Polls conflict on a tax increase

Roughly 10 years ago, I wrote a story about a poll that a controversial mayor – who really did almost bankrupt his city – had conducted. The results? Everything was fine and dandy.

In the story I quoted a fellow out at the University of Georgia. He was professor who studied this kind of stuff. He told me: “Weird people participate in these polls, so you really have to take them with a grain of salt.”

(He was referring to the people who answer the questions - not pay for them by the way.)

So, flash forward to earlier this month when local local businessman Randy Boyd and other Chamber of Commerce-types bankrolled a poll (900 people participated) that indicated broad-based support for improving education in Knox County and a willingness to pay for it.

Presumably the survey will serve as a reference tool for officials heading into this year's budget talks.

Well, I imagine the one released today will, too.

Knoxville Focus publisher Steve Hunley also bankrolled a poll, “using the exact same language as the poll reported by the Knoxville News-Sentinel.” He noted that his poll reached out to more than 1,100 likely voters.

He said they were asked the question: “Do you support a property tax rate increase if all the money goes to fund public education?”

The results? A whopping “Heck No!”

So, which one is correct? 

Who knows?

But never trust a weirdo. 

Mayor Burchett to meet with 'job creators'

Tomorrow afternoon, a number of “job creators” and county Mayor Tim Burchett will hold a round table discussion to determine how the county can help businesses create new jobs.

That's all according to some release that wasn't sent to me by county spinster Michael “Big Sexy” Grider.

Funny stuff. Cause – other than hooking up a few pals here and there (kidding. Sort of.) - Burchett has long said that the “role of county government isn't to create job.”

In all seriousness, a number of businesses plan to meet with the mayor at the Knoxville Chamber's Market Square office from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tomorrow. There's not a whole lot more to the release.

The mayor again stressed that “our job is on infrastructure – sewers, sidewalks and roads” - so he doesn't expect Knox County government to post many “Help Wanted” signs on the Deathstar windows.

He added: “A lot of times government just gets in the way of building jobs. But, I want to make sure that whatever we're doing and the decisions we make are not putting (businesses and potential jobs) in peril. We just need to get out of their way and facilitate a business friendly environment.”

Chamber to host reception for Rogero

In their never ending effort to con, I mean, convince public officials that whatever they do is a good thing (and I’m not even sure just what the heck they do but I'm sure it is a good thing), Mike Edwards and the boys and girls at the Knoxville Chamber are hosting a reception for new city Mayor Madeline “You Can Never Have Too Many Flacks” Rogero.

Hey, better late than never. Right? Right?

The chamber plans to host the shindig on Jan. 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at its office in Market Square.

Click right smack here for the details, including something about free parking.

No word yet on just what the chamber is after. Heh.