I just listened to the audio of the County Commisssion meeting of 10/19/16 regarding resolution 101615 - windows for the John A. Patten Center in Lookout Valley. To this voter I was embarrassed and stunned at the shameless actions of what I can only term as Bankston's bullies.
Mr. Fairbanks, for the record I am the one you were probably upset with asking the media to do their job as journalists and ask why you voted present in the recess. Time and again your response was because Mr. Graham always votes “present” on at least 10 projects that you mentioned. Wow indeed, in my lens of reasoning that is nothing short of elementary playground logic. For the record I support those 10 projects as worthy of taxpayer funding. The objection is the funding source. Mayor Coppinger had already said that we didn't need discretionary funds. Again I support discretionary funds but the CEO (mayor) said no so let's follow the rules and make changes come election day.
Commissioner Smedley in the recess meeting was in favor of passing the resolution citing her only concern was “as long as general funds were not used and caused no tax increases.” Again for the record I supported Ms. Smedley in her run as an candidate for commissioner and still do support her and I don't live in her district. I would hope that in the future her language (the pig remark) would be less juvenile and more representative of her office and the district that she represents. I voiced my concern of the stench of a rumored backroom deal several months ago when she received a donation from Mr. Bankston's discretionary funds for a park project and I must say I do like that airplane. Roy Exum spoke of another such example in his article last week. It is an extraordinary meeting when those nay votes spoke in almost military cadence about how never has anyone gone to the media over issues. Please allow me to explain it is called the light of day. You all work for us - we don't work for you.
Sabrena, what incendiary remarks on Facebook has Joe Graham posted? The only posts I saw were about returning discretionary funds and reaching out to his constituents for suggestions.
We in the Valley know how to graciously accept defeat. However, in our opinion we feel we are on the right side of this issue and earnestly feel like the process was tainted in a collective power struggle. Mr. Beck is spot on the commission needs a re-vote for a chairman that is less divisive and open to public scrutiny.
PS
To the readers of the Chattanoogan.com I wish to clarify an earlier letter I had sent suggesting that Commissioner Smedley had colluded with others on the commission to secure funding for the airplane in her district. Ms. Smedley met me at my office Friday to first deny and offered evidence that satisfied this matter as it is an split district and for those two reasons I offer this public apology.
It should also be said that other topics were discussed with no clear answers. However, the opportunity of public discourse without the frustration evidenced by the unison of "the five" was quite refreshing. I will continue to support Ms. Smedley as I believe she is an honest and decent person. It is my hope that Sabrena acts as an independent representative of her district. Make no mistake that I believe in teamwork in the full display of public view and comment.
I personally believe Mr. Bankston has either ignorantly or God forbid willfully neglected to use transparency in his position as chairman.
The latest occurrence was the Wednesday commission meeting where frustration boiled over in uniform concert and the main reason for the "No" vote was because Commissioner Graham voted "present" at least 10 times on other business. Folks, he was doing his constituents's business as their spokesperson. There are other such events. Remember the pay raise of 2015. Where is that letter drafted by Mr. Beck? When dysfunction is on full display we citizens look to the top for the answers of resolution - something that this leadership has been missing.
Ron Ray
Lookout Valley