Bradley County Commission votes NO to Common Core, Yarber gets decision

Bradley County Commission votes NO to Common Core, Yarber gets decision 

BCN Note: No one was actually hurt in the writing of this news blog. Humor was added to a very serious subject. The bout was fictional and fun, the details factual. My opinions are below based on my observations of the event as it unfolded.

2/20/14
0749 am

Bradley County TN Commissioners have echoed the efforts of the Bradley County School Board and said NO to Common Core.

Former semi-pro boxer County Commissioner Jeff Yarber, who long ago hung up his gloves, but Tuesday, took them off the shelf and delivered a show of might reminiscent of his days on the circuit.

He stood mighty tall in this setting and went the full 10 rounds and was left shuffling in his corner unscathed.

Throughout the meeting Yarber stepped up, squared up on his opponent, left hand slightly in front of the other, weaved left and right, steps in head low, chin down and delivered a barrage of thunderous blows that left the impression that Common Core is not welcome in our community in any form. Even some of his own debated him but were left in a heap on the canvas of this political arena.

As the debate continued, the formally trained athlete, was fully prepared to go the distance and he did.

The bout started with the introduction for approval of two bills getting cranked up in the House and Senate. 

A vote to back HB 2332 and its Senate companion bill SB 2405 was debated and Jeff Yarber was scrapping the whole time. He took a few jabs off his ample iron jaw while fending off blows to defeat support for these bills. The intent of these bills is to remove Common Core and it’s cronies from our children’s presence, period! The bills are not there so they can be tweaked, renamed or repackaged. They are to be REMOVED, DISCONTINUE! Period!!!

If passed, the House and Senate bills would amend Tennessee Code Annotated section 49-1-302 to say “on July 1, 2014, the state board and the department of education shall DISCONTINUE the use of the Common Core state standards in English language arts and mathematics.” 

At that time, the standards that had been in place before Common Core standards were first being implemented in 2010 “shall become the standards for use by LEAs [local education agencies] and schools until the state board develops and adopts new Tennessee specific standards for English language arts and mathematics.” 

With the final vote pending, just as the Bradley County School Board had done a couple of weeks ago, Yarber and the County Commission stepped up and knocked down the formidable Common Core opponent.

Our buddies on the education board said that Common Core “would be highly disruptive to student growth.” 

During this title match, It was also mentioned that changes like postponing of PARCC assessment tests and tying those scores to teacher licensure, student data collection and non parent or teacher involvement would not be in the best interest of our teachers and ultimately our children.

Let’s not forget the lightweight contender Michelle Rhee of Students First, the ex wife of Heavyweight TN Education Secretary Kevin Huffman and Bantam weight Bill Haslam appointee have advocated, by their support of Students First, for parents to get out of the way so Common Core can be delivered uninterrupted as stated  in past interviews with Rhee. 

How convenient would it be to get parents, teachers, school boards and elected officials out of the way so the deed can be completed. Sounds like a win-win scenario if you ask me.

Like any good story or bout in this case there is always the spoiler. Today that is twofold. Commissioner Jeff Morelock and Bill Winters are once again those wet noodle types among mighty oaks. 

Morelock expressed his understanding of the school board’s resolution was that the board was in favor of the standards as a whole, but some changes needed to be made to them. Did he read the same resolution I did? I dont believe he read the same resolution!  He continued with his drivel of liberalism and said “there were some necessary changes, doing away with the standards would not help.”

Commissioner Bill Winters, Morelocks liberal Co Co buddy chimed in. Remember Yarber is bouncing around doing the rope a dope waiting to be engaged. I know it’s suspenseful but keep reading.

Commissioner Bill Winters said he “had a problem with the fact the Commission’s resolution supported repealing the state standards.”

He sluggishly continued and said ” he would not vote to repeal Common Core because the standards being removed would “tie the hands” of the legislators working to fix the parts of the standards that were not working well.” Hello Bill? The consensus, bills and resolutions are to get rid of it, to DISCONTINUE them, not fix them! Focus! Please allow me to enlighten you in a little constitutional secret. You as an elected official are the voice of the people, you have the authority to limit government intrusion at any level, thus balancing the power! You are a microcosm of the bigger picture Bill! You can do this!

In addition, Winters went on to say he “did not think the vote would be in line with what the local school board wanted.” Really Bill? Once again and please allow me to reiterate, the vote today is to DISCONTINUE the Common Core standards, not fix or tweak them. The vote today! The one before you now! A liberal slant is not the seal of approval and doesnt change the fact that you are voting in a few minutes to DISCONTINUE the standards not fix or tweak them. 

He went on to zap out all the remaining energy out of the room room finishing his monologue “The school board did not ask us to repeal this,” Winters said. He finally gathered enough liberal strength to say “the standards “could be worked for the good of the schools.” Ooooh Yawn, please wake me Jeff Yarber.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, In the red corner, hailing from Clevegas TN, weighing in at probably a different weight from his previous days, lets here it for the one, the only, the scrapper, the commissioner of all commissioners, a Commissioner every one wants to be………..Jefffffffffff Yarrrrrrrrber! ARE……. YOU……..READY……. TO RUUUUUUUUUUUMBLE?

Commissioner Jeff Yarber relying on strength and momentum from his youth, meets gloves in the middle, and lands the first punch countering  “I am  in favor of Tennessee scrapping the Common Core standards altogether and creating new standards to replace them.” Kaaaa Pooooow!

Side step, 1-2 punch amongst a flurry of undercuts he continues “this means local education would not be “tied in with” the federal government. Yes! Morelock and Winters are punch drunk but not relenting.

Winters and  Morelock countered with a few soft jabs none phasing the Yarber. Yarber counters with a flurry, “Common Core is the problem, and we can do it better!!!!”

The crowd on their feet, Winters and Morelock on their heels, to the mat. Dazzled by the display of skill and precision of this prize fighter reborn, the ref steps in with the 10 count, 1-2-3… 

Commissioner Adam Lowe steps into the ring to finish off the opponent.

The atmosphere now has changed from a prize fight to a tag team WWF wrestling match, please allow the setting to morph in your mind.

A more cautious Lowe yet equally as effective mounts the ropes and from the top rope with bare chest, tight spandex shorts he shouts….. “the state bills in question were “simple” and “straightforward,” though he was not totally certain they were “a step in the right direction.”  The frenzied crowd yells “Deliver the fatal blow Adam! Jump down and deliver the fatal blow. The cautious approach allowed Yarber to suffer a few minor blows to his seasoned jawline but unable to daze him. Lowe is a thinker! He is contemplating his next move.

Lowe balancing on the top row, chest bare, pecs glistening continues….he believes “one of the problems the field of education has been facing has been the attention paid to reforming standards rather than actual teaching methods because “standards don’t have feelings.” “We continue to try to teacher-proof the classroom,” he said.  The standards dont have feelings!” Beautiful. Great skill from such a gifted orator, give the appearence that the standards are a living breathing set of standards. Im loving this approach. The crowd sinks back to it’s seats as Lowe steps down from the top rope.

Nice assist Commissioner Lowe, we need you in Yarbers corner, he needs water and some vasoline on his left eye.

Commissioner Caywood receives the tag from Lowe!

Commissioner Terry Caywood, a little long in the tooth, but still with the vigor and stamina of the young bucs weighs in.. 

Caywood cautiously enters the ring very aware of the mood in the room, the roar of the crowd, he becomes invigorated, picks up Bill Winters and begins to spin him around the ring tossing him into Morelock, like a bowling pin they both fall and he grabs the mike and begins to shout  ” I have spoken with a teacher who said Common Core standards “took all the fun out of teaching.” Take that and put it in your pipe and smoke it, I Imagined Caywood saying that last part. The part he is playing in my mind is quite the opposite, he is really a kind gentle christian man unwilling to engage his peers this way.

And from back of the room, much like Ralphie, from the Christmas Story engaging Scut Farkus and Grover Dill in a fight that won Ralphie some respect in the neighborhood, Commissioner Mel Griffith tags in and says he was “very supportive” of the standards’ goals, but they were not being implemented well.” That splatted onto the mat like an overhydrated cow patty. 

Has he been listening to Morelock and Winters?  Somehow, are we blaming this on the teachers now? Anyway, he tried to punch but couldn’t allow the standards to be done away with, Ralphie is retired quickly.

With the fighting done and the warrior weary State Representative Kevin Brooks steps into the ring with his shiny suit, crisp red tie, neatly tucked, half windsor perhaps, hair motif perfectly aligned and undisturbed, he bounces up uncharacteristically and says “the bills would have the state completely scrapping the current standards, meaning it would “throw out the baby, the bathwater — all of it.” Was that an apology? Or did he see his baby (Common Core) just get tossed out with the bath water? Mr Brooks, the baby (Common Core) and the bath water (the standards) are what we want gone! It’s ok! It’s not a real baby.

He continued, “Instead of completely repealing Common Core, he said he was in favor of making “incremental” changes to the standards and changing the name to reflect those changes.” It is pretty clear that the message being sent is not being absorbed. Our elected bodies are saying NO to Common Core, not parts, not increments, ALL OF IT! To DISCONTINUE IT! Not tweak, rename or repackage the standards!

Question to Mr Brooks? If Common Core is fully repealed does this mean he returns his campaigns number one donor Michelle Rhee and Students First campaign donations? It’s a legit question that needs answering.

Few have worked as hard as Representative Kevin Brooks to
bring RTTT and Common Core to Bradley County. Ok, now I’m getting sweaty from that flurry of punches. Jeff Yarber I need a tag out.

Brooks continues “I have been asked what is the most-debated topic in Nashville right now,” Brooks said. “It is Common Core. (Because parents, teachers and school boards are mad and don’t want it) There’s nothing in me that wants to lower our standard, but the name……the brand……is broken.” 

Ok, do we tweak it and change the name? Florida and other states are doing this also. It does not change the facts. If it walks and talks like a duck? It’s a duck!

Ok let’s pretend this epic battle is coming to an end and my children are safely out of reach of a few of our commissioners for the time being.

The 14-member Commission passed the resolution sponsored by the ex prize fighter Jeff Yarber supporting the state bills with nine in favor, four opposed and one absent. 

Yarber has completed the bout and by KO, he chalks up another win.

Wait! There was one more breath of life left in the two on the mat. In one final expression of defiance his eyes slightly swollen, Bill Winters tarries to center ring facing Yarber and 8 other Commissioners and whispers, “I propose a substitute motion to pass a resolution simply saying the Commission supported the school board’s resolution and not mentioning the proposed state bills.” And he collapses to the mat. That motion failed!

Known as an observer and more of a ring manager Commissioner Mark Hall countered with his own motion right before the event concluded, he quips “lets have a work session to be discussed further,” As if to be saying, in other words let me delay this vote so I can find out what this Common Core thingy is. The motion failed! Several Commissioners reminded him this matter had already been discussed in previous meetings.

Enters Dan Rawls posing as the clean up crew, while lifting chairs, kicking aside popcorn boxes and candy wrappers, shouting from the observation deck, crowd dispersing around him he shouts “the passage of this resolution was “brave, calling it “a big vote.” 

The big victor tonight was Commissioner Jeff Yarber and the kids of our county. He stepped up for the teachers, Students, parents all over the county. 

Lowe deserves an assist. 

Yarber stands tall after this bout, the victor.

When all was said and done the County Commission as our elected representatives did what they needed to do.

In a big way, standing in the gap for the kids, parents and teachers who have been left out of the process but are now speaking up and winning small battles to regain our educational system from the hands of the federal government./

Source of quotes: Cleveland Daily Banner. Please continue to read this fine paper and buy it daily, they get paid to deliver the news, I report for free!

http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/24610297/article-County-vote-opposes-Common-Core

Chamber conducts “private” meeting about Common Core, parents forced to stand outside and protest

Chamber conducts “private” meeting about Common Core, parents forced to stand outside and protest

11/19/2013

A protest is planned this Friday as once again a closed meeting is being conducted inside a taxpayer funded (yes the COC is partially funded with taxpayer revenue) venue about Common Core away from the general public.

If this does not convince you that something sinister is happening you will never be convinced of it. This is the second time in as many weeks that “private” meetings are being held and the public is not being invited about Common Core.

It is obvious that this is a deliberate attempt to slide an agenda into place without parent or school board influence or input. Corporatism and Nationalism of our schools are one of the biggest mistakes that can be made that affects our children.

The subversive and covert actions by these sinister organizations with a hidden agenda is surely enough to convince you that something is up and you are not supposed to know about it.

Here is a support letter from the Chamber of Commerce as it relates to Common Core. 

Corporate America and Big expansive Government is now running the show and the direction of our schools. School board influence is dwindling and parents can no longer direct decision making. This is a very sad statement.

Click to access StatementK12USChamberofCommerce.pdf

A message from Karen Bracken of Tennessee Against Common Core, tnacc.net .

Friends,
 
On Friday, November 22, 2013 the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce will be conducting a closed meeting for members only about Common Core with representatives from SCORE.  We plan to conduct an anti-Common Core rally outside the meeting.
 
We are speaking with Channel 12 and Times Free Press to cover the rally.  SO PLEASE grab your neighbors and join us on Friday, at 8:30am.   We suggest parking by Starbucks.  We will all gather there and then walk to the area where we will conduct our rally (the Chamber office is located in the same shopping center as Starbucks).   LETS SEND A HUGE LOUD message to the Chamber and to SCORE.
 
The Cleveland Starbucks is located at 653 West Inman St., Cleveland, TN.   Throw a coat on the kids and bring them with you.
 
Please share this information with neighbors, friends and relatives in the Bradley County area that might be interested in supporting our efforts.  Thanks.
 
Karen Bracken
http://www.tnacc.net
http://www.americadontforget.com
215-692-2147

Common Core: Our nations “money whore”

Common Core our nations money whore:

In germany it would mean “Monetengeile Hure”

In the US Urban Dictionary it means:

Someone who loves money and goes to the extremes to get it

An (politician, added for emphasis), athlete, actor, musician or person in general who only does what they do to make money.

A person considered as having compromised principles for personal gain.

To accept payment in exchange for a performed act

To compromise one’s principles for personal gain.

Tennessee has clearly met the defined requirements above to be called a “money whore!”

In conjunction with 44 or so other states, Tennessee to date, has done the deed and accepted 500,000,000.00 dollars for implementation of RTTT, ie Common Core. 

Thats half a billion folks so far to “reform” , “indoctrinate” or “nationalize” our public school system and steal the minds of our children. 

The filthy bed we have chosen to lay down in is Race To The Top with Common Core as it’s enticing dirty little strumpet. 

By accepting this ungodly amount of  federal grant money, our tax dollars, we have made the likes of Barrack Obama, Bill Gates, Bill Ayers and Rupert Murdoch our pimps with the stereotypical fur lined feathered hat, pink coat and rhine stone studded white pants with a flipped up collar. Yes, I said flipped up collar!

The streets of Education are busy tonight ladies and gentlemen and the federal education system is in business and ready to part it’s loins and receive the neatly wrapped gift called RTTT or Common Core.

“Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education contest created to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education.”

“It is funded by the ED Recovery Act as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and was announced by President Barack Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on July 24, 2009.”

Tennessee was the top dollar “money whore” in a nationwide “contest point competition that clearly showed the federal that we will comply and do whatever you like for that almighty dollar. 

Delaware, another “money whore” was the other fair lady, or gentlemen that came in a distant second for their efforts.

The program or lurid transaction includes $4 billion for statewide reform grants and $350 million to support states working together to improve the quality of their assessments. 

“We received many strong proposals from states all across America, but two applications stood out above all others: Delaware and Tennessee,” 

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan continued regarding the announcement of the winners.

 “Both states have statewide buy-in for comprehensive plans to reform their schools.” 

“They have written new laws to support their policies and they have demonstrated the courage, capacity, and commitment to turn their ideas into practices that can improve outcomes for students.”

“As with any federal grant program, budgets will be finalized after discussions between the grantees and the Department, and the money will be distributed over time as the grantees meet established benchmarks.”

“The Race to the Top, Common Core, state competition is designed to reward states that are leading the way in comprehensive, coherent, statewide education reform across four key areas:”

“Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace;

Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals how to improve instruction;

Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and

Turning around their lowest-performing schools.”

This well dressed lady of the night, ready to accept money for services rendered, looks good on the surface but lying underneath the satin skirt is a very different set of circumstances. 

This “standardization” of our school system had failed before it took flight. Her street corner is not safe and is not yielding the results that she desires. The money received from the big pimp daddy government is not being maximized for our children’s gain.

Common Core is being portrayed as a “state” program, state written and controlled. 

Common Core in fact limits state or teacher input to around 15 percent. The rest is dictated by the federal government. Thus setting up the perfect environment and portrayal of the typical pimp to hoe to John scenario.

Common Core via RTTT is a deceptive “Trojan Horse!” A national or federal program, dictating the curriculum by a national cartel, supported by Barrack Obama and the Department of Education.

Texas, Alaska, Nebraska and Virginia have refused it outright while Minnesota has adopted only the math portion. 

Texas Governor Rick Perry had this to say about why his state opted out of Common Core, RTTT,  “we would be foolish and irresponsible to place our children’s future in the hands of unelected bureaucrats and special interest groups thousands of miles away in Washington.”

Former Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch, for example, commented that empirical evidence “shows clearly that choice, competition and accountability as education reform levers are not working.”

Protective parents, covert teachers, concerned citizens all over the nation have realized this about Common Core, RTTT.

1) This baited money whore drop or mandate between the states and federal government never saw one vote cast in Congress or our state legislature for it’s roll out. Obama went straight to our Governors with the big deal and Haslam and the likes devoured the yummy goody.

2) No vote was cast in favor of Common Core by a single taxpayer. In fact, many citizens, even our elected reps didn’t know that the Common Core standards were embedded inside RTTT and are very unfamiliar with it’s contents.

3) Our Governors signed on the dotted line, sight unseen, officially branding them as the ultimate “John” accepting the favor for an exchange of money. Essentially a bribe or enticement.

4)  Waivers were granted if they signed onto Common Core, they could get out from under the belly of another money whore product called “No Child Left Behind!” 

5) The Obama administration has even threatened his money whore recipients with withdrawing “Title One Money” if they don’t comply, And with this grant money making up a huge portion of a states budget you know we are not gonna risk losing that. If I’m not mistaken, all but one school in Bradley County is a title one school. Thus our deep involvement and dependence on the pimp.

6) Cost of implementation will be right at 16 billion, possibly more by some guesstimations. We all know what happens when the federal government throws around estimates, it will be off by much. Computer and software are gonna be the biggest money whore item and we know who owns the software, the biggest catalyst of the standards, multi billionaire Bill Gates.

7) It is unconstitutional. A Nationalized, top down program is contrary to states rights and the constitution. Central control of our education system is not what our forefathers had in mind. This is how a despotic government and it’s dictators take over our children and our nation. Our forefathers deliberately left the word education out of the Constitution, the education of our children was to be left up to the states and directed locally and by the parents and local school boards, not the federal government.

8) The Department of Education Organizational Act of 1979, the General Education Provisions Act, the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 and the recently amended No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 spells out that “The federal Department of Education shall not be involved in developing, supervising or controlling instructional materials or curriculum!” So, why are our Governors lapping up every federal dollar to implement a nationalized government curriculum?

9) Did you know that parents and local school boards are supposed to be in charge of implementing it’s curriculum? Then why are we not assuming the wheel and driving our own curriculums?

10) Common Core will be tracking your child’s every move all the way into their adult years post graduation from college! A database is in the works to track things like fingerprints, height, weight, health status, reprimands, disciplinary action, grades and a host of other “indicators of success” throughout their lives.

11) Math standards are lowered, not improved. In fact, Algebra teaching will be delayed from the traditional 8th grade to the 9th grade. In two pilot states, Utah and Massachusetts, where Common Core math standards were implemented the scores were no change to lowered. 

12) The English standards have cut out much of the classic English literature. In fact, the standards call for a reduction to 50 percent down from 80 percent.  Anthony Esolen, a professor of English Literature at Providence College states “What appalls me the most about Common Core is the cavalier contempt for the great works of human art, thought and literary form…We are not to be forming the minds and hearts of men and women. Frankly, I do not wish to be governed by people whose hearts and minds have been stunted by a strictly utilitarian miss-education!”

13) National tests will be tied to Common Core. This forces private and homeschoolers to either conform to Common Core or be at a distinct disadvantage because the CC curriculum was not adopted and they choose to take national tests that are often requirements for higher education. Teachers are forced to teach to the test, limiting their creativity in the classroom….nationalized education!

14) Teachers much like whores are forced to be compliant with Common Core or reap the strong hand of the biggest pimp, the Department of Education. Teachers know this curriculum or standards have a high failure rate and many items are unproven. So, the teachers comply, fall in line or risk losing gainful employment by speaking up.

15) The E-Learning market is expected to grow to 6.8 billion by 2015, up from 2.9 billion in 2010. Reaking havoc on state budgets.

16) Lets look at the literary definition of “Common” shall we. Ordinary. Of little value. Lacking distinction. Belonging equally to all people. Nuff said!

17) “A cartel of Chiefs” actually put the socialist program in ink, originating from the likes and mind of Terrorist Bill Ayers. The CCSSO, the NGA, Obama, FTA, Achieve, FTA, NEA, ACT and the College Board are the cartel. Hardly sounds like a state initiative to me.

18) A “suggestion input box” from State board members was the only influence the states had on the Common Core standards.

19) Common Core is an initiative of UNESCO, a United Nations subsidiary and a component of Agenda 21. It compliments the regional program Thrive 2055 and is an important tool to share budgets within our mega region and adopt regional teaching standards and curriculum.

At this point you can see we are well into this transaction of money whoring and while the money is good, and a state or Governor is willing to partake, the services will still be rendered. 

In spite of the  light heartedness of this blog, you can see the dangers our children are facing.

We as a state and nation are being led down a very slippery slope with our federal government controlling our children and the input that they are receiving. 

Our leaders are turning a blind eye to the indoctrination for the exchange of money. Our reps are remaining silent on this issue and in reality have been bypassed. This must be an awful, fruitless place to be and must bear a heavy burden.

What can we do? Continue applying pressure on these globalist, these pimps that are seeking control of our children’s minds and holding their hand out every time a dollar us offered. 

Attend school board meetings and demand input. Call your board members, Supervisors of schools, Congressmen, Senators and Legislators, County Commissioners or City Councilmen and women. 

Be very aware that for every dollar that makes it into our states from the federal government, many strings will be attached with many hoops to be jumped through to keep the money flowing and the agenda fluent.

This is where we stray and remain a whore to our own government and it’s eventual control of our communities, our schools and the mind and hearts of our children.

We only get one opportunity to educate our children. Implementation of a known failed system that deliberately dumbs down your child and has a track record of failure is not acceptable in our communities.

Continue sharing information. The difference can only be made by the parents demanding it. 

The money has been delivered, the whore is delighted and the Johns are wanting more. A vicious cycle that must be broken. 

This cycle or habit will be a tough one to break. 

The pimps, the federal government and the Department of Education are well fed and deliver a powerful, swift hand to those hoes not willing to perform on the corner, in our communities for the minds of our children.

Have a blessed day!

Sources of info:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_to_the_top#section_5

Tennessee awarded 500,000,000.00
http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/03/03292010.html

Tennesseans Against Common Core

http://m.urbandictionary.com/#define?term=money-whore

Rio Principles lead way to implementation of SD 21 in U.S.

Much like the Rio Principles their predecessor the Stockholm Principles of 1972 are attempting to define Sustainability in the United States and lead the way to implementation of Agenda 21 or SD 21(Sustainable Development for the 21st Century) as it has been called since planning has started for the RIO SUMMITT!

The United Nations seem to be updating their “game plan” in preparation for the backlash by our own government against Agenda 21 in the United States!

In the US we have many new legislative bills and resolutions being passed quickly through the House and Senate in the last few months! Those bills have also been met with great resistance, most recently from Chattanoogas Mayor Ron Littlefield regarding ousting ICLEI and protecting our property rights. One would question his alliance while battling to save our region.

In Bradley County our Mayors Rowland and Davis signed on with Chattanooga to have ICLEI come into our County and take the reigns while pushing a 3 state, 16 county regional growth plan down our throats without one vote cast for it’s approval and without consent of our governing body, the City or County Commission/Council. Turns out their motivator was to blindly accept federal grant money for our sovereignty! Heck, our County Mayor Davis was even offered and accepted a Chairman post on the Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that will be running the show!

The Southeast Tennessee Economic Development Council under the tutelage of Mrs Beth Jones along with Mr Gary Davis, with the financial backing of the Benwood Foundation (Coca Cola Bottling connection) has been given the dutiful task of implementing Agenda/SD 21 into our area!

HJR 587, proposed by our very own Tennessee State Representative Kevin Brooks is one of many moving forward or awaiting sponsors! The passage recently of HJR 587 sends a strong message to our mayors and locally elected representatives that we will no longer cooperate with ICLEI, EPA, HUD, DOT and the United Nations to push Agenda 21 into our area and change our county and city drastically! No longer can we put our citizens at risk by giving our consent to a foreign entity! Let me remind anyone within ear shod of this message, this is unconstitutional and if the Constitution survives this presidency you will be held accountable for your actions!

The United Nations is having a tough time understanding why Americans are not lapping at their feet begging for more forced environmental regulations! They do not understand what it means to be free and have free choice with complete sovereignty! Nothing in this country will ever be 100 percent implemented because we like our rights, among those property rights and the sovereignty that goes with it!

Our Mayors have turned a blind eye to the needs of it’s citizens in exchange for federal dollars! In today’s economy that is such a sad statement and begs me to ask, “where are your alliances?”

Look at these Rio Principles, if the United Nations has their way they will use these principles to gently change and direct your lives! This is no longer a conspiracy!

The United Nations is coming at us full throttle ahead regardless of what we are doing to try and stop them! This tells me one thing! They are pretty confident they will make this work in the US and the world and they may know something I don’t! I can gaurantee the local minions are getting their marching orders from ICLEI or the UN to move this forward regardless of the repercussions! The move us on and will accelerated after the RIO EARTH SUMMIT IN JUNE! It is up to us to stop it!

The environment is rich and we have a fake president that is doing whatever is within his power to ruin and bring the US to it’s knees! This is no longer a joke or a conspiracy! The United Nations is positioning itself to be a world leader and if we continue to allow them we will be a socialist country within the next 4 years! Gauranteed, and I will add we will probably have our last predidential election as a free nation this upcoming election.

Take these principles and study them, look deeply into their meaning and think why in the world would any entity adopt such principles? To control the governments of the world and position the UNITED NATIONS to be the leader in a New World Order! It’s been in the works for a long time! The timing is right!

Principle 1. The role of humans.

Human beings are at the centre of concern for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

Principle 2. State sovereignty

States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Principle 3. The Right to development

The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Principle 4. Environmental Protection in the Development Process

In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Principle 5. Eradication of Poverty

All States and all people shall cooperate in the essential task of eradicating poverty as an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, in order to decrease the disparities in standards of living and better meet the needs of the majority of the people of the world.

Principle 6. Priority for the Least Developed

The special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special priority. International actions in the field of environment and development should also address the interests and needs of all countries.

Principle 7. State Cooperation to Protect Ecosystem

States shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth’s ecosystem. In view of the different contributions to global environmental degradation, States have common but differentiated responsibilities. The developed countries acknowledge the responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of sustainable development in view of the pressures their societies place on the global environment and of the technologies and financial resources they command.

Principle 8. Reduction of Unsustainable Patterns of Production and Consumption

To achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and promote appropriate demographic policies.

Principle 9. Capacity Building for Sustainable Development

States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation, diffusion and transfer of technologies, including new and innovative technologies.

Principle 10. Public participation

Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.

Principle 11. National Environmental Legislation

States shall enact effective environmental legislation. Environmental standards, management objectives and priorities should reflect the environmental and developmental context to which they apply. Standards applied by some countries may be inappropriate and of unwarranted economic and social cost to other countries, in particular developing countries.

Principle 12. Supportive and Open International Economic System

States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that would lead to economic growth and sustainable development in all countries, to better address the problems of environmental degradation. Trade policy measures for environmental purposes should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. Unilateral actions to deal with environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be avoided. Environmental measures addressing transboundary or global environmental problems should, as far as possible, be based on an international consensus.

Principle 13. Compensation for Victims of Pollution and other Environmental Damage

States shall develop national law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and other environmental damage. States shall also cooperate in an expeditious and more determined manner to develop further international law regarding liability and compensation for adverse effects of environmental damage caused by activities within their jurisdiction or control to areas beyond their jurisdiction.

Principle 14. State Cooperation to Prevent environmental dumping

States should effectively cooperate to discourage or prevent the relocation and transfer to other States of any activities and substances that cause severe environmental degradation or are found to be harmful to human health.

Principle 15. Precautionary principle

In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Principle 16. Internalization of Environmental Costs

National authorities should endeavour to promote the internalization of environmental costs and the use of economic instruments, taking into account the approach that the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the public interest and without distorting international trade and investment.

Principle 17. Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority.

Principle 18. Notification of Natural Disaster

States shall immediately notify other States of any natural disasters or other emergencies that are likely to produce sudden harmful effects on the environment of those States. Every effort shall be made by the international community to help States so afflicted.

Principle 19. Prior and Timely Notification

States shall provide prior and timely notification and relevant information to potentially affected States on activities that may have a significant adverse transboundary environmental effect and shall consult with those States at an early stage and in good faith.

Principle 20. Women have a Vital Role

Women have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.

Principle 21. Youth Mobilization

The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to forge a global partnership in order to achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.

Principle 22. Indigenous Peoples have a Vital Role

Indigenous people and their communities and other local communities have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development.

Principle 23. People under Oppression

The environment and natural resources of people under oppression, domination and occupation shall be protected.

Principle 24. Warfare

Warfare is inherently destructive of sustainable development. States shall therefore respect international law providing protection for the environment in times of armed conflict and cooperate in its further development, as necessary.

Principle 25. Peace, Development and Environmental Protection

Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible.

Principle 26. Resolution of Environmental Disputes

States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully and by appropriate means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Principle 27. Cooperation between State and People

States and people shall cooperate in good faith and in a spirit of partnership in the fulfilment of the principles embodied in this Declaration and in the further development of international law in the field of sustainable development.

Cleveland Utilities to help buy Industrial Park by overcharging you!

The City of Cleveland has committed to 1 million, they are requesting the County to pitch in 3 million and Cleveland Utilities wants to chip in 2 million to assist the City with their 3 million to buy an Industrial Park at an inflated rate from a wealthy businessman who will benefit greatly. Cleveland Utilities chipping in 66% of the cost for the City, sound fishy to you, it does to me?

We live in a monarchy! Our future here in Bradley County is being dictated by a few that stand to have their pockets lined by their “good ole boy” participation! What has this County become? Are our utilities now in the business of city building. At what point do we say this sounds rediculous?

In return for the 2 million, Cleveland Utilities wants 25 acres in the park for a future operations center for its electrical division. Councilman Bill Estes says “I think the County is missing out and Cleveland will be missing out if we don’t develop this land as soon as possible to bring in even more revenue, its not in the County budget. It should be in there. Weve gone on record for 3 million and this is a wonderful overture by the utility board.”

He went on to say the Cleveland/Bradley Development Board, Economic Development Council, Cleveland Board of Public Utilities and Cleveland City Council are all on board with the industrial park.”

“ Where is the County? Where is the leadership in Bradley County to go forward with this project?” Estes further explained.
Let me tell you where the County is on this Mr Estes! The County is listening to the people they represent! The people should be the ones they listen to.

The endless spending as in Washington has got to be reigned in and and foot the bill for your careless spending. Not be high jacked by a few who stand to benefit who are influencing you and your little band of investors. That’s where the County is Mr Estes, and thank God for at least in the moment they have you floating downstream without a paddle and for the most part for years you and your clonies have had your way and have not had to answer to anyone. The gig is up, you are being summoned to be responsible with taxpayer dollars.

Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gary Farlow said he was “very pleased with the offer.” Further stating it “softens the impact of the City and the County.” Really Mr Farlow, do you realize what you just said. In case you didn’t, let me explain. You just said this donation of hard earned taxpayer dollars that is representative of inflated electrical bills has “softened the blow” for the City. My god did anyone else catch that?

The former Bob Zeige, ie: now Alan Jones Property is appraising at around 5 million dollars (was previously 6 million, but who is counting), the property was purchased for a fraction of that amount. Someone stands to profit a pretty penny from this endeavor and it aint the taxpayer, in fact the taxpayer is being overcharged on its electric bills and the profit to buy up land from private citizens for use by the local government, this is sooooo wrong on soooooo many levels!!!

Often times in Bradley County as we have noticed in the past, a privileged few with a lot of influence sets the tone for all decisions in Bradley County even at the expense of taxpayers and their wallets. No one seems to be watching after the taxpayer, you and me.

Why do we allow this type of behavior at our expense. How does a government look the other way when the collective of taxpayers are saying “NO MORE SPENDING!”

Where is the message missed when a few “power elite” in our town can get away with anything they want?

It seems most “deals”, “opportunities”, and “deal of a lifetime” are often made before an open public discussion is made and above the heads of its citizenry? Where is the justice? Where does it stop?

Lets get back to the unbelievable idea that Cleveland Utilities wants to purchase “prime real estate” for our local governments use. Is there not a conflict of interest in here somewhere? As far as I can tell many of the “big players” are either kin to each other or have a vested interest in the project! At one point does full disclosure come into factor?

Let me sum this offer up and you tell me if it sounds on the up and up!

We have Bob Zeige farm that was purchased by an individual at a “very good price”, this individual then decidedly and heavily marks this price up for sale to the City, which annexed the property a few months prior so it and the revenue would be brought into the city. Members of the City Council are close kin to the individual who purchased the property from Zeige.

The developers who were appointed by none other than the City Mayor who has strong ties to TACIR, (our ICLEI) a tyrranical NGO- Non Governmental Organization and Industrial Development Board who will politically and financially benefit from the purchase of this property, who are mostly developers, contractors and real estate agents.

The State elected officials who are also promoting this and are seemingly in the Mayors pocket for whatever reason, are bringing in the assorted funding for these characters.

We even have past un-electable politicians walking around throwing what little influence they have on bystanders who may feel they can benefit from this free for all.

We have a present member of City Council who used to be a heavy weight for Cleveland Utilities, who was just appointed to replace a deceased councilman, who is now Im sure driving the influence of his past and present position to influence Tom Wheeler, CEO of Cleveland Utilities, (Mr Grid Smart) to put up 2 million of taxpayer profit so they can buy 25 acres of the property for a future “prime spot” in the new Industrial Park.

Wheeeeeew! Sounds like an episode of “As the world turns.” Amazing, the audacity of our own elitists!!! Bradley County, our elected leaders are leading us into a certain demise. We have to wake up and make a stand for our town! The mistakes of DC is being repeated in Bradley County! The writing is on the wall!

Of further interest, the Growth plan calls for Cleveland Utilities to use their generous profit off of you to “help finance” the new growth through 2035. The City of Cleveland is going forward with the Growth plan leaving the County in a dust path because I feel the County is thinking this huge cost will only hurt us in the future with little return to the county.

The City, with its Tyrannical TACIR representative is dead set on moving forward with this terribly expensive venture come hades or high water to realize his own selfish desire to have a metropolitan type government. This seems very self serving if you ask me and awful unthoughtful to the taxpayer who will be asked to foot the bill to help him realize his “dream.”

Now does this seem like a government that is representative of the people and for the people? Absoultely not!

Our representation has long been forgotten and come election day these guys must be replaced and our city government refueled with an energetic cross section that has our best interest in mind……not their own best interests.

Cleveland Utilities assisting the City of Cleveland with purchasing “inflated” land from a vested individual with your hard earned money sounds awful suspicious and full of insider participation to me.

Im for the most part, not a complex person, but I can see the headlights on this southbound train.

Contributing source: Cleveland Daily Banner