Knox County Trustee Refuses To Cooperate

UPDATE: May 9, 2007 5:11 a.m. In today's Knoxville News - Sentinel, Reporter Rebecca Ferrar details and gets comment from Tustee Sisk on his unwillingness to be cooperative and his unwillingness to run an efficient office.

Sources have informed Brian's Blog that Knox County Mayor Ragsdale and his staff have met with all Knox County Officeholders and have requested that they place a hiring freeze on their staffs due to the Mandatory funding of the Sheriffs Department Pension Plan that the voters approved last fall.

All Officeholders have agreed to a hiring freeze in their departments in an effort to be cooperative and responsible in reducing the risk to the taxpayers in needing to increase the revenue through increased taxes with the exception of Knox County Trustee Fred Sisk.

Trustee Sisk is blazing new trails in refusing to implement the hiring freeze that every other Officeholder has agreed to.

Come on Trustee Sisk. Don't be the one leader attempting to bloat the office of Trustee while every other office in Knox County has implemented a hiring freeze. Republicans are for smaller government. RINO's (Republicans In Name Only) are for large bloated bureaucracies.

You Read it at Brian's Blog First

On April 15, 2007 you read this post here at Brian's Blog. This morning in the Knoxville News-Sentinel you read this story.

Brian's Blog First and Accurate.

John Schmid and new found civic involvement

John Schmid, former County Commissioner according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel has plans to begin a community based public awareness / discussion organization.

This is real interesting in that John Schmid as County Commissioner had the worst attendance record of any Knox County Commissioner in attending Knox County Commission Committee and Commission meetings while serving as an elected member of the body.

It has been speculated by some individuals within the community that Schmid may have the distinction of worst attendance record in the state.

Republican Sheriff Jimmy J.J. Jones

In today's Knoxville News-Sentinel is a letter to the editor from our new Republican Sheriff Jimmy J.J. Jones. On the website it is a small link under letters. Why would E.W. Scripps do that? I believe Sheriff Jones has written an excellent letter. The text is here at Brian's Blog or here at the papers website.

New sheriff urges cooperation by all
By JIMMY 'J.J.' JONES
March 3, 2007

On Jan. 31, the Knox County Commission unanimously appointed me to the office of Knox County sheriff. The commission on that day was faced with the unprecedented task of replacing by appointment four of the countywide offices and eight of 19 commissioners. No other commission has ever faced such an awesome responsibility.

Much has been written and said about this issue; clearly much more will be written and said before our government completely recovers. I do not write this to attack or defend the appointment process given us by the courts or to discuss politics in any way.

I write this to assure the people of Knox County that throughout this process and whatever the outcome, their Sheriff's Office will continue to provide the professional law enforcement services the people of Knox County have come to expect.

With your support and the support of the Knox County Commission, my predecessor changed the face of the sheriff's office. When he arrived, the patrol division was thinly stretched across this county. There was inadequate training; there were no training facilities, no specially trained teams and the jails were overcrowded and had been successfully sued for overcrowding.

Those obvious problems have been remedied. With your support, this office now is well staffed, well trained and most importantly, well able to respond to any law enforcement need that may arise. On behalf of the men and women of this office, I thank you.

We must now move to resolve the remaining issues in our office. I believe we need better cooperation between law enforcement agencies. I believe law enforcement is a group effort, not a contest. To address that issue, I have drafted new interlocal cooperation agreements with both the Knoxville and the University of Tennessee Police Departments.

Those agreements allow all of our offices to better respond to your needs. People who abuse defenseless children or abuse helpless animals are not concerned with what jurisdiction they are in; law enforcement response to their actions also should be unhampered by jurisdiction.

Many issues I address may not be as obvious to the general public. I have begun an analysis of the patrol zones to ensure we have the most patrol coverage in the locations that need the most coverage. I expect to implement those changes soon. I am finalizing the updating of our General Orders begun by my predecessor. I expect the final draft on my desk in a few weeks.

I believe that the support and trust of the citizens of Knox County is mandatory for effective law enforcement, so I intend to be as open and available to the media and the public as possible. Whether the story is good or bad, I intend to address it honestly and completely.

Some have questioned my retention of former Sheriff Tim Hutchison on my staff. I make no apologies for keeping a five-time-elected, 33-year veteran of this department to help me through my transition into this huge job. His expertise on budgets and his understanding of the ongoing capital projects of this office alone are worth the five months of salary he will receive under my administration.

Legally under Merit Council rules, he is entitled to remain in this office. Ethically, I cannot see the fairness in anyone taking the position that he should be unceremoniously booted out of office five months before he vests in the new pension plan. I wouldn't do that to any veteran of this office, let alone a man who has helped this office achieve as much as he has. Good or bad, I have addressed that issue, and I intend to move on.

Knox County government is too important to stay mired in past controversies. We must all move forward. I have been given a tremendous responsibility but one I have been preparing and training for my entire life. I ask that you work with me so that together we can keep efficient, effective law enforcement for Knox County.

Jimmy 'J.J.' Jones is sheriff of Knox County.

Susan Richardson Williams Makes Mistake on Inside Tennessee

Susan Richardson Williams aka SRW appeared on the weekly Inside Tennessee as she is a regular panelist. However, she stated on the air today that the County Commission had turned down the County Mayor's appointee's to serve on the Ethics Commission.

In fact the County Commission did NOT vote them down, they deferred action until tomorrow, Monday February 26, 2007.

Jack McElroy, Editor of E.W. Scripps locally owned paper appeared on the panel with SRW and should have realized the error and corrected it as it can be assumed that Editor McElroy is following the Commission's actions or inaction's as it may be.

You would think that WBIR would have caught the error, as well.

Mark Cawood and Diane Jordan Continue to Serve

This morning following the special called meeting. The County Commission re-organized . That means that the 8 new Commissioners were appointed to each respective Committee (Intergovernmental and Finance) Also the elections were held to appoint Commissioner Paul Pinkston, Commission Chairman Scott Moore and Commission Vice-Chairman Tank Strickland to the Pension Board.

Each committee met to elect its Chairman and Vice-Chairman. the Intergovernmental Committee elected Craig Leuthold, Chairman and Tony Norman, Vice Chairman. The Finance Committee elected Paul Pinkston, Chairman and Ivan Harmon, Vice Chairman.

In a shocking revelation, Commissioner Mark Harmon asked why Commissioner Mark Cawood was listed as Chairman of BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals) "that must be a typo". Commission Chairman Moore called on the Law Director to explain.

The Law Director said the BZA is a different creature. When appointments are made they are for a term of four years. There is NOT a requirement that it be a Commissioner. Of the 8 term limited Commissioners three served on the BZA. Mark Cawood, Diane Jordan and Phil Guthe. Phil Guthe has advised the Commission office through a phone conversation that he will be resigning the BZA. The Commission has appointed Lee Tramel contingent on Phil Guthe's resignation.

Mark Cawood and Diane Jordan will continue to serve. Will this headache ever go away?

New Knox County Commission Committee Members

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE
Josh Jordan
Mark Harmon
Tony Norman, Vice Chair
Richard Cate
Craig Leuthold, Chair
Greg Lambert
Scott Moore
Phil Ballard
Tim Greene

FINANCE COMMITTEE
Thomas Strickland
Chuck Bolus
Ivan harmon, Vice Chair
Lee Tramel
Frank Leuthold
Mike Hammond
Sharon Cawood
Larry Smith
Jack Huddleston
Paul Pinkston, Chair

BEER BOARD
Thomas Strickland
Chuck Bolus
Tony Norman
Richard Cate
Mike Hammond
Greg Lambert
Larry Smith
Jack Huddleston
Tim Greene

CABLE TV
Mike Hammond, Chair
Mark Harmon, Vice Chair
Josh Jordan
Ivan Harmon
Lee Tramel
Sharon Cawood
Larry Smith
Phil Ballard
Paul Pinkston

TN COUNTY SERVICES
Scott Moore
Thomas Strickland

INSOLVENCY BOARD
Larry Smith, Chair
Phil Ballard, Vice Chair
Mark Harmon
Paul Pinkston

COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES
Josh Jordan
Lee Tramel, Vice Chair
Sharon Cawood
Greg Lambert
Paul Pinkston, Chair

VACANT PROPERTY REVIEW
Craig Leuthold, Chair
Tim Greene, Vice Chair

COURT SUBCOMMITTEE
Tony Norman
Scott Moore
Lee Tramel, Chair
Paul Pinkston
Craig Leuthold, Vice Chair

ARENA USE COMMITTEE
Thomas Strickland
Scott Moore
Greg Lambert

PROCUREMENT COMMITTEE
Craig Leuthold, Chair
Mike Hammond
Greg Lambert
Jack Huddleston, Vice Chair
Sharon Cawood

RULES COMMITTEE
Thomas Strickland
Chuck Bolus
Ivan Harmon, Chair
Sharon Cawood, Vice Chair
Larry Smith

PENSION BOARD
Ivan Harmon
Paul Pinkston
Scott Moore
Thomas Strickland

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Mark Cawood, Chair
Paul Pinkston, Vice Chair
Diane Jordan
Mark Harmon
Ivan Harmon
Lee Tramel
Mike Hammond
Scott Moore
Phil Ballard

Commissioner Sharon Cawood Does Not Believe in Protecting Crime Victims

In today's Knoxville News Sentinel article Commissioner Sharon Cawood says. "What he does for the sheriff is nothing crucial."

So Commissioner Sharon Cawood does not believe that crime victims that must face the perpetrators of their crimes should have security when they face one another in a courtroom.

Commissioner Sharon Cawood in her statement is advocating that county taxpayers fund non crucial positions. After all her husband was a term limited Commissioner in her and her husbands minds the taxpayers are supposed to pay him $25,000.00 a year to be non-crucial.

As a Supervisor at Juvenile Court, I guess the court security there is "nothing crucial." She can feel that way since her office is in the back of the building behind the locked doors of the courtrooms.

Commissioner Sharon Cawood Conflicts herself

From today's News-Sentinel article she says "It may take some cuts in other areas to fund it," Cawood said. "I think the pension plan is a great one. We're going to have to fund it somehow."

Hate to break this to you, Sharon. The man you married is an employee of the Sheriff's Department (According to the Sheriff he was hired two weeks prior to the meeting where you were selected in violation of Tennessee's Open Meeting Laws) meaning you can't vote legally for anything with the Sheriff's Department. But then you probably will vote illegally, it's a family tradition.

BTW, Brian's Blog endorsed the Sheriff's Department pension when it was on the ballot. It makes us mad that someone has been appointed that now due to her husbands need to stay in the City County Building could bring the funding of the Sheriff's Department pension to a tie 9-9 with 1 pass due to Conflict of Interest/Ethics.

Nepotism, Conflicts of Interest, Corruption, Democrats, Senator John Ford those are just words with no real meaning to Mark and Sharon Cawood.

Was the voters intent in 1994 in passing term limits to make the Cawoods rich. Was the voters intent in 1994 to give Mark Cawood $90,000.00 plus per year. Probably not because Mark and Sharon Cawood were not married in 1994. They just figured out a way to game the system.

Brian's Blog was the first to break the story of the Cawood's fleecing of the taxpayers

Brian's Blog in December broke the story about the Supervisory position that County Commission had voted for in Committee and said watch Commissioner Cawood vote for his wife's new position at the full Commission, which he did. Less than 40 days later, he orchestrates his wife's appointment to his seat without nominating or voting for her.

Rebecca Ferrar has this excellent piece in today's Knoxville News-Sentinel about the Cawood's fleecing of the taxpayers.

When Brian's Blog broke this story in December according to sources it was a topic on the low watt radio talk show that has since gone of the air (for the time being, their trying to find a new home. Brian Hornback believes in freedom of speech and hopes they make it back) However, Lloyd Daugherty said on the air that he had looked into the issue of Cawood voting for Cawood and found nothing there.

The problem with Lloyd is that when it comes to Mark and Sharon. Lloyd doesn't see the same corruption and deceit that he finds with others. What is the Cawood, Daugherty connection? Enquiring minds want to know.

Knox County Home Rule Charter

One of the primary reasons to have a Home Rule form of Government (Charter) is that it is too burdensome to go to Nashville to request permission for every little item that a County needs to do.

In talking with a Brian's Blog source it was asked. If Knox County has Home Rule Charter then why is the County Mayor running to Nashville to ask for permission to have a special election? This is a question that Brian's Blog had not considered.

By the way it was noted at the Karns Republican Club on Tuesday evening that the TN Supreme Court held that the Charter was invalid, but that it determined that Knox County Officials ran a De-facto Government and that the citizens believed the Charter was intact, thus upholding the De-facto Government.

For a layman like me it is a splitting hairs thing.

Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond

County Commissioner Mike Hammond announced on the radio station that he manages that he "was concerned with the politics of personal destruction" and because of such he would not be a candidate for re-election in 2010, tough he is eligible for re-election in 2010.

At the time and even now it seems to be a noble position. Brian's Blog has been reminded that in 2004 while running for the remainder of former Commissioner Mike Arms position that Hammond continued to deliver the statement and pledge that "he would not take disagreement or conflict, personally."

It would appear that with his stated position of "politics of personal destruction" that he may be taking the accusation that he and Commissioner Griess may have violated the TN Open Meeting Law personally or maybe there is something more.

This afternoon a Brian's Blog source directed the Brian's Blog team to the KGIS website to locate property owned by Michael Lee Hammond and his wife.

It reveals that he and his wife own the property in a Cedar Bluff community that allows him to satisfy the property qualifications to serve as the Fifth District County Commissioner. It also reveals that within one year (6-27-2005) of being elected to the unexpired term of former Commissioner Mike Arms that Commissioner Hammond and his wife purchased a home and property in South Knox County. The property is located in the Ninth Commission District. The voting location for this property is Hopewell School located at 757 Kimberlin Heights Road. The Commissioners that serve this property are Commissioner Paul Pinkston and the newly appointed Commissioner Tim Greene.

Ethics Commission / Ethics Policy

Brian's Blog has been asked several questions about Mayor Ragsdale's Ethics Commission proposal and the Mayor's nominees for the Ethics Commission. Brian's Blog did not have immediate answers to the questions but secured the information.

Why is the Mayor proposing an Ethics Commission? The Ethics Policy that unanimously was passed by the Knox County Commission on January 22, 2007 calls for the Mayor to nominate members. The Commission must confirm or deny the appointments. If the Commission deny the appointments. The Mayor must submit additional nominations.

The members of the Knox County Commission had until January 31, 2007 to file their personal Ethics statements. The newly appointed Knox County Commissioners have 30 days to file their statements. Brian's Blog was informed that all income including spousal income must be stated. Former financial transactions must be declared.

Why are all the nominees for the Ethics Commission elected officials? The policy requires elected officials. Members of MPC and the Development Corporation are eligible nominees. No private citizen is eligible for service to the Ethics Commission.

Mark Cawood - Is the truth in him? Part II

The Knoxville News-Sentinel has a follow-up story in today's paper. "Cawood: No hanky-panky for job".

Matt Lakin is a good reporter. (Kind of odd for Brian's Blog to credit a reporter as good, especially one employed by E.W. Scripps. I hope that we are not getting Matt in trouble, by acknowledging the obvious.) However, Matt Lakin didn't ask Mark Cawood why he said on Friday that he hadn't talked about a job before the Wednesday January 31, 2007 Commission meeting and the Sheriff's statement is that Cawood was hired him two weeks ago. Cawood has and is not telling the truth.

Matt Lakin didn't follow-up on Cawood voting for his wife's new county job at the Commission meetings in December of 2006, less than 45 days ago and now with her Appointed County Commission job. Sharon is a double dipper. Something the Cawood's talked about the Republican Choice for the Sixth District. But now it is the Cawood residence that is triple dipping the taxpayers of Knox County. (Sharon as a Supervisor at Juvenile Court Clerk, County Commissioner and Baliff Mark "I can't tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God" Cawood.

Commissioner Greg Lambert said on WBIR over the weekend that he and Mark Cawood examined every applicant and selected the most qualified female, Democrat (Evidently, there is a litmus test for the Sixth district. Female, Democrat. Is race a factor as well?) Mark's fairly new wife Sharon.

The first newspaper article (a few days after the Supreme Court decision 1/12/07) after it was obvious that Commission would be replacing the term limited Commissioners. Lambert is quoted as saying he will nominate Sharon Cawood. Not much time for Cawood and Lambert to study the candidates, not much time for a public process.

Mark Cawood - Is the truth in him?

On WBIR today they are running a news story about Mark Cawood's new employment. They are reporting that Cawood said that he hadn't talked to the Sheriff's Department until Wednesday January 31, 2006. Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison through his spokesperson said that they had conversations in the fall, but that Mark Cawood was hired two weeks ago.

Say what you will about the Sheriff. I have personally known the good Sheriff since 1990 while he was running for Sheriff (the first time) and I ran for County Commission in the Eighth District. I know the Sheriff and I know that Sheriff Tim will NOT lie for anybody including Mark Cawood. The News-Sentinel covers the Sheriff's statement as well. However, Mark "I can't tell the truth" Cawood refuses to call the Sentinel repeated times for comment on their story in today's paper.

As I was growing up (some will contend that I still haven't grown up, yet) I had many different older persons pour influence into my life. I remember hearing one of them say about someone that was known to tell a story. "The truth just ain't in 'em" It appears that is the case with Mark Cawood. The truth just ain't in him.

In December of 2006 less than 60 days ago in Commission Committee meeting and the full Commission meeting a week later. Commissioner Mark Cawood voted to create a Supervisor position for his wife (aka the Appointed County Commissioner Sharon Cawood) in the Juvenile Court Clerk's office.

What is most troubling about this Mark Cawood incident is that in his position with the Knox County Sheriffs Office. He must ask individuals before the court. "Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God" Every person that Bailiff Cawood asks, should look at Bailiff Cawood and ask "How about you, Bailiff?"

The Knox County Sheriff's Office doesn't need this type of person representing the department. Someone that "the truth just ain't in them."

Knox County Commissioner Josh Jordan

Brian's Blog sources have it on good authority that new Knox County First District Commissioner Josh Jordan has been asked to resign by some of his fellow Commissioners.

Stay Tuned for this developing story.

Did Commissioner's Cawood and Clark Violate Tennessee's Ethic Laws?

Brian's Blog sources have discovered that Commissioner Larry Clark an employee of the Knox County Sheriff's Department is alleged to have violated the Tennessee Ethics Law that went into effect last year following the Tennessee Waltz scandal in casting a vote for the County Commission position Fourth District Seat B.

Brian's Blog sources have discovered that the paperwork for former County Commissioner Mark Cawood to become a Bailiff Supervisor with the Knox County Sheriffs Department was completed prior to the Wednesday January 31, 2007 meeting. Our sources allege that Commissioner Mark Cawood in casting a vote for County Commissioner Fourth District Seat B has violated the Tennessee Ethics Law as well.

Stay Tuned as this story develops.

Mike Hammond Announces Intention In The Aftermath Of The Commission Appointment Process

Commissioner Mike Hammond announced this morning on NewsTalk 100 that "due to the politics of personal destruction" he will not be a candidate for re-election in 2010. He indicated that he is eligible for re-election in 2010.

He indicated on air that he supported the nomination of Commissioner Frank Leuthold due to his experience, ability and his commitment to not run for election in 2008. I contacted Commissioner Hammond and requested a response to his statement, because at the Cedar Bluff Library forum last Saturday. Frank Leuthold had not applied, did not speak, did not say that he would run or not run for Commission in 2008.

Qualified applicant Terry Shupp did speak at the forum, she had submitted her resume and followed the requested procedure of Commissioners Hammond and Craig Leuthold and other Commissioners. Knox County citizen Joe Milsaps asked if any applicant for 5C had made a commitment not to run in 2008. Terry Shupp made that position known.

Commissioner Hammond responded to a request by Brian's Blog this morning. Commissioner Hammond prior to contacting Brian's Blog reviewed the tape and in his response said that Frank Leuthold was the only "appointee" appointed to make the pledge. He pointed out that Commissioner Tony Norman nominated Ms. Shupp. Commissioner Hammond believed Commissioner Norman's nomination was based on Ms. Shupp's commitment to serve until 2008. If that is the case good for Commissioner Norman. For Commissioner Hammond, Craig Leuthold and John Griess to ignore all the applicants is hypocritical and disingenuous.

I appreciate Commissioner Hammond calling me back after reviewing the tape and explaining his position and actions.

I do believe that all the applicants in my district of District 5 should have been considered and nominated. I believe that if not running for election in 2008 was a desire of the three Commissioners than one of the three should have nominated Terry Shupp instead of Commissioner Norman having to do what the three Commissioners refused to do.

In order to be the only appointed appointee to make that pledge, the appointee needs to first be the only candidate to make that pledge. Frank Leuthold never announced as a candidate.

Many Commissioners over the course of the past couple of weeks informed me and other Brian's Blog sources they would be taking the lead from the district Commissioners in the affected districts. Obviously, in the appointment of the Fifth District Seat C this was the case. In the appointment of other districts Commissioners didn't necessarily take the direction of the District Commissioners.

Interesting Observation From The Re-Broadcast Of The Commission Appointment Proceeding

This evening Community Television Comcast Channel 12 re-broadcast the County Commission Appointment Proceeding. It was interesting to note that one Commissioner was NEVER heard to cast a vote.

Fifth District County Commissioner Mike Hammond is never heard to actually cast his vote. Clerk Padgett repeats each Commissioner's vote, but you never hear Commisisoner Hammond's voice vote. Commissioner Hammond is the one Commissioner that has a recognizable voice as Operations Director and sometimes on air personality for WIVK, SportsTalk 99 and NewsTalk 100. He has also served as the former Public Address announcer at Thompson Boling Arena.

Just an observation.

Let The Games Begin

Scott Barker has worked harder in the past 24 hours covering Knox County government than previous E.W. Scripps reporters have in years. This new developing story from today's KnoxNews web certainly indicates that those of us that watch Commission meetings will become lively and questions will begin to be asked and answers will be forthcoming.

There were these type of cloakroom conversations that were circulating during the breaks/recesses (recess = when everyone goes outside and plays nice) of the proceedings yesterday.