Lewis County government says “No” to Civil Rights Act of 1964 with Monday vote

For three years the former Marine made his point, picking up a vote or two along the way.

Finally this time in a surprise outcome, even to Commissioner David Rentschler, the tide turned when seven Lewis County Commissioners voted no, upsetting a previously unquestioned compliance with a federal law.

In what has become an annual speech, Commissioner Rentschler began Monday evening with “This may be the last time you have to endure my statement.  I’d like to think that signing this paper would change something,”  he added, expressing doubt.  The commissioner conveyed his belief that by accepting money from the Federal Government, who in turn, places strict requirements on how the dollars are used, creates dependency upon the government and results in a loss of freedom for all Americans.

One of the seven voting no, Commissioner Darrell Runions expressed it well Tuesday evening in a telephone interview.  ”It is a disgrace to our military.  We [Americans] open the door and let everyone walk all over us,” he said, acknowledging the sacrifice U. S. military men and women offer everyday for freedom.

But it seems not signing the paper just might have changed a few things, although not in the expected manner.

Tuesday morning phones began ringing for Lewis County Mayor Jonah Keltner and for several commissioners as the word began to spread.  It was soon evident Lewis County’s financial situation could take a serious nose dive if Commissioners do not soon change their minds.

Try $2 million worth of a hit.

Lewis County Schools Director Benny Pace reported the local school system receives nearly that amount in the name of special education, Title funding, Food Service money, and for the Coordinated School Health program, for starters.  Not only would the school be required to pay back the monies granted already received through Stimulus funds and other grants, services to students could suffer and teachers could lose their jobs.

“If we lost this funding it would be very difficult to keep our schools open.  And if by some chance we could keep our schools open, there is no doubt jobs would be lost. Either way we would still be bound by law to maintain some of the programs we stand to lose and without the funding in place that would be impractical,” he said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp  indicated in an interview Monday afternoon the he wants to work as governor to reclaim Constitutional rights for states, based on the 10th Amendment.  Wamp, the 3rd District Congressman from Chattanooga, was in Hohenwald as he concludes a 95 county tour of Tennessee in anticipation of the race for the governor’s seat in 2011.

Given the history of the Civil Rights movement, one might begin to think racism was involved.

That couldn’t be further from the truth of the issue.

“That vote is a direct reflection of the bad taste in everyone’s mouth toward government right now,” Commissioner Mark Graves said Tuesday afternoon.  Graves voted in favor of accepting compliance.

“There is a general level of discomfort all over the country right now,” Graves continued, adding he believed Commissioner Rentschler made an excellent point, just the method of breaking away from Federal aid must be conducted with a plan.

Commissioner Charles Talley, a member of the board for 23 years, said he voted his opinion over his constituents for the first time.  “The President and Congress are spending money that will take a century to be paid off,” he said.  Talley voted no to conforming with the Act.

“If it were just me, I wouldn’t change my mind,” he added.

“Its a good [law] but [the Federal government] is pushing stuff down your throat.  It insults your intelligence to have to do the same thing every year,” he continued.

“It’s as if the Federal government is saying we have to make them sign this piece of paper every year or they will go back to the way it was in the 60s.  Racism doesn’t have anything to do with it.  I am tired of the hypocrites in Washington. They don’t want us to discriminate, but they have [voice recordings] on government phone lines in Spanish but never in Japanese or other languages.  “That is the pot calling the kettle black,” he said.

Commissioner Leon Hunter, a 15 year member of the board, said he did not get all the facts before he voted no.  “I didn’t know we would lose that kind of money for the schools.”

“It was not a racial thing for me,” he responded to the reporter’s question.  His vote was based on freedom of speech,” he said.  “Maybe we don’t need Federal dollars but we don’t need to raises [property] taxes,” he added.

Commissioner Runions has voted against the affirmation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for three years.  “We all pay state and federal taxes.  If they have that much money on hand to dictate to us how we spend it, maybe should keep it,” Runions said.

“I have only been in politics three years and I have figured out there’s not a lot of common sense in government,” he said.  “I get aggravated with it.”

“We are gradually losing our freedoms...As government grows, freedoms decrease proportionally,” Commissioner Rentschler told fellow commissioners Monday, speaking against the acceptance of regulations the United States Federal government places upon states in order for the states to receive federal funding.

Eight voted to comply and seven, Commissioners John Booker, Hunter, Runions, Bobby James, Talley, Joe Churchwell and Rentschler, voted not to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Commissioners Matt Spitzer and Jason Fite were absent.

Commissioners did appoint a new member to the Board, Cranford Durham.  But Durham, after thanking the commission for the appointment, left the meeting and did not return for the remainder of the meeting, missing the discussion.

Resolution sponsor, Commissioner Jason Haygood, appeared upset and as the meeting neared adjournment, requested a meeting with Lewis County Attorney David Peluso to determine exactly what the vote meant for Lewis County.  Haygood said Tuesday he was fearful those outside the county hearing of the decision would accuse Lewis County as racist.  “That offends me.  This is a peaceful community.  The no vote said no to the whole thing.”

Commissioner Talley said, “I am man enough to admit when I have made a mistake and man enough to fix it,” indicting he would vote to comply with the Act.

Commissioner Rentschler served four years with the United States Marine Corp.  He has opposed the acceptance of “free” money from governing entities at every opportunity pointing out the “free” money always has contractual agreements for the local government who is required to perform as instructed by the donating government entity.

“The people expressed the heartfelt feelings of most Americans.  They are fed up with it,” he said in an interview after the meeting.

He contends the money is never free.