Today, I welcome the first contribution of Randy Pace to BrianHornback.Com Pace will be providing some thought provoking content about whatever he sees and inspects. His first installment is about a Guest Columnist at the Big Metal Shed on the Hill.
Guest columnist Joyce Richman penned and open letter to U.S. Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. in this publication (Knox News Sentinel) on the 9th of February 2017. I am seeking clarification from Richman regarding her comment that “I’ve never been politically active”. Did she mean that she had never held or sought public office? Her follow on comments would lead me to believe that is not in fact what she meant. To be clear, in my humble opinion, Joyce Richman has been politically active at the very least since 2008, when she made a political campaign contribution of $950.00. In 2013 she publically referred to Congressman Duncan as a “terrorist”. Her political agenda and very public condescension and belittlement of “republicans” are on public display almost daily through social media. Her active involvement in letter writing, phone calling and voter encouragement truly make her a model of political involvement. Unfortunately it is that kind of political involvement that most Americans detest. Those filled with less than factual statements. Those intended to divide us. I encourage Richman to clarify her statement and also encourage the KNS editorial staff to police its Guests. I understand it is an opinion page. The term guest implies that she was invited to mislead the public. I believe that Congressman Duncan has a responsibility to two way communication with all the people he represents. I do not however believe that he owes those who intend him harm, a platform in which to inflict it. I strongly suggest that Joyce Richman contact his office and schedule a private meeting in which to express her thoughts and ideas on how to improve whatever it is she thinks needs improving. Most people enjoy a reasonable exchange of ideas.
*Randy Pace a retired chief petty officer moved to Knoxville in 2014 shortly after being elected to a second term as a councilman in Medford, N.J. He served as mayor during his first term. Pace quit his elected position when he and his family moved to Knox County, because of his wife’s career move to Oak Ridge, TN
