I think you hit the nail on the head. I don't know if I can offer any helpful insight, only hurtful.

I'm a local (duh) for a couple of generations, but in one sense, my people have always been outsiders. Always fighting the powers that were/be. I reckon there has never been a Republican in the bunch, although many haven't been Democrats like you picture today, either. My people scrutinize issues independent of labels. The powers that were/be in Blount County have been pretty nasty to my folks. I'm a fan of the recent changes in population, but saddened at the haphazard manner in which some other locals profit off those developments that doubtless facilitate those very changes. I believe you call that a Catch 22. I don't blame the furriners, ever. I consider them "reinforcements!" Most locals have said to me, upon learning I pay attention to local happenings: "Aw honey, don't fight 'em, they are going to do what they want to do, anyway. Always have."

So I'm always happy when I meet newcomers who see this place as it should be and are not disheartened at how it has always been.

Cunningham's comments do not make sense to me (I mean that I can't justify them), even within this historical context. I knew this about him when he ran for office; why didn't everyone else and particularly those who voted for him??

Hmmmm... Interesting analysis.

To some extent, I like the idea of change from Gemeinschaft to Gesellschaft. Having lived in Florida where nearly (and I do say nearly, not all) everyone is from somewhere else, the merging of the different peoples is quite fun and fascintating.

Regarding Blount County, considering I am a relative newcomer, I highly appreciate the influx of outsiders. I understand the comfort of everyone knowing everyone. I have felt the need for that level of comfort many times. I have also found that Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft can be merged from disparate peoples to build a good community. This is what I hope for in Blount County.

(link...)

Wann ich, die erste mal über deine schreiben geliest, ich möchte nur ein bisschen von diese verstehen. Welches weg sind Capitalism? Gemeinschaft oder Gesellschaft? Eure großte Problem, ich denke, ist mit diese Über-Capitalism--hier in Blount County und eure ganz Land.

So, ole Jerry's responses are in large part due to the fact that changes are coming and he is seeking to retain the old ways however he can?

This we could see when after winning the GOP primary he no longer was running for mayor, he just assumed the title. Remember how he would not debate with Joe? No need because in his mind it was over and he won.

I can almost feel sorry for him. After all, has there ever been organized opposition to anything those old time insiders wanted to do. Right? Then groups like the Raven Society, Save Chilhowee and CAPPE started standing up for the rights of those not on the inside. Three democratic commissioners were elected and they started asking hard questions. At least five of their own GOP commissioners have started asking questions. Each of these groups/commissioners is in someway representing the new outsiders as well as the old time outsiders to county power.

If I understand this all correctly then, for them to retain Gemeinschaft they would need the Raven Society to become the head cheerleader for the Planning Commission and for Save Chilhowee to tell us everything is just hunky-dorie on the mountain top. They would need CAPPE to support the southern loop but could allow CAPPE to continue to to fight the Pelli extension. They would need Proffitt and Reeves removed from the commission but they could leave Ballard on because they can handle one Democrat.

All that would be left to be done is find a way to shut up the five GOP commissioners who don't fall in line with old party thinking then presto! Things will be as they always were. Jerry would have what he thought he was going to be working with when he was elected and that is zero real opposition to what he wants to do. Pardon me, to what the insiders want done.

SeeJaneRide
This is a very enlightening discussion. And, on target. One of the "old timers", maiden-name Delozier (whose husband heads the local Chamber of Commerce), is active in the "Newcomers Club" which is touted as one of those groups to welcome the new folks moving in. It might also be argued that the group led by old-timers may be more interested in indoctrinating (or hoodwinking) the newcomers into the "established" ways. In the long-run, it won't work. But, in the short-run, it has clearly put some of the newcomers on a "honeymoon" with the old-timers who are working to find ways to maintain their power structure. They effectively put some of the newcomers on community "committees" to make them feel they are being "included" but in fact, those newcomers often become rubber-stamps to the wishes of the established order. The old-timers know change is coming, but that hasn't stopped them from coming up with creative ways to hold power just a little longer.

I just want to say what a pleasure it is to see that you have time to write again! You have been missed by your groupies at a time when we really need you.

Your starting position is incorrect. Just because someone has a long history in Blount doesn't mean their on the "inside". Just like some searches inside the system have yielded poor results, so have some of our outside searches. (One wound up being a thief)

Just because you find Ms. Thompson's work and family objectionable doesn't mean they are. Since you, like I, seem to be capitulating she will most likely get the job, what policy have you heard from her that is to the students detriment?

The key, of course, is breaking into the outermost circle of insiders.

If you don't assume the worst about them and get to know them - you may find there was either no circle or one only loosely existing because no one else had ever been around it. There are many varying thoughts and positions in the circle(s) you see as just having two orbits. If you are going to give a complete sociological perspective, you may want to enlarge your two group sample.

Here's a good litmus. Ask a stranger, "What do you think of Cunningham?" Next ask, "What do you think about Berrong?"

If you get;
"Their great!" - ask why. If the answer to that is because "I'm afraid the Russians" - don't bother. If the answer is "Jerry got my kids out of trouble in Judge Young's court back when" - explain why this is bad government. Explain that in America, the law only working for a few goes against State and Federal Constitutions and thus doesn't work at all.

If you get;
"Don't know" or "Don't care, it's all corrupt anyway" - sit and talk to that person. Agree and disagree, but make it your goal to explain something that person might not have known before speaking with you. Just make sure you can support all claims. Unfortunately, those looking to make change have that burden.

If you get;
"Their crooks!" - go have a beer or dinner with that person, you found a friend. And due to the Sheriff's and Mayor's own efforts, there are more and more of these folks.

Of outsiders, there are other East Tennesseans (mostly Knoxvillians) who moved here for the schools or jobs;

What schools are you talking about? Why would these Knoxvillians not move to Greenville?

I think it is interesting to find defensiveness about the Maryville schools (it would be even more interesting if anyone were seriously to claim that the county schools are, as Our Mayor says, "excellent," or even "very good," for that matter).

The Maryville schools are very good for Tennessee and for a relatively small town, but this is a big world and there just may be practices and curricula and ideas "out there" that could make them truly excellent. Looking within a few counties and hiring (probably) quite competent people who are local and went to UT or ETSU reveals either arrogance or complacency.

People here might want their kids to go to Princeton or Stanford, or at least to be able to do so. But then again, if one does not want or welcome furrin ideas....

Well, it's great to see such a well educated, progressive thinking person refer to someone as a "semi-literate former athletic director". I happen to have five kids in this school system and pay a large amount of property taxes so they can receive the excellent education the city schools provide. As for Mike Casteel, I have first hand experience with him. He's absolutely great and truly cares about these kids. I do not believe a better choice for that position could be found ANYWHERE in these United States. He understands the kids, parents and dynamics at the high school better than most. And let me assure you, my kids are much better off as a result. Although there are problems within our school system, it is much better than any local alternative I have found, including private schools. And yes, we can always do better, but not by stereotyping and name calling.