posted July 22, 2008
Well, smear campaign season is now upon us.
Today I came into possession of an e-mail message sent by my opponent, forwarding to some supporters another message written by another one of his supporters, Bob Linehart. This is the same Bob Linehart who was recalled from office two years ago due to his arrogant and smug attitude toward his fellow citizens.
Apparently, one of my opponent's other supporters actually has a conscience and felt bad enough about these despicable smear tactics to make sure our campaign got a copy of what was being said about us. Simply put, the message is full of lies, half-truths, and distortions designed to discredit me. The reason? Simple. Fear of losing.
Mr. Linehart comes right out in his letter and says, "I believe Joe Dumas can beat Chip Baker in this election." At least he is honest about the motivation for his negative campaign tactics, if not in his assertions about me. The Baker campaign is desperate because they know we are gaining traction with the voters, and desperate people do desperate things.
Mr. Linehart is clearly aware that his own tarnished reputation is a liability to his candidate. He says, "I cannot write letters to the editor or Chattanoogan.com on the subject due to my polarizing position in the community. (No kidding.) However, I have written letters on the subject and would be happy to share them with you to cut, paste, edit and send into the TFP or SM Community News." Yes, that is right, Mr. Linehart is openly advocating others to dishonestly submit his words as their own. And he is questioning my character?
To set the record straight on a few of Mr. Linehart's assertions:
I never opposed the new high school on Signal Mountain. I did oppose the method chosen by my opponent and the "Friends of SMHS" to fund it. There was no defensible reason to use town funds to build a county school. That approach was unfair and unwise and I opposed it vigorously - unfortunately to no avail. The other side prevailed and now the school has been built. I am committed to making the new SMMHS and all Hamilton County schools the best they can be.
I do not advocate breaking any laws. Nor do I condone students bringing weapons, alcohol, or other illicit items to school. I am committed to keeping our schools as safe as possible, free of dangers and distractions so that our students can learn. I will work to fix the discipline problems that have festered during my opponent's tenure in office.
As a candidate for school board, I do not even take positions on issues that are not relevant to the office I seek. Relevant issues include safety and discipline; academic achievement; fiscal responsibility; communication with parents, teachers and citizens; transparency and accountability (as opposed to back room deals and sweetheart contracts for board members' buddies). Do I have opinions on other issues? Sure. I try to think "outside the box" on all issues. That is how intelligent people solve problems.
Clearly, Mr. Linehart and my opponent are trying to distract voters from the real issues facing our schools by trying to bring up things that are completely off the wall and not even related to our school system. Perhaps this is because my positions on issues pertinent to the school board trump theirs every time. For example, while my opponent voted for the premature extension to Dr. Scales' contract, I joined 88% of the citizens who responded to a recent Chattanoogan.com poll in opposing it.
Mr. Linehart's assertion that I oppose public schools is ludicrous on its very face. He seems to forget that I am a public school teacher - specifically, professor and acting head of computer science and engineering at a public university, UTC. As an educator I want the students who come into my classroom from the Hamilton County schools to have the best preparation possible. Any of my colleagues, including those in the Education: Graduate Studies Division with whom I have served on Graduate Council, will attest to my dedication to excellence in education.
I invite the citizens of District 2 to consider who will best serve our schools as we move forward into the 21st century. The incumbent who has presided over declining ACT scores, Sunshine Law violations, and an erosion of discipline in the classroom, and who is supported by two recalled and one nearly recalled former town council members? Or a professional educator with advanced degrees in the high-tech fields that will be so crucial to preparing our students to work at the new Volkswagen plant and related enterprises? Perhaps someone who will actually listen to citizen input from all over District 2 - not just the "upper echelon" who think they know better than the rest of us?
Citizens of District 2 - you decide. But please, make your choice based on candidate qualifications and the issues that matter to our schools - not smears spread by desperate people who see their hold on power slipping away.
Joe Dumas
joe@joedumas.com
* * *
I sent a private email to several friends and associates. As sometimes is the case with private email strings that are forwarded, they are forwarded to people who were not intended recipients, context is lost, and feelings are hurt.
In defense of the Bakers, after I sent that email they asked me to refrain from sending those kinds of emails. They didn’t want the campaign to tear a community apart or be about mudslinging. I agreed. Karlette Baker forwarded my email to several people with her own header listing numerous positive activities supporters should do to support Chip’s campaign.
I want to stress, I intended for this to be a private email, not to become a public document. However, in his craving for public attention, Mr. Dumas forwarded this private email to several news outlets and made an issue of it. I was contacted by two members of local media stating they intended to post the email. As much as I did not want to make this a public issue, I will provide clarification using Mr. Dumas’ own written words.
Over the years, Mr. Dumas has expressed a variety of extreme political views. He is a prolific writer and if one takes the time to perform an Internet search, it is easy to find his own words and quotes on many of his extreme views.
Mr. Dumas has expressed his support for the decriminalization of marijuana, supported state and national candidates who want to decriminalize and even legalize the use of dangerous drugs and narcotics, and even signed an online petition at the website of a group whose purpose is to legalize marijuana. Two of these quotes and websites include:
From a site dedicated to the decriminalization of marijuana laws, a petition which reads:
“There are nearly one million people in jail in the United States for non-violent activities related to the use, possession, cultivation, transportation or sale of marijuana. The purpose of this site is to make available a place for everyone who supports the idea of No jail for pot to sign his or her name, and make it proudly public for everyone to see. The people below have taken the significant step of putting their names to this important declaration, for all the country to see.”
Signed by:
“Joe Dumas, Signal Mountain, TN 37377”
NoJailForPot.com
Mr. Dumas’s quotes at another site:
“I simply believe that people have the right to do stupid things – and the duty to accept the consequences. It is not the job of government to protect us from ourselves.
“Besides the philosophical outlook that no one else – especially the government – has the right to tell consenting adults what to do with their own bodies, I have a very practical reason for supporting an end to the prohibition of (certain) drugs. (Note that any 18-year-old can legally purchase the deadliest drug known to man, which is responsible for the deaths of over 400,000 Americans each year – far more than all illegal drugs combined.) That reason is the protection of our children.”
“Making drugs illegal makes them easier, not more difficult, for our children to obtain and abuse. I do not think this is a desirable situation!”
“If space permitted, I could detail many more reasons why Libertarians feel the "War on Drugs" is a failure and should be scrapped.”
The Libertarian Party of Tennessee - Joe Dumas: Reflections On Politics
Personally, I have a real concern that a person who supports the normalization of legalization of marijuana should be serving on the school board. I think the DARE program has been excellent. Signal Mountain police officer Greg Hill, the mountain school’s DARE instructor has done a marvelous job teaching my children about the dangers of marijuana and other dangerous drugs. I believe the DARE program should continue and be supported by an administration that believes in strict laws prohibiting the use of marijuana and the criminalization of its use. I think such conflicting views send the wrong message to our children and our community.
Regarding his support for candidates who want to legalize narcotics and other dangerous drugs. Mr. Dumas has long been active in the Libertarian Party. In virtually any internet search on that party’s candidates, one can find on their platform the position to legalize drugs, limit the United States’ foreign policy via neutrality, and reduced funding for our Armed Forces. Hundreds of websites can be found with a simple search. The Libertarian views of smaller government, fewer taxes, and some other personal responsibility platforms make great sense, but their extreme views on many other social issues are the major reason they are a small fringe party in the United States, rejected by a large part of the electorate.
Mr. Dumas has written about his belief that any adult, including teachers, school administrators, and staff who are authorized to carry firearms should be allowed to carry them into our public schools. While I believe the second amendment to the Constitution protects our rights to bear arms, I do not believe that is an unlimited right and I certainly am not in favor of any law which would allow my children’s teachers, the custodians, or other staff to carry firearms in the classroom. In the quote and website below Mr. Dumas espouses this belief and encourages readers to contact their state legislators to urge them to change the law allowing firearms in schools:
“ . . . an issue that has been of major concern to me for a long time: the need to reform Tennessee law to allow qualified handgun permit holders to carry their weapons on campus.”
At Virginia Tech, as at Columbine High School and other locations of mass killings, the shooters were able to continue their deadly rampage for a long time, taking many lives, because they were assured that none of their victims had the means to defend themselves. Had even one professor, staff member (or even student, at VT, since many college students are over 21 and have carry permits) been armed, the gunman might have been brought down sooner, sparing dozens of innocent lives.”
As a UTC professor and Tennessee handgun carry permit holder, I must choose every day between being unarmed and defenseless in the face of criminals, terrorists, and psychopaths like the one who just shot up Virginia Tech, vs. risking up to a year in jail, in addition to the loss of my career, if I am found in possession of a weapon that could save my life and the lives of my students in the event of an attack.
I hope you will seize this opportunity and do anything you can to try to get the General Assembly to recognize that citizens should not have to waive self-defense rights when they go to school, or anywhere else for that matter.”
Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc Public & Members' Forums
Mr. Dumas has written about his support for the legalization of gay marriage. I personally do not believe this issue is relevant to a school board candidate’s position. I am sure some people believe it is relevant, hence my pointing it out. Below is a quote by Mr. Dumas stating his position and the website:
“Mike North argues for restricting marriage to a man and a woman based on his belief that "traditional marriage is beneficial to civil society" and that, to achieve those benefits, it is acceptable for government to confer certain advantages on those people (heterosexual couples) whose marriage helps bring stability to civil society.
The problem with Mike's argument is that "civil society" doesn't exist as a physical entity with discernible interests of its own. "Civil society" is only an abstraction, and as such has no rights. Only individuals have rights. And the Fourteenth Amendment clearly states that all individuals are guaranteed equal protection of their rights under the law. Not just all straight people, or all gay people, or all tall people, or all short people, or all black people, or all white people ... but all people, period ... have rights. Those rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in any way that doesn't infringe on the rights of others ... and, as stated by the Supreme Court, they also include the unlimited right to contract.”
To sum up, marriage is not a mere privilege to be granted or denied at the whim of government. Marrying a willing partner of legal age, like entering into any other contract, is a right ... and you don't need a "license" or a "permit" to exercise a right.”
“no one in government has the authority to give or deny permission for marriage. It's none of government's business to decide who can marry and who cannot.”
“The principle of separation of church and state, a basic tenet of the American republic, demands no less than government neutrality toward all religious ceremonies - including marriage!”
“ . . . marriage is a legal contract. Anyone of legal age has an unlimited right . . .to contract with another individual of legal age for any legitimate purpose.”
“Neither the federal government nor any state government has the right to stand between individuals wishing to enter into a contract, whether it is called a "marriage contract" or something else.”
Chattanoogan.com Opinion - Mike North
Mr. Dumas has repeatedly criticized public schools and the government’s role in financing and running schools in our country. In some writings he has gleefully points out that the Constitution does not task the government with providing public education. He has been a long time critic of the Signal Mountain High School and many of the volunteers who have worked to make the three Signal Mountain public schools in the top 3% of the state of Tennessee.
Finally, regarding Signal Mountain High School. Joe has long been an opponent of this great high school. He has ridiculed it as “much coveted, but unneeded.” He spread disinformation four years ago claiming the tax we passed to pay for the high school “will always be on the books, just reallocated to some other project.” This either underscores his lack of knowledge of finance and law or it exposes his disingenuousness. I helped write and signed that tax resolution, insuring it had a legal provision which would end the tax as soon as our $7.7 million obligation was paid. After he lost his campaign to defeat our high school, he called the residents of Signal Mountain and Walden “sheeple” for coming together as a community to build a great high school, taunting us as “followers” when we defeated his campaign of misinformation.
Many quotes can be found, a few of Mr. Dumas’ quotes and the websites are as follows:
“Of course, I am not convinced that even the full $90 million in originally scheduled capital projects is necessary. In particular, I urge you to re-think, one last time, the wisdom (or lack thereof) of building a new high school on Signal Mountain where the student population is small and the environmental impact of the construction is large. Surely the funds required to implement that project could better be used for maintenance and upkeep of existing schools, or better yet, left in the citizens' pockets.”
The Taxpayers Best Friend
“More to the point, what an insult to, and what a heartbreak for, the dedicated Mr. Powell to see his beloved trails erased by a school that didn't really need to be built at all... and certainly not on the site that was railroaded through the School Board with the commissioner's full knowledge and consent.”
Chattanoogan.com Opinion Article
“Perhaps Dr. Scales wouldn't be facing that $10 million "shortfall" if our elected "leaders" didn't spend tens of millions of dollars building unnecessary schools (like Ms. Crowder's pet project on Signal Mountain) and then millions more every year staffing them.”
The Taxpayer's Best Friend
Signal Mountain voters are familiar with Joe Dumas. Mr. Dumas has been on the Town of Signal Mountain’s election ballot four times since 2000 and will be on it for the fifth time again for the District 2 School Board Representative facing incumbent, Chip Baker. Mr. Dumas has been handily beaten all four times. Signal Mountain is usually a politically conservative community. We typically do not elect people to political office who have radical views. He suddenly has an interest in primary education. I once heard someone say he is trying to build a reputation within the Libertarian party, not serve a community.
Regarding my recall from office. Oh boy, did I make some mistakes - I was the first to admit it. But Mr. Dumas’ assertion that the recall was a result of people’s opposition to the High School is simply another false statement. Some of my friends, the wife of my largest campaign supporter, the mother of one of my best friends, many contributors to the Founders Fund, my children’s teachers, and many others supported the recall – it was not a single issue driving it.
Over the past 12 years, my wife and I have spent a significant amount of spare time working in Hamilton County’s public schools. My wife has served for more than a decade in a number of positions including the Thrasher Elementary and Signal Mountain Middle School PTA boards, chairing the Mountain Education Foundation, the Signal Mountain Education Council, President of the Thrasher PTA, and a participant in numerous HCDE advisory and parent committees dating back to former board member Annie Hall’s tenure. I have been a volunteer and assisted in raising funds for a number of projects including the SMMS sports boosters, Thrasher’s Dressler Gymnasium, Signal Mountain’s new High and Middle School, and several other projects. We have both spent countless days in the classroom reading to the children, assisting teachers, and supporting our public schools in countless ways.
We aren’t unique or special – we have seen hundreds of people from our community volunteering in any number of positions for our schools. However, during these many years, my wife and I cannot remember a single time, indeed not a single minute when we witnessed Joe Dumas in any of our community’s schools; assisting or participating in any way toward helping to build our schools, furthering our children’s education, or assisting our community.
I do believe Mr. Dumas and his radical ideas should be rejected just as they have on four previous ballots. Again, this was a personal email to several friends. I did not bring it into the public realm; it was brought by Mr. Dumas.
Bob Linehart
blinehart@comcast.net
* * *
Well, it's already starting. The rumors are being spread. I wondered when it would start. I just want to take a minute to dispel them. Joe Dumas is a man of the community and is a wonderful person. He has the respect of all but a select few. And the type of people that are spreading these rumors have had to deal with their own demons. I always say what comes around goes around. I believe that and hold on to that. They have tried to say that Joe is spreading rumors in Fox Run. He hasn't even been in Fox Run. It could be Chip's own people spreading them. I got an email from a Chip supporter today that just made me sick. It was sent from Bob Linehart, a former Signal Mountain council member who was recalled from office in disgrace two years ago. Here is a snippet from his letter.
I cannot write letters to the editor or Chattanoogan.com on the subject due to my polarizing position in the community. However, I have written letters on the subject and would be happy to share them with you to cut, paste, edit and send into the TFP or SM Community News. I also have many letters, quotes, etc., written by Joe opposing our high school, our armed forces, our government, his support for the legalization of dangerous drugs and narcotics, his support for the decriminalization of marijuana, his support of hand guns in the public schools, his support for gay marriage, and other subjects. Let me know if you would like any of this information and I would be happy to send it to you.
Regards, Bob L
Our son is leaving tomorrow for Iraq and I can't tell you how hurt we both were to read what Bob had said. It's malicious and wrong. All of it. If you have questions about my husband's integrity, please call him and talk to him and find out for yourself. I'm sure you'll see that he is a concerned citizen that does care about our kids and their future. The rest of it is just preposterous. It says a lot about the man's character that wrote that.
Joe does not resort to malicious rumors. He has real issues to run on and plans on trying to keep "On Track" by doing just that. People aren't stupid. They know what to listen to and what to discard. Be warned that this low type of campaigning has begun. But not by Joe.
Joe's new quote is:
One must care about a world one will never see.
Chereé Dumas
* * *
Don't think that there aren't people who support Chip Baker who would say or do anything to keep power. In an e-mail to Chip Baker supporters that was given to me by a concerned citizen, Mr. Bob Linehart uses an absurd, vicious personal attack on Joe Dumas in a desperate attempt to save Chip Baker. Linehart is a bitter politician who was thrown out of office by his electorate on Signal Mountain. This was only the second time in Hamilton County history that any politician has been recalled. This is not an honor.
After reading this spoiled, arrogant, elitist, propaganda e-mail, you can see why the people of Signal Mountain sent Linehart packing. Most people on Signal Mountain would not agree with this type of campaigning. This is a standard, boiler plate, power structure smear campaign used time after time against people who tell the truth. It makes me wonder if there is an instruction book somewhere written by Chip Baker’s buddy Davis Lundy entitled, "Dirty Politics 101."
For example, Mr. Linehart says, “I also have many letters, quotes, etc., written by Joe opposing our high school, our armed forces……. Let me know if you would like any of this information and I would be happy to send it to you." This is absurd. Dr. Dumas’ son is leaving for Iraq tomorrow. Saying something like this in these circumstances is lower than low. I wonder how many of Mr. Linehart’s elitist friends have sons or daughters in Iraq or Afghanistan?
Mr. Linehart also reveals his version of controlling the message. He writes, “I cannot write letters to the editor or Chattanoogan.com on the subject due to my polarizing position in the community. However, I have written letters on the subject and would be happy to share them with you to cut, paste, edit and send into the TFP or SM Community News." Does that mean Mr. Linehart has written all of Chip Baker’s support letters that have shown up in the Times Free Press and Chattanoogan.com with someone else’s name on them? You decide.
I think Mr. Linehart said it best in his e-mail. "I believe Joe Dumas can beat Chip Baker in this election . ." That is why they are desperate and why they have gone negative. Read the e-mail, look at who is copied, and then judge for yourself. District 2 has to decide between an honest man like Dr. Joe Dumas or someone like Chip Baker supported by people like Bob Linehart and the people on this e-mail list.
Tim Price
jat-55@msn.com
Her is the e-mail:
From: Bob Linehart [mailto:blinehart@comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2008 10:03 AM
To: 'Lisa Crowder'; 'Amy Sowell'; 'Andy Tucker'; 'Bo Oglesby'; 'Jamie Brock'; 'Jonathan & LeAnn Welch'; 'Julie Romeo'; 'Karen Dolmovich'; 'Karlette & Chip Baker'; 'Kelley Woodard'; 'Lee & Debbie Matthews'; 'Lizetta Paturalski'; 'Mike Harvey'; 'Mike Moon'; 'Priss Shartle'; 'Robyn Judd'; 'Sam Stiles'; 'Stephanie Cate'; 'Steve Monroe'; 'Tara Linehart'; 'Allen Turner'; 'Bob Marshall'; 'Hensley, Rob'; 'Lisa Shander'; 'Rae Moon'; 'Regina Hickl-Szabo'; 'Rob Philyaw'; lizettap@aol.com; lizwilkerson@comcast.net; 'Christine Feemster'; 'Kay Turner'; michaeltmoon@comcast.net; 'Patti Cole'; 'Marsden Matt'; 'Daniel Lamsey'; 'Daniel McCaffrey'; leonard21@comcast.net; lizettap@aol.com; kirkburns@bellsouth.net; 'Mike LeVan'; 'andrew linehart'
Subject: I would like to recognize and welcome our new School Board Member, Joe Dumas
Can you think of anything more difficult to say? I believe Joe Dumas can beat Chip Baker in this election . . and I can't think of a more disturbing prospect for the future of this community.
When Tara and I moved to Signal twelve years ago, we immediately got involved with the Friends of Signal Mountain High School. Back then it was not well organized, but it contained hundreds of passionate volunteers. Over the years, that group evolved and become more organized and effective - most notably with the leadership and support of people not included in this email address list. Even though many of us believed in different routes to get our high school and had some internal squabbles along the way, we all shared a similar vision for the future of our children, our community, excellence in public schools, and a complete education system on Signal Mountain. We knew the effort would be difficult, involve countless hours of effort and sacrifice, and would include opponents.
No opponent has been more vocal regarding Signal Mountain High School and indeed, public education in general than Joe Dumas. For those of us who care to remember, during the 2004 referendum, he delivered flyers to the home of every Walden resident falsely inflating the duration and cost of the tax - we only won the Walden election by eight votes. He spread other forms of disinformation - I have kept a file on it and have copies of many of his postings and letters. I have sparred with Joe over the past eight years. He is very intelligent, though the society he believes in is much different than the one in which most of us believe. He is a great manipulator of facts and the truth. He has done just that in his many attacks on our High School, our public schools, our community, and Chip Baker. He has not provided a vision for improving our schools, he only claims we are investing too much on our schools and using public discord as a platform for his personal gain.
It concerns me to have heard in the past month many of my friends make comments like, "no way can Joe beat Chip"; "the community knows what Joe is about, they aren't going to elect him"; "this is Joe's fifth run for office, people are getting tired of him"; or perhaps the worst comment: "we have the high school now, it doesn't really matter who our school board representative is". I believe Joe as our school board representative, based upon his own words and writings, would not only be negative for the entire Hamilton County public school system, he would be hostile to our new High School and provide little support for other Signal Mountain schools.
I fear complacency and ignorance may allow Joe to win this election. In years past, we have been well organized, writing letters to the editors, email chains, going door-to-door at election time to make our case on key ballot issues. While I know most of you work very hard for the benefit of our schools, I don't see or feel the same energy and passion going into this election.
Let me remind you that we are a small community and District 2 is not large. In 2004 Lizetta beat me by one vote in the Signal Mountain Town Council race. We won the 2004 tax referendum by eight votes in Walden. One of Signal Mountain's greatest Mayor's, Bill Leonard only beat his recall by 200 votes. Lizetta beat her recall by 86 votes. And of course I was recalled by a mere 15 votes. Lest I remind those of you on this email list who supported the recall, that vote cost the high school $200,000 in funding via the 1/2 cent sales tax option. My point is that elections in this community are close - a single vote could decide this election, Joe has an active and energized campaign, and we cannot take anything for granted. I urge you to work in the next three weeks on this campaign with all the passion and energy you exert for our schools - it is for the same cause.
I cannot write letters to the editor or chattanoogan.com on the subject due to my polarizing position in the community. However, I have written letters on the subject and would be happy to share them with you to cut, paste, edit and send into the TFP or SM Community News. I also have many letters, quotes, etc., written by Joe opposing our high school, our armed forces, our government, his support for the legalization of dangerous drugs and narcotics, his support for the decriminalization of marijuana, his support of hand guns in the public schools, his support for gay marriage, and other subjects. Let me know if you would like any of this information and I would be happy to send it to you.
Now please get busy.
Regards, Bob L
* * *
In North Chattanooga, we would need school board representation for our public schools on the Tennessee critical list. A great start for representing our neighborhood would be return telephone calls from families concerned with being zoned for critical schools.
Sorry, Mr. Linehart, this is about education, not on your candidate's position on gay marriage or gun control. Maybe you guys should redirect your focus to educational issues, because this is why Mr. Dumas is here.
During your candidate's eight-year tenure on the school board, our neighborhood schools remained on the critical list. Dr. Dumas is a fine educator working with young people daily, and convoluting the issues to "gay and guns' may be popular for reaction, but we want proactive actions to fix schools.
We are correct, as you have eloquently stated in your letter, "Dr. Dumas will be elected."
Allison Graham
Chattanooga
* * *
I believe that Joe Dumas forgot to respond to Bob LInehart's allegations that he did not support the troops. Well,obviously he does support them, his son is leaving for Iraq very soon.
Bob LInehart is obviously still not over his hurt feelings about the recall, and he is taking out his anger on Joe.
Up to this point the opponents of Chip have only brought up subjects relevant to his position on the school board. Making allegations that Joe Dumas would allow guns and drugs in the schools is pathetic. Next thing a Baker supporter is going to say is that Joe wants to hand out guns at the doors of the school.
Is this the desperation of Chip Baker to have these kinds of things being spread by his supporters? Very, very sad. I just hope the children are not reading all of this.
Rachel Miller
Signal Mountain
* * *
It appears Chip Baker will soon find out "with friends like Bob L., who needs enemies."
Blake Daniel
Signal Mountain
* * *
I will first state that I am only an interested observer of the race for District 2 school board and Signal Mountain politics.
Our family lives in Hixson and we took our middle school son out of public school because of the chaos in our school system these past two years.
To the subject....Chip Baker. Chip needs to find another political office to run for. During his tenure on the school board, he has exhibited a lack of interest in Hamilton County, with the exception for his family and friends on Signal Mountain.
Anyone who is interested in our public schools and Chip Baker's voting record knows he votes against, or for almost every measure that parents of Hamilton County favor or strongly oppose.
Time to move on, Chip.
I don't know Joe Dumas well, but from my one-on-one conversations with him, and the statements he has made publicly, he has impressed me to believe that he will represent District 2 and all of Hamilton County with an open door and telephone line.
Randy Russell
Hixson
* * *
As a former student of Dr. Joe Dumas, I can tell you that he is thorough, tough and fair. I've spent more hours with him than most of you ever will, and I believe these qualities are truly in his nature.
I think it is this same thoroughness, toughness and fairness that frightens his opponents into such vicious and irrelevant attacks. I can tell you firsthand, he knows how to prepare students for the real world.
Please ignore this distraction and give Joe Dumas a chance to serve our community. He is exactly the right man for this job.
Kevin Welch
kevinwelch@pobox.com
* * *
I would like to address Allison Graham’s statement that during Chip Baker’s time on the School Board, the schools in North Chattanooga “remained on the critical list.” In fact, during this time period the North Chattanooga schools have undergone an amazing revitalization. Chattanooga High Center for the Creative Arts (a District 6 school) has developed into a wonderful arts magnet. The neighborhood elementary school, Normal Park Museum Magnet, has transformed from a struggling school into a nationally recognized magnet school.
In addition, Normal Park has expanded through 8th grade and into the Chattanooga Middle School building. Chip Baker was instrumental in making this change a reality. He was an enthusiastic champion of the plan and voted “yes” for the expansion of Normal Park - twice.
Mr. Baker was also a supporter of the community-led school renovation that transformed the building. Finally, he has voted for some supplemental funding to assist with the renovation.
These are real actions that Chip Baker has taken to address a middle school on a “critical list.” He has demonstrated again and again that he is an advocate for the North Chattanooga schools.
Sarah Edwards
northchattmom@hotmail.com
* * *
Bob L.,
“…this was a personal email to several friends. I did not bring it into the public realm;”. Well duh, of course you didn’t want it to be made public. The purpose of subterfuge is to remain covert.
“In defense of the Bakers, after I sent that email they asked me to refrain from sending those kinds of emails.” Once again, duh, I wonder why. “They didn’t want the campaign to tear a community apart or be about mudslinging. I agreed.” Nice spin. “Karlette Baker forwarded my email to several people with her own header listing numerous positive activities supporters should do to support Chip’s campaign.” No mudslinging? Then why forward the e-mail? Oops I don’t want this to be about the Baker’s. I have known them in the past, respect the family and Chip’s desire to serve the public.
I’m trying to recall when the HCDE and Board took votes or even had discussions on gay marriage, legalizing drugs, the 2nd Amendment, the Libertarian philosophy, etc. Hmmm, nope it’s not coming to me.
“Regarding my recall from office. Oh boy, did I make some mistakes - I was the first to admit it.” Admission is a good first step. Did you learn anything from it? Unfortunately your deceptiveness and arrogance in actions speaks louder than your words…again.
Stewart Clark
Signal Mountain
* * *
Presidential candidate Barack Obama frequently uses the term "distractions" when such incidents as Jesse Jackson's accidental public vulgarity take away attention from the important issues of the presidential campaign.
"Distraction" is a very good term for the pure hogwash brought forth by Bob Linehart.
It is difficult, in a limited space, to answer all his nonsense, but since almost every word is indeed nonsense, I will just say this: If I had had any doubts before, I have not a one now.
I urge every person in Hamilton County to get behind Joe Dumas.
Please, if you are in his district, help elect Joe Dumas to the school board.
Luke Saturnah
* * *
Mr. Linehart:
The arguments you put forth as proof that we do not want Dr. Dumas as a school board member are ludicrous. Dr. Dumas never said he supports gay marriage. He supports a person’s constitutional right to marry a person of the same sex if he/she so chooses. It is not governments place to dictate every move we make.
Dr. Dumas does not want people to do drugs, he merely states it is not governments place to say what a free American can and cannot do to their own body. Your ridiculous scare tactics are not going to work this time. The polls show that.
Dr. Dumas believes in government being accountable to the people. Has Chip Baker ever been accountable to the taxpayers? The answer is no. He will not even return their phone calls. It is the school boards duty to run the department as efficiently as possible and Dr. Dumas is committed to doing this. Is Chip Baker? The answer is no.
The Hamilton County government, including The Hamilton County School Board has been spending the taxpayer’s hard earned money like drunken sailors for too long and we are fed up. It is time for the over burdened taxpayers of Hamilton County to stand up and say no more. We want honesty, integrity, and fiscal responsibility and I strongly believe Dr. Joe Dumas is the only candidate running in District 2 that can bring those qualities to the School Board.
Tina Davis
tinadavishomes@aol.com
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |