Johnson City news and politics

WSJ comments on Zach Wamp

Ethan Flynn — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:59:46 +0000

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703700904575391464237730330.html

Washington County introduces newest strategy for economic development.

Ethan Flynn — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:24:26 +0000

Robert Reynolds was introduced yesterday as the CEO of the Washington County Economic Development Council. This organization was created to help market the area for jobs and unite the other development groups in the county.

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?ID=78424

Washington County Superintendent warns commission of dire circumstances

Ethan Flynn — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:22:45 +0000

Washington County Superintendent Ron Dykes told the commission last night that they will be very short on money this year unless something changes. He called the state’s raised standards “unachievable” and said it costs the county $300,000 more just to implement. On top of that, there is a step increase in salaries that add another $300,000 annually. When asked what the pupil to student ratio was he dodged the question by saying at the high-school level its a little higher than “we would like to see it.” It will be interesting to see how this all transpires.

On further news, WC is on a continuing budget until they vote on a budget for fiscal 2010-2011.

Fallen Servicemen Ben White hailed a HERO!

Ethan Flynn — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:23:03 +0000

Servicemen Ben White hailed a HERO! In Johnson City.

Ethan Flynn — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:56:22 +0000

Wow. I’m almost in tears. The streets are lined with people, flags, and patriotism. Ben White is a hero and people from all over have come to support him and his family.

Zach Wamp enters self proclaimed “Silly Season” as he hates on Bill Haslam at Sullivan County Dinner

Ethan Flynn — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:18:52 +0000

Zach Wamp took another stab at Bill Haslam’s business record,

“I’m not going to take credit for what my Dad and brother have done.” (click here for article)

He continues to tweet about class warfare as he did in the middle of the dinner, “clear choice-true conserv vs wealthy establ guy.” You read that correct. Zach Wamp has condensed his ‘super rhetoric’ into small, bite size, 140 character nuggets of…illegible conundrums.

The other day he mentioned that this was the “silly season” and that “From here on, people will say things they don’t even believe about each other, and then one person wins, and they get to serve.”

Has Zach Wamp left Ron Ramsey and Bill Haslam to enter the “silly season” by himself?

Ron Ramsey says Zach Wamp is too close to AkinsCrisp

Ethan Flynn — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:45:37 +0000

Zach Wamp has been under fire recently for his cozy relationship to AkinsCrisp. Ron Ramsey commented on the issue in a release earlier this month. “I’ll just say I’ve always thought it didn’t pass the smell test in the fact that there was an awful lot of money coming from Washington, D.C., that ended up getting to (public relations firm) Akins-Crisp,”

What was Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey referring to? Here’s a quick rundown of recent coverage on the issue:

Wamp set up the Tennessee Valley Corridor in 1995. (Tennessean)
AkinsCrisp received %60 of the revenues of the Tennessee Valley Corridor in the past two years (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Most of the revenue from the Corridor comes from organizations that get federal money (Zach Wamp is on the Appropriations Committee). (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Wamp is paying AkinsCrisp $9,000/month for campaign consulting. (Tennessee Registry of Election Finance)
Weston Wamp, the congressman’s son, is working full-time for AkinsCrisp on his dad’s campaign. (The Examiner)

Does it pass the smell test? What do you think?

Ron Ramsey’s Father Passes Away

Ethan Flynn — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:30:41 +0000

Sad news. Kingsport Times News reports that Lynn Ramsey, 76, of Blountville, died at the James H. Quillen V.A. Medical Center at Mountain Home.

http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9024032

Interesting article on Dale Ford

Ethan Flynn — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:29:12 +0000

I have no idea why we haven’t heard more about this race. Dale Ford is running for re-election against Republican challenger Kevin Flanary. This article highlights some of what Rep. Ford has accomplished.

http://timesnews.net/article.php?id=9024013

Wamp claims he’s spending as much as Haslam; Ramsey is not in race.

Ethan Flynn — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:26:27 +0000

Wamp had the lowest cash on hand of any candidate last reporting period. Haslam had almost double at $3.5 million compared to Wamp’s $2.1 million. Furthermore, Ramsey has been in session last quarter which makes me think he can only be gaining momentum. It’s hard to believe the claims Sachs Wamp is making.

http://mobile.johnsoncitypress.com/ARTICLE/77824