The City of Knoxville’s general manager of the Civic Auditorium and Coliseum retired and 3 other employees were fired today after a Knoxville Police Department Internal Affairs investigation discovered financial irregularities involving almost $4,800.
General Manager Dale Dunn retired today, and Assistant General Manager Robert Sandoval, Stage Manager Tom Kelly and Financial Analyst Salina Garrett were terminated.
The investigation showed that Sandoval had used a false name to submit payment records for working events at the Coliseum that he was already being paid to work as a salaried employee. Dunn and Kelly had signed the forms, and Garrett submitted the paperwork, all knowing that Sandoval was being paid additional money by a third party for working the shifts. There is no indication that Dunn, Kelly or Garrett benefited financially.
No City funds were lost in the extra payments. Sandoval, a salaried City employee, also is a member of the International Alliance Theatrical Stage Employees union. To be paid by an event promoter for working a Coliseum event, Sandoval is alleged to have submitted a form with the fake name to the City while sending two copies of the same form to the union that reflected his real name.
The payments to Sandoval from event promoters through the union, typically about $65 each, totaled $4,755.50 over 4½ years.
The KPD investigation found no evidence that any other employee had used a fake name.
The investigation into financial irregularities involving the promoters’ payments to Sandoval began due to internal oversight measures in the City’s Public Assembly Facilities Department, which oversees the Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. Additional safeguards have since been instituted.
“We’ve taken extra steps to enhance accountability,” Public Assembly Facilities Director Greg Mackay said. “We’ve changed how the form is reviewed and processed to prevent this from recurring.”
Meanwhile, Mackay said that experienced Civic Auditorium and Coliseum staff members will manage already-scheduled events at the facility and will continue booking new events.
“The Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum will continue to offer entertaining and well-managed events,” Mackay said. “Changes in management will not affect the experience of fans who will be cheering on the Ice Bears or families who will be enjoying ‘Disney on Ice’ or any other upcoming events.”
Showing posts with label Greg Mackay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greg Mackay. Show all posts
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Rodgers reappointed to serve as administrator of Knox Co. elections
 |
| Cliff Rodgers (Photo: Knox County) |
“I’m pleased to continue this opportunity to serve the citizens
of Knox County, and I’m very proud of what we’ve all accomplished during the
last four years and confident we can continue to administer fair, open and
honest elections,” Rodgers said. “I have a dedicated
staff, and hundreds of hard working and diligent elections officials who help us
ensure the integrity of the ballot box.”
The five-member commission also reappointed Chris Heagerty,
a Republican, to serve as its chairman and Cassandra McGee Stuart, a Democrat,
to serve as its secretary.
Rodgers, 61, first took over the office in April 2011,
succeeding long-time administrator Greg Mackay, a Democrat, after officials
ousted him over political differences.
Rodgers cited increased training for his crew as one of his
top achievements during the past four years.
“We now have a pool of well-trained election officials and
we will continue to have classes as we add people on,” he said.
Rodgers joked: “The other thing that stands out is that we
really try to stay out of the newspapers. We don’t want to be in there for the wrong
reasons and I don’t think we have been. We like to be in the newspaper
explaining the process and let the candidates be on the front page. We like to
stay it the background.”
Rodgers, who earns $121,564 annually, runs an office with a
roughly $1.7 million budget.
This year the office will oversee two city elections and
possibly one special election tied to state Rep. Ryan Haynes stepping down to
serve as chairman for the state GOP. Rodgers said his office is working with
the state to see if the special election can be held on the same day as one of
the municipal ones.
Next year will feature the presidential and county
elections.
Rodgers is a Knoxville native and long-time attorney whose
past civil law practice focused primarily on state and federal litigation.
During the mid-1980s through 2007, he served as a law clerk for the late Senior
U.S. District Judge James Jarvis and Chief U.S. District Judge Curtis L.
Collier.
Rogers received his law degree from the University of
Tennessee College of Law.
In addition to the appointments on Thursday, the commission
also agreed to move Precinct No. 46 out of West Hills Elementary School and
across the street to the Knoxville First Church of the Nazarene.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Parker appointed to replace McNutt on Knox County Election Commission
Parker, who worked for Bill Haslam when he was mayor and
governor, replaces Rob McNutt on on the 5-member panel.
The state lawmakers on Thursday also re-appointed the
commission’s chairman, Chris Heagerty, and Robert Bowman, both attorneys, to
fill the other two slots Republican slots.
“It was a very close vote and there was a lot of discussion,”
said state Rep. Ryan Haynes, chairman of the delegation.
Haynes declined to say how members voted.
“I’m tremendously honored for the opportunity to serve and
look forward to working to ensure that elections are conducted fairly and with
integrity,” Parker told WBIR 10News Thursday. “I don’t have any reason to
believe that hasn’t been the case, but that was my main reason for wanting to
participate (on the commission).”
The Democrat members of the Legislative delegation will make
their appointments in the coming days.
Cassandra McGee Stuart, who works at Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, and lawyer Tammy Kaousias currently represent the party on the
commission.
Under state law, the political party that holds a majority
in the General Assembly also holds a majority on local election commissions.
The local delegation makes the appointments, which are then rubberstamped by
state Election Commission.
Parker joined Knoxville-based PR firm Moxley Carmichael in
June 2014. Prior to that, she served in Gov. Haslam’s administration as deputy
for operations. She also worked in the Office of Policy and Communications for
Haslam during his tenure as Knoxville’s mayor.
She will take over as director of community relations for
the Emerald Youth Foundation on March 9.
In her cover letter to state lawmakers, she noted: “As a
lifelong Knoxvillian, I genuinely care about our community. Should I have the
honor of being selected as an election commissioner, I will serve with the
utmost integrity, putting policy over personality and always seek to maintain
the public’s trust in our election process.”
Local political insiders expected the delegation to keep
Heagerty and Bowman, but McNutt’s appointment was in question.
A number of insiders felt he was picked back in 2011 only to
help oust then-Knox County Elections Administrator Greg Mackay, a Democrat.
A few years prior, Republicans attempted to replace Mackay,
but then-commissioner Paul Crilly voted with the two Democrats to retain him.
Upset, the delegation replaced Crilly with McNutt.
The commission, with McNutt on board, then ousted Mackay in
a 3-2 vote, and later hired current administrator Cliff Rodgers.
Rodgers has since been unanimously retained once and is
expected to be kept the next time the commission votes, which more than likely
will be in April.
A number of state lawmakers were upset with McNutt after it
was revealed that he voted outside his precinct more than half a dozen times
prior to his appointment on the commission.
His strongest supporter on the delegation was former state Rep.
Steve Hall, who lost his re-election bid last year.
The commissioners and the administrator of elections serve
two year terms, although the administrator serves at the pleasure of the panel.
Neither is term-limited.
Friday, January 9, 2015
City employee sues over remarks, firing; Asks for up to $750K
A Knoxville employee has sued the city, alleging a top administrator
often made "vulgar, homosexuality-laced comments" about him and another
worker, according to the discrimination lawsuit filed in Knox County
Circuit Court.
In addition, Rick Evans alleges Greg Mackay, director of the city's Public Assembly Facilities Department, also terminated his job as the Chilhowee Park general manager after he raised concerns about possible financial misuse at the East Knoxville venue.
In the lawsuit, filed Dec. 12, Evans said he told Mackay and other administrators that the city used "property, money, equipment, and personnel" to benefit the Tennessee Valley Fair, which operates out of the park in September each year.
He said the fair's governing board "is largely comprised of wealthy, politically connected members of the county," so officials sought to silence him by cutting his position as the park's general manager, according to the lawsuit.
Evans is asking for up to $750,000 in combined lost wages and benefits as well as punitive damages.
Evans' attorney, Knoxville-based Jesse Nelson, declined to comment to WBIR 10News.
The city also declined to comment, as did Mackay, who previously served as the county's election administrator from 2002 to 2011.
However, an independent investigation conducted on behalf of the city suggests that Mackay "made no such explicit comments."
The investigator, Knoxville-based attorney Thomas Hale, interviewed seven employees whom Evans said either heard the comments or were told of the remarks. But none of them backed his story, according to a report Hale submitted to city officials.
In addition, he met with Mackay, who also denied the allegations.
Complete story RIGHT HERE.
In addition, Rick Evans alleges Greg Mackay, director of the city's Public Assembly Facilities Department, also terminated his job as the Chilhowee Park general manager after he raised concerns about possible financial misuse at the East Knoxville venue.
In the lawsuit, filed Dec. 12, Evans said he told Mackay and other administrators that the city used "property, money, equipment, and personnel" to benefit the Tennessee Valley Fair, which operates out of the park in September each year.
He said the fair's governing board "is largely comprised of wealthy, politically connected members of the county," so officials sought to silence him by cutting his position as the park's general manager, according to the lawsuit.
Evans is asking for up to $750,000 in combined lost wages and benefits as well as punitive damages.
Evans' attorney, Knoxville-based Jesse Nelson, declined to comment to WBIR 10News.
The city also declined to comment, as did Mackay, who previously served as the county's election administrator from 2002 to 2011.
However, an independent investigation conducted on behalf of the city suggests that Mackay "made no such explicit comments."
The investigator, Knoxville-based attorney Thomas Hale, interviewed seven employees whom Evans said either heard the comments or were told of the remarks. But none of them backed his story, according to a report Hale submitted to city officials.
In addition, he met with Mackay, who also denied the allegations.
Complete story RIGHT HERE.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Rehab or raze: Feasibility study to determine Civic Coliseum's future
The downtown performance arena is home to a number of sports teams, including one of its main tenants, the Knoxville Ice Bears professional ice hockey team.
The arena has also featured thousands of world-class acts since it opened in 1961. During the past five decades, it's hosted circuses, theatrical productions, musicals, comedians, and major concerts, including the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder.
"We get people from all over to come to these shows," said Greg Mackay, director of public assembly facilities for the City of Knoxville. "It's the one place people are drawn to."
Although the 50-year-old facility has a lot of history, Mackay says it also has some major problems.
When it was designed in the 1950s, for example, musical performers stacked their speakers on the floor. Now they hang them from the roof trusses, which aren't strong enough to hold them.
Mackay added that other issues stopped the city from investing in a new wooden sports floor that would allow the coliseum to host volleyball and basketball competitions."We're having trouble because we don't know where to store it [the sports floor]," he said. "We can't store it downstairs because we have a leaky basement and the humidity would warp the wood."
Mackay also said that the concessions and bathrooms are in dire need of updates. And, officials would like to improve the acoustics and install LED lights in the auditorium. The outdoor plaza is also deteriorating with large cracks in the pavement.
If the city is willing to spend the money, Mackay says most of the current problems can be fixed. But before anyone sinks more cash into the old building, the city wants a professional to conduct a feasibility study to determine if the investment is worth it.
"We're going to get some outside experts to look at the condition of the building and tell us should we do a minor renovation, should we do a large renovation, or maybe it's time to build a new one," said Mackay. "Before we start making a piecemeal fix, we want to look at the big picture and decide what we're going to do."
Check out the full story right here.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Smith could have to answer critics for recent remarks about women
Now, word going around is that folks – or R. Larry at least – should expect some fireworks. You know, cause he insulted every woman in Knox County.
(I also heard the League was, too, but I have no faith in them. A few years ago they were supposed to raise hell during an elections commissions hearing when the panel fired then-administrator Greg Mackay and they didn’t do crap. But I digress.)
Already, Kim Lauth, president of the League of Women Voters
of Knoxville and Knox County, wrote a letter “strongly” disagreeing with some
of the good commissioner’s assertions; and then more than a dozen residents sent emails to the board’s office expression their disapproval.
From what I understand some more folks are going to stick to
him tomorrow during the public forum.
(I also heard the League was, too, but I have no faith in them. A few years ago they were supposed to raise hell during an elections commissions hearing when the panel fired then-administrator Greg Mackay and they didn’t do crap. But I digress.)
We’ll see, I supposed. Tuesday's work session starts at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Francis leaving election commission
 |
| Dennis Francis (photo by Metro Pulse) |
Denis Francis is apparently stepping
down from the Knox County Election Commission when his term ends in
two months. As you might recall, Francis, a local attorney, was
appointed to serve out the term for the seat held by Democrat Cameron
Brooks, who left in April 2011 to take a new job (but is apparently
back, so that didn't last long, but I digress.)
According to former Knoxville Mayor
Victor Ashe, who writes a column over at the Shopper, State Rep.
Gloria Johnson will make a recommendation for his replacement to the
state Election Commission.
Ashe also said that former Knox County
Commissioner Mark Harmon and attorney Tammy Kaousias are possible
replacements.
I talked to Dennis a little while ago
and he said that he doesn't want to stay on board. He said
representing the Sevier County Election Commission and dealing with
that whole Pigeon Forge liquor mess is keeping him busy.
Plus, he said: “I'm not having that
much fun. They horse- (insert bad word here) Mackay, so it's hard to
get warm and fuzzy with them.”
Heh. Hahahaha. Nice!
Dennis was referring to commission's
April 2011 meeting when, voting along party lines, the commission fired Greg Mackay, the longtime elections administrator, and one of
Dennis' close friends.
I asked him: “It's cool, I use that
quote, right?”
Dennis: “I've told them that so many
times, one more would probably be redundant.”
Hah.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Mackay to take job with Knoxville
 |
| Greg Mackay |
Looks like former Knox County Elections
Administrator Greg Mackay has landed a job with the city.
According to the latest spin piece
coming out of Knoxville's side of the Death Star, Mayor Madeline
Rogero today hired Mackay as director of public assembly facilities.
He succeeds Bob Polk, who retired from the gig in November.
I got no idea what the job does or what
it pays.
Mackay, a Democrat, served as elections
administrator from 2003 to 2011. Since then, he got a job doing
something I can't remember, but it's probably nowhere as cool as
whatever it is he'll be doing for the mayor.
The hippie has the full press release right smack here.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Minor election memo, big mess
(Just some mindless scribblings about today's story. You should probably read it – click right smack here – or you'll probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Actually, most of my stuff is just mental patient-like ramblings anyway.)
It's rarely the crime that gets you. It's the cover-up. (I really wish I had come up with that line.)
And this one, the one in the elections office, just burned a bunch of folks.
Hell, I'm thinking about taking the “Deathstar” tag away from the City County Building. Maybe it now belongs to the Old Courthouse. The Elections Office.
Naw, forget that. They get a name. But not “Deathstar.” No. We'll stick with the Star Wars theme. But now we'll call it the “Mos Eisley.”
Heh.
Anyhoo, there's a point to this. I just forgot. Oh Yeah. Interim administrator of elections Scott Frith destroyed a document. A document written by his former boss, Greg Mackay, that alleged a number of unkindly things. And I don't really care if there were hundreds of copies of that document floating around. He took the one, given to him - “him” meaning the custodian – and shredded it.
Now, he says, HR Director Frances Fogerson didn't really care what he did with since "that wasn't the only copy." She admits that, too. Cause, you know, there was another floating around. Whatever.
(Don't blame Fogerson for this one. She wasn't even supposed to have the document to begin with. It got dumped on her. Heck, she's one of the most honorable people in the Deathstar.)
Here's what Frith told me (this is a longer quote than what ran in the paper):
So where exactly was it going to go then? Oh yeah, the shredder. He isn't taking it home with him. He's not keeping it in his car. So what else was there? Come on. Seriously. This sucker was getting trashed the second he got his hands on it.
And the sad thing? I knew about the document. Hell, what did I care? The allegations – at least the ones in that piece of paper – were unfounded. Speculation. Second-hand, third-hand, whatever, observations. It could have been political payback. Whatever. It was a non-issue. There was no investigation. Just because someone jots some crap down on paper, doesn't mean it's worth anything. Heck, you're reading this. You read the paper, right? (Heh. Don't say I don't take a shot at myself from time to time.)
But, no. There's a ton of documents that allege a lot of stupid stuff out there. It's when you destroy them, though. That's what makes it a story.
But, whatever. That's not what I wanted to post here tonight anyway. I was actually going to empty my notebook, put up some of the stuff that didn't make the paper. Then I got to beating on Scott. And I like the guy. But what he did was stupid.
Whether you agree that the memo should have been written or not.
And here's the irony.
You want to know how I finally got the document? I got a copy from Scott. No kidding. Because, supposedly Election Commission Chairman Chris Heagerty had the other copy. But, apparently he gave it to someone in the elections office. (He can't remember who.) But then today he says Elections Commissioner Bob Bowman has a copy. He'll get it from him. Fax it over. I'm still waiting for it.
In the meantime, Firth has hit the panic-buttons. He needs a copy. He gets one from Bowman. Today. He emails it to me.
And just think: If he'd never destroyed it? If I – or anyone in the media – had asked for it? Well . . . .
Whatever.
More ramblings. More thoughts. More drivel.
A couple things just didn't seem to add up, both on and off the record stuff (although the off the record mess I'm keeping to myself). So, some stuff got left out of the story. The facts are there. I don't (knock on wood) think anyone disputes what was written.
But, maybe read between some lines.
You got two key players. Both are powder kegs. For all that buddy-buddy show, the back-patting, joke-telling, BS the two put on, they really didn't like each other. That's now apparent.
It will be even more apparent tomorrow (or today when you read this. If you read this.) when the election commission picks a new administrator. Because Greg won't get it (although that's because he's no longer in the running). Nor will Scott. No way he gets the job. It's going to local attorney Clifford Rodgers. (Sorry, Victoria DeFreese, but you were a token pick. They needed a third person. They could have picked Steve Hill, but then they'd have to look their pal in the face and tell him “No.” It's easier to tell you. No offense. You're a nice person. Whatever. Dance for me puppet.)
No, Rodgers gets the pick. And then we won't ever have to write about the election office until the next election. Or redistricting. Or until someone digs up some dirt on Rodgers. Or more on Frith. Actually, I seriously doubt anything comes out on Rodgers.
Here's something else that bothered me. The mayor's role or lack thereof. It was no secret what was going on at the Cantina. No secret I – and I'll give Anthony over at WBIR some props – was working on the story. But, someone “in the administration” tipped Frith about it.
That's life, though.
I do, however, find it odd that some folks in the administration apparently forget about the incident. Oh yeah. They knew about this. You see, Scott found out about the memo in February. He went to see Frances Fogerson. Then Chris Heagerty goes to see her.
And then all of a sudden, Mayor Tim Burchett wants her in his office. And – ta-daa- he has a copy of the freakin' memo in his hand. Oh yeah, apparently Dean Rice, the administration's chief of staff, is in the same room. With said memo.
Of course, that must have really been Heagerty's copy that he was waving around. Because he doesn't have it anymore. Maybe he gave it back to Heagerty who gave it back to the elections office or wherever. (And what's the point of the mayor talking to HR about this anyway. It's not his problem. Like he said. HR “doesn't police the elections commission.” But I digress.)
Yet, somehow, the two of them had to be reminded today that all this took place. They forgot. Funny.
One more thing. Commissioners Heagerty and Bowman have long known about this. That's not a big deal, really. What's interesting, though, is they did meet with Scott back in either late July or early August. Mackay was there, too.
They all talked about it. They said Scott was a single, 30-year-old dumb ass and should have known better. He agreed.
Or something like that. Then, Heagerty tells Frith that nothing will go into his file.
Apparently, no one sent Heagerty the memo. The memo that said Mackay already filed that bad boy in Fogerson's office.
Yeah, Heagerty found out about that – along with Frith and Burchett – back in February.
According to Fogerson, he “stormed out” of her office.
Like I said: A lot of people got burned on this one.
Over something stupid.
But, don't kid yourself. It goes on all the time.
I happened to be in the mood tonight to share it with you.
And it all started with someone wanting to destroy it.
Irony, I suppose.
It's rarely the crime that gets you. It's the cover-up. (I really wish I had come up with that line.)
And this one, the one in the elections office, just burned a bunch of folks.
Hell, I'm thinking about taking the “Deathstar” tag away from the City County Building. Maybe it now belongs to the Old Courthouse. The Elections Office.
Naw, forget that. They get a name. But not “Deathstar.” No. We'll stick with the Star Wars theme. But now we'll call it the “Mos Eisley.”
Heh.
Anyhoo, there's a point to this. I just forgot. Oh Yeah. Interim administrator of elections Scott Frith destroyed a document. A document written by his former boss, Greg Mackay, that alleged a number of unkindly things. And I don't really care if there were hundreds of copies of that document floating around. He took the one, given to him - “him” meaning the custodian – and shredded it.
Now, he says, HR Director Frances Fogerson didn't really care what he did with since "that wasn't the only copy." She admits that, too. Cause, you know, there was another floating around. Whatever.
(Don't blame Fogerson for this one. She wasn't even supposed to have the document to begin with. It got dumped on her. Heck, she's one of the most honorable people in the Deathstar.)
Here's what Frith told me (this is a longer quote than what ran in the paper):
“I really wanted to know what would happen to it. Greg had been terminated and there had never been an investigation. I just wanted to know what was going to happen to it. I wasn't going to frame it and put it on my office wall. I was hoping it would all go away – this whole issue. I didn't want it down there forever.”
So where exactly was it going to go then? Oh yeah, the shredder. He isn't taking it home with him. He's not keeping it in his car. So what else was there? Come on. Seriously. This sucker was getting trashed the second he got his hands on it.
And the sad thing? I knew about the document. Hell, what did I care? The allegations – at least the ones in that piece of paper – were unfounded. Speculation. Second-hand, third-hand, whatever, observations. It could have been political payback. Whatever. It was a non-issue. There was no investigation. Just because someone jots some crap down on paper, doesn't mean it's worth anything. Heck, you're reading this. You read the paper, right? (Heh. Don't say I don't take a shot at myself from time to time.)
But, no. There's a ton of documents that allege a lot of stupid stuff out there. It's when you destroy them, though. That's what makes it a story.
But, whatever. That's not what I wanted to post here tonight anyway. I was actually going to empty my notebook, put up some of the stuff that didn't make the paper. Then I got to beating on Scott. And I like the guy. But what he did was stupid.
Whether you agree that the memo should have been written or not.
And here's the irony.
You want to know how I finally got the document? I got a copy from Scott. No kidding. Because, supposedly Election Commission Chairman Chris Heagerty had the other copy. But, apparently he gave it to someone in the elections office. (He can't remember who.) But then today he says Elections Commissioner Bob Bowman has a copy. He'll get it from him. Fax it over. I'm still waiting for it.
In the meantime, Firth has hit the panic-buttons. He needs a copy. He gets one from Bowman. Today. He emails it to me.
And just think: If he'd never destroyed it? If I – or anyone in the media – had asked for it? Well . . . .
Whatever.
More ramblings. More thoughts. More drivel.
A couple things just didn't seem to add up, both on and off the record stuff (although the off the record mess I'm keeping to myself). So, some stuff got left out of the story. The facts are there. I don't (knock on wood) think anyone disputes what was written.
But, maybe read between some lines.
You got two key players. Both are powder kegs. For all that buddy-buddy show, the back-patting, joke-telling, BS the two put on, they really didn't like each other. That's now apparent.
It will be even more apparent tomorrow (or today when you read this. If you read this.) when the election commission picks a new administrator. Because Greg won't get it (although that's because he's no longer in the running). Nor will Scott. No way he gets the job. It's going to local attorney Clifford Rodgers. (Sorry, Victoria DeFreese, but you were a token pick. They needed a third person. They could have picked Steve Hill, but then they'd have to look their pal in the face and tell him “No.” It's easier to tell you. No offense. You're a nice person. Whatever. Dance for me puppet.)
No, Rodgers gets the pick. And then we won't ever have to write about the election office until the next election. Or redistricting. Or until someone digs up some dirt on Rodgers. Or more on Frith. Actually, I seriously doubt anything comes out on Rodgers.
Here's something else that bothered me. The mayor's role or lack thereof. It was no secret what was going on at the Cantina. No secret I – and I'll give Anthony over at WBIR some props – was working on the story. But, someone “in the administration” tipped Frith about it.
That's life, though.
I do, however, find it odd that some folks in the administration apparently forget about the incident. Oh yeah. They knew about this. You see, Scott found out about the memo in February. He went to see Frances Fogerson. Then Chris Heagerty goes to see her.
And then all of a sudden, Mayor Tim Burchett wants her in his office. And – ta-daa- he has a copy of the freakin' memo in his hand. Oh yeah, apparently Dean Rice, the administration's chief of staff, is in the same room. With said memo.
Of course, that must have really been Heagerty's copy that he was waving around. Because he doesn't have it anymore. Maybe he gave it back to Heagerty who gave it back to the elections office or wherever. (And what's the point of the mayor talking to HR about this anyway. It's not his problem. Like he said. HR “doesn't police the elections commission.” But I digress.)
Yet, somehow, the two of them had to be reminded today that all this took place. They forgot. Funny.
One more thing. Commissioners Heagerty and Bowman have long known about this. That's not a big deal, really. What's interesting, though, is they did meet with Scott back in either late July or early August. Mackay was there, too.
They all talked about it. They said Scott was a single, 30-year-old dumb ass and should have known better. He agreed.
Or something like that. Then, Heagerty tells Frith that nothing will go into his file.
Apparently, no one sent Heagerty the memo. The memo that said Mackay already filed that bad boy in Fogerson's office.
Yeah, Heagerty found out about that – along with Frith and Burchett – back in February.
According to Fogerson, he “stormed out” of her office.
Like I said: A lot of people got burned on this one.
Over something stupid.
But, don't kid yourself. It goes on all the time.
I happened to be in the mood tonight to share it with you.
And it all started with someone wanting to destroy it.
Irony, I suppose.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Cameron Brooks resigns from board
As expected, Knox County Election Commissioner Cameron Brooks, left, announced this afternoon that he plans to resign, effective May 9, from the board. It's because he's moving, though. Not because he's disgusted with some of his peers.
(Although he probably is. Disgusted that is.)
Brooks, a Democrat, was one of two who voted (along party lines) Friday to keep administrator of elections Greg Mackay's job. They lost.
I'm assuming the Democrats on the local Legislative Delegation will nominate another member to serve on the commission (which will be rubber stamped by the state because the state doesn't investigate anything). But, hell, I haven't looked it up. It could be like the county commission and the board just appoints one of its own.
Either way, it won't help the Democrats on the board. They're already outnumbered as it is. (The board chooses a new administrator April 27.)
Still, someone has an opportunity to get some of that goooood county health insurance and a little bit of coin.
Anyhoo, Cameron seemed like a good guy. All the best to him.
Here's the email he sent out:
April 19, 2011
Tom Wheeler
Tennessee Election Commission
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
9th Floor, Snodgrass Tower
Nashville, TN 37243
Dear Commissioner Wheeler:
This letter serves as my notice of resignation from the Knox County Election Commission, effective Monday, May 9, 2011. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of the state of the Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Cameron Brooks
Commissioner, Knox County Election Commission
Monday, April 18, 2011
Scott Frith likes to say 'focus'
Interim Election Administrator Scott Frith, left, says he’s going to keep on keeping on.Or something like that.
I just had a brief conversation with Frith, who is standing in for his old boss Greg Mackay (fired by the Knox County Election Commission on Friday).
He said that he hasn’t talked to Mackay nor does he plan to.
“It’s just not appropriate,” he said. “My job is to be focused on the next election and running this office and that’s it.”
He added that he does plan to apply for the job.
But, right now he’s “not hiring or firing anyone – that’s not my job.”
“I’ll work with the staff I have as long as I’m interim (administrator). That’s what I understand the charge (the election commission) gave me.”
He also addressed rumors that Mackay and he would switch jobs. In other words, Mackay would take his $83,000-a-year deputy administrator job and he’d take the $96,000 to $110,000 administrator job.
“Those are just rumors,” he said, again adding that he doesn’t plan to call Mackay. “Right now I’m focusing on the (upcoming City of Knoxville) elections.”
I asked about redistricting.
“Yeah, and redistricting and all the other duties of the office, too,” he added. “I’ve been focused on keeping us all focused on the job.”
He sure does like to use the word “focus.”
He said he also told the staff to “continue doing the professional job that they’re doing.”
“The most important thing is that I told them for the next week and a half or however long I’m the interim administrator, we need to keep the ship on course and that’s what I’m going to do.”
In the meantime, folks have until 9 a.m. April 26 to apply for the job.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Who's going to be election chief?
I wasn’t going to post anything this evening, but I've got some time to kill before Family Guy comes on.
Yeah, it’s probably no surprise that I like that show.
Anyhoo, just two days after the election commission gave administrator Greg Mackay, who actually ran the show, the boot, there’s a few names floating around to replace him.
Which isn’t really surprising. People like to gossip in the Deathstar. And in 2009 roughly 45 people applied. (Hey, who wouldn't want that sweet job? It pays well and you get that goood county health insurance.)
I throw these out for now.
Scott Frith, the interim administrator is one. But I don’t think he’s going to get it. He takes law classes at night and I think commissioners want someone with a stronger commitment. Not to say he isn’t committed. But, I just don’t see it. Plus, there’s some other issues there.
I do, however, see him sticking around. Someone has to tell the new guy/gal how to run the show. Of course, this is Knox County politics we’re talking about. And the smartest decisions aren’t always the norm.
But I digress.
The second name is Josh Burnett. He’s Trustee John Duncan’s chief of staff. And he’s in tight with a lot of those guys. He also considered applying a few years ago when the commission took applications, but didn’t. However, Josh told me tonight he’s not interested.
“I love what I’m doing but I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I’ll stay as long as John Duncan will have me.”
Finally, Steve Hill and Victoria DeFreese are the others. (I'm not including Mackay because I don't think he'll apply. The Republicans rigged it so that he doesn't have a chance of getting an interview.)
My show is about to start, so don’t have time to comment on the last ones.
But I do want to add this final note.
Election Commissioner Cameron Brooks is leaving – probably at the end of the month because he's moving.
So, I’m assuming the Democrats on the local Legislative delegation are going to nominate someone for his seat.
Wouldn’t it be a kick in the ass if Greg Mackay got the appointment?
Heh.
Sure, he’d be only one vote in the minority. But he’d have a few questions to ask his fellow commissioners, the ones who technically run the election office and set policy.
Right? That is what they do, isn’t it?
I imagine the first thing he’d like to ask them is: “What’s your stance on voter fraud?”
I’m sure it will be directed to one member specifically.
Yeah, it’s probably no surprise that I like that show.
Anyhoo, just two days after the election commission gave administrator Greg Mackay, who actually ran the show, the boot, there’s a few names floating around to replace him.
Which isn’t really surprising. People like to gossip in the Deathstar. And in 2009 roughly 45 people applied. (Hey, who wouldn't want that sweet job? It pays well and you get that goood county health insurance.)
I throw these out for now.
Scott Frith, the interim administrator is one. But I don’t think he’s going to get it. He takes law classes at night and I think commissioners want someone with a stronger commitment. Not to say he isn’t committed. But, I just don’t see it. Plus, there’s some other issues there.
I do, however, see him sticking around. Someone has to tell the new guy/gal how to run the show. Of course, this is Knox County politics we’re talking about. And the smartest decisions aren’t always the norm.
But I digress.
The second name is Josh Burnett. He’s Trustee John Duncan’s chief of staff. And he’s in tight with a lot of those guys. He also considered applying a few years ago when the commission took applications, but didn’t. However, Josh told me tonight he’s not interested.
“I love what I’m doing but I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I’ll stay as long as John Duncan will have me.”
Finally, Steve Hill and Victoria DeFreese are the others. (I'm not including Mackay because I don't think he'll apply. The Republicans rigged it so that he doesn't have a chance of getting an interview.)
My show is about to start, so don’t have time to comment on the last ones.
But I do want to add this final note.
Election Commissioner Cameron Brooks is leaving – probably at the end of the month because he's moving.
So, I’m assuming the Democrats on the local Legislative delegation are going to nominate someone for his seat.
Wouldn’t it be a kick in the ass if Greg Mackay got the appointment?
Heh.
Sure, he’d be only one vote in the minority. But he’d have a few questions to ask his fellow commissioners, the ones who technically run the election office and set policy.
Right? That is what they do, isn’t it?
I imagine the first thing he’d like to ask them is: “What’s your stance on voter fraud?”
I’m sure it will be directed to one member specifically.
Friday, April 15, 2011
The deck is now really stacked
I have to hand it to Knox County Election Commission Bob Bowman.
He’s had two years to think about how to get rid of (now former) Administrator of Elections Greg Mackay.
And he made sure to cover all their asses when he did. He made sure he's really gone this time. He made sure it wasn't about politics, but rather state law. Or at least how he interprets it. Because that's what good lawyers do.
(Of course, if Mackay sues . . . . well that’s another story.)
But, he made sure to also cover the commission on the application process. Because even if Mackay does reapply for the position, he’s not getting an interview.
No. Not like March 2009. You see last time 45 people applied and 12 got interviews.
This time only three get interviews – the top three selections that get the most support out of the five commissioners.
Sure, Mackay – if he applies – will get support from Cameron Brooks and Cassandra Stuart – the two Democrats. But don’t think for a minute that the three Republicans are ranking him any higher than No. 4 on their lists.
He’s gone.
The Republicans made sure of it when they gave Paul Crilly the boot because he jumped ship in 2009 and voted for the Democrat. They made sure to replace him with someone who was expected to vote for the Republican.
Oh well.
I don’t care. I don’t vote anyway.
I am, however, curious about one thing.
You see the commissioners – after they ousted Mackay gave his right-hand-man, Scott Frith, the gig. For now anyway. And Frith will apply for the job, just like he did two years ago.
Oddly enough (actually it isn’t odd), Mackay hired Frith, a Republican. And don’t let anyone tell you he didn’t do it to protect his own ass.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He knew this would happen one day. So, you might as well hire someone you like and prep them to do what you do. (And Scott was second on the list in the interview process back then. I won’t debate whether the list was stacked.)
But, and this is what gets me.
Why didn’t Frith, go into Mackay’s office as he was packing his crap and tell him: “Hey, man. Don’t leave. You’re my new deputy administrator.”
Ah, the politics of it all.
He’s had two years to think about how to get rid of (now former) Administrator of Elections Greg Mackay.
And he made sure to cover all their asses when he did. He made sure he's really gone this time. He made sure it wasn't about politics, but rather state law. Or at least how he interprets it. Because that's what good lawyers do.
(Of course, if Mackay sues . . . . well that’s another story.)
But, he made sure to also cover the commission on the application process. Because even if Mackay does reapply for the position, he’s not getting an interview.
No. Not like March 2009. You see last time 45 people applied and 12 got interviews.
This time only three get interviews – the top three selections that get the most support out of the five commissioners.
Sure, Mackay – if he applies – will get support from Cameron Brooks and Cassandra Stuart – the two Democrats. But don’t think for a minute that the three Republicans are ranking him any higher than No. 4 on their lists.
He’s gone.
The Republicans made sure of it when they gave Paul Crilly the boot because he jumped ship in 2009 and voted for the Democrat. They made sure to replace him with someone who was expected to vote for the Republican.
Oh well.
I don’t care. I don’t vote anyway.
I am, however, curious about one thing.
You see the commissioners – after they ousted Mackay gave his right-hand-man, Scott Frith, the gig. For now anyway. And Frith will apply for the job, just like he did two years ago.
Oddly enough (actually it isn’t odd), Mackay hired Frith, a Republican. And don’t let anyone tell you he didn’t do it to protect his own ass.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He knew this would happen one day. So, you might as well hire someone you like and prep them to do what you do. (And Scott was second on the list in the interview process back then. I won’t debate whether the list was stacked.)
But, and this is what gets me.
Why didn’t Frith, go into Mackay’s office as he was packing his crap and tell him: “Hey, man. Don’t leave. You’re my new deputy administrator.”
Ah, the politics of it all.
Election Commission meets today
The Knox County Election Commission meets at 4 p.m. today.
I hope it doesn't cut into happy hour.
Here's the sun shined agenda:
I expect elections administrator Greg Mackay will talk briefly, then turn it over to his five bosses. At that point, I figure - if they attend - the League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County are going to want to speak about the newest commissioner, Rob McNutt.
Because, you know, there's some issues about where he voted and when.
The commission will reorganize. I figure they'll keep Chris Heagerty as chairman. (That spot automatically goes to a Republican since they have the majority in the local Legislative delegation.)
The secretary spot might go to Cameron Brooks. Cassandra McGee Stuart has it now, and since they're the only two Democrats (the party that gets the seat automatically), she might let him have a shot.
Or not.
I'm not sure if we'll get much action on Mackay's job at this point.
I don't think he's getting fired today.
At the most, I think they may briefly discuss whether to take applications for the job.
Then they'll agree to meet soon to discuss it further.
Kind of like the county commission.
Why do something today, when you can put it off for later?
I figure Mackay is safe for another few weeks
I hope it doesn't cut into happy hour.
Here's the sun shined agenda:
At the call of the Chair, the Knox County Election Commission will meet on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 4 p.m.. The meeting will be held in the Small Assembly Room of the City/County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN.
Among the agenda items are reorganization and certification of the Town of Farragut election.
I expect elections administrator Greg Mackay will talk briefly, then turn it over to his five bosses. At that point, I figure - if they attend - the League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County are going to want to speak about the newest commissioner, Rob McNutt.
Because, you know, there's some issues about where he voted and when.
The commission will reorganize. I figure they'll keep Chris Heagerty as chairman. (That spot automatically goes to a Republican since they have the majority in the local Legislative delegation.)
The secretary spot might go to Cameron Brooks. Cassandra McGee Stuart has it now, and since they're the only two Democrats (the party that gets the seat automatically), she might let him have a shot.
Or not.
I'm not sure if we'll get much action on Mackay's job at this point.
I don't think he's getting fired today.
At the most, I think they may briefly discuss whether to take applications for the job.
Then they'll agree to meet soon to discuss it further.
Kind of like the county commission.
Why do something today, when you can put it off for later?
I figure Mackay is safe for another few weeks
Friday, April 1, 2011
More on election commission mess
On Monday, the State Election Commission is expected to rubber stamp the nominations the local Legislative delegation made to the Knox County Election Commission.
That means the panel won’t change except for Rob McNutt taking over for Paul Crilly because the Republicans couldn’t stomach one of their own jumping ship and voting to keep county Elections Administrator Greg Mackay, a Democrat.
Late last week I wrote a story about McNutt forgetting seven times that he voted in the wrong precinct, and word was going around that he might step down.
You know, because the election commission kind of defines elections around here, and he kind of forgot how, where and when how to vote.
I never believed he’d step down, and News Sentinel staff writer Tom Humphrey (the most kick-ass state government reporter in all of Tennessee) pretty much confirmed it earlier this week.
(I don’t think Tom wrote about it, since it’s pretty much a non-issue now, but I might as well throw it up here, since I mentioned it earlier in the week.)
Humphrey said that the state senators and representatives he spoke to about the issue said the matter is over, so far as they are concerned, barring anything further.
Republican state Sen. and (McNutt's good pal) Stacey Campfield, for example, said the election is finished and “the time for yelling is before the election, not after.”
(On a side note, I have no idea what he’s talking about. What election? The nominations the delegation made last week without bothering to research the candidates? That election? Nooooooo. There’s always time to yell. Or scream. Heh.)
State Rep. Ryan Haynes, also a Republican and the chairman of the Knox County delegation, says if there’s anything problematic, it would be left to the state commission to decide against the delegation recommendations.
Of course, that’s not going to happen.
That means the panel won’t change except for Rob McNutt taking over for Paul Crilly because the Republicans couldn’t stomach one of their own jumping ship and voting to keep county Elections Administrator Greg Mackay, a Democrat.
Late last week I wrote a story about McNutt forgetting seven times that he voted in the wrong precinct, and word was going around that he might step down.
You know, because the election commission kind of defines elections around here, and he kind of forgot how, where and when how to vote.
I never believed he’d step down, and News Sentinel staff writer Tom Humphrey (the most kick-ass state government reporter in all of Tennessee) pretty much confirmed it earlier this week.
(I don’t think Tom wrote about it, since it’s pretty much a non-issue now, but I might as well throw it up here, since I mentioned it earlier in the week.)
Humphrey said that the state senators and representatives he spoke to about the issue said the matter is over, so far as they are concerned, barring anything further.
Republican state Sen. and (McNutt's good pal) Stacey Campfield, for example, said the election is finished and “the time for yelling is before the election, not after.”
(On a side note, I have no idea what he’s talking about. What election? The nominations the delegation made last week without bothering to research the candidates? That election? Nooooooo. There’s always time to yell. Or scream. Heh.)
State Rep. Ryan Haynes, also a Republican and the chairman of the Knox County delegation, says if there’s anything problematic, it would be left to the state commission to decide against the delegation recommendations.
Of course, that’s not going to happen.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
More on election commission mess
I’m somewhere over Florida right now as I type this, on my way to see the big greed-head rodent in Orlando.
So, I got some time to kill.
Because if I don’t keep myself occupied, I’m going to throw a little snot-kid and his stoned-dad in front of me out of the plane.
Anyhoo, was thinking about today’s story (click right smack here for the bad boy), and what I’ve heard, since it came out. One rumor has it that - Rob McNutt - the Republican Legislative delegation’s pick to serve on the county Election Commission won’t accept the appointment.
I don’t buy it. The guy is passionate. He wants the job. And he’s got his party’s support. For the most part. He’s staying.
The other rumor is that the election office will turn over the information I reported (That McNutt voted out of his precinct seven times) to the District Attorney General’s Office.
Well yeah. What did you think would happen?
If Elections Administrator Greg Mackay and his right-hand man Scott “attached at the hip” Frith didn’t, then they would be breaking the law.
If it’s possible that someone violated state election laws, then the election folks will at least have some type of discussion with prosecutors. (Hey, Scott, just having a little fun at your expense.)
With that said, the issue won't go anywhere. Even if McNutt intentionally and maliciously voted in the wrong precinct, I’m sure there is some statute of limitations that’s expired by now. I’m guessing it would be a two-year limit. Some of his infractions were more than a decade ago.
Also, I know people are going to come down on Mackay if he does talk to Attorney General Randy Nichols. They’ll say he shouldn’t do it. OK, cool. Say he does nothing. Well, what happens if the next time someone screws up it’s a Democrat?
You think the local Republicans are going to give that person a pass? Hell no.
So, Mackay has to talk. He’ll at least hold a brief conversation with the AG’s office. Probably nothing more.
OK, some other thoughts, really in no particular order. Mostly, what I’m doing here is “cleaning out the notebook,” giving you some information that didn’t make it into the story because of space issues, or relevance, or whatever.
Enjoy. It’s free.
So, Steve Hall, the state representative and long-time friend of McNutt. The big rumor - and this has been going on for years now really - going around the county Deathstar is that Hall wants Mackay’s job. A few years ago when the Republicans were gunning for Mackay, he applied.
Apparently, it didn’t work out too well for him.
“I told (the Election Commission) that I thought Greg Mackay was going a fine job,” he said. “But there was an indication that there would be a change, and if there was going to be a change, then I would have liked to have had that position.”
Hall joked that he thinks his remarks made a lot of fellow Republicans mad.
“They told me that I sounded like I was doing a commercial for Greg,” he said laughing.
I asked if he was again interested in the job. The commission in the upccoming weeks will probably decide on Mackay's future - whether to keep him, fire him or take applications for his job. Or whatever it is they do. Maybe they’ll do nothing. (No, by the way, Mackay is not term-limited.)
Damn, I’m rambling here.
Hall said he was not interested and that he would not apply.
“Not in the near future,” he said. “Who knows 10 years from now.”
Anyway, a few more things to address. First, the quote by state Rep. Ryan Haynes, the local Legislative delegation’s big dog (‘cause he’s got the chairmanship spot).
Folks on the message boards have been sticking it to him for pretty much blaming “a little old lady for punching the wrong keypad” for the reason election folks should share some of the blame for McNutt voting in the wrong precinct.
The tone of his statement, however, was lost in the printed word. That happens. Unfortunately. But Ryan was somewhat chuckling when he said it. In retrospect, I could have paraphrased him, wrote something like: Haynes suggested elections officials should share some of the blame. Perhaps, he said, someone didn’t use the keypad correctly.
Whatever.
I'm not going to second guess muyself. I just don’t want people to think the guy stereotyped poll workers or doesn’t like little old ladies.
But, with that said, I don’t buy it. No one punched the wrong key in SEVEN different elections.
Second thing to address is how I got this story. I’m not telling. But don’t start thinking it was Mackay. (And it also wasn’t local attorney Dennis Francis – another rumor I heard going around today. He’s never given me a tip that panned out, so he’s been shut off. Kidding. About the shut off part. His tips, however, do suck. ) But, back to Mackay. It wouldn’t have been in his best interest to tip me off. Not now, anyway.
He’s smart enough to know the best damage gets released the day before the election - not now. And no, I’m not covering for anyone. I don’t care who the election administrator is. In fact, the administrator (new or old) could screw up multiple elections and I wouldn't care. So long as the person returns my calls.
Third thing to address: McNutt.
I enjoyed talking to him. I don’t take great pleasure - despite what many of you may think - in busting someone on 1-A. I like to know them for a while before I do that.
Heh.
But seriously, he is a nice guy. He told me a few stories about how he’d take his children into the voting booths with him, when they were toddlers, and talk to them about the election process. (OK, no jokes here, please.)
He also seemed very passionate about community service, civic duty, whatever.
Again, I like the guy. (I doubt he likes me very much, but I digress.) And yes, the last thing on my mind - if my parents passed away three months apart and I was moving - would be to change my information with the election office. (Which is something he didn't do and is now subsequently in the limelight for.) However, it would be the first thing on my mind when I finally went down to the polls to vote. (Which also is something he did not do . . . .)
On a side note, I actually thought McNutt was living in the county and voting in city elections. Not that it makes much of a difference.
Last up is state Rep. Harry Tindell, a Democrat. I talked to him about for this story, but his comments didn’t make the paper. Not enough space. He wouldn’t touch it, though. Said that was all up to the Republicans. Smart guy.
I also called Republican state Senator Jamie Woodson for a comment on the story. Funny. I didn’t hear back from her.
On a final side note, I did mention county Mayor Tim Burchett in the story, but I was talking to him about McNutt's background. I never addressed the voting issues with the mayor.
Anyway, I’m out of town for a few. I imagine that I’ll still update, though.
In the meantime, I've got a mouse to catch tomorrow.
Update: I had some links connected to this post, mostly to bios, but Blogger is acting up today and I had to repost this without most of them.
So, I got some time to kill.
Because if I don’t keep myself occupied, I’m going to throw a little snot-kid and his stoned-dad in front of me out of the plane.
Anyhoo, was thinking about today’s story (click right smack here for the bad boy), and what I’ve heard, since it came out. One rumor has it that - Rob McNutt - the Republican Legislative delegation’s pick to serve on the county Election Commission won’t accept the appointment.
I don’t buy it. The guy is passionate. He wants the job. And he’s got his party’s support. For the most part. He’s staying.
The other rumor is that the election office will turn over the information I reported (That McNutt voted out of his precinct seven times) to the District Attorney General’s Office.
Well yeah. What did you think would happen?
If Elections Administrator Greg Mackay and his right-hand man Scott “attached at the hip” Frith didn’t, then they would be breaking the law.
If it’s possible that someone violated state election laws, then the election folks will at least have some type of discussion with prosecutors. (Hey, Scott, just having a little fun at your expense.)
With that said, the issue won't go anywhere. Even if McNutt intentionally and maliciously voted in the wrong precinct, I’m sure there is some statute of limitations that’s expired by now. I’m guessing it would be a two-year limit. Some of his infractions were more than a decade ago.
Also, I know people are going to come down on Mackay if he does talk to Attorney General Randy Nichols. They’ll say he shouldn’t do it. OK, cool. Say he does nothing. Well, what happens if the next time someone screws up it’s a Democrat?
You think the local Republicans are going to give that person a pass? Hell no.
So, Mackay has to talk. He’ll at least hold a brief conversation with the AG’s office. Probably nothing more.
OK, some other thoughts, really in no particular order. Mostly, what I’m doing here is “cleaning out the notebook,” giving you some information that didn’t make it into the story because of space issues, or relevance, or whatever.
Enjoy. It’s free.
So, Steve Hall, the state representative and long-time friend of McNutt. The big rumor - and this has been going on for years now really - going around the county Deathstar is that Hall wants Mackay’s job. A few years ago when the Republicans were gunning for Mackay, he applied.
Apparently, it didn’t work out too well for him.
“I told (the Election Commission) that I thought Greg Mackay was going a fine job,” he said. “But there was an indication that there would be a change, and if there was going to be a change, then I would have liked to have had that position.”
Hall joked that he thinks his remarks made a lot of fellow Republicans mad.
“They told me that I sounded like I was doing a commercial for Greg,” he said laughing.
I asked if he was again interested in the job. The commission in the upccoming weeks will probably decide on Mackay's future - whether to keep him, fire him or take applications for his job. Or whatever it is they do. Maybe they’ll do nothing. (No, by the way, Mackay is not term-limited.)
Damn, I’m rambling here.
Hall said he was not interested and that he would not apply.
“Not in the near future,” he said. “Who knows 10 years from now.”
Anyway, a few more things to address. First, the quote by state Rep. Ryan Haynes, the local Legislative delegation’s big dog (‘cause he’s got the chairmanship spot).
Folks on the message boards have been sticking it to him for pretty much blaming “a little old lady for punching the wrong keypad” for the reason election folks should share some of the blame for McNutt voting in the wrong precinct.
The tone of his statement, however, was lost in the printed word. That happens. Unfortunately. But Ryan was somewhat chuckling when he said it. In retrospect, I could have paraphrased him, wrote something like: Haynes suggested elections officials should share some of the blame. Perhaps, he said, someone didn’t use the keypad correctly.
Whatever.
I'm not going to second guess muyself. I just don’t want people to think the guy stereotyped poll workers or doesn’t like little old ladies.
But, with that said, I don’t buy it. No one punched the wrong key in SEVEN different elections.
Second thing to address is how I got this story. I’m not telling. But don’t start thinking it was Mackay. (And it also wasn’t local attorney Dennis Francis – another rumor I heard going around today. He’s never given me a tip that panned out, so he’s been shut off. Kidding. About the shut off part. His tips, however, do suck. ) But, back to Mackay. It wouldn’t have been in his best interest to tip me off. Not now, anyway.
He’s smart enough to know the best damage gets released the day before the election - not now. And no, I’m not covering for anyone. I don’t care who the election administrator is. In fact, the administrator (new or old) could screw up multiple elections and I wouldn't care. So long as the person returns my calls.
Third thing to address: McNutt.
I enjoyed talking to him. I don’t take great pleasure - despite what many of you may think - in busting someone on 1-A. I like to know them for a while before I do that.
Heh.
But seriously, he is a nice guy. He told me a few stories about how he’d take his children into the voting booths with him, when they were toddlers, and talk to them about the election process. (OK, no jokes here, please.)
He also seemed very passionate about community service, civic duty, whatever.
Again, I like the guy. (I doubt he likes me very much, but I digress.) And yes, the last thing on my mind - if my parents passed away three months apart and I was moving - would be to change my information with the election office. (Which is something he didn't do and is now subsequently in the limelight for.) However, it would be the first thing on my mind when I finally went down to the polls to vote. (Which also is something he did not do . . . .)
On a side note, I actually thought McNutt was living in the county and voting in city elections. Not that it makes much of a difference.
Last up is state Rep. Harry Tindell, a Democrat. I talked to him about for this story, but his comments didn’t make the paper. Not enough space. He wouldn’t touch it, though. Said that was all up to the Republicans. Smart guy.
I also called Republican state Senator Jamie Woodson for a comment on the story. Funny. I didn’t hear back from her.
On a final side note, I did mention county Mayor Tim Burchett in the story, but I was talking to him about McNutt's background. I never addressed the voting issues with the mayor.
Anyway, I’m out of town for a few. I imagine that I’ll still update, though.
In the meantime, I've got a mouse to catch tomorrow.
Update: I had some links connected to this post, mostly to bios, but Blogger is acting up today and I had to repost this without most of them.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Election Commission makeover
Sentinel journalist Tom Humphrey, the most kick-ass state reporter in Tennessee, broke the news today that county election commissioner Paul Crilly is out and Rob McNutt is in.
(By the way I don't believe Rob is related to Scott McNutt, the most smart-ass reporter in Tennessee.)
The move could mean the end for county Election Administrator Greg Mackay, a Democrat living in a Republican world. Or at least hanging out in and near a Republican courthouse, which many here consider the world.
Then again, maybe not.
Tom's story is here.
He essentially says the Republican legislators ousted Crilly who voted with the two Democrats on the commission a few years back to retain Mackay.
Today's vote was done via a spineless ballot. I mean, sorry, my bad. It was done via a secret ballot. And the vote totals were not announced, according to Rep. Ryan Haynes, chairman of the county Legislative delegation.
Knox County Election Commission Chairman Chris "Hag" Heagerty (long-time childhood trouble-making friend of county Mayor Tim Burchett) and Bob Bowman were both given new terms by the vote.
The two Democrats - whoever they are - also were reappointed awhile back.
As I've mentioned before, I don't have a dog in this fight. But it's pretty spineless to get rid of the one person who actually had a backbone (Crilly), and then decline to say how you voted. I hear the chickens clucking in the background.
You see, whether you agree with Crilly's stance or with Mackay's politics, the now-former commissioner at least showed that he couldn't be swayed by party politics. He voted for a person (Mackay), rather than just a party. He actually thought for himself.
I know. It's unheard of.
And no, I'm not trying to disparage Hag or Bowman. They might have made the right decision when they voted to oust Mackay.
I'm just saying.
You know, whatever.
I'm just glad there's something else to post today other than the fee office mess.
(By the way I don't believe Rob is related to Scott McNutt, the most smart-ass reporter in Tennessee.)
The move could mean the end for county Election Administrator Greg Mackay, a Democrat living in a Republican world. Or at least hanging out in and near a Republican courthouse, which many here consider the world.
Then again, maybe not.
Tom's story is here.
He essentially says the Republican legislators ousted Crilly who voted with the two Democrats on the commission a few years back to retain Mackay.
Today's vote was done via a spineless ballot. I mean, sorry, my bad. It was done via a secret ballot. And the vote totals were not announced, according to Rep. Ryan Haynes, chairman of the county Legislative delegation.
Knox County Election Commission Chairman Chris "Hag" Heagerty (long-time childhood trouble-making friend of county Mayor Tim Burchett) and Bob Bowman were both given new terms by the vote.
The two Democrats - whoever they are - also were reappointed awhile back.
As I've mentioned before, I don't have a dog in this fight. But it's pretty spineless to get rid of the one person who actually had a backbone (Crilly), and then decline to say how you voted. I hear the chickens clucking in the background.
You see, whether you agree with Crilly's stance or with Mackay's politics, the now-former commissioner at least showed that he couldn't be swayed by party politics. He voted for a person (Mackay), rather than just a party. He actually thought for himself.
I know. It's unheard of.
And no, I'm not trying to disparage Hag or Bowman. They might have made the right decision when they voted to oust Mackay.
I'm just saying.
You know, whatever.
I'm just glad there's something else to post today other than the fee office mess.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Help Wanted: Election Commission
A “media alert” came in Friday when I was on vacation. Apparently, state Rep. Ryan Haynes and the rest of the Knox County Legislative Delegation are now accepting “letters of interest/resumes” for the Knox County Election Commission.
(Not sure why they didn’t save a few words and just say “applications.”)
Anyhoo, this is the first step, I suppose, to more election commission drama and current election administrator Greg Mackay’s fight to keep his job. Again.
I blogged about this awhile back. But here’s a quick rehash:
A few years ago, local officials urged the county’s state lawmakers to see to it that a Republican was appointed to Mackay’s job, in light of the then-new GOP-majority county Election Commission. (Mackay is a Democrat obviously or this wouldn’t be an issue.)
After a lot of publicity, the commission in a 3-2 vote kept Mackay.
That was only because one Republican on the commission – Paul Crilly – crossed over. People haven’t forgotten. So, it’s no surprise that Crilly is probably on his way out. I’m not sure if he’ll even re-apply for the job.
(The commissioners, by the way, serve for two-years and are not term-limited. They are appointed by the State Election Commission, based on recommendations from the state Legislative delegation. The Republican caucus makes the Republican selections and the Democratic caucus picks the Democrats.)
I think by now everyone knows that state Rep. Harry Tindell and state Rep. Joe Armstrong (both Democrats) plan to keep the same Dems – Cassandra McGee Stuart and Cameron Brooks – on the commission.
The safe bet, too, is on Chris Heagerty and Bob Bowman (both Republicans) sticking around.
So, we’re technically down to one replacement.
I haven’t been following this that closely, since we’re still a ways off, but I’ve heard a few names kicked around, including former county commissioner Greg “Lumpy” Lambert, who is now helping to run courtroom security and swears he’s not packing a gun. (I’m not buying this rumor. The part about him applying, I mean. I’m still not sure about the gun part.)
But, Brian Hornback has an interesting theory.
He’s hearing that local attorney E. Michael “Breezy” Brezina III will replace Crilly. Brezina apparently works with Heagarty, also an attorney. (I swear there’s a lawyer joke in here somewhere.)
That actually makes some sense.
As the Metro Pulse recently noted:
He might.
But I’m not sure what role, if any, Burchett will play. He’s told me in the past that he doesn’t want to get involved in it. And at this point, I think he’s got more on his plate than that. Like the budget.
Additionally, the administration’s chief of staff, Dean Rice, told me tonight that: “They have a strong election commission and the delegation and the commission will be working together on these issues. That’s their job. There’s not a role for us to be engaged in (on that issue).”
So, what happens now?
We wait, I suppose.
For the drama.
Once the delegation makes its selections, the commission some time in April will probably meet to discuss Mackay’s job.
The big, not-so-secret, rumor is that the group will have Mackay and his deputy (who seems to be attached to his hip) Scott Frith, a Republican, swap jobs. That way, the Republicans are in charge, but the office still has Mackay's experience.
Then again, maybe nothing will happen.
Regardless, if you’re interested in some local election office fun, send your “letters of interest/resumes” (and no, you apparently can’t email them) to:
(Not sure why they didn’t save a few words and just say “applications.”)
Anyhoo, this is the first step, I suppose, to more election commission drama and current election administrator Greg Mackay’s fight to keep his job. Again.
I blogged about this awhile back. But here’s a quick rehash:
A few years ago, local officials urged the county’s state lawmakers to see to it that a Republican was appointed to Mackay’s job, in light of the then-new GOP-majority county Election Commission. (Mackay is a Democrat obviously or this wouldn’t be an issue.)
After a lot of publicity, the commission in a 3-2 vote kept Mackay.
That was only because one Republican on the commission – Paul Crilly – crossed over. People haven’t forgotten. So, it’s no surprise that Crilly is probably on his way out. I’m not sure if he’ll even re-apply for the job.
(The commissioners, by the way, serve for two-years and are not term-limited. They are appointed by the State Election Commission, based on recommendations from the state Legislative delegation. The Republican caucus makes the Republican selections and the Democratic caucus picks the Democrats.)
I think by now everyone knows that state Rep. Harry Tindell and state Rep. Joe Armstrong (both Democrats) plan to keep the same Dems – Cassandra McGee Stuart and Cameron Brooks – on the commission.
The safe bet, too, is on Chris Heagerty and Bob Bowman (both Republicans) sticking around.
So, we’re technically down to one replacement.
I haven’t been following this that closely, since we’re still a ways off, but I’ve heard a few names kicked around, including former county commissioner Greg “Lumpy” Lambert, who is now helping to run courtroom security and swears he’s not packing a gun. (I’m not buying this rumor. The part about him applying, I mean. I’m still not sure about the gun part.)
But, Brian Hornback has an interesting theory.
He’s hearing that local attorney E. Michael “Breezy” Brezina III will replace Crilly. Brezina apparently works with Heagarty, also an attorney. (I swear there’s a lawyer joke in here somewhere.)
That actually makes some sense.
As the Metro Pulse recently noted:
“Heagerty is close to county Mayor Tim Burchett and will likely have some influence with Burchett over picking the next commissioner. The Republican delegation is likely to listen to Burchett, their former colleague, in making the appointment. So Heagerty will likely make the choice to replace Crilly . . . .”So, does Heagerty pick his co-worker (Brezina) to serve with him?
He might.
But I’m not sure what role, if any, Burchett will play. He’s told me in the past that he doesn’t want to get involved in it. And at this point, I think he’s got more on his plate than that. Like the budget.
Additionally, the administration’s chief of staff, Dean Rice, told me tonight that: “They have a strong election commission and the delegation and the commission will be working together on these issues. That’s their job. There’s not a role for us to be engaged in (on that issue).”
So, what happens now?
We wait, I suppose.
For the drama.
Once the delegation makes its selections, the commission some time in April will probably meet to discuss Mackay’s job.
The big, not-so-secret, rumor is that the group will have Mackay and his deputy (who seems to be attached to his hip) Scott Frith, a Republican, swap jobs. That way, the Republicans are in charge, but the office still has Mackay's experience.
Then again, maybe nothing will happen.
Regardless, if you’re interested in some local election office fun, send your “letters of interest/resumes” (and no, you apparently can’t email them) to:
Rep. Ryan Haynes
Chairman, Knox County Legislative Delegation
301 6th Avenue North
Suite 214 War Memorial Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243
Friday, February 25, 2011
Election office mess coming soon
The general public really doesn't care who runs the county's election office.Until someone screws up.
But, word once again is going around the Knox County Deathstar that Elections Administrator Greg Mackay, left, is on his way out.
That's because politicians do care who runs the office.
And Mackay messed up. He's a Democrat.
(And before anyone starts with that “liberal-media” crap, I'm on the record as saying “both sides annoy me.” But I digress.)
Here's the gist:
Members of the State Election Commission appoint their local-level counterparts. The selections, however, are based upon recommendations from the state Legislative delegation for that respective county. The Republican caucus makes the Republican selections, and the Democratic caucus picks the Democrats.
Then the state rubber stamps the recommendations. (Because it's too time-consuming for anyone in the state to actually do real work.)
The delegations make the picks during the off-election year, meaning it's going to happen probably in late march. The new commission (it's still new even if all the same members are reappointed) then reorganizes. It's five members pick a peer from the majority party (Republicans) to serve as chairman, and the minority party (Democrats) select the secretary.
A little history:
A few years ago, local officials urged the county's state lawmakers to see to it that a Republican was appointed to Mackay's job, in light of the then-new GOP-majority county Election Commission.
After a lot of publicity, bickering, headlines, crying, blah, blah, blah, the commission in a 3-2 vote kept Mackay.
That was only because one Republican – Paul Crilly – crossed over. People haven't forgotten. So, Crilly is probably out, too.
Back to the present:
This morning, I asked state Rep. and Chairman of the local Legislative delegation Ryan Haynes, above right, about his thoughts.
He didn't offer much. The usual political rhetoric.
But, he did say: “I don't think it's any secret that a lot of people were upset about (Crilly crossing over).”
He also said the delegation probably in the next few weeks will send out a "press release," seeking applications.
As it stands, he said, the two Democrats – state Rep. Harry Tindell and state Rep. Joe Armstrong – plan to keep the same Democrat members on the commission.
The Republicans get three picks, and since there's eight of them in the delegation, they'll have to do a little haggling amongst themselves to figure out just who they want. Or don't want.
“I think it's important to wait and see who puts their name in a hat and give them an opportunity to speak with us before making any decisions,” Haynes told me when I asked about his checks.
So, what about Mackay? You going to keep him?
“That's up to the election commissioners to decide.”
Yeah, but you have some stroke, right?
“No, not at all.”
Yeah, right.
“No, really, it's truly up to the election commissioners. I think it's important that we appoint them because we feel confident that they have the expertise and knowledge – they're in the system day-in and day-out. They get it. We don't.”
So, what do you think about Mackay?
“I think he serves his community well.”
The reality:
Heh. Yes, but he also serves at the pleasure of the election commission. And they can meet and fire the administrator pretty much any time.
I suppose we'll all see what happens. Last time it was a mess.
I'm sure things won't be much different this time.
I figure most people are happy with the way the elections are run and how the office is run.
But the Democrats were in charge for so long in running the election commission in a Republican County that there's a lot of resentment between the old guard and the new one.
Mackay has done a good job. But a lot of people feel there should be a Republican administrator.
Me?
I don't care.
I don't vote, anyway.
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