Two of The Liberal Blog Contributor's Get It Wrong

First, Chad Tindell reported that no one from the Mayor's office was present at the Commission meeting, except John Troyer. I sat about three or four rows behind CBT and his lovely wife. I counted at least 6 employees of the County Mayor's office present in the Main Assembly Room.

Now, the "reporter" Sandra Clark said that the Mayor's office had to have leaked the audit to her employer E.W. Scripps Knoxville News-Sentinel. That wasn't true as usual for S.Clark. the County Mayor's office did not receive the final report until 6:25 p.m. in sealed envelopes personally given to them by one Richard Walls.

It would have helped Mr. Walls for him to have given it to them an hour or two before the meeting because they could have warned him that he was about to violate Federal law in disclosing Todd Cook's Social Security number. The copy that I obtained from Mr. Walls staff had the Social Security number revealed.

How could someone that has been the Independent County Auditor for several years do such sloppy, careless work as to violate Federal law? Will there be outrage from the Commissioners to have Walls resign or reimburse the county for his careless disregard for the law?

Is Commissioner Lambert Out of Control?

Breaking News for the liberal blog readers that have been directed here. This afternoon the two tabloid bully girls were huddled together in the back of a restaurant in North Knoxville. They were overheard to be muttering to one another. "If we only had a brain, if we only had a brain. What could we do if we had a brain?" Then Betty was seen leaving in this new outfit.

UPDATE 9/3/07 11:11 a.m.: Commissioner Lambert has called this morning and wanted to know why he was not allowed to comment prior to this post. I have offered him an opportunity to respond. I told him to submit a response in email form and I will post it. I feel confident that the Brian's Blog team member captured this story as accurately as possible. The team member discussed this incident with several eyewitness sources. Commissioner Lambert asked who the team member and witnesses were. As with all posts, they remain protected as sources and contributors to the blog. I had to cut my conversation with the Commissioner short as I was out exercising at the time. More information as it develops.

Original Post 9/3/07 6:27 a.m.: According to several sources who personally witnessed the incident, Commissioner Lumpy Lambert’s behavior was totally inappropriate last Friday night after the taping of Politics Knox, a weekly program which airs on CTV, Channel 12. Lambert, who was present in the studios as a part of the behind the scenes crew for the show, which is hosted by City Councilman, Steve Hall, remained in the building after others on that crew had left. The commissioner approached Jamie Rowe, a local citizen as she was about to appear on DTV to speak about the issue of the Storm Water Ordinance and became very argumentative.

Mrs. Rowe was invited to be a guest on the show by Mark Harmon, the show’s often controversial host, who has followed the issue closely. At several times in the conversation, witnesses reported that they heard the commissioner raise his voice, and speak disrespectfully to the unsuspecting citizen.

"Commissioner Lambert was not involved in the DTV Show," said one source. "It was unclear as to why he continued to hang around. Mrs. Rowe was there as a service to the community, not to talk to Mr. Lambert."

Mrs. Rowe was sitting in the waiting room, when Mr. Lambert came into the room, waving his finger at her, telling her she was wrong, and he had the correct information. Others in the room asked Lumpy to calm down, as he was backing Jamie Rowe into a corner, both in words and physically. Mrs. Rowe was reportedly so upset she could not think straight. She was blind-sided by the over the top behavior of Lumpy.

Someone needs to tell the former used car salesman that he is not the be all and end all of this world.

Commissioner Cawood Is Now In The Business Of Messing Up A Karns Neighborhood

Being a County Commissioner is supposed to be the job of representing your constituents. Unless you are Commissioner Cawood. After a one week separation for her county paid $42,000.00 she has now turned on her constituents. Why?

Is it so that she can get a sizable campaign contribution from a developer so that she can continue mailing out her campaign literature? We are just asking the questions.

You tell us why you think she did it.

Waste and Abuse By Knoxville City Councilman?

While Knox County is at center of the storm's eye on the investigations by the News-Sentinel and WBIR and rightly so. There has been little to report on the City side except for the past actions of City Councilman Rob Frost.

City Council members are given a parking card to park in the City County Building for Council meetings. No citizen (handicapped or non handicapped) is allowed to park there. However, Rob parks there everyday and walks to his office in the First Tennessee Bank building for nearly 10 hours a day.

This issue came up a year or so ago during the re-election campaign and Rob said he is always sticking his head in City department doors while going to and from work. Brian's Blog has talked with numerous City departments in the City County Building and they rarely see Rob Frost except at Council meetings.

During Rob's campaign, the News-Sentinel and WBIR were not working so diligently in exposing waste and abuse. Maybe they will now look into this one.

Rob Frost, parking in the City County Building everyday because membership has its privileges.

Sharon Cawood Exposed For Abuse and Fraud

Scott Barker of the News Sentinel exposes the abuse of the taxpayers by one Sharon Cawood. Her orders of stationary has been monitored since February. However, it had to wait until it reached such a horrendous, abusive level.

The Ethics Committee should fast track a request for the D.A. to investigate Cawood for potential criminal fraud and abuse.

Let's review.

1) She gets a job for $42,000.00 a year in the Court Clerk's office, after her husband voted to create the job in December 2006.

2) Her husband gives her his job as County Commissioner.

3) Her husband goes to work for the Sheriffs Department prior to vacating his Commission seat.

4) She attends meetings, ribbon cuttings and check presentations instead of attending to her full time job in the Clerk's office.

5) She takes the taxpayers to the cleaners with stationary and postage in the guise of Commission mailings.

6) In retalitation to unflattering exposes that first appeared on Brian's Blog, she has a 6 year veteran of the Court Clerk's office (Hubert Smith) placed on laid off status.

Hubert Smith is not and was not a source for any post appearing on Brian's Blog.

Hallerin Hilton Hill Morning Show

I had the opportunity this morning to call into the Hallerin Hilton Hill Morning Show. The show airs Monday - Friday 6:00 am - 10:00 am on FM 100.3.

The reason for my call was to explain the TN Sunshine Law. A previous caller had asked if a meeting between Mike Arms Chief of Staff to Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Commission Chairman Scott Moore was a violation of the Sunshine Law. I explained that the Sunshine Law addresses meetings between members of the same body. (ie. Commission, School Board, City Council, MPC, Industrial Development Board)

Hallerin then asked about my blog and the lay-off of Hubert Smith. I explained to Hallerin that I was happy to address it.

I informed the listeners that my blog was the only media in December 2006 that reported the Commission approving the position of Supervisor of Juvenile Court Clerk's operation prior to the vote in creating the position. My blog pointed out that then County Commissioner Mark Cawood voted to create the job for his wife. As history will reveal, that was an accurate report. Within 45 days, he nominated his wife for another county paycheck, that of taking his place as the County Commissioner.

I explained to Hallerin three examples of where my sources have called me to ask and inform me of her activities that are not part her county job in the Court Clerk's office.

I have received many calls from the Karns community concerned that she attends the meetings and activities of the Karns Professional and Business Association meeting and is never rushed to get back to her county job.

I have received many calls from the Powell community concerned that she attends the meetings and activities of the Powell Professional and Business Association meetings and is never rushed to get back to her county job.

One recent morning, she and fellow County Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert traveled to every school in the Sixth district delivering county tax payer checks to help fund school activities. Several parents called asking why she wasn't attending to her county job with the Clerk's office.

I explained that Hubert Smith was NOT a source or the source for any post involving Sharon Cawood or the Clerk's office. There are many constituents of Sharon Cawood that call and inform the Brian's Blog staff where Sharon is and what she is doing.

I reminded Hallerin and his listeners that the reason my blog exposed this gross misuse of tax dollars was due to her comments at the July Commission committee meeting that all who have resigned should be named. Well, Sharon wasn't named until Brian's Blog but now she is resigning on August 17, 2007.

So, based on her public position on the issue, the county should name her as well.

Mark Cawood Resigns

Sources indicate that former Knox County Commissioner, husband of County Commissioner Sharon Cawood and current Bailiff Mark Cawood notified Knox County Democrat Chairman Don Daugherty yesterday that he has resigned his position on the Knox County Democrat Party's Board of Governors.

Cawood served on the Board of Governors as the male representative for the Sixth district. His resignation will leave Sue Stewart as the sole representative of the Sixth district until the Board of Governors can meet and replace Cawood.

A Question.

I have received emails from 12 different individuals asking the same question. I have received phone calls from three different individuals asking the same question that the 12 emails asked.

I do not have the answer.

So, you try to answer it.

Here is the question.

Why would Sharon Cawood resign a $43,000.00 plus a year job, in order to retain a $19,000.00 plus a year job?

Knox Dem Chairman Is Conflicted In His Call On Commissioner's To Resign

The Knox County Democrat Party Chairman Don Daugherty from everything that I have seen is a decent guy. In todays News-Sentinel he is calling of County Commissioners Luethold and Tramel to resign.

As the Immediate Past Chairman of the Knox County Republican Party I understand that sometimes you have to ask questions and do things that you may personally be uncomfortable with, but that's your job.

As Chairman I led the Knox County GOP to a countywide sweep in 2006. Retaining all countywide positions. We lost one County Commission district race. The Commission appointed a Republican to the other district seat on January 31, 2007.

Don is calling on two Commissioners to resign their county jobs. Craig Leuthold an employee of the Knox County Trustee office and Lee Tramel a longtime employee of the Sheriffs Department. Don is not calling on the school employee to resign. He says “Educators, I put them in a little bit different place" The reason Don puts Educators in a different place is because his brother Michael Leon is a Bearden High School teacher and a two time candidate for the Third district Commission seat.

Both times Leon's residency became an issue. It has been alleged that Leon and his wife reside in a home they jointly own in the Seventh district but he used his mother's address in the Third district as their home. Don was the Chairman for Leon's last campaign, thus the reason he places educators are in a little bit different place.

As for the merits to his request. Craig Leuthold when first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 was open about his employment in the Trustee office. The voters have overwhelmingly elected and re-elected him. Don's party has never even fielded a candidate against Craig Leuthold.

Lee Tramel has been a Sheriffs Department administrator for many years. The News-Sentinel has printed the fact that Tramel is a Sheriffs Department administrator nearly every week since January 31, 2007.

Sharon Cawood received the Juvenile Court Clerk's Supervisor position less than 55 days before being appointed to County Commission. Her husband, former Commissioner Mark Cawood a Democrat, received a position prior to his last day of County Commission service. With a reasonable conclusion the case can be made that Mark's actions were clearly a violation of the County's Conflict of Interest policy.

Hubert Smith Can Be Called Back To Work

O.k. on Friday July 20, 2007 Cathy Quist laid Hubert Smith (a 6 year Juvenile Court Clerk employee) off due to a lack of funding for his $25,000.00 a year salary.

This evening, Commissioner Sharon Cawood resigned from her $42,000.00 a year salaried position within the Clerk's office.

Now, Cathy Quist can call Hubert Smith back to work and the taxpayers could still see a $17,000.00 savings.

Knox County Confidential Part IV

You read the story about Sharon Cawood here at Brian's Blog first on July 17, 2007 and now this breaking news from the News-Sentinel website, KnoxNews.

How is Cawood's desire to enlarge her representation any greater today than on July 16, 2007, the day before Brian's Blog first reported Knox County Confidential?

Here's wishing Sharon much success in the private sector.

Knox County Confidential Part III

Have you seen this photo on the front page of today's News-Sentinel. It was taken by J. Miles Cary and was taken at the Commission meeting on 1/31/2007. If you will look in the left hand corner of the photograph. Hubert Smith is sitting at the media table and looking at him from behind his back is the former Juvenile Court Clerk Supervisor Sharon Cawood.

Sharon was the Supervisor and Hubert was an employee of the Juvenile Court Clerk's office at the time. Hubert always ensured that he took time off to cover such events. Making sure the taxpayers were not funding his task of covering local politics for his radio talk show.

This would have been just before she became the Commissioner to replace her husband, the Commissioner at the time. Who was at the time and is currently the bailiff.

Knox County Confidential Part II

Last week found me out of town attending to business meetings. One morning I received a voicemail from the producer of the Hallerin Hilton Hill Morning Show. Unfortunately, I received the message after the show had concluded.

Hubert Smith was a guest on the Hallerin Hill show and the topic of my blog and specfically the blog post concerning County Commissioner and former Juvenile Court Clerk Supervisor Sharon Cawood became part of the story.

It is true that within 24 hours of the blog post, Sharon Cawood was removed as the Supervisor of the Juvenile Court Clerk's operation and transferred to the General Sessions Court Clerk operation. This move puts her within the direct supervision of Cathy Quist. It also places her in the same building with her husband, former Commissioner Mark Cawood. Mark is currently employed as a bailiff. Nepotism is alive and well.

Within 48 hours of her move to General Sessions Court Clerk operation. Hubert Smith was notified that his position had been eliminated by the County. The County Commission in voting on the Clerk's budget eliminated Hubert's position is what his lay-off notice states.

It took Quist's office about 4 weeks to figure out that Hubert's position wasn't funded. The budget year starts on July 1 and Hubert was notified on July 20. So, now the Clerk's office is off budget 4 weeks. So much for competent, professional, effective service.

Nearly everyone believes and rightly so that Hubert was laid off because Ms. Quist believes that he was my source or the source for the Cawood post.

Let me state this as clear and concise as I can. Hubert Smith was NOT the source or a source for the blog post.

I find it interesting that if Ms. Quist had reason to believe that Hubert was the source or a source. Why did she NOT contact me? I would have informed her that he was NOT the source or a source.

When Quist was considering whether to run for General Sessions Court Judge and she had became aware of something I said in a conversation, not posted on the blog but said in a conversation with one other person. She quickly called me. Why not the same this time?

If you read a comment from an anonymous poster to the original post and if you read the line in last week's Shopper. It is obvious that Hubert was laid off because of the post and if that is the case they laid him off without cause. In addition, it means they have falsified his lay-off because the reason stated is that the County eliminated the funds for his position.

Both Commission Chair Scott Moore and Commission Vice Chair Tank Strickland said at the Commission meeting that they did NOT eliminate the funds for his position. Granted this lay-off could be a clerical error and if so Hubert deserves a public apology and re-instatement to his position.

There are many different people that have contacted me Republicans, Democrats, Elected Officials, Everyday Citizens, Members of the Media in Knox County, Employees of the Circuit Court Clerk's operation. They all support Hubert.

Hubert Smith Addresses County Commission Regarding Ms. Cathy Quist Decision To Lay-Off His Position Of 6 Years

Part I

Part II



Credit to and Thank You to Publius9 for publishing this on youtube. By doing so it allows Brian's Blog to provide it to you, the readers of Brian's Blog and continues to expose Knox County Confidential.

Knox County Lay-Off's

UPDATE Sunday 7/22/2007 7:33 pm The E.W. Scripps weekly newspaper evidently reads Brian's Blog. As we broke this story yesterday. We were able to speak with Mike Arms of the Mayor's office. We were unable to reach Cathy Quist or a representative of her office.

However, the E.W. Scripps weekly newspaper is reporting that they reached her.

Here is what the paper that prides itself on printing lies has to say. "Hubert Smith is no longer an employee of Knox County. He had clerked in the Juvenile Court under Cathy Quist until her budget was cut by one position. Word on the street is that Smith also kept busy documenting the work habits of his supervisor, Sharon Cawood." They have an additional item that is related. "Cathy Quist confirmed that Smith’s position had been cut. She also said Cawood will be transferred to the General Sessions Court downtown."

Of course, we are happy to be of assistance to all of the Brian's Blog readership. Even at times when we can assist the E. W. Scripps weekly newspaper.

I always cite them when I am talking about their stories. They could have at least credited me with breaking this story. Let's see I broke the story that led to Jack McElroy stepping down from the Urban League Board, he credited me with it. I broke this story and Cawood is moved. Hmm. Some people like McElroy are real journalist and real people and well the others just ain't.

UPDATE: Saturday 7/21/2007 1:18 pm - I spoke with Mike Arms the Chief of Staff of the Knox County Mayor's Office today. Mr. Arms told me that the Mayor's office did not and has not requested that any officeholder lay off any employee.

The County Mayor's office did request and implement a hiring freeze for all county offices. The only way that a fee officeholder can have a position approved is to make the request to the Knox County Commission and the Commission must approve the position. An example of this occurring is when Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin during the budget process requested and was approved an additional position.

Cathy Quist office did not request an additional position during the budget process.

The County Mayor's office also seized all vacancies. Hubert Smith's position was not vacant until he was laid off at 4:30 pm, yesterday Friday 7/20/07.

Mike Arms said "No where did we ask anyone to lay employees off."

I attended at least one of the two budget hearings this year. In the budget hearings each officeholder or their representative appeared before the County Commission and was asked if their budget was satisfactory. In every case the fee officeholders or their representatives said they were fine and would be o.k. For example Property Assessor John Whitehead said "I don't have everything I want, but I have everything I need."

In the case of Cathy Quist. She was represented at the budget hearings by Assistant's Tim Wheeler and Wendy Norris. At no time in their presentation to Commission did Tim Wheeler (who did a majority of the talking) indicate that one position would be eliminated or laid off even momentarily.

As for the process of fee officeholders and the Mayor approving each position. The fee officeholder's are required to submit something called a "salary suit" in this salary suit it list each person, their position and salary. If the Mayor disagrees with the salary suit. The officeholder must then file the salary suit with a Judge. Mr. Arms has informed me today that the Mayor has approved each and every salary suit submitted to him as of this date.

So, the reasons given to Mr. Smith for his position being laid off or eliminated appears not to be accurate.

Original Post: Saturday 7/21/2007 6:16 am - On Friday July 20, 2007 at 4:30 pm Catherine F. Quist the Knox County Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk laid off at least one employee. The reason? Because Knox County did not fully fund the budget request of her office and because the County Commission/Mayor eliminated funds for his position.

Because notice was given to him at 4:30 pm (the conclusion of the work day) he was not allowed to gather his personal items and was escorted from the building by security. He was informed that he would receive his personal items by mail.

Longtime Deputy Clerk Hubert Smith received notice in a letter from Catherine F. Quist that read. "I regret to inform you that effective immediately you are hereby laid off until further notice. The County not only failed to fully fund our salary request but eliminated funds for your position."

A few questions.

If the Clerk's office must implement lay offs in what order are the lay offs considered and implemented? Certainly Hubert is not the newest member of the office, having been employed in the position since 2001. In December 2006, the County Commission voted on and approved a Supervisor position at the request of the Clerk and that position was given to Sharon Cawood, now County Commissioner Sharon Cawood. Within the last 3 weeks there have been at least 3 part time positions hired within the Court Clerk's office.

Where in the budget has the Court Clerk listed specific jobs? Hubert is a Deputy Clerk as are a majority of the employees of the office. You are either Deputy Clerk or a Supervisor. Where does it list a specific Deputy Clerk? That would be necessary in order for the County Commission/Mayor to have eliminated Mr. Smith's position.

What did the County Commission/Mayor know and when did they know it in regards to eliminating funds for Hubert Smith or any other persons position?

If the County Commission/Mayor eliminated funds for any position in the Court Clerk's office. Why was an employee allowed to work 20 days past the first day of the budget year? The budget year began on 7/1/2007. Hubert was laid off on 7/20/2007.

When County Commissioner Sharon Cawood voted for the budget and read into the record that she had a conflict of interest. What did she know and when did she know that she was eliminating one of the positions within the office where she is employed?

Hubert Smith has been a good employee garnering all exemplary evaluations. In addition, Hubert Smith is an employee that qualifies for protection under the age discrimination laws and was the sole black full time employee of the Clerk's Juvenile Court operation.

An interesting twist. Hubert Smith is also the host of the public affairs radio talk show called The Hubert Smith Radio Show which airs every Sunday from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm ET on The Horne Radio Network's WKVL - AM 850. The Show is also simulcast on WLOD - AM 1140 (Loudon County) WATO - AM 1290 (Oak Ridge) and WGAP - AM 1400 (Maryville)

Tomorrow Hubert has scheduled for his show. Joe Hultquist, Knoxville city councilman, District 1, to talk about the great things happening in South Knoxville. There will be a surprise celebrity co-host! Angela McGlowan, FOX News commentator and author of "Bamboozled," will be the guest in hour two.

The Next County Investigation?

UPDATE: There are some new developments in regards to this story that will be posted within the next 12 - 24 hours. However, I would like to share with you the hypocrisy of Commissioner Sharon Cawood. This KNS story in the Tuesday 7/17/07 edition reports discussion about Commissioners taking issue with former Mayor employee Bone being the only person named in an upcoming County Commission resolution. Commissioner Sharon Cawood said “Others that have resigned need to be named,” Commissioner Sharon Cawood said.

With this original blog post it reveals the hypocrisy of Commissioner Sharon Cawood and that she should have learned some time ago that those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Every county employee is expected and does attend to their duties 37.5 - 40 hours or more a week, refrains from two - three hour lunches and extended afternoon shopping trips unless they are a Supervisor and an appointed County Commissioner to the seat that the Tennessee Supreme Court picked up and dumped your husband out of.


Original Post 7/17/07 4:52 PM - My sources tell me that the next Knox County Investigation will involve County employees and the time they spend on their job.

My sources tell me that a review of time sheets and entry/exit swipes at all county facilities has already been launched. Most all doors entering and exiting county owned facilities have a card swipe system. It will say that X employee entered the building at X time and how many times they entered the building during the day.

Multiple sources have indicated that one example is Commissioner Sharon Cawood a Supervisor at the Juvenile Court Clerk's office. She has rarely worked an entire day since she was hired in December 2006 (less than 30 days before she was appointed to her husband's County Commission seat) According to the sources, Cawood also takes extended lunch breaks. Cawood was not promoted to this position within the Clerk's office, she was hired off the street as a Supervisor.

Questions are arising as to how much comp time or vacation time could she have accumulated during her brief stint with the clerk's office. My sources also indicate that there are Knox County employees drawing a check that have not checked in to the office they are assigned to in several years.