Whatever it takes

Whatever it takes to fund quality of life initiatives that this community desires, I will support. However, it should be noted that certain parts of the community promoted a repeal while they have complained more about their perceived lack of quality of life. They complain that they have to wait to long to dispose of their trash in the convenience center, so they get a bigger more accessible one. While West Knox County has the smallest less convenient one. Should the government be responsible for allowing you to throw your trash away for free, or should you be responsible to pay for garbage collection? Like how your responsible to pay for fire protection.

Farragut Admirals

Tonight they did it again. Farragut had an impressive showing at Karns. Coach Courtney and staff have prepared this team well. The players are executing with all they have Congratulations Admirals!!!!!

Wheel Tax

Is it fair that 180,000 property owners pays the entire burden of the quality of life in this community that is enjoyed by all?

Knox County Commisssion

The Knox County Commission yesterday moved to earmark the 40 million dollars for a downtown library to schools. Good decision. That does not mean that the School Board has 65 million this year or 165 million over 5 years. The Knox County Commission will maintain control over the 40 million, and should determine what project/s the 40 million will be used for , after a successful wheel tax refrendum. Great decision. After all the Knox County Mayor funded the 5-year Capital Plan for the School System in full.

Halls Has It

I traveled out to Halls on a Saturday evening 8/21/04 and witnessed Halls Having It. They got spanked by the Farragut Admirals 28-12. Farragut scored 21 points in 4 minutes. The Red Devils 12 points were scored in the last 8 minutes of the game with the admirals second string. GO Admirals!!!!!!!

Quote / Thought of the day

In matters of style swim with the current.. In matters of principle, stand like a rock - source unknown

Alan Keyes

Alan Keyes is running against Barack Obama in Il. for the U.S. Senate. There is a clear difference between the two. Keyes understands the founding fathers intent and the foundation with which this great country was built. Obama promotes a socialist type of live and let live. He may have looked good on the stage at the DNC, but, he didn't tell you all that he believes. A Great debate of differences. I will post many of the differences here in future post.

Taxes

I am NOT an advocate for higher taxes, I am an advocate for quality of life in a local community. Local tax dollars, where the benefit is obvious. Spending my tax dollars on the Federal level where the money is used for organizations like planned parenthood that advocates that women receive an abortion or a partial-birth abortion. Where they fund pervert artist through the National Endowment of the Arts. I will never support higher taxes at the State or Federal level.

However, The following quality of life improvements in Knox County have been worth the 55 cents property tax increase of 1999.

• The Cove park on Northshore
• The walking trail and soccer fields at The Point on Northshore
• The Northwest Sports Complex in Karns
• The pay raises of our sheriffs deputies
• The pay raises for our teachers
• Improvements in roads - Westland Drive is the exception.
• New sidewalks
• New library buildings at Farragut, Cedar Bluff, Karns, Carter, Hall, Ft. City

These are quality of life improvements that I am happy to pay for. However, we only receive these benefits from local taxes.

B School System on F Funding? Saber-Rattling

You have heard the saber rattling over the years about the Knox County School System being a B school system on F funding. During the administrations of Dwight Kessel (1980-1994) that may have been correct. During the administration of former Knox County Schools Business Manager Tommy Schumpert 1994-2002, that is true.

However, during the first two years of County Mayor Mike Ragsdale's administration (2002-2004) more that $21.5 million in NEW dollars have been placed in the Knox County School System budget. $10.0 million in each year and $1.5 million in new dollars through consolidation of duplicated services.

This morning on Inside Tennessee 8/15/04 the saber rattling has returned once more.

I will examine in greater detail in future post the schools that are on the NCLB list. It appears that KCS are losing ground while receiving more funds.

School Survey

Yesterday 08/12/04 was the first day of school in Knox County, TN, when parents received all the paperwork yesterday to return to the school. Parents with children in grades 2,5,8 and 11 were greeted with a survey. Some interesting questions on the survey are

#25 My child would benefit from a balanced school calendar that includes a shorter summer break and more frequent breaks during the school year

#33 Students would benefit from a full day kindergarten program

#34 It would be more convenient to parents and students if the elementary school day started at 8:30 and the middle and high schools started at 7:45.

#35 Knox County should offer signing bonuses and incentive pay to attract and retain quality teachers.

#36 Teachers should receive incentive pay for doing an outstanding job as measured by their students' acheivement test scores

#37 Knox County does not set a high enough funding priority for education

#41 I would be willing to pay additional county taxes to fund needed improvements in Knox County Schools

#42 Knox County Schools provides a good educational value for students and taxpayers alike

#43 The community respects teachers in our schools

#44 The Knox County School System makes wise use of the financial resources available

The answer options were
Strongly agree,Tend to agree, Tend to disagree, Strongly disgaree or Don't Know

Knox County School Board Members Email Addresses

Eight of the Nine School Board Members have email.

The One without an email address is D.M. Miller,
he may be contacted by telephone at 865-687-2816

Sam Anderson sanderson@ci.knoxville.tn.us
Dr. Paul Kelley kelley1928@aol.com
Dr. Dan Murphy dmurphy@utk.edu
Brian Hornback brian@brianhornback.com
Chuck James cjames06@comcast.net
Diane Dozier dianedozier@juno.com
James Williams c97jew@aol.com
Robert Bratton rmbratton@msn.com

New West Knox County High School

It is important that everyone that has an interest in a NEW West Knox County High School, begin to contact the current members of the Knox County School Board today. The School Board will be discussing this item and a possible vote on August 16, 2004 at 5:00p.m. First Floor Conference Room of the Andrew Johnson Building 900 South Gay Street Knoxville, TN 37902

If we don't act today, the $27.0 million in New dollars will be spent elsewhere