Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are typically stressful due to travel, the hustle and bustle of retail and wrapping, and the pressure of pleasing family with equal time that may be divided between parents.
The Christmas weekend this year added the extremely low temperatures that came with a never-before-used tactic in the Tennessee Valley: a rolling blackout of electricity.
According to the government-run utility’s communications and press distributed after the power interruption to the public, the demand, or electricity usage was up 35% more than last year and at an historic level of consumption due to the subzero weather coinciding with the weekend holiday when most are not working. Many utilities learned of this power interruption mere minutes before implemented creating havoc in retail stores with customers at registers attempting to checkout, with homes where seniors have medical equipment – like oxygen – that require power, and the problem of some electronics and appliances that did not resume function unless reset by the owner.
Reports of increased population to the southeast have been steady and widely published. Federal funding for expanding infrastructure has been flowing freely over the last several years for the purpose of economic stimulus to create jobs, but was available to expand, nonetheless.
Reasonable folks are also asking if the increased use of “green” energy sources while eliminating coal-powered plants at the same time that more “battery-powered” electronics and cars are in use. Oh, yeah, you guessed it, these battery-powered vehicles and devices must be recharged by, you guessed it, electricity.
Germany, known for its conversion to “green” energy, is now returning to coal, according to Bloomberg Reports. France, in contrast, recorded a decline of 12% from 2021 in electricity prices due to their use of nuclear energy. The stable source of energy provided by nuclear technology provides over 70% of France’s supply, protecting it from the geopolitical events of war and dependence upon other nations.
The Tennessee Valley Authority in its recent press used 2020 data to reveal the following sources of electricity by volume: nuclear – 42%, gas – 28%, coal – 15%, hydro generation – 12%, wind and solar – 3%. It wasn’t a white Christmas with snow, and thankfully, not a dark Christmas from power outages. But Tennessee Valley residents have understood from the blackout Christmas the critical importance for community leaders, developers, utility and transportation providers, and all who should be actively engaged in dialogue, collaboration, and strategic work to ensure the latest fads, the authentic needs, and the infrastructure for growth is sufficient, is planned to expand, and reliable.
WASHINGTON, DC — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Tennessee received its first “Internet for All” grants for deploying high-speed Internet networks and developing digital skills training programs under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative. Tennessee is receiving $5,989,952.62 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.
“I thank Governor Lee for his work to expand Internet service throughout Tennessee,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Addressing the needs of rural Tennesseans is essential to achieving digital equity and closing the digital divide.”
All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding for the Internet for All initiative’s Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
About Tennessee’s Planning Grants Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Tennessee will receive $4,906,138.56 to fund various activities including:
• Development of a comprehensive Five-Year Action Plan identifying Tennessee’s broadband access, affordability, equity, and adoption needs;
• Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations;
• Publications, outreach, and communications support;
• Providing technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events.
Digital Equity
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.
Tennessee will receive $1,083,814.06 to fund various activities including:
• Closing the digital equity gap and the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan;
• Digital Literacy, Equity, and Adoption consulting;
• Community and stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, and report development and distribution.
Internet for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to learn more. For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.
“Dr. Bobby Lovett was a resource and financial contributor to The Mary Walker Historical & Educational Foundation. His research and writings on the history of Black Civil War Soldiers in Tennessee enabled the Foundation to share that knowledge with thousands of people over the years.” John L. Edwards, III
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Bobby Lee Lovett, award-winning author, Emeritus Professor of History and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tennessee State University, former member of the R.H. Boyd Board of Directors, and current member of the R.H. Boyd Family Endowment Committee.
Dr. Lovett was born in Memphis, Tennessee where he completed his public-school education at Booker T. Washington High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science at Arkansas AM&N State College (now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). He continued to earn his Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in American History at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
A passionate educator, Dr. Lovett began his work teaching history in the Memphis Public School System (1969-1970) and at Eureka College (1970-1973). He joined Tennessee State University in 1973 as a senior professor, where he continued to teach history and African American history for 30 years until his retirement in 2010. He proudly served thousands of students as the Dean of the TSU College of Arts and Sciences for more than 10 of those years. His commitment to inspiring the next generation of leaders through knowledge was one of his many great accomplishments.
Dr. Lovett’s historical expertise led him to author over eight books on American and African American History. His most recent books A Touch of Greatness: A History of Tennessee State University, The African American History of Nashville, 1780-1930: Elites and Dilemmas and How It Came to Be: The Boyd Family’s Contribution to African American Publishing from the 19th to the 21st Century have been nationally recognized by historical institutions and universities across the country. His 2005 book, The Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee: A Narrative History, won the “Tennessee History Book Award” by the Tennessee Library Association and Tennessee Historical Commission. His research and articles have appeared in numerous documentaries, history books, encyclopedias, and scholarly journals.
Dr. Lovett was not only a pillar in the Tennessee historical community. He was also a civically engaged leader in the Nashville community throughout his life. He proudly served on the Board of Directors for many organizations including Citizens Bank, R.H. Boyd Publishing Company, the Tennessee Historical Society, the Nashville Historical Society, the Editorial Board of the Tennessee Historical Quarterly, and the Advisory Board for the Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area. Dr. Lovett was a founding member of the Planning Committee for the Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture. He also served two terms on the Editorial Board of the Arkansas Historical Quarterly.
Dr. Lovett was a faithful member to the historic First Baptist Church Capitol Hill for more than 35 years, where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was also a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and a former member of Nashville’s Chi Boulé chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. After his retirement in 2010, he enjoyed gardening, traveling across the country lecturing, and writing history books.
Dr. Lovett held many titles and roles during his accomplished life, but his favorite role was being a father and husband. Dr. Lovett was married for over 38 years to Mrs. Lueatrice Green Lovett, a former educator in Nashville Public Schools. He was the proud father of five children: Todd, Bridget, Kenyatta, Catherine, and Leigh. His children blessed him with five beautiful grandchildren: Omari, William, Kiersten, Kyle, and Kennedy. He is also survived by his younger brother, Julian Lovett, his aunts, Annie Hill and Josephine Ivory, his uncle, George Cotton, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The homegoing service for Dr. Bobby L. Lovett will be held at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 12:00 pm CT. There will be visitation at the same location beginning at 11:00 am CT. The family requests guests to wear black or dark attire. Masks are required for the visitation and homegoing service.
We believe the truly stylish do not need to conform to the “normal.”
Our style is timeless and memorable
BROOKLYN, NY, December 14, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ — “I fell in love with the hand feel of a sewing technique called “hand smocking” while I was living in Italy and I wanted to use it to make shoes,” says Bryan Pettus, founder of B. Pettus: The Collection. “When I arrived back to the states, I continued to research the technique and decided to write a U.S. patent to use the technique on footwear.” We use high quality materials made with our unique hand smocking technique and combine it with modern footwear manufacturing to produce timeless designs. This decorative stitching technique gathers material to make it hang in folds. The result is an elegant pattern of soft, puffed and folded ridges that stands as a hallmark for the brand. “I also drew influence from a story I read while in Italy about an old-school opera singer who died during World War II. She died trying to retrieve her jewels from her home after leaving the safety of a bomb shelter.”
Our footwear technicians are experienced in the luxury footwear market and pride themselves on craftsmanship. For our high-quality footwear, we have chosen to use memory foam socks in all of the styles to provide personalized comfort that molds to your feet.
Other features include:
• Leather lining
• Leather outsoles
• Handmade Embroidery
B. Pettus: The Collection is currently fundraising through our Kickstarter Campaign and we are offering up to 20% off the retail price for backing our campaign until December 28, 2022. To learn more about the company, please view our Kickstarter page.
To keep making this business viable and my dream a reality, I am asking for you to support my Kickstarter campaign by placing an order for your favorite style by December 28, 2022. If you are not able to support in that way, please share on Facebook and Instagram to spread the word.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER: Detroit native, NYC-based African American designer Bryan B. Pettus has many years of real-world experience in shoe factories all over the world. He studied footwear design in Florence, Italy at Polimoda.
Bryan’s portfolio includes Steve Madden, Camuto Group, and Karl Lagerfeld, amongst many others. Bryan built a personal relationship with one of the Indian factory owners while they studied together in Florence, Italy. This special relationship with the factory owner will ensure a smooth production process for the brand during this campaign and beyond.
Tyner quarterback Josh Jackson threw for more than 2,000 yards during the regular season, and helped lead the Rams to the state title.
Tyner quarterback Josh Jackson was named the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Mr. Football Award winner for Class 2A last Wednesday.
More than 400 people, including the honorees, their families, coaches, school administrators and members of the media from all parts of the state, attended the 2022 luncheon at Nissan Stadium. The event was hosted by the Tennessee Titans.
Jackson threw for over 2,000 yards during the regular season, and helped lead the Rams to the state title.
“Blessed to be announced Mr. Football and Player of the Year,” Jackson posted on social media. “Long live my Granny. I told y’all I was coming back harder! Thanks to my teammates and my coaches for helping me get here.”
He added, “I just wanna play college football for free!”
The awards were presented to the top football players in each of the nine classifications of the TSSAA. The top kickers in the state were also recognized. There were three finalists in this category, regardless of their school’s classification.
High school head coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists. A committee of statewide sports writers selected winners based on performance in the 2022 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration.
“This is such an outstanding honor for all 30 of the young men recognized today at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards,” said Mark Reeves, executive director of the TSSAA. “They were here not only due to their athletic ability that they displayed on the field throughout the season, but just as much for their outstanding character and academic achievements.”
The Titans became sponsors of the Mr. Football Awards in 2007. “For decades, the Titans have made supporting high school and youth football programs a top priority,” said Burke Nihill, Titans president and CEO. “The athletes being honored today represent some of the most talented across the state–not only showing determination on-the-field, but also demonstrating tremendous character off-the-field. We are proud to support the Mr. Football Awards and highlight these incredible men who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Criminal charges against Marie Mott, rapper Cameron “C-Grimey” Williams and two other Chattanooga activists related to police brutality protests in 2020 were dismissed last Thursday.
The decision was handed down after the activists agreed to pay a $80.85 restitution to cover the cost of the custom Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office flag burned in July 2020 by the protesters in Miller Park.
“This is a lesson learned, to cooperate moving forward,” Judge Boyd Patterson told the activists during the hearing held in Hamilton County Criminal Court.
“It only took two-and-a-half years for the case to be dismissed,” said Mott, who in September ran unsuccessfully for City Council in District 8. “And before anything else gets said, rest in peace to George Floyd, rest in peace to Breonna Taylor, rest in peace to Ahmaud Arbery, rest in peace to every one of our brothers and sisters all over this world that has died at the hands of a police officer. We told y’all from the beginning, not guilty!”
Williams said, “I’d like to point out the wasted public resources that the Sheriff’s Office and the district attorney used on prosecuting this case over two years. Time of prosecutors, judges, attorneys.”
Mott and Williams led the Chattanooga Black Lives Matter protests in response to the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd under the knee of white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
A grand jury indicted Mott, Williams and co-defendants Cedric Josey and Grason Harvey in November 2021. The activists were first charged in July 2020. The case was turned over to Criminal Court in April of 2021.
All four activists were charged with misdemeanors for obstructing a highway and disorderly conduct. Mott and Williams were also charged with vandalism and reckless burning. The charges stem from two separate incidents in July 2020–one in which protesters allegedly blocked an emergency vehicle and another in which Mott and others burned a flag belonging to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Mott went live on her Facebook page, admitting to burning the flag. And the group “I Can’t Breathe CHA” posted video as a story on its Instagram page showing Mott removing the flag from in front of the Hamilton County jail in downtown Chattanooga and burning it at Miller Park.
The video also shows Williams pouring an accelerant on the flag to make it ignite. “It’s hard for me to have faith in the wheels of justice, because oftentimes the tire goes flat when it is working for a Black or Brown person,” Williams said in a statement published at the time of the flag burning incident.
Harvey was relieved to have the case finally dismissed.
“Two years we stood on the business and today after TWO YEARS and protesting on behalf of black lives, CASE DISMISSED,” Harvey posted on her Facebook account. “Shoutout to my co-defendants who never folded.”
Mott thanked those in the community who supported and believed in her mission. “I want to thank every last one of the community members who understood what this was all about,” she said. “This was all political. And it’s a shame that we’ve paid so much taxpayer resources into this. All of the resources, all of the time, the energy, the back and forth that could have gone to solving problems in our community went into trying to mischaracterize young people who simply wanted to see a change in their community. That’s it.”
A college pipeline for high school students who might not have considered a four-year university education is the goal of a new partnership between Hamilton County Schools and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Debuting in fall 2023, University High is a Hamilton County Schools initiative headquartered on the UTC campus serving students and their families at no cost to them. An initial cohort of 50 high school juniors will enroll in college-level courses taught by UTC faculty and directly supported by high school courses taught by Hamilton County School teachers.
After two years in the program, University High students will earn 14 to 20 college credit hours. Courses will prepare students for future UTC classes while meeting high school graduation requirements.
The next class of high school juniors will arrive at UTC in fall 2024, with the campus supporting 100 students at that time.
Through shared collaborations between UTC and Hamilton County Schools, the program’s cost is supported financially through grants and pooled resources between both institutions.
Admission to University High is open to all Hamilton County Schools students. Applicants will be evaluated case-by-case to help recruit and support students seeking more in-depth learning. To be considered, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and provide two letters of recommendation.
“We are delighted University High is being launched,” said Dr. Jerold Hale, UTC provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This is an important partnership between Hamilton County Schools and UTC. It will help talented local students with college readiness as they complete high school while also reducing their time to college degree completion. I look forward to welcoming the students to campus and am confident they will flourish.”
University High students will have full access to all UTC student support services and engagement opportunities, including University Health Services, the UTC Library, the Center for Career and Leadership Development, the Aquatic and Recreation Center, and on-campus events.
At the same time, University High students will remain eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at their zoned high school.
University High program highlights will include:
A daily advisory structure called the ACES Lab, dedicated to advisory, college prep, experiential learning and support.
On-campus experiences via learning labs across UTC departments to build pathways toward continued higher education.
Place-based learning and internship opportunities within the community.
“University High will help us provide increased opportunities and access to students across Hamilton County, including those who have not always had a clear pathway to a four-year degree,” said Dr. Justin Robertson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. “With an emphasis on a personalized educational experience, University High will allow every student to help design their own personal pathway through high school classes, UTC courses, their personal projects, and internships. This allows each student to thrive in a way that can lead to their own future without limits.”
University High will be staffed by one principal, one counselor, four certified teachers and one administrative assistant—all employed by Hamilton County Schools and housed on the UTC campus.
Hamilton County Schools Director of Innovation and Fine Arts Grant Knowles and Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, UTC vice provost for academic outreach, have collaborated for over a year to coordinate this program.
“What is intentional about University High is supporting students who wouldn’t necessarily see themselves as heading towards a four-year university and attending UTC,” Knowles said. “We have a lot of prospects that will become first-generation college students or students that financially would never be able to attend a four-year institution. In some cases, there are students who have not really loved high school in the traditional sense; now, they are really excited about this opportunity.
“This is a new pipeline in attracting new students who wouldn’t have seen themselves in this role before.”
Howard-Baptiste said University High creates an opportunity to support equity in action.
“We will take into account the totality of the student: Where they come from; where they currently are; what their interests and passions are; how we can create a school program that will help them thrive,” Howard-Baptiste said. “Both organizations are committed to changing the lives of students and their families. We believe that University High has the capacity to recruit more diverse students and their families to this campus so that they feel that UTC is their first choice for higher education.
“These students will be UTC students. They will have a UTC ID and access to all the resources on our campus that help support our students. We want our University High students to feel like UTC students in every sense of the word.”
UTC leadership is finalizing office space and academic classrooms to support University High.
Margaret Benham Radford
January 1932 – December 2022
Margaret ‘Patsy’ Benham Radford made her transition to her heavenly home on Friday, December 9th.. at age 90. Star Pupil – Basketball Player – Wife – Mother – Minister’s Wife – Surrogate Mother – Christian – Motivation Speaker – Loyal Friend These are just a few words that describe the legacy of love and life lived by my Mama, who was as well a surrogate Mother to hundreds of other boys and girls. Born in Cartersville, GA on January 15, 1932, she was the fourth of ten children to Bradford and Flora Benham. Before I share more about our Mother, these are the Arrangements: Mother Radford will lie in state at John P. Franklin Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 21 between 2 and 6 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Orchard Knob Baptist Church at 2:00pm. There will be a private burial service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Margaret B. Radford Educational Scholarship Fund to benefit underserved, orphaned, and in need boys and girls.
By Faith Radford Edwards Mrs. Radford’s story: The Benham family were a close-knit family group and all of the children were raised to be studious and-God-fearing. “Patsy”, Margaret’s nickname, and sister Agnes, 18 months apart in birth, were always close, lovable to each other, and partners in childhood antics. Originally Patsy and Agnes were two years apart in school. That changed when around junior high, Patsy, who continued to excel in academics and sports, was ‘skipped’ a grade in school! Both girls were excellent basketball players and known throughout Bartow basketball county as those ‘dynamo Benham girls’.
Margaret graduated high school at age 15 as Class Valedictorian and received a scholarship to Payne College in Augusta Ga.
During one summer while at home and working, Patsy met and fell in love with a ‘bad boy’ whom had been introduced to her by Joe, Agnes’ fiancée. Agnes signed for Patsy to get married to John before Margaret left for her junior year at Payne College. (Of course, Margaret’s parents would not sign.) Margaret finished her junior year and gave birth to a baby girl, Faith in June 1950.
Margaret decided to put her education on ‘hold’ to be a dutiful wife and mother. Husband, John, the former ‘bad boy’ was called into the ministry. Six years later, Margaret and John moved to Atlanta to work and study: he in Seminary and she worked part-time as assistant principal at a private school while attending night classes. They were now parents to a daughter and son; the children stayed in Cartersville with family and visited on the weekends.
Margaret brought the children to Atlanta and they attended private school while parents worked and studied. John was called to pastor a church in Chattanooga; Margaret put the needs of the family before her dreams and the family moved to Chattanooga in the early 1960’s. It was also at this time that both Margaret and John went to work at the Bonny Oaks School as house parents. Bonny Oakes served as home for dependent and neglected children from 1895 to 1984.
Margaret was now the wife of a full-time minister; doting Mother to their 2 biological children, and surrogate Mother and role model to approximately 54 boys and girls who were housed on the ‘black side’ at Bonny Oaks School.
Margaret’s mission was to ensure these children got a chance for better opportunities. As was customary in that time, there were amenities available to the boys and girls on the ‘white side’ at Bonny Oaks that were not available to the boys and girls on the ‘black side’. Working with the school’s director/superintendent, Malcolm Adamson, and every other person in a leadership role at Bonny Oaks and in the Hamilton County system, Margaret fought for the place the children called home to be equal in amenities and to have better opportunities. She worked with both the elementary and high schools to ensure the children from Bonny Oaks were not placed in non-challenging classes and demanded the children not be ostracized because they lived at an orphanage.
As a minister’s wife, she taught Sunday School, started and directed Children’s Choirs; presented classes to both youth and adults on living life by Christian principles. She taught the girls and boys at Bonny Oaks how to cook, clean, balance a checkbook and accept responsibility! Times changed and Bonny Oaks was no longer segregated (Federal Law passed) and Mrs. Radford became Mother/House Parent to numerous black and white children. She never made a difference in children of various races, loved them all and encouraged them to become worthy and responsible citizens.
Bonny Oaks School (home) closed and the children became wards under the direction of Family & Children Services. After over 20 years at Bonny Oaks, Mrs. Radford went to work for Family & Children Services which later became the organization Partnership and is now known as The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Later, she managed teen group homes established to provide assistance to troubled young men and women. She retired in 2005 after 45 years of service to children and community.
She enjoyed serving in various churches and was a spiritual and motivational speaker until she was unable to drive a car, and unable to walk. Sis. Radford wrote and delivered more than 100 bible-themed, Christ -centered messages to thousands who were in attendance at churches, conferences, and special gatherings. She was known for being a sharp dresser; admired for wearing big and beautiful hats; performing the ‘holy dance in pulpits when the spirit hit; and speaking the TRUTH… ..no padding, no chasers.
Margaret Radford has raised, nurtured, mothered, and guided generations of boys and girls as well as provided facts, information, and humor to countless men and women during her more than 60 years as Instructor, Caregiver, Mother, Role Model, and Confidant, while demonstrating Christian values and using God’s Words of the Bible as her guide.
She has received numerous awards and certificates, in both community and religious areas, including being honored as an Outstanding Baptist Minister’s Wife and named in 1998 as Black Pioneer Woman of Excellence by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Chattanooga Chapter.
At the time of her transition, her FAMILY remained one of her greatest joys. She was a very proud Mother, GrandMother, Great Grand Mother, and Great-Great Grand Mother, serving as matriarch over five generations. Her favorite color wass still Red, her favorite fabric was Mink and her favorite book, the Holy Bible! During activity time at Life Care of Hixson where she was a resident, she learned to play dominos in her late 80s and was a singing member of the Trembling Troubadors, a Parkinson’s support group!
Below are some excerpts taken from the Bonny Oaks website that was developed years ago for the former staff and residents to keep in touch.
Mrs. Margaret Radford
March 2002The picture below was sent to the website by Charles and Darlene Calloway, both Bonny Oaks students
of Mr. & Mrs. Radford.
Please see the Bulletin Board for the fine updates concerning the Radford’s health we’ve received from Charles.Staff Members in front of Bonny Oaks Chapel
Charles Calloway Bonny Oaks – 1982 to 1989 Message: “I would like to say that Bonny Oaks School made a difference in my life and the people that gave their time to take care of me. I thank the Lord for what he has done to my life and how he brought me from a long way. The one person that I thank the most is Mrs. Radford. She was and still is my hero because of everything she taught me and the love she had for me. I am now a Deacon at Chandler Baptist Church, father of four kids, and I have a lovely wife, Kim Careathers, the Lord has blessed me with. I am an employee at Carta Bus Transportation. I just want to say Bonny Oaks made a difference in my life.”
Johnetta Fugh Bonny Oaks – 1970 through 1976. Message: “Looking back, Bonny Oaks was the best thing that ever happened to me. When I was there, it was a White and Black side but it changed, we learned to love each other. We learned to cook, to be responsible. Please, Oakknight, send a message!!!!!!”
Diane Stone Bonny Oaks – 1962 through 1976 Message: “I would like to thank Mrs. Margaret Radford for all she did for me and my sister, Georgia Calloway, and my two brothers, Vernoral Stone (who has gone on to be with the Lord) and Charles L. Calloway. We all had some time at Bonny Oaks. The years I was there were good years and some were bad years, but most of all, we all came out alright! I am working at Memorial Hospital (18 years). Georgia is also working at Memorial Hospital. Charles is retired from Memorial Hospital and we are all doing just fine! I will never be able to thank Mrs. Radford for all she has done for us. She taught my sister and I how to be young ladies and how to treat our husband even before we were married. I just want to say “THANK YOU” from the bottom of my heart, Mrs. Radford. Diane Stone Hermon, Georgia Calloway and Charles Calloway”
Mrs. Radford has been at Bonny Oaks since the 1960’s and still works today for the Family & Children Services at the boys cottage, Keese Hall. Over the years she has assumed many titles during her decades of dedication to the children, including Houseparent, Assistant to the Director and Director of Campus Life. She is proud to tell you that she is 80 years old; that her son, Henry, received a scholarship and graduated from the University of Miami in the state of Florida; that her daughter, Faith, lives in Chattanooga, runs a successful business and has two sons; and that she is extremely proud of her grandson, Ben and two great-granddaughters, Kaylx and Shelby! When asked if many of the children from the Black side of Bonny Oaks ever returns to see her, she said “They come back and find you! I receive many Mother’s Day cards from them, and I still know them all by name”. Mrs. Radford writes the following message to her “Men and Women”:
Dear Men and Women
I want you to know how thankful I am that God saw fit to put me in your lives. There were so many days of hardship, mental anguish but there were more days of joy, anticipation and happiness through the many challenges that we had. I look back on all those days and, as I close my eyes, I can remember each of you. Remember the birthday parties, the barbeques, the days you received your report cards – how proud we were of so many good report cards. And, I also think about all the report cards that were hid, that were changed and some just got lost in the shuffle – as well as all the A’s and B’s that were hung and framed and things taken home with you.
I know as you read this, you will chuckle but I hope and pray that all of you are good Mommas and Daddys. I know some of you are taking care of your own parents and I think that is wonderful. I look back on those days as our accomplishments, for, in this group there are lawyers, anesthesiologists, nursers, teachers, preachers, funeral directors, those who are aspiring artists, and those who are entertainers, cooks, chefs, beauticians, barbers. There are a lot of single parents I am proud of and some good Mommas and Daddys who are bringing their children up in the fear of God. Remember to always reach for your dreams. Never stop dreaming, never stop living, loving, believing. For there is a higher Power than all of us.
A native of Chattanooga, 73-year-old attorney and pastor Rheubin Taylor has a long record of service to the community.
Despite County Commission efforts to end the Weston Wamp/Rheubin Taylor feud, the county mayor last week filed papers vigorously pressing on with efforts to fire the longtime county attorney.
Hamilton County Mayor Wamp is asking the court to declare that attorney Taylor’s contract is unenforceable and that the mayor has the authority to terminate Taylor.
The Mayor’s office alleges Wamp worked for weeks in an attempt to find a resolution with both the commission and attorney Taylor that would have prevented further legal action. But attorney Taylor was uninterested in finding such a solution and was only willing to consider a resolution through the courts, Wamp said.
On Oct. 31, attorney Taylor filed a lawsuit against Wamp asking the court to determine that the mayor lacks the unilateral authority to fire the county attorney and that Taylor’s four-year contract, which went into effect in 2021 and extends through June 2025, is valid.
Last week, Mayor Wamp filed a 29-page answer and counterclaim to Taylor’s lawsuit. In the Chancery Court documents, Wamp’s filings ask for a declaratory judgement, breach of fiduciary duty of loyalty, an injunction, and a breach of contract.
The injunction would halt Taylor from acting as county attorney. At press time, Taylor retains the position of county attorney and the privileges connected with the position.
In his court documents, Mayor Wamp contends that the county attorney is an at-will employee and “Taylor can be terminated for good cause, bad cause, or no cause or all,” and that “the County Commission lacks the authority to hire or fire anyone, including Taylor.”
A statement from the Mayor’s office said, “The County Mayor’s office had a November 30th deadline to respond to Rheubin Taylor’s ongoing legal action against Hamilton County Mayor, Weston Wamp. The Mayor’s response to Mr. Taylor’s suit asserts Mayor Wamp’s clear authority and obligation under state law to appoint all department heads, which, in this case, would include Mr. Taylor who is, unquestionably, the head of Hamilton County’s legal department. The response also substantiates the Mayor’s position that incident to the right and obligation to appoint, is the authority to terminate. It is not the Mayor’s intention to seek to remove Mr. Taylor from the office by way of an injunction prior to the conclusion of this lawsuit.
“Separately, our response and our counterclaims also summarize the extensive evidence the County Mayor’s office has identified as justification to terminate Mr. Taylor for cause. Mayor Wamp worked tirelessly for weeks to find a resolution with the commission and Mr. Taylor that would have avoided protracted litigation. Mr. Taylor, however, was uninterested and unwilling to consider a resolution outside of court. Our primary objective is to seek an expeditious court ruling on the County Mayor’s authority before a judge outside of Hamilton County.”
Mayor Wamp alleges that attorney Taylor has been “utilizing county resources for his own private practice of law through a shadow law firm he operates out of the county attorney’s office, with the county paying the operating costs of that office, and with Taylor retaining the fees generated from this private work rather than remitting them to the county.”
Taylor’s contract states that he may “engage in any other non-conflicting activity on a professional basis.”
Mayor Wamp’s filing also says attorney Taylor “lobbied members of the County Commission to help him keep his job,” prompting the County Commission to intervene on behalf of attorney Taylor by passing a series of resolutions.
The resolutions called for Hamilton County to provide attorney Taylor with back pay on his annual salary of around $180,000–funds that he was owed since the attempted termination by Mayor Wamp on Oct. 14–as well as Taylor’s regained access to his county-issued computer and cellphone.
In June 2021, commissioners and then-Mayor Jim Coppinger approved a four-year contract with attorney Taylor lasting through June 30, 2025.
Termination, the contract states, requires “a majority of the County Commission, with concurrence from the county mayor or a two-thirds majority without concurrence from the county mayor.”
County Mayor Wamp, the 35-year-old son of former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, was elected to his first political office on Aug. 4. Before taking office, he earned a living as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur.
Taylor, 73, is a native of Chattanooga and has a long record of service to the community. When he returned to Chattanooga in 1973, he was the first African American licensed attorney in the city. In 1978, he and the Rev. Paul McDaniel became the first Black Hamilton County commissioners. Taylor also became the first Black Hamilton County attorney in July 1993.
Taylor has spent 29 years as county attorney and 15 years before that as a county commissioner. He has served as the senior pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Lafayette, Georgia for more than 20 years.
The Alton Park Development Corporation will hold its Annual Chattanooga Humanitarian Award Gala on Dec. 17. The event will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside (Alton Park), 701 Hooker Rd.
WPTP 100.1 FM show host and “Celebrity Hypeman” Tony Boston will serve as host. Entertainment will be provided by international recording artist Jimmy Allgood.
2022 Chattanooga honorees:
Bishop Kevin Adams – Civic Leader, Pastor of Olivet Baptist Church and Chairman of the Community Safety Coalition. Called upon as a trusted ally in the community to convene, examine and strategize ways in which to resolve differences, bring an end to gang violence, and restore hope and peace to all people. His ministry extends beyond the church wall to include feeding the homeless, and providing education to children to help eliminate the “School to Prison Pipeline.”
The Rev. Alfred Johnson – Civic Leader, Pastor of the Church of the Newborn and House of Refuge. For decades, he has been a pillar in the community–providing resources financially, mentally and spiritually for individuals returning home from prison and needing a new beginning and a second chance
The Honorable Robert Philyaw – Juvenile Court Justice Judge and Advocate for Children. Serves as chair of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY). Dedicated to advocate and improve the quality of life for children and families, and provide support for other child and family advocates.
Dr. Edna Varner – Civic Leader, Educator and Advocate for Education. Dr. Varner has served on more than 12 nonprofit boards that focus on lifting the human spirit. She is a past board chair of The Aim Center, Siskin Children’s Institute, the Community Foundation and 2017 Annual Campaign Chair for United Way. As a teacher, she made sure her students had necessities. In her work at the Public Education Foundation, she established an emergency fund in memory of her sister–who was a teacher. The fund pays for the licensure tests and personal needs that teachers, especially teachers of color, cannot afford during their training year.
Attorney Rheubin Taylor – Pastor, Civic Leader, Hamilton County Attorney. Responsible for coordinating all legal matters (including litigation) involving Hamilton County Government and its various elected and appointed officials and their employees.
Attorney Robin Flores – Civil Rights Leader and Attorney. Advocate for Chattanooga citizens that have been wrongfully treated and/or arrested in Chattanooga.
LaTrice Currie-Leslie – Channel 3 News Anchor, Civic Leader, Philanthropist. Serves as ambassador for Go Red For Women and has served on various boards. Some of her many awards include Chattanooga Woman of Distinction, Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of the Best Local Newscast and Hamilton County Outstanding Citizen.
The only Black-owned community development organization in Chattanooga, Alton Park Development Corporation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity.
The proceeds from this event will benefit charity projects that promote equality and justice in education of the Alton Park Development Corporation and those of the honorees. Proceeds will also help to improve the lives of families and strengthen and build community ties, said Alton Park Development Corporation President Dr. Elenora Woods. Further information about the Alton Park Development Corporation and the 2022 Chattanooga Humanitarian Award Gala is available online at info@apdc98.org.
Not A White Christmas, But
Chronicle Staff
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are typically stressful due to travel, the hustle and bustle of retail and wrapping, and the pressure of pleasing family with equal time that may be divided between parents.
The Christmas weekend this year added the extremely low temperatures that came with a never-before-used tactic in the Tennessee Valley: a rolling blackout of electricity.
According to the government-run utility’s communications and press distributed after the power interruption to the public, the demand, or electricity usage was up 35% more than last year and at an historic level of consumption due to the subzero weather coinciding with the weekend holiday when most are not working. Many utilities learned of this power interruption mere minutes before implemented creating havoc in retail stores with customers at registers attempting to checkout, with homes where seniors have medical equipment – like oxygen – that require power, and the problem of some electronics and appliances that did not resume function unless reset by the owner.
Reports of increased population to the southeast have been steady and widely published. Federal funding for expanding infrastructure has been flowing freely over the last several years for the purpose of economic stimulus to create jobs, but was available to expand, nonetheless.
Reasonable folks are also asking if the increased use of “green” energy sources while eliminating coal-powered plants at the same time that more “battery-powered” electronics and cars are in use. Oh, yeah, you guessed it, these battery-powered vehicles and devices must be recharged by, you guessed it, electricity.
Germany, known for its conversion to “green” energy, is now returning to coal, according to Bloomberg Reports. France, in contrast, recorded a decline of 12% from 2021 in electricity prices due to their use of nuclear energy. The stable source of energy provided by nuclear technology provides over 70% of France’s supply, protecting it from the geopolitical events of war and dependence upon other nations.
The Tennessee Valley Authority in its recent press used 2020 data to reveal the following sources of electricity by volume: nuclear – 42%, gas – 28%, coal – 15%, hydro generation – 12%, wind and solar – 3%. It wasn’t a white Christmas with snow, and thankfully, not a dark Christmas from power outages. But Tennessee Valley residents have understood from the blackout Christmas the critical importance for community leaders, developers, utility and transportation providers, and all who should be actively engaged in dialogue, collaboration, and strategic work to ensure the latest fads, the authentic needs, and the infrastructure for growth is sufficient, is planned to expand, and reliable.