When You Lie Down With Dogs
A veritable smorgasbord of potential candidates have come out of the woodwork now that Ward Crutchfield is stepping down in August. But before we all rest easy, when someone of Ward's influence and lengthy career is found to be corrupt it doesn't only undermine his so-called legacy, it casts doubt on the integrity of the entire Chattanooga body politic.
Do any of us really believe this was the only act of corruption that Ward n' Co. were involved in? Do we really believe that he was and has always been alone & isolated in his misdeeds? When Ward Crutchfield sponsors a candidate for the Mayor of Chattanooga, what does that mean about that candidates integrity?
The pertinent questions need to be asked and answered. Now more than ever Chattanooga needs a robust, tenacious, and committed Fourth Estate.
Chattanooga Politics | By Josiah Roe | 01:05 PM
Comments
Are you writing this from New York?
Man, the last thing I want to think about when visiting New York is Chattanooga corruption.
Is, like, Greenwich Village closed or something?
Posted by: Bill at July 18, 2007 02:28 PM
I'm back, and had to get caught up on all my local news reading. As much as I love NYC, it isn't home.
Posted by: Josiah at July 18, 2007 03:04 PM
"As much as I love NYC, it isn't home."
Man, you may've just inspired me to write a song. A sappy song, but a song nonetheless.
And about that whole fourth estate thing, my time is limited, but I intend to contribute as much as I can to that effort.
Posted by: joe lance at July 18, 2007 03:22 PM
I've found it interesting that no one has pointed this out yet. The rundown of the events in the TN Waltz (as told by The Pulse) certainly imply that this wasn't the first time Crutchfield was on the take.
Judge Bean posted a brief defense for Crutchfield on The Chattanoogan last week and cites all the wonderful things Ward did for the community. Isn't Ward's legacy pretty much tarnished now? Who knows how he benefited from his "contributions." This should be the biggest lesson for local politicians.
Joe, where was your column this week?
Posted by: davidm. at July 18, 2007 04:27 PM
Judge Bean's post was sad, but certainly not surprising. There are going to be people who would call Ward their friend who never experienced his corruption.
It's impossible to root out corruption on a national level, but I'd like to believe that locally, it's possible to make some progress.
Posted by: Josiah at July 18, 2007 04:47 PM
My homeboy Lawrence Lessig recently announced that he is .
Posted by: Noel at July 19, 2007 04:52 PM
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