Per the judge's orders, Moncier closes his file and goes away!

Amusing, but how would federal jurisdiction apply, and who would have standing?

Herb, he is consistent. Not satisfied with been banned in Federal Court he now tries for complaints to the Tennessee Bar. The folk hero status may take some tarnish with this move.

I think he's wrong on this and Rags and others just don't want the meeting about civil service to happen. Nobody has explained why civil service would cost close to 1 mil.

Moncier is not a plaintiff in this lawsuit, and it is inappropriate to reference it using his name. The press should be referring to this lawsuit as DeSelm, et. al. v. Owings and Knox County. Bloggers can call it whatever they want, I suppose, but the daily paper ought to do better.

I count nine names on the suit, and I have good reason to trust and respect every one of them: Bee DeSelm, Alfred and Margo Akerman, Donna Brian, Mike Whalen, Jerry Bone, Jim Gray, Robert and Millie Cunningham. This is the same team that finally got term limits installed after years of delays and dubious decisions by Knox County. These are the people who got the Sunshine Law upheld. As usual, they are right.

The funniest part of the suit is the due diligence by the plaintiffs, who have been busy demanding resolution of the question since February. The Law Director and Commission both ignored DeSelm, et al repeatedly. Now they are acting insulted and surprised, and the daily paper is allowing the false drama with its sloppy characterization of the suit. They gave ample space to the defendants but failed to even name the plaintiffs.

The sad part is the cheat is the thing. Sitting officials claim they are being cheated of one last meeting. Incoming candidates don't want to piss anyone off, and they certainly don't want to look like cheaters, so they've chosen the path of least resistance. It is actually the sitting officials who are cheating voters out of elected representation. DeSelm, et al know this. They have been trying to prevent it since February, and now they have resorted to trying to stop it.

Digit, in February you would have understood the need to swear in an elected official to replace one not elected by the people. If Owings and the Commission had not been derelict in resolving the question, the matter would be settled, without lawsuits and drama. Their neglect of duty may be the best reason to dispense of them at first opportunity.

The stench of Black Wednesday will not be gone until the elected commissioners are sworn in. Who is on which side of Wednesday in the current situation?

In the last 2 1/2 years the Courts have ruled..yep..under a home rule charter term limits count...the Charter ain't right because the Courthouse gang half assed the process..you've got a defacto government but term limits are valid..those seats effected are vacant & hell no you can't violate the Sunshine Law...those seats effected are vacant...again.

I reckon it's only fitting that a Court will rule on the final scene of this melodrama.

With respect to folks being sworn.

I don't know what the Tn. Constitution means when it says"any person so appointed shall serve until a successor is elected...(&)qualified.".The Court will clarify.

It seams the final scene is much like the first act.Folks that are in want to stay in.

The theme song of county government for the last 2 1/2 years has been "Should I stay or Should I go?"

Incumbents always answer:I should stay.

But at every turn the Courts have said:

YOU SHOULD GO!!!

Herb has a complaint filed against him with the Tennessee Bar.

(link...)

Anyone got the scoop?

The Complaint was filed by the BOPR July 30, 2008. It is 1200 pages. Yes, it's 1200 pages. Normally these are private, but the Supreme Court has waived confidentiality in this case. That means, if anybody wants to go get it, the Complaint is public record. I would imagine that Herb waived confidentiality. I'm surprised the local media aren't touching this.

It is 1200 pages.

Any word on who filed it?