Commissioner Ownby farewell speech

Jeff Ownby

(Outgoing Knox County Commissioner Jeff Ownby submitted his farewell speech to the ol' blog. I've included it below. In addition, outgoing Commissioner Amy Broyles submitted a speech to Knoxviews. You can find her speech right SMACK HERE.)

I first want to thank the people of the 4th District and Knox County for allowing me to serve you for the past 6 years, it has been my privilege and honor to do so. In my six years on commission I fought to try to keep Lakeshore Mental Hospital open. I knew if the hospital closed it would mean more mentally ill people on the streets or in our jails – and that is exactly what happened.

We need to build the Safety Center to take care of and help the mentally ill in our community get the services they need. I have always felt that the role of Government is to take care of the ones that can’t care for themselves. To me, that would be the mentally ill, our seniors, children, and our veterans. I have spent my time on Commission trying to help those that need it most be heard. I have fought for the students, parents and teachers to give them a voice for better Knox County Schools. I wasn’t the leader of the movement, but was glad to help give them a platform to speak from.

In the last six years this Commission and County Mayor Tim Burchett increased the schools budget by over 76 million dollars and paid down the County’s debt by over 90 million dollars during the same time period. We did this without raising the taxes of the citizens of Knox County. We also built 2 new schools (Northshore Elementary and Carter Elementary) paying cash for Carter Elementary. We approved the building of two new middle schools (Hardin Valley and Gibbs) and approved the expansion of several others, including Ball Camp Elementary and Pond Gap Elementary – all without raising taxes.

I have also worked hard in my district on such projects as the new guard rails on Lyons Bend Drive, which we have needed for years. I proposed and helped pass a resolution updating our Pet Ordinance, which mirrors the City Ordinance, to better take care of our four legged friends – protecting them from extreme cold and extreme hot weather.

In my six years on Commission, I have answered every phone call (or returned the call) of every citizen who ever contacted me – never asking where they lived, because I felt that I served the County not just one District. I know that my decisions and votes have not always made everybody happy, but they were always thought out and researched before making a decision. I believed and still do believe in growing this County with good development, good paying jobs and with companies relocating to Knox County. Our Home Builders and the Knoxville Chamber have done a great job in finding great Companies that have chosen to make Knox County their home.

I have made some good friends on Commission over the last six years. First, my total opposite, Commissioner Broyles. We may not have always agreed on issues, but personally she has been a great friend, and our friendship has grown over the last 6 years. I look forward to continuing our friendship. Second is Commissioner and current Chairman, Dave Wright. He has been a good leader for our commission (probably one of our best) and an even better friend. I will miss your friendship, Dave. Some of our new Commissioners, I wish I had more time with. Commissioner Smith and Schoonmaker, I wish you all the best. I have enjoyed your friendship this short time. To the ladies in the Commission Office, thank you so much for your friendship and for always taking care of anything I needed done.

I will still be involved in the community and will continue to be the voice for individuals and issues that need me. I love this community and want to see it continue to get better and better. I have made a lot of friends in the last six years and hope to continue to help them and be there for anybody that needs me.

I have also made some political enemy’s because my votes were my own – more independent thinking, and not always along party lines. I felt not everything is right or left, Republican or Democrat. Some would say I wasn’t involved enough, which is not true. I feel I was very involved and always tried my best to make this community better. I hope I left my district and our county better than when I found it.

Broyles to leave Audit Committee

Amy Broyles

The Knox County Audit Committee on Monday voted to replace member Amy Broyles, who has missed a number of meetings because of health-related matters.

Broyles, who is also a county commissioner in her final months of her current term, told WBIR 10News by phone that she had planned to step down from the committee.

She said upcoming surgery would force her to miss more meetings.

“Everything has been going really well on the audit committee and there hasn’t been much going on, so I wasn’t too concerned,” said Broyles, who was not at Monday's Audit Committee meeting. “Plus, we have really good people on the committee.”

The board, in a 4-0 vote, agreed to replace her. Member said they were having trouble getting a quorum during their bi-monthly meetings.

The panel, which makes recommendations to the Knox County Commission, is comprised of three commissioners and two county residents.

Broyles, whose term on the commission ends at the end of August, did not seek re-election.

Commish rejects superintendent's contract, but it doesn't matter

Jim McIntyre

Knox County commissioners voted at their regular Monday meeting to reject the contract of Knox County Schools superintendent Jim McIntyre.

That vote, however, was only symbolic.

Nine of 11 Knox County commissioners voted not to approve the contract. Commissioners Sam

McKenzie and Amy Broyles voted to approve it.

"We're kind of making the rules up as we go along, unfortunately," McKenzie said after the vote.

In fact, the item never should've come to a vote, McKenzie said.

A long-standing agreement -- called a consent decree -- between Knox County Commission and the

Board of Education says commissioners can't tell the school board how to spend its appropriated money.

School board members voted last month to approve McIntyre's contract, so all the commission legally could do was pass it.

"That vote just came up two for, nine against. What does that mean? It means absolutely nothing," McKenzie said. "I think we are - in spirit - disregarding the consent decree, and I don't think this last process was correct."

The "no" vote Monday, therefore, was symbolic.

The move came after county law director Bud Armstrong last week declared the contract unenforceable.

RELATED: Law Director: Superintendent's contract 'unenforceable' 

State law limits superintendents' contracts to four years, and Armstrong said this new contract effectively adds two years to McIntyre's existing four-year contract.

RELATED: Sanger blasts Armstrong over contract notation; law director counters

Armstrong cited a 2001 opinion from the Tennessee attorney general on a nearly identical case. In it, the AG's office said, a school board may not extend beyond four years the term of its contract with the director of schools. To do so, the opinion says, ties the hands of future board members.

The law does, however, allow school boards to renew a superintendent's four-year contract. The opinion then goes on to differentiate between extending and renewing.

"Black’s Law Dictionary defines renewal as '(T)he re-creation of a legal relationship or the replacement of an old contract with a new contract, as opposed to a mere extension of a previous relationship or contract,'" the opinion says.

Read that full opinion HERE.

For now, McIntyre's board-approved, commission-rejected contract is set to go into effect the first of the new year.

McIntyre was at Monday's meeting but declined to comment on the results of the vote.

Burchett to veto resolution honoring women's groups, abortion clinic

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett plans to issue a rare veto on a Knox County Commission-approved resolution, something he's done only one other time since taking office in September 2010.

The resolution, which the board passed unanimously Monday night, honors local women's groups in recognition of National Women's History Month.

It has no regulatory teeth but rather expresses the will and support of the commission by its approval.

Burchett acknowledges his veto is symbolic only.

Full Story RIGHT HERE.

Resolution RIGHT HERE.

Commish meeting on for Monday; lobbyist, boat slips lead talks

Knox County Commissioners are expected to meet Monday for their regularly scheduled voting session and plan to talk about two contracts, one tied to hiring a lobbyist and the other to securing a boat slip that will cost the sheriff’s office double what it currently pays.

The commission canceled its Feb. 16 work session due to inclement weather and will not make it up. 

Work sessions are generally designed to provide officials with the first opportunity to talk about issues, but any votes taken are recommendations only.

Monday’s board meeting is set for 1:45 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.

Part of the discussion is expected to focus on whether the commission should hire a lobbyist or lobbying firm that spends some of its time in Nashville and reports back to the board.

The move, according to Commissioner Amy Broyles, would keep officials apprised of proposed legislation that would affect the county and to provide an outlet that lobbies on behalf of the commission.

A number of local governments across the state, including Knoxville's administration, employ lobbyists.

MORE: Commission to discuss hiring lobbyist

MORE: Proposed KCSO boat slip to cost double

Currently, the city pays lobbyist Tony Thompson $55,000 a year, according to his contract. The city also shares a lobbyist – Jane Alvis – with Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga. Her services are funded from a piece of the $30,000 in dues the city pays The Tennessee Municipal League.

Knox County employed a lobbyist for years until Burchett took over as mayor in 2010 and cancelled the contract.

The commission also plans to talk about the sheriff’s office proposal to get a better spot on the Volunteer Landing Marina to dock its boat along the Tennessee River.

The sheriff says the proposed move, which would secure a boat slip closer to the office's Main Street headquarters, is about "response time, location and safety."

But, it comes with a steep price tag.

The department currently pays the Volunteer Landing Marina $3,650 per year to dock one of its 23-foot long Sea Rays at the eastern end of the marina.

The new location would cost $8,400 a year and require a 10-year lease agreement, according to the proposed contract. The slip under consideration is about a half mile away from the current one, and at the far west end of the marina near Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Commissioners to host public forum

Broyles, left, Ownby, right

Knox County commissioners Amy Broyles and Jeff Ownby will begin hosting regular community forums that give the public the opportunity to ask questions about local government, and let officials collect input on current issues.

The first one is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at West High School’s small auditorium. The two said they expect state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, to attend. But, they said at this point they do not expect her Republican opponent in the Nov. 4 election – Eddie Smith – to be there.

Ownby said he reached out to his campaign and was told he had something else scheduled.

The plan, according to the commissioners, will be to host the meetings either monthly or bi-monthly in various districts across the county.

Broyles said the two got the idea during a National Association of Counties meeting they attended in Washington, D.C. this past spring. At the time, they were told by some Florida officials that the forums were a big draw when jointly hosted by Democrats and Republicans who sit on the same board.

Broyles is a Democrat, and Ownby is a Republican.

“It’s more like a town hall style where the public can come in and ask questions about county business and we can offer our perspectives,” said Broyles. “I think it’s a great thing to do.”

Ownby agreed.

“It will get some questioned answered,” he said. “A lot of people can’t make regular meetings, so this is a chance for them to be able to talk about concerns and issues that don’t always get airplay. It also gives them a chance to bring us issues and let us get out in front of them.”

Broyles said since the first meeting runs concurrently with early voting, they wanted to bring in a number of candidates in state races.

In addition to the 13^th District race that features Johnson and Smith, they plan to ask 7^th District state Senate candidates Cheri Siler, a Democrat, and Richard Briggs, a Republican, to come.

Broyles and Ownby said they will hammer out more details in the coming days.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Broyles said. “I enjoy working with Jeff even though, politically, we are often at the opposite spectrum on a number of political issues. But, I think this is a good thing for the commission and I think it’s providing a good public service.”

Broyles seeks commish vice chair

Broyles (Photo: KNS)

Later today, the 11-member Knox County Commission will pick a chair to lead the board. In addition, members will pick a vice chair.

At this point, current chairman Brad Anders will more than likely take on Dave Wright for the gig. I expect a close on here, but I think Brad will eek it out with a 6-5 vote.

Also, Amy Broyles has thrown her name in the pot for the vice chair.

She made the official announcement over at the board's online forum:

After serving the past six years on Commission, I feel I am well qualified to serve you in this capacity. I have served on almost every committee of the Commission, and have served as Chair or Vice-Chair of many. I have also represented the Commission on several outside boards and committees. I am well versed in the rules and procedures of the Knox County Commission, and am studying to become a certified parliamentarian.

For those who have worked with me, you know that I am not overly influenced by any individual or group; I take each issue individually and on it's own merits. I also have a reputation for doing extensive research on the matters before us and reaching out to the constituency I serve - regardless of party affiliation or position - as well as to my colleagues on Commission, not only as fellow Commissioners, but also as individuals. My particular skills are in coalition-building and collaborative problem-solving, encouraging fair and open communication and seeking a win-win for all sides in a difficult situation.

I have also spent the past few years delving deeply into the study of leadership (good and bad) and have observed both at close range. I am also a graduate of the highly competitive National Association of Counties Leadership Institute, for which only 5 individuals from Tennessee have ever been accepted. I have served on National Boards as well as local ones. In short, I feel I have a great deal to offer you in this position.

You can read the rest, RIGHT SMACK HERE.

Previous county lobbyist contracts

Amy Broyles

On Monday, Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles asked the board to postpone a discussion to talk about hiring a lobbyist to keep it informed regarding what goes on in Nashville.

Previous blog post right smack here.

Anyhoo, she noted that the county in the past had a number of contracts with firms and wanted board members to look over them.

Well . . . here ya go:

The county in September 2008 signed an agreement with Pratt, Pratt and Rice. Yes – that Dean Rice, the emperor of the Death Star, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett’s chief of staff. Heh. (Burchett wasn’t elected until 2010 by the way.)

The contract, which you can find right smack here, paid out $1,665 per month ($19,980 a year).

In July 2009, the county entered into a one-year contract, which you can find right smack here, with Farris Mathews Bobango that paid $3,750 per month ($45,000 a year).

I’m not sure how much each company actually received, but Burchett took over in September 2010 and I’m pretty sure that was the end – if it didn’t happen earlier – to any county lobbyist.

In the meantime, Broyles actually wants a lobbyist for the board only, rather than one who represents the commission and the administration.

18 workers get $143K in sick leave, now McCroskey wants in on the fun

Embattled Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Joy McCroskey is seeking as much as $10,000 from the county for unused sick leave she accrued before taking office more than five years ago.

The request stems from a county policy that took effect last July. So far, 18 employees have been paid a combined $143,140.

Another four workers, including McCroskey and her chief deputy, Janice Norman, have submitted payment requests. Norman, who joined the county in 1968, said her last day is Aug. 29, and McCroskey is leaving Aug. 31.

County leaders, however, say the neither should be eligible, based on the ordinance that established the policy to pay for unused sick leave. Some officials also took McCroskey to task, saying her attendance in recent years is already suspect at best.

The ordinance was approved by the Knox County Commission last spring. At the time, its sponsors, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and Commissioner Amy Broyles said they created it to increase productivity and reward long-tenured workers.

For the complete story, right smack here.

Board to talk about hiring lobbyist

Amy Broyles

The Knox County Commission during its work session in a couple of weeks will talk about whether the board needs to hire a lobbyist to keep it informed of the comings and goings in Nashville.

The proposal, spearheaded by Commissioner Amy Broyles, is designed to make officials more aware of laws that can affect local governments. Broyles said the position would probably earn $30,000 to $40,000 annually.

“There’s so much stuff going on in the state that’s affecting local government and there’s a lot to keep up with,” she said. “If we had a lobbyist who was an employee of the commission they could keep us up to date on the issues going on at the state level.”

Broyles said years ago the county had one, but it caused problems when the administration and the commission didn’t agree on an issue. (This person, by the way, would work only for the commission.)

suggested that the proposal probably wouldn’t pass.

“There are some people on the commission who want to be better informed and there are some who are fine with the way things are,” she said, adding that maybe someone would have a better idea.

“That’s fine with me but I want to feel like we’re doing everything we can,” she said.

Commission Chairman Brad Anders said he, too, would like to bring in a lobbyist, but only under certain conditions.

“It would have to be a monitoring contract – not a heavy contract – but something to monitor the bills going forward and how they affect county government,” he said.

Anders, though, added that the proposal would have to be given to Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett to include in his annual budget, and it’s probably too late to do that for this year.

Speaking of Burchett, I asked him about the proposal and, as expected, he was against it.

He said to get a decent lobbyist "you have to get into at least the $40,000 range or you'll end up failing."

"You can pay your third cousin $20,000 but they'll probably spend it in some bar in Nashville and you'll never know what's going on," he added

Broyles joins NACo gov't institute

Amy Broyles

Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles was accepted into the National Association of County’s Leadership Institute, according to a news release.

The institute, the release notes, “addresses the challenges and directs the potential of local elected officials to forge positive, sustained change in their communities.”

“Participants gain a broad perspective about themselves as leaders, about the issues facing their communities, and about how to engage broad networks of interested parties to develop solutions to difficult challenges facing their communities,” the release states.

The program is designated for elected officials with at least three years of experience at the policy level in county government. The Tennessee County Services Association nominated her. Each state can pick only candidate, but no more than 30 are selected nation-wide to participate.

You can read the entire release – it’s pretty interesting – right smack here.

Commish Broyles' surgery successful

As noted earlier this week - right smack here - Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles had surgery on Friday. She called afterward to tell me it was successful and she is now back at home.

In an email to folks, she said:

I'm home! The surgery went very, very well, but I had a rough night a tough morning today. They let me come home after lunch, and it feels so much better to be in my own bed!. Thanks for all the love, light, blessings, prayers and energy sent to us - I know it all made and continues to make a difference.

I am tremendously grateful to have so many awesome, compassionate, loving friends!!

Broyles said she will take it easy for the next couple of weeks, but does hope to attend April's commission work session and voting meetings.

Broyles to have more surgery Friday

Amy Broyles

Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles will have surgery on Friday at UT Medical Center, according to a release from the commission office. She expects to be home by Monday, and will then "be keeping a light schedule during the month of April."

She notes in the release that her constituents can still reach her by phone and email.

"There are a couple of fairly routine procedures to help keep some chronic health issues in check," she said in the release. "I appreciate everyone's positive thoughts for me and kindness towards my family during these times."

I've talked to her about the matter and it's partially related to past surgeries, but I don't want to get into it as they've already been made public and I'll let her discuss them if she wants.

The Porch wishes Amy a successful surgery and full recovery.

Brown, Norman meet, talk schools

Brown, left, and Norman met this morning

Knox County commissioners Mike Brown and Tony Norman met this morning to talk about last weekend’s commish-school board retreat. (Brown, who had surgery a few days before missed much of the get-together.)

I’d like to tell ya that a whole lot got accomplished but it was mostly a complaint-fest. (Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but there really wasn’t anything new.)

The two talked for roughly 30 minutes about school issues. Brown reiterated that he more than likely won’t support the school system’s budget for the upcoming year and expressed his dismay about Superintendent Jim McIntyre and the Board of Education, suggestion that they really don't care about teacher complaints.

Norman, who also is not a big fan of McIntyre or the BOE, agreed.

Here’s a snippet:

Brown: “I’m not impressed with the instructional coaches.” (He then suggested that they mostly just hang out and use the teachers’ computers to surf the Internet.)

Norman: “There are a lot of questions about instructional coaches . . . and a lot of questions about the use of them . . . and I’m sure there are some that have been beneficial and I’m sure there are some that are helpful.”

However, Norman, a retired long-time teacher, added: “But from my experience it’s an enormous waste of resources.”

Brown: “It sounds like they’re dumbing down teachers.”

Norman: “In a lot of ways, that’s true. You get a third-year teacher evaluating a 20-year teacher . . . or someone evaluating someone outside their discipline.”

Brown: “Why can’t we let the teachers just teach.”

Norman: “Heh. Heh. Heh.” (Evil-like laugh.)

Brown also said he’s “on a campaign right now to get the public’s eyes open to see what’s going on.”

In addition to them, commissioners Amy Broyles and Jeff Ownby also were at the meeting, as was school board member Karen Carson. (Carson and Ownby didn’t say much. Broyles chimed in a few times to talk about what happened at the retreat.)

State suggests Audit Committee meet with law department about meetings

In a wordy and somewhat convoluted letter from the Tennessee Open Records Counsel to Knox County Audit Committee Chairman Joe Carcello, officials suggest that the panel might have violated state open meetings act.

Elisha Hodge (the state open records counsel) also suggests that Carcello (he’s singled out only by default because he is the chairman and, hence, the main contact) talk further with the county’s law department.

At issue is whether Carcello and County Commissioner Amy Broyles, a committee member, provided adequately public notice when they met for lunch at 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 24. The county sent issued a public meetings notification on Oct. 22. (It’s feasible that the two gave 48 hours – the generally accepted time – notice, but, there’s no time stamp on when the notice was sent out.)

Also at issue is how, when and whether the panel publicly narrowed down its candidates for internal auditor from roughly 20 applicants to three.

Hodge said her office looked into the matter after receiving a complaint about it.

You can read the entire letter right smack here.

Poster to R. Larry: 'Get over it'

Woo-hoo, oh boy, ol R. Larry Smith had another good one in today's News Sentinel.

After last night's meeting, in which the board talked about travel, KNS reporter Gerald Witt asked Smith why he drove to Nashville twice (which cost taxpayers $416 when - presumably - he could have picked up a phone and called).

According to the article (right smack here), Smith "said "he went to the state comptroller on a whistle-blowing trip that led to the ouster of former Trustee John J. Duncan III."

Ummmmm. No.

That office has nothing to do with CTAS payments, which were the cause of Duncan's downfall.

Further, R. Larry got almost all his information from the articles I wrote. Whistle-blower. Sure.

I broke the story, I first reported that someone else took tests for Duncan, and I was the first to write about the TBI investigation into the office.

I am not bragging. That's just what happened.

Along with the way WBIR also did some good reporting. They even had a scoop or two in there. Also, I think WATE reported about a showdown between Smith and Congressman Duncan, which Smith probably blew out of proportion, but whatever.

Anyhoo, I say this because, well, someone has to tell the truth. The investigation originated from the local District Attorney's Office. Not R. Larry Smith.

In the meantime, there were some fireworks from last night. You see, after Commissioner Amy Broyles nominated someone other than R. Larry to lead the board, he got upset. Right around that time he started trying to sell his story to the press that she traveled more than any other commissioner. (Another lie by the way.) A few news outlet bit.

But it didn't work out the way R. Larry anticipated. As noted from the pic below (taken during last night's meting.)

On a side note, Amy had the best line of the night when she told R. Larry: “Since being elected to commission, I have survived a shooting, two brain surgeries, a concussion, five cerebrospinal fluid leaks, viral meningitis, eight kidney stones, a tumor removed from my upper chest, a uterine hemorrhage and the beginning of menopause. I don’t think I’m going to succumb to one of your temper tantrums.” (Thanks for writing all that down, Gerald.)

Commissioner Smith says pretty much nothing about disparaging remarks

Knox County Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith sort of issued an apology to fellow board member Amy Broyles tonight. He kind of muttered something anyway.

(For the background, click right smack here.)

I tried to get clarification from him, but he ran like a chicken (bawk, bawk, bawk), first to the bathroom, then to his cell phone, then to a group of people (who ignored him) before finally stopping and saying “not to you,” when I asked if he’d comment.

Heh.

Later he told another reporter that he’d make a comment about his weak apology and the disparaging remarks he made about women’s issues. But, only out of earshot of me! 

That’s funny.  

But, look, if you don’t want to tell me why you hate or don't hate women, that’s cool. I don’t care. It makes my job waaaay easier to say “declined to comment.”

But, maybe you can answer the almost 30 people who emailed the commission office about the comments. (Right smack here for the emails. Heh.)

Whatever.

The board next Monday will take up the matter of commission travel. R. Larry, who proposed it, didn’t want to talk about it tonight. He wanted to wait until Commission Chairman Brad Anders was there. 

That’s kind of funny.

Awhile back, Anders asked to move a commission meeting because he knew he would be able to attend. Smith sent an email to the commissioners, saying that it would be the job of the vice chairman to take over.

Guess that’s not the case anymore.

Emails calling out Commissioner Smith

Well, looks like those comments made by Knox County Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith aren’t going away.

You may recall that yesterday, the good commissioner questioned fellow commissioner Amy Broyles’ travel expenses.

She attended the Tennessee Economic Council on Women in Nashville and Smith said to the News Sentinel: “How’s women’s issues going to better Knox County’s government decision making?”

Hahahahahaha. Yeah, he did.

So, folks have been emailing the county commission office, expressing their dismay. Folks are calling the remarks “appalling,” and “lame and insipid,” and etc.

“Your self-indulgent ignorance is stunning,” a person said.

And, in one bizarre instance, Smith responded: “(Broyles) is spending all her time going to conferences, but has the worst attendance record BY FAR of any Commission (sic). Do your job at home then in your free time go to conferences.”

Good Lord.

Well, he wanted a story when he stooged some media outlets into covering it. I just don’t think this is the story he wanted.

You can find nine of the emails, right smack here. More continue to come in to the county and the media, but I don’t have time to put those up. And, well, you probably get the point.

In the meantime, tune in tonight. We'll have a story about travel that's actually relevant, and something Smith thinks is a good idea. Heh. 

Broyles goes to conventions. Yawn.

Photo by Dan Andrews

Well, credit to Knox County Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith for tooling a couple of media outlets into reporting that Commissioner Amy Broyles – one of his political foes – goes on trips.

Yes, trips that he as a commissioner approved when he blindly – like most commissioners – approved the budget.

(Course R. Larry managed to chalk up some folding paper for a trip to Nashville when he probably could have just picked up a phone, but who’s counting?)

Now, before I really get into it, this entry isn’t to disparage R. Larry. It’s just a look at the inside baseball of politics and how it works sometimes. I don’t really have a dog in this fight. Personally, I never saw the story in the story. Hell, I told R. Larry that months ago.

In fact, we reported the real story. It wasn’t what Broyles attends, but rather what she doesn’t: meetings. Now THAT was the story.

Anyhoo, I digress.

Back to R. Larry.

Politically, it was an interesting move. On one end it was savvy that he convinced some reporters to   That’s usually smart politics.

Photo by Dan Andrews

Politically, it was an interesting move. On one end it was savvy that he convinced some reporters to (in my opinion) cover a non-issue, so he can use that as ammo when he talks about it during Tuesday’s work session. (R. Larry put this on the agenda to discuss. No, really.)

But, not this time. This time he pretty much insulted women everywhere.

According to the News Sentinel:  Broyles “the lone female commissioner, went with Knoxville’s first female mayor, Madeline Rogero, to hear her speak in Nashville at the Tennessee Economic Council on Women.”

The Sentinel quotes Smith: “How’s women’s issues going to better Knox County’s government decision making?”

(Wow! Freakin’ wow! He really said that? Holy $%*!)

Also, credit to KNS reporter Gerald Witt. In his lede sentence, he notes that Smith “is targeting” Broyles. WATE’s story made it out like there was some huge uproar of officials. No, folks. It was one official.

Smith’s move pretty much killed any chance he had at a school board seat. Most teaches are women. Yeah, they vote.

The good commissioner, according to Witt, also said commissioners “should enter office ready to do the job.

“If I decide that I want to run for County Commission,” he told the paper, “I know what it all entails. I know there are large budget items.”

Smith also is rumored to run for the Register of Deeds gig next year. I wonder if he – or anyone else who is thinking about challenging Sherry Witt (no relation to Gerald) – knows what it entails.

Does he know how to oversee $2 billion in real estate transaction each year? What about $4.5 billion in lending?

Again, not to disparage R. Larry. But rather to point out what is no doubt going to be political ammo when he decides to run for office next time.

It’s also probably a lesson to Broyles (not that she will care): Next time the commission chairmanship is up, don’t nominate someone other than R. Larry.

Heh.

County to seek new internal auditor

The Knox County Audit Committee on Tuesday in a 4-0 vote recommended to the Knox County Commission that the county should hire a new internal auditor and not outsource the position to a private company.

The move comes a couple of weeks after officials offered former auditor Richard Walls a severance package that included about $31,000 and medical coverage for 18 months. Walls’s last day on the job was Sept. 3.

The commission is expected to talk more about the audit committee’s recommendation later this month. Officials then are expected to advertise the job posting. From there, the county’s human resources department will select three candidates who will interview before the audit committee.

The county commission will make the final decision.

Officials during Tuesday’s meeting talked briefly about the position, but said they still want to collect more data.

For now, though, officials said they would like someone who has at least six years of experience, a college degree, and “appropriate certification.”

Additionally, Commissioner Amy Broyles, a committee member, said officials will “still need to talk about what expectations we want in place and whether they staff the office to meet those expectations.”

The internal audit department, which reports directly to the County Commission, operates on $257,000 a year and has three employees, although it’s short-staffed by one since Walls stepped down.

Commission Chairman Brad Anders said the two employees will keep their jobs, and help run the office.

Anders added that he also wants officials to annually review the new internal auditor, something that wasn’t done with Walls.

“I want a more clear path for the incoming auditor, so we don’t get where we are today,” he said

Audit Committee Chairman Joe Carcello also suggested that county increase the pay for the position. Walls earned $92,700 annually.

The Audit Committee, in a 4-1 vote, on July 9 initially recommended firing Walls. Only Mary Kiser, who resined in the wake of the decision, dissented.

Committee members called Wall’s work “limited” and said he only conducted three audits last year. Kiser, though, said the accusations were unfair and that Walls was never given a chance to defend himself. She also pointed out that his last review came in 2009, so the panel held some culpability, since it didn't provide him better feedback.

Last month the County Commission opted not to fire Walls and instead offer him a buy-out package, so long as he didn’t seek legal action against the county.