Monday, March 8, 2021

Dismissal Of Director McClendon Shrouded in Secrecy

Upon review by the Blogger team this post was reinstated.

Dr DeAnna McClendon took what appears to some as a "payoff" for keeping quiet on a scandal that could affect the lives of Monroe County students--despite the attempt to make pleasing remarks... the secrecy surrounding the mutual agreement to pay off the remainder of her contract at a cost of nearly $300,000 has raised eyebrows. This has impacted race relations, kept important information from the general public, and set a horrible example for students--they (the school board) stopped short of passing a resolution to make the Dire Straits hit single "Money for Nothing" the official theme song for the school system. 


Despite her advanced learning degree, cradling two cell phones and flanked by her attorney; she went against the cardinal rule that anyone should follow when under investigation: Professor James Duane advises anyone who is under investigation to 'keep their mouth shut.'...More often than you can imagine—Any public comment you make, even if it may seem exculpatory-simply 'cannot help you.'...

She used a 'conversational rip cord' to quickly end the news conference, but it worked against her--If you take a careful look at what was said - "I feel overwhelmed by the support that is here tonight; because THEY (pointing to the crowd) care about the children." She never switches to a first-person narrative using "I" or "We" during her brief comments and for a second time goes back to 'She knows these people care about children.'

When was the last time you heard that anyone in Monroe County was dismissed from a job, and received almost $300,000 to simply 'go away' and not sue the employer?...What was the school board wanting to keep secret? ...If you think it was just a 'racial thing'...think again--Lady D 'sold out' and tarnished her legacy: she should have exposed misconduct and stayed at her post until the end of her contract...At the present time--only a few insiders know about the 'back room deal' that led to a contract extension before she walked away with almost $300,000...

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

School Bus Driver and 20 Students Survive Near Fatal Crash

Upon review, the Blogger team reinstated this post citing it did not violate community guidelines...

Date of Crash: 11/5/2020--A long time Monroe County school bus contractor crashed into a large tree on Wilson Station road at approximately 7:26 AM...

Weather appears to not have been a factor and no other vehicles were involved--Not at an intersection or near a driveway. Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper James Fox felt the driver was compliant and did not detect impairment, therefore an alcohol test was 'not given' and a drug test was 'not given'...even though several students were transported to the hospital. Director of Schools DeAnna McClendon  said county officials would conduct drug and alcohol tests on the driver, but he wasn't suspended or fired: he was back behind the wheel shortly after the horrific accident. (THP was the lead investigator and stated on their report they did not give the driver a drug or alcohol test)--Even if the county did administer a drug and alcohol test on the driver--falling asleep at the wheel may have been a factor, which has been a topic of conversation—a search of the driver’s cell phone should have gone beyond the time of the crash to see if he had been up texting or playing video games the night before the crash, then driving while “functionally asleep at the wheel” during the time of the time of the crash.

Two sources close to the driver said county officials urged him to continue to drive (not confirmed) the afternoon route on the same day of the accident but the driver refused--he took a couple of days off. *This incident underscores the need for better driver training and the importance of implementing the upcoming federal guidelines outlined in the MAP-21 provisions ...

Monroe County has one of the lowest pay scales for school bus drivers anywhere in the country. Some contractors, unable to find drivers to fill positions are forced to drive double routes--which can lead to driver fatigue. With the Corona Virus pandemic and an aging driver fleet, the driver shortage situation will get worse.

How does crash history affect CMV (commercial motor vehicle) licensed drivers? If you are driving a CMV and are involved in a crash, your crash history will stay on your driving record--whether you are at fault or not--information about the crash will be sent to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)...School Bus operations and transportation performed by anyone under a contract with a school is considered a 'for hire' motor carrier.

The more crashes you and your company experience, the worse your grades on the crash BASIC database and the more likely that the FMCSA will intervene to find out what you might be doing wrong.


Monday, August 31, 2020

Atlanta Based Corporate God Franchise Buys Coker Creek Village

Rumors of a sale had festered for years, and now finally, the sale of the near 90-acre compound known as Coker Creek Village has been sold to a Spanish-speaking Group. It seems to be a well-funded religious corporation, and Spanish is their preferred language...and they are truly wonderful people.

As seen on their website  https://institutobiblicoeltabernaculo.org -- the buyer's signature is barely readable on the sales contract, for which they wrote a check to Marilu Atchley (who inherited the property from her parents) for $1,050,000 to buy the property -- there were no special covenants or provisions attached to the sale -- which means that they can build or do anything they want with the property. 

They held their first 'meet and greet' gathering Saturday 8/29/2020--in which they met a few of the local gentry--for the most part, the "welcome" sign was meant for their Atlanta area visitors who are for the most part, Atlanta area residents. They seemed grateful to be close to nature in their new Church compound, even if they can only visit on certain weekends--it's not known if they will keep the 'Coker Creek Village' name...it was a joyous celebration--which included music, food, and conversation. Their mission statement is shown on their website. 


Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Early Warning of the Corona Virus


On New Year's Day, Blue Dot, a Toronto based medical detectives company founded by infectious disease physician Dr Kamran Khan raised the alarm of what is now known as the "Corona Virus" Covid-19.

Back in December 2019, a Chinese newspaper reported that 27 cases of a mysterious flu like illness had likely originated in a Wuhan market, where live animals are kept in cages and killed while customers watch. VIDEO 

Many experts are now investigating to see if this is where the disease made the leap from animals to humans.