April 28, 2006
Halfway to 90
4/28/2006 ... seems like just the other day it was 4/28/1961. Today I am halfway to 90 years old....
45 years seems like a long time ... yet it is barely a blip on the historical record of "the animating contest for freedom" as Samuel Adams put it.
As Sir Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen a little farther than others, it's because I stood on the shoulders of giants." Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Madison ... in the modern day some others you might remember ... they are the giants on whose shoulders I have stood.
I thank God every day for placing me on the shoulders of those giants and enabling me to see the principles of individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government that they saw. My goal is that those principles shall not perish from this earth....
With every breath I draw, I will continue to fight the good fight begun by our Founders more than 230 years ago ... the fight for the rights of the individual, and against the arbitrary power of government. Without your help I am only one, but with your help we can accomplish anything....
Yours in Liberty,
Joe Dumas
The Taxpayer's Best Friend
Candidate, Hamilton County Commission, District 2
www.JoeDumas.com
Posted by joedumas at 10:30 PM
We Didn't Have To Do It
Today's latest article from the Times/Free Press reveals the truth ... that Hamilton County DID NOT have to institute vehicle emissions inspections. Knox County didn't, and somehow, the sky has not fallen!
Imagine that ....
Accoring to the article, "Mr. Napier in Knox County said the region continues to attract jobs, including the recent announcements that Sysco Corp. would build a warehouse in Knox County and Tennessee Steel Center Inc. would locate a processing facility in the area. But he said that 'clearly none of it has required additional permitting.' "
Well, duh. The only difference between Knox County and Hamilton County is not the air quality, but the quality of the ... guts ... of the county officials in resisting empty threats from the EPA.
Yet another example of the gutlessness of Hamilton County officials. So what if we have to cause inconvenience and expense for tens of thousands of our own citizens. Just as long as we don't incur the wrath of the dreaded EPA. Cowards!
Whatever. If you want a county commissioner with some GUTS, vote Joe Dumas on August 3rd....
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains set lightly upon you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." -- Samuel Adams
Posted by joedumas at 10:09 PM
You've Got To Be Kidding
Just yesterday, I received a post card in the mail from the District 2 incumbent, urging me to vote for him in the May 2 primary. Pardon me if I pass.
His campaign blurb claims that the "citizens want effective education, a positive business environment, and more employment opportunities with higher incomes."
Based on his track record for the last eight years, the only educational initiative I have seen our dear incumbent sponsor is a high school favored by a slim majority of residents on Signal Mountain ... a high school that will decimate Red Bank High School, the main secondary school currently in operation in District 2. The majority of the incumbent's constituents can't possibly be happy about this.... Tearing down an existing school for the chimera of a possible new one doesn't exactly show much of a vision for the district as a whole....
Continue reading "You've Got To Be Kidding"
Posted by joedumas at 09:44 PM
April 19, 2006
Some Candidates Show Up ... Some Don't
I'm pleased to see that a Times/Free Press reporter has picked up on the fact that the other District 2 candidates have been skipping public events. At least one of us is willing to show up, introduce himself (myself!), and listen to the concerns of Hamilton County citizens.
I got some nice quotes in the article, including "A lot of people talk about poor voter turnout. I'm disappointed in the candidate turnout," Dr. Dumas said Thursday night. "There are two other people running for my seat, and I have yet to see either of them at a candidates forum." Gee, I couldn't have said it better myself :)
Continue reading "Some Candidates Show Up ... Some Don't"
Posted by joedumas at 10:45 AM
April 18, 2006
Campaign Events, and Thanks for the Plug
I was privileged to attend two campaign events in the last two days. Last night, I was the only District 2 candidate to attend the All Candidates Rally at the South Chattanooga Recreation Center. I was pleased to have the opportunity to introduce myself, describe my qualifications and address some of the important issues facing Hamilton County. This morning, bright and early I was there for "Coffee With The Candidates" sponsored by WDEF-TV Channel 12 and Sunny 92.3. Once again, I was the only candidate from District 2 who cared enough to attend, meet the citizens, and discuss their concerns.
I checked the chattanoogan.com just now and noticed the opinion piece by W. L. Schultz with a kind endorsement of yours truly in the company of other candidates who dare to stand up for Hamilton County taxpayers. Thank you, Mr. Schultz! I really appreciate the recognition that I will stand up for vehicle owners to help repeal the costly, intrusive, inconvenient, and ineffective vehicle inspection program. With your help, we can make this controversial and totally uncalled-for government mandate go away!
Posted by joedumas at 10:30 PM
April 14, 2006
Response to a Voter on the Emissions Testing Issue
After posting my latest opinion article to the chattanoogan.com, I received an e-mail query from an interested citizen. I put a fair amount of effort into researching and writing my response, so I thought I'd post it to this blog for others to read, too. (It might save me some typing next time someone asks.... :) Anyway, below you will find the questions I was asked along with my response. I have redacted the citizen's name and e-mail address to protect his privacy.
Continue reading "Response to a Voter on the Emissions Testing Issue"
Posted by joedumas at 12:01 AM
April 13, 2006
The Latest On The Vehicle Inspection Issue
An article posted on the chattanoogan.com today details the latest clash between Commissioner Greg Beck, who is championing the cause of the citizens on the vehicle inspection issue, and County Mayor Claude Ramsey who is defending the program despised by so many of us.
First of all, kudos to Commissioner Beck for keeping this issue on the front burner! This program is causing much inconvenience and expense for thousands of Hamilton County residents, many of whom can ill afford to do without their cars or make hundreds of dollars in repairs because of one faulty reading from a microchip. Mr. Beck, I don't know whether you were correct regarding the timing of the installation of the inspection stations, but you are asking the right questions and making the right points. Keep up the good work! I hope you can find some support from fellow commissioners to reconsider this issue, and don't worry ... if you haven't solved the problem by August 3, the cavalry is on the way!
Continue reading "The Latest On The Vehicle Inspection Issue"
Posted by joedumas at 02:30 PM
April 12, 2006
So ... are you a Democrat, or a Republican?
That is the question that usually comes up when I knock on a voter's door or introduce myself at a public event. It's a natural question given that Hamilton County conducts "partisan" elections in which each candidate is identified by a party label on the ballot. Although, let me say up front that I wish this were not the case - I would prefer that, like some other counties and all municipalities in Tennessee, we would conduct non-partisan elections. That would help remove the "party machinery" from local races and force every candidate to campaign on his or her issues and qualifications instead of relying on a label. Imagine that....
Continue reading "So ... are you a Democrat, or a Republican?"
Posted by joedumas at 08:56 PM
April 11, 2006
Upcoming Public Appearances
We have two public campaign appearances scheduled for next week. I want to hear from you about the issues facing our community, so I hope you can make it to one or both of these events!
Monday, April 17th (6-9 p.m.): "All Candidates Rally", sponsored by Alton Park Development Corporation. South Chattanooga Recreation Center, 1151 W. 40th Street, Chattanooga.
Tuesday, April 18th (7-8 a.m.): "Coffee With The Candidates", sponsored by Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association, News 12 WDEF-TV, and Sunny 92.3 FM. Waterhouse Pavilon at Miller Plaza, Chattanooga.
Posted by joedumas at 09:23 PM
April 10, 2006
County Commission Paying Attention to Vehicle Inspection Issue?
A recent news story on the chattanoogan.com web site indicates that our campaign's focus on this issue is apparently starting to have an effect. Some of the same commissioners who unwisely enacted this program last year regret doing so and are now reconsidering their support for it. Now is the time to contact the sitting commissioners (including my incumbent opponent) and let them know how you feel. I don't mind them co-opting my issue before the election. My only concern is eliminating this much-despised program as soon as possible!
Posted by joedumas at 05:48 PM
Latest Discussion on Chattanoogan.com
Hello all, and welcome to my campaign blog. I'm pleased to see that I have been the recipient of some recent support expressed on the chattanoogan.com news/opinion web site. My sincere thanks to Mr. Schultz, Ms. Weathers and Mr. Price for their kind comments. I hope to respond to Mr. Williams' comments when I get a chance, but for now I think I'll leave Mr. Price with the last word....
Posted by joedumas at 05:29 PM