Commission chairman, Dr. Bob Ramsey is announcing his bid for the Tennessee House of Representatives seat being vacated by Doug Overbey. Here's what Ramsey says he plans to do for us:

"If elected, I will try to support the moral and ethical principles of Blount County citizens, our educational system, the protection of the physical and economic well-being of our citizens, the equitable and efficient responsibility for revenues, law and order and the protection of our natural surroundings."

His quote rings hollow. Chairman Ramsey, what have you done for us lately? Ramsey, like many of his mild-mannered Republicans, have allowed the thug-Republicans to rule. Rather than purging the party of the elected officials he KNOWS are sinister souls, he's done NOTHING. He's looked the other way while citizens have been followed home, harassed and intimidated. He's turned a blind eye to conflicts of interest. He's never taken elected officials to task over questionable expenditures.

If he can't represent us here at home, there's no reason for us to believe he will do justice to the job in Nashville.

...because the more he says the WORSE he looks!

The latest from Blount Mayor Jerry Cunningham responding to the ethics complaint against him:

"Not just to get it resolved, but to save the expense and keep the cave people, the citizens against virtually everything, from fussing about whoever (reviews the complaint)," he said. "Sometime before I retire, I hope I hear one of the cave people say one good thing about Blount County. Just one."

Here's a great idea, Jerry. Do the ENTIRE county a favor and retire now. Your credibility is shot. Seriously, even fellow lawyers are mortified at the sheer idiocy that comes out of Cunningham's mouth.

It's time for Blount County Commission to ensure the safety of citizens who attend and wish to speak at commission meetings. As more is revealed about the threat by Sheriff Berrong against an elderly citizen at last week's commission meeting, ALL should be calling upon the Commission Chair to take action. See the entry at: Link... It appears the blogger interviewed the elderly man about the threats. Chairman Ramsey, and other commissioners should contact this man for a full accounting of what he was forced to endure.
Commission must go on the record, that citizens are welcome in the "publicly-funded" county courthouse for all public meetings without fear of being threatened, harassed, or followed home by marked, or unmarked sheriff's vehicles. Chairman Ramsey, with the backing of EVERY commissioner, needs to show leadership and put Berrong on notice that this WILL NOT be tolerated. Berrong does not run this county, NOR does he run the commission meetings.
Furthermore, citizens must remember THEY PAY BERRONG'S SALARY! If he, or his thugs threaten, follow, or in ANY WAY attempt to intimidate, or harass, REPORT THEM! Contact the Tennessee State Police AND the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and file an OFFICIAL report.
Perhaps it's also time for Ramsey to seek legal guidance on what needs to be done about this. It's gone on for too long. It's frightening to think Berrong has repeatedly pulled these tactics on people attending public meetings and to date, NOTHING has been done about it.
Heads up, Commission and Chairman Ramsey: Get control of the courthouse, and if the sheriff can't conduct himself professionally, kick his can out of there!

Did anyone watch the Republican YouTube debate? Mitt Romney basically buried himself. He might be a nice guy, but he can't answer a question for squat. I almost felt sorry for him he sputtered around so poorly. Rudy G. handled it fairly well as did Huckabee who probably had the best one-liner of the night. Other observations from the peanut gallery?

Sheriff and Drug Task Force are in the news again. See this link to WBIR.com : Link...

Sure seems strange the deputy would resign just a couple weeks before her "colleagues" arrest her. Thoughts?

The Blount County United Way has made much of it's kickoff. And, as most know it strives to do a lot of good with many deserving organizations. But it sure seems strange how a non-profit organization would lead its fund-raising charge with a host of politically-charged Republicans. The object is to bring in as many dollars as possible to help the UW's member agencies, not to politicize the campaign and risk losing donations from those who have serious issues with the highly questionable financial shenanigans of the group unaffectionately being tagged "Bennett & Co."

Let's see, Bennett, Blount Republican party chair, is "chair" of the United Way campaign. Julie Talbott, who works in Bennett's office, is chairing the United Way Day of Caring. Disgraced Circuit Court Clerk, Tom Hatcher, also a Republican, is chairing the UW's Hamburger Luncheon. Now, you'll note Commissioner Mike Lewis is chairing the UW's Golf Tournament, and yes, he is a Republican. But, in his defense, he's been involved in charity golf tournaments for many years, and is a relative newcomer to politics. He's still trying to figure out all this political stuff.

With all due respect to the United Way, this smells kinda stinky. And, the UW administration and Board of Directors should have seen the writing on the wall. Then again, maybe they did, and went with the political angle anyway. Either way, this year, donations from this wallet will be given directly to the member-agencies. It doesn't make sense to send money through an organization that leads a major campaign with politics instead of keeping its eye focused on its mission of helping those with real needs.