The Mayoral Candidates (and their websites)

Damon posted this weekend. He needs a little comment love.
As far as mayoral candidates... I am worried that because of Ann's department of education background she will want to raise our taxes, which is what I voted against in the last election.

Hey, "that guy" if you want me to e-mail you, leave a legit email address for me to respond. Ally, I hope they do raise taxes. Our schools are pathetic.

Yea, I know nothing about the people running this term. Thanks for the links. I have been meaning to start the research process. I was going to start by watching http://www.wtci-tv45.com/ the forum on Wednesday. It’s at 8:00pm on the 26th. All the candidate will be there. It should be enlightening.... I hope!

More money is not necessarily the solution to failing schools. In 2000-2001, Washington DC spent over $10,000 per student, 40% more than the national average, and has the worst schools in the nation. Introduce a little competition through school-choice and see what happens.

For a few minutes there, I thought you were thinking of writing in the flamingly-right-wing-pundit Ann Coulter, not the Chattanooga-municipial-politician Ann Coulter. Don't freak me out like that.

Mayors can't raise education taxes. They don't control school funding. The county does that -- and since the county commissioners are a pack of right-wing rednecks, there's no need to worry about even an incremental raise in our shockingly low property taxes. No need to worry at all.

And Josiah, you should give a little love to tomorrow morning's candidate forum -- 7 a.m. on WDEF News 12. The Pulse is sponsoring. Maybe you should even think about showing up. I'll drive you there...

What about Karl Epperson, or some of the other off the ballot names being tossed around?

I know Mayor's can't raise taxes Mesh, but you may have been talking to Alli. Still, the Mayor does have a significant bully pulpit, and again, I'd love to see Coulter square off with the Commision and perhaps push some needed changes through.

Ann's got my early vote. The wife and I forgot to drop the neighborhood reception in St. Elmo on Friday, but I take it's mere existence as a positive. Her site's statements about neighborhoods have a feel similar to the ChangeThis missive regarding New Urbanism. Took Ann's name-dropping of Corker to be a positive too (if she associates with him, maybe she'll work like him).

Has Corker endorsed a canidate? Is he going to?

PS Mesh, listened to my voicemail?

Hey Mesh, how much are your shockingly low taxes? I don't know how low Chattanooga's are compared to the rest of the nation but mine went up 133% next year as a reassessment, as I have heard most peoples have gone up. At least we didn't raise the taxes though...

Though I don't usually support female candidates for public office, I support Roe's support of Coulter since I see that she is a Mizzou grad.

Ann was one of my bosses back when I was in town. I would certainly support her and vote for her.

She's extremely hardworking, well organized, and she knows how to get things done in the context of city government. She's also connected to the right people-- local politicos, developers, private foundations, business interests, community activists, former mayors, etc.-- which is necessary for doing anything in our city.

Following personal insights with personal jab:

Littlefield drives a PT Cruiser with license plate: VOTE4ME.

I love how you guys are all involved in local politics. It makes me think that words like "community" and "informed" still mean something in the political arena, and that we really can "make a difference." Makes me want to move back to Chatty.

I'm all about community and being ill-informed, but that's just me.

Seriously though, I think you're right Nick. I also think it applies to everything, like, well, my most recent post.

Also, Benny thanks for the input on Ann. Makes me more convinced of my choice to vote for her.

You're right, Josiah: I wasn't directing my clarification toward you. I want to see Ann take on the Rat Pack as much as anyone.

Andy: Did your property taxes really rise that much? It can't be a county issue; Hamilton hasn't hiked property taxes in six years.

Benny: Can you resend me your mailing address, so I can get you a copy of your Pulse cover story?

All: I think you'll find next week's Pulse interview with Coulter to be extremely enlightening. She's the most well-spoken political candidate I've encountered. That includes the Bob himself.

Noelicious: I did get your sweet message, but I was out of town until yesterday. I'll call you back tonight.

Corker isn't going to endorse a candidate. I prodded him on that point a good bit, and he isn't going to budge.

Nick--you would be welcomed back to Chatta-vegas like the prodigal.

Mesh--My tax-rate did not get changed but the value of the property went up. It is kind of a back-door property tax, we can't pass a tax increase but hey we can raise the assessment of property at least every four years. It still may be low when compared to similar cities, but I don't know anything about that.

josiah- what is your take on the city council election for district 7? do you know if SEIL will be inviting the candidates to speak at the next meeting? (they did the last election)

HHmmm, this must a site all about the power structure of Chattanooga. I guess most of you all live up on the mountain, since there is such a support for Ann Coulter. She has so many people filling her back pockets I can only imagine who will benefit from her being in office.

Didn't you watch the last mayor's forum? She has never voted in a city election and only registered in the last two years or so. Sounds like it is only good for her when she wants to run for office.

In my book, Ron Littlefield is the only one who really knows what is going on and won't pay off anyone with kick backs.

Is Karl Epperson actually running? I remember a couple years ago he started campaigning at Greyfriars, but thought of it mostly as a joke.

By the way, if Littlefield doesn't get elected, do you think he will change liscence plates? Having to drive around after a defeat would be like pouring salt on an open wound.

A vote for Ann Coulter is a vote for North Chattanooga, Southside and Downtown ONLY. The rest of the city will suffer. She was “built” to be the personal political puppet of select rich power structure and nothing else. She has NO experience as an elected official. NONE! The only jobs she has held were “given” to her by her puppeteers as part of the “building” process to get her ready – in appearance only – for the Mayor’s office. This was done to make sure the puppeteers maintain control.

Think about it this way… Say you need emergency heart surgery. You find out that only three surgeons are available and you must pick one now. One has NO experience but has been the accountant of the hospital for 30 years. The other has NO experience but has read all the books and comes in with high dollar flash. And the final one has the education, passion and 30 years of HANDS-ON experience. Be honest, which one would you choose?

I am voting for Ron Littlefield. The ONLY candidate with genuine education, experience and desire to do what is best for EVERYONE in the city. I’ll see Ann Coulter at the next puppet show with my nieces.