Who does Mr Owens think he is ? He can just pick a law firm to handle the legal needs of county commission? Could it be Mr Owens is getting a little kick back from this law firm ? I thought that any purchases made by the county be it products or services went out to bid .

Sounds like Mr Owens thinks hes above the normal process and he can just do as he wants. And to think certain county commissioners want him to be a session court judge. Doesnt this sound like MORE back room deals are being made ? Shame on those county commissioners that are involved in this, maybe they need to look up the word ETHICS and think about BLACK WED.

Apparently the forefathers could stay awake.

Lumpy's complaint on the County Commission forum about how long the meetings go on brought a response from Commissioner DeFreese. (after the jump)

As Bubba would say, ok then.

The situation with the Solway green waste facility is degenerating into nonsense. Commissioner DeFreese is determined to prove there is coal ash at the facility, but this is not in dispute. NRR has admitted that it accepted ash from Y-12, and DeFreese posted photographs of mulch piles with ash spread over them. If you look at the satellite view of the mulch facility on Google Maps, you can see a dumptruck full of ash being unloaded onto a mulch pile. Coal ash contains high levels of arsenic.

Don Daugherty encourages Knox Democrats to attend the nominating convention tomorrow night, but says he is withdrawing his name from consideration for Knox County Criminal Court Clerk and instead will focus his efforts on an independent "Democratic Resource PAC" and war room operation. Daugherty's full statement after the jump...

Sylvia Woods wants to give a 19-year-old the boot for supporting a Republican:

Link...

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Who do you think should be next Knox County Commission chair and why?

There are lots of comments on KNS site about the possible sunshine violation of Leuthold's phone calls letting his fellow commissioners know his intent, but there is little discussion on who and why should get this post. This spot is next in line to be Mayor in the event of a resignation or removal from office.

So I am coming to the folks who read KnoxViews for their insight as to who would make the best Chair.

"Rudimentary, crude, and unscientific" - but it got me on tee vee!

If you haven't seen this week's Metropulse, check out the photo spread associated with Frank Cagle's article on the Commission race. All the candidates are shown, with those who lost their races stamped with a giant red "LOSER" across their faces.

Now, I have thick skin, don't get me wrong. If it was just me, I wouldn't care. But I saw an entire slate of good people who gave a significant portion of their lives over the last six months, and most put in a good chunk of their own funds ($7000 for me), offering themselves over to the community for service to try to make things better and move this county forward.

To stamp "Loser" across their faces is about the worse journalistic decision I have seen in this community all of my life. These people are winners in my book. Coury Turcyzn, the Metropulse editor, appears to be the real loser.

Check out the issue for yourself. If you think this is as reprehensible as I do, please take a moment to contact the editor, Coury, at this link, let him know how you feel, and request a written apology.

http://www.metropulse.com/staff/coury-turczyn/contact/

Better yet, call the Metropulse offices (522-5399) Friday or Monday and ask to speak to Coury directly. Demand an apology from the editor in the next issue for this shameful decision.

Commissioner DeFreese is on the hunt for arsenic at the the Knox County Green Waste Natural Resource Recovery facility in Solway.

Defreese and Lumpy went out yesterday to observe collection of some soil samples. She files her account on the Knox County Commission chat board, which includes the disclosure that "I did have a hidden audio digital recorder on my person." There's some six degrees of subterfuge involving Mayor Ragsdale, too.

There will be a benefit for the victims of the TVUUC shooting at the Valarium this Friday, August 15. It is being planned by Leslie Woods, who grew up at TVUUC. The show starts at 6:00 (doors open at 5:30) and lasts until after midnight. The lineup is listed below. Those with a TVUUC connection include the Old Harp Singers, Chris Watkins and Sarah Buice, Leslie Terry, Space for Lease and Brian Griffin. There is no cover charge but donations are accepted. Snack-type food is served at the Valarium. Please email me for a copy of the flier if you have a place to post some.

Below is an announcement from OptumHealth. They are providing a free help line for people coping with trauma from the church shooting at TVUUC on July 27.

This tragedy affected many in our community, not just those who were there or are members of the church. If you are having any trouble coping with your emotions or reactions, or just still feel out of sorts, please make use of this service. It is not unusual to experience depression, anxiety, or symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder after an event like this. My understanding is that it can take 12-18 months to process something of this nature.

Don't be hesitant to reach out if you need some support, whether you were there that morning or not!

And after some time off she's fired up and ready to go:

So, way to miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Democrats. But truth to be told, it's probably not such a big deal, since your guys were just as involved in the nepotism and backroom deal-making as were the Republicans.

And just because you couldn't get it together to field a stronger slate of contenders for the countywide offices doesn’t mean there’s an unusual amount of internal strife in your party. Sure, lots of y'all hate each other's guts, but you shouldn’t feel like the Lone Ranger – half the Republicans I know wouldn’t pee on Mike Ragsdale's head if his brain were on fire.

Meanwhile, Sandra Clark gloats "It was about my 100th Republican victory party, but this one was different."

And Larry Van Guilder weighs in: Knox County voters concocted their own cure for scandal fatigue last Thursday: stay home.

KNS

The attorney general and his staff will "focus primarily on the use of grant funds and on audits of the mayor's hospitality funds, county purchasing card charges and expense reimbursements and travel expenses. This will include fulfilling the legal obligations to advise citizens seeking to bring an ouster suit."

UPDATE: Mayor’s Office Statement on State Attorney General’s Involvement

The Knox County Mayor’s Office released a statement late Monday afternoon regarding the appointment of State Attorney General Robert E. Cooper, Jr. to assist in reviewing matters related to Knox County government.

Chief Administrative Officer Dwight Van de Vate offered the following comment:

“We welcome the involvement of the State Attorney General’s Office and the continued efforts of General Bright. The work of General Cooper and his staff will ensure a fact-finding process that is careful, deliberate, and objective. We will continue to support their work and look forward to seeing these questions definitively answered once and for all.”

Wow. I just heard on WBIR 10 News This week that Republican Kathy Bryant defeated Democrat Brad Anders for County Commission 6-A.

Or maybe I heard that wrong. Let's go to the tape for an instant replay:

Yep, that's what they said. I could have sworn that Bryant was the Democrat who was defeated by Republican Anders. But I could be wrong. Hope so, because we endorsed Bryant and were pulling for her to win.

(Katie's only been gone one day and look what happens!)

Turnout for yesterday's election in Knox County was an anemic 19%. When people don't vote, nothing changes.

Here.

Local races to watch:

• Randy Tyree v. J.J. Jones*, Sheriff

• Amy Broyles v. Chuck Bolus*, County Commission 2-B

• Steve Drevik v. Ed Shouse, County Commission 4-B

• Scott Emge v. Sherry Witt*, Register of Deeds

• Andrew Graybeal v. Robert Bedwell v. Phil Ballard*, Property Assessor

• Robert Bratton v. Fred Sisk*, Trustee

(*Black Wednesday involvement)

Other competitive races:

• Sam McKenzie v. Albert Baah, County Commission 1-A

• Finbarr Saunders v. Ruthie Kuhlman, County Commission 4-A

• Don Sproles v. Richard Briggs, County Commission 5-C

• Kathy Bryant v. Brad Anders, County Commission 6-A

• Chuck Ward v. Mike Brown, County Commission 9-A

• Ken Irvine v. Bob McGee, Criminal Court Judge Div. II

• Amy Vandergriff v. Foster Arnett, Knox County Clerk

State primaries to watch at TennViews...

Tomorrow (Thursday), Knox County votes. The race between Randy Tyree and J.J. Jones for Sheriff of Knox County is the litmus test. It will decide if Knox County is ready for a new era of good government, or just wants more of the same old same old. It's your vote. You get to decide. It should be interesting.

Folks reading this probably already know this, or have already voted. But you may want to let family and friends know about the sample ballot and the two charter amendments that are on the ballot.

Knoxville News Sentinel

Knoxville lawyer Herbert S. Moncier filed a lawsuit late Monday demanding that 13 officials who will be elected Thursday take office as soon as they are certified by the Knox County Election Commission.

See Herb Moncier's earlier KnoxViews column on this (which also appeared in today's KNS editorial section alongside a counterpoint by Steve Drevik).

Check out the video:

Also, check out Randy Tyree's blog. (Where's JJ's blog?)

UPDATE: Randy Tyree will hold a press conference at his election headquarters at 10330 Technology Drive off Pellissippi Parkway, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5. It will be attended by Tyree and Joan Berry, the mother of Johnia Berry. More here.

Total number of early votes: 20342
Democratic Primary: 6347
Republican Primary: 14390

Feb. 08 early vote total: 36962
Aug. 06 early vote total: 24042

Breakdown by location here.

The Knox County Democratic Party executive committee has voted to hold an open convention to select their nominee for the Criminal Court Clerk vacancy. The convention will be Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 6:30 at the Main Assembly Room at the City-County Building. It is open to all Knox County Democrats who are registered voters.

In related news, former Knox Dem chair Don Daugherty announced his intention to seek the nomination. Earlier this week he issued a statement, the text of which follows after the jump...

Early voting through Jul. 30: 11,521

Party breakdown:

Democratic Primary: 3657
Republican Primary: 8300

Early voting, first 11 days:

2006 Aug. County General: 14,584
2008 Feb. Primary: 16,342

Early voting ends Saturday, and the election is next Thursday, Aug. 7th.

Early voting locations and times here. Note two additional locations and extended hours for last three days (starting today).

Randy Tyree's blog:

It’s Wednesday.
Never forget.
And, remember, this time YOU decide!

Check out the link at the top of that blog post. Might come in handy.

Management's response to the draft "Review of Mayor's Hospitality Account" will be posted later this afternoon here Link...

Dwight Van de Vate
Chief Administrative Officer
Knox County Government

KNS: County OKs TIF funds for project

After a lengthy discussion, commission on a voice vote approved the $814 million tax increment financing for developer John Craig and partners in 500 Block LLC - funding that will be considered by the Knoxville City Council tonight.

Say what?

Mr. Daniels wrote an op-ed in the July 27th News-Sentinel suggesting that persons elected August 7th not be sworn until 9/1/08. Mr. Daniels suggested there has been some custom or procedure in the past that officers elected to fill a vacancy until the next election take office on 9/1 rather than after being elected. To my knowledge this has not previously occurred and even if it did it appears contrary to the law. In fact, County Commission immediately sworn in those it appointed on January 31, 2007 and again on February 8, 2008.

The people will recall that Commission, when it made its appointments on January 31, 2006 and again in February 2008, swore in the appointees the same day immediately after the appointments..

The people have the right and deserve that those they elect on 8/7 be sworn and take their place in the peoples' government at the earliest moment. Any notion that a person elected on Aug. 7th should permit a person never elected to continue in that office until 9/1 is wrong and violates the trust of those who voted for that official.

I should have done more of this earlier, knowing I wasn't going to get that endorsement.

(link....)

Wouldn't it be nice if the voters were more informed?

Knox Charter Petition says it has 15,000 signatures on two petitions in the first 30 days. The petition drive runs through September 2. They say they have 300 volunteers and 20 part-time paid positions funded by 120+ donors.

Press release attached.