Let’s have a town square campaign for governor
Editor’s note: We asked Tennessee’s gubernatorial candidates Democrat Karl Dean and Republican Bill Lee to write guest columns about their visions going to November.
I believe the primary election for governor was a referendum on the tenor of politics here in Tennessee as much as anything else.
We have a unique opportunity to give Tennesseans what they really want an election focused on the issues that matter: education, health care and jobs.
I respect Mr. Lee and the demeanor in which he’s run his campaign. But he and I have stark differences on these issues, both in our experience and policy positions. Voters deserve the opportunity to hear about these differences and ask us questions, so they can make an informed decision on Nov. 6.
I believe the best way for us to do this is through a town square campaign. Mr. Lee and I will both be traveling the state over the next three months. It’s important that we appear together in as many small town squares, suburban neighborhoods, and urban churches as possible and talk about the issues. Let’s get beyond the sound bites and have candid conversations together in town hall style formats so we can hear from Tennesseans.
These don’t have to be formal debates, although I welcome those op-
bulldozer. It created a crater that was at least 10 feet deep and covered a 20-foot area.
The pressure from the damaged pipeline was so great it tore up equipment at a gate station six miles away.
“When we got there, there were dirt clods the size of trucks blown out of the hole,” Byrd said. “And the bulldozer blade, you couldn’t tell what color it was. It blew all the paint off.”
Byrd described how the gas pressure ripped into the ground and pipeline. “The pressure caused that pipe to form a curlicue just like opening a can of biscuits,” he said.
Byrd worked as a part of the replacement crew that installed a new 20-foot section of pipeline.
Luckily, Byrd said, the contractor survived the eruption. It made a lasting impression. “I never want to see something like that again,” Byrd said.
To help prevent such eruptions, MLGW and other natural gas companies throughout the country recognize Aug. 11 as National 811 Day -- to remind homeowners and businesses of the dangers of hitting a gas line.
Eight. One. One. It’s an easy and important number to remember to call before you dig.
Lela Garlington is a senior communications specialist at Memphis Light, Gas and Water and a former reporter for The Commercial Appeal.