Southeast Davidson County Conservatives’ Breakfast Meeting Nov. 17

Saturday, November 17th 

8:30 am - Breakfast & Social 

9:00-10:30 am - Meeting 

Shoney’s Bell Road @ Cane Ridge Rd. (I-24E) 

($5.00 minimum food/drink purchase, please) 

The Election is over. We had some positives and some disappointments, but regardless of what the Democrats are saying the Republican Party is ALIVE AND WELL. 2014 is just around the corner! Let’s Thank our Davidson County Candidates!!! 

Invited Guest Speakers 

Dr. Steve Dickerson,  State Senator-Elect State District 20

Ben Claybaker House Candidate, D.53 

Councilman Robert Duvall, State House Candidate,D.59

Representative Jim Gotto  District 60 

Charles Williamson State House Candidate, D.50

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State House and State Senate now have a supermajority:

While I am disappointed at the reelection of President Obama and disappointed that our Davidson County candidates did not fair better, the one bright spot is that the State House and State Senate now have a super majorities

With a super majority, the Republicans can pass any bill they desire. Democrats cannot block any thing, nor can they keep the legislature from conducting  business by walking out.  The Republicans have quorum without the Democrats.

The challenge will be to keep the Party unified.  At one time when the Democrats were in the majority, the real division in the state legislature was an urban-rural split rather than a Democrat-Republican split. With leaders like Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and House Speaker Beth Harwell, I think Party unity can be maintained but it may prove difficult.

The best news of the night last night was the election of Dr. Steve Dickerson in Senate district 20.

I was real disappointed that Representative Jim Gotto was not reelected and that candidates for house seats, Charles Williamson, Robert Duvall and Ben Claybaker were unsuccessful.  I was really expecting Duvall. to win.  His State House district included the area that is his Council District and I felt real good about his campaign. I was less sure of Williamson ,but thought he would win and while I was even less sure of Claybaker, I thought he had a good shot.

The fact is, Davidson County is still a Democratic island in a Republican sea.  We are making inroads and things are changing but it is slow going. Our candidates worked hard and the Party and volunteers worked hard. I don't think anyone can be faulted for not tying hard enough. In Davidson County the President had long coat tails. Unfortunately there are still a lot of yellow dog Democrats in this County and they vote the top of the ticket down for the Party.

In addition to Steve Dickerson, newly elected State Senators include Frank  Niceley, District 8; Todd Gardehnire, District 10; Janice Bowling, District 16; Ferrell Haile, District 18; Dr. Mark Green, District 22; John Stevens, District 24; and, Dr. Joey Hensley, District 28. The Senate will be 26-7 Republican majority.  For the State Senate vote results, follow this link.

It looks like the State House will be 70-29 Republican-Democrat.  For State House Vote results, follow this  link.

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Bo Mitchell Accosts Newspaper Publisher Candidate Attempts to Block Newspaper Delivery

Nashville, Tennessee (Nov. 5, 2012)  --- Bo Mitchell, city councilman and candidate for Tennessee’s State House of Representatives in District 50, attempted to physically block the delivery of a local newspaper in the Bellevue area today because he was not happy with the contents.

“He screamed at us, shook the paper at us and called it ‘trash’,” says Larry Crim, publisher of The Nashvillian. “Apparently, Bo Mitchell doesn’t understand freedom of the press. This newspaper was fine with him when he placed an ad in it, but now that there is a news item on his opponent, he’s threatening my staff and me.”

At issue is an article published about a letter that is circulating in District 50. The newspaper reports in the subject article that Mitchell's opponent, Williamson, has stated that the letter "is already forgery and mail fraud. If the money for this letter is traced to my opponent or anyone acting on his behalf, it’s also a clear violation of campaign finance law."

According to Crim, Mitchell was "extremely upset about this coverage of his opponent's claims and tried to physically block the newspaper containing this allegation from his opponent from being circulated in Bellevue and other areas."

The letter, signed by one “Glenda R. Williams” contains negative accusations about Mitchell’s opponent, Charles Williamson. The negative campaign piece is very similar to comments made in direct mail pieces by the Mitchell campaign against Charles Williamson. The state election commission has been unable to verify that anyone named Glenda R Williams is registered to vote in District 50.

“We contacted Mr. Mitchell when we received the press release and gave him 40 hours to comment,” Crim says. “We received no response. When someone hides from the media, you have to wonder if the accusations might be true.”

Crim says that Mitchell attempted to block the way with his truck as Crim attempted to deliver newspapers to homes in Mitchell’s Bellevue neighborhood, and threatened the newspaper man.

“He said, ‘Go ahead and keep circulating these and see if it doesn’t cause trouble for you,’” Crim notes.

The Nashvillian, which was launched in 2010, is a free, non-partisan newspaper, covering stories of general interest with a focus on political news and information. The current issue includes a business story on an area wholesaler, a column on environmentalism, and several stories on local candidates both Republican and Democrat.

“The incident of course concerns our newspaper, free press, and my own circulation of information concerning my federal candidacy and that of others when you have a public official threatening or attempting to block a newspaper containing these items from being freely circulated,” Larry Crim says.

 

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Charles Williamson Identifies Campaign Chicanery

Republican Candidate Offers $5000 Reward to Letter Author

 

Nashville, TN --- For several weeks, a letter has been circulating in Tennessee’s House District 50, and Charles Williamson is eager to chat with the author, although he’s pretty sure that she doesn’t exist.

 

“I’ve been focused on issues and I have been forthcoming with my contact information. I’ve had many welcome and lively conversations with constituents.” Williamson says. “If this voter really exists, I’d be happy to address her concerns. Further, if she will come forward and show her voter registration, I’ll personally donate $5000 to the charity of her choice.”

 

State Election Coordinator, Mark Goins, confirmed to the Williamson campaign that there is no “Glenda R. Williams” registered to vote at the equally non-existent return address of “110 Old Madison Road” in Nashville. Still, Charles Williamson is offering a generous donation on behalf of the author of the letter which challenges everything from his support of the Second Amendment, (he is life member of the NRA and carries that organization’s endorsement), to his interest in agriculture.

 

The issues raised in the illegal letter match almost exactly a recent negative mailer by Williamson’s opponent. Among the claims is Williamson’s acceptance of farm subsidies, which in fact, he has never taken on his Davidson County properties.

 

Chairman of the Nashville Election Commission, Lynn Greer, has put to rest the topics of Williamson’s voter registration and residency. “Charles Williamson is a legal resident of the 50th District and is legally registered to vote in that district,” Greer says.

 

"Our campaign continues to reach out to voters across our community to tell them about our plan to get more Tennesseans back to work. While others may resort to shady, anonymous attacks by mail and online, I know that voters find it refreshing to hear about the issues. They’re not interested in sideshows. We’re all tired of these desperate, malicious tactics."

 

The Williamson campaign has focused on the candidate’s extensive experience as a Middle Tennessee business owner and job creator who has been demonstrably involved in community service projects through organizations like the Bellevue Exchange Club and Chamber Leadership.

 

"It’s already forgery and mail fraud,” Williamson says. "If the money for this letter is traced to my opponent or anyone acting on his behalf, it’s also a clear violation of campaign finance law."

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Governor Haslam Endorces Charles Williamson for State House of Representatives

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Charles Williamson needs help

We need you!

 

We need smiling, waving folks holding Williamson signs at the polls … during early voting AND on Election Day.

 

We have 4-5 polls to cover during early voting:

·         Madison

·         Goodlettsville

·         Bordeaux

·         Bellevue

·         Downtown/Election Commission

Can you spare a few hours? A full day … or more in support of Charles?

 

We have 20 polls to cover on Election Day!

 

PLEASE reply or call me!

 

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CHARLES WILLIAMSON FOR STATE REP!

Claire

615-476-3200

ipcc@comcast.net

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Bo Mitchell voted for the property tax hike

Today’s Tennessean featured an article analyzing the House District 50 race between Councilman Bo Mitchell and businessman Charles Williamson.

The Tennessean got one thing very, very wrong in that article. They said, “Mitchell voted against the Metro property tax increase earlier this year, disappointing some of his Democratic allies but protecting his right flank as he looked toward the legislative race.” This is simply not true.

On third and final reading of the McGuire substitute budget bill, eight council members voted against it including Mitchell, but what was the effect of that vote?  Here is what the charter says:

The council shall finally adopt an operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year not later than the thirtieth day of June, and it shall be effective for the fiscal year beginning on the following July 1st. Such adoption shall take the form of an ordinance setting out the estimated revenues in detail by source and making appropriations according to fund and by organizational unit, purpose or activity as set out in the budget document. If the council shall fail to adopt a budget prior to the beginning of any fiscal year, it shall be conclusively presumed to have adopted the budget as submitted by the mayor.

The final vote against the McGuire substitute budget was meaningless. Both the McGuire substitute and the Mayor's budget raised taxes by the same amount. When the final vote on the budget was cast, the effect of the "no" vote was a vote for the Mayors budget as opposed to the McGuire substitute budget. That is a fact. Instead of the Tennessean taking the opportunity to educate the public they are protecting Bo Mitchell and letting him hide behind his vote against the McGuire substitute bill.

Prior to the final vote on the McGuire substitute an amendment had been offered by Councilman Robert Duvall that proposed a budget with no tax increase. His amendment got seven votes and failed. Bo Mitchell did not support the Duvall amendment.

Only the people who voted for the Duvall amendment can honestly say they voted against a tax increase and everyone else who claims they voted against a tax increase is lying. The seven Council members who really voted against a tax increase are Tygert, Bennett, Stites, Standley, Tenpenny, Dominy and Duvall.

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An evening at the Charles Williamson uninhabitable barn

The uninhabitable barn

Tonight I enjoyed a bean supper event at the ranch of Charles Williamson in rural Goodlettsville. Charles is running for the State House in District 50. The event was in Charles's "uninhabitable" "barn." Friends and supporters of Charles's enjoyed good food, conversation and good music.

Wow! The barn did not look nor smell like any barn I have been in before. It is a large attractive brick structure.  The event was in the upstairs of the barn in a large vaulted rustic space with exposed brick and wood paneling.
 

Charles Williamson speaks to supporters

What should be an unimportant foot note in this race between Charles Williamson and his liberal opponent has unfortunately dominated much of the recent campaign. The contest between Williamson and his opponent should be about ideas but Willamson's opponent wants to keep talking about Williamson's barn.

In a nutshell, here is what all of the controversy is about: Charles moved back to the "barn" on his bison ranch where he had previously lived and he registered to vote at that address and he listed that address on his campaign filings with the election commission.

It turns out that the residence was never approved as a home. Construction permits were legally filed more than a decade ago and the structure passed all inspections but the construction permits were never properly closed out and an occupancy permit was never issue. Now, codes will not issue an occupancy permit because the property may be in an unmapped flood plain. In the May 2010 flood the property did not flood and no one knows of the property having ever flooded.

Charles Willliamson, Governor Winfield Dunn and
5th Congressional candidate Brad Staats

Charles could have engineering studies done and pursue a lengthy, costly and time consuming effort to get the permits issued. Instead, he purchased another home in his district, a one-bedroom condo in Bellevue. The election commission has no problem with what has occurred but what should be a non-issue will not die.

His opponent has made all kinds of wild accusations claiming Williamson does not respect the hard work of the codes department and somehow claiming that the actions of Williamson is an insult to the victims of the 2010 flood. How he makes that leap in logic I do not know but The Tennessean is helping him in beating a dead horse.

I had a pleasant conversation with Carol Swain.
We discussed the premier her new TV talk show "Be the People"
based on her book of the same title.

To combat this campaign diversion and smear campaign by his opponent and The Tennessean, Charles needs lots of help. If you would like to help Charles, he needs people to make phone calls, help with door-to-door campaigning and contributions and more. To contribute or volunteer, go to Charles Williamson State Representative.

The Nashvegas Ramblers

About 300 people attended the event tonight. Among the guest was Governor Winfield Dunn and his wife Betty. Carol M. Swain, professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University and TV talk show host made opening remarks and introduced Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Gary Chapman who led the crowd in singing the national anthem.

Following the national anthem, a musician played a moving rendition of Amazing Grace on bag pipes. Charles Williamson then made remarks briefly addressing the controversy about his uninhabitable barn and thanking everyone for their support.

Throughout the evening we were entertained by the bluegrass music of The Nashvegas Ramblers.

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Lunch with the Governor Saturday

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Watching Romney win the debate at the GOP debate watch party

I watched the debate tonight at the Republican Party debate watch party at Three Stones Pub in Belleview. About 65 people filled the bar and watched TV on about six different screens. It was great to watch the debate in this setting with like minded people. People applauded and cheered as Romney scored points and hit Obama with zingers.

Kathleen Starnes, Chair DCRP,  being interviewed by News 2

Lonnie Spivak
Member of the DCRP Board
hosted the Party.

In my opinion, Romney knocked it out of the ball park. He had a mastery of the issues, he appeared calm and sure of himself and did not let Obama get away with distorting his position. Obama, on the other hand, appeared grumpy and defensive and mad and had trouble articulating a position.

I could not have been more pleased. I have not yet watched or read commentary so I don't know how professional journalist and spin artist saw it, but I thought Romney was by far the better debater and presented the more compelling

Brad Staats, 5th Congressional

District Candidate

arguments and vision for the future.

Beth and Bill Campbell, Larry Maxwell, and
Mark Rogers are among the debate watchers.

Mary Ann Parks and Charles Williamson
sit at the bar and watch the debate.
Charles is the Republican candidate for
State House in District 50.

My wife Louella and our friend Sue Duess
attend. Sue won one of the door prizes,
an "empty chair" campaign tee shirt.

The next debate party will be the vice presidential debate on Wednesday October 11and will be at the GOP Nashville office in Green Hills at 4801 Hillsboro Rd, formerly Wolf Camera, next to McDonalds. There will be finger food and wine for sure and maybe other beverages. This is a free event. Come watch the debate with people who share your values, wear your Romney-Ryan gear and cheer for our team.

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