Fri
Dec 22 2006
01:10 pm
City of Knoxville Community Development gets a quality hire
By: S Carpenter

Hard to argue with this one: Mayor Haslam hired Madeline Rogero to replace Kesler at the City of Knoxville Community Development Dept. KNS story here.

That's great news to a lot of us who thought highly of Rogero as a mayoral candidate.

Ms. Rogero starts Dec. 26. Hopefully, the quick action on the Mayor's part will keep important projects on track and ultimately increase the utility of the available monies.

Topics:
Rachel's picture

I've been critical of

Submitted by Rachel on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 2:08pm.

I've been critical of Haslam's handling of this entire matter, but this move is just plain brillant. In Madeline, we get an extremely competent person to take over these duties. Plus she's maybe the one person that absolutely nobody can really bitch about.

Kudos all around.

Pickens's picture

Maize

Submitted by Pickens on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 10:28pm.

FWIW, I know the article says he's from Ohio, but I googled his name and found out that there's an Ezra Maize that's run for office before in Michigan (link below). He finished 4th in a 4 person race with less than 5% of the vote.

(link...)

Bbeanster's picture

Yeah, I noticed that, too. I

Submitted by Bbeanster on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 11:02pm.

Yeah, I noticed that, too. I think Maize came here from the Detoit area.
Evidently there was a big, big fight over the NAACP position between Harold Middlebrook's candidate and somebody else. Maize was some kind of compromise candidate, I am told.

watcher's picture

He finished 4th in a 4

Submitted by watcher on Sun, 2006/12/24 - 12:41am.

He finished 4th in a 4 person race with less than 5% of the vote.

Go figure!

watcher's picture

What video tapes at a

Submitted by watcher on Sun, 2006/12/24 - 12:43am.

What video tapes at a Magnolia apartment

Don't know the details...the rumor is that an apartment, apparently paid for with EZ funds (to a landlord who is a former PNI board member, no less), has been used very frequently for "personal purposes" by some for the EZ "players" (no pun intended). Again, it's a rumor...but based on what I know about some of these folks, nothing would surprise me.

watcher's picture

KUDOS

Submitted by watcher on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 2:20pm.

FINALLY!!! It's about time someone involved in this mess has done something RIGHT. I rescind my earlier comments about lack of backbone and instead bestow MEGA KUDOS for a brilliant (on many levels) choice.

bill young's picture

great choice

Submitted by bill young on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 2:47pm.

madeline will do a bang up job

Number9's picture

Brilliant strategy. In the

Submitted by Number9 on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 2:44pm.

Brilliant strategy. In the race for Governor Haslam has left Ragsdale at the gate. Wonder if Arms is sharpening his pitchfork to go after Haslam? They shouldn't have stiffed Tyler Harber, he would come in handy at a time like this.

My guess is we have seen all the harmony we will see. Now the gloves come off.

StaceyDs Cat's picture

the race for governor

Submitted by StaceyDs Cat on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 2:56pm.

At last Friday's Civitan lunch where state rep. Harry Brooks spoke, he was asked who he thought was running for governor that had a shot. The answer was Haslam; no one else in East Tennessee was mentioned, not even Ragsdale.

Number9's picture

At last Friday's Civitan

Submitted by Number9 on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 3:32pm.

At last Friday's Civitan lunch where state rep. Harry Brooks spoke, he was asked who he thought was running for governor that had a shot. The answer was Haslam; no one else in East Tennessee was mentioned, not even Ragsdale.

I like all animals but I really like cats. Maybe you could tell.

The only person in East Tennessee that hasn't figured out that he is so well done you can stick a fork in him is Ragsdale. Never underestimate the power of people to forget. Ragsdale is the superior candidate on paper. He is a brilliant speaker and has no conscience. He is the perfect candidate. Haslam is likeable and doesn't make many mistakes but some of the mistakes he has made are significant. His daddy is a billionaire but he can not debate Ragsdale and win. Haslam is not in that league. With a serious challenger Haslam may not even win re-election for Mayor. Rob Frost might well take him out should he decide to run.

In the end Bob Corker will come to Haslam's defense but it will be too little and too late. The only question is how many casualties will be caught in the crossfire?

The next Governor will not come from East Tennessee. Unless he or she is a Democrat and I can't think of who that could be.

edens's picture

Nine, only you could manage

Submitted by edens on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 3:36pm.

Nine, only you could manage to make this about Ragsdale.

Number9's picture

There can only be one...

Submitted by Number9 on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 9:08pm.

Nine, only you could manage to make this about Ragsdale.

Thanks edens. Your right, not many people could connect the dots.

By far the Kesler disaster is the greatest problem Haslam has faced. But in the long run will Rogero have been the best decision? Over on the Blab even you question the wisdom.

I guess you want proof.

I will post on Saturday on YouTube the Ragsdale Shakespearean machinations in this weeks Knox County Commission with the South Knox Lowe's debacle. While Ragsdale orders the County Law Director to withdraw the lawsuit against the Election Commission he also orders Sir Griess of Farragut to command County Commission to investigate the special election for the Lowe's project.

Ragsdale gets the sound bit on WATE saying he doesn't want any disharmony with the City while his troops surround Castle Haslam. No one actually watches County Commission they only watch the evening news or read the Sentinel. So Ragsdale looks to be the harbinger of truth and justice and Haslam looks to be the Sheriff of Nottingham.

As a writer I would have thought this would be easy for you to see.

The thing with being Governor is there can only be one.

Wonder who Ragsdale will support in next November's election for City Mayor?

spintrep's picture

Annex the City !!

Submitted by spintrep on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 9:30pm.

Wonder who Ragsdale will support in next November's election for City Mayor?

does this involve that plan to modify the City Charter to eliminate redundancy and establish service districts for tax purposes?

________________________________
we're living in a pathocracy!!

Number9's picture

does this involve that plan

Submitted by Number9 on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 11:01pm.

does this involve that plan to modify the City Charter to eliminate redundancy and establish service districts for tax purposes?

Yes.

There is an old saying, "may you live in interesting times".

We do. And our action or lack of action will determine our future.

watcher's picture

THE solution

Submitted by watcher on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 4:39pm.

It's just a shame they didn't move the department back under Community & Neighborhood Services and give Sam Anderson's job to Rogero as well. Oh well...baby steps!

secretsquirrel's picture

Baby Steps..hmmmmmm

Submitted by secretsquirrel on Thu, 2006/12/28 - 3:34pm.

"It's just a shame they didn't move the department back under Community & Neighborhood Services and give Sam Anderson's job to Rogero as well. Oh well...baby steps!"

Yes, it is a shame... and even MORE shame that the folks on the 6th floor are STILL trying to make it look like nothing wrong has been going on - see Thursdays Sentinal article about the refund the City has to give to HUD - and they still act like nothing is wrong!!!!! Hopefully Madeline will also have the guts to right the wrongs done to the employees at community development - rumor is new Sr. Director doesn't want to get his hands dirty - let Civil Service clean up the mess - OVER half the original Department that started out at the beginning of Haslam's term are gone and even the new folks are getting ready to leave - let's hope Madeline can stop the talent drain and right the wrongs........

BlueNeck1's picture

Brilliant

Submitted by BlueNeck1 on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 6:24pm.

Brilliant choice.

spintrep's picture

business as usual

Submitted by spintrep on Fri, 2006/12/22 - 8:47pm.

You'd think they could have found someone with an Urban Planning backround and maybe some previous govt. experience for this job...

________________________________
we're living in a pathocracy!!

CBT's picture

Rogero looks like a good

Submitted by CBT on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 9:33am.

Rogero looks like a good choice for the job.

The only thing "baffling" are the quotes from local NAACP president Maize.

Bill Pittman's picture

Great choice

Submitted by Bill Pittman on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 11:03am.

Madeline is a extraordinarily bright person who brings excellent experience to the position and our city. The one thing that struck me about the 2003 mayoral campaign was the sincerity of both Bill Haslam and Madeline Rogero; each seemed only concerned with bettering Knoxville.

Bbeanster's picture

Maize staked out his

Submitted by Bbeanster on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 12:17pm.

Maize staked out his position (that this is a job that should not be held by a Caucasian) pretty clearly at the time that Kesler resigned, so it's no surprise that he wouldn't be happy with this hire.

This is an interesting move for Haslam, for sure. I have great confidence in Madeline Rogero.

Also, I'd point out that Maize is relatively new to Knoxville, and may not be up to speed on Madeline's credentials. And, fwiw, I am informed that contrary to speculation, he is NOT Renee' Kesler's pastor.

Rachel's picture

The only thing "baffling"

Submitted by Rachel on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 12:24pm.

The only thing "baffling" are the quotes from local NAACP president Maize.

Shorter Maize: "But she's not black."

Maize is relatively new to Knoxville, and may not be up to speed on Madeline's credentials.

True. But he should talk to somebody who is or keep his mouth shut. He's not helping his credibility much.

BTW, I noticed Mark Brown was a whole lot more circumspect.

Here's the link to today's KNS piece:
(link...)

Bbeanster's picture

This quote strikes me as

Submitted by Bbeanster on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 12:37pm.

This quote strikes me as particularly disingenuous -- or maybe just uninformed.:

"If she hadn't run against the mayor, I wouldn't be as baffled as I am now," said Maize, who moved here a year and a half ago from Toledo, Ohio. "Is this a way of soothing us because she's a Democrat? Were there not any African-Americans (who applied)?"

If you're a mayor looking to run for governor down the road, who better to hire than a popular, qualified former opponent who came close to beating you, and whom a lot of city employees are trying to talk into running against you again? And if it's a woman and someone of the other political persuasion, even better. He can say "I'm a Uniter, not a Divider" and call himself a "Compassionate Conservative."

Nobody's done that already, have they?

Pickens's picture

Rogero can be good

Submitted by Pickens on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 10:34pm.

but I have concerns about the situation she'll be working in. Brown, Anderson and Strickland all worked against her in the mayor's race and for Haslam.

And I'll bet she's not the one Brown, Anderson and Strickland wanted in to take the office. And then the new NAACP person has found an issue with her.

I hope she doesn't follow Chief Perez out the door. I hope she can pull it off.

watcher's picture

Thanks for the clarification

Submitted by watcher on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 2:24pm.

Thanks for the clarification on the pastor thing. Now, if someone could just give clarification on the infamous video tape from the Magnolia Ave. apartment (I know...a while 'nuther can o'worms)!

Regarding the SECOND Sunshine-Law-Violating-Meeting that Maize & Brown are upset they didn't get...since WHEN is the mayor (or any executive, for that matter) required to get permission (from a select group of constituents, no less) for a hire??? Maize needs learn the lay of the Knoxville landscape and get down off his high-horse or go play in DC where this type of crap might actually fly.

And again...when, exactly, did this position become a *black* one? Just because two African-Americans have previously held that post? That'd be just like implying that only a white male can be mayor of Knoxville. Imagine the backlash!!!

Bbeanster's picture

"And again...when, exactly,

Submitted by Bbeanster on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 2:45pm.

"And again...when, exactly, did this position become a *black* one? Just because two African-Americans have previously held that post? That'd be just like implying that only a white male can be mayor of Knoxville. Imagine the backlash!!!"

Dunno that I'd push that pedal too hard. I wouldn't want to argue that the political system doesn't have a built-in bias in favor of white males.

rigtu's picture

Mark Brown Circumspect

Submitted by rigtu on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 5:48pm.

No one ever accused Mark Brown of being stupid. He is after all a politician so he knows that politically it would be suicide for him to come out against this appointment on a color basis even though inside he is in total agreement with Maize.

As for Maize, does the man lack the ability to read? Or think? Or is he so entrenched with the entitlement mentality that he really thinks it isn't character but color that counts?

Good job Bill for ALL of the citizens of Knoxville not just the black ones. It's nice to see you are doing what an executive is supposed to do.....make decisions and lead!

rigtu's picture

What Video Tapes?

Submitted by rigtu on Sat, 2006/12/23 - 5:51pm.

What video tapes at a Magnolia apartment/

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