Op-Ed By John Bailes, Hamilton County Democratic Chair

Former Vice President Al Gore won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, which he will share with the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Giving Al Gore this award reinforces the work of a growing class of citizens acting for the good of America and the world. Welcome to a new Age of Citizen Activism.

True, many Tennesseans and Americans may hunger for an Al Gore return to the presidential campaign trail, but let’s not miss the greater point about what Gore has been doing. As the Nobel Prize committee said it best, it is Al Gore who “is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding” of what must be done to deal with climate change.

As an American citizen, Gore has acted in the world’s best interest. Although extremely important, Gore’s work is just one example of citizen activism in America.

In Bill Clinton’s new book GIVING, for example, the former president talks about how hundreds of people act as private citizens to change the world for good. Of course, while most of us do not have the connections that Gore and Clinton do, we can still act as citizen activists where we live.

Every day across America, many citizens do good to make life better for others. These citizens help others at work or home, in community organizations or churches, around their neighborhood or across the planet. Here in Chattanooga, I know hundreds of people who give up their own time to change our area for the better. Whether with a church, a civic organization, a nonprofit, or a neighborhood, these often unnoticed citizen activists achieve great things for Chattanooga.

One recent example of Chattanooga citizen activism is the formation of BUG (the Brainerd Unity Group). This group is organized of citizens living in Brainerd who want to make a difference in their neighborhood. Started by citizen activists, like Candy Corneliussen, BUG believes that a unified neighborhood respects diversity, includes all Brainerd schools and churches, and promotes Brainerd-owned businesses.

The lesson from the citizen activism of Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Candy Corneliussen, and thousands of others in Chattanooga? Be citizen activists, starting where and with whom we live.

VOTE: See poll on GORE

Today, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Democrat Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for their campaigns against global warming.

Now, many are asking: Will Al Gore run for president?

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Nobel Committee said Al Gore's "strong commitment, reflected in political activity, lectures, films and books, has strengthened the struggle against climate change. He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted."

BRAINERD FORUM
The District 10 State Senate Candidates
Andy Berke (D) & Oscar Brock (R)
Will Take Your Questions

Thursday, Oct. 11
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Friendship Community Church
Corner of Brainerd Rd. & Tuxedo Ave.,

Moderated by Joe Lance
of TennesseeTicket.com

Meet the City Council Dist. 6 Applicants
Straw Poll ~ Refreshments
Voter Registration Drive

Sponsored by the
Brainerd Unity Group
“Working together for a strong, unified Brainerd”

Join us for our 1st meeting Tuesday,
Oct. 23, 6 p.m., Brainerd Rec Center

Brainerd Unity Group

Yesterday, the Chattanooga City Council voted and passed a motion that will eventually empower the voters of District 6 to make the final decision about their next city council member.

The council decided to delay choosing an interim council member until after the November 15 deadline for qualifying candidates running for the District 6 seat on February 5, 2007. In essence, this delay will narrow the field of applicants whose intention is NOT to run for the District 6 seat.

Some council members believe this process will allow for a fairer and clearer outcome. We at the Hamilton County Democratic Party agree that this is a step in the right direction. The council also decided to extend to October 31 the deadline for applicants to the interim position. Thank you for your leadership, city council members.

The Hamilton County Democratic Party is requesting a remedy for the confusing and unfair process in selecting the next representative for District 6 on the City Council. There is a simple remedy: Let the voters decide who their next City Council Member is.

While the local Democratic party rarely engages in city council politics, this is one of those situations that deserves our attention and request for solution. It is a situation in which voters (and candidates) are not being well served. As Chair of the HCDP, I have written and sent this letter to the City Council and the Mayor today:

We have our nominee for the Democratic Senate race!

His name is Andy Berke.

Andy Berke won both Hamilton and Marion Counties yesterday. It is clear that Andy Berke's message about education and jobs has connected, that his organization is strong, and that a majority of voters trust Andy. In fact, he captured 56% of the Hamilton County vote and 43% of the Marion County vote. And voters overwhelmingly said they want Andy to represent us. He led all candidates (Democrat and Republican) in votes, garnering over 4,400 votes.

We can be proud of the other candidates for state senate too. But as we move on, I urge all Democrats to get behind Andy Berke. Now is the time to call our headquarters at 266-4125 and get involved. I want each of you to be part of making Andy Berke our next state senator in November.

The Hamilton County Democratic Party would also appreciate your financial help in this very important political campaign. Please send us a check of $50, $100, $250, or $500 to support our party efforts in winning this senate race. Make checks payable to the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Send checks to:

HCDP
23 Patten Parkway
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402

The strong political opinions expressed in news outlets, such as those on the Chattanoogan website by two former chairpersons of our local Democratic party, are not the opinions of the current Hamilton County Democratic Party leadership~and should not be interpreted as such.

The Hamilton County Democratic Party stands ready to support whoever our nominee is for this vital senate seat. And I urge each voter living in the 10th State Senate District who has not voted yet to go to your polling place on Thursday, October 4, and vote for the Democratic candidate of your choice.

After our nominee is selected by the voters, I will ask each of you to help us keep this historical Democratic senate seat in District 10.

John Bailes, Chairman
Hamilton County Democratic Party

As we look to the primary election day on Thursday (Oct. 4) for state senate District 10, we must thank our four Democratic candidates for their hard work. After early voting ended Saturday, we can feel good about our candidates' results.

First and foremost, Democrats captured most of the votes during early voting. For every vote Republicans won, Democrats won 4 or 5 more in Hamilton and Marion Counties.

Second, our Democratic candidates outraised Republicans in funds for resources. Our Democratic candidates raised $332,073 to the Republican candidates' $93,083. Here's a breakdown of our candidates' fundraising:

Andy Berke ~ $275,529

Ken Jordan ~ $16,501

Lee Whitaker ~ $10,200

John Wolfe ~ $29,843

I encourage every Democrat to work hard this week to get out the vote for their candidate. Take someone to the polls Thursday. And vote.