for residents.

The approximately $355.5 million combined spending plans were approved by the county’s budget committee on June 15. A vote by the full commission is set for June 29.

Unlike in previous years, Sumner County Budget Committee Chairman Chris Taylor said that county departments and elected officials were told this year that additional funding would be limited due to the negative economic impact the pandemic has had locally.

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What's Going on at the Election Commission?

Or, better yet: What's NOT going on at the Sumner County Election Commission?

In recent months, the Election Commission has voted NOT to have satellite early voting in the Presidential Preference Primary in March -- which is also the primary for the Tax Assessor position. Then, the reaffirmed that vote, in spite of resolutions from the cities of Hendersonville, Portland, and Goodlettsville asking for the voting. And most recently, the voted against allowing a public comment period before meetings.

Josh Nelson at the Hendersonville Standard has the most recent story.

While the story notes the Commission Chair's correct statement that satellite early voting hasn't been an option in previous presidential primaries, it's worth noting that this year's primary is in March -- just one month after the Iowa Caucuses (which take place on February 1st). That means it is very likely there will be viable candidates in the race at the time Tennessee votes, especially on the Republican side.

Should the Election Commission be making it easier for citizens to vote in such an important election? And, does satellite early voting increase participation.

The answer to both questions is YES. The Election Commission should be working to make it easier for qualified voters to cast ballots. And YES: When there has been satellite early voting in other elections, voter turnout (as a percentage) has increased.

So far, there's been no turning back from the decision not to have satellite early voting. And, the Election Commission isn't going out of its way to get public feedback on this issue.

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Langford Named County Commission Chair

The Sumner County Commission last night elected its leaders for the 2015-16 year.

The top leadership post, Chair of the County Commission, went to Scott Langford of Goodlettsville.

Langford on the job with 17 affirmative votes.

He will chair all future meetings and determine committee leadership.

For more on Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Payne Retires from Chamber

Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Payne retires from her position this month.

The Hendersonville Star News has the story:

“To me, the accomplishment closest to my heart is putting the Hendersonville chamber on the map in the region,” Payne said. “Me being at places in Nashville. It’s critical. Businesses looking to relocate (to this area) don’t look at county boundaries. They look at who we are in Middle Tennessee.”

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School Board to Hold Budget Workshop

The Sumner County School Board will hold a budget presentation and workshop on Tuesday, May 12th, at 2:00 PM at the School Board Office located at 695 East Main Street in Gallatin.

The workshop is designed to give Board members a chance to review Director Del Phillips' budget proposal and request any changes before an anticipated vote on Tuesday, May 19th.

For more on news from Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Isbell Faces Questions Over Using Tax Dollars for Politics

Hendersonville News first reported on this site in late January that Sumner County Tax Assessor John Isbell is using his publicly-funded official website for political purposes. Now, local TV station Fox 17 has picked up the story, asking Isbell to justify his actions.

Here's an excerpt from the Fox 17 story:

Log on to the Sumner County web page for Assessor of Property John Isbell and you'll find a link for more information about the recent property tax reappraisal.
That page is attracting criticism from Sumner County residents like Dan Wright who feel its content amounts to a political attack on the public's dime.
"Absolutely it's political yeah. From what I see it's political defense," said Wright.
The part Wright believes is political involves direct attacks towards County Executive Anthony Holt calling him a "Pro-Tax Increase Bureaucrat."
The page also accuses Holt of holding "secret meetings" and "wasting taxpayer dollars" and towards the end of the page accuses him of conduct that's akin to "the worst kind of public servant."

Isbell doesn't deny that the words are his. He only says he's posting what he sees as "the truth."

In 2014, Isbell came under fire for irregularities in the Sumner County Tax assessment. Rather than admit any mistakes, Isbell has chosen to attack those he perceives as political enemies, apparently even using a taxpayer-funded website to do so.

Since at least January of 2015, Isbell has posted explicitly political messages on his official, taxpayer-funded website. He's not taking them down - he's letting the taxpayers foot the bill.

As the 2016 election for Tax Assessor approaches, will Isbell continue to use taxpayer money for political gain?

For more on news in Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews