League of Women Voters to hold meeting on land use Nov. 10

Want to know more about how big decisions affecting your neighborhood are made?

The League of Women Voters on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. will host a meeting on local land use planning and regulation.

The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will feature Gerald Green, director of the Knoxville/Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission.

 He will speak for 30 minutes, followed by 45 minutes for Q&A.

The meeting will be held at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC), 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Free parking is available in the church parking lot.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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.

League of Women Voters looks to host meeting to increase voter turnout

The League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County will hold a community discussion to talk about ways to increase voter participation.

 The meeting - which takes place at 6 p.m. on April 28 at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law - comes as roughly 42 percent of the county's registered voters participated in the March primary.

The discussion will begin with a panel moderated Georgiana Vines, a veteran political columnist for The Knoxville News Sentinel.

The panel will include:

• Cameron Brooks, Chair, Knox County Democratic Party
• Buddy Burkhardt, Chairman, Knox County Republican Party
• Chris Davis, Assistant Administrator of Elections, Knox County Election Commission
• De'Ossie Dingus, Sr., President and Executive Director, Alliance House Community of Knoxville
• Ann Strange, Voter Services Chair, League of Women Voters of Knoxville and Knox County
• Allan Wilford, PhD Candidate, University of Tennessee, Political Science 

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Visitors to LMU Law are welcome to park in the faculty/staff lot, located on campus. Parking is also available in either the Walnut Street Garage at the corner of Locust Street and Summer Place, Market Square Parking Garage at the corner of Wall Avenue and Walnut Street, or the Locust Street Parking Garage at the corner of Union Avenue and Locust Street.

Monday last day to register to vote for presidential, Knox primaries

Time is running out to register for the 2016 presidential and Knox County primary elections.

Tennessee voters need to register by Monday, Feb. 1, if they want to participate.

“Every time that the national election comes along, everybody gets re-energized," League of Women Voters committee member Helen Tews said. "People want to be able to vote in November, and if they want to select which candidate for which party, both nationally and locally, they have to start voting in these primaries.”

A few key things to establish before voting:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a U.S. citizen. You must also be a Tennessee resident to vote in the state.
• You must have a state or federally issued photo I.D.

Early voting starts Feb. 10.

“On election day, Mar. 1, the lines will be long," Tews said. "If you wait till that day, we expect a large turnout.”

If you have not registered yet, you can print out an application form on the Knox County election website.

If you don't remember if you've registered, you can check that, too.

It also shows polling locations and other information about upcoming elections.

The final day to register for the 2016 Knox County general election is July 5. Election Day is Aug. 4.

The last day to register to vote in the 2016 presidential general election is Oct. 11, and the election is on Nov. 8.

League of Women Voters to host three candidate forums in coming weeks

The League of Women Voters will hold three candidate forums within the three weeks remaining before early voting begins on Feb. 10. Only those candidates in the eight contested primary races have been invited to participate.

County Commission candidates in Districts 1, 2, 4, and 6 will take part in a forum on Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. at the Emporium, 100 S. Gay St, Knoxville, 37902. The event is co-sponsored with the Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Board of Education: Candidates in Districts 2 and 5 will participate in a forum on February 2, 6:30 p.m. at Pellissippi State Community College, 1610 E. Magnolia, Ave., Knoxville, 37917.

Law Director and Property Assessor The Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, 601 W. Summit Hill Dr., Knoxville, 37902 will host the forum for candidates of these offices on February 4, 6:30 p.m. with Matt Shafer Powell, WUOT Radio Director of News Content, as moderator.

Go to (http://www.lwvknoxville.org/index.html) for updates.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

City Council forum set for Sept. 8

My main man, news anchor John Becker, will moderate the political forum for the upcoming Knoxville City Council races.

It will take place 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, 546 College Street. All candidates for City Council have been invited to participate. (early voting begins the next day by the way).

The event is sponsored by WBIR 10News, the Knoxville/Knox County League of Women Voters, the NAACP, the Knoxville Interdenominational Christian Ministerial Alliance, and some newspaper no on reads anymore.

Following the forum, the public is invited to meet the candidates from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. A Voter's Guide, with questions answered by City Council candidates, will be available. For more information go to www.lwvknoxville.org or vote411.org.

Knoxville/Knox Co. League of Women Voters to hold annual meeting May 5

The 2015 Annual Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County will take place May 5 at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, according to a release.

The Rev. Harold Middlebrook - info RIGHT SMACK HERE - will serve as keynote speaker. He was an active member of the civil rights movement when the Voting Rights Act was signed into law in 1965.)

The evening will begin with a social period at 5:30 pm. Dinner will be at 6 pm (Cornish hen or vegetarian option), followed by the address.

The business meeting is scheduled to start at 7. The agenda will include reports, budget adoption, and nominations and election of officers and directors. Members should review candidate biographies, current positions and the proposed budget (RIGHT SMACK HERE) proposed budget in advance of the meeting.

Dinner reservations (includes wine) must be made at www.lwvknoxville.org not later than Sunday, May 3. Cost is $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

Knoxville, Oak Ridge women voter leagues to host amendments forum

Information about the proposed constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot will be discussed in a voter forum Oct. 7, 7:00 p.m. at the Pollard Auditorium on the Oak Ridge Associated Universities campus, 120 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge. The forum is free and open to the public.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge and Knoxville are partnering with the Oak Ridge Branch of American Association of University Women and the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge to present the forum.

Corinne Rovetti, co-director and family nurse practitioner for the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, will address Amendment 1 which deals with reproductive choice. Judy Cornett, distinguished professor, College of Law, University of Tennessee, will speak to Amendment 2 which proposes a change in the selection of appellate judges. Sherry Davis Kasper, professor of Economics, Maryville College, will discuss Amendment 3 which would prohibit any tax on earned income.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Forum set Aug. 14 for BOE candidates

Got this release late Friday: The League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County (LWVKKC) and the Knox County Education Association (KCEA) will hold a moderated forum to inform commissioners and voters about candidates seeking appointment by County Commission to fill the seat of District 2 School Board Member Indya Kincannon who recently resigned. Kincannon and her family will live in Slovenia next year where her husband will be teaching law.

Candidates are seeking an interim appointment of three months ending in November 2014 when an election for the position will take place. Several candidates will participate in the forum on Thursday, August 14, 2014, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m., in the auditorium of Gresham Middle School, 500 Gresham Road, Knoxville, TN 37918. Beth Haynes, news anchor with WBIR TV, will moderate.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

The Knox County Education Association promotes quality education by providing a support system that guarantees the opportunity for professional growth, secures and improves benefits, and protects the rights of educators of Knox County."

July 24 Forum set for two BOE races

The League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County and the Knox County Education Association will hold a moderated forum to inform voters about candidates running for the local Board of Education seats in the Aug. 7 election, according to a release.

The four candidates - two each from the 1st and 6th districts - are expected to participate in the July 24 forum. It will beheld from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the Lawson McGhee Library Arts Room (basement level), 501 West Church St.

 Matt Shafer Powell, Director of News Content and Executive Producer at WUOT, will moderate.

 Incumbent Gloria Deathridge will face Marshall Walker for the Dsitrict 1 seat; and Terry Hill and Sandra Rowcliffe will square of for the District 6 seat.

For more information, click RIGHT SMACK HERE.

Judge Reeves to speak at LWVKK meet

Recently sworn-in U.S. District Judge Pamela Reeves will serve as keynote speaker during next week's annual dinner and meeting of the League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County.

The event, which is open to the public, takes place May 22 at the East Tennessee History Center. The evening kicks off with registration and a reception at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will follow at 6 p.m., and then the address by Judge Reeves.

The organization also will hold a business meeting at 7 p.m.

The dinner costs $30 and folks must make reservations and send in payments by Monday. For more details and to register, click RIGHT SMACK HERE.

Smith could have to answer critics for recent remarks about women

Now, word going around is that folks – or R. Larry at least – should expect some fireworks. You know, cause he insulted every woman in Knox County.

Already, Kim Lauth, president of the League of Women Voters of Knoxville and Knox County, wrote a letter “strongly” disagreeing with some of the good commissioner’s assertions; and then more than a dozen residents sent emails to the board’s office expression their disapproval.

From what I understand some more folks are going to stick to him tomorrow during the public forum.

(I also heard the League was, too, but I have no faith in them. A few years ago they were supposed to raise hell during an elections commissions hearing when the panel fired then-administrator Greg Mackay and they didn’t do crap. But I digress.)

We’ll see, I supposed. Tuesday's work session starts at 2 p.m.

Women's voting league not pleased with Commissioner Smith's remarks

Photo by Dan Andrews

Yeah, I kind of figured that there would be some push back after County Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith made that remark about women. Heh.

I blogged earlier today about it, right smack here.

Now, Kim Lauth, president of the League of Women Voters of Knoxville and Knox County today has issued the following statement: 

A recent comment by Commissioner Larry Smith challenging Commissioner Amy Broyles’ attendance at the Tennessee Economic Summit for Women, hosted by the Governor’s Economic Council for Women, was more than surprising.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Commissioner Smith characterized the meeting as a “women’s conference,” and questioned how women’s issues will improve government decision-making.

The Economic Council includes state senators and representatives and members of the Governor’s cabinet, presented research at the Summit demonstrating that Tennessee spends more than $885M annually as a result of violence against women -- a significant impact on taxpayers.

The Council released the report following public hearings held around the state, which Commissioner Broyles attended along with District Attorney Randy Nichols, the TBI, local law enforcement, and others.

The League strongly disagrees with Commissioner Smith’s implication that having the lone woman on Commission attend a State-sponsored Summit on women’s economic issues would have no bearing on county government decision making.

With women representing 51.3% of the County’s population, we believe that the information Commissioner Broyles was able to obtain to be highly relevant to decision making in Knox county government.

The League stands on the principle of good government. We believe that we only have good government if we have well informed officials who continue to educate themselves on important issues throughout their terms of office.

Broyles to kick off LWVTn conference

Commissioner Broyles

Got an email from the Knox County Commission office, noting that Commissioner Amy Broyles will deliver the opening remarks at the League of Women Voters of Tennessee's 2013 Spring Convention set for tomorrow and Sunday in downtown Knoxville.

“This is a wonderful event for our area, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to kick it all off by welcoming women from across our state to our beautiful city,” Broyles said in a released statement. “This year's theme, 'Reaching Out, Making Change,' speaks precisely to the standard of leadership I embrace, and I am truly looking forward to an exciting and educational convention.”

Conference registration begins at noon tomorrow at the Hilton Knoxville, Downtown, with opening remarks beginning at 12:30 p.m. The convention wraps up at noon Sunday.

For more information, click right smack here.

Forum tomorrow to discuss charter

The Knoxville-Knox County League of Women Voters tomorrow evening will host a form about the proposed amendments to the Knox County Charter that will appear on the November ballot. (No word on the city charter's proposed amendments, but considering everyone ignores the city . . . .)

The shindig kicks off at 7 p.m. in the Main Assembly room of the Deathstar.

Here's some background on the proposals right smack here.

And here's what the KNS editorial board has to say.

Obviously the two big things on the county's side (cause, again, no one cares about the city) are the pension program and term limits.

A couple folks from the Knox County Charter Review Committee, a couple of Knox County Commissioners (have they sun shined this meting yet?????) and some guy from one of those TV channels will be there to talk about this stuff.

I, however, won't be there. I'm taking a few days off. The voices are starting to speak to me again.

LWV to host shindig for commish, BOE

OK, I got an email that was forwarded to me from the League of Women Voters Knoxville-Knox County. It's a little fuzzy, but I think I understand it. Apparently the organization is holding a meeting tomorrow (actually two meetings) to congratulate the county commission and the school board because the two governing bodies are getting together to hang out and talk shop at the end of the month.

“We've heard others applaud the goals of this retreat and we sense growing grassroots support of education in Knox County,” the email states. “We'd like to bring people together to talk about communicating to our elected officials that we have high expectations for their success, and we also need your ideas and community connections to encourage our officials to keep their collaboration intact in the coming months.”

The group will hold two meetings tomorrow. The first from noon to 1 p.m. at the East Tennessee History Center on South Gay Street; the second from 6-7 p.m. at the West High School Library off Sutherland Avenue.

The email also notes that “we have four specific suggestions to inspire our local officials, all easy and engaging . . .” but never says just what those suggestions are.

Oh well.

Election Commission meets today

The Knox County Election Commission meets at 4 p.m. today.

I hope it doesn't cut into happy hour.

Here's the sun shined agenda:

At the call of the Chair, the Knox County Election Commission will meet on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 4 p.m.. The meeting will be held in the Small Assembly Room of the City/County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN.

Among the agenda items are reorganization and certification of the Town of Farragut election.

I expect elections administrator Greg Mackay will talk briefly, then turn it over to his five bosses. At that point, I figure - if they attend - the League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County are going to want to speak about the newest commissioner, Rob McNutt.

Because, you know, there's some issues about where he voted and when.

The commission will reorganize. I figure they'll keep Chris Heagerty as chairman. (That spot automatically goes to a Republican since they have the majority in the local Legislative delegation.)

The secretary spot might go to Cameron Brooks. Cassandra McGee Stuart has it now, and since they're the only two Democrats (the party that gets the seat automatically), she might let him have a shot.

Or not.

I'm not sure if we'll get much action on Mackay's job at this point.

I don't think he's getting fired today.

At the most, I think they may briefly discuss whether to take applications for the job.

Then they'll agree to meet soon to discuss it further.

Kind of like the county commission.

Why do something today, when you can put it off for later?

I figure Mackay is safe for another few weeks

Voter league upset with hire

Apparently some folks aren't too happy about the latest appointment to the Knox County Election Commission.

You know? Rob McNutt? The fellow who managed to vote a few times outside his precinct? He replaced Paul Crilly. That's the fellow who voted outside his political party.

Heh.

Here's the story right smack here.

After it ran, I asked some folks later about whether it would be an issue – whether the state would sign off on the Republican's pick. (Of course it did.)

No one seemed to mind. Even the members of the local Legislative delegation who didn't vote for him. (Here's the scorecard.)

Apparently, though, the League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County care.

And now they're taking it to the state.

I have copies of emails sent to Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett – one from Jamey Dobbs, president of the local league, and another from Lillian Burch, a member of the organization.

Neither is very happy about the situation.

I'd scan then in, but I'm pretty busy, so I'll just paste them in this post. (Note that the delegation and election commission members were copied on the letter, but I took that out because of length.)

Here's the first, titled “League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County concerned about Election Commission”:

The Honorable Tre Hargett
Tennessee Secretary of State
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-1102

Secretary Hargett:

As a citizen of Knox County, Tennessee, and president of the League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County, I am deeply concerned about the selection process which led to the most current appointment to the Knox County Election Commission. Election commissioners are entrusted with our election process,which is at the very heart of our democracy. I understand that Tennessee’s process for choosing election commissioners requires that we trust our elected officials to vet the candidates to ensure that they are qualified both ethically and legally to serve in the position.

It was shocking to read in the March 26, 2011 Knoxville News Sentinel that our newest commissioner voted outside his voting precinct in at least six elections, apparently committing two counts of voter fraud each time. When asked about it, our legislators told the newspaper's Mike Donila the following:

“The lawmakers added that he [Candidate McNutt] contacted them to join the commission, and they talked to him a number of times. They didn't think about vetting his voting record."

"I think it would be extremely unreasonable for us as legislators - as we make a recommendation - to go through voting records and analyze addresses," said state Rep. Ryan Haynes, chairman of the delegation. "I don't think anyone would
imagine that we would do that. But it sounds to me that it's something we should correct." Haynes, who wouldn't say whether he nominated McNutt, added: "It sounds to me like whoever was running the election screwed up - having him in the wrong district. It's possible that it could have been an error. Maybe a little old lady punched the wrong keypad."

(Line to online article:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/mar/26/election-commission-pick-moved-didnt-change-his-ad/?partner=popular)

First, I feel strongly that a process that is so central to our democracy should not be taken so lightly. I urge you to put safeguards in place to ensure that election commissioners have not violated any voting laws in letter or spirit.

Second, I ask that you immediately take steps to ensure that the Knox County Election Commission meets those same standards.


Sincerely,

Jamey Dobbs, President
League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County

Here's the second, titled “Knox County Election Process”:

The Honorable Tre Hargett
Tennessee Secretary of State
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-1102

Secretary Hargett:

I am concerned about the integrity of the election process and the current Knox County Election Commissioner appointment of Candidate McNutt.

How can a candidate be appointed when he violated the rules of voting himself? McNutt committed voter fraud at least 6 elections.

When he contacted lawmakers, they didn't think about vetting his voting record (Knoxville News Sentinel, 3/26/11). Our elected officials did not vet this candidate to ensure that he was qualified ethically and legally to serve in this highly important position in our community.

Please put safeguards in place to ensure that election commissioners have not violated any voting laws in letter or spirit.

Please ensure that our Knox County Election Commission meets the same standards.

Sincerely,

Lillian Burch, MA
Executive Director and LWVKKC member
disABILITY Resource Center

I'm not really sure what the emails will do. Or if they'll count for anything.

But, it's good to see people engaged every now and then.

I expect the league to be at the Knox County Election Commission's first meeting Friday.

They don't sound very happy right now.