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April 27, 2006
John Has Fun with Red Hat Society Ladies
On April 25, the winner of the Chattanooga Red Hat Society talent contest (Songbird) sings "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" while ladies in purple and red hats dance at Hamilton Place Mall.
John was a talent judge along with Sonya Doran of J103. Sonya stands with Mayor Ron Littlefield who proclaimed April 25th "Red Hat Society" day in Chattanooga.
Posted by wjbailes at 07:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 25, 2006
New Treasurer for Bailes Campaign: Connie Ashby
I am happy to report that Connie Ashby, who lives in District 8, will be our new treasurer for "Friends to Elect John Bailes," replacing outgoing treasurer Bill Lusk who is now running as Democratic state house candidate for District 27. Bill has been an excellent treasurer, a true friend and a faithful supporter through the primary and I wish him well. Connie retired from the county health department and is already stepping into Bill's shoes superbly.
~John Bailes
Time NOW for Change
District 8 Commissioner
Posted by wjbailes at 06:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Podcast Bailes: Radio Spot to Air April 26 - May 2
Click on the icon above to listen to John's radio spot that will air on WGOW, WOGT, WNOO, & WFLI this week and next week.
Posted by wjbailes at 05:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 23, 2006
Early Voting: John & Dinah VOTE!
John Bailes and spouse Dinah voted Saturday, April 22, at the Brainerd Recreation Center. Next to them is John's cousin Raymond Miller.
Inside Brainerd Recreation Center, election assistants are waiting to assist voters. I.D. is requested for signature comparison. John, Dinah, and Raymond all voted Democrat. You are encouraged to go vote early, through April 27th. Assistance will be provided if you need help.
Posted by wjbailes at 11:42 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Healthy Living Walk along Belvoir Bluebird Trail on April 22
John McGirk spearheaded, planned, and set up the Belvoir Neighborhood Association's new Bluebird Trail. Here he stands next to one of many bluebird boxes. Of the twenty plus boxes in the neighborhood, five have bluebirds occupying them. The others are monitored for invading sparrows. A few boxes have become mossy nests for chickadees.
Local naturalists Ralph Brown (left) and Ken Dubke (right) were kind enough to walk the Bluebird Trail. Brown and Dubke provided natural history details about the area, along with commentary on Brainerd before the Interstate. Although a rainy morning, Belvoir residents drove by to encourage these walks.
Posted by wjbailes at 11:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 21, 2006
Join John on the Belvoir Bluebird Trail Saturday, April 22
Join John Bailes as he begins his Healthy Living Walks through District 8. His first walk will start tomorrow, April 22, in the Belvoir Neighborhood at 9 a.m. Please join John and area naturalists Ralph Brown and Ken Dubke as they are led by John McGirk and others along 1.5 miles of the new three-mile Bluebird Trail in the Belvoir Neighborhood (Brainerd).
Posted by wjbailes at 10:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
John Speaks to Seniors at Ageless Advantage
John stands with two strong supporters from District 8, owner and operator of Ageless Advantage Vicki Mangieri on his right and a group member (Francis) on his left.
John spoke to thirty seniors today, answering questions and listening to concerns. The Democratic commission candidate talked about the role of the commission and how county government could be improved over the next four years. A few seniors volunteered to help John in his campaign this summer.
Posted by wjbailes at 10:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Update: Nationally Recognized Poet Reads at Community Ideas Resource Center in East Ridge
Fifteen adults attended the first poetry reading to be held at the Community Ideas Resource Center Wednesday evening, April 19. Fred Kirchner, son of well-known local book appraiser Bill Kirchner (Bill and Linda Kirchner with Fred), read from his award-winning first book, Platform of an Unacknowledged World Legislator.
Part of supporting community is engaging the arts. I want to thank personally Fred Kirchner for agreeing to read to us in East Ridge while here to see the Tour de Georgia. Kirchner lives in Oxford, Ohio.
~John Bailes
Time is NOW for Change
District 8 Commissioner
Posted by wjbailes at 10:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 19, 2006
Poets: Unacknowledged Legislators of World
Meet and hear award-winning poet, Fred Krichner, tonight~April 19:
Where: Community Ideas Resource Center (4320 Ringgold Rd)
When: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Who: Fred Kirchner
What: Reading from Platform of an Unacknowledged World Legislator
Light Refreshments
Call 313-0869 for directions.
Posted by wjbailes at 09:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bailes Endorsed by Chattanooga Times
Below is an excerpt from the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Click HERE for the entire editorial on April 19, 2006.
District 8: John Bailes
Commissioner Curtis Adams, long a fixture in District 8, was once a reliable advocate of better schools and more progressive government. He is no longer. John Bailes, a thoughtful, energetic, hardworking challenger, promises to fill the void created by Mr. Adams’ conspicuous retreat from sound government.
Mr. Bailes promises support for better schools, smaller classrooms and more adequate resources in return for a "responsibility agreement" with school officials, premised on measurable criteria and consensus priorities, to ensure sound use of public funds.
A tireless grass-roots worker, he has large goals for promoting better jobs, living wages and healthy living in District 8 and throughout the county.
Mr. Bailes recognizes that economic development requires the efforts of officials at both the local and state level, but he has good reason to believe he can contribute to that process. His broad agenda for business renewal outlines ways for county government to focus on job creation, innovation and cluster business development. Similarly, he advocates district and countywide programs to develop better transportation systems, safe neighborhoods and stronger law enforcement.
Mr. Bailes also cites grass-roots initiatives to achieve these diverse goals at the neighborhood level. For example, he wants to create a Community Ideas Resource Center to host career workshops and "job dialogues." He wants to curb the spread of check-cashing and pay-advance shops in District 8 and the desperation they breed. And he wants to enhance neighborhood safety, wellness activities and curb appeal through support of neighborhood associations.
Mr. Bailes, of course, could not do such transformative work without cooperation at many levels. But, notably, he is the only candidate envisioning such invigorating ideas for county government. His civic, business and educational background have prepared him to imagine and pursue such ideas, and his energetic personality suggest he has a chance of achieving at least some of these goals.
He surely would sweep some of the cobwebs out of county government and spark some energy and constructive work. We strongly endorse his election.
Posted by wjbailes at 05:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 18, 2006
John Says Education & Jobs Most Critical at ALL CANDIDATES' RALLY
At the All Candidates' Rally last night held at South Chattanooga Recreation Complex, John spoke to about 100 people about his vision for economic development in District 8 and Hamilton County. He emphasized the creation of living wage jobs and development of cluster business areas, but most importantly the support of high-quality education. Thirty other candidates speaking last night were municipal and county office seekers for commission, judicial, and law enforcement.
Thanks to the Alton Park Development Corporation for hosting this rally, specifically Deborah Maddox (behind John to right) and Charlene Kilpatrick (behind John to left) for their leadership.
Posted by wjbailes at 05:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 17, 2006
All Candidates Rally~BE There Tonight at South Chatt. Recreation Center
Join us tonight from 6 - 9 p.m. tonight, April 17. Thanks to Alton Park Development Corporation for inviting all 2006 county candidates to speak for a few minutes on his or her platform. The community has been invited to attend as well. The event will be held at the South Chattanooga Recreation Center at 1151 West 40th Street.
Questions may be asked after candidates present their platforms~with only one question answered per candidate.
Call Deborah Maddox (executive director of APDC) for more information. Her number is 488-4643.
~John Bailes
Time NOW for Change
District 8 Commissioner
Posted by wjbailes at 01:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
More Money for Hamilton County Education from State: Adams says No, Bailes says Yes
Dead last in funding from the state, Hamilton County Schools deserve better. In today's Chattanooga Times Free Press, Curtis Adams and I spar over the battle for more money from the state for our county schools. I believe we have no choice but to continue fighting for state money. Mr Adams has decided to give up.
Here's an excerpt from the article:
County Commission primaries will take place May 2, and the general election is Aug. 3. At least one candidate thinks the formula is not something county officials will be able to alter significantly, despite campaign pledges.
Republican Commissioner Curtis Adams said that a strong faction of rural legislators will prevent changes that would shift the formula in favor or urban counties such as Hamilton, Knox, Davidson and Shelby. "There’s no way they could go in there and vote to take away money from the little counties," Mr. Adams said. "You can’t take it away once they have it."
Mr. Adams’ Democratic opponent, John Bailes, said changes to the formula won’t come easily but he would push for change nonetheless if elected. He said change will have to come "incrementally," and in the meantime he wants to seek out other education funding sources.
"If, to use Mr. Adams’ phrase, all politicians are either ‘wimps’ or ‘warriors,’ and he says this is a losing battle, where does that leave him?" Mr. Bailes said.
Mr. Adams said he knows his position is unpopular. He said many rural county officials say Hamilton County gets a big boost in tax revenue from their residents shopping at Hamilton Place and other areas in the county.
"My job as an experienced commissioner is to tell the truth," Mr. Adams said. "I’m not going to give any delusions about what we could do."
Click on for more: "Many commissioners, opponents want to see more money for county schools"
Posted by wjbailes at 07:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 13, 2006
Signs Are Out!
You'll see this "business-sized" sign on Brainerd Road in front of India Mahal, one of TWO authentic Indian restaurants in District 8. You'll not find a more diverse district when it comes to dining than District 8.
The owner and operator of India Mahal is Sukhbir Singh is a friend and a supporter. His support for our campaign means a lot. Drop by India Mahal and try some Sag Paneer or Tandoori chicken.
~John Bailes
Time for NOW for Change
District 8 Commissioner
Posted by wjbailes at 11:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 11, 2006
"New Sound" Podcast: John Bailes on Early Voting
Take one minute and listen to John Bailes talk about early voting. Let him know what you think of this "new sound" podcast. Click on the icon above to hear John's message.
Posted by wjbailes at 07:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 10, 2006
East Ridge Leaders Hosted a "Meet Your Candidate" on Sunday
We offered this East Ridge woman some refreshments as she was walking by the Community Ideas Resource Center during the Sunday afternoon reception. She is pregnant, and she works two jobs along Ringgold Road. Since East Ridge does not have public transportation, she walks two miles each way to go to work. Isn't it time now that East Ridge citizens have transportation?
I had the opportunity to speak with various East Ridge residents, including educational leaders, elected officials, and political candidates. I want to thank Gail Phillips, Sandy Smith, and Renee Little for hosting this beautiful reception.
This cake says it all~THE TIME IS NOW FOR CHANGE!
~John Bailes
The Time is NOW for Change
District Commissioner 8
Posted by wjbailes at 06:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 05, 2006
Wimps & Warriors versus Winners
Thanks to the Hamilton County Voters Council, Democracy for Chattanooga, and Chattanooga State College for hosting the first of three forums for county commission candidates in 2006. Here are some highlights from last night:
14 county commission candidates answered questions at the forum. Representing District 8 were Republican Curtis Adams and myself, a Democrat.
My opponent called himself the "heavy weight champion of school funding" despite the fact that he has not voted for increases nor pursued outside sources of funding during a seven-year war with Jesse Register and the School Board. Instead of helping children and the community, he was bickering and yelling. And during these battle years, the schools were dealing with a new federal mandate (NCLB) to "leave no child behind." With this mandate, achievement goals were raised that added costs to education locally.
Mr. Adams also said that "there are only two types of politicians, wimps and warriors." I say that there is a third, winners. These are the public servants who work hard with others and solve problems, bringing opportunity to Hamilton County.
I said, as I have always said, that the time is now for education, jobs, and trust. Now is most important time in our county if we are going to do something about economic development and schools. I pointed out that the number one indicator for higher levels of prosperity is the education level of a community. Support quality education and jobs will come, but we must do both. We must have an "accountibility agreement" or "responsibility agreement" that emphasizes performance and opportunities rather than fighting and fussing. And with business growth, revenue will rise. Consequently schools will benefit. Most importantly I will listen to those thousands of voiceless people who live in my district and in our county.
~John Bailes
Time is NOW for Change
District 8 Commissioner
Posted by wjbailes at 04:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack