July 30, 2006
Chattanooga Pulse Political Columnist Endorses Joe!
If you have read this week's Chattanooga Pulse magazine, you have probably seen the endorsement of yours truly by "Civic Forum" columnist Joe Lance, a.k.a. "Joe Public." I appreciate the "other Joe's" vote of confidence and hope it motivates the Pulse's many readers to make their mark next to my name on Election Day (which is now just 4 days away).
Besides the hard-copy article in the Pulse, Joe Lance's picks for all races in the August 3 election can be found on-line in his Tennessee Ticket blog, hosted right here on Chattablogs. You can follow this direct link to the article if you want to read them all.
Thanks, Joe, for the endorsement. Now I look forward to receiving the endorsement of the majority of District 2 voters this Thursday ... and to serving those same fellow citizens for the next four years as their County Commissioner.
Posted by joedumas at 05:11 PM
July 24, 2006
T Minus 10 Days and Counting
I was out canvassing door to door all day today, so this is just a short entry to let everyone know that our campaign is still going strong, all the way through to Election Day, August 3.
I met quite a few voters today and left flyers for those who weren't home. We put out some yard signs (in yards of actual supporters, not just on the side of the road). All in all, a good day, fighting the good fight for the citizens of District 2.
Tomorrow afternoon, I am attending a campaign reception put on by the AGC (Associated General Contractors). If my opponent shows up, it'll be a first. I haven't seen him at a single public event since the campaign started. I'll keep on working harder and meeting more folks until the polls close on August 3. And after that, I'll keep on listening to the voices of my constituents.
See you at the polls!
Posted by joedumas at 09:43 PM
July 09, 2006
25 Days Left
It's the evening of July 9th and there are just 25 days left in the campaign. Our campaign team has been busy knocking on doors and meeting the citizens of District 2. The response has been great! If we haven't visited your home yet, look for us one of the next three Saturdays as well as some days during the week. We look forward to meeting you soon and hearing your thoughts on the issues!
Thursday and Friday mornings, some of you who live on Signal Mountain may have seen me on the side of Taft Highway below the space house, waving and raising awareness of my campaign. I was joined by a friend on Friday morning and he went back out Saturday morning as well. (I took Saturday off from the campaign trail to celebrate my wife's birthday.) Look for us on the side of other roads in District 2 between now and the election. Feel free to pull over and ask questions, pick up a yard sign or just offer your support in any way you wish.
My home town of Signal Mountain, a significant part of District 2, is considering some major changes that could have a long-term impact on the community. I plan to be at the Town Council meeting tomorrow night (Monday, July 10) to see what happens and offer my input when the opportunity arises. I hope to see many of my fellow mountain residents at this important meeting.
Have a great week ... more updates to come soon!
Posted by joedumas at 09:09 PM
June 21, 2006
Going Into Debt
Hamilton County citizens should be aware that the County Commission voted this morning to issue up to $125 million in bonds. The necessity of going into debt, especially this much debt, should always be questioned. The really troubling part, though, is the broad language of the resolution (you won't find it on the county web site - I had to go to the Commission office yesterday and pick up a physical copy) that allows the bonds to be issued to pay for just about anything.
After reading the full text of the resolution, I sent the following e-mail to County Mayor Ramsey and all nine Commissioners. (I have yet to receive a response, but their action this morning speaks more loudly than an e-mail message or a conversation.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Dear County Mayor and Commissioners,
"I write to express my concern about Resolution 606-76, which you will consider at tomorrow's Commission meeting. I am concerned not only with the amount of the proposed bond issue - $125 million is a lot of money - but also with its open-ended nature (no specific projects are supported, just a generic 'laundry list' of the types of things that might be funded).
"This resolution, if adopted, will create the equivalent of an open line of credit, on the taxpayers' tab, in the amount of $125 million. Once created, the temptation to use the full amount of this line of credit will likely prove overwhelming, in the same way that far too many individuals 'max out' their credit cards or home equity lines.
"I find it unrealistic that capital budgets once estimated at $90 million could mysteriously have risen in cost by $35 million in just a few months. Construction costs increase over time, but not by that order of magnitude. Citizens can only wonder what manner of 'pork' hides in a $35 million 'slush fund.'
"Of course, I am not convinced that even the full $90 million in originally scheduled capital projects is necessary. In particular, I urge you to re-think, one last time, the wisdom (or lack thereof) of building a new high school on Signal Mountain where the student population is small and the environmental impact of the construction is large. Surely the funds required to implement that project could better be used for maintenance and upkeep of existing schools, or better yet, left in the citizens' pockets.
"In any event, I hope you will authorize no bond issue in excess of what is truly needed for urgent projects, and I ask that if you do approve any bonds, that you tie specific amounts to specific projects so that no hidden pork-barrel spending is funded.
"Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
"Sincerely,
Joe Dumas
Signal Mountain"
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It's too late now to stop the politicians from opening this huge line of credit, but not too late to let them know you don't want them to spend it all just because it is available. Let them know how you feel by writing to:
CountyMayor@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District1@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District2@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District3@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District4@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District5@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District6@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District7@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District8@mail.hamiltontn.gov
District9@mail.hamiltontn.gov
Posted by joedumas at 02:32 PM
June 19, 2006
A Little Late For Good Ideas
I noticed today, in a story on the chattanoogan.com, that my incumbent opponent has recommended combining four local tourism agencies (the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Convention Center, the Sports Committee, and the Tourist Development Agency) into one, more efficient, entity.
For once, I have to say I agree with my opponent. He's wrong on tax increases that burden the citizens and stifle economic opportunity, and he's wrong on regulations like the vehicle emissions inspection program that hurts low-income workers and senior citizens, but this seems like a reasonable suggestion to me.
I'm just curious why, having been in office for almost eight years with very little to show for it, my opponent is suddenly coming up with ideas now. I don't suppose it has anything to do with the fact that he is running for re-election against a strong, determined challenger?
Posted by joedumas at 01:36 PM
June 15, 2006
The Times/Free Press Covers My Race (With Podcast)
Today's Chattanooga Times Free Press has a story on my race, with quotes from yours truly as well as my incumbent opponent. You can read it on-line here.
Material for the story was drawn from live interviews yesterday between the candidates and the TFP editorial board. Audio podcasts of the complete interviews are also available on-line; you can find mine here.
Happy reading and listening!
Posted by joedumas at 10:08 AM
June 10, 2006
Asking The Right Questions About Vehicle Inspections
This past week, an article on the chattanoogan.com questioning the vehicle emissions inspection program caught my eye. I finally found time to respond to it last night. This is what I wrote:
Michael Locke makes some great points regarding the vehicle emissions inspection program. I commend him for doing his research and discovering some facts that I didn't know myself. There are many such testing programs around the country, and ours is one of the most oppressive in terms of the frequency and the large pool of vehicles, including newer ones, that must be tested.
It's funny (not ha-ha, but strange) how we test all cars (except brand new ones and antiques built before 1975), but we don't test any large buses or trucks over 10,500 pounds, even though they pollute far more than a car or light truck. That hardly seems fair to me.
And of course we don't test the thousands of cars and trucks driven into Hamilton County every day by commuters from other counties in Tennessee, northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia, not to mention tourists and truckers coming through on the interstates.
Mr. Locke wants some answers as to why we can't modify our testing program to be less of a burden, and when we can eliminate it. The best way to lessen the burden is to junk the program completely, and we can do that any time five county commissioners muster up the guts to admit they were wrong.
If you live in District 2, vote for me, Joe Dumas, "the Taxpayer's Best Friend" on August 3 and I will work to put together the five votes needed to set us free from this inconvenient, intrusive, unfair and ineffective program.
Joe Dumas
County Commission Candidate
joe@joedumas.com
Posted by joedumas at 09:07 AM
June 01, 2006
A Busy Day
Today was a busy day in my campaign to stand up for the hard-working, tax-paying, vehicle-driving citizens of Hamilton County. I put in quite a few hours of both "seat time" and "sweat equity", and even got a parking ticket for my efforts, but it was well worth it.
This morning, I attended the County Commission's hearing on the vehicle emissions inspection program, much-despised by the vast majority of Hamilton County citizens. Officials from the state air pollution control board as well as the company contracted to perform the testing were in attendance. As I expected, they mouthed all the right platitudes about how great the program was and how we should love it so much because it was making our air so much cleaner and helping us recruit industry (yeah, so where's that long-awaited auto plant? Not coming here any time soon...). Yada yada yada ..., as Jerry Seinfeld would say. I remain unconvinced, but that is because I have done my homework on the subject. More of it, I suspect, than the so-called "experts." Vehicle inspection programs are just not an effective way of reducing air pollution ... but they do make money for the state and the company that does the testing!
TV cameras were up and running at the meeting. I hope yours truly, plus the several other citizens who got up to address the commission in opposition to the program (none spoke in favor of it) got some good air time. I know I got a mention on chattanoogan.com, which also covered the meeting. I hope we'll get a story in the Times/Free Press also.
Posted by joedumas at 07:39 PM
May 24, 2006
I'm Back ... Miss Me?
Those of you who were following this blog probably have been wondering what happened to me these last couple of weeks. I'm alive and well, and still very much in the race. But, some other stuff came up that temporarily took priority....
The week of the primary election was also final exam week at UTC with grades due. I had to get all that taken care of. The following week, my wife and I left town for a trip to south Alabama and Mississippi. We visited family, and also spent time with our church group that was rebuilding a home near Gulfport, Mississippi that was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. I'll try to get some photos of the trip on-line when I get a chance....
After we returned, we spent most of this past weekend volunteering to help the Kidney Foundation with their annual fundraising "River Roast" BBQ/concert. We got to see '70s super-group Kansas (for as long as they played before being driven off stage by an intense thunderstorm) and have fun helping out with a good cause.
Now we are back in town for a while and I am ready to hit the campaign trail. If you live in District 2, I hope to be knocking on your door in the near future. Watch for me, and watch here for more campaign updates!
Posted by joedumas at 09:55 PM
May 05, 2006
One Election Down, One To Go
Well, the results of the May 2 primary are in, and the taxpayers took one on the chin. The only bright spot is the re-election of the District 1 Commissioner who opposed the tax increase enacted last year. Meanwhile, a concerted effort and a lot of money ousted Commissioner Lou Miller, a taxpayer heroine who was the only Democratic vote against last year's tax hike. Commissioner Miller, though you will soon be gone, you will not be forgotten. Thank you for standing up for the hard-working, and retired, taxpayers of Hamilton County.
Continue reading "One Election Down, One To Go"
Posted by joedumas at 11:57 PM
April 28, 2006
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
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 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