THE DANEIL HAYES TEAM

A lot of attention in the past weeks and months in Rutherford County has been focused on the proposed Bible Park USA. There are valid questions from many perspectives about the project, as there are with any large-scale development. From a tourism standpoint, the Bible Park would mean a huge boost to our economy.

The goal of the Convention and Visitors Bureau is to bring more visitors into the county. Tourism is one of the largest industries in Tennessee. Employing 381,400 individuals and generating $13.4 billion in revenues in 2006, tourism indeed has become one of Tennessee's most important "cash crops."

What does this mean to us? The dollars that travelers spend are re-circulated back into the local, state and national economies and directly benefit other related industries, which rely on tourism for their survival and growth. This multiplier benefits virtually everyone in the U.S., by generating tax revenues, which help to pave our roads, educate our children and provide health care for our citizens. Travel spending also helps support shopping and historical areas, art galleries, museums and many cultural and community events. Visitors come to our community and eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels and shop in our stores and then they go back home and we don't have to worry about educating their children or building new roads or sewers for them.

Our 2006 impact figures show that travelers to Rutherford County spent $215,820,000. That is a 10.52 percent increase over the previous year. The local tourism industry supports 2,030 jobs and generates a payroll of $37,670,000. These travelers also generated $13,020,000 in state taxes and $4,570,000 in local taxes.

Dollars spent by travelers produce a ripple effect, which is felt through every aspect of our community and beyond. By increasing our sales tax base, tourism dollars allow the city and county governments more revenue, and thus help keep property taxes from rising. We have estimated that the tax burden for each Rutherford County household is reduced by $196 per year due to the revenues generated by tourism. Although the County Commission has not yet voted on the Bible Park, I strongly believe the park will provide a huge boost to our economy and therefore it merits a close look by all city and county officials.

Obviously, the Bible Park would bring tourists in substantial numbers to see this one-of-a-kind historical and educational attraction, and would certainly entice them from all over the country. According to Terri Sterling, owner of Sterling Communications and a spokesperson for the Bible Park USA, the estimated visitation for the park is 1.5 million visitors annually.

The 275-acre park would feature visualizations of famous Bible stories as well as depictions of life in ancient Bible times. Proposed attractions include a Bible Land Fly-Through indoor ride, the Exodus Experience with standing tall waves, a recreation of Noah's Ark for small children to play inside, and a Teen area with a key attraction, The Bible - The Greatest Adventure Ever, and a coffee house, sports arcade and retail shops.

The park would also feature a state-of-the-art recording studio, a theater for plays and indoor concerts, a reproduction of an authentic Galilean Village, a covered amphitheater for outdoor plays and acoustical musical events, a museum with traveling exhibits and gathering places for youth groups and Bible study groups next to a stone wall inscribed with the entire text of the New Testament.

Having such a unique attraction would certainly help to draw visitors to Rutherford County, keeping hotels full and cash registers ringing at our many restaurants and retail stores. It would also provide both seasonal and full-time jobs for our residents.

The Bible Park's presence in Rutherford County would greatly aid our marketing efforts for the new Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, because we would have another family-friendly attraction, which would encourage conventioneers to bring their families and extend their stay in Rutherford County.

Daniel W. Hayes, Realtor

A recent article in Rutherford A.M. gave the citizens of Rutherford Co. an inside look at the candidates for the Murfreesboro City School Board election that will take place on April 15, the candidates also have shared their views at two forums and other appearances on multiple educational issues.

Among the issues they've talked about include socioeconomic balance vs. neighborhood schools and public participation at board meetings vs. policies requiring personal issues to be dealt with by educators outside the public events.

Now it is time to take an in depth look at each candidate:

Name: Tim Roediger

Address: 1179 Ithaca St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Phone: 615-907-3478

Education:Earned bachelor's degree in parks administration from Murray (Ky.) State University in 1983; added master's degree in parks administration from same college in 1985; attained bachelor of education at University of Adelaide (Australia) on a Rotary International Scholarship (a one-year graduate degree equivalent to completing the first year of two for a graduate degree here) in 1990; achieved master's degree in education from MTSU in 2003 and specialist in education degree from MTSU in 2007.

Career:Assistant principal Oakland High School.

Family: Wife, Sara Roediger, a librarian at Hobgood Elementary; three children, Tyler, a sophomore at Oakland; Trent, a sixth-grader at city's John Pittard Elementary; and Mattie, second-grader at Pittard.

What are your qualifications to serve on the Murfreesboro City School Board?

Aside from my formal education, my experience, my 18 years as a teacher and administrator in public education uniquely qualifies me to serve on the school board. I think educators should be well represented on the school board. If it were a medical board, you would want medical doctors to help make decisions.

What kind of letter grade would you give Murfreesboro City Schools Director Marilyn Mathis for her job performance, and why do you feel she deserves this grade?

I am going to have to say a C. In light of the fact that the school district has doubled its free- and reduced-lunch population in the past five years and we have schools that have distorted free- and reduced-lunch numbers, we have schools such as Hobgood with 79 percent free and reduced-lunch, and others in single digits, it appears to me that this issue has not been addressed.

My second point that would lead me to give the C grade is the lack of collaboration between the city and county school districts. Remember, we want the best prepared student entering middle schools, and we must have that communication that best serves that goal. The issue is collaboration, not consolidation.

What are key problems the city district faces, and what do you think should be done to resolve them?

I think that we should encourage public participation, and we can do that by creating policy that enables citizens to come to school board meetings with the opportunity to speak. In other words, even if it's a spur of the moment thing, there would be time allotted to speak. You shouldn't have to jump through hoops to speak at a school board meeting. Let people have their say when they're ready to speak. Very often, you are inspired at the last moment.

Why are you seeking a four-year term to serve on the board?

I just feel that the board could be more responsive to the public, as well as to the issues.

Daniel W. Hayes, Realtor

The Daniel Hayes Team

Master Plan Realty

615.598.4236

A recent article in Rutherford A.M. gave the citizens of Rutherford Co. an inside look at the candidates for the Murfreesboro City School Board election that will take place on April 15, the candidates also have shared their views at two forums and other appearances on multiple educational issues.

Among the issues they've talked about include socioeconomic balance vs. neighborhood schools and public participation at board meetings vs. policies requiring personal issues to be dealt with by educators outside the public events.

Now it is time to take an in depth look at each candidate:

Name: Nancy Phillips

Family: Husband Mark; two children, including one who attends Discovery School.

Education: Majored in theater at MTSU; attended George Peabody College for Teachers and studied special education; returned to MTSU this summer.

Career: Creator and producer of the children's television program Adventures in Murphy's Burrow through the Discovery Center which airs on City 3. Voice over artist for children's audio and video products.

What are your qualifications to serve on the Murfreesboro City School Board?

I care deeply about the children of our community. I'm grateful to have spent my adult life involved in organizations and activities dedicated to children. I'm an experienced advocate and know how to be the squeaky wheel while still supporting our system. I serve as an ambassador for public education for the Tennessee School Boards Association. I'm the board's representative on the Community Advisory Council, which was one of my initiatives.

What kind of letter grade would you give Murfreesboro City Schools Director Marilyn Mathis for her job performance, and why do you feel she deserves this grade?

Mrs. Mathis gets an A-minus, B-plus from me. She should also be allowed to grade me as a board member. Mrs. Mathis sincerely wants academic success and the best school system possible for our children. She's an educator as well as an administrator and has a very thorough understanding of the financial complexities of the school system. She has the respect of the community and has managed to persevere during many challenging situations. But no director, board member, or school system is perfect, and we certainly have room to improve.

What are key problems the city district faces, and what do you think should be done to resolve them?

Equity, vision, and academic excellence are three key issues. Regarding equity, we must be vigilant to ensure that, in as much as possible, each school, each teacher and each child has access to the same quality environment, educational tools, and academic support for success. Vigilance is the key word here and a commitment to equality. Regarding vision, I'd like to see our system engage all of our stakeholders as a vital part of carving out a new and vigorous vision for Murfreesboro Neighborhood Schools. We are a great system, and we can do great things, together. (Regarding) academic excellence, Murfreesboro City Schools are a shining success. We have a rich heritage of amazing teachers and administrators that made this system what it is today. With a new and vigorous vision which builds on this heritage, by believing in the possibilities, eschewing the naysayer and committing to future, we can shine even brighter.

Why are you seeking a four-year term to serve on the board?

I like kids and I want to be a voice for the children of this community. Our schools make a real difference in the lives of our children and I want to do everything I can to support their success. Also, I hope to see more progress on some of the areas I've been working on as a board member. And, it's a wonderful way to give back to the great community which is home to our family.

Daniel W. Hayes, Realtor

The Daniel Hayes Team

Master Plan Realty

615.598.4236

A recent article in Rutherford A.M. gave the citizens of Rutherford Co. an inside look at the candidates for the Murfreesboro City School Board election that will take place on April 15, the candidates also have shared their views at two forums and other appearances on multiple educational issues.

Among the issues they've talked about include socioeconomic balance vs. neighborhood schools and public participation at board meetings vs. policies requiring personal issues to be dealt with by educators outside the public events.

Now it is time to take an in depth look at each candidate:

Name: Patrick McCarthy

Address: 1714 Waterford Road, Murfreesboro TN 37129

Phone: 615-896-8787

Education: Graduated from Lakeland High School in Minocqua, Wis., in 1983; earned bachelor's degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1987; added master's degree at West Virginia University in Morgantown, in 1990 and doctorate at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., in 1996; scheduled to graduate with law degree from Nashville School of Law in May.

Career: Organizational psychology professor at MTSU; also consulting for businesses in organizational psychology and human resources.

Family: Wife, Teresa; four children, Darby, a seventh-grader at Siegel Middle; son, Payton, a fourth-grader at Discovery School at Reeves-Rogers; stepdaughter, Catherine Conway, a fourth-grader at Discovery School; and Marilyn, a 4-year-old preschooler.

What are your qualifications to serve on the Murfreesboro City School Board?

I've been an educator for 20 years and understand the issues that our schools and teachers face. My experience on the board has been very helpful, but also I have been an involved parent who was a former PTO president. I have kids in the schools now and for years to come, so I have a very personal stake in our schools. My professional background is in helping organizations run more efficiently. My new legal background is also extremely relevant.

What are key problems the city district faces, and what do you think should be done to resolve them?

Growth is certainly an ongoing issue these days, so the system has to plan and anticipate that growth and prepare for it. And certainly continuing to hire and develop the best quality teachers is important throughout that growth. And wise financial planning and management is essential throughout this process.

What kind of letter grade would you give Murfreesboro City Schools Director Marilyn Mathis for her job performance, and why do you feel she deserves this grade?

I would say overall I would probably put her in the A-minus, B-plus range because that's what our school system's range is on the state report card. Ultimately she has to be accountable for the performance of our system, and certainly it's a team effort among teachers and staff for the system's performance, but ultimately she has to be accountable for it.

Why are you seeking a four-year term to serve on the board?

I've been deeply involved with the schools at some level for the past eight years. The education of our children, my own children and our community as a whole, is personally very important to me. I want to do what's best for these kids.

Daniel W. Hayes, Realtor

The Daniel Hayes Team

Master Plan Realty

615.598.4236

A recent article in Rutherford A.M. gave the citizens of Rutherford Co. an inside look at the candidates for the Murfreesboro City School Board election that will take place on April 15, the candidates also have shared their views at two forums and other appearances on multiple educational issues.

Among the issues they've talked about include socioeconomic balance vs. neighborhood schools and public participation at board meetings vs. policies requiring personal issues to be dealt with by educators outside the public events.

Now it is time to take an in depth look at each candidate:

Name: Andrew Jacks

Address: 302 N. Church St., Apt. No. 14, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Phone: 615-556-3544

Education: Earned home school high school diploma in Sterling, Va., in 1998; attended Northern Virginia Community College and MTSU pursuing course work in political science, economics and other subjects.

Career: Screen printer for a local print shop, Grand Palace Silkscreen.

Family: Single.

What are your qualifications to serve on the Murfreesboro City School Board?

I am founding board member of Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities. I have studied education for many years on my own and through interactions with teachers and students and parents. I'm an adult literacy tutor with Read To Succeed.

What kind of letter grade would you give Murfreesboro City Schools Director Marilyn Mathis for her job performance, and why do you feel she deserves this grade?

From my experience, I give her a C. I feel that way because I've spoken to many teachers and administrators who have said she has been very difficult to work with. A very important quality of a director is cooperating not only with those on the board but also with teachers.

What are key problems the city district faces, and what do you think should be done to resolve them?

I think that the key problem is in relations between the schools and the nonprofit community offering after-school programs because many times students need something to do after school that will reinforce what they are learning in school, and these groups often have trouble gaining the attention of the students and parents in promoting their program. I'd also like to see a student representative from the schools to be represented on the board.

Why are you seeking a four-year term to serve on the board?

The last two years I've been involved in education in the nonprofit sector. And since education has always been the most important thing to me, a logical step is to serve on the board, and I really care about the community of Murfreesboro. Education is the most important thing to us.

Daniel W. Hayes, Realtor

The Daniel Hayes Team

Master Plan Realty

615.598.4236