Mike Rude for Shelby County Commission '06

John Drinnon to seek re-election

2005-12-15T11:06:00.000-06:00

I wanted to be the first to say congratulations to Alderman John Drinnon, who recently announced he will seek a fourth term on the Board of Alderman in Germantown.

You can read about this announcement here:

Commercial Appeal Story

John Drinnon is a personal friend, who I admire and trust more than any person. This wonderful man has been like a Grandfather to me for years, and I admire his dedication to the citizens of Germantown. I ask that all of Germantown unite and elect this deserving man to a fourth term.

Contributor Information Request

2005-12-07T10:17:00.000-06:00

My opponent was recently quoted by the Commercial Appeal regarding ethics in local government. He states that he would like to see a citizens "blue ribbon" ethics panel to study what we should do locally to change ethics rules. In addition, he is calling for more public access to information, such as posting Campaign Financial Disclosures on the internet. I have no problem with either idea, as I have always been a champion of higher ethical standards in government. However, theory is where the similarity ends on this issue between my opponent and I.

I recently challenged my opponent to submit his contributor list to the club that will be hosting our first debate - prior to the debate. I plan to submit the list of my contributors, so that the public can see that I have absolutely NO conflicts of interest that would cloud my judgment as a County Commissioner. My opponent has denied this request and will not be submitting his list of contributors. Although he claims to believe in full public disclosure of information, I assume he means AFTER you vote, not while you are making your decision. Nice try, but I believe the public is much smarter than that.

I assure you that I practice what I preach, and I plan to post my list of contributors on my web site as soon as possible. We are in the middle of a transition from .asp hosting to dotnukenet, so it may be a few weeks. However, I will make this information public, so voters will see right away that I have no conflicts of interest. I wish my opponent would do the same. However, if you attend my debate, you will see this list at that time.

First scheduled debate

2005-12-05T14:25:00.000-06:00

Well, I have some of the best news I have heard in quite some time. The Shelby County Conservative Republican Club will be hosting the first debate for the County Commission seat I am running for. The debate details are as follows:

DATE: Tuesday, January 3rd
TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: Liberty Grill (inside Range USA on Whitten Rd.)

I strongly encourage everyone who can attend to do so, as the winner of this Republican primary will more than likely go on to become the next County Commissioner in District 1 Position 1. So far, no Democrat has pulled a petition to run in the primary for this seat.

I have challenged each of my opponents to submit their respective contributor lists, complete with names and donation amounts prior to the debate. I believe in making it as easy as possible for the public to see who is supporting each candidate, and we will soon see if my opponents feel the same. As soon as I can update my website, I will be posting my contributor list on the web for all to see that I have no obligations to special interests or big developers.

Poor Blogging & Great Blogging

2005-11-10T13:27:00.000-06:00

I feel terrible. It has been over a month since I lasted posted to my blog. I do, however, have a good excuse...I have been extremely busy with the campaign.

That is the example of poor blogging...Now for the examples of GREAT blogging:

Half-Bakered and Fishkite were mentioned by Jackson Baker in the Memphis Flyer as two of the top local blogs. I can say, as an avid reader of both blogs, that Mr. Baker was right on the money selecting these two as great blogs. I urge you to read both of these blogs as often as you can. They are both informative and entertaining.

Congrats Mike and Mick!

Campaign Update

2005-10-03T13:14:00.000-05:00

It seems as if it's been quite a while since the last time I posted on this blog. I have been extremely busy with work and other campaign items, and I have not had much time. I assure you that I will try to update this blog as much as possible in the future.

My campaign is finalizing the details for next Wednesday's event at Southwind Country Club. I am sure this is an event you do not want to miss. From the premium cigars to the European Coffee bar, this event is shaping up to be amazing.

I have been busy over the past few weeks trying to organize my thoughts on how this campaign will be run. Although I am the candidate, I am involved in much of the strategy for the campaign along with my campaign staff. All I can tell you right now is that we will have quite a ground organization as so many people are lining up to volunteer. Our goal is to saturate this district with the Friends of Rude organization volunteers.

Keep your eyes and ears open for an announcement in the coming weeks....

Campaign Update

2005-09-20T09:24:00.000-05:00

Friday night's fundraiser / kickoff party was a resounding success. Winsor did a great job hosting his first ever fundraiser, and the place looked terrific. Boris, from Bistro Aroma, provided outstanding deserts, pastries, and coffee.

Speaking of "firsts"... More than 90% of the attendees at this fundraiser donated to a political campaign for the first time. That speaks volumes to me about the excitement that this campaign is already generating. With many more events to go, we look forward to seeing more people get involved for the first time.

Our next event is a fundraising reception at the Southwind Country Club on October 12, 2005 (which happens to be my birthday). For ticket information, contact Shellie Allen at treasurer@voterude.com For cigar aficionados, we will have complimentary premium cigars at this event.

Kickoff Party / Fundraiser Reminder

2005-09-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, September 16th is the date of our campiagn's first official event. I have attached the flyer, and I hope to see you there!

Harold Ford Jr.'s Lack of Confidence in Local / State Officials

2005-09-12T11:24:00.000-05:00

Harold Ford Jr. today wrote a letter to Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff asking him to conduct an exercise to see how Memphis would respond to a major earthquake. On the surface, this seems like a prudent request. However, I will quote an portion of this letter that concerns me:

"Such an event is likely to cripple the response of local and state government and their first responders and emergency personnel. Therefore, a plan must be in place that would enable the federal government to respond immediately - without the immediate consent of state and local officials."

I believe this is a backhanded way of providing excuses for the poor leadership we found in New Orleans and Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As we find out the details of what happened prior to the event and after the flooding, we are beginning to see that the local and state response to this disaster were pathetic at best.

What I would request of Michael Chertoff is that the Homeland Security department review Memphis' disaster response plans, and provide consulting as to how we at the local and state level could respond to a disaster such as a major earthquake. I do not believe we need to rely on the Federal Government to bail us out, but rather to support us and fill in as needed to ensure Memphis can bounce back from such a disaster.

On the other hand, do you think Harold Ford Jr. understands that present leadership is not competent enough to handle such a disaster? We can change that in the next few election cycles!

Commissioner Hooks Update

2005-09-07T10:40:00.000-05:00

The Commercial Appeal ran a story today regarding how Commissioner Hooks' decision regarding his future on the County Commission will affect his future pension payments. If Hooks waits until after October 11th to resign from the Commission, his pension payments double, because he will be 55 years old.

Commissioner Hooks, do the right thing and resign from the County Commission immediately.

Leadership in Crisis

2005-09-07T10:23:00.000-05:00

I find it disturbing that so many are beginning to "politicize" the recent tragedy along the Gulf Coast. The finger pointing and blame game has now reached an all time high. When I say "high", I mean high in volume, not in character and substance.

The Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana have shown a lack of leadership during our Nation's greatest natural disasters. Beyond the lack of leadership, the Mayor of New Orleans has shown a lack of class over the past week, cursing and screaming at the President of the United States.

Imagine now, if you will, Rudolph Giuliani on September 12th, 2001, ranting and raving about how he and Governor Pataki are overwhelmed. Imagine these two men screaming about how New York will never be the same, and that all hope is lost. Imagine these two men crying for help from the Federal Government, because they do not know what to do. I know, it is impossible to imagine that, because these two men were leaders when New York, and the WORLD needed them the most. We are talking about an event that frightened citizens across the globe and could have escalated into a true global crisis. Instead, one strong leader emerged name Rudy who made us all think things were going to be just fine.

Now, I want you to imagine this tragedy in New Orleans with a Rudy Giuliani type of leader taking charge. Somehow, I seriously doubt things would have transpired like they have. Why wasn't the Mayor of New Orleans visible during this time? Why was he not marching down to the Convention Center and Superdome controlling the situation himself?

When you go to the polls from now on, I want you to think about what kind of leaders you want in case of crisis. If next week we had a large scale earthquake in Memphis and Shelby County, what kind of response would you expect from our local elected officials? How do you think Mayor Herenton would respond? What would you expect to see from the other local officials?

It's Time for Memphis to Step Up

2005-09-01T09:47:00.000-05:00

Last night, as I was watching local news coverage of the aftermath of Katrina, it dawned on me that Memphis can show its true colors on a National stage. We have the opportunity right now to show what our community is made of in helping the victims of this tragedy. What an opportunity we have to magnify the positive aspects of this city, while helping these people in dire need.

Instead of being a shining light to the world, I hear reports of our citizens taking advantage of these helpless people. Families are forced to pack everything they can salvage into their automobile, only to have some savage break into these vehicles and steal belongings and sometimes the car itself. And, in this time, where are the local leaders publicly condemning these actions? Why is our city Mayor sending out press releases instead of getting out and demanding civility and respect for these victims?

I know that there are many outstanding acts of kindness that we could speak of. However, the savagery we are witnessing can easily over shadow the good our community is doing.

I hope we can all come together as a tight knit community and show the victims of Katrina and the rest of the world that Memphis is a wonderful place, and that we held out our hands to assist those in a time of need.

TN Waltz now the Shelby County Hustle?

2005-08-30T14:14:00.000-05:00

New Indictment Story

According to the Commercial Appeal this afternoon, Shelby County Commission chairman Michael Hooks has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on similar charges to those against the TN lawmakers earlier this summer.

We have been hearing for quite some time that this story was only beginning when the initial indictments came down. The question now is how far reaching will this become? It disgusts me every time I see another lawmaker charged with these crimes. I am a firm believer of "innocent until proven guilty", however I also believe where there is smoke and fire, there is more fire.

We wonder why our local government is so ineffective, however I have a strong feeling we are about to see one of the main reasons why.

One thing I can assure you: I will NEVER be involved in something such as this when I am elected to serve as your County Commissioner. If it has not happened by the time I am sworn in, my first order of business will be to introduce strong, sweeping ethics rules for the County Government.

Newton resigns and pleads guilty - Who's next?

2005-08-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

Rep. Chris Newton (R-Cleveland) announced his intentions to resign from the State House yesterday. Today, the Commercial Appeal announced that Newton has decided to change his plea to guilty in the TN Waltz scandal. (by the way, I have decided to call those that are guilty in this debacle by their last name only...no "former" anything..they don't deserve that designation.)

I wonder who will the next to plead guilty and resign. For those of you hoping that Sen. Bowers will be next, I wouldn't hold your breath. I have a feeling that Ford and Sen. Bowers will fight this until the end. However, I do feel that in time I will be able to call her "Bowers" like the other guilty parties in this scandal.

The Future of "Privatization"

2005-08-25T15:01:00.000-05:00

It seems that recently there has been an increasing number of discussions around privatization of government services. From our local municipalities taking over and privatizing their libraries to the discussions around privatizing the Shelby County jail, there has been a conscious effort by some to save the Shelby County tax payers money. I have a few questions of my own around the issue of privatization.

1) Why is it that private entities are so much more efficient than government run entities?

2) How far do we go with privatization?

The answer to question one is very simple - accountability. Private entities are accountable to shareholders or business owners. Efficiency and profitability are necessary to survive in a competitive environment. If you own a business and run it reckless and inefficient manner, you will not be able to survive. Government entities, however, are not in a competitive environment and answer only to the voters. And, as we all know, in local races we seem to average no more than 15% turnout, and incumbents rarely face a serious challenge. Citizens must hold our elected officials (and those they appoint to leadership positions) accountable for running our government like a business. If they are not doing the job, we need to fire them by voting them out of office.

The answer to question two is a little more difficult to answer. If we could elect the right leaders to run our government like a business, I am not sure we would need privatization at all. However, given the current state of affairs, I think we could save the taxpayers a substantial amount of money by privatizing many other aspects of government services. I believe we should study this issue further, and begin to create a sense of "competition" with our local government run services.

I leave you with a few thoughts, and I would like your feedback. How far should we go in investigating potential areas of privatization? Should the public school system be off limits?

Interesting Read on the G'Town Parkway Issue

2005-08-23T09:26:00.000-05:00

The editorial page of the Commercial Appeal had an interesting article this morning about the Germantown Parkway issue. If you register (free) on the Commercial Appeal website, you can access the story here.

The editor calls for City and County leaders to balance growth with preservation, which was obviously not done in the case of Germantown Parkway. A great question has been posed...how will Houston Levee be developed?

As a member of the County Commission, I will fight to ensure future development in Shelby County allows our community to grow economically while preserving the rural feel.

August 22, 2005 County Commission Agenda

2005-08-23T09:06:00.000-05:00

Here is a summary breakdown of what the Shelby County Commission discussed in the August 22nd meeting. You can find this information on the Shelby County website.

The August 22, 2005 Commission meeting included 22 agenda items, which breaks down to the following:
Expenditures: 36% (8 items)
Land Use: 18% (4 items)
Savings: 14% (3 items)
Taxes / Fees: 0% (0 items)
Other / General Administrative: 32% (7 items)

There are a couple things I would like to point out about a few agenda items. First, all three of the agenda items around savings were in the form of Federal and State grants. There were no innovative ideas for savings discussed.

Also, there was a zoning item on the agenda that peaked my interest. Auto Nation, Inc. has petitioned the County Commission for approval to build an auto dealership at the corner of Hacks Cross and Bill Morris Parkway. This agenda item was brought before the full commission by Tom Moss. The interesting thing is that the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Planning and Development as well as the Memphis and Shelby County Land Use Control Board recommended rejecting the proposal. The measure was rejected by a 5-7 vote, however I haven't seen how each member voted on this issue yet (since they do not publish the voting records). Once I find out how each member voted, if I can find it, I will post it here.

Development along Germantown Parkway

2005-08-22T08:59:00.000-05:00

The Commercial Appeal ran an interesting story today, which raised questions about the future of Germantown Parkway. The question was asked, "Is Germantown Parkway the next Winchester?" The basis of this article is the impending closure of the K-Mart on Germantown Parkway.

You could argue on either side of this issue, as both sides have valid points. K-Mart is closing stores around the country, so how could you point to this isolated incident as a indication of what the future holds for this area? Many argue that other businesses in the area are thriving, while K-Mart has just come out of a re-organization due to bankruptcy.

The other side of the argument raises some valid questions as well. Cordova is one of the fastest growing areas in Shelby County, however the planners at K-Mart must know something we don't know. Large corporations such as this make decisions based on many inputs, one of which is the TRENDS of an area. What many believe the Executives at K-Mart are seeing is an area which has been over-developed, and is beginning to see signs of decline in sales forecasts.

I believe that the issue here is that our local governments have not demanded a strategic vision from developers and planners. This is true both from a Commercial Development and a Residential Development perspective. This, however, is not strictly an indictment on the development community, as one might think. Most developers come to the City and County planning boards with terrific ideas, when you look at them by themselves (or as we say in the Corporate world..."in a vacuum"). What I feel is missing in the process is the Planning Boards, City Council, and County Commission demanding that each proposal include how this development benefits the community and how it flows with existing plans and developments.

In business, the Executives of the company set a Strategic Vision and direction for the company. The owners of the tactical execution of this vision (officers and directors) ensure that everything the "workers" do contributes to this Strategic Vision. Our local government should work the exact same way, where the Executive (Mayor) sets the vision, and the owners of the tactical execution (planning board, council, commission) ensure that this vision is carried through. In the absence of a strategic vision, it is up to the true leaders in the City Council or County Commission to develop this vision.

I can assure you that I have a vision for our community, and if elected, I will work with the Mayor and my fellow Commissioners to ensure that we are all on the same page. We must ensure that our community is developed with a vision for the future, with sustainable growth and residential areas that will stand the test of time.

Life as a first time candidate

2005-08-19T17:31:00.000-05:00

Now that I have "officially" been a candidate for public office for a couple of months, I have been thinking about the highs and lows of the experience so far. First of all, the low point (so I can finish on a high note!):

Trying to break into politics, especially being 32 years old, is extremely difficult. I knew this would be the case, however I didn't realize how taxing it would be on my psyche. When you are applying for a job and you get turned down, it is a very private thing. However, running for public office is just that - public. What if I don't raise enough money? What if I think I have an outstanding base of support, but it doesn't materialize? You begin to question different aspects of what you have gotten yourself into. Fortunately, over the course of the last month or so, things have really begun to pick up steam...

Now, the high point of the past few months:

I have been through some exciting moments in my life, however I have now experienced a different kind of excitement. This excitement, or source of renewed energy, is when a stranger or someone you don't really know that well, steps up to the plate with unconditional support for your campaign. I know it seems strange, but every time I get a contribution or volunteer commitment from someone I don't really know, I get such a boost of energy that is indescribable. And when I say contribution, I don't just mean the big ones, I am talking the every day person giving you what they can to try to make a difference. I am talking about the volunteer that tells you they will do anything you ask of them, just to see you succeed. Things like this make it all worth it.

I thought I would share a few aspect of my experience so far. I will continue to add updates throughout the campaign.

Terry Roland for Senate - District 29

2005-08-17T15:46:00.000-05:00

Everyone in District 29, I urge you to go vote on September 15th for Terry Roland. I am telling you, this guy is the real deal. Check out his campaign slogan on his flyer....I love it!

GOOD LUCK TERRY!

US Senate Candidate - Bob Corker

2005-08-17T15:37:00.000-05:00

Last night, I had the opportunity to meet former Chattanooga Mayor and US Senate candidate for Tennessee, Bob Corker.

My first impression of Bob Corker was that of complete surprise. Mayor Corker is a genuinely friendly guy who can definitely relate to people on a personal level. I was shocked at how much of a "normal guy" he seems to be.

Once Mayor Corker got up to deliver his speech, I could tell that he was not as comfortable in front of a crowd as he is on a more personal level. He gave a good speech, however it seems like he is working hard to solidify his conservative "street cred", for lack of a better term. I am, however, quite impressed with his accomplishments while Mayor of Chattanooga. If I was in charge of his campaign, I would focus more on his record.

Overall, I like Bob Corker, and could see him being an effective Senator. I plan to listen to each of the other candidates before making up my mind on who to vote for in the August Primary.

Campaign Update

2005-08-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

The campaign is beginning to pick up momentum, as we are finalizing a second fundraiser. This fundraiser will probably be at the Southwind Country Club in early October. We already have some great stuff planned for this event. More details will be announced soon.

I plan to visit the Shelby County Young Republican club meeting tomorrow night. Kelly Gilmer, the YR Chair, has done a great job of lining up speakers. Tomorrow night, Senate Candidate Bob Corker will be speaking and answering questions. If you don't know, the Young Republicans meet at the Fox and the Hound on Sanderline, beginning at 6:30. For more info, you can visit the website.

In addition to the fundraising news, my campaign has been busy trying to fill out the Executive Committee for the Friends of Rude organization. So far, I am pleased to announce the following key members of my team:

Campaign Chairman - Rudolph Daniels
Campaign Treasurer - Shellie Allen
Public Relations / Media - Sherrie Ross

In the near future we will be announcing some additional members of the Friends of Rude team. If you would like to volunteer, visit my website and sign up online.

August 8, 2005 County Commission Agenda

2005-08-09T15:55:00.000-05:00

Here is a summary breakdown of what the Shelby County Commission discussed in the August 8th meeting. You can find this information on the Shelby County website. What I have done is break down the agenda into categories in order to summarize what portion of the agenda was spent in the following categories:

1. Expenditures / Appropriations - This includes agenda items directly related to authorizing the spending of County dollars or entering into a contract for future expenditure.

2. Land Use - This includes agenda items related to land use, zoning, granting of easements, ect.

3. Taxes / Fees - This includes agenda items related to increasing your taxes or fees.

4. Savings - This includes agenda items related to saving the taxpayers' money by cutting costs in any way.

5. Other / General Administrative - This includes items such as approving various Mayoral appointments, recognizing accomplishments, ect.

I will add other categories, such as tax cuts, as needed in the future. We may have to wait until I get elected to see that category added.

The August 8, 2005 Commission meeting included 29 agenda items, which breaks down to the following:

Expenditures: 52% (15 items)
Land Use: 24% (7 items)
Savings: 3% (1 item)
Taxes / Fees: 7% (2 items)
Other / General Administrative: 14% (4 items)

I would like to know what you think about this use of the Commission's time. Please share your thoughts.

County Commission Raise?

2005-08-09T14:40:00.000-05:00

In a not so shocking move yesterday, the County Commission voted to raise the "bonus" payment of the Commission Chairperson.

Currently, whoever serves as the Commission Chair receives an annual compensation of $1,000 over and above the Commission salary of $30,200. This compensation is due to the extra workload a the Chairperson incurs. The County Commission voted to raise this payment to $2,000. However, many Commissioners tried to get this amount raised to as much as $5,000.

Thankfully, there was one voice of reason present - Commissioner Bruce Thompson. I have met Commissioner Thompson, and I am glad we have him on this Board. He stated that "...Citizens must be prepared when taking public office to sacrifice their time and not expect any money in return." What a logical and wise comment! They call this line of work "public SERVICE" for a reason. Thank you, Commissioner Thompson!

From now on, starting with this week's County Commission meeting, I am going to summarize each agenda for on this blog. I want the people of this community to see what goes on at these meetings. I think you will be surprised at the amount of time that is spent spending your tax dollars, and how little time is spent trying to truly help this community with our current problems. Hopefully, I can have this week's meeting summarized by this evening or tomorrow.

5 % Voter Turnout

2005-08-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

Yes, that was the final tally in the first "Post TN Walz" primary election. Are the voters of Shelby County that frustrated with politics? Were there no good people running?

I can answer the second question for you. The answer is, yes, there were two good people running in the Senate and House races.

In the Senate race, Terry Roland is running a very energetic and positive campaign. His campaign slogan is "Not For Sale", which gets me fired up every time I hear it. I have met Terry, and I can tell you he is committed to changing the face of the TN Senate. I urge you to support him, vote for him, or whatever you can do to help.

In the House race, Omari Faulkner is a former basketball star and all around good guy. I have been following the stories about him in the paper over the last 6 months, and I was upset to see him finish where he did in this race. If we are going to change the face of politics in Shelby County, we need to begin supporting people like Omari. I hope that he does not get discouraged by this one race and continues to stay involved. I am a Republican, but Omari Faulkner is a great candidate for the people of Shelby County now and in the future.

What will it take to increase voter turnout in the future?

Fundraiser Announcement

2005-08-03T11:41:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce an upcoming fundraiser that you are all invited to attend:

Friday, September 16th
7pm - 9pm
Winsor's Flowers & Gifts
3116 Village Shops Drive
Germantown, TN 38138

Tickets are only $25 per person and can be purchased by calling (901) 753-5453, stopping by Winsor's store, or at the door.

This event will be very informal, so feel free to drop in and support the campaign!

A Bold Yet Appreciated Move

2005-08-03T11:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the local media reported that Freshman Representative Brian Kelsey plans to file a formal ethics complaint against Rep. Lois DeBerry. DeBerry admitted last week to taking $200 from an "E-Cycle" employee to gamble in Tunica.

Many may charge that this is a partisan move, and that Rep. Kelsey is grandstanding for his own political gains. This cannot be further from the truth, in my personal opinion. I feel confident in saying that Rep. Kelsey would do the same if it was a Republican that admitted to taking money. Having met Brian Kelsey and speaking with him regarding ethics in government, I can say with conviction that his main concern is restoring the public's confidence in State Government. Brian is a young man with high moral and ethical standards, and he should be applauded for standing up for what is right.

I urge all voters in Rep. Brian Kelsey's district to thank him for standing up for what is right. I also urge you to return this bright, ethical, and hard working young man to the TN State Legislature next year.

Plea change in TN Waltz

2005-08-02T13:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, accused "bag man" Barry Myers changed his plea in Federal Court to guilty of extortion. In addition, nine other charges against Myers were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea. This is an extremely interesting twist in this story.

For those of you who have not followed this case very closely, Barry Myers is the "protege'" of Senator Katherine Bowers and former Senator Roscoe Dixon. It will be interesting to find out what additional "information" Myers will give prosecutors as part of this deal. This cannot be good news for Senators Bowers and Dixon.

Check back here for additional details. I am curious to see if additional indictments will come out of this.

Why don't good people run for office?

2005-08-01T10:10:00.000-05:00

This is a question that I asked myself years before I decided to run for the Shelby County Commission. There is such a "Catch-22" in our local political scene: nobody new and exciting runs for office, because they think all politicians are corrupt, and voter turn out is extremely low, because voters think all politicians are corrupt. How can we change this?

Let me shed some light on why I think good people stay away from politics. I have been at FedEx now for a total of over 12 years, which includes my time in the Hub Operations and my years in Finance and Marketing. I consider myself a future leader of the company, as do many of my superiors. So, you can imagine that making a decision to run for local office was a huge risk for me to take. Will I be an ideal candidate for promotion while running for office? I do not know the answer to that question, but I do know that this was the only decision I could make.

Another reason I think good people stay away from politics is money and support. Who do you think donates money to a local campaign? The answer is the people who need access to the local office holders, such as land developers, builders, ect. It takes quite a bit of money to run a campaign for County Commission in order to get your message out to the voters.

Now, taking these two major factors into consideration, what do most local office holders have in common? The answer is money and time. For those of us who have to work 40+ hours a week in our primary job, taking the time to campaign and raise money is difficult. In addition, I cannot supplement my campaign with money like many politicians do. I can only spend what people donate to my campaign.

Think about this and let me know any ideas you have for making politics more accessible for regular people. I will also be sharing some of my ideas over the next week.

As Promised...Pictures

2005-07-27T19:24:00.000-05:00

The first picture is taken from the back porch of our room at Bolongo Bay Resort.

The next picture is my wife and I at the top of Paradise Point, overlooking the Port of Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas. (notice our island attire)

The final picture my wife took at the pool at Bolongo Bay. This was just a great shot of one of the locals eating lunch...

Of course, this has nothing to do with local politics, but I wanted to share these with you. I hope you enjoy!

It's great to be back

2005-07-24T20:35:00.000-05:00

My wife and I returned from St. Thomas on Saturday afternoon, and we are excited to be back. I feel energized and ready to begin the hard work of campaigning for County Commissioner.

During our trip, we were able to take a day long boat trip to the British Virgin Islands. We saw some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Have you ever sat down and thought about how God created such a diverse and amazing world?

I will post a few pictures from our trip this week. It is great to be back!

Vacation

2005-07-14T20:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I am leaving in the morning for St. Thomas, USVI. My wife and I are taking our annual vacation before we get the campaign in high gear. I hope to post a few times while I am gone, as I will be checking in on local news.

Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful week.

The Commission wasted no time

2005-07-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

In my last post, I said that the County Commission would raise our taxes in two weeks. I apologize that I was incorrect in that statement. They actually waited only one day.

The $.14 tax increase was passed on the third reading today. Basically, if your property value increased with the latest re-assessment, your taxes will go up with your next tax bill.

For those of you wondering where this money is going, you are not alone. We must push for the entire County budget to be posted online for all citizens to see.

More Tax Increases

2005-07-12T14:24:00.000-05:00

If it wasn't enough that the City of Memphis just raised our taxes, the Shelby County Commission just voted "Yes" on the second reading to increase our County taxes by $0.14.

For those of you who don't normally follow this type of thing, let me explain a few things about this statement.

First, the term "second reading" refers to the fact that our County Commission has to vote yes three times for an ordinance to pass. Therefore, at the next Commission meeting on July 25th, the ordinance will pass with a third "YES" vote.

Secondly, by raising our taxes $0.14, that means per $1,000 of assessed value.

If you rent a home or apartment, look for increases in your rent the next time you sign a lease. Property Tax is an expense that landlords pass down to you, the consumer.

Shouldn't we all be concerned that a 7 plus hour commission meeting had absolutely no agenda items geared towards saving money? The entire meeting was tax increases and more spending. Think about that for a while.

Welcome

2005-07-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the official blog for my campaign for the Shelby County Commission - District 1 Position 1.

Thank you for your interest in my blog, and I look forward to sharing ideas, concerns, and news with each of you over the course of my campaign.

Visit www.voterude.com for more information about my campaign.

Mike Rude for Shelby County Commission '06

John Drinnon to seek re-election

Contributor Information Request

First scheduled debate

Poor Blogging & Great Blogging

Campaign Update

Campaign Update

Kickoff Party / Fundraiser Reminder

Harold Ford Jr.'s Lack of Confidence in Local / State Officials

Commissioner Hooks Update

Leadership in Crisis

It's Time for Memphis to Step Up

TN Waltz now the Shelby County Hustle?

Newton resigns and pleads guilty - Who's next?

The Future of "Privatization"

Interesting Read on the G'Town Parkway Issue

August 22, 2005 County Commission Agenda

Development along Germantown Parkway

Life as a first time candidate

Terry Roland for Senate - District 29

US Senate Candidate - Bob Corker

Campaign Update

August 8, 2005 County Commission Agenda

County Commission Raise?

5 % Voter Turnout

Fundraiser Announcement

A Bold Yet Appreciated Move

Plea change in TN Waltz

Why don't good people run for office?

As Promised...Pictures

More Tennessee Waltz Problems

It's great to be back

Vacation

The Commission wasted no time

More Tax Increases

Welcome