Election Week is Finally Here...August 4, 2008

I am excited about the opportunity I've been given by Peahead Productions to appear on its election night broadcast. I'll join Jimmy Fuller and Tom Courington and bring the results to those that receive the channel. Hopefully I can bring a unique perspective to the broadcast that is not always available.

Imagine my surprise when I put the Sunday news in front of me and found my name just underneath the huge headline at the very top of the front page. It seems the publishers of the paper really wanted to make sure that you all knew that I wasn't campaigning.

It just struck my as odd that of all the things that are newsworthy about the election being this week that they chose to give me yet another mention. I guess I should just be thankful I'm still worthy of being news. They also had to mention my current status when they ran my picture last week. I wonder if I got arrested or had a wreck or made a donation to their favorite charity if they would also include that I am on the ballot but haven't campaigned.

Your guess is as good as mine as to why the Tullahoma Business Roundtable felt the need to basically explain themselves to the people with yet another ad. The series of ads over the last couple of weeks have been nothing short of bizarre.

All that aside, we are now down to the end of this long campaign. You the voters will make the choice whether the TBR candidates and their obvious agenda hold a Board of Mayor and Aldermen majority over the next year, whether Troy Bisby has earned the right to sit through another term, or whether Janice Bowling has earned the opportunity to hold the position of Mayor on August 8.

You know who has spent the big money, you know who had made the accusations, you know who has used the newspaper to spread untruths and misrepresentation, and you know who has not spent one penny with the newspaper and who has worked the hardest to convince you to vote for them.

All that is left for you to do is walk into your designated precinct on Thursday between 8am and 7pm and cast your vote. Don't miss that opportunity because every single vote that is cast holds the same amount of weight. Let's send a statement to all future candidates that we are going to watch their performance closely and at election time we are going to vote.

Random Thoughts While Viewing the Sunday News...July 28, 2008

Why have Jerry Mathis and Mike Stanton suddenly decided to distance themselves from the Tullahoma Business Roundtable? After allowing their names and pictures to be used for a number of ads during the last three weeks, paid for by the TBR, the timing of Sunday's article was quite curious. Mathis however assures me that he remains fully supportive of the TBR endorsement.

If you took the time to read the list of names supporting Steve Cope in the latest Tullahoma Business Roundtable ad you noticed one thing above all others - almost 75% of the names are either school employees or the spouse of a school employee.

A further examination of the names reveals that not one city employee's name is listed. There are no members of the TUB board, the Planning Commission, the Airport Authority.

After serving 21 years as an elected official in Tullahoma why does Steve Cope feel the need to spend so much money trying to tell us who he is and what he stands for? Life is not a 30-minute sitcom or a video game. We remember very well who Steve Cope is and who he represents.

Why does Troy Bisby continue to attempt to take credit for positive accomplishments we have made in the last two years that he fought against and voted against? Why does he continue to try and stand in front of a school crowd that abandoned him the day Steve Cope announced his intention to run for mayor?

Why would the Tullahoma Business Roundtable spend money on an ad opposing the three referendums on the ballot? What is it about keeping property taxes in check that they don't like? Why would they be against recalling elected officials?

Hopefully you read the editorial addressing the property tax referendum. It clearly pointed out, for the first time, how past administrations had raised your property taxes well above the certified rate multiple times and you had nothing to show for it but higher taxes.

It is very noticable that Janice Bowling has not spent one penny to advertise in the newspaper. She clearly realizes that to financially support the medium that has worked so hard to divide our city would be counter-productive. I applaud that approach. Instead she has creatively chosen the new media, one that will soon allow you the opportunity to get your news and information about Tullahoma from a reliable, current, factual source. Check out her video page.

And As the Polls Open...July 15, 2008

July 15 is typically the time when many folks in Tullahoma have had enough of campaign promises, campaign signs, campaign advertisements, and campaigns period. The polls open in three days and my guess is that most voters have made up their minds on which names they will punch on those voting machines.

The reality is that those of us who care deeply about the political process, who understand fully the far-reaching effects of election results, who watch the meetings and study the candidates and try to make informed decisions about who to vote for are a distinct minority.

My guess is that on the evening of August 7th we will discover that maybe 35% of the registered voters of the city of Tullahoma will have voted. That statistic is considerably more disturbing when flipped, meaning that at the least, 65% of our voters will not even go to the 'trouble' of voting.

Those of us who will vote and who desire that every registered voter would excercise their right have only one recourse - encourage those who don't usually vote to step outside their comfort zone and take a few minutes and vote.

Ask people where you work if they are registered to vote. If they respond yes then make the attempt to point out the significant differences in philosophy between candidates and point out to them how those different views will have a direct impact on each of our lives over the next few years.

One group of candidates is running basically as a team, and should those folks win it is quite obvious the direction that they will take our city. At the same time, a vote for candidates not running under that banner can be expected to take us in another direction.

The point is that if you are passionate about your vote and your candidates, then do your very best pass that passion onto those around you. If we all push those in our circle then maybe we can encourage a respectable percentage of registered voters to either early vote or hit their polling place August 7.

When You Vote Consider This...July 11, 2008

With one week remaining until the polls open to begin early voting in the 2008 city election, I take this opportunity to endorse Janice Bowling as the next mayor of Tullahoma. As a person who has been on the inside of our government during the last three years I feel qualified to make and completely confident in this endorsement.

Janice has always been a person of integrity and honesty who cares deeply about the city she calls home. She will be an outstanding representative of our city with her graciousness, her confidence, and her ability to communicate with city, state, and national leaders.

While the other two candidates for mayor wage a war of increasing accusations, criticism, and attacks, Janice has remained focused on the important issues facing Tullahoma. She has conducted an honest campaign of hope, positive vision, and sensible direction.

Steve Cope had his opportunity to be mayor and he left our city in a critical situation with rising property taxes, shrinking reserves, hyper-growth in school operating budgets, and zero solutions to pressing capital project needs.

Now he wants you to believe that the fact Tullahoma has significantly lower property taxes, healthy reserves, controlled school operating budget growth, significant addressing of capital projects, and healthy debate in the public arena is a bad thing.

Troy Bisby had his opportunity to be mayor and he chose to continue his evidently-comfortable pattern of positioning himself in the minority and then criticizing many of the decisions the majority made. He did it as an alderman and he did it as mayor. He did it with one group of six other board members and he did it with a completely different group of six board members.

Now he wants you to believe that he has led many of the positive developments over the last three years. He voted against fiber to the premises, sensible school operations funding, new policemen, new firemen, capital project improvements, and a number of policy improvements that were created because of his inability to understand the role of the mayor in our city charter.

I believe that both men have had their opportunity and have not been successful. I also believe that Janice Bowling has earned her opportunity to be mayor. She is consistent with her beliefs and her moral foundation. She says what she means and means what she says. She is not influenced and she is not financed.

Janice has been the primary force behind the dramatic turnaround in our city over the last three years. I am confident she will work with whoever the other six board members are to keep Tullahoma on a solid path towards prosperity, integrity, and a unification of the many interest groups that populate any thriving city in our great country.

Vote at C.D. Stamps Community Center on South Jackson Street sometime between July 18 and August 2, and if not be sure and vote on Thursday, August 7 at your assigned voting center. When you step into that voting booth please cast your vote for Janice Bowling for Mayor.

Political Advertisements Can Be Deceiving...July 6, 2008

As I make the transition from political participant to political commentator I feel compelled to comment upon the recent rash of political advertisements that have been flooding the local press.

The buzzword that Mayor Bisby and Alderman candidate Teresa Lawson have adopted is special interests. Both have run ads in the last week that imply that the many positive accomplishments of the majority of the city board have been done for some sort of special interest.

My question to them is exactly what special interest has been served? It is easy to throw special interests out there with an empty implication, but unless there is something specific then the act is simply a sign of desperation by a campaign that knows it is headed for defeat.

The mayor says, "Last year, through cooperation and compromise our city budget was unanimously approved."

The truth is that the mayor has voted against the last two city budgets, even though both accomplished his stated goals and objectives. The budget he did vote for, which included the infamous 'Trimble' amendment, would have eliminated any chance we had to build a new stadium, auditorium, or elementary school in the near future.

He then says, "The budget also included a provision to place all unused school money into the Sales Tax Sinking Fund (School Bond Sinking Fund) for future school projects."

Once again, and I can't stress this enough, the official record shows that he was strongly opposed to that provision and voted against it at every opportunity.

Finally, and perhaps most telling, is his statement that, "Although the high school work was stalled by the board majority after last year's election, the budget has proven to be very successful."

He voted against the successful budget twice, and he was willing to commit to building facilities without being willing to vote for a method of funding them. The fact is, had the 'successful budget' not been passed by four determined, committed, forward-thinking board members than there would be no funding for the high school projects, not to mention the new elementary school.

Don't be deceived by this blatantly false political rhetoric. Troy Bisby has personally led the effort to thwart many of the positive accomplishments the BMA has made over the last two years. Now he is attempting to take credit for those accomplishments and hoping you will forget his many votes against them. Check the record and make your voting decision on facts, not on false statements and historical revisionism.

Consider the fact that Troy Bisby, in his three years as alderman and three years as mayor, has seldom voted in the majority on anything. He has lost most every significant vote he has participated in whether he was serving with Steve Cope, Lane Curlee, Phil Trimble, etc., or whether he was serving with the current board. That fact alone should be sufficient evidence that he cannot build a consensus and that his method is that of creating division and disharmony.

Meanwhile, despite his negativity, our city has advanced past failed bond resolutions and public firings of city attorneys to vast improvements of our infrastructure, significant capital improvements, balanced budgets, and lower property taxes. Check the record of which mayoral candidate has led the charge on those issues.

New Facilities Might Call For New Names...July 3, 2008

As our city prepares to begin the process of building a new auditorium, football stadium, and elementary school I think it is appropriate to begin considering what name that will be placed on each of them.

Consider the elementary school. East Lincoln was an appropriate name when it was built as it identified its location. At the time we had South Jackson Elementary School, so it was natural to name the new one East Lincoln. Next came Belaire, which was also named for the street it was located on.

Since then we have built two additional elementary schools, both of which were named for men who played significant roles in the history of our city school system - Robert E. Lee and Jack T. Farrar.

Now as we prepare to basically build our first new elementary school in 30 years I ask the school system to consider naming the new facility after the man who is most-identified with that school's history.

His name was James Shelby Ballard and he was principal of East Lincoln from 1964 through 1987. He was hired by the school system in the mid 1950s as first head vasity basketball coach at THS and then Attendance Administrator.

Jim Ballard was one of the kindest, most giving individuals we have been fortunate to have in our city. He was a fair administrator who treated everyone equally. He is known to have many times bought shoes, coats, and other necessities for children who didn't have the means to own such things.

His widow Joan and his sister-in-law Peggy Burton are both in full support of the idea of naming the new elementary school James S. Ballard Elementary. I pledge my full support of the idea and I ask the school board and school superintendent to please begin consideration and discussion of the concept.

Early Voting Begins in 17 Days...July 1, 2008

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed an initital resolution last night to borrow $12 million to provide funding for a new high school auditorium, a new high school football stadium, and a new elementary school on East Lincoln Street.

I cannot explain why these projects keep being referred to as improvements, upgrades, etc. My expectation, and I believe the majority of the BMA's expectations, is that these are to be new facilities. In fact, I hope at some point new names are considered for all three projects.

Although Mayor Bisby and Alderman Norris hopped onboard the funding train last night, let us not forget that they, along with Alderman Lindeman, voted against funding the school projects in the 2008-2009 budget. Let us also not forget that they all voted against the mechanism to fund these projects which was introduced in the 2007-2008 budget. Perhaps they didn't see the big picture.

The ball is now in the hands of our school board, as they are responsible for completing the plans for these new facilities and getting construction under way as soon as possible. The BMA has taken every possible step to move as quickly as it could to put us in position to begin building.

It continues to amaze me that media outlets, from our local sources to Nashville sources, continue to report facts surrounding these projects inaccurately. Channel 2 last night said the city approved over $10 million dollars for the auditorium and stadium without even mentioning the new elementary school, and they were at the meeting.

Every indication is that a concerted effort is being made to not include the elementary school in conversation about the projects. That should serve as a continued reminder that indeed there are those that hope to devert that money to other projects that better serve their special interests.

Contemplating Loss and Its Lasting Effects...June 30, 2008

Today I find it difficult to consider politics, budgets or elections very important. In our area are hundreds of people who are suffering from the tragic loss of four young people in the last week. My prayers are with them all.

It is impossible for me to grasp the pain that is being felt today. How do we find anything positive in the tragic deaths of Nathan Young, Alyssa Tucker, Josh Baker, and Kristie Burton.

Loss leaves an emptiness that in its initial stage appears to be unending. In fact it is undending in that we can never regain the moments or the memories that we will never get to share.

To lose a child in such an unexpected and unimaginable fashion must serve to amplify the sense of loss even more than losing a parent or a close friend, of which I have lost both. None of us, unless we have lost a child, can begin to understand what these families and friends must be feeling.

For those of us who have no direct connection to the families, what can we do to honor the lives of four young people who are now gone?

It may sound corny and predictable, but the only thing I know to do is to commit myself to live each and every day to the fullest. The future is not guaranteed, in fact the next minute is not guaranteed. Every minute lost is lost forever, and every memory made can last forever.

We seem to spend so much time battling each other over things that ultimately have no effect on eternity. It is not a bad thing to compete for wins or political offices or jobs or whatever. We should better learn to respect those we compete against and whether we ultimately win or lose, to do it graciously and with compassion.

Let us pledge from this day forward to appreciate the wonderful community we live in and to work together to strengthen the common bonds that we all share. Let us do all we can to comfort these families and to make sure those within our close circle know how much we love them. Let us not just tell them but show them.

So You Think the Stakes are High...June 28, 2008

If you needed any more evidence that the stakes in this election are extremely high just take note that something called the Tullahoma Business Roundtable had an endorsement advertisement in Friday's local newspaper.

What is the Tullahoma Business Roundtable? Is it a political action committee? It seems pretty obvious by the candidates that it endorsed that there is a distinct agenda. It says it endorses candidates that believe in progress.

It says the Tullahoma Business Roundtable consists of involved citizens, business owners, and business leaders. It endorses Steve Cope, Jimmy Blanks, Jerry Mathis, and Mike Stanton.

It goes on to talk about growth and roads and schools and services. Now there's some original campaign fodder. Have you ever heard candidates talk about those things? Have you ever heard a candidate NOT talk about those things?

With this endoresement of candidates and coming-out party the Tullahoma Business Roundtable, which has met for years in relative obscurity, has now presented itself as a public entity. As a public entity, as I have found out during the last three years, your business becomes public business.

As a voter it is your responsibility to find out just what this Tullahoma Business Roundtable is all about. Find out who is involved in it and why it chose to endorse the candidates it is endorsing. Find out if its priorities and goals are the same as yours. Find out if its interests are the interests of the majority of Tullahoma's citizens.

Turning Our Attention to the Coming Election...June 25, 2008

As much as I appreciate the encouragement expressed by those who would like for me to reconsider my decision to not seek another term, the fact is I haven't changed my mind and I am not a candidate.

Yesterday I removed the signs that had been placed around town. Once again I thank those who felt so passionate about my service that they were willing to spend their time and effort erecting those signs.

Ultimately though, there is a time and place for everything, and to everything there is a season. My season is changing right now and I must allow it to change and focus my attention on other matters.

The satisfaction I feel in regards to what has been accomplished during my time on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen is significant. However, I fully realize there is much yet to be done and the coming election is most critical to the future of our city.

Rest assured there are current board members and current candidates who have every intention of attempting to reverse the progress made should they gain a majority on the BMA. A quick glance at the BMA voting records over the last two years tells you who has not been a part of the majority.

A casual listen to the focus of current candidates gives a pretty clear indication about who would seek to reverse the recent successes and who might continue the proven path of substantial accomplishments that has been established.

But now they are up and I guess I am responsible for them. I have been overwhelmed by the number of folks urging me to reconsider my decision not to run for another term.

It is flattering and much-appreciated to know there are those who think I've done a good job and want me to continue. I can't say that I haven't had moments when the desire to continue to serve as an alderman is strong.

I'm going to have to give this some more thought. The progress we have made as a city is significant and it saddens me to think there might be those who would seek to undo our progress and revert to past mistakes.

Random Thoughts After the 2nd Budget Reading...June 17, 2008
As I watch the replay of the Monday, June 16 BMA meeting, where the 2008-2009 budget was passed on second reading, I am struck by a number of interesting developments.

The most-glaring is the fact that although three members voted against the budget, nobody has offered alternatives. Although it seems that the no votes are related to spending funds on school capital projects instead of school operations there has been no amendment attempted to change the current format.

The fact there has been no alternative suggested begs the question of why. If board members would rather put available funds into school operations as opposed to capital projects then why not make a motion to do that?

If school board members or school administrators don't want a new stadium, auditorium, or elementary school then why have they not addressed the board and requested that those funds be directed into school operating funds?

Another point of interest to me was the fact that three BMA members voted against a sitting board member serving on the DRUC board, choosing instead to vote for a former board member who has been warned twice that attendance at DRUC meetings is important and has been asked to either attend the meetings or resign from the board. Yet three BMA members voted to allow him another term.

I am confident that the budget in its current form is in the best interest of the entire city of Tullahoma. The budget is balanced, there is no property tax increase, three critical school capital projects are being funded, two new policemen, an additional fireman, and a technology director are being added.

There have been significant improvements throughout the city in the last two years, including D.W. Wilson, the soccer complex, fire hall one and two, police rifles and laptops, Turkey Creek Road, etc.

Finally, the question was asked why would we fund the new elementary school this year, even though it is likely that actual construction might not begin until the end of the next school year. The answer is simple. If we don't fund the school this year while we can, and instead commit the available money to operating funds, then those operating funds will be recurring and the money for the elementary school will no longer exist. That is called planning and forward thinking.

Random Thoughts About Budget Matters
There was no motion to amend the 2008-2009 Tullahoma city budget to include a five cent property tax reduction. Although the mayor proposed the idea, there was not a motion nor vote to make the change.

How ironic it is that BMA members referred to as pro-school by media, students, and themselves cast 'no' votes when given the opportunity to fund a new elementary school, while those that have been vilified by the above-mentioned groups have been fighting to get it built for two years.

City departments are once again receiving minor increases, which is better than last year when some city departments actually had their revenues cut. Operating increases for all city departments are being held in check in order to fund the capital projects, some of which are for city departments.

Because of the local level of effort funding model for our school system, city operating funds should become more available in the next couple of years. Our structure needs to evolve, including adding a technology officer that oversees all things technology related in city government.

June 10, 2008
I watched the forum of aldermen candidates on channel six on Tom Courington's Grassroots show. I feel comfortable in commenting on what I saw since I am not a candidate.

Mr. Courington, who obviously has not payed much attention to board meetings in recent months, asked the candidates about capital projects and how they might pay for them. Specifically mentioned was the auditorium, stadium, and new elementary school.

Not one of the candidates seemed to have a clue that the money was there for these three projects and a majority of the BMA had been committed to funding them for the past year. I wonder how those candidates, if they watched Monday's board meeting where the first budget reading DID fund those three projects, using the sales tax revenue, with no property tax increase, feels about their comments.

Not only did they not understand how the sales tax increase was handled, not one had a solid idea on how they would generate the money to fund the projects. I hope each candidate will closely study the budget process and seek to understand that all three of those projects is being funded and has been planned to be funded since the public voted down an $18.8 bond issue in 2005.

Especially noticeable was Mr. Mathis and Mr. Stanton, two long-term school employees. Both lambasted the BMA for its misuse and deception of the sales tax money. Now here we are funding the very projects that they have no idea how to get done! Were none of them listening to Resolution 1331 or last year's final budget when four aldermen put this whole process in motion?

Another loaded question asked what the candidates would do to get the BMA to quit haggling and wasting time with policy issues, and stated that nothing significant has been done.

The answer is that nothing has been done by the minority. In fact the BMA the last two years has accomplished significant advances. We inherited a $1.6 million budget deficit, a just-voted down capital bond issue, the fifth-highest property tax in the state, not to mention a mayor lacking in leadership qualities.

What has been done is the budget has been balanced, the property tax has been lowered, the three most critical capital projects are being funded, fiber to the premises was approved, we have new chiefs and significant upgrades in both the police and fire departments, a new annex and improvements coming to our municipal building, tremendous upgrades to our recreation facilities, a new Turkey Creek Road, and the list goes on and on.

I don't know how that becomes nothing getting nothing done. Especially when compared to past boards which got none of those things done

Then there was the question on how each candidate would get the board to get along, to quit bickering, to quit embarrasing the city. The very question has no merit, and seems to not consider the alernative.

For too long we had boards that had little discontent. A five or six majority agreed on everything while our facilities aged, we spent the hospital money in a reckless manner, we had the largest property tax increase in history, and most of our industry left.

Healthy debate is a positive thing in government I believe. I think its dangerous when a board always agrees. We have worked through every issue and as is always the case, a majority of votes wins the motion. The fact some people don't like the result doesn't change that.

We all know much of the perception that the BMA is in disarray was the media coverage and how it has consistently criticized the board majority. We never saw that in this town to this extreme. I was personally targeted over a dozen times in editorials because I used this website to tell you the truth.

The bottom line is I was really disappointed in the nature of the questions and the content of the answers. Mr. Courington obviously was intent on making the current board look as bad as possible, having no concept of what the budget was fixing to do.

The candidates spent the majority of their time displaying a total lack of understanding of where we are as a city. They don't know how the budget works, they don't know how the schools are funded, they don't know how tax money is distributed, and they think that if everybody agrees all the time its a good thing and all our problems will be solved.

I'm beginning to wonder if I made a mistake getting out of the race.

Also included was a five-cent property tax reduction, no funding for the elementary school, and no additional police or fireman. There was a part-time position in finance in the mayor's proposal, however no motions were made regarding his presentation.

Although I reserve the right to perhaps run again some time in the future, my decision to not run this year is final. I want to thank each of you that voted for me and have supported me during these three years, especially those that worked with me during my campaign. Your support and trust in me have made my time in office extremely rewarding. Thank you. April 29, 2008
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular session last night in what I thought was one of the best overall meetings we have had in quite some time. We had excellent citizen input, good healthy debate, and ultimately made choices that I believe were the right choices.

Approximately 50 citizens were in attendance, with at least 30 either employees of the school system or the immediate family of employees of the school system. A few spoke passionately about their desire to see our school facilities return to a position of usability and a source of pride for the community. I couldn't agree more.

The current president of the Chamber of Commerce spoke very eloquently in regards to the business created when significant events are held in our city. That point was well-made and should be strongly considered as we move forward towards decisions.

Although some on the board felt now was the time for a decision on capital projects, the fact is that those decisions will be made in just a few short weeks when we finalize our 2008-2009 budget. Our work session on capital projects is tonight, and to make decisions on those things before even having the work session would be irresponsible and not in our best interest.

I have been pushing for a new football stadium much longer than I have been an alderman. I strongly believe that both the auditorium and stadium, along with East Lincoln need to be addressed this year and I have full confidence that every member of the BMA agrees.

The most destructive thing that can be done right now is for those who wish to cause discord and confusion among our citizens to attempt to exploit these important issues. That will happen, as it has already, in the coming weeks. I encourage you to look past the hype and realize that there is a process that has been in place since last year that was designed solely for the purpose of finally putting the city in position to move forward.

April 28, 2008
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen will meet Monday night at 5:30pm at city hall. It is no surprise that Mayor Bisby has created an agenda item to immediately spend $5 million for a new auditorium and a new football stadium without determining how to pay for it and without knowing the actual costs associated with each project. The intention is noble, but the timing is a bit off.

The BMA capital project work session is tommorrow, Tuesday, Apr. 29 at 5:30pm at city hall. It is a public meeting and you are certainly invited to attend. The board will discuss the priorities for the coming year and how to fund them. Like other budget work sessions that have been held it is an information session to enable board members to make budget decisions.

The budget is the vehicle to fund capital projects. We will determine our revenue for the current year and estimate revenue for the coming year. We will determine our level of funding of city operating funds, school operating funds, and capital projects. We will know what our priorities are and how to fund the items ranked at the top.

The school system has been authorized to fund design of the auditorium for a number of months, and hopefully will make that decision when they meet at the same time we meet Monday night. They have said it will take up to three months to finish design and begin work, but hopefully the timeline can be pushed forward.

There has been no design presented on Wilkins Stadium either, so obviously any potential construction can't begin for months. Why would we make a decision tonight on that before our work session and before we pass our budget in mid-June? Emotion should not encourage us to disregard our process because we have already determined our budget process. I have heard no board member say they don't believe the two projects are in dire need of attention.

Again, these types of financial decisions should be made in the context of the budget, not in an emotionally-charged atmosphere that a significant number of citizens have not had an opportunity to participate in. I was elected to represent them and that's what I will continue to do.

Although the temptation is there to get drawn into the ridiculous, one-sided, heavily-biased misinformation that is currently being distributed by those who are desperate for a return to control of your money - I won't.

The votes I cast will be in favor of following the budget process in order to balance the city budget, keep property taxes low, and determine how much available revenue we have to address capital projects.

The responsibility of those who have been elected is to not be swayed by hysterical media reporting and politically-motivated finger pointing and accusations. We must remain level headed and focused on making decisions that are in the best interest of our entire population.

The fact is that the home side bleachers have been closed. All other portions of the stadium are operational and in use. Track meets are going on. The track should be usable by citizens. Did you know there is a restroom facility on the visitor side that is significantly better than what exists on the home side.

I have been named to a committee, along with Alderman Mike Norris and school board members Pat Welch and Linda Thoma, that will hopefully make a recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Apr. 28. The committee will meet Wednesday evening at city hall to examine the options for the short-term goal of getting enough seats inside the stadium to host home football games this year and perhaps have Kiwanis fireworks this year.

It appears that the visitor side of the field has sufficient room to possibly hold a couple of thousand bleachers. Along with the current visitor capacity of 1,200, we might could have a 3,500 capacity. That seems as if it would be the least-costly, least-intrusive option, to rent seating for July-November which doesn't affect the home side immediately.

Meanwhile, we need to determine whether its time to level the home side or whether we might be able to 'buy' a few years with structural repairs. Although I'm not very confident about that possibility, I think we should eliminate it before we tear down the stands.

If it is determined that the home bleachers must be torn down then I think we should accomplish that as soon as possible. After that I expect we will build a new stadium. Hopefully that can be accompanied by a new auditorium and a significant upgrade at East Lincoln.

On the other hand, if there is a solid fix that, along with code upgrades in the pressbox and a new restroom facility, will 'buy' 5-10 years, then I think we should consider that strongly. I love Wilkins Stadium just like it is and if we could be assured of safety and maintain our long-established tradition then I will have to look hard at that.

So the goal in my opinion is to first decide on our best option for the coming season, then determine whether to repair or replace for the long term. I have complete confidence the Board of Mayor and Aldermen can and will make the right decision throughout this process.

As a member of the board I am hearing opinions from lots of people, and as always I welcome that. By far the majority says make a good decision but don't necessarily make a quick decision. They want to play at home this year and they want to have a safe stadium in the future, but they don't want their taxes to go up to accomplish that.

Although the focus of the meeting was the school system's budget requests for the coming year, as you might expect the majority of the time was spent discussing capital projects. The football stadium's current condition and its future dominated that portion of the discussion.

Considering that neither board was in session there was not an option to vote on decisions, but rather this was a time to share ideas, to provide factual information, and to attempt to persuade each other to see things from different points of view. In that sense the time spent was quite productive.

The bottom line is that we have a short-term, quick decision that needs to be made regarding the immediate future of the stadium and then a long-term, more permanant decision that must be made regarding not only the stadium but all city capital projects.

I will stress again that in my opinion this particular budget cycle should be geared towards allowing as much money as possible to go towards building issues. I also strongly believe that we should take whatever steps are necessary to put ourselves into position to have the Kiwanis fireworks this year and play varsity football games at home this year.

Both of those things can be accomplished if we move quickly. This is the time for you as citizen and voter to contact your city and school board members and encourage them to move quickly to make the decisions and take the actions required to get Wilkins Stadium back up to its 5,000 or so capacity.

April 16, 2008
Last year four members of the Board of Mayor and Alderman voted for this to be included in our 2007-2008 budget:
The anticipated local level of effort consisting of sales and property taxes, solid waste collections, and direct appropriation to sustain school operations during FY 07/08 is $11,977,876. In the event anticipated revenues exceed $11,977,876, the City Finance Office will adjust the direct appropriation level to ensure the level of effort remains at $11,977,876. In the case that a reduction in the direct appropriation line item is required to retain the local level of effort at $11,977,876, the City shall place an equivalent dollar amount of local sales tax revenues previously allocated for City operations into the Sales Tax School Bond Sinking Fund.

The vote went like this:
AYE: Bowling, Eads, James, Shasteen
NAY: Bisby, Lindeman, Norris

Had that vote not passed new tax revenue this year would have gone to school system operations and not one cent would have gone to address school capital projects. You remember this debate don't you? Remember how BMA members were called liars and accused of stealing money from the children.

The reality was that four BMA members were willing to withstand that type of rhetoric to accomplish a very important task - TAKE MEASURES TO ADDRESS MUCH-NEEDED CAPITAL PROJECTS.

Three years ago the BMA voted to take out a $19 million bond issue to address school capital projects, including building a new football stadium and auditorium. You the voter decided through a referendum that you didn't want that to take place and therefore it didn't.

My point here, and it is rather obvious, is the BMA has taken every step within its means to address school capital projects. Keep in mind two years ago we were facing a $1.6 million shortfall, and now just two years later we will have the capability of designating millions of dollars towards capital project needs.

As a community we cannot afford to allow the lack of willingness to address capital projects to continue. I plan to urge my fellow board members to seek a solution to the stadium issue. Now that the city engineer has determined the facility is not safe, we must take action in an urgent manner.

This week will be an important one for current members of the BMA as well as those that have qualified to seek positions on the board. The one regular meeting and two budget work sessions will be highly-informative and should provide significant information for future decisions.

As one would expect most of the independent boards and agencies that the city regularly funds are seeking increases in their level of funding. The work session with them is tomorrow night following our BMA meeting.

On Thursday we will meet with the Board of Education regarding their funding request. Based on what the media has reported, the BOE will be requesting a $2.5 million increase.

This is my third budget process, and taking all three into consideration I strongly believe this is a year when we need to focus significant resources on capital improvements. Every dollar we can save in operating expenses we can add to capital improvements.

I know that passionate pleas will be made for operating increases. City requests have already come in at $750,000 and that doesn't even include a pay increase for city employees. I believe city employees deserve and should recieve a pay increase.

The point is that capital projects are at a critical crossroads. With the release of the report on Wilkins Stadium we now have that project on the front burner. A report should be coming soon on the inspection and analysis of East Lincoln.

Even though moving the Planning & Codes Department from city hall to the annex has helped free up some space, it has not done one thing to improve the conditions at city hall. The police department has more room, but the quality of that room is no better than the quality of their existing facilities.

These are important times and the decisions that will be made over the next few months will be far-reaching. Let us anticipate that the choices made will be in the long-term interest of all the citizens of Tullahoma.

It would appear that one of the primary methods you as a voter has to determine the seriousness of a candidate is whether they are willing to take the time to observe the current budget process. If they aren't then it seems you should really question whether they will take the time to properly study issues and represent you.

It took two and a half hours for the BMA to hear the requests for 2009 from each of the city departments that falls under the scope of the city administrator. There will be no better opportunity to learn the current state of those departments and their needs than last night.

Overall we heard that approximately $750,000 more in operational funds would be required to bring our city government up to satisfactory levels in manpower, equipment, and resources. However, that figure does not include any increase in salary for personnel.

For each 1% salary increase the cost will be around $55,000. In other words, if the BMA voted to increase city employee salaries 2% for example, that would add $110,000 to that $750,000.

The critical point to realize is that now the BMA will take these requests and determine how much of it we can fund and how much must be eliminated. That is a painful process as we all know that our city departments have been operating with little increase over the past few years. At some point we simply must bite the bullet and provide additional funds. I don't know if that point is here or not.

City staff did an excellent job of putting together and then presenting their budget requests. Each department head presented a compelling case for their requests, and each was very prepared to answer any and all questions that came their way. Their dedication and preparation enables the BMA to know exactly where we stand as a city government to begin the budget process.

It is my hope that when the process is finished we will have a budget that uses no reserve funds for operating budgets, cuts property taxes once again, and commits to begin the process of addressing our multiple capital project needs.

Four months from today, if you didn't take advantage of the opportunity to vote early, you will have the opportunity and responsibility to cast your vote in the city election. From now until then you will have multiple chances to find out how each candidate might be inclined to vote on issues affecting our city.

The single best method in my opinion to determine whether a candidate is worthy of your vote is to speak with that candidate directly. Ask us specific questions about specific issues or inquire about general philosophies on broad issues and topics. Without question the person-to-person method will give you the greatest insight into who a person really is.

As a voter what you might want to avoid is the easy path, which is to rely on campaign signs, the amount of money spent on advertising, or what is presented by the local media to influence your voting decisions.

You have shown a strong willingness to not be influenced by those factors in the past, and that has resulted in a group of aldermen being elected that possess the courage and wisdom to correct the high-tax, budget deficit direction our city was heading for a number of years.

Because of recent election results there is a segment of the population that has lost the ability to control the direction of our city. It is understandable that they aren't happy about that and that they are planning strategy and methods to gain back control of our government.

Now that we know the candidates for each office we can begin to determine which candidates represent a return to the 'old' direction our city was heading in three years ago and which candidates will press ahead with the task of guiding us into a strong financial position.

Early voting will begin in mid-July and I encourage you to participate in that opportunity. If you aren't able to cast an early vote, then be sure to vote on August 7. You can register to vote at the election office during the next three months.

If you are one who does not take advantage of the opportunity to vote, then I encourage you to consider joining the process this year. Keep in mind the sacrifices that have been made to give you the right to vote, and think about how many people around the world wish they had the freedom to cast a vote for the candidates of their choice.

Since my election in 2005 I have made my top priority the consideration of what is best for the entire city of Tullahoma as I weighed each issue. Yes your comments and phone calls and emails are important in helping me get a feel for what is important to you, but ultimately my decisions are based on the city as a whole.

As much as any time in recent memory, this election offers you the voter a clear choice between two distinct philosophies. Most all candidates have either a clear voting record that can be considered or a pretty clear connection to a special interest. A couple have neither.

The voting record I have built over the past three years is one that I am proud of and one that I will stand behind during the coming campaign. Having taken a large amount of hits for my convictions from some sources has not deterred me or prevented me from sticking to my core values and beliefs.

The continued reduction of our property tax rate, which leads to increased business opportunity, is a fundamental belief that I plan to continue to pursue during my next term in office. If that is an issue you agree with then cast a vote for me.

The ability to force a significant amount of revenue into position to address the many capital project needs of our city is something I am very proud of. Three years ago we had no hope or vision for addressing these needs, whereas today we are closing in on real solutions. If you believe an upgrade to our facilities is important then cast a vote for me.

Serving on the Planning Commission and playing an instrumental role in that body addressing issues that past governments have been unwilling to address for generations is another area that I am proud to have helped lead. If you believe we need long-range planning and accurate sources to gather planning information from then cast a vote for me.

Being an integral part of a fundamental change in many methods that our government had fallen into, whether through tradition, oversight, or intentional misrepresentation, is another position that I am proud of. It hasn't always been pretty, but it has and continues to be necessary. If you understand that change is painful but that we needed, and continue to need change, then please cast a vote for me.

Fiber to the Premises is a forward-thinking vision that I struggled with for a time before becoming convinced that it was in the best interest of our city. Today I am more convinced of that than ever. Keep in mind those who fought against it, and if you want more forward-thinking initiatives that will spur business development in our city then cast a vote for me.

The continued funding of our school system at a level that exceeds state requirements and that insures our system will remain one of the state's best is extremely important to me. If you believe the direction the BMA has taken in the last year regarding funding our school system's operating budget is the proper approach, then cast a vote for me.

In summary I represent a unique candidate as one who was born and has been raised in Tullahoma, has never been ingrained in the society culture, has a child currently in our school system, has worked in higher education for 12 years, and neither participates in nor is financed by any group with special interests.

One highly-positive note to point out is that as of February 29, which is two-thirds of our July 1-June 30 fiscal year, our revenues are ahead of our expenses. For a city that dealt with a $1.6 million shortfall just two years ago that is good news indeed.

The Policy Committee has brought forth a resolution to prohibit individual BMA members, city officials, or city employees from accepting gifts of any kind on behalf of the city without BMA approval.

I support the recommendation. It seems to draw a good, clear line around an issue that has the potential to cause conflict and confusion. In fact we have seen this very issue cause just those things, which tells me that this is probably a good direction to take.

Also on the agenda is the opportunity to set a public hearing for the proposed Sharondale/Wilson Ave. property rezoning request. Keep in mind the public hearing is not this meeting, but will in all likelihood be set for our next meeting which is April 14.

The BMA will decide whether to accept the Planning Commission's capital project recommendations for the 2009-2014 cycle. The list is not prioritized, nor does it include funding options, but is simply a list the Planning Commission feels the city should attempt to accomplish over the next five years.

Finally, as close observers know there has been extended discussion about exactly what the rules of order are regarding BMA meetings. I will reserve comment in regards to my opinion as of now, other than to point out that the BMA will discuss these rules Monday night.

As we are now just over four months away from our next city election, I encourage you to take the time to watch the BMA meetings closely and observe those, like myself, who are currently in office and running for re-election or election to new positions.

Finally, take note that I continue to be left out when local media lists those who are qualified for the coming election. I submitted my petition well over a week ago. Why some qualifiers get front-page announcements, while others don't even get mentioned, is a question I'll leave for you to draw your own conclusions about.

At the same time change is sometimes necessary. In 2005 the voters of Tullahoma rose up and not only demanded change but voted change. Had you, the voter, not wanted change you wouldn't have voted in change.

I encourage you not to be misled by those who seek to manipulate the current political situation in Tullahoma. Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes there are fundamental differences in people that simply have to come to the foreground and be worked out.

Funny how when a person is in the middle of a dynamic situation like that they really don't get a good feel for how it came across on television to the voters and other citizens watching. I don't have a feel for it so I just listen to what folks tell me and move on.

For me the bottom line is that the entire discussion regarding our budget process was something that has been inevitable since last year's budget. Everything else outside of that as far as conduct, language, etc. that happened Monday night I won't address. It is what it is and its over as far as I'm concerned.

In situations like this I try and look at the end result, which is that the motion was passed 7-0. Now the board is committed to accomplishing a number of things in this budget that I have been a strong proponent of since my election.

The buzz-word for today seems to be direction, as in the direction of the city board and our city. If someone references the direction of the board what do they really mean?

When I look at the direction of the majority of this board, and keep in mind there are a couple of members that are consistently in the minority, I am extremely proud to say that for much of the last year or so I have been in the majority on most issues.

Five years ago this city endured the largest property tax increase in its history, remember? In contrast, last year citizens enjoyed a property tax rate DECREASE. Now to me that is a good direction and one that I hope will continue.

During the five or six years prior to 2005 those who held office managed to spend $10 million dollars in reserves, with little to show for it. During the 2006-2007 fiscal year the BMA managed to ADD almost $1 million to the reserves. That is another direction that I take pride in and hope will continue.

Three years ago the only option to accomplish much-needed capital improvements seemed to be a significant property tax increase. Now it appears that a number of those projects are within our grasp, even with lower property tax rates. That is a positive direction in my opinion.

Our city government is headed in a very good direction on a number of other issues, some of which will be on the ballot in August. Let us not forget where we were as a city in August 2005.

Today I officially announce that I hope to continue to represent each of you as an Alderman as I have qualified for the 2008 election. I realize the campaign will be tough, but I stand on my record and I sincerely believe that our city is stronger today than it was three years ago.