posted August 1, 2006
The campaign tactics of John Bailes and Stuart James have brought the District 8 commissioners' race to a new low. Why don't we take a minute and look at what Bailes says versus what he does?
Bailes says that he wants "civility" to come back to politics and then he attacks his opponent and calls him names like flip-flopper. He hides behinds his attack dog, Stuart James, who has savaged Curtis Adams at every turn. Stuart James' support of Bailes in itself is enough reason to vote for Curtis Adams. If you need more reason, Stuart James is in Bailes' corner and a class act like Bobby Woods is in Curtis's corner. How much clearer could this be?
Mr. Bailes tells us that he will hold county officials accountable and will be a budget "hawk." Well, your supporters must be confused because from their letter writing they think you are going to raise taxes for schools. Does John Bailes actually think that the public believes that a teacher like himself with the support he has from HCEA, PEF and every education cheerleader in this county, won't vote for another unneeded tax increase for schools? Yeah, right. Further evidence is Bailes' support for more public/private partnerships to help school funding. These "partnerships" and the meddling of foundations have been the problem all along in local education. These same people support Bailes and have always supported tax increases.
Curtis Adams speaks his mind and Mr. Bailes will tow the line with the power structure. If you have any doubts, just look at the donor list of John Bailes on the Election Commission website. It reads like the who's who of the Chattanooga elite. He must have been soliciting contributions at the last Cotton Ball. It includes names like Lupton, Holmberg, Decosimo, Olan Mills II, etc. etc. etc. Again, all of these people have supported tax increases for schools through the education arm of the power structure, the Pubic Education Foundation.
John Bailes is exactly the type of person we don't want in office. Instead of wanting power to change things for the good, he just wants power. He speaks with a calm, hypnotic voice telling you what you want to hear when all the while he has no intention of living up to his promises. He can't possibly live up to all of them because a large number of them conflict, like being a budget hawk and raising taxes for schools. If he is elected along with Greg Beck, Larry Henry and John "I never seen a tax I didn't like" Brooks, all I can say is get your checkbooks out because a tax increase is on its way.
Reject power structure hacks like John Bailes and vote for Curtis Adams. You might not agree with Curtis on everything, but at least you know where he stands.
John Smith
jms1973_4@msn.com
* * *
Well that explains it. I have been hypnotized by the calming voice of John Bailes. That explains my affection for him. It couldn't be that he has a keen mind and is engaging and interesting when in conversation.
John Bailes is one of the few people I know who listens very closely to other people, who devotes his attention to their thoughts. I doubt that it has anything to do with his excellent and boisterous sense of humor. He is a man who loves to laugh...a sort of hypnotizing laugh.
I must admire John Bailes because he has hypnotized me with his calm voice, not because I have found him to be man of independent mind. He has often surprised me in his approach to problems, seeming to always look for a third way, for an alternative approach that may change the dynamic.
Maybe after the election John will snap his fingers and I won't remember any of this.
Max Hackett
revantler@yahoo.com
* * *
John Bailes, who is challenging Curtis Adams for the County Commission, is taking large sums of campaign money from organized labor who are seeking to organize in Hamilton County.
There is a difference between organized labor and trade unions. The unions we have in Chattanooga are focused on training and high standards. Although they are politically active, they're more interested in providing high quality workers. But the organized labor movement that is funding John Bailes campaign is much more interested in organizing workers solely for political gain, and it's part of a nationwide trend.
There was a time and place for organizing, and to some extent there still is, but it isn't in Hamilton County or Chattanooga. Do we need a labor sympathizer like John Bailes holding public office? One domino has already fallen with the SEIU getting into city government, and we don't need the county or any of our large companies in town to follow as the second. At least Mayor Littlefield is holding them in check, but organized labor is like a pandemic to businesses and communities that are trying to grow.
Chattanooga has only recently shed its reputation as a union town that was rife with labor racketeering, and the last thing we need is to see it reemerge with a part-time English professor like John Bailes - who has no experience managing or legislating anything - advocating for them.
Remember that Jimmy Hoffa was tried here for his misdeeds and it's taken a generation to change our image.
Curtis Adams has his faults, but he'll keep the organizers out and let the market steer the right course. Vote for Curtis Adams on Aug. 3.
Tony Thomas
Hamilton County
t-thomas66@hotmail.com
* * *
Mr. Tony Thomas,
In response to your opinion about organized labor: If you are trying to scare people with unions, you need to go somewhere else. Most of the people in this area were raised in union households, or maybe they’ve forgotten. Unions have become a bad word because big business people have taught folks that it is unreasonable to negotiate a living wage, or to negotiate a benefits package for their labor and for their future. They tell folks that unions are bad, they have “union bosses”, etc. It seems to me that most of the stories in the paper today deal with business leaders, corporate moguls, etc. bankrupting their companies and pillaging the retirement funds that working people have invested. As far as I know, the National Labor Relations Act still guarantees every American the right to join, assist, or not join a union. If my memory serves me right, a large percentage of the successful businesses in town either are, or were at one time, Union shops. Most of the Trade Unions have had Locals here since the late 1800’s. Those of you, whose parents and grandparents worked at Combustion, Wheland, TVA, etc, should know what kind of people belong to unions - the kind of people who raised you. When you start talking about “union sSympathizers” remember the chilling words of Martin Noemiller:
“When the Nazis arrested the Communists,
I said nothing; after all, I was not a Communist.
When they locked up the Social Democrats,
I said nothing; after all, I was not a Social Democrat.
When they arrested the trade unionists,
I said nothing; after all, I was not a trade unionist.
When they arrested the Jews, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Jew.
When they arrested me, there was no longer anyone who could protest.”
As a 28-year member of IBEW Local 175 and current president of the Chattanooga Area Labor Council, I resent your scare tactics and disparaging the good name of unions. As for Jimmy Hoffa, he went away several years ago. Just like Elvis. Let’s let them both rest in peace. Unions were instrumental in gaining living wages, and benefits that YOU enjoy now. Things like health care, pension plans, 40-hour work week, overtime pay, weekends… even public education, I could go on. If you don’t want a voice in your work place, that’s fine, we won’t hear from you. I believe Unions have played a major role in making this the greatest country on the planet. Make mine Union, make mine in America. Spend it where you earn it, and vote like nobody is watching.
Gary M. Watkins
President, Chattanooga Area Labor Council
garywatkins@hotmail.com
* * *
John Bailes, the man running against incumbent Commissioner Curtis Adams in District 8, is taking all that labor union money because he is a liberal, pro-union Democrat. He may try to act like he is not and say he is more of an Independent and not a real Democrat, but the company he keeps and the money he takes tell a different story.
Some of you may remember his now defunct web blog called The Daily Bailout. Having stumbled across this website long before this campaign began, I read with amusement the many liberal articles written by Mr Bailes and his cohorts. Mr Bailes even had a picture of himself shaking hands with Howard Dean, who is now the liberal head of the Democratic Party. I find it quite interesting that this website was shut down shortly after Mr Bailes announced his candidacy. I guess he figured he had to or else he would not be able to go to the Chattanooga Times Free Press editorial board meeting and declare that he hasn't the time for the Democratic Party. He basically declared himself an Independent.
I would ask you Mr Bailes....if you consider yourself an Independent then why aren't you running as an Independent? My guess would be that it has to do with all the liberal Democratic labor union money that you happily accept any chance you get all the while telling voters that you are a moderate, Independent type. What hypocrisy.
Jerome Jones
Chattanooga
mrjeromejones@yahoo.com
* * *
Tony Thomas’ blast against John Bailes is a page right out of the playbook of negative, hateful politics: trying to discredit one’s opponent when he is ahead and about to win. The difference is that this time around, the citizenry has gotten wise to such tactics. All they will do is send more of us to the polls on Thursday to vote for John Bailes.
What is really reflected in this attack on unions is an assault on the working population of our county. Thomas reveals his true stripes: keep those workers in their place, laboring day in and day out for less wages and harsher working conditions.
No, we will not fall for such partisan bigotry and demagoguery. When Adams switched parties, he declared to everyone that he no longer cared for the working person.
John Bailes, though, brings everyone together. He stands proudly for and with working people and will represent their needs every day as the new Commissioner for District 8. But, he also knows how to bring the concerns of the business owner into the decision-making process. The search for cohesiveness of purpose and vision which incorporates strands from all sides characterizes John Bailes.
Thomas’ negative tirade is one more reason for all of us to vote for the man who will seek to bring us all together: John Bailes, soon to be the new Hamilton County Commissioner for District 8.
Olin M. Ivey
omivey@juno.com
* * *
Mr. Tony Thomas,
In response to your opinion about organized labor: I have been in a union for 20 years and evidently you must have never worked in a union environment before. You are what we call a "SCAB." This is some one who sits on the sidelines and waits to see how they will benefit from the outcome of organized labor's negotiations. This is why all of your Wal-Marts cannot keep good workers and do not pay decent wages, because they are not union. This is why we see tags in department stores with made in China, Pakistan and another countries, because this big businesses and manufacturers are sending all their business to these other countries so they don't have to pay good wages to Americans. This is why the loss of jobs is so high in this country and in Chattanooga.
Do you realize that the 90 to 100 percent of your public servants are in an organized union? These are the qualified men and women who keep you and your family safe at night while your asleep or during the day when at work. These are the men and women of the fire and police departments. These men and women work very hard for not so good pay and put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens and tourists of this city. Our health benefits are not great either. The organized union leaders of the city have fought and fought with the past mayors for better benefits and wages and always end up in a loosing battle. We do have someone in the city government that is listening to us and we hope to continue this trend for many more years.
The majority of this country depends on organized labor and unions. These are the people that fly you across the country and serve you food on an airplane, move your packages from city to city and state to state. These are the men and women who build your World Trade Centers and your malls, grocery stores and cars that you drive.
If Mr. Bailes is taking money from organized labor groups then that is his choice. If it gets him elected to the Hamilton County Commission then that will be a plus for organized labor. At least the organized labor groups will have an ear to listen to them and not someone who is going to turn a deaf ear.
Jeff Eldridge, President
Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association
IAFF Local 820
Chattanooga
Firemn1078@aol.com
* * *
Mr. Tony Thomas,
In response to your opinion about organized labor: maybe it's time you get your head out of the sand and do a reality check, because if you were to read your history books and do some research I think you will find that it is because of these labor unions you enjoy the goods things in life.
Most people do not know where their good working conditions, decent wages, and benefits came from, we all take for granted that the government just gave us all this. Well it is through the hard work and sweat of the men and women of these labor unions and the labor leaders throughout history that stood up for all the working people and believed that they should have a decent wage, and working conditions and a chance to provide a better life for their families.
As a 37-year member of Sheet Metal Worker's Local Union #5 and present Recording Secretary of the Chattanooga Building and Construction Trades Council, I do not appreciate your marring of the good name of the unions. The unions have done a lot for Chattanooga and surrounding communities.
Dewayne Chastain
Chastain37412@msn.com
* * *
Here is one union worker that stands on the side of Curtis Adams. He is the working man's kind of guy. My dad was an Ironworker in Local 704 and working at Sequoyah in 1972 when killed in a car crash. I joined my first union, the Boilermakers Union at Combustion, at age 18. Later on I joined the Ironworkers Local 704, and the Utilities unions at Chattanooga Gas and my present employer. I personally have paid union dues now for 30 years and it has been worth every penny.
I would plead to my fellow union members to look through the smoke and mirrors created by the spin doctors at the Times Free Press. Harry Austin and the local Democrat Party has been no friend to local unions. Look beyond the D and R before their names on a ballot.
Have we already forgotten the unionized contract bus driver fiasco? I am going to try to make this as simple as I can where even Stuart James can understand it. Transportation costs inside the school system have gone from $8 million to $12 million in a short period of time. Keep in mind that during these years of increases the contract bus drivers worked under the same contract gas and all. That is until last year when the contract drivers were cut another $900,000. That would have made it $13 million if the contract drivers' throats had not been cut. Also the benefits of system drivers promised in the beginning by school officials were taken away.
Curtis Adams (D) at that time, Miller (D), Hullander (R), Skillern (R) and Rhonda Thurman (R) were the ones to call the hand on Joe Conner's claims that turning it over to a middle man would save money. Of course, he had a comparison done by one of the bus companies, of course from out of town up for the business, to show they would be cheaper. The above mentioned studied that comparison and came up with many questions. Like gas. We know now that as gas goes up, First Student does not lose, taxpayers do. Contract drivers also eat the loss. There were also questions concerning office space, phone lines, and storage lots not figured in on this comparison. The way extra drivers to fill in and dispatchers were compared was questionable.
But it was the night of the Transportation Dog and Pony Show when I found out how low the 8-1 voting bloc on the School Board would be willing to stoop. Joe Conner ran that meeting from a speaker phone. He wasn't even there. Take in mind that the three R's and two D's had worked hours studying this comparisons and had found many holes in it. It was Curtis Adams and Bill Hullander who were going to ask some questions concerning Joe Conner's out of town comparison. After hours of listening to the babble that was coming out of that speaker phone, it was finally winding down. Curtis was really looking good that night in his suit, patiently waiting his turn to represent the Commission and make sure the contract drivers got a fair shake. But there was one big stumbling block for the commission. A majority vote from the School Board was needed to allow Curtis to ask a few questions. Bill Eldridge made the motion to allow Hullander and Adams to speak. But, as usual, the 8-1 voting bloc held firm not to let them speak that night. To hear Bailes, James and Harry Austin tell it, it is the commission membrs who don't play well with others. It was the Democrats that turned on organized labor that night. Yes, Boydston, Fairchild, Matthews, Love and Colburn denied their side getting heard in a public meeting. Without debate that night the transportation issue was railroaded through. That night a humiliated and embarrassed Curtis Adams earned my respect. I have never in my life seen a man get that red all over without spitting nails. Is the Democrats' platform to get in line and join the annual pro tax parade and belittle anyone that might have a question? Is the Republican platform really any different locally?
Curtis, because Jesse Register used that $4 million he promised to use for building repair to pay the increases to First Student, you are getting the blame for run down buildings from Bailes. You were also right when you took a stand on Howard High. Spending $20 million to put a Band-Aid on a school in a flood zone on a contaminated dump site instead of building a new one on dry ground for the same $20 million was another bone head. You were also right to call the $150,000 Jesse Register Golden parachute deal worked out under the table by Baker Conner, and Lundy a braking of the sunshine law. Curtis Adams could just talk about doing such a thing and Harry Austin and Plante would beat him up for years. But these three R's were never held by the same standards by the Times left handers. I would urge my fellow union friends to get informed and not be blind followers.
Rick Skiles
Rickskiles@aol.com
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