Portland, Tennessee Blog

All I can say to that is....28% of the people voted, and their vote determined the outcome. All the ones I voted for got elected - but honestly I can't say it was entirely a confidence vote...it was more of a hopeful vote that they will be the best for the job.

One more quick point . . . .

No matter what office a person is running for, from a city councilman right on up to the President, their election depends on a majority vote. If elected, one would logically assume that they have SOMETHING going for them that earned the confidence of the majority of voters.

The whole POINT is to make it non-restrictive so that everyday citizens can serve their community -it is then up to the individuals within the community to determine whether the candidates are "qualified" or not and cast their vote accordingly.

There are multitudes of successful people who were never formally educated (college) and there are multitudes of formally educated people who don't have the sense that God gave a grasshopper.
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Well, I, for one, am going to pay more attention to things - I'm beginning to really "see" some things about Portland that I haven't noticed before, but it was there all the time. To start with, nothing is required of anyone to be on the Council, except that they are 18 years old, get 25 signatures on an application, and have no felony convictions. How can too much be expected of them ??? Towns need professional managers to be successful. Just my opinion.

you can believe it. except for 1 or2 this city government has their own interest at heart.
i voted for callis when he ran thinking he would be conservative with spending taxpayer money and doing whats right for the city. turns out, he is one of the biggest tax and spend councilmen we've had in years.now we've elected the relic meadows back (boy there's an improvement) and we still have businessman bratton who is too good to chat with the likes of us.

Digman...you know ? I didn't want to think that, but more and more I'm believing that. Everyone needs to really make an effort to find out the story behind the story on all these issues...and VOTE....what can be done to convince people that it matters?? I wish I had the answer to that one.

deeanna. this town is corrupt, no doubt about it. all we can do is be villagent and vote.
vote no on government tax hikes of any kind.
they will try to raise the trash tax (that we were already paying for it just wasnt printed on our bill) soon, and we need to raise total heck when they do.

I guess I would just like to see a City Council made up of people who had no ties with the City.
I'd like to see more qualifications required to become a candidate for City Council since they have a lot of power and make the type of decisions that they do. Just being 18, not a convicted felon, and being able to get 25 signatures on their application doesen't quite seem enough to me.

Can a City Employee be on the City Council ?

DeAnna,
I can see that you are frustrated about people not voting, but let's not take it out on Erin. Many or most of the people on the council now have some sort of "interest" in Portland. I don't feel that it is very fair to begin accusing someone of having certain intentions or motivations until they have done something to demonstrate that. I don't believe that Erin hid or swept anything under the rug. Her husband is so well know around the city, and it has been plastered all over this blog that she is a police officer's wife...so she probably didn't feel that it was necessary to elaborate any further. I guess she didn't really feel it to be an issue. If we can look past all of the "incidences" in Jody's past and not be concerned with the fact that he is a business owner, then why should it matter who Erin is married to? If anyone would have motives, the logical choice would be Jody since he was relieved of duty. For all anyone knows he could be disgruntled and have a vendetta against the PD. Just food for thought.

Well, that's what I said. Correct. I made an exception for Jody.
I voted for Jody because I thought he was the one person who was the most fair minded on the ballot.
I know he owns a business - I suppose no one could be on the ballot that didn't stand to gain something, right? I was just thinking that it seems like there is a lot of self-interest going on of people wanting to shape everything to their way of thinking at the expense of Portland's growth. I'm mainly just so aggravated that people don't vote. Personally, I think the City Council has too much power. I think the people need to be able to vote on more things.....but...we've seen that only 28% of the people vote...so guess we do need to have them think and decide for us.

DeeAnna........You said that anyone that owns a business should NOT be allowed to run for office..Correct? Yet you said you voted for JODY and he does own a business in Portland and the vice-mayor owns lots of property in Portland so how is this any different than having a husband that is a police officer??

How is it that Erin Mclerran has a conflict of interest?If you really stop to think about it anyone who runs then has a conflict of interest. We all have ties to this community, in a city this size it is impossible to have people who are totally impartial. If you find someone who is impartial then most likley you will find,the person has no concern for this city.One person can't make a decision on their own. It is called checks and balances. It seems we have alot of people who are againist the police no matter what. To Mindy please specify how Erin swept her affilation to the PPD under the rug?

I agree to a point with deeanne about erin, watching the press releases the forums etc waiting for the disclosure it didn't happen, many of opportunities were there for her to disclose her ties to the city, not until election night after the poles were closed did she confront the issue of her spouse being a portland police officer ...... is it an issue, I think so, read the postings on the police topic on this blog and see how unhappy that deprtment is with what they have gotten from the city so far. I'm sure erin has more concerns for the city than just the police dep but I believe there is definately a conflict of interest, much more than a person that owns property, or a business in this town, and one that should of been disclosed a long time ago and not swept under the rug.

Well, as much as I wanted to vote for a woman and have a woman on the Council......I didn't vote for Erin. My personal opinion is that no one should be on the Council that has a business in Portland, or related to anyone who works for the City....seems it should be people with no ties to business where they stand to vote in favor of things that benefit them...and that goes for pastors..don't think they should be on there either. It should be made up of qualified citizens of the town who are totally impartial and dedicated to improving the town for everyone...with no special interest groups involved in their decision-making.

Personally, I voted for Erin. In fact...she's the only one I was sure about. She is a very honest, dependable, and hardworking person. Despite the fact that her husband is on the PD, I expect that Erin will do what she feels is right. Anyone who has taken any time to talk with her will see that she is not someone who is out for anything other than making Portland a great place to raise her two children. Besides...we need a few ladies in office. All residents of Portland should be represented

Digman...you are so right. I bet it will no time before there is a rate increase for water, sewer, and garbage...that's about all they can hike, isn't it? They should make 109 a toll road for semi trucks !! The town would have plenty of money then !!

It's really a shame that people don't vote.

What really bothers me is that with the problems that Portland has and are facing....that people are allowed to run for City Council that only meet 3 conditions - 18 years old, no felonies, and 25 names on a petition !! There should be some level of expertise required and the ability to at least stay out of jail ! The age requirement should be raised to at least 21 and some level of higher education attained or have a proven business record and or /work experience.

well we lost again on lbtd.
it really sucks to lose when you know if the majority voted we would have prevailed.
the only good thing on referendums was that the spacestation civic center tax-hike was destroyed.
callis will have to think of a new way to raise taxes.so for at least 2 more years we will fund the robertson co. and franklin ky. school systems and businesses with tax dollars that simply could have been spent here.so dam stupid.
just you wait,here in the next 5-6 months the garbage tax that we were already paying before they just printed it on the bill will be pushed to be raised.will we be able to have a referendment vote on that? probably not.we as citizens should demand a public vote on all tax increases so we as a community can vote no. if they want more tax dollars they can let consenting adults have a margerita or shot of tequila with their taco.i urge everyone to raise hell when they try to increase taxes and fees on anything! if you can get a better deal on items outside of portland go for it. it makes no sense to spend big in a town that is stuck in reverse.let the politicians and businesses feel it.

JW....looks like you and I are happy tonight...looks like Jody got re-elected to City Council !!

I agree totally with your post....Jody is well aware of what Portland needs and think he will work hard to accomplish the things needed to help Portland grow......

I'm with digman on his thoughts of those who are too lazy to vote then complain and whine about how things are. In small town elections especially, the votes are usually close and every vote counts. Get off your butts, and take 10 minutes to go vote this Tuesday!!!

That's everybody!

P.S. I have an idea on how to get more people to blog. get with the progressive and get them to publish weekly blogs in a section of the paper
under the bloggers blog name, people will respond in droves.

well retardo ray dowell has struck once again.
isn't there a law against the criminally insane
holding public office? i sympathize with the people who live on bobsway, its probably hard for them to resist vigilante justice.
i had to laugh when he said that more black cops were needed on the force. i bet the blacks in the community were amused yet disgustred also.

mcdowell is on the other hand a shoe-in. he probably didnt need to waste money on signs.
what we dont need is relics like denning and meadows back on the council.they were part of the goodolboy corruption that benifited themselves and the local construction co. not the citizens.

on election day the usual 10% or less will vote
and lbtd will probably lose by a small number of votes were as, if the majority of people would get out and vote it would overwhelmingly pass.
the same people will still whine and moan but they wont vote, leaving us to be governed by a minority (yet consistantly voting) theocracy.
it is time to let consenting adults have a choice and not be told how to live by a minority of people who govern by scare tactics.it is so stupid to make law-abiding consenting adults drive out of their way on football sunday to the next county to get a 6-pack, when they could get it here in town and generate revenue at the same time. this stupid law accomplishes absolutely NOTHING!please get out and vote for change.
VOTE NO ON TAX INCREASE AND CIVIC CENTER WE DONT NEED.

The first vote I cast will be for Jody. I think he is ONE person who makes the MOST sense of any of those running for office. Maybe one day he WILL run for Mayor !

I have a question about who can run for office - how can a man who has recently been arrested run for office? Shouldn't his name be removed from the ballot? That seems strange to me that such a person can be allowed to hold office...after all the talk of how harmful alcohol would be to our city..what about a person on the council who's been accused of stalking a juvenile ??? That's what I read in the papers this week....WOW.

I would like to vote for Erin, as well, but I can't...if her husband is a Portland Police officer..that seems to be present a conflict of interest issue, to me.

Hope the election turns out to the benefit of Portland...so Portland can really be a City on the Grow...and be Proud and Progressive !

It would be great if more people would take an interest in their city and VOTE !!

I hope that they kick Ray Dowell into the next century. He wants to be a councilman?? Well that would be like putting my dog in the election. WHO in their right mind vote for a dispictable man like that. He is racist, he is a hipocrit. If he was to get voted in all I can say is watch out Luther Bratton he will have you removed from office because you are not of his race.. It is ashame that Mr Dowell is a racist and its a wonder his neighbors hadn't already had him throwed off the Cumberland River Bridge at least I would. SO PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS MAN he doesn't even need to be in this town. MY VOTE IS FOR JODY GO JODY I AM BEHIND YOU 100% I hope that Mr Dowell realizes that he will have to excuse himself from this election. The only votes he will get is from the city council and the town of Portland is a go to jail vote !!!!!

COMMON SENSE! Now there's a novel idea! Maybe they should add a required course in high school on how to tap into it so our youth aren't plagued with the same problems we have.

HUGS- I have some ideas for you. Come on over to the Problems and Concerns With Portland Schools thread.

I have no idea who I will be voting for. But I do know I will NOT vote for the ones that have been voted out in the past. They were voted out for a reason.

My vote is for Jody. Like someone said, he showed that he wasn't afraid to go against the grain and make decisions on what can best make Portland a competitive town when it comes to keeping Portland residents, and their tax dollars, in the city limits. I didn't vote for him last time, but he has earned my support this time around. He appears to me, to be the only sitting council member with any true backbone.

As far as my second vote, I don't know yet. I'd also like to have a another common sense thinker who will vote for what's in the best financial interest for this city. Keep Portland moving forward. That's what I want....

I know one thing...there is no way at all that I would vote for those same council members that were just voted out an election or two ago, and are trying to get back in. I hope everyone else will do the same regarding those guys. They did nothing the first time around, it would be more of the same if they got back in there. Keep this good ole boy network from getting back in...please....

My vote is definitely for Erin McLerran. She is a great woman and if people get to know her, they will see that she wouldn't let her husbands occupation become a conflict of interest. She really has good ideas for the city. She has lived here for a long time and she really cares what happens with Portland. She's very genuine and honest. I think she would do great.

My vote as well will go for Jody, I feel that he is straight up & not afraid to go against the odds while others just go with the flow. I like knowing my vote is well spent.

I also wish Mr Coker was running again, although in his earlier days on the council I didn't really know how to read him, but I think he has done very well and has shown on several occasions that he too has a mind of his own that can't be swayed by others, not always the way I think, but that's not what it's all about.

I wish I could say "you go girl" to Erin Mclerran, however, personally I just think there is too much conflicting interest with the City Police, I just don't know if that is a good mix for a council person, sorry, that's just my opinion.

Jody isn't perfect. I've NEVER met anyone who is but one things for sure, he's a straight shooter. He's not gonna blow any smoke. He'll take the time to explain things: he's available: he'll stick his neck out for ya: or if he doesn't think he can help, he'll tell ya that too. He does what his voters ask him to do instead of JUST what he wants or thinks. He's our voice. Keep it up Jody!

Same here JW. I too will be casting my vote for Jody McDowell. I agree with you, and I know that Jody wants good things for Portland.

I'll jump in first here,

I will be casting a vote for Jody McDowell because I believe he is well aware of the issues that face our city, and above all else is willing to step out of the "Good Ole Boy" network and envision our city as something more than a backwoods, run down city, that many around the area think we are. I believe he knows what it will take to grow this city, and this includes LBTD!

If he were running for Mayor....He would get my vote!