You Are Invited…
August 03, 2010
Election Day is Thursday, August 5th! If you have not voted please do so. Encourage your friends, family and co-workers to vote as well and join us as we celebrate.
“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.”
George Jean Nathan
Democrat Trustee Regina Newman purchases 260K taxpayer-funded phone system without seeking other bids
July 16, 2010
Shelby County Trustee Regina Newman recently purchased a $260,000 phone system at taxpayers’ expense without seeking a competitive bid. This action has forced the county attorney to investigate whether or not Newman violated county procedure.
Newman claims that she is not required by law to seek other bids, although it goes directly against Shelby County’s bidding process that all other departments subscribe to. Despite the loophole she’s using, her refusal to seek other bids calls into question her commitment to spending taxpayers’ money responsibly.
“This is obviously concerning to me and the public,” said David Lenoir, candidate for Shelby County Trustee. “Any public official owes it to the people he or she represents to use their tax dollars wisely.”
According to a Thursday report on WMC-TV, Shelby County Finance Administrator Mike Swift even offered to put Newman’s “tax-chasing phone system” on the county’s existing network at no extra cost, but Newman refused.
“Any time you’re dealing with such a large amount of money, especially money belonging to taxpayers, a public servant should insist on seeking what is best for those taxpayers,” Lenoir continued. “This is simply economic common sense. Perhaps Regina Newman believes that economic common sense doesn’t apply when spending other people’s money.”
“If elected, I will bring greater accountability to the Trustee’s office in order to prevent such questionable dealings from ever occurring.”
Early Voting begins downtown TODAY and resumes next week at all satellite locations. Election Day is on August 5th.
It Is the People
July 15, 2010
I have the pleasure to serve on the board of a local community organization with a young man named Marron Thomas. Marron runs a fantastic ministry in the Frayser/North Memphis area called Youth Visions. Youth Visions mentors and ministers to young people in the community through after-school, athletic and academic programs and they do a fantastic job. It has been my pleasure to be involved with the ministry, and I encourage you to find out more. My family and I had the opportunity to attend the Parent and Family Cookout and to hear about all the activities of the summer.
Congratulations to Marron, the staff and young people at Youth Visions. Keep up the great work!
Get Involved
