Richard Garvin, Jr., Announces Bid for Tennessee’s New 37th House District

Smyrna, TN.   Local businessman and educator, Richard Garvin, Jr., of Smyrna, announces the launching of his campaign to become the representative in Tennessee’s state house from the newly created 37th district in Rutherford County. As an African-American Republican, Garvin seeks to represent the citizens of Rutherford County by bringing fresh ideas, common sense, and conservatism to Capitol Hill. He believes his story, perspective and vision are unique and will differentiate him in the hearts and minds of the electorate from his Republican and Democratic competition.

Richard Garvin has served on the Town of Smyrna’s Planning Commission, currently manages his father’s medical practice and teaches Psychology at Fisk University in Nashville.

“Public service has always been of great interest to me, which is why I currently serve on the Smyrna Historic Zoning Commission, CASA Board of Directors, Linebaugh Library Board of Directors, North Rutherford YMCA Board of Directors as well as being an active member of the Smyrna Noon Rotary Club. Being a Black Republican is not the norm, but it’s who I am and I trust that the common sense folks of Rutherford County will give me the opportunity to sit and talk with them about how we can work together to make our communities safer and more prosperous”,
stated Richard Garvin, Jr.

Richard and his wife Natara live in Smyrna and attend Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Natara is an administrator at Fisk University and is very close to achieving her doctorate degree. Richard holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas and his master’s degree from Fisk University in Clinical Psychology. Richard’s father is Richard Garvin, Sr., who has been a trusted physician in Smyrna for over 20 years and has been a lifelong Republican—even having worked for the Ronald Reagan Presidential campaign in the early 1980’s.

Richard Garvin, Jr., recently said, “I’ve seen what has happened to small businesses due to a struggling economy, over regulation and taxation. I believe our economy and culture have been damaged due to intrusive government and a lack of personal responsibility. I will encourage increased personal responsibility and advocate for pushing back on government intrusion. The people have the answers to get our economy going again and to make our communities safer.”
Garvin will focus on three primary areas of concern as the Representative from the
37th District:

1. Limiting Government and Balancing Budgets
2. Attracting Quality Jobs to Rutherford County
3. Reducing Crime in Rutherford County Communities

For more info please visit RichardGarvin37.com,
or call Richard Garvin at (615) 625-3853.

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A split in conservative ranks: Why is Tim Rudd picking a fight with 9/12?

Tim Rudd has taken an action which I am sure is likely to anger a large and active faction of the Republican Party in middle Tennessee. Rudd is the Senate District 13 member of the State Executive Committee of the Tennessee Republican Party representing Lincoln, Marshall, Maury,and Rutherford counties. Today he sent an email to various elected officials and candidates for office urging them not to participate in a vetting questionnaire and debate sponsored by the local 9/12 group.

Nine-twelve is an organization started by TV and radio personality by Glenn Beck and there are about five hundred of these groups across the country, or at least there once were.  I don't know how many of these groups still exist and if many of them have faded away or not, nor how active they are.

In middle Tennessee the 9/12 group is very active.  They have monthly social gathering and training session and they volunteer in campaigns and have an active social media network. They are headed by J. Lee Douglas who is a likeable guy and a talented leader. There membership may number in the hundreds. With grass roots groups like this, it hard to say what is the membership number. I assume, I am a member. I joined the face book page and am on the mailing list. So, whether active members are as few as 20 or as many as 700, I don't know.

The group is committed to core conservative economic and social values and advocates limited government and low taxes but does wander off into the anti-freedom of religion for Muslims territory and anti-agenda 21 conspiracy territory from time to time.  I am in agreement with most of their views except for the these areas.  Sometimes the rhetoric of some of the 9-12 members can sound pretty harsh and radical, however. They are definitely not "big-tent" Republicans. Some of the 9/12 members are quick to denounce other Republicans as RINO (Republican in Name Only) unless they are 100% in agreement with their own opinion.  Denunciation of Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker and Bill Haslam as RINO's is common in the email exchanges of the local 9/12 group.

Despite my above difference with some of the group, I know a lot of nine-twelvers and know them to be the people who will man the phone lines and go door to door campaigning and who will contribute money to the cause. They are dedicated and hardworking and passionate. 

I don't know Tim Rudd, but I was surprised to see a Republican in his position pick a fight with nine-twelvers by urging Republican candidates not to answer their questionnaire nor participate in their debate. I don't know if the letter from Rudd represented only the opinion of Tim Rudd or if this was a move by the Republican Party establishment to retaliate against this 9-12 group for some of their attacks on Republican leaders.

Watch this development to see what, if anything, happens.  The radical faction of the John Birch Society and other fringe groups have been making inroads into the Republican Party and at some point, in my view, the party is going to have to take a stand against some of the more nutty fringe Republicans. However, I do not think picking this fight at this time with this group over this issue was the right time to start a party purge. I would like to know what is going on.

Below is the letter:

From: Tim Rudd

TO:
Sen. Jim Tracy
Rep. Joe Carr
Rep. Rick Womack
Rep. Mike Sparks
Richard Garvin
Dawn White
Ryan Harring


Dear Fellow Republicans and Candidates for Republican Nomination,

Recently a non-Republican organization (9/12) sent out a “vetting” questionnaire and requested that you attend a debate sponsored by them. I urge you not to participate in this unauthorized “vetting” process. No organization outside the Republican Party has the right or responsibility to vet, interview or determine who the Republican Party’s nominee should be.

I both encourage individuals and non-partisan organizations to be involved in the political process. But, no one outside of any political organization has the right to interfere with another organization’s process. What would be the response if the Republican Party Executive Committee ask members of the Democratic Party, Libertarian Party, John Birch Society, Campaign For Liberty, 9 /12, League of Women Voters, the Tea Party or the Chamber of Commerce to report to the next GOP meeting for us to vet who should either lead those organizations or be nominees for their political parties? The response would be outrage, power grab, unethical, etc.

Any individual from any outside organization that is a Republican should volunteer and participate in the Republican Primary in support of one of our candidates, but not on behalf of an outside organization. Organizations like 9/12, the Small Business Alliance or the Middle Tennessee Property Rights Coalition can and should get involved in the General election by supporting either the Democratic, Republican or Independent candidates. ---- But not in OUR GOP PRIMARY!

The only people that should “VET” our Republican candidates are Republican Caucus or Primary voters and the Republican Party leadership. We ask that you respectfully decline participating in their or any other outside “Vetting Process” and respect the Republican Party’s process.

Very Sincerely Yours,

Tim Rudd
Republican State Executive Committeeman

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WE CAN STOP THIS TAX

By B. J Zeagler

My husband and I attended the Against Dean’s Property Tax Tea Party Rally last night. We did this because we are Davidson County Residents that are just plain mad that our elected officials are trying to force yet another tax down our throats so that they can spend our money they way they want. I hope you too are mad enough to join in this fight to stop Dean and the Council. We have some wonderful hard working people trying to help us stop Dean's property tax. Ben Cunningham, God bless him, helped us stop the Tennessee income tax and now he is fighting hard to stop the property tax. Ralph Bristol is an angel. He is using his microphone to educate the public about this unwanted and unnecessary tax.

Now comes your part. Anyone that doesn't want a property tax MUST go to the court house on June 5 and by your presence, let the Council members know you expect them to vote NO on this property tax. WE CAN STOP THIS TAX. We can show Mayor Dean that the citizens of this city will not be “snookered” by him. For those of you that may not know, next year our property will be reassessed & guess what, you will get even another tax on your property. It is our civic duty to step up and stop this kind of madness... 

Businesses are moving to the counties outside Davidson County because the taxes are less, residents are moving outside Davidson County because the taxes are forcing them out. We need to take our power back and stop letting elected servants take our money and use it to their benefits without asking us how we feel.

For those of you that think "we can't stop this" we heard enough last night to know we can. Many members of the council are re-evaluating their positions on this. You better believe if “thousands” show up at this meeting they wouldn't dare go against the power of the people. Emails & calls are being made, councilmen are aware that the majority of Nashvillians do not want this tax. Making your presence be seen at this next vote will provide more evidence that we don't want this tax. This is also the only time during this vote that “you” will be able to speak what's on your mind.

Please pass this on to your friends and  family. Write your own message. Post it where Davidson County Residents can read it. Send it to anyone you know. Our presence must be seen & heard. We may not be able to go to Washington to show our power, but we sure can let our local officials know we mean business. It is up to us, we can do nothing & let this property tax get passed or we can stop it in its tracks.

WE HAVE THE POWER. Let’s show the elected officials that we expect them to vote for us, not with the Mayor.

See you at the Courthouse on Tuesday, June 5th.
There will be bright yellow t-shirts with the no tax logo so we will stand out. Mark your calendars now.

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School Board Candidates Forums

There are very few opportunities to become an informed voter when it come to school board races. I definitely of the opinion we need to clean house at the school board. If there are any conservative running, we need to elect them. We not only need advocates for children on the school board but also advocates for the tax payers. We need people who believe in competition, choice,and excellence. Please note below that this is a series of forums, not just one forum.

This August, Nashvillians will head to the polls to elect five of the nine Metro school board members. Friends of Metro Schools, with the support of the community partners listed below, will host a series of School Board Candidate Forums in June. This is your opportunity to learn about the candidates in your school board district before casting your vote. Nashville Education, Community and Arts Television (NECAT) will be videotaping portions of each forum for later broadcast on Comcast channel 10 in Davidson County. District 1 Monday, June 11, 5-6:30 p.m. (program will begin at 5:30 p.m.) Isaiah T. Creswell Arts Magnet Middle School; 3500 John Millette Drive; Nashville, TN 37218 Candidates: Sharon Gentry, Ed Kindall Moderator: Ron Corbin, principal, RBBC Holdings; co-chair, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Education Report Card Committee District 3 Thursday, June 7, 5-6:30 p.m. (program will begin at 5:30 p.m.) Madison Middle School; 300 Old Hickory Blvd. West Madison; Nashville, TN 37115 Candidates: Jarod DeLozier, Fred Lee, Jill Speering Moderator: Mark North, vice chair, Metropolitan Board of Public Education District 5 Monday, June 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (please arrive at least 15 minutes early; program will begin at 6:30 p.m.) Rosebank Elementary School; 1012 Preston Drive; Nashville, TN 37206 Candidates: John Haubenreich, Elissa Kim, Erica Lanier, Gracie Porter Moderator: Councilman Anthony Davis, District 7 District 7 Wednesday, June 20, 5-6:30 p.m. (program will begin at 5:30 p.m.) Croft Middle School; 482 Elysian Fields Road; Nashville, TN 37211 Candidates: Will Pinkston, Alan Sharp, Al Wilkins Moderator: José González, co-founder and finance director, Conexión Américas District 9 Thursday, June 21, 5-6:30 p.m. (program will begin at 5:30 p.m.) Hillwood High School; 400 Davidson Road; Nashville, TN 37205 Candidates: Bob Bogen, Eric Crafton, Margaret Dolan, Amy Frogge, Ronnie Osborne Moderator: Beth Baker, H.G. Hill Middle School math teacher; Tennessee Education Association Distinguished Educator of the Year

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce | 211 Commerce Street, Suite 100 | Nashville, TN 37201

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Brad Staats for Candidate for Congress Campaign Kickoff Event Please join Brad, his wife Bethany, family, and friends of the Brad Staats for Congress Campaign to celebrate our official launch. Whether or not you know Brad personally, this will be a great chance to talk to him about your priorities for Nashville and to learn about Brad's ideas of making our country better for our children in the 5th Congressional District. Where:  Ellendale's Restaurant, 2739 Old Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 When:   June 2nd from 3 PM to 5 PM Ellendale’s is a family owned and operated restaurant serving Contemporary American Cuisine with Southern Charm in their own Historic Farmhouse and the Campaign will be providing complimentary appetizers. Please RSVP as soon as you can to contact@bradstaat.com and come help us celebrate 60 days until Election Day (August 2nd)! Suggested minimum contribution is $100 to help us make it through the Primary. If you are unable to attend and would like to show your support you can contribute via my website at www.bradstaats.com/contribute/  Like Brad on Facebook Follow Brad on Twitter RSVP Let us know if you are coming and if you have guests.

www.bradstaats.com

Disclaimer: From time to time A Disgruntled Republican may post announcements of interest to the conservative, libertarian, or greater community. Such announcements are posted as a public service to spread awareness and do not necessarily constitute an endorsement.

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What happened at the May 19th School Board Meeting: Charter schools are rejected.

05/29/12 School Board Meeting


This is the school board meeting at which the School Board rejects 8 of 10 charter school application.  Mr. Alan Coverstone, Director of Charter and Magnet Schools, makes the presentation. Coverstone is a former school board member who essentially created the position he then obtained. 

Starting at 30:28 there is a lot of empty rhetoric about a vision of an excellent education for each student before the voting takes place against innovation and excellence in education. There is a statement about the superior performance in Nashville of the charter school compared to other schools but apparently that was not considered a significant reason for approving more charter schools. The review and scoring process is explained. 

The discussion of Great Hearts Academy begin at 54:32. Coverstone says Great Hearts "is a school with a track record of success in academics but is not aligned with our mission and vision as articulated in our call for proposals." The application is rejected unanimously without discussion. Mark North, Vice Chair of the Board talks about how charter schools are performing compared to other schools and moves to deny a charter to Intrepid (1:04:17).  Intrepid is approved with only Mr. North voting "no." Kipps application for a second school is rejected with again North leading the opposition.

Yesterday, Kipp Nashville Executive Director Randy Dowell issued a statement saying, "We will appeal this decision, and not go quietly into the night. Last year, our KIPP Nashville middle school students had the largest growth in reading for any middle school in the state serving a similar population of students from low income families."

Those who had their applications rejected may submit appeals by June 13 to the school district. The school board will then consider those appeals at its June 26 meeting. Appealing to the same board that originally rejected your application does not seem like a very fair process, but that is the way it works.

In my view, we need a completely new school board composed of people with a different mission and vision.

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Thank God for Alabama ...

.. now Tennessee is not alone as the only state stupid enough to officially join the John Birch Society-Jesse Ventura tin foil hat brigade.  We have been joined by Alabama.

In Alabama, Senate Bill 477 was recently passed unanimously in both houses, barring the state from taking over private property without due process, thereby preventing Agenda 21 from infiltrating their state lines. It reads, “[t]he State of Alabama and all political subdivisions may not adopt or implement policy recommendations that deliberately or inadvertently infringe or restrict private property rights without due process, as may be required by policy recommendations originating in, or traceable to ‘Agenda 21,’”. It seems that Agenda 21 does actually bring people together in communities- just not in the way the U.N. had hoped for. (read more)

Look at this. Does anyone think that Alabama could take property without due process prior to this bill. Also, note language, "as may be required by policy recommendations originating in, or traceable to 'Agenda 21.'"  Agenda 21 cannot "require" anything.  It has no force in law. It is not a treaty. See how the Anti-Agneda 21 build a straw man to knock him down? What can I say?

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Tonight! STOP the Nashville Property Tax Hike Rally

When: Thursday May 31 5-7PM, Doors open 4PM 

Where: Limelight Nashville, 201 Woodland Street Admission: 

FREE!! 

Speakers include WTN Nashville's Morning News Host Ralph Bristol and Councilman Robert Duvall.

Please JOIN us THIS Thurs and PLEASE Email friends and family to let them know about the Rally. There will have lots of music and free snacks and speakers but most of all we must Stand Together to Stop this tax hike.

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Smart Growth for Conservatives

Finally, I do not feel like the Lone Ranger. There is another conservative has not joined the John Birch Society and Jesse Ventura tin foil hat brigade. The below essay is from a blog called Bacon Rebellion.

Preface to “Smart Growth for Conservatives”

by James Bacon

Smart Growth, which I define as efficient human settlement patterns, is neither an inherently liberal nor an inherently conservative idea. Efficiency is efficiency. Cost effectiveness is cost effectiveness.

The problem is that liberals (progressives, whatever you want to call them) were primarily the first to recognize the obvious truth that the settlement patterns we commonly refer to as “suburban sprawl” are very inefficient indeed. Unfortunately, liberals being liberals, they sought top-down, government-directed solutions. Then, conservatives, being allergic to government-led social engineering, reacted by dismissing Smart Growth as the spawn of the devil.

The logical, if somewhat extreme, outcome of the conservative dismissal of Smart Growth is the anti-Agenda 21 movement, which connects non-existing dots between the United Nation’s Agenda 21 sustainability agenda, President Obama’s green policies and efforts in Virginia’s cities and counties to implement Smart Growth. Thus, in this conspiratorial mindset, anything resembling Smart Growth is seen as part of a larger movement to undermine American freedoms and liberties. Frighteningly, this movement has gained momentum in a number of Virginia counties and created a distraction from the real issues. (read more)

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What is happening at the June 5th Council meeting? The Budget.

The June 5th 2012 Council agenda is now available. This will be one of the most important Council meetings in a very long time. The Mayor's budget will be on second reading and there will be a public hearing. More to follow.

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