Guest Columnist Dawn White

Our fourth guest column is from Dawn White. Dawn is running to be the Republican representative for the November election for the 37th state house district.

Lifelong Conservative Dawn White on Obamacare

The recent Supreme Court decision on Obamacare demonstrates that now, more than ever, it is important to elect leaders at all levels of government who have proven track records as conservatives. Barack Obama’s federal government has crept into yet another area of our lives, uninvited and unwelcome.

In light of this decision, we must elect a new president and members of Congress who are committed to repealing Obamacare. Additionally, we need to elect state legislators we can trust to work to prevent its implementation in Tennessee. As State Representative, I will fight against the implementation of Obamacare in Tennessee.

Government can make conditions more difficult for businesses to grow, especially for small business owners who lack the resources to navigate complex regulations such as those under Obamacare. When I first started out in business, I was shocked by the hoops I had to jump through just to hire people.

As a small business owner, I know that Obamacare will have a chilling effect on job creators across the country, and will prevent many small businesses from growing and expanding as they otherwise could. Make no mistake about this: Obamacare is a job killer.

I want smaller, smarter government, not a “nanny state”. My opponent in the Republican primary has admitted that he voted for and supported Barack Obama; I wonder if this was the change he had hoped for.

I saw right through Barack Obama's promises of "hope and change"; I knew he would do his best to force his radical, liberal agenda on our country. This is exactly why it is important to elect leaders who have proven track records as conservatives.

I am a lifelong conservative Republican, and I will not fall for smooth rhetoric and catch phrases. Instead, I will make decisions based upon common sense and conservative principles. I would appreciate your support and your vote in the August 2nd Republican primary.

For more information or to join our campaign, please visit my website at VoteDawn.com or contact me at dawn@votedawn.com.

How-To with Annika: How to Pick Up a Chicken

Sadly our town has decided that Chickens are not part of what should be Smyrna....I disagree of course as 'backyard chickens' could be part of a greater and greener Smyrna.

Guest Columnist Robert New

Our third guest column from a local candidate is by Robert New. Robert is running for the new 37th District and hopes to win the Democrat primary in August and the following election in November.

Robert New RN
electbobnew.com  

 My wife Linda, and I have been residents of Rutherford county for the past 23 yrs. I have been involved in local politics since I moved here. Have helped on several campaigns. Have ran for office in the past. I am currently a member of the Rutherford County Democratic Executive Committee.

I am a Registered Nurse. I have been a HealthCare professional for the past 37 yrs. I have worked in Intensive Care, in the Emergency Room, and Long Term Care. I have worked in Home Health care for the past 20 yrs, I am currently employed by a locally owned Home Health Agency. I have always preferred direct Patient care. This is where I feel I could do the most good. 

It is through my direct patient care with residents of Rutherford and surrounding counties, that I have become aware of more than just meeting their physical needs. My job has taken me into the homes of various socio-economic groups. I have cared for children, but mostly adults of all ages. My teaching has often included making referrals, connecting the patient with the right support groups, being a good patient advocate, and being their voice.  

I have been in the city, suburban, and rural areas, on dirt roads to see all my patients. Although they have various medical and financial needs, they also share many common needs and concerns.  

Our senior citizens and veterans hold a special place in my heart as I've enjoyed working closely with them.  

I am a licensed private pilot, A CPR instructor, a member of of the American Legion. I served in the Army. My wife and I have various interests. We enjoy going to Florida on the Gulf coast, upstate New York on lake Ontario, and over to Pigeon Forge.  

We attend Highland Heights Church of Christ in Smyrna and our oldest son's church, Hillview Community Church in LaVergne. We enjoy spending time with our family.  

What you have to say is important, let me be your voice, I will represent all the citizens of Rutherford County.  

I am running for the State House of Representatives District 37. I am concerned with the direction our state is going.  

The gains that worker, minorities, and women have made are under attack.  

I am committed to protect the rights of the poor, the weak, the disenfranchised, and the middle class. 

JOBS I will work hard to create new jobs. It is time to stop sending our jobs overseas! It is time to put Tennessee first, by giving Tennessee the first change at state and local contracts, so our tax dollars create jobs here.  

Healthcare Affordable Healthcare for all Tennesseans.  

Education is under attack! Our children and grandchildren deserve a good education. Our teachers need to be able to teach without all the added testing. Our children are our future and good teachers are our future also. The single greatest thing we can do for our children is provide them with a good public education.  

The American Dream used to mean something, if you put in a hard days work, you could expect good wages, benefits and a better life for your family. It's time our government served the interest of ordinary Americans again.

Guest Columnist Richard Garvin

Our second guest column from a local candidate is by Richard Garvin. Richard is running to win the August Republican Primary in August to run in the November election for the new 37Th district.

Dear Friends, 

"If you got a business, you didn't build that, someone else made that happen."
These were remarks made by President Obama last week as he was speaking to an audience concerning job creation.

I firmly believe President Obama is out of touch with the American people and the business community. His policies are killing small businesses like my family's medical practice in Smyrna, and causing families like yours and mine to suffer. This is one of the reasons why I will not be supporting President Obama this fall. We have to elect Mitt Romney in November. 

While my opponent seems to have my 2008 vote for Obama as a part of her platform, I've been talking with the good folks in our district about my plan to cut taxes and regulations on our small businesses, hold the line against ObamaCare, and keep our communities safe.
It's no surprise that my opponent has begun her negative campaign against me, but we can't let that stop us. 

Now more than ever, we need your support. If you would like to volunteer please fill out the form on our website or contact Corey@RichardGarvin37.com 

There's a clear choice in this election. We can go down the same road of the same political insiders or we can choose to discuss the issues our families are facing, stand up for God and country, and restore accountability to the capitol. 

During the course of this election Mrs. White has refused to debate, hold a forum, or attend a town hall. Three times she has refused and she continues to ignore the voters of the 37th district. We can't afford to send insiders like Mrs. White to represent us in Nashville when she refuses to even talk about the issues. 

Let's set a new standard in this election where we discuss the issues and share our solutions to the problems. The time for accountability and transparency is now and with your help we will win this election. 

Early voting has begun and will continue through July 28th. 

Stand with me on August 2nd.

Guest columnist Shannon Kelley

Our first guest column is by Shannon Kelley. Shannon is running for the US House district 4. We would like to thank Shannon Kelley for being our first guest columnist from all of the candidates that may end up representing our area and wish you well this coming election.

2nd Amendment - A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

"Are we at last brought to such an humiliating and debasing [loss of morals] that we cannot be trusted with arms...?” Two centuries ago Patrick Henry asked this question of us. Even if we cannot be trusted with arms, as some would argue, does the Federal Government have the right to disarm us? William Blackstone, in Commentaries on the Laws states:
"The ... right of the [citizens] that I shall at present mention, in that of having arms for their defense ... [This is] the natural right of resistance and self-preservation when the sanctions of society and laws are found insufficient to restrain the violence of oppression.... [T]o vindicate these rights when actually violated or attacked, the [citizens] are entitled, in the first place, to the regular administration of free course of justice in the courts of law; next, to the right of petitioning the [government] for redress of grievances; and lastly, to the right of having and using arms for self-preservation and defense."

The right of self-preservation or the defense of your life, liberty, or property is considered to be the first Law of Nature (Natures Law or God's Law). This is an inalienable right. The responsibility of Government is to preserve our inalienable rights, not restrict them. Chancellor James Kent is recognized by historians as "one of the two fathers of American jurisprudence". Kent declared:
"The municipal law of our ... country has likewise left with individuals the exercise of the natural right of self-defense.... The right of self-defense ... is founded in the law of nature, and is not, and cannot be, superseded by the law of society."
The founders understood the importance of having individuals armed and trained how to use such munitions in the event that their life or property is threatened either by an individual or by the government. Noah Webster famously warned:
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed - as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword because the whole body of the people are armed."

James Madison originally proposed "the right to keep and bear arms" be added as a textual addition to the Constitution in Article I, Section 9, which is the section of the Constitution that limits Congress's power over individual citizens. Early laws in the Colonies also reveal the necessity of an armed citizenry. In 1623, Virginia law required citizens be well armed before travel. In 1658, Virginia law required every household to have a functioning firearm in the house. In the new Plymouth Colony, 1623, each person was required to have a firearm, powder, and bullets at all times. In the Newport Colony, 1639, no person was to attend a public meeting without a firearm, by law.

Opponents of the 2nd amendment argue that the right to bear arms was meant to apply to the militia, or military, not the individual. The 2nd amendment is part of the "Bill of Rights", the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Every single amendment in the "Bill of Rights" deals with an individual's right (1st - free speech, assembly, petition; 3rd - quartering of soldiers without consent; 4th - unreasonable searches; 5th - due process; etc.). Then what did the founder's mean when they used the word militia? Richard Henry Lee says:
"A militia ... are in fact the people themselves ... [and] are for the most part employed at home in their private concerns."
Samuel Adams said:
"The militia is composed of free citizens."
George Mason asked and answered:
"Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people.""

When we try to interpret the Constitution, the only meaningful method is to determine how the authors of the law, and the representatives who voted on the law, understood the law. Thomas Jefferson reinforces this method by stating:
"On every question of construction, carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was past."

I conclude with some quotes from our Founding Fathers' on the subject of individuals rights to keep and bear arms:
"Forty years ago, when the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great-Britain, the British parliament was advised ... to disarm the people. That it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them. But that they should not do it openly; but to weaken them and let them sink gradually." George Mason
"And what countries can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms." Thomas Jefferson
"The right ... of bearing arms ... is declared to be inherent in the people." Fisher Ames
"[T]he said Constitution [should] be never construed ... to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms." Samuel Adams
"A free people ought ... to be armed." George Washington
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." Patrick Henry

Shannon Kelley
Candidate - United States House of Representatives
Tennessee, 4th District
ShannonKelleyforCongress.com
Twitter: @kelley4congress

Political outreach

It is close to the election and as I normally try to reach out to the candidates. I have sent each in either an email, a message through their website, or a message on FaceBook the following email. I hope they take the time to reach out to the voters in this medium.

Hello,
I run the local community website "This is Smyrna" (thisissmyrnatn.com). Each election year I try to extend the offer to all candidates a chance to have a guest column on any subject. It would be published unedited, and can be of any length. It would also be published whether or not your opposition decides to take up this offer. 

Simply email it to me and it will quickly be published on the community blog, and notices placed on several facebook pages to draw attention to the column. 

Gunner Miller

Automatic job notices

The new Smyrna website has a nice offering in that when they post a new job, you can set it up to get automatically notified.

Job Email Notifications
The HR Department will be glad to notify you via email whenever any jobs are posted. Please give us your name and email address, and we'll send you an email notification of new postings. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time.

My view on the 37th state house district.

I’ve been a very bad boy and I’m so glad that Dawn White has put me in my place. Dawn White is running for office for the newly created 37th state house district in Rutherford County. To make it to “the final two” she has to beat her challenger Richard Garvin in the Republican Primary in August.

As all campaigns go there are the random slings and arrows shot at each other making claims and attempts to bolster their own views on certain subjects. For the most part this would have not gotten much media play except Richard Garvin made a request/challenge. He openly asked her to meet and they would have a public debate. Now on the surface this sounds simple and straight forward, but Dawn Whites’ reaction made it news worthy. She not only declined, but she stated that “To learn about a candidate, voters should not have to attend a staged event where they will only hear rehearsed political rhetoric and canned answers. “…so no debate.

The problem is that she is having events, and you can hear about them afterwards. She posts about them on her facebook such as “Enjoyed attending CASA of Rutherford County's event tonight”…sadly I’m not in CASA….or “Two great events tonight! It was wonderful to see friends and supporters out and about”…not sure what those are….”Great fundraiser this evening with business leaders and current legislators.”…I guess just poor tax payers like myself were not invited.  If you go to her web page at VOTEDAWN.COM you will find her event calendar totally bare. Why have it if you’re not going to use it.
Her outreach to the voters has been totally lacking outside of comments of going door-to-door, but what her views are seems more based upon how she views Richard Garvin’s.

Then today something funny happened. I found that if you question her you get in trouble….seriously! Her FaceBook page is the only real source of what she is doing and not doing. I decided to try to ask her some questions. In the middle of June I asked her a question about her comments on Richard and if she would have any open events for regular voters. I cannot quote them as they have been removed….without being answered. I found this out when I went to her page and noticed that I had been “unliked”, banned from commenting, and had my comments removed. What!

Now I wondered if I was the only one or if she had closed comments for all, so I asked an acquaintance to check it out. This person is still allowed to comment, but they mentioned something to me that really defines her campaign. Mayor Senna Mosley of Lavergne told my friend that “For some reason they think you are very tight with Garvin? I told her you were a wonderful person and very into politics. Garvin has pulled some very odd tricks on her and they are very careful”. My friend said that ”She told them who I am and that I'm legit. Surprisingly I've not been banned”

I’m not sure what it says about a campaign, or the candidate, that anyone who asks questions is banned, unliked, viewed as some sort of odd dirty trick from the opposition, but it does do one thing for me. It does show how they likely would run their office and how they would interact with their constituents. Dawn Whites campaign has gone full paranoid, does not try to reach out to the voters to answer questions, even seemingly avoiding them by leaving them in the dark, and is undeserving of representing our county.

Movies in the Park this Friday

Smyrna Parks Department is pleased to announce the makeup date for Movies in the Park.  The previously rained out movie Alvin & the Chipmunks 3; Chipwrecked, will be shown this Friday, July 20, Rotary Soccer Park, Smyrna. 

Gates will open at 5:30 and the movie will start at dusk.  Concessions will be open, kids train rides will be on-site and an inflatable game will be set up. 

Bring your blankets, chairs and enjoy the evening with your friends and family!  Sincerely, Monty

Murder most foul

So far this year Smyrna has been free of murder.  Something that should be welcome news for everyone. Sadly that run of good luck has come to an end today with the discovery of a body at a boat ramp and arrests that followed.

At approximately 2 pm today, the Smyrna Police Department initiated a homicide investigation after the body of a man was discovered at the West Fork boat ramp in Smyrna.  As a result of this investigation, two people have been arrested.
- Ryan Allen Roe (20) has been charged with 1st Degree Murder, Tampering with Evidence and Abuse of a Corpse.
- Christina Rosa Magaddino (36) has been charged with Accessory to Murder After the Fact, Tampering with Evidence and Abuse of a Corpse.
- Both reside at G-105 Ashley Grove Apartments in Smyrna and Magaddino is Roe's mother.
- We are unable to release the name of the victim until proper notification of relatives has occurred.

Indoor grow operation

Smyrna was recently the site of a bust of a large grow operation for marijuana. The police have released some initial images from the building.


A joint agency operation between the Smyrna Police Department, Metro Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office resulted in the discovery of a very sophisticated, indoor marijuana grow operation at 783 Miller Estates Road in Smyrna.  This operation used a sophisticated hydroponics system that could produce approximately $250,000 worth of marijuana for resale per year.

All materials related to this grow operation were seized and several weapons as well as over $1000 in cash was recovered from the home.

Since this is part of an ongoing investigation, we are unable to release names of suspects at this time but there are multiple charges pending.

Could you keep an eye out?

FOUND!!!

My parents lost their dog, Corky, on July 4. They live a couple of blocks from the Walmart in Smyrna. Could you please post his picture (it's attached) and my parents phone number (615-459-0332)?

He was spotted on Lake Farm Road on July 5 and the informant says he may be hurt. My parents are desperate to find him.

Thank you in advance for any help that you can give

Local military hiring fair

Nissan is not the only place hiring locally, in spite of the larger numbers that get the most press, and the National Guard wants to help those in the guard find those jobs.

Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, has announced a Middle Tennessee Hiring Fair on Friday, July 13. It will be open to National Guard members, Reservists, spouses, and all veterans. The fair will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Smyrna Town Centre, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway East, according to a news release.

Happy Birthday USA

Happy Birthday USA, a photo by crovean on Flickr.

Happy Birthday USA

Smyrna TN Firework Display

Independence Day in Smyrna

Independence Day in Smyrna, a photo by Haider Nakkash on Flickr.

Independence Day in Smyrna

Smyrna, Tennessee July 3, 2012

Plain and Simple

Plain and Simple, a photo by Malcolm MacGregor on Flickr.

Plain and Simple

A beautiful evening at Fate Sanders Recreation area on Percy Priest Lake

Thanks for stopping by!