BOE candidate Bounds to continue campaigning; backed by Vaughn

Not a whole lot of substance but here’s a statement from Patti Lou Bounds who is your new District 7 Board of Education member as of Sept. 1.

“I didn’t foresee Mr. Smith withdrawing from the race but we will continue the campaign as it started and that is to reach out to the residents of the 7^th District, identify their concerns, and make the educational experience the best possible for the parents, children, teachers and the administration. After all, the children are our future.”

I should note that the statement came from Bill Vaughn, a long-time political operative for the John Duncan family. (He is managing her campaign.) And while, I’m not sure what interest the Duncans would have in the school board races, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t mind putting the ol’ screws to R. Larry.

Lane withdraws from commission race

UPDATE: Jason Chandler, who is running for the 3^rd District County Commission seat, withdrew Thursday morning. That leaves, Randy Smith and Billy Stephens, both Republicans, to vie for the seat. Candidates have until noon Thursday to formally withdraw, and have their names removed from the ballot.

Rodney Lane, who is running for the 7^th District seat on the Knox County Commission, withdrew from the race this morning and threw his support behind his friend, and now former opponent Charles Busler.

Lane, who works in the county’s Property Assessor’s Office, said he would probably seek an elected office in the future, didn’t want to compete against Busler, who got into the race late.

Now that Lane is out, only Busler, a deacon at Sharon Baptist Church, and Bo Bennett, who ran unsuccessfully for the Knoxville mayoral post a couple years ago, are left.

They will face off in the May 6 Republican primary. No Democrats qualified to run, so the winner – barring a rare victory from a write-in candidate will take office on Sept. 1.

Incumbent R. Larry Smith is term-limited from running again.

The District includes the Halls and Fountain City area.

School Board candidate Bounds only one left in District 7 contest

The second candidate in what was a three-person race for the 7^th District Board of Education seat has withdrawn, paving the way for Patti Lou Bounds to take over in September.

Local entrepreneur Andrew Graybeal on Thursday morning pulled out of contest, calling Bounds “the most excellent choice.”

“She is immensely qualified and has true hands on experience in the classroom with students, faculty and the parents of the 7^th District,” he wrote in his withdrawal letter to the Knox County Election Commission. “It is with my highest regards to the citizens of Knox County to stand behind such a great lady, a member and an excellent public servant of the 7^th District.”

Graybeal had until noon Thursday to submit the official withdrawal paperwork to the commission in order to remove his name from the ballot.

Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith, another candidate, dropped out Wednesday, saying he was impressed by Bounds’ educational experience and felt that she was a “better candidate.”

Bounds’ name will still appear by default on the May 6 non-partisan primary ballot even though she’s assured a victory.

Incumbent Kim Severance opted not to seek re-election. The last day of her term is Aug. 31.

Bounds has taught in the Knox County School System for 23 years, including the last 10 as a kindergarten teacher at Brickey-McCloud Elementary School.

According to her first campaign financial disclosure report, which was filed at the end of January, she had not raised any money. That’s more than likely changed, although the next report isn’t due until April 10.

Smith had just over $24,700 in his campaign bank account at the time he filed, but he said on Wednesday that he would return what he raised in his bid for the seat.

Records indicate that Graybeal did not turn in a disclosure form, but he also hadn’t appointed a political treasurer, so it wasn’t required.

District 7 includes the Halls and Fountain City area.

There are another four school board seats up for election this year, including the ones for Districts 1, 4, 6 and 9. The school board has nine seats.

Smith submits withdrawal notice

Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith submitted his official withdrawal notice from the District 7 BOE race to the Knox County Election Commission. You can find that right smack here.

In addition, he submitted the prepared statement that he read during the news conference in which he announced that he was stepping down. You can find that right here.

Original breaking announcement right smack here.

Smith, who is term-limited on the commission, had until noon tomorrow to turn in the notice or his name would have remained on the May 6 non-partisan primary ballot.

Smith withdraws from BOE contest

R. Larry Smith

Knox County Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith on Wednesday morning said he was pulling out of the District 7 School Board race because “there are better candidates.”

Smith, who is term-limited as a commissioner, said he’s raised roughly $25,000 in his campaign bid, and that he would return the money.

That leaves, Patti Lou Bounds, a teacher, and local businessman Andrew Graybeal in the contest.

Smith said that when he made his initial announcement to run in December, he felt he would be the “best person” to serve. Since then, though, others qualified to run, including Bounds whose “educational experience” he touted during his announcement Wednesday at the 640 Building.

Smith said he was “grieved by the deficiencies in our public school classroom,” and concerned about teachers who “live under the perpetual threat of job loss because some children have little or no educational support at home.”

He added that the students and teachers “deserve better.”

“(it) is my understanding that candidates have entered this race who have educational expertise and professional experience that I do not,” he said. “The stakes are too high for me to further pursue this office, knowing that there are more qualified candidates than I. Make no mistake, I want what is best for our schools and it is clear in my mind that there are better candidates.”

“To serve, you need to have the passion, time, dedication, and it helps to have experience,” he said.

Bounds has worked int he Knox County School System for 23 years, including the past 10 as a kindergarten teacher at Brickey-McCloud Elementary School.

Smith said at this point he won’t endorse either candidate but would like to meet with them.

Smith also noted that he hasn’t ruled out a future run at office. He joked that since he raised “$25,000 in three weeks” that he might have the clout to run for county mayor one day. He also said he might sit out one four-year election cycle and then run for a commission post again.

Smith’s district includes the Halls and Fountain City area.

Smith has until noon Thursday to submit an official form to the election commission that he’s withdrawing, so that his name doesn’t appear on the ballot.

The school board non-partisan primary is set for May 6.

Incumbent Kim Severance opted not to seek re-election.

Officials looking into whether Commish Vice Chair violated policy

UPDATE: Smith says he did nothing wrong.

Knox County Commission Chairman Brad Anders this morning asked the law department to look into whether the board’s vice chairman, R. Larry Smith violated any county ethics policy when he asked a county employee to email a release to fellow commissioners and the media Tuesday afternoon to “discuss the upcoming school board race.”

The discussion will take place today at a 10 a.m. “press conference” at the 640 Building on Greenway Drive.

In the release, which was on county letterhead, Smith noted that “concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.” He did not go into details.

He asked Jolie Bonavita, who works in the commission’s office, to email the release to officials and the media. Smith, by virtue of his position on the board, is technically Bonavita’s boss.

Smith, who is term-limited as a commissioner, is a candidate in the District 7 Board of Education race and is expected to challenge Andrew Graybeal and Patti Lou Bounds in the non-partisan May primary.

Other county officials say they do not use county supplies to discuss their campaigns.

For example, County Mayor Tim Burchett on Monday used his own personal Facebook page to announce that he would no longer accept campaign contributions. Burchett will not face a challenger in his re-election bid.

When a reporter called county Communications Manager Michael Grider to talk about the announcement, Grider forwarded him to the mayor.

Grider said he would not discuss campaign-related issues during county time.

“We play it safe - we never come close to that line,” Burchett said.

BOE candidate Smith to meet with media 'concerned citizens' tomorrow

Knox County Commission Vice Chairman R. Larry Smith, who is running for the District 7 School Board seat, has scheduled a "press conference" for 10 a.m. tomorrow at the 640 Building on Greenway Drive.

He said it's open to the "media and all concerned citizens" and that he will discuss the upcoming school board race.

Smith, who is term-limited as a commissioner, will take on Andrew Graybeal and Patti Lou Bounds in the non-partisan May primary. The top two vote-getters (provided no one gets 50 percent plus one) will move on to the August general election.

Stokes releases 'Meet Billy' video

Local attorney Bill Stokes, who is running for Circuit Court Judge Division 1, has released a new campaign ad, called "Meet Billy." Stokes will take on attorneys Kristi Davis and Ray Jenkins in May's Republican Primary. No Democrats filed to run.

As always, feel free to send me your stuff and I'll post it. It's also good that we have this on hand. WBIR and the Porch will be providing the best, most accurate and most objective election coverage that you're going to find in this town - bar none!

Criminal Court Clerk's Office not updating meth registry database

Another scoop:

Roughly 30 people were convicted of methamphetamine-related crimes in Knox County last year, but almost all of them can still buy pseudoephedrine, the drug's main ingredient, despite a state-mandated database that's supposed to alert pharmacists not to sell to offenders.

The problem, though, isn't contained to just 2013.

For more than half a decade, the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk's Office has failed to properly update the Meth Offender Registry, a tool investigators and lawmakers say is crucial to combating the growing methamphetamine problem.

The registry is maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. But, criminal court clerks throughout the state are responsible for providing the bureau with the names, dates of birth and addresses, of those convicted of possessing, selling or manufacturing methamphetamine, according to state law.

Those convicted must be placed on the registry, which can be found online, for seven years. They also are banned from purchasing pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter decongestant found in cold and sinus medicines.

Records, however, show that the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk's Office rarely complies with the law.

For example, the courts have convicted 137 defendants since mid-2008, which is when Joy McCroskey took over the office, according to records. But, her department turned over data for just seven people, or about 5 percent of those convicted.

To read the rest and watch the report click right smack here.

BOE Dist. 6 candidates making moves

So, couple things regarding the District 6 school board race.

Candidate Terry Hill will host a “coffee with the candidate event” from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday at Cozy Joe’s Care & Coffee Loft on Willow Point Way. The public is invited for a complimentary cup of coffee and to meet with Hill.

One of her opponents, Tamara Shepherd, also just sent me an email, saying she hosted her kickoff event Saturday at the same place. She said “a good crowd including 10 teachers, all of whom offered to help with her campaign (as well as) commissioners Amy Broyles, Tony Norman and Dave Wright” attended.

Here’s a video clip of Shepherd’s event right smack here.

Hill, Shepherd, Sandra Rowcliffe and Brad Buchanan are vying for the District 6 seat in the May non-partisan primary. The top two vote-getters will move on the August general election (unless someone gets 50 percent plus one).

On a side note, feel free to send me your stuff and I'll post it. It's also good that we have this on hand. WBIR and the Porch will be providing the best, most accurate and most objective election coverage that you're going to find in this town - bar none!

BOE candidate Buchanan sets schedule, to host Friday fund-raiser dinner

Looks like District 6 Board of Education candidate Brad Buchanan has a busy week.

According to his latest release he’ll have a 4 p.m. question and answer session at Bella Roma Pizza in Karms for all teachers, assistants and staff.

“I will be there until the last question is answered,” he said, adding that he’ll host more session, including one with parents.

At 6 p.m. on Friday, he’s holding a chili supper (with live music) at the Karns Community Center. You can check out the flyer right smack here.

On Saturday, Buchanan will participate in the 5^th Annual Run for the Schools. He said “feel free to come by and say ‘hi.’ It’s great to meet people supporting our schools in every way they can.”

Buchanan faces Terry Tamara Shepherd, Sandra Rowcliffe and Terry Hill in the non-partisan May primary. The top two vote-getters – provided no one gets 50 percent “plus one” – will move on to the August general election.

Send me your election stuff and I'll post it. Maybe. Heh.

Burchett says he's not longer accepting campaign contributions

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, who will not face an opponent in his re-election bid, announced today on his Facebook page that he will not be accepting anymore contributions for this election.

The mayor said at this point he’s raised “just south of $40,000.”

Here’s his post: 

I am announcing today that, since I have no opposition in either the primary or general elections, I will no longer be accepting campaign contributions for my re-election race.

I am grateful to every person who has contributed to my campaign for re-election so far. Because of your generosity, I feel I now have the money I need for "Get Out the Vote" efforts and any volunteer appreciation activities.

I would much rather know that any money a supporter might have given me would instead be placed into an offering plate or used for a family's Saturday trip to Dollywood.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported me, and please know that even though I have no opposition, I will be working hard to encourage every Knox County voter to go to the polls.