Changes at the top
The following is an excerpt from the February 07, 2011 BMA approved minutes:
Quote: Mayor Hodges said that the City needs to consider making changes to its charter and asked the aldermen to be looking at the charter to see what provisions they think may need to be changed. He said there will be a work session on this within a few weeks. Unquote
Work sessions were never held on the Charter when Hodges first brought it to the Aldermen Board attention. The Board should not use the troubles facing Mayor Hodges (that became public in late into the summer) as an excuse as WHY they felt the emergency need to work approximately 5- two to three hours work sessions to overhaul Millington’s Private Act Charter, pass it in 28 days, and in the middle of an election. What happened to bringing TRUST back to the Mayor’s office after Hodges stepped down! The current Board had months from the time Hodges first mentioned making changes in the Charter. Had the Board been having proposed Charter Change work session prior to the appointment of an Interim Mayor…this matter would not appear to be back room politics an over reaching power grab. TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS was not enough time to cut and paste from Arlington, Germantown, and Collierville’s Charter to create a new Charter for the City of Millington
Click the following, “How a Bill Becomes Law in Tennessee”, continue to VOICE your concern by phone and email to the following Senators (list follows after the sample letter). Your VOICE was not SILENCE once the BMA cast their predictable vote. We still have a VOICE! You will be surprise what a collective VOICE from taxpayers can do…Ohio and Wisconsin come to mind. Regardless as to what happens in Nashville, you will know you did all you could do until you go to the polls in August.
When I talked with Senator Ford, she stated she has been getting many calls and she asked that I encourage you all to not only call, but also send an email to her office. As promised, LIM is providing a sample letter for everyone who is opposed to what happened at the Special Called BMA meeting. LIM is also providing the email and telephone numbers of potential Senators that could co-sponsor a bill for a new Millington Charter with Representative Ron Lollar. There is another step if your VOICES are not heard after emailing the Senators. LIM is watching and will post what the next step is if a Senator co-sponsor the bill on Millington’s Charter with Representative Lollar. Please acknowledge and email each Senator separately and do not forget to change the name if you choose to use the sample letter from this site. If you have any questions or problems do not hesitate to email LIM or ask your question in the comment section.
Sample Letter:
The Honorable
Senator Mark Norris
Dear Senator Norris,
On February 28, 2012, the Mayor and Board of Alderman of Millington, TN passed on a 6-1 vote a resolution to delete and change our Charter. We have a Private Act Charter and it is our understanding that State Representative Ron Lollar, District 99, will Sponsor this bill on the House side. I am writing you to IMPLORE you NOT TO SPONSOR or support this bill on the Senate side.
This Charter change began as one issue and was fast tracked to changing the entire Charter. As a citizen, others and I were given 3 minutes to address this issue. Working session meetings were held while normal citizens were at work and some even were advertised as budget meetings. We are currently in the middle of an election and this charter change will effect 1 positions that will be on the ballot and require another one to be placed on the ballot DAYS before the filing deadline of April 5, 2012. Do you really think it is fair or a good idea to manipulate an election?
As you will find out – this is NOT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE OF MILLINGTON. Six of our elected Aldermen, recently APPOINTED MAYOR and one appointed Alderman have ignored the citizens. Please look at the following links http://www.livinginmillington.com/site/2012/02/ http://www.livinginmillington.com/site/2012/01/26/budget-talk-petition-pulled-and-more/ that will document how this occurred. This link http://www.livinginmillington.com/site/2011/02/ will verify (back in February 2011) Charter issues COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THIS BOARD and Public’s involvement started even before the problems of our former Mayor.
My personal reason for not wanting this to go through is __________
(here is were you can fill in the blank with what you want to say or just use the above sample letter).
Thank you for your time and please DO NOT SPONSOR OR SUPPORT MILLINGTON’S CHARTER CHANGE!
Your Name
Address/Phone #
PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT MILLINGTON’S CHARTER CHANGE!
Potential Senate Sponsor Email and Telephone Number note: All legislators may be reached at 1-800-449-8366, then enter the last five digits of their office phone number
sen.ophelia.ford@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1767 (Millington’s Senator)
sen.mark.norris@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1967
sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-4167
sen.dolores.gresham@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2368
sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-3036
sen.beverly.marrero@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-9128
sen.reginald.tate@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2509
sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1449
sen.jim.tracy@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1066
sen.lowe.finney@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1810
sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1766
sen.mike.faulk@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2061
sen.thelma.harper@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-2453
sen.joe.haynes@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-6679
sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-6853
sen.jamie.woodson@capitol.tn.gov 615-741-1648
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15 Responses to The Vote Part II…We Still Have A VOICE!
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Well a picture is worth 1,000 words.
We have the evil G part of the GOB&G aka Queen B surrounded by her boys (awful pic)…. J Brown aka the Enforcer! K Barger aka the planner! Whitlock/Morgan desperately seeking approval/validation! DrenniePike receiving his orders from his real boss! Don Lowrey’s gut (I’m going to let you use your own imagination) – C Ford aka Thurston Howell III (from Gilligan’s Island) is missing but definitely behind the scenes along with our buddy Ray Ray.
During this election when each of these politicians ask you to vote for them – ask them the following questions…
Why didn’t you listen to me (the people) about this charter change?
If the charter change was so important what were your suggestions back in February 2011?
Why did you allow Ray Ray to continue his employment?
Why didn’t you keep Richard in check?
WHY DID YOU LET ALL OF THIS CRAP HAPPEN UNDER YOUR WATCH?
Then slam the door in their face and vote for ANYONE BUT THEM!
My elected officials are using MY TAX Dollars to travel to Nashville and lobby for something I OPPOSE!!! And they wonder why I remain Sick & Tired!!!!?
And then I find out our former Mayor and Marlin are back in the news. When we find out what all the charges and allegations are we will have some interesting reading!!! Then each of the citizens can ask our Alderman AGAIN why they knew nothing.. but the readers of this blog knew everything!!
Then I heard Sunday that pastor ken U is running for Mayor – well because my friend Ray Ray is pusing you – thats enough for me to never consider you. Part of your congregation includes Carter and the Huffmans… hum no baggage there huh! Good luck dude.
I’m still pissed about the Charter and I remain Sick & Tired!
Ray Ray was driving around town with guess who? If you said Ken U you are right. Ray Ray was helping Ken get votes. Ken U did not realize that Ray Ray is the last person who needs to be helping him get votes. I guess Ray Ray will do anything to keep his job. He already helped the Alderman get the power to keep him in his position. Now Ray Ray is trying to seal the deal with helping Ken U get elected as the new Mayor. Can you believe this obvious corruption? SMH
Of course – on my tax dollars in the Tahoe my tax dollars paid for – on my time in uniform – now why wouldn’t Ken U not think that was wrong? Well while the cats away (interim mayor carter) the Rat – Ray Ray will play.
No one makes him stay in line. To borrow a line – I’m sick and tired!
Chauffeuring around a politician in a city car while on duty and in uniform? That doesn’t even sound ethical. If all that is said about Ray Ray is true, he sure seems to get away with anything he wants. What a joke! I’m ashamed that our police are more concerned with rubbing elbows that policing our communbity.
More sick and tired of “sick and tired” than “sick and tired” might be able to understand or imagine, but one thing is for sure “sick and tired’ has one incredibly expansive imagination. “sick and tired” the city of Millington’s town crier/non-truth teller, it must be hilarious for you as you sit behind your veil of anonymity and spew your bile of rumors, vicious lies, half-truths and innuendo. I know I have nearly fallen off my chair with amusement as I have read some of the absurd abusive putrid excrement you spew at those that might not agree or support your point of view. You are one brave he/she to stand behind your pseudonym and call others names (sticks and stones). What astounds me is this blog was supposedly created to be about civic/civil engagement. That possibly means people communicating, agreeing to disagree and the exchange of ideas about our community and what we can do to make it better. Ms Sigee I’m sorry and disappointed, but this blog is not about making things better in Millington or any kind of exchange of ideas, it is about abusive hate mongers, slanderers and vicious unfounded rumor. You as the creator and curator of this blog have allowed it to become a hater blog, something I thought and believed you were very much against. Was I wrong? You, Ms Sigee have the power to clean up this mess. You decide who gets posted or not. I’m sure this post will go in the trash. By the way my name name is Don Lowry (no e). Ms Sigee please let me know if this blog ever becomes a useful and/or viable tool for the betterment of Millington. Until then so long “Haters”.
Welcome to the comment section Aldermen Lowery!
I have not trashed one post on this site. However, LIM did receive a request to delete a comment once and I complied. I also did a post once threatening to shut down the comment section because of people using pseudonyms. Where is the fairness of me stating my opinion and not allowing others to state theirs? Therefore, I decided to leave the comment section open. Why would I trash your post? I did not trash a post that talked negatively about me; I did what you are doing now. I addressed the comment the same as I am addressing yours. We can agree to disagree here on LIM and once I do, I move on, as I will after addressing your comment.
I have been sorry and disappointed more times, than I can count coming before the BMA in good faith that the BMA would listen and consider or address my concerns, the latest one being the Charter Change. In the blogosphere, anonymity is how people like to comment. When I first started this site, many people were reading, but no one was commenting and honestly, I liked it that way because I did not have to worry about what some people would say in their comment. Sick and Tired was one of the first people to start commenting on LIM. Sick and Tired was why I did a post threatening to close the comment section. I am not going to ban Sick and Tired or anyone else for expressing their opinion. I am not always pleased with Sick and Tired adjectives and colorful comments, however, I do think Sick and Tired make valid points after reading pass his or her colorful comment.
Alderman Lowry your comment is the pot calling the kettle black. The BMA spews bile rumors, vicious lies, half-truths and innuendo about me all the time and anyone else who come to speak before the BMA. Blame the culture of Millington and its leadership why people are using pseudonyms to comment here. This blog is not to blame; this blog is where people have come to express themselves without the threat of retribution. You and I are going to have to agree to disagree that I allowed this site to become a hater blog.
Finally, I would love for people to communicate, agreeing to disagree and exchange ideas about our community and what we can do to make it better. I use to think a start for communication, agreeing to disagree and exchange ideas about our community would begin at BMA meetings and workshops. It did not take long to get a reality check that was not the case. I cannot speak for others, but that is why I have been attending meetings on a regular for years. I look forward to the day when the BMA is more receptive, until then I am going to continue to voice my opinions here on LIM and you are more than welcome to voice your opinion. I cannot speak for the pseudonyms that comment on LIM, but I will always give you an honest response. It may not be what you like to hear at times, however, it could possibly open the door to some productive communication here and with the BMA.
OMG – “Haters” really?
You want an exchange of ideas from this blog?? Isn’t the exchange of ideas sapose to come in the meetings at city hall? If i invite you to my house for supper and i treat you like crap – you won’t come back right?? well that is what has happened at city hall for years. And if we don’t use our name you can’t retaliate!
Sick and Tired and this blog has made me pay even more attention to what you guys have been doing. The charter stuff for instance – if it wasn’t for this blog I won’t have realized anything was going on. YOU and your friends hate this blog because the truth hurts!
You guys really aint smart and you bring this on by your own actions or nonactions.
With all your money and power what the hell have you ever done for the blacks in this community. OR for the white poor people for that matter? NOTHING you only care about us during election time.
Signed a proud “HATER”
Alderman Lowry,
Your remark at the end “Until then so long “haters” is name calling as well. Why are you so angry? Could it be the truth hurts and you are just angry that Debra has given people a site to express their thoughts and you cannot know who those people are? The BMA might have a better reputation if they would allow people to speak their minds rather than tell them to stop interrupting and stop have big ideas. I know that listening to people with different views for you is hard but everything you said well…. that door swings both ways.. just saying… Lighten up.. we bloggers love reading Sick and Tired he/she is always right on the money! Oh maybe that is why you singled him/her out because he/she hits you between the eyes with the truth.
One more thing, Lowry (no e) Ms Sigee’s site, (you know the one you obvious read all the time or you would not have been making a comment explaining what “sick and tired” always says) is a useful and/or viable tool for the betterment of Millington. You just choose to ignore everyone’s comments because people are not saying what you think they should say. It is useful because where/who else has over 1000 hits a month on their website. It is not Millington City Hall they are going to because they do not feel welcome with their comments period.
Don Lowry (no e) My response to you is on the March 13th post.
August 2012
Well you knew it wouldn’t be long in this election cycle before one of our alderman decided to ‘try’ and defend himself. We should treat you don as you have treated us over the years – with silence and disdain.
I’m with you Doug – August 2012.
@ sick and tired – lmao!
I’ve never commented on this site but after seeing Alderman Lowry’s post I felt compelled to do so. When I first saw his name I thought maybe he had actually come on here to shed some light on the subject but instead I was disappointed to see that this man, I’ve supported in the past, came on to attack those who oppose his ideas and attack someone that has actually given citizens a place to speak out.
Alderman Lowry, You used the word “half-truths” in your post. That tells me there is truth somewhere. Maybe you could enlighten us on the truths verses the other half. If you and the other alderman really care about this town and the citizens then why do you want to take the vote away from the people on who runs our town? You want to take my voice away but yet when election time comes around you will be knocking on my door wanting my voice through my vote for you to be re-elected. I challenge you and the other alderman to do the right thing with this charter. Stand up and admit it’s wrong to not put this before the citizens. Let us decide what is best for our community and how it is to be governed. If the majority of our citizens votes for it then that’s the will of the people not the will of a few men and women sitting on a board. It’s not too late for you and the others to do the right thing. Also keep in mind, that you won’t always be in the seat of power you are in and once you become just a citizen like the rest of us your voice will no longer count either if this is done the way all of you are trying to do it. My vote for you or any of the aldermen will be based on how this charter situation is handled. Call me a hater if you want to but right now I do “hate” what the BMA is doing to us.
This is the same arrogance that I witnessed at the Beer Board the other evening. I at times have been concerned with the level of name calling that this blog creates, I never expected that the Alderman would participate. Obviously, we need a change. I would encourage several alderman to take Mr. Barger’s lead or perhaps we need additional “divine intervention.”
Be careful what you say Mr. Lowry… or is it Dr. Don ? I remember a few years back when you owned a certain establishment,or so called ( smokey beer joint ) on Navy Road….. as they are so commonly referred to on this blog…..
Things must be different now…. that you are an elected official and all….
Funny how soon we forget where we come from….
Haters… ? Naw… just people with good memories that are entitled to ONE vote…. and the freedom to spread the word to each and every citizen in Millington…that has a vote, that YOU and the other alderman that have taken no action to get rid of the ( Dealer ) of some of the poker games…. and the corruption he allows to go on…….( not to mention his Speed Van and Cameras… $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ) will bite you in your a#@ on election day !!! If Hodges is Guilty… so is his partner in crime……
I’m tired of seeing these young kids ( citizens ) getting pulled over for having a blinker light out…. ( they aren’t manufactured to last forever ) and watching their cars searched and them being talked to like dogs…..instead of the old days where the officers pulled you over and politely told you your blinker light was out, ask you how your Mom was doing, and let you know, that your Dad needs to get you a new bulb… and sent you on your way with a smile. Now you get a TICKET after they put your seats back in your car after finding nothing in their illegal search but Grandmas… church bulletin from last Sundays service… !!! it’s gotten ridiculous and you guys turn your heads to it… Hodges is gone… send his buddy packing too !!!! or pay the price on election day.
We want our MAYBERRY back…. !!!!!