No state money for safety center

The state this year has declined to give Knox County money to operate a much-talked about public safety center that would serve and treat the homeless and mentally ill who are arrested for nonviolent crimes, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett confirmed to WBIR 10News.

Burchett, who had been working with Gov. Bill Haslam's office, said he was “very disappointed.”

“Obviously, this isn’t a priority with the state,” he said. “It just seems that East Tennessee usually gets the short end of the stick when it comes to funding, and this is no different.”

The mayor said state leaders told him there was less money than they initially thought in the proposed state budget. Still, Burchett said, he will try again next year.

The mayor figures the county needs about $1 million annually from the state to keep such a facility up and running yearly.

County leaders have long talked about building a facility to combat jail crowding at the main Maloneyville Road detention center, and help those with mental health issues get the care they need. But commissioners say they need the county, state and city to each chip in $1 million to get the operation up and running.

The county set aside its share several years ago, but the state and city have often hesitated to commit.

Past plans have suggested that the center would treat offenders who voluntarily stay for up to three days, and could serve about 4,000 people a year. Officials say the facility would cost about $2 million to build and then another $1.7 million annually to operate.

E-911 panel recommends cutting ties with long-time director Coker

Bob Coker

In a move that was not unexpected, a panel of emergency responders and local leaders on Monday recommended cutting ties with the embattled executive director of the Knox County E-911 Center.

In a 4-0 vote, the personnel committee for the E-911 Board of Directors agreed to pay Bob Coker three months' worth of salary, which amounts to almost $34,700.

In addition, Coker, who has come under fire for months now, will get another $1,225 to cover his unused vacation time.

The full E-911 Board of Directors meets Wednesday morning and is expected to approve the deal.
The panel also recommended placing Alan Bull, the center’s technical services manager, into the interim executive director position.

“Ultimately, we agreed it was in the best interest of all parties if we ended the contract,” said Stan Sharp, chief of the Knoxville Fire Department and chairman of the personnel committee.

Coker, the center’s director for the past decade, faced a scathing employee review, problems with the department’s dispatch system and controversy over a multi-million dollar radio contract – all within the past year.

Further, last month a number of board members expressed dissatisfaction with his overall performance and questioned his leadership.

On Monday, the panel members talked briefly about their options. They could try to fire him with cause or sign off on a proposal hammered out between Sharp and Coker.

"I think it is reasonable," said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, a panel member. "Certainly that middle ground – whenever you have to push a termination for cause it takes time; it’s not good for the organization. And I think we’ve seen accomplishments over Mr. Coker's term and I think we’ve seen some things we’d like for improvements and this is a good middle ground."

Coker declined to comment Monday.

Coker’s current contract ends June 30, 2017 but it would automatically roll over for another year beginning July 1. The contract has a provision that the 11-member board of directors can terminate him with a majority “plus one” vote, and pay him his salary for the following six months. But, if the board finds cause to fire him, then it doesn’t have to cover his pay.

Coker, who took over the center in 2005 and earns about $130,000 annually, can step down on his own but must give a 60-day notice.

Board members during the past year have expressed disappointment in Coker a number of times. There’s been problems with the center’s $6.2 million computer-aided dispatching system, or CAD, which faced several cost overruns during its implementation.

In addition, twice last year the board declined to approve an almost $9 million contract that would replace the radio system emergency responders use to communicate between each other.

Board members also questioned whether Coker tried to influence the bidding process.

Harris Communications won the bid, but the board declined to sign off on the contract, and expressed interest in continuing to work with Motorola Solutions, which has served the center for decades.

Board members accused Coker of trying to bring Harris on board without going through an official selection process.

Coker has denied the accusations.

TODT to meet about Chapman Highway

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will host a Design Public Meeting on Thursday to gather public input on the Knox County SR-71 widening project from south of Simpson Road to Hendron Chapel Road.

The meeting will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the following location: Valley Grove Baptist Church 9000 Sevierville Pike Knoxville, TN 37920.

The meeting is being held to provide the public an opportunity to provide comments regarding this proposed widening project. Representatives of TDOT will be available to provide information on various aspects of this proposed project.

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.

Thomas says he will do more than keep seat warm as interim superintendent

Buzz Thomas

Soon-to-be interim KCS Superintendent Buzz Thomas says he will be more than just a placeholder when he takes over the Knox County school system beginning in July.

In fact, Thomas said, he’s “not afraid” to make changes that could lead to “trimming some bureaucracy (and) investing more in classrooms.”

“I always think there are improvements that can be made and we’ll try to do that,” Thomas told WBIR 10News. “I said the other day, we’re not going to circle the airport for the next six to 12 months. We’re going to continue the journey. We’ve been on an upward projector, but not upward enough. So, we need to improve at a faster pace . . .  .”

Thomas will begin serving as interim superintendent July 9. Current Superintendent Jim McIntyre announced in January that he would step down this summer.

Thomas, who is currently the president of the non-profit Great Schools Partnership, is the guest on Sunday’s “Inside Tennessee,” WBIR’s political and public affairs program, which airs at 9:30 a.m.

During Sunday’s discussion, Thomas touches on a wide range of topics, including plans to boost teacher morale, a renewed focus on student reading levels, whether the next superintendent should have teaching experience and if he’s interested in the job on a permanent basis.

“I think we’ve gotten into two camps for lack of a better term,” he said. “We’ve got the pro-teacher camp and then you’ve got the pro-student achievement camp and they’re over there looking at test scores and if kids are making better (grades) on the ACT. Here’s the truth: All of us want both things.
Is there anybody who doesn’t want kids to achieve and learn so that they have a successful future? And is there anybody who doesn’t want our teachers to be happy? We want teacher morale to be high.”

Thomas added: “You want kids to learn and teachers to enjoy coming to work every day. And I think we can do that but we’ve got to get past the personality and the politics and refocus on the work”

Riverwalk work nears completion

Progress is continuing on the public riverwalk near the River's Edge apartment complex on Island Home Avenue - the riverwalk is about 75 percent complete, according to the city

Backfilling operations are scheduled to begin next week, and structural steel braces and beams have been put into place. Next, hollow core planks will be installed.

In addition, crews have completed the curb and gutter tie-in at Splendid View Circle to Island Home Avenue.

The $2.5 million public infrastructure is on schedule to be finished this summer.

Thomas talks interim school plans

Buzz Thomas

A week after the Knox County School Board elected Buzz Thomas to be the district's interim superintendent, he's sharing plans for his new role, and what he expects for his current post.

The board unanimously chose Thomas after Superintendent Jim McIntyre announced in January he would soon step down.

“I’m certainly eager about the work, enthusiastic about that, and honored to be asked to step forward in this kind of transition period to help move our district forward," Thomas said.

He is currently the president of Great Schools Partnership, which is a non-profit that started in 2005.

It acts as a support group for the district, funding after-school programs and helping students and teachers achieve more in the classroom.

As interim superintendent, he hopes to boost teacher morale and renew a focus on student reading level.

“Only 47 percent of our third graders are proficient readers. That’s unacceptable," he said. "Half of our graduating seniors last year made below a 21 on the ACT, which is the minimum benchmark for college and career readiness. How are we going to address that problem?”

He said his term will likely last no more than a year.

“I like the job I have. I’m excited about the new challenges and the opportunity, but I also look forward to being the president of Great Schools Partnership again," he said.

“I don’t have a lot of K through 12 teaching experience," Thomas continued. "I was a college professor for a while, I taught law at Georgetown University and that’s great, but that’s very different from teaching a room of first graders that are required by law to be there.”

Great Schools Partnership Treasurer, and Knoxville Chamber President, Mike Edwards said he expects Thomas to thrive in his new role.

“An interim period can be very disruptive for any organization, and particularly a school district," Edwards said. "I think that his will be not interruptive. I think he will be able to lead with great grace and wisdom, and we’ll be just fine.”

He said the experience Thomas gains working for Knox County Schools will not only benefit students and teachers in that realm, but also come back to help the nonprofit organization.

“While his leadership will be clearly missed, I don’t think we’ll miss a beat in the schools where we’re doing projects,” Edwards said. “When he returns, he will be even much better prepared to lead the Great Schools.”

Great Schools Partnership will soon meet to choose its interim president to replace Thomas, as he starts his new post around June.

More than dozen qualify for state, federal, Farragut elections

State Rep. Martin Daniel – whose recent comments about ISIS recruitment placed him at the center of recent controversy – has drawn three opponents in his re-election bid for the 18th District seat.

He is the only local state House member whose seat is up this term who faces a challenger in the Aug. 4 state primary.

The deadline to qualify for this summer’s state and federal primaries was noon Thursday.

As it stands, there are seven state House seats, one state Senate seat and one Congressional House seat up for grabs.

In addition, the town of Farragut, which holds its election on the same day, has two races for alderman seats.

Here’s a snapshot of those contests: 

• No one challenged long-time Republican Congressman John Duncan Jr in the primary but he will face Stuart Starr, a Democrat from Loudon County, in the Nov. 8 general election.
   
• No one challenged Duncan’s sister, Becky Duncan Massey, for her 6th District state Senate seat in either the primary or general election.
   
• Local Legislative delegation Chairman Eddie Smith, who is in his first term, does not have an opponent in the primary for the 13th District seat. But, he will face his predecessor Gloria Johnson, a Democrat, in the November general election, which sets up a rematch from 2014.
   
• No one qualified to run against Republican Jason Zachary, who won a special election last year for the 14thDistrict seat. However, he will face Democrat Scott Hacker in the general election.
   
• Joe Armstrong, the only Democrat in the local Legislative delegation, doesn't have an opponent for the 15th District seat in the primary. But, he faces perennial candidate and independent Pete Drew in November. However, Armstrong also is scheduled to go on trial Aug. 2 for charges of tax evasion and defrauding the IRS in connection with an alleged cigarette tax scheme.
   
• 16th District state Rep. Bill Dunn doesn’t have any opposition in either the primary or general election; nor does 19th District state Rep. Harry Brooks.
   
• 89th District state Rep. Roger Kane will not face an opponent in the primary, but Democrat Heather Hensley qualified to challenge him in November.

In Farragut, Ward 1 incumbent Louise Povlin, the owner of Anytime Fitness and a member of the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission, will face Richard Cataldi, a career military officer and former member of the town’s planning committee.

No one qualified to challenge Ron Williams for the Ward II seat.

The Farragut elections are non-partisan.

Most of the state candidates probably won’t begin campaigning heavily for another few months.

That more than likely won’t be the case for the 18th District state House seat currently held by Martin.

Martin, a Knoxville Republican in his first term, will face Steve Hall, his predecessor whom he narrowly defeated two years ago for the seat; Bryan Dodson, a pizza deliverer and former political adviser to ex-state Sen. Stacey Campfield; and local attorney James Corcoran.

The winner will face Democrat Brandi Price, an attorney, in the November general election.

Thomas new interim superintendent

As expected, the Knox County school board unanimously voted to approve the hiring of Buzz Thomas to serve as interim schools superintendent.

The board met Wednesday afternoon in a regular session at the City County Building downtown.

On Monday in a board workshop, board member Terry Hill nominated Thomas, head of the Great Schools Partnership, to serve in the temporary position.

“I am honored to be chosen by the Board of Education for this incredibly important position," said Thomas in a release. "I know how dedicated each board member is to the well-being of our children and the success of our schools."

Board member Amber Rountree supports Thomas, but wants the search for a permanent replacement to start with someone with teaching experience.

"Having been in a school and working in a teaching role and an administrative role helps you build positive relationships with staff and it helps you make the best decision for kids," said Rountree.

Buzz Thomas recommended for interim Knox Co. superintendent position

Buzz Thomas

Buzz Thomas, the head of the Great Schools Partnership, was nominated Monday night to serve as interim superintendent of Knox County Schools.

Board of Education member Terry Hill presented Thomas' name during a Knox County school board workshop.

About a half-dozen men had been identified as candidates, ranging from Thomas to several current schools administrators.

By agreement, board members are to formally vote Wednesday on Thomas' nomination.

Hill said she thought there was no better supporter of the school system than Thomas. She said he thought he could step away from his job to be the interim leader.

"Buzz is already a part of the leadership team for Knox County Schools so he has an in-depth knowledge of our system, even though he hasn't been an employee," Hill added.

Board members Gloria Deathridge, Lynne Fugate and board chair Doug Harris said they plan to support the nomination.

"He's got a great resume," Harris said. "He's got a lot of experience. He knows our school system and knows a lot of the players involved."

Hill reviewed nominated candidates in preparation for Monday's meeting.


Superintendent Jim McIntyre is leaving the school system in July.

Besides Thomas, other men who were nominated included Bob Thomas, a Knox County Schools assistant superintendent; Rodney Russell, director of human capital strategy at KCS; and Danny Trent, KCS secondary supervisor.

As part of the selection process, Hill interviewed candidates.

By agreement, Harris would have until April 17 to negotiate a contract with Thomas.

By policy, the person chosen for the interim role is not expected to be a candidate for permanent superintendent.  The search for a long-term leader could take up to a year and is expected to begin in September, after new school members are elected and seated.

Board members have said they want an interim leader who cares about children and who is familiar with the school system’s budget, schools and staff.

Last month, McIntyre proposed a general purpose budget of $453.5 million, an increase of $15.5 million or nearly 4 percent from the current fiscal year. The board will vote on the budget in April.

The system is composed of 90 schools and a 7,500 person workforce that includes about 5,000 teachers.

The Knox County BOE hired McIntyre in the spring of 2008, after a year-long process that included whittling down a list of 40 candidates to a handful of finalists.

Sen. McNally on 'Inside Tennessee'

Randy McNally

East Tennessee lawmaker Randy McNally doesn’t plan to change much if he becomes the state’s next Speaker of the Senate.

But, he might help push forward a gas tax, so long as a number of factors fall into place.
McNally, a Republican state senator from Oak Ridge, is the frontrunner to replace Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey who announced last month that he won’t seek re-election.

“I don’t think there will be a lot of difference – it will be a fairly smooth transition,” McNally told WBIR 10News.

Senators will vote on the next speaker in January when the General Assembly begins its next session.
McNally, who has served in either the House or Senate since 1977, is the guest on this  Sunday’s “Inside Tennessee,” WBIR 10News’ political and public affairs program, which airs at 9:30 a.m.

“I want to continue the path that (Lt.) Gov. Ramsey, the current speaker, has set out of being a very fiscal conservative legislator – making sure our debt is low, our taxes are low . . . (and) controlling growth in expenditures and making sure the essential services are providing for Tennesseans, especially growing new jobs and promoting education,” he said.

McNally, who currently serves as the chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, said he plans to spend the summer and fall working with Ramsey to help Tennessee Republicans maintain and grow their strong majority in the state Senate.

During Sunday’s discussion, McNally touches on a wide range of topics, including the state’s financial health, Insure Tennessee and funding for indigent defense.

When pressed about whether he would push for an increase in the gas tax – something Gov. Bill Haslam has floated – McNally said he would, but only under certain conditions, like limiting it to a “single digit increase.”

He told the panel that the tax is a “user fee” that “People who use the roads should pay.”

Election officials approve step so residents can vote on marijuana law

The Knox County Election Commission on Friday agreed to give residents a chance to vote on whether to legalize recreational and medical marijuana.

The vote, though, would be symbolic only since marijuana is still illegal in Tennessee.

Steven Cooper, who is spearheading the initiative, will now have until June 15 to get about 16,100 signatures from registered Knox County voters to put the two questions on the November ballot.

One question will ask whether recreational use of marijuana by people older than 21 should be allowed in Knox County.

The other concerns use of medical marijuana.

"The children with seizures, the vets with PTSD, the people with cancer, Alzheimer’s, the list goes on and on and on. It is time people in Tennessee had access to that," said Cooper, who will shoot for 20,000 signatures for each petition.

Chris Davis, assistant administrator of elections for the Knox County Election Commission, said his office will keep in regular contact with Cooper.

Davis said training, hiring “and putting people in a room for weeks on end to count signatures” will cost the county about $25,000.

Election officials said they want the ballot complete some time in September.

Cooper said Friday that he will begin collecting signatures this weekend.