Dayton mayor Louallen debates journalist on limits of police authority
David Tulis gives a transportation administrative notice Feb. 23, 2018, to Gary Louallen, mayor of Dayton, Tenn., a town in which a few people use the public roadway without state permit but face arrest or citation is stopped. (Photo Facebook) Dayton is the seat of Rhea County, Tenn., where a courthouse stands as a tourist […]
Hammond gets help on key question: Does travel = transportation?
Sheriff Jim Hammond, the most powerful man in Hamilton County, Tenn, declines to answer questions about the scope of authority of the driver license law, but indicates his belief that no one can be on the road without a license, even if that person is non-commercial. (Photo David Tulis) Sheriff Jim Hammond declines to answer […]
How Berke could win all sides by restraining cops, ordering ’open’ city
Mayor Andy Berke speaks with members of the audience at a campaign debate at UTC in 2017. (Photo David Tulis) I realize it will take a while for the policy and political implications of transportation administrative notice to take effect. For busy men such as Mayor Andy Berke and city attorney Wade Hinton, it will […]
Improving prod upon officials — the idea of administrative notice
The Rachel Jackson building in Nashville houses the state department of correction, an executive branch agency operating under administrative law. (Photo Google Maps) We have been exploring the process of administrative notice as a possible — even theoretical — remedy to the problem of legal immunity claimed by state actors who abuse their office and […]
State obliterates landmark, rips poor via ‘driver licensing’ regime
Most users of the road are private, but Tennessee imposes a fiction upon them: That no one may use the roadway unless they are common carriers for hire, subject to licensure and taxation, like the trailer truck hauling Target goods. (Photo WikiCommons) The Bible on which governors swear to uphold the constitution forbids the moving […]
Mayor Berke, sit down, listen to what happens ‘talking while black’
Officer Steve Meador, right, takes an oath in joining the Chattanooga police department. (Photo Wrcbtv.com) Cameron Williams recounts his arrest on “disorderly conduct” charges in March in a “talking while black” case in Chattanooga. (Photo NoogaRadio) Mayor Berke, sit down and listen to what happens “walking while black” in your city. (Courtesy NoogaRadio 92.7) Tweet […]
Holt asks you to get local legislators behind bid to ban traffic cameras
This dunning letter purports to seek compensation from someone who is photographed having run a stop light. (Photo Andy Holt) Rep. Andy Holt says traffic tickets not personally delivered by an officer are unconstitutional and unenforceable. (Photo Guns.com) If you happen to be one of the countless people who have received one of these in […]
With loud thump, Rhea tables ‘police powers’ bill
George Thacker, the besuited county executive, stands among critics of a Rhea County police powers bill tabled by the county commission, with Mr. Thacker’s strong blessings. (Photo David Tulis) More than 70 people throng a Rhea County Commission meeting room Tuesday, most all of them angry at a sweeping plan to give county government harassment […]
Rhea plan would ‘define, prohibit, abate, suppress, prevent, regulate’
A law to regulate much innocent activity as a nuisance in Rhea County, Tenn., is under consideration by the county commission. (Photo Tnvacation.com) The Rhea County commission is considering a proposal to seize power against the people under authorization of a state law that gives broad authority to cities and counties with token language about the […]
Sharp raps TIF subsidy for local developer
Helen Burns Sharp Helen Burns Sharp is a model for other concerned localists in knocking commercial government in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. She offers list of criticisms for a F$5 million tax subsidy for Evergreen Real Estate to extend West M.L. King Boulevard to the Blue Goose Landing Trailhead on the Tennessee Riverwalk. Note artist’s depiction […]