IBEW Local 175: Celebrating a Century of Service

IBEW Local 175, the Chattanooga area Local for Electrical Workers, has started its second century of service.  Its 3,100 members follow in the tradition of the visionary leaders who began Local 175 in June, 1912.   

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 175 has had a very positive impact on our local economy.  Its members have made it possible for many electrical cooperatives, the construction industry, and the Tennessee Valley Authority to serve the region.  

Unlike many locals, IBEW 175 has sustained a high level of membership.  Local 175 President Dwight Wilhoit says that the robust membership is a result of its excellent training programs.  He recently said "I really believe the instruction and hands-on experience we provide our members is second to none."  

I completely agree - some of the very best learning takes place in labor's job-skills training areas. Congratulations to Local 175 on this great occasion.  

Larry's Video Promo for the August 2nd Primary

Watch this short promo where Larry encourages voters to consider Early Voting for the August 2nd Primary Election.

Why The Bessie Smith Strut Matters

The Bessie Smith Strut – was it “too big to fail?’  Not really, but it was too good to fail.  And, too important also. 

Last March, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield announced a plan to move the Bessie Smith Strut to the riverfront as a direct part of Riverbend.   He cited “safety concerns.”  Riverbend's management group, Friends of the Festival, declined to put on a Strut-like event.  With the ensuing bickering and finger-pointing, it looked very much like the end of an event that had over 20 years of history.  Irvin Overton, chairman of the Board of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center was quoted as saying that moving the Strut off of MLK to somewhere on the river front would be “Sort of like changing to a ‘generic brand’.”

Fortunately, concerned citizens in the MLK Neighborhood stepped up.  So did some anonymous donors and the leadership of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.  Rosa Martin, director of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, worked tirelessly to organize a new plan that would keep the Bessie Smith Strut on MLK, once known as “The Big Nine” of Chattanooga when the street carried that number.   

There were significant changes.  Security was tightened with the use of fencing and three entry/exit points.  For the first time, there was a modest admission charge (although Riverbend pins were honored).  Further, there was more control upon vendors and beer distribution. 

On the morning of the event, I had the pleasure of working with Gene Toney, one of the Strut volunteer coordinators.  Our crew placed fence segments around the perimeter and bolted them together.  We also set up tents and tables with chairs.  We worked through the rain, always hoping that the skies would clear.  Admittedly, it was a bit chaotic at first, but throughout the day more and more volunteers showed up to help and it all came together.

In my opinion, the 2012 Bessie Smith Strut was a huge success.  The attendance numbers might have been down some, but there was still a good crowd.  The music was great.  People had fun.  People enjoyed each other’s’ company.  In a time where we sometimes focus far too much on our differences, the Strut proved that the best of Chattanooga comes out, as it did Monday night, when we enjoy our common bonds – music, food, and fellowship.  This year, people came together and they worked together to get past differences and obstacles.   It was the best of times.

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This article appeared in The Chattanoogan.com on June 13

How We Can Make Progress in Putting Tennesseans Back to Work: I Support the Tennessee First Act

As a candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 26, I know that putting Tennesseans back to work is my top priority.  "I want to see the words 'Made in Tennessee' again," instead of shipping good American jobs with good American benefits to countries with cheap labor and no benefits.  That isn’t 'free trade" – it’s a rip off.

Rebuilding jobs and the local economy in Hamilton County starts with two simple principles: common sense and accountability. 

First, we should empower innovative, home-grown businesses.  In the Chattanooga area, we have a great spirit of entrepreneurship, but we can do much more.  Let's give Tennessee businesses the first crack at state and local contracts so our tax dollars create jobs here — not overseas or south of the border.  Buying and using products and services that orginate in Tennesseans make common snes.  This is a responsible way to grow the state economy.

But opportunity should never come without accountability, so we must also hold companies that receive tax credits from the state accountable for creating the jobs they promise.  Failure to deliver should mean taking back our tax dollars provided those companies.  

I support legislation similar to the Tennessee First Act, first introduced by Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) in 2011.  This bill, which received absolutely no support from the House majority, would give preference to in-state businesses who submit bids for public contracts.  Many states and local governments use some form of contracting bid preferences, sometimes called Reciprocal Preference Laws, to support local businesses that have competitive bids within a certain percentage of the lowest bids.

The Tennessee First Act is a common sense approach and could easily be implemented to better Tennessee businesses in an open and transparent fashion.  No back-room deals, no secret meetings, and no “no-bid” deals.  This would bring transparency and accountability and provide a simple boost to the businesses we want to see become successful.  After all, it are the small and local businesses that create the real jobs and help to build our middle class.

Democratic Candidates' Round Table June 14 @ UTC

Next week there will be a special forum for Democratic candidates to discuss education, one of the key elements of my campaign.  This will be on June 14, at 7:00 PM and will be held in the UTC Fine Arts Building, Room 356.  The Round Table is sponsored by the UTC Political Science Department and the Hamilton County Democratic Party.

One of the issues I hope will get some attention is the fact that our state legislature has not shown the courage to properly fund higher education.  It has been too easy for the General Assembly to pass on the increased costs of education to the students and their families through tuition increases.  

My opponent led the charge to cut $16 million dollars from higher education in the budget they passed, that will pretty much guarantee a 6 percent or better tuition increase for our students this Fall.  Additionally, the Republican majority tried to cut lottery scholarships for 5,257 through the HOPE Lottery Scholarships - even though the Lottery program is sitting on a significant surplus.

Please plan on attending this important Candidates' Round Table on Education on June 14. 

(Editorial cartoon from Clay Bennett,  www.claybennett.com)

The Gig Tank - Growing Technology and Entrepreneurship in Chattanooga

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to meet many of the bright, talented and tech-savvy folks who are involved in The Gig Tank,   It all starts with the fact that Chattanooga is the first city in the America to offer 1 Gigabit-per-second fiber internet service to all residents and businesses.  We are indeed Gig City. 

Eight start up companies from around the globe are in Chattanooga for a summer-long competition to develop the best application for this digital resource.  Gig Tank participants are being assisted by host and business accelerator CO.LAB.  The winning proposal will be announced in about six weeks.

This is the type of stimulation of small business entrepreneurship that will pay off in real jobs for local people.  To "fix" our economy and prepare for the 21st Century world, it will take a true partnership between government, business & industry, and the creativity and drive of our people.

Read about Gig Tank in the Times Free Press.