Attorneys for ex-Trustee Mike Lowe, former employees back in court

Mike Lowe

Attorneys for ex-longtime Knox County Trustee Mike Lowe and two of his former so-called ghost employees were in court Thursday to finalize trial dates and provide all parties with an update on when each side will get the information it's requested.

As it stands, Lowe will go to trial on Dec. 1; Ray Mubarak's will begin Nov. 5 and Delbert Morgan's will start on Aug. 18. The trials could last up to two weeks each.

Assistant District Attorney General Bill Bright noted that the dates have been changed a number of times because of "the massive amount of information" involved in the case. The defendants were initially set to go to trial in late 2013, and then later this summer.

On Thursday, he told Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steven Sword that his staff has turned over most of the data requested by the defense attorneys, but still has to provide and verify some cell phone records, and secure an expert witness.

He suggested that it would be a "very quick" turnaround.

Attorneys for the defendants declined to comment after Thursday's status hearing on the case.

Rest of the story right here.

Rehab or raze: Feasibility study to determine Civic Coliseum's future

Knoxville leaders are looking into whether to renovate or raze the city's antiquated Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.

The downtown performance arena is home to a number of sports teams, including one of its main tenants, the Knoxville Ice Bears professional ice hockey team.

The arena has also featured thousands of world-class acts since it opened in 1961. During the past five decades, it's hosted circuses, theatrical productions, musicals, comedians, and major concerts, including the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder.

"We get people from all over to come to these shows," said Greg Mackay, director of public assembly facilities for the City of Knoxville. "It's the one place people are drawn to."

Although the 50-year-old facility has a lot of history, Mackay says it also has some major problems.

When it was designed in the 1950s, for example, musical performers stacked their speakers on the floor. Now they hang them from the roof trusses, which aren't strong enough to hold them.

Mackay added that other issues stopped the city from investing in a new wooden sports floor that would allow the coliseum to host volleyball and basketball competitions."We're having trouble because we don't know where to store it [the sports floor]," he said. "We can't store it downstairs because we have a leaky basement and the humidity would warp the wood."

Mackay also said that the concessions and bathrooms are in dire need of updates. And, officials would like to improve the acoustics and install LED lights in the auditorium. The outdoor plaza is also deteriorating with large cracks in the pavement.

If the city is willing to spend the money, Mackay says most of the current problems can be fixed. But before anyone sinks more cash into the old building, the city wants a professional to conduct a feasibility study to determine if the investment is worth it.

"We're going to get some outside experts to look at the condition of the building and tell us should we do a minor renovation, should we do a large renovation, or maybe it's time to build a new one," said Mackay. "Before we start making a piecemeal fix, we want to look at the big picture and decide what we're going to do."

Check out the full story right here.

Candidates facing financial issues

The federal government has levied tax liens against at least two judicial Knox County candidates and a civil judgment was issued against a third.

Records show that Patti Jane Lay, a Republican seeking the circuit court judge Div. IV seat, owes a combined $58,069.11 in individual income taxes from 2000 through 2003. The federal lien was filed against her four years ago, according to records in the Knox County Register of Deeds Office.

One lien is against her and husband, John Baugh, for $46,700. The other is against her for $11,300.

In addition to Lay, local attorney Steve Williams who is running for the criminal court clerk's seat has tax issues that he's addressing.

Federal liens filed in 2008 and 2011 show that Williams owes a combined $24,562.89 in taxes from 2003-05. Records show that Williams didn't pay federal unemployment taxes for his business, individual income taxes and he faced penalties for failing to file the correct information.

A civil judgment also was issued against Clarence "Eddie" Pridemore, a Republican attorney who will face Daryl Fansler, a Democrat and incumbent for the Chancellor, Part II seat in the August general election.

GE Monday Bank in May 2011 received a judgment against Pridemore for a Lowe's credit card debt totaling $3,709.66.

Click right here for the full story and the candidates' explanations.

Vols move game for Boomsday to create big Labor Day weekend celebration

Just got this in from the good Visit Knoxville folks:

The University of Tennessee Volunteers and Visit Knoxville's Boomsday Team Up for a Spectacular New Labor Day Weekend Celebration.

The Vols' season opening game with Utah State is moving to Sunday, August 31st at 7:00 p.m.  As a result, Visit Knoxville will hold the 27th Annual Boomsday Festival on Saturday, August 30th. The festival will expand down Neyland Drive and feature special programming celebrating Knoxville and the Big Orange. Playing on Sunday provides the opportunity for the game to be broadcast on ESPN's new SEC Network.

"This will be a unique and exciting weekend for our city and our state," said Tennessee head football coach Butch Jones. "With Boomsday on Saturday and our season opener on Sunday, the atmosphere and energy in Knoxville will be unrivaled. We're also excited about being one of the schools featured on the first weekend of SEC Network football telecasts, and we are looking forward to this tremendous opportunity."

The 2014 season opener will mark the seventh time Tennessee has played on Sunday. The Vols are 3-2-1 all-time in the previous six games. The last Sunday contest for Tennessee was the season opener on Sept. 5, 2004, a 42-17 win over UNLV that marks the only Sunday game to date in Neyland Stadium history.

"Holding Boomsday on Saturday in partnership with the University gives the opportunity to provide Vol fans and visitors alike with a truly memorable holiday weekend," said Kim Bumpus, president of Visit Knoxville. "Events like this stimulate our local economy and highlight all that Knoxville has to offer. We look forward to celebrating this great city all weekend long."

Boomsday 27 will feature more music than ever before. The Knoxville based Black Lillies will headline the event on the main stage with other local artists performing a variety of music from jazz to country and bluegrass on a total of 3 stages.  The famous Pyro Shows fireworks will blast off at 9:00pm and broadcast live on WBIR.

Admission to this year's event is $20 per adult (children 12 and under free) and includes access to a programmed and secured fireworks viewing along Neyland.  Your admission grants full access to all performances, a family-friendly kids area, new food vendors, shopping and much more. There's even a VIP area for Veterans (who can attend Boomsday for free with Military I.D.)

Boomsday tickets go on sale in July.

Knox Veteran Congregation Initiative

The above video was put together regarding the faith-based initiative to work with veterans who are returning home from war zones. I blogged about it yesterday.

No bidders for Cumberland project

Plans to overhaul the Cumberland Avenue Corridor are now on hold after no one bid on the project’s first phase, a $4 million redesign from Alcoa Highway to 22^nd Street that was supposed to take six months to finish.

Now, though, Knoxville leaders say they will reassess the bid documents they issued in order to bring in a developer, and figure out why no one submitted a proposal. The project went out for bid in early March and the deadline was today.

“We’re disappointed that the project will be delayed but hopefully we can get the issues taken care of,” said Jesse Mayshark, the city’s communication director.

Mayshark said at this point officials didn’t know how long it would take to rebid the proposal.

The Phase I work included installing new underground stormwater and gas lines to support new commercial and residential developments in the area. The project also was supposed to add and widen sidewalks, resurface the road and bring in new, higher-performing traffic signals.

Officials, once Phase I was completed, immediately planned to being the larger, second part, a $13 million initiative that would redesign Cumberland Avenue from 22^nd Street to 16^th Street. That work includes new underground utilities, new signals, new sidewalks, the addition of turn lanes and new median. It also includes new landscaping, benches and pedestrian-scaled lighting.

In early March, city officials noted that the proposed $17 million investment into the corridor so far has already leveraged more than $100 million in investment from private developers.

A look at state, Farragut contests

Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill won't face opposition in his bid for re-election.

However, incumbent Alderman Bob Markli, who represents the town's North ward, will.

The deadline to qualify to run for state, federal and offices in the Town of Farragut was noon Thursday. That means elections officials can start putting together the official ballots for the Aug. 7 state and federal primaries, and the Farragut - which features non-partisan races - general election.

Here's how it's looking:

• Markli will face John Underwood for the Farragut Ward I seat, and Ronald Pinchok will take on Ron Williams for the South ward position currently held by Jeff Elliot who opted not to seek re-election.
• In addition, four of the nine state senate and house seats in the local Legislative delegation will face opposition either in the primary, the general or both contests.
• District 13 state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, will face the winner of the Republican primary – either Jason Emert or Eddie Smith.
• District 18 state Rep. Steve Hall, R-Knoxville, will face Martin Daniel in the May primary. No Democrats qualified to run.
• State Rep. Joe Armstrong, a Democrat who represents the 15th District, will face Charles Drew, an independent, in the general election. No Republicans qualified to run.

 At the last minute, Mike Alford turned in his petition to run for the 7th District state Senate seat, currently held by Stacey Campfield, a Republican. In addition, Republican and Knox County Commissioner Richard Briggs also is seeking the seat as is Cheri Siler, a Democrat.

No one filed to run against 5th District state Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, or Knoxville Republican state representatives Ryan Haynes (14th District), Harry Brooks (19th District), Bill Dunn (16th District), or Roger Kane (89th District).

Also up this year are three state executive committee seats for the Republican and Democratic parties. These boards are essentially an organizing system for the parties, and chose the state directors of their respective parties. A man and woman from each senate district is selected to make up the overall committee.

The election for the seats is set for Aug. 7.

• For District 5, Julia Hurley, a female Republican, will take on Melissa Browder. No one will challenge Richard Dawson, a male Democrat. Dixie Damn and Mary Hickman will vie for the female seat. Leon Shields and Scott Smith will square off in the Republican race.
• In the 6th District, neither Republican Ted Hatfield nor Republican Jane Chedester will face an opponent. However, Cameron Brooks will face Michael Daugherty for the Democratic seat. Sylvia Woods, a female Democrat, also does not face competition.
• In the 7th District, neither Republican Ken Gross nor Republican Karen Brown will have an opponent, nor will Kim Webber, a Democrat. However, Democrats Bill Owen, the incumbent, will face Mark Harmon, a former Knox County commissioner will vie for the seat.

'When War Comes Home' forum set

Just got this in from the Knox County Mayor's Office. I believe we'll have a report about it later today:

The Knoxville Regional Veterans Mental Health Council and the Veteran Friendly Congregation Initiative are hosting a forum for local clergy from all faiths to learn about the needs of area veterans and the services that are available to them.

The forum, titled When War Comes Home, is open to faith leaders from Knox and surrounding counties. It will be held Thursday, May 1, at the L.T. Ross Building on Western Avenue from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

“In Knox County, we do a good job of serving our veterans, but there’s always more that can be done,” said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett during a news conference announcing the forum. “Right now, there are heroes in churches, synagogues and mosques across the country who have just returned from war.  In Knox County, these congregations have an opportunity to say, ‘What else can we do for these heroes?’”

“Many of our veterans coming home today have invisible wounds, such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), anxiety and depression, all of which are tough to diagnose,” said Vietnam veteran and forum organizer Freddie Owens. “Veterans are five times more likely to speak to their pastors about their own mental health issues than they are to seek help from the Veterans Administration, and this forum will help area religious leaders address those issues.”

Religious leaders wishing to participate in the When War Comes Home forum can register for the event at http://www.tnvhc.org.

Third candidate plans to enter Briggs vs. Campfield state senate race

Well, if you’re into conspiracy theories – heh – then here’s a good one. Did Stacey Campfield get a third person into his re-election bid in order to split up the “anybody but Stacey” vote? We’ll see.

A Rocky Hill resident today said he plans to turn the 7^th District state Senate race into a three way contest in August.

Mike Alford, who drives a tour bus for entertainers, today had a friend pick him up a nominating petition to challenge incumbent Stacey Campfield and Richard Briggs in the Republican primary.

He has until noon tomorrow to return the petition and secure 25 signatures from residents who live in the district and who are registered to vote.

Alford said he planned to mount a serious campaign but acknowledged that “a mutual friend of his” and Campfield actually picked up the petition for him.

He said he told the senator that he plans to run.

“I want to throw my name out there on the ballot as an option,” Alford said.

He added: “My biggest issue right now is two of them: I disapprove of Stacey’s campaign to take public notices away from the newspapers. The other issue . . .  is that I don’t think the hospital being planned in the backyard of the West Hills neighborhood should be put there.”

Alford unsuccessfully ran for a County Commission seat in 2006 and sought a board position in 2008 when officials were trying to appoint new members in the wake of the Black Wednesday controversy. 

He said at the time he was against red light cameras and the wheel tax. (Right smack here for his note to commissioners back then.)

Campfield, a former state representative, won a special election in 2010 to replace Tim Burchett when he took over as Knox County mayor.

When asked about the potential for another opponent, Campfield said “it’s a free county, so everyone who wants to run can.”

Briggs, a heart surgeon, a retired combat veteran, and Knox County Commissioner, said his campaign anticipated that someone else would get into the race, but declined comment further.

The winner of the Republican primary will take on Cheri Siler, a Democrat, in the November general election.

Knox officials working on program to help vets returning from war zones

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and members of the Knoxville Regional Veterans Mental Health Council will hold a news conference tomorrow where they plan to talk about a proposal to help better prepare leaders in the faith-based community to help serve veterans who are returning from war zones.

The plan will more than likely lead to a forum held in May as part of the Veteran Friendly Congregation Initiative. 

Tomorrow's announcement will take place at 10:30 a.m. Redemption Church, 3550 Pleasant Ridge Road. Those attending, including the media, are asked to park in the church's main parking lot.

Broyles joins NACo gov't institute

Amy Broyles

Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles was accepted into the National Association of County’s Leadership Institute, according to a news release.

The institute, the release notes, “addresses the challenges and directs the potential of local elected officials to forge positive, sustained change in their communities.”

“Participants gain a broad perspective about themselves as leaders, about the issues facing their communities, and about how to engage broad networks of interested parties to develop solutions to difficult challenges facing their communities,” the release states.

The program is designated for elected officials with at least three years of experience at the policy level in county government. The Tennessee County Services Association nominated her. Each state can pick only candidate, but no more than 30 are selected nation-wide to participate.

You can read the entire release – it’s pretty interesting – right smack here.

Next Lunch with Mayor set for Friday

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will hold his next Lunch with the Mayor event this Friday, April 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pete’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant located in downtown Knoxville at 540 Union Avenue. The restaurant is locally owned and operated.

During the event, Pete’s will offer a $5 cheeseburger and fries Lunch with the Mayor special, or guests can order the regular Friday special of fried catfish and shrimp, two sides, and a corn muffin or roll for $7.49.

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance.  As always, this event is “Dutch treat.”