Roy Exum
One of the best ways to pick a candidate in any election is to hear what they have to say on key issues. But one of the worse things that can happen in any election is if the answers are rehearsed and the production is rigged. I’m calling a foul on the pseudo non-profit UnifiEd because I smell the stench of a rat. Neither UnifiEd nor another non-profit, Chattanooga 2.0, are supposed to be in the election business and, outwardly, the fact they are sponsoring debates between the school board candidates seems rather innocent.
That is not the case. UnifiEd started a “political action committee” this spring and, funded by Chattanooga’s “liberal elite,” the education group is up to its ears with a clear candidate in each race. For example, there is no logical way a relatively unknown, Katherlyn Geter, could possibly topple the steady Greg Beck in the Democratic primary 10 days ago. But you throw quite misguided Lookout Mountain money behind Geter, and Beck is doomed because he has neither the resources nor the carefully-shielded ulterior motives.
The voters in District 5 are still talking about the “Caucasian invasion” that flooded the predominantly black district just days before the May 1 election. There were kids from McCallie and other schools who canvassed District 5 for Geter, who not a one ever met, on orders from UnifiEd. Further, UnifiEd arranged robo-calls to the entire district and Beck – a puppet for no one – was blindsided.
Two years ago the same group of Lookout Mountain ‘swells’ financed two school board seats, giving campaign money to Kathy Lennon to unseat Jonathan Welch, and Tiffany Robinson to oust George “Little Man” Ricks. Now UnifiEd is trying to wrestle away three more school board seats with the most illogical candidates ever to run in a county election.
Yesterday afternoon you could go on the UnifiEd website and access information on each school board candidate. Miracle Hurley in District 3, Anne Pierce in District 5, Jenny Hill in District 6, and D’Andre Anderson in District 9 each have professionally-created websites. It appears all are by the same artist and it is commonly believed these candidates hardly have the cash for such polish. Anne Pierce said that she and her son built her website.
Ironically, the same luxury was not afforded to incumbents Joe Smith in District 3, Karitsa Mosely Jones in District 5, David Testerman in District 8 or board chairman Steve Highlander in District 9. Look for yourself, that is, unless the slicks at UnifiEd have not hurriedly taken them down. Tucker McClendon, running in District 8, said he is not connected to UnifiEd in any way and has accepted no funding from the group. Michael Henry, who has emerged as the favorite in District 6 to replace the retiring Joe Galloway, is also not a UnifiEd plant.
I am not calling any of the challengers stupid but strongly suspect the UnifiEd candidates’ questionnaires on the web site were “combed” (edited) because it is dubious, in my mind, that several of the younger candidates – how shall I say? – fail to possess such communication ability at this time in their lives.
In two of the debates that have already been held, the moderator has been Alison Lebovitz and she has been identified as the creator of the PBS show, “The A List with Alison Lebovitz.” What has not been disclosed is that Ms. Lebovitz, appearing shameless in public at times, does in fact seem to be a bully-of-privilege with incumbents who are not in UnifiEd’s favor. There is no question where her preferences or glaringly-obvious intentions lie yet she thinks her motives are invisible. Lucky Alison.
Lebovitz, no question a “liberal elite,” is in fact a board member of UnifiEd and a financial donor in the UnifiedEd PAC. Yet in tapes of the broadcasts she forcefully hammers on those who are not under the UnifiEd graces to keep on point, and -- believe this – there has never been a predator without bias. The woman in the mirror is a disgrace.
Honestly, is this the way we ought to invest in public education? The Partnership Network just named an Advisory Board and to everyone’s chagrin, it was all black, no whites nor Hispanics. Of all the children in HCDE, 44 percent are a minority, which dashes a very cold bucket of water on Jared Bigham, executive director of Chattanooga 2.0.
He’s the one who recently told reporters with a solemn face, “The hope is attendees will go prepared with questions that reflect their top priorities for education. In order to build the 'smartest community in the South,' our community must have transparent forums for engaging with candidates."
Transparency! UnifiEd and Chattanooga 2.0 are all smoke and mirrors. Get a piece of paper and list what either has done that is measurable in the last two years. Where is the impact both promised in our community? How much more Kool-Aid you want? Seventy percent of our third graders cannot read at grade level.
This is what I’m saying. And that’s why I am also saying UnifiEd is not at all what it has been passed off to be. The big donors – Paul Brock, Joanne Cline, Sally Faulkner, Rick Montague, Alice Smith, Mike St. Charles, Sally Chazen, Pat Brock, Olan Mills --- do you really think they care about learning in Hixson, Lookout Valley, or Ooltewah? I’m saying something stinks.
This is UnifiEd --- this is who they are. The elected school board detests them. The county officials know this group is a pariah. Nobody in public education wants them or needs them, yet they foist themselves on all the rest of us, with absolutely no justification, responsibility nor invitation. Given the choice, kindly inform Paul Brock and his ilk you’ll take the carcinoma instead – it’s treatable.
royexum@aol.com