Tuesday, February 06, 2007

February 6, 2007 Knox N-S Sues Knox County Commission

Two things you don't want to watch being made: sausage and laws.

Now there's a third: Appointments by Knox County Commission to fill the offices of term-limited officials.

I haven't commented much up until now because I wanted to wait until some of the air cleared.

Well, it looks like the air may never clear!

Conflicts, cronyism, and GOB/GOG (good ole boys/good ole girls) deal-making were at their worst throughout the whole debacle.

A former drug-dealing son was appointed to replace mom (Diane Jordan).

One term-limited commissioner (Billy Tindell) was appointed by his colleagues to replace the County Clerk.

Another term-limited commissioner (Mark Cawood) voted for the new Sheriff (J.J. Jones) and, surprise, now this ex-commissioner is working for the new Sheriff.

And just for good measure, this ex-commissioner's wife (Sharon Cawood) was appointed to take his old commission seat. [The Knox Sheriff's Department has a strong hold on several commissioners as well as commissioners' wives, husbands, and other relatives.]

And the new Sheriff (J.J.Jones)? He immediately hired his old boss ex-Sheriff Tim Hutchison to stay on as chief deputy.

The News-Sentinel has filed suit to clear the air about the process and to try and bring some Sunshine in.

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