To the editor:
This is in response to a letter from Kathleen Ferris entitled “Legislators lack will on radioactive waste bill.” Apparently, Ferris overlooked a few facts in her attack on Sen. Jim Tracy. As a resident of the area, I also have an opinion on this matter.
First, let us not forget, we have former county executive Nancy Allen to thank for getting us into this mess. It was Allen, who led the negotiation of the contract with then Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen to dump Metro Nashville’s waste in our community. And most recently it was an attorney general appointed by now Gov. Phil Bredesen who found the proposed bill (SB2733) constitutionally suspect. All of the previously mentioned are Democrats. Furthermore, Ferris’s husband is a past chairman of the local Democratic Party. This fact alone should call into question her objectivity on the subject of the landfill. I wonder who these Democrats support in this state senate election? Thankfully, it’s not Jim Tracy.
Second, Sen. Tracy demonstrated the type of leadership that all of us should expect and demand of our elected representatives. He listened to his constituents when an issue was raised that concerned them. He researched, filed and fought for a bill that his constituents wanted. When the Attorney General put a roadblock in its path, Sen. Tracy, along with the local legislative delegation, met with landfill officials. As a result of those meetings, Allied Waste voluntarily decided to stop accepting radioactive waste. It appears to me that Sen. Tracy did exactly what he was elected to do – represent the people of his district.
Third, I am thankful to Sen. Tracy for potentially saving Tennessee taxpayers thousands of dollars. If the bill had passed, according to our Attorney General’s assertion, it would have been challenged in court and we the taxpayers would be paying the price. The last thing we need is for our legislators to pass needless bills that attorneys and activist judges take years to battle out at an enormous cost to us.
One thing I do agree with Mrs. Ferris on – we need a senator who is responsive to Rutherford County and its citizens. Sen. Jim Tracy has proven to be that type of representative. I don’t know of any public event where he has not been in attendance, listening to the needs and concerns of his constituents. He truly cares for our community and has made himself accessible and accountable. We need more leaders like him, who demonstrate common sense and integrity, serving the great state of Tennessee.
David Hoke
Stone Mill Circle |
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