Isn't that the truth?

Just when I was feeling comfortable with the notion that city leadership was comprised of either wolves or sheep then suddenly appear a number of American sheep dogs to return order to the chaos. The wolves in Cleveland city government and the carnivores that drive them have long been bullying more responsible members with a viciousness more suited to the Mullahs of the Taliban than local government. The lies and deception surrounding the rush for a new Cleveland airport is one such example. Finally we seem to have a group of people appointed to manage the supposedly unsafe and unrepairable Hardwick Field that are blessed with common sense. And finally we are hearing the truth that there was never any state funding for a new facility - in fact the group was told by Mark Paslick of HMB Professional Engineers Inc. that state and federal aviation officials prefer to renovate existing airports over constructing new ones. Only time will tell if the Cleveland Airport Authority has the where-with-all to fight off the wolves and work for the citizens. They may be able to accomplish what the others couldn't if they remember to be open and truthful about the facts. I hope they can.
What do you think?

Shining bright

Another bright light emanating from the darkness of local government is Donna Alley Simpson. Usually I am opposed to public employee associations giving their members awards for doing what we are paying them to do, but in the case of Ms. Alley Simpson the accolade of Tennessee Clerk of the Year was justified. Never have I lived in a town where it was easier or more pleasant to pay for the myriad of vehicle tags and licenses necessary for the ordinary citizen to conduct their daily lives. She doesn't hide herself away in some back room leaving unsatisfied customers unattended, she is out there working with her staff. Yes, she received an award that was well earned.
What do you think?

A business diversion

If you think that maybe this crusty editor is going soft, that praising public officials is somewhat out of character, hold on to your hats. There are plenty of vicious self serving dictator's sitting in local public offices screaming out for my attention. Ever noticed how it is commonplace for roads in Cleveland to be closed for long periods for construction and yet others where repair work is organized to cause the least inconvenience to nearby businesses. There definitely seems to be favoritism when considering who to inconvenience. Bridge works on South Lee and 3rd Street and on South Ocoee Street, near downtown are causing severe stress to local businesses, not to mention untold inconvenience to the public. Is it necessary for streets to be blocked in both directions for months on end without anyone being accountable. At the very least, could not someone order diversion signs to accompany any road closures. A call to Cleveland Mayor, Tom Rowland, to find the answer remained unreturned at time of this printing and as I don't expect contact any time soon, the buck has to stop with him.  Even though Rowland is the chief pubic relations officer for the City of Cleveland he seems unconcerned over the future of these small businesses. Ever wonder how fast he could move if one of his wealthy and influential buddies had their business isolated? And what about the powerful Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce, why are they silent? The answer my friends is obvious. With leaders like these I don't envision a softer, kinder Pete Edwards in the near future.
What do you think?

Don't like that?

A 19th Century mural depicting Klu Klux Klansmen riding horses was purposely destroyed in Chattanooga recently with the blessing of historians and conservationists. Apparently the demolition was a sacrifice to political correctness, much the same as ancient monuments were desecrated in an effort to rewrite history. Many actions of mankind can be labeled unsavory but in the history books it is necessary to retell them so we can hopefully learn by our mistakes. Brit Brantley, Executive Director of the Chattanooga Regional History Museum considered saving the mural a "regressive" step. In earlier times I can visualize Ms. Brantley chipping away at the Great Pyramid of Egypt because she didn't care for the dead Pharaoh's legacy. It is shocking to me that Ms. Brantley could be considered a historian. Vilma Fields, Executive Director of the Chattanooga African-American Museum did not condone the destruction. She said, "the community lost a valuable opportunity to learn more about the paintings." "It is history.""It's like preserving the space on the bridge where a black man was hung. It should be recorded." The act that Ms. Brantley encouraged was an act of barbarism and stupidity that will forever tarnish the reputation of the Chattanooga historical community.
What do you think?

Just plain silly

What kind of person would steal or deface a political sign? Both the Republican and Democrat parties are complaining of the thefts which represent countless hours of labor to put them up but more surprisingly, countless hours to pull them down. I don't believe the deeds are perpetrated entirely by vandals and I'll tell you why. In 2002, my wife Alexandra, ran for the office of Bradley County Executive as a republican opposing the official republican candidate D. Gary Davis. During the campaign Alexandra placed a sign at the intersection of Spring Place Road and Ladd Springs Road. The next day the sign had been removed and a sign advertising Taylors Ruritan Club's annual rodeo had been placed on the fence behind where the campaign sign stood.  The campaign sign had been firmly placed and would have had to been physically pulled up. The sign was thrown in the dirt nearby. I know the identity of the person who erected the Ruritan sign and he is a Gary Davis supporter. I have no proof that this individual actually did the deed but there is a good chance that he did because he made no effort to re-erect the downed sign as a gentleman would have. My point is that this person is well respected in the community yet politics brought out the worst in him and almost got him a ruined reputation and a busted lip. Yes, people do the silliest things in the name of politics.
What do you think?


"What do you think" Continued

More Editorials

Website Survey Results