Why does The Tennessean have this headline

Metro must have fairness in its water funding plans

with this picture

If the editorial board has been hung over, that explains a lot.

Occasionally it is worth mentioning posts by the left-leaning comrades of the Tennessee blogosphere. Well, usually not, but sometimes. Especially so when one demonstrates he completely misunderstands the nature of his ideological opponents

S-Town Mike calls Charlie Tygaard, Eric Crafton, and Jim Gotto, noted conservatives in the Metro Council, hypocrites for wanting to continue to serve in other public office, because he believes they have a “hatred” for local government. He is not the first liberal to make this comment, espousing that conservatives actually hate all government.  What this actually demonstrates is a failure to listen, or blogospherically speaking, a failure to read and comprehend.

To offer the nutshell version, conservatives advocate efficient and effective government, with the belief that one cannot be efficient or effective if one is bloated and overly bureaucratized. There are many things conservatives think government should not do, which is where the line in the sand is mostly drawn between the left and the right. But no conservative I know wants no government, or hates government.  To think so would be no different than me believing every liberal were a disciple of Wesley Mouch.

We all acknowledge the need for the existence of government, but generally speaking, conservatives seem more fine tuned to its potential evils (in an effort at preemption, don’t thrown any “right to privacy” talk at me - that is the only place where liberals can make even a remotely colorable argument for limiting the power of government).  Unlike the economy, freedom is a fixed sized pie - anytime a new regulation arises, some freedom somewhere else is taken away.  The costs must always be balanced, and the burden is to always be on the government to make its case.

As a matter of fact, I’d rather see the size of the Nashville and Tennessee government grow, and do more - but only if the federal government shrunk man-for-man and dollar-for-dollar. Outside of a common currency and providing for the national defense, there is very little the national government does that cannot be done better here.

What a way to take care of the potential problems resulting from voter data on those stolen election commission computers. This may very well make that class action filed last Friday moot.

I attended the Metro Council’s public safety meeting last night. Unfortunately, there were no real answers, quite simply because there were hardly any real questions. As one councilman said to me near the end, “there’re forty wannabe Columbos in there”. Some good questions were asked, but no one felt the need to delve too deep. And too many “non-answers” were accepted without further challenge by the council member asking them. If frustration were to take human form, it would fit snugly within the Metro council chamber. It was as if half of them had heard about the break-in mere minutes before the meeting began.

Ray Barrett, the administrator of the election commission, was present, as well as representatives from Metro general services and information technology service. In all, I felt Councilman Mike Jameson asked the most incisive questions. For instance, interestingly, over the last year, information services was providing the same level of service to the election commission, however the fee they charged doubled. Sadly, over the last year, the fee charged for security was halved. Both general services and information technology services commented that the level of services provided had not changed. In all, that was a bit puzzling.

General services confirmed that it was responsible for maintaining security at the building, but repeatedly declined to be considered responsible for any data, and made the point that real property services was responsible for the initial security design. Before the theft, 24/7 security was only requested during the week by general services (which, I suppose, makes it 24/5 security). It was confirmed that holidays and weekends had abbreviated coverage, and that “24/7″ security only began as of last night, even though the thefts occurred nearly two weeks ago. This only came out after the general services representative slipped - earlier in the meeting she stated there had been 24/7 security since the theft was discovered.

We also know there were internal, election commission security procedures regarding portable data devices, such as laptops. Ray Barrett implied as much in The Tennessean yesterday. Based on what happened, we know for certain those security protocols weren’t followed in the case of the two laptops that were stolen. Much to my amazement, not a single council member inquired as to what those procedures were, and why they were not followed. General services and information technology services explained repeatedly what had been done to remedy the security situation - repeatedly because certain members of the council like to ask the same questions over and over. However, two hours into the meeting, no questions were posed to the election commission regarding its internal fixes, investigations into why the laptops were not secure, or whether anyone was responsible for securing them, even after it was discovered that information technology services provide “best practices guidelines” to Metro departments, but it is the departments themselves who formulate their own policies and procedures.

Plus, commission laptops are stored in at least two places - downtown, and at the election commission’s southeast building. No one inquired at all as to the security situation at southeast, which is lighter staffed and more isolated. Of course, no one meaningfully inquired about any of the security policies of the election commission itself, much less the auxiliary locations.

In a word, unbelievable.

You can find a summary of the meeting by WSMV here

The Tennessean ran a story on the voter data theft today, and seemed to have done some investigating into the break-in. There was security, but it was woefully inadequate. Motion sensors were never installed on the windows, even though the election commission resides on the ground floor. And as I suspected, there is a Kathy Deshotels connection

Barrett also confirmed that one of the computers was taken from under the desk of Kathy Charlton-Deshotels, an election commission employee who was fired and reinstated in 2003. Barrett said earlier this week that the computer was left unsecured because it was being repaired.

In 2003, Charlton-Deshotels downloaded a Republican employee’s computer files and found partisan comments at the request of Democratic election commissioner Eddie Bryan, who is now the commission’s chairman. Bryan said the Republican employee was using city computers for partisan political activity.

Charlton-Deshotels was fired that December but was reinstated under the settlement of a federal lawsuit she filed.

The employee referred to, Sharon Wood, was exonerated. It was her job to find Republican poll workers. Eddie Bryan is an AFL-CIO henchman, and is currently the only lobbyist on an election commission in Tennessee (lobbyists on election commissions are now prohibited by state law, but somehow someone in the legislature thought it wise to grandfather in those lobbyists already on commissions when the law was passed).

So far, leadership from inside the commission itself comes from Lynn Greer, one of the two Republican election commissioners

Lynn Greer, a Republican on the election commission, said Wednesday that Charlton-Deshotels should be fired.

“If they are doing an investigation, why is she not taking responsibility for this?” Greer said. “This is the same employee we had so many problems with four years ago. … This is not the first incident. She is absolutely incompetent.”

Incomprehensibly, Eddie Bryan had this to say

Bryan said he didn’t “see anybody losing their job.”

Wait. Two laptops with the most sensitive data in the city are stolen, one was apparently unlocked in a drawer in someone’s desk, and no one is going to lose their job? Wow. That’s accountability for you.

More confirmation from the Nashville City Paper

An Election Commission official told The City Paper Monday that protocol for storing laptops containing voter information was not followed prior to the break-in.

Election Administrator Ray Barrett said the laptops were supposed to be under lock and key in a cabinet, but were left out after undergoing maintenance and testing by the Metro IT department.

So, really, Chairman Bryan - no one is going to lose their job? Disgusting.

Well, Davidson County Election Commission, of course, but sometimes alliteration is just too tempting.

No one has yet pinned down the culprit who was in charge of the two laptops that went missing with the entire county’s voter registration information. However, recent history is instructive. The Davidson County Election Commission has a recent past of problems, and there’s always been one person in the middle of them: Kathy Deshotels. It was Deshotel’s mistakes and “sloppy work” (those would be the words of Harriet Hill, a long time commission employee, made when she was under oath) that made her stand out. Hill apparently also said “anytime any problem comes up, Miss Deshotels has been in the middle of the situation.”

In 2004, the Nashville Scene did a great investigative piece on the subject, still available here.

The last time mistakes were made, it was Michael McDonald, the commission administrator before Ray Barrett took the job, who was eventually terminated for Deshotel’s incompetence. McDonald tried to terminate her, but she sued and won her job back. Among her on-the-job highlights were violating federal law by sending out absentee ballots a week late, and failing to update and remove 37,000 inactive voters from the Davidson County voter database. According to forty year veteran Harriet Hill, she was also quite adept at spreading “untruths”.

During the previous shenanigans, it appeared that she would have been the information services person at the commission, which leads me to believe if she is still there (which I believe she is) Deshotel probably would have been in charge of securing those laptops. Perhaps the media ought to be calling her and asking for her job description. And too, checking out what has to be a really, really thick personnel file.

I am always up for some high school marching band music and elderly man driving around in ridiculously small cars. So, Catherine and I took a quick trip down the street from our home this afternoon to check out the Donelson-Hermitage Christmas Parade. My guilt over forgetting my girl’s mittens in this frigid weather was lessened only slightly by the fact that her coat sleeves were too long and therefore provided some hand warmth. But, you hardly noticed the cold during this event of neighborhood frivolity.

Like any parade of merit, there was hard candy being hurled at bystanders from every other float and pick-up truck. If anyone needs some butterscotch or mints for the bottom of her purse, please stop by my house and I’ll scoop some up for you from the bottom of Catherine’s stroller.

Congressman Jim Cooper was near the front of the parade. He walked near the sidewalk with a couple of other men giving no indication of his position. I am certain that most people gathered for the parade had no idea that their congressman was walking by. Why not use the moment for some positive name cred? Perhaps Cooper forgot to bring his posterboard adorned with his name in glitter … an accessory found on the side of many flatbeds that cruised down the route.

Cooper was carrying a plastic grocery bag (what would Gore say, sir?) filled with candy. He quickly walked by with minimal eye contact and tossed sugary treats in the general direction of the curb. I got a couple of Cooper Candies slammed right against my forearm. Catherine had a lollipop tossed at her head. I do not mean to imply that my congressman meant any harm with his haphazard candy-tossing techniques. I just don’t think he was properly trained before being handed a bag of small projectiles. You can’t casually hand a man a sack of hard candy and expect successful tossing! I blame the organizers for taking such a risk with apparently no concern for the revelers who stood in the direct line of Cooper’s fire.

Mayor Dean walked by a bit later and shook hands with every person standing along the parade route. No candy, though. Councilman Gotto drove by in his car with friendly smiles and waves for the “crowd”, but still no candy. Judge Dianne Turner, Rep. Ben West, Sen. Joe Haynes … no candy. Did these elected officials see Congressman Cooper ahead of them on the parade route and cringe knowing the same awkward fate could befall them? Did they realize that the dozens of pee wee football teams, Girl Scout troops and church organizations had already strewn enough candy along Lebanon Road? Either option is possible.

Congressman Cooper, though your political kin did not follow your example with their own bags of candy, I commend your bravery for warming up that throwing arm and giving it your best. Despite your attempts at anonymity, I knew it was you. And, I shall sing of your efforts from the rooftops. My daughter may have a mark on her left cheek where she was zinged by the razor-sharp plastic wrapper on that lime lollipop, but she will always know that scar came from a member of Congress. Now that’s pretty cool.

I would think that the Metropolitan Nashville Educators (sic) Association would be in an uproar over this (thinking similarly to earlier positioning such as this)

Metro Schools is again being considered for the $1 million Broad Prize for Urban Education, the nation’s largest award for school districts.

Of 15,000 school districts in the country, 100 are entered to win the award. In the spring, that field will be narrowed five finalists.

The award is given to districts that show the most overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing income and ethnic achievement gaps. The winner is chosen by a jury of national education, government, business and civic leaders and will be announced in the fall.

Is it fair to assume that merit pay for school districts is okay, but merit pay for teachers is not? If the MNEA is true to its principles, a demand that Metropolitan Nashville’s school system withdraw from consideration for this unfair, merit-based, success-oriented award is surely in the offing. If teachers themselves are to be safe from the dangers of competition, financial rewards and incentives, certainly the school system comprised of those same teachers should be jumping to shun it. Come on, MNEA - let’s see some leadership on this!
Besides - when has competition ever actually improved anything? Well, besides, of course, everything.

I acknowledge this is not a popular topic. I am writing this to tell you why you ought to care. I figure most liberals probably already do. It’s my conservative brethren I’m more concerned about.

In The Tennessean this morning there is an article discussing a slew of new suits against Correct Care Solutions, LLC, the new contractor employed by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office to administer prisoner health care after a diabetic inmate died in 2005

In one of the lawsuits filed in July, inmate Candy Allen accuses the company of not providing medication for heart problems, for vertigo and for vomiting.

James Nicholson Jr. sued in April, alleging it took a month for medical staff to respond to requests for help when he was jailed with a broken arm.

Nicholson said he went to the hospital after he was released, and “he was informed that his arm had healed in a broken position and would need to be re-broken,” the lawsuit says.

The power of the state is at its peak when imprisoning a citizen - something which ought to give both conservatives and liberals pause. Despite both federal and state mandated presumptions of innocence, people are routinely held until their case is resolved because they cannot make a bond - the proper exercise of their presumption of innocence is compromised because they are poor. If you are a male in Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) custody, it is likely you are still awaiting resolution of your case (once guilt is determined and if further incarceration is required, you are either shipped to the Corrections Corporation of America facility on Harding Place or the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)). Nowadays, women are always housed in DCSO or TDOC custody.

Despite explicit constitutional requirements to the contrary, individuals are wrongly held on bonds they cannot make everyday. Both Tennessee courts and the Supreme Court of the United States have extrapolated reasonably on the right to bail, confirming the financial state of a defendant should be taken into account when setting the bond amount. In Tennessee v. O’Steen, (559 S.W.2d 340 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1977)), the Court of Criminal Appeals emphasizes the length of incarceration and the ability of the defendant to secure the money for bail

The petitioner has now been confined nearly three months due to his inability to secure bail set by the General Sessions Judge. This is tantamount to a denial of bail.

The Supreme Court of the United States notes in Stack v. Boyle (342 U.S. 1 (1951))

Unless this right to bail before trial is preserved, the presumption of innocence, secured only after centuries of struggle, would lose its meaning.

If you cannot make bail, you must wait, and wait, and wait, to resolve your case - or just plead guilty. It is the most prevalent example of everyday state coercion. The prospect of pleading guilty and accepting some sort of supervised release (even if you are not guilty) forces many to enter pleas in exchange for freedom. The average wait between a finding of probable cause in a Davidson County General Sessions court and the day of arraignment on that charge is between four and six months. An available jury trial date typically will not be for another four to six months after that. I have seen my own clients sit in jail on presumed probationary misdemeanors and nonviolent offenses because they could not make the smallest of bonds. Being held on misdemeanor charges, one lost a child because of practically non-existent prenatal care, and is still in suit against the Corrections Corporation of America over two years later (the facts of her case are here).

So, if the State is voluntarily setting up a system to hold prisoners without a determination of their guilt, they are both morally and constitutionally obligated to provide adequate health care to those in their charge. I am not advocating the best health care, just the bare minimum. Losing children, failing to provide heart medicine, and having to re-break arms because of prison health incompetence does not even remotely meet that standard. The principles of limited government and strict constructionism demand that the state provide adequate prison health care.

I went to vote today at the Hermitage Library. First, I must say that I was a bit bothered that the woman who greeted me at the entrance to the room handed me an “I Voted” sticker. I hadn’t voted yet! What if I tripped and slammed my head into a table and had to be rushed unconscious to the hospital? Or, what if I had an intense panic attack as I realized the brevity of the decision I was about to make and I decided to flee the room and return when my mind was more resolute? It was quite preemptive of her to hand me that sticker. Not wanting to promote false advertising, I kept the sticker on the edge of my fingertip until I cast my ballot. Then, and only then, did I boldy place my sticker on the front of my shirt.

There is more to this sticker saga. The same woman who gave me my sticker also handed one to Catherine. My daughter will not be eligible to vote for another 16 1/2 years. I do not want my neighbors accusing me of voter fraud when they see Catherine with that sticker plastered to her onesie. But, Catherine was having great fun sticking the patriotic accessory to her hair and then ripping it off so I didn’t deny her the joy.  (I try to limit my denial of her joy to three times a day, and I was already up to two.  With five hours until her bedtime, I wanted to keep one act of denial in reserve.)

As we exited the library, I noticed that Catherine no longer had her sticker. I assumed it had fallen on the floor at some point, but allowed myself to absorb my guilt for littering and continued on towards the parking lot. It was not until Nathan got home several hours later and said, “Why do you have an “I Voted” sticker on your ___?” (please insert whichever word you believe my husband used to indicate the body part on which I sit), that I realized the fate of my daughter’s sticker. My guess is that the sticker ended up on my backside during the fluid motion that occurs when she has her arms wrapped around my leg and I reach down to pick her up.

I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that Catherine and I played at the park next to the library for nearly an hour after I voted. I’m so glad the other parents and kids were witness to my butt sticker. Really, though, perhaps it’s not such an inappropriate placement considering some of the choices we had in this election.

Bob Clement’s latest negative attacks of Karl Dean smack of desperation. In fact, the ad makes one wonder whether we wouldn’t have been better off with Kenneth Eaton making the runoff rather than Bob Clement. From The Tennessean today

Clement, a former U.S. Congressman, started airing a TV advertisement Monday that said Dean “can think of lots of reasons to raise taxes” and quoted Dean saying at a recent debate, “You can imagine all sorts of scenarios.”

This past year, Tennessee Tax Revolt advocated a Metro charter amendment that passed overwhelmingly. The former congressman may want to take note that now only the people of Nashville can increases their property tax rate - not the mayor. He may also wish to recall that Karl Dean has made no statement that he is for any tax increases. And as the story cited above mentions, it is Clement who is planning to expand the government of Nashville in all sorts of haphazard, political kowtowing directions

Dean also said Clement had voted dozens of times for higher taxes, including nine votes to raise income taxes, during his 15 years representing Nashville in Congress. And he noted that Clement has promised to pursue the 2020 Summer Olympics, build a park for homeless people and create several new Metro offices and programs.

Right. So Clement wants to herd and corral the homeless and expand the size of Nashville government. If anyone is setting the city up for a major tax increase, it’s Bob Clement.

The Young Republicans continued their domination on the softball field, beating the Young Democrats 42 to 5. (Yes, that actually was the score … after four innings and a mercy ending.) Sean Braisted was in attendance and surprised everyone by stepping to the plate late in the game. He has already posted about the game, with promises of more details and photos to come. He did not mention that he wore a Clement shirt when he came up to bat …

My dear husband did a great job pitching and wielding the bat. Catherine clung to the fence and screamed, “Daddy!”, which I’m sure was not at all distracting.

As promised, both mayoral candidates were there. There were Dean and Clement t-shirts donned by members of both teams, showing the bipartisan appeal of both camps.

I had the opportunity to speak with both Bob and Mary Clement. The candidate shook Catherine’s hand (she responded with a confused, furrowed brow) and told me it was nice to see me again. Mary Clement and I shared a longer conversation. She told me all about her daughters, and I commented that I had seen them on TV and they seemed lovely. As we parted ways, Mrs. Clement looked me up and down and said, “That’s a beautiful little figure you’ve got.” Ummm … thanks? She actually was very sweet, and I know she was just being nice to a fellow mom. So, I appreciate her compliment. Just was not expecting it.

Richard Exton served as the umpire and called the game fairly for both sides. His son played for the Young Dems, as did new Metro Council member Sean McGuire and recent at-large candidate Peter Westerholm. Megan Barry, Luvenia Butler and Ronnie Steine all stopped by greet everyone. I do apologize if I missed any names of note. My attention to the game was somewhat limited. Catherine repeatedly tried to take the field, so we left for a bit to get out some energy at the playground down the hill.

Congratulations to the Davidson County Young Republicans for remaining undefeated in this annual event! Looking forward to next year!

Come on out to the third annual Davidson County Young Republicans vs. Davidson County Young Democrats Softball Challenge tomorrow at 11:00am!  The game is being played at Green Hills Park.

If meeting the two remaining candidates for mayor is not enough to make you come out in the heat (both Clement and Dean are scheduled to attend), then how about the chance to watch my husband and fellow MooreThoughts blogger do some damage at the plate?  I’ll leave it to you to ponder for which team my husband will be playing.  Catherine will be going to cheer on Daddy and I am her official driver for the day (she’s quite demanding).

Hope to see you there!

Individuals involved in the other mayoral campaigns have already pledged support for Karl’s efforts to become Nashville’s next mayor.

Toby Compton, who was on staff with Buck Dozier, is now working in Dean’s camp. Word is that many other supporters of Buck will be openly announcing for Karl in the next few days.

Additionally, former metro council at-large candidate Brady Banks, who ran one of the more creative and ingenuous direct mail campaigns in the at-large race, has joined Karl Dean’s campaign team.  As well, the Nashville Business Coalition has endorsed Dean’s candidacy.

Many former Gentry and Briley supporters are also now involved and behind Dean. If Clement the Angry has any magical spitting speeches left in him, this may be the time.

No, it’s not the name of a medieval pope. It’s the new and fitting name of a candidate for Nashville mayor.

Former congressman Bob Clement let loose a peculiar tirade Thursday night after making the Nashville mayoral runoff, slamming his newly singular opponent Karl Dean with a litany of negative barbs, blaming Dean’s wife’s money for his success thus far in the mayoral race. No explanation came from Clement regarding his own personal shrinking popularity as election day neared, or how his name recognition advantage evaporated in a wispy fog.

Showing more than a bit of class, Karl Dean did not return the volley, refusing to cite Bob Clement’s father, the former governor, as the name-bestowing reason his angrily motivated son squeaked into the runoff. So we Nashvillians now have a showdown between a successful public servant in Karl Dean, and a hereditary politico in Bob Clement. Count me as skeptical of titleage based politics from the get-go. Add to that skepticism a backwards feeling agenda, a complete lack of statesmanship exhibited in a totally classless move, and I’m firmly in the Dean camp.

Clement’s strategists are some of the best negative campaigners around, and in that regard, are held in high repute. But to slam your opponent straight away in what ought to have been more of a victory speech is a bit much. Sources I’ve talked to have noted that there is some significant fallout from the Clement camp, and its based entirely on Bob’s angry tantrum Thursday night.

And then he spins himself yesterday as desiring a positive campaign. Spin only works when it’s credible. So far, the last five days for Clement the Angry have been most incredible.

UPDATE Another attack on Dean - this time from an anonymous poster. Very compelling.

I decided to stop by Howard School and get my early vote in before the certain last-day rush at the Hermitage Library site tomorrow. This is the second election where the electronic machines have been in use, and I noticed something I did not notice before - how utterly easy it now is to vote for a write-in candidate. No more requesting a special ballot. No more waiting for that ballot to be provided. And no more uncertainty about the process. You just hit the “write-in” button and type. Very nice.

I had no preferred candidate in my council district, so I wrote another one in. Same for vice mayor, though I resisted the urge to add my own candidate on the council at-large ballot. Prospectively, there are certainly going to be some worthwhile write-in campaigns.

UPDATE Oh yeah - I voted for Karl Dean for mayor.

I have had the opportunity to review the financial disclosure that was submitted by Councilman Harold White’s campaign last week. First off, I must say I find it fascinating that the front page of the paperwork indicates that White is running for office in District 15. Last I checked, it’s the lucky residents of District 14 who get to claim Councilman White as our representative in the Metro Council. Innocent mistake, I’m sure, but still amusing.

Councilman White took in just under $24,000 in contributions this quarter. Only one itemized contribution (required for those who give at least $100) came from within the district. It was a contribution of $1000 from the president of Lo-Jack Company on Central Pike. There is one contributor with a P.O. Box in 37214, which would be a post office in District 14. However, this gentleman’s home address is located in District 15.

I must say that Odell Binkley, owner of a landfill and some properties on Central Pike, is a particularly interesting contributor. He has taken out large ads in the Donelson Hermitage Herald the past couple of weeks letting the readers know what a wonderful councilman Harold White is for our district. It means a lot to me that this resident of Wilson County (Mount Juliet, specifically) cares so deeply for the well-being of his neighbors to the west. He even cares enough to make sure that his daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law each gave $1000 to White. They all live in Mount Juliet as well. Is Binkley just a devoted friend to Councilman White, or does he hope to see some financial benefits come from his support? Hopefully, we won’t get the chance to find out!

Councilman White did receive $450 in unitemized contributions. Even if all of this money came from within District 14 (which I doubt), it’s still a very small percentage of the total raised. Candidates certainly have the right to raise money from people in any location, and they can accept support from whomever they choose. Isn’t it telling, however, when no one from your own district is willing to step up and be a significant contributor?

I went to vote this morning at Hermitage Library.  Several candidates were there holding signs and asking for votes, mostly those who represent the nearby areas (Districts 12-15).   Surprisingly, my councilman, Harold White, was actually there.  I thought he might not be able to find the library, since he apparently couldn’t find the adjacent police station the night of the candidate forum.

As I walked by, Councilman (for two more weeks) White said, “Hi, Mrs. Moore.  Nice to see you see this morning.  How are you doing?”

After recovering from the giddy blush of excitement that came from him remembering me, I let him know that I was having a wonderful day.

I was almost to the entrance of the library when White yelled out, “Thank you for your blog … moorethoughts.com!”

I responded with a hearty, “You’re welcome!” and proceeded inside to vote.

I’m not sure if Councilman White expected me to be intimidated or embarrassed upon learning that he has seen my blog.  I haven’t exactly been complimentary of his leadership in District 14.  Quite the contrary, sir!  Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog.  Nathan and I appreciate every reader!

I also would like to thank Councilman White for loudly yelling the name of the blog in front of fellow candidates and the dozens of voters who were there.  I always love free publicity!  I’ll have to check for a spike in page views this evening as a result of his comment.

Back by popular demand, I present to you more instances of the close relationship between Harold White and developers (or just anyone else besides your average dweller in District 14).  If you happened to be in Hermitage earlier today and you saw a woman in her 30s jumping out of a Honda Civic along busy roads just to capture these photographic statements for her readers, you were looking at me.

Here is a Harold White sign along Old Hickory Boulevard.  The yellow and black beauty joins a sign advertising retail space for sale:

Nothing says, “I’ve got the support of my community” like planting your sign in front of an abandoned house.  I hope the place is haunted by only White-friendly ghosts.  Otherwise, there could be some trouble!

Finally, if you are looking for a good rental property along Lebanon Road, just keep your eye out for one of Harold White’s signs.  There may very well be a “For Rent” sign nearby.  And then … bingo! … your search is over.

Financial disclosures are due on July 10.  I certainly will be requesting a copy of Harold White’s forms, and I look forward to seeing the sources of his campaign funds.  You can be sure I will post them here.