September 30, 2005
Littlefield at "Town Hall Meeting" in Brainerd
Indian Hills Community Watch's Chairman Bill Gardner (left) hosted the event.
I attended this "town hall" meeting last night, Sept 29, at the invitation of Joe Ramsey. Chattanooga mayor Ron Littlefield spoke to the Indian Hills Community Watch group at Dalewood Elementary School on Shallowford Road. Littlefield covered various neighborhood, public safety and transportation issues and answered questions that the IHCW offered.
The night ended with discussion and food ~ and an invitation to get involved: Namely, to help clean up Brainerd High School grounds this Saturday, Oct 1. Clean-up will take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is a response to the recent criticism in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Volunteers may bring weed eaters, blowers, pressure washers. If you have further questions, call Beverly Brand at 855.2615 x2320. She is the Parent Involvement Coordinator.
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September 29, 2005
Fowler & Colburn Comment on School Superintendents at East Ridge Education Committee Meeting
On September 26, 2005 ~ Monday Night ~ in the library of the East Ridge Middle School, EREC hosted an event in which Tennessee state senator David Fowler (R-District 11) stood in for TN state representative Jack Sharp (R-District 30). East Ridge representative Sharp had been slated to speak but is now fighting lung disease, complicated by a disabling cough. So Fowler filled in. After Fowler's speech, Hamilton County School Board Member Debbie Colburn (D-District 8) spoke. I attended the meeting along with about 30 other East Ridgers.
Senator Fowler
Fowler addressed various educational issues that are winding their way through the state legislature, including talk by a few legislators that our state make every county school superintendent position an elected position. The senator does not believe this notion has much muster although he noted that some county commissioners would like to see this change.
School Board Member Colburn
Colburn warned that the "elected superintendent" idea is highly risky to the community and dangerous to our children. She argued that mixing politics with educational professionalism would only hurt academic professionalism. She strongly opposes such a change.
Colburn also talked about the call by County Commissioner Curtis Adams (R-District 8) to sue the school board over breaking the Sunshine Law. She told the audience what she told the press: namely, that one school board member received the news last of Jesse Register's retirement, and therefore later than all the others, because that one member would have informed the media immediately, something the other members were trying to prevent so that Register could control his own timing for his retirement announcement.
In addition, she explained to us that the contract that pays Register $150,000 for consulting in 2006-2007 is necessary because of the transition period and because of some grant money attached to having Register still employed. She also pointed out that this was much less money than the "buyout" by Curtis Adams offered last year (about $450,000).
Of course, some community members are still angry by the "consulting contract," but at least this is a contract, i.e. ONE YEAR'S PAY for WORK. Adams' BUYOUT, on the other hand, would have been nothing more than a GOLDEN PARACHUTE, i.e. THREE YEAR'S PAY FOR NO WORK.
Of course, many community members are correctly upset because they believe that all business should be done in the public's eye, not in private. I must concur for it is the nature of democracy to be open and straightforward. And that seems to be the spirit of the Sunshine Law. So it was certainly unwise for a few board members to act in isolation without notifying all others. That said, we all know that the present political tempest among our elected officials on the commission and school board creates endless finger-pointing, where every pot calls every kettle black.
Maybe we need a Sunshine Festival which brings all of these parties together with the goal of being friends in public rather than politicians on the war path.
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District 8 Wonderfully Diverse~Especially When It Comes to Food
District 8 continues to amaze me!
It is diverse in ways that many people never fully see. We have many ethnic groups living in this district--African American, Hispanic, Asian. And these broad categories have further subcategories.
Take for instance the growing Hispanic population in Brainerd and in East Ridge. More and more of the businesses are owned by Hispanics. Churches in both Brainerd and East Ridge have programs for Spanish speaking people. Brainered Baptist Church, for instance, has reached out to this ethnic community with soccer and educational ministries.
One of my favorite activities is to sample the foods of other cultures. Food is a direct way for cultures to interact. I did just that this week at Jalapenos Restaurant, which recently opened along Brainerd Road and which I highly recommend. Here's a photo of one of the two sisters managing the restaurant.
Ms. Meza at Jalapenos
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September 26, 2005
Letter to Editor~"Adams' selection methods backward"
Below is a letter to the editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, published yesterday, Sept 25, by Connie Ashby. Our campaign applauds the courage of citizens like Ms. Ashby to speak out:
I was distraught to read in your newspaper on Saturday, Sept. 10, the criteria Commissioner Curtis Adams used in supporting one of the candidates for the vacant school board position in District 5.
Mr. Adams was quoted as saying that he wanted to support a candidate because "she is a classy looking lady," and "she talked good." These comments concern me.
It represents backward thinking in regard to the treatment of women in a job selection process.
Basing a hiring decision on how someone looks gives the appearance of discrimination.
Mr. Adams did go on to say that her experience as a manager with Erlanger would be beneficial.
Several professional women who I have talked with are outraged that an elected official believes that this is a proper way to address a female interviewing for an employment opportunity.
Is this the environment we need to be fostering in our local government?
If this is indicative of the way Commissioner Adams makes decisions, then I encourage the citizens in District 8 to make a change in representation in August of 2006.
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September 22, 2005
Katrina Survivor KENNETH BELL Finds a Home!
I am happy to report that after much searching, I was able to find some wonderful East Ridge citizens (Eddie and Wendy Parrot) to provide a home to Katrina Survivor Kenneth Bell (center in photo) for "as long as it takes."
Kenneth Bell was a resident of New Orleans until recently. The aftermath of Katrina (specifically, the levee breaking) forced him and his family out of the area. After the levee broke, he escorted his elderly father and mother two and half miles to the Convention Center. There they departed in different directions. His parents went to Baton Rouge and he came to Chattanooga where he knew an employer and could find work.
Rev. John Taylor's church (East Third Street Church of Christ) has been helping Kenneth with clothing, food, and transportation. If you would like to help Kenneth Bell, let me know at 493-0266.
The Friends to Elect John Bailes will provide a cookout for Kenneth Bell and other survivors as soon as Mr. Bell is settled into his new home.
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September 20, 2005
40 Days of Listening in District 8 ~ Oct 17 to Dec 1
Listening is Leading
In the world of politics, for whatever reason, many old-time politicians do not listen. They do not listen to their voters. We know that this is the typical complaint of voters, and yet politicians seem not to hear us.
I want to change that by NOT being a "politician"—a change I will make, first, by listening to you, and, secondly, by putting what you say to good work.
Your Voice is Important
So I need your voice and thoughts. I want you to participate in at least one of our listening meetings. There will be seven over 40 days (from Oct 17 to Dec 1). The choice of 40 days, of course, does not limit our listening to only 40 days. 40 days or seven weeks was significant (and still is) to people of faith. This period was a time of testing and praying. For us it will be a time of listening, out of which will emerge a culminating report that will help me in being a responsible leader in District 8.
Seven District 8 “Listening” Meetings (8 a.m. breakfast/places TBA)
Oct 20 Ministers/Counselors
Oct 25 Healthcare Professionals/First Responders
Nov 1 Senior Advocates
Nov 8 Parks/Recreation & Arts Advocates
Nov 15 Educators (4 p.m.)
Nov 22 Business People
Dec 1 Skilled Workers
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September 19, 2005
Join Memory Walk Team with the Bailes Campaign
We'll have fun and I could use your help on Oct 1. This will be a great event to help a worthy cause--namely to continue research and work on dealing with Alzheimer's Disease.
Click here to donate or join the team for the Hamilton County Memory Walk which supports the Alzheimer's Association.
Posted by wjbailes at 09:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 18, 2005
Mission Accomplished~Katrina Truck Delivers Goods to People in Bogalusa, Louisiana
[An old postcard of the Great Southern Lumber Co. in Bogalusa, LA]
I caught up with Rev. John R. Taylor, Sr. this morning while attending his church on East Third Street. And let me tell you, he's a charismatic preacher! He had just returned yesterday with an empty trailer and with his crew of five men, all members of his church (Chet Kato, Roosevelt Tony, Robert Andrews, Shawn Strickland, and Ken Fuller). These Christian men drove all night long, starting at East Third Street Church of Christ very early last Friday morning to go to Slidell. They ended up in Bogalusa, where the need was greatest at the time. When they were finished, they turned around and drove back. It has been said that Chet Kato drove a bit like Speedy Gonzales. But we'll forgive him.
These good men described the devastation as horrible. Bogalusa is 50 miles north of New Orleans. Although the church's Katrina trailer was not completely filled, the added space allowed the men to move around the trailer to distribute items for people in the torn city. And, yes, the message is: NO MORE CLOTHES FOR NOW!
Rev. Taylor says that the church is working with Covenant Transport to set up another trailer. This one will carry clean-up items. "They are going to need brooms and rakes, lots of buckets with bleach, gloves, and brushes, and probably other cleaning materials. Plus there's going to be a need for all sorts of outdoor clean-up tools." I'm thinking they're going to need trash cans, wheel barrows, saws, etc. You can add to the list.
Please help us prepare for the next truck by getting the word out and asking everyone to think of one or two items they could afford to send. I appreciate all of the help many of you have already given! Keep up the good work!
Here's a Google Map of Bogalusa, Louisiana
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Tax Savings - $12 million for commercial building projects - Deadline is Oct 7
The Enterprise Center continues to provide great opportunities to business people in the Chattanooga area. Here's one:
The Enterprise Center released a notice on September 13 that describes "Commercial Revitalization Deductions" (CRD) targeting commercial, manufacturing, and mixed-use (retail/housing) building projects in the Renewal Community (parts of Alton Park, Downtown, Southside, and MLKing Blvd. area).
Since 2002, when the Renewal Community was initiated, Chattanooga has awarded $36 million in CRD tax savings to 30 commercial and industrial projects.
To apply for the 2005 CRD tax savings, commercial buildings must be newly constructed or require extensive rehab.
Contact Maria Noel at 425.3776. Or click here to email. Or click here to read entire press release.
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September 16, 2005
A "Freeman" at Chattanooga's Community Kitchen
Ron Freeman is a homeless man who lives part of the time at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen on 11th Street. He was so proud of his new voter registration card that he is holding it up.
I met Ron while Margaret Griffey and I were delivering food donated by the Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club, of which Margaret is a member.
I encourage all Democrats, Republicans, and others to put aside party identity and give a little this month to groups like the Community Kitchen or the Chattanooga Housing Authority or other Katrina efforts. You'll feel so good helping others.
If you have any stories of such work, please share them here to inspire others to action.
Margaret and Me
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September 15, 2005
Getting the Word Out at WNOO
I went to WNOO today to talk about filling the trailer at East Third Street Church of Christ. As I was on my way in with the minister of that church, Rev. John Taylor, I saw Tennessee State Representative Joanne Favors (D-District 29). She had just been on the radio. Ms. Favors is working on committees that focus on children, families and healthcare, which are her specialty. I am very impressed with her hard work here and in Nashville. She is always working hard and doing something good for Chattanooga. I appreciate her taking the time to be photographed with me and Rev. Taylor.
Charles Sanders (manager at radio station WNOO) and Rev. Ron Cook (minister at Rock Island Baptist Church) moderated an hour-long talk about Katrina and its toll on people in Hamilton County. We all agreed that the storm had revealed inequities not only in the country, but also in our county. There is a gaping hole between the HAVES and HAVE-NOTS, no matter what race you are.
We urge you to continue to call on others to contribute by taking goods to the trailer at East Third Street Church of Christ (across from the Auto Zone store).
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Katrina Update: TRUCK LEAVING AT 2 A.M. FRIDAY~BRING IN YOUR GOODS!
Tina Woods is the secretary at East Third Street Church of Christ and will greet you at the door when you bring contributions for Katrina survivors.
Former City Councilman and church's pastor John Taylor and I have been all over the place this morning drumming out the message for more contributions to put on the trailer.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO GET THE WORD OUT! THIS TRUCK LEAVES AT 2 A.M. ALMOST 12 HOURS FROM NOW. IT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE IN SLIDELL, LOUISIANA.
We will be on WNOO at 2 p.m. today. Tune in or call in to help us generate this final push.
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Chattanooga, We Need Help Now! Help us fill up a trailer!
We need your help now--either in body or in getting the word out.
Yesterday, I worked with Joe Ramsey (in photo with me) at East Third Street Church of Christ.
By 7 p.m. the entire church was there filling up the trailer. We sweated and sang. But this trailer behind us is only one-third full. We need help filling the rest of this trailer up. It will be headed to St. Charles, Louisiana, on Friday.
If the Chattanooga Housing Authority was turning away goods because CHA had no more room, then there must be more out there. Anyone who can help us get the word out, please do.
I will be on the radio stations this morning, Sept. 15, getting the word out with former Chattanooga City Councilman John Taylor. He is the minister of East Third Street Church of Christ.
The trailer is at the church. The address is 2008 East Third Street. The phone number is 622-7263. Or call my cell at 313-0869.
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September 13, 2005
Kurita and Door-to-Door
U.S. Senate candidate Rosalind Kurita was at the Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club tonight. She told how she began her political career as a candidate for county commissioner, running against an incumbent. She spoke to me privately about going door-to-door as the key to her first campagin, but how hard that was now as a statewide candidate. Kurita received a standing ovation at the end of her speech.
I think going door-to-door in this county commission race is critical to winning. Don't you?
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