The people spoke... but county gov't wasn't listening

Submitted by Andy on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 12:01.

Surprise, surprise! How about that Mayor of ours (and Commissioner Melton) promoting the wheel tax after it was soundly defeated in a referendum?

Link...

"It would be in the nature of an investment tax," County Mayor Jerry Cunningham said, adding a $10 per vehicle tax would generate about $1 million per year, which could be used as matching funds to bring in $4 million per year in federal grants.

You would think they would at least get through the same term the referendum took place in before breaching the public trust. Yes, Cunningham, those are some strong conservative beliefs relative to taxation (see League of Women Voters survey):

Again, however, due to my strong conservative beliefs relative to taxation, I would hope that by controlling spending and downsizing government, that these new taxes of whatever kind can be avoided.

Would you call this "patent mendacity," "testicular fortitude," or behavior only befitting "cave people?"

I'm going with patent mendacity

Submitted by Dumping Ground on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 12:41.

Wow. The mayor is sunk again with his own words. Do you think his memory is shot, or he really didn't care what he told people to get elected.

BTW - We had our chance at a few extra million; Link... The "Jewel of Blount County" blew it. I can't wait to see how these jokers deal with the sale of the 911 center. How can they get $2.1 million for this when property in the area only goes for $176K?

At any rate, people are getting wise to the waste of millions in their government. I don't think they are willing to give any more. In fact, the referendum told us their not.

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Neo-Con Corporate Welfare

Submitted by BeyondLeft on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 12:56.

I'm slowly catching on to this Neo-Con Creed: Privatize the Profits, and Socialize the Losses. That makes sense in the new Texo-Fascist Neo-Con ideology. Verbally, one must say that they're a Conservative, yet spend like a drunken sailor on getting no-bid contracts in, for their buddies; and then when catastrophe hits, make sure the buddies get a Socially funded bail-out.

So although one claims to be against Big Government, when it comes to spending taxpayers' dollars on projects they want, then all voices of dissension are un-American Cave People. I would say I'd like to think like this, but my upbringing and Christian beliefs, keep me from being so confusing, un-ethical, and predatorial.

viva Evo Morales

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What is a "Neo-Con"?

Submitted by phinney on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 12:30.

Is it anything like a Neo-Lib?

Viva la migra!

Lester

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That's it!

Submitted by Jolly Ox on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 09:36.

Privatize the Profits, and Socialize the Losses.

And attack the patriotism - or love of county (yes COUNTY) of anyone who dares to disagree. I thought they called that McCarthyism.

You've nailed it, BL.

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Gallaher, Folts, Klugman, Reeves, & Kerr

Submitted by BeyondLeft on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 15:24.

Very very very nice. All speakers were awesome. Gallaher made me proud to be a Caveman. Folts tale was powerfully informative and scary. I wish I could help Klugman's mission, for I fear his statistics are correct--if'n we don't get some more decent industries here, then trouble is on the horizon. Reeves again, shows why we need more folks, like her, that truly represent the constituency. Dr. Kerr, as always, puts a perfect light, with Engineer's precision, on how we can learn from others' cultures, and systems of operation. Made me proud. Each speaker, Today, I'm sure has a different view on Political leanings, but one common thread, I saw was a patent mis-trust of the Privatize success & Burden the taxpayers with failures ideology that is wrecking our cities, counties, states, and nation as a whole. Change is coming, and as I predicted, party lines are blurring. Kerr was correct, we needs Statesmen, not Politicians.

viva Evo Morales

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we needs Statesmen...,

Submitted by Fairview Angel on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 16:13.

...Gallaher, Folts, Klugman, Reeves, & Kerr.

Tell more about the talk BL.

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I missed it, too

Submitted by Andy on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 16:57.

Somebody please tell us all about the First Friday Luncheon Panel discussion. RNeal, why didn't you live blog it?

"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Mahatma Gandhi

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First Friday meeting

Submitted by TMabry on Sat, 04/05/2008 - 12:42.

Greetings:

Joe Gallagher introduced the First Friday panel discussion as "ecumenical" in nature and the discussion certainly met that description. I agree that the comments transcended politics and that the speakers all were focused on concerns for BC's future while pointing out the problems existing in the present.

My notes reflected that though the problems can be viewed from differing perspectives, transparency in government-as promised by the Mayor to the Blount Chamber in February-would assist in formulating solutions for the future. Link...

Blount's population is the tenth largest in Tennessee. Change is certainly inevitable as the branches of this government attempt to serve all of the constituency of BC-a constituency that increasingly embraces technological advances to invade the province of one clique rule.

There was a noted paucity of name calling both by the speakers and in the discussions among the audience-certainly a welcome contrast. In my experience, resorting to name calling is a poor substitute for legitimate argument.

Though for lack of reference I cannot say that this was the best First Friday yet (as was expressed by one in the audience), I do agree that the sharing of information was excellent. One of the most important human functions is to share ideas.

TFM

Thomas F. Mabry
P. O. Box 52385
Knoxville, TN 37950

Fax 1-888-215-3119
Phone 1-865-671-0598