News Sentinel City Council Endorsements

Wed

Oct 14 2009

12:43 am

By: Rachel

The KNS endorses Marlino, Grieve, Holman, Della Volpe, and Brown.

Bonus: a Hayes Hickman summary of the candidates.

Topics:

Rachel's blog
Login or register to post comments

Vote Pavlis

Submitted by bill young on Wed, 2009/10/14 - 9:05am.

Early Vote starts today

Vote Pavlis

(link...)

Guess I'll have to beg to

Submitted by Rachel on Wed, 2009/10/14 - 12:41pm.

Guess I'll have to beg to differ - vote Marlino.

I got chastised (by an

Submitted by Bbeanster on Wed, 2009/10/14 - 12:49pm.

I got chastised (by an architect) for calling Marlino an architect.
Is he or ain't he? And if he's not, why not, since he has an architecture degree?

I got chastised (by an

Submitted by KC on Wed, 2009/10/14 - 2:18pm.

I got chastised (by an architect) for calling Marlino an architect.
Is he or ain't he? And if he's not, why not, since he has an architecture degree?

(link...)

It's not clear to me. Maybe he could explain.

The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.
President Abraham Lincoln 1862

term limits

Submitted by StaceyDiamond on Wed, 2009/10/14 - 4:24pm.

While I liked Pavlis during his other terms, I think moving to a new district violates the spirit of term limits. I hope that's not why he moved.

violates the spirit of term

Submitted by KC on Wed, 2009/10/14 - 5:47pm.

violates the spirit of term limits

Isn't that what Hultquist is really doing by putting in such an inexperienced, and dependent, candidate as Marlino?

The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.
President Abraham Lincoln 1862

Isn't that what Hultquist is

Submitted by rikki on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 8:37am.

Isn't that what Hultquist is really doing by putting in such an inexperienced, and dependent, candidate as Marlino?

Joe Hultquist has given money to current city council candidates, but not to Marlino, so what exactly do you mean by "putting in" and "dependent"?

As mentioned by a commenter

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 12:50pm.

As mentioned by a commenter in the now disappeared other post, Marlino has applied for an architect's license but has not yet received it according to the state's professional board website, which may or may not be up to date.

Accusations that Marlino has claimed to be an architect are speculative at best and regardless are unsubstantiated. The fact that a reporter mistakenly referred to him as an architect does not mean that he claimed to be one.

His bio on his campaign website says he is a "Production Manager" for a local architect firm. As best I can recall, his website has always said that and has never said otherwise. However, based on his job and line of work and the fact that he works in management at an architect firm and has a degree in architecture and has applied for a license would lead one to conclude that he is qualified to comment and/or have an opinion on matters related to architecture and to even go so far as to refer to his work in the field.

I think that is the end of that debate. (ETA: Unless someone comes forward with verifiable evidence that he has claimed to be an architect.)

Other than that, I have no idea who is the better candidate. As has been mentioned several times, the First District appears to be fortunate to have two great candidates.

P.S. his state ethics

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 1:06pm.

P.S. his state ethics disclosure filing says under "Professional Services" says:

"Architecture, I am an intern architect working under a licensed architect. I function as a project manager."

(link...)

Whoa, now. I'm willing to

Submitted by Bbeanster on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 5:19pm.

Whoa, now.

I'm willing to put on the hair shirt, but I'm stopping short of self-flagellation.

First the disclaimer:
I like Marlino, whom I never met before this campaign. I like Pavlis, whom I've known for a long time. I think either would do fine on City Council.

Now the explanation: I called Marlino an architect, got called out for it and brought it to this board because it was an easy way to resolve it and I don't really think it's worth a story. I've been to a bunch of these forums and everything starts running together after awhile. While I cannot say I ever heard Marlino say he's an architect, I'm really not in the business of making shit up (perhaps contrary to popular opinion), so I wasn't sure where I got the notion.
But as soon as I got a minute this afternoon, I went back and looked, and maybe I got the idea here:

(link...)

Specifically, here:

"In my professional training as an architect, I was taught to solve problems by listening and looking at different solutions."

That's pretty ambiguous. Intentionally so? It wouldn't be unprecedented in a political campaign. But it could have just been an awkward way of making a point. Whatever the case, I followed that quote out the window.

That's pretty ambiguous.

Submitted by Rachel on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 5:32pm.

That's pretty ambiguous. Intentionally so?

Bean, first, thanks for the clarification of where you were coming from.

Second, I can assure you that nobody in the Marlino campaign has time to think about making "intentionally ambiguous" statements. We barely have time to think about making intentionally sensible statements. :)

Robert was trained as an architect. He has a degree in architecture. He works for an architecture firm. An understanding of architecture and urban design is an asset he would bring to City Council.

And that's pretty much all, folks.

BTW, is anybody interested at all in the other districts? I'm having trouble making up my mind in a couple of races, and would love to hear some discussion of them.

Hayes Hickman also referred

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 5:35pm.

Hayes Hickman also referred to him as an architect, so I wasn't singling you out.

Hmmm, wasn't someone

Submitted by Rachel on Wed, 2009/10/14 - 10:18pm.

Hmmm, wasn't someone accusing me of "sniping" awhile back?

Does it matter?

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 12:34pm.

The bigger story is the turnout. Why are City voters not voting?

Can't imagine what it would be like under Hutch...

Submitted by BrianPaone on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 1:08pm.

...mostly because no one's dumb enough to hire another Ragsdale. (At least, I hope not.)

***

ANONYTARD (n.): A user of internet message boards who makes cowardly, baseless, and/or otherwise dishonorable attacks from an anonymous standpoint, with the express purpose of avoiding personal consequence via identification. Usually a virgin. Almost always a person with the social IQ of a decorative autumn squash.

Payoned again

Submitted by alan swartz on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 1:48pm.

Payone,
The people voted Ragsdale into office. Twice

Remember, just let the people vote.

Are you running out of places to post? Anonymous people don’t get fired for posting garbage on message boards. Is sleeping in late a pleasant change?

Must have a traveling fanbase.

Submitted by BrianPaone on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 2:16pm.

...and one that gets a little peeved every time someone compares Hutch to Rags, which really isn't a fair comparison, I admit.

While both seem to enjoy only either anonymous or token support, Hutch is the six-time convicted criminal out of the pair.

(I've been sleeping in late since mid-July. It's been awesome.)

***

Hutch was a good lawman. The

Submitted by alan swartz on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 2:43pm.

Hutch was a good lawman. The idea of him being Knox County Mayor is hard to comprehend. He has no real qualifications for the job. Burchett is a nice guy but, he also has no qualifications for the job. Ragsdale had no real qualifications for the job and the people voted for him. He has us in a nightmare of debt. I keep waiting for Cosby to say he will run. I would support him.

Good lawmen aren't six-time convicts.

Submitted by BrianPaone on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 4:30pm.

The law isn't optional. Apparently, Hutch felt it was and in my mind, that's what stands out the most. He was sworn to uphold the law - not break it six times. There's no excuse for anyone doing that, let alone a Sheriff.

I don't know what to make of either Burchett OR Cosby.

Burchett's got legislative experience, but right now we're better suited with someone who's been in a business environment given our finances. (See, we CAN agree on something.)

Cosby's got business experience, and seems nice enough, but some of the company he keeps makes me wary. Personally, I need to see a LOT more on his background and what/who he's supported over the years to make an informed decision there.

I wonder who the Dems are going to run?

***

I am glad we can agree on

Submitted by alan swartz on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 5:44pm.

I am glad we can agree on something. However, I am one of the people Cosby keeps company with. I would hope that would not cost him your vote. The thing about him is he is not just good with business, he knows people in all the factions and they respect and like him. Where the rubber meets the road Cosby would not let any relationships interfere with doing the RIGHT thing for Knox County. There is no one I know, more honest and fair than Lewis Cosby. He would be a great reform independent candidate. Let the Tim’s duke it out on the good ole boy republican ticket. I doubt there will be a democrat in the race.

Cosby

Submitted by bill young on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 7:07pm.

Why not run Cosby as a Democrat?
I kinda like the idea

good idea

Submitted by alan swartz on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 9:10pm.

Not a bad idea at all. He is conservative in his fiscal ideas but more moderate otherwise. We could use some reform around here, don't you think?

...

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 9:23pm.

Herb Moncier has a criminal contempt of court also.

(link...)

Is Mr. Moncier a convict also?

So your signature line is hypocritical? There is a reason you are no longer a reporter.

Is Moncier running for

Submitted by rikki on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 9:48pm.

Is Moncier running for sheriff? There is a reason you still have no credibility.

Say Hi to Frank rikki.

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 9:53pm.

Say Hi to Frank rikki.

So, Nine, being adjudged

Submitted by Bbeanster on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 10:41pm.

So, Nine, being adjudged "disruptive" is the same as being convicted as a liar?

In a ruling release publicly Wednesday, Greenville U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer ruled Herb Moncier was disruptive and continued to speak after the judge repeatedly ordered him to be quiet during a November 17 hearing

what does convict mean?

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 8:59am.

So, Nine, being adjudged "disruptive" is the same as being convicted as a liar?

Good question. Both have a criminal contempt of court conviction. Does that make either one a "convict"? I don't see it. You write for a living, is either one of them a convict?

Debate should remain civil

Submitted by KnoxCatLady on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 3:11pm.

I wish the debate would remain civil between people. Having attended some candidate forums, I have to say I have never heard Mr. Marlino refer to himself as a manger of any kind. He certainly seems to have tried to give an impression that he is an architect. Considering that he graduated from the University of Tennessee almost 25 years ago, I rather doubt he is studying to be an architect. Frankly, I don't think it matters whether he is or is not an architect. I have identified myself as having voted for Pavlis in the primary and will again in the general election. Having lived inside the City of Knoxville my entire life, I am hardly identified with county politics. Personally, I don't think a degree in architecture qualifies one to serve more ably on the City Council than any other particular profession. Nor do I think having been Sheriff qualifies Mr. Hutchison to be Mayor.

I can speak for the Marlino

Submitted by Rachel on Thu, 2009/10/15 - 3:31pm.

I can speak for the Marlino campaign. Mr. Marlino, and the campaign, have never referred to him as an "architect." We have correctly said that he has an architecture degree and works at a downtown architecture firm (as a production manager, as R. Neal noted).

And that's all I intend to say about this silly NON controversy.

I keep waiting for Cosby to

Submitted by KC on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 8:21am.

I keep waiting for Cosby to say he will run.

Cosby needs to declare whether he's running, one way or the other.

It's more than a little troubling that he continues to act like he is, and he's using his position on the ethics committee to do so.

The ethics committee shouldn't be used as a campaign tool or part of a strategy that he can use to test the waters for a potential campaign. And that seems to be what he's doing.

And I'm not sure what issue(s) Cosby would run on except for being anti-Ragsdale. I realize that's a big issue, excuse me, the only issue, for a lot of people, but once Ragsdale leaves office, it's no longer an issue, is it? What would Cosby do after that?

The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.
President Abraham Lincoln 1862

I believe "convict" is a

Submitted by Bbeanster on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 9:55am.

I believe "convict" is a term applicable only in criminal actions.
These were tort actions in civil court, so neither is "convicted" of anything, far as I can tell.

correct

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 9:57am.

These were tort actions in civil court, so neither is "convicted" of anything, far as I can tell.

Thank you, my point exactly.

Not so fast, Smithers.

Submitted by BrianPaone on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 12:39pm.

From TBA, which has a copy of the Moody/Hutch appeal at (link...) :

The first issue we will address is Defendant’s claim that Plaintiff failed to prove he was guilty of criminal contempt beyond a reasonable doubt. As this Court recently observed in Barber v. Chapman, No. M2003-00378-COA-R3-CV, 2004 Tenn. App. LEXIS 111 (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 23, 2004), no appl. perm appeal filed:

In a criminal contempt case, the guilt of the accused must be established beyond a reasonable doubt. Black v. Blount, 938 S.W.2d 394 at 398 (Tenn. 1996) (citing Robinson v. Air Draulics Engineering Co., 214 Tenn. 30, 377 S.W.2d 908, 912 (Tenn. 1964). However, on appeal, individuals convicted of criminal contempt lose their presumption of innocence and must overcome the presumption of guilt. "Appellate courts do not review the evidence in a light favorable to the accused and will reverse criminal contempt convictions only when the evidence is insufficient to support the trier of fact's finding of contempt beyond a reasonable doubt." Thigpen v. Thigpen, 874 S.W.2d 51, 53 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1993) (citing Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e)). Furthermore, appellate courts review a trial court's decision of whether to impose contempt sanctions using the more relaxed abuse of discretion standard of review. Hawk v. Hawk, 855 S.W.2d 573, 583 (Tenn. 1993).

So, calling Hutchison a six-time convict is apt, Mitchell. Hutch was found guilty of CRIMINAL contempt charges, and these guilty findings are called CONVICTIONS. Hutchison was CONVICTED six times of CRIMINAL contempt by a trial court (which hears - you guessed it - both civil AND criminal cases). Let that soak in for a second.

Sorry, Mike, but it looks like you've got a man-crush on an ex-con. What would your mother say? Personally, I think you can do better. Stop lowering your standards!

***

I'm lost. What does any of

Submitted by R. Neal on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 1:04pm.

I'm lost. What does any of this have to do with the original topic of this post or the city council election currently underway?

So, calling Hutchison a

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 5:01pm.

So, calling Hutchison a six-time convict is apt

If English isn't your first language. It is a baseless accusation. But for kicks, attend a Hutchison press conference and confront him with it. Let us know how that works out. And when you see Herb do the same thing. Might as well see if Herb still has a sense of humor.

Herb Moncier isn't running

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 5:56pm.

Herb Moncier isn't running (or making moves to) for County Mayor

So what? Herb is not a convict. Period.

Anyone who calls him a convict is showing their lack of intelligence. Both of them have been charged with the exact same offense. Parse as needed. True happiness is showing you are a hypocrite.

Um... Mike?

Submitted by BrianPaone on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 6:47pm.

...he got convicted a while ago, man. Found guilty. Appeals exhausted. It's over. Dead horse. Deal with it.

...hey, I think I just found my profile picture.

***

Eh, Nine. It's hard to get

Submitted by Bbeanster on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 11:54am.

Eh, Nine.
It's hard to get around the fact that Hutch got caught lying under oath, eh? I guess it's not a stretch to say that makes him a legally certified liar.

who knows?

Submitted by Anonymously Nine on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 12:14pm.

It's hard to get around the fact that Hutch got caught lying under oath, eh? I guess it's not a stretch to say that makes him a legally certified liar.

I have read a little about the contempt of court issues. According to Dwight Van de Vate it was oversight and/or accident not malice.

Who knows? You probably followed it much more closely than the average newspaper reader. Is Van de Vate fibbing, spinning, or exaggerating? How do regular people find out what is true in this place? Keep in mind, in this "reality" Ragsdale was cleared.

Neither Tim is an Angel. These two insiders will wage the worst most brutal campaign in county history. It will be a war of attrition. Maybe it will save the daily paper? Or maybe what we see in the City is the future where the voters stay home and declare a pox on all houses.

Knox County Chief Deputy Dwight Van de Vate says the sheriff's office is "disappointed with the ruling. But this wasn't unexpected." He adds that "with hundreds of thousands of documents asked for, it's likely we're going to miss something."

(link...)

Back to City Council - does

Submitted by Rachel on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 3:18pm.

Back to City Council - does anyone have opinions about the third district race? That's not a part of town I know well, and I haven't been able to form solid opinions of the candidates.

Sorry reality isn't your friend, Mike. Moving on:

Submitted by BrianPaone on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 6:38pm.

About the only race in which I have a strong sentiment is the Sixth District. No offense to Rev. Frazier, and I understand he has "dissolved" his payday loan company, but I've always felt those things were unethical at best, and criminal at worst.

Also, Frazier's way too focused on East Knoxville for my tastes. Granted, much of the area is in need of attention, but I don't live there and our stretch of Sutherland out here is starting to have its own problems (most notably with gang elements moving in/strengthening).

Brown, on the other hand, has extensive public service experience, has been careful to include ALL areas of the Sixth in his platform, and doesn't appear to have owned a business like a payday loan company that I can see.

So, unless something drastic changes between now and Election Day, I'll probably be voting Brown. The rest... still up in the air, though the more people harp on Marlino regarding the architect non-issue, the more inclined I feel to vote for him.

***

Brown, on the other hand,

Submitted by Rachel on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 7:21pm.

Brown, on the other hand, has extensive public service experience, has been careful to include ALL areas of the Sixth in his platform

I'm happy to see this. IMO, recent sixth district Council members have focused on east Knoxville and not paid much attention to the rest of their constituents (downtown, Mechanicsville, Sutherland, etc).

Nevermind

Submitted by Rachel on Fri, 2009/10/16 - 7:19pm.

n/t

Discussing:

Trump wouldn't call Minnesota governor after Democrat was slain but now blames him for raised flags (1 reply)
Denso unveils pavillion in Maryville (1 reply)
Ex-CDC Directors are worried and say it well (4 replies)
Jobs numbers worst since 2020 pandemic (1 reply)
Tennessee training MAGAs of tomorrow (4 replies)
Knoxville, "the underrated Tennessee destination" (1 reply)
Country protectors assigned park maintenance tasks (1 reply)
City of Knoxville election day, Aug. 26, 2025 (1 reply)
Proposals sought for Fall 2025 Knoxville SOUP dinner (1 reply)
Is the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum ugly? (1 reply)
President says: no mail-in voting and no voting machines (2 replies)
Will the sandwich thrower be pardoned? (3 replies)

TN Progressive

TN Politics

Knox TN Today

Local TV News

News Sentinel

State News

Wire Reports

Local Media

Lost Medicaid Funding

To date, the failure to expand Medicaid/TennCare has cost the State of Tennessee ? in lost federal funding. (Source)

Comment viewing options

Discussing:

TN Progressive

TN Politics

Knox TN Today

Local TV News

News Sentinel

State News

Wire Reports

Local Media

Lost Medicaid Funding

Search and Archives

TN Progressive

Nearby:

Beyond:

At large:

Government

About