mskaytenn's Blog

A person that I know who works with the County told me about this last week, I really didn't give it second thought. I am one who is all for second chances, but I find it very ironic that Hooks was able to land a job almost immediately and we have people that have a criminal record, walking around this city everyday who can't catch a break. According to the CA, he will be responsible for assisting other inmates with finding work and taking advantages of various programs. Isn't that what the "Second Chance Program" is for? It's no wonder that alot of convicts give up in this city. I know of someone who tries day in and day out to find work, but has no luck. I guess it's all in who you know. Do you think that Hooks got this job because of name recognition? Do you think that this job was opened to other qualified individuals? Things that make you go..huuummm!

 http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/23/e
x-inmate-hooks-gets-county-job/

I witnessed what I think is discrimination, based on age, this morning. I walked into a particular McDonald's this morning, and I noticed two teens sitting at a table, dressed as if there were about to be interviewed. I walked up to the counter and placed my order.  The manager took my order and when she finished, she walked over tothe teens and asked them their ages. I heard them say, 16. She then said, "I'm sorry, but I don't hire under the age of 18, I'm sorry, I should have asked you all that". I could not believe what I heard. I got my order and we all walked out of the door at the same time. I asked the teens did hear the woman correctly, and they said, "yes ma'm". I asked them did their parents bring them to the restaurant, and they told me that their parents were at worked and they caught the bus. I felt really, really bad for these two teens. I told them to let their parents know about this situation and have them to address it. I know that the legal age to work in Tennessee is 16. I felt like this manager was dead wrong. I left my cellphone in the car, if I had it with me, I would have recorded this entire incident. I sent an email to their corporate office though. All of the employees in this store are adults. I mean, we have teens that are trying to do the right thing, and had a door closed in their face. I hope their parents address this for them.

While out getting something for lunch today, I saw something that concerned me. There was this lesbian couple in front of me placing their order. One of these women looked like a normal female, and the other was manly, sagging jeans, oversized shirt and all. They had a small little girl with them, who looked no more that two years old. The normal looking woman was holding the baby and the baby was calling her mama, so I assumed this was her daughter. This woman put the baby down and she started to cry.  She started to pull on the manly woman's pants leg and she was saying  "da da". This woman then picked her up and she stopped crying. While I believe that a person has the right to decide if they want to live this type of lifestyle, I just don't think that children should be around this kind of stuff. This really disturbed me. I know that children need lots of love,  and this child seemed really, really happy. I am curious about what others thought about this.

Last night I had for comfort a friend of mine. Her nephew was shot in the head in Raleigh last night. She called me upset and I got out of the bed to be with her. When I arrived at the hospital, there were alot of this young man's friends there also. He is pretty bad off. I went into the emergency department to find her, she was visiting him and was very, very shaken up. We walked outside to get some fresh air, and there were alot of people standing outside, some with her nephew and others with their loved ones. There wasn't any kind of commotion going on. The security at the Med called police to say that these people were loud, making threats, and just acting a fool. An officer told us that we could not stand outside and gather like that. He said that we had to enter the hospital or move to the sidewalk. Some went into the hospital and some moved to the sidewalk. Next thing we knew about nine police cars pulled up, driving crazy and everything. I thought a crime had occured! They got out and started yelling at us, telling us we had to move if we were not immediate family members. One officer said, "Damn how many people died?", in a sarcastic way. I asked her "does it matter?".  I told her we were there offering our support.  The officers started to tell us that we had to leave, unless we all would be arrested. BLEEP, arrested for what? We told the officers that security told us to go inside, or move to the PUBLIC sidewalk. They didn't care. I told my friend that I was leaving because I didn't have time for this nonsense. I started to walk to my car. One officer started yelling "bring out the warrant book, they will leave". I could not believe what I was hearing. Another officer started to right tickets on every car parked in front of the hospital that they saw these visitors getting in. Not once did they walk to all of the other cars parked. It's no wonder people have no respect for the police. This was about 12:00 a.m., I'm sure that other crimes were being commited in this city , while they were harassing people at the hostipal. I did write badge numbers down, and I will make a complaint. There were others that took video of these officers, cursing and talking crazy as hell. If that had been one of their loved ones, I wonder would they have done they same thing? 

For exposing Charles Alexander DBA Great American Homes. I blogged about this very issue a couple of months back, because I knew of people that this was affecting. I knew that his would be a problem in the upcoming months. These properties are sitting abandoned in the inner city, contributing to the blight that already exist in these areas. I can't understand how this man is still collecting payments from Section 8. He should be sued for every penny that has been paid since these properties have been in foreclosure. He is another person that has been taking the city and government for a ride. I am glad that this has been reported. I think that alot of people will be searching for places to stay. Why would he run a get these adjustable rates? I am quite sure that he knew what they consisted of, but probably didn't care because he was not paying a dime of the payment! He knew that these terms could change in the future, so for him the say that this is the reason that they are being foreclosed is BS. I am sure that Section 8 paid most if not all of the mortages on these homes.

On a side note, I have a friend that works in the Section 8 department. I meet her for lunch one day last week. I waited in the lobby area. While waiting for her, I browsed through the listing of houses that are avaiblabe for people on the program. I noticed that they had a lot of properties that are being rented by "Alexander Properties". I asked her was this "Charles Alexander", and she told me yes. Ernie, did you all notice this when you where in the office?

I need some help from my fellow bloggers. I am sure that most are aware of the energy assistance program that went into effect on April 9. I am trying to assist a relative of mine. She is a single working mother of three, like myself. She receives no government assistance, nor child support. She has a cut off notice for her utility bill, which is $270. She makes around 27K per year. When she heard about this program, she was excited and thought that finally the working people would get help. She has appled for help from MIFA and CSA in the past, neither program would help her. MIFA has too many guidlines, and CSA has income limits, which hers is over their guidlines. I read the guidlines for this program, and her income is NOT ENOUGH for program. According to the guidelines, she has to make a minimum of 32K per year to quailfy.  This program was suppose to be designed to help those who can't get assistance anywhere else. Well, it's not doing that. She doesn't qualify for one program because she make TOO much money, and she doesn't qualify for the other because she DOES NOT MAKE enough money. I would think that a person making 27K per year would need assistance quicker than one making 32K. While I understand that we can all use a little help now and then, I just think that this program is not helping those that fall between the cracks. She did call the number to try and get assistance anyway, and she was told that she did not earn enough. I think this is crazy. The people who sit on their rumps all day get everything that is given out!! Does anyone know of a person that this has affected also? If so, what was your outcome. She has tried calling Sara Lewis and Demetria Adair, since their names are listed on the following link. She has not got an answer.

http://www.cityofmemphis.org/pdf_forms/EnergyUtilit
yAssistanceRelease.pdf

I am sure that everyone has seen this video by now. These kids need to be charged to the fullest extent of the law. They beat this girl like she was an animal. To think that six girls was involved in this is ridicolous. The two boys that served as look outs, need even stiffer punishments. The young lady was beat repeatedly for over 30 minutes by each of the six girls. I heard a defense attorney speaking on Nancy Grace last night, and he said if represented one of the defendants, he would get them off. He said that he would use their age, gender, and there direct involvement as his defense. What does he mean direct involvement? They were all there and not one of them attempted to stop this attack. As sad as it is, if these kids don't have criminal records, they will probably not spend one day in jail! If that had been one of my children, I would not let up on this one bit. I would be furious! And to think, these were supppose to be her friends!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,349709,00.html<
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Who are dancing all around the city just because Herenton is resigning, please dance on. Do you actually think that because he will no longer be mayor, this city will be better? Do you think that all of the criminals that run rampant in this city will suddenly flee? Do you think that parents will step up and be parents? Do you think the community leaders and churches will do the right thing? Do you think that people will take pride in their communities? Do you think that people will stop making stupid choices? Do you think that people will have more respect for human life? Do you think that you will get a fat pay raise on your job? Do you think the price of gas and groceries will go down? Do you think that race relations will become better in this city? NOT. I have heard ALL of the above things, and countless others blamed on the mayor. I can't wait for the newly elected person to make all of these things go away, and will will not have one complaint in this ciy. We have alot of people on here that are always pointing fingers, and do nothing to make the situation better. All they do is complain, complain, and complain, but are stitting on their azz. Some have talked about his language, his child out of wedlock, as if he is perfect. No one is without flaws! What  ver he does, it's always negative in most eyesight. I think he would be a good on the school board. Just because he is closing libraries and communtiy centers, doesn't change my support of him. These ran down places should have been closed. They serve no purpose. Most parents use them as daycare centers, the children are not doing anything constructive in them. Just visit one, and you'll see. Some are always talking about savings money, but when a plan is brought up to save some, people still complain. Most of you have finally got what you wanted, so I say party on, and most of you need to party right out of this city, because you are too negative. Herenton had the right to resign when he wanted to, and that's just what he did. This city will be peachy after July 31st.

Is in shambles. How is it that former Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy, Chris Jones could only be charged with 2nd degree murder? This man shot and killed DJ, Donald Munsey after an altercation at a local bar/restaurant. He also shot another man in the azz, last I heard this man was in critical condition. Now, I'm no law expert, but isn't it against the law to carry a loaded weapon into an establishment that serves alchohol, or does this only apply to civilians? He has Leslie Ballin as his attorney, and he as been ordered to have a mental evaluation, please this is the oldest defense, but it might work. According to the media, he was just divorced two weeks ago, and they will play on this. If this defense doesn't work, they will have him to plea to a lesser charge, and he will be out of jail, without serving much jail time. People serve no time to taking another's life. I have read many blogs around here, especially those in reference to Lester St. Some said that Jessie Dotson should have been in jail for the rest of his life, and should not have been released from jail. I don't think that one life is greater than the next. If you kill, you should be killed. I also found it strange that no one blogged about this. If this had been a black person killing another black, or a black person killing a white person, I'm sure there would have been blogs about it. I don't mean to step on any toes, just calling it like I see it.

Has been accused of this horrible crime on Lester St. Now, while I think that he had something to do with this, I don't think he acted alone. There is probably more to this story. I can't understand how a person can become so angry at another to do something like this, especially a family member! Jessie was released on parole in January, after serving 14 years of a 18 year sentence for murder. I have heard people say that convicts should serve all of their time when sentenced, this is not going to happen. I for one, believe in second changes, and some people do change. It's not fair to judge everyone like this. This man must have a criminal mind to do something stupid like this after being incarcerated that long. I have heard so many people being judgemental of Cecil, I did also. It seems that people always assume the worst. While this man didn't have a clean background, he was human too. I have heard people say that he got what he deserved, how can a person say that?? From media sources, it looks like this man did get up and go to work everyday, he did provide a home for his family. While it seems that he was involved in illegal stuff, this doesn't automatically make him a bad person. Sometimes people make the wrong choices in life, and it seems that he had made a few.  People love and provide for their children in different ways, maybe this job wasn't paying him enough money to provide for his family, so he hustled also. I am not saying that this is okay, but let's be real, this is how some people live. The principal at the children's school said that the children were bright kids, always had a smile on their face, and were always happy. I don't think that Cecil was a bad parent, this is MY opinion. Just made wrong choices in life. What is a bad parent? I know I may take a little heat for this, oh well, just my opinion.

Bruce Thompson has pleaded guilty to corruption this morning in Federal Court. In his plea agreement all of the other charges are being dismissed. He is facing no more than 1 year and 1 day is jail. I am so sick and tired of these crooked azz politicians getting away with slaps on the wrist. He has said from the jump that he had done nothing wrong, when he knew damn well that he was taking money under the table too. Tenn Waltz has sent others to jail for over five years for 5k, according to the indictment this man received more than that and received a slap on the wrist. The justice isn't worth a damn.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/feb/27/th
ompson-pleads-guilty-corruption-charge/

Godwin has a point about MCS and their tolerating of gang colors at school. My oldest children attend MCS, and I know for a fact that they have had days where they could dress out of uniform and pay money. There has been several times that activities have gone on at the school and if the children wanted to dress out of uniform, they would have to pay a few dollars. Now MCS says that they use this money to buy uniforms for needy children. My question is, is there some type of fund for this money and who is auditing it?? This has been going on for awhile, because I have paid money for my sons numerous times, because they wanted to dress out of uniform. When dropping them off at school in the mornings, I have noticed all of these different color shoe strings and t-shirts under their uniform shirt, which is out of dress code. I have heard people say that these different Nascar jackets (as they call them) are gang affiliated as well. Some of the students wear them because of the colors in the jacket. I have seen numerous children going to school out of uniform at my son's school, some of the same students I see everyday. So it's obvious that the school officials are not inforcing this policy, which makes me question what else they are ignoring? Godwin has a point.

Nine times out of ten, if you live in the inner city, or travel through it, you have ran across one of these homes. They are houses that have these big, ugly, white picket fences in front of them. This company will only rent to Section 8 tenants, and they houses are scattered all around low income areas. Most of them are boarded up and are an eyesore. Most where foreclosed and bought for a little of nothing and then flipped.  I know of several people who live in these homes, and for the past few weeks, many of these properties have been listed in the Memphis Daily News public notice section, which lists foreclosures. According to  www.shelbycountytrustee.com, this company owns over 300 properties. Their office was located on N. Hollywood, but it's no longer there. One of the properties is occupied by a friend of mine, this particular property is on the foreclosure list. I brought this to her attention, because I scan these notices daily. She told me that these people have not contacted her, and asked what I thought she should do. I told her my best bet would be to contact Section 8 to see what she needs to do, if anything. She is scared that her and her children will be without anywhere to live if this property is auctioned off. By law, does her landlord have to let her know that they are obviously in a financial bind? She does have to pay some money outside of what Section 8 pays. Should Section 8 continue to pay rent subsidies if these properties are in foreclosure?? I am not knocking this program, but I am a taxpayer, and it seems to me that others are getting rich at my expense. If Section 8 is paying most of the rent on these properties and they are not paying the mortgage or taxes, working taxpayers will be left to foot these bills as well. Just curious, Fox13 I think this could be a great investigation story.

While I am glad to see that people are starting to fight back when people violate them and their property, I don't think I would have have the heart to kill someone who is not on the inside of my house. Now if they entered, that would be another story. I mean are we becoming a society that will kill for material things?? Burglars need to realize that people are sick and tired of being violated. One man was killed while attempting to steal from a homeowner, and another was shot. Looks like more and more people are becoming strapped. According to reports the man that killed the burglar, approached him on the outside of his home, he was breaking in his shed. I am not sure of what I would do if I heard someone on the outside of my home. I know my first reaction would be to see what's going on, but I might be too scared to actually walk outside. Reports say this burglar had a weed wacker and was threatening this homeowner, he asked the burglar to drop the tool. Would this be consider justified?? I live alone with my children and I am seriously thinking about getting a permit and a gun to protect myself and my children. Just curious about what others thought.....

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jan/24/2-
burglars-shot-overnight/

Does anyone here know where I can find information about eviction laws in Tennessee. I am trying to gather information for a friend of mine. Here's her problem. She is currently renting an apartment on a month to month lease. She is about to move, and gave her current landlord a 30 day notice on the 1st of January. She has not paid the rent there for this month, and her landlord placed a notice or her door and it stated that she had until the 21st to pay her rent or eviction procedures would be started on the 22nd. I told her that she is responsible for the rent for this month because she has stayed there. I am thinking about helping her pay this rent, because I don't want her and her children put out. She will be moving out on next weekend and she is under the impression that the deposit can be applied to her last month's rent and she can pay the difference. I thought that deposits was for the clean up and so forth and you got it back if you didn't owe past due rent. Does she have to be taken to court before her things can be put out?? Does anyone know how long this process takes?? Will she have to go to court and the courts give her a date to be moved?? Will she have time to get her things before the sheriff comes out?? Any infomation would be appreciated.