News Sentinel blasts appointment process

Mon

Jan 22 2007

11:01 am

By: R. Neal

Today's Knoxville News Sentinel editorial says "Plan to bum-rush appointments is outrage":

Since the appointments run only until the 2008 elections, Moore and some other commissioners evidently don't want to be bothered with the niceties of public forums, open discussion and candidates making their cases before an open meeting.

Instead, what Moore and the others want is the same system they have had for too long - a political country club where the members say who can be admitted and who is excluded.

That would be a serious mistake, not only for the commission but as well for the credibility of county government.

Lots of folks are not going to have a chance to have their voices heard. Will it come back to haunt the sitting, non-term limited commissioners? Probably not. Most people just don't seem all that interested. But it will be interesting to see who goes on record in support of an open process at today's meeting.

I was talking to some folks at the News Sentinel and they said the controversy isn't generating much reader interest. There was speculation on why this is. One reporter noted that it's complicated, and it may be that people simply don't understand it. (Which may have prompted this primer in Sunday's paper.)

My theory is that most people see it as a lot of inside baseball they just don't care. As evidence, look at the 20% turnout in local elections. Or the fact that voters (and those who don't bother) keep electing the same people they voted to term limit twelve years ago.

In other term limit news, over at the Halls Shopper Sandra Clark has a farewell love letter to Sheriff Tim, and Betty Bean has this backgrounder on his presumed successor.

R. Neal's blog
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The Best Thing

Submitted by knoxnative on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 11:30am.

Probably isn't a popular view, but the best thing would probably be for the existing officeholders to stay in place until a new election in August. The reason is to eliminate the political crony appointment process and to avoid creating an incumbency by the apointees.

The Supremes allowed for this possiblility in their decision by saying that the incumbents could stay in office until their replacement was appointed or elected.

That would give possible candidates time to really prepare for the next election and would eliminate a lot of the maneuvering going on right now.

The politicos don't want this because they see the appointment process as a way to retain control.

The Best Thing -- the problem I have

Submitted by Mark Siegel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 12:52pm.

My initial thoughts were the same as yours -- if you let the incumbents stay until the election it would take the backroom dealings out of it.

Then I realized that the let-stay-until-the-election possibility would really allow the maximum possible time for the incumbents and their pals to think up new and creative ways to cut the best possible backroom deals for themselves.

I like Sheriff Tim myself

Submitted by Sam on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 11:41am.

I like Sheriff Tim myself and feel like he done a good job considering what he had to put up with and deal with. That Hall Shopper article by Sandra almost made me puke. What a load of crap?

So long to Shurf Tim

Submitted by Sandra Clark on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 2:09pm.

That Hall Shopper article by Sandra almost made me puke. What a load of crap?

Well, Sam, at least I used my whole (real) name. -- s.

Well, Sam, at least I used

Submitted by Knoxquerious on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 2:36pm.

Well, Sam, at least I used my whole (real) name. -- s.

True, but you left out "Tim's Pet" between the two.

County Commission politics

Submitted by Bbeanster on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 2:45pm.

County Commission politics are so fluid right now that by the time anybody on the outside of the inner circle gets wind of what's afoot and makes a prediction , the game plan's already changed.

Take this paragraph, for example, leaving aside the numerical mistake already pointed out by Mark Harmon:

"County Commission (on which Republicans outnumber Democrats 15-4) has the responsibility of filling these vacancies, but commissioners are apparently willing to allow the lame duck sheriff, trustee and register of deeds (all Republicans) to name their successors. It is unclear whether this privilege is being extended to County Clerk Mike Padgett, a Democrat."

Latest credible rumor is that Billy Tindell will be a place-holder in the clerk's office, and Scott Moore will run for the seat next year. Another less-credible rumor is that Larry Cox may be Tindell's commission replacement. the problem with this is that it violates the Democrat-for-Democrat plan, since Cox has voted in GOP primaries for the past 17 years (as per public election records).

what aboat this

Submitted by bill young on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 2:55pm.

commission appoint per ruling..the re constituted commission request tim (he wants 14 votes for)to introduce a special election bill..sept primary nov general

Math correction

Submitted by Mark Harmon on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 12:00pm.

I need to correct one bit of math in Betty Bean's column. Republicans outnumber Democrats 14-5 on county commission, at least at the moment. The five Democrats are: Jordan, Strickland, Tindell, Cawood, and me.

Oops. Sorry, Commissioner

Submitted by Bbeanster on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 2:33pm.

Oops.
Sorry, Commissioner Harmon. I wouldn't intentionally ignore you for nuttin'. Tripped up by force of long-ingrained habit.

Another Math Correction

Submitted by Patricia on Tue, 2007/01/23 - 5:07pm.

Jordan may run as a Democrat ..but I do believe she is in the Reublicans back pocket, so actually it is 15-4

Partisan Politics

Submitted by Johnny Ringo on Tue, 2007/01/23 - 5:48pm.

Jordan may run as a Democrat ..but I do believe she is in the Reublicans back pocket, so actually it is 15-4

Actually, partisan politics are almost never an issue on County Commission. Witness the fact that on a 15-4 Commission the Vice-Chair is a Democrat, and a couple of years ago when the Commission got stuck 9-9 on a vote for chairman it elected as a Chairman pro-tem Billy Tindell, with Tank Strickland as vice-chair. Commission politics are MUCH more about city vs. county or faction vs. faction (e.g. Sheriff vs. County Mayor) than Democrat vs. Republican, and have been for as long as I can remember.

Appointments to county-wide office, OTOH, is a different matter, and party politics do matter much more there. However, if the rumor is right and the Commission is going to appoint Tindell to Padgett's office, it shows again that personal relationships are more important than partisanship on the Commission.

join the club

Submitted by rikki on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 12:19am.

personal relationships are more important than partisanship

Lots of things are more important than partisanship.

On issues pertinent to county policy, both parties agree. Pay for sewers, squander the land. County policy is property taxes and school budgets. No one favors property tax increases nor thinks our children deserve anything but the best, so both parties pledge balance. Bipartisan agreement.

Neither party is especially good at achieving balance. It's more of a controlled spill, perpetually splashing dollars on the future.

Balance is an illusion...

Submitted by Number9 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 12:33am.

Neither party is especially good at achieving balance. It's more of a controlled spill, perpetually splashing dollars on the future.

It is the Golden Rule. He who has the Gold makes the Rules.

Lots of things are more

Submitted by Johnny Ringo on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 8:00am.

Lots of things are more important than partisanship.

I didn't mean that in a normative sense, but in a realpolitik sense. All I was trying to get across is that for the most part the Commissioners themselves do not line up on issues based on any kind of party line - they divide along other fault lines.

I agree that "they divide

Submitted by BlueNeck1 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 8:41am.

I agree that "they divide along other fault lines". If something goes wrong it's not their fault.

question

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 3:46pm.

Bean or Sandra can probably answer this. How did Scoobie get the ten votes he says he has for appointing on the 31st w/o violating the open meetings law?

another question

Submitted by StaceyDs Cat on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 3:50pm.

what are the names of the 10 commissioners who agreed to this meeting?

The sad thing is that this hooey going on is going to discourage good candidates in the future.

The Quick-Vote 10

Submitted by Sandra Clark on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:05pm.

How did Scoobie get the ten votes he says he has for appointing on the 31st w/o violating the open meetings law?

Scott's press release did not list the requesters. He simply said upon the request of a majority of commissioners.....

Good question about the sunshine law. Remember, Ragdale and Moore got 12 signatures on the letter to John Owings to drop the One Man/One Vote lawsuit. -- s.

Scott is the Decider.

Submitted by Bbeanster on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:24pm.

Scott is the Decider.

It's on...

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:27pm.

Scott is the Decider.

Good Lord, they have stepped on a hornets nest. Now the citizens get a chance at the podium. This is must-see TV.

Scoobie the Decider

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:40pm.

I knew he reminded me of Dubya.....

I don't know who should be

Submitted by StaceyDs Cat on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:50pm.

I don't know who should be more insulted, W or the Scoobster.

Scoobie the Decider
Submitted by gemini on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 3:40pm.
I knew he reminded me of Dubya.....

Nominations from floor

Submitted by Sandra Clark on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:53pm.

John Owings just said any citizen may nominate from the floor (at the meeting to appoint replacements). By commission rules, nominations will not be limited to commissioners. -- s.

Betty, are you watching this

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:04pm.

Betty, are you watching this in the Commission meeting? What a rope-a-dope extravaganza. As Aretha wrote in a song "Who's zooming who"?

YouTube coverage on Tuesday. There are so many subplots I will have to watch this a few times to comment.

Griess's resolution fails, Mark Haron is up now...

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:36pm.

Griess's resolution for asking the State to allow a Special Election fails 14-5.

Bums

Submitted by Knoxquerious on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:50pm.

Griess's resolution for asking the State to allow a Special Election fails 14-5.

Is it possible to find out who the 5 were?

Is it possible to find out

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:53pm.

Is it possible to find out who the 5 were?

Only if someone is present at the meeting. You cannot hear well enough on TV and some of the Commissioners speak very softly when they vote. Go figure.

That resolution was

Submitted by D Mac on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:55pm.

That resolution was submitted by Guthe, Griess, Hammond and Cawood. Assuming they all voted for it as well as Mark Harmon, there is your five. I wish the would speak into their microphones when voting.

Schmid is just confusing things. But at least they are discussing it. However, I am a pessimist and they will eventually vote down anything other than Scoobie's proposal.

they will eventually vote

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:03pm.

they will eventually vote down anything other than Scoobie's proposal.

Uh huh. That fix was in before they started.

Just heard Paul Pinkston say he didn't need no stinkin' public hearings, since he already knew what people in his district wanted.

God almighty.

This is too depressing to even watch - I'll leave #9 to it.

I'll leave #9 to it.

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:16pm.

I now control the horizontal, the vertical...

Just kidding.

This is spectacular to behold. The end game is that Scott Moore's position will be the most reasonable thing to do because of limitations including, the Mayor's instructions, angle of the Sun, decree of the Supreme Court, interpretations of the County Law Director, fairness to applicants, trust in the process, Astrology, and community fairness.

Betty and Sandra should have a special Wednesday edition for this one.

Roll call on the Harmon resolution for non-binding vote

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:25pm.

Failed 2-17 (2 for 17 against)

What a bunch of scumbags

Submitted by D Mac on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:38pm.

This is such a travesty. Unless you are a buddy of one of the eight term limited incumbents, forget about getting the "annointment". They can talk the right game for the cameras but will do whatever it takes to keep their power. Some public hearings will be held and districts will speak, but they will still go with the cronies. I bet Billy puts up someone just like himself, a repub crony in dem clothing. I am in district 2 and have no trust in anything Billy will be doing. If he ends up as county clerk, he will be doing his business from the golf course. I about puked when Scoobie said Billy knows what his district wants. If you add up the votes Amy Broyles and Jonathan Wimmer got in the primary, it was more than what he got. So the voters did speak but he is so hard of hearing...

I would be a month's salary

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:44pm.

I would bet a month's salary that Clark and Pinkston don't bother with even pro forma public hearings in District 9.

District 9 residents could

Submitted by D Mac on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:47pm.

District 9 residents could call their own meeting, invite Clark and Pinkston and the media. If they don't show, the media would hopefully make that known. Are there any active neighborhood groups in that area?

District 9 - what' s the point?

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:56pm.

Not only would Clark and Pinkston not show, their hand-picked candidates wouldn't either.

Perhaps they figure Joe

Submitted by StaceyDs Cat on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:59pm.

Perhaps they figure Joe Hultquist has it covered for them. Heh.

District 9 - what' s the point?
Submitted by gemini on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 4:56pm.
Not only would Clark and Pinkston not show, their hand-picked candidates wouldn't either.

Are there any active

Submitted by bizgrrl on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 6:25pm.

Are there any active neighborhood groups in that area?

I think there are active neighborhood groups in District 9, but I am not sure they are active in contacting their County commissioners. The independence of the South side shows and I don't think they think much of their County Commissioners.

There are many active

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 6:47pm.

There are many active neighborhood groups within the City. I'm not so familar with what's going on out in the county.
Island Home Park, Old Sevier, South Haven, Woodlawn/Taliwa, Lindburgh Forest, Lake Forest, Colonial Village all have quite active NAs.

When the neighborhoods sponsored a forum for Commission candidates, Pinkston declined to attend. (He'll tell you he was sick, and he was the day of the forum, but he'd already declined to show up.)

It's not so much that the neighborhoods ignore Commission, as it is that Commissioners don't give a damn about the City neighborhoods.

South Knoxvillians within the city limits are really disenfranchised on Commission. The districts are set up so that every other part of the city essentially has two Commissioners - that is, the districts tend to be primarily county or primarily city.

The 9th district is an anomoly, with everybody south of the river in one district. Commissioners can win without the city votes (approximately 40%) so they just ignore us.

In fact, Howard Pinkston said once at a Commission meeting that his job was to "represent the citizens of south Knoxville outside the city limits."

Someone Needs to Make Sure Scoobie Pays

Submitted by knoxnative on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 7:09pm.

Whatever fee office position that Scoobie is angling for next election, we all need to remember this travesty and make sure he doesn't get it.

Jesus Christ. Not only will

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:30pm.

Jesus Christ. Not only will there be NO public process, but Scoobie says he will not allow Commissioners to ask questions of the nominees, even tho Owings told him that was permissable under state law & the charter.

I knew the fix would be in on these appts, but I didn't expect them to be quite so blatant about it.

Wow.

Submitted by Number9 on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:34pm.

15-4 (15 yes 4 no) vote to allow a one time special ability/responsibility for Chairman Moore to select committee assignments for the eight new Commissioners.

These guys are a perfect

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:36pm.

These guys are a perfect illustraton of why we need term limits, and what happens when you govern primarily by cronyism.

The public should be outraged. The public that's paying attention probably is. Unfortunately, that's a minority, and even most of them have a short attention span.

nominations from floor

Submitted by bill young on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 5:41pm.

does anybody know how that works..do u need a 2nd...

Ninth District Appointment

Submitted by Tao4Now on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 8:29pm.

Clark and Pinkston have formed a seven-member committee to research qualified candidates for Clark's replacement.

More in tomorrow's South Knox Seymour Times.

"It is not the writer's task to answer questions but to question answers." -Edward Abbey

Clark and Pinkston have

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 9:23pm.

Clark and Pinkston have formed a seven-member committee to research qualified candidates for Clark's replacement.

Bet they're all Republicans and all from Clark or Pinkston's inner circle.

9th district committee makeup

Submitted by Tao4Now on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 11:40pm.

At least one claims to be a Democrat. One would not admit to a party affiliation (nor her age). Two are women. At least six are age 67 or older.

As to the "inner circle" question, I am not knowledgeable enough to answer.

"It is not the writer's task to answer questions but to question answers." -Edward Abbey

9th district

Submitted by Rachel on Tue, 2007/01/23 - 12:08am.

Well stop being so damn coy and tell us who they are.

Voting on the process

Submitted by Sandra Clark on Tue, 2007/01/23 - 12:36am.

At least they actually voted on the process before jumping in to the appointments.

So is there more to the adopted plan than "We'll meet on the 31st and appoint people"?

Actually, they voted AGAINST calling upon legislators to enable a special election.

And they voted AGAINST Mark Harmon's proposed plebiscite.

So the default is Moore's call for a Jan. 31 special meeting. The Commission has rules about making appointments. Law Director John Owings said one rule is that nominations can be made by citizens "from the floor," but Scoobie quickly said that meant "just a name" -- not a big speech or anything. -- s.

citizens nominations

Submitted by bill young on Tue, 2007/01/23 - 12:35pm.

how does that work..are there no seconds..or can another citizen second..i cant find the commissions rules

You tube soon?

Submitted by D Mac on Tue, 2007/01/23 - 12:46pm.

I want to see the rerun again to see several things that happened. One was when someone asked for a list of the 10 commissioners that Scoobie had lined up for his 1/31 meeting. Several commissioners back away from the question and it appeared that Scoobie indicated his office staff called the commissioners to ask if they would be available for a special meeting on the 31st and that was their agreement for his appointment process. At that time, many said they agreed to attend the meeting he was calling but never were told that agreement meant anything else.

I agree that R Larry was more open and agreeable to a public forum. Lumpy seemed to side with Scoobie on everything. What is it with Tank, can he talk? Larry Clark was very quiet.

There are going to be people coming out of the woodwork wanting to be commissioners. I am not sure if that is good or bad.

Ultimately, Scoobie the decider will get exactly who he wants.

I didn't realize there was a

Submitted by rikki on Mon, 2007/01/22 - 10:34pm.

I didn't realize there was a commission meeting today. At least they actually voted on the process before jumping in to the appointments.

So is there more to the adopted plan than "We'll meet on the 31st and appoint people"? Will each office be voted on separately, or will the replacements be presented as a slate for a single vote? Will nominees be named in advance so people might actually have the chance to call or write their commissioners and express a preference?

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