Three Ways Rhonda Thurman Can Represent The Other 43 Percent - And Response (3)

It is no secret that I supported Patti Skates for District 1 school board.  However, it could be a secret that the past three elections, I always supported Rhonda Thurman. She works hard and is always prepared.  I want to congratulate her for the win with 57 percent of the vote.

Her quote was," It looks like the people of District 1 didn't want a change like my competitors thought they did."  

But, 43 percent of the people did vote for a change.  The change we most want to see is threefold.

First, push, push, push for a track at Soddy Daisy High School. Second, work more positively with the other board members.  Third, work with our County Commissioner, Randy Fairbanks, to get more things accomplished for our area.  It is imperative for our school board representative and county commissioner to work together and not apart.

Again, congrats to Rhonda and hoping she can represent the other 43 percent also. 

Steve Slater
Soddy Daisy 

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I am assuming that Steve Slater has spoken with all of the “other 43 percent“ of District 1 voters who did not vote for me and has come up with the “threefold” points they want to see changed. So, I will address each of them.  

First, Mr. Slater says I need to “push, push, push for a track at Soddy-Daisy High School”.  The school system traditionally does not build tracks. Tracks and other athletic facilities have been built by sports boosters, donations from the community and many other organizations. Two years ago, it was estimated that a track at Soddy-Daisy High would cost $450,000. When Commissioner Skillern left office, he gave Soddy-Daisy High School the $100,000 in discretionary money he had set aside for them a new track. (This was part of the discretionary money Commissioner Skillern was accused of “hoarding” during the last commission election in 2014. The $100,000 for the new entrance to Daisy Elementary School was also part of that so-called “hoarded” discretionary money. However, the money was not “hoarded” but earmarked.) So, Mr. Slater can help Coach Henry “push, push, push” for a new track by making a donation to the cause as well as asking all of his friends to do the same. 

Second, Mr. Slater says 43 percent of District 1 wants me to “work more positively with other board members”. Not sure what is meant by that but, if it is meant for me to “go along to get along” then 43 percent are going to continue to be disappointed. In spite of what many think, the school board gets along very well with each other. There is a big difference between “going along” and “getting along”.  Just because I do not always vote with them does not mean I do not “work positively” with them. 

Third, Mr. Slater wants me to “work with our county commissioner, Randy Fairbanks, to get more things accomplished for our area.” It is very hard to “work with our commissioner” when he is out putting up signs for my opposition during this election campaign and even missed a commission meeting and a crucial vote, Wednesday, Aug. 3, the day before election, putting up tents and signs at polling places to prepare her for election day. 

All of the projects going on in District 1 - the entrance to Daisy Elementary, the addition to Sale Creek M/H, and yes, even the football field at Sale Creek, have been in the pipeline for years and have not required “working” with Commissioner Fairbanks to get them completed. The track at Soddy Daisy High has also been in the pipeline, just waiting for funding. The next big project needed for District 1 is an addition to Soddy Daisy Middle School to get the students out of portables. I will welcome any support Commissioner Fairbanks can offer as soon as he finishes getting the rest of my opposition’s signs down. 

Rhonda Thurman
District 1 School Board 

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Rhonda, with all due respect, you just lied. Which makes me worry about where your mind is at for our schools. Mr. Fairbanks was unable to attend the meeting due to circumstances completely out of his control on Aug. 3.  So, whomever you received this information, you need to return to them and set the record straight so they do not spread out and out lies; for you to continue spreading those lies, that is considered gossip. You should publicly, since you stated this lie publicly, apologize to him and his family. Treat others as you would want to be treated is a character trait we try to teach children. So that is the example we should set. 

In addition to this, you claimed to be working so closely with the commissioner. You have said that many times. I can provide the video proof you did in fact state that you knew them all. But, if that were true, would you not know, without word of mouth, why he was not there at the commission meeting? I would appreciate a response as I'm sure the Fairbanks would as well.

Also I asked you questions months ago on your Facebook page about things that apply to you and your role, but you have yet to answer them nor can anyone else see them.  Someone may have the same questions and it would be helpful for them, as it would also be helpful to me, to know the answers to those. 

Katie Hogue 

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Mr. Slater, we've never met that I know of, but I hear great things about you. Katie, I'm told you're as sweet as apple pie from several folks. Both of you, please please please stop what you're doing. Our district is divided enough, geographically and now politically because of the last two elections. What we need in District 1 is a clean slate.

The election is over, feelings got hurt during, there's no denying it. However, a job still has to be done. These two have got to work together, it's not an option for it any other way. Let bygones be bygones, forgive and forget. After all, isn't that the Christian thing to do? 

We all know that Randy was the hardest worker on the Patty campaign. And yes, his flight did get cancelled. However, he was working polls later that evening with signs and tents. That's probably how it got misconstrued. Speaking of Patty, where is she at in all of this? We also know that there's no love lost between Rhonda and Randy. So? If one of them can't step up and act civilized then I guess the voters will have another choice to make in two years and we all suffer in the process. I'd prefer that the voters of District 1, which have the best people in the county, be rewarded by two hard working representatives. 

Our District 1 schools need a lot. We've got kids in portables, not to mention several other needs. Did anyone not take notice how quickly the stadium got repaired in East Ridge? Both of the representatives got it handled. Why can't we get the same cooperation? 

James Berry
District 1

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