‘A Week’s Worth’ is a feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what State Senator Tim Barnes has been working on this past week, and a preview for the coming week in the Senate.

This week:

• Graduation
• Protecting our children at school
• Made in the USA
  

Graduation

This is a big time in the lives of our high school seniors, with graduations planned across Tennessee. Best wishes to you seniors, and congratulations to all you moms and dads who’ve helped them be all they can be!

We also take time to honor our bravest Americans – those who gave it all in freedom’s fight. Freedom is an everyday thing for us – easy to take for granted. But especially here in the Clarksville area, Memorial Day reminds us of the high price that’s been paid.

Protecting our children at school

Parents in Cheatham County are concerned about the potential for convicted sex offenders to go onto school property, and rightly so. I had a chance Thursday night to listen to their concerns at a school board meeting.

I told them about a bill I am sponsoring that would completely prohibit registered sex offenders from being on school grounds or being within 1,000 feet of the school regardless of whether they have children attending the school.

State law currently allows parents or legal guardians to visit schools where their children attend, even if they are convicted sex offenders.

That must change. There is nothing more important that we as a society or I as a lawmaker can do than protecting our children.

I assure you I will continue to fight for this one.

Made in the USA

Senator Eric Stewart sponsored a resolution this week expressing the state’s commitment to buy products and services made in the United States when we spend our share of federal stimulus money. I was proud to support it.

As we work our way out of these tough times, it’s more important than ever that we put our money where our jobs are: in American businesses.

We in Tennessee have seen too many good manufacturing jobs go overseas. It’s time we make a commitment to keeping our dollars and our jobs here, where we need them most.

I’m glad to put my name on this resolution that encourages the state to do business that way … Tim

In a letter submitted to Senator Tim Barnes and and Representatives Joe Pitts, Phillip Johnson and Curtis Johnson regarding action on the proposed charter revisions, Judge Smith voiced appreciation for their input and concerns regarding the city charter but suggested that their input would not be reflected in charter revisions.

Judge Smith  made an e-mail copy of his letter to Clarksville’s state legislators  available  to media and local civic and human rights organizations. In this missive,  Judge Smith acknowledges the work performed by the City Council but cites limitations to its ability and resources to adequately review information and issues on the Council table:

“Our City Council works hard, attends many meetings, and functions in a fashion that, in my opinion, is totally orchestrated and controlled by the executive branch of government.  The bulk of information utilized by the City Council in decision-making is prepared, edited, and shaped by the executive branch of government.  The current structure does not allow the City Council to have staff or resources to independently examine issues, obtain independent legal opinions or independent financial analysis.”

Judge Smith also criticized the city’s administrative structure, noting in his communique  that:

The Clarksville government structure provides no balance of powers, no checks and balances, and no separation of powers.  The executive branch (Mayor) controls the legislative branch by serving as a voting member, presiding over meetings of the legislative branch, and appointing and removing, at will, council committee members and chairpersons.  The judicial branch is equally under the control of the executive branch.  Except for the brief moment of rendering a decision in City Court, the executive branch controls all aspects of the docket, court personnel, and the enforcement or non-enforcement of judgments of the City Court.

Clarksville is the state’s fifth largest city, but, Judge Smith noted,  unlike the state’s top four municipalities, “the Clarksville City government structure is much more similar to cities or towns with a population of 1,000, rather than an expanding municipality with a population in excess of 100,000.” He added that no major city in Tennessee has its mayor as a seated member of the City Council, and summed the state of the city as “a monarchy.”

The Letter

Here is the complete text of Judge Smith’s letter:

Dear Senator Tim Barnes, Representative Curtis Johnson, Representative Phillip Johnson, and Representative Joe Pitts:

Thank you for your suggestions concerning the revised Clarksville City Charter.  The City Council’s analysis of the concerns you raised was, in my opinion, “one-sided,” much like the Charter revision process.  It appears that no meaningful change will occur.

I realize that municipalities in Tennessee exist at the pleasure of the State in their numerous and frequently unusual forms.  Unfortunately, the Clarksville City government structure is much more similar to cities or towns with a population of 1,000, rather than an expanding municipality with a population in excess of 100,000 (e.g. no mayor of TN Big 4 cities also sits as a council member).  The Clarksville government structure provides no balance of powers, no checks and balances, and no separation of powers.  The executive branch (Mayor) controls the legislative branch by serving as a voting member, presiding over meetings of the legislative branch, and appointing and removing, at will, council committee members and chairpersons.  The judicial branch is equally under the control of the executive branch.  Except for the brief moment of rendering a decision in City Court, the executive branch controls all aspects of the docket, court personnel, and the enforcement or non-enforcement of judgments of the City Court.

The revised Charter, in my opinion, conflicts with State law in several areas as it relates to the judiciary.  T.C.A. § 16-18-310(b) provides, in part, “the clerk of the municipal court shall maintain an accurate and detailed record of court proceedings… .”  T.C.A. § 55-10-306(a) provides, in part, “that every magistrate or judge of the court shall keep or cause to be kept a record of every traffic complaint, warrant, traffic citation… .”  The proposed Charter, Article V, section 1(f), provides, “the clerk of the City Court, under supervision of the Finance Department, shall keep or cause to be kept City Court dockets… .”  The proposed Charter assigns judicial statutory responsibility to the Finance Department.  T.C.A. § 16-1-102 provides, in part, that “every court has the power to compel obedience to its judgments, orders, and process… .” The proposed Charter, Article V, section 1(b), states, in part, that “the City Judge shall have power… to enforce the collection of all such fines and costs and, in default of payment thereof, to pursue collection of the same through the City Finance Department and City Attorney.”  The proposed Charter seeks to dictate, limit, or proscribe the method the Court would utilize to “compel obedience to judgments.”  The proposed Charter, Article V, section 1(d), ends with the language “the City Judge, with approval of the Mayor, may remit with or without conditions, fines and costs imposed for the violation of any ordinance or Charter provisions of the City or any part of the same.”  This language, and language in part (e) which states that “the Judge to certify to the Finance Department for collection of all fines,” is gibberish. The elected Judge does not require approval of the Mayor” to discharge judicial responsibilities, and further the Judge does not handle any funds and, unfortunately, all personnel who collect funds, establish dockets, and discharge any other functions related to the judiciary are supervised and accountable exclusively to the executive branch of government.  The Judge cannot “remit” or “certify” anything related to funds.

These are a few obvious conflicts the proposed Charter creates concerning State law and common sense as it relates to the judiciary.  The Charter Revision Committee did not ask for my input, the input of the former City Court Judge, or the input of anyone with judicial experience as they made Charter revisions.  The current Charter is admittedly obsolete and outdated in many areas; however, the proposed Charter does not address fundamental Charter shortcomings.

Without independent branches of government and separation of powers, there are no checks and balances, and the executive branch in Clarksville simply does as it chooses without regard to the proposed or current Charter, statutory law, or Constitutional law.  Our City Council works hard, attends many meetings, and functions in a fashion that, in my opinion, is totally orchestrated and controlled by the executive branch of government.  The bulk of information utilized by the City Council in decision-making is prepared, edited, and shaped by the executive branch of government.  The current structure does not allow the City Council to have staff or resources to independently examine issues, obtain independent legal opinions or independent financial analysis.

The proposed Charter further erodes the concept of independent branches of government and balance of power.  Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a method of accountability for the executive branch, given the total control exercised over the legislative branch of government.  The Mayor presides over the legislative branch, introduces legislation, and votes on any matters he chooses, which essentially creates a monarchy. Unfortunately, I do not see avenues for bringing about positive change unless you act.  Keep asking the hard questions.  Clarksville deserves it.

Thanks for your consideration.

Judge Charles W. Smith

Tenn. NAACP State Conference Delegates to Legislative Day On The Hill 2009

The NAACP, Clarksville Branch #5582, participated in the Annual NAACP Legislative Day On the Hill. This year’s observance  celebrates the NAACP’s 100th Anniversary as branch delegates from across the state converged on the State Capitol and Legislative Plaza to confer with state legislators and sit in on committee meetings. Legislative officials came to the House Chambers to greet, welcome and acknowledge the annual event and the organization’s historic anniversary. Over 250-plus delegates and supporters filled the House of Representatives Chambers and visitors galleries to participate in and document the historic event.

Rep. Kent Williams, R-Carter County, Speaker of the House welcomes delegates to House Chambers

The day’s agenda was presided over by Tennessee State NAACP Conference President Gloria Sweet-Love. Officers of the State Conference and staff registered delegates and directed the day’s events and training. State government officials and officers welcomed the assembled delegates with warm accolades and recognition of the organization’s anniversary. Speaker of the House Kent Williams was the first state official to render greetings and welcome to the assembled representatives. He informed the group that Rep. Joe Armstrong had just returned to Memphis because his father had suffered a heart attack. The Speaker said he himself would be Memphis in the coming week to meet with local officials there. He declared that “Tennessee is not a red state or a blue state. I do not represent any one part of the state. We are one state.”

Rep. Larry Turner, Secretary of the Democratic Caucus, urged the delegates to meet with their respective legislators and they them know they are here to represent all the people. I hope you will call and write them and let them know that.”

Hardaman County NAACP Youth/College Delegation Contingent

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey next addressed the assemblage and acknowledged the significance of the NAACP’s legacy and the achievement of its 100th anniversary. He linked that achievement with he himself being the first Republican Lt. Governor in Tennessee in 140 years. Youth and College State Conference President Monet Brown welcomed the youth contingent of the delegates to the hollowed halls of state government. Of the three hundred fifty-plus assemblage, fully one-third were youth/college-aged members and supporters.

Other speakers who addressed the assemblage included State Representative John D. DeBerry, Chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus, declared that “America is stronger because of the NAACP.’ He  told the group that, “God provides. We must possess, and that “the NAACP is paramount to our passing our pride onto our young people.” He reminded the group, “NAACP will be an effective leadership entity” in the twenty-first century.

Beverly Watts, Director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, said the commission looks forward to working with the NAACP. She told delegates that a bill had just been introduced to extend the commission for ten years. She asked delegates to lobby their respective legislators to support this extension.

A. J. Stallings, Political Director for the AFL-CIO, gave special thanks to the Tennessee State NAACP Conference and its Labor and Industry Director, Marilyn Brown. Jerry Lee, President of the AFL-CIO Labor Counci, acknowledged the assistance and support the AFL-CIO has received from the NAACP over the past years in struggles to improve standards and opportunities for Tennessee workers.

Joseph Clark Jr., Natl Staff Council, AFL-CIO

Joseph Clark, Jr., National Staff Council of the AFL-CIO, spoke of the effort to gather two thousand letters from average Tennesseans to be delivered to Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, letting him know that his declared opposition to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not the sentiment or will of his constituents. Senator Corker had declared that he felt the economic recession’s downturn wasn’t as severe as characterized by President Obama and didn’t warrant any rash actions as such those being proposed by President Obama. He had specifically spoken out against federal assistance the automotive industry despite have significant automotive enterprises in eastern and middle Tennessee, which would be directly affected by any drastic shakeout of the Big Three Automotive Giants of the American automotive industry. Clark told the delegates that  there would be an action calling attention to the plight of working people in Tennessee. “This is a time we have to work collectively.”

Pastor Stacy Rector, Exec. Director, TCASK

Stacy Rector, executive director of Tennessee Coalition Against State Killing (TCASK), came to the podium as well. Acknowledging the history of the NAACP and its being founded to halt lynching of Black men in the South, she spoke of TCASK’s work to repeal the death penalty in Tennessee.

Rector pointed out that studies have shown that the Tennessee death penalty law lacks fairness, cost benefit on return, and most importantly, it lacks accuracy. TCASK seeks a moratorium on the death penalty in Tennessee.

Rep. Johnnie Shaw, past Chair Tenn. Black Caucus greets delegates

Rep. Johnnie W. Shaw, past Chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus, greeted the delegates and thanked them for coming to Legislative Plaza. He told the delegates to call their congressional leaders and tell them to support the stimulus plan. “We need that money. We need it.” He has introduced a bill to modify the current laws that restore voting rights to ex-felons. Under his proposal, convictions would be expunged for lesser serious crimes. He also has a bill that supports small minority businesses by removing the steep bonding issues that currently blocks small enterprises from pursuing larger contracting opportunities. The legislation would waive those bonding issues for small business. He stated that, “The State of Tennessee should do business with its citizens.”

President Sweet-Love outlined the Tennessee NAACP State Conference Priorities:

1. Repeal Work At Will laws.
2. Increase minimum wage to a Liveable Wage level.
3. Health Care for all, colo-rectal cancer screenings must be covered by insurance plans.
4. Moratorium on the death penalty.
5. Make Environmental Justice an issue in Tennessee.
6. Revise HOPE scholarship retention standards.
7. Eliminate requirement of child support status verification from ex-felon voter restoration law.
8. Oppose Auto Title Predatory Loans.

President Sweet-Love introduced the youngest delegate, young Master Caleb Bradford, four -years-old, an NAACP member since he was six-weeks-old, and her grandson. She also introduced Shelby County Mayor Will Spencer to the delegates. Spencer is only the second African American to be elected county mayor in Tennessee. Memphis Branch Executive Director Johnnie Turner instructed the delegates on how to conduct their meeting with legislators.

Conference delegates seated in TN House Chambers

Rep. Joe Towns brought greetings to the delegates and said, “It’s good to see you here in Nashville. We have to address issues of ex-felon reintroduction into society. Getting a high school diploma or GED and securing employment are paramount issues to successful re-integration into society as productive members of society.” Rep. Towns urged the delegates to attend a  rally calling for “Support for Working Families in Tennessee.” The conference then recessed to allow the delegates to begin their rounds of meetings with legislators and have lunch.

The Clarksville Branch delegation had previously contacted all members of the Montgomery County Legislative Delegation to arrange appointments. Senator Tim Barnes and Representative Joe Pitts both  confirmed the appointments. However Representatives  Curtis Johnson and Phillip Johnson failed to acknowledge the communications and made no provision for any appointments.  Neither were  available for even a brief meeting. Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey assured all conference delegates that their respective representatives were well aware of their presence on the Hill and would be available to meet with them.

In meetings with Rep. Pitts and Senator Barnes, the delegation discussed their position on (1) the minimum wage become a livable wage, (2) health care for all (universal health care), (3) moratorium/repeal of the death penalty, (4) increasing the number of minority students maintaining their HOPE scholarships, (5) assertive application and enforcement of environmental justice, (6) reform of predatory auto title loans in Tennessee, and (7) state recognition of Tennessee Native Americans. These issues were discussed in addition to the priorities raised in the House Chambers.

The Clarksville delegation additionally sat in on two committee meetings and toured Legislative Plaza to become familiar with its accommodations and offices.  Following these activities, the delegation returned to the House Chambers for the afternoon session which was to feature an address by Governor Bredesen.

TN Gov. Phil Bredesen with State Conf. Pres. Gloria Sweet-Love

President Sweet-Love reconvened the conference for the afternoon session and introduced the governor. Gov. Bredesen gave the delegates a warm welcome, stating, “It’s always good to the people in their house.” In his address, he repeated several primary points of his “State of the State” speech. Economic development and growth are key to the stability and future growth of this state. This will be the means whereby the people of Tennessee will best anchor their individual prosperity and that of the state as a whole. “The importance of higher education has never been more obvious. There is an undeniable need for more Tennesseans to have college diplomas. ” As the location of Hemlock Semiconductor in Tennessee signals the state ’s shift into a leading position  in the ‘Green Technology’ industry, higher education degrees will be paramount for our people to secure the advantages this new technology will present.

TN Gov. Bredesen and the TN Conf. & Branch Presidents celebrate the NAACP's 100th Anniversary

Following the governor’s address, President Sweet-love called for all branch presidents to assemble in the Capitol Legislative Lobby to pose with the governor and the 100th Anniversary cake. Then the entire delgation gathered on the western steps of the capitol for the annual “Day on the Hill” commemoration group picture. After the picture taking, delegates returned to Legislative Lobby for refreshments and cake, thus concluding the 2009 Tennessee NAACP Legislative Day On The Hill.

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The event, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by the Urban Resource Center and its director, Terry McMoore, in partnership with the Center for Community Change.

Over the next 5 years a half a billion dollars in job training money will be coming to Clarksville. Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) will open a new plant in Clarksville that will hire over 1,000 construction workers to build, and provide over 800 permanent high paying jobs when they open. HSC will be one of the richest employers in Clarksville’s history since the arrival of Fort Campbell in the 1940s.
Under the President’s Economic Recovery Bill, states and counties are poised to receive significant federal funding to stimulate the economy and put people back to work. These are just some of the issues that will be discussed at this community forum.

Initial response from the community and some elected officials has been strong.  community and several elected officials who will be in attendance, including State Senator Tim Barnes and NAACP President Jimmie Garland Sr. are planning to attend this session.

McMoore was asked to hold this meeting by the Washington D.C.-based  Center for Community Change, who will be facilitating most of the meeting.

Ms. Evonne Tisdale, the South East Regional Team Leader for the Center for Community Change, is  in Nashville and has already touched base with the Governor’s office on this issue; she held a  meeting with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean,  who is eagerly awaiting the final plan and proposal from the Nashville African American community.

New job opportunities for Clarksville-Montgomery County targeted populations include:

• High School graduates
• College graduates
• Veterans or members of the reserve forces
• Homeless individuals
• Non-violent ex-felons
• Low-income individuals

This falls right in line with the recently signed into law Economic Recovery Bill. Under the President’s Economic Recovery Bill, states and counties are poised to receive significant federal funding to stimulate the economy and put people back to work.

McMoore wants the community to understand that this bill is intended for all Americans and this meeting is open to anyone who wants to attend. It took people from all races and nationalities to get this far in first ending slavery, and years later stopping Jim Crow laws which eventually led to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The country came together to say “enough is enough.” That demand for change resulted in the election of the first African American president in the history of our nation. But there is still work to be done, and by community dialog and working together can we will someday achieve the true meaning of our constitution.

Pastors, Business Owners and the Community-at -Large: are you prepared to have a place at the table right now while there are still jobs and money available? How and what this money is spent on is important to the survival of our communities; these are the jobs of the future and they pay good salaries.

Contact Person for this release is Mr. Terry McMoore at  (931) 378-1999

Ms. Evonne Tisdale, South East Regional Team Leader, Center for Community Change can be reached at Email: or at (615) 469-5220 in Nashville, or at
http://www.communitychange.org/

Senator Barnes and Representative Pitts have been working diligently with members of the State Building Commission to gain approval for the project.

“This project is a very good thing for Austin Peay and Montgomery County,” stated Sen. Barnes.  “I appreciate the excellent work of the members of the State Building Commission and I look forward to working with them on other projects.”
The estimated project cost is $6,400,000.  The source of funding will come from the State Building Commission Pre-Planning Division.  This facility will accommodate training needs for the Hemlock Semiconductor Company.

“I believe that this project will facilitate the Hemlock Semiconductor Project which will be extremely beneficial to Clarksville as well as the surrounding areas,” offered Representative Pitts.

The schedule of completion is estimated to start August 2009 and end in August 2010.

Senator Barnes represents the Senate District 22 which consists of Montgomery, Cheatham, and Houston counties. Representative Pitts represents House District 67 which consists of Montgomery County.

Volunteer Wanda McMoore brews to first of many pots of coffee for the days meal.

Local volunteers for the January 17 “National Day of Service” turned out at Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen to prepare and serve the day’s meal — chili con carne — and accept monetary and food donations for this program, which serves approximately 200 meals a day, six days a week, to Clarksville’s families in need.

Clarksville for Obama coordinated the event, which was designed as part of the President-elect Barack Obama’s commitment to community service. Event coordinator Terry McMoore hosted the event, citing a need for communities to “get back to the basics to make life better for everyone.”

Loaves and Fishes Manager Mike O’Connell was grateful for the outpouring of community support, and accepted a number of monetary donations from the NAACP and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, along with the stream of food donations.

Day of Service volunteers were a roster of "Who's Who" in the Clarksville community: John Ferguson, Sheriff Norman Lewis, Wanda McMoore, Terry McMoore, Reggie Chapman, Kate Krevel, Tim Barnes, "Shirley", Noah Gurley, Rev. Charles Moreland and Mrs. Gurley.

“Obama himself was very involved with community service as a young man, and his commitment to the concept of this ‘Day of service’ is intended to create more opportunities like for people to become involved,” McMoore said, noting that as ideas ‘come down the Obama pipeline, we will continue to be involved.” McMoore noted that unlike earlier political grassroots organizations, Clarksville for Obama and similar groups across the country will continue to grow and sustain the movement for change that began in the Obama campaign. “There is still a lot of work to be done.”

Sheriff Norman Lewis speaks with Senator Tim Barnes

County Mayor Carolyn Bowers, County Trustee Brenda Radford, Senator Tim Barnes, Sheriff Norman Lewis, City Judge
Charles Smith,  City Councilor Mark Harris and NAACP president and School Board member Jimmie Garland joined a gathering of community and church volunteers to greet donors and visitors, sort donated food, and serve the days meal.

Pat Warner joined  Janice  and Joe Franklin as part of her church’s Team Hope, one of several church teams that regularly volunteers to work in the  Loaves and Fishes kitchen.

“We go out into the community. It’s a way to put our faith in action,” said volunteer Pat Warner.

In the back room, volunteers Reggie Chapman and Noah Gurley helped unload donations and restock shelves. Both young men said their moms were instrumental in their decision to help out.

“My mom told me about this and I thought it was a good thing to do,” Chapman said. Gurley echoed that thought even as he kept on putting groceries away on the Loaves and Fishes shelves.

Photos by Kelly Anne LaPlante

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Gene Lewis and John Ferguson with their awards

John Ferguson was presented with the Nathanial Carter Award for his work during the 2008 election campaign. Ferguson, who was intricately involved in the operation of headquarters and the organizing of numerous political events, said he was honored to be receiving the award and said “others were more deserving, and that many individuals who were not present at the gathering had contributed as much as he had.”

MCDP Chairman Gene Lewis was presented the Alice Byard Award, which he accepted on behalf of the party’s executive committee.

John Ferguson, standing beside Senator Tim Barnes, after receiving the Nathaniel Carter Award

Senator Tim Barnes addressed the crowd, stating that he was “looking forward to January” (2009), when he officially takes office. Barnes talked briefly about the importance of building party support from the grassroots bottom up, taking issues and campaigns to the people of the county. With the right leaders at the state level, (the people) will see a difference,” he said. He also gave kudos to the constant support of his wife, Linda, and to the “best campaign manager ever, Kim Smith.”

State Representative Joe Pitts addresses the crowd at the Smith Trahern Mansion as State Senator Elect Tim Barnes looks on

State Representative Joe Pitts voiced his pleasure in welcoming Barnes to the legislature in Nashville, and said he, and Barnes would continue their work “against the assault on the working families.” Pitts encouraged people to look beyond themselves and their own needs and work for the greater good of the community.

Gene Lewis after receiving his award

Local party members listen to the speeches