VOTE Online to Expand Free Medical Clinic for Warren/Van Buren Counties $250K Prize from Pepsi Could Help Isha Care Build a Permanent Facility
MCMINNVILLE—Two minutes of your time can make a big difference in the lives of thousands of uninsured Tennesseans who are unable to afford medical care.
Non-profit Isha Care Free Clinic of McMinnville is ranked in the top 5 in an online
contest hosted by Pepsi to win $250,000. Currently operating out of temporary space at the Harrison Ferry CIC on Highway 8, if Isha Care wins this prize the Clinic will be able to construct a permanent medical facility.
Visit the Isha Care website to VOTE: www.ishacare.org or visit the contest page at www.refresheverything.com/ishacare. The top 2 finishers of the contest both win $250,000. Any U.S. resident can cast 1 vote every day, so supporters can bookmark the link and vote daily to help win the prize. Voting ends Sunday, Feb 28 at 11pm (CST).
“The Warren and Van Buren county community members have been extremely supportive of the free clinic,” said Dr. Kalpana Rajdev, Medical Director of Isha Care. “But more funding is needed in order to establish a permanent facility, which is a dire and growing need. It is a common misconception that the uninsured are those who are out of work, but the population needing free care is much larger than that. Many people coming into our clinic are employed, but they can no longer afford the skyrocketing costs of care or health insurance—It is an epidemic of its own.”
Families USA (March 2009) reported that an astounding 30% of Tennessee residents were without health insurance for all or part of 2009. Of those who were uninsured, nearly 75% were employed at the time.
Dr. Rajdev sees the new free clinic as one viable solution for our local community to fulfill the urgent and ever-increasing need for access to basic medical care for those who cannot afford it. Construction plans for the Isha Care free clinic outline a 1500 square foot facility with two exam rooms, a laboratory, a waiting room, and equipment for electronic patient records.
Isha Care Free Clinic is a non-profit primary care clinic established in September, 2008. The clinic provides free medical care to the uninsured of Warren, Van Buren, and Sequatchie counties. Isha Care is wholly operated by volunteer physicians and staff out of temporary space at the local Harrison Ferry CIC just off Highway 8 in McMinnville. The clinic offers free care on Saturdays from 8am until noon. For more information contact Isha Care at 931-815-8500, or www.ishacare.org.
Yesterday’s Tea Party Convention in Nashville is attended by folks who say they are patriotic conservatives who obey God, but they didn’t even bother to open their convention with a prayer or pledge of allegiance. In fact, there wasn’t even an American Flag in the hall at all yesterday. Are Tea Partiers/Republicans all talk when it comes to God and Country? You can read it for yourself:
The convention’s first day lacked the orchestrated staging of most modern political events. The convention host delivered a meandering welcome speech without notes, saying he misplaced them. Former congressman Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) offered a fiery defense of Judeo-Christian faith and traditional American values, but there was no prayer or Pledge of Allegiance to open the convention — nor was there an American flag in the convention hall. (Skoda blamed the oversight on the hotel staff.)
Since the price of tickets to this convention were $550 per attendee, surely they could have afforded a large flag for everyone to pledge. Or maybe Sarah Palin’s $100,000 speaking fee was so great that they had to skimp on the patriotism.
MURFREESBORO - Jonathon Fagan, Chairman of the Rutherford County Democratic Party, today announced a convention to be held on March 13 to nominate Democrats for the offices of County Mayor, Register of Deeds, Circuit Court Clerk, Sheriff, Trustee, and County Clerk. Three Democratic incumbents will be seeking nomination - Register of Deeds Jennifer Gerhardt, Sheriff Truman Jones, and Circuit Court Clerk Eloise Gaither. Lisa Harrell, 31-year veteran of the County Clerk’s office, will be seeking nomination to succeed Democrat Georgia Lynch who is retiring as County Clerk after 8 years of service.
“Money is tight right now, and holding a county primary with only one candidate for each office would have been wasteful of taxpayer dollars,” Fagan said.
With a total voter turnout of only 10,000, the last May County Primary in 2006 cost taxpayers $100,000, or $10 per vote.
“Saving $100,000 could mean retaining 3 or 4 county jobs for family breadwinners in tough economic times,” Fagan added.
The convention will be held at the Rutherford County Courthouse on March 13, 2010 at 10:00 am. All attendees will be required to produce their voter registration card or photo I.D. before entering the hall. Candidates who wish to be considered for nomination should contact the Rutherford County Democratic Party prior to March 1st, 2010 at (615) 796-1472 and must meet all state and local requirements to hold said office. Further details and a list of officers and contact information can be found at www.rutherfordcountydemocrats.org.
2010 is the first and maybe the last year in Rutherford County history that either Democrats or Republicans will nominate candidates for public office by convention. The decision to caucus is made by local party Chairmen each election year.
“This is truly historic,” Fagan said. “Andrew Jackson began Democratic politics in Rutherford County in 1822, so it is only fitting that we continue making a little history.”
The Rutherford County Democratic Party will be hosting a Mardi Gras party at the Murfreesboro Lions Club on Fat Tuesday, February 16th from 4-8pm. Come out and enjoy some Naw’lins style fare prepared by Gubernatorial candidate, Kim McMillan, who will help prepare some great traditional dishes. We will also have a silent auction for some beautifully crafted Mardi Gras masks, activities for kids, and music. It is going to be a great event, so call and get your tickets today.
The menu includes Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, and, of course, Kings Cake! Tickets are selling now, they are $12.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids. Please contact Will at 615.796.1472 or Pat at 615.336.7450 for tickets and info.
Over 400 folks braved heavy rain, hail, and tornado warnings to help kick off Lisa Harrell’s campaign for Rutherford County Clerk at the Blackman Community Center. The chili was wonderful, the deserts were delicious, and a good time was had by all. Thank you to all the volunteers for putting on a great event!
NASHVILLE - Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester said the legislative record of state Sen. Bill Ketron indicates that the Murfreesboro lawmaker is simply a “yes” man for fellow Republican senator and gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey, the state’s lieutenant governor.
“The district’s voters deserve an elected official who is looking after their interests, not someone who is more worried about political posturing and feathering his own nest,” Forrester said. “Mr. Ketron has demonstrated time and again that his priorities align more with the powers that be than with the hard-working families in Middle Tennessee.
“At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet and the state’s budget is being trimmed to the bone, you have a legislator introducing bills that bleed the working man, delay fair and accurate elections, and shut the door to a more open government. Mr. Ketron is out of touch with ordinary people.”
For example, Ketron introduced poorly written workers compensation legislation that passed into law in 2008 but was delayed at the beginning of this year’s legislative session after concerns arose; a bill that delayed implementation of a law requiring the purchase of new voting equipment across the state; and a bill that would make some public records off limits to the general public.
“We need lawmakers in the General Assembly who understand the challenges we face and work tirelessly to make Tennessee a better place to live and raise a family,” Forrester said.
“Policies that create jobs for our communities, ensure our children are well educated and make our lives more comfortable should be at the top of the priority list, not how to take care of a special interest group contributing to your campaign or a colleague with ulterior motives.”
Ketron has even admitted he doesn’t always have time to thoroughly read and understand legislation he votes for or against. He represents Lincoln, Marshall, Maury and part of Rutherford counties in the Senate.
“The thing was on a fast track,” Ketron reportedly told the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal when explaining his vote to reform education through the state’s application for federal stimulus money. “We barely had time to read through it.”
Forrester called Ketron’s explanation for not reading legislation thoroughly before casting a vote a “lame excuse and a blatant disregard for your duty as a legislator.”
“It appears to me that Mr. Ketron is Ron Ramsey’s ‘yes’ man,” he added.
MURFREESBORO - Today Rutherford County Democratic Party Chairman Jonathon Fagan admonished Representative Donna Rowland (R-Murfreesboro) for refusing to sign onto a resolution (HJR0750)in the Tennessee legislature honoring Congressman Bart Gordon’s 26 years of service to Tennessee.
“Rowland has already gained a reputation as an incompetent and ineffectual Representative, and this petty partisanship adds immaturity to that reputation,” Fagan said. He added that Rowland has herself sponsored many resolutions in the past, even for her current boyfriend Ronnie Barrett, and questions why Rowland would not simply add her name to a resolution honoring a retiring Congressman of 26 years from our own county.
On Wednesday, January 27 2010, Representative Kent Coleman (D-Murfreesboro) sponsored a resolution honoring the retiring Congressman. It is customary for all Representatives to sign on and co-sponsor such resolutions of recognition for retiring Congressman and Senators. However, Republican Leader Glen Casada of Brentwood notified Coleman that House Republicans would not be doing so.
“Bart Gordon has worked for Rutherford County and the Sixth District for over a quarter century. Whether or not we all agree with his every decision, he deserves to be recognized for his service just as Republicans Bill Frist and Fred Thompson were recognized by all Democrats for their service.”
Rep. Rowland and 36 Republican colleagues, in an unprecedented partisan move, refused to sign the resolution. By contrast, when Republicans Bill Frist and Fred Thompson retired from the U.S. Senate all 99 House members, Republican and Democrat, co-sponsored a resolution of recognition. At that time, both the Tennessee Senate and the Tennessee House of Representatives were controlled by Democrats, but Republicans are unwilling to return the favor this time around.
Yesterday, Rep. Kent Coleman sponsored a simple resolution in the Tennessee House to recognize Bart Gordon’s 26 years of service to the State of Tennessee. 37 Republicans refused to sign it. The Nashville Post and WPLN have the story:
Such a resolution is routinely “co-sponsored” by all the members of the House and Senate so that all their names appear on the framed document for the Congressman’s wall.
But this time most of the names on Gordon’s “thank you” will be Democrats. Coleman was asked by Republicans not to add them as co-sponsors.
“I think with the maybe increased partisanship that exists in government today. It was probably a better idea to allow people to sign on to the resolution and not make that type of motion and cause a political disturbance.”
Only thirteen of the 50 Republicans in the state House signed on to the resolution honoring Gordon’s services.
UPDATE: Donna Rowland (R-Murfreesboro) was among those refusing to recognize Gordon, even though she represents his home city and county of Rutherford.
NOT AWARE HE VOTED FOR INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Daily News Journal’s weekly columnist Sam Stockard asked Bill Ketron why he voted for Race To The Federal Trough along with every other Republican legislator from Rutherford County. Here is what Ketron said:
Asked if he knows what the international benchmarks are, state Sen. Bill Ketron said, “I do not. We were told they would come from the U.S. Department of Education. The thing was on a fast track,” Ketron said. “We barely had time to read through it. It’s voluminous.”
Yet Ketron and fellow Republicans, Sen. Jim Tracy, of Shelbyville, Rep. Donna Rowland of Murfreesboro, Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas and Rep. Pat Marsh of Shelbyville, members of the Rutherford County delegation, voted for it. Only state Rep. Kent Coleman, a Murfreesboro Democrat, voted against it.
So Republican Senator Bill Ketron admits that he voted for a massive overhaul of Tennessee’s education system without knowing much of what it actually accomplished. He also admits that as a “conservative” Republican, he thinks its just great to beg for half a billion dollars in stimulus cash with strings attached - strings that could bind our teachers to international standards. Sounds like something Tennessee’s Tea Party crowd would really oppose, but they are deathly silent on the matter because the legislation was backed by their republican overlords Ron Ramsey and Glen Casada. Just more evidence that the Tea Party crowd are willing to ignore their own stated beliefs if republicans tell them to, just like they did when they gave George W. Bush free reign to plunge our nation into huge war debts and pass unfunded federal mandates like No Child Left Behind.
“Dear Lisa, Happy New Year! I know you will lead this county in the right direction with a strong ethical compass and look forward to the progress we need! Harrell 2010! “- Daniel Parfitt, Rutherford Co. Resident
“Lisa Harrell is an amazing lady. It’s been less than two years since I moved here, but it’s as if I’ve know Lisa a long time already! She is smart and friendly! I’m so happy I met her and now can call her my friend.” - Sandy Sanderson, Rutherford Co. Resident
“Best wishes for your campaign, Ms. Lisa! I am very enthusiastic about seeing you all the way to victory! Sincere thanks for offering your public service.” - Jill Woodworth-Collier, Rutherford Co. Resident
“I am so glad that J.B and I have gotten to know you in these last few months. Thank you so much for inviting us to join you at Jim and Nick’s Taco Tuesday in support of Rutherford County charities. We can’t wait to see you win next year and be the next Rutherford County Clerk! Harrell 2010!”
Much Love,
Amber Barrett, Rutherford Co. Resident
(parental advisory: THIS photograph may not be suitable for younger viewers)
Meet Scott Brown, the new Family Values Republican Senator from Massachusetts, who posed nude for Cosmopolitan Magazine’s “America Sexiest Men” issue of 1982.
Our Vice Chairman lets everyone know the history behind Civil Rights and balanced budgets in today’s Daily News Journal:
Conservatives decry deficit spending, but JFK was one of four presidents since World War II to have achieved a balanced budget, so that eliminates the budget deficit as a reason for leaving the party. By the way, three of the four presidents who had balanced budgets were Democrats (Truman, JFK, and Clinton). The lone Republican budget balancer was Eisenhower. (Hey conservatives, what happened to Reagan and the two Bushes?)
Here’s how Rutherford County’s delegation voted when it came to tying teachers’ jobs to factors beyond their control: Kent Coleman (D) - NO, Joe Carr (R) - YES, Donna Rowland (R) - YES, Bill Ketron (R) - YES, Jim Tracy (R) -YES.
Last week’s Special Session called by Governor Bredesen to overhaul Tennessee’s education system was a locomotive speeding towards passage that even Superman could not have stopped. This massive legislation was debated in committees for a single day, and passed on the Senate and House floor the next.
Every Republican Representative voted to seek stimulus cash through federal Race To The Top grants, and our Democratic Governor and Democratic Caucuses backed the measure as well even though it meant adopting federal guidelines tying teachers’ performance to mere test scores . Only a handful of Democrats (8 to be exact) were willing to stand up for teachers and say ‘NO’ to a governor of their own Party and their own caucus leadership.
Our own Rep. Kent Coleman was the only Rutherford County legislator to stand on principle and stand up for teachers when it came time to vote, even though he knew he was also standing right in front of a speeding locomotive. It took the courage of Superman to rise and say this on the House floor last Friday night:
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated by a hateful white supremacist in Memphis, Tennessee while he stood on the balcony of the Loraine Motel. The night before, he gave the following speech to Memphis Sanitation workers and their families who were striking for equal pay and working conditions as their white counterparts.
Clarksville, Tennessee – January 11, 2010 - Kim McMillan has received the endorsement of the National Women’s Political Caucus. It is the second national endorsement the gubernatorial candidate’s campaign has announced in the last week.
“This endorsement means a great deal to me,” McMillan said, “because the National Women’s Political Caucus is a multipartisan, multicultural grassroots organization dedicated to achieving equality for all women. Their support isn’t given just to candidates on the Democratic ticket and I’m very proud to receive their backing.”
“Women are historically underrepresented in policy formation and discriminated against when running for office. Women typically come to politics to solve a problem. They come as moms, nurses, and teachers. While Kim McMillan is a mom and an educator, she is also the first woman in Tennessee history elected Majority Leader of the State House of Representatives, experienced in policy and economic development, and a small business owner. She has the knowledge, experience and dedication to lead Tennessee into a better, stronger future” said Lulu Flores, President of the National Caucus.
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The Rutherford County Democratic Party will be hosting a Mardi Gras party at the Murfreesboro Lions Club on Fat Tuesday, February 16th from 4-8pm. Come out and enjoy some Naw’lins style fare prepared by Gubernatorial candidate, Kim McMillan, who will help prepare some great traditional dishes. We will also have a silent auction for some beautifully crafted Mardi Gras masks, activities for kids, and music. It is going to be a great event, so call and get your tickets today.
Here’s how Rutherford County’s delegation voted when it came to tying teachers’ jobs to factors 
From a press release received from 
