Mendon John Price
I was dismayed to read that Mendon John Price was arrested outside the Tivoli last Thursday for panhandling. As I tried to tell the arresting officer, Mendon greets everyone with a smile and is completely harmless. He has never asked me for money and I look forward to seeing him.
His characterization as "the #1 enemy downtown" by someone at the Visitors Bureau is both ridiculous and heartless. The man has only one leg, gets around in a wheelchair and weighs about 99 pounds. To juxtapose that quote about him next to a story about two shootings, one a homicide, is really incredible. No one else sees the irony in that?
I happen to know that the harmonica he plays is not a prop because I gave it to him. Downtown is supposedly open to buskers and there are street musicians on many corners with their cases open for "donations." I don't see the Police hassling them. What's the difference? Perhaps there is a desire to characterize Mendon in a negative way because he is poor, black, and disabled. Three strikes and you're out here in the best town ever. What a disgrace.
John C Reis
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I have seen John Price in action, and what I saw was the nearest thing to a “legal hold up” as one can get. I have a right to spend the night out at the Tivoli without being hammered to give someone money. You mention other street musicians. I have given most all of them money in the past because the ones I have given to have never badgered me at all.
I love having street musicians in Chattanooga and I have even video taped some, (with their permission). I love their music and I have always paid them to perform.
Reis said, "Downtown is supposedly open to buskers and there are street musicians on many corners with their cases open for 'donations.' I don't see the police hassling them. What's the difference? Perhaps there is a desire to characterize Mendon in a negative way because he is poor, black and disabled.”
Perhaps, Mr. Reis, I would suggest that it has nothing to do with color at all….... only a desire to spend a peaceful night out with one's family without being accosted.
Ben Cagle
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On Dec. 27, 2015 I attended the Jim Brickman "Comfort & Joy" concert at the Tivoli. Walking down the sidewalk and looking in the windows of the storefronts, there sat Chuck Fleischmann at a conference table with his hands in the air putting on a display for all the voters of Chattanooga to see. Quite obviously a political ploy poised directly next to the Tivoli. He appeared warm and well clothed.
After leaving the Tivoli a few doors down sat "the number one enemy to downtown", Mr. Mendon John Price. The man was playing his harmonica, ball cap in his lap, no blanket covering the legs he does not have or very few comforts for a cold winter day. His wheelchair was parked out of the way of people leaving the concert and he was in no way loud or behaving badly. I put some money in his cap and he said "thank you".
The concert was wonderful but my most vivid memories of that day is the contrast life has given Mendon and Chuck.
John Kelly
Harrison