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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Bethel, Tennessee


It’s Sunday the 13th of June.  Life on the campaign trail is nonstop.  But I am making a conscience effort that this campaign is going to be different.  More about us.  Less about machine.

Today I went to Bethel for a second time this weekend.  If you want to experience what a community is…a true community, you need to visit Bethel at their Homecoming.  They have this wonderful sense of pride for their community….and love for what is theirs. 

Looking at what they pulled off this weekend, you might not be able to imagine that you can hardly get to Bethel.  Two bridges were washed out in the flood.  Eight (8) inches of water in their community center and in the store called “Netts”.

To see what these people have done to clean up after the flood and to get it to where it is today is no less than a miracle. 

After meeting all the fine people in Bethel on Saturday, I had to go back today and visit their restaurant and store - -“Netts”.  You know I have lived in Maury County my whole life and had never gotten to eat at “Netts”.  I pride myself on eating at locally owned places…especially the ones here, but I had missed this one.

Nett and her husband George bought the store/restaurant 4 years ago.  She and her family run the place.

Although they might seem to have the business locked up in such a small community, I got to spend some time with Annette.  She had said in the last two years, things have gotten hard.  There was a road closing west of them…then this winter, it seemed to snow every week…and now the flood has washed out two bridges.  She said she used to employee 19 people.  But this winter she has had to cut her staff to 11.  That is almost 50%.

Although it’s the weather and floods, it is also the fact that we here in Maury County have lost 90% of our industrial jobs.  She is feeling that too.

So we need to help…

So hear ye, hear ye…..everyone.  Please make a special trip to Bethel and eat at “Netts”.  They have the best Fried Chicken in the world, but they have burgers, steaks, shrimp, catfish….nights with rooster fries and frog legs.  They also have karaoke on Thursday nights.  It is true Americana in a cup!

Also when you pay, please make a special contribution to the Volunteer fire hall they are trying to build.  All donations are needed and would be appreciated. 

Bethel stands for the house of God.  I found it to be true…in its beauty and its people.  Let’s support them….especially right now.

Finding out how we can help is what this journey should be about….

Debbie

   Annette (Nett) Dodson, Debbie Matthews, George Dodson
   Owners of Nett's Country Store and Deli (Bethel Community)
   4356 Skelley Rd, Santa Fe, TN 38482
   Phone:  931-682-2315

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Politics

Dear Friends,

When I was approached about running for the State Senate seat, the first and seems only thing everyone spoke to me about was the amount of money I would have to raise. I knew it would be a cost; I have after all run two (2) campaigns before, but I had always used primarily my own money.

They came to me with the stats showing what had been spent in the last election for this seat, and I was shocked. My competitor, the incumbent Mr. Ketron, spent $500,000 last time for a State Senate seat that pays a little less than $20,000 a year.

That fact alone gives me great pause in the process of where we are politically. Over $150,000 of that money came from insurance alone. THAT sure doesn’t make me feel as if I’m at the top of the list when anything is being considered . . . does it you?

Are we unable to elect someone for their ideas and ability to work or does it all come down to the dollar? Money in politics makes politicians politicians . . . and instead of interested in the people’s business, they are controlled and compromised by their financial backers.

I might fail miserably, but I want to run this campaign different. Although I need financial support for mail outs and advertising, I want it to be from us . . . regular people who believe in something and someone.
 
So I am asking Y-O-U . . .
will you invest in me and my campaign to make the community and state we love better? 

All amounts are appreciated; just think your hard-earned $10 can help us regain the senate seat! You can donate here online . . . or you can mail a check payable to the “Committee to Elect Debbie Matthews, State Senate” to 104 West 6th Street Columbia, TN 38401. Please remember if you mail a check to put your occupation, employer and contact number in the memo field.
 
We are making a huge campaign push to raise $40,000+ before June 30 and we need your help to get there.

Please join our cause to take our elected seats back from special interests and big money. We are the government. It only works if WE work it!

Best,

Debbie Matthews
Candidate for State Senate District 13

Visit www.DebbieMatthewsforSenate.com to donate!

ActBlue direct link if icon does not appear:  ActBlue

My contribution: $

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Press Release: KETRON IGNORES MTSU SCIENCE BUILDING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2010 Contact: (931) 797-5772 KETRON IGNORES MTSU SCIENCE BUILDING IN STATE BUDGET TALKS Incumbent senator makes no effort to assist critical jobs and education project COLUMBIA – State Senate District 13 Democratic candidate Debbie Matthews called on Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) this week to stop ignoring the pressing need for a new science building at Middle Tennessee State University during state budget negotiations. “Senator Ketron worked to get pet projects in the budget without saying a word about providing a critical science and research facility for MTSU to train students for high-paying jobs,” Matthews said. “Senator Ketron wants to use state money to teach dogs how to find cell phones. I’m concerned about creating jobs and opportunities for our region through education.” As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a change in the Federal Medicaid Match Rate (FMAP) will result in a one-time, $341 million payment to Tennessee, which cannot be deposited or credited to any reserve or rainy day fund in this state. Lawmakers have discussed spending the money on various pork projects, including a $16.1 million fish hatchery, and a $50 million employee buyout plan that wouldn’t begin until June 2011. Meanwhile, Ketron has stayed silent on the MTSU science building, which is the top priority on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s capital improvement list. The building has been on the capital list for at least nine years. “The funds are there to make this crucial project happen,” Matthews said. “How long will Senator Ketron continue to ignore the needs in his district?” Senators will have the opportunity to amend the budget on the Senate floor next week. Matthews says she hopes Ketron will fight to give residents the opportunity to earn a quality education that will lead to high-paying jobs in science and research fields. ### For more on Debbie Matthews and her candidacy for the State Senate, visit http://debbiematthewsforsenate.com.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Campaign Update

Hey guys...just finished speaking at the democratic meeting in Maury County. Huge crowd! People are wanting a change for Maury County!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Why am I running for state senate?


After running for the Mayor’s seat in November, I got really sick.  I thought I might just be feeling run down from the hard race, but after a trip to my doctor, I found out I had double pneumonia. 

While I was recuperating, I received calls from several in the State Legislature, including word from the Governor’s office, all wanting to know if I would consider running for the State Senate seat for here in Maury County.  I told them I was sick and really didn’t know what I was planning on doing except hopefully feeling better.  But I did say I would think about it.

Dragging my sick self to city hall for my next City Council meeting here in Columbia, it felt as if someone were trying to tell me something.  The very first issue that we spoke about was the lack of representation at the state for our highways…..specifically Bear Creek Pike and James Campbell Blvd.  Both of these have been on the list for widening and updating turn lanes for 20 years.

The next meeting came around and so did another issue that needed a change at the state.  The next meeting the same.

After these few pokes in the head, I began doing my research my comparisons on where we stand as a county….and where the other counties in District 13 stand.

Out of 3 ½ Counties in District 13, two (Maury and Marshall) currently have the highest unemployment in the state, the third has good employment numbers because the citizens there can cross into Alabama to work in Huntsville but few opportunities at home.

The last ½ County in this District is the West Side of I-24 in Rutherford County (Murfreesboro).  Per their website called Murfreesboro Trends, Rutherford County has had a 78 % increase in jobs since August of 2008 (basically during the recession).  This just happens to be where our current State Senator is from.  



Good for Murfreesboro….but not so good for the rest of the district.  So I began to really think.  It is Ketron’s home county but that’s not the end of it. Because Rutherford County is divided in half, they have two senate votes that have them in mind during each vote.    They have two votes that send highway money their way.  They have two votes when it comes to where to send new industry opportunities.  That makes a difference to an area.

Then I thought, Maury County has not had a Senator from this county in over 20 years, and it is beginning to show. 

So I decided, I am running for the State Senate Seat for District 13. 

I am running against the 8 year incumbent Bill Ketron.  Neither of us have a primary.  So look for us on the ballot November 2.

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Friday, May 21, 2010

Good morning everyone. Welcome to the new campaign blog. Can't wait to share the campaign trail with you! Debbie