Guest Opinion
Have you ever noticed that when it comes to politicians, a lot of times whatâs offered are Band-Aid solutions â something that sounds good, appeases some donors and stakeholders, yet doesnât actually solve the problem. In other words, this is how Johnson City has approached addressing its homeless population. This is why people hate politics.
Kate Craig
For me, politics has always been about people. Not power. Not advancing a personal power grab or the ability to influence. Itâs about people. All people.
After all, there are just some hurdles out there, that without the support of a community, will break us. I learned this after my motorcycle accident in 2013. Despite all of my own efforts, I needed a community to keep me afloat. I had no bootstraps I could use to pull myself up. In fact, I keep my Virginia EBT card from this time above my desk to remind me why I do this work. I could easily have been homeless during this time.
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âJob opportunities tend to follow places that are inclusive,â she said.
Craig is one of several community members who have voiced support for the creation of a community equity advisory board, which is designed to work with government leaders and community members to ensure residents regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and more have a voice in city government.
Johnson City commissioners heard a proposal about the board last week, which a draft document said would consist of 11 city residents appointed to two-year terms. Commissioner Jenny Brock developed the proposal alongside members of city staff.
âI think that this board would be one of many steps to help address what weâve termed the âbrain drain,ââ Craig added.
The Tennessee Democratic Party has elected its first Black statewide chairman of the party.
The partyâs Executive Committee voted Saturday to name Hendrell Remus to succeed Mary Mancini as leader of the state party.
âI am humbled and elated at the opportunity to serve as the Tennessee Democratic Party chair,â Remus said in statement posted on social media. âThis is not just a moment of accomplishment for my family and I but a historic moment for our party and, indeed, for our state.â
Remus, an assistant emergency operations director at Tennessee State University, takes over from Mancini as party chair.