Wednesday, December 31, 2008

December 31, 2008 County Issues a "Cease and Desist" Order

The County Commission met with the County Planning Commission on Monday, December 29. The hot item, as it has been for several months, was outdoor shooting ranges and establishing regulations to limit where in the county they can be located.

The Planning Commission has received many complaints about noise and about individuals and groups shooting various size guns close to a nearby east-end subdivision.

According to a source, it is my understanding that the Planning Commission had the county attorney prepare a "cease and desist" order that has been served on the individuals who own the property where the shooting is taking place.

Even though the meeting was on Monday morning, there was nothing in the Tribune on Tuesday. My guess is that this will be reported in the newspaper on Wednesday (today) or at least on Thursday.

[NOTE: I just received a comment from "Happy" on this post. Happy, I will be glad to post your comment if I can verify your name. I have a policy of not posting anonymous comments due to profane and crude comments that have made at various times by "anonymous" individuals who don't have the courage or the facts to stand behind what they say. While your post does not fit in this category, the policy applies to all remarks--whether they contain praise, criticism, or just general commentary. If you will call me at 586-9246 or send another comment giving your name and phone #, I will verify the information and then publish your comment. Thanks for reading!]

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

December 30, 2008 Parker and King Demoted but Keep County Jobs. King Resigns Constable Position Effective December 31
















Hamblen County Constable Paul King has resigned as Constable with an effective date of December 31. His resignation letter (above left) is dated December 9 and is addressed To Whom It May Concern. The "December 9" resignation letter was not turned in until December 16.

King's resignation had first been requested by County Mayor David Purkey in a December 5th letter to King (above). When the County Mayor received no response from King, the Hamblen County Ethics Committee met on December 15 and backed up the request for King's resignation. Apparently, the next day (December 16), King turned in his "December 9" resignation letter to Wanda Neal, Administrator of Elections, and she faxed it to county attorney Rusty Cantwell.

King was manager of Cherokee Park when he and his boss (Cherokee Park Director Frank Parker) were indicted in May 2008 by a Hamblen County grand jury for theft over $500 for charging Albert Walker $750 to get Walker's car out of the Sheriff's impound lot when both knew that no money was due to remove the car. [Parker was also indicted for felony official misconduct].




On December 5, County Mayor David Purkey sent a disciplinary letter to each man. (Click on images above to enlarge and read).

Frank Parker was demoted from Director of Cherokee Park to Maintenance Technician and was "suspended without pay for multiple three (3) day periods encompassing the month of February."

Paul King was demoted to Sanitation Worker, suspended without pay for multiple 3-day periods encompassing the month of January, and "transferred to an undetermined county department effective February 1, 2009." County Mayor Purkey also requested King's resignation as constable to avoid ouster proceedings.

On December 16, King finally turned in his resignation letter to Wanda Neal.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

December 25, 2008 Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas To All!
Click on the song title below for the lyrics and music to many wonderful Christmas songs.


Do You Hear What I Hear?


Said the night wind to the little lamb, do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb, do you see what I see?

A star, a star, dancing in the night,
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song, high above the trees,
With a voice as big as the sea,
With a voice as big as the sea.

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king, do you know what I know?

A Child, a Child shivers in the cold,
Let us bring Him silver and gold,
Let us bring Him silver and gold.

Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say.
Pray for peace, people everywhere! listen to what I say.

The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night,
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light.