Scottie Mayfield Should Drop Out of Congressional Race

Third District US Congressional Candidate Scottie Mayfield's 33 year old son slashed the tire of a staff member of Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. The story of his apology just keeps coming up in Third District media outlets.

One thing is clear, Mayfield obviously has been lacking in the raising of his 33 year old son and in my opinion should drop out of the race and focus on his family.

Today's News Sentinel Story on the Schools Central Office

In today's Knoxville News Sentinel is this article about other school districts and their reaction to the staffing of central office. What I found interesting is that every person interviewed from other areas, whether they be central office administrators or school board members they all echoed the same thing, communicate what you are doing. The problem this year in Knox County is the message that two school board members have said publicly is "you point us to the waste and what you would do to replace that activity". That is not the right approach, if you want my tax money from my County Mayor and County Commissioners. It is called checks and balance.

I thought the Beanster Was Having A Flashback

When you see tomorrow's Shopper and you look upon the column authored by the Beanster. You may think that she is having a flashback. You see the two headlines are "Here's To Tyler" and then "A 55 year love affair Cooper's happy, active in retirement". 

Everyone knows that former County Commissioner Leo Cooper and his wife have recently celebrated their 55th Anniversary. So, when you glance back up, you are believing that she is writing about Tyler Harber. The young political operative that she despised when he was here organizing the winning campaigns that knocked out her cronies and friends. However, when he made it to Washington, DC as a political operative, Beanster took a junket to DC to get him to give her some details that she could author three weeks of bird cage material. 

But upon actually getting beyond the headlines, you discover that the Beanster actually wrote a pretty good story on Tyler Summitt, the son of our Beloved Lady Vols Basketball Coach Emeritus Pat Summitt. The second story is a good story on Leo and Joanne Cooper. 

Every time that I think about the Beanster and Leo Cooper, I am reminded of her being at a fundraiser at the intersection of Jacksboro and Tazewell Pike for one of Leo's political fundraiser and how she stood at the window from inside the fundraiser mesmerized at the bread truck with the Scott Moore campaign signs attached to it. It tore the Beanster up!

So, this week the Beanster did a good job for the Shopper and you can read it right here. 

Another Shocker from the Hardin Valley Academy Audit

Before I throw this audit away. On page 14 under "Other Matters of Interest" item 2 is "Pending Litigation" reads

"During the course of the project, PBA contracted the security installation through an existing contract that the Knox County Schools had issued to a local vendor. PBA was instructed to use this company in order to make sure that the equipment and software were consistent with the rest of the schools. PBA complied with that direction and issued a purchase order for the installation of the various components of the comprehensive system, which includes cameras, access control and intrusion protection."

The report continues "The security system was installed, and upon inspection by PBA, it was determined that there were deficiencies in the installation. After repeated attempts by PBA and Knox County Schools to have the problems corrected, PBA contracted with a third party expert to have the system audited for compliance with the contract requirements. The audit resulted in a finding of numerous problems and variances from the contract. After consultation with Knox County and Knox County Schools, it was decided to pursue legal remedies to resolve the problems."

Government Auditor Richard Walls added at the Audit Committee meeting that Hardin Valley Academy and Powell Middle are both schools with security deficiencies. I then asked are they still deficient? On March 13, 2012 the answer was YES!

I held off on posting this in hopes that the deficiencies have been corrected. However, it is the government we are talking about here.

What's a Government Auditor Think of $608?

I was cleaning off my desk and ran across that March 13, 2012 Audit Report by Richard Walls on the Hardin Valley Academy Construction.

I must have missed where he wrote on #6 Findings and Recommendations under Markups. "During our audit, we noted that fifty-seven reimbursable expense items of the architectural firm totaling $6,083 were marked up 10%, resulting in an overpayment of $608."

So, what was Mr. Walls recommendation? "We do not recommend recovery of this item due to it's insignificance."

Do What!? $608 is insignificant? So, if my tax bill to Knox County is $1,216 then I can pay $608 because it is insignificant. What if the Knox County Commission decides that Mr. Walls monthly salary will be cut $608 because that amount is insignificant?

This guy is the eyes of Knox County's checks and balances. Unbelievable! Why did it take me till now to see that? Who knows. As Donila would post, Anyhoo.

Sheriff Jones Will NOT and Can NOT Be Bribed

This group of activists have been turned away from meeting with Sheriff Jones three times. On their fourth try, they think they can entice him to meet with them because they have 12 cupcakes. Come on people! Read the story here from the News Sentinel.

The Feds Should Step In On the Mayfield Investigation

Because Tyler Threadgill, a campaign staffer for Congressman Chuck Fleischmann had his tire slashed by 33 year old Michael Mayfield, son of Congressional candidate Scottie Mayfield I believe the federal authorities should work with the Kingston Police Departments investigation of this incident as it was an attempt at harming a staffer of a federal officeholder. Mayfield should face terrorism charges, in my opinion.

Scottie Mayfield's Campaign Resorts to Vandalism

Scottie Mayfield's son vandalizes the car tire of a campaign staffer of Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. Is this an early indicator of the campaign antics of the Mayfield campaign? The fact that Mayfield and his son inherited a successful businesss and they have never had to work for what they have. So, when the going gets tough early in this campaign Michael Mayfield resorts to vandalizing the vehicle of a Federal Elected Official on County Government property. Hopefully, the son of Scottie Mayfield will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I do not believe that the Roane County government will cave into Mayfield's affluence. Read the story here from the Roane County News.

RIP Pat Wood

Yesterday, Knoxville Businessman Pat Wood died. Mr. Wood was a great man and one that when I asked for his opinion on an issue would always shoot straight with me.

There are so few good business mentors and Mr. Wood was one that I could rely on. God Bless Pat Wood's life and it is with a thankful heart that I was able to spend time with such a man.

How Does This Guy Have Any Credibility?

PlanET is Drawing Attention

This week the "5counties+1kumbayahvision" aka PlanET began input gathering meetings from the citizenry. In Blount County on Monday night the organizers agreed to answer questions. Here are a couple of interesting facts. The $4.3 million dollar grant that was awarded for the funding of PlanET was out of a pot of $100 million. The $4.3 million was awarded to the City of Knoxville. Of the $4.3 million, $1.3 million has been designated for the out of state consultant.

Is the City of Knoxville imposing their will on the 5 counties by possessing the funding? Shock And Awe (aka Brian's Blog) intends to follow this issue without a Kool-aid induced stupor that the other media apparently enjoy.

Mayfield Drawing NO Crowds

Scottie Mayfield, Republican candidate for Congress in TN's Third District launched a bus tour this week. Below are a couple of photos taken of his stop in Hamilton County, TN

What was interesting about his stop in Hamilton County is that all the people milling around, were riders on the bus. There was not a crowd to meet him at the stop.

It was like a tour bus just taking a recess stop to stretch.

School Board is Utilizing Media Friendly Allies

The Knox County School Board is utilizing some media friendly alleys to help advance their multi million increase for next years school budget. Last week it was Cumulus owned NewsTalk 98.7 FM and their morning show Hallerin Hilton Hill. Each morning, Hill had Dr. Jim McIntyre and individuals with the school district on air to discuss "future factories" aka public schools. One of the criticisms I heard yesterday is that Hill has at times had his children in private schools. He reportedly has a commercial discussing the benefits of the school his daughter attends.

Yesterday, E.W. Scripps Publisher of the weekly Shopper News Sandra Clark and the Managing Editor Jake Mabe appeared during public forum to ask the County Commission to support the Knox County School Boards budget request. Clark handed out some feathers. This had some symbolism to her column last week about leaders needing to lead and something about chickens needing to roost or something.

The Best Use for the Metro Pulse

Last night I went to the Downtown Grill and Brewery, as a few friends and I waited on a table I noticed someone using the Metro Pulse in the best use I have ever seen.

Bill Stokes is a Slow One

Democrat Supporter and Former Close Advisor to Income Tax Proposing Governor Don Sundquist Bill Stokes in an effort at transparency today disclosed at today's Election Commission meeting something a Shock And Awe commenter revealed on February 8, 2012 here.

This morning Bill Stokes in representing an Anderson County Democrat resident in an effort to be a candidate for State House of Representatives stated that he would like to disclose that his daughter is an attorney with Knox County Law Director Joe Jarret. So, that a blogger doesn't mis state something about him. Why would Stokes take a shot at Mike Donila like that?

Stokes who has long been a constant enemy of Former Sheriff Tim Hutchison appears to be unable to bury the hatchet. You see Stokes was a supporter of Former Sheriff Joe Fowler who Hutchison beat in 1990. Then when Cathy Quist won Circuit Court Clerk, Stokes supported her opponent. When his motorcycle buddy Chadwick B. Tindell and his client/campaign manager got in a disagreement about Tindell's emails. Stokes got upset at the Sheriff's Department investigation that put Stokes between his buddy and his client who was also his State Senate Campaign Manager. It seems that Stokes is still stinging from his 25% vote for State Senate.

Stokes in disclosing his daughters position is moving in the right direction toward transparency. unfortunately, he is more than two months behind a loyal Shock And Awe reader.

What is the "real" story on the mulch fire?

A reliable source has informed me that over the past 10 years that over 155 calls have been made to the authorities concerning fires at the mulch operation that has been in fully engulfed since Sunday. That is an average of at least one call a month.

With all the attention by the Big Metal Sheed on the Hill concerning Knox County's Solway facility, why have they never focused on an enviromental mess just under their nose?

Revive Asheville

I met 6 individuals in Asheville that were part of a group of 400 people from all across America that are meeting the people of Asheville. I met folks from Flint, MI and Dallas TX and Asheville that are spending several days.

The out of town folks are being housed in homes in the Asheville area by the locals.

The movement began last year in Flint, MI with a Revive Flint event. The movement is non denominational. The Founder is Kyle Martin

They have a website. www.timetorevive.com

Sometimes What You Dislike Is What You Become

After seeing last weeks Knox Focus, I was reminded that when Publisher Steve Hunley created the Focus he was motivated to be the opposite of Sandra Clark of the Halls Shopper. Clark has become an entity of the mega conglomerate E.W. Scripps Company. Clark is still the Publisher of the Halls Shopper. 

When Hunley created the Focus he voiced frustration with Clark's constant promotion of her friend and former newspaper business partner County Commissioner Mary Lou Horner. Hunley continually voiced his intent to be "the positive news" and said that "if they say potato we will say potato. If they say tomato, we will say tomato". 

Last week several weeks post March 6 election he featured School Board Member Mike McMillan. It seems that what Hunley first disliked in the Shopper News his publication has since become. 

"The Shed" is Against It Before They Support It

When Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett appointed Burton Webb as the next Knox County Finance Director. The Editorial Board issued this editorial on April 4 with a veiled threat that if anything went wrong they would hold the Mayor accountable. The Mayor discovered new information and Webb's appointment was quickly rescinded.

The Big Metal Shed on the Hill editorialized here on April 11 supporting the Charter Review Committee proposing having the County Mayor appoint positions like Law Director, Trustee, Property Assessor and others. The bottom line is that the Big Metal Shed on the Hill only likes appointments from the County Mayor when they agree with the individuals that are appointed otherwise they do not like it. Hypocrisy at it's best or actually worse. 

Whatever Became of Arnett's Transparency Pledge?

When Foster Arnett first ran for Knox County Clerk, he pledged to throw the door open on the Clerk's Office. A symbolic gesture to ensure transparency in the operation of the Clerk's Office. However, we were the first to report that Arnett was AWOL (Absent With Out Leave) although he probably gave himself leave and was hospitalized for many days. 

After our Wednesday posting here Mike Donila of Screams From The Porch contacted Arnett and got the Arnett version here on Thursday. Donila credited Shock And Awe for the story. Then Donila got it placed in this published article on Friday over at the Big Metal Shed on the Hill. 

So, why did Arnett slam the door shut in disclosing his 10 day (3 days in Critical Care Unit) hospitalization? No transparency there. The public has a need to know when their elected officials do not have the ability to perform the functions even short term that they were elected and are being paid to perform.