We were at the Target in Turkey Creek last night, right in the middle of checking out with a cart load of groceries, when the power went out. Luckily the generators (or batteries?) kicked in fast so that our register did not reboot. A few others did. All of Turkey Creek was blacked out. A few of the major traffic lights stayed on, others did not.

Seems like they are having more problems today.

Plus TVA has set a new record for power demand.

In today’s Farragut Press there is one sentence that may forever change the debate on Metro Government in Knox County. It is a quote from Town of Farragut town attorney Tom Hale. When asked about how Metro Government would affect Farragut Mr. Hale responded that Farragut would have a couple options. The first option would be a referendum to do away with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Does that mean also abolishing the Town of Farragut?

Here is where is gets interesting. The second option is for a referendum to decide NOT to join Knox County Government. Mr. Hale said, “The decision would really be in the hands of the citizens”.

Would this second option mean seceding from Knox County and taking those Farragut property tax dollars away from Knox County? Does a Metro Government charter allow the people of Farragut to go their own way?

Today Farragut is a municipality in Knox County with property tax dollars going to Knox County. If in fact the people of the Town of Farragut would have the option via referendum to withdraw from Knox County and keep their property tax dollars it would seem that they are the key decision makers concerning any future Metro Government.

An interesting conversation developed in another unrelated thread. I am moving the comments here for further discussion of this controversial and important topic.

The issue boils down to, well several things. Should the new high school be Farragut Middle School or a new high school? How does a new high school built in a different district relieve crowding at Farragut High? Does the proposal go too far in relieving crowding at Farragut High by rezoning too many students? Does the plan take into account where the growth is occurring? Is $40 million too much for Knox County taxpayers to spend to help out the town of Farragut? Do Farragut residents feel they needed a new $40 million school? I think I've summarized it correctly, apologies if not.

Read more after the jump and join in the conversation...

From an e-mail announcement...

Farragut High School Zoning

COMMUNITY MEETING
TUESDAY FEB 13th at 7PM

First Farragut
United Methodist Church
12733 Kingston Pike
across from the Renaissance Center

The decision for the new high school zones has not been made. Get Involved.

We as a community group -- not the school board or the county government -- plan to hold a community workshop for families, students and community members who reside in the current FHS zone.

Just caught the end of the school board workshop. The board will NOT vote on Wednesday on rezoning for HVHS. They're going to rethink it, although as one parent pointed out -- they've already had multiple workshops, etc.

Several speakers said the school should be built for 1500, not 2100. Meanwhile, the builders are pouring concrete. -- s.