Congressman Scott DesJariais

National Democratic groups have begun to target a Tennessee race rocked by revelations that the Republican incumbent, a doctor, once discussed abortion with a patient who was his mistress. The House Majority PAC, the campaign committee associated with House Democratic leaders, on Friday announced it is spending $100,000 on TV ads criticizing Rep. Scott DesJarlais. Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has added DesJarlais’ challenger, state Sen. Eric Stewart, to its “Red to Blue” list of 55 candidates to receive campaign cash, though it didn’t say how much. DesJarlais, a physician from southeastern Tennessee, doesn’t dispute the contents of a transcript of the recorded conversation, but says he used stark language to push the woman to admit she wasn’t pregnant. He claims there was no pregnancy and no abortion.

A request for a grant that would build the first phase of an access road from Ledford Mill Road to Tullahoma Regional Airport’s northwest section, where an industrial/airpark is being developed, should be in the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s hands soon. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously have given gave the go-ahead to make the request. Daryl Brady, Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corp. executive director, told the board that the information has been forwarded to the South Central Tennessee Development District, which specializes in grant applications, and will be sent on to TDOT to be considered. Brady said the process to get the stated funded road built could take 12 to 24 months, depending on the request back-load at the state level.

The Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen will consider an engineering package to go toward a major downtown rehabilitation project during the meeting tonight. The city has also been trying to improve its appearance to attract new residents and businesses. There are plans to refurbishing the downtown area with the State of Tennessee paying 80 percent of the construction costs. The city was notified last year that the state is going to fund the project. The board will consider paying $58,000 in engineering costs to design the construction phase that will include new sidewalks, building new concrete ramps and replacing landscaping with improved islands that will include trees and shrubs that will compliment the city’s greenway system and the downtown business district. New pedestrian lighting will be added along the sidewalks, and overhead electrical wires will be located underground. The work will extend on both sides of West Lincoln Street, from Jackson Street to Atlantic Street and extend around the corner on Atlantic to Grundy.

Packed house for 47th District State Rep debate in Manchester... All photos by Barry West

Judd Matheny adresses crowd at Thursday's debate

Scott Price

Last night at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza a debate was held between 47th District State Representative candidates incumbent Judd Matheny and challenger Scott Price. The event was put on by WMSR Radio to better inform voters on several issues. The debate featured discussion time on jobs, TennCare, education, tort reform and more.
Remember early voting is going on now; In Tullahoma voting is taking place at the C D Stamps Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. In Manchester early votes may be cast at the Coffee County Election Commission office in the county office building. Voting there will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Early voting will continue through November 1 at both locations. Remember those casting ballots must have a photo ID, such IDs may be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Safety.

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