Commish at-large seats heating up

The Knox County Republican Primary is still a good ways off, but already one at-large commission seat is getting some interest.

Larsen Jay, the founder of Random Acts of Flowers, filed his appointment of treasurer documents with the Knox County Election Commission on Friday. He named his wife.

Jay is running for Seat 10, which is one of two at-large seats on the 11-member board. Incumbent Bob Thomas will not seek re-election and is instead running for county mayor.

In addition, Justin Biggs said he, too, plans to run for that seat. He will probably make a more formal announcement in the coming months.

Biggs is the son of Eddie Biggs, a well-liked chief deputy in the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

The Republican Primary isn’t until May 2018.

In addition, former Commissioner R. Larry Smith in November announced his intentions to seek the other at-large seat (No. 11). He named Donald Henderlight as his treasurer.

Incumbent Ed Brantley doesn’t plan to seek re-election.

Another former county commissioner, Ivan Harmon, also is rumored to make a run at one of the at-large seats.

Mayor Rogero to seek re-election

Rogero

If you don't know by now, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero recently stated the obvious: She is seeking re-election in 2015.

She plans to host a kick-off reception at 6 p.m. on March 24 at the Standard on Jackson Avenue.  Free parking is available after 6 p.m. across the street from the Standard in the W. Jackson Avene lot.

Rogero,  the city's first female mayor, won the office in 2011.

The Knoxville mayoral post is a non-partisan seat, but Rogero is a Democrat.

I talked to Buddy Burkhardt, the Knox County Republican Party's new chairman, and he said members are looking for a potential candidate to challenge Rogero.

If anything Ivan Harmon will probably run. Heh. 

Harmon to Rogero: Say you're sorry

There’s quite a bit of energy and feistiness getting poured into this Knoxville mayoral campaign. Certainly, a lot more than you’d normally see in an election where only about four people are expected to vote.

Heh.

Anyhoo, on Wednesday, Mark “Da Plan” Padgett called a spin conference to announce some endorsements. Later, opponent “Battlin’” Madeline Rogero – again playing the defensive role – called her own spin deal.

She also issued a spin release which you can find right smack here.

Truth be told, I didn’t read the thing. They’re all the same, but the names change. I just skim these things to make there’s no cuss words in them. Cause this is a family blog. And we don’t cuss, talk about beer or throw in sexual innuendos that my editors haven’t caught yet.

But, I digress.

Since I do read the comments here (entertaining stuff, particularly the things about Toby and Rikki kicking ass and drinking beer) I learned that Rogero threw out some Black Wednesday references.

So, this morning, “Metal Shed Hater” Brian Hornback sent me some spin from Ivan “Darn Straight I’m a Republican” Harmon, a former mayoral candidate.

You can find the note by clicking right smack here.

(Normally, I'd just reprint it here, but I'm having formatting troubles this morning and too lazy to work through them.)

Yeah, this is going to be a good race.

Heh.

Knoxville's Battlin' Madeline strikes back

Knoxville mayoral candidate Madeline "Mad Dog" Rogero has a press conference today at 3 p.m.

(it's probably going on about right now.)

She sent the Media a spin release, which she asked folks to embargo.

Until now.

So, here's Battlin' Madelin's prepared thoughts on the losing mayoral candidates endorsing her opponent Mark "Da' Plan" Padgett:

A few years ago, over at our County courthouse, a small group of political insiders tried to stage a coup, on a day we all know as “Black Wednesday.”

Earlier today, standing next to many of those same “Black Wednesday” insiders, my opponent put on a show that perfectly illustrates the contrast between us. He lined up a group of politicians and job-seekers on the steps of the County courthouse. Their appearance with him has almost nothing to do with who is the best choice for city mayor, and everything to do with the old-style insider politics of the County courthouse.

Sadly, my opponent’s stunt today has shown us that he is, in the end, a child of those same courthouse politics. But, Mark, let’s be clear: Though today is a Wednesday, there will never be a “Black Wednesday” here in our city.

We reject those politics. Our Knoxville conducts business in the open. His Knoxville makes deals in the back room. Our Knoxville takes humble pride in what all of us accomplish together. His Knoxville will arrogantly reserve power to the few. Our Knoxville looks forward to a bright future. His Knoxville wants to move backward to a dim past.

That Knoxville is over. Our Knoxville has already begun. Behind me is a great example of what enlightened and experienced leadership can accomplish.

For 30 years, the Three Rivers Market (TRM) operated out of a much smaller building on Broadway with limited parking as its sales revenue continued to grow, even during this recent recession. They desperately needed a larger location.

I proudly served as Bill Haslam’s Director of Community Development. Our department, working with the Partnership for Neighborhood Improvement, created the city’s business expansion revolving loan program that provided critical gap financing in the form of a business expansion loan. Working together, TRM was able to purchase this property and construct this beautiful building, making a $2.5 million investment in this community.

The result? Increased sales, and sales taxes, and a workforce that’s going to double.

My community development team also managed the city’s commercial façade improvement loan program. Look up and down Central Avenue and you will also see millions of dollars of new investment spurred by our public-private partnership.

In fact, this program alone has invested $3.5 million in Knoxville, resulting in $11.9 million in private sector investment, 260 new jobs, and over 400 construction jobs.

The TRM success story is one we can repeat all over Knoxville in the next four years, one we will repeat. Because our Knoxville knows that a productive partnership between business and government is already woven into the city. In Mark’s Knoxville, it’s just being discovered.

Effective economic development with a solid return on investment has been happening here, and will keep happening here. It takes a Mayor with experience to make it work, and I’ve been working on it for over 25 years. He’s been reading about it for maybe nine months. Business-government cooperation is not something Knoxville needs to be schooled on by Mark Padgett.

I think the choice between us is clear.

I intend to continue what we were so successful at during Mayor Haslam’s administration: making Knoxville greater. We listened, and together with neighborhoods and businesses we created the Downtown North Redevelopment Plan that is transforming this area.

I have the experience. Together we put together the vision. And the results are right in front of you.

As Mayor, I will never stop working to build our city, help bring good jobs and businesses here, strengthen our neighborhoods and improve our quality of life. That is my promise to the people of our city.

Ex-candidates, sheriff endorse Padgett

To the surprise of no one, the three Knoxville mayoral candidates who are not in the race anymore endorsed Mark Padgett. Also, thrown in the bunch was Sheriff Jimmy "The Man with the Badge" Jones.

The spin release is pretty funny. Actually, I'd like to say it's full of BS, but I don't know if I can. Oops.

And, no, I'm not reprinting the whole silliness here, but I'll let slide a few excerpts.

Ivan Harmon for example:

“I’m proud to endorse Mark’s candidacy to be Knoxville’s next city mayor,” said Ivan Harmon, former mayoral candidate, city councilman and county commissioner. “Mark is pro-business and pro-neighborhood. He has the heart and passion to serve our community, and he’s a fiscal conservative who understands how to create jobs and grow our economy.”

Funny. Immediately after the election, Ivan was complaining about the Republicans not voting for him. Oh well, it's politics. And it's all ridiculous. The fact is, Mark's dad - Mike - got Ivan into politics. (Ivan told me this the other day. I think he helped get him on the old city school board.)

Anyhoo, Ivan and Mark cut a deal. Just say it. Jeez.

And my boy Bo said:

“After getting to know Mark and his character, I'm supporting his candidacy because I believe he will serve all of Knoxville with a servants heart,” said Bo Bennett, 911 operator and former mayoral candidate. “Like me, Mark is not a career politician, and I think that's what we need to help bring our communities together and grow Knoxville.”

Uh, yeah, no kidding he's not a career politician. YET.

Now, the head scratcher is J.J.

He said:

“Mark has the leadership qualities needed to be a great mayor,” Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones said. “He understands that an involved community is a safe community and will be a great partner in making our neighborhoods stronger and safer.”

The Sheriff's Office has to work with the city. Say, for example, it needs something - and Madeline Rogero wins the election - she might take her time dealing with it.

Personally, I would have stayed out of it. But, J.J. carries a gun, so I'll leave it be.

The election is Nov. 8.

Make sure your write in my name.

Is Harmon ready to endorse Padgett?

I typically don't blog these types of posts (did I use the words/verbs correctly?), but I feel pretty confident something is going on.

I'd try to verify it more, but I've got the day off and somehow I've managed to work anyway, and by the time you read this, we'll probably know much more.

Anyhoo, rambling here, I know.

But, I got a call this evening from a pretty reliable source. The person told me that Knoxville mayoral candidate Mark "The Plan" Padgett has asked the PBA for permission to use an area near the Deathstar to call a press conference for some time tomorrow (that would Oct. 4).

If I'm not mistaken, it was actually the steps of the Old County Courthouse. (But I don't remember.)

And apparently he's going to announce "a major endorsement."

So, the speculation at this point - that's Monday evening's speculation - is that Ivan "The Hunter" Harmon could be throwing his support to Mark Padgett.

I'm not exactly surprised, but still . . . .

It's fun to speculate. And I don't really care what anyone thinks about these blog posts and about anyone here speculating. (Which would be me doing the speculating. But I digress.)

Still, Padgett - even with Harmon's support - is going to have a tall hill to climb.

His opponent, "Battling" Madeline "Mad Dog" Rogero, scored more votes than he and Harmon combined. So, she's got that going for her. And of course, not all of Harmon's votes (whether he endorses her or Padgett) are going to Padgett.

Just like not all of Joe Hultquist's votes are going to Rogero as others have speculated. (I think some folks need reminding of that.) Personally, I think the people who voted for "Smoking" Joe will stay home.

On a side note, a number of folks are expecting about 20,000 to show up to the polls in November, so there's also those extra four or so thousand votes to consider.

Now, back to the beginning. I usually try to talk to a party or two before making a post, but I doubt I'm getting much at this point. So, if I'm wrong, then I'm wrong.

And I'll make it up to all of you by posting something really dumb next time.

Heh.

Harmon won't contest mayoral election

There was word going around that Knoxville mayoral candidate Ivan Harmon, left, was thinking about asking for a recount of Tuesday night's election.

He came in third, losing by 53 votes.

Apparently, he won't do that.

I talked to him Wednesday about whether he would endorse anyone, and at this point, he's not committed to either of the two remaining candidates. He said that he'd like to meet with both of them at a future date and decide then.

In the meantime, he told me that hunting season starts soon, so that's what he'll be doing. That and spending more time with his family.

Personally, I want to wish Ivan the best of luck in the future. He's a nice guy.

Here's the note he sent out this morning:

I want to thank my wife Jane, for all of her love and support, not only during this campaign, but my entire married life, and to my children and their families as well. Furthermore I would like to thank my entire staff. These dedicated people worked hard, and many hours and were all volunteers.

After giving this considerable thought and prayer, I have decided that it is in the best interest of not only me, but most importantly the citizens of Knoxville, to concede the race for Mayor. The American way of voting for our elected officials, although not perfect at all times, is the best way in the free world to elect our leaders. The voters have spoken, and I will neither delay nor prolong the process.

I want to also offer my congratulations to both Madeline Rogero and Mark Padgett for their well-earned victories. I wish them the best as they run to fill the City of Knoxville mayor’s office. I love this city and serving its citizens and that is why I decided to run for mayor, to continue moving the city forward. I will be taking a few days to think and pray about what my next step is and which candidate most mirrors my values. That will be the candidate that I will endorse and ask my supporters to do the same.

Ivan Harmon

Harmon: Compassion Knoxville blew it

Knoxville mayoral candidate Ivan "I'm the only real Republican running for office" Harmon's people keep sending the the same spin release about his thoughts on the so-called Compassion Knoxville that I hope if I post it, they'll go away.

Heh.

I mean the releases. I don't mind Ivan. (I'm still laughing about the shout out he gave his opponent Bo Bennett when the media stiffed him during the televised debate a few weeks back.)

Anyhoo, it appears that Harmon pretty much based his statements on the information/opinions Ron Peabody released last week. Click right smack here for that post.

The spin is also Ivan's opportunity to say "screw the homeless." But, you know, in a nice way. And it's a chance for him to tell everyone - once again - that he's held every elected office in the area at one time or another. Although I went ahead and cut out his resume. Cause I'm a jerk.

Oh yeah, one more thing. In the interest of fairness, I should mention Harmon's other opponents. There's Rogero who loves the homeless; there's Padgett who tells everyone he was homeless; and there's some other guy who may or may not be homeless.

Here's Ivan's spin (my comments, as always, are in bold):

Knoxville citizens participating in Compassion Knoxville, had the opportunity to come up with a community based solution to chronic homelessness. (Yup, and they did.) Despite the noble intentions from which Compassion Knoxville sprung, the process was sabotaged with the involvement of special interest groups. It's unfortunate that these special interest groups would hijack this process for their own gain. What began as a healthy exchange of community ideas was impeded by the self serving stance of these these special interest advocates. (You just said the same thing in three different ways, yet gave no examples.)

Out of 44 recommendations in the final report less than half are fully supported by the public comments. (Shout out to Ron Peabody - Thanks buddy for doing all the work for me!) The recommendations included in the report that were not inspired by comments from the community can be distilled down to two related ideas: more bureaucracy and additional government spending.

"I do not believe that increasing bureaucracy is a compassionate response to the issues facing our homeless" said Ivan Harmon. (In other words: You people suck!)

Citizens have repeatedly stated they do not want a scattered site approach or permanent supportive housing, which is not economically sustainable. (We want shotgun shacks instead!)

Harmon has long advocated that we need a substantive solution the the homeless problem, not just a temporary ascetic fix. Unfortunately, the heavily special interest group influenced report we have received is just that, an ascetic fix of more government without ever addressing the base issues causing chronic homelessness. (Let God sort 'em out!)

"I want to thank every person that engaged in this process and contributed ideas and suggestions. As Mayor of Knoxville I will listen to your ideas and suggestions and not those of special interest groups." stated Harmon. (Thanks for wasting my time, fellas!)

One last thing. Before anyone gets on my ass about taking sides on this issue, I do have a disclaimer. I occasionally give money to the homeless folks. Cause I do feel sorry for them, and I imagine it pretty much sucks to be homeless. However, I require them do jumping jacks and push ups first.

Mayoral forum: Riddled with drivel

It was either the tranquilizers, the boredom or the ADHD, but something kicked in and I turned off last night's Knoxville mayoral forum, went outside and shot myself in the head a couple of times, before taking a nap.

I'm OK now; thanks for asking.

I can only comment – not that you asked, nor do I care, but you know who you are – on the first 17 minutes of the muck.

The four candidates (the fifth couldn't raise the necessary coin to participate so he was barred, banned and censored) were asked about their vision.

Madeline Rogero talked about working to create jobs, removing blighted properties, whatever. She also said something about “wanting a sustainable Knoxville” and installing solar panels on city buildings. Now THAT I would like to see. Heh.

Joe Hultquist started out his vision speech with some kind of cliché'. Something like (I'm paraphrasing): “A leader is measure not so much by what he's said but what he's done.” OK then, what have you done? He also said he “walked and prayed over the city I love.” (For some reason that gives me the creeps.) Then he rambled about the nation “teetering on the brink of insolvency” and I tuned that part out because I'm tired of folks bringing national crap into the local realm. He also said he'd focus on four key areas: economic development, accountability, transparency and a high quality of life. None of that really says much. He did say he's working with a company in Switzerland (something to do with transportation). And by “working” I think he means that he's had two conversations with the business in the past 10 years.

Mark Padgett once again bragged about some minuscule business he started that he has over and over and over and over again failed to really get into detail about, and how all that will make him a leader of some 2,000 employees. He said now is not “the time to make a U-turn.” Whatever the hell that means. I hope he wasn't talking to the dude riding the bicycle (the one carrying his “vote for me cause I started a business” sign) who almost crashed into a car on Gay Street. He also said he wants to recruit comparable businesses that already have a presence in Knoxville. HUH? Screw that, man. Go out and get businesses that we don't already have. Like a casino. A legal one. (Cause the Man with the Badge keeps busting up all the card games.)

Ivan Harmon also wants to create jobs and make Knoxville a place to raise families. He'd tap the resources of UT, the TVA, etc., etc. to do that. This observation for the highly obvious is truly remarkable. Come on. That's all you got? Oh yeah, he said he'd put a good team in place (that's actually a good idea because you wouldn't believe how many people wouldn't do this) if elected.

Bo Bennett said . . . . NOTHING. Click right smack here for a funny picture of Brian Moneyhun explaining why Bennett said nothing.

At some point, they got to pensions, since the city programs are expected to grow to as much as $30 million by 2019.

Pretty Boy Padge said he wanted an open and transparent process (lame); to honor the commitment made to the employees already on the program (no kidding dude – state law says you have to) and doesn't want reform on the backs of taxpayers. Seriously. Nice spin. The whole idea of reform is to NOT have it on the backs of taxpayers. Repeat the obvious. Be remarkable.

Ivan the Republican said he'd work with the task force committee that's already looking into the pension problem.

Rogero (who is my biggest fan) said she'd also let the task force do the job before drawing conclusions. Or something like that.

Sooooooo. In other words, neither of these three had the guts to publicly say how they feel about the city's pension plans.

Joe, however, did. He wants to start offering new employees a 401(k) plan. He even felt that the task force will “kick the can down the road so that the (pension problem) is not an issue right now.” Ah, like Mickey said to Rocky in Rocky II: “Ya got the heart kid, but you ain't got the tools. So forget it.” (No, Joe isn't going to pull off an upset.)

Finally, Bo said . . . . Oh yeah. He didn't get to say anything. Cause he wasn't invited.

There's my take on the first 17 minutes. I'm sure you all feel a little dumber now if you managed to get this far.

Have a good weekend.

More Knoxville mayoral race drivel

I always get a kick out reading articles about so-called public polling initiatives during election time.

Only weirdos answer those things. Only weirdos talk to phone solicitors. Only weirdos . . . whatever.

Anyhoo, apparently Madeline Rogero, whose campaign is riddled with so much inner turmoil right now it’s shaking like a junkie who lost his last fix (from what I’m hearing, anyway), says she’s kicking ass by a 2-to-1 margin over Mark Padgett, who is campaigning on the fact that he can run a city of several thousand employees, since he can runs his own business which has a grand total of about two. (That’s with a plus or minus 10-person margin.)

Here’s the Rogero story right smack here.

In the meantime, “vote for me because I’m the best looking and I promise I’m not a Republican” Padgett’s spin doc (Laura Braden) released another tired cliché from her camp, quoting Padgett as saying that his polling numbers put him only seven points behind Rogero.

Whatever. Seven, 7,000 or 7 million. You’re behind. Coming in second just means you’re the first loser.

By the way, here’s another quote from Padgett’s spin doc that says little or nothing: "I’m the only candidate with a plan to create jobs and economic growth, and the experience needed to move Knoxville forward.”

I mean WTH does that mean? Does that mean the current governor - in his seven or eight or how many years as mayor moved us backward? Whatever. Don't answer that. Just give us some real examples, slick, instead of this Ragsdale-like drivel.

“I’m the only candidate with a plan” to blah, blah, blah.

Man, I’m going to laugh my ass off if Ivan Harmon wins this thing from his hospital bed and the $5 he’s raised so far. (Laugh even harder if either Bo Bennett and Joe Hultquist wins. Heh.)

The nonpartisan primary election is Sept. 27.

Do yourself a favor and just write in my name.

Update: Rogero has a 2-1 lead over Ivan - not Padgett - according to her latest pollings. My bad.

Ivan Harmon heads to hospital

Knoxville mayoral candidate Ivan Harmon (who will tell everyone he meets that he's the only true Republican running for the city's highest elected office) plans to check into the hospital today as a routine precautionary measure.

Ivan, left, should be back on the campaign trail this Tuesday. You might recall that toward the end of May, Harmon was in the hospital because of a blood clot it in his left leg. We wrote about it right smack here.

I don't have a dog in this mayoral race - I pick on all the candidates equally - but I do wish the guy well. And knowing Ivan, he'll be campaigning inside the hospital.

Here's the official press release right smack here.

Harmon doesn't get 3 pensions

Was asked a question the other day about Knoxville mayoral candidate Ivan Harmon (left).

Does he receive three or four pensions for his time as a city employee, city councilman, county commissioner and school board member (way back when it was under the city's purview)?

The quick answer is: No, he doesn't.

He gets one – from the city. And a 401k – from the county.

That was pretty much as far as I was going to go with the information. But because I'm under company policy to do a blog (despite claims otherwise from our Web guru), I need to post something.

Also, if one person was curious, maybe others are, too.

And pensions are a big deal right now. They're crippling governments everywhere. And Knoxville officials have even put together a committee to study the city's retirement plan.

So, I figure it will be an issue during the upcoming city election. And someone is bound to ask Harmon about it then.

Here's the deal (and all this information is public record):

Harmon gets a pension from the city for his time in the engineering department and on the council. He gets a 401k from his time on the commission. He apparently doesn't get anything for the two years he served on the school board.

His city pension is a complicated formula that I won't go into. But he's credited with a little more than 20 years of service with the city (12 years on the council, eight in the engineering department). Normally, he would get $1,983.42 a month in pension, payable for life.

However, Harmon elected to choose an alternate beneficiary to receive his pension. Upon his death, he receives $1,761 a month. His beneficiary will one day receive $1,286.09 a month. (By the way, it felt kind of ghoulish typing those last two sentences.)

Harmon, who began working in the engineering department in January 2002, retired “for pension purposes” in January 2010. Yes, he still worked but he enrolled in the city's delayed retirement option program (DROP). Under the plan, he can work for two more years. The pension money during those years accumulates into another money pot, and when the employee retires, he/she gets it paid out in a lump sum.

Harmon didn't stick around for the full two years, but he will get a one-time payment of $20,624.64.

On a side note, the pension formula is based on the two highest years of salary. I checked to see if he got any unusual last minute raises. He didn't.

Like all employees, he received a 2.5 increase in wages in July 2008 and in July 2009. (He also got $120 longevity bonus those years.) In total, Harmon left making $56,962.

In regards to his 401k, he gets whatever he paid in. Those numbers aren't as available as the city numbers, which fall under the state's open records laws.