Resist Obama's unconstitutional school bathroom decree! Sign the petition.

Dear Rodney,

On May 15, President Obama took the most blatantly unconstitutional step of his entire tenure in

office—threatening to cut federal funds unless local school districts allow students into opposite sex bathrooms and locker rooms if they identify as "transgender."

The New York Times called Obama's drastic executive action a "decree," conjuring up images of King George rather than an American President.

Reject Obama's tyrannical overreach. Sign the petition: http://www.citizengo.org/en/ed/34581-resist-obamas-unconstitutional-school-bathroom-decree

That means teenage girls in high school locker rooms around the country will be forced to undress and shower in the presence of biological males. It also means that on overnight school trips, schools must permit biological males to share rooms with girls.

This is nothing more than the Obama administration unlawfully rewriting federal law to meet its own radical social agenda.

Congress has specifically rejected proposals to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to statutes dealing with school and workplace discrimination. Yet the Obama administration has declared it has the authority to unilaterally rewrite federal law so as to include those categories within Civil Rights statutes like Title IX.

This an unprecendented overreach into an area that has traditionally been governed by state and local regulation. It's a bad policy imposed by federal overlords without any basis in law or regulatory authority.

Sign here: http://www.citizengo.org/en/ed/34581-resist-obamas-unconstitutional-school-bathroom-decree

It's time for parents, teachers, school boards, and other state and local authorities to stand up and say, "We cannot comply with these regulations in good conscience, regardless of what the consequences may be. Enough is enough!"

Sign the petition to President Obama, Asst. Attorney General Vanita Gupta, and Asst. Secretary of Education Catherine Lhamon, informing them that we do not accept these illegal regulations that offend reason, common decency, and natural law:

http://www.citizengo.org/en/ed/34581-resist-obamas-unconstitutional-school-bathroom-decree

If we don't push back now, what's next Rodney? Where does it end?

I hope you'll join me in this important fight against federal tyranny.

Sincerely,

Josh Craddock and the entire CitizenGO team

My Comment:  I signed the petition.  To tell you the truth, I am just not that riled up over the issue of  which bathroom a transgender student uses.  Your child,  grandchild, nor anyone you ever know is ever likely to encounter a transgender student in their restroom or in their whole school. In your whole life you may never encounter a transgender person. If you do, you probably will not know it, you will just think it is an ugly women. It is estimated there are less than 300 transgendered  high school students in the whole county.  When the bill was before the State legislature to require students to use the bathroom that corresponded to their birth certificate identity, I thought it was an unnecessary bill.

Transgender covers a wide range.  It may be a guy wearing unisex jeans and a shirt who looks androgynous or slightly feminine who maybe wears a little blush and hair is a in a feminine cut, or it may be a person who was born male but now has a vagina and breast. I don't think one policy can apply to every variation. Now most schools work it out at the school level and allow the student to use the restroom by herself (himself) with a teacher temporarily keeping other students out, or the student uses the bathroom in the nurses station or faculty lounge. I think we need to trust principals to come up with the best solution for their situation or if they cannot, then the local school board.  I don't think one solution could cover every situation.We don't need a state law or a Presidential decree to cover this.

While am not that riled over the issue, I am riled over President Obama issuing a decree to make a law cover this topic when the law he is basing his decree on was never intended to address this issue. I am riled that Obama is action like a dictator or a king rather than a President. He has done this time and time again, on immigration, on his signature health care law and many other issues.  He has illegally made appointments bypassing Congress and he has spend money which Congress did not authorize. The liberal press and the Democrats in Congress don't care that he has become a dictator.

While I don't care that much about the underlying issue, I care very much that we follow the constitution. If we accept that a president can unilaterally make laws, spend money, and by pass Congress, then a future president may even be worst than Obama.

(The yellow highlighting in the text above was from the author of the piece; the pink highlighting is mine.)

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Time For General Assembly To Give Title IX "The Boot"!

Ignoring the Soulless Obama Administration Is Not a Strategy 

By Jeff Harline, from an email, May 14,2016 -  During the 2010 Tennessee Governor Republican Primary, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey made headlines with his famous "Give 'Em The Boot!" commercial. Well, it's time for Ron and the rest of the General Assembly to put those boots back on, and give it to Title IX.

 Title IX is that overreaching Washington, D.C. education requirement demanding that schools do everything that the powers-that-be in the nation's capital require, or, or, or, we'll take your money away from you.

The latest extortion demand comes today in the form of a letter from the lame-duck, lame-legacy President demanding that public schools all over America buckle under the infinitesimal minority demands of boys with "boy parts" who think they are girls to have access to girls bathrooms, locker rooms, sports teams, etc. or, or, or, we'll take your money away from you.

Sensing this threat was on the horizon, we did a little checking on Title IX funding. We thought it might be $500,000,000 or so, kind of like the "Race To The Top" bribe from several years ago. No, it wasn't half-a-billion. It wasn't even $100,000,000. It wasn't even $50,000,000. Tennessee girls' privacy is being threatened for $10,000,000. $10,000,000 is being used to cow us into immoral subservience to the pagans that run the nation. That's just a tenth (I did not learn Common Core Math and did that just in my head without benefit of a calculator) of the $100 Million we waste each year on Pre-K.

For whatever reason, the Tennessee General Assembly couldn't muster the "whatever" to make our statement on this ridiculous policy ahead of Washington withholding our "allowance". Never mind now, because the President, seeking a "legacy" has decided to foist his "Hope and Change" on Tennessee girls. Perhaps members of our Legislature will now express to their voters (I can't wait to hear what the Democrats say to their voters about supporting this ridiculous demand) their resolve to stop this madness and make a 10th Amendment statement to the godless Democrats across the nation demanding that we put our little girls and young women in harm's way.

With over a $100,000,000 surplus just last month alone, here's a great time for Tennessee Volunteers to tell the Department of Education and President Obama to take their Title IX and (fill in your favorite phrase here). Ron Ramsey already knows how to use his boot! Short of our elected officials drawing a line at the bathroom door, citizens need to get engaged and start getting after their local school boards before the spineless among them cave in for want of a new practice "color guard" field.

Enough is enough.

Jeff Hartline, Executive Director
TN Spotlight

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Armed Forces Day, May 21, 2016

To all the men and women in uniform, thank you for your service.

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Bill to permit unisex restrooms proposed for Nashville

East Nashville Councilman Brett Withers has introduced a bill which would authorize unisex

restrooms at most businesses that have two or more bathroom facilities that each consist of single toilets and have locks on the doors. Currently Metro code requires businesses have separate bathroom facilities for male and female except in limited circumstances.

I support this legislation.  I know lines have been drawn and some people are going to have a knee-jerk reaction and oppose this in light of the controversy over legislation aimed at requiring a person with a penis to use the male restroom and the push back against those proposals, but this has nothing to do with that controversy. I would oppose a bill that mandated all restrooms be unisex or a bill that said a person could choose the bathroom of his or her choice based on their gender identity, but this does not do that and I can support this bill which allows a business owner to make his restrooms unisex when they consist of only one toilet and the door lock from the inside.

It make absolutely no sense to have a line of men waiting to get in the men's restroom when there is an empty women's restroom and both restrooms are single person restrooms that lock from the inside.

To see the text of the proposed ordinance, follow this link.

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Statesmen's Dinner keynote speaker Gov. Haley: A Great Night to be in Tennessee

2016 Statesmen’s Dinner Honors Fred Thompson’s Legacy; 1210 Attendees Help TNGOP Raise $630,000; Lt. Gov. Ramsey Honored for His Achievements 

Gov. Nikki Haley

Press release, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 13, 2016— Every year, the Tennessee Republican Party hosts the Statesmen’s Dinner to promote the Party and celebrate its successes. The 2016 Statesmen’s hit those traditional notes but also caused a stirring reflection on the life and legacy of U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, who passed away last fall.

In honor of his memory, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander presented the Howard H. Baker Award to Thompson’s widow, Jeri Thompson. She provided some fitting words about Thompson and his love for Tennessee.

Thompson built a reputation as a common sense, conservative problem-solver. Given that context, it was appropriate the keynote address was given by South Carolina Nikki Haley who highlighted her state’s successes and how the Republican Party can continue providing solutions to the problems facing our nation. 

Gov. Haley was introduced by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. He noted in his remarks, “When you listen to her (Gov. Haley), you can’t help but be drawn to her. She loves her state. She’s relentlessly enthusiastic.” 

During her remarks, Haley exclaimed, “It’s a great night to be in Tennessee!” She went on to talk about the remarkable achievements brought about by Republican leadership as well as her experience steering her state through some of its darkest hours.

Additionally, the TNGOP honored the service of Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey who recently

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey honored at Statesmen's Dinner.

announced he would not seek re-election in 2016. Ramsey helped build the Republican Party into what it is today and guided the GOP to supermajority status in the State Senate. 

He was recognized by State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris and State House Speaker Beth Harwell and U.S. Senator Bob Corker. 

“He served our state with great distinction and I thank him for his service,” stated Corker.
The event was kicked off by TNGOP Chairman Ryan Haynes who declared, “Our Party is strong and thriving!” He noted the attendance was nearly double what Tennessee Democrats had last week in the very same location and featured a Republican “star” in Haley who has achieved “phenomenal results in her state.” Haynes also proudly unveiled the fact the TNGOP has raised over $630,000 for this year’s event. 

Haynes was followed by Dr. Manny Sethi, who was tapped to serve as this year’s Event Chairman. Sethi, who founded Healthy Tennessee with his wife, Maya Sethi, and serves as the Director of the Vanderbilt Orthopedic Institute Center for Health Policy stated, “I believe our country needs a renewal of courage, of dedication, and of faith in God. I believe the Republican Party is ready to lead us in those endeavors and keep the American Dream alive in Tennessee for the next generation.”
The evening was capped off by remarks from U.S. Representatives Phil Roe, John Duncan, Chuck Fleischmann, Scott DesJarlais, Diane Black, and Marsha Blackburn. 

State Senator Jack Johnson and State Representative William Lamberth lead the event in the Pledge of Allegiance. Both served as the Legislative Chairmen for tonight's event. 

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Federal judge strikes down Obamacare payments

If case you haven't  noticed, Obamacare is not working. Major insurers are dropping out, premiums are rising, many people are choosing to pay the penalty rather than purchase insurance and many others are discovering that insurance is not the same as health care.  For many people a $5,000 deductible is no better than no insurance. Now, another blow has been struck against Obamacare. A Federal court has ruled that the law does not authorize subsidized premiums without Congressional appropriations..  With no major change to Obamacare, it will simply prove unworkable and it will be back to the drawing board. I believe we will be facing a new battle with liberals pushing for a  single payer system and conservatives pushing for free market reforms. Either way, the battle over the future of health care is not over and Obamacare will collapse. 

Federal judge strikes down Obamacare payments

WASHINGTON — Republicans won the first round Thursday in a separation of powers battle against President Obama that once again focuses on his most prized achievement: Obamacare. .... the law did not provide for the funds insurers need to make health insurance policies under the program affordable. .... While the law provides for tax credits, she said, it does not authorize an appropriation for slashing deductibles and copayments. Without those reductions from insurers, many consumers could not afford to buy insurance. .... "Congress is the only source for such an appropriation, and no public money can be spent without one." (link)

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SE Nashville Breakfast Club: Will Pinkston & Jackson Miller on District 7 Sch. Bd race; and, Mae Beavers on RNC convention. 5/21/16

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Davidson County GOP Carnival Party, Sunday, May 22nd.

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Look who is supporting the Gay agenda to change our culture. Can I purchase an off-set?

I am not going to immediately stop flying Southwest or using Facebook or watching Netflix. Southwest is usually cheaper and more convenient and I like Facebook and Netflix,  but this is disgusting and I am glad that people can know who is working to undermine their values. The corporate support for the gay agenda is so pervasive, that one seems helpless to resist it.  I doubt many people who like football are going to stop watching NFL football. Nevertheless, I am pleased that there is an organization like 2nd Vote letting us know who is supporting causes we do not support.

You know how environmentalist can purchase carbon off-set credits so they can emit carbon guilt-free?  Maybe 2nd vote should  establish establish a "2nd vote off-set" that would calculate how much my use of Southwest benefits the organizations that our working to undermine my values and I could then purchase an off-set so I can fly Southwest guilt-free. The money collected for my purchase of an off-set could then be donated to organization that support my values.

 2nd Vote is a Nashville based national organization. To see their scorecard where they rate various businesses based on the causes they support follow this link.

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Mayor Barry Applauds Choice of Dr. Joseph as Director of Schools

Press Release, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Megan Barry has released the following statement following the decision by Dr. Shawn Joseph to accept the position of Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools:
“Dr. Shawn Joseph is a truly inspired choice to lead our Metro Nashville Public Schools into the future. His commitment to equity and access is critical to ensuring that every child has access to a world-class public school, regardless of their zip code.

“I want to applaud the school board on their decision and for a process that was open and inclusive to the entire community, and thank all of the terrific candidates who have participated in this process. I especially want to thank School Board Chair Dr. Sharon Gentry for showing tremendous leadership throughout this process which has resulted in her successful negotiation of a contract for a highly-qualified candidate who will be Nashville’s first African-American Director of Schools. I would also like to thank Shannon Hunt with the Nashville Public Education Foundation for helping to bring so many community voices to the table and support the recruitment efforts.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Joseph over the coming years to ensure that he has the resources and support he needs to ensure successful outcomes for all of our students.”

Learn more about Dr. Shawn Joseph and the Director of Schools search 

My Comment: I was pulling for H. Allen Smith, but wish Dr. Joseph all the best. 

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How tall should Nashville grow?

Press release - A request for a modification for overall building height for property located at 151 1st Avenue South, 150 2nd Avenue South and 134 2nd Avenue South (1.75 acres), zoned DTC and within the SoBro subdistrict, to permit a 40-story mixed use development, where 15 stories is permitted by-right and 30 stories is the by-right bonus height maximum, requested by Second Avenue Partners LLC, applicant; Belle Meade Investments LLC and Market Street Apartments LTD, owner.
This hearing will be held during the regular Planning Commission meeting at 4 pm Thursday, May 26, in the Sonny West Conference Room at Metro's Howard Office Building, 700 Second Avenue South.
Community meeting and public hearing notice - overall height modification
Public hearing notice - community plan amendment

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FY17 Council Budget Hearing, (update 2)

The mayor has had her hearings conversations with each department of Metro Government and after the mayor prepares her budget she will present it to the Council and then the Council will have their hearings.

In May of each year, the Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee holds a series of afternoon and evening sessions at which Metro department heads present their department’s proposed budget. This is an opportunity for Council Members to ask questions of department heads regarding budgetary matters. These hearings are open to the public, but are not “public hearings” where members of the public can speak. The public will have the opportunity to address the Council regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2016-2017 budget at the June 7, 2016 Council Meeting.

The mayor has already stated that she will not request a tax increase this year, nevertheless, the budget hearings and process are important. Department heads never say they have all the funding they need. They always want more.  If one is going to be well grounded in opposing the next tax increase, they should have a good understanding of the funding level of current departments and know what they do and know where cuts could be made.  Watching the budget hearings also gives you a good idea which Council member are working hard and which are just filling a seat.

I have highlighted those session that I think should be of most interest and provide the most insight of how Metro spends your money. I really do not expect the Council to ask hard questions of these departments, but they should.

Here is the FY2017 Metro Council Budget hearings schedule:

Day 1, May 9, 2016, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

• 4:00 p.m. Trustee
• 4:15 p.m. Assessor of Property
• 4:30 p.m. Register of Deeds
• 4:45 p.m. County Clerk
• 5:00 p.m. Metro Water Services (Since metro water operates off their own funds, they get very little oversight and scrutiny.)
  
• 5:15 p.m. Human Resources and Benefit Board
• 5:30 p.m. ITS & Metro 3
• 5:45 p.m. Election Commission

Day 2, May 10, 2016, 4:00 PM - 6:15 PM

• 4:00 p.m. Mayor's Office
• 4:15 p.m. Finance
• 4:30 p.m. Internal Audit
• 4:45 p.m. Metro Legal
• 5:00 p.m. Health
• 5:15 p.m. Social Services
• 5:30 p.m. Metro Action Commission
• 5:45 p.m. Human Relations Commission (This department serves no purpose except to enforce political correctness, normalize homosexuality among youth, and advance a liberal agenda.)
  
• 6:00 p.m. Hospital Authority (There is no need or requirement that Metro have charity hospital. We should get out of the hospital business.)
  

Day 3  May ll, 2016. 4:00 PM - 6:15 PM

• 4:00 p.m. Municipal Auditorium (If Municipal Auditorium cannot break even, we need to sell this valuable piece of downtown property.)
  
• 4:15 p.m. Sports Authority
• 4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce
• 4:45 p.m. Convention Center
• 5:00 p.m. Planning Commission
• 5:15 p.m. Historical Commission
• 5:30 p.m. Codes Administration
• 5:45 p.m. Fairgrounds (It will be interesting to see if Mayor Barry continues the effort of Mayor Dean to abolish the Fair Grounds and dispose of the property. There is also the issue of gun shows at the Fair Grounds.)
  
• 6:00 p.m. Farmers Market (Farmers Market continues to be money pit and cannot cover their operating cost. Unless they can do so soon, I think it is time for major changes at the Farmers Market, including perhaps moving it to the Fair Grounds and making it a real farmers market. )

 Day 5 May 18, 2016, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 

• 4:00 p.m. Emergency Management
• 4:15 p.m. Fire & EMS
• 4:30 p.m. Emergency Communications
• 4:45 p.m. Sheriff's Office
• 5:15 p.m. Police
• 5:30 p.m. Beer Board
• 5:45 p.m. Office of Family Safety

Day 6  May 19.2016, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM 

• 4:00 p.m. Library
• 4:15 p.m. Parks and Recreation
• 4:30 p.m. Arts Commission
• 4:45 p.m. Public Works
• 5:15 p.m. Metro Transit Authority

Day 7 May 25, 2016,  3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

•  3:30 p.m. Community Education
• 3:45 p.m. Board of Education

 

You can watch this event live on Comcast Channel 3, Uverse 99, or streaming on nashville.gov
or you can attend the hearings in person at  Metropolitan Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Council Chambers, Nashville, TN. 

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Campaign Consultant Accuses State GOP of Conflict of Interest

Says State GOP Chairman Haynes Should Apologize Publicly to Elected Republicans

Press Release, NASHVILLE, TN -  Today, Jeff Hartline, Campaign Consultant to Tennessee conservative candidates is calling for State Republican Party Chairman, Ryan Haynes, to publicly apologize to several elected Republicans for his ignoring obvious conflicts of interest between State GOP Political Director Walker Ferrell’s wife and Federal and State House seat challengers.

The obvious conflict of interest was made public back in April when a letter signed by more than two dozen Tennessee House members, and addressed to Chairman Haynes, objected to the inappropriate relationship between Taylor Ferrell and the State Party.  Ms. Ferrell, wife of Political Director Walker Ferrell, had received a contract from the State GOP and was officing part time in the GOP’s 21^st Avenue offices, while at the same time working with Republican challengers running against Incumbent Republicans.

Hartline said, “This situation is part and parcel of the problems that have existed in the State GOP for years.  These officials appear to be tone-deaf to the people that have given them a supermajority in the State House and State Senate.  While their ‘real’ job is to help Republicans beat Democrats across the state, the races they have managed against Democrats for the past two cycles have been absolute disasters. Their record is so bad it almost looks like they are losing on purpose. Keep in mind these are the same folks that tell candidates who are challenging Democrats that the State GOP will not ‘help’ them if the candidate considers employing an ‘Outside’ Consultant.”

Despite calls for the firing of the Political Director, Haynes has refused to even acknowledge anything wrong has been done.  Apparently, this is just “business as usual”.

“As far back as February, Ms. Ferrell was the RSVP contact for a fundraiser for one of these challengers,” said Hartline.  “I guess I was not aware that the State Party had decided to involve itself in primaries and take a leading role in defeating solid conservative Incumbents.  The fact that Ms. Ferrell was on the State Party payroll, officing in their headquarters, and living with their political Director while at the same time consulting with challengers to Incumbent Republican legislators did not seem to be a conflict of interest at all to Chairman Haynes.”

He concluded, “If he knew this was occurring, Haynes should himself resign.  If his ethics will not allow him to do that, he should at least issue a formal public apology to the Republican Incumbents he has used the State Party to attack in this manner. 

“Additionally, these challengers should also issue public apologies to their Incumbent opponents for their collusion in this matter since there was no way that they could not have known this was a blatant conflict of interest.”

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CORKER FOR VICE PRESIDENT?

BEHIND THE CURTAIN:  Republican insiders are buzzing about Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chair of Senate Foreign Relations, as an attractive, plausible vice-presidential pick for Trump. Corker - age 63, to Trump's 69 - surprised many in Washington by lavishing on-camera praise on Trump's foreign-policy speech two weeks ago. Last week, Corker told USA Today's Mary Troyan, who covers Tennessee for Gannett, that he "offered to help Donald Trump develop a foreign policy platform, making him one of the few senators to publicly embrace Trump ... Trump called him last week and he and Trump's campaign staff have talked since then." (link)

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The Director of Schools Search Community Forum: H. Allen Smith

Please watch. I think he would make a great Director of Schools.  He turned around what was considered the worst school in America.

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Liberty on the Rocks, New Location, Thursday, May 19th, 5:30PM

A message from Liberty on the Rocks:

Liberty on the Rocks

• Tell a friend   Share

• Thursday, May 19, 2016, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
• Smokin Thighs  611 Wedgewood Ave, Nashville, TN (map)
• ask the hostess to direct you to our section
• LOCATION CHANGE!
  
  
  We are moving this and possibly future months' meetings to a new venue - Smokin' Thighs on Wedgewood. They have two- for-one specials until 8 pm and an exquisite selection of moonshines and kool-aids. They have incredible Mac and cheese with a huge toppings menu and a Tonka truck full of hot wings, a dish which will take you on a most glorious foray into the heights of hedonism.
  
  Anyway, we have a big month ahead of us. As you may be aware, the Trump-ets have sounded and we are now facing The End Times. And while the inevitable plagues and oceans of boiling blood are going to be very inconvenient, at least we are that much closer to finally being done with the national affliction known as Presidential Elections. That's right, only six months away from finally breathing a collective sigh of relief as we graciously accept whichever authoritarian overlord deigns us worthy enough to be ruled over.
  
  Closer to home, Bill Haslam signed a bill to allow therapists either to refuse service to clients whose "goals, outcomes or behaviors” conflict with the counselor’s “sincerely held principles” or to out themselves as big 'ole homophobes, depending on whom you ask. Also, the faculty and staff of Tennessee colleges can now arm themselves to the teeth. Students will not be allowed to carry guns but are being supplied with personal safe spaces. No official word yet on whether or not those safe spaces are bulletproof.
  
  Even closer to home, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry delivered her State of Metro Address at the end of April. This was an exciting event that was not at all marred by Barry's recent eviction of a homeless encampment near Fort Negley while spending $1.3 million on renovations at the Mayor's Office. Here's a fun fact I learned from the address - it turns out that Nashville had an overall revenue increase of $121 million over last year. By some strange coincidence, Barry's budget proposal marks a $121 million increase over last year's budget. Coincidences are weird.
  
  Alright, I'm sure lots more will happen in the next couple weeks, so I hope to see you at Liberty on the Rocks now at Smokin' Thighs on Wedgewood!

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it looks like H. Allen Smith may be the best candidate for Metro Schools' top job

Teachers union officials in Nashville are echoing concerns
 raised elsewhere about one of the finalists for
 Metro Schools' top job.

Nashville schools search: Turnaround specialist H. Allen Smith draws union ire

....  Smith originally worked in Denver, where he garnered accolades for turning around struggling schools. He was principal at a school in Denver deemed one of the worst in the nation by a national news report. After Smith took over, scores and results rapidly started to improve....65 percent of the teachers at his high school were "let go" in his first year. A 2010 article in the Denver Post says he fired 40 teachers in the previous year. (link)

My Comment: We need someone who will stand up to the teachers union and not be afraid to get rid of teachers who are standing in the way of reform.  Turning around failing schools should be a priority. We need someone who will get the job done. I am afraid that when a candidate stresses a "collaborative approach," that, that is code for, "I want do anything too drastic and won't make the unions mad."

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Frederick W. Smith and Tim Williams to Speak at Haslam’s 2016 Graduations

From Haslam College of Business News, May 10, 2016. 

Tim Williams & Frederick W. Smith – 2016 Commencement Speakers

Frederick W. Smith, founder of FedEx, and Tim Williams, co-founder of 21^st Mortgage, will deliver the Haslam College of Business’s 2016 commencement addresses.

Smith will speak during the undergraduate graduation ceremony on May 13 and also will receive an honorary doctorate in business. Williams will address Haslam’s graduate students during their hooding ceremony May 11.

Smith first outlined the business model for an overnight delivery service in a term paper while studying at Yale University and received only an average grade. After graduating and serving a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, he pursued his business idea and founded FedEx in 1971.

Today, FedEx is a $45-billion-a-year global transportation, business services and logistics company. It is the largest overnight shipper in the world, with customers in more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx is also the largest publicly traded company headquartered in Tennessee.

Williams worked from 1974 until 1995 at Clayton Homes, Inc. While there he served on the executive committee and was the president of Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance. Tim was a key member of the management team that saw Clayton Homes grow from a fifteen-store chain in 1974 to a publicly-traded company in 1983, and go on to become the largest retailer in the manufactured housing industry. Tim left Clayton Homes in 1995 to start 21st Mortgage Company.

Since it opened its doors nineteen years ago with a staff of four, 21st Mortgage has become the largest lender serving the manufactured housing industry, with $7.5 billion of assets and over 670 employees. Almost 10 percent of the nation’s homes are manufactured, assuring a continued demand for financing.

While an employee of Clayton Homes, Williams pursued first a bachelor’s degree in accounting and then an MBA at the Haslam College of Business, graduating in 1993. He received Haslam's entrepreneur of the year award in November 2014. He is also a past recipient of the Totaro Award, the manufactured housing finance industry’s highest award for lifetime achievement, and a recipient of the Junior Achievement’s Knoxville Business Hall of Fame.

Tim Williams is my younger brother. I am proud of his success. Rod

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Amid controversy Wilson Co. GOP cancels June 7th Reagan Day Dinner

The June 7th Reagan Day Dinner, Wilson County GOP's  largest annual party gathering and fundraiser, has been canceled amid conflict between the campaign of Joe Carr who is running against Diane Black for her U.S. House of Representatives seat, Representative Diane Black, and State Senator Mark Green. Green was scheduled to be the key note speaker and Diane Black and Joe Carr were also scheduled to speak.  Apparently someone from the Carr campaign said that Green said he would not speak if Diane Black was going to speak and someone representing Carr said Carr would not speak if Green did not speak. Mark Green denied that he ever said he would not speak if Diane Black was going to speak.

Here is more on the story:
The Tennessean: Wilson Co. GOP Reagan Dinner cancellation rankles Republicans
Nashville Post: Candidate spat kills Wilson County Republican event
Knoxblog.com, AP story: Black-Green-Carr spat cancels county GOP fundraiser

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The Tennessean: School board member Amy Frogge nearly torpedoed the process

Editorial, The Tennessean, May 9, 2015 - ... when after a full day of interviews with six top-notch candidates, board member Amy Frogge nearly torpedoed the process. .... She motioned for the board to consider interviewing an educator who had rebuffed the school board’s offer for the top job 15 years ago and was not even on the list of six candidates. .... a jaw-dropping slap in the face to a delicate search process..... Frogge's motion was baffling as well as imprudent and disrespectful.... (link)

My Comment: I don't always agree with the position of Tennessean editorials; but when I do it is because they are right.

Amy Frogge needs to be replaced on the school board.

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Shampooing Hair Without A License Could Mean Jail Time In Tennessee

Tammy Pritchard

by Nick Sibilla, Forbes, May 5, 2016 -  When Tammy Pritchard was a young mother, shampooing
hair provided much-needed income and even helped put her through college. Today, this part-time police officer wants to wash hair at a beauty salon operated by her friend in Tennessee.

Unfortunately for Tammy, unlicensed shampooing is a crime, punishable by up to six months in jail. Before she can legally wash hair at a salon, Tammy must finish 300 hours of training on “the practice and theory of shampooing.” In a course more fitting for Greendale Community College, prospective shampooers learn about the “chemistry and composition of shampoos and conditioners,”
“shampooing and rinsing foreign material from hair,” and “shop management,” which covers remedial skills like “answering phone, scheduling appointments, ordering supplies.” After completing the class, shampooers then have to pass two exams, one on “theory,” the other practical, to obtain their license.

One school that previously taught the course charged $3,225 for tuition, books, kit, uniform and other fees. (link)

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1st Tuesday talks Titans

From Tim Skow:

1ST TUESDAY Members and Friends !!

Its been a volatile political 2016 already...AND... The National Convention in July is coming on fast !

When Rev. Franklin Graham scheduled his Mega-event for Legislative Plaza on our typical date to meet, we had to reschedule our May event. Waller could only offer us Monday, May 9th.

As fate would have it... Monday May 9th comes just after NFL DRAFT !!!

 I am proud to announce that new TENNESSEE TITANS General Manger Jon Robinson has agreed to address 1ST TUESDAY next Monday! What a great way to take a timely break from politics ... AND... meet the leadership of our world renowned TENNESSEE TITANS !

Wanna hear more about....
1.....''The Fleecing of FISHER ''.... swapping the #1 pick to the RAMS ?
2.... What goes into a deal while the clock is ticking during the draft ?
3.... How did Mr. Robinson know to jump up and make deal with Cleveland? [word is at least 1 or 2 other teams would have taken the guy the TITANS drafted! ]
4.... What prompted him to draft Alabama's Heisman Trophy winner ?
5.... What will the TITANS being doing in Nashville under his leadership they were not doing before he arrived?
6.... What is currently going on with Stadium? What do the TITANS want from the City of Nashville?

AS YOU CAN TELL.... there is a lot to see and hear at lunch on Monday, May 9th at 1ST TUESDAY !!!!

Expect some special guests as well ! Make plans to join us at Waller Law, 511 Union Street !! Lunch is $20 Members and $25 for Guests.

Visit the website at 1st Tuesday Nashville and click on ''Join Us'' While you're there, make sure to visit the sites of our website Sponsors ! [Servis First Bank, Ngage Marketing, Jim Kennedy Sales & Leasing and more!] This is a GREAT event to introduce 1ST TUESDAY to some friends. Please... pass the word and bring friends ! See you on Monday, May 9th !!

Tim Skow
Host of 1ST TUESDAY.


Please note that I am posting this late for a lunch tomorrow, so you might want to email Tim at tdskow2001@yahoo.com and see if lunch is still available. Rod 

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