The Maryville Daily Times reports on Mayor Cunningham's remarks at the Blount County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner. He apparently can't talk about policies and progress in Blount County. Instead, he lowers himself to name calling.

He referred to Blount County Democrats as "far-left loons" and called three sitting County Commissioners (who he did not name) "monkeys." Speaking of Judge Meares and his "handlers," Cunningham said that "when you wallow with the hogs, you're going to get a little mud on you."

Contrast this with remarks at the Democrat's Roosevelt Day Dinner*, such as Commissioner Wendy Pitts-Reeve's talking about Eleanor Roosevelt's fight for "equal rights, equal justice, and equal dignity."

Or Mark Padgett's remarks that "small business is the fabric of our economy" and that his Dad was committed to helping small businesses grow our economy and create jobs.

Or Joe Gallagher talking about the progress Democrats are making in Blount County and calling for an independent panel to conduct a top to bottom audit of county finances.

Or Judge Mike Meares' remarks about his extensive background and experience in criminal law, and the Constitutional system of checks and balances including an independent judiciary. Or his remarks about citizens getting involved in better government and elected officials being responsive to citizens.

The contrast is pretty clear. Blount County Democrats have a progressive message of better government for a better Blount County.

Mayor Cunningham has a tin ear when it comes to politics, so all he can do is go negative. He doesn't have anything positive to offer, and compensates by hurling insults at thousands of good, honest, hard-working Blount County voters. It's not clear how this helps his candidates, and it will be interesting to see if they reject his remarks and distance themselves, or if they share his low regard for Blount County voters.

It's difficult to understand how Mayor Cunningham got elected with nothing more to offer than name calling and a local version of "cowboy diplomacy." But he has actually done Blount County a huge favor by lowering the bar in local politics. The lesson for Blount County is that if this is the best Republicans have to offer, Democrats can do a lot better.

(*You'll have to read about the Democrat's FDR dinner here, because as far as I know the Maryville Daily Times didn't cover it. That should tell you a lot about the local paper and how cozy they are with the local political machine. EDIT: But give them credit for not glossing over these shocking remarks. I suppose they didn't have much choice, though, because lots of people herad them.)

Ed. note: Comments have been enabled for approved users.

Blount Co. Commission will be voting on the new budget in June. Commissioner Walker recently asked for input at his blog regarding the top five areas where you'd like to see increased spending and the top five areas you'd like to see decreased or eliminated.

Everybody likes to gripe about taxes, and lots of folks, especially in Blount County, want lower taxes and less government. When you actually look at the budget, though, it's easy to see lots of areas where it would be nice to spend more and hard to find areas to cut.

It's even harder looking at it from 50,000 feet without knowing the details on some of these programs. It's a tough job to figure all this out every year (maybe a two-year budget cycle would be good?), regardless of your politics. I don't envy our elected officials and department heads.

Anyway, off the top of my head here are my priorities, better late than never...

The Maryville Daily Times files reports on the budget committee meeting. It's a no new taxes budget, but will use $3 million from reserves for schools.

The issue of expanding the jail to bring in more revenue for housing federal prisoners was discussed, and it was noted that the county would need a long-term commitment from the federal government to send federal prisoners. The revenue would help pay for expansion to relieve crowding at the jail.

I'm sure this has been explained, but how does bringing in more prisoners help relieve overcrowding? If the jail didn't house federal prisoners, would there be an overcrowding problem? How many federal prisoners are in the jail? Maybe the numbers work out, I just don't recall seeing them.

At any rate, I personally don't think Blount Co. ought to be getting into the prison business. Go take a drive around Morgan Co. some time.

In related news, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports on the county commission workshop last night. Property tax revenues are expected to be up 4% due to new development and commercial rezoning. There was also talk of disbanding the Ethics Committee, because the new state law requiring a policy doesn't require a committee to oversee enforcement. Instead of a committee, complaints would be taken up by the full commission.

KNS: McCord admits violating state law

State Rep. Joe McCord acknowledged today that he and others have been smoking in his legislative office suite, violating a state law that he supported.

Read the whole thing for some other interesting finds.

The Blount County Purchasing and Budget Committee meets today. Items on the agenda include:

• Growth Management funding options

• Resolution authorizing application for FY 08-09 Litter Grant

• FY 08-09 Budget Message

• FY 08-09 Recommended Budget-Estimated Revenues

• FY 08-09 Recommended Expenditures

• Where are we now?

• Summary of Budget-Beginning & Ending Fund Balance Analysis

• Additional Operating and Capital Requests for FY 08-09 budget

• Proposed Tax Rate Resolution

• Appropriation Resolution for FY 08-09 budget

The information package has extensive details on the budget, tax rates, appropriations, and more.

There is a County Commission workshop tomorrow, 6:30 PM at the courthouse. Some of the agenda items:

• Budget Committee items.

• Budget – Impact on tax rate, employee insurance, and debt service.

• Status on Children’s Home.

• Status on Road access to the Sheriff’s Firing Range and Training Area.

• Blount County Ethics Policy.

• Amending Commission Rules and Procedures.

• Petition Concerning Chilhowee Shooting Range.

• Discussion Regarding Blount County Noise Ordinances.

• Denial of Commercial Rezoning Request Concerning Highway 321.

• Zoning request re. properties on Lail Lane

From the information package:

• A petition signed by more than 80 residents was submitted regarding noise and potential water safety hazards at the Chilhowee Shooting Range. They are asking County Commission to "look into the matter" of these issues that they would "like to get stopped or under control."

• The matter of Highway 321 rezoning involves property at Lamar Alexander Parkway, Gateway Rd., and Tuckaleechee Trail. The owners had requested commercial zoning, which was denied by County Commission. They advised Mayor Cunningham that there was no valid reason to deny the zoning. In a May 2 memo to County Commission, Mayor Cunningham said "Upon the receipt of Ms. Whaley's letter, I asked for Rob's comment because at the last commission meeting I became very concerned about Blount County being sued over the vote denying the request. I think the manner in which the vote went down may have been based on a possible misconception relative to what is the law on this kind of matter. Certainly, I feel that it would be extremely difficult to defend such a lawsuit and not only would Blount County incur unnecessary legal expenses, but we could incur a rather large judgment. I would hope that the Commission would see fit to discuss the matter further."

• Regarding the Children's Home, Mayor Cunningham's attorney advises on May 2 that "I have met with Larry Giordano, the attorney for the Children's Home on April 24, 2008. We discussed all the outstanding issues. As you are aware, you and I then discussed property issues. I have conveyed to Mr. Giordano what I believe you and I can recommend to the County Commission. Mr. Giordano was to meet with the Children's Home Board this week and then make a a written proposal to me to settle all issues."

• Regarding the Lail Lane property rezoning, a citizen submitted a letter to Environmental Health stating that "At the present time we object to any rezoning that might now or in the future under present circumstances create greater problems in water control than we are presently experiencing." The citizen details the drainage problems, and also cites concerns about taxes, infrastructure, and traffic control. The letter concludes "No acceptance of a zoning change on Lail Lane should be approved before a thorough impact study is completed on the items listed."

Blount County needs a home rule charter, mainly for the purpose of establishing term limits for Mayor, Sheriff, and County Commission, and probably some other offices (some of which ought to be appointed instead of elected anyway).

I used to be against term limits, thinking the voters are supposed to take care of that. The trouble is they don't, even if they bother to show up and vote. And before long you get entrenched political power machines (whether Democrat or Republican) and progress grinds to a halt unless you are a member of a preferred special interest group.

KNS: Knox Ethics Committee wants more power to investigate complaints

Some members of the Knox County Ethics Committee want more power to investigate complaints against county employees and elected officials.

[..]

"A citizen doesn't have power to conduct an investigation and neither do we," committee member Mike Duncan said. "We need an ethics committee with some teeth."

Blount isn't the only county struggling to figure out how this is supposed to work. The state should probably step up and make some minor repairs to the newly enacted ethics laws.

Commissioner Wendy Pitts Reeves has updated her blog and I am sure you will find the new entry very interesting. On my pc I have to ignore the blog roll link over to the right of this post and go directly to her blog spot at Link...

Yes Ms Reeves- we wonder why indeed.

Keep up the great work pal!

From the Knoxville News Sentinel, Mayor Cunningham names County Commissioners Wendy Pitts Reeves, David Graham, and Monika Murrell.

According to the aricle, Mayor Cunningham says they accompanied a "citizen activist" to Nashville yesterday for a meeting with the State Comptroller's office to discuss "perceived irregularities" regarding county finances.

UPDATE: Edited to correctly identify David Graham and "citizen acitivist." Follow the link to the article by Robert Wilson for full details.

UPDATE: WBIR has more:

"They completely side-stepped the legislative process," Cunningham said. "It's a vigilante witch-hunt process. I'm angered by it."

When asked what he thought would come of all of this, Graham responded "Nothing, because it wasn't a meeting."

UPDATE: The Maryville Daily Times files this report, with more details and comments from several individuals involved in the controversy. The article also quotes state law on meetings coverted by the open meetings act. The article fails to mention this part:

Nothing in this section shall be construed as to require a chance meeting of two (2) or more members of a public body to be considered a public meeting. No such chance meetings, informal assemblages, or electronic communication shall be used to decide or deliberate public business in circumvention of the spirit or requirements of this part.

As was debated ad absurdum in the Knox County case, the key part is "deliberate."

Featured speakers: Bob Tuke and Mike Padgett
Both are Democratic candidates for Lamar Alexander's US Senate seat, in Lamar's hometown... Priceless.

Also speaking will be Blount County's favorite son Judge Mike Meares.

Commissioner Wendy Reeves will invoke FDR for us... and don't forget, there's (good) food !!

It should be well worth anyone's time and money ($50.00 per ticket).

Saturday April 26th at the Airport Hilton.
Doors open at 6:30, Dinner at 7:00.

For tickets contact any Blount County Democratic Party member, Democratic Women's Club member or call 865-379-8683. Leave a message, they will call you back.

UPDATE: We have been told that Tuke and Padgett will not be able to attend.

The City of Alcoa Utilities has added a $3 fee to resident's water bills to cover the EPA stormwater Phase II program requirements.

Permit requirements include system-wide erosion and sediment controls, pollution control, and public education initiatives. The stormwater utility will serve as an alternative to increasing taxes to meet the added expense of funding these requirements set by the federal government.

Probably a good thing and I suppose I don't mind paying the extra $3. However, keeping in mind I have not studied this in depth, I hope not that many businesses get credits while I, a resident, am not able to get credits.

Update: I called the City of Alcoa regarding residents that have two water meters, one for the house and one for watering the lawn. It sounds like they made a mistake in charging this fee on the second meter for watering the lawn. It sounds like they should have this handled and not charge this fee next month on the second meter.

Cool new feature found on the City of Alcoa web-site, GIS Mapping.

The City of Alcoa GIS Mapping is currently promoted for businesses to "review your property boundary and mapped impervious area".

However, you can use it to look up individual property information as well. Check it out at this City of Alcoa Stormwater Utility site.

It's tax return time. Time to dip into the past which reminds us of the legacy left by the economic policies of our past leaders.

In the 1040 instruction book can be found a pie chart. It gives a good snap shot of what is happening to our revenue (tax and borrowing) dollar and our spending dollar. I present below 1991, 2000 and 2006. (Although I paid taxes in 1980 I no longer have the 1040 instructions. I would be great full for a copy from anyone who does.)
Here they are:
1991
Link...

2000
Link...

and 2006
Link...

The election of 1980 was notable for the third party candidacie of John Anderson on what I remember as a socially liberal and fiscally conservative platform. Link...

However, Regan won and put the nation on a Borrow and Spend frenzy.

After nearly 11 years of republican (miss) management of our nations financial affairs by the Borrow and Spend great communicator, followed by four years of the silver foot in his mouth president, we were borrowing 21 cents of every dollar we spent. We were borrowing one additional cent for every cent we paid in interest. Only someone who is so anti intellectual as to have avoided studying any math can see that that is a recipe for disaster.

To his credit, Bush I did try to address the debt problem late in his term but not boldly and his party contributed to his defeat for his action. It was once again the third party candidate Ross Perot who was the voice of fiscal reason in 1992.
Link...

Bush lost, Perot lost and Bill Clinton won and much to my approval he seams to have adopted Perot's cause of fiscal responsibility. He had several show downs with the Republican congress demanding that they balance their revenue and spending. During the Clinton terms the pie charts had developed a growing wedge which had never appeared during the Regan, Bush I presidencies; A surplus. This surplus was gaining on the debt. For every eleven cents of debt interest we spent 12 cents to reduce the principal owed. If sustained this rate could have wiped out the debt in less than ten years.

I have never heard Republicans correct their erroneous assertions that the Clinton spending cuts and tax increases of 1991 would rune the economy. Such assertions should be challenged for what they are: FACT FREE arguments.

Since 2001 Republicans have been shoveling our money out to special interests in spectacular amounts.
So today in 2007 we are again borrowing against the future.

Never the less, it is we the voters who let any and all politicians get away with deficit spending, who are ultimately to blame. We must either cut spending or increase revenue to balance the budget.

Does anyone know if John Duncan's district is in balance? Is John Duncan's district (and are we) contributors to deficit spending?

Forrest Erickson

The intermittently weekly Tennessee progressive blog roundup is here.

For those tuning in late, part one of this issue can be found at Link...

Let's start this with the DT's coverage of the April County Commission WorkSession

Tennessee Dept. of Transportation (TDOT) continues to think backwards. I went to a public meeting Monday about a "Corridor Study" TDOT is doing of the I-81/I-40 corridor. TDOT is trying to determine how to improve the movement of goods and people from Bristol to Memphis. This is especially about freight traffic and whether and/or how to move freight from the interstate to rail.

We learned that they are doing NO analysis of the environmental effects of any of the alternatives. They think that environmental effects will only be considered AFTER they make recommendations about what projects to pursue.

They think in terms of dozens of finite and discrete parts of the 550 mile corridor (i.e., the 15 miles east of the I-81/I-40 split) and not in terms of the entire system.

That is bad enough, but to make decisions about whether to support freight rail improvements and if so, which ones, BEFORE considering the effects of the options on, for instance, air quality is backwards and not in the public's interest.

They also seem entirely unable to consider things like whether anyone can find and afford motor fuel in the future. Or whether the location of "development" (residential, industrial, and commercial) can be influenced by where the roads go.

The TDOT people and the consultants they hire are stuck in old and irrelevant system of transportation planning rules, and it will take public outcry and active engagement at the level of the regional transportation planning organizations (TPOs) to change it. Currently, the TPOs rock along doing what they think local officials want (county commissions, city councils, mayors, etc.)

But in Blount County, nobody on county commission plays a role in or knows anything about what the Knoxville area TPO does. And there are some 15 different and independent TPOs in the path of the I-81/I-40 corridor.

Is it any wonder that The Pavers dictate the plans?

The Knoxville Regional TPO is going to begin a long range planning process in May. Be on the lookout and be ready to participate. Or we will get more of the same.

I read a bit about the life of Jeremiha Wright at these links.

Link...

and

Link...

Seams to me he speaks truth to power.

Forrest Erickson

...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.

Will attempt to live blog...

Still discussing procedural issues regarding the types of ethics complaints the committee will handle, and whether they should be referred to the County Mayor's attorney for legal review before spending time investigating.

Action: Committee will not limit the scope of the type of ethics complaints it will hear, but will make the forms and procedures consistent. The committee also decided to refer all complaints to the County Mayor's attorney for legal review.

Once that decision was made, there was no further business because the ethics complaints against the Mayor must first be referred to the County Mayor's office for legal review.

The end.

A report in the Daily Times today on last nights budget meeting states that the sheriff needs more money to replace the School Resource Officers he transferred to other positions over a year ago.

Link

Request for SRO funds

"As Blount County Budget Committee ponders the shape of the proposed 2008-2009 fiscal year budget, Sheriff James Berrong is asking for more than $2 million extra to make deputy and correction officer pay more competitive and fund 13 new school resource officer positions.

Berrong is asking for about $400,00 in additional funds to hire new SROs. In the 2006-2007 budget, the sheriff's office had 22 people assigned to the SRO program on the books, but the number of SROs declined as they were transferred to other duties. In August 2007, there were about 10 or 11 officers in the schools.

Berrong said he moved the SRO officers to the patrol division to keep up with the demand for services caused by a growing population.

"That was a very unpopular decision," Berrong said.

"If you get this money, will there be a least one SRO in each school?" Commission Vice Chairman Steve Samples asked.

"Yes," Berrong said.

The SRO positions were "transferred" to the Patrol Division in order to cover VACANT, EMPTY, NOT FILLED positions.

That then left VACANT, EMPTY, NOT FILLED positions in the SRO Division.

Now he wants to fund these again?

Where did the previous funding go? Those positions were transferred and funded with existing vacancies.

At least that is how it works in the accountable institutions I have been around.

The sheriffs department has maintained ~25 vacancies for the last 3 years. Positions never filled. That equals ~$1,000,000 in salary and benefits.

Why, if they are not filled, do we keep allocating funds for them over and over and over?

How much were we looking for to fund Highway improvements?

A Wheel Tax is needed?

David Ballard
Blount County Commissioner

Friday, April 4 will be a dynamite "First Friday Luncheon."

There will be a roundtable discussion featuring Howard Kerr, one of Blount County's most distinguished citizens. Howard Kerr has served our community in many ways, including terms in the State Legislature. He competed for the Republican nomination for Mayor in 2006, finishing 2nd in the primary to Jerry Cunningham.

Others on the panel will be: Jim Folts, Chair of "Citizens For Better Government." Mr. Folts retired after founding several computer companies; Arnold Klugman, an engineer who retired as head of Worldwide Manufacturing for Motorola. Mr. Klugman is active in community affairs and is trying to bring industry to Blount County; and Commissioner Wendy Pitts Reeves.

The panel will lead a discussion dealing with "Blount County's Future."

The First Friday Luncheon meets at Ryan's Buffet Restaurant, Hunters Crossing, Alcoa--near Wal-Mart. We meet at 11:30AM for lunch. The dynamic program will begin at 12Noon.

Remember--this Friday, April 4 at Ryan's.

Blount County Ethics Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
6:00PM
Blount County Court House
Room 433 (County Commission Room)

Be there!

Decisions by the Knoxville Regional TPO influence TDOT planning and affect Blount County. They are seeking input for their long range plan. Go fill out this short survey.

Maryville Daily Times: Deputy files action against official

French confirmed that Pitts Reeves told him outside of a commission meeting on Feb. 21 that "she wouldn't talk to me because I was probably wearing a wire." He said his complaint states that Pitts Reeves also made a statement to him concerning "a Mr. McTigue," who was allegedly followed home one night after a commission meeting.

The article says Chief Deputy Jeff French filed the complaint against Commissioner Wendy Pitts Reeves with the Blount County Ethics Committee on Tuesday.

Doesn't Blount County government have more important business to take care of? And why is Wendy Pitts Reeves such a lightning rod for controversy regarding local establishment politics? Is it because she asks questions?

BIG UPDATE: More on the "other" ethics complaints, with some actual, like, reporting and stuff.

Not that anything here is surprising, I mean, do we ever get thorough investigations. However, I thought this pretty much summed up the quality of the American Society of Civil Engineers assigned by the government to investigate the World Trade Centers and the levees in New Orleans:

The group of 140,000 member, based in Reston, Virginia, sets engineering standards and codes and publishes technical books and a glossy magazine.

Wasn't sold on 140,000 members, but the glossy magazine?

Sold!

Let's look at that wonderful new firing range Blount County is getting. The DT says Link...

The agreement between the two allows for joint use of the facilities and gives the Guard priority use to meet state and federal mobilization requirements.

Buried in the Budget Committee Package Link... are a couple of interesting items on this contract. Now, I ain't no contract lawyer but I am still a taxpayer and on pdf page 26 the request for Budget Increase / Decrease it says the reason for the request is " The Sheriff's Office in cooration with the Tennessee Air National Guard will enhance our current target system with 100% funding for the target system from the Guard Bureau"

FREE! I love free! Who does not love FREE?

Oh, wait.. always a catch, eh?

Scroll on down to pdf page 32 and look at the Estimated County Share. Is that $2,100,000 I see? Really? Free cost two point one million? AH, I can't be reading this correctly can I?

Continuing to pdf page 33 I see under Project Scope, item C that someone has to provide 3,500 sq feet of dedicated space to the ANG in the new Operations Building.

Since the full contract is not included in this month's County Commission package I think it is fair to simply ask what the $2,100,000.00 is all about. Someone better ask!

UPDATE- version two of the CC info package is now online and this contract is now included in the package. No new data, simply the contract is now added.

The League of Women Voters of Blount County is sponsoring a program on "Selecting State and Local Judges: Election, Appointment, or Other Alternatives?" on Monday, March 24 at 7:00 pm in Lawson Auditorium.

Dr. Otis Stephens, U.T. Dept of Political Science, and Professor Penny White, U.T. College of Law and former member of the State Supreme Court, will lead a discussion on this topic.

Come prepared with questions and participate in this important discussion.

Lawson Auditorium is in Fayerweather Hall at Maryville College.

Here ya go! Link... Just select Blount and read away.

I personally don't like this system as much as the one they used for last year's filings. It is easy to understand why the state made the changes. Last year we had to call them up and ask for clarification when the list of holdings was so long that the state's data entry people simply used the words "see attached" instead of spending hours typing investment lists.

The 2007 statements are still available here Link...

... eventually ...

Better git as many of them glass electric thingies on your roof, as soon as possible. Looks like we shoulda left all that Oil & Coal alone, undisturbed, under the ground--the cost is gettin' kinda tremendous.

Pssst ... that big brown smudge is still there, and it's still a growin.