Genma Speaks

Entrepreneur/ Writer/ Radio-Host

Monday, November 10, 2008

Genma Holmes Luncheon Keynote for 2008 Summit for Sunstainable Tennessee



Nashville, TN - Many voices, one vision at the 2008 Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee
Listen and learn from the chorus of voices coming together for a sustainable Tennessee, November 13-15, at the second annual Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee in Nashville. Sponsored by the Tennessee Environmental Council, Tennessee Conservation Voters and Greener Tennessee, the event will unite participants to bring a common vision for generating a practical
and sustainable plan for all of Tennessee that re-establishes the connection between an improved quality of life, a healthy economy and our natural landscape.

Gathering at the Lipscomb University campus' Ezell Center, Summit organizers have invited citizens from a broad array of backgrounds to participate in three days of breakout sessions, guest speakers (including Mayor Karl Dean and entrepreneur Genma Stringer Holmes) and opportunities to exchange ideas and solutions and
forge new partnerships while finding common ground. Summit participants will focus on sharing best practices, successful working models and case studies to demonstrate the most effective and environmentally sound practices, products and programs in Tennessee. Attendees will include concerned citizens, representatives of private industry, conservation groups, scientists, engineers, environmental policy experts, elected officials, educators, students, artists and community leaders from across the state. Summit participants will identify and prioritize
issues facing Tennessee and outline strategies for addressing them as a unified body. This statewide plan - Thee Sustainability Agenda - will create everyday action items that every Tennessean can use to positively impact our economy, quality of life, environment and natural landscapes. The goal of this year's Summit is to build upon the process created at the 2007 inaugural gathering and to focus on conservation and sustainability as an opportunity for our economy and our state's
health. Protected green space, sustainable land use practices, green energy, transportation, and other technologies and green building methods save money, earn profits, create green jobs and make Tennessee a green place to live and work.
We hope you will join your fellow Tennesseans in discovering how to create a sustainable future.

To read more about this year's Summit and the successes of last year's inaugural gathering, visit www.sustainabletn.org

Photo credit: Blair Morgan
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

A day like no other...November 4th


No matter who wins today, November 4, 2008 will be a day like no other. I am volunteering at the polls today. All day. One of my customers owns a bottle water franchise and we did a little bartering. Free pest control for bottled water. That is $585.00 in pest control tender, for those who do not know the dollar value in bug killing terms. My trucks are loaded down with bottled water.

I also managed to get snack crackers from another client who is a local grocer. Mr. Benson thinks I am crazy and was too shocked to say no when I asked him for crackers for some of the older folks in line today and might need a little pick me up. Daddy could make a meal out of saltines, so I figured someone close to his age would appreciate my efforts.

My Mississippi roots are urging me to run find a few cans of sardines to complete my culinary dish but I am pretty sure those standing in line would not savor the odor of the meal most requested by folks that live along Hwy 61 in the Great Magnolia State. Sardines, crackers, and cold water what else would one want while waiting in line for hours to cast a paper ballot that has the value of a cherished, priceless diamond.

My greatest wish today is that everyone vote. No matter how long the line is, no matter how cold or hot, no matter how one might feel about standing in the rain or heat, please vote. My granddaddy was willing to give his life for the right to vote. Joe Jackson is not here but I can hear him asking, "did ya vote?"

This morning, I looked heavenly, and answered, "Yes Daddy, you know I voted!" I pictured him smiling and rocking in his favorite lounger after hearing the only answer I was taught to say. Voting was the only option when you were raised by Joe Jackson. His thoughts will be missed tonight as the polls close and the non-news pundits give their bias on this historic day.

Maybe, I should picked up a few cans of sardines after all. That should help the lines moved faster, I would think.
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