So, you wanna be a state senator?

The Knox County Board of Commissioners will accept resumes from those silly enough to want to be a state bench warmer, I mean senator, up until July 14. This is for Jamie Woodson's 6th District seat. You might recall, Woodson got smart and took a real job working/leading some educational organization that I'm too lazy to look up because I don't really care.

Send your no-doubt made up resumes to:

Office of the Knox County Commission
Suit 603, Deathstar
400 Main Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37930

You also can fax them to: 215-2038 or email to: commission@knoxcounty.org

Also, before you send in your resume, make sure you meet the qualifications. You know, make sure you're a U.S. citizen, that you've lived in Tennessee for three years and lived in the county or district for at least one year, immediately preceding the appointment. Oh yeah, and the person selected cannot hold another office during the appointment period, which isn't going to be all that long.

Funny, the release that had all that information didn't say anything about how you probably shouldn't have a felony. Apparently, that's not a priority. To not have one, I mean.

The commission will interview the candidates on July 18 at 3:30 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the Deathstar. Officials will then appointment the new member during their regular meeting at July 25.

Paul Pinkston looking at Senate seat

How does “state Sen. Paul Pinkston” sound?

Oh yeah. Heh.

The former Knox County commissioner, left, and well-known rubble-rouser just called, saying he's probably going to email commissioners and tell them he wants the 6th District seat that Jamie Woodson, R-Knoxville, will vacate in July.

“I just feel like they'll give it to some political hack and since (the county) needs the money, why not give it back,” said Pinkston, who was working in the lawn when he called. “I don't think anyone should be paid for this job for not doing anything and staying at home and just saying they're a senator.”

Pinkston, the sharpest dresser on the commission for six years (he left last September)who operated a business with his brother, said he doesn't expect to get the job, but hopes to put pressure on whoever does to not accept the salary.

The county is accepting resumes right now. Once Woodson leaves, the commission will interview candidates. The top selection will serve until the election. The county hasn't set an actual date yet for the appointment process.

“I really don't want the job,” Pinkston said, laughing. “You think I'm kidding, don't you?”

The job is pretty much a bench-warming, resume-padding position. Heck, even Pinkston knows that. But it is kind of cool to have folks calling you “senator.” And technically you get a pro-rated paycheck for whatever the annual salary is. (I think it's about $20,000 a year.)

Anyhoo, Pinkston said if – miraculously – the governor did call an emergency session then he'd still work for free, but he'd like the state to pick up the tab for his hotel room while he hung with the Nashville lawmakers. He said he'd pay for his own food.

“I've got to eat,” he said. “But why should someone be paid when they're not doing any work?”

Good point.

As it stands, a couple folks have already decided they want to run for the seat for real. None of this appointed, bench-warming stuff.

So far, Knoxville City Councilwoman Marilyn “I can't make up my mind” Roddy, Sertoma Center Executive Director Becky “I'm a Duncan so you should vote for me” Massey and former Knox County Commissioner Victoria “Dance for Me, Puppet” Defreese are gearing up to run for the spot.

RINO Woodson will step down July 9 to become the CEO of a statewide education initiative.

Odds and ends from the meeting

I’ll have a story tomorrow in tomorrow’s paper about what the commissioners did regarding the fee office tug-of-war.

In the meantime, here’s a few things that won’t make it because of space.

Early on in the meeting, the administration rolled out some organization – the PFM Group, I believe – to talk about the county’s “benchmarking and debt analysis.”

Apparently, they were asked to provide “an independent assessment of debt profile, ways to save money and looking for specific risks in the financial profile.”

Uh, OK.

Despite having roughly $620 million in debt, we’re in pretty good shape, group members said.

Like I said: Uh, OK.

I’m actually still scratching my head on this one. I’d think the administration would rustle up someone who would talk about how bad off the county is. Because you know, the debt scares the hell out of county Mayor Tim Burchett and his right-hand-man Dean Rice.

But, they didn’t.

Of course, this could be one of those moves where officials wanted to brag about how all that refinancing they did back in September makes them look good. Former county Mayor Mike Ragsdale refinanced a bunch of debt, too, during his first year. (Course he also racked up a bunch.)

Still, with this news maybe they should have given Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones a couple extra cars if the future is so bright.

Anyhoo, some other notes:

Carter Elementary School: The evaluation committee that will determine which of the six bidders who wants a shot at trying to convince the county why they should get paid $13 million to $15 million instead of the PBA to build a new school on the county’s eastern side will meet Wednesday and Thursday. By early next week, officials will make the choice public and it will go before the IDB on May 10. Apparently, the bidding/request for proposals process so has cost the county about $4,600. I’ll try to figure out what it was spent on. I imagine it was advertising the bids.

NRRT: The county is going to auction off some 157 acres of Solway Greenwaste property. Remember, the county is cutting ties with Natural Resources Recovery of Tennessee on July 31. I wrote about that some time back. I’m not sure whether the land is any good. Commissioner Mike Brown said: “I wouldn’t consider it a building lot. I’m not sure I’d even want to raise my cattle on it.”

Fee Offices: During the meeting to discuss the fee office mess, local attorney John King (who isn’t cheap) spoke on behalf of Register of Deeds Sherry Witt. A lot – and I mean a lot – of folks were immediately asking me whether the county would pick up the tab. Apparently, they were asking Commission Chairman Mike Hammond the same thing. Because, he asked King. (So did I, but it was after the meeting). King said “I have a fee arrangement with her.” He also said county money won’t be used. Witt told me after the meeting that it will come from her own pocket. She also said she won’t use campaign money. I hope that puts that one to rest. But, there’s one other thing. I wasn’t in the back of the room when this happened (I usually sit up front), but Brian Hornback caught an interesting tidbit involving some of the fee officers who oppose the commission’s plan to take control of their budgets. (You can read about it right here.)

Senate seat: The county commission will begin taking applications soon to fill Jamie Woodson’s state senate seat. It should be up on the Deathstar’s web site maybe as early as tomorrow, which is good considering it hasn't updated its spin in over two weeks. I’ll post more when I know.

Scott Frith: I’ve asked the interim election administration twice to comment on some things I’m working on. He’s given somehow managed to use the word “focus” about a dozen times. When I called him out on it, he said that tomorrow the words of the day will be: “concentrate, pinpoint, direct, knuckle-down, fixate, hone-in . . . “

Good deal. No matter what you say about the guy, at least he returns calls. There are a number of folks in this area – elected or appointed – who don’t. Not a lot of transparency when you can’t return a call. Not a lot of guts, either.

Later.

A few notes before the meeting

A couple things before I head out to today's County Commission work session. Click here for the agenda.)

Over the weekend, Georgiana Vines wrote about a number of folks interested in taking (soon-to-be-former) state Sen. Jamie Woodson's seat. You can read about it here. Also, local blogger Dan Andrews makes a case why he should get the temporary gig here.

And this morning, I had a note forwarded to me from Jim Boyer, who left the House seat in 2002 after serving as Republican caucus chairman, saying that he, too, also is contemplating the seat.

And of course, county Commissioner R. Larry Smith says he might look into it, as well as commission Chairman Mike Hammond.

Note, however, that there's a difference between taking the seat early or waiting until the election. While there's an obvious advantage to getting your name on there now and running later, if you're a county commissioner – and you really like your job – you might be taking a chance to jump in now.

Since you'd have to resign and all. And you're not guaranteed a win.

The other thing. The commission work session starts at 2 p.m. today in the big room just past the metal detectors as you make your way through the Deathstar. So, unless you're a cop, deputy or Lumpy Lambert, don't bring a gun. (OK, bad joke.)

The first big items is a proposal to give control of the budgets for three of the non-judiciary fee offices – that means the register of deeds, the trustee and the county clerk offices – to the mayor and the commission. It looks like officials might drop the judiciary ones – clerk and masters, circuit court clerk and criminal court clerk.

This will be moved to the top of the agenda because Criminal Court Clerk Joy McCroskey needs to head to Nashville to meet with state Rep. Ryan Haynes. They're supposed to find a way to get her office under a state statute that will allow her to collect assessment fines that will go toward the helping the Knoxville Family Justice Center. (I wrote a story about that mess right smack here.)

Also, the Hillside Ridgetop Protection Plan item is on the agenda, although it's under the Planning and Zoning section. Presumably, officials won't talk about it.

But, you know how that went the last time chairman Hammond said no one was going to speak.

Heh.

Dave Wright for state senator?

Ha ha. It's started folks.

The rumors are trickling in.

With Jamie Woodson stepping down from her state Senate seat, some folks are already speculating about who will send an application to the county commissioners for a spot in the Tennessee General Assembly.

I got two quick calls today - right after Woodson made her announcement - that a fellow has been lobbying commissioners to appoint Dave "the commission's sharpest dresser" Wright (pictured above).

I'll let you guess who it was. The person lobbying for Wright, I mean.

So, I called 8th District commissioner and asked about the rumor.

"I hadn't thought about it," he said.

Hmmmmm.

He started chuckling then added: "I'm really satisfied with where I am. I'm going to have to search out this person who told you that - the person who think I should be in Nashville. They're trying to get rid of me."

He then said "it would be a step up" for either state Rep. Bill Dunn and state Rep. Harry Brooks if one of them wanted a shot.

(Is he already lobbying for one of them?)

Of course, as Wright pointed out, Woodson's successor would have the seat for only a few months and then have to run in a special election.

I don't know.

It would certainly look awfully odd post-Black Wednesday for Wright to get the gig.

He is well-liked in East Knox County, though, but Woodson's district covers a lot more than that. A lot.

Still, I wonder if he could/would vote for himself?

Commission to pick senate seat

I think by now – even though it just broke – most folks (or a lot of folks) know that Senate Speak Pro Tempore Jamie Woodson is leaving office.

That means the county commission – for the second time in roughly six months - will appoint someone to serve on the state senate.

But, it's the real deal this time.

It's not like when they picked Steve Hill to serve as a seat warmer until the election. (Hill replaced Tim Burchett who stepped down to become county mayor. The new person will serve through 2012.

On a side note, it also means the local Legislative delegation will have two freshman senators on it.

The commission, according to chairman Mike Hammond, will make the appointment within 120 days of Woodson's official resignation. That means when she turns in her paperwork. Not from today. She's still sticking around for a little while.

The body will take applications, hold a public hearing then make an appointment.

I figure there are some mouths drooling for that job – and kick ass health care – right now.

Let the rumors start.

Update: The commission can take applications early, so someone is ready to step in the day after Woodson leaves. Also, the governor will have to call a special election, so technically this person could also be a seat warmer. But, we'll see.

Update II: Link to state law about special elections.