Author: Clint Confehr

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — The front-runner for the Democratic nomination to challenge the president called for unity among Americans during remarks here Tuesday and received “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in campaign contributions. Former Vice President Joe Biden — reported as being preferred by 35 percent of Democratic voters — spoke at the City Club during “a very successful” fundraising event, cohost Bill Freeman said. He and cohost Chip Forrester estimate attendance at 200. Biden “told about his … relationships in Tennessee and … made mention of Al Gore,” said Freeman, a real estate magnet and publisher. “He…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — While working in a cubicle, she dreamed of having a business in her own building. Now, after orchestrating hundreds of ribbon cuttings for clients, she’s cutting one herself. Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones’ grand opening for her MOJO Marketing + PR agency is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 24, at 1100 10th Ave. She says it’s “purposely placed” just off “historic” Jefferson Street. “I think everybody is excited, from a cultural stand-point, to see that there’s a woman-owned, black-owned agency in Nashville,” Holmes-Jones says. She acknowledges competition from freelance marketers, but Holmes-Jones says she offers…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — Twenty one high schoolers graduate this spring knowing science and math are important for democracy largely because of their four-year class at Vanderbilt University. Metro public schools and donors fund an operating budget of nearly $265,000 for the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt. The university provides classrooms, personnel and role models including Dr. Mae Jemison, NASA’s first black female astronaut. She and former Congressman Russ Holt were interviewed by Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos April 30 at the university. Holt recalled a congressman who lumped physics and biology together as science when anthrax spores…

FRANKLIN, TN — Columbia State Community College annually presents a stage presentation of “The Slave Narratives: An Adaptation of Unchained Memories” to honor the life and legacy of many unknown people. Wednesday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in the Franklin Theatre. 419 Main St., was scheduled as the second of two performances during this third annual depiction by CSCC faculty, staff, students, and retirees. The first of the two this spring was April 25 in Columbia. “Even as they experienced and endured extreme physical and psychological abuse,” CSCC reports, “many former slaves were determined to leave a history for future…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — “Vote for the Democrat who has the best chance to beat Trump because it’s clear what the negative consequences are with Supreme Court appointments, voting rights enforcement and everything else.” Retired Congressman Barney Frank’s recommendation came after speaking at Vanderbilt University, a few days before South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced he’s running for President. It’s too early to know who gets Frank’s vote. Frank was asked about African American voters. At Capers Memorial CME Church in February 2018, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, “There are four million blacks unregistered; 2.2 million were…

By Clint Confehr TULLAHOMA, TN — A mother of nine cried while realizing a school nutrition program food truck would visit her neighborhood regularly. “She was so happy,” recalls Tullahoma Schools Nutrition Director Angela Cardwell. “We’d just taken a huge burden off her shoulders. She didn’t know how she’d make ends meet last summer.” Now, Tullahoma’s buying a truck from Your Dream Food Truck. The Indiana manufacturer added a fold-out step for children to reach the kitchen window. It’s the first school nutrition program in Tennessee to buy a custom-made food truck. Nutrition program officials statewide confirmed that for Cardwell.…

By Clint Confehr COLUMBIA, TN — Educators and public school advocates on Monday demonstrated at Maury County’s Courthouse to protest state legislation for school vouchers. “We’re here to let Scott Cepicky and Michael Curio know that their constituents want them to vote no on ESA (Education Savings Account) vouchers,” said Sue Ogg of the Tennessee Education Association. The next day, a voucher bill was approved by the state House on a 50-48 vote. Calls to State Reps. Cepicky (R-Culleoka) and Curio (R-Dickson) for comment on ESA vouchers were not returned by dawn Wednesday. Protestors here and in Nashville said vouchers…

By Clint Confehr COLUMBIA, TN — Working conditions for Maury County Public Schools’ teachers include problems faced in other school systems. Here, someone’s offered to enforce the law. Teachers must have a “duty free planning period,” according to discussion in Horace Porter School during collaborative conferencing between representatives of the system and education association. However, principals ask teachers to do other work when they’re writing class lessons. They’re told, “‘Oh, that’s just your planning time. Please take care of this,’” discussion revealed. State law and school board policies say teachers must have 150 minutes of uninterrupted planning time, Dr. Ron…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — Operation HOPE, a non-profit organization partnering with First Tennessee, teaches financial literacy at HOPE Inside offices and a recent class had an effect. Mary Camp of LaVergne had “many” credit card offers but didn’t want to hurt her credit score, she said. “Now, learning from the instructor, I think I am going to get a credit card.” She qualified for a home loan, but didn’t buy. The interest rate seemed high to her. “You can make your credit score go up,” said Ken Dejarnette, Operation HOPE’s workshop leader. Limiting one credit card’s use to…

By Clint Confehr COLUMBIA, TN — Her mouth got dry testifying in federal court for her lawsuit alleging violations of her civil rights. “It does that when I have an anxiety attack,” Patricia Hawkins said a day after settling for undisclosed damages sought since her 2015 dismissal by Maury County Public Schools. “I looked to the judge and asked if I could take a break,” Hawkins recalled. U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Holmes granted a five-minute break that was extended through lunchtime. The educator with four decades of experience stepped from the witness stand. “As I passed my lawyers, I…