Mon
Aug 13 2007
01:28 pm
Will "They" Let Us Change Our Government?
By: Tom Salter

Tomorrow night at 7:00, a public meeting will be held at West High to discuss the findings of the Baker Center Report on Local Government. The meeting, sponsored by the group Knox County-One Question will give citizens the chance to ask the Baker Center staff about their report and to discuss the issues with each other. Several of the findings are shocking! In some communities (very similar to ours in many respects) government is structured differently than ours. Some governments have built-in mechanisms that address some of the main concerns raised during the KCOQ public forums held in May. The Baker Center used the results of those sessions to focus their research.

Discussions will focus on what the Baker Center learned about 1) ethics, 2) accountability and responsiveness, 3) efficiency and effectiveness, and 4) citizen-driven government in other communities. Visit (link...) to view the entire Baker Center Report.

Reason to come to the meeting tomorrow night:
1) Learn how other communities have structured government to deal with problems you are concerned with – problems like corruption by elected officials, failed leadership, nepotism, using tax dollars for personal gain, and more…
2) Learn how to change our government.
3) Add your own reason…

Reasons to not come tomorrow night:
1) It’s too hot.
2) “They” will never let “us” change our government.
3) I want to wait and see what kind of candidates “they" give us.
4) School just started back.
5) I’ve got tickets to a show.
6) I have to work 11 hours tomorrow, I’m tired now, I’ll be more tired then.
7) Some KnoxViews bloggers say these groups never do anything.
8) There is another meeting at the same time – the other meeting is more important.
9) Add your own reason…

Hope to see you there.

Topics:
Brian Hornback's picture

Would like to

Submitted by Brian Hornback on Mon, 2007/08/13 - 3:45pm.

attend. However, I have to attend a Parents Night meeting for one of my children at their Knox County School. My children are more important than this meeting, BTW.

I have read the report and feel confident that I can get answers to any question that I have.

R. Neal's picture

7) Some KnoxViews bloggers

Submitted by R. Neal on Mon, 2007/08/13 - 2:54pm.

7) Some KnoxViews bloggers say these groups never do anything.

Yep. And these are some of the same people who hope nobody is paying atttention and nobody gets out to vote so as to maintain the status quo.

Carole Borges's picture

Where is West High?

Submitted by Carole Borges on Mon, 2007/08/13 - 3:40pm.

I usually don't like driving on the highway because I have a mild form of highway phobia. Especially late at night.

Tom Salter's picture

Link to West High map

Submitted by Tom Salter on Mon, 2007/08/13 - 6:25pm.

It's on Sutherland about halfway between Concord and Forest Park. Here is a map link: (link...).

Rachel's picture

I have to go shopping for a

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2007/08/13 - 7:24pm.

I have to go shopping for a new washer with the spouse. Honest. Our old one died, and we're in trouble (read nekkid) if we don't take action soon.

Seriously, I thought I paid attention to stuff and this is the first I've heard about this meeting. Hard to plan with one day's notice. Have I just missed it, or does the publicity leave something to be desired?

Brian Hornback's picture

That would be Concord

Submitted by Brian Hornback on Mon, 2007/08/13 - 11:52pm.

Street (not Concord Road) Concord Street is at the intersection of Neyland Drive and Kingston Pike.

Concord Road is in Farragut. However, it could fall between Forest Park and Concord or Concord and Forest Park. One way is a two mile spread while the other is a twenty mile spread.

Carole Borges's picture

Thanks Brian for the clarification

Submitted by Carole Borges on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:31am.

That is close-in, so I'll try to make it.

Tom Salter's picture

Good clarification

Submitted by Tom Salter on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:41am.

Thanks for the clarification, I definitely meant Concord Street - the "Concord" that actually intersects with Sutherland. For West High to fall between Concord Road and Forest Park it's more like a 24,900 mile (approx. circumference of the earth) spread. Forest Park and Concord Road in Farragut are both west of West High. To put West High somewhere between the two points is definitely a geography thing.

Brian Hornback's picture

Tom Salter

Submitted by Brian Hornback on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 3:47pm.

are you stretching the truth on the distance between Concord Road and West High? For what purpose?

I am sure the people of Farragut and Concord that live in that area would be interested to know that the guy running to represent them on County Commission feels that they are in another part of the world, disconnected from the rest of Knoxville and Knox County.

Tom Salter's picture

Brian Hornback, YOU

Submitted by Tom Salter on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:10pm.

Brian Hornback, YOU suggested West High could fall between Forest Park and Concord Road by referring to the greater distance (see your quote below). Anyone who can read a map would know West High cannot fall between those two places...unless you go the long way around. Quit trying to divert attention away from your own bad geography skills. - TS

"Concord Road is in Farragut. However, it could fall between Forest Park and Concord or Concord and Forest Park. One way is a two mile spread while the other is a twenty mile spread. " - BH

rocketsquirrel's picture

Brian is concerned that "the

Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:14pm.

Brian is concerned that "the guy running to represent them on County Commission feels that they are in another part of the world, disconnected from the rest of Knoxville and Knox County."

I am MORE concerned that someone who served on the school board doesn't know the circumference of the earth, and obviously is a complete literalist about everything he reads.

Tom Salter's picture

I think Brian's problem is

Submitted by Tom Salter on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:20pm.

I think Brian's problem is with the definition of the word "between".

Bbeanster's picture

Brian's problem? Won't be

Submitted by Bbeanster on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:24pm.

Brian's problem?

Won't be solved until he can figure out how to find his ass with both hands.

Rachel's picture

Somebody needs to turn the

Submitted by Rachel on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:26pm.

Somebody needs to turn the italics off.

Better?

Joe328's picture

Brian Hornback

Submitted by Joe328 on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:07pm.

Concord Street is at the intersection of Neyland Drive and Kingston Pike.

Concord Road is in Farragut. However it (West High) could fall between Forest Park and Concord or Concord and Forest Park. One way is a two mile spread while the other is a twenty mile spread.

West High is not between Concord Road (in Farragut) and Forrest Park, unless you travel around the world, which is a bit more than twenty miles.

Brian Hornback's picture

It appears that all

Submitted by Brian Hornback on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:28pm.

three previous comments were posted by the same person. Same type style , same statement. Is it possible for one entity/person to have multiple KnoxViews personalities?

But in response specfically to Tom. You said "YOU suggested West High could fall between Forest Park and Concord Road by referring to the greater distance (see your quote below).

Actually Tom and all, read the quote again. "it could fall between Forest Park and Concord or Concord and Forest Park."

Could is defined as "to have the possibility" By stating that I suggested it is not accurate.

Obviously by your giving vague directions "Concord" and not stating the difference when there are two Concord's that exist within less than 15 miles of one another, it gives the appearance that you possibly do not want individuals to attend the meeting.

I was attempting to being helpful to carole and others that had a genuine desire to attend the meeting that you were so careless to losely identify the location.

Brian Hornback's picture

Beanster

Submitted by Brian Hornback on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 6:32pm.

You can resort to such immature, classless statements as you usually do. Could be the reason you have been at multiple employment locations.

If you can not debate a issue which is your normal MO. You resort to Beanster tactics like this. "Won't be solved until he can figure out how to find his ass with both hands."

Hartmann must be so proud!

R. Neal's picture

What the hell?

Submitted by R. Neal on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 7:15pm.

What the hell?

Up Goose Creek's picture

No wonder

Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 9:23pm.

No wonder we can't get much accomplished around here. Someone makes a statement, someone else clarifies it, the original poster makes a joke about the clarification, and then we're off with a dozen increasingly snarky & irrelevant comments.

Shouldn't we be talking about the meeting, what it hopes to accomplish, how to get the word out better, etc. etc?

____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

Pickens's picture

tonight's meeting

Submitted by Pickens on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 10:20pm.

Back to the real topic, how many folks on City Council, County Commission and both administrations were there tonight?

Nelle's picture

Council otherwise occupied

Submitted by Nelle on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 10:26pm.

Council was meeting tonight, with only Mark Brown absent, so the number of Council members at KCOQ was either one or zero.

Mayor Haslam was also as Council.

Pickens's picture

tonight's meeting

Submitted by Pickens on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 10:30pm.

So none of council or Haslam could go.

Why did the organizers pick this date then? Mr. Salter?

Bbeanster's picture

Since council meetings are

Submitted by Bbeanster on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 10:52pm.

Since council meetings are set for the whole year in advance, picking this date was a bush league mistake.

Bizzy's picture

Personally

Submitted by Bizzy on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 10:30pm.

I enjoy the snarkiness. Its my one vice.

Stan G's picture

Fast Track

Submitted by Stan G on Tue, 2007/08/14 - 10:57pm.

It was next to impossible to hear Lynne Fugate; however, it appears the study is on a fast track. As I understood her, the committee will meet next Monday to review the comments from tonight's meeting and will issue a final report by Sept. 1.

Also, as I understood it, there will be no specific recommendations which, IMO, means that if a charter revision committee is not on the horizon, there will be no major changes in county government in the near future.

The one good thing about being pessimistic is - at least it shows you understand the situation. -- Unknown

Tom Salter's picture

On the matter of specific

Submitted by Tom Salter on Wed, 2007/08/15 - 6:48am.

On the matter of specific recommendations, what Lynne Fugate said was that The Baker Center and its report will make no specific recommendations - it is purely an academic report of a study of cohort communities. The steering committee, after its retreat, will make specific recommendations about needed changes.

Having to schedule the meeting in conlict with City Council meeting was unfortunate and the KCOQ organizers have been chastized by several City Council members. Choosing dates for community meetings is not easy - there were at least 10 people there to manage the meeting last night. We discussed the date at length and other dates were also problematic for other reasons. KCOQ organizers had always pledged to make their recommendations by early September so there is a deadline factor as well. This would give citizens interested in ballot initiatives or lobbying their elected officials for needed changes several months to work before the next regular election - the earliest time a ballot initiative could be placed before the voters.

Sorry about the snarky comments. I couldn't help myself. Saying West High could be between Forest Park Blvd and Concord Road in deep west Knox (when it could not) was too much for me to take and I lost control.

Brian Hornback's picture

Tom said,

Submitted by Brian Hornback on Wed, 2007/08/15 - 6:58am.

"was too much for me to take and I lost control." Not a good example for a potential Commissioner or a Director of a non-profit.

I was attempting to help Carole find the location, since Tom was so vague in his description of where West High School is located and because there are two Concord's. For he and his other personalities to be snarky was not neccesary, but is the normal MO for him, Bean and others.

bill young's picture

1?

Submitted by bill young on Wed, 2007/08/15 - 9:24am.

I found last nights meeting encouraging.
Citizens are searching for the answer to 1?.
What to do about the dilemma we find Knox County government in.

The Chinse proverb says "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step." The Baker Center Report is the first step.It does not give the answer to 1? but shows us how other other counties answer the ?.

This was a bunch of great folks that worked hard & did a good job.

Stan G's picture

Regarding the Steering Committee's Recommendations

Submitted by Stan G on Wed, 2007/08/15 - 12:33pm.

Submitted by Tom Salter on Wed, 2007/08/15 - 6:48am.
.... The steering committee, after its retreat, will make specific recommendations about needed changes.

Thanks for the clarification. I look forward to reading the specific recommendations.

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