Bud Gilbert is really tap dancing for Mayor Ragsdale. Amazing.

Scott "Scoobie" Moore just said there has been no public outcry on this. He's only gotten one phone call, then announced his home phone number on public television. 922-9049.

If you drifted away from the called CC meeting, Owings is presently discussing the N-S suit and offering his recommendations...

...right in the middle of Frank Leuthold's question to Owings WRT his ability, as an appointee whose appointment is being challenged by the N-S, to then vote on any recommendation Owings might make to Commission to settle the suit.

Wasn't this same conundrum addressed in the Bailey decision? In that context, the court held that those Shelby County Commissioners re-elected beyond the timeframe the county's term limits policy allowed them to serve could nevertheless take action for the purpose of replacing themselves, as they served in a "de facto" position (and our Commissioners acted similarly here in KC, of course).

Provided that the new Ethics Policy wouldn't preclude Leuthold's/other appointees' ability to cast their votes, isn't there precedent for the eight appointees' ability to vote on Owing's recommendations?

The News Sentinel coverage is, once again, pitiful. As usual over the past few weeks, the focus is on Lumpy Lambert, specifically his "Candyland" exchange with Mayor Ragsdale. Little in-depth discussion is given to the presentation by the Mayor's attorney or the serious issues raised by Commissioners.

May a special election be had a few months earlier? Maybe. But, there is the constitutional question, with a list of questions having been sent to the attorney general. The county charter doesn't allow it. We need a state law passed to trump our county law. And, even if we jump through all those hurdles, we still have the issues of timing for partisan elections and a cost of $250,000 - $500,00, all to have an election at a critical time in our county (budget) and only to have the election a few months earlier.

The KNS story is not informative. It's weak, considering all the issues. Lumpy and Candyland, yep that was the most important exchange.

I will reiterate my position from weeks ago. People may disagree with the appointments. They may disagree with how it was done. But, the lawsuits and constant stirring of political turmoil does not help the citizens of Knox County. I hope the News Sentinel's "new-found" interest in county government, including what goes on at Commission meetings, continues. We need to have elections next year, throw the rascals out if you like and move on.

$500,000.00 for an early election seems cheap to me, if it means setting an example that the people of Knox County won't stand for a commission made up of little dictators. Not doing anything seems to say: "thank you, sir, may i please have another?"

Who cares if it means the election will be "only" a couple of months earlier? Good!

Progressive forces should make some kind of move while the iron is hot and this is on peoples' minds! Just talking to a few random non-activist non-"political" coworkers this morning, there is no better time to starting building a coalition/movement to take back our government. People are angry, not in the future -- angry right now. Waiting until the next "official" election is tantamount to letting the enemy (i.e., the pathetic napoleons who warm the seats next to Mark Harmon) define the terrain of struggle.

I know very little about the legal issues associated with local governance, but I say it's time to throw things off balance a little.

BUMS. OUT. NOW.

Keep in mind that anyone can get on the agenda for next Mondays County Commission meeting by calling or emailing the Commission office and indicating that you want to speak during the public comment time.

Just think what you could say to these commissioners and the TV cameras!