No WhiteWash!

I think that your readers may be interested in a quick history on the Aquatic Center.

Before I joined the BMA the board established a fund to repair the Legion Pool. Previous Boards “raided” that fund. The City tried patching the pool several times, but the pool continued to leak.

The BMA then considered starting over again with a new pool in current location. Then the board began entertaining the idea of also having an indoor pool, quickly emerged into the Aquatic Center concept.

Let’s pause – the entire BMA agreed that the current situation – leaking old pool was unacceptable. But then the differences in opinions began to emerge as the City staff provided different versions of an Aquatic Center. While ALL members requested that the City manager discuss the situation with the YMCA, it was never immediately agreed upon (as was inferred last night at the BMA business meeting) that the city would enter the type of agreement with the YMCA that we seem to be headed toward.

Last summer we had a special called session to decide 2 issues: 1) Location of the pool, and 2) Should it be co-located with the YMCA. I voted against BOTH for the following reasons.

- The Meadowview is not the ideal location for the pool. I won’t elaborate here, but I would be glad to discuss further with any citizen. I favored the Legion Pool area

- Co-locating with the YMCA gives them a tremendous competitive advantage over the other fitness center operators. In effect, the city would be subsidizing an already NON-PROFIT organization to the detriment of tax-paying enterprises in the city (Great Body Company and others).

I asked the question of Mr. Gray, the YMCA Board President, that night – what would the Y do if the city built a world-class outdoor pool at the legion area? He replied that they would go forth with their plans (an outdoor & indoor pool plus fitness center) at their site behind K-Mart. He ALSO assured us that they had the funding to do this.

I immediately proposed to my fellow members that we build the city facility at Legion (a great new outdoor pool) and let the YMCA build theirs. Please note that the citizens of Kingsport would then have two options for indoor swimming – the Dobyns-Bennett pool and the YMCA.

Not only do I believe this to be the best option, I’m even more strongly for it considering the Recession that we are now in. What’s wrong with saving tax-payer dollars.

As a side note about the DB pool. It belongs to the citizens – we simply need to get that point across to the BOE.

One other point – under the current concept the Y will only build a fitness center (no pools) right next door to the City Aquatic Center. This will save them a lot of money. I have nothing against the Y. But I’m interested in saving the City money.

Thank you.

Pat Shull, Alderman

There are four positions on the Kingsport, Tennessee Board of Mayor and Alderman that are available for the term starting on July 1, 2009.

The current BMA members whose terms will expire are Mayor Dennis Phillips, Alderman Valerie Joh, Alderman Ben Mallicote (the vice mayor) and Alderman Pat Shull.

Any person who is a qualified voter of the city and who has resided within the city for at least one (1) year next preceding the election shall be eligible to election to the office of mayor or alderman.

Residence within any area annexed in a year preceding an election shall be counted in meeting the residence requirement of this section.

The City is governed by a seven member Board of Mayor and Aldermen, elected at-large and on a non-partisan basis for four-year staggered terms. The exception to this rule is that the Mayor is elected at-large for a two year term. Elections are held in May during odd numbered years. The new Board of Mayor and Alderman is seated on July 1 of each election year.

If you have a desire to be on the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman, you will need to pick up your petition at the below location.   The deadline to submit completed petitions is noon on February 19, 2009.  25 signatures from registered voters are required on the petition.

City elections:  2009 schedule

Feb. 19 – Candidate petitions due in county elections office
April 20 – Last day of voter registration.
April 29 to May 14 – Early voting period.
May 19 – Election Day

Below is background information on Patrick W. Shull who is running for re-election on the Kingsport, TN Board of Mayor and Alderman.

BIOGRAPHY: PATRICK W. SHULL, COL USA (Ret)

COL (Ret) Pat Shull is a native of Kingsport, TN, a graduate of Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett High School and son of the late Dr. and Mrs. James E. (Mickey) Shull.  COL Shull received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army after graduating from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.  He is a graduate of The University of Tennessee with a Master Degree in Public Administration.  COL Shull also graduated from the Logistics Executive Development Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

COL Shull commanded soldiers at the platoon, company, battalion, and brigade level.  He also held key staff positions on the Army Staff in the Pentagon and with major Army headquarters in the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Korea.  A combat veteran of the 1991 Gulf War, COL Shull was awarded the Bronze Star medal for exemplary performance of duty during that conflict, and cited in the official U.S. Army history, Certain Victory.  COL Shull received many other awards and honors during his Army career including the Army Legion of Merit.  COL Shull was an Ordnance officer and a senior logistician at the time of his retirement in 2003.  He also held a Top Secret Department of Defense Security Clearance.

After Army retirement COL Shull returned to his hometown of Kingsport to successfully start two different businesses.  He was a defense consultant for two major defense contractors, making numerous trips overseas and throughout the United States in support of the U.S. Army.  COL Shull and his wife (the former Mary M. Redditt) are founders and co-owners of Mary’s Kitchen Shop, Inc. offering fine kitchen-ware and specialty foods at their downtown Kingsport store.  He is also a Municipal Management Consultant for the University of Tennessee, Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), and a graduate of the UT Local Government Leadership Program.  Currently COL Shull is the Vice-President for Administration/Chief of Staff at Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, VA.

Pat and Mary have two children, Tucker and Margaret who attend John Sevier Middle School.  COL (Ret) Shull is the Executive Vice-President of the Tri-State Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army.  He is also active in the community as an Alderman on the City of Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen. COL Shull is a member of the Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Kingsport Association, past member of the Board of Directors GoodWill Industries of Tenneva, and volunteer in numerous children activities.

There are four positions on the Kingsport, Tennessee Board of Mayor and Alderman that are available for the term starting on July 1, 2009.

The current BMA members whose terms will expire are Mayor Dennis Phillips, Alderman Valerie Joh, Alderman Ben Mallicote (the vice mayor) and Alderman Pat Shull.

Any person who is a qualified voter of the city and who has resided within the city for at least one (1) year next preceding the election shall be eligible to election to the office of mayor or alderman.

Residence within any area annexed in a year preceding an election shall be counted in meeting the residence requirement of this section.

The City is governed by a seven member Board of Mayor and Aldermen, elected at-large and on a non-partisan basis for four-year staggered terms. The exception to this rule is that the Mayor is elected at-large for a two year term. Elections are held in May during odd numbered years. The new Board of Mayor and Alderman is seated on July 1 of each election year.

If you have a desire to be on the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman, you will need to pick up your petition at the below location.   The deadline to submit completed petitions is noon on February 19, 2009.  25 signatures from registered voters are required on the petition.

City elections:  2009 schedule

Feb. 19 – Candidate petitions due in county elections office
April 20 – Last day of voter registration.
April 29 to May 14 – Early voting period.
May 19 – Election Day

Tennessee News Platoon is a new blog that also has Alderman Pat Shull’s “A New Direction for Kingsport”.  Also, another local blog is East TN Conservative

UPDATE:  Alderman Shull sent his ““White Paper: A New Direction for Kingsport” via email to about 50 people and asked for comments.  Below is the Managing Editor of the Kingsport Times-News’s response that was obtained from a confidential source.  The reply to Alderman Shull also went to the same large group of people.

The response below from the Kingsport Times-News to me is disturbing in that the Times-News is dictating what the readers of the newspaper should read.  Ted Como should report the news and not control the news.  Let the citizens decide their own views.

It is easy to notice how the “elites” rolled out the old attack machine against anybody who dared to present a different view?

If one does a Google search on Keith Wilson, Publisher of the Kingsport Times-News and Ted Como, Managing Editor of the Kingsport Times-News, one can see they they are not innocent bystanders, because of their involvement with the city and county affairs.

The local newspaper can print what they want, but they should also be aware that the readers can also choose not to read the bias views of the Kingsport Times-News.

From the response below, it is my opinion that the Kingsport Times-News is in the tank for Mayor Phillips and his gang.  This, I am sure will be not be a surprise to the citizens of Kingsport.  From the tone on the email message below, it appears that Ted Como has an axe to grind.

—–Original Message—–
From: Ted Como

Sent: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 7:53 am
Subject: Re: White Paper

Pat:

Since you asked…

You basic presmise is that city government is out of control and that residents agree with you, to wit: “There is a growing dissatisfaction among many Kingsport citizens regarding the direction taken by the current administration of our city government…;” “…much of the citizenry… seriously question(s) the wisdom of certain decisions…; “Our citizens take a dim view regarding the millions of dollars spent on projects…;”  “many citizens have become disenchanted with their elected representatives…;” “A strong perception exists among the electorate that the BMA is only concerned with the views of an ‘elite’ and not the majority of citizens, and is unwilling to change;” etc.

Says who? How do you know what the majority of residents believe? Have you polled? Have you call everyone and asked?

Fact is, you have no clue what the majority of city residents believe (and of course, neither do I.) You simply assume that most everyone must agree with you – because they can’t see the forest for the trees, and you can. I’m not “from around here” and have only been observing Kingsport city government and all other aspects of this community for 26 years. But my sense is that the majority of city residents are very supportive and appreciative of efforts to expand the retail tax base and generally feel that due to progressive government of late, Kingsport has finally “arrived.”

You believe “city leadership has gone too far, too fast in spending taxpayer funds in an unfocused effort to be ‘progressive’, thereby raising municipal debt to dangerous, unprecedented levels.” What’s “unfocused” about these economic development efforts? It is simply ridiculous to state that municipal debt is at “dangerous” levels when – as you point out – it’s well within the city’s ceiling and ability to support. Further, “The cumulative effect of major spending decisions over the last 3 plus years has jeopardized the long-term financial health of the city…” To the contrary, the only way the city grows is by expanding the tax base and prudent managment of investment and debt makes that possible. And I believe that’s been the case.

Pat, I appreciate your point of view and your service to Kingsport. But frankly, I don’t know why you asked: I don’t think it matters to you what others think because I also believe that your mind is closed on these issues.

Ted

Came across an article written by Alderman Pat Shull, that is a must read if you care about the direction, the City of Kingsport, Tennessee has been headed.  Alderman Shull identifies problems and offers solutions.

A NEW DIRECTION FOR KINGSPORT

Patrick W. Shull, Alderman, City of Kingsport

There is a growing dissatisfaction among many Kingsport citizens regarding the direction taken by the current administration of our city government.  In a nutshell, the city leadership has gone too far, too fast in spending taxpayer funds in an unfocused effort to be “progressive”, thereby raising municipal debt to dangerous, unprecedented levels.  While some of the actions taken by the Board of Mayor and Alderman (BMA) have been very positive, the cumulative effect of major spending decisions over the last 3 plus years has jeopardized the long-term financial health of the city, caused much of the citizenry to seriously question the wisdom of certain decisions, and distracted the city from addressing several areas of concern.  The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to highlight problem areas and recommend solutions to those problems.

Municipal Debt: As recently as 2006 the City of Kingsport was on target to bring the overall debt down to the $100 million mark.  Since then, however, the debt has soared until it is now projected to exceed $200 million by early 2009.  So far, the city is still under the legal thresholds for municipal debt.  But the looming danger is that the current economic recession that the United States is experiencing will result in a downturn in city revenues via sales tax receipts and state shared taxes.  As of this writing Kingsport’s unemployment is rising, our bond ratings may be downgraded, and we look poised to start experiencing the severe economic problems already being faced by national and state governments.  The massive debt that the BMA has incurred equals a future tax increase.

Solution: The BMA must start prioritizing spending, something that it has refused to do during the current administration.  The next budget should be tailored to begin paying down debt, not continually increasing it.  We should limit the growth of the city workforce to the rate of growth of the city.  And, we simply cannot begin any new major projects unless we identify a method of paying for it which does not increase the current debt level. Further, the main thrust of major capital projects should be improving the infrastructure for the long term benefit of all citizens. This will require the ability to distinguish between “needs” vs. “wants”.  Finally, the BMA must resist the temptation to raise taxes, the exact wrong thing to do in the middle of a recession.

Annexation: The city has established a pattern of annexing “targets of opportunity”.  Annexation is important to the long-term growth of the city, but it needs to proceed in a reasonable, planned pace.  The major costs of annexation are heavily weighted on the front end and borne by the current city taxpayers – not the annexed areas.

Solution: Kingsport needs a 360 degree comprehensive annexation plan.  Because the Regional Planning Commission is an arm of the city, we have the obligation to plan annexation in a careful, rational manner, which considers the concerns of all the stakeholders including the county government and citizens within the urban growth boundary.  Simply jumping around as we are now only serves to unduly alienate our county constituencies and incur unnecessary un-programmed expense.

Economic Development: This term is probably the most imprecise term in the BMA lexicon.  Because it lacks definition, the current administration has justified a number of questionable actions by citing them as good for economic development.  The public has grown weary of targeted tax breaks and fancy projects aimed at pleasing narrow constituencies.  Our citizens take a dim view regarding the millions of dollars spent on projects while at the same time they are running over pot-holes in our streets.

Solution: The next administration must reach an understanding among the BMA members and our citizens about the proper role of the city government in the local economy.  Traditionally the most productive role the city can play is to help create a climate where the private sector can thrive by: providing superb schools; world-class infrastructure: outstanding public safety; low taxes; excellent public services; and assurance that all citizens will be treated fairly by their government.

School Support: Sullivan County has over capacity in its school system while simultaneously experiencing a decline in school age population.  Conversely, the City of Kingsport is building a new elementary school and is projected to have increases in school age children.  Simply put, this situation is a waste of Sullivan County taxpayer dollars which affects the majority of Kingsporters.  This appears to be a “political” problem beyond the ability of the county and city school boards to solve.

Solution: Kingsport must call for an Education summit between all city/county players.  State law provides ample authority for school districts located in the same county to cooperate in the best interests of the public.  It is certainly within the public interest to resolve this problem and stop wasting money.

City Employee Retirement Costs: The city is one of the few remaining employers with a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan.  This is increasingly becoming unaffordable.  The longer we wait to fix this situation the more expensive resolution will become.

Solution: The city staff must provide a transition plan soon which converts the city to a Defined Contribution system.  At this point there is still a small window of time remaining where this can be done and still keep faith with the current work force regarding their future benefits.

Under-represented Citizenry: There are no Aldermanic districts in Kingsport, all BMA members are elected at large.  As the city population has increased, especially due to growth from recent immigrants, many citizens have become disenchanted with their elected representatives, several whom they view as representing special interests and being “out of touch” with regular, ordinary citizens.

Solution: Kingsport needs four districts with a neighborhood blend of various levels of socio-economic status.  The resulting BMA would have four Aldermen representing districts, and the Mayor and two Aldermen elected at large.  This would provide a better balance of competing interests.

“Distant” Local Government: The majority of the BMA recently passed two controversial measures affecting the Meadowview area despite the majority of Kingsport citizens being opposed.  A strong perception exists among the electorate that the BMA is only concerned with the views of an “elite” and not the majority of citizens, and is unwilling to change.  The current leadership does not hold “town hall” meetings, and often rush resolutions and ordinances through the process before the citizens have had time to “catch-up” with what is occurring.  And the current leadership is not reluctant to wield the enormous power of government in questionable ways.

Solution: New leadership in City Hall is needed to reach out to all citizens.  The BMA needs to seriously consider the views of many, not just a few.  The next BMA needs to be focused on maximizing citizen freedom, not pleasing elite constituencies.

Lack of Leadership Vision: The current administration has never presented a coherent vision of Kingsport’s future which ties various major projects together or prioritizes spending in a logical, considered manner.  Instead the BMA approaches business in an incremental, “one-project-at-a-time” manner. This approach has been a model of adhocracy which renders it impossible for the public, or even other elected officials, to ascertain exactly what we are trying to accomplish.

Solution: The next administration needs to develop and explain a vision of Kingsport’s future which  the public can understand and embrace.  There are several potential contributors to this process which are currently shut out in favor of selected interests.  This vision can be linked to the budget and future planning in a systematic way.

The City of Kingsport, Tennessee, with its spending of taxpayers money, fails to see what is  happening to the struggling families who are trying to keep their heads above water in the economic crisis we are in.

Unemployment in Kingsport is the highest in the Tri-Cities area.

People are having to rely on food stamps to feed their families in record numbers.  See the quote from the Bristol Herald Courier article below.

More than 13 percent of Sullivan County residents received help from the U.S. government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in October, a month that broke program participation records across the state of Tennessee.  Click for more Record Numbers Seek Aid To Buy Groceries

Because of what is happening in the economy, retirees that are drawing on a percentage basis from their 401k’s have less to live on now.  Also, retirees that draw a fixed amount from their 401k’s have had to readjust the amount withdrawn downward for fear of running out of money in their 401k.  I am sure there are people thinking about retirement, but have postponed it because of the economy.

Tennessee state revenues continue to slide and are down 7 percent for the recent month.  Tennessee may face a $1 billion shortfall.  The Tennessean newspaper reports the following in the article below.

State’s decline among worst in U.S.

Bill Fox, director of the Center for Business & Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, said Tennessee has one of the nation’s largest declines in revenue, topped only by Florida and Arizona, a finding that surprised him. While Tennessee has not fared poorly with sales taxes, its slowdown in corporate tax collection is among the country’s worst, he said.

“Tennessee is feeling the brunt of the economic downturn from the tax revenue perspective much worse than is the norm around the U.S., at least through this part of the fiscal year,” he said.

States, Counties, and Cities around the country are being forced to cut spending, laying off workers and reducing pay for workers.  But, in Kingsport, it is business as usual with a bigger government with a bigger budget for this fiscal year and more city employees.  Kingsport debt is over $191 million and still growing to which Kingsport can be better known as the “TAX, BORROW, and SPEND” city.

Eastman Chemical has announced that their 4th quarter earning will widely miss its projection.  What next for Eastman?   Will there be another layoff or will employees cut back on spending because of unknowns in their future?

What can the citizens of Kingsport do about the situation with the current administration in Kingsport’s City government?

You must become more vocal with the Board of Mayor and Alderman.  Write letters to the editor and spread the word to others about what is happening with city government.  Submit comments online at the end of articles in the local newspapers.  If the Kingsport Times-News won’t publish your response, then go to other newspapers in the area.  Make your friends aware of what is happing on the BMA.  Be active in the local elections for the four BMA members whose terms expire.  Help get new BMA members get elected that resemble your views and vote current BMA members out if they should decide to run again for office if their views do not match yours.

As for me personally, I will be doing the following;

I will not vote for Mayor Phillips, Vice Mayor Mallicote, and Alderman Joh in the upcoming election if they decide to run for office again.  Reason:  Big spenders of taxpayers money.

Nothing seems to get the attention of certain BMA members (Phillips, Mallicote, Joh, Munsey, and Shupe) when citizens express concerns over spending or other issues.  Hence, I will be doing the following below.

If I decide to sell my property, I will not do business with Blue Ridge Properties since that is Alderman Joh’s business.  I have used Blue Ridge Properties in the past and in my opinion, they did not do anything for me that other real estate firms couldn’t offer.

If I need legal work done, I will not use Vice Mayor Mallicote’s law firm.

If I die, I will not use the Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals and Cremations owned by Stewart Enterprises because of Alderman Shupe’s employment there as manager.  I will not buy products from Shupe Securtiy since it is an Alderman Shupe firm.

I will not do business with any firm associated with Mayor Phillips or Alderman Munsey.  This means also that if Mayor Phillips opens up another Pizza joint, I will not buy his product.

Since gas prices are lower, I will shop elsewhere in Johnson City or Virginia and use the internet.

But, I will use Alderman Pat Shull’s business (Mary’s Kitchen) or any business Alderman Marsh has.

Maybe, in my small part, I can begin to get their attention when it affects their wallets.

Now, if everyone did the above, it might get Mayor Phillips’ attention.  But I’m sure he and other big spender BMA members will use some of the same threats below that has been used in the past.  Mr. Mayor, you do not need to reduce the services, instead reduce your obsession with the pet project spending you have done during your almost two terms.

Famous Quotes from the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman

Mayor Dennis Phillips – ‘We need MeadowView to keep from reduceng fire, police protection, and reducing trash pick-up to every two weeks.” October 21, 2008

Mayor Dennis Phillips –“We need to annex so we don’t have to raise taxes”  February 5, 2008

Alderman Munsey – “We need to do the MeadowView expansion to keep from raising taxes” September 15, 2008

Alderman Munsey – Debt is neither good or bad,”   June 3, 2008

Vice Mayor Mallicote – “I do not believe all of the doom and gloom about the economy”.  June 3, 2008

Mayor Dennis Phillips – “If the taxpayers wanted the city to cut the spending, then we could collect garbage every other week”  June 3, 2008

Mayor Dennis Phillips – “If there were no money to spend, then you would not need politicians”  October, 2007

Mayor Dennis Phillips refuses to give back the regional sales tax to the citizens after it has served it’s purpose.  The Federal government has help out all kinds of firms and has given money back to the taxpayers.  It is time for Kingsport to step up to the plate and help the citizens out.  How about it Mayor Phillips?

Wake up Kingsport!!

I have written many posts concerning the City of Kingsport decision to spend $15 million to expand the Meadowview Convention Center.  However, I feel in view of the political spin that certain city leaders have been doing lately, I feel the public needs to be aware of some facts.

Apparently, the City of Kingsport is getting some heat on the decision they made to fund the expansion of the convention center and they are issuing misleading statements.

In an article written by Scott Draper for WJHL,

Expansion On The Meadowview Convention Center In Kingsport Upsets Some Alderman

it states “the city reports it collects 23-million dollars a year from Meadowview”.

Property tax collected by the city from the Meadowview helps keep taxes low in the city.  “That’s an additional 85-million dollars in real estate taxes the city can use that we don’t have to raise property taxes on homeowners.” said Phillips.

It has been reported that the Meadowview hotel revenue is $11 million and not $23 million.

Phillips is blowing smoke with 85-million dollars in real estate taxes. That is likely the assessed value of developments in the area – not taxes.  To get $85M of taxes, we would have to have an investment of $9,240,000,000 at Meadowview. That’s $9.2 BILLION.

Also, Meadowview hotel is appraised at $11,533,100 and not $85 million.  The convention center and golf course are exempt from taxes since the city owns them.  The above statement is reflective of all of the properties in the Meadowview area such as doctors offices, Eastman Credit Union, Dave Clark coffee shop, etc.

The total additional sales and property values should have no value in determining to expand the convention center.  When I visit my doctor in the Meadowview area, I do not stay at the MeadowView Resort and Convention Center at prices that start at $159.00 per night.  also, if I wanted to go to Eastman Credit Union, get my hearing checked, get a cup of coffee, get my teeth worked on, have plastic surgery, go to the Social Security office, etc., I don’t have a need for the MeadowView Resort and Convention Center.

It is apparent that the city leaders are attempting to ride on the coattails of the surrounding businesses to justify the MeadowView Convention Center Expansion.

I am sure that the surrounding businesses do not need to ride on the coattails of MeadowView Resort and Convention Center.  They would do just fine if there were no MeadowView Resort and Convention Center.

The facts are that the MeadowView Convention Center and the Catskills Golf course are not money makers for the City of Kingsport.  The taxpayers are the ones that keep the city portion afloat.

The city invested $19.7 million in the conference center and $6.2 million in Cattails Golf Course.  From what I can see, both are not moneymakers and are being given money from the Regional Sales tax fund.  Now if we throw in the $15 million for the expansion, the city would have a total of $40.9 million invested which does not include interest.

The Kingsport 2008-2009 budget shows how the Regional Sales Tax is distributed.  The $19.7 million debt for the MeadowView Convention Center was paid off in 2007 and the Cattails Golf Course will be paid up in 2017.  The table below shows that $1,233,500 is budgeted for the convention center, $783,100 for Cattails Golf Course, and $800,000 goes to the general fund for the City of Kingsport to spend.

Alderman Ken Marsh and Pat Shull proposed putting off the expansion plan, and giving the tax money that would be used to fund the expansion, back to taxpayers, by lowering property taxes.  the board voted the proposal down by 5 to 2. “I think the citizens of Kingsport need to realize a majority of the board turned down a plan to reduce their property taxes”, said Alderman Pat Shull.

The way I see it now is that the city currently has a lost leader with the convention center and golf course.  I do not see how the city /taxpayers are benefiting from the current situation at Meadowview and spending another $15 million for the expansion, in my view is simply lining the pockets of Eastman, Marriott and other businesses.  Dennis Phillips statement that the expansion needed to be built to keep from raising taxes doesn’t fly.  It may be if it is built, then taxes may have to be raised.

Eastman invested $12 million when the hotel was built, (which is now appraised at $11.5 million) and now gets $11 million per year in revenues.  City of Kingsport invests $25.7 million (convention center and golf course) and loses money.  I think there is some funny math going on here.

When times are tough, companies find cost savings wherever they can. Now some employers are doing away with the 401(k) match, a benefit once considered almost sacred or reducing/eliminating meetings to save money.

The convention center expansion puts all the risk on the citizens of Kingsport when there is a downturn in the economy.  In fact when the economy has been good, the taxpayers have been keeping the current convention center in operation because it has not been a money maker.  The big money interests in Kingsport tend to view the City Treasury as a means of facilitating their own interests

See other posts on MeadowView

Kingsport, Tennessee – With the economy the way it is now, one thing is certain that the citizens are asking, how did this happen?  The finger is pointing at the elected government officials and the financial community as the culprits.

Families are having a difficult time surviving this crisis and there is much anger when one’s retirement saving disappear.

The bottom line cause of this is GREED!

One would not know that there is an economic crisis in Kingsport in the way that the city is spending money.  It appears that it is business as usual spending the taxpayers money.

Lately, the City of Kingsport has approved and will spend  $15 million for the Aquatic Center, $8.7 million for V.O Dobbins Renovation, and $12.5 million for the MeadowView Convention Center.  Also, the Kingsport Board of Education is on a land grab kick by buying up properties around schools.  I could list many more examples of out of controlled spending, but I think you get the point.

The five BMA members below are the BIG Spenders of taxpayers money (gang of five)

Mayor Dennis Phillips *	Vice Mayor Ben Mallicote *	Alderman Larry Munsey	Alderman Valerie Joh *	Alderman Jantry Shupe

Alderman Marsh and Shull below have shown the most restraint in spending the taxpayers money.

Alderman C. Ken Marsh, Jr.	Alderman Pat Shull *

* Term expires June 30, 2009

Express your views to the BMA if you have a concern with the spending.  Should we have a petition to remove certain BMA members from office?  You can leave a comment on this blog, write letters to the local newspapers, tell your friends, go to BMA meetings and express your concerns on TV, etc.

I provided information in a post a few weeks ago concerning early voting in  Sullivan County,  Tennessee.  I was surprised to see the huge number of hits on my blog desiring information on upcoming elections.  Based on what I am seeing, I think there is a very good possibility of record voter turnout.

I am sure that there are many that have concerns with some of the political decisions that have been made in the past.  Now is the time for you to have a voice in who gets elected.  Do your research and then cast your vote.

Do not forget the local levels also.  There may be some that may be inclined to run for Board of Mayor and Alderman.  For example there are four positions in the Kingsport BMA that expire June 30, 2009.

Mayor Dennis Phillips, Vice Mayor Ben Malicote, Alderman Pat Shull, and Alderman Valerie Joh terms will expire.  Don’t know if they will be trying for another term, but the field is open to new candidates.

As we get closer to the local election, this blog will become active in providing information.

As noted below, the last day to register to vote  is October 6, 2008.

State General Election

Date:
November 4, 2008

Last Date to Register:
October 6, 2008

Early Voting:
October 15th , 2008
through
October 30th , 2008

Offices to be Elected:
President and Vice President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representative, TN Senate (Even#’d districts), TN House of Representatives

Tennessee Division of Elections

Tennessee Democratic Party

Tennessee Republican Party

Tennessee Ethics Commission

Tennessee Registry of Election Finance