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by Linda Moore
I cannot stop; I cannot quit; I must proceed to the finish line. Folks, I am very behind in all of life. It's an election season and I'm a nervous wreck. In my yard are three signs. I take these three races very seriously. I have up for the State Senate District 9 Race, a Lindsay Hathcock sign. I have up for City Council 2nd District a Rod Davis sign. I have up a City Council At Large, a Richard Banks sign. These are my three very close to the heart races. I'll explain why I have no others and why these three in particular are relevant to me.
I read JC Bowman's article about political signs last month and took it to heart. Signs are hard to mow around anyway. I figure that the 24th District Rep Seat will be won by Kevin Brooks. I committed long ago to Greg Cain and Greg has spent almost no money on his campaign. Greg wouldn't even take donations. I figure that the General Sessions Division 1 is going to be too close to call and it got to be such an ugly race that I was afraid to put up a sign for fear the neighbors would roll my yard. I feel horrible for both candidates in that race. For General Sessions Division 2, I did, in fact, have up a Drew Robinson sign. A neighbor begged it from me. I couldn't say no. Drew has always been very nice to me and I regard him as a good friend. I know him personally, ergo I will vote for him. Between the two Steve's running for District Attorney, there are already more signs than voters. I figured they didn't need another one up. On and on go my simplistic reasons for not having up signs. It's not personal; it's just that there are so many of them.
For the signs I do have, Lindsay Hathcock is one of the most sincere people that I have ever met in my entire life. I just wish that I could be more like him. He is a steward and a servant to all people. He goes about doing kindnesses and giving out kind words. Lindsay was made for public service. He has the heart of a servant and a love for folks that I am unable to attain. I will not impugn his opponent Dewayne Bunch. Dewayne was late to the race. I was already fully committed to Hathcock by the time Dewayne entered. I am convinced that Lindsay Hatchcock would be a breath of fresh air for all of us in Nashville. He simply cares. This is a nail-biter race. There is no way to call a clear victor. I've knocked on doors; I've lost sleep. I'll knock on more doors and lose some more sleep.
Richard Banks went in under an appointment. Richard has true vision. He has proven himself to be a profound leader. I know that Richard wasn't super rich while growing up. He has told me a story or two about hauling corn and building with his Dad. Richard worked his way through college. I do not have a problem with Richard Banks representing me. He is able to see both sides of the fence and not just the froofie side. Richard knows that taxes hurt folks; he sharpens pencils and minds to avoid them with innovative ideas.
Rod Davis. Why am I voting for Rod Davis? I met Bill Estes who is the opponent of Rod. In fact, Bill spent a good long while sitting in my front yard. My views for education in comparison to Bill's views are polar opposites. I HOMESCHOOL, even after Bill had told me he was O.K. with Homeschooling he still suggested that I should send my daughter to a public school. I can't abide that. I can't abide someone telling me what is best for my child. Who's to say Bill is right? It's my child. It's my call.
I don't think that Bill understands the needs of all of the 2nd District. I live across the tracks in South Cleveland, in the city limits. It's a very poor area. Folks pay taxes here though. They pay property taxes on their homes or in with their rent. They also pay sales taxes and every other little tax that has been tacked onto the Cleveland Utility Bill and called anything but a tax. Bill doesn't understand throwing burgers together at a fast food joint or being in a Whirlpool assembly line to pay the bills. I don't think that Bill understands how it steals food from folks when two dollars here and there are tacked onto services such as Utilities, Natural Gas and possibly Cable.
I want at least ONE BLUE COLLAR WORKER on the City Council. That would be Rod Davis who works blue collar every day of his life. Rod Davis understands the needs of the blue collar labor; Rod is blue collar labor. Rod has been instrumental in helping clean up this area. He has taken children, on his dime, to sports events. Rod is also frugal with a tax dollar because he too, realizes how much every tax hurts. Yes, I know negative things have been written about my candidate. I don't believe everything I read. I have this bad habit of picking up the phone and calling folks and then actually meeting them so I can get all the pieces of the stories in print.
I'm late folks. I'm late with my article; I'm late to bed. I'm biting my nails right down to the election night wire. I have great hope that some things will change. I know in my heart that some will remain the same. It's not business as usual this week; this week is election week and some business will change.
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