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... [1] 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.