The election commission is severely restricted by law, and -- unless I am badly mistaken -- acted per the direction of their attorney and of state elections coordinator Brook Thompson in scheduling that election. The fault, if there is fault, lies with whatever deal was cut between the city and count administrations to make the "referendum" possible, and accusing Pam Reeves some kind of sneaky action to benefit the city is just wrong.

There is a whole lot of case law -- much of it made right here in Knox County -- re what election commissions can and cannot do. I've seen no proof that the election commission violated it

Pam Reeves is one of the most respected lawyers in Tennessee and is exactly the kind of person we should want to take a thankless position like this. She is one of the best appointments I've ever seen on this board, and I, for one, am grateful that she is serving. It's not like she has nothing else to do with her time.