Rhonda Thurman, Lou Miller Hit Ramsey 26-Cent Proposal
posted July 7, 2007
County School Board member Rhonda Thurman and former County Commissioner Lou Miller blasted a proposed county 26-cent tax increase at a rally in Red Bank on Saturday morning.
Over 200 people attended the event at the Red Bank Swimming Pool that was broadcast on WGOW Talk Radio on the show hosted by John Wolfe and Tim Price.
"I happen to feel this tax increase is absolutely totally wrong," said Ms. Thurman, who earlier led a successful fight against a wheel tax.
Ms. Miller, widow of longtime Commissioner Ben Miller, said, "It's time to draw a line in the sand and take your county government back."
Ms. Thurman urged residents to call Mr. Ramsey and commission members, and Ms. Miller exhorted them to put up home-made signs in their neighborhoods.
Ms. Thurman recommended calling Mr. Ramsey, Commissioner Warren Mackey, who has said he is wavering, Commissioner John Brooks, who has indicated support, and Commissioner Curtis Adams, a strong advocate for the tax hike.
She also read out the phone numbers of Louis Wright, county finance director, and Rheubin Taylor, county attorney.
Ms. Thurman hit a proposed average 4.6-percent salary increase, plus another 1 percent to improve some pay levels, saying some at the lower end were getting small amounts and many at the top were in for big raises.
Concerning money for a new elementary school in Commissioner Adams' district in East Ridge and one in Red Bank, Ms. Thurman said, "That's two schools the county schools did not ask for. I've never even heard the East Ridge school mentioned, and the School Board certainly didn't vote on it."
On speculation that the new East Ridge school might be named for Commissioner Adams, Ms. Thurman said, "We should not name schools after politicians. If we are going to name a school for someone, let's name it for a soldier who was killed in war. Let's name it for someone who has really done something for America."
Ms. Thurman said county employees have a sweet deal on health insurance. She said until recently they paid $10 a month and now it is around $50 a month. "My husband and I pay $700 a month," she said.
Ms. Thurman said the county contribution to employee health insurance "should be considered part of their raise."
The outspoken school board member from Soddy-Daisy said raising taxes will hurt efforts to recruit new industry.
She said Chattanooga did not lose out on the Toyota plant because of the local education system. She said, "Tupelo, Miss., has one of the worst school systems anywhere. They were looking for quality of life and lower taxes. Every time we go up on taxes, we're running people off - not bringing them in."
Ms. Thurman said, "You wouldn't believe how much the county could save by cutting out some of the things they added in the last five years."
She said the county has a $96,000 "reading czar" as well as "an inside public relations person with a car making $50,000 and an outside public relations person making $50,000."
Ms. Thurman said politicians "bribe people with their own money. That's what's happening."
She cited a bumper sticker that says, "Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed often and for the same reason."
Ms. Miller told the crowd, "Claude Ramsey is the supervisor of county government and he's not supervising."
She said a list of top county salaries "is the most disgusting thing I have seen in my life."
She said commissioners are being told, "If you don't vote for the tax increase, you won't get a playground at your school." She said, What's more important: holding the line on taxes or a playground at your school? Nobody uses them anyway."
Ms. Miller said Mr. Ramsey "kept talking about more and more money for the schools 'for the children.' Well, the children didn't get it."
She said, "The school people are a money-hungry bunch."
Ms. Miller said, "The more money our county schools got the dumber our kids got."
She also told the group, "The take-home cars ought to go. If you're making over $100,000 and can't get a way to work, you ought to go home and stay."
Mr. Price said, "Claude Ramsey doesn't care about us. It's about salaries and helping about 25 at the top to get huge raises."
He said of the crowd, "This is overwhelming. I think we will send a message they will understand."
Warren Mackey was the only County Commission member to attend.
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