March 21, 2008 Stancil Ford: There Is An Inquiry Going On

Yesterday's Hamblen County Commission meeting was over almost as soon as it began. Votes were quickly taken. There was little or no discussion.

About the only time you heard anyone speak --other than Chairman Ford--was during the public comment portion of the meeting.

There was one public comment. It was made by an individual who identified himself as Mr. Walker.

When Mr. Walker started to approach the microphone, one county commissioner began squirming and turned to Chairman Ford and asked the Chairman not to let Mr. Walker speak.

Chairman Ford, however, wisely chose to allow Mr. Walker to speak during the part of the meeting that is open for public comments.

Mr. Walker asked why he had to pay $750 to get a vehicle out of impound. At that point, Chairman Ford told Mr. Walker that there was an ongoing "inquiry" about the $750 that he had had to pay to get his vehicle.

Apparently, Chairman Ford, the commissioners, the press, and many others in and around the Courthouse are aware of the issue that sparked Mr. Walker's question and are also aware of the reason that one particular commissioner did not want Mr. Walker to be allowed to speak at all.

After Mr. Walker's question and Chairman Ford's response, no other official said a word.