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.

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.

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.

Knoxville News-Sentinel Incompetence or Mistake?

Less than one hour ago, I called the Knoxville News-Sentinel and spoke with an Editor and asked. "As Chairman of the Knox County Republican Party, can you please tell me who the picture is on the front page that is identified as Richard Cate". The comment back was "that isn't Richard Cate?" I said "not by a long shot." I gave the Editor my phone number.

In the meantime I discovered through my team of sources spread throughout the metropolitan area that the photograph is of Art Cate. It appears that Art Cate is an employee of KCDC. I called the Editor back and informed him of the true identity of the person in the photograph. He said they just discovered that and would try and run a correction tomorrow.

A few things come to mind on this controversy. 1) The E.W. Scripps tabloid is beginning to rub off on the News-Sentinel 2) Editor McElroy really has been spending to much time on non profit boards 3) it is incompetence or 4) It was a simple mistake.

I am believing it is Number 4 and they will do better in the future.

And you thought being Chairman was an easy job.

Kudo's To The Persons That Applied For The Positions

Brian's Blog would like to Thank each and every person that applied, attended the Public forums and offered a choice to the Commissioner's. Of those appointed two did not submit their qualifications publicly before being appointed. Frank Leuthold in District 5 and Tim Greene in District 9.

First Commission District
Jewel Cason
Ann Dingus
Charles E. "Pete" Drew
Janara Frazier
Evelyn C. Gill
Helen Diane Lewis
Robert L. Minter Jr.
Leslie Terry
Nick Della Volpe
Rubye C. Wright
Josh M. Jordan (Appointed)


Second Commission District
Amy Broyles
Cortney Piper
Deborah W. Porter
Bruce White
Joseph L. "Chuck" Williams Jr.
Jonathan Wimmer
Charles D. Bolus (Appointed)


Fourth Commission District
Mike Alford
Debra A. Barton
Lisa Bogaty
William H. Daniels Jr.
Elaine Davis
Scott Davis
John Patrick Deatherage
Robert A. "Archie" Ellis Jr.
Craig Fischer
Ed Shouse
James Smelcher Jr.
Joan Wagner
Richard Cate (Appointed)
Lee Tramel (Appointed)



Fifth Commission District
Robin Butler
Marilyn S. Cobble
Ken Gross
Gregory Harrison
Kyle Phillips
Tom Salter
John Schoonmaker
Terry Shupp
Pamela Treacy
Frank Leuthold (Appointed, did not submit qualifications before the meeting)

Sixth Commission District
Charles S. Giles II
Roger Hyman
Jimmie Shelton
Randy Williams
Sharon Cawood (Appointed)


Eighth Commission District
G. Paul Carney
Teresa Clapp
Doug Dawkins:
James C. Eubanks
Kay Frazier
Maurice David Freed
Tom Pressley
Jack Huddleston (Appointed)


Ninth Commission District
Randy Hinton
Robert Huddleston
Josh Lowe
Matt Myers
Robert E. Norton
Charles D. "Chuck" Ward
Tim Greene (Appointed, did not publicly submit qualifications prior to the meeting)

Knox County Sheriff
D. Eric Beals
Larry Hunter
Isa Infante:
Carl Seider
J.J. Jones (Appointed)

Knox County Clerk
Carolyn Carter Jensen
George Stooksbury
Billy Tindell (Appointed)

Knox County Register of Deeds
Scott Emge
Arrison Kirby
Sherry Witt (Appointed)

Knox County Trustee
Fred Sisk (Appointed)

Who Will Run for Election in 2008?

Brian's Blog is predicting which Commissioner's will run for election in 2008.

Commissioner Josh Jordan (D) - Yes

Commissioner Charles "Chuck" Bolus (R) - Yes

Commissioner Richard Cate (R) - Yes

Commissioner Lee Tramel (R) - Yes

Commissioner Frank Leuthold (R) - No

Appointed Commissioner of the Sixth District (D) - Yes

Commissioner Jack Huddleston (R) - Yes

Commissioner Tim Greene (?) - Yes

Knox County Commissioner 9A Tim Greene

Commissioner Mark Harmon nominated Martin Pleasant. Commissioner Larry Clark nominated Tim Greene. Knox County citizen Matt Myers nominated Josh Lowe. Knox County citizen Josh Lowe nominated Matt Myers. Mike Wyland nominated "The Good Guest" stating that a Good Guest knows when to leave. Knox County citizen Ruby Wright nominated herself. Knox County citizen Anthony McMahan nominated Romalie Tucker. Mr. McMahan began talking about how this process was flawed. Chairman Moore warned him that he couldn't talk, only state a name. McMahan said he would talk until he was told to leave. Chairman Moore thanked him. McMahan left.

Knox County Commissioner's Larry Clark and Paul Pinkston actually formed a citizens group to go through the resumes of all 17 candidates. The panel was to submit three finalists for the Commissioner's to choose from. The three name were not released, but Tim Greene was the selected nominee. The criticism that has come out of South Knox was that Greene had not made his Resume public prior to being selected on Tuesday.

The vote was Greene 17 and Pleasant 1. "The Good Guest" was not on the ballot, as it was perceived to not be an individual.

County Commissioner Tim Greene replaces Larry Clark. Commissioner Clark has been an excellent Commissioner and will be missed.

Knox County Commissioner 8B Jack Huddleston

Commissioner Mark Harmon nominated Maurice Freed. Commissioner John Mills nominated Jack Huddleston. Knox County citizen Rodney McCroskey nominated Kay Frazier. Frazier in May of 2006 ran against Commissioner Mills and Commissioner Mills was re-elected. Knox County citizen Bill Young nominated Tom Pressley.

The voting ended with Huddleston 17 Freed 1 Frazier 0 and Pressley 0.

After the vote was announced a citizen got up and as he walked out said "Somebody got rich, here today."

County Commissioner Jack Huddleston replaces John Mills

Knox County Commissioner 6A Sharon Cawood

I will start this one out by saying that I have been critical on this blog in the past of Commissioner Mark Cawood's votes and behavior. I have been critical of his wife's new employment in the Juvenile Court Clerks office and Commissioner Cawood in voting for his wife's poition twice (once in Committee and then in the Commission meeting December 2006)

Yesterday Commissioner Mark Cawood is the one Commissioner that participated in the right way. He passed on the nomination process and he passed on voting for his wife. I am sure he assisted in the lobbying of Commission on her behalf (which violates the Tennessee Open Meeting law), but he passed. Brian's Blog is not endorsing the Cawood's. Brian's Blog is acknowledging that on the face this nomination and vote passed the smell test.

Commissioner Greg Lambert nominated Sharon Cawood. Commissioner R. Larry Smith nominated Howard Phillips. Knox County citizen Charles "Smitty" Giles nominated Vietnam veteran Jimmy Shelton. The vote was Cawood 15 Phillips 2 and 1 pass.

Sharon Cawood (from this point forward referred to as the appointed Commissioner of the Sixth District) replaces her husband as Commissioner Sixth District Seat A.

Look for a spirited campaign next in 2008 between the appointed Commissioner of the Sixth District and Chuck James. I will support, endorse and raise money for the election of Chuck James.

Knox County Commissioner 5C Frank Leuthold

Clearly this one appointment in the way it went down is an indication of the Scott Barker New-Sentinel story that appeared in the Wednesday paper and was mentioned here on Brian's Blog Wednesday morning.

First, Commissioner Tony Norman nominated Terry Shupp. Commissioner Mike Hammond in a move that only occured in this appointment yesterday deferred to Commissioner John Griess and asked to be recognized after Griess. Commissioner John Griess then nominated Frank Leuthold, former County Commissioner and father of County Commissioner Craig Leuthold. Commissioner Hammond then spoke in favor of the Leuthold nomination. Commissioner Greg Lambert nominated Robin Butler and Knox County citizen Baird Donahue nominated Tom Salter.

On the balloting Leuthold 15 Salter 1 Shupp 1 and Butler 1. A separate post will be coming on the issue of family members voting for family members, as Craig Leuthold did cast a vote for his father.

Knox County Commissioner 2A Charles "Chuck" Bolus

This resulted in the Republican Party picking up a seat due to Democrat and District conflicts. Commissioner Mark Harmon nominated Amy Broyles. Commissioner Tony Norman nominated Jonathon Wimmer. Commissioner R. Larry Smith nominated Deborah Porter. Commissioner Scott Moore nominated Charles "Chuck" Bolus. Knox County citizen Charles "Smitty" Giles nominated Joseph L. "Chuck" Williams, Jr.

Knox County citizen Billy Tindell went to the microphone and attempted to speak and nominate Jonathon Wimmer. Former Commissioner Tindell was shouted down by Commissioner Mark Harmon asking for point of order of the Chairman. This was disrespectful toward a gentleman that has served the citizens of District 2 for 30 years and it hurt the candidate nominated by Mark Harmon and will hinder Harmon's effectiveness through 2010.

The first ballot ended with Bolus 7 Wimmer 6 Broyles 3 Porter 2 Williams 0. The second ballot ended with Bolus 7 Wimmer 6 Broyles 2 Porter 2 and 1 pass. A question was asked that the lowest vote getter is to drop off, however the lowest vote getter's were tied. The law Director said continue voting. The third ballot ended with Bolus 8 Wimmer 6 Broyles 3 Porter 2. Porter's name was dropped and the fourth ballot was cast ending with Bolus 10 Wimmer 5 and Broyles 3.

Republican Charles "Chuck" Bolus was selected as the Second District Commissioner in the seat that Billy Tindell held for 30 years.

The district and the Democrats can thank Mark Harmon for the Republican gain because had he supported the Democrat nominee that received the most votes on the first ballot. Jonathon Wimmer may have beaten Bolus. In fighting allowed Bolus to gain the seat. Chuck Bolus is a longtime friend and he will work hard and will be a balanced Representative for the Second District.

Certainly, Mark Harmon doesn't represent all the interests in the Second District and Bolus will balance the scales for the Second District.

Knox County Commissioner 1A Josh Jordan

Commissioner Diane Jordan nominated her son Josh Jordan. Commissioner Mark Harmon nominated Helen Diane Lewis. Commissioner R. Larry Smith nominated Nick Della Volpe. Two Knox County citizens nominated themselves James R. (Jimmy) Golden and Robin Brothers.

The ballot concluded with Jordan 16 Lewis 1 and Della Volpe 1. Josh Jordan was selected as Commissioner for the First District replacing Diane Jordan.