« ATHENA Awards ~ Mentoring Women & Providing Business Women with Capital | Main | Fighting Poverty in East Ridge ~ Pumpkin & Cider Festival »
October 22, 2005
"40 Days of Listening" Kicks Off First Forum with Ministers
"Friends to Elect John Bailes" campaign volunteer coordinator Samantha Bayles and campaign voter registration director Dr. Olin Ivey pose for a picture at Brainerd United Methodist Church, on Thursday, Oct. 20.
What an event! And for several reasons. As one minister put it: "I have been here [Chattanooga] for 13 and 1/2 years and no politician has ever contacted me and asked what I thought.” Accountability has been missing in District 8. So have leaders who listen. What better way to hear constituents than to go to them, shut up, and listen. Simple but critical.
Dr. Olin Ivey did a fantastic job facilitating the first forum at Brainerd United Methodist Church on Brainerd Road. And Samantha Bayles patiently recorded the event and collected information for the purpose of helping us understand what District 8 expects from its leaders. I thank both for their service to the district. Samantha will be attending every "listening forum," so if you can make it to one you will meet her.
The church's senior minister, Rev. Denny Humphreys, was kind enough to host this "listening forum." I reluctantly but honestly admit that I was rightly scolded for two mistakes concerning an event with ministers:
* Never ask preachers to get up for an event before 9 a.m.
* And if you're going to ask them to get up before 9 a.m., always serve a full breakfast with all the fixins.
Well, I ate my donut in quiet, to say the least. After introductions by area ministers, I listened for an hour-and-a-half. The purpose of the event is to engage District 8 people in the process of county government and to help shape what THE PEOPLE expect in their county leaders.
Here's a list of priorities that the ministers produced:
(1) Public schools MUST BE better supported, with these twin goals in mind~improving the relationship between school board and county commission, and dissolving the economic and social disparity between public and private schooling, especially in the African-American and Hispanic population.
(2) Businesses with better paying jobs MUST BE recruited to this area, as opposed to the increasing spread of check-cashing and pawn shops along Brainerd and Ringgold roads.
(3) Senior citizens MUST BE helped, with programs to relieve their tax burdens and programs to assist in transportation.
(4) Character MUST BE returned to the county commission, with the goal of electing public servants who can act professionally and civilly.
(5) Listening forums, like this one, MUST BE regularly held throughout the district and county, with the goal of involving as many constituents as possible.
You are invited to our next forum, which will concern "Healthcare and First Response" and will be held at Shoney's in East Ridge on Oct. 25 from 7:30 - 9 a.m.
| By wjbailes | 06:59 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://chattablogs.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/26776
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference "40 Days of Listening" Kicks Off First Forum with Ministers:
Comments
I think Dr. Ivey should stick with preaching and tell people About JESUS CHRIST and not who to vote for..Bart
Posted by: Bart Simpson at October 22, 2005 09:06 AM
Sounds like the folks of the 8th District have someone that will listen. I just want to know if John is going on fox news? That will help people get access to government and better school coordination. Hey John how about a law suit, it doesn't matter what for, it will help the people of the district. Not to mention how smart it will make you look. I hope your campaign continues to expose the "Leave Our Field Hands Alone" crowd.
Best regards
Posted by: Glen Harris at October 22, 2005 09:20 AM
hi dad it is me i love you and i will always help you with the campaign
Posted by: Bailes at October 30, 2005 10:04 AM
