Top Knox leaders in line for raises

Knox County employees and local school teachers won’t get pay raises this year, but 17 of the county’s highest paid elected officials and administrators will.

However, they didn’t ask for them, and there’s not much they can do about it.

The salary increases are pretty much state mandated and automatically factored into their paychecks, starting tomorrow, the first day of the new fiscal year.

“I believe I’m paid too much as it is and I’ve said that before,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett told WBIR 10News on Monday. “I’m paid an exorbitant amount of money and I realize that.”

HERE'S THE LIST

The mayor, who will get an almost $2,500 bump this year, said for decades various officials and organizations would lobby the state Legislature each year, asking for pay raises.

The General Assembly in 2002 eventually enacted a number of statutes that set minimum levels of compensation for officials based on a number of factors, including population size, whether state employees received raises, and the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, which measures changes in price levels of consumer goods and services.

The statutes affect the entire state, so officeholders and executives in all 95 counties are expected to get automatic raises this year.

For Knox County that means 17 officials will receive increases between $2,480 and $4,843, or about 1.5 percent to 3.3 percent.

The total combined cost? Almost $57,200.

Those leaders include, the mayor, law director, administrator of elections, circuit court clerk, criminal court clerk, clerk and mastery of chancery and probate court, county clerk, property assessor, register of deeds, sheriff, trustee, a juvenile court judge and five general sessions court judges.

You can find the complete story RIGHT HERE.

Knox Schools website gets new look

The Knox County school system has redesigned its website, although officials are claiming that they've actually launched a new website, even though it's the same address. Or something. I don't know.

CLICK RIGHT HERE TO CHECK IT OUT.

Anyhoo,  according to a news release: The new site offers families, teachers, staff and the community easier site navigation; compatibility with mobile devices and tablets; real-time student grades, attendance and other information; updated technology; a more robust search function and more.

The release continues:

In 2014, the Knox County Schools had nearly 16 million page views, an average of 107,000 per day. The Knox County Schools wants to continue to provide an effective tool that enhances student learning, provides opportunities for community feedback and encourages robust interaction.

Due to the need to complete data transfers and validation between the old and new systems, the publication of students’ class schedules for 2014-2015 will be slightly delayed. Middle and high school students can expect to receive their schedules via U.S. mail in July. School staff will be available to work with students and parents in cases where adjustments to schedules might be necessary. As usual, elementary school students’ class assignments will be posted at the schools in early August.

Personally, I felt the old site was a mess, so I look forward to checking out this one. At least visually, it's certainly more appealing, so thanks to whoever actually did the work.

State weighs in on Kincannon BOE seat; timing will be everything

Indya Kincannon

The state’s top election official has weighed in on the upcoming vacancy on the Knox County Board of Education, and timing is everything.

Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins said if the Knox County Commission accepts school board member Indya Kincannon’s resignation by Sept. 5, then the seat will appear on the November ballot.

Otherwise, it will appear on the August 2016 ballot.

Goins, in a letter sent to the Knox County Election Commission on Friday, notes that once the commission accepts the resignation, it is binding and cannot be withdrawn.

The Sept. 5 date is tied to the state’s “60-day rule,” which gives candidates sufficient time to qualify for a race.

Goins letter RIGHT SMACK HERE.

Earlier this week, Kincannon, who is in her third term on the school board, announced that she will step down Aug. 6 to accompany her family to Slovenia where her husband was recently awarded a Fullbright U.S. Scholar grant.

She has served the 2^nd District since 2004.

At this point, the Knox County Commission is expected to appoint someone to take over for her.

Further, the commission more than likely will accept her resignation by August, thus setting the stage for a Nov. 4 election, said commission Chairman Brad Anders.

The commission has a July voting meeting set for the 28^th and an August one set for the 25^th. During one of those meetings, members are expected to accept Kincannon’s resignation and appoint her replacement.

On a side note, there's already been a couple folks who have called commissioners and expressed interest in the seat. Traditionally, the board doesn't appoint folks who want to run for the position later on.

We'll see.

Mama Mia gets next lunch with mayor

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett continues his "Lunch with the Mayor" program next Wednesday (July 2) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mama Mia Cuisine, 9115 Executive Park Drive.

Mama Mia Cuisine, a locally owned restaurant, and will offer a buy-one-get-one-free lunch entrée special during the Lunch with the Mayor event, so bring a friend.

The public is invited and other elected officials may be in attendance.  As always, attendees will be responsible for purchasing their own meals.

Fansler gets notable endorsements

Daryl Fansler

Yesterday (I was out), the Committee to Re-Elect Daryl Fansler, Chancellor, Part II sent out a release, nothing the endorsement of 26 past Presidents of the Knoxville Bar Association.

“The lives of so many Knox County citizens depend upon the experience of its judiciary - from family law to business disputes - these issues are as varied as they are complex,” the release states. “They must be met by someone who has the experience, intellectual ability, honesty, professional fortitude and common sense to bring about fair resolutions. That person is Daryl R. Fansler and we ask you to support him in our legal system, again.”

Signees of the letter include Bruce A. Anderson, Heidi A. Barcus, Bernard E. Bernstein, Robert R. Campbell, J. William Coley, J. Steven Collins, Sam C. Doak, Jack B. Draper, Ruth T. Ellis, E. Bruce Foster, Jr., Thomas M. Hale, John K. Harber, James Michael Haynes, Jr., Richard L. Hollow, Reggie E. Keaton, Michael J. King, Dennis R. McClane, M. Denise Moretz, Thomas R. Ramsey III, Thomas S. Scott, Jr., Sarah Y. Sheppeard, Dwight E. Tarwater, William D. Vines III,Howard H. Vogel, Edward G. White II, Annette E. Winston.

Fansler began practicing law at Bond, Carpenter, & O'Connor before co-founding what is now Stokes, Williams, Sharp and Davies in 1989. He was elected as Knox County Chancellor, Part II, in 2006.

Fansler, a Democrat, takes on Republican Clarence Pridemore, a relatively newcomer to the legal arena.

BOE seat on November ballot? Maybe

A little update on Indya Kincannon stepping down in August from her school board seat. Initially, officials thought that the County Commission could go ahead and appoint someone to fill the spot, and that person would hold the position until the next county general election, which isn't until August 2016.

That's true if it's a partisan seat. However, school board spots are not. So, there is case law out there that suggests the county - based on timing - could go ahead and put the race on the November ticket.

A number of things need to happen and politics (obviously) could play a role. For example, Indya would need to officially  resign from the board and then the commission would need to accept it within a certain amount of time (I think 60 days), and then others would need to work to get the names, etc. on the ballot.

We'll know more in the coming days as the county election commission has asked the state for an opinion.

Kincannon leaving BOE in August

Indya Kincannon

Indya Kincannon, who is in her third term on the Knox County School Board, will step down Aug. 6.

According to a release issued by the school system, she is leaving to "accompany her family to Slovenia, where her husband was recently awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant."

She has served the 2nd District since 2004.

The Porch sincerely wishes Indya and her family all the best.  I know a lot of people didn't necessarily agree with her, but she wouldn't BS ya.

CLICK RIGHT SMACK HERE for what Indya had to say on her website.

Now, onto what happens next.

The Knox County Commission will appoint Inday's successor. There will not be a special election. The person appointed will serve until the next county general election, which won't be until August 2016 when - coincidentally - her terms expires.

(November by the way is not a county general election.)

The commission will soon start taking applications to fill the slot, and my guess is that someone will be in place in late August or in September. The board will hold public interviews, etc., and then vote.

Folks, there is going to be some serious politicking going on here. And my guess is that there's a pretty good chance that whoever is picked will not be a supporter of Superintendent Jim McIntyre.

Let's face it: The commission isn't exactly his biggest fan. 

As someone else said: Get the popcorn ready; we're looking at a political dogfight.

Heh.

Stretch of Washington Pike to close

Road construction crews will close a stretch of Washington Pike in Corryton to replace and upgrade an existing culvert, according to a county release.

The closure, beginning at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, will be on Washington Pike immediately east of Corryton Road. Traffic will detour approximately 4.5 miles via Washington Pike to Corryton Road to Emory Road.

All construction is scheduled to conclude by Aug. 11, which is the first day of school for Knox County students

Burchett looking at departmental consolidation; hasn't met with city

There's been a lot of talk about Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett's so-called proposal to unifying the two governments and creating a metro government. Look, this probably isn't happening. And it's not exactly what Burchett is proposing.

At this point, he's talking about consolidating certain departments, and it's nothing new. Whether he acts on it remains to be seen, but I suspect he probably will (eventually) reach out to City Mayor Madeline Rogero to talk about it.

And, if it saves money, I don't see why either will be opposed.

In the meantime, Jim Matheny had a great report about it yesterday. You can find it RIGHT SMACK HERE.

Additionally, check out this blast from the past - RIGHT SMACK HERE - about the 1996 consolidation vote and what happened in the election office that night.

Briggs's senate campaign now on TV

Colonel, doctor, war hero, county commissioner, nice guy Richard Briggs just released his first commercial, according to his campaign peeps.

Briggs is challenging incumbent Stacey Campfield for his 7th District state Senate seat.

According to the release, the ad:

Specifically targets Briggs’ leadership in the military, where he served for 30 years, receiving the Bronze Star and retired as a Colonel for the U.S. Army.

It also focuses on the trust he has garnered as a heart and lung surgeon for 30 years saving thousands of lives.

Briggs advocates a platform of a strong conservative who wants to create jobs, provide economic growth, improve education and ensure a strong quality of life for all Knoxvillians.

Early voting for the Aug. 7 elections begins July 18.

As always, send me your elections stuff for posting.

Election cell phone use policy set

Knox County voters won’t be able to talk on their cell phones once they enter a polling place.

Except during emergencies.

The Knox County Election Commission on Friday unanimously approved policy that establishes a new cell phone use policy for early voting and Election Day.

The policy prohibits voters from talking on their phones, however, it won’t stop them from texting or taking pictures, so long as they don’t take a picture of someone else that shows how that person voted.

“It’s not really all that dramatic, but it’s something that needs to be said,” county Administrator of Elections Cliff Rodgers said. “This way the (poll workers) can point to a sign and remind (voters) if they are on the phone that they are being rude.”

Additionally, Rodgers noted that the policy also protects voters. He said residents who talk on their phone run the risk of mentioning a candidate’s name aloud or talking about an issue, which would violate the state’s “100-foot” rule that bands any type of campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place.

Rodgers said he doesn’t expect problems from the new policy, adding that “most folks are reasonable.”

“We’re hoping people will be respectful and for the most part people are,” he said.

The policy will take effect beginning with early voting for the Aug. 7 elections.

The move comes as the county’s election commission received a complaint during the May primary that at least one voter at the Larry Cox precinct distracted and upset voters because he talked while inside the voting booth.

The state doesn't have a policy about using cell phones inside voting locations, so the decision is left to individual counties. Rodgers said that he's checked with other election administrators and policies vary from allowing cell phones to out-right banning them.

Still early but some now vying for commission board leadership seats

Brad Anders, L, Dave Wright, R

We’re still a ways off, but already there’s talk in the background around about who will serve as the Knox County Commission chair during the next go-around.

Brad Anders holds the leadership post right now, and he wants another shot. And, from what I’m hearing, so, too, does Commissioner Dave Wright.

As it stands, a board member can hold the seat twice during a four-year term.

Additionally, there’s talk that Amy Broyles is seeking the vice chair position. (R. Larry Smith currently holds it, but he can’t seek re-election due to term limits.)

Amy Broyles

In the coming months expects to see a number of  “sunshine” notices going out as individual members meet for lunch, dinner, whatever, to talk about “county business.” (Yes, that’s a hint: They will be politicking for the gig.)

The 11-member board selects the chair and vice chair seats during its annual reorganizational meeting, which will more than likely take place on Sept. 2. The seats are good for one year.

The chair runs commission meetings and sets the monthly agenda. He or she also oversees the board’s three-member staff, determines how the board’s public meetings will be handled, and often serves as the liaison between the public and the board.

The chair by default also serves on a number of boards, including the Great Schools Partnership and usually the pension board.

The vice chair caries out the chair’s duties when he or she is not available and helps run board meetings.

It’s certainly too early to call at this point what will happen, although I see two scenarios playing out. Either Brad and Dave go into a board “election,” or there’s some sort of understanding hammered out that Brad stays on as chair and Dave takes over as vice chair with a somewhat understanding that he’ll sit in as chairman next year.

I haven’t heard much talk about the vice chair seat other than Broyles is interested in it.

Personally, I don’t think there’s any way that either of the four new guys coming onto the board will ask for or get appointed to either seat.

That then leaves Brad, Dave, Amy, Sam McKenzie, Mike Brown, Jeff Ownby and Richard Briggs, who is in own political contest for a state Senate seat.