Actually, I thought the story was pretty good. It focused on the how citizens were stepping up to fix the problems, when I was afraid it would focus on making us all look like the Lumpys and Scoobies of this world.

Maybe this list should be called 'The Catfish List'

Fred Sisk
Mike Lowe
Sherry Witt
Phil Ballard
Scott Moore
J.J. Jones
Lee Tramel
Richard Cate
Chuck Bolus
Tim Greene
John Owings

Ballard has some 'red flag' contributors. Is he more beatable than Lowe in the general election?

http://www.knoxviews.com/node/6943

I agree. Ballard seems more beatable in the general.

Why would folks like Sidney Blalock, Mike Cohen, etc. not in Tramel's voting district, be donating to Tramel?

Sid Blalock is of the roadbuilding/dirtmoving Blalocks.

Like many people in Knox County, Cohen is probably afraid not to donate to Tramel. Perhaps he and his employer seeks business with Copper Cellar/Mike Chase. He could be simply be trying to predict the winner. If you strike the King, you better kill him.

Mike, I know you read this site. What say ye? Tell us how Tramel represents the best choice for Knox County.

Not a bad article overall. Barry may be a little on the high-strung side, but he apparently writes a great story. I especially liked this line:

"The county’s public officials helped to propel the reform movement just by being themselves."

I can't wait for Tuesday night's voting tallies.

The political train hitched up and pulled out of the station and Cohen was left behind, yet again. He was the first to fall on his sword for Ragsdale when he got tossed as the county spokesperson, prior to Van de Vate coming on board to salvage the sinking ship. In my opinion, people who distort the truth and flow of accurate and reliable information between government and citizens are dangerous.

The Times article is an excellent example of how the Knoxville community is perceived on a national level. While nobody want to admit it, any major business would be hard pressed to relocate any substantial portion of its business to Knox County when this type of shennanigans, hijynx, and back room rubeness goes on daily. Mike Edwards does a nice job of spinning the fact that Knox County is out of usable industrial space, when in fact, Knox County is really out of competent government leadership and capable chamber focus, which crows loudly everytime a business expands in Blount, Sevier, Roane, or Loudon County (Knox County taxpayers are marketing region, yeah right)and we continue to lag behind other more business (as opposed to government) oriented counties and business communities in terms of economic development.

Look at the topics discussed and the last 3 commission meetings, nothing other than political gamesmanship, trying to embarass the other elected officials, while commissions in adjacent counties are working on substantive issues that affect the viability of their community. It is truly an embarrassment to the community, we have been the laughing stock of the state for years now and now we're working on a national stage.

Cas Walker would be proud.

COMMENT: "Cas Walker would be proud."

How true. Sadly, mortify-ingly true.

And many of the perpetrators wear that fact with ignorant pride, like the embarrassing, backwards uncle at Thanksgiving who picks his teeth and is happy to show how loudly he can belch.

"By God, there weren't nothing wrong with the way Cas Walker run this town, so I has went and done it like him."

We dodged a bullet, so to speak, when the NYT didn't discuss Ann Robinson's blast at Lumpy and the rest of them. That discussion, which carried out to the hall, would have been my lead ... if I wrote for the NYT. -- s.

We dodged a bullet, so to speak, when the NYT didn't discuss Ann Robinson's blast at Lumpy and the rest of them. That discussion, which carried out to the hall, would have been my lead ... if I wrote for the NYT. -- s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWxAYnuqnZw

Reminded me of Wanda Sykes.

First off, I recently moved, so I do live in the 4th district. But I wasn't there when I made the contribution to Lee.

I know Lee from working on Jamie Woodson's campaigns. We've both volunteered to help her virtually every time she's run. In all the years I have known Lee he has always been honest and straightforward with me. Always.

Do I agree with him on everything? No, certainly not. I've told him when I disagree with him. And, as a former journalist, I certainly don't think the Sunshine law should be weakened.

This was a tough one for me because Ed Shouse is also a friend. He was on City Council when I worked for Mayor Ashe and I think highly of him, too.

In the final analysis, I think a lot of Lee's values are good ones. He and his wife take in foster kids. That's not an easy thing to do and says something about you. He took a leave of absence for the final stretch of the campaign, which was the right thing to do.

Would we rather have had Scott Davis?

How soon people forget...

Now the other choice on the Republican ballot in District 4 is Metro Ed Shouse. Metro Ed might put a Knox County Convention Center in the Midway Industrial Park. If Victor told him to.

A contest between Lee Tramel and Steve Drevik is a better choice. Victor needs to stay in Poland.

Whoever described Sid Blalock as being from the roadbuilding/dirtmoving Blalocks hit it right on the money. They are currently moving/tearing up about a third of Sevier County.

to be pissed over that rezoning - I know I still am. I don't like liars either and there was a lot of lying and crap flinging over that rezoning, favors repaid, etc. There's no way it should have passed on the merits alone. In addition, there were some personal vendettas that came into play, and we all paid the price. I'm sure the sunshine law was broken as it routinely was, and maybe still is, during these things.

I don't know about a documentary, but I do think Knox County's government would make a great reality TV show. We could call it Survivor Knox County - divide them into two tribes (Mayormen and Hutchimen) and lock all the commissioners, the mayor and his minions inside the CC building and let them duke it out to see who gets to stay. Maybe I'll pitch it to Scripps.