Secret Meeting Between Nashville Mayor’s Office, Developer, And City Councilman Sledge Raises Questions About Fort Negley Development Deal

Controversial Nashville City Council member Colby Sledge admitted in sworn testimony at a Metro Council Board of Ethical Conduct hearing earlier this month into conflict of interest complaints filed against him that he participated in a secret meeting between “a top Barry aide and two partners who would later form Cloud Hill” in late 2015, The Tennessean reported on Wednesday. Talks between leaders of Cloud Hill — the controversial development proposed for Greer Stadium — and Mayor Megan Barry’s administration took place more than one year before the city formally kicked off the process to redevelop the site and began accepting bids. But the mayor’s office maintains informal meetings about Greer Stadium during this period were not unique to Cloud Hill and did not influence decisions. They say the city had an open ear to all suggestions. Details of a 2015 private “informational” meeting emerged during sworn testimony from Metro Councilman Colby Sledge, who appeared this month before the Council Board of Ethical Conduct. The meeting raises questions on the depth of early communications between the mayor’s office and leaders Cloud Hill, which has been roundly criticized by preservationists who want Greer to be reclaimed as an accessible park. “In…

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Vanity Fair Bows to Left-Wing Mob After Criticizing Hillary

Though most people would agree Vanity Fair is no friend to conservatives, the publication was candid this week in its thoughts about two-time failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton — much to the dismay of its left-leaning base. The fashion magazine has been posting political New Year’s resolution videos, all meant to be humorous in one way or another. Clinton was the subject of one. In addition to the notion that she never again run for the White House, a Vanity Fair writer suggested Hillary Clinton take up a new hobby in 2018 — to keep herself busy and out of the public eye.

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Businessman Randy Boyd Claimed Over $30 Million in Taxable Income Over the Last Two Years Alone

Boyds Tax Returns

Gubernatorial hopeful Randy Boyd, together with his wife Jenny, earned a total of more than $30 in taxable income over the last two years of reporting, according to documents reviewed by The Tennessean. The revelations come as media giant USA Today Network – Tennessee requested – and received exclusively – tax returns from the Knoxville based businessman. The documents are among a slew of information delivered by a number of the top-tier candidates running for Governor in 2018. In addition to Dean and Boyd, the Network asked Democrat Craig Fitzhugh, and Republicans Representative Diane Black, s\State House Speaker Beth Harwell, Williamson County businessman Bill Lee, and former state Senator Mae Beavers to submit their tax returns from 2013 to 2016. The Tennessee Star recently reported on Democrat Karl Dean’s remarkable $19 million haul over a four year period – which pales in comparison to Boyd. The Boyds initially declined to share their personal tax returns, opting instead to consider releasing them at a later date, The Tennessean reports. Ultimately, the couple shared only their IRS 1040 forms from 2015 and 2016 – and with them, the promise to share tax returns with the Network for the years Randy Boyd serves in office as Governor.  The information shared in the…

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Republicans Should Not Allow Elites to Set the Election Table in 2018

by Jeffrey A. Rendall   Let’s not get carried away here. To say last week and (more broadly) even the last month was good for President Donald Trump (and to some extent, the entirety of the Republican congressional majority) does not require a great leap of logic. Together GOP elected leaders passed a major tax overhaul, put the American people’s future earnings back in their own pockets, pushed through a budget extension with a bit of Democrat cooperation, threatened to pull the monetary rug out from under the UN and various other actions that made conservatives smile. But we still must remember the new year arrives in a few days and with it Congress will return to the capital facing a whole new set of political barriers and an election in eleven months that promises to be challenging to keep a hold on GOP majorities while battling an enraged liberal half of the public that craves blood and won’t settle for much less. And we haven’t even mentioned the big leftist donors who will be unleashing their fortunes to search every nook and cranny for votes (legal and illegal) to purchase for use against Trump. Democrats will pull out all…

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Ten Municipal and County Mayors Endorse Dr. Mark Green for Congress

Dr. Mark Green for Congress announced Thursday that 10 municipal and county mayors – all hailing from the 7th Congressional District’s Williamson and Montgomery Counties – have endorsed the popular state Senator to replace Representative Marsha Blackburn in the U. S. House. “Having run a business based in Williamson County and as an active member of our county Republican Party, Mark Green is well-known and well-liked in our county,” Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson said in a statement. “I’m proud to support him and look forward to him being our next Congressman representing Williamson County.” Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett added, “As a successful business leader, physician, and Army veteran, Mark Green knows what it takes to lead. I’ve worked closely with him the last few years for Montgomery County citizens and am confident he will take the effective leadership we’ve seen here to Congress.” The announcement indicated that this was the first of what will be a series of such endorsements. So far, the list features: Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson Erin Mayor Paul Bailey Fairview Mayor Patti Carroll Houston County Mayor George Clark Ethridge Mayor Robin Cobb Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett Spring Hill Mayor Rick Graham Stewart County Mayor Rickie Joiner…

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President Trump Is About To Repeal Obama-Era ‘Fracking’ Regulations

Tennessee Star

President Donald Trump’s administration will give a belated gift to American energy producers and repeal former President Barack Obama-era regulations for hydraulic fracturing operations on federal lands. The Interior Department is expected to publish a repeal of the rule in the Federal Register on Friday, and already the oil and gas industry are celebrating. Producers challenged were locked in court battles over the rule since it was finalized in 2015.

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Failed Former Governor Don Sundquist – Who Tried To Force State Income Tax on Tennesseans–‘Is Helping Randy Boyd’ In His Gubernatorial Race

Sundquist Boyd

Don Sundquist, the establishment Republican who failed in his efforts to force a state income tax on Tennesseans when he served as the state’s governor between 1995 and 2003, has a new political purpose–he wants to help his “friend and neighbor” Randy Boyd become the next governor of the state. The Tennessee Star obtained a copy of the Sundquist family Christmas Letter for 2017 in which the former governor and his wife issued a call for help and support in the gubernatorial campaign of Knoxville-area businessman, Randy Boyd. At the end of the second paragraph of the five-paragraph missive, the Sundquists boast about the many high-level political events they have been a part of through the year. After a quick recap of what was undoubtedly a beautiful week spent in a villa in Tuscany, Italy, the couple talk about their time in Washington, D.C. for the 50th anniversary of the Fund for American Studies that the letter says former Governor Sundquist “has been a part of since its inception.” A notable high point of the event was a featured speech by the newest member of the Supreme Court, Justice Neil Gorsuch. Next, the letter sets up for a pivot and an ‘ask,’ with:…

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