Vandy’s poll gives Tennesseans a voice on public policy

Tennesseans really like Gov. Bill Haslam. Vandy’s May poll shows a 63 percent approval. Sen. Lamar Alexander also polls well with a 53 percent approval. Both Republicans are up for re-election state-wide in 2014. Is either likely to be “primary-ed” by a more conservative Tea Party candidate? Not likely. Alexander has a 62 percent approval from the Tea Party while Haslam has 68 percent Tea Party approval.

The twice yearly Vanderbilt University Poll from the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions allows Tennesseans a say on public issues.

Voters do differ on several issues with the governor and senior senator. They diverge with (60 percent) Haslam’s recent decision not to cover, just now, more who are eligible for Medicaid. Over 55 percent vary with Alexander’s on requiring online retailers to collect state sales tax.

The May poll, presented by Professors John Geer and Josh Clinton here, is available for the public to view further at Vanderbilt.edu/csdi

Jim Harwell authored a compendium of grandfather Fred Russell’s practical jokes

Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame honor for Drue Smith

Clay Lehmann (Coyote McCloud’s son), Cathy Martindale, Ralph Emery—photo from Cathy Martindale

Nick Archer, Richard Schrade, Ralph Vaughn, Friend, Dru Smith Fuller, Sharon Jay

Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame held it’s second annual induction banquet May 4 in Murfreesboro.

“The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame helps to preserve the history of radio and promote what radio means to its community,” said Ralph Vaughn, the president of TRHF who spent 21 years on the radio in Smithville, McMinnville and Murfreesboro.

“We have so much radio history in Tennessee,” he added.

“Everybody grew up listening to the radio. It told you whether school was out, weather, who died. It was a part of your life,” said Bart Walker of Murfreesboro’s WGNS. “Radio is almost a fraternity. People in radio have the same mindset.”

Walker said it was important to preserve the history of radio for the same reason of remembering other types of history.

“I think it is like anything else. History is a part of our roots,” he said.

Among the evening’s festivities were a reception, dinner and presentation of inductees or their representatives.

—from Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro

In an interview, TRHF President Ralph Vaughn said, “We want to honor and perpetuate the legacy of radio by honoring outstanding luminaries of radio who have been pioneers and trailblazers and made radio and television what it is today.

On May 4, TRHF inducted seven living inductees, among them Charlie Chase of Nashville and nine radio legends posthumously. In the legend category were the late Drue Smith and Coyote McCloud of Nashville.

“Think for a moment what would any community be without radio” Ralph Vaughn pondered. “Our mission (at TRHF) is to reinforce the importance of radio and long term our goal is to collect memorabilia and artifacts in a permanent location.”

Broadcaster Sharon Kay, Treasurer of TRHF

UHC’s Scott Bowers: Expanded access to TennCare depends on extended medical capacity

Scott Bowers, CEO of United Health Care’s administration of TennCare, said expanded access to Medicaid depends on building more medical capacity. This means extending primary physician care through telemedicine and delegation to nurses. Bowers said another 250,000 Tennesseans could be eligible for medical care should the expansion happen. He noted Gov. Haslam is still exploring whether the federal government would fund the state’s Medicaid expansion through the federal Health Care Exchange rather than through TennCare. The governor has already turned down federal funding for the expansion through TennCare.

“Nashville Elvis” serenaded Republican Women’s Club

Elvis impersonator Chuck Bacil treated the Nashville Republican Women’s Club to an Elvis nostalgia performance singing songs from the fifties in the style of The King. He sang The Wonder of You,” “Suspicious Eyes,” and “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” A country singer who performs around town as a stand-in for Elvis, Chuck Baril lives in Mount Juliet with his family. Invite him to your next party: nashvilleelvis@comcast.net. Check out his web site at NashvilleElvis.com.

House Speaker Beth Harwell thanks Nashville Republican Women

Rogers Anderson is mayor of Tennessee’s fastest growing county

Tennessee’s fastest growing county is Williamson. Over 10 years, Williamson County grew 45 percent according to the 2010 Census. “Remember our farms, horses and cattle?” Mayor Rogers Anderson asked Kiwanians. Two automobile plants, Nissan and Saturn, built around 1990 in neighboring counties helped spur growth in Williamson, changing it’s rural landscape.

Today, Williamson County encompasses the unincorporated area surrounding six cities,including Franklin and Brentwood. County schools get 64 percent of the public education dollar. The Mayor is preparing to educate another 896 children next year.

“We’re accustomed to building new schools,” he said. “We opened five schools in 13 months in 2007-08.” Yet, the county had only two property tax increases in the last 15 years. “Commercial growth carries the weight,” according to Anderson. “We appreciate that.”

Rep. Jim Cooper proposes right to vote amendment

May 1, 2013 – Congressman Cooper proposes a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would provide a right to vote for all adult citizens of the United States.

Thank YOU from Randy Lawyer

Thank you all for your support in my Techville Mayoral Campaign.
I especially want to thank the following Kiwanians for going above and beyond:

1.)    My campaign manager & Kiwanis wife, Megan Climer.

2.)    Helen Gaye Brewster and Populrme for an amazing POP

3.)    Todd Bowman and his incredible marketing contacts at AMP

Although I didn’t win the election, I did win the support of Mayor Dean and that is a win in my book as you can see from the attached picture.

Thanks,

Randy Lawyer

Senior Account Executive – Enterprise Business | Windstreamrandy.lawyer@windstream.com | windstreambusiness.com

St. George’s Episcopal honors Belle Meade pollice

: Belle Meade Police Chief Tim Eads (left). Officer Norm Shelton. Officer Dennis Goins. Sgt John Carter. Detective Tom Sexton with St. George’s Sr. Asst. Rector Chris Bowhay. Officer Dee Howell was not present for the picture.

Police honored: Chief Tim Eads brought his entire Belle Meade police force to St. George’s last Sunday for a special blessing and recognition ceremony during services at the church. St. George’s is close by the Belle Meade City Hall on Harding Pike.

Sr. Asst. Rector Chris Bowhay said, “This week, with the Boston Bombings, has made us all aware of the service and care these fine men and women peace officers give us.” Rev. Bowhay led the congregation in congregation in prayers for the health and safety of the officers.

“We celebrate the birthday of St. George as we commend the officers of public peace and law enforcement to Angelic protection as First Responders as they defend us with heavenly grace and their courage to face perils,” Rev. Bowhay said.

Art historian Donia Dickerson noted, “In the history of Church of England, St. George is known for slaying an evil dragon to save a maiden in peril. She then ran back to her village to tell the tale, turning her neighboring villagers to Christianity.”

This statue of St. George slaying the dragon stands in front of St. George’s Episcopal Church.

She pointed out, “We have a beautiful statute and bas relief of St. George and the maiden in our St. George’s church courtyard. In the front of the church, we also have a beautiful statue of St. George slaying the dragon. This sculpture is a very, very powerful example of the strength of St. George who protects us all, along with our wonderful police officers.” Mrs. Dickerson, daughter of music great Francis Craig, gave the St. George sculpture to the church.

Chief Tim Eads responded on behalf of his officers, saying, “We appreciate the church honoring us today.”

Television picture of Rev. Chris Bowhay honoring the Belle Meade police officers during April 21 St. George’s Church service..

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Boulevard Bolt: Can we expect changes in the security for the 2013 Boulevard Bolt that St. George’s Episcopal Church, Immanuel Baptist Church and  The Temple Congregation Ohabai Sholom will sponsor together on Thanksgiving Day?

Chief Tim Eads said, in response to a question, “I’m sure there’ll be stepped up Boulevard Bolt security. We have already started looking at some plans making sure we have extra security on hand. Last year, the churches incorporated some additional help from CSC, (a private security firm). When you go to a Titan’s game, those are the folks wearing the yellow jackets.”

He continued, “We will have a radio contact at every road and some of the little side streets

not just at the the police barricades. Also, we’ll have a unified command post. Really, that’s the one biggest improvement that we plan. There will be some other things the Belle Meade police will take into consideration to help the Metro police and the additional security agents.”

Have there been past security problems with Bolt? The Chief said, “Other than an errant car or two trying to get in, folks maybe falling down and other such accidents, there have never been intentional disturbances at the Boulevard Bolt.”