Elect Rhonda O’Dell

Many years ago I met Principal Louis Padgett at Northaven Elementary School. I had heard so much about him and he did not disappoint! Mr. Padgett has dedicated so much of his life to the children (he knows every students name) and to the parents and the neighborhood. He will retire on June 30th. (For real this time!)

I know many of you in District 1 has been touched by Mr. Padgett. I hope you let him know how much he is deeply appreciated.

These are some pics from the Northaven Community Association meeting tonight that I has so proud to attend.

Your support means the world to me, because it helps hold the RED line in Shelby County for all of us! Republican Party of Shelby County

Happy Birthday Tennessee!!!

The real heroes in our communities aren’t politicians, it’s those serving us everyday. They don’t do it for praise or publicity, they have character & integrity behind the scenes. Please thank them when you see them!

Ready on Day 1 for District 1. Rhonda O’Dell

Good Afternoon District 1. I hope everyone has recovered from the long weekend. 🙂

Here are your Republican candidates across Shelby County. Early Voting starts July 17th and Election Day is August 6th!

Their lives weren’t lost - Their lives were GIVEN. Never Forgotten

To all the Class of 2026 Graduates in District 1 - Continue to make us proud!!

Good morning District 1!

Yesterday I posted a video created by Comm Mick Wright that told a story about the 18 Million dollar settlement that Mayor Harris couldn’t remember signing 18 days ago. I found it very comical because this is a typical political move by Mayor Harris.

I have watched for YEARS conservative Commissioners keep pleading with their colleagues across the aisle that we can’t keep wasting $, we can’t keep kicking the can down the road, we can’t keep robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I witnessed two Commissioners (Mills & Ford) reach out for help from the Comptroller’s Office. They raised numerous issues, but 2 have really concerned me.

1. The Commissioners CAN’T get accurate, timely information regarding any financial question. Their questions are either ignored or inaccurate. They are not kept informed regarding serious - CRITICAL information like “we don’t have the $$ to make the payroll”!!!!!! Why Why Why would they find this out in a commission meeting the same time the public finds out? Right now they still don’t have the ENTIRE FY 2027 Proposed Budget!!!!!! Missing information, and why would you trust what is presented when you are given “information” at the last minute- and then told you have to make a decision NOW. No time for due diligence. No time to study, research, PLAN, debate, discussion or do anything but have a panic attack. The budget deadline in June 30, 2026. Do you think a Fortune 500 business would operate like this and stay in business!?!?!?

The second concern is government CANNOT (or should NEVER) use their “savings account” to pay reoccurring expenses - like overtime salaries to pay law enforcement! Or use it to pay for lawsuits that we don’t have standing to be in. Or to pay for deferred maintenance on buildings (like 201). The County Commission sets policy on everything like they set a percentage that our savings accounts MUST stay at (or above). But in the last 5ish years the County has steadily decreased the savings account further & further- which is one reason (in my opinion) that the comptroller won’t approve the budget. This is critical because at some point all of these issues hit the proverbial fan. SHELBY COUNTY BUDGET MET FAN!

Mayor Harris has 3 months left in office. My friends will tell you I have predicted exactly how the sky is falling and right after the primary elections we will see the cry to raise taxes. I’m sad to say I believe the Mayor will get his wish of raising property taxes. It take 7 votes of the County Commission to raise your taxes. I probably shouldn’t say this, but I will just to explain how important your vote really does matter….. The Mayor has “presented” his budget without a property tax increase. He knows there is no freaking way it is balanced and meets all the critical needs we have. But he increased the budget by giving all part time employees full medical insurance and other pet projects. He knows 7 Commissioners won’t say no and they can now (after the primary election) have them take the heat for a tax increase.

But what I didn’t expect was the media to once again either be lazy and repeat what they are fed or just blatantly spin the news to the Mayor’s next target - Commissioner Mills. Let me explain…. Fox 13 said this morning that the Commissioners are now talking about how they will have to raise taxes to meet all the needs and they talk about that 18 Million dollar settlement between Mayor Harris and Sheriff Bonner as an excuse. Then they play an interview of Comm Mills talking about the subject- she never said we will have to raise taxes, she said “this has to be addressed” - she has ALWAYS SAID SHE WOULD NOT VOTE TO RAISE TAXES! But if you are a normal citizen just watching the news while getting your children off to school- you would think that she thinks we should raise taxes. During budget season and really every meeting she talks about cutting expenses and references her RED PEN.

Don’t be fooled by this…. Conservative Republicans like Comm Mills are fighting like hell to cut taxes but she needs 6 other Commissioners to steer this ship in the right direction! We have to get involved and fight to take our County back!!!!!!!!

Get involved with YOUR commission district AND then pick one other district to help elect a conservative. For example District 7 is represented by Commissioner Henri Brooks (D). That district is seriously- solid Democratic, but we have a candidate Gerald Green running as a republican that has been actively involved and fighting because he is fed up with the violence, blight, trash and total neglect of his community. Is his race a “long shot” - yes but I believe with everything in my heart that the voters want change and with Gerald Green I know they would have a better chance at the American dream.

I know this was long, but my heart is troubled this morning for our future. We can make a change in Shelby County - but it means we have to make it a priority! Turn the TV off, put our phones down and communicate with our friends, family, knock doors, donate $ to campaigns and to quote President Trump, “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!”

I am Ready on Day 1 for District 1! Rhonda