Pay for the privilege

During an August county commission meeting, commissioner Howard Thompson asked if something could be done to ease the threat of a city parking ticket for officials attending public daytime meetings at the courthouse. Over the years Thompson had been the target of Cleveland's meter maid, who is actually a man, doling out tickets in what appears to be a selective manner. Quite a good idea really, posting tickets when citizens attend meetings is an excellent way to dissuade public participation in public affairs. Want to keep detractors away - let it be known they are likely to get a parking ticket for their trouble. Thompson is just being punished for being Thompson. Everyone else, who doesn't have a personal allotted space, can expect a ticket if they hang around too long. Long enough to complain about the lack of parking downtown, that is.

I hear those holed up in the Municipal Castle screaming, as you read this, "There are public parking lots all over town. Use them. "If MainStreet's parking plans are such a good idea, why doesn't the parking maid use them and donate his space to the public that owns it?

What can be done to ease the strife of ticket alley?

You could travel in a deflatable vehicle, ride on Mayor Tom Rowland's rear bumper, or join the city police department.  You could buy a motorized parking meter or rent parking space on Rowland's Hummer roof rack. Or the county commission and city council could hold meetings in the evenings when the meter maid is sharpening his chalk.

Better still, county folk should not frequent places where they are victimized and ripped off. If the City of Cleveland can't find a way to be nice to county folk and treat them as valued citizens and potential customers, a county mayor needs to be elected that will stand up for his constituents or move the courthouse out of downtown to ease parking for Rowland's  buddies.

Enough, is enough.

That's what I think. What do you think?


Job security?

I haven't had cause to criticize Bradley County Mayor, D. Gary Davis, in many months because quite frankly, there has been little to complain about. But this month is different. My opinion is that Davis has let us all down in a most sorry and unpardonable way. I believe Davis sold out county folk in order to be supported for re-election by the city and to keep his job. There, I have said what many are thinking. I believe he manipulated events so as to push through a fire contract largely designed for Cleveland's benefit, which delayed implementation of an independent county service for three more years and $4.5 million to the city. Davis really screwed up, he was riding a cloud and had support, then plop, down he goes just like Donna Hubbard did before him. I understand Davis likes his job and wants desperately to keep it. I understand he was hedging his bets to try to keep his opponent, commissioner Lisa Stanbery, from moving in, but I cannot understand a man betraying his supporters and his integrity for a job, no matter how important it is to him. I believe Commissioner Howard Thompson tried to help Davis with the fire contract but realized too late it was a sell out. Davis manipulated the signing of the contract before Thompson could change his vote. It was a disgrace to the people of Bradley County and a disaster for Davis. Voters will be reminded of his actions at election time. Stanbery will not make a good county mayor because she is spoiled and self centered around her development business but at least she will sell you out to your face. Give me an honest villain to a deceitful scoundrel any day.

That's what I think. What do you think?


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