Day: January 31, 2018

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry Releases Statement on Extramarital Affair: ‘Firmly Committed to Working Hard to Serve the People of Nashville Now and into the Future’

Tennessee Star Staff

Late Wednesday, the office of Nashville Mayor Megan Barry released a statement in which she admitted she has “engaged in an extramarital affair with the former head of my security detail.” Though she apologized to the people of Nashville and her husband, Barry gave no indication she was even considering resigning, saying “I remain firmly committed to working hard to serve the people of Nashville now and into the future.” A press conference is now scheduled for 7 p.m. You can read the full statement here:   “Today, I have acknowledged publicly that I have engaged in an extramarital affair with the former head of my security detail. “I accept full responsibility for the pain I have caused my family and his. I am so sorry to my husband Bruce, who has stood by me in my darkest moments and remains committed to our marriage, just as I am committed to repairing the damage I have done. “I also must apologize to the people of Nashville who elected me to serve as your mayor. I knew my actions could cause damage to my office and the ones I loved, but I did it anyway. I must hold myself to the…

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Vanderbilt Launches and Funds Nonprofit Advocacy Group to Support Mayor Barry’s Transit Plan

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Monday, Vanderbilt University issued a strong statement of support – along with a 501(c) (4) PAC called ‘Creating a More Mobile Community’ funded to the tune of $200,000 – for Mayor Megan Barry’s $5.2 $5.4 $9 billion transit plan proposal. “We must match our collective ambitions for the future of Nashville with investments in our future prosperity,” said Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos said is a statement. “A more connected Nashville through expanded transit benefits us all. Now is the time to ensure all members of the Nashville community have full access to the opportunities our vibrant city has to offer.” The statement points out that the University has recently begun its transformation of West End Avenue to what it calls FutureVU, described as a “innovative academic and experiential center.” Vanderbilt University Medical Center president Jeff Balser also voiced the institution’s strong support for “Mayor Megan Barry’s efforts to expand Nashville’s transit options.” “The development of sustainable, flexible transportation options that promote a healthy, accessible environment for all is a centerpiece of our land use planning efforts,” Zeppos said. “When taken together, Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are the region’s largest private employer. As such, we have an obligation, but also a…

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NewsChannel 5: ‘Nashville Mayor Admits Affair with Police Bodyguard’

Tennessee Star Staff

Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 broke the story late Wednesday afternoon that Nashville Mayor Megan Barry has admitted to an extramarital affair with the former head of her security detail. “[I]n an exclusive interview with NewsChannel 5 Investigates, Barry insisted that she has not misused taxpayer funds as part of the relationship with Metro Police Sergeant Rob Forrest, NewsChannel 5’s Phill Williams reported in a broadcast that aired at 4:49 pm on Wednesday: Forrest unexpectedly retired Tuesday after 31 years with the Metro Nashville Police Department. “I’m very embarrassed, and I’m deeply ashamed, and I’m very sorry,” Barry said. “The affair was between two middle-aged consenting adults, and it was a mistake to do this. And I am deeply sorry.” She added, “I know God forgives, but the people of Nashville don’t have to — and I also want to ask for their forgiveness.” The 54-year-old mayor said the relationship with the 58-year-old sergeant began shortly after her election in September 2015.   Questions have been raised about how much Forrest was paid for overtime while guarding the mayor, and whether or not he worked all those overtime hours. A press conference is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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WSMV: ‘Questions Raised About Nashville Mayor’s Relationship With Officer in Charge of Security Detail’

Tennessee Star Staff

UPDATE 4:49 pm:  The Scene has confirmed that Barry administration staffers are confirming to council members that the mayor had a relationship with a member of her security detail and that she is not resigning. https://t.co/dpsHnZX2C6 — Nashville Scene (@NashvilleScene) January 31, 2018   WSMV is reporting that “The News 4 I-Team has uncovered questions of the relationship between Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and her head of security.” In a story that broke at 2:48 pm but added a significant update at 4:02 pm, WSMV reported: News 4 reported on Tuesday night that Sgt. Rob Forrest had abruptly resigned his position. The News 4 I-Team has heard from multiple sources – Metro Council members, former Council members and lawyers – that Forrest’s resignation from the police force after 31 years was tied to his relationship with Barry. News 4 contacted Penny Forrest, Rob Forrest’s wife, on Wednesday afternoon. She referred questions to her attorney. When asked whether her husband had a relationship with Barry, she responded, ‘You need to ask that question to Mayor Barry.” The News 4 I-Team has reached out to the Mayor’s office for several hours on Wednesday. The only response has been that she is set…

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Nashville Mayor Megan Barry’s Head of Security Resigns Abruptly

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The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed with The Nashville Scene the head of Mayor Megan Barry’s security team, Sergeant Rob Forrest, has resigned as of late today. Metro Council Budget and Finance Committee Chair Tanaka Vercher further confirmed with The Scene that the mayor’s office “plans to issue a statement this afternoon.” Forrest is a 30-year veteran of the MNPD, and served on the security details of past mayors Bill Purcell and Karl Dean before being tapped to head Barry’s security team. He also supervises Hate Crime Investigations, the Crime Stoppers program, and security for visiting dignitaries. He is married with a grown daughter, Macy, who is an attorney in the Metro Legal Department.   Developing…  

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Mike Fisher Coming Out of Retirement to Rejoin the Nashville Predators

Tennessee Star Staff

The Nashville Predators announced on Wednesday that former team captain Mike Fisher is coming out of retirement to rejoin the team. “On Wednesday morning at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Fisher took to the ice in what is the first step toward the former Predators centerman rejoining the club he captained to within two wins of a Stanley Cup last spring – with hopes of getting just a little bit further this time around,” NHL.com reported. Indeed, Fisher intends to begin skating and working out on his own before joining the entire team for practices. The ultimate goal is to sign a contract before the Feb. 26 trade deadline and return to game action and pursue the one thing every hockey player dreams of. It’s a virtually unprecedented move – only a handful of former NHLers have stepped out of retirement and back onto the ice to give it one more try. Nashville sport fans shouted their approval of the move on Twitter and local talk radio, as the Predators announcement on Twitter gained hundreds of retweets in minutes: Mike Fisher confirms he's only coming back to play in this season, nothing more. #Preds — Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 31, 2018…

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After Seven Years of Record Growth, Governor Haslam’s Final Budget For 2019 Is Flat From 2018

Laura Baigert

For the first seven years of Governor Haslam’s term, his budget for the State of Tennessee grew a record $30.2 to $37.3 billion, but the upcoming budget for 2018-19, Haslam’s final year in office, is basically flat at $37.5 billion. Budget appropriations are stated in three categories: State at $17.7 billion; federal at $13.9 billion and $5.9 billion from “other.” Over the past seven years, the state portion of the budget grew an average of four percent with a range of a $40 million reduction in 2014-15 to the highest increase of $1.5 billion in 2017-18, but this year that portion of the budget is reduced an eight-year record of $190 million. State Commissioner of Finance and Administration, Larry Martin, explained in his presentation on the 2018-19 budget to the Senate Finance Ways & Means Committee Tuesday the process for forecasting revenue for the state. The State Funding Board, in November of each year, receives forecasts from four economists, including the State Department of Revenue, from which recommendations are made on the likely growth trends. The funding board provides a projected growth range to the governor, which was 2.7 to 3.2 percent for this year. The governor then has prerogative…

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Commentary: Thanks to the Trump Corporate Tax Cuts, America Is Open for Business

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By Printus LeBlanc   As President Donald Trump was prepared to speak in Davos to announce that America is open for business, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is predicting Armageddon because of the tax cuts. To be fair, she says that a lot. She further insulted the tax cuts calling the $1,000-$2,000 bonuses hundreds of employees are receiving “crumbs,” forgetting she once called a $40 cut a “victory for America” in 2011. The Minority Leader might want to pay a little better attention to what is happening to the economy because it looks like 2018 could be a banner year for the Trump economy. The first company to announce it would pass on the corporate tax benefits to its employees was AT&T. Shortly after a deal was reached in the Senate, the corporate giant announced a $1,000 bonus for 200,000 employees and is increasing its capital expenditures by $1 billion. AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson stated, “Congress, working closely with the President, took a monumental step to bring taxes paid by U.S. businesses in line with the rest of the industrialized world. Tax reform will drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs. In fact, we will increase our U.S. investment and pay a special bonus…

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Diane Black: Even Democrats Are Unhappy with Pelosi’s ‘Venomous’ Talk

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Diane Black appeared on Fox Business’ After the Bell with Melissa Francis Monday to discuss the ongoing immigration reform negotiations. As an introduction to the segment, Francis aired Nancy Pelosi’s recent claim that President Trump’s ‘America First’ immigration framework is a ploy the “make America white again.” Francis asked, “You know, I always wonder: Does it impact the negotiation when politicians go out to the camera and say things like that, or do you understand that she’s sort of talking to her base, and everybody has this rhetoric, and when you come back together, it’s like that didn’t happen. What’s it really like behind closed doors?” Black replied, “I’m just going to tell you my experience with Ms. Pelosi, and that is that she has a pretty good heavy hand with her own conference. But I know behind the scenes, with having dealt with her own members, that they are not all in agreement with her. And I think they are getting worn out with the kind of political partisanship that she just spews all over the place. Most people that are rational people here willing to sit down and talk about this issue of DACA and of securing our borders.” The Republican…

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Congressman Jim Jordan: Strzok’s FBI Texts About Trump Were ‘Most Extreme Bias I’ve Ever Seen’

Tennessee Star Staff

Rep. Jim Jordan says text messages between former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page telegraphed “the most extreme bias” he’s ever seen. The Ohio Republican and member of the House Oversight Committee engaged in a rhetorical sparring match Monday night with CNN’s Chris Cuomo about special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling of the 2016 election, with Mr. Jordan saying he was astonished at the animosity shown against President Trump by the FBI’s former No. 2 counterintelligence official.

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Analysis: What is the Haslam Legacy?

Tennessee Star Staff

As Governor Bill Haslam delivered his final State of the State address Monday night he appropriately looked back over the accomplishments that he and the Legislature have produced since he first took office seven years ago. The Governor is clearly pretty proud of his record, and there has in fact been some notable progress in a few areas during his tenure.  The questions that remain are: 1. how much of the credit actually belongs to him; and, 2. whether his signature accomplishments in education will actually produce measurable results that justify the investment of taxpayer dollars. Let’s look at three key issues: (1) Tax Cuts Several tax cuts were implemented over the past seven years – eliminating the inheritance tax, eliminating the Hall income tax, a narrowly targeted reduction in fuel taxes for FedEx (who’s Chairman sits on the Board of the Governor’s family business), elimination of what was essentially an income tax on professional athletes in certain sports (though the Professional Privilege Tax, a flat rate income tax on a couple of dozen professions remains in place) and cutting taxes that primarily benefit a few dozen of the biggest corporate cronies of the Governor (though that one included a…

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Letter to the Editor: The ‘Heartbeat Bill’ Should Wait

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Fetus on Health

Dear Tennessee Star, After reading the article in the TN Star regarding HB 108, the “Heartbeat Bill,” I want to emphasize the significance of the position taken by TN Right to Life. To the dismay of pro-life supporters across the state, including myself, we cannot allow this legislation to pass. Let me explain. Anyone who pays attention to the long game of politics knows that, when a controversial bill on any issue is passed, it only takes moments for the opposition to file a lawsuit. Just as in 2014 when pro-life Amendment 1 was passed, Planned Parenthood had filed a lawsuit in federal court within days. What many don’t realize is the cost of fighting against one of these lawsuits is far more than dollars. While the majority of people in America may very well be pro-life, the pro-abortion lobby is powerful and well-funded. And we know what is at stake if we lose in the courts. It’s not just a loss, it’s a setback – of several steps. When the Roe vs. Wade decision was handed down in 1973, states across the nation began establishing laws to regulate the abortion industry. Under a Democratic ruled General Assembly, Tennessee was…

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Trey Gowdy Calls Release of Nunes’ Memo ‘Embarrassing’ to Democrat Adam Schiff

Tennessee Star Staff

Release of the controversial memo detailing partisan bias at the highest levels of the Department of Justice and FBI “would be embarrassing to Adam Schiff [D-Calif.] once people realize the extent to which he went to keep them from learning any of this,” Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) said Tuesday on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” “My…

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Comey ‘Was a Dirty Cop’ Who ‘Dirtied Up’ People, diGenova Tells Ingraham

Tennessee Star Staff

Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Joseph diGenova said Monday on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” that former FBI Director James Comey “was a dirty cop” who “dirtied up everybody else around him,” including departing FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. NBC News first reported Monday that McCabe was stepping down from his role in…

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Court Rules Memphis’ Hastily Removed Confederate Statues Must Be ‘Preserved and Maintained’

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Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ordered Memphis Greenspace Inc. – the nonprofit owned by Shelby County Commissioner Val Turner who ‘bought‘ two statues in a questionable transaction with the City of Memphis – to maintain and preserve the statues of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, President Jefferson Davis, and Captain J. Harvey Mathes until a contested case hearing is held with the Tennessee Historical Commission within the next 60 days. The Commercial Appeal reports: The commission, which rejected the city’s request for a waiver to remove the Forrest statue in October, will determine whether the city violated state law when it sold the parks and statues to Greenspace for a total of $2,000 on Dec. 20, making the parks and the statues private property. State laws require the commission’s approval before removal of historical monuments — but only if the monuments are on public property. The 16-page order’s temporary injunction was a partial, if unsurprising, win for the Sons of Confederate Veterans Nathan Bedford Forrest Camp 215 as the organization seeks to return the statues to Health Sciences and Fourth Bluff parks in Downtown Memphis. “It’s not over — but today was an important day,” said Doug Jones, attorney for the Sons of…

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