Sheriff fires back at media critics

Sheriff Jones

Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones last night fired back at the local paper's March 17 editorial entitled “Public officials should be clear on sunshine law.”

In the unsigned opinion piece, the writer(s) suggest that Jones and Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch violated the sunshine laws when they discussed in emails an E-911 radio contract.

The editorial stated: “They cannot work out a backroom deal on a proposed communications system contract, as happened in this case.”

Well, the sheriff, who’s never been one to mince words, responded on his department’s official website.

Here ya go:

It’s Sunshine Week and the News Sentinel wants its readers to know that it’s time for “a clearing of the skies.” The editorial in Tuesday’s paper isn’t talking about the weather, but the Sunshine Law. A law that the newspaper trotted out when it failed to cover sixteen months’ worth of E-911 meetings concerning a contract for a new digital emergency communications system. The paper had obviously deemed the meetings not worthy of coverage until it was alerted by lobbyists and politicians who had a stake in the radio system.

The editors at the paper believe a “backroom deal” was brokered between Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch and me. I hardly call it a backroom deal when the Police Chief and Sheriff of the third largest law enforcement agencies in the state cannot talk about the safety and security of their officers and citizens.

I am fully aware of the Sunshine Law and that’s why I contend there was no violation between Chief Rausch and me. The newspaper, however, is clearly hiding behind the Sunshine Law to distract from its failure to report on an issue that affects the entire community. I believe the law does need to be revisited when a major media outlet manipulates it to cover up its own inadequacies.

What the??? No more Metro Pulse? Layoffs lead to reorganization

So, apparently a bunch of boring newspaper peeps are now tasked with putting together the snarky alternative.

For the two of you in the Knoxville area who don't know, the Metro Pulse, the local alternative weekly, shut down today under some kind of reorganizational plan or other.

And, parent company E.W. Scripps, which also owns the Knoxville News Sentinel, laid off the entire staff. (In addition, KNS laid off a number of its own employees.)

You can follow the Metro Pulse mess on Twitter, RIGHT SMACK HERE. Also, folks are commenting OVER HERE and wishing the former staffers well.

In the meantime, the new plan is have the KNS newsroom produce the Pulse and distribute it inside the Sentinel and in free-distribution racks.

Here's the rest, according to an email, by head KNS editor Jack McElroy:

"A bit more information to go with the note (Publisher) Patrick (Birmingham) distributed and the story on Knoxnews:

Effective immediately, Amy Vellucci will be directing our local news operations as city editor. She will be looking to promote someone within the local staff to assistant city editor to support her.

Amy Nolan will become News Sentinel business editor as well as editor and publisher of the Knoxville Business Journal. Josh Flory will report to her as assistant business editor and will continue as News Sentinel data editor.

Vivian Vega will move into the newsroom and continue to direct special publications. The newsroom will provide production support, but newsroom writers will not be producing any advertorial content.

Chuck Campbell, Susan Alexander and Lori Wilson will be working with the combined features and entertainment staff on a merger of knoxville.com and Metro Pulse, which will be produced by the newsroom and distributed in-paper and in free-distribution racks. Jennifer Dedman will be assisting in this project.

Department meetings will be scheduled in the next few days to discuss plans further."

Venable named to journalism Hall

Sam Venable (Photo: KNS)

Congratulations to KNS columnis Sam Venable, who was named to the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame. Sam is a great guy, very witty, very funny.

From the Associated Press: Six journalists have been named to the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame at Middle Tennessee State University.

They are: Joe Birch, veteran anchor with WMC in Memphis; Bob Johnson, retired news anchor of WTVC in Chattanooga; Alex Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, National Public Radio host and lecturer; Luther Masingill, veteran broadcaster at WDEF radio and television in Chattanooga; Otis Sanford, veteran editor with The Commercial Appeal in Memphis; and Sam Venable, columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel.

The Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame is housed inside the John Bragg Mass Communication Building.

Mayors Rogero, Beehan join Obama at first-ever White House Maker Faire

Rogero (L), Beehan (R)

So, yesterday Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero's office shoots over a release, saying the information in it has been "embargoed until 6 a.m. on WEDNESDAY, June 18, 2014."

Someone over at the Paywall Paper saw it and must have thought "embargo" means "let's go," and by the early evening it was online. (Surprisingly I thought it was going to be a different news organization that would post it. Heh.)

Anyhoo, it wasn't like it was some groundbreaking, earth shattering news, but, you know, it's kind of about courtesy.

Here's the release:

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan are among 21 mayors invited to meet President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday for the first-ever Maker Faire.

The mayors will take part in a policy discussion with senior Obama Administration officials to discuss support for manufacturing communities on economic, infrastructure and community revitalization.

Rogero and Beehan said they hope to boost the Maker Movement in East Tennessee, which promotes advanced manufacturing and innovative technology.

"We're committed to creating jobs by capitalizing on our unique partnerships and bold new business models," said Rogero in a press release. "As I've said previously: We aim to be ground zero for the third Industrial Revolution."

The Maker Movement's goal is to provide access to high-tech tools and new approaches for businesses and entrepreneurs. Rogero and Beehan are part of a group of about 90 mayors nationwide taking part in the Mayors Maker Challenge.

Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers, who recently opened a retail store on Market Square, has joined Rogero and Beehan on the trip. Rogers and Local Motors have pioneered a new 3D printing method and plan to build the world's first 3D-printed car this fall.

A different look at teacher survey

In the KNS’ continuing effort to hunky-dory-up (first time I’ve ever used that word in print) all things for the school system, the paper’s latest press release today – right smack here if you want to pay money for stuff you can find elsewhere for free – left out some crucial information.

Big surprise. But, hey, it’s not just me complaining. Hit the social media world. Lots of folks have expressed dismay! (Yellow Card for you, KNS. Heh.)

Anyhoo, the school system last night released the results to its anonymous teacher survey.

Let’s look at how the Slantinel reported the “facts” and then let’s look at how the real world sees them.

KNS: 29.9 percent of teachers agreed that Common Core standards will benefit instruction and student learning, while 22.6 percent disagreed.

Real World: A combined 37.3 percent of teachers “STRONGLY Disagree” and “Disagree” that Common Core standards will benefit instruction and student learning, while 35.6 percent "Agree" and "STRONGLY Agree."

Big FREAKING difference, huh? See how it gets switched around when you include more facts?????

How about another one:

KNS: 32.5 percent disagreed that teachers had the opportunity to provide input regarding the district’s strategic direction, while only 17.8 percent agreed they had.

Real World: A combined 60.9 percent “STRONGLY Disagree” and “Disagree” that teachers had the opportunity to provide input regarding the district’s strategic direction, while only 19.2 percent “Agree” and “STRONGLY Agree.”

Now, in order to continue its consistent quest of inconsistency, KNS decides to note that “77.9 percent of teachers said their school was a good place to work and learn.”

Well, wait a minute here, but that 77.9 percent is a combination of the “agree” and “strongly agree” categories. Why combine them both now????

Oh yeah.

Heh.

‘Cause everything is hunky-dory.

In the meantime, you can find the entire survey right smack here and make up your own mind.

Whether you agree or disagree. 

Superintendent contract the talk of tonight. What's going to happen?

So, the school board tonight will talk about whether to extend Superintendent Jim McIntyre’s contract through the end of 2017.

It’s part of his annual performance review. He currently makes $222,800 and gets an $800 per month travel allowance and almost five weeks of paid vacation. His contract runs through late 2016.

A number of things could happen:

• The board extends the contract and subsequently turns the matter into a major election issue.
• The board opts to set aside the extension part of the discussion  for up to another year. (Members possibly suggest another review a little after the elections.)
• McIntyre, after the performance discussion, suggests to the board to set aside talks about an extension, thus not making the matter a major election issue.
• The board votes to not extend the contract, thus giving them a shot at re-election. (Smart money is not on this one.)

My guess is that the school board approves the extension. It will probably be 7-2 vote. Mike McMillan and Pam Trainor will probably cast the dissenting votes. I say this only because – and you can take this to the bank – if Pam supports it, she is done in the election.

The meeting is at the AJ Building, which means there are like three seats available because the County Commission is holding court around the same time in the Main Auditorium of the City County Building. So, get there early.

I’m saying this to anti-McIntyre people and pro-McIntyre people.

Obviously, one of the big things to come up tonight will be focused on McIntyre’s classroom, or lack thereof, experience.

I blogged about it here, and Eleanor had a story on Friday night about it here.

Poster to R. Larry: 'Get over it'

Woo-hoo, oh boy, ol R. Larry Smith had another good one in today's News Sentinel.

After last night's meeting, in which the board talked about travel, KNS reporter Gerald Witt asked Smith why he drove to Nashville twice (which cost taxpayers $416 when - presumably - he could have picked up a phone and called).

According to the article (right smack here), Smith "said "he went to the state comptroller on a whistle-blowing trip that led to the ouster of former Trustee John J. Duncan III."

Ummmmm. No.

That office has nothing to do with CTAS payments, which were the cause of Duncan's downfall.

Further, R. Larry got almost all his information from the articles I wrote. Whistle-blower. Sure.

I broke the story, I first reported that someone else took tests for Duncan, and I was the first to write about the TBI investigation into the office.

I am not bragging. That's just what happened.

Along with the way WBIR also did some good reporting. They even had a scoop or two in there. Also, I think WATE reported about a showdown between Smith and Congressman Duncan, which Smith probably blew out of proportion, but whatever.

Anyhoo, I say this because, well, someone has to tell the truth. The investigation originated from the local District Attorney's Office. Not R. Larry Smith.

In the meantime, there were some fireworks from last night. You see, after Commissioner Amy Broyles nominated someone other than R. Larry to lead the board, he got upset. Right around that time he started trying to sell his story to the press that she traveled more than any other commissioner. (Another lie by the way.) A few news outlet bit.

But it didn't work out the way R. Larry anticipated. As noted from the pic below (taken during last night's meting.)

On a side note, Amy had the best line of the night when she told R. Larry: “Since being elected to commission, I have survived a shooting, two brain surgeries, a concussion, five cerebrospinal fluid leaks, viral meningitis, eight kidney stones, a tumor removed from my upper chest, a uterine hemorrhage and the beginning of menopause. I don’t think I’m going to succumb to one of your temper tantrums.” (Thanks for writing all that down, Gerald.)

Broyles goes to conventions. Yawn.

Photo by Dan Andrews

Well, credit to Knox County Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith for tooling a couple of media outlets into reporting that Commissioner Amy Broyles – one of his political foes – goes on trips.

Yes, trips that he as a commissioner approved when he blindly – like most commissioners – approved the budget.

(Course R. Larry managed to chalk up some folding paper for a trip to Nashville when he probably could have just picked up a phone, but who’s counting?)

Now, before I really get into it, this entry isn’t to disparage R. Larry. It’s just a look at the inside baseball of politics and how it works sometimes. I don’t really have a dog in this fight. Personally, I never saw the story in the story. Hell, I told R. Larry that months ago.

In fact, we reported the real story. It wasn’t what Broyles attends, but rather what she doesn’t: meetings. Now THAT was the story.

Anyhoo, I digress.

Back to R. Larry.

Politically, it was an interesting move. On one end it was savvy that he convinced some reporters to   That’s usually smart politics.

Photo by Dan Andrews

Politically, it was an interesting move. On one end it was savvy that he convinced some reporters to (in my opinion) cover a non-issue, so he can use that as ammo when he talks about it during Tuesday’s work session. (R. Larry put this on the agenda to discuss. No, really.)

But, not this time. This time he pretty much insulted women everywhere.

According to the News Sentinel:  Broyles “the lone female commissioner, went with Knoxville’s first female mayor, Madeline Rogero, to hear her speak in Nashville at the Tennessee Economic Council on Women.”

The Sentinel quotes Smith: “How’s women’s issues going to better Knox County’s government decision making?”

(Wow! Freakin’ wow! He really said that? Holy $%*!)

Also, credit to KNS reporter Gerald Witt. In his lede sentence, he notes that Smith “is targeting” Broyles. WATE’s story made it out like there was some huge uproar of officials. No, folks. It was one official.

Smith’s move pretty much killed any chance he had at a school board seat. Most teaches are women. Yeah, they vote.

The good commissioner, according to Witt, also said commissioners “should enter office ready to do the job.

“If I decide that I want to run for County Commission,” he told the paper, “I know what it all entails. I know there are large budget items.”

Smith also is rumored to run for the Register of Deeds gig next year. I wonder if he – or anyone else who is thinking about challenging Sherry Witt (no relation to Gerald) – knows what it entails.

Does he know how to oversee $2 billion in real estate transaction each year? What about $4.5 billion in lending?

Again, not to disparage R. Larry. But rather to point out what is no doubt going to be political ammo when he decides to run for office next time.

It’s also probably a lesson to Broyles (not that she will care): Next time the commission chairmanship is up, don’t nominate someone other than R. Larry.

Heh.

Bad guys, scofflaws owe Knox $158M

Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Joy McCroskey has been telling everyone that the county is owed about $18 million in arrears. Heck, that information was even included in the bid documents for the new company the commission just selected to go after outstanding debt. (You know, cause the last one was operating under an illegal contract. Seriously???)

Well, anyhoo, according to KNS reporter Jamie Satterfield, bad guys and traffic scofflaws actually owe Knox County $158 million! Yeah, big freakin' difference. Click right smack here for the story, so long as you're a millionaire and can afford the new pay wall subscription. Heh.

So, what's the deal with the $18 million? Well, that only represents the debt from one court. (McCroskey oversees three - criminal, sessions, Fourth Circuit.) I suppose then, she didn't actually lie. But rather told a one-third truth.

But, seriously, with that amount, the County Commission should probably get at least two debt collectors, rather than just the one.

Judges to meet about errors/arrests

Probably should have done this yesterday, but just another update in the continuing saga of what's going on in the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk's Office. We talked to officials yesterday, and the county's sessions judges are expected to meet again on the matter. Also, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones spoke out about the WBIR investigation about errors leading to wrongful arrests.

Click right smack here for that bad a$$ story. In the meantime, a head nod goes out to the Knoxville News Sentinel, crediting us with the investigation during today's story, which you can find right smack here (but can only read if you've got the coin to cover the pay wall). When I was with the Sentinel, we worked on a number of stories that WBIR noted, so that's cool.

WBIR to unveil new website tonight

Tonight (or is it technically tomorrow morning) at 3 a.m. WBIR will debut its new website.

And no, this is not in response to the Knoxville News Sentinel. In fact, both outlets had planned to do this months ago, but, you know, stuff happens.

Besides, despite what a bunch of local know-it-alls think, we're not putting up a pay wall.

Anyhoo, from what I understand (you know I really don't pay attention to this tech stuff), it's supposed to look like USA Today, which you can find right smack here. It's certainly a different look, but better than what we have now.

The new site will allow us to highlight the most important news of the day, blah, blah, etc. Also, from what I understand, we'll be able to "stack" stories, meaning they won't drop off so quickly as new stories go online.

My colleagues will have more information out later, and they'll probably be able to explain this better than I just did. They'll also have some navigation tricks.

As always, straight from the heart. With maybe a kick in the groin.

Heh.

Sheriff says he's not apologizing

Sheriff Jones

Yesterday evening the state’s paper tiger ACLU sent out a release, chastising our local Man with the Badge, claiming that any attempts by Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones to hold suspects based on their immigration status would be unconstitutional.

Course, that’s not what Jones said, but when you’re dealing with the state ACLU, which doesn’t know how to return a call, facts aren’t really important. (I’m an ACLU supporter by the way; just never been impressed with this one.)

Anyhoo, I’m not going to debate the merits of the county’s bid for the 287(G) program, mostly because both sides annoy me.

But, Jones was on the Hallerin Hilton Morning Show earlier today, and – since I typed up some notes in the event that he would say something insane (he didn’t) – I figured I might as well dump the notebook here on the ol’ blog.

By the way, all of this centers on the sheriff’s comments that he would “stack violators like cordwood in the Knox County Jail until the appropriate federal agency responds.” You can find those earlier remarks right smack here.

So, this morning, Hilton asked the Man with the Badge about the cordwood stuff. JJ said the critics of the grant are using them as “misdirection for the true intention of the facts.”

He called his own comments “East Tennessee colloquialism,” and said he’s made similar remarks in the past and “I’m not literally going to stack humans in the jail.”

He said the critics understood what he meant and that “it’s purely a misdirection to take people’s eye off the ball.”

Hilton noted that the News Sentinel’s editorial on Monday suggested that Jones should apologize for the remarks. He asked Jones if he would.

“Absolutely not,” the sheriff said.

He added that the grant would have placed an ICE agent at the jail, which would have made it easier for an illegal immigrant to make bail. He also said he’s “been dealing with jail overcrowding since 1979” and the grant would have helped alleviate the problem.

Hilton also talked briefly about Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and the rumors that he’s going to run for U.S. Senate (He’s not, folks, get over it). Hilton said if he did, would JJ be interested in his job.

The sheriff said he’s been in law enforcement for 33 years and that if he wins re-election, he’ll serve the term and then “politics will be out of the question for me.”

I’m betting this isn’t the last we’ve heard from either side.

In the meantime, you can hear the whole interview, right smack here.

Headed out to give broadcast a shot

Most folks know by now, but if you don't . . . well . . . today's my last day at the Knoxville News Sentinel.

I'm headed over to Channel 10 (WBIR) where I'll be part of an investigative team that they're putting together.

There's no one reason, really, why I'm leaving. I've heard a couple of conspiracies and they're not true. Quite frankly, I've been doing this newspaper thing for at least 15 years, probably more, and I was looking for something different.

I've got no problem with the paper and I'm glad the KNS gave me the opportunities that it did. And there are a ton of great folks over there, no matter what the vocal minority of knuckleheads who comment on the paper's message board would have you believe. (I wonder how tough those losers would be if they actually had to sign their name to something. But I digress . . . ).

Again, I've been in papers for a good while, and I wanted the chance to try something new. It was not an easy decision.

On a side note, da Porch is coming with me. I own this sucker, so I'm not shutting it down. I'll also continue to keep an eye on Knox County government at least for here on the blog, although the station is giving me the chance to look into a lot more.

I start Monday.

In the meantime, I'm out.

Regards.

Judge to Ownby: Write apology note

Greg Isaacs, left, Jeff Ownby on right

Man, what a weird hearing.

Knox County Commissioner Jeff Ownby was in court today and pleaded no contest to public indecency.

He could have paid a $500 and called it a day. Instead he asked for judicial diversion, which will wipe the record clean. In theory.

Ownby, whose job status is questionable (he said he was unemployed, then said he works part-time for a real estate company, and he also has a part-time commission job), told the judge that he was looking for work. He said he'd get to the third or fourth interview and be on his way to a job offer but would fail the background check.

Judicial diversion (I suppose he was suggesting) would get him out of all this.

Apparently, he's never heard of Google.

Anyhoo, the judge noted that because he sought diversion, he could then put some provisions in place.

And boy did he. He put Ownby on supervised probation for six months (that ain't free), told him to continue counseling (that ain't free) and told him to stay 100 yards away from Sharp's Ridge (that's free).

The kicker? Told him to write a letter “explicitly detailing” what he had done and to apologize. Then the judge changed his mind and told Ownby to just explain what he did and use general terms. Heh.

He told him that the letter must be entered into the Knox County Commission meeting minutes this month. Wow.

And, he told him to turn it over to the News Sentinel. Geez.

Further, the judge wanted it done by noon. (By the way, this is the letter, right smack here.)

None of this, of course, went over too well with Ownby's attorney, Gregory P. Isaacs.

The lawyer told the judge that he had some other pressing things he had to do. The judge told him to cancel them. Isaacs then wanted to know how he would get the letter to him. Judge said to email it. Isaacs then asked if he would get it. Judge told him: “Uh yeah. On my phone. I got one of those phones that's smarter than me.”

Heh.

(On a side note, Isaacs needs to get a new phone. The guy drives around in a gazillion dollar car a wears some seriously fancy clothes sans socks, and yet he owns a 2-cent phone. But I digress.)

The judge, Blount County's William Brewer, again stressed that he wanted the letter by noon and to the media by 2 p.m. He said for Ownby it's “kind of like ripping the Band-Aid off . . . and he can get on with his life.”

At one point, he also said: I've been on the bench 24 years now and one thing I've found consistent is that human beings are interesting creatures. Why we do what we do is very intriguing . . . and by all accounts from what I've heard today and from what I've read, Mr. Ownby is a good man and a good citizen . . .”

Well, we'll see what happens on May 28.

Superintendent touts proposed budget

Looks like teacher compensation, technology and an additional 58 school resource officers were the issues Knox County school board members had questions about last night.

Click right smack here for Lydia X. McCoy's story.

Superintendent Jim McIntyre is asking for about a 3 percent increase, or $13.28 million, over the current fiscal year's $406.47 million spending plan, Lydia reports. The four priorities in the proposal are teacher compensation, continuing classroom instruction, technology and school security.

In the meantime, enjoy the photo of this motley looking crue. And yeah, that's the superintendent and the county mayor together for lunch.

The mayor catches Grider using a p-card for lobster at Chesapeake's

Update to county salary database

I know how you folks like this stuff, so the KNS updated its Knox County employee salary page. Soooo, if you want to know what the folks make on the that side of the ol' Death Star, then click right smack here.

You can also find more Knoxville databases over here.

I figure the city employee salary info should be coming soon.

Burchett asks for security audit

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett today called for an independent audit into the security systems used by local schools.

The request, which was made to Knox County School Board Chairwoman Karen Carson, comes after the News Sentinel published an article detailing the flaws in what was supposed to be a state-of-the-art system designed to keep children safe.

“I am requesting that the Board of Education strongly consider a full and complete independent security audit of all systems installed by Professional Security Consultants and Design in Knox County Schools,” the mayor said in a letter to the chairwoman. “I recognize that this matter falls outside the purview of the Executive Branch. However, since it involved the safety and security of Knox County school children, I feel it is incumbent upon me to make this request.”

Burchett in an interview with the newspaper on Friday said he wanted an outside party to investigate because “just having your own people doesn't cut it.”

Carson was unavailable for comment today.

Elementary school shootings in CT

(Update: Looks like our site is back up)

Why don't these pieces of $&#! just stay at home and shoot themselves in the head?

Right now the KNS website keeps crashing (or reverting back to yesterday's page) as readers try to keep up with the horrific school shootings in Connecticut. Keep checking; we're getting it back up, and we've got a lot of coverage, including some stuff Gerald Witt is working on.

Additionally, Randy over at Knoxviews is following the event with a number of media updates throughout the country.

In the meantime, prayers should go out to the victims' families.

KNS reporter blogging on city

KNS city hall reporter Gerald "the couch whisperer" Witt has started a blog about Knoxville government. You can find it right smack here.

So far he's written about bees, Arby's, a beer truck hitting a bridge, and Sertoma. Or something.

Obviously, it's not as fun as the train wreck you'll get from the ol' Porch, but there's still some good stuff over there. Heh.

Check it out.

KNS participates in Octoberfest run

The Knoxville News Sentinel scored this afternoon in the 13th annual Hops and Hope Octoberfest 5K run.

Metro Editor John North finished third in his age group; county reporter Mike Donila placed second in his; and city reporter Gerald Witt won his. Police reporter Don Jacobs and Lance Coleman, who covers a little bit of everything, also competed.

Winners received a bottle of beer, a cool glass and some stickers. 

(We don’t need no stinkin’ trophies.)