This will be my last communication about THEC with state owned equipment and technology. For further contact and questions in response to this email you may contact me at [log in to unmask] I do not want the state to believe I am using its resources for what you are about to read. In fact, We were intentionaly waiting for the semester to be over so it could not be argued that any of us were chewing up state time. Plus we need more time to make sure we are correct. 

Our tiny group of relative nobodies (though we are reasonably "connected") is funding a webpage to disseminate THEC information in a manner accessible to the public. The public does not want to go to multiple sites and draw conclusions, they want it served to them. Projections and speculations will be clearly labled as such but basic facts and relative repercussions will be posted. We do have two lawyers in our organization so we will be careful to not slander or committ any other legal type issue. A very bright light is about to shine on the individual board members, their politics, background and regional affiliation to discover whether the damage they are doing to the Chattanooga community is done through ignorance or planning. Regionaly elected representatives and their corresponding actions in response to THEC will be documented in a manner allowing any interested citizen access to this information. We are eleminating eduspeak and beaurospeak in order to broaden our accessibility. 

THEC appears to be a political organization (not an educational one) and on our site it will be treated as such. We also plan to determine why our reps are not more vocal about this most important issue. Sen. Frist appears to be leaving an open seat. The individual who forces THEC to reconsider will be worth electing. Anyone not taking issue with THEC will do this region little good. This is not just about UTC, it is about Chattanooga and every employer, employee and educator, of the Southeast Tennessee Region (regardless of university affiliation) should be concerned. Anyone with a child or concerned with the quality of education a child can obtain in the region should also be interested. 

Major tech companies and even major tech wannabe's are not going to be attracted to an area with strong JUCO's, COCO's TechCo's or any other SomethingCO. They are consistent in wanting universities and midmajor metropoloitan areas. They especialy like programs such as SIMS and our new computer palace. Its not just tech but all the companies that serve the individuals who support the tech industry. There is much at risk. 

Other areas of Tennessee may be wishful of taking a strong position in the same direction we seem to be heading and perhaps have engaged stronger politicians to influence THEC. When the site is up I will pass it through word of mouth. Anyone wishing to help, submit information or be the spokesperson (none of us want the publicity) should let me know at my private email address (above). Hopefully there will be resolution before any of this is neccessary.

Wanted:
Anything you have (even if we already have it) on: Terminal degree ratio by region,
Undergrad degree ratio by region,
Tax incentives by city, county, region (not chatt),
Increase in tech and tech material production by region,
Relevant newspaper articles (most often found in business section) not from Times/Freepress (we drain every edition of that already)
Personal History of any THEC board members
Business History of any THEC board member
Political History of any THEC board members
Educational background of any THEC board members
Names of published committments of new tech or high level manufacturing companies moving into TN... of course... By region.

Don't send me websites. If you think we can use it... send it as an attachment. 


this is a lot of work and we are doing the best we can. But we are truly overwhelmed and are verging (this hurts to admit) on giving up as it has turned into a full time job for all of us. This was not the reason we got together and is not part of the mission statement for our upcoming corporation. If we feel we are not doing a responsible job we will scrap it. If we find we are dealing with high levels of supposition and rumor, we will scrap it. We plan to present the information with integrity and respect, or not at all.

stuart