A man claiming to have a bomb walked into the office on Main St. The police have shut down the area, 2 or 3 businesses and one school. There are people inside. Details are developing...

Obama headquarters a few doors down also evacuated.

2:20 pm Hostage-taker let one woman and child go. Two volunteers left inisde. The hostage-taker is demanding to speak directly t Hillary Clinton.

NY Times just shredded Giuliani on the front page.

All of these statements are incomplete, exaggerated or just plain wrong. And while, to be sure, all candidates use misleading statistics from time to time, Mr. Giuliani has made statistics a central part of his candidacy as he campaigns on his record.

Super bonus, Alan Keyes group just called him slippery and crooked, then compared him to...wait for it...Bill Clinton.

Oh, and (the indicted) Bernie Kerik is rushing to his defense over his misappropriation of funds to fund his "travels" to the Hamptons.

So as to not overburden those of you who don't have the time to read my long background explanation, I'll give you the great news here. In Sunday's Charlotte Oberver, there's an article Link... about Saturday's opening of their new LYNX light rail line. The public interest was astounding, with sixty thousand people standing in line (some for as long as two hours) to ride the system. That's equal to ten percent of the city's population! The public support and interest is overwhleming. Take note, Knoxville area leaders and decision makers. This isn't Portland or somewhere in California. It's Charlotte, just over the mountains from good old Knoxville. For those who say "It may happen in other places, but it won't happen in Knoxville", or "Knoxville won't have light rail for a long time" (to quote a certain top Knoxvile elected offical this week), I hope they open their eyes and see the possibilities. While Charlotte's bigger than Knoxville, it's very similar in many ways. Bottom line, it's another southeastern city a whole lot like us.

For those who would like more background, I'll share my recent experience with this Charlotte phenomenon. Monday before last, I was in the Queen City to attend the ribbon-cutting of the new light rail line. I went at the invitation of a friend who is on city council there, and had originally hoped to pull together (on short notice) a small contingent from Knoxville to go with me. I was only able to find one individual who could go, and unfortunately none of my fellow Knoxville City Council members were able to attend.

We left at 5:00 a.m., and arrived in time for the VIP breakfast, followed by the appropriate speeches from various political leaders and officials (inlcuding both US senators). Then came the ribbon cutting and the VIP rides on the system. We chose the ride to the end and back (ten miles one way), but others with less time took the fifteen minute round-trip excursion.

The system is absolutely beautiful, and is as good as any I've seen in any city in this country and abroad. It wasn't cheap, with a total price tag (including overruns) of around $300 million. That number carries with it the potential for sticker shock for those not used to the cost of big urban transportation projects (less than two miles of freeway in Knoxville's Smart Fix 40 project came in at a whopping $200 million). The system cost has to be looked at in the context of its total impact. Not only does it have the potential for taking huge numbers off the highly congested highways, but it has a wonderful impact on development patterns.

In Charlotte's case, as in the case of most cities that have built such systems, developers are eager to build higher desnity mixed-use projects adjacent to light rail stations. Prior to the opening of the LYNX line, they had already counted upwards of $1.4 billion in new real estate development in station areas along the line. Transit Orriented Development (TOD) is being recognized as a huge boon to cities, and a clear alternative to the typical (and costly) sprawl we've begun to be so concerned over.

What Charlotte has done is a model that deserves close attention. In 1997, they developed a regional vsion for transportation and land use that outlined an approach centered on rail transit spokes raidiating from the downtown core. The plan went to the voters in 1998 for funding in the form of a half cent sales tax dedicated strickly to transit. It passed by a narrow margin, and has funded a much improved and expanded bus system along with the beginnings of a great rail transit backbone.

The transit sales tax, and the great system it supported, faced a major threat this year. The LYNX light rail line that was under construction experienced major cost overruns, due mostly to forces beyond their control. In addition to a federal funding system that takes a decade now to get from initial plans and cost estimates to acutal construction (a situation that makes it impossible to budget), the skyrocketing costs of construction materials (resulting from Katrina recovery and new demand from China) hit them at the worst time. There was a backlash from anti-tax forces allied with anti-rail transit groups (who operate on a nationwide level). They got over 37,000 petition signatures and put a measure on the ballot to rescind the transit sales tax. Not only did their effort fail on November 6th, but it was denied by seventy percent of the voters. The transit advocates came out of that fight with the wind to their backs.

My friends in Charlotte have given an open invitation to bring as many people from Knoxville as will come, so they can share what they've learned with us. Stay tuned.

That is, contingent on Commission approval. Looks like the City basically got what it wanted.

The Knox County Board of Education is seeking public input on the Superintendent search. If you were unable to attend the community forums on November 26th and 27th, please take a few minutes to fill out this survey. It is the same survey given to people who attended the forums. All Knox County residents are welcome to respond.

Link...

The survey will remain open until 6pm on Thursday, December 6th.

We appreciate your input.

Indya Kincannon

I've participated in several MLK parades with Knox Dems and though the party often has a float the elected officials never ride on it! While I think Don has made a good statement, I've never seen those guys have any interest in the party's float.
In 2003 there was no party float and several party volunteers who were kicking off Jim Gray's run for chair marched with "activist turned felon" Perry Redd and the Sincere Seven. From 2004-2006 Jim Gray and Delainia Davis and others got a float and or organized a walking group for party volunteers labor people and others. Some rode and some handed out fliers at the end of a tiring walk we would be greated by Diane and Joe ect back-slapping with the GOP down at the church. They never asked to be with us and to my knowledge nobody asked them.
As for that church service I went in 2003. The preaching and music were wonderful but the hypocricy on display was too much, ie: Victor Ashe singing "We Shall Overcome" in Danny Mayfield's church.

And in this one, money changes hands.

The 8th District Preservation Association has filed a motion to amended their lawsuit against Knox County over the Midway development to include allegations of specific violations of the Open Meetings Act by County Commissioners.

The additional complaint says:

Plaintiffs aver that on or about June 22, 2006, at or around 8:30 a.m., between fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) of the Knox County Commissioners met at the offices of the Knoxville Association of Realtors (f/k/a and a/ka Knoxville Board of Realtors).

At that non-public meeting, the Defendant Development Corporation solicited the support of the commissioners for the re-zoning and purchase of the Midway Road Property subject of this lawsuit. There was discussion among the commissioners about the Midway Road project which constituted a deliberation on the issue.

At this meeting the Knoxville Board of Realtors also solicited the support of the commissioners for the re-zoning and purchase of the Midway Road Property subject of this lawsuit. Subsequent to that solicitation, the Knoxville Board of Realtors presented the commissioners campaign contribution checks.

The meeting of the commissioners constituted a quorum of the Knox County Commission.

The meeting of the commissioners was a “meeting” as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-102.

The public was not given notice of this meeting of commissioners, nor was the meeting open to the public as required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-103.31.

At the time of the meeting, the commissioners knew that the purchase and rezoning of the Midway Road property for an industrial park was a very controversial public issue. Notwithstanding, the commissioners chose to meet for discussion and deliberation on the issue.

All of such actions constitute a violation of the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (T.C.A. § 8-44-101 et seq)...

Read the press release after the jump. A PDF copy of the motion to amend is attached.

UPDATE: An important point from comments to keep in mind: The County Commission in June 2006 is different than the ones on the current commission or that prior to January 2007.

WKYC in Cleveland reports: "A Westlake business called animal control after finding a black widow spider in a shipment they received from Tennessee."

They called animal control? For a spider?

Deputy Property Assessor Parkey Strader resigned today over disagreements with his boss about the upcoming election. Strader has been with the office for nearly 40 years.

You need a flowchart to follow it all, but behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Strader's term-limited boss regarding pending appointments and next year's elections have raised questions about possible new Sunshine Law violations. Needless to say, Scooby's name comes up.

From the previous discussion about starlings, this is a little ironic.

I was out on the front porch and I heard something scuttling around desperately inside one of the aluminum columns. I tried taking it apart, but apparently it really is load bearing and not just decorative.

East Tennessee has lost a great man. Dr. William O. (Bill) Butler passed away Tuesday. His love for his patients was unsurpassed even though some of them kicked him and bit him. He was there for so many of my family's crises down through the years.

He was much more than our vet, he was our dear friend.

The Parks and Recreation folks proposing the new dog park were surprised at the large turnout at the Emporium last night. People from different parts of the city came to support the new dog park at the corner of Summit Ave. and Central. Community members had plenty to say and questions to ask. Amenities and rules were discussed, and the police said they would be thrilled to have the area used for something positive.

This park would be one of the five new ones planned by the city. Pet-Safe Village is helping with the planning, as they have given funding to the dog park initiative. Mayor Haslam has said he wants to make Knoxville "the dog friendliest city in the nation". Hurrah for him! Great for residents and tourists alike.

It was nice to meet Jennie Huetell the young woman who first started a grassroots campaign to get dog parks in Knoxville. The Dogwood Park at Victor Ashe was the result of her efforts. It's always good to meet a "regular person" who manages to bring about beneficial changes in the community. It took a lot of hard work, but Jennie insists she had a lot of help. Her website can be found at Link...

Wouldn't it be nice if they named this new park after her?

An interesting tidbit in this week's Metro Pulse:

No Free Ride

The Knox County Democratic Party has declined to pay for a traditional float for the Martin Luther King Day Parade to carry East Knoxville elected officials.

Click the link and scroll down to see why.

Tennessee libraries are becoming more dependent on foundations and local funding:

June Pinkston, assistant state librarian for planning and development with the Tennessee State Library and Archive Office in Nashville, said Tennessee "is in the bottom five states in overall funding for public libraries."

Andrew Hunt, Cleveland/Bradley County library director, said less than 2 percent of his $1.1 million budget comes from the state.

"For comparison, about 6 percent of our budget ... is derived from fines," he said.

According to the article, rural libraries receive less local funding, and state funding comes only through regional library offices.

The guy who shot out the Redflex camera in Knoxville was featured on the Keith Olbermann's "Best People in the World" segment last night.

In case you missed it, Knox County Commission recently approved the first reading of a charter amendment providing for recall of elected officials. If approved on a second reading, Knox County voters will get to vote on it in August.

In the news of the weird department, Commissioners Lumpy Lambert and Mark Harmon co-sponsored the amendment. Today's Knoxville News Sentinel has a good editorial on it.

At the same meeting, County Commission approved changes to the county's nepotism policy which prohibit elected officials from using their influence to get county jobs or promotions for relatives. The changes also clarify which family members are subject to the nepotism rules.

In other news, County Commission will consider a ban on county employees serving on County Commission. The proposed charter amendment, introduced by Commissioner Mike Hammond, is currently being reviewed by the Ethics Committee and is expected to come before the full commission for a vote in January. If approved, the amendment would also be on the August ballot. KNS has the details here.

It's nice to see some leadership from County Commission toward positive change in Knox County government.

I'm sorry. I know I'm totally biased, but this group just looked so lame. Mike Huckabee ended up appearing like the only sane one capable of complex thinking.

All in all it was a night of tired looking old geezers taking cheap shots at one another. They remained myopically focused on the wearisome old Republican talking points, immigration, no tax increases, crime, guns, abortion, Christianity. Expected answers to expected questions.

Almost every question landed like a live explosive in a minefield and all we could do was watch the candidates try move feebly past it with dread trepidation.

It was a night of cheap shots and rapid back pedaling and little complex thinking.

The one thing that struck me most was the contrast with the Democratic candidates. Every single Democratic candidate looked like a Rhodes scholar compared to this bunch.

Tell us about your gun collection.

When it rains, it pours.

First come allegations that Mayor 9/11 had taxpayers foot the security bill for visits to see not-Mrs. Giuliani. Now a Village Voice story says that he has had business ties with an emir linked to Khalid Sheikh Muhammad (aka the "mastermind" behind 9/11).

I imagine it's been a busy day at Giuliani campaign headquarters.

Here's one for Randy...

In case you missed it...

(Doesn't seem like the best PR move.)

Mmmm...sounds tasty, huh? The idea has some merit, but just the thought makes me cringe.

"On that Friday, the Orange County Water District will turn on what industry experts say is the world’s largest plant devoted to purifying sewer water to increase drinking water supplies. They and others hope it serves as a model for authorities worldwide facing persistent drought, predicted water shortages and projected growth." Link...

The implications in this are very large. It starts with a wink towards improper search and seizure because the raids only affect poor people who might be criminals. But it is a slippery slope that quickly goes from "them" to "us". The excuses the government is using to break the back of our constitutional protections are varied and some even sound like they make sense, but these large dragnets not only scoop up those guilty of a crime,they obviously can harass and embarass innocent people.

"San Diego County’s district attorney has a program called Project 100% that is intended to reduce welfare fraud. Applicants for welfare benefits are visited by law enforcement agents, who show up unannounced and examine the family’s home, including the insides of cabinets and closets. Applicants who refuse to let the agents in are generally denied benefits."

You can be sure these teams are not using kid gloves, but if you're a welfare recipient "suspected" of fraud who will care?

Tom Humphrey files this report on the recommendations by the committee studying changes to the state's open meetings act.

After all the study and debate, it appears all they can agree on is to change the law from not allowing deliberation among two or more officials to not allowing three (or a majority, whichever is less) or more to deliberate. By not allowing two or more, the current law effectively allows no deliberation. The new law, if as described, would now allow two to deliberate. It is not clear how this is a change for the better.

It should also be noted that the article contains a factual error. The article states "Current law says that a meeting of two or more officials can be a violation." Actually, the law says that deliberation between two or more officials is a violation, not a meeting, and even provides for exceptions such as chance meetings or visits to a project site.

According to the article, there were also arguments to allow deliberation by phone or e-mail, as these would not be a "meeting."

It's pretty sad that elected officials have so much trouble understanding that they can't deliberate in secret and that the public's business must be conducted in public.

With the date of the New Hampshire presidential primary set at last, the primary calendar is finally in order. The first votes will be cast 38 days from today in Iowa. The course ahead over the next three months:

Thursday, January 3: Iowa

Saturday, January 5: Wyoming Republicans

Tuesday, January 8: New Hampshire

Tuesday, January 15: Michigan

Saturday, January 19: Nevada; South Carolina Republicans

Tuesday, January 29: Florida; South Carolina Democrats

Saturday, February 2: Maine Republicans

Link...

Early voting starts here Jan. 16

Mike McWherter has decided against a run for the U.S. Senate seat presently held by Lamar Alexander. The Man in Plaid is a Tennessee legend and will be near impossible to beat. But, more than that, Lamar has done a good job in Washington. Now, Bob Tuke says he may give it a try. Link...

This is ridiculous. It's right out of a Joseph Heller novel. You can see the doctor. But only if you are well. And not for two weeks. If you are sick, you can't see the doctor. You must go somewhere else. Your doctor will only see you when you don't need to see him, and not today.

It doesn't matter how much gold-plated insurance you have or your credit rating or that you can afford treatment.

The first question they ask is "what kind of insurance do you have." One office, when told it would be self-pay, refused to make an appointment.

But your doctor's receptionist can pass along your symptoms, and later call you back to ask where you want a prescription filled. No one trained or licensed ever needs to speak with you about your symptoms. Just take these pills the receptionist talked to the nurse who talked to the doctor about. Not sure what they do, but they might help. When you are better the doctor can see you. He will tell you if they helped or not.

You'd almost swear Milo Minderbinder is in charge of America's health care system.

UPDATE: I should be thankful. It could be a lot worse. (And maybe someone from the "personal responsibility" crowd can explain how the couple is at fault for "not making good choices.")

In case you missed it, yesterday's KNS has this:

For health officials, the testing is a valuable tool in battling the growing spread of gonorrhea and chlamydia, especially among the juvenile population.

For some parents, the testing is the usurpation of their authority and obligation to make sound decisions concerning their children's health.

The irony part: the complaining parents had picked up their kid at juvenile detention. No comment regarding authority or sound decisions.

Some statistics from the article are disturbing. The voluntary testing at the juvenile detention center has revealed three cases of STD in 12 year olds. Six percent of 14 year olds tested positive, as did 9.2% of 16 year olds and 9% of 17 year olds.

I just practically stole an album from iTunes, but it is only for the old folks. The Very Best of Julie London has fifty of her more satisfying songs and get this, they are 256 kbps unprotected AAC files, all for twenty-five bucks.

Cry Me A River

Over at RoaneViews, WhitesCreek mentioned that LED Christmas lights save money and energy.

This sounded like a good idea, so we got some. They have strings of 50 at K-Mart on sale for $6.99. They also have them at Home Depot, Lowes and Target.

They look great, and use less than 5 watts per string as compared to about 25 watts for a string of 50 mini lights or 350 watts for a string of 50 traditional C9 lights.