Benton County Animal Shelter Closed by Local Law Enforcement

In a series of events and controversy surrounding the County Animal Shelter, Friday's latest situation has resulted in the closure of the facility pending a criminal investigation.

Problems with the shelter have been ongoing since October, when the county's animal control officer, Jacqueline Marie Boyett, was arrested for simple possession of marijuana after local law enforcement officers received information that shelter employees were selling marijuana and prescription drugs on county property. Drug paraphernalia was also discovered in two county vehicles as a result of a K-9 search of the facility.

In a related incident the same day, another employee, Vanessa Walker was arrested for driving on a suspended license when she responded in a county vehicle in response to a call concerning an animal that had been struck by a vehicle.

Rumors began circulating in November that a number of puppies had died of poor living conditions and cold weather. Local veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Paschall stated that she was unaware of any deaths of dogs at the shelter due to anything other than parvovirus. County Mayor Jimmy Wiseman stated that the animals were well taken care of, fed and watered twice a day, and their pens cleaned on a daily basis.

Troubles with the animal shelter came to a head this past week, however, when a local woman, Tracy Merrell, received an anonymous phone call from someone who told her that her dog, which had been missing since November 15th, was at the Huntingdon, TN home of animal control officer Boyett, whom the caller claimed had been using the pit bull for stud services. Merrell drove to Boyett's home to discover her dog, Kid, tied in the back yard, at which point she contacted the Carroll County Sheriff's Department. The dog was returned to Merrell, and Boyett was relieved of her duties at the shelter.

All of this has led to the latest problem with the animal shelter, which has resulted in it's closure and the pending investigation and possible criminal charges that may reach as high as the seat of the county mayor. Camden Police Chief George Smith and a city investigator responded to a call from a concerned citizen that the animals at the shelter were not being cared for.

A concerned citizen's call to Camden police Friday afternoon led to the discovery of 12 dead dogs and other neglected animals at the Benton County Animal Shelter.

Camden Police Chief George Smith said Friday night that there will be charges. Police will talk with the prosecutor on Monday, he said. The investigation is continuing.

"I think it was just neglect," Smith said. "Who dropped the ball? I don't know. We're going to pick it up and pass it
to somebody, and whoever catches it is who we're going to charge."

Reports indicate that there were a number of cats being held in cages that were too small and that they were lying in their own waste, and that there were several bags of unopened food found on the ground outside the facility. Reports also indicate there was no food or water in the cages with the animals.

Dr. Paschall took a number of the animals into care at her veterinary clinic and is investigating the cause of death of the dogs found in the shelter. Others were taken to Jackson, TN, to the West TN Animal Rescue, Inc, facility to be cared for. Volunteers turned out over the weekend to clean the facility.

Protesters picketed the Benton County courthouse this morning demanding the resignation of Mayor Wiseman.

More on this story as it develops.


Once and Always, an American Fighting Man


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Growing Controversy over Tennessee Executive Mansion Renovations

Questionable politics is nothing new in the state of Tennessee in regards to the Governors office. Presidential candidate Fred Thompson was a part of bringing down the corrupt Blanton administration in the late 70's and early 80's for selling pardons, liquor licenses, and other favors from the governor's office. Former Governor Don Sundquist remains shrouded in suspicion of corruption during his administration for "no-bid" contractual awards for state work.

And now we have current Governor Phil Bredesen, a New Jersey native who grew up in New York. The Governor's tax positions have had him in hot water with voters during his second ("lame duck") term as governor, and now a situation that has been developing since his election and taking office during his first term is becoming a sore spot for the sitting Governor of Tennessee.

Group assails spending on governor's mansion

By KRISTIN M. HALL
Associated Press

A taxpayer group funded by a neighbor of the governor's mansion is criticizing the spending for construction and renovation to the executive residence in upscale Oak Hill.

Tennesseans for Accountability in Government, created by a donation from a Nashville auto dealer, called on the state Tuesday to provide cost details on renovations and the addition of an underground banquet hall at the mansion.

Susan Kaestner, vice president of the group, said the facility was an irresponsible waste of taxpayer money and the governor could use existing venues in Nashville for meetings. She said the group was created by a donation from Lee Beaman, a neighbor, but this wasn't a neighborhood group focused solely on the local impact to the community.

"The renovations have gone way past reasonable," Kaestner said, adding that the state hasn't been forthcoming with plans and costs.

When Gov. Phil Bredesen took office in 2003, he agreed not to move in the home so it could be renovated. First lady Andrea Conte has said the new underground facility is needed so the mansion — which was a private residence before it became an official home for Tennessee's governors in 1949 — will have sufficient and suitable space for meetings and entertainment.

It's the underground facility that has raised such an uproar. While residents of the Oak Hill community are concerned about traffic involved with the renovations and events held at the mansion with the addition of the "party bunker," as some pundits have labeled the underground facility, other taxpayers around the state are concerned with the price tag that comes along with it, and from where the funding for the project will come.

Meeting doesn't ease concerns over hall at governor's mansion
State architect gets earful from nearby residents

By SHEILA WISSNER
Staff Writer

Angry neighbors lashed out at state architect Mike Fitts Thursday night during a public hearing about a proposed underground meeting hall at the governor's mansion.

The Oak Hill Planning Commission called the meeting to solicit comments for Fitts to consider as the state moves forward with plans to blast though rock under the mansion lawn to create a 13,000 square-foot, sky-lighted banquet hall.

The city of Oak Hill has no authority to veto the project on Curtiswood Lane, but state officials have said they want to work with the city and residents.

Mansion neighbors said Thursday they remain concerned about the disruption the new "Conservation Hall" will have on their neighborhood.

"The renovation of the mansion was a good thing, it was needed, but I don't see a need for this," said Martha Thompson Elder, who attended Thursday's meeting on behalf of her elderly mother who lives near the mansion.

"Curtiswood Lane is a narrow street, and what will they do with all that additional traffic? It just doesn't need to be in a residential neighborhood.

"Why are we building something that is not needed and putting the burden on taxpayers."

In the past, large parties have been held in tents set up on the lawn. The underground hall will cut down on the tents.

Fitts told The Tennessean previously that tents still might be required for events too large for the hall. It is designed to accommodate 160 guests for a sit-down dinner or up to 500 guests and staff for other events.

Oakhill resident Tom Lawless worries about the effect the additional traffic will have on the community, and believes a formal traffic study should be conducted and a disaster plan considered.

Bill Hobbs of the Tennessee Republican Party has put together a comprehensive time-line for the events surrounding the proposed renovations and addition to the executive mansion:

DOCUMENTS INDICATE BREDESEN NOT ENTIRELY TRUTHFUL ABOUT MANSION BALLROOM PROJECT FUNDING

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Republican Party calls on Gov. Phil Bredesen and his wife to “put the brakes on the ballroom” in light of documents uncovered that indicate the Bredesens have been playing a shell game to mislead the public about the true cost of – and who is really paying for - the massive underground ballroom and entertainment complex they intend to build on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion.

The documents from the State Building Commission – which the TRP is making available online for taxpayers, media and legislators to view – show a timeline of rapidly ballooning costs as the original project of needed renovations of the state’s executive residence metastasized to include the ballroom facility.

The documents also show a shell game designed to mislead the public as to the source of funding for the ballroom, in total disregard for taxpayers who are just now learning that they’re paying millions for a project they knew nothing about as it was concocted in secret.

“Gov. and Mrs. Bredesen have claimed that the ballroom is being funded with private donations rather than tax dollars, but that’s not really true,” said Bill Hobbs, communications director for the TRP. “The Bredesens shifted nearly $3 million in private donations to the ballroom project that had been given for the renovation of the mansion itself – and then replaced that mansion renovation money with tax dollars.

(A 20-page PDF file of the documents can be found online at the Tennessee Republican Party website,
http://www.tngop.org/ballroom_SBC_documents.pdf .)

The State Building Commission documents show that the original project for renovation of the
governor’s mansion, described as a “maintenance” project and identified as SBC Project No. 460/028-01-2002, was first discussed by the SBC on October 10, 2002, three months before Gov. Bredesen took office. It had an estimated cost of $350,000.

The project – and its cost to taxpayers – soon grew like kudzu.

Kudzu, for those of you who are not familiar with the plant, kudzu is a plant native to Japan and Asia that was introduced to the United States in the 1800's, and when it was introduced to the Southeast it was determined that the climate made the plant grow uncontrollably. If you drive through the rural Southeast today, you're likely to see acres upon acres of the vine where it has overtaken the native vegetation.

The questions many are asking as the price tag for renovations balloons to nearly $20 million are why is the price tag continuing to sky rocket, who is going to be awarded the contract for doing the renovations, will there be "payback" involved in the price (a ballooned price tag to pay back political favors done for the Governor), and could the money not be better spent in building a new executive mansion rather than investing millions of dollars in a property that is not currently appraised at even $1 million? Many are also questioning why other State owned banquet facilities are not sufficient for hosting State sponsored events.

It should be noted that Governor Bredesen and Tennessee First Lady Andre Conte have not resided in the Oak Hills Governors Mansion during his two terms as Governor, but have maintained residence in their Forest Hills home.

Once and Always, an American Fighting Man



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Comedy Night at the Emmy's

Al Gore is now the proud recipient of an Emmy.

What was Al's contribution to television to receive this coveted award?

Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Television.

That's right, a new category, from what I've heard.

Something created JUST FOR the former Vice President, I'm sure.

Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Television

What a laugh.

I have another award for you, Mr. Gore.

Wake Up America's Rubber Chicken Award, for your tree hugging, your very bad beard a few years back, along with the flannel shirts, your blatant hypocricy concerning energy conservation, and just because you make Tennesseans look STUPID in general. It's Tennesseans like YOU, Mr "I've really lived inside the beltway most of my life but my family comes from Tennessee," who make the rest of us look BAD.

CONGRATULATIONS, here's your chicken.

Once and Always, an American Fighting Man


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Grasping at straws and making things up...

It's an amazing thing how fear can send people into terrorized frenzies. Fear of an individual, especially a powerful, strong-willed, charismatic individual, can create a stirring of rumor, innuendo, and fabrications, all in an attempt to discredit an opponent.

Yes, boys and girls, we're talking about "mudslinging." And with Fred Thompson going SO HIGH in the polls, the leftinistras are starting to add water to anything they THINK might be the smallest patch of dirt that they can find.

Part of the trick is to make you BELIEVE that a candidate is something that they aren't. Notice how the Clintonistas are trying to portray Hillary as a motherly, friendly, charming person? A stretch, I know, to make ANYONE think that she has a personality, but that's the attempt. With Fred Thompson, the attempts go a little more devious.

First let's address the attempts to make Thompson an abortion supporter, something KEY to conservative voters. If you listen to the spin doctors, Thompson lobbied for abortion groups and supported abortion issues during his time in the Senate.

Not so.

Hat tip to Captain's Quarters for this one.

July 6, 2007
The Pending Mudslinging (Update: Show Me The Money!)
It's easy to tell when a candidate has the potential to do well in a campaign -- the opposition starts throwing mud as early as possible. This appears to be doubly true with Fred Thompson, as the Los Angeles Times will shortly publish a new story about a purported client of Fred's when he worked as a lawyer and lobbyist. The American Spectator steals the Times' thunder:

The Washington Prowler column has learned that the Los Angeles Times intends to publish a story that would attempt to link former Sen. Fred Thompson to a Washington-based, pro-abortion organization. Thompson, through a spokesman, is said to go on the record in the story as having no recollection of ever doing work for the organization in question during a period in 1991 when the first Bush administration was in power.

During that time, Thompson, was "of counsel" at the Arent Fox law firm in Washington, D.C. (meaning he was not a partner, but was provided an office for his use, in part because Thompson's own practice was based in Nashville, TN), and was used by the firm's partners as a "draw" for clients and potential clients, according to a source at the firm familiar with the arrangements with Thompson and others with the "of counsel" designation. ...

In the story that the L.A. Times will report out within the next 24 to 48 hours, the paper will claim that Thompson was "hired" by the National Family Planning and Reproductive Rights Association, whose director, Judith DeSarno, was acquainted with a then-partner at Arent Fox, former Congressman Michael Barnes. In fact, DeSarno worked as a senior aide to Barnes during his time in Congress. According to Arent Fox insiders, Barnes, who now directs the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and DeSarno are both well-known left-wing activists. Most recently, both were active against the nominations of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Thompson was an adviser to Roberts, and served as his Senate "sherpa" during the confirmation process.

If the Times and its sources want to launch attacks on Thompson, they'll have to do better than this. Lawyers represent clients, and sometimes they do so for ideological support -- but most of them do it to earn a living. Even if Fred had done work for NFPRR, his political position on abortion has been rather clear. According to Project Vote Smart, Fred got solid zeroes from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America, while the National Right to Life Committee have Fred a 77% rating.

That's a man who supports abortion whole-heartedly? Check out his record on this and other things here.

The next big thing that the leftinistras are going after Fred for is, now hold your hats, folks, this is going to make you laugh, he has a wife who is younger than he is.

Will Her Face Determine His Fortune

By SUSAN SAULNY
Published: July 8, 2007

AS the election of 2008 approaches with its cast of contenders who bring unprecedented diversity to the quest for the White House, the voting public has been called on to ponder several questions: Is America ready for a woman to be president? What about a black man? A Mormon?

Now, with the possible candidacy of Fred D. Thompson, the grandfatherly actor and former Republican senator from Tennessee, whose second wife is almost a quarter-century his junior, comes a less palatable inquiry that is spurring debate in Internet chat rooms, on cable television and on talk radio: Is America ready for a president with a trophy wife?

The question may seem sexist, even crass, but serious people — as well as Mr. Thompson’s supporters — have been wrestling with the public reaction to Jeri Kehn Thompson, whose youthfulness, permanent tan and bleached blond hair present a contrast to the 64-year-old man who hopes to win the hearts of the conservative core of the Republican party. Will the so-called values voters accept this union?

Mr. Thompson, who needs the support of early primary voters, is expected to formally announce his candidacy any day now. Meanwhile, much of the brouhaha around Mrs. Thompson, 40, is being stirred by photos of her in form-fitting gowns circulating on the Internet.

“You have a situation where a candidate happens to have an attractive wife, therefore it’s open season for smutty thoughts and lowbrow humor, and no concern for the fact that this is a wife and mother, a professional woman?” said Mark Corallo, a former Justice Department official who is a consultant and the chief media adviser to the Thompson campaign. “One picture on the Internet and all of a sudden she’s reduced to being a bimbo?”

WHOAH! Say WHAT? Fred Thompson married a younger woman? So what? My grandfather on my father's side of the family was twenty something years older than my grandmother. It's a common thing. Hollywood CONSTANTLY puts older leading men in roles opposite younger leading women. How many women out there are NUTS over Harrison Ford. How many for Mel Gibson, DESPITE his recent brush with infamy? Check out this list for examples. In MY mind, it says a LOT about the man's stamina and outlook on life that he IS married to a woman nearly a quarter century his junior. OUTSTANDING. And if they are as happy as they come across as being, outstanding, indeed, to both of them.

Personally, and no offense to Laura Bush, but after having Hillary Clinton in the White House, and now THRUST in our faces again as a Presidential candidate HERSELF, would it be such a BAD thing to have an attractive younger First Lady? I don't THINK so. Especially not when she HAS the political savvy to have worked as a Senate aide AND as spokeswoman for the RNC.

Could it be that Hillary feels outclassed? GASP! I hope so.

Come on, leftinistras. Trying to make a bad thing out of something GOOD in a man's life?

Disgusting and appalling.

Shame on you.

And besides, didn't we already HAVE a President with a trophy wife when Jack Kennedy was in office (yes, I went there, I SO went there, I held back as long as I could but had to come back and add this question in. I WENT THERE). Makes you stop and think, doesn't it?

Once and Always, an American Fighting Man


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Waiting...

The "Will he or won't he?" question may soon be answered concerning Fred Thompson entering the race as a Presidential candidate. There are many, many factors that come into play when determining when to enter a campaign, a great many of them concern laws governing campaign finances. As the primaries approach, however, it becomes a more crucial thing to enter at exactly the right moment and officially announce as a candidate.

WSMV-TV: Thompson Announcement Set For Nashville
Headquarters To Be Based At Fall School building
Reported By Dennis Ferrier

POSTED: 4:29 pm CDT June 22, 2007
UPDATED: 7:15 pm CDT June 22, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Channel 4 News Nationwide Exclusive


Fred Thompson is set to announce that Nashville will be the home of his national campaign headquarters, WSMV is reporting.

A source close to the campaign planning tells WSMV that that Thompson planned to announce his candidacy on the steps of the historic Fall School Building Tuesday, but Thompson campaign officials deny that Tuesday's announcement is an official run for the White House.

The source tells WSMV report says that the Thompson campaign has obtained the lease for that building to turn it into a national campaign office.

"Everything's in place for tuesday," the source told WSMV. "There are three major events built around his announcement." But Bob Davis, the Tennessee Republican Party Chairman, and Thompson's former Chief of Staff says "There will not be an annoucement Tuesday."

The Fall School is Nashville's oldest still-standing school building. It currently houses office space, including a local office for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander.

I personally have made my own position on this very clear. If Fred Thompson enters the race, that's my candidate, that's who I'm backing.

Once and Always, an American Fighting Man

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Pack your bags, Lamar...

Lamar Alexander, I remember when you walked 1,000 miles across the state of Tennessee in a red and black flannel shirt in your bid for Governor of Tennessee. I remember SEEING you walking down the street in the Fish Fry parade in Paris, Tennessee, smiling and waving at people along the route, shaking hands and the like.

It worked, you won two terms as Governor.

I remember your presidential bids in 96 and 2000. You had my support until you withdrew from the races, knowing it was an uphill battle that you couldn't win. You had my vote when you ran for the senate...

I tried calling your office to let my word, one of your constituents in this state, someone who VOTED for you, be known.

Thousands of us tried to call your office over the last few days.

From Thursday until Monday I got a busy signal.

People calling into talk radio shows across this state, Steve Gill primarily among them, reported the same. You know Steve Gill. You were on his show this morning, skirting questions and dancing around issues. That pissed your voter base off even more, those of us who could stomach listening to you talking out of both sides of your mouth after yesterday.

Busy signals, Lamar.

I don't recollect your predecessor, Fred Thompson, ever having busy signals when people tried to call in.

NOT FOR FIVE DAYS.

I know I don't speak for every Republican in this state, but I can tell you this. There are a LOT of us who are FURIOUS with your "yes" vote yesterday. You didn't listen. I can't prove that your phones where off the hook, but that's the speculation amongst the people who PUT YOU IN OFFICE.

I don't believe we'll be repeating that mistake.

Once and Always, an American Fighting Man

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