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May 15, 2006
County Funds for Schools Lag Behind Funds for County Government
I believe we must hold our county government accountable. We must start with county spending. Since 1997, the county's general fund has grown faster (6.95%) than county support for education (3.99%), while outside agencies had the least growth (0.89%). See Chattanooga Times Free Press story by clicking HERE. Or click HERE to see graph of spending.
We must hold county government responsible, starting with spending. I will bring fiscal discipline to county government, push more dollars to the classroom, and demand a Responsibility Agreement between school board members and county commission.
Posted by wjbailes at 06:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 12, 2006
Mr. Adams Stereotypes Women ~ List of Women, Wives, Mothers Running in Local Elections
Click on the image above for a Mother's Day edition of Working Mother.
My opponent, Curtis Adams, continues to miss the point and stay out of touch. Today, in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, he says that "women with families aren't able to keep that [county commission] schedule."
He added: "If that wasn't true, you'd see more women running, and there wouldn't be a problem."
Here is a list of women who have been running in city and county elections locally. Mr. Adams should consider this list before stereotyping women, mothers, and wives.
Elizabeth Akins
Mary Anglin
Suzanne Bailey
Linda Bennet
Janice Boydston
Tommie Brown
Debbie Colburn
Cynthia Coleman
Eleanor Cooper
Ann Coulter
Leslie Davenport
Joanne Favors
Rita Fehring
Debbie Gaines
Ardena Garth
Debbie Harris
Chrystal Horne
Pam Hurst
Les Jewell
Debra Matthews
Hallie McFadden
Lou Miller
Mary Moore
Laura Oakley
Lizetta Paturalzki
Sherry Paty
Zelma Phillips
Floy Pierce
Sherry Pollock
Sally Robinson
Marty Rutherford
Jackie Schulten
Christie Sell
Patti Skates
Rebecca Stern
Paula Thompson
Rhonda Thurman
Gwen Tidwell
Charlotte Vandergriff
Marie Williams
Posted by wjbailes at 08:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 11, 2006
Happy Mother's Day: My Working Family
My family has always worked hard, and continues to. My mother, wife, and mother-in-law especially mean much to me at this time of the year--MOTHER'S DAY--for they have given my life joy, constancy, and light. There are so many other female friends as well as grandmothers and aunts who have meant much to me, but I'll just touch on the beauty of these three: Mother, wife, mother-in-law.
My parents raised five children. Like many working families in the late fifties and throughout the sixties and seventies, both my parents worked. My father was in the U.S. Navy for twelve years, then became a Baptist preacher. My mother lived on bases throughout the country until all the kids were born. Then she began working different jobs--she did proofreading, threw morning papers, sold Avon, and so on. Nothing came easy, but we always made it.
I recall the days when Dad had to pick up our suppers at Tennessee Temple College in 1974. Mom was working because Dad, the Director of Chapels at Highland Park Baptist Church, was still waiting for a salary after three months. The pastor of Highland Park ~ Dr. Lee Robertson ~ was his mentor. Dr. Robertson told him the salary would come, but in the mean time he told my father he could pick up family meals at the Tennessee Temple dining hall. So every afternoon, my brothers and I were sent through the back door of the dining hall to emerge soon after with large dishes of cooked meat, vegetables, rolls, and pitcher of tea. Eventually the salary came, but we still needed help with food. So the dining hall was our fast food stop for awhile.
My mother never stopped worrying about us. As a result she always worked extra jobs, always found the best bargains on clothes, and always made sure we were dressed and ready for school on weekdays and for church every Sunday. As the minister's wife, she would be scrutinized by church members. The greatest scrutiny would focus on raising children. So she would put us on the first pew every service and watch us like a hawk. She was vigilant and loving at the same time.
My parents didn't have wealthy beginnings. My father grew up on a farm in Ohio, and then his family moved to a chemical plant town in West Virginia. My mother grew up in the same WV town. Before graduating from high school, her family moved to Florida so that her father could work at NASA. That didn't stop my Dad from pursuing her. He joined the Navy to prove he was serious about life, and the Navy made life more serious for him. After marriage, I came along. I am the firstborn and was delivered at the naval hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
After I was born, three boys and one girl came along. And through it all, my mother has been a rock to stand on in my family, a constant source of encouragement and endurance. To help my father fulfill his calling, she sacrificed. When it came time to clean the house or do laundry or cook supper, we all pitched in. That was Mom's expectation and Dad's fun. We all helped cook, set the table, and clean up dishes. Every part of our dinners--whether preparing, eating, or picking up--were family affairs.
I couldn't help carrying on this tradition, so I married an Irish-Italian American named Dinah. Like my family, hers expects everyone to pitch in. And at our own home we still have that approach. It is often the best time for Dinah and I to catch up on the day or week, talking with each other as we cook together. I love sharing that time with my wife, for Dinah is so smart, joyful, and family-oriented. It is a joy to be with her.
Dinah and I are part of the Sandwich Generation. We are sandwiched in between raising a child and caring for an aging parent, since Dinah's mother is living with us too. Complicating that, Dinah sometimes travels for her business and I work as a teacher at Chattanooga State College. During those times when Dinah is out of town, I am solo in taking my son to school, getting his meals ready, making sure his homework is done, getting him to the bath. More and more fathers are doing this. Because we don't have the wealth to hire a "nanny," and don't know that we would if we could, our parenting is ours. Yet during these times, Dinah's mother helps me as best she can. But when all of us are together, we have a three-generational festival of Italian food.
I can't think of a better group of women in my life than that of my mother, wife and mother-in-law. Because of them, life has zest and beauty. Here's to you, dear mothers.
Posted by wjbailes at 06:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Responses to Adams Family Values ~ Adams is OUT OF TOUCH
Here's Chattanooga Times cartoonist Bruce Plante's response to Mr. Adams' remarks.
Plante cartoon in today's Times Free Press.
Letters to the Times Free Press
If you believe as strongly as I do that women and working families deserve a better voice in government when talking about education and business, please respond. Let me earn your financial or volunteer support and your vote. Respond by emailing me HERE.
Posted by wjbailes at 05:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 08, 2006
Curtis Adams Out of Touch with Women's Issues & Working Families
John Bailes Responds to Adams’ Remarks in Chattanooga Times Free Press—
Curtis Adams Out of Touch with Women's Issues & Working Families
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I received numerous emails and phone calls from District 8 citizens discouraged by Curtis Adams’ remarks in Sunday’s Chattanooga Times Free Press. Both men and women were upset with Adams’ belief that wives should “stay home and cook” rather than run for county commission.
Mr. Adams’ comments on May 7 show that he is out of touch with working families. Mr. Adams apparently believes that women do not belong in public or business life, but at home. According to Adams, a husband could get angry if his wife isn’t at home doing housework and cooking supper—but especially supper, so that when the husband arrives, his meal must be prepared.
Mr. Adams must not be aware that most women in our county make a difference, every day—and not only in family life, but in business and public life as well. For example, Hamilton County women own 25% of area businesses. Women represent 53% of our county population. Almost 75% work outside the home. Many of these women work more than one job. Some of these women are single mothers.
As the next county commissioner of District 8, I will push for business growth and opportunity for all men and women. Furthermore, I will encourage all people to reach their potential by entering leadership roles in business and public life. Mr. Adams’ comments in Sunday’s paper show he is out of touch with the issues affecting our community—particularly women’s issues. We can no longer continue with the failed leadership of someone out of touch with our community.
It is obvious that “Adams Family Values” does not reflect Hamilton County’s real “family values.” Real families work hard every day. Real families come in all shapes and sizes. There are two-parent families where both parents work, single-parent families where one parent works two jobs, three-generation families where a grandparent assists or is assisted, and combined-step families where children move in and out.
Considering these facts, we need women on our county commission, in our courtrooms, in the legislature—taking active part in our government. Unfortunately, Mr. Adams believes women should “stay home and cook.” On the contrary, I believe women are invaluable to our community, and I believe that they must seek public office to help us create opportunities in education, in accountability for our county, and in economic development of our community.
Mr. Adams is out of touch with working families. He is out of touch with education. He is out of touch with business development. He is out of touch with women’s issues, with the issues facing us as a community—creating opportunities in education, creating opportunities for job growth, and creating opportunities for business growth in Hamilton County.
Unlike my opponent, I will stay in touch with working families as the next Hamilton County Commissioner for District 8. I will work tirelessly to make their lives better by supporting our schools, creating jobs, and seeking accountability in government. These are real family values for working families, the backbone of our community.
Mr. Adam’s recent comments clearly show that the time is now for change. I represent that change. The time is now for a new generation in leadership.
Posted by wjbailes at 11:13 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
May 04, 2006
It's All About Education!
These 21st Century Academy students care only about one thing ~ improving their lives. So must we. As commissioner, I will make sure DOLLARS GO TO THE CLASSROOM and HOLD COUNTY COMMISSION & PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE with a RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT that binds the county commission and the school board to a set of priorities for Hamilton County schools, using measurable criteria for evaluating priorities, not personal agendas.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports today that the tide has turned. Voters want our commissioners focused on education. Public education is the key to a trainable workforce and new business development. Public education is America's great training ground to provide opportunity to ALL Americans. Click HERE to see the article.
The Time is NOW for education, jobs, and trust.
The time is now for a strong campaign for education!
Posted by wjbailes at 07:49 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 02, 2006
You Are Invited to Our GRAND OPENING
JOIN JOHN BAILES
to celebrate the GRAND OPENING
of the Community Ideas Resource Center
When:
Thursday ~ May 4 ~ 6 pm to 8 pm
Where:
4320 Ringgold Rd. (across from Suntrust Bank)
Ph# 508-6846
What:
Enjoy Good food
& Geat conversation
& Explore how you can be a part of a New Generation of Leadership
Education * Innovation * Economic Vitality
Posted by wjbailes at 05:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
It's V-Day ~ Voting Day
I believe it is our democratic responsibility to vote. Today is Tuesday, May 2, Primary Election Day for Hamilton County. I am asking that you exercise your sacred right today and vote. If you are in District 8, I would ask that you vote for me, John Bailes. A vote for Bailes is a vote for education, jobs, and trust. We cannot wait any longer to improve our schools, create new jobs, and rebuild trust in our community. The time is NOW for Bailes, not four years from now. NOW.
For imformation about where to vote as well as about what the ballot will look like, click on Hamilton County Election Commission.
~John Bailes
Time is NOW for Change
District 8 Commissioner
Posted by wjbailes at 05:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack