Portland, Tennessee Blog

only wish that callis and bratton were up for re-election, maybe we could get rid of the both of them.

Yes, we are getting geared up for another local Election Year. Another slanted race to see if the same group of townspeople who have always run the town can get elected -- again. I was glad to see Tim and Jody beat the odds and get elected in 2005; the Council desperately needed younger people, fresher outlooks, new ideas. I believe that their presence and input has had an impact on the City Government. I hope this time we will once more elect someone besides the same old group.

At the last City Council meeting, one of our fine Aldermen had the nerve to say there has never been a dirty election in Portland. He was certainly asleep during the recent Mayorial Campaign. Remember? We suddenly had a new newspaper in town, and whoever was behind it had an obvious purpose: to get rid of Jim Calloway by digging into his past and bringing up things that had nothing to do with the kind of mayor he was.

They were ruthless in their mud-slinging at Mr. Calloway, and before they were through, they took down some other people as well, simply because they were friends with Mr. Calloway. That election campaign was as nasty as the present name-calling that is going on in Tenn. in the Senatorial race. I am ashamed of the way things went during the 2005 election of Aldermen and Mayors. I hope and pray that things are cleaner this spring. There is no place for that behavior in small-town politics.

The seats that are up for election in 2007:
Bill Caudill / Tim Coker / Phil Hobdy / & JOdy McDowell

Is Bratton's seat going to be open?

I hope many men and women choose to a be a part of the political process this coming May.
If you are interested, you need to get an application form and start getting your required signatures to qualify.
I look for those who stand on principle and approach issues with common sense. I may not agree with their position, but I at least know they are being open and honest.
We need people who are willing to put forth the effort and the hours needed to do the research that is needed for many issues; and those who have an idea of what they would like their community to look like.
I may not like their vision, but as long it is genuinely focused on bettering the town and not themselves, then we will prosper as a city.
Thank You,
Mike Callis