Category — Politics

This exciting story takes a turn as Jeff Woods uncovers a letter penned by House Speaker Kent Williams to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely:

Whoa! What’s this on the very top of the pile of documents? Why, it’s a letter from House Speaker Kent Williams to Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely on behalf of Barrett. “My hope is that we can reason together to resolve this issue,” Williams writes on Jan. 28.

He suggests that TDOT cave in to Barrett’s demands and grant easement along I-24 to extend a road to his ammo factory. As you know, certain legislators have amended a bill to force TDOT to do just that. It would specifically benefit Barrett—big campaign contributor, boyfriend of Rep. Donna Rowland, R-Murfreesboro, and winner of the NRA’s coveted Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award.

“I have been asked by my colleagues representing Rutherford County to write you regarding a right of way issue in the district,” Williams tells Nicely.

Kudos to Woods’ keen eye. For those of you who are just joining us, check out the original story that uncovered this whole mess here.

UPDATE!

As Woods continues to sort through documents acquired via Sunshine Law requests, he uncovered another gem:

We’re still rummaging through our new file of public documents on the Ronnie Barrett melodrama. Let’s see, a motion to dismiss, a document about a deposition, letters from Barrett to Nicely and Nicely to Barrett, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Wait, what’s this? Barrett is worrying about terrorists staging a commando raid on his firearms factory?

Yes, he made an official request of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security to evaluate the terrorist threat that might be posed by one of the alternate routes proposed by TDOT for the access road to his factory. (Apparently, you can order up a terrorist threat assessment in this state like a cheeseburger and fries.) That route would have come closer to the plant, thereby making it handier for terrorists to attack, according to Barrett. He’s especially concerned that terrorists might swipe some of his .50-caliber sniper rifles, giving them the power to shoot people from several continents away.

Stay tuned…

An editorial by Sam Stockard:

When asked about the matter, Tracy, a Shelbyville Republican, said he did not sponsor the amendment that rewrote the bill. Instead, he said Sen. Doug Jackson, a Democrat from Dickson who sponsored the initial bill, sponsored the amendment that passed unanimously in the Senate Transportation Committee.

But on the General Assembly’s Web site for Amendment No. 1 to SB0094, Tracy’s name is clearly on the line directly above Signature of Sponsor. Tracy explained that he signs all amendments that come through the committee, which he chairs.

If that’s the case, he would be listed as sponsor of every amendment made in the Senate Transportation Committee. But he specifically said Jackson sponsored this amendment.

Maybe someone who keeps the records in the Senate Transportation Committee made a mistake, or maybe Tracy wants to distance himself from Barrett Firearms owner Ronnie Barrett even as he is helping him.

This is now day nine of Barrettgate. You can read the story that kicked off this mess here. Also, read my behind-the-scenes account here.

Gail Kerr, columnist for The Tennessean, had a few things to say about Barrettgate over the weekend:

Absurd? You’d think so. But that, in effect, is exactly what the legislature is debating. A Rutherford County business wants a new road into its new shipping facility. Problem is, it crosses state property that is an easement along I-24. The feds, who fund interstates, don’t like that. State transportation officials turned it down.

The company owner just happened to deposit $10,000 in the coffers of state legislators, including the Senate Transportation Committee chairman and a state representative the businessman is engaged to marry. The committee voted for the bill.

Seriously, have they no shame? Instead of an all-you-can-eat buffet, it’s a help-yourself road project.

The legislation grants an easement on state land along I-24 for Barrett Firearms. Owner Ronnie Barrett claims the state promised him the easement in 2005, but state officials dispute that.

Bottom line is, the state transportation department builds roads, not the legislature. Except, apparently, when a state representative is a customer of the company that wants the road.

Follow the details of the Barrettgate scandal right here, beginning with the story that broke this news on Nashville 24/7 last week. Also, check out my behind-the-scenes account here.

It’s been a week since the story originally fell into my lap and five days since it broke. The DNJ finally has the news:

The Senate Transportation Committee has approved a measure that would require transportation officials to grant an easement along I-24 long sought by Barrett Firearms, a company that makes high-caliber military rifles. Owner Ronnie Barrett says transportation officials have reneged on a promise to allow the easement that was made when he launched an expansion in 2005.

But some observers say the legislature is overstepping its bounds — perhaps to benefit only one well-connected local business owner.

Since 2004, Barrett has given nearly $10,000 to legislators, including Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, and state Rep. Donna Rowland, R-Murfreesboro, to whom Barrett is engaged.

“There clearly is an issue … when there is a legislator or two doing something to favor a constituent or a friend or a contributor,” said Dick Williams, state chairman for Common Cause. “What’s not clear is that this is just to benefit one special interest.”

Governor Bredesen commented on the issue, as well:

Gov. Phil Bredesen said the measure might lead to more meddling in roadway disputes.

“I would not think that the state legislature ought to be determining individual projects that are done,” he said. “If we start passing bills to build interchanges or build roads independently, I think we’re on a really bad course in terms any kind of an intelligent transportation strategy.”

The DNJ came close, but didn’t find all the details of this story. Read my update from last night’s related post to find out who else carried a bill that would have directly helped Barrett Firearms.