A quick "thanks" to the County Engineering crew that came to remove the tree blocking our road after Friday's storm. We had a nice little chat as we worked together to remove the limbs to the side of the road. They had been working straight since 11pm the previous night, clearing over 50 trees up to that point, and still had more to do. After we finished that job, I had to run out and clear the tree blocking my Mother's driveway (happy early Mother's day!).
So, when you write that check for your property taxes, remember there's more than just schools to pay for. Think of all the hidden and emergency services that are available for us all.
Great job guys.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Stories from the Campaign Trail
I spent two hours going door to door last night, but I only managed to get to two houses.
At the second house I went to, an older gentleman and his wife were out in the carport, enjoying the weather. So, I walked up and made my typical introduction (hi, I'm running for County Commission here in the Fourth District, etc). He immediately asked me who I was going to vote for in the presidential election. I got to talking about my whole voting history, which led into us talking about work (he drove a tractor-trailer for 50 years), retirement, health, work ethics, hobbies (he gleams up tractors for tractor pulls), crime, education, immigration, children, and (I swear I'm not exaggerating) the meaning of life.
By the time it was dark, we both knew each other as well as most relatives. It was a great way to spend an evening. Not as productive as I'm used to from a campaign perspective, but it was a moment to stop and recognize how much you miss in the quick door-to-door process. Lives are complicated. Goodness knows mine is, too. The capacity of people to live with their daily challenges (say, battling with the contractor that messed up paving your driveway) and still be active and involved in community issues is a great testament to the endless energy some people have for making where they live a better place for all.
So, to my new friend, this post is for you.
At the second house I went to, an older gentleman and his wife were out in the carport, enjoying the weather. So, I walked up and made my typical introduction (hi, I'm running for County Commission here in the Fourth District, etc). He immediately asked me who I was going to vote for in the presidential election. I got to talking about my whole voting history, which led into us talking about work (he drove a tractor-trailer for 50 years), retirement, health, work ethics, hobbies (he gleams up tractors for tractor pulls), crime, education, immigration, children, and (I swear I'm not exaggerating) the meaning of life.
By the time it was dark, we both knew each other as well as most relatives. It was a great way to spend an evening. Not as productive as I'm used to from a campaign perspective, but it was a moment to stop and recognize how much you miss in the quick door-to-door process. Lives are complicated. Goodness knows mine is, too. The capacity of people to live with their daily challenges (say, battling with the contractor that messed up paving your driveway) and still be active and involved in community issues is a great testament to the endless energy some people have for making where they live a better place for all.
So, to my new friend, this post is for you.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Silence is on YOUR SIDE, media folks....
I was watching Tennessee This Week and almost hit the floor with Gene Patterson and Frank Cagle commented that "you have a lot of people running in the August election, and you haven't heard a peep out of them [about the charter petition amendments]."
Hmmm. I guess you didn't get the press releases and you forgot the conversations we've had in the back of the City County meeting room or the call-ins to your shows.
I commented to Georgiana Vines that the Charter Petition discussion was "sucking the oxygen out of the room" with regards to the election. We have a boatload of other issues that need to be brought out and discussed before the election- growth issues, the coming changes related to air quality non-compliance, the budget crisis, ethics issues, etc., and time is running short. Us candidates are happy to discuss these things (and I routinely comment on these issues on my blog), but please don't pin the blame on us and call is silent on the issues.
Give us a call. We'd be happy to discuss these things with you. My phone # is 228-2263, and it's on 24/7. Early voting starts in about 10 weeks. For those of you with Sunday talk shows, think about how many candidate appearances you need to fit in that time frame.
Hmmm. I guess you didn't get the press releases and you forgot the conversations we've had in the back of the City County meeting room or the call-ins to your shows.
I commented to Georgiana Vines that the Charter Petition discussion was "sucking the oxygen out of the room" with regards to the election. We have a boatload of other issues that need to be brought out and discussed before the election- growth issues, the coming changes related to air quality non-compliance, the budget crisis, ethics issues, etc., and time is running short. Us candidates are happy to discuss these things (and I routinely comment on these issues on my blog), but please don't pin the blame on us and call is silent on the issues.
Give us a call. We'd be happy to discuss these things with you. My phone # is 228-2263, and it's on 24/7. Early voting starts in about 10 weeks. For those of you with Sunday talk shows, think about how many candidate appearances you need to fit in that time frame.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Live- April 28th Commission Meeting
- 35 minutes just to make modifications to the agenda...
- Noise over approval of the contract for the new school superintendent. Even though CC approves the contract and provides an overall school budget, it really doesn't have the authority to set the salary or tell the schools how to spend their budget. Clearly this contract will make it difficult for the school board to get a budget increase in this tight year, in the eyes of some commissioners.
- South Knox school will go out for open bid, with right to reject the results if they are not deemed satisfactory. I have heard of at least one developer that is interested.
- Libraries will take over maintenance and operations from PBA, in hopes of saving about $1M.
- Passed resolution to ignore unfunded mandates from the State Legislature. Also voted to urge State officials to comply with same standards (e.g., Open Meetings Act) as those affecting Knox County.
- Resolution opposing toll roads in Knox County. Some noise that the State wanted to come down and explain why they wanted to do their study. Too bad, CC sez, we don't want a bloody toll road. Motion passes to light applause.
- Motion to ask Fansler for an advisory opinion on the Open Meetings Act. John Owings, as in the Committee meetings, continues to warn that this is a bad idea. Resolution withdrawn.
- John Owings noted that the law office has spent 10 hours on an issue Moore brings up about someone who was turned down for a $730 business tax license (apparently hung up due to a successorship issue and unpaid back taxes from the previous owner). Moore is mad because the clerk's office won't return his calls. Apparently the new business owner is using the same address, business name (Knoxville Pre-Owned Center), and phone number. Apparently the Clerk's office feels this is an attempt to avoid due taxes and is denying the license.
- Audit meeting set for May 19th.
- Ordinance to amend Charter Committee process to allow CC to be part of appointment process (rather than just the Mayor) passes first reading. Ordinance to change timeline for Charter Amendments also passes first reading.
- Charter Petition Committee proposals:
- Reducing number of signatures- passes second reading
- Reducing size of commission, adding two at-large positions- Scott Moore moves to withdraw, with considerable support from other commissioners. Hammond says one person can't do the job, but he's not against people voting on it. Trouble with school board alignment issue, as some school board members would have to move to stay within their elected districts. Stackhouse is raising lots of reapportionment issues (2010), as well as future civil rights lawsuits. The school board provision is problematic. KCP is offering to drop the school board alignment provision (Don Parnell). Current motion is to withdraw (after Moore calls the question cut off Larry Smith's input!). Motion to withdraw passes, so no action on this.
- Conflict of Interest- attempt to withdraw fails, motion to approve fails 12-6-1 (Lambert passes). THIS WAS A NO-BRAINER.
- Inspector General- Fails, Pinkston, VDF, Wright, Ballard, Lambert, Leuthold, Davis, Ivan Harmon, Strickland + 1 other voting against.
- Anti-Nepotism- Fails. Against: Ivan Harmon, Davis, Leuthold, Lambert, Moore, VDF, Pinkston. THAT ONE WAS A NO-BRAINER.
- Qualifications (No County Employees on Commission)- Against: Pinkston, Moore, Davis, Ivan Harmon +1 other i didn't catch, Lambert passes. Leuthold recuses. FAILS.
- Conflict of Interest for County Commission. Against: I Harmon, Davis, Leuthold, Lambert ,Moore, VDF. Pinkston recuses. FAILS.
Tonight left me totally speechless.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Live Blogging- Intergovernmental Committee Meeting April 21
I had commented before the Committee meeting this AM that things would be going smoother and faster, with some of the more contentious things out of the way. Of course, I jinxed the whole thing. Less than 10 minutes in, Lumpy Lambert proposed a resolution in memorium of Charlton Heston, a "strong defender of the Second Amendment." Were Charlton Heston a Knoxvillian, I could see this, but I have to agree with Davis that this opens the door to all kind of non-Knoxvillian memorium resolutions. The other commissioners apparently wanted to pick their battles with Lumpy, and it was let to pass. Fortunately, not too much time was wasted.
South Knox High School site- vote to maintain status quo (no demolition).
Motion to ban cellphones from meetings- voted to deny recommendation. Particular opposition from Hammond (business) and Davis/Defreese (child care issues).
Motion to require Fansler to appear before Commission and "explain" deemed an inappropriate bad idea and withdrawn. Still, lots of discussion and complaints about the inability for commissioners to contact each other outside of announced meeting.
(As unfair or unreasonable as it seems... we have to live with it. It's like when your boss gives you unreasonable demands, you can complain all you want, but at the end of the day, you have to find a way to work within the parameters you are given. Announce a meeting with your co-district-commissioner every two weeks at Long's Drugstore or the equivalent if that's what it takes to have enough time to collaborate on district issues.).
Mayor Ragsdale will have an address at Hardin Valley High School no May 14th, 8:00 am.
Resolution opposing toll roads- easily passed, MacKenzie made a point that while we all oppose the Orange Route as a toll road, a resolution that bans them forever may be too strong.
Modify Process for Charter Review Committee (Davis/Daniels)- Basically, allow the Commission to vote to approve the list of names from the mayor's office to the Charter Review Committee, and to give Commission the right to approve (or turn down) the CRC's final recommendation. Lambert proposes more Commission involvement in actually picking the names (based on the process used for the temporary appointees, taking resumes, interviews, etc). MacKenzie says he opposes changing a process he doesn't see as broken. Passed with recommendation 6-2 for the 4/28 meeting.
Resolution to reduce time frame for putting petitions on ballot- passed w/recommendation.
Charter petition amendments- sent on without recommendation. Amended versions handled by separate vote?
Audit Review Meeting discussion.... motion to postpone to a later date, assuming Finance committee agrees to postpone as well.
DeFreese added a motion to only name buildings and roads after deceased individuals. I agree with this totally, I have seen this kind of thing abused over the last several years (as a political favor).
South Knox High School site- vote to maintain status quo (no demolition).
Motion to ban cellphones from meetings- voted to deny recommendation. Particular opposition from Hammond (business) and Davis/Defreese (child care issues).
Motion to require Fansler to appear before Commission and "explain" deemed an inappropriate bad idea and withdrawn. Still, lots of discussion and complaints about the inability for commissioners to contact each other outside of announced meeting.
(As unfair or unreasonable as it seems... we have to live with it. It's like when your boss gives you unreasonable demands, you can complain all you want, but at the end of the day, you have to find a way to work within the parameters you are given. Announce a meeting with your co-district-commissioner every two weeks at Long's Drugstore or the equivalent if that's what it takes to have enough time to collaborate on district issues.).
Mayor Ragsdale will have an address at Hardin Valley High School no May 14th, 8:00 am.
Resolution opposing toll roads- easily passed, MacKenzie made a point that while we all oppose the Orange Route as a toll road, a resolution that bans them forever may be too strong.
Modify Process for Charter Review Committee (Davis/Daniels)- Basically, allow the Commission to vote to approve the list of names from the mayor's office to the Charter Review Committee, and to give Commission the right to approve (or turn down) the CRC's final recommendation. Lambert proposes more Commission involvement in actually picking the names (based on the process used for the temporary appointees, taking resumes, interviews, etc). MacKenzie says he opposes changing a process he doesn't see as broken. Passed with recommendation 6-2 for the 4/28 meeting.
Resolution to reduce time frame for putting petitions on ballot- passed w/recommendation.
Charter petition amendments- sent on without recommendation. Amended versions handled by separate vote?
Audit Review Meeting discussion.... motion to postpone to a later date, assuming Finance committee agrees to postpone as well.
DeFreese added a motion to only name buildings and roads after deceased individuals. I agree with this totally, I have seen this kind of thing abused over the last several years (as a political favor).
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
April 15 Revisions to Charter Petition
The KCP Committee has submitted some improvements to some of the petition documents, summarized here. Attached are links to the new proposals and some comments of mine.
Consistency Amendment- DROPPED.
Executive Branch Streamlining- no proposed changes yet, but the letter refers to keeping the Property Assessor as elected. I support letting either form go to the people for a vote.
Reducing Size of Commission- I don't agree with it, but again, I'm all for letting it come up for healthy debate and a vote. I'd prefer this to be delayed to allow for more debate, but as long as people know what they would be giving up (2 commissioners down to 1.22, and less choice/variety among candidates, in my opinion).
Conflict of Interest Amendments 1 and 2
Amended to define conflict as employee/official, their spouse, and their children living in the same household. Children out of the house (e.g, old enough to enter into contracts), brothers, sisters, etc- No conflict at all! Hogwash. This thing doesn't go far enough for my tastes, but it's a start- let the people vote. Even if it passes, I would bring up a stronger version to close the giant loopholes.
Nepotism
Much better. Includes in-laws, step-relatives, and grand-relatives, and "parent substitutes" (e.g., foster relationships). I'm all for this one now.
Qualifications
The overly broad "compensation...directly or indirectly" has been changed to direct employment, which solves a lot of problems caused by the "indirectly" clause. This one is good to go, and I support it.
Inspector General
Resolution of salary questions.
Consistency Amendment- DROPPED.
Executive Branch Streamlining- no proposed changes yet, but the letter refers to keeping the Property Assessor as elected. I support letting either form go to the people for a vote.
Reducing Size of Commission- I don't agree with it, but again, I'm all for letting it come up for healthy debate and a vote. I'd prefer this to be delayed to allow for more debate, but as long as people know what they would be giving up (2 commissioners down to 1.22, and less choice/variety among candidates, in my opinion).
Conflict of Interest Amendments 1 and 2
Amended to define conflict as employee/official, their spouse, and their children living in the same household. Children out of the house (e.g, old enough to enter into contracts), brothers, sisters, etc- No conflict at all! Hogwash. This thing doesn't go far enough for my tastes, but it's a start- let the people vote. Even if it passes, I would bring up a stronger version to close the giant loopholes.
Nepotism
Much better. Includes in-laws, step-relatives, and grand-relatives, and "parent substitutes" (e.g., foster relationships). I'm all for this one now.
Qualifications
The overly broad "compensation...directly or indirectly" has been changed to direct employment, which solves a lot of problems caused by the "indirectly" clause. This one is good to go, and I support it.
Inspector General
Resolution of salary questions.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Don't Forget- Charter Meeting Tonight, West High School
6:30 pm. Unfortunately, I can't be there as I'm at an EPA conference. I'll have some people from my campaign there to gather notes & meet anyone who wants to chat. I'll be curious to see what our temporary commissioners see as the next step.
Interesting note from the EPA conference- I met with a representative of Washington Dept of Ecology that said they are transitioning their car testing program to a car maintenance program, because late model cars are so much cleaner. They feel they are going to get a better bang per buck by ensuring people have proper tire inflation, oil change frequency, tune-ups, etc. It could be that if TDEC looks at the current EPA template air improvement plan (SIP), it may be based on an outdated model. I'll be following up.
Interesting note from the EPA conference- I met with a representative of Washington Dept of Ecology that said they are transitioning their car testing program to a car maintenance program, because late model cars are so much cleaner. They feel they are going to get a better bang per buck by ensuring people have proper tire inflation, oil change frequency, tune-ups, etc. It could be that if TDEC looks at the current EPA template air improvement plan (SIP), it may be based on an outdated model. I'll be following up.
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