The eight were Benefield, Cole, Craig, Kane, Kelly, Lobetti, Longmire and Anders

The six were Carey, Clancy, Ewert, Johnson, Sharp and Stowers

This was a one-acre parcel with limited road frontage. It was formerly part of a larger tract that has been built out with houses, and previous discussions and decisions relating to that development weighed heavily. Also, there is a 15-acre parcel across the street already zoned commercial but undeveloped.

My perception is this is an unusual occurrence.

I think your perception may be a wee bit off. Start watching MPC meetings on Ch. 12.

How long has Bart Carey been on MPC?

You can look this up on the knoxmpc.org in the "about us" section.

The staff is appointed by people who are appointed by elected officials from different government entities. In effect, those who create and enforce policy do not directly answer to the public.

No implication of good or bad. To enforce good land management, it may be better to bypass an anything goes public. But if one believes they can either run against or vote out MPC decisions, one would be wrong.

The staff is appointed by people who are appointed by elected officials from different government entities. In effect, those who create and enforce policy do not directly answer to the public.

No implication of good or bad. To enforce good land management, it may be better to bypass an anything goes public. But if one believes they can either run against or vote out MPC decisions, one would be wrong.

The staff is appointed by people who are appointed by elected officials from different government entities.

Sorry, I don't understand this sentence. Can you try again?

MPC staff is hired by the MPC director, who is hired by MPC Commissioners. MPC Commissioners are appointed by the Mayors - 7 by the Mayor of Knoxville and 8 by the Knox County Mayor.

In effect, those who create and enforce policy do not directly answer to the public.

This is, at best, an overstatement.

Many MPC decisions (e.g., rezonings, sector plan updates, zoning ordinance changes) are just recommendations, and must be approved by the appropriate legislative body. Some decisions (e.g. use or review) are "final" but can be appealed to the appropriate body.

BTW, the theoretical reasoning for appointing rather than electing MPC Commissioners (a process defined in state law, BTW) is to try to remove politics from the process. I'm not saying it's entirely successful, but I really don't think you guys would like MPC if it were an elected body.

Once upon a time, probably 1990 or '91, an MPC director got way out of line in about a million ways, and after it went on for several years, Dwight Kessel let it be known that she needed to leave and WOMP! she was gone.

You can access the KNS archives through the library Web site – for free. they also have the Tennessean, Commercial appeal and Chatt Times-Free Press, back to 1990. Great service.

Sadly, the Jounal's archives ended up in a landfill in Blount County. One of the real crimes of the 90s, to my way of thinking.

Gerald Garcia remains at the top of my Biggest Assholes Ever list.

Dunno about that. 'Asshole' worked fine for me. He's one of my bottom 10 least favorite people of all time.
The Journal wasn't going to survive, regardless. He just euthanized it by violating the terms of the JOA by buying the Maryville paper.