Haslam Is a Tax Raising RINO, But That Ain't Anything NEW!

In 2003 then Mayor Bill Haslam in his first budget proposed and City Council passed a property tax increase on the citizens of Knoxville. In his first six months as Governor of TN he has informed the Memphis Commercial Appeal (here) that he will take the lead on taxing the Internet. Really!? Actions of a Tax Raising RINO (Republican In Name Only) should never shock or surprise you.

Why Is The "Republican" Governor's Family Backing a Democrat for Mayor of Knoxville?

Check this from the E.W. Scripps owned Metro Pulse.

Knox County Property Assessor Race Begins!

Here Phil Ballard, candidate for Knox County Property Assessor next year walks during Monday's Farragut Fourth of July parade. He had several individuals walking with t-shirts and hats on giving out candy.

John Whitehead, also a candidate for Knox County Property Assessor next year also walked in the parade with several volunteers wearing t-shirts handing out caandy.

Knox County Parks & Rec Director is Insubordinate

Thursday's Knoxville News Sentinel has a story of Doug Bataille extolling the virtues of Knox County's Three Ridges Golf Course. Less than a week after Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett announced that he intends to sell the course in order to pay for a new Carter Elementary School. Obviously Bataille believes he is Mayor or has forgotten he answers to the elected Mayor. His quotes have resulted in him being insubordinate.

I will post about the Sentinel's Friday story later, which had him out on the Three Ridges Golf Course during the work day.

What World Is Sam McKenzie Living In? Not Ours

Knox County Commissioner Sam McKenzie has declared that the recession is over. What world is he living in? I guess when as a Commissioner you enrich yourself with $3,900 a year for gasoline to drive from ribbon cutting to ribbon cutting then you do sense that the recession is over. But, in reality, the recession is NOT over.

Town of Farragut Parade - State Senate District 6 Candidates

State Senate District 6 Candidate Victoria DeFreese spent considerable time talking with potential voters. I stopped her long enough for this picture.

State Senate Candidate and Current Knoxville City Council Councilwoman at Large Marilyn Roddy handed out candy and visited with potential voters on the other side of Kingston Pike. She had volunteers on my side of the street handing out candy as well.

State Senate Candidate and Director of Sertoma Center Becky Duncan Massey talks with potential voters. The 9:30 a.m. parade start was getting warm. But a good time was had by all.

The Town of Farragut Parade - The Shoup's were Grand Marshall's

Today's Grand Marshall's were the family of Farragut Coach Ryan Shoup. Coach Shoup passed away after a brief illness last fall. So, it was fitting that the community show some love to the family, just as Coach Shoup would be doing if he were still with us. We miss you Coach Shoup.!

Georgiana Vines Either Reads Shock And Awe (aka Brian's Blog) or Candidate Buck Cochran's Campaign Material

Today's Georgiana Vines column (here) is evidently because she read Shock And Awe (aka Brian's Blog) here on Friday June 24, 2011 or it is possible that she read Buck Cochran's flyer that was circulated at the Concerned Citizen Debate this past Thursday evening. The back side of the Buck Cochran flyer has the post reprinted in it's entirety. Of course, candidate Cochran credited the blog with a printed statement that reads, "published by Brian Hornback's blog Shock And Awe (aka brian's blog)". Thanks Candidate Cochran!

Victoria DeFreese Uses New Medium to Reach The Voters

State Senate Candidate Victoria DeFreese is utilizing new media mediums to reach out to the voters of State Senate District 6. She has a website, here. On her website, she is posting homemade videos, uploaded to youtube. Below, is the first one.

If you would like to hear from Victoria and her two opponents. There will be a debate tomorrow night at the Expo Center (corner of Merchants Rd and Clinton Highway. The State Senate candidates will debate from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Hultquist Launches Website to Support His Mayoral Bid

Former City Council Member Joe Hultquist was a guest this morning on the Ed and Bob Show on WNOX FM 100.3. During the one hour spot, Hultquist announced his web domain, the site is in the works. Be sure and follow his Mayoral bid here in the coming days and weeks.

Bean Expelled Gaseous Rhetoric

E.W. Scripps writer Betty Bean used her column this week to expel a bunch of gaseous rhetoric. Anyone that has read her columns, knows of her far left liberal leaning. Well, this week she focuses on Knox County Republican Party Chairman Ray Jenkins. (let the record to reflect that I have been critical of Jenkins ineffectiveness as Chair, but on this one Jenkins is doing his job)

Jenkins sent an email to the Republican faithful about last Saturday's breakfast at Wright's Cafeteria for Mayoral candidate Ivan Harmon. So, the gaseous one writes that the GOP are meddling in the non partisan Mayor's race. First, Ivan Harmon is a REPUBLICAN. He served on Knoxville City School Board, Knoxville City Council, the TN REPUBLICAN State Executive Committee District 7 (while he was a City Councilman) and then he served as a REPUBLICAN as a Knox County Commissioner. So, obviously he is a REPUBLICAN.

Now, the other candidates. Madeline Rogero (the favorite of the gaseous rhetoric Scripps writer) served as a democrat Knox County Commissioner from 1990-1998. Mark Padgett, is the son and grandson of former Democrat elected officials. Padgett has served as a Campaign Manager for former Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen and worked for the Governor's administration before beginning his own company. Joe Hultquist, is a former City Council Member, that has enjoyed Democrat and Republican support. He really can't be put in a Democrat or Republican box. As far as other Mayoral candidate Bo Bennett, I do not know of any partisan activity that he has been involved in.

Now, while the weekly Scripps publication has all this gaseous rhetoric against a simple email asking folks to come to Wright's Cafeteria and enjoy a sausage biscuit, ham biscuit or just a biscuit, compliments of businessman David Wright and Bobby Waggoner in support of Ivan Harmon. How different is that from this email by the democrat Chair that was posted on the local left leaning liberal blog. The major difference I see is that at the Truman Day Dinner in August, the email states "but we do know that you will get a chance to hear from our State Party Chairman, Chip Forrester, 2 great Mayoral candidates, and some excellent live music."  Who are the 2 great Mayoral candidates?  Ivan Harmon and Joe Hultquist?  Ivan Harmon and Bo Bennett? Ivan Harmon and Madeline Rogero ? Ivan Harmon and Mark Padgett ?  Which other candidate will be joining Ivan at the Truman Day Dinner? I guess we all have to buy a ticket and go see.

Hubert Smith asks Some Questions Concerning Haslam's Investment in Development that Required Council Action.

Hubert Smith of the Hubert Smith Radio Show and One on One with Hubert Smith asked some questions and posted his initial thoughts on the news story of Governor Haslam's investment in a private development that required Council action. Read Hubert's note, here. Haslam did not reveal his involvement at the time and for some reason "failed to timely report". What are your thoughts?  

Walt Wojnar asked So, What Haappens To The County Golf Parks?

This morning, Community Activist Walt Wojnar asked me a question that stumped me. So, Knox County sells Three Ridges Golf Course, Concord Park Par 3 and Beverly Park Par 3 to pay for a NEW Carter Elementary. Is it a requirement that the new owners operate golf course. His thinking is the the amenities that would be offered to a residential development at the Concord Park Par 3.

I talked with a couple of sources from County Commission and the initial talk is that there would be deed restriction on a sale of Three Ridges Golf Course would require that it remain a golf course. Simply because the terrain would be difficult for housing and supposedly one of the reasons Three Ridges was built was to provide a buffer between the residences and the Knox County Detention Facility. According to Commission sources, there isn't enough room to build house on the golf course property. However, it appears that a development company could (at this point in time) purchase the Par 3's and potentially build residential properties,

NRR and Their PR Guy

NRR (Natural Resource Recovery) the entity that has tarnished the previous Knox County Mayoral administration. The entity that has Brad Mayes on a mission. The entity that is on it's way out of Knox County, so far out of Knox County that Mayor Burchett is selling the property they reside on.

But the talk in the back of the Main Assembly Room today was about their PR guy. Mike Cohen, he's the former Press guy to the previous Knox County Mayoral Administration. So, what did he know about that contract and why did NRR secure his services? Could it be because of what he knew?

Carter School Funding! We Don't Need Devon Group

I totally support Mayor Burchett's proposal that pays for a new Carter Elementary School with cash. You see the Mayor proposes selling the Solway property of NRR, selling Three Ridges Golf Course, selling the two Par 3 golf courses (one at Concord Park and one at New Beverly) With all of these sales, Knox County has the cash to build Carter Elementary.

So, there is no reason to contract with Knox County's IDB (Industrial Development Board) or the Devon Group. If the county is going to pay with cash. Then select a CM (Construction Manager)and go build it. Select a CM that guarantees to build the school for the stated price, not one dollar more. If the Mayor needs a recommendation of such a CM, I know one.

What Is The Priority? Revenue?

On Friday, while most of North Knoxville was hoping their power would get restored by KUB. It seems that KPD was running radar and not just running radar. They were actually issuing tickets to individuals driving 5 miles over the speed limit. These people who have been without power for multiple days, these people who are having to run the fallen trees that they had cut up to a recycling facility.

In addition, some political candidates had volunteers out canvassing in North Knoxville as well. Instead of canvassing for votes. These volunteers would have gotten their candidate more votes had they been cutting up trees and assisting in the clean up. Come on political people, you obviously need to replace your current advisers and consultants for someone that understands a real opportunity.

$221,000 plus for a 1/2 acre of land & benefits a private business.

This story on today's News Sentinel website. So, it's $221,000 plus dollars supposedly to assist the South Knox Waterfront project. But the money will improve the Knoxville & Holston River Railroad and the improvements will benefit PSC Metals. The owner of Knoxville & Holston River Railroad serves as 1 of 3 members of the Knox Railroad Authority. You think he will vote NO?

Marshall Stair - Where have you been?

Marshall Stair, candidate for City Council At-Large Seat B is an interesting candidate. He is young (32 years old), he is the son of Caesar Stair, a prominent Knoxville Attorney. The Metro Pulse (the weekly liberal left leaning rag owned by E.W. Scripps) published recently that he was reportedly recruited to run by Tom McAdams, a local Attorney and close confident of former Mayor Victor Ashe.

What McAdams and others obviously didn't look into is the fact that (according to my sources) he has NEVER voted in a Mayor's election; NEVER voted in a City Council At-Large election; NEVER voted in a City Council Primary. Which means at age 32 he has NEVER voted in an election for the seat that he is asking city voters to elect him to.

Now, let's look at the other candidates for City Council At-Large Seat B. Buck Cochran and Tierney Bates have both been candidates for City Council in the past. Bill Owen has previously served as State Senator. So, all three of them have  at least the experience as a person that has cast a ballot for City elections in the past.

Armstrong for Law Director

The News Sentinel reports here yesterday's official announcement that former East Knox County Commissioner Richard Armstrong will seek the Knox County Law Director's position next year. Brian's Blog was the first (back on May 31, 2011) to report this rumor, here.  Mike Donila over at Screams from the Porch actually followed up on our rumor and reported (on June 2, 2011) here that Armstrong was "coy" about it. Then on June 3, 2011 I posted (here) how Armstrong attended the bi weekly "Pinkston Breakfast".

So, when I got the invite last week for a Richard Armstrong announcement on the Court House steps. I wasn't shocked. I was unable to attend, you see making a living is much more important to me than hearing officially what I reported on May 31.

Kudos to the News Sentinel for fleshing out that Armstrong has ONLY been licensed to practice law for 3 years. Is that what Knox County wants? I mean Bill Lockett was licensed to practice longer than that when he was elected. I like Armstrong as a person, but as Knox County's Law Director? I am not convinced. Do we really want to turn the law department over to a guy just cause "he's from around here"?

Also, next year East Knox County resident Phil Ballard is being challenged for re-election by a Certified Appraiser in John Whitehead. Is putting Armstrong and Ballard on the countywide ballot at the same time a wish and a prayer that all East Knox County will vote for them and over ride the West Knox County vote? If it is, I would say, this is another failed corryton hatchet job that won't work.   

Commissioner Broyles Is Concerned Over Emails, What If As A Private Citizen You Ask Questions And Get Accosted?

Commissioner Broyles is concerned about two anonymous emails received in June and one received in October 2010. I have served as an elected official, Between 2000-2004, I have received emails, letters, phone calls, had several angry citizens in my face. On election day in 2004, I had a male citizen get very irate when I professed (at his question) to be a Bible believing Christian.

As Republican Party Chairman from 2005-2007, I encountered people that were unhappy on a regular basis. The most grievous action was just last year, when I was accosted for simply asking questions of the Knox County Election Commission. Don't just take my word for it, read the eyewitness account from a News Sentinel reporter, here.

While it is uncomfortable when citizens disagree, Commissioner Broyles is receiving $37,704.86 in compensation from the taxpayers. Read the compensation story, here.