posted October 23, 2007
Like most people, I disagree with what Mayor Littlefield is doing for Ms. Rutherford. However, I think the people of Chattanooga should appreciate Mr. Littlefield for this openness.
I can promise you that many things have been done by previous mayors that are far worse. But, they took care of business in a quiet and shady manner. Mayor Littlefield sent a clear letter telling the council and all of Chattanooga what he was doing. It makes me feel good to know that even if I disagree with what he is doing, at least he is open enough to let me know it.
Keep in mind that Littlefield is a Democrat and Rutherford is a Republican. This isn't some political favor or a shady deal with money changing hands, etc. The bottom line is I think people should be careful what they ask for.
They say ignorance is bliss. The only reason people aren't outraged at the things prior mayors have done is because they didn't and don't know about it. At least with Littlefield, we now know what is happening in our government. We might not like everything, but we have the knowledge to make that judgment.
Remember, he is the mayor who came in with guns blazing to expose theft and abuse in the city with meaningful audits. We do not want the old school of good ole boys back in power. It might make you feel better about your government, but I assure you it will only be due to your ignorance.
Ms. Rutherford (right or wrong) was an employee of the city and apparently she is being treated in the same manner others in the situation have been treated in the past. So, even if you disagree with the mayor (as I do), I don't think he is doing anything "wrong." I think all of the rhetoric and media frenzy is completely misplaced. Who might be playing politics? Who might be looking the other way and not doing their duty? Why hasn't the DA prosecuted Rutherford for election fraud?
Jerry Yates
* * *
Jerry Yates hasn't been paying attention to what the mayor stated about trying to handle this issue secretly. He said that he tried to handle the matter "behind the scenes" until it "accelerated."
And then opened his letter to the City Council with this:
"I do not wish for you to be caught unaware of my intended action regarding Ms. Rutherford's benefits."
Which is exactly what happened, and is exactly why he sent the letter to the City Council. His words.
Josiah Roe
* * *
We must keep in mind that city elections are non-partisan; however, calling Littlefield a Democrat is ludicrous. From anti-recycle actions to incorporating a religious office in city hall, he is not any kind of Democrat.
Jamie Curtis
* * *
Mr. Yates,
You make an admirable argument. But as much as I would like to believe you, I can't help but feel like Ron Littlefield has been anything but open since he became mayor. A few weeks ago, Littlefield stated that he would stay out of the Rutherford debacle. Meanwhile, he was working behind the scenes to insure that her retirement benefits remain intact. He announced his recent decision at the 11th hour: two weeks after Rutherford resigned and shortly before the Nov. 3 deadline.
Throughout his tenure, Mayor Littlefield has continued to operate in the shadows like his predecessors. He campaigned to "clean up the good ole boy power structure in Chattanooga." Shortly after winning office, he declared, "there is no power structure in Chattanooga." If you look at Littlefield's long record of public service (read: Career Politician), you soon realize that Ron has been a part of a "power structure" all along.
A few months ago, we learned of Ward Crutchfield's efforts to put Ron in office. As a result, the SEIU donated $11,000 to Littlefield's campaign. If you delve deeper into the *heavily revised* campaign disclosure forms you learn two things. First, that Littlefield bankrolled his campaign on the public dime through a $40,000 personal loan. Given that Littlefield has always worked in public service, that $40,000 came from the tax payers at one point or another and was undoubtedly re-paid by them somewhere down the line. The second fact is that those records read like a who's who of Chattanooga - though the emphasis has shifted away from Lookout Mountain to some extent.
His actions concerning Rutherford over the past few years are particularly troubling. The tension between Rutherford and Littlefield is practically a matter of public record. In 2003, Councilman Littlefield (representing District 6), helped redraw City District lines. The redistricting placed Rutherford's Hemphill address a few miles outside of the new and improved District Six. Whether intentional or not, Ron knew the impact this would have on someone as prominent as Rutherford. After becoming mayor, Littlefield turned a blind eye to the fact that Marti Rutherford did not live in the district she represented. Littlefield refuted any knowledge concerning Rutherford's residence as soon as the issue came up. I find that argument a little hard to swallow when you consider that a former Littlefield employee, Michelle Michaud, worked prominently behind the scenes to get Marti ousted. Now, we have this decision to put Rutherford back on the City payroll.
Talk about back-room shenanigans. Littlefield claims his recent decision is based on "compassion." I submit that there is more than meets the eye. This decision is cloaked in a nuance of Machiavellian proportions. It's fitting that Ron campaigned so hard against the aforementioned power structure while he actively builds and develops the Littlefield Political Machine in office. If our city's newspaper dared to do its job, the discrepancies of this administration would be analyzed front and center every week - including this recent deal with Rutherford.
Instead, the citizens of Chattanooga are cheated time and time again. Many are sick of the garbage coming out of City Hall, and their activism is the only action keeping the current Administration in check. The only openness we see in Littlefield's office has been imposed by a disgruntled public. I assure you that it does not come from Ron's hands.
David Morton
Chattanooga
david@safeguy.net
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Concerning Mayor Ron Littlefield's plan to hire former Councilwoman Marti Rutherford for three days in November so she will become eligible for city retirement medical benefits, I don't understand why anyone would want to stop him.
According to immigration counters.com, our nation as a whole has spent nearly $4 billion on social services for illegal immigrants since 1996. So, why can't we likewise look the other way and hand over a fist full of dollars a month for this U.S. citizen and now former councilwoman who served District 6 tirelessly since 1993?
Can you see the hypocrisy?
I do not know Ms. Rutherford and have never even met her, but I feel certain that I can tell you this: none of her relatives ever attacked the Alamo.
Jim Ashley
Jashley41@comcast.net
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