Former Metro Councilman Eric Crafton named to Tennessee Human Rights Commission

Eric Crafton

Former Metro Councilman Eric Crafton has been appointed to the Tennessee Human Rights Commission by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.

The Tennessee Human Rights Commission is an independent state agency responsible for enforcing the state's anti-discrimination laws which prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodation on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status and age. The Commission also ensures the State of Tennessee's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin by State agencies receiving federal financial assistance.

Eric Crafton served on the Metro Council from 1995-1999, and again from 2003-2011. Crafton unsuccessfully sought the position of Davidson County Juvenile Court clerk in 2010 running as a Republican.  That was the first time in 38 years a Republican had ran for one of the court house offices. He did not win but made a respectable showing.  In 2011 he also sought a Council-at-large seat, but that year no one except incumbents won an at-large seat all of whom were reelected without a runoff.

While serving in the Council, I thought Crafton was one of the better Council members. I was never disappointed when Eric took to the floor. He asked the questions that I wanted asked. He would ask, "why are we doing this?" He would ask, "How much will it cost us." And, he offered insight into the issue at hand and clearly explained why he was taking the position he was taking when a controversial issue was being discussed. He was thoughtful and communicated clearly.

Eric was one of the smartest people serving in the Council and one of the better educated. He is a 1989 graduate of Vanderbilt University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in math and Economics. While serving in the Navy stationed in Japan, in 1994 he attended Keio University and earned a degree in Japanese and Political Economy. He is fluent in Japanese.
 
Crafton led the unsuccessful effort to make English the official language of Nashville in 2009.  The proposed English First charter amendments would have restricted the city from publishing most communications in languages other than English and would have prohibited the city from paying for most interpretative services. While I did not support this effort I do not think the intend was mean spirited. There were pros and cons to the proposed charter amendment and people of good will could disagree. The effort was to create an environment that encouraged people to assimilate and learn English rather than being able to continue to function in their native language and to save the city money.

Because of Crafton's effort to pass the English First amendment he has been vilified by the more "progressive" element in our city as some sort of bigot. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Crafton whose wife was born in Japan and whose brother-in-law is a naturalized citizen from Mexico, is not a bigot.  He pursued a policy that he thought would address a problem. We were not on the same side on that issue but I never thought his intent was evil. While I did not support the English First campaign I enthusiastically supported Eric's campaign for Juvenile Court Clerk and his campaign for Councilman-at-large.

I am pleased to see Eric Crafton appointed to the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. I welcome Eric Crafton back to public service.  He has a lot to offer.  In a prepared statement Lt. Gov. Ramsey said: "A devoted public servant and veteran, Eric Crafton is exactly the kind of individual our state needs on the Human Rights Commission. I am confident that Eric's unique qualifications and viewpoint will be of great assistance as the Human Rights Commission carries out its important mission to safeguard all of our citizens from discrimination."  I agree.

Congratulation to Eric on his appointment and congratulations to Lt. Ron Ramsey for recognizing a talented public servant and not being afraid to poke progressives in the eye.

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Congratulations to Robert Duvall for winning the Scene Poll

The Nashville Scene has come out with their "People and Places Reader's poll, Best of Nashville 2012" issue. Along with  categories "BEST THING THAT'S CHANGED IN NASHVILLE IN THE LAST YEAR," which the Scene poll participants said was Nordstrom, (a place I have only been in once and a place I can't afford to shop) and BEST PET WALKER/SITTER' which the Scene poll participants said was Beth Joslin (whoever that is and if I had pet to walk I would walk it myself) is the categories "BEST METRO COUNCIL MEMBER" and "BEST METRO COUNCIL MEMBER YOU'D LIKE TO SEE GONE."

The results are not surprising really. I have in my mind a profile of the readers of the Scene and can predict their opinions. Well, not all of their readers of course. I read it myself, but I read a broad spectrum of stuff. I mostly read the Scene for the listings of art openings, and music performances and to see what good liberals are thinking.

My image of the average Scene reader is a higher than average income, white, pony-tailed, Birkenstock-wearing, latte-grande-sipping, avant-garde-art-loving, pretentious and condescending liberal. He has a dog but pays someone else to walk it. He is someone who sends his children to the best private schools but opposes charter schools and school vouchers. He is an avowed environmentalist and advocates cap and trade, yet has a big carbon foot-print due to owning a big house, a big dog and frequent trips by plane. He thinks society should do more for the downtrodden, but other than buying an occasional newspaper from the homeless guy, never gives anything to charity except when he contributes to WPLN and gets his free WPLN tote bag which he always carries with him to go grocery shopping at Whole Foods.

I have no idea how many people voted in the Scene's poll. They don't tell you. I didn't. I imagine few casual reader like me voted in it but mostly loyal readers who fit the profile I have imagined. Anyway, here are the results: 

BEST METRO COUNCIL MEMBER 

• Megan Barry 
• Jason Holleman 
• Peter Westerholm 

BEST METRO COUNCIL MEMBER YOU'D LIKE TO SEE GONE 

• Robert Duvall 
• Tony Tenpenny 
• Eric Crafton 

If I would have voted in this poll some of the names could have stayed the same, just switch the categories.

You can see that the voters in the Scene poll have opinions but they are not very informed opinions. Eric has been out of the Council for some time now. Despite being gone already, the voters of the Scene poll list Eric as one they would like to see gone.

Upon learning of being the number one "Best Metro Council Member you'd like to see gone" by voters in the Scene poll, Robert Duvall posted the following on his facebook page.

 I don’t read the Nashville Scene. So I didn’t know, until a fellow Councilmember called me today, that I have been named the “Best Councilmember You’d Like to See Gone.” 

 I had a bit of laugh at that for this reason. When you stand up for the people of your district and go against the wishes of the Belmont Boulevard crowd, you don’t win many points with Nashville’s elite politicians or media.

The wishes and well being of the people in my district come first. Always have. Always will. When the numbers don’t add up on huge new projects, no matter how shinny and exciting they may be, I will ask how we intend to pay for it without adding to the burden of the taxpayers. When my constituents ask me to oppose a property tax increase in a down economy, I will oppose it. When the opinion of my district is different than politicians and media, well, sorry guys. My district wins.

That is how I have conducted myself as a Councilman. It hasn’t won me friends among the cocktail crowd. But they don’t matter. What matters are good jobs and new opportunities for OUR part of Nashville. I have fought for that on the council and will fight for that in the State House. 

I congratulate Robert Duvall on his distinction on being disliked by the Scene poll participants. Sometimes you can know a person by the enemies they make.  

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The District 9 School Board Race and public forum

The 9th District School Board race has five candidates seeking the seat and several of them are well known. The candidates are Bob Bogen, Eric Crafton, Margaret O. Dolan, Amy Frogge and Ronnie Osborne.

School Board elections do not have a provision for a runoff, so whoever gets the most votes wins. Usually School Board races have low voter participation, so this means the candidate who can identify and turn out his or her voters can win and it may not take that many votes.

Bog Bogen is a former council member, the former executive director of the teachers union (MNEA) and a former public schools teacher. Having been the former executive director of MNEA, I would have assumed he would have gotten the MNEA endorsement, but he did not.

Amy Fogue is an attorney, has been active in the Gover PTA,  has the endorsement of the SEIU, and Bellevue-area Metro Councilwoman Sheri Weiner.

Margaret Dolan, is the vice president of community relations for Ingram Industries, has the endorsement of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the teachers union (MNEA) the pro-charter schools group Great Public Schools, Mayor Karl Dean, Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors and several other council members. When recent campaign finance report were filed, it was revealed that Ms Dolan had raised more money than had ever been raised for a school board race (link).

Eric Crafton is well known. He served in the Metro Council two full terms and part of another, led the failed English-only attempt, run but lost a race for Juvenile Court Clerk and ran for a Council-at- large seat in the last Council elections. I thought Crafton would make it into a runoff when he ran for the at-large Council seat, but all incumbents captured enough votes to win without a run-off and Crafton was shut out.

I know and like Crafton. Although I did not support the English-only effort, I supported and worked for Crafton when he ran for Juvenile Court Clerk and for Council-at-large. I know Eric to be a good, honest, caring person who has a passion for children. He is fiscally and socially conservative and is well-educated, has a sharp mind and has a thorough command of the issues. We need someone like Eric Crafton on the School Board.

Ronnie Obsorne is a retired teacher and former basketball coach at Mississippi State.

For the Tennessean's coverage of the race go here

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It's Getting Crowded in the 20th: Tim Garrett, Dave Briley, Eric Crafton, David Hall and More.

The list of potential candidates seeking to replace Senator Sen. Joe Haynes, who recently announced he would not be seeking reelection, is growing longer. According to an article in today's City Paper, among Democrats considering a run for the State Senate District 20 seat  are At-large Councilmen Tim Garrett, At-large Councilman Ronnie Steine, District 4 Councilman Brady Banks, former school board member  Dewey Branstetter and former At-large Councilman David Briley who is the Grandson of former Mayor Beverly Briley and who was a former candidate for Mayor of Nashville.

Emily Evans has been mentioned as a candidate but it is unclear if she would run as a Republican or a Democrat.

Among Republican, Steve Dickerson who ran a good race against Senator Doug Henry in District 21 in 2010 was first to announce. Former Councilman Eric Crafton, who may be best known as the leader of the failed English-only initiative and who ran as as a Republican for the office of Juvenile Court Clerk has expressed interest in running. David Hall who ran against Congressman Jim Cooper for the 5th Congressional District seat is considering the race.  I have also heard some guy named Scooter somebody (don't know the last name) who is a big GOP bundler for fundraising is considering the race.


The qualifying deadline is April 5, Party primaries are Aug. 2 and the general election will be November 6th.

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What did you think about the election?

People want to keep the Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds won by 71%. That is an overwhelming response. Some tried to argue that we should not clutter the Charter with mundane issues. People were not swayed by that argument. Emily Evans laid that argument to rest in a recent column where she explained that the fairgrounds is already addressed in the Charter and the Charter already establishes the rules governing the fairgrounds. Therefore, it is appropriate to modify the rules governing the fairgrounds by amending the Charter. Most people were probably not exposed to Evans argument, but they just knew it was wrong to take such an important part of our community and identity and destroy it to create another soulless office park, or whatever the mayor had plans to build there. The win for the fairgrounds was major repudiation of the Mayor's leadership.

Being a Republican is not the Kiss of Death. There was a time in Nashville, when no one running for public office would dare admit to being a Republican. The Civil War was a long time ago and few people are still holding a grudge because the Union Army occupied Nashville once upon a time. Times have changed. Republican supported candidates and self-identified Republican candidates did very well. Two of the races I were most involved in were that of Robert Duvall and Duane Dominy, both strongly identified as Republicans. Duane last year ran for a State House seat as a Republican.  Also, Karen Bennett, who is on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Republican Party won in her district. Other candidates identified as Republicans such as Charlie Tygert, Sheri Weiner , Josh Stites and Dave Patterson, either won their seat or made it into a run-off. 

The power of incumbency is hard to overcome. Look at the five at-large races.  Every one of the incumbents was reelected!  I did not expect that. I honestly expected Megan Barry and Tim Garrett to win without a runoff and I thought we would then have a run-off for the other three seats. In addition to the other incumbents, Ronnie Stein, Jerry Maynard, and Charlie Tygard, I thought Eric Crafton and Ken Jakes, would make the run-off and maybe Vivian Wilhoite or Renard Francois. I was really pulling for Eric Crafton and Ken Jakes. Eric came in, in sixth place but yet there were over 4,000 votes separating him and the fifth place winner.  With 18 candidates in the at-large race, it is amazing that all five incumbents could meet the 10% threshold and win without a runoff. If you look at the other races, most of the races where an incumbent was challenged, the incumbents won. Only in district 16 where Tony Tenpenny eked out a victory over Anna Page and district 30 where Jim Hodge barely lost to challenger Jason Potts did incumbents lose reelection bids.

The Mayor’s opposition may help one's election efforts. Look at Robert Duvall, Duane Dominy and Jason Holleman. In these three races the mayor went the extra mile to help the challenger. He sent out mailers touting the accomplishment in those districts, picturing himself with the challenger and attempted to give credit for the accomplishments to the challenger. I think this backfired big time. In the case of Duane Dominy, the Mayor attempted to give credit for a 4-way stop sign getting installed at a dangerous intersection to Dominy's opponent. Channel 4 called his hand on it and told the truth saying that Dominy's opponent was at none of the Traffic and Parking Commission meetings advocating for the stop sign and Dominy was there doing so. They showed constitutes thanking Duane for his effort in getting the stop sign installed and expressing unhappiness with the Mayor's effort to distort the facts. Dominy got face-time on TV making his case. Dominy's appearance as the lead story on the evening news gave him much more exposure than the Mayor's mailing gave Dominy's opponent. It is hard to estimate the value of being the lead story on the evening news. 

The same thing happened in Robert Duvall's district where the Mayor tried to give credit for the Antioch fire hall to Duvall's opponent. Maybe the best think that can happen to boost one's reelection is have the Mayor's opposition.

I am glad Jerry Graves lost. I am glad he was clobbered, not that I liked the incumbent, but I disliked Jerry Graves.

I am glad Holleman won and glad he won handily.  Lodge had the Mayor, the former Governor and lots of people from out of state and people with big name and big money behind her campaign. This was a race between two liberal democrats but Jason Holleman dared disagree with the Mayor on some issues and the Mayor came after him with a vengeance. Also, the more traditional faction of the Democratic Party was supporting Holleman and the Jeff Yarbro progressives were lined up behind Holleman. I am delighted Holleman won.  
 
The Mayor has been weakened. The mayor had some wins and some losses, but he did not get a rubber stamp council. He will probably not be able to destroy the fairgrounds. If, in the future, he runs for Governor or Senator, he will be running with less of an aura of invincibility.

Constituent Service may be the most important factor in getting elected to Council. I heard a very conservative Republican lady say she was voting for an incumbent who is a Democrat and voting against the Republican challenger, because the incumbent was responsive when she had complaints and he always returned her phone calls promptly. I still think, more important than a candidates position on taxes, or the fairgrounds, or the convention center, or one's political identity, is the record of constituent service or how a voter thinks a candidate will provide constituent service.

Zoning matters are important. On zoning matters, people want someone who will listen to the wishes of the community and hold lots of community meetings and work to find solutions to community objections to zoning proposals. Voters want someone who will fill the potholes and get 4-way stop signs at dangerous intersections and show up to commensurate when the neighborhood is flooded and pitch in cleaning up after the flood. They want someone who will answer his phone and return a phone call the same day he is called. Nothing beats being approachable, responsive, working hard and providing constituent service.

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Nothing But the Truth Candidate Endrosements

African-American conservative local radio talk show host Carl Boyd has issued his endorsements for the upcoming election. He interviewed many of them on his local radio program on Nothing But The Truth on WMDB 880 AM.  Where we share an endorsement, I have highlighted it in red. Carl Boyd's endorsements are listed below.

THE TRUTH 2011
Mayor- James Keeton
Vice-Mayor James Baxter
Council at Large: Sam Coleman, Ken Jakes, Donna Crawford, Don O'Donniley and Eric Crafton
District 1- David Phillips
District 2- Gloria M. Jones
District 3- WRITE YOUR OWN NAME
District 4- Dave Patterson
District 5- Scott Davis
District 6- Dave Rich
District 7- Anthony Davis
District 8- Nina Ground
District 9- WRITE YOUR OWN NAME
District 10- WRITE YOUR OWN NAME
District 11- William Guthoerl
District 12- WRITE YOUR OWN NAME
District 13- Josh Stites
District 14- James Stanley
District 15- WRITE YOUR OWN NAME
District 16- Tony Tenpenny
District 17- Jerry Graves
District 18- WRITE YOUR OWN NAME
District 19- Bob Ries
District 20- Gower Mills
District 21- PLEASE WRITE YOUR OWN NAME
District 22- Sheri Weiner
District 23- Emily Evans?
District 24- Jason Holleman
District 25- James Kaminski
District 26- Brock Parks
District 27- Michael Leftwich
District 28- Duane Dominy
District 29- Will decide by Election Day
District 30- Jason Potts
District 31- James L, Widrig
District 32- Will decide by Election Day
District 33- Robert Duvall
District 34- Carter Todd
District 35- Tonya Jones

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Who wants to keep YOUR Fairgrounds

From The Davidson County Republican Party

SAVE THE NASHVILLE FAIRGROUNDS

The following list includes candidates for Metro Council who have promised to support the preservation of OUR Nashville Fairgrounds. Please note that this list does not necessarily constitute an overall endorsement by the DCRP of each candidate. This list is in regard to this single, yet quite important issue. Get to know YOUR candidates and remember, early voting ends July 30 and Election Day August 4!

VOTE FOR RATIFICATION!!

District 1	Charles "Chuck" Hoosier
District 4	David Patterson
District 5	Scott Davis
District8	Karen Bennett
District 11	William Guthoerl
District13	Josh Stites
District14	Robert J. Budesa
District15	Phil Claiborne
District16	Tony Tenpenny
District19	Bob Ries
District20	Mary Carolyn Roberts
District22	Sheri Weiner
District23	Emily Evans
District25	James Michael Kaminski
District27	Davette Dennison Blalock
District28	Duane A. Dominy
District29	Isaac Okoreeh-Baah
District30	Jim Hodge
District33	Robert Duvall
District34	Carter Todd
District35	Tonya G Jones
At Large	Eric Crafton
At Large	Ken Jakes
At Large	Charlie Tygard

See our website for a video on the history of our Fairgrounds

www.Davidsoncountygop.org

JOIN OUR PARTY!
DAVIDSONCOUNTYGOP.ORG/PARTY

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Why I am Voting for 2 and not 5 in the At-large Race

In the upcoming election, I am only voting for Ken Jakes and Eric Crafton in the at-large race. While one may vote for five at-large candidates, one does not have to and if you vote for fewer candidates your vote carries more weight. By voting for one candidate instead of five you are denying four other candidates a vote. Here is the way at-large candidates are elected: Of all votes cast, if any candidate gets 10% of that total, that person is elected and does not have to face a run-off. After any candidate who gets 10% of the vote is taken out of consideration, then there will be a runoff between the top vote-getters, two candidates for each remaining seat.

We have 18 candidates running for at-large. Assume 25,000 people vote and each voter votes for five candidates, that is 125,000 votes cast. Assume one candidates gets 12,500 votes. That candidates is elected and does not have to have a run-off. That leaves four seats to be filled. The next eight candidates with the most votes will compete in a run off for the remaining four seats.

Now, assume 25,000 people vote and 20,000 of them vote for five candidates and 5000 people vote for only one candidate. That would be a total of 105,000 votes cast. To win without a run off would require 10,500 votes. Assume one candidate gets 10% of the votes cast, the next 8 candidates split 62% of the vote and the remaining 10 candidates only get only 28% of the votes cast. The candidate getting 10,500 votes wins and will not have to be in a runoff. The eight candidates split 65,300 votes and the bottom ten split 29,200. Assume the eight candidates who make the runoff get these votes totals: Candidate 1 gets 5,000 votes: Candidate 2 gets 6,000 votes: Candidate 3 gets 7,000 votes; Candidate 4 gets 8,000 votes; Candidate 5 gets 9,000 votes; candidate 6 gets 10,000 votes; candidate 7 gets 10,100; and candidate 8 gets 10,200. In this case a candidate who got 5,000 people to vote for him and him only makes it to the runoff. You may play with the numbers and make different assumptions but voting for fewer candidates makes your vote carry more weight.

While I am only voting for Crafton and Jakes, there are two other candidates I hope get elected. If you feel you must vote for more than two candidates, I recommend Tim Garrett and Charlie Tygard. Charlie Tygard is a conservative, is thoughtful and pragmatic and well qualified. He is a Republican.

Tim Garrett is a Democrat and has served in the State Legislature as a Democrat. Nevertheless, I like Tim Garrett. He is a conservative Democrat and is a common sense legislator. He is smart, does his homework and is conscientious. In addition, Tim Garrett is just a nice guy. Any time I have ever written Tim or called him he has called me back. Last year when we were fighting to get early voting restored, after the election commission had drastically reduced the number of voting places and days of early voting, Tim Garrett was one of the first to go to bat to get early voting restored.

While I like Charlie Tygard and Tim Garret, I am not going to vote for them in this first round. In 2007 Garrett was the only candidate to get elected in the first round and avoided a run-off, so I am sure he can get in the run-off without my help. I feel pretty certain that Charlie Tygard will also make the run-off without my vote, so I am going to vote for only Jakes and Crafton and hope they make the run-off.

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Ken Jakes and Eric Crafton for Councilman At-large

In the upcoming election I am supporting Ken Jakes and Eric Crafton.

Ken Jakes, when referred to in the newspaper, will often be referred to as "metro critic Ken Jakes." Ken has taken on various department of Metro government when he suspected wrong doing. Recently Ken became agitated that the Chamber of Commerce was supporting Mayor Dean's effort to destroy the fairgrounds. Ken wondered how much money the city paid the Chamber. He made a request of the finance department for that figure and after waiting more than the required seven days he contacted the State of Tennessee Comptroller's Office and complained. After the Comptroller's office got involved he got his answer and discovered that the total provided by metro to the Chamber from 2006-2010 was $10,552,682.30. That is a lot of money. Do you reckon that kind of money would influence the Chamber?

Ken Jakes played an important role in the recent effort to force Joe Torrence out of office. Also, when Ken suspected wrong doing on the part of the Chairman of the Fair Board he filed a formal complaint with the attorney of Davidson County asking him to start proceedings for the removal of Katy Varney as chairman of the Fair Board.

Ken Jakes is a thorn in the side of corrupt, incompetent and arrogant bureaucrats and politicians. He is tenacious and untiring. Anyone who believes in honest, open government should vote for Ken Jakes.


Eric Crafton is the other person I am supporting for Council at-Large. I often watch the council meetings and I am never disappointed when Eric takes to the floor. He ask the questions that I want asked. He ask, "why are we doing this?" He ask, "How much will it cost us." And, he offers insight into the issue at hand and clearly explains why he is taking the action he is taking when a controversial issue is being discussed. He thinks and communicates clearly.

Eric is probably one of the smartest people serving in the Council. He is a 1989 graduate of Vanderbilt University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in math and Economics. While serving in the Navy stationed in Japan, in 1994 he attended Keio University and earned a degree in Japanese and Political Economy. He is fluent in Japanese. Considering some of the other members of the Metro Council, we need some really smart people serving in that body.

Eric is a solid conservative, prudent and fugal. He is one of the good dozen who last year supported a bill sponsored by Councilman Jim Gotto that would have curtailed the abuse of eminent domain. Eric is not afraid to be identified as a Republican and last year he carried the Republican banner in the August election in an uphill battle for Juvenile Court Clerk being the first Republican to run for a County office in 38 years. Eric did not win that race but made a very respectable showing. During that campaign, I got to know Eric. Eric is a good man. He really had a vision for what to do with that office and has a real heart for children.

Eric has been a good district council and he loves public service. He studies the issues, he is level-headed and thoughtful. His motive is do what is best for the city. He deserves to stay in the Council as a Councilman at-large.

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SEIU Local 205 endorces Conservative Council Candidates: Crafton, Jakes, Duvall, Dominy

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 205 announced their endorsements today for Metro Council races. I am pleasantly surprised! SEIU Local 205 is supporting several of the same candidates I am supporting.

For Council at-Large they are endorsing Eric Crafton, Ken Jakes and Tim Garrett. Tim Garrett is a Democrat but he is a conservative Democrat. Of the current five At-large Council members, only Charlie Tygart may be considered equally as conservative as Tim Garrett. Eric Crafton and Ken Jakes are both Republicans. To bypass incumbent liberals to select two Republican challengers took courage.

In the district races, SEIU endorsed Emily Evans (23), Jason Holleman (24), Davette Blablock (27), Duane Dominy (28), and Robert Duvall (33). Several of these candidates such as Dominy and Duvall are openly Republican and some of the others, while Democrats, have not always voted with the Mayor and have shown a lot of independence.

Nationally the SEIU is perceived as extremely liberal if not radical. They were active in supporting the candidacy of Barack Obama in 2008 and spent $28 million in that effort making the SEIU the biggest spender by an independent organization. They were active in the healthcare issue often showing up to counter protest at tea party event. They have been accused of ballot rigging and using intimidation to persuade workers to vote in the SEIU as their union. In unionizing efforts, many of their activities have been considered thug-like.

Locally, the SEIU represents most government unionized workers who are not represented by either the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Fire Fighters, or the Metro Nashville Education Association. They represent health care workers, janitors, school support staff and people who work for Public Works.

The endorsement of Republicans and conservative and independent Democrats by the SEIU just goes to show that in a big organization their can be diversity and one should be cautious about assuming too much. I know many Metro employees are conservative and if the rank and file really are the ones choosing which candidates to endorse then I should not be surprised that good public servants like Duvall and Dominy get the SEIU endorsement. I applaud the SEIU Local 205 for their independence and courage.

Below is the press release issued by the SEIU.Candidates I am supporting are highlighted in red.

SEIU Announces Metro Council Endorsements

Metro Employee Organization Urges Election of Pro-Worker Candidates

(Nashville) The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 205 today announced a list of candidates endorsed by the organization for Nashville's Metro Council elections, to be held on August 4, 2011.

“These candidates were chosen by rank and file members of our union who are directly affected by the decisions made by the Metro Council,” said Doug Collier, President of SEIU Local 205.

“We need candidates who will stand up and support working class families and who believe in our values. Working class families are the backbone of Nashville and we make Nashville strong,” said Billy Deaderick, a meter technician for Nashville Electric Service who served on the union’s candidate committee.

“Over 80% of SEIU members and their families live and vote in the county, so we believe that our members will make the difference in many of these races,” said James Brown, a telephony technician working for Metro Schools who also served on the union’s committee.

The endorsed candidates are:

At-Large

Megan Barry
Eric Crafton
Tim Garrett
Ken Jakes
Vivian Wilhoite

Dist. 1

Lonnell Matthews, Jr. 

Dist. 2

Gloria Jones

Dist. 3
Walter Hunt

Dist. 4

Brady Banks 

Dist. 5
Priscilla Eaton

Dist. 6
Peter Westerholm

Dist. 10
Doug Pardue

Dist. 11
Darren Jernigan

Dist. 14
James Bruce Stanley

Dist. 16
Anna Page

Dist. 18
David Glasgow

Dist. 19
Erica Gilmore 

Dist. 20
Buddy Baker

Dist. 21
Edith Taylor Langster

Dist. 22
Seanna Brandmeir

Dist. 23
Emily Evans

Dist. 24
Jason Holleman

Dist. 26
Chris Harmon
Brock Parks

Dist. 27
Davette Blalock

Dist. 28
Duane Dominy 
 

Dist. 29
Karen Johnson

Dist. 30
Jason Potts 

Dist. 31
Fabian Bedne

Dist. 32
Jacobia Dowell

Dist. 33
Robert Duvall

Dist. 35
Bo Mitchell 

Early voting runs from July 15-30. For information on polling locations and other election information, contact the Davidson County Election Commission at 862-8800.

SEIU is the largest single labor union in North America, with a membership of 2.1 million members who work in the public and private sectors. In Nashville, Local 205 represents thousands of public employees in Metro Schools, Metro General Government, the Metro Action Commission, Metro Nashville Hospital Authority, Metro Development and Housing Authority, and Nashville Electric Service, as well as workers in private sector companies including Meharry Medical College and the Nashville Auto Diesel College.

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Southeast Breakfast Summit features Ken Jakes and Eric Crafton

Rise and Shine

for the

Southeast Davidson County Breakfast Summit
(formerly known as the Priest Lake Pastry and Politics)
 

with special guest

Council Candidate Ken Jakes

And

Councilman Eric Crafton 

 and 

Representative Jim Gotto

Speaking on issues facing Metro Government and the pending Metro Council elections. 

Councilman Robert Duvall moderating 

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Fellowship, Pastry and Coffee 8:30 AM, meeting 9:00 AM

Southeast Davidson County Breakfast Summit

Meets at

The Spirit of Life Church

 3646 Murfreesboro Pike
Antioch, TN

(map)

 Please RSVP at "Robert Duvall" rduvall71@comcast.net for food planning purposes.

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Metro Council votes to continue abuse of Eminent Domain

Last month the Metro Council took a strong stand against private property rights and voted to continue the abuse of Eminent Domain.

Council Jim Gotto was the sponsor of a proposed charter amendment that would have taken the power of eminent domain away from agencies such as MDHA and reserved the power of eminent domain to the Metro Council. Now, several agencies of Metro Government can condemn property without the condemnation ever going before the Metro Council. In the past, private property has often been condemned to benefit private institutions or developers. In making his case for the charter amendment, Gotto argued, "The use of eminent domain should be limited to only those projects that are absolutely necessary for government to fulfill its purposes."

Gotto recalled the abuse of eminent domain in the recent case of Joy Ford: "Ms Ford owns a business that is within the footprint of the Gulch Redevelopment District. MDHA through a subjective decision making process declared her property blighted and undertook proceedings to obtain it through eminent domain against Ms Ford’s wishes. The purpose of this property seizure was to pass it on to Lionstone Group, a private developer." (link)

Unfortunately, most council members did not agree with Mr. Gotto. Next time Metro Council elections roll around we should remember this and hold accountable those councilmen who voted against private property rights. Candidates running for office should have to declare how they stand on this issues. Only candidates who support private property rights should be elected or reelected to the Metro Council. There are very few clear cut issue that come before the council that reflect an ideological choice. Often reasonable people can disagree about issues before the council. In my view, this is not one of those issues. Anyone who voted against this proposed charter amendment does not deserve to be reelected.

A Good Dozen

God Bless Jim Gotto and the eleven other Council Members who voted with him. Those voting in favor of the proposed charter amendment were:

• Frank Harrison (District 2),
• Walter Hunt (District 3),
• Michael Craddock (District 4),
• Jamie Hollin (District 5),
• Karen Bennett (District 8) ,
• Jim Gotto (District 12),
• Bruce Stanley (District 14) ,
• Phil Claiborne (District 15),
• Eric Crafton (District 22),
• Randy Foster (District 27),
• Duane Dominy (District 28),
• Vivian Wilhoite (District 29).

Those opposing the reform charter amendment

• Tim Garrett (At-large),
• Megan Barry (At-large),
• Jerry Maynard (At-large,
• Mike Jameson (District 6),
• Erik Cole (District 7),
• Jim Forkum (District 9),
• Rip Ryman (District 10),
• Darren Jernigan (District 11),
• Anna Page (District 16) ,
• Sandra Moore (District 17),
• Kristine LaLonde (District 18),
• Erica Gilmore (District 19),
• Buddy Baker (District 20),
• Edith Taylor Langster (District 21),
• Jason Holleman (District 20),
• Sean McGuire (District 25),
• Greg Adkins (District 26),
• Jim Hodge (District 30),
• Parker Toler (District 31),
• Carter Todd (District 34),
• Bo Mitchell (District 35).

Other members were absent from this special called session of the Metro Council. To read the proposed charter amendment follow this link: RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-431

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Election results and reflections

If one logs on to the website of the Tennessee Department of Elections, one gets this message:

Due to the unprecedented volume of traffic on our web site, our servers have crashed," said Blake Fontenay, spokesman for the Division of Elections. "As a result, we will not be able to continue to offer updates on election results throughout the evening. This service was something new that we tried this year - and we apologize for the inconvenience. When we receive the final results, we will post them online in a PDF format, as we have in years past.

I had hoped to post some results and comment but those exact numbers are not available.

Senator Henry only won by two votes! Henry has been kept in office for years by the votes of Republicans. This year many people who would have voted for Henry voted in the Republican primary. We can expect this election outcome to be contested. We can certainly expect a recount and maybe a challenge.

If you are familiar with the case of Rosalind Kurita, you will recall that she was a Democrat state senator who outpolled her opponent by just 19 votes to rewin her party's nomination. However, her opponent alleged that Republicans voted in the Democrat party primary and the party took her nomination away from her and awarded it to her opponent. Although many traditional Henry supported voted in the Republican primary this year, I don't think you would have to look too hard to find three Republicans who voted for Henry. Henry, however, has not angered the Democrat establishment the way Kurita had done, so I don't know if that tactic would work. Nevertheless we can expect a drawn out process and I predict both sides will charge voter irregularities. If Henry ends up losing the nomination in a legal battle, I suspect Henry Democrats will come over and support the Republican candidate Steve Dickerson in droves.

Eric Crafton loses to David Smith in the Juvenile Court Clerk's race. I was very disappointing by this outcome. I worked the polls for Eric and the phone banks and was invested in this campaign. I have come to know Eric. He is a good person and was by far the more qualified candidate. He has a real heart for children and would have made a great administrator of this office.

I think the outcome was something like 55% for David Smith and 45% for Eric. I knew it would be an up hill battle to take this seat I but was hopeful. I thought that since this there was so much more interest in the Republican primary than the Democrat primary that Republican would outvote Democrats, which they did. I thought this would benefit Eric. If Eric would have won, it would have been the first time in the history Davidson County a Republican won one of the Courthouse seats. In addition to knowing Eric was the best qualified person for the job, I wanted Republicans to crack that Democrat monopoly on Davidson County. Another reason I wanted Eric to win, is because I did not want to see David Smith win. I don't know David, but he is the son of Mack Smith. For any who are old enough or who have been here long enough to remember the era of Bill Boner and Fate Thomas, you may recall the name Mack Smith. I suspect the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Anyway, Eric lost. Apparently many who voted Republican in the primary did not vote in the General Election. Also, I suspect that Eric's involvement in the English first bill, while helping him with some voters hurt him with others and may have had a net negative impact on his candidacy for this office. I still think Eric may have a future for higher office and wish him well.

Republicans did not break that Democrat courthouse strangle hold on Davidson County this year, but this is the first time we have even had a Republican primary in, something like, 38 years. We should not give up. Even if Republicans don't win, we are forcing Democrats to spend money and effort to hold on to their seats. That is money and effort that is not being used to defeat Republicans somewhere else. Also, it may take a while to get people accustomed to having contested elections.

Looking forward to November, we have a good chance to take some State House seats. Jim Gotto's chances of taking Ben West old seat looks very good. We also have good candidates in Charles Williamson, Tim Lee, and Duane Dominy who are each challenging sitting Democrats.

On a more personal note, I had a blast tonight. My lovely wife Louella and I started the evening off at the Union Station Hotel where Steve Gill broadcast election returns and analysis live. I also spend time in the Republican Party war room networking and chatting with fellow Republicans and watching the returns come in. I then went to the Haslam Party at the Hilton Hotel. I met and chatted with a lot of people and enjoyed the exuberance of the Haslam victory. After that started winding down, Louella and I and another couple went around the block to Lower Broad where we drank and danced and talked for a couple more hours. I do not claim to be a great writer, however if this post seems a little less polished than usual it may be due to the late hour, being tired and too many adult beverages.

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Tonight and tomorrow: Eric Crafton, right-wing nut-job, needs your help!

Comment: This right-wing nut-job Republican is doing all he can do to help Eric Crafton. I worked the polls for half a day at the Hermitage Library early voting site on Friday and Saturday and am working August 5th and worked the phone banks Monday and Tuesday. Where are the rest of you? Eric needs volunteers to work the phone bank tonight. Please sign up now by clicking this link: I am also a right-wing nut-job and I want to help Eric. Or, just show up at the State Party headquarters at 5Pm at tonight (Wednesday) 2424 21st Avenue, Suite 200.

From Eric Crafton
Dear Friends:

They are coming after me and coming after you!

Liberal activist State Democratic Party Chairman, Chip Forrester told The City Paper on Thursday that he feels, “because Davidson County is an extremely important Democratic bastion, the state party, as well as the local party, has a strong interest in ensuring that Eric Crafton is defeated next week”, because ”we see the potential of Eric Crafton, who is a right-wing, nut-job Republican, using this [seat] as a stepping stone for higher office.”

Unfortunately, Davidson County’s Juvenile Court clerk race has been turned decidedly ugly and hurtful by liberal activist Tennessee Democratic Party chairman, Chip Forrester when he said his party is “fully engaged” to defeat Crafton, a “right-wing, nut-job Republican.”

I have tried to make this campaign about competence, not partisan politics. If politics is taken out of the mix, I am clearly the most qualified candidate and the “Chip Forresters of the world” know it. That’s why they’ve stooped to calling all Republicans “right-wing, nut jobs”!

Obviously, as it was so clearly stated above, the activist wing of the democratic party understands the importance of my bid to become Nashville’s Juvenile Court Clerk, and they are doing everything they can to stop me. The question is “are we going to let them?”

If you are ready for Republican leadership at the local level, please help me win this race by doing one or all of the following:

1. Forward this email to a friend.
2. Take someone to the polls with you when you vote. Early Voting ends Saturday at 4 pm. Election day is Thursday, August 5th.
3. Help us at 5:30p – 8p this Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at State Party Headquarters with our phone bank. Please respond to this email to let us know you will be helping and we’ll send you directions to headquarters.

In an unprecedented move, Republicans have slightly outvoted Democrats throughout early voting. We can win this race, but to do so, we must run the race all the way through to the finish line. WON’T YOU PLEASE HELP ME?

Sincerely,


Eric Crafton

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I am working the polls for Eric Crafton.

On Friday, I will be working the polls at the Hermitage library early voting site. I will be there from opening until about 12:30. I will be waving an Eric Crafton sign and urging people to vote for Eric. Stop by and say hi. I also plan to work Saturday but am not sure where I will be.

If you would like to help work the polls for Eric, click this link and sign up: Volunteer to Help Eric.

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"get out the vote drive"- EACH ONE REACH ONE

Dear Friends,

We talked last week about Liberal Activist Democrat Councilman Ronnie Steine's wanting to teach Davidson County Republicans a lesson by insuring I suffered an overwhelming defeat in my bid to become Juvenile Court Clerk and Nashville's first republican constitutional office holder. Ronnie thinks these offices belong only to democrats, and that's why he had the State Democratic Party send out a countywide mail piece for my opponent at an estimated cost in excess of $15,000!

Despite everything they are saying and doing to defeat us, we are truly on the verge of something spectacular! If we do not grow weary, and if we continue running this race through to the finish line we will win. The first ten days of early voting show that republicans and democrats are running "neck and neck."

To win, we must continue getting our people to the polls. That's why I'm asking you to participate in a "get out the vote drive" called EACH ONE REACH ONE. All you have to do is commit to making sure at least one other person besides yourself goes to the polls and votes. That's it. Very simple. I have also included the early voting schedule below for your convienience.

Remember, EACH ONE REACH ONE! This is our time to make a statement that will shake Nashville 's current political paradigm down to its very core. Together we truly can make a difference!

Thank you!

Eric Crafton

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Update: Ron Ramsey at the Green Hills 'Pastry and Politics'

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey

Fifty people gathered at Nero's Grill in Green Hills this morning for the Green Hills Republican Club, "Pastry and Politics" meeting. Special guest was Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey. Ron was informative, humorous, motivational and upbeat but did not hesitate to take on his Republican opponents for the nomination for Governor. He went after Haslam as weak on the second amendment and attacked Congressman Wamp as part of the Washington establishment that got us in the mess we are in.

To read Mike Morrow's report on the meeting published in the Nashville Political Buzz Examiner click this link: Ramsey says Haslam pretending.

Other guest speakers were three of the candidates for the 5th Congressional District seat, Lonnie Spivak, Bob Schwartz. and Jeff Hartline. Eric Crafton, Republican nominee for Juvenile Court Clerk also spoke.

With such a full agenda, the meeting got started a little early this morning, beginning at 8:50 instead of the usual 9AM and ran just a little bit longer concluding at 10:30. People met to socialize and share coffee and pastry at 8:30. Many people hung around and visited with the candidates and each other after the meeting concluded.

The Green Hills Republican club which has been meeting for four months, meets the fourth Saturday of the month at Nero's. The meeting organizers are Peter and Gail Vorsey. The next meeting of the Green Hills Club will be Saturday, August 28th. Special guest will be the Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional Distinct seat which will be determined in the August 5th primary. Please plan now to attend this important meeting to learn what you can do to help our candidate beat Jim Cooper.

The Green Hills club is one of nine Republican groups that have monthly meeting throughout the county. For a complete listing of all of the groups and the scheduled speakers visit the Davidson County Republican Party website.

Update: Dur's views has posted her report of today's event including pictures.

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From Eric Crafton, A Call To Arms and Early Voting Schedule

From Eric Crafton

Dear Friends,

This week, Liberal Democrat Spokesman and Activist Councilman Ronnie Steine proclaimed, “Davidson County Democrats want to score a resounding win” by beating Eric Crafton’s bid to become Davidson County’s first Republican Constitutional Officer holder. Steine went on to say that “Democrats must beat Crafton to send the message to Republicans that perhaps they might want to invest their resources elsewhere, because you can’t win local races in Nashville. Those offices belong to Democrats.”

If Steine’s comments don’t get you fired up to vote, I don’t know what will! Democrats are worried, and I can tell you why. I have worked every day of early voting at the Howard School/Election Commission, the only open site this week. Republican intensity is high, so we are doing much better than normal at this typically Democratic early voting site. Normally, Democrats win this site with an 80% to 20% margin over Republicans. This time the percentage at this site is an astounding 55% D to 45% R. When the other 8 early voting sites open on Monday, July 26th, Republicans will have an unprecedented opportunity win a county-wide race if everyone, after voting for his or her choice for Governor and Congressman in the primary, continues over to the Davidson County General Election and votes Eric Crafton for Juvenile Court Clerk.

We need to send Councilman Ronnie Steine a message. And that message is “Nashville’s constitutional offices belong to the people, not to you!”

Please vote July 26th (Monday) thru July 31st (Saturday) at one of the following early voting locations:

1. Bellevue Community Center, 650 Colice Jeanne Road
2. Belle Meade United Methodist Church, 121 Davidson Road
3. Bordeaux Library, 4000 Clarksville Pike
4. Edmondson Pike Library, 5501 Edmondson Pike
5. Green Hills Library, 3701 Benham Ave.
6. Hermitage Library, 3700 James Kay Lane
7. Living Word Church, 5380 Hickory Hollow Parkway
8. Madison Library, 610 Gallatin Pike


These locations will be open at the following times:

Monday 8am – 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am – 7pm
Wednesday 8am – 5:30pm
Thursday 8am – 7 pm
Friday 8am – 5:30 pm
Saturday 8am – 4 pm

See you at the polls! If you want to volunteer to help us work at the polls, please go to EricCrafton.com and let us know.

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The Davidson County Republican Party Picnic

The Pledge of Allegiance let by Republican State House Candidates Duane Dominy, Charles Williamson and Tim Lee

Diane di Stacio leads The Star Spangled Banner

Kathleen Starnes,
Chairman of the DCRP

Bob Schwartz and Rod Williams








Candidates for Governor: Bill Haslum, Ron Ramsey, Zack Wamp





Cynthia Dunbar speaks for Cece Heil



Jeff Hartline




Eric Crafton

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