Tennessee State Senator Thelma Harper

Tennessee State Senator Thelma Harper will be the featured guest speaker at a fund raising and organizational event for Tim Barnes, Democratic candidate for State Senate, District 22.

The event is scheduled for this Thursday July 17, 2008 at the First Missionary Baptist Church Immanuel Family Life Center 303 Fairview Lane Clarksville, Tennessee starting at 6:00 pm.

Senator Harper is considered one of the most powerful senators to represent the state of TN. State Senator Thelma Harper, has for many years been a prominent and highly influential figure in the political, social, and civic lives of many.

She has served in the Tennessee State Senate for fourteen years and is the first African American female ever elected to the Tennessee State Senate.

State Senator Thelma Harper serves as Chair of the Senate Government Operations Committee; in addition she serves as the Vice Chair of the State and Local Government Committee; member of the Select Committee on Children and Youth; member of the Corrections Oversight Committee; member of the Veterans Affairs Oversight Committee; President of the Tennessee Women’s Suffrage Commission; Vice Chair of the Tennessee Black Health care Commission; a member of the Tennessee Economic Council on Women; member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors and Member of the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

State Senator Beverly Marrero is also scheduled to attend along with several prominent democratic elected officials and Democratic Party leaders.

For more information please contact Kim Smith Campaign Manager for Tim Barnes for senate at Phone: (931) 648-9400 or (931) 801-4821 Email:

With former Lt. Governor as guest speaker, Tim Barnes launched his campaign for the Tennessee State Senate District 22 seat with enthusiasm and high energy. The Machinists Union Hall was filled with over 130 enthusiastic supporters. Wilder spoke the need for a person committed to being a statesman, being true to the interests of the people. He told the supporters that Tim Barnes is that person. He further stated that there is a strong need for Tim’s integrity and commitment in the Senate. He reminded the audience that there is a time for bi-partisanship and a time to stand with the party. Ending with his standard rally call, “Let the Senate Be the Senate!” he urged the crowd, “Put this young man in the Senate!”

State Rep. Joe Pitts introduced former Lt. Governor Wilder. Following Wilder, Kim Smith, Barnes’ campaign manager, acknowledged the support of the Machinist Union to the campaign.

Machinist Union representatives and AFL-CIO officials presented campaign donation checks. Barnes thanked the union officials for their support but told the gathering that he is in this fight for them.

“This senate seat is not the exclusive property of any one individual. It doesn’t belong to any particular person. It belongs to you, the people of District 22!”

He told of several instances where people told him of incumbent Senator Kurita warning that she had accumulated a massive war chest and that should he challenge her, he would be in for a beating. Barnes characterizes this kind of talk as arrogance, an attempt at intimidation and responded, “Bring it on!” In response, the crowd erupted in cheers of “Time for Tim! Time for Tim!”

Barnes told the group that people will be hearing similar claims from both candidates of concern for the people’s issues. He pointed that while Senator Kurita boasts about the passage of the HOPE Scholarship Retention Reform legislation, she voted against its passage in the Senate. She boasts about passage of Home Health Care Reform, but she failed to vote for it in the Senate. Barnes pledged to remain true to his commitment to pursue the electorate’s issues, not his own personal agenda.

Refreshments included barbecue pulled pork, baked beans, sweet vinegar coleslaw and assorted soft drinks. Supporters found volunteer sign-up sheets, T-shirts, lawn signs on hand, and cash donations were briskly exchanged.

[Show as slideshow]

12►

Tuesday night, the Smith-Trahern Mansion played host to the monthly meeting of the Montgomery County Democratic Party.

Delina Starr gave a report of the June 14th South Guthrie voter registration and candidate rally. Thanks was given to the support effort that came together to stage the rally. The rally was held at the historic Guildfield Baptist Church and lasted into the early evening hours.

After Starr finished her report, the attendees heard from several candidates or their designated representatives including Tim Barnes campaign manager Kim Smith, Senate District 22; Robert Hunt, County Assessor Office; and Althea Jack, campaign manager for Senator Rosalind Kurita, District 22; and U.S. Senate candidate Kenneth Eaton.

Introducing one of the Democratic challengers to US Senator Lamar Alexander, Nashville author Dean Mitchell, spoke of refuting the Republican Party’s claim of its platform being based on Christian principles found in The Bible. He has authored a book which directly challenges this contention and debunks the falsehood the claimed biblical  references advanced from GOP spokespersons.

Mitchell then introduced Eaton, a Nashville businessman who believes that Senator Alexander has not been faithful to his pledges of business principle based government administration. He contends Alexander’s personal affairs conduct of his senatorial career belies his stated principles and objectives. Eaton intends to pursue this approach in his campaign. More information on his political views and campaign is available at his website.

Next, State Senator Rosalind Kurita’s campaign manager, Althea Jack addressed the group. She pointed out several legislative initiatives the Senator was proud to have seen passed in the legislature. These include the Senior Home Health Care Act, the HOPE Scholarship Reform- which amended the GPA retention requirement standards, HOPE Scholarship Expansion to include non-traditional students eligibility and Helping Heroes Act, which gives monies to Tennessee military personnel in addition to their GI Bill benefits.

Kim Smith told the group about the upcoming Thursday kick-off fund raiser for Tim Barnes, candidate for Senate District 22. The fund raiser will be held June 26th at the Machinists Union Hall, 121 Union Hall Rd., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event will include a meal of Bar-B-Q, baked beans, coleslaw, bread, beverages. and lots of fun. Yard signs and bumper stickers will be distributed. For more information, contact campaign manager Kim Smith at (800) 930-9405, (931) 648-9400, (931) 801-4821 or by e-mail at . No minimum contribution is required.

Robert Hunt introduced himself as the candidate for the County Assessor position on the August election slate. He is a Clarksville native, a Clarksville High School graduate, an U.S. Army veteran and has a BA degree from East Tennessee State University. He has 19 years experience in the Assessor’s Office. He has several assessor certification awards including International Association of Assessing Officers’ Certified Assessment Evaluator (CAE) and Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES). He has earned professional designations of Tennessee Certified Assessor (TCA), Tennessee Master Assessor (TMA) and Certified Public Administrator (CPA).

The Unity Project’s ‘Prayer Warriors’ Initiative was highlighted by Charles Moreland. The focus is encourage democrats to pray for Senator Barrack Obama’s success and to show that Democrats are ‘prayer warriors’ too. More information and a color pamphlets will be available at the next group meeting. Moreland also spoke about the “Neighborhood Volunteer Program.” The program seeks to have local volunteers commit to talking with 25 neighbors at least 25 times between now and Election Day. The idea is that personal interaction can be more persuasive than big money campaign ads. For more information on either of these initiatives, contact him via email at .

“Clarksville for Obama” spokesperson Terry McMoore spoke about “Unite for Change,” a nationwide event occurring on June 28 at 5:30 p.m.. The local contingent will meet at Lassiter’s Coffee and Tea Shop, 2250 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. This two-hour event is about people mobilizing for change. Blue Dog Democrats, Hillary Clinton primary supporters, Republicans and Independents all have an opportunity to make real change happen in America. ‘Clarksville for Obama’ can be found on the MySpace and Facebook social networking websites.

Wade Monday, from the Tennessee Democratic Party next addressed the group. He told of the party’s anti-smear campaign designed to refute and rebuff the myriad of false and malicious Obama rhetoric being circulated among the electorate and the general public. Individuals are encouraged to report malicious, falsehoods and misstatements in letters to editor, or opinion pieces that appear in print and electronic media. Supporters are encouraged to write truthful rebuttals to these Swiftboat Veteran-style attacks. 

The Montgomery County Democratic Party is gearing up for the opening of the election headquarters and its operation. Volunteers will be needed to man phone banks, conduct neighborhood canvassing and voter registration efforts. For more information about party activities, call 931-645-9011.

[Show as slideshow]

From left, MCDP Vice-Chair Robert Lewis, Senator Rosalind Kurita, Rep. Joe Pitts, Kim Smith, and House Majority Leader Gary Odom at Tuesday’s MCDP holiday celebration and annual awards ceremony. David Shelton Photo.

State House Majority Leader Gary Odom addressed the group, summarizing the legislative achievements of the year while citing a need to continue to “build up our majority” in the State House. Odom tossed a question to the audience in an impromptu forum centered on the Hope Scholarship. Odom said the past year in state government “was one of the best” in his 21 years of public service.

Citing fiscally conservative practices that have led to a substantial “rainy day fund,” Odom (pictured at left with Kim Smith) sought opinions on whether standards for maintaining the merit-based HOPE Scholarship, which is funded by lottery monies, should be lowered. Currently, students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain this $4000 scholarship; Odom fielded the idea of dropping that benchmark to 2.75, or even 2.5 (the later is a C+), stating that this scholarship incentive would motivate more good students to pursue higher learning. The proposal drew a substantially favorable response from his listeners, which included several faculty members from APSU.

Odom also voiced a deep concern over an escalating crime rate, citing the increased violence that in Tennessee is most visible in cities like Memphis, and surprisingly, Jackson. He referenced the passage of Jessica’s Law, which mandates a minimum 25 sentence and lifetime GPS monitoring of 25 years in prison and lifetime electronic monitoring of adults convicted of lewd or lascivious acts against a victim less than 12 years old.

State Senator Rosalind Kurita and Representative Joe Pitts spoke briefly prior to the awards presentation.

Photos from the MCDP holiday party:

Rep. Gary Odom chats with legislators and MCDP members

Charles Moreland and Senator Kurita

Among The Guests: