Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Education / Politics / Woods Chamber of Commerce Cash and the Student Rezoning Plan
Posted by Jeff Woods on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 7:05 AM
Comments (9)
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Maynard may have provided insight, but if we rely on the principle that wealthy campaign finance taints the integrity of elected officials with improper influence, well, Maynard's own views are also suspect. He's accepted his share of patronage from wealthy donors. So, what's up his sleeve in providing the insight? Seeing justice done tho the heavens fall?
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It is well known in Nashville's political circles that Karen Johnson and other school board members are simply stooges of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce which has been lead by people who don't even live in Davidson County. I'm glad this is all coming to light. Karen Johnson was also promised a job with the Gov's Books from Birth Foundation as repayment for her vote. Now she neglects her job and shows up all over town during normal working hours to campaign for Juvenile Court Clerk. She and Vic are birds of the same feather.
I'm glad all these behind the scenes unethical practices in Nashville our coming to light. Stay on top of it Jeff and you'll find even more!
I agree, Jeff please stay on it. For so long, this type of behavior has been brushed under the rug. And now look, Nashville is becoming a divided community because of it. Karen Johnson needs to be ashamed of herself, David Fox needs to be ashamed of himself because they are risking the future of children's lives. And, from what I read about Karen Johnson, I am sure she's cashing in for her campaign for JCC. I find it amazing that the same people also want to keep this cycle going (i.e. Karen Johnson backing her friend Cheryl Mayes for her upcoming seat as if it is hers to give away.) Nashville wake up! Please!!! Thanks Jeff for always keeping us informed.
And why does the Chamber think it's so important to stop busing north Nashville's children into Hillwood's schools?
It is simple Jeff. It is the perception of entititlement and right. The Chamber thinks it is entitled and has the right to dictate where poor black children should attend school. Let's face it...What does the Chamber really do for poor black kids? If we're going to discuss this honestly, then the honest answer is that white parents do not want their children to be exposed to black kids from North Nashville. At the end of the day, it is those white families that are contributing to the Chamber and not those poor black families. Its not about race entirely, its about the economic divide between the whites not wanting the blacks to have what they have been entitled to for so long and have had exlusive rights to (i.e. our own schools, our own neighborhoods, our own countryclubs, etc) The busing of poor black children threatens all that.
As a city, we really need to look at our values.
Just checking but this is the same Chamber of Commerce who's opposition to English First was used by the Scene and others as proof positive againt the referendum?
So when the Chamber is on the side of the Scene, they are valuable public citizen and when they aren't, they are greedy racists?
This reminds me of the time Al Gore cited Rush Limbaugh favorably as an prominent public citizen for his support of Free Trade.
the other Mark,
I don't know that "the Scene" used, or needed to use, the CoC's opposition to English First as "proof positive." They were just one voice among many. That said, the CoC has a history of sticking their noses in on matters of integration and desegregation. I'm working on a project now that shows such an example.
Think of it this way; English First may have impacted the business outlook for the city, but the rezoning matters dealt with matters closer to home for CoC members. Politics is personal, etc.
Mark,
I would be interested in hearing about your project.
My point was not so much a defense of the Chamber, which can do that for itself.
Rather, it was Pith's presumption of guilt regarding the Chamber's motives. There will be enough 'Verdict before Trial' thanks to Judge Nixon who has probbly been writing his decision since he got the case.
Look back about a week to see another excellent example of this sort of approach. Pith applauded Comptroller Justin Wilson for asking important questions about the Convention Center. Then Pith proceeded to attack Wilson's possible motives for asking the questions.
Well, who gets to question Pith's agenda? Is Larry Woods leaking info to you to help shape the debate? Is Pith afraid of being excluded from all the best parties if they give half-way fair coverage to the School Board and the Chamber?
Who will watch the watchers when the watchers have an agenda of their own?
I have spent many hours wondering about how to respond to yet another report that offers conjecture without confirmation, and attempts to paint all involved with the school rezoning plan as part of a great conspiracy to oppress persons in North Nashville. This is especially striking in the inability of Pith or the Southcomm properties to report on the defense arguments presented today when every point of hearsay and conjecture presented by the plaintiffs was reported breathlessly as if it represents the entire story.
The picture Mr. Woods paints is not unique to this situation. Our system of governance is unfortunately (in my opinion) tied to one's ability to obtain funding and that funding in our time rarely comes from individual donations but rather through this system of political action committees. The assumption then comes that this money buys influence, which of course all politicians will deny, and I think that most of them mean it at some level. While specific votes may not be for sale, certainly cash provides access to the candidates that may not be available to the average Joe on the street.
The questions that continue to be missed in this situation with Ms. Johnson and Mr. North is whether these same contributions were offered to their opponents, and whether they would be foolish to reject them in their attempts to win. After all, politics is a contact sport. Competition is huge and the ability of a person to influence the system and make change is based on their ability to win. Could it not be the case that these moneys were offered to all and that pretty much anyone running had to accept them or risk losing? Has Mr. Wood ever interviewed anyone connected with that race beyond the plaintiff attorneys and those opposed to the rezoning plan to inquire about Ms. Johnson's integrity.
I'm a little (okay, a fat) country preacher trying to help the community of Antioch move forward in the light of much decline and may not be especially politically astute, but as someone who has worked across party lines for the betterment of our community, I can say without reservation that Karen Johnson has been a tireless worker to try and help the people of this community. She has been significantly more engaged in promoting the educational needs of South Nashville than her predecessor, Mebenin Awipi, and responsive to every community effort we have attempted down here. She took the lead in organizing one of the largest community events in Antioch in recent years (the Southeast Easter Event) and gave significantly of her own resources to ensure that children in our area had a great experience. I have heard the passion in her voice for the needs of children, and can say as a person of faith that she has gained my trust through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to her community.
Is she ambitious in her political career? Sure she is, as is anybody that hopes to succeed and make an impact in public service. Does the nature of the beast that we currently live with require her to take money from fat cats? Yep, and it will continue to be so until people are willing to change the system.
One can certainly make arguments that the rezoning plan was ill advised, poorly conceived, and has the result of alienating certain pockets of our city. Politicians sometimes make bad decisions (the Convention Center may soon be one) for all sorts of reasons. There is always the possibility that back room deals were cut and the folks involved (some of were church members of mine in the past) are lying to my face. But this pastor has seen several of these people give and give to this community, usually without financial payback, and thinks we need to be slow to suggest corruption until all the facts are on the table.
