Thanks for the unsubstantiated insight, 'anonymous'.

Not addressing issues swiftly and firmly as big as these is a great way to find an election opponent.

Hmmm, the plot thickens?

seems that more money given away or the more deals the City guarantees, the more games get played.

Haslam does not need a racial scandal to blow up in his administration, particularly one where black people are being given preference for positions, promotions, and eventually loans in the empowerment district.

All the more reason to hope out of the empowerment zone game and if downtown can't redevelop itself, we can do without drug dealers on Market Square Mall and without racial issues bubbling out of needless government employment.

The person who seems to stay under the radar is Sam Anderson. Renee Kesler worked at the direction of Sam Anderson. Because of many complaints from the Community Development Department and the community itself, the Mayor finally had the courage to separate Sam and Renee. Renee now reports to the newly hired Larry Martin. T.C. Carter is nothing more than a puppet for Sam Anderson. The next time Haslam seeks votes he should carefully assess with whom he is dealing. Character and integrity do count.
For those who may not know, Renee Kesler is also the same person that sat on KCDC's board and made a big stink when she was asked to resign because she lives in the County. One of KCDC's requirements to serve on its board is to live inside the City. Renee knew this and kept it to herself. When the board found out and asked her to resign, she cried fowl. The Mayor was asked to resolve this, but he wouldn't step up to the plate and make a decision. KCDC Board finally took action. Guess what???? Mayor Haslam later hires Renee as Director of Community Development. Haslam is clearly not a good judge of character.
For more than a year many folks from the community have tried to get City Council to ask for an outside investigation of Empowerment Zone Funds. This is not a new thing. This big fight is over the the $3 million remaining of Empowerment Funds through the Economic Ventures Program and control of City grant funds. At the direction of Sam Anderson this team has been put together to gain control of City funding and Empowerment Zone Funds for family and friends.
Renee Kesler and Kevin Dubose who previously held the same position set about trying to shut down organizations such as, Knox Housing Partnership, Center for Neighborhood Development and Economic Ventures to divert the funds to PNI. The focus for this group was going to be Five Points.
All of a sudden you had preachers turn builders from the Five Points community getting on board to pluck funds from the money tree. They even started having fights between themselves over who was going to be the main builder and recieve the funding. Guess what??? David Walker, cousin of Mark Brown was the big winner. David Walker also, is a good friend of Renee's brother and both David and Renee's brother were coached by Sam Anderson. This has been an environment described best....as a kid in a candy store.
This story is deeper and darker than anyone can describe. Many folks that have served this community with honor and integrity have been hurt by the "move over or we'll run over you" mentality of this group. Renee Kesler is only part of the problem.
Correction for the News Sentinel....Renee Kesler was not an Executive with Am South bank. Renee never held a job in her banking career that she had more than one or two people under her. Her position with AmSouth was Community Development. Not all banks even have this position. Renee was not qualified for the position with the City and nearly doubled her salary when she went to the City. What was Haslam thinking??????????

PNI will get the contract to "make amends" for Renee's job. Just watch...