The new Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri made the front page of the Sunday newspaper expressing concerns about the fact that Jefferson County has been making interest-only payments on the county debt and shuffling money all around.
Hamblen County has been doing the very same thing---and more. See recent posts here and here.
Here are some bits and pieces of Palmieri's discussion of the type of financial sleight-of-hand that occurs when power is centralized, checks and balances are ignored, and no one asks and no one answers tough financial questions.
---------------------------------
Palmieri took office as county mayor Sept. 1, replacing Gary Holloway (sic) who had served in the office for 20 years. The issues, according to Palmieri, include the justice center which is $2 million over budget...
...the planning for the $14 million center did not take into consideration staffing and utilities issues. "Those issues should have been handled up front," he said.
Although the sheriff was told initially that the bond issue included funding for those areas, he now says "the money was spent for other things."
Palmieri points out that the county also is facing a school building project...
He says the cost of the school expansion project has ranged from $18 million to $70 million and "somehow we are going to have to deal with how we’ll fund that project and how soon we’ll get it off the ground."....
The county mayor will make a proposal for a 12-year plan to eliminate the county’s current $63 million debt, take care of the school building needs and develop an industrial park without raising the county property tax rate.
Palmieri is tight lipped about his financing plan or how much he will propose for the various needs of the county, but he is critical of the past practice of "making interest payments but no payments on the principal of the debt."
-----------------------------
Hamblen County? Same financial story, but no newspaper articles.
There won't be a front-page story with the truth from an elected official or from an investigative reporter about what's going on here.
There won't be a picture of the County Mayor and an article where he expresses concern about years and years of interest-only payments and switching money around.
There won't be a story where the paper or commissioners ask questions and report the Hamblen County Mayor's role and actions in bypassing county commission in making an appropriation of money.
The Mayor just takes a county matching funds spending resolution, signs it, has his employee sign it, and then sends it to the state along with a letter falsely telling the state that the matching funds resolution he signed was voted on and approved by the commission.
Who needs a commission to make an appropriation of money as required by law when the Mayor just signs, seals, and delivers it without bothering to get a vote?
There won't be a story where the Hamblen County Mayor is asked to explain why he enrolled the director of one local non-profit organization, his close personal and political friend, on the county's insurance but didn't offer the same enrollment/payment deal to other non-profit directors.
No questions about whether it was legal to put the friend on in the first place. No questions about, if it was legal, why weren't other non-profits given the same opportunity?
The 11-year shell game has gone ka-put. Now what?
Where is the man or woman on commission--or anywhere else--who is prepared to insist that the Mayor answer truthfully to allegations of falsifying documents, putting friends on the county insurance, and shifting money around without authorization?
Where is the man or woman on commission--or anywhere else--who is prepared to publicly say that such actions, if true, show abuse of office and contempt for our system of checks and balances?
Where is the man or woman on commission--or anywhere else--who will start to ask questions and really watch the county's finances closely.
A newly-elected official in Jefferson County is opening up the information pipeline, admitting problems, and using common sense to address the issues.
Anything less than that in Hamblen County, and you're just rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
December 4, 2006 Tribune Article on Jefferson County Finances
Economic realities and financial problems in Jefferson County made the front page of the Citizen-Tribune yesterday.
Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri has called for a special meeting of the Jefferson County Commission today.
Palmieri apparently plans to tell the Jefferson County Commission about years and years of piling up debt and then making interest-only payments on that debt, shuffling money around, and no planning.
These financial practices seem to have placed the county in a bad situation---especially with justice center funding and another school building program just around the corner.
Now what will the members of the Jefferson County Commission say and do?
Who was asking questions during the years of these interest-only payments? Were Commissioners checking to see that money went where it was supposed to or did they just blindly trust someone else to spend the money like it was supposed to be spent?
For a moment as I read the story, I thought I was reading about Hamblen County because my recent posts here and here report the very same financially disastrous activities: interest-only payments, switching money around, no planning, and little accountability.
Unwise financial practices are now coming home to roost in Jefferson and Hamblen counties. In Hamblen, the problems are the result of a lack of checks and balances, a huge fear of asking questions, and a lack of openness and truthfulness.
And the taxpayers are in for a world of hurt.
When elected officials find themselves doing favors and providing cover for themselves and for one another instead of serving the people and being honest, the stink eventually comes out.
The full Tribune article on Jefferson County can be found here. Since the link may or may not work in the future, I'll provide a fuller report later.
Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri has called for a special meeting of the Jefferson County Commission today.
Palmieri apparently plans to tell the Jefferson County Commission about years and years of piling up debt and then making interest-only payments on that debt, shuffling money around, and no planning.
These financial practices seem to have placed the county in a bad situation---especially with justice center funding and another school building program just around the corner.
Now what will the members of the Jefferson County Commission say and do?
Who was asking questions during the years of these interest-only payments? Were Commissioners checking to see that money went where it was supposed to or did they just blindly trust someone else to spend the money like it was supposed to be spent?
For a moment as I read the story, I thought I was reading about Hamblen County because my recent posts here and here report the very same financially disastrous activities: interest-only payments, switching money around, no planning, and little accountability.
Unwise financial practices are now coming home to roost in Jefferson and Hamblen counties. In Hamblen, the problems are the result of a lack of checks and balances, a huge fear of asking questions, and a lack of openness and truthfulness.
And the taxpayers are in for a world of hurt.
When elected officials find themselves doing favors and providing cover for themselves and for one another instead of serving the people and being honest, the stink eventually comes out.
The full Tribune article on Jefferson County can be found here. Since the link may or may not work in the future, I'll provide a fuller report later.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
December 2, 2006 Public Corruption Arrests in Memphis
Shelby County /Memphis government officials have made the news again with more indictments for bribery.
Just a year or so after federal prosecutors issued Tennessee Waltz indictments against several Shelby County/Memphis officials, the most prominent of whom was State Sen. John Ford, operation "Main Street Sweeper" has resulted in bribery charges against two Memphis City Councilmen.
The indicted Memphis City Councilmen are Rickey Peete and Edmund Ford.
Does the second name have a familiar political ring?
Edmund Ford is former State Senator John Ford's brother. He is also Harold Ford, Sr.'s brother and Harold Ford Jr.'s uncle.
The mythical and powerful Ford machine now has the dubious distinction of having a family member indicted in the "Tennessee Waltz" scandal (John) and in the "Main Street Sweeper" scandal (Edmund).
In a separate investigation dubbed "Clean Sweep," former Shelby County Commissioner Joe Cooper was indicted for money laundering.
A news video about the arrests can be seen on Memphis TV. Click here for the video site. Then scroll down on the video list to the right of the media player screen and click on Criminal Complaint for the Peete, Ford, and Cooper video.
Just a year or so after federal prosecutors issued Tennessee Waltz indictments against several Shelby County/Memphis officials, the most prominent of whom was State Sen. John Ford, operation "Main Street Sweeper" has resulted in bribery charges against two Memphis City Councilmen.
The indicted Memphis City Councilmen are Rickey Peete and Edmund Ford.
Does the second name have a familiar political ring?
Edmund Ford is former State Senator John Ford's brother. He is also Harold Ford, Sr.'s brother and Harold Ford Jr.'s uncle.
The mythical and powerful Ford machine now has the dubious distinction of having a family member indicted in the "Tennessee Waltz" scandal (John) and in the "Main Street Sweeper" scandal (Edmund).
In a separate investigation dubbed "Clean Sweep," former Shelby County Commissioner Joe Cooper was indicted for money laundering.
A news video about the arrests can be seen on Memphis TV. Click here for the video site. Then scroll down on the video list to the right of the media player screen and click on Criminal Complaint for the Peete, Ford, and Cooper video.
December 2, 2006 Dep. Gov. Dave Cooley Resigns
Tennessee's Deputy Gov. Dave Cooley has submitted his resignation. Two weeks ago, I predicted this was coming in a Nov. 16 post. See other recent posts on Cooley: Part I and Part II. [This blog post has been updated with more information and more links on Cooley]
Actions by Cooley that likely led to this departure are included in the above posts and are also mentioned in the News-Sentinel article. Most problems stemmed from Cooley's close connections to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. THP and other problems are also mentioned here in a Tennessean article from December 2005.
Cooley was a consultant in regard to THP promotions. The N-S article notes that this "role [] came under closer scrutiny after Cooley had a speeding ticket fixed by a lieutenant in late 2004."
Later, the THP's top two officials and the Safety Commissioner resigned as reports came out of troopers with criminal backgrounds, additional allegations of ticket-fixing, rampant cronyism, conflicts of interest, and political arm-twisting.
Cooley's official resignation was simple. Conflicts of interest are simple, too.
Today's News-Sentinel article is here. A good review of Cooley's four years as Dep. Gov. is also found here in the Nashville Tennessean.
Actions by Cooley that likely led to this departure are included in the above posts and are also mentioned in the News-Sentinel article. Most problems stemmed from Cooley's close connections to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. THP and other problems are also mentioned here in a Tennessean article from December 2005.
Cooley was a consultant in regard to THP promotions. The N-S article notes that this "role [] came under closer scrutiny after Cooley had a speeding ticket fixed by a lieutenant in late 2004."
Later, the THP's top two officials and the Safety Commissioner resigned as reports came out of troopers with criminal backgrounds, additional allegations of ticket-fixing, rampant cronyism, conflicts of interest, and political arm-twisting.
Cooley's official resignation was simple. Conflicts of interest are simple, too.
Today's News-Sentinel article is here. A good review of Cooley's four years as Dep. Gov. is also found here in the Nashville Tennessean.
Friday, December 01, 2006
December 1, 2006 More on Hamblen County Debt
Yesterday, I posted information about the county's existing debt and the interest-only debt payments that have been made on that debt for the past several years.
The effect of interest-only debt payments has been largely ignored, but the impact is going to be felt soon in the form of higher taxes as the county moves toward taking on even more debt.
Current discussions center around taking on tens of millions of dollars in new debt at the very same time that the county finally starts to pay down the principal on the forty-million dollars of old debt.
How did we get in this situation?
As former Commissioner Dennis Alvis said, "We've been robbing Peter to pay Paul and now Peter's left town." Yep. Peter woke up and got out of Dodge before all his money was gone.
There are lots of factors behind the current debt. I've mentioned financial problems in Hamblen County in previous posts. There are plenty of problems out there.
False financial information is provided and goes unquestioned.
The Garbage Fund goes broke in early fiscal year 2003 and money is hurriedly switched around to keep it going.
The General Fund goes broke at the end of fiscal year 2003, and the new state auditors come in and help prop up the General Fund by dumping money that was in several small funds into the General (Government) Fund so the bills can be paid.
Later, tax rates are switched around with money taken from the Debt Fund and put into the General Fund---again to prop up the General Fund.
It's all very interconnected. But if you actually try to "follow the money trail" in Hamblen County, you will find that it's a very twisted and tightly-controlled shell game.
Now you see it. Now you don't. Now it's here. Now it's there. Now it's who knows where.
And if you are so unkind as to dare ask where your local tax dollars have gone, well, just don't try that. That's not what a good little taxpayer does.
The government needs more of your money--and no questions, please. The government is going to get that money from you---through property taxes, wheel taxes, sales taxes, special fees, or all of the above---and no questions, please.
The effect of interest-only debt payments has been largely ignored, but the impact is going to be felt soon in the form of higher taxes as the county moves toward taking on even more debt.
Current discussions center around taking on tens of millions of dollars in new debt at the very same time that the county finally starts to pay down the principal on the forty-million dollars of old debt.
How did we get in this situation?
As former Commissioner Dennis Alvis said, "We've been robbing Peter to pay Paul and now Peter's left town." Yep. Peter woke up and got out of Dodge before all his money was gone.
There are lots of factors behind the current debt. I've mentioned financial problems in Hamblen County in previous posts. There are plenty of problems out there.
False financial information is provided and goes unquestioned.
The Garbage Fund goes broke in early fiscal year 2003 and money is hurriedly switched around to keep it going.
The General Fund goes broke at the end of fiscal year 2003, and the new state auditors come in and help prop up the General Fund by dumping money that was in several small funds into the General (Government) Fund so the bills can be paid.
Later, tax rates are switched around with money taken from the Debt Fund and put into the General Fund---again to prop up the General Fund.
It's all very interconnected. But if you actually try to "follow the money trail" in Hamblen County, you will find that it's a very twisted and tightly-controlled shell game.
Now you see it. Now you don't. Now it's here. Now it's there. Now it's who knows where.
And if you are so unkind as to dare ask where your local tax dollars have gone, well, just don't try that. That's not what a good little taxpayer does.
The government needs more of your money--and no questions, please. The government is going to get that money from you---through property taxes, wheel taxes, sales taxes, special fees, or all of the above---and no questions, please.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
November 29, 2006 Local taxes: Going UP!
If you could just sit on the outside and watch, local tax discussions would be entertaining.
But when higher tax payments constantly hit you in the pocketbook, it's no longer amusing.
The spectre of much higher taxes for Hamblen Countians is just a few months away. East and West High need repairs and new construction.
How to pay for that work raises questions about the county's total debt and debt repayment schedule.
Can the county pay for the proposed school construction without raising taxes? Hasn't the debt from the last major school construction program (1998) been paid down some?
Well, let's start with a few basics.
How much does the county owe?
About $40 million. (And that figure does not include the hospital debt that the county is responsible for if M-H Hospital is at some point not able to make its debt payments).
What was the $40 million spent on?
Most of the $40 million was spent on two new middle schools and renovations to about 14 other schools in the 1998 school building program. Some of the debt was for other county projects like the courthouse addition and jail annex, etc.
Haven't we paid off at least some of this debt by now?
Well, the answer would be yes IF the county had been paying principal and interest on this debt for the past 8 years (like most people do with a car loan or mortgage).
But the county didn't pay principal and interest on this debt over the past 8 years.
Instead, the county made interest-only payments. The County Mayor, Trustee, and Commissioners that were serving in 1998 set up this "interest-only" payment plan.
So it's 2006, and the county taxpayers still owe that same $40 million.
Now there is a request for more borrowing---- $20 million (+ or -) for school construction and who knows what else.
And if you live in the City of Morristown, you've got all that county debt coupled with your existing city debt and a bajillion-dollar city sewer construction bill that just keeps climbing.
And if a new 200 to 500-inmate jail is tossed in there, just hold on to your hats and your pocketbook.
When former Commissioner Dennis Alvis took office in 2002, he said: "We've been robbing Peter to pay Paul and now Peter has left town." I'm not sure that Commissioner Alvis was aware of how true those words were.
You always hear that everything is "for the children." That seems to be especially true with the county debt.
I thought you were supposed to try and leave your children something--and debt is not that something!
I guess I didn't get the "borrow, spend it, and pass the debt on" memo.
But when higher tax payments constantly hit you in the pocketbook, it's no longer amusing.
The spectre of much higher taxes for Hamblen Countians is just a few months away. East and West High need repairs and new construction.
How to pay for that work raises questions about the county's total debt and debt repayment schedule.
Can the county pay for the proposed school construction without raising taxes? Hasn't the debt from the last major school construction program (1998) been paid down some?
Well, let's start with a few basics.
How much does the county owe?
About $40 million. (And that figure does not include the hospital debt that the county is responsible for if M-H Hospital is at some point not able to make its debt payments).
What was the $40 million spent on?
Most of the $40 million was spent on two new middle schools and renovations to about 14 other schools in the 1998 school building program. Some of the debt was for other county projects like the courthouse addition and jail annex, etc.
Haven't we paid off at least some of this debt by now?
Well, the answer would be yes IF the county had been paying principal and interest on this debt for the past 8 years (like most people do with a car loan or mortgage).
But the county didn't pay principal and interest on this debt over the past 8 years.
Instead, the county made interest-only payments. The County Mayor, Trustee, and Commissioners that were serving in 1998 set up this "interest-only" payment plan.
So it's 2006, and the county taxpayers still owe that same $40 million.
Now there is a request for more borrowing---- $20 million (+ or -) for school construction and who knows what else.
And if you live in the City of Morristown, you've got all that county debt coupled with your existing city debt and a bajillion-dollar city sewer construction bill that just keeps climbing.
And if a new 200 to 500-inmate jail is tossed in there, just hold on to your hats and your pocketbook.
When former Commissioner Dennis Alvis took office in 2002, he said: "We've been robbing Peter to pay Paul and now Peter has left town." I'm not sure that Commissioner Alvis was aware of how true those words were.
You always hear that everything is "for the children." That seems to be especially true with the county debt.
I thought you were supposed to try and leave your children something--and debt is not that something!
I guess I didn't get the "borrow, spend it, and pass the debt on" memo.
Monday, November 27, 2006
November 27, 2006 Remembering A Wonderful Thanksgiving
I hope that Thanksgiving was a warm, special holiday for all.
Ron and I visited with our families. Our son Will and his wife Dr. Katie Kanipe-Noe live in town, and our daughters Jenny and Katie were home on holiday break from school.
The food was great---as always.
At Thanksgiving dinner, my family has a traditional meal of turkey, cranberry sauce, olives, tossed salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, lima bean casserole, pumpkin and assorted other pies, and other goodies.
We each have a food "assignment." I am in charge of mashed potatoes. I am not a great cook and don't pretend to be. I guess you could say I am very much cooking-challenged.
Despite my cooking deficiency, there are two things I can make that usually turn out very nicely---mashed potatoes and chocolate chip cookies.
Now about mashed potatoes. A good mashing after cooking gets you started right. But the real secret to great mashed potatoes is plenty of butter. Isn't that a shocker!
Of course, be sure you add "just enough" milk, salt, and pepper, too.
Mash to a creamy consistency and you've got a tasty side dish that goes well with just about everything.
Packaged foods are nice for convenience, but I never use mashed potato mixes.
There is no comparison between real v. packaged when it comes to this item!
Ron and I visited with our families. Our son Will and his wife Dr. Katie Kanipe-Noe live in town, and our daughters Jenny and Katie were home on holiday break from school.
The food was great---as always.
At Thanksgiving dinner, my family has a traditional meal of turkey, cranberry sauce, olives, tossed salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, lima bean casserole, pumpkin and assorted other pies, and other goodies.
We each have a food "assignment." I am in charge of mashed potatoes. I am not a great cook and don't pretend to be. I guess you could say I am very much cooking-challenged.
Despite my cooking deficiency, there are two things I can make that usually turn out very nicely---mashed potatoes and chocolate chip cookies.
Now about mashed potatoes. A good mashing after cooking gets you started right. But the real secret to great mashed potatoes is plenty of butter. Isn't that a shocker!
Of course, be sure you add "just enough" milk, salt, and pepper, too.
Mash to a creamy consistency and you've got a tasty side dish that goes well with just about everything.
Packaged foods are nice for convenience, but I never use mashed potato mixes.
There is no comparison between real v. packaged when it comes to this item!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
November 22, 2006 Happy Thanksgiving
I won't be blogging tomorrow, so Thanksgiving Day wishes are being sent to all readers today.
Food will be a part of the celebration, but the simple act of family and friends gathering together is what makes this holiday so special.
A time to be thankful as we remember that we live in a wonderful country.
A time to be thankful as we remember those who are serving this country in other lands.
A time to be thankful for our family and friends!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!
http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/pixpump2.htm
Food will be a part of the celebration, but the simple act of family and friends gathering together is what makes this holiday so special.
A time to be thankful as we remember that we live in a wonderful country.
A time to be thankful as we remember those who are serving this country in other lands.
A time to be thankful for our family and friends!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!
http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/pixpump2.htm
November 21, 2006 Tennessee Legislators: Make Mine a Double Scoop
Double-dipping. The tip on this Channel 5 info was found here.
One charge. Two payments. And some of those double payments come out of your taxpaying pocket!
Click here to read about Tennessee legislators who have been billing and collecting twice for one expense. Nothing like an all-expense paid trip where you collect those expenses twice!
And who stops this kind of abuse? Well, the people in charge of regulating campaign finances say they don't check for double-dipping.
Individuals have to do the "regulating" themselves and then file a sworn complaint before the Registry of Election Finance will take a glance at double-dipping.
It's good that there are news organizations (like Channel 5) who have investigative reporters who expose no-bid contracts, inflated charges for road work, highway patrol ticket-fixing and donations for promotions, conflicts of interest, and now double-dipping.
One charge. Two payments. And some of those double payments come out of your taxpaying pocket!
Click here to read about Tennessee legislators who have been billing and collecting twice for one expense. Nothing like an all-expense paid trip where you collect those expenses twice!
And who stops this kind of abuse? Well, the people in charge of regulating campaign finances say they don't check for double-dipping.
Individuals have to do the "regulating" themselves and then file a sworn complaint before the Registry of Election Finance will take a glance at double-dipping.
It's good that there are news organizations (like Channel 5) who have investigative reporters who expose no-bid contracts, inflated charges for road work, highway patrol ticket-fixing and donations for promotions, conflicts of interest, and now double-dipping.
Monday, November 20, 2006
November 20, 2006 Knox Sheriff Hutchison: Lumpy may have disarmed a murder suspect
News from Knoxville is that the individual that County Commissioner Lumpy Lambert disarmed last Saturday is a suspect in an earlier murder in Knox County.
A young man appeared at Lumpy's car lot on November 11th and drew a gun on the commissioner.
Lumpy then drew out his own gun and disarmed the suspect who fled the car lot and was apprehended some time later by Knox law enforcement.
Now Sheriff Tim Hutchison is saying that the individual that Lumpy disarmed is a suspect in an earlier Knox County murder.
Read the full details about Quick Draw McLumpy in today's News-Sentinel article. The article includes praise for Lumpy from Sheriff Tim Hutchison and Hutchison's comment that Lumpy's quick response that day may have saved his life.
A young man appeared at Lumpy's car lot on November 11th and drew a gun on the commissioner.
Lumpy then drew out his own gun and disarmed the suspect who fled the car lot and was apprehended some time later by Knox law enforcement.
Now Sheriff Tim Hutchison is saying that the individual that Lumpy disarmed is a suspect in an earlier Knox County murder.
Read the full details about Quick Draw McLumpy in today's News-Sentinel article. The article includes praise for Lumpy from Sheriff Tim Hutchison and Hutchison's comment that Lumpy's quick response that day may have saved his life.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
November 19, 2006 And the answer is...
There was a quick answer to Friday's Tennessee Trivia question.
Question: Who was Hamblen County named for and when was Hamblen County established?
Answer from JCS: Hezekiah Hamblen. 1870.
Question: Who was Hamblen County named for and when was Hamblen County established?
Answer from JCS: Hezekiah Hamblen. 1870.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
November 18, 2006 Three Suspects Charged in Sen. Tim Burchett Burglary
Three of the youths captured by State Senator Tim Burchett have now been charged with burglary in connection with a break-in at a warehouse where Burchett stores old motorcycles and parts.
Burchett staked out the warehouse and caught the youths on Wednesday, Nov. 15. See previous post.
Read the follow-up story in the Knoxville News-Sentinel here.
Burchett staked out the warehouse and caught the youths on Wednesday, Nov. 15. See previous post.
Read the follow-up story in the Knoxville News-Sentinel here.
Friday, November 17, 2006
November 17, 2006 Tennessee Trivia Quiz
Time again for Tennessee Trivia!
Today's question has a decidedly local (Hamblen County) flavor.
When was Hamblen County established and for whom is it named?
E-mail answers to noe4accountability@yahoo.com
Have a great weekend!
Today's question has a decidedly local (Hamblen County) flavor.
When was Hamblen County established and for whom is it named?
E-mail answers to noe4accountability@yahoo.com
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
November 16, 2006 State Sen. Tim Burchett Nabs Suspects
It looks like Knox County Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert is not the only elected official who has decided that "enough's enough" in the crime arena. Click here for the story on Lumpy.
Yesterday, State Senator Tim Burchett nabbed four youths in connection with a break-in at a warehouse where Burchett keeps old motorcycles and parts.
Three motorcycles and a camera had been stolen previously, so Burchett had been staking out the warehouse on his own.
Saying he is sick and tired of crime and of being a victim of crime, Burchett was armed yesterday and nabbed four young people at his warehouse on Amherst after they had allegedly broken into his warehouse.
Burchett held the four at bay---and fed them chocolate chip cookies---until officers arrived. Burchett said he would press charges because he figures the parents only punishment might be to take away the kids' "Gameboy" for an afternoon.
Click here for the full story in today's Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Yesterday, State Senator Tim Burchett nabbed four youths in connection with a break-in at a warehouse where Burchett keeps old motorcycles and parts.
Three motorcycles and a camera had been stolen previously, so Burchett had been staking out the warehouse on his own.
Saying he is sick and tired of crime and of being a victim of crime, Burchett was armed yesterday and nabbed four young people at his warehouse on Amherst after they had allegedly broken into his warehouse.
Burchett held the four at bay---and fed them chocolate chip cookies---until officers arrived. Burchett said he would press charges because he figures the parents only punishment might be to take away the kids' "Gameboy" for an afternoon.
Click here for the full story in today's Knoxville News-Sentinel.
November 16, 2006 Dep. Gov. Cooley: Report from Knox Hearing
A federal judge will have to decide whether to open the TBI investigative file on Tennessee Dep. Governor Dave Cooley to an attorney for a THP officer who was fired. The file is said to contain 300+ pages.
One official who has looked at the file---and read every word---says that it contains nothing connected to the suit filed by Sgt. Farmer.
The attorney for Farmer maintains that the file still might be important because it may show a pattern of corruption and political retribution connected to Cooley and the THP.
Whether Cooley's file does or doesn't have a direct connection to the Farmer case, just the fact that the THP and Cooley are in the news again is not good for Gov. Bredesen. All this may lead to Cooley's resignation---at last.
Click here to read the N-S article. Click here, here, here, and here for my previous posts on Cooley and family.
One official who has looked at the file---and read every word---says that it contains nothing connected to the suit filed by Sgt. Farmer.
The attorney for Farmer maintains that the file still might be important because it may show a pattern of corruption and political retribution connected to Cooley and the THP.
Whether Cooley's file does or doesn't have a direct connection to the Farmer case, just the fact that the THP and Cooley are in the news again is not good for Gov. Bredesen. All this may lead to Cooley's resignation---at last.
Click here to read the N-S article. Click here, here, here, and here for my previous posts on Cooley and family.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
November 15, 2006 Dep. Gov. Dave Cooley on the Way Out (Part I)
The latest saga on Tennessee Deputy Governor Dave Cooley is complicated and will take two posts. This is Part I. Scroll down to Part II.
I blogged on this story back on February 26, 2006 in State Conflicts of Interest: Money and Influence
COOLEY (PART I)
In the politically correct way of starting the ball rolling to get rid of someone tainted with scandal, Gov. Bredesen is quoted in a November 9th article in the Nashville Tennessean as saying that Dep. Gov. Dave Cooley is considering returning to private life though the governor would love to keep him.
The Tennessean article notes that Cooley has been a "controversial" figure during Bredesen's first term but Bredesen has stood by Cooley for four years.
Cooley has been a controversial figure during Bredesen's first term. He had a speeding ticket fixed with help from a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, and he was involved in the politically charged promotions process at the patrol. Throughout the controversies Bredesen stood by Cooley, but there has been speculation for months that Cooley would leave after the election.
Cooley said Wednesday that he has not made a decision on his future but hopes to make one after getting some rest and talking to his family and the governor.
After less than a week of "rest" and "talking," another Tennessean article pops up. Guess what? Scroll down to Part II!
I blogged on this story back on February 26, 2006 in State Conflicts of Interest: Money and Influence
COOLEY (PART I)
In the politically correct way of starting the ball rolling to get rid of someone tainted with scandal, Gov. Bredesen is quoted in a November 9th article in the Nashville Tennessean as saying that Dep. Gov. Dave Cooley is considering returning to private life though the governor would love to keep him.
The Tennessean article notes that Cooley has been a "controversial" figure during Bredesen's first term but Bredesen has stood by Cooley for four years.
Cooley has been a controversial figure during Bredesen's first term. He had a speeding ticket fixed with help from a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, and he was involved in the politically charged promotions process at the patrol. Throughout the controversies Bredesen stood by Cooley, but there has been speculation for months that Cooley would leave after the election.
Cooley said Wednesday that he has not made a decision on his future but hopes to make one after getting some rest and talking to his family and the governor.
After less than a week of "rest" and "talking," another Tennessean article pops up. Guess what? Scroll down to Part II!
November 15, 2006 Dep. Gov. Dave Cooley on the Way Out (Part II)
Today's Tennessean has an article that may have a clue about the real reason that Tennessee Dep. Gov. Dave Cooley is now thinking about resigning his office and returning to private life. See Part I (above) and click on the link to the Tennessean's November 9th article about Cooley.
It looks like Cooley's real reason for thinking about resigning may be related to a federal hearing in Knoxville this morning concerning his infamous ticket-fixing episode.
Cooley is probably not "resting" and "talking" today because the ticket-fixing deal was only one of many instances where Cooley used and abused his office for personal and family gain. Click here for my February 11 post about Dave and Melanie and their actions. And here for another post on February 26.
What prompts all this?
Well, it seems that the TBI case file of Deputy Gov. Dave Cooley's fixed ticket investigation will be the topic of a federal hearing in Knoxville today.
A former Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, who is suing Cooley, the department and several of its former top leaders, wants access to the file. Bryan Farmer, a former lieutenant, claims in a federal lawsuit that he was harassed and forced from the department by the Democratic administration because he supported the Republican party. His attorney, Arthur F. Knight, wants to review the file to search for evidence that may bolster Farmer's case.
The state is withholding the file, claiming it is not a public record. State law says TBI investigative files are closed and not subject to inspection, except in a few narrow exceptions. One of those is in the face of a subpoena or court order. Cooley said last week he is considering leaving his position as Gov. Phil Bredesen's top deputy to return to the private sector.
Connect the dots....
Read the full text of today's November 15 article for more background on how Cooley's first act under Bredesen was to push to get his wife hired by the Department of Safety. And then she pushed to get her brother hired on. And then the ticket-fixing. And campaign donations for promotions. And then...
Conflicts of interest and personal and family gain are the driving forces behind far too many elected officials. In fact, they have become such a staple of government that the public---and elected officials--- just nod and go on.
It looks like Cooley's real reason for thinking about resigning may be related to a federal hearing in Knoxville this morning concerning his infamous ticket-fixing episode.
Cooley is probably not "resting" and "talking" today because the ticket-fixing deal was only one of many instances where Cooley used and abused his office for personal and family gain. Click here for my February 11 post about Dave and Melanie and their actions. And here for another post on February 26.
What prompts all this?
Well, it seems that the TBI case file of Deputy Gov. Dave Cooley's fixed ticket investigation will be the topic of a federal hearing in Knoxville today.
A former Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, who is suing Cooley, the department and several of its former top leaders, wants access to the file. Bryan Farmer, a former lieutenant, claims in a federal lawsuit that he was harassed and forced from the department by the Democratic administration because he supported the Republican party. His attorney, Arthur F. Knight, wants to review the file to search for evidence that may bolster Farmer's case.
The state is withholding the file, claiming it is not a public record. State law says TBI investigative files are closed and not subject to inspection, except in a few narrow exceptions. One of those is in the face of a subpoena or court order. Cooley said last week he is considering leaving his position as Gov. Phil Bredesen's top deputy to return to the private sector.
Connect the dots....
Read the full text of today's November 15 article for more background on how Cooley's first act under Bredesen was to push to get his wife hired by the Department of Safety. And then she pushed to get her brother hired on. And then the ticket-fixing. And campaign donations for promotions. And then...
Conflicts of interest and personal and family gain are the driving forces behind far too many elected officials. In fact, they have become such a staple of government that the public---and elected officials--- just nod and go on.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
November 14, 2006 Sunrise and Red Trees in Hamblen County
Yes, I'm still on a nature/photography kick.
I took the red trees all in a row picture in the parking lot next to Taco John's about a week ago.
I took the sunrise shot on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11th.
November 14, 2006 Quick Draw McLumpy
Click here to check out blogging State Rep. Stacey Campfield's second post for November 12.
Knox County Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert made news as a result of his "quick" handling of a potential robber at his car lot.
Knox County Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert made news as a result of his "quick" handling of a potential robber at his car lot.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
November 11, 2006 Veterans Day
Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima.In four days of fighting, Easy Company had 40% casualties.
American soldiers raise the Flag on February 23, 1945.
November 11 is Veterans Day.
Let us never forget.
The American Soldier
It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.
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