Back-handers

The problem with publishing a monthly newspaper is that often great news stories unfold just as you are running the latest edition on the press. This is precisely what happened last month with the FBI's arrest of Tennessee legislators in the aptly named Tennessee Waltz corruption sting. By now most of you will have already made up your minds over guilt or innocence of those involved, so this editorial will not discuss the FBI probe but rather consider the mindset of the people that make up Tennessee's top legislative body. Why is there so much shock and disbelief by those senators and representatives not included in the arrests? What does seem unbelievable is that none of our elected representatives or the staff in Nashville knew there was a hotbed of corruption going on under their noses. They gave the impression that the taking of bribes was isolated to those arrested and no-one else knew about it. Well, I don't believe it. An honest man cannot help but recognize that he is working with a band of thieves and if he says nothing he is aiding them to continue their crooked ways, and even though he may not be taking a piece of the action he is just as guilty for not speaking out. Then there is the news of the paltry amount that the legislator's were alleged to have taken to promote legislation. It seems unbelievable that a prominent person would risk his reputation and possibly go to jail for a few thousand dollars. But like the gangster protection rackets,  a little here and a little there, soon amounts to a fortune. Could it be that what was uncovered by Tennessee Waltz was just one cherry in a very lucrative pie for those guys. Finally, the lobbyists. Lobbyists are people who are professional bribers. They do whatever it takes to persuade legislators to vote their client's choice. There are those that represent large groups of ordinary people that use the threat of non re-election to get their way. The National Rifle Association and the trade unions come to mind. And there are those that represent small special interest groups like the now famous but non-existent E-Cycle, that only have money and gifts as leverage. And what about the hard green cash? No company checks for these guys - just non traceable green backs. I think there lies the truth, and I think many more should have been indicted. Will any of them go to jail? Not a chance.
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The highest bidder.

So they want to sell Bradley Memorial Hospital do they. Is it a good idea? It could

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be, but what are the motives? The people of Bradley County do own a facility that is not costing them tax dollars in operating cost. And as it is paying for itself and provides competition to other area heath care facilities, that must be good. It still may be advantageous to sell if improved healthcare is the result and we get a fair price and,  we know the proceeds are used wisely. That is the kicker. Is the sale price fair and what are they going to do with the money? I have a hunch that the people of Bradley County are about to get screwed - again. As anyone that has an even minimally functioning cranial cavity can tell you... health care costs have skyrocketed and are likely to continue to rise. But according to the $75 million offer for the hospital, it is worth less than it was worth ten years ago at the time when then county Executive, Donna Hubbard tried to do the deal. It was worth $76 million then and many people in the know thought it was grossly undervalued at that time. And, what will happen to the money once the county asset has been sold. This is where the real rip off could take place. County government will spend it of course - after splitting it with the City of Cleveland it will temporarily solve the greed for more and more money. Yes they may build an overpriced school with it, or a new government building and they are likely to invoke the sacred words "it's for the children" while making their pitch, but we will know it's really their insatiable need to spend more money that is the reason. If I am way off base and the Bradley Memorial Hospital Board and County Mayor D. Gary Davis have only the county's healthcare at heart then let them give the proceeds back whence it came - to the people. That's right, refund the money to the citizens of Bradley County. Lets do the math. There are approximately 100,000 men, women and children residing in the county and even if the hospital is given away for $75 million, that translates into $750 each. For a family of four, $3,000. A retired married couple, $1,500. You get the picture. Presented this way to the citizens of Bradley County, I believe they will get their deal. And yes, there would also need to be full disclosure of all agent and transfer fees so the citizens could be sure that they did in fact receive all of the money. A of course, there should be a county-wide referendum so the voters can decide the outcome. Of course, none of this will happen because it's not your healthcare that is of primary importance, it's the money silly.
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They're at it again.

What is it with the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce? Has their President and CEO, Jerry Bohannon, taken leave of his senses? Does he really believe the people of Bradley County will trust him to build a sand castle with their money, let alone a multi-million dollar three story entertainment complex in partnership with an out-of-town company? Lets consider his track record for a moment. He, and the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce are a front for doing the rich and powerful's bidding. The secret membership of the shady Cleveland Associated Industries in close ties with Bohannon's bunch have manipulated government and instigated self-serving schemes the Sicilian Mafia would be proud of. The Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce is a private company that has managed to hoodwink elected officials into giving them free and clear, two industrial parks, authority to give tax relief to their high ranking members to the tune of million of dollars, gain most of the proceeds from the local Hotel Motel tax, control of Hardwick Field, authority to manipulate industrial development to benefit their high ranking members, control of downtown development using public money including regular appropriations from county taxes and given seats on many important and influential boards and committees. And what has the citizen of Bradley County got in return... Diddly-squat. The promises of new industries to fill the industrial parks - nothing. The promise of a brighter future - yeah, at a price. Hotel Motel tax - who knows where the money goes? Control of Hardwick Field - a way of forcing a new airport on the citizens without their OK. Industrial Development - a way of keeping out competition for the big boys while flooding Cleveland with duplicates of the little sap's business. And the Chamber pays its bills with the membership fees of those same small businesses. Ironic huh! And remember, this is a private company, not a government agency.
The building of an entertainment complex in or close to Cleveland may be an excellent idea but Bohannon and his cohorts cannot be trusted with, or anywhere near public money. Cleveland will in all probability be throwing it's money down the who-knows-where if the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce gain control.
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