I haven't followed the rift on the County Commission as close as I'd like to. I'm still playing catch up with so many articles out there. Most recently, I've read where Lookout Valley citizens are asking for a revote for chairman. Before that, it was about the grandstanding at the last meeting. Somewhere in between Roy Exum chimed in making, what I consider, a sexist remark about the president of the Tennessee Valley Republican Women. I'm not a fan of discretionary spending. I feel that funding belongs in an annual budget.
Let's start with the peanut gallery from Lookout Valley. First off, you're in the city limits of Chattanooga. Go hit them up for paint and windows. Maybe you should have asked for that instead of bike lanes? Hopefully your city representation out there doesn't talk out both sides of his mouth like the county representation you currently have does. Or, if you want a revote, replace said county representation. In case you don't recall, your representative got on his high horse about those discretionary funds he's now trying to use. See Chattanoogan article dated December 10, 2015 "Joe Graham strikes again on discretionary spending requests." Notice the word again. As in, continues to talk smack about discretionary spending.
Roy, I believe you owe not only Marty Fairbanks, but also the entire Tennessee Valley Republican Women, a public apology. It's extremely rare that I disagree with you, and that's a fact. But in this case, many feel that you stepped way out of bounds. I'm gonna quote what you said in the Bullies article you wrote (which is ironic in itself.)
"Beck, of course, knows Fairbanks’ wife is some sort of princess in the Republican ladies social."
This Republican Ladies Social you speak of is actually the Tennessee Valley Republican Women as I've previously noted. Yes, they do have social events, but it's in a philanthropic capacity. That princess you called is the president of it. I'm sure you think they all sit around getting manicures, when in fact they do great things. Things like the raising money for The Fisher House. Perhaps you're not familiar with it. It provides free or low cost housing to families of military men and women being treated at military medical facilities across the nation. They've recently built one in Murfreesboro.
Roy, if you're too proud to apologize perhaps you can just send a donation to them.
James Berry
Hamilton County Resident