Our Mayor & The Homeless

A responsible journalist would turn in a public records request for the mayor's travel receipts. As opposed to conducting an unfounded online smear campaign. While we're on the subject of online smear campaigns, I say one Jon H. Buchanan is responsible for "The Worst Mayor Ever" blog. What do you say, Mr. Pink Shinester?

Robert T.

First, I don't know who Jon H. Buchanan is, but he's not me. The fact that you are so sure about it says all that needs to be said about your investigative abilities.

Second, the person who sent me the e-mail about Ron Littlefield visiting a homeless shelter while in Boulder was his son Zach. You can verify that with Zach, given your amazing journalism 'skillz'. Of course, Zach didn't mean to be ratting out the fact that his dad was vacationing on the city's dime, and if Ron paid all his own expenses, then my question will be answered. It's OK with you if I question authority, isn't it?

I do hope you'll discontinue your 'online smear campaign' of Mr. Buchanan (I read your post, months ago, on the Chattanooga Message Forum to the same effect), as I assure you he is not responsible for WME. Whoever he is.

And I'm not sure who you are referring to as the 'responsible journalist,' As Josiah and I were merely posting on our blogs. Personal web logs. Of the three of us, you are the only one who is a paid journalist, sad though that fact may be. It is good to see that you finally have a steady job after all those years of submitting resumes to HR departments around the city. Think of the paper you're saving! That alone may make a succes of Ron's foundering recycling program.

Finally, neither Josiah, nor anyone at Chattablogs knows the identity of any of the staff members at Ron Littlefield: Worst. Mayor. Ever.

...despite my efforts to determine their identity, I might mention.

Asking questions doesn't constitute a smear campaign; the same goes for a negative opinion of our current Mayor. The best things occurring in Chattanooga are happening in spite of him, not because of his leadership.

RTN: I would be fascinated to know what you think (were you to put your rather significant journalistic chops to the task) about Councilman Pierce's Homeless Task Force, in particular the individuals comprised therein. I do notice quite a few people who supported the "other" candidate in the last mayoral election. Not that their concerns aren't substantive: the coincidence is interesting nonetheless.

So much for the latest from one Billy Blades, the gutless (as opposed to "gutsy") wonder of the Internet, as I have independently confirmed Mayor Ron Littlefield paid his own way during his Christmas vacation to Boulder, Colorado.

As for other concerns expressed above, I've covered Council Chair Pierce's homeless committee in extreme detail, beginning with having him announce it On Air - albeit via telephone - the very same day it was formed. His motivations are utterly transparent, to me at least.

Remember, a good reporter already knows the answers to (most) legitimate questions. Especially those asked in a public forum. Which is a round-the-elbow way of saying I will be publicly outing the true identity of Billy Blades in very short order. Stay tuned.