Adam Groves at Simply I has an excellent post. I try not to "ditto" other individuals post. However, I have participated in and watched the blogosphere for the past 15 months. The one criticism that I have is bloggers that want to remain anonymous.
I respect any blogger that reveals their identity, Some that come to mind are Adam, Rob Huddleston of Voluntary Conservative, John Brown of High Country Conservative, Bill Hobbs, VA/Commonwealth conservative, Michael Silence etc..
My point is this, bloggers that have enough intestinal fortitude to put it out there, knowing that their identity is on the line have far more credibility than those that want to remain anonymous. When I look at a blog and the person is a coward that refuses to reveal who they are. I ignore them and tell others to ignore them, they have NO credibility.
If you are going to spend your time to affect public opinion and public policy then be man or woman enough to identify yourself.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Brian's Blog Site Meter
It has been one week since I installed a site meter here on my personal blog. I wish I had installed one in August 2004. 1233 visits in one week, the stats are unbelieveable.
In one week I have had readers from all fifty states and in Canada, Great Britian, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Sri-Lanka, India, China, South Africa, Cloumbia, Panama, Mexico, Argentina and the Dominican Republic.
Welcome and keep coming back.
In one week I have had readers from all fifty states and in Canada, Great Britian, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Sri-Lanka, India, China, South Africa, Cloumbia, Panama, Mexico, Argentina and the Dominican Republic.
Welcome and keep coming back.
2006 Tennessee Senate Dashboard
Campbell County High School Bomb Threat
Hat Tip to Michael Silence for first posting this. And to the source Frank Stovall for his initial post.
Campbell County should be proud of Frank for going the extra mile in reporting it and locating the phone number where the threat came from. Frank has been providing updates throughout the morning.
Our thoughts and prayers need to remain with all the people and community of Campbell County.
Campbell County should be proud of Frank for going the extra mile in reporting it and locating the phone number where the threat came from. Frank has been providing updates throughout the morning.
Our thoughts and prayers need to remain with all the people and community of Campbell County.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Gretchen Wilson - All Jacked Up CD
It has taken me sometime to post about the new Gretchen Wilson CD All Jacked Up. This is Gretchen's second CD, following her Redneck Woman debut CD. Many of the so called "experts" believed her to be a one hit wonder. Her debut CD produced more top 5 songs than most debut projects.
Her second CD will not disappoint you. The first cut is All Jacked Up and is her first release from the project. The second cut is a cowboy's dream with a song entitled Califonia Girls. Cut three is entitled Full Time Job that will comfort every wife and mother as it describes her full time job. Cut four is Skoal Ring that Tennessee's Attorney General decided he didn't like. Cut 5 is He ain't even cold yet. Cut 6 is One Bud Wiser, kind of self-explanatory. Cut 7 features a guest appearance by Merle Haggard and an appropriate song entitled Politically Uncorrect. Cut 8 is I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today Cut 9 is a great song entitled Rebel Child. Cut 10 is Raining on Me. and Cut 11 is Not Bad for a Bartender.
Gretchen has been nominated for three CMA awards. The CMA Awards will be held this Tuesday November 15th at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS. In Knoxville, TN it will be broadcast on Volunteer TV, located here.
This CD is a must have for any country music fan. Check out Gretchen's website for song samples.
Luke Stricklin CD Review
I have the debut CD by Country music artist, Luke Stricklin. Luke's website with music samples can be found here.
Luke was part of our troops in Iraq, the title cut American By God's Amazing Grace is on the CD twice. The 1st cut is a studio version, Bonus track 11 is the original version recorded in Baghdad, Iraq.
There are several great songs on the CD and they are the second cut Does That Make Me Bad? They 8th cut Almost Persuaded and cut 10 Things I'm Missing.
Luke has a sound that is a combination of Hank, Jr and Keith Whitley. It is a pure sound that is from the heart.
Here is an article from the August 1, 2005 Newsweek. I recommend Luke Stricklin's debut CD to you.
18 year old write-in candidate elected Mayor
It did not work for Julia Tucker but write-in campaigns can be successful. This story in todays News-Sentinel located here, written by P.J. Huffstutter with Los Angeles Times. The news report from NBC and Brian Williams is located here. The USA Today article is located here. The towns website is located here.
His comments after winning.
"It's amazing. It's cool," said Sessions, whose four-year term begins Nov. 21. "I'm so excited, I think I'm going to be ill."
After the victory party, came the media appearances
He missed homeroom Thursday to do phone interviews with Michigan rock music stations. He didn't show up to the middle school where he volunteers as a teacher's aide because he and his family had been whisked to New York to do "Late Night with David Letterman."
Still Overwhelmed
"He's been coughing and getting over bronchitis since Saturday," said his mother, Lorri Sessions, 42, a custodian for a sorority house. "It's been overwhelming."
The defeated incumbent in hiding.
Earlier this month, the Toledo Blade in Ohio quoted Ingles, 51, as saying: "How much credibility does an 18-year-old have?"
Enough credibility, to send you packing.
The reaction after the election.
The phones at City Hall have been busy since the tentative election results were announced late Tuesday, with calls from curious residents and pleas from at least three Hollywood studio executives - each of whom wanted to buy the movie rights to Sessions' story.
His comments after winning.
"It's amazing. It's cool," said Sessions, whose four-year term begins Nov. 21. "I'm so excited, I think I'm going to be ill."
After the victory party, came the media appearances
He missed homeroom Thursday to do phone interviews with Michigan rock music stations. He didn't show up to the middle school where he volunteers as a teacher's aide because he and his family had been whisked to New York to do "Late Night with David Letterman."
Still Overwhelmed
"He's been coughing and getting over bronchitis since Saturday," said his mother, Lorri Sessions, 42, a custodian for a sorority house. "It's been overwhelming."
The defeated incumbent in hiding.
Earlier this month, the Toledo Blade in Ohio quoted Ingles, 51, as saying: "How much credibility does an 18-year-old have?"
Enough credibility, to send you packing.
The reaction after the election.
The phones at City Hall have been busy since the tentative election results were announced late Tuesday, with calls from curious residents and pleas from at least three Hollywood studio executives - each of whom wanted to buy the movie rights to Sessions' story.
Governor Phillip Bredesen - Corrupt TN Government
I have been making the case that the Governor known as Bredesen with the wife known as Conte, must be held accountable for the actions of his party members that are under indictment. As Governor he is the leader for his party.
He must answer for shredding sexual harassment documents in his office, He must answer for not fixing TN Care the first year but waiting three years to kick all these people off. He must answer for his Deputy Governor driving recklessly across the state. He must answer for the graduation rates slipping while he and his education secretary Lana Seviers have been in charge. .
And now this from the Tennessean this morning. If you do not kowtow to the old order and you work in the Bredesen administration, you will be dealt with. You can be the best employee, but if you don't kowtow to Bredesen, you will be overlooked and demoted. Is this Tennessee values or is this the old Ray Blanton values? You decide. And then Vote Republican.
He must answer for shredding sexual harassment documents in his office, He must answer for not fixing TN Care the first year but waiting three years to kick all these people off. He must answer for his Deputy Governor driving recklessly across the state. He must answer for the graduation rates slipping while he and his education secretary Lana Seviers have been in charge. .
And now this from the Tennessean this morning. If you do not kowtow to the old order and you work in the Bredesen administration, you will be dealt with. You can be the best employee, but if you don't kowtow to Bredesen, you will be overlooked and demoted. Is this Tennessee values or is this the old Ray Blanton values? You decide. And then Vote Republican.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
New High School Over-Runs Questioned
Fifth District Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond has sent the following letter to Knox County School Board Chairman Dan Murphy, seeking answers to questions.
Dr. Dan Murphy
(Address)
Dear Chairman Murphy:
As a county commissioner whose district will benefit from a new west Knoxville high school, I am greatly troubled by the developments of the past few days concerning the skyrocketing cost of the school.
I am receiving multiple inquiries from constituents. On their behalf, I would like answers to the following questions:
1. After a $40 million dollar figure was assigned to this project, why was an additional 78,000 square feet of space added to the school?
2. On whose authority did the architect and construction company add the extra square footage, knowing it would affect the cost of the school, the budget for which had already been set?
3. What is the effect of the addition of 78,000 square feet on the fees that will be charged to the countyÂ’s taxpayers by the architect and the construction company?
4. Why are we finding out so long after the contract was agreed upon that there is additional costly excavation necessary at the site?
5. What information has the architect and construction company been given, in writing, and itemized, by suppliers to justify the increase in materials cost? (I assume that this is in possession of the PBA, the construction company, or the architect. I would like this information provided to me by noon, Tuesday November 8)
6. If this information is not in possession of one or more of these organizations, what is the justification for the materials cost increase?
These are just the initial questions. I will have more. The County Commission appropriated $40 million dollars for this project, and now weÂ’re told that the cost could increase by approximately one-third over the original amount. Is this good business?
I wholeheartedly support the new high school. It is desperately needed. However, this increase is potentially jeopardizing our communityÂ’s ability to provide our students with the school that they need, and for which we appropriated $40 million taxpayer dollars.
Thank you for your cooperation and your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon; however, as stated above, I would appreciate having the materials cost specifics provided to me by Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Mike Hammond
Fifth District County Commissioner
cc: Mayor Mike Ragsdale
Knox County Commission
Knox County School Board
Commissioner Hammond is a fairly new Commissioner, having been elected in a 2004 special election, to fill the un expired term of former Commissioner Mike Arms. Mr. Arms currently serves as the Chief of Staff to County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.
Although Commissioner Hammond may be new to the Commission, he isn't new to Knox County Government and Knox County Schools. He served as Chairman of the Government Efficiency Panel for several years. The Government efficiency panel in 2001 helped bring Knox County Government and Knox County Schools together, to undergo a comprehensive audit of the Knox County School System. Commissioner Hammond has a successful track record of being a citizen watchdog when it comes to any waste of our tax dollars. He will advocate efficiencies when necessary to protect the citizens wallet.
Thanks to Commissioner Hammond for asking the hard questions,Volunteer TV the CBS affiliate talked with Murphy and here is what they reported he said.
Dan Murphy tells Volunteer TV News they're still in the discussion phase and nothing set in stone.
Brian's Blog has posted on this two additional times here on Tuesday 11/8/2005 and here on Friday 11/11/2005.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Oak Ridge High School -vs- New Northwest High School
This story from The Oak Ridger in Oak Ridge, TN. The renovation and addition to Oak Ridge High School came in $10.0 million over expectation. The Knox County project was to be $40 million dollar project. The Oak Ridge High School project was initially a more expensive project, because of UT-Batille and the specialized curricula that would be Oak Ridge High School. Also, renovation are always more expensive than a totally new construction.
I will support the New Northwest High School in Knox County being built similar to the other 12 Knox County high schools, with the only exception being the technology infrastructure. That will not cause the cost to rise in the bricks and mortar.
All field houses in Knox County have been built with parent and community dollars, except Gibbs that rooked and crooked Knox County into a $1.0 million dollar field house. My previous post, located here, has a PBA doccument that details the changes to the program for this new high school. The program on the new high school has been changed to build a 25,000 square foot field house to the tune of $3,175,000.00 and the addition of 78,500 square feet more than the program calls for. That additional 78,500 square feet is costing $9,969,500.00. Thus resulting in a school built to $13,144,500.00 more than its counterparts in Knox County. That is enough for another elementary school.
In the design, pay for an area and lay the underground utilities, so that you can add a wing on later, that was done at A.L. Lotts Elementary. Let's get some business and long range planning thinking among the board members.
To the parents I have talked with it appears that the board is trying to make the Mayor look bad because they want an Escalade and he has given the money for a Suburban. It will be a Great and functioning school, but won't have an indoor practice facility.
School bids $10 million over expectation
The lowest bid for the Oak Ridge High School renovation project came in almost $10 million over what officials thought would be needed to build the new school.
"We will - and must - build this school to educate our children for generations to come," Oak Ridge Board of Education Chairman John Smith said.
"Prior to the hurricanes, we did not expect it to be over budget," he added later.
Bids for the estimated $42 million construction, which is part of a larger $55 million pot, were opened Wednesday afternoon. They came from two Knoxville companies.
The lower bid of $50,545,000 came from Messer Construction, while Rentenbach Construction submitted a base bid of $56,090,000.
Each company also submitted two separate bids on extra work that included cabinets inside the school and the new soccer complex.
Messer Construction is the company that received the contract for the pre-grade work and installing geo-thermal wells for the new facility's heating and cooling systems.
Originally, there were five pre-qualified contractors for the projects, including Blaine Construction, Denark Construction, and Ray Bell Construction.
Oak Ridge officials had quietly been preparing for higher-than-expected bids after Knox County's school building projects recently came in over budget because of increasing post-hurricane construction costs.
Both the school system and the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation issued press releases immediately after the bid opening; both organizations vowed the school project will continue.
"The unexpected increase in building costs as a result of the recent natural disasters is something we could not have expected during our planning," Oak Ridge Superintendent of Schools Tom Bailey said.
The next step in the planning process, Smith said, is for school and city officials, foundation members, and project engineers "to consider all options available to build a new high school that will not compromise the months of work and contributions given by this community."
The School Board will meet soon - no date was given Wednesday - to hear a recommendation from The DLR Group and Heery International Inc., about "how best to move this forward," Smith said.
Reconstruction and renovation of the 52-year-old school was to originally have started in mid-November.
I will support the New Northwest High School in Knox County being built similar to the other 12 Knox County high schools, with the only exception being the technology infrastructure. That will not cause the cost to rise in the bricks and mortar.
All field houses in Knox County have been built with parent and community dollars, except Gibbs that rooked and crooked Knox County into a $1.0 million dollar field house. My previous post, located here, has a PBA doccument that details the changes to the program for this new high school. The program on the new high school has been changed to build a 25,000 square foot field house to the tune of $3,175,000.00 and the addition of 78,500 square feet more than the program calls for. That additional 78,500 square feet is costing $9,969,500.00. Thus resulting in a school built to $13,144,500.00 more than its counterparts in Knox County. That is enough for another elementary school.
In the design, pay for an area and lay the underground utilities, so that you can add a wing on later, that was done at A.L. Lotts Elementary. Let's get some business and long range planning thinking among the board members.
To the parents I have talked with it appears that the board is trying to make the Mayor look bad because they want an Escalade and he has given the money for a Suburban. It will be a Great and functioning school, but won't have an indoor practice facility.
School bids $10 million over expectation
The lowest bid for the Oak Ridge High School renovation project came in almost $10 million over what officials thought would be needed to build the new school.
"We will - and must - build this school to educate our children for generations to come," Oak Ridge Board of Education Chairman John Smith said.
"Prior to the hurricanes, we did not expect it to be over budget," he added later.
Bids for the estimated $42 million construction, which is part of a larger $55 million pot, were opened Wednesday afternoon. They came from two Knoxville companies.
The lower bid of $50,545,000 came from Messer Construction, while Rentenbach Construction submitted a base bid of $56,090,000.
Each company also submitted two separate bids on extra work that included cabinets inside the school and the new soccer complex.
Messer Construction is the company that received the contract for the pre-grade work and installing geo-thermal wells for the new facility's heating and cooling systems.
Originally, there were five pre-qualified contractors for the projects, including Blaine Construction, Denark Construction, and Ray Bell Construction.
Oak Ridge officials had quietly been preparing for higher-than-expected bids after Knox County's school building projects recently came in over budget because of increasing post-hurricane construction costs.
Both the school system and the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation issued press releases immediately after the bid opening; both organizations vowed the school project will continue.
"The unexpected increase in building costs as a result of the recent natural disasters is something we could not have expected during our planning," Oak Ridge Superintendent of Schools Tom Bailey said.
The next step in the planning process, Smith said, is for school and city officials, foundation members, and project engineers "to consider all options available to build a new high school that will not compromise the months of work and contributions given by this community."
The School Board will meet soon - no date was given Wednesday - to hear a recommendation from The DLR Group and Heery International Inc., about "how best to move this forward," Smith said.
Reconstruction and renovation of the 52-year-old school was to originally have started in mid-November.
Guns In School - Here and Away
Well one day after the Campbell County school shooting two girls are arrested for allegedly taking a revolver to their Germantown school. The story here.
While in Knox County two days after the Campbell County school shooting a gun appears on a Knox County High school campus. The story here.This is the second gun located at South Doyle this year. Where was the story earlier this year, about the first gun?
Is it time for metal detectors?
While in Knox County two days after the Campbell County school shooting a gun appears on a Knox County High school campus. The story here.This is the second gun located at South Doyle this year. Where was the story earlier this year, about the first gun?
Is it time for metal detectors?
A New High School by 2007 - It can be Done, Just Not Here
In a published report today in the Commercial Appeal. Two School Boards (Memphis and Shelby County) are coming together to build a new high school. The land cost is $84,000 a acre $5.0 million total. The land is expected to close by December 1, 2005.
The High School will cost $49.0 million to build with Memphis and Shelby County splitting the cost.
Does it all sound to good to be true?
An urban school board and suburban school board working together to produce a high school, jointly. It's true but here's the novel approach, It will be opened in 2007. Oh My.
The High School will cost $49.0 million to build with Memphis and Shelby County splitting the cost.
Does it all sound to good to be true?
An urban school board and suburban school board working together to produce a high school, jointly. It's true but here's the novel approach, It will be opened in 2007. Oh My.
Metro Nashville School Board Sharpening The Knife
In todays Tennessean the Metro School Board in Nashville/Davidson County are looking at deeper cuts than has been proposed by Superintendent Pedro Garcia.
It appears at this point that the Nashville/Davidson County School Board is putting forth due diligence. What results from the talk will be evident in a few weeks.
Garcia has proposed closing 7 of the 132 schools and eliminating 490 of the approximately 9800 positions within the school district.
It appears at this point that the Nashville/Davidson County School Board is putting forth due diligence. What results from the talk will be evident in a few weeks.
Garcia has proposed closing 7 of the 132 schools and eliminating 490 of the approximately 9800 positions within the school district.
Deborah Tate selected by President Bush
In a published report today in the Tennessean Murfreesboro resident and Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director Deborah Tate has been nominated by President Bush to replace Michael Powell on the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Mr. Powell, the son of Colin Powell stepped down earlier this year.
Mrs. Tate's appointment is subject to United States Senate Confirmation.
Mrs. Tate's appointment is subject to United States Senate Confirmation.
Congratulations to Knox County High School Football Players
In this mornings 11/11/2005 News-Sentinel it is reported that there are 8 area finalist for Mr. Football awards, of the 8 finalist 5 are within Knox County. They are:
In Division 5A
Farragut High School Linebacker Nick Reveiz
In Division 4A
Central High School Quarterback Zach Helton
In Division 3A
Fulton Runningback Dennis Rogan
In Division 2
Webb Tightend / Defensive lineman Charlie Seivers
Webb Runningback Matt French
The finalist were chosen last week by a state wide media panel. Awards will be presented November 28 at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville.
Congratulations to all. I will be attending the Farragut -vs- Ooltewah game tonight at Farragut, standing in my normal spot. Let's Go, Admirals!
In Division 5A
Farragut High School Linebacker Nick Reveiz
In Division 4A
Central High School Quarterback Zach Helton
In Division 3A
Fulton Runningback Dennis Rogan
In Division 2
Webb Tightend / Defensive lineman Charlie Seivers
Webb Runningback Matt French
The finalist were chosen last week by a state wide media panel. Awards will be presented November 28 at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville.
Congratulations to all. I will be attending the Farragut -vs- Ooltewah game tonight at Farragut, standing in my normal spot. Let's Go, Admirals!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas (1948-)
"Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot."
On his Southern Georgia Heritage and Up-bringing
"When I was 16, I was sitting as the only black kid in my class, and I had grown up speaking a kind of a dialect. It's called Geechee. Some people call it Gullah now, and people praise it now. But they used to make fun of us back then. It's not standard English. When I transferred to an all-white school at your age, I was self-conscious, like we all are... So I...just started developing the habit of listening."
On the Anita Hill Investigation of the Confirmation Hearing
...as far as I'm concerned, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you. You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the US Senate rather than hung from a tree.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Remarks by Virginia Governor Candidate Jerry Kilgore
Yet more proof that a Republican candidate has more class and dignity than anything the other side puts up.
KILGORE
Tonight I am delivering a speech I never dreamed I would give. Even though the votes didn't go our way, I have no regrets. This is a hard speech to listen to, but it is important. This is Virginia. While we can't all be election winners, we are still the luckiest people on earth. We meet as Virginians should. We meet with honor, with grace.
There are some things worth fighting for. That fight is not over.
Tonight we may have lost the battle, but we have not and will not lose this war.
To all the boys and girls watching this, you have now learned a valid lesson. It doesn't matter where you call home. Anything is possible with hard work.
I support my Virginia Governor Jerry Kilgore.
KILGORE
Tonight I am delivering a speech I never dreamed I would give. Even though the votes didn't go our way, I have no regrets. This is a hard speech to listen to, but it is important. This is Virginia. While we can't all be election winners, we are still the luckiest people on earth. We meet as Virginians should. We meet with honor, with grace.
There are some things worth fighting for. That fight is not over.
Tonight we may have lost the battle, but we have not and will not lose this war.
To all the boys and girls watching this, you have now learned a valid lesson. It doesn't matter where you call home. Anything is possible with hard work.
I support my Virginia Governor Jerry Kilgore.
Campbell County School Shooting
Ok, I was a hard-liner on zero tolerance offenses and when the Superintendent and School members turned soft, in my opinion, due to liberal thinking. I complained. I ranted and raved. I got at least two 30 day delays. In my 4 years on the School Board, I can only recall 2 cases, where after I read all the supporting material, I would support a lesser sentence for a zero tolerance offense. Public Education must teach every child, but it must also protect all the children and the employees. But today in Knox County, TN there is no real punishment for bringing a crack pipe, smoking crack or a carrying a gun. If you don't like going to school 7 hours during the day, get kicked out and come back 3 hours at night. I digress.
When I first heard of the Campbell County High School shooting yesterday, I thought of the families of the administrators that had been wounded. I prayed for the principals and their families. I thought about my friends on the Campbell County School Board, Bobby Snodderly, Mark A. Wells, Sarge Collins, Homer Rutherford and Mary Michelle Gillum. The other members of the Campbell County School Board are; Bo Buckner, Johnny Byrge, Walter Goins, Eugene Lawson, Faye Heatherley and the Director Dr. Judy Blevins. What a tough time for this community. A community that I have traveled through the past 18 years in my sales position. A big/little mountain community, that I would love to call home.
As the news continued throughout the day, I was numb.
The young man was identified, with his identity it was revealed that he is 15 years old. (Knoxville News-Sentinel reported today 11/9/2005 that he is 14)I have a son that is 15 years old. What a shock to this family. But then at 7:00 p.m. the CBS affiliate WVLT goes to a live shot at the Campbell County Hospital, Campbell County Sheriff Ron McClellan and Capt. Don Farmer emerge with this young man in handcuffs.
I couldn't believe it. What an innocent looking child. The first thing that came to my mind was he is somebody's baby.
I go back in my mind as a father, 15 years ago, holding my first child, a boy, my son. Thinking to myself, Wow, He is going to change the world. I am sure Kenny Bartley's father was thinking the same thing and now he has this to wrestle with. I am now thinking of all the people I have already mentioned but now I am thinking of Kenny Bartley's parents, grandparents, family members, and him. Last night, he spent his first night of many in custody, in jail.
Now I am an avid listener to talk radio, but today I turned it off. I was fed up with people calling in with their psychology, medical and parenting degrees. Everybody that has never met this boy or his family blaming medication, family, peer influences, computer games, Hollywood. Maybe that was part of the blame, I don't know and You don't know.
The Bottom line is .........Leave Them Alone....
Leave all the families alone. They have to put themselves back together. Principal Bruce is not coming home, his family has a lot to deal with. Principal Seale and Pierce will hopefully return home, but they must heal and they have a lot to deal with. Kenny Bartley is now in jail and will be prosecuted as an adult according to Attorney General Wayne Paul Phillips. Leave that family alone. Leave the Campbell County School Board and System alone, they are trying to figure out what went wrong on their end and will correct it. Leave the community alone, they will heal with time. Just...Leave them alone...If they need us, they will ask.
When I first heard of the Campbell County High School shooting yesterday, I thought of the families of the administrators that had been wounded. I prayed for the principals and their families. I thought about my friends on the Campbell County School Board, Bobby Snodderly, Mark A. Wells, Sarge Collins, Homer Rutherford and Mary Michelle Gillum. The other members of the Campbell County School Board are; Bo Buckner, Johnny Byrge, Walter Goins, Eugene Lawson, Faye Heatherley and the Director Dr. Judy Blevins. What a tough time for this community. A community that I have traveled through the past 18 years in my sales position. A big/little mountain community, that I would love to call home.
As the news continued throughout the day, I was numb.
The young man was identified, with his identity it was revealed that he is 15 years old. (Knoxville News-Sentinel reported today 11/9/2005 that he is 14)I have a son that is 15 years old. What a shock to this family. But then at 7:00 p.m. the CBS affiliate WVLT goes to a live shot at the Campbell County Hospital, Campbell County Sheriff Ron McClellan and Capt. Don Farmer emerge with this young man in handcuffs.
I couldn't believe it. What an innocent looking child. The first thing that came to my mind was he is somebody's baby.
I go back in my mind as a father, 15 years ago, holding my first child, a boy, my son. Thinking to myself, Wow, He is going to change the world. I am sure Kenny Bartley's father was thinking the same thing and now he has this to wrestle with. I am now thinking of all the people I have already mentioned but now I am thinking of Kenny Bartley's parents, grandparents, family members, and him. Last night, he spent his first night of many in custody, in jail.
Now I am an avid listener to talk radio, but today I turned it off. I was fed up with people calling in with their psychology, medical and parenting degrees. Everybody that has never met this boy or his family blaming medication, family, peer influences, computer games, Hollywood. Maybe that was part of the blame, I don't know and You don't know.
The Bottom line is .........Leave Them Alone....
Leave all the families alone. They have to put themselves back together. Principal Bruce is not coming home, his family has a lot to deal with. Principal Seale and Pierce will hopefully return home, but they must heal and they have a lot to deal with. Kenny Bartley is now in jail and will be prosecuted as an adult according to Attorney General Wayne Paul Phillips. Leave that family alone. Leave the Campbell County School Board and System alone, they are trying to figure out what went wrong on their end and will correct it. Leave the community alone, they will heal with time. Just...Leave them alone...If they need us, they will ask.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
My Prayers are in Campbell County, Tonight and Election Results
My Prayers are with the families of the victims of the Campbell County School Shootings this afternoon, My prayers are with the young man and his family. To my friends that serve on the Campbell County School Board, I am praying for you. I will post on this issue tomorrow.
Well, I am calling it a day. I hope that the Governor results continue to roll in for Kilgore in Virginia, However, it appears in early results that the ultra liberal Tim Kaine won. I will post about Clintonlike Kaine and how he was outraged that the Republican Governors Association played his Southern Virginia advertisements to Northern Virginians.
Early returns is that the Lt. Governor will be Republican Bolling and Attorney General will be Republican McDonnell. Jerry Kilgore is a good man, there is no demand for good people in public service, I guess.
In New Jersey, the liberal political bosses candidate Jon Corzine was elected in New Jersey. There were 8 independent party candidates running. Doug Forrester is a good man, as well. He was too good for New Jersey.
WE WON IN TEXAS! Thanks Governor Perry!
Well, I am calling it a day. I hope that the Governor results continue to roll in for Kilgore in Virginia, However, it appears in early results that the ultra liberal Tim Kaine won. I will post about Clintonlike Kaine and how he was outraged that the Republican Governors Association played his Southern Virginia advertisements to Northern Virginians.
Early returns is that the Lt. Governor will be Republican Bolling and Attorney General will be Republican McDonnell. Jerry Kilgore is a good man, there is no demand for good people in public service, I guess.
In New Jersey, the liberal political bosses candidate Jon Corzine was elected in New Jersey. There were 8 independent party candidates running. Doug Forrester is a good man, as well. He was too good for New Jersey.
WE WON IN TEXAS! Thanks Governor Perry!
New West Knox County High School Over-Runs
Here is the text of a PBA (Public Building Authority) document, that was available 8/11/2005 that may explain the cost over-runs:
Northwest Sector High School
School Board Meeting of August 11, 2005
Based upon recent meetings with the School Board Representatives and School Staff, the following changes and clarifications are offered:
Classroom Size: Increased from 720 to 800 square feet for a net increase to the building square footage of approximately 4,500 square feet.
Number of Classrooms: The overall number of classrooms has been increased from 40 as originally programmed to 54.
New Programmed Space - The following elements have been added to the program:
Diversified Technology
Family and Consumer Science
Health and Science Technology
Existing Programmed Space - The following elements have been increased:
English - Increased by 2 classrooms
Mathematics - Increased by 2 classrooms
Social Studies - Increased by 1 classroom
Foreign Language - Increased by 1 classroom
Science - Increased by 2 classrooms and 2 labs
Special Education - Increased by 2 Resource Rooms
Projected Occupancy - With additions indicated above and in conversations with staff, the current student occupancy is calculated between 1907-2087. (see attached breakdown)
Construction Type - The preferred method of construction is load-bearing block/brick with steel bar joist/metal deck system. The alternate method is a steel frame with prefabricated steel panels with exterior brick and interior, high-impact sheetrock.
Schedule - In consideration of the preferred building tyoe, an opening of August 2008 is anticipated subject to School Board approval.
Core Capacity - The core elements of the program which include the cafeteria, gym and auditorium are designed to accomadate 2000 studnets plus staff.
Question: Is The additional square footage X The cost per square foot = The cost over-runs from the $40.0 million dollar budget?
Great question. Let's see.
78,500 X $127.00 = $9,969,500.00
Pretty close to the $14,000,000.00
Only $4,030,500.00 over, Now
UPDATE:11/8/2005 3:23 p.m.
I have just received a phone call that has informed me that in the current program plan for the New Northwest High School, there is a 25,000 square foot Field House. I will comment on Field Houses at the conclusion of this post.
Based on our earlier exercise, There is a 78,500 square foot upgrade that cost $9,969,500.00. With the reduction of the additional square footage. The school system is currently $4,030,500.00 over budget.
Let's now conduct a field house exercise.
Square footage 25,000 X $127.00 per square foot construction = $3,175,000.00
Reduce a field house that cost $3,175,000.00 from $4,030,500.00 and the over-run is now only $855,500.00
Here is my insight on Knox County field houses. Farragut High School Football Booster Club built a field house two years ago while I served as a school board member with parent and private donations. While the Gibbs community received a $1.0 million dollar field house paid for by the tax-payers. Bearden High School has NEVER received a field house.
It would appear to the people that I have talked with in the community today, that the cost over-runs have been the result of school officials receiving the money for a Suburban and instead trying to buy a Cadillac Escalade "The King of Bling."
Northwest Sector High School
School Board Meeting of August 11, 2005
Based upon recent meetings with the School Board Representatives and School Staff, the following changes and clarifications are offered:
Classroom Size: Increased from 720 to 800 square feet for a net increase to the building square footage of approximately 4,500 square feet.
Number of Classrooms: The overall number of classrooms has been increased from 40 as originally programmed to 54.
New Programmed Space - The following elements have been added to the program:
Diversified Technology
Family and Consumer Science
Health and Science Technology
Existing Programmed Space - The following elements have been increased:
English - Increased by 2 classrooms
Mathematics - Increased by 2 classrooms
Social Studies - Increased by 1 classroom
Foreign Language - Increased by 1 classroom
Science - Increased by 2 classrooms and 2 labs
Special Education - Increased by 2 Resource Rooms
Projected Occupancy - With additions indicated above and in conversations with staff, the current student occupancy is calculated between 1907-2087. (see attached breakdown)
Construction Type - The preferred method of construction is load-bearing block/brick with steel bar joist/metal deck system. The alternate method is a steel frame with prefabricated steel panels with exterior brick and interior, high-impact sheetrock.
Schedule - In consideration of the preferred building tyoe, an opening of August 2008 is anticipated subject to School Board approval.
Core Capacity - The core elements of the program which include the cafeteria, gym and auditorium are designed to accomadate 2000 studnets plus staff.
Question: Is The additional square footage X The cost per square foot = The cost over-runs from the $40.0 million dollar budget?
Great question. Let's see.
78,500 X $127.00 = $9,969,500.00
Pretty close to the $14,000,000.00
Only $4,030,500.00 over, Now
UPDATE:11/8/2005 3:23 p.m.
I have just received a phone call that has informed me that in the current program plan for the New Northwest High School, there is a 25,000 square foot Field House. I will comment on Field Houses at the conclusion of this post.
Based on our earlier exercise, There is a 78,500 square foot upgrade that cost $9,969,500.00. With the reduction of the additional square footage. The school system is currently $4,030,500.00 over budget.
Let's now conduct a field house exercise.
Square footage 25,000 X $127.00 per square foot construction = $3,175,000.00
Reduce a field house that cost $3,175,000.00 from $4,030,500.00 and the over-run is now only $855,500.00
Here is my insight on Knox County field houses. Farragut High School Football Booster Club built a field house two years ago while I served as a school board member with parent and private donations. While the Gibbs community received a $1.0 million dollar field house paid for by the tax-payers. Bearden High School has NEVER received a field house.
It would appear to the people that I have talked with in the community today, that the cost over-runs have been the result of school officials receiving the money for a Suburban and instead trying to buy a Cadillac Escalade "The King of Bling."
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