The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).





Of Bradley County Tn.


AUGUST  2004

                            The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.

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It's Election Time!

by Joe Kirkpatrick

It's election time, and you need to consider several things before casting your vote.  The first and most important thing to remember is an election should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be a popularity contest.  In most elections, the person you are voting for is going to be managing a portion of your income.  Just because they are a "lifelong resident of Bradley County", or "loving mother and grandmother," doesn't mean squat!  Their ability to work cooperatively and their ability to manage finances, combined with some common sense should be the only qualifications you look at.  The Cleveland City School Board is a prime example of people who exhibit a lack of good sense, and an inability to work together.  As I have said in a previous article, Dr. Wattenbarger's vendetta against Dr. Denning puts a dark cloud over every school board meeting.  I don't know Dr. Wattenbarger or Dr. Denning, and I've heard good and bad things about both of them.  Regardless of how good or bad they are, ENOUGH is ENOUGH!  I am personally hoping this election will bring a much needed balance to the board.

One candidate in the city school board election has bought up the question in one of her ads concerning the expense of continually insisting on building new schools, vs. renovating older buildings.  I have often thought the same thing, as it is trendy in most downtown areas to restore existing old buildings, why should that not be the case with schools as well?

Joe Kirkpatrick

A prime example of a good manager in government is Phil Bredesen.  Remember all of the controversy with the Sundquist administration every time the annual budget was presented?  With Governor Bredesen, his budget is passed and barely makes the back page of the newspaper.  He is one example of how your vote counts, and that one elected official with good business sense can make a difference!

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