Black Wednesday focus of Inside TN

Schmid, Harmon, Barker

Black Wednesday.

Say the words to anyone who follows local government and they’ll know just exactly what you’re talking about.

It was a special called meeting of the Knox County Commission that took place on Jan. 31, 2007. At the time, the board was tasked with filling 12 term-limited offices.

The meeting was riddled with accusations of vote-trading and marked by numerous restroom breaks as officials sneaked off to cut deals. At one point a newly appointed commissioner was even secretly sworn-in, so he could help cast a deciding vote for another officeholder and hook up a political friend.

In the end, the board was found guilty of violating the state’s sunshine law.

However, there also was some good that came out of that meeting.   

   

This Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News focuses on Black Wednesday and its aftermath.

The guests are Knoxville News Sentinel editorial page editor Scott Barker and former county commissioners Mark Harmon and John Schmid.

The 30-minute political and public affairs program, which was taped Thursday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR.

Panelists include WBIR reporter Mike Donila, attorney Don Bosch and governmental relations specialist Susan Williams.

WBIR reporter Michael Crowe serves as the show’s moderator.

Commission approves River Sports lease renewal for the Cove

River Sports Outfitters will  keep its location at the Cove in Concord Park.

Knox County leaders approved a 10-year lease renewal for the business during Monday evening's commission meeting.

Some community members spoke against the renewal because of trash and building conditions. They also claimed taxpayer money is being used to pay for repairs to the facility.

River Sports Outfitters owner Ed McCalister told the commission that's not the case and that he's followed the rules.

The commission signed off on the proposal in a 10-1 vote with only Commissioner John Schoonmaker dissenting.

"The Cove at Concord Park is our premiere park in Knox County. We want everybody to come there and use it,"  Schoonmaker said. "But if there's questions regarding the…a vendor that's providing services to our citizens, I think that's important."

The park will post a sign at the Cove to let people know how they can share feedback on the lease and the location.

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.

Wright re-appointed to Knox Co. Commish chair; Smith to vice chair

Dave Wright

The Knox County Commission unanimously re-appointed Commissioner Dave Wright to lead the 11-member board during its annual reorganization Thursday after the one other member nominated withdrew his name.

Commissioner Randy Smith was picked to serve as vice chairman.

Wright, who represents East Knox County and won re-election this year, will hold the seat for one year.

"We are doing what the citizens of Knox County want us to do and that’s without bias to look after the citizens," Wright said. "It’s taken years but were’ on the threshold of doing all those activities that the citizens want us to do."

Wright initially said he wouldn’t seek the chairmanship for a second time but on Thursday said he changed his mind after “commission members looked at the lay of the land and spoke.”

Only Wright and Bob Thomas were nominated to the post. However, Thomas said he wanted to vote for Wright and he couldn't if he was in the race, so he withdrew.

Thomas, who spent the last year as the board's vice chairman, also was nominated for that post again.

But, he also withdrew his name from consideration to "give someone else that opportunity."

Rest of story right HERE.

Commissioner Ownby farewell speech

Jeff Ownby

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Knox Co. Commish down to 1 Democrat

Evelyn Gill

The 11-member Knox County Commission will be down to a lone Democrat when officials are sworn in later this year.

Republicans on Thursday evening almost completed the political sweep during the general election, with only newcomer Evelyn Gill defeating Republican Michael Covington and independent Tyrone LaMar Fine in the Democrat-heavy 1st District that includes Lonsdale, Fort Sanders and Holston Hills.

Gill secured a little more than 67 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns, and will replace Sam McKenzie who opted not to run.

"We add diversity to the board of county commission, not only as a woman, not only as a minority, but I'm excited to get in and start work,” Gill said. "We have to move to the center in order to get the work of the first district done. We have to build consensus. That's the nature of what our democracy is about, but we also have to make sure that the voices of the first district are heard. That is what they put me in office to make sure of."

The board’s other Democrat – Amy Broyles – also chose not to seek re-election for her 2nd District seat. In that race, Republican Michele Carringer narrowly defeated Laura Kildare with 51.35 percent of the vote for that seat. The difference was 75 votes.

“I’m so humbled and so honored to be able to stand up here and tell you that the republicans have taken district 2 from the democrats tonight,” Carringer told the crowd of Republicans who gathered at the downtown Crowne Plaza Thursday. “I want to say my opponent ran a good race, and I wish her well in her future.”

Gill and Carringer join Hugh Nystrom and Carson Daily as new faces on the board.

Nystrom easily handled Marleen Davis in the 4th District race to represent part of west Knox County; and Daily beat Democrat James Hamilton and independent Tom Pierce with more than 58 percent of the vote to represent the 9th District in south Knox County.

“Marlene Davis really gave me a great run in this general election,” said Nystrom, who secured almost 58 percent of the vote. “I was not able take a break this summer.”

Nystrom called the primary and general elections with his opponents “civil, good races.”

“I hope to be a humble servant that listens well,” he added.

In addition, incumbent John Schoonmaker defeated Democrat Sheri Ridgeway in the 5th District with almost 76 percent of the vote, and incumbent Brad Anders beat Donna Lucas, a Democrat, for the 6th District seat with almost 66 percent of the vote.

Also, incumbent Dave Wright handily beat Donald Wiser, an independent, for the 8th District seat in East Knox County. Wright secured almost 80 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns.

Nystrom is the only board member to unseat an incumbent. In March he beat fellow Republican Jeff Ownby. Mike Brown, who represented south Knox County didn’t run again.

'Inside Tn' on Sunday to feature commission candidates, 1-hour show

This Sunday, we'll hosting a special one-hour edition of Inside Tennessee (WBIR 10News) that begins at 9 a.m.

The show will include candidates from the Knox County Commission district races. The election is Aug. 4.

All the candidates were invited but District 1 independent Tyrone LaMar Fine was a no-show:

District 1:
Michael Covington (R)
Evelyn Gill (D)


District 6:
Brad Anders (R)
Donna Lucas (D)

District 8:
Dave Wright (R)
Donald Wiser (I)

District 4:
Hugh Nystrom (R)
Marleen Kay Davis (D)

5th District commish, BOE candidates featured on WBIR 'Inside Tennessee'

On Sunday, we had the 5th District candidates running for Knox County Commission (John Schooner, incumbent and Republican, and Sheri Ridgeway, Democrat) and the non-partisan school board (Susan Horn and Buddy Pelot) featured on Inside Tennessee.

You can find the links to the discussions right HERE.

Next Sunday, we'll feature a special hour-long show and include more commission races.

League to host 3 political forums

The League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County will co-sponsor a number of forums for Knox County commission and state House candidates participating in the Aug. 4 general election.

The first one kicks off Saturday from 3-5 p.m. at the YWCA on Cruze Street with the District 1 and District 8 candidates.

Confirmed candidates attending: Michael Covington, Tyrone LaMar Fine, Dave Wright and Donald Wiser.

The next forum is set for July 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the East Tennessee History Center on Gay Street and will feature the candidates in the contested Republican primary race for the 18th District state House seat.

Confirmed candidates attending: James Corcoran, Martin Daniel, Bryan Dodson and Steve Hall

The third forum is set for 7 p.m. July 18 at the Emporium on Gay Street. It will feature commission districts 4, 5 and 6.

Confirmed candidates attending: Hugh Nystrom, Marleen Kay Davis, John Schoonmaker, Sheri Ridgeway, Brad Anders and Donna Lucas.

Burchett proposes paid leave bump for county employees in Guard, Reserve

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is proposing an increase in the number of paid leave days given to Knox County Government employees who are members  of National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve services.

Currently, employees are paid for up to 20 working days of military leave – or four weeks. Mayor Burchett proposes increasing that  benefit to 30 days of leave – or six weeks.

“Our service members in the Guard and Reserve are increasingly being asked to fulfill the role  our full-time, enlisted servicemen filled, which means more time than ever spent away from  work and family,” said Burchett said.

The proposal would require an amendment to the Knox County personnel ordinance and will go  before the Knox County Commission later this month during the board’s June 20 work session  and June 27 meeting.

“Knox County supports our employees’ service and sacrifice for our country, and this is an important, meaningful way to show our appreciation and also reduce the financial burden on employees who are on assignment or deployed,” the mayor added.

The ordinance amendment must pass two readings by the County Commission before becoming law.

Knox County Commission to consider doubling new home permit fees

Knox County officials are looking into a proposal to double the cost of building permit fees for new homes and bring them more in line to those of Knoxville and Farragut.

The move – if approved by the Knox County Board of Commissioners – would increase revenues by more than $1 million annually and allow the county to use the fee to fully self-fund its inspections department for new construction.

County leaders haven’t increased the fee since 1994 and, at this point, the general fund – which is supported by tax payer revenues – covers part of the cost of the department.

“We’re not rendering any judgment, but we just thought it was important to lay the question out for commission’s consideration,” said Dwight Van de Vate, the county’s senior director of its Engineering and Public Works Department.

Van de Vate brought the proposal to commissioners during Monday’s work session. The board is expected to vote on it during its May 23 meeting.

If approved, the fees would increase 85 percent on July 1, and another 15 percent on July 1, 2017.

As it stands, permit fees for a 2,500-square-foot home, for example, cost $571.25. That cost would jump to $1,035 with an 85 percent increase and $1,155 in 2017, under the proposal.

Permit fees for the same home in Knoxville and Farragut currently run about $1,370.

The fees are typically charged to the builder or homeowner during the course of construction. In theory, the fees are supposed to cover the inspections department, but right now the general fund has to help pay for those operating costs.

However, Dan Mitchell, Vice President of the Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville, said home development fees should differ in cities and counties.

"When you're building inside the city, and let's use Farragut as an example, part of their permitting structure is also to help pay for the roadways and the sidewalks and the infrastructure that's located within the city," he said.

Mitchell continued, "But when we're talking about the county, where it's more out in rural areas typically that these homes are being built, it's not the same comparison when you say this permit fee is going to be used in the same way."

He also said a change of this size could be too quick and drastic for developers and home buyers.

"If this increase comes in a short term, it's going to have an impact on those projects that we have in the pipeline now, but several projects we may have in the next 6 to 8 months," Mitchell said.

Van De Vate based the proposed increases on the International Code Council’s residential building code, which is a set of construction standards that governments nationwide have adopted.

“We’re trying to avoid coming up with arbitrary numbers and instead use figures that relate to the cost of construction,” Van de Vate said. The (International Code Council) gives us that guidance that’s based on the costs of materials and work.”

Knoxville, Farragut and Knox County each adopted the International Code Council’s standards, but the county hasn’t raised its fees in 22 years.

Van de Vate said officials pushed for an increase in 2007, but the commission rejected it. He said the housing market then bottomed out a short time later, so officials wanted to wait until it recovered before trying again.

“We didn’t think it was a fair conversation to have until the construction trades had recovered,” he said.

The county expects to issue more than 1,150 new home permits in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. it issued 1,058 last year and 924 in 2014.

Knox Commission to talk tax breaks

The Knox County Commission on Monday will decide whether to sign off on tax breaks for two major downtown developments – one that will create 100 condominiums and the other that will call for almost 150 apartments.

At issue is whether to grant a PILOT for the second phase of the Marble Alley project on State Street to help build an underground parking garage inside the apartment complex.

Under the proposal, the developers would make $51,450 payments a year for a decade instead of paying the full amount of property taxes during that time. The move saves developers money since they’re not paying additional taxes on the improvements they make to the property during construction.

The commission also will talk about whether to approve a $5 million "tax increment financing" package for the Jackson/Depot development near the Regas building.

Under the proposed plan, condo developers would pay $45,745 to the county and $69,700 to the city in taxes each year for up to 20 years. Afterward, the county would get $223,000 a year and the city would receive $262,000.

Knox to discuss wrecker service fees

Knox County leaders are looking into whether to create a board that monitors local wrecker services, a move that comes months after a resident says he was charged more than $500 to have his damaged van towed a little under 15 miles.

“Some wrecker providers are great citizens – great companies – (but) some are shysters, and if you don’t know what you’re doing it could cost you your vehicle,” said Commissioner Ed Brantley, who is pushing for the discussion with officials.

“If you are a citizen of Knox County and you need a wrecker, there are three questions you need to ask,” he added. “No. 1: How much is it going to cost me to tow my vehicle? No. 2: What’s the gate fee, and No. 3 – what’s the daily rental charge because it’s not all the same?”

The Knox County Commission during its monthly work session on Monday is expected to talk more about the matter.

As it stands, if someone is involved in an accident or their vehicle breaks down in the county, the E-911 Center or the Sheriff’s Office can call a tow truck for them. The Sheriff’s Office maintains a list that officials say probably hasn’t been updated in 25 years. The county does not regulate how much the companies can charge.

The city, however, has a number of measures in place.

“It would be nice of people to be aware of what’s going on,” Brantley said. There are great wrecker services in Knox County, but some of them are out to get what they can get.”

Rest of story RIGHT HERE.

Ed & Bob Show heads to Corryton

Knox County commissioners Ed Brantley and Bob Thomas are headed back to Corryton for their next "Ed & Bob Night Out in Knox County" hob-nob event on Feb. 17.

The two will be at Henry's Bakery & Deli at 7231 Tazewell Pike, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to meet the people of north Knox County and listen to their concerns.

According to their release:

Ed and Bob feel that going out TO the people eases the strain on those who, because of work, commitments, financial situation or the distance to the City-County Building, cannot attend regular commission meetings. All elected officials, media and public are welcome to attend. This is not a commission meeting. There is no agenda. There will be no votes taken. And while you're there join Ed & Bob as they have one of Henry's Famous "Build Your Own" deli sandwiches!

Davis to host campaign kick off

Marleen Davis, the Democrat running for the 4th District Knox County Commission seat, will kick off her campaign Jan. 26 with a meet and greet at Holly's Gourmet Market.

The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Hollys will cater the event, which also will include a cash bar with wine from Toddy's and beer from Alliance.

According to a release:

"This is Marleen's first attempt at running for public office. As a mother, architect, and career educator, she understands the importance of our neighborhoods, schools, commercial districts, and parks in creating a great quality of life, all contributing to a greater economic well-being of our county."

Davis will face the winner of the March Republican Primary. Those candidates include incumbent Jeff Ownby, Hugh Nystrom and Janet Testerman.

As always, send me your campaign info for publication consideration.

Commish rezones land for Midway

The Knox County Commission approved changes Monday night to property off Midway Road, clearing the way for a proposed business park site.

The commission voted to change the sector plan and zoning for the property, which has been owned by the Development Corporation of Knox County since 2006.

The Development Corporation previously tried to introduce a business park to this area several years ago, but the plan did not have enough support.

At the meeting Monday night, residents of the area surrounding the proposed site voiced their opposition to the plans.

“I was disappointed, and I'll tell you the reason is because they've asked for community input,” said Ed Reid, a resident of the area. “Every time, including tonight, lots of people show up opposed to it, and it means nothing to them."

Those opposed to the business park idea cited concerns that the land has sinkholes and runoff issues, and it would bring unwanted traffic to a rural residential neighborhood.

Representatives from the Development Corporation spoke at the meeting, and said the land fits the criteria for a business park. The representatives also said a new business park would help bring more businesses to Knox County and expand existing ones.

Rest of story RIGHT HERE.

Commission declines to waste time opposing Supreme Court ruling

More than a dozen people dressed in red showed up in support of same-sex marriage during the Knox County Commission meeting.

All this after a Knoxville man who identified himself to the board as Mark Rivera thought it would be a great idea to introduce a last minute resolution opposing same-sex marriage.

It went over like a lead balloon.

Because - oh, I don't know - maybe because the commission's opinion has no bearing on the United State Supreme Court's ruling in June that says same-sex spouses have a constitutional right to wed.

But, hey, if you got nothing to do . . . 

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

Jim McIntyre

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

That vote, however, was only symbolic.

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

McKenzie and Amy Broyles voted to approve it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read that full opinion HERE.

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

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

Ed & Bob to ring red kettle bells

The Ed and Bob Show continues, this time on Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West Town Mall entrance near Camring Charlies where the two at-large Knox County commissioners will hold court.

They note, however, that this "night out" is a little different - they'll be ringing bells at the red kettle for the Salvation Army.

Folks are welcome to stop by and chat about concerns related to Knox County, or to say hello. But, it's also strongly encouraged to donate. To the kettle.

MPC signs off on business park

The Metropolitan Planning Commission on Thursday approved zoning for a proposed business park off Midway Road.

The MPC is a recommending body. The proposal will now go to the Knox County Commission in December.