Tue
Jan 30 2007
06:29 pm

Looking into my crystal ball, the smoke is clearing...... the picture is coming clear.............

Here are my predictions for tomorrow:

District 1. Josh Jordan
District 2. Jonathan Wimmer
District 4. Two of the following three: Richard Cate, Lee Tramel, Ed Shouse
District 5. Frank Leuthold
District 6. Sharon Cawood
District 8. Jack Huddleston (seat-warmer for Steve Hunley)
District 9. The Greene guy who was just announced

Trustee: Fred Sisk
Clerk: Billy Tindell
Register of Deeds: Sherry Witt

So say I
(and I'm winning a $100 bet!!!! Yay!!!)

R. Neal's picture

You forgot Shurf. Or is that

You forgot Shurf. Or is that too obvious?

Bbeanster's picture

Oops, forgot the sheriff

JJ Jones
(duh)

R. Neal's picture

See you in the AM. Who's

See you in the AM. Who's bringing donuts?

Bbeanster's picture

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm I will! We

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm
I will!
We gotta get there early and beat VandeVate to the press table!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I've decided to stop being depressed and just treat it as a sporting event. Winning that bet helps.)

rocketsquirrel's picture

business as usual

what a disappointing list. going to be interesting to see how strong of an anti-incumbency backlash will occur next year.

shall we just go ahead and start calling them the "back pocket good ol' boys" or just the "back pocket boys?"

I'm glad my representative government deigned to make all these seat choices in smoke-filled rooms so we wouldn't have to worry our little heads about such an important decision.

Good Ol' Boy Network (From Wikipedia) (gotta love Wikipedia): "It is typically taken to refer to informal social, religious, business, and political associations among white males ("good ol' boys"); however, in modern times can be composed of either or both sexes...

Some negative effects of the good ol' boy network are its exclusion of others, leading to leaders of a community possibly limiting business transactions to other elites, or to friends or acquaintances from within the network, to give friends better deals, and generally to reinforce traditional power structures over any other elements in the society."

Bbeanster's picture

It's a stretch to call

It's a stretch to call Leuthold, Wimmer and S. Cawood members of the GOB network. Beneficiaries, yes; members, no.

Leuthold has a long, long track record as a budget expert and a defender of neighborhoods and the environment. I understand he will serve as a "caretaker," and I am very glad that he is. The alternatives are scary, which might be why he will do it (remember, this is just one person's prediction).

Sharon Cawood is a very solid Democrat, and likely quite a bit less conservative than her husband. She tried to run last spring, but Mark couldn't get off the ballot.

Lastly, Wimmer is more acceptable than Broyles or Piper or Deborah Porter (I know I'm leaving some folks out) to the commissioners who will be voting. Whether people on this forum like hearing this or not, the tactic of shutting down the East Towne voting site last year has not gone down well in these parts, and, again, whether y'all like it or not, Billy Tindell and his son, Harry, are very, very well-liked in this district, and have been getting elected to stuff since Hector was a pup. I happen to think that Harry is the best legislator in the Knox County delegation, btw, and I will vote for him every damn time he runs. Billy likes Wimmer, and his commission colleagues will go with him over Harmon, whom they haven't known very long. I believe they'd pick Wimmer even absent the Tindell recommendation.

These two can duke it out in next year's campaign.

ps: I'm not just whistling Dixie when I say that we should be thanking Frank Leuthold for being willing to step in.

rocketsquirrel's picture

beneficiaries, yes. members, yes.

beneficiaries, yes. if appointed tomorrow, official members, yes.

picked by back room deals with no input from the public and therefore not representative of the will of the people. I think Clark's quote "It’s a unanimous thing from both of us," says it all.

Bbeanster's picture

That blanket judgment isn't

That blanket judgment isn't fair. Somebody has to be picked, and it's unreasonable to tar them all with the same brush.

rocketsquirrel's picture

Fair?

Fair? Sal has a comment about that.

Bbeanster's picture

A good number of folks

A good number of folks didn't think Mark Harmon's forum was fair. This whole process has been about pushing agendas, and it appears that everybody's doing it.
I've just decided to try and bring my blood pressure down and just watch.

rocketsquirrel's picture

Fair?

I wasn't at the forum. I wouldn't know. Nor am I pushing an agenda other than FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS over good ol' boy appointments.

lotta's picture

who is jack huddleston

and where the heck did he come from? Guess they have sheeple stock lined up to warm the seats just in case.

ultron's picture

Ugh

There are "good old boys." There are "old-boy networks." There are not "good-old-boy networks." No matter what wikipedia might say. I believe what is being refered to here is an old-boy network populated mainly by good old boys.

Johnny Ringo's picture

Jack Huddleston

He owns a tire store in Corryton and has been very active in Eigth District politics for many years.

Socialist With A Gold Card's picture

Jack Huddleston

Actually, Jack sold the tire store a couple of years ago; he and his wife have been living in Daytona pretty much full-time ever since. I guess he'll have to spend a lot more time in Knox County than he has for the last couple of years.

--Socialist With A Gold Card


"I'm a socialist with a gold card. I firmly believe we need a revolution; I'm just concerned that I won't be able to get good moisturizer afterwards." -- Brett Butler

Lisa's picture

Jack Huddleston

Jack Huddleston is a good guy - well-liked in the 8th District and I think he will be an honest and fair commissioner if he is selected.

I don't know all the other candidates for the 8th District, but I do know there are a few on that list we'd be a lot better off without.

I don't think Jack is a seat warmer for Steve Hunley because Steve could have the seat if he wanted it. I don't think he does.

Socialist With A Gold Card's picture

No doubt

Jack Huddleston is a good guy - well-liked in the 8th District and I think he will be an honest and fair commissioner if he is selected.

I agree, Lisa; Jack is a good guy, and he is well-liked. I just think it's a bit funny that Jack's now all in a hurry to move back to Knox County to "serve the community," since he and Joyce have been lounging on the beach for the last couple of years.

--Socialist With A Gold Card


"I'm a socialist with a gold card. I firmly believe we need a revolution; I'm just concerned that I won't be able to get good moisturizer afterwards." -- Brett Butler

Bbeanster's picture

Socialist, tans cause cancer!

That would explain why he'd rather spend February in Knoxville.

Maybe I'm getting cocky because I'm about to win a $100 bet (my very first bet evah!), but I just might be willing to lay a little cash on the line that Hunley runs for this seat next year. First clue was when he accompanied John Mills to the dais to be sworn in Sept. 1. I think he let Charlotte hold the Bible, but he was standing right there. It's pretty common knowledge that Hunley owns Mills.

Lisa's picture

8th District

It's pretty common knowledge that Hunley owns Mills.

I wouldn't go that far, but there's no doubt he supports John Mills, as does a big chunk of 8th District voters who elected Mills overwhelmingly in the last election.

Lisa's picture

Beach Lounging

he and Joyce have been lounging on the beach for the last couple of years

Actually, since he is retired the last couple of years, he has been spending a couple of months during the winter at the beach with his wife. Wouldn't we all enjoy that? I think it's great he's willing to give that up if he gets selected. A lot of people in the 8th District encouraged him to run.

Johnny Ringo's picture

A good number of folks

A good number of folks didn't think Mark Harmon's forum was fair. This whole process has been about pushing agendas, and it appears that everybody's doing it.

Not fair? How can you say that? Why, Tyree got 70% of the vote in the straw poll for Sheriff at the forum. Surely you're not suggesting that the crowd was not representative of the voters at large, are you?

D Mac's picture

This irritates me. First

This irritates me. First everyone complains that there will not be an election and the appointments will be made by back room deals. Then Commissioner Harmon tries to offer a compromise and holds a forum, for all districts, not just his. It was never touted as being an official count, how could it be?

While the decisions that will be made by the commissioners may not be influenced by any of those presentations at the forum, at least there was an opportunity for those candidates to speak to them. Thirteen of them did show up.

I am in the second district and there were many of us Democrats there. We would all rather see Tyree for Sheriff. None of the other candidates for sheriff showed up.

I am proud that my commissioner is doing what is right and trying to keep the decision in the open. (And I hope he keeps commenting on Knoxviews.)

So be careful where you cast those stones, especially if you were not there.

Bbeanster's picture

So what was the straw poll meant to accomplish?

Here's what it says in today's story by Rebecca Ferrar in the NS:

"Billy Tindell’s support for Wimmer comes after candidate Amy Broyles garnered vocal support and a wide margin in a straw poll at a public forum Monday night at Whittle Springs Middle School.
Tindell’s 2nd District colleague, Mark Harmon, sponsored the forum where Broyles won support, and said, "I think (Tindell has) made a mistake here.
"I’m disappointed that he cannot see that she is a great candidate and has earned the support of the district," Harmon said."

Sure looks like the straw poll is being touted for the purpose of proving widespread district support for Amy Broyles. Think he won't bring it up tomorrow?

Paul Witt's picture

And?

Sure looks like the straw poll is being touted for the purpose of proving widespread district support for Amy Broyles. Think he won't bring it up tomorrow?

Let's see if I understand you...

Amy Broyles easily beat Wimmer in the May '06 primary AND in the straw poll Monday night, but neither is any real indication of support because your gut tells you people are mad about an early voting center closure that never actually happened.

Am I close?

Oh and I'm pretty sure that Tyree won the 2nd district last August. It should come as no surprise that he'd win a straw poll.

Bbeanster's picture

No, Paul, you aren't even

No, Paul, you aren't even close, and there's no point in arguing it further.

jbr's picture

I think its wrong that this

I think its wrong that this appt meeting is not held in the evening when most of the populace can view it and participate. The typical person probably cannot leave work to participate or even view the thing. If a lawsuit is filed for a reason like this or some other basis for challenge who initiates it and how do you donate money to the effort?

Greg Mackay's picture

"never actually happened"

Paul Witt :
"people are mad about an early voting center closure that never actually happened. "

I am not sure I understand this comment.

Are you saying that the closing of the East Town voting center "never actually happened." ?

rocketsquirrel's picture

he's right

as I recall, it was moved, not closed. I voted over there in early voting. quite convenient, actually. didn't have to go in the mall.

Pickens's picture

"he's right (rocketsquirrel

"he's right (rocketsquirrel on Wed, 2007/01/31 - 8:21pm.)
as I recall, it was moved, not closed. I voted over there in early voting. quite convenient, actually. didn't have to go in the mall."

Doug,

it was at the clerk's office at the mall. it is now no longer there. it closed. another location was opened. lots fewer people voted at the new location. look at the stats on the election commission's web site.

Paul Witt's picture

I took Betty's comments to

I took Betty's comments to mean that the East Towne early voting location was shut down mid-election in August, which it wasn't. Regardless, I think she's wrong about the general feeling of the district about the location switch and especially about Amy's fault in the issue.

Bbeanster's picture

If you want to keep beating

If you want to keep beating this dead horse, go ahead.
I've got other stuff to do.

Paul Witt's picture

Whether people on this forum

Whether people on this forum like hearing this or not, the tactic of shutting down the East Towne voting site last year has not gone down well in these parts

The Knoxville Center Mall's early voting site did not get shut down in August and was moved in November to comply with election law.

You're the reporter, am I wrong?

Unless something has changed since last May, Wimmer has almost no support outside of 4th & Gill. Amy beat him soundly in May and got 30% as a write-in in August. Not to mention that Wimmer did nothing to support Mark Harmon after the primary.

Number9's picture

Pretty good call

Frank Leuthold would be a reasonable compromise and good for the District.

Josh Jordan and Jonathan Wimmer would both create some fireworks but I think you are right.

Sharon Cawood was a given.

Billy Tindell was a given.

Magic eight ball is fuzzy on District 4.

Johnny Ringo's picture

:-)

(and I'm winning a $100 bet!!!! Yay!!!)

yay!

marvinthemartian's picture

rocketsquirrel...who's your pick

Rocketsquirrel...So who is your pick for District 2 if Wimmer is a GOB?
Broyles' cheerleaders are rather annoying.
Piper?

Rachel's picture

Frank Leuthold

Hmm, on the one hand, having a father-son team representing the same district is a bit much.

OTOH, like Betty I have a high opinion of Frank Leuthold (I lived in the 5th district part of the time he was on Commission). And I agree that some of the other candidates were frightening.

I still don't have a clue who Tim Greene is. When will he introduce himself to us poor out-of-the-network non-Republican south Knoxvillians? During next year's campaign?

P.S. Betty is right about Wimmer. Broyles just pissed off too many establishment Democrats.

Bbeanster's picture

My information (and it is

My information (and it is very good) is that it's not Craig Leuthold who wanted to ask Frank to come back to serve another year, but John Griess. I understand Craig is not thrilled about this, since he well understood how it would look to the rest of us.
It is a bit of a puzzle why the pro-development Griess (he works for mega-developer realtor HolRob and never saw a bulldozer he didn't like)wants to put the pro-neighborhood Leuthold (pere) back on commission. The pretty credible rumor (though not quite as reliable as stuff in the above paragraphs)is that Griess is ticked at Ragsdale's administration for something and the appointment of Frank Leuthold is meant to get under Ragsdale's skin -- I guess because Frank is politically powerful, opposed to Ragsdale's development agenda and tends to be a bit long-winded at times.
Seriously, and I cannot stress this enough, the alternative to Frank Leuthold would be a member of a hard-core developers' slate that has been put together by lawyer/lobbyist John Valliant (remember that name? He was the lead attorney for the Jordan lawsuit that sought to overturn term limits). It would likely have been either Valliant's law partner Greg Harrison who got the appointment or Lumpy Lambert's treasurer Robin Butler, who is married to a developer.
I wish we could have elections, or at least a more open and fair appointment process. I wish Scoobie Moore wasn't driving this bus. I wish that the term limits issue had resulted in a victory for democracy. I wish these guys had a brain and/or a conscience.
But failing that, I also wish some of the sanctimonious yawping about platonic ideals could slow down long enough for everybody to take a realistic look at the political landscape and realize what's really going on here. Politics is usually about making the best of what you can get, even if it's a bad bargain in the realm of the ideal. Kinda like life itsownself.
Some pretty good people are going to land on commission, in spite of all the shennanigans. Good commissioners will nominate good people to replace them, and the other kind will nominate the other kind. The mantra is that "People will forget all about this is 30 days." They actually say that.
It's time to start campaigning. And going to meetings and paying attention. It's time to prove them wrong.

jbr's picture

Thats good information. The

Thats good information. The kind that would be useful come election time. I think most voters would feel the same. The problem is getting access to it without having to start a part time job of monitoring blogs etc.

The Metro Pulse and the News-Sentinel seem to have their own agenda and the background info the NS provides on candidates is pretty vanilla. Very 'dont rock the boat' type info. Their recent articles on the clandestine appointments is very out of character for them. A step in the right direction.

Has the NS endorsed termi-limited candidates the last 12 years?

Bbeanster's picture

It just struck me why Griess

It just struck me why Griess might be mad at Ragsdale:
I've heard more than one anti-term limits county official grouse that Ragsdale looked "positively giddy" at the press conference he held right after the Supreme Court decision was announced. That really rubbed them the wrong way, and could be what's got Griess's goat, since he's being forced out of office.

CL's picture

For those who won't make it

For those who won't make it to tomorrow's meeting, WBIR is going to show it live on 10News2 and WBIR.com. I also heard an announcement on WATE that they will be showing it live.

CBT's picture

I agree with Bean's

I agree with Bean's predictions, but the 4th still seems to be a wild card. I have to say, a Tramel for Schmid switch would be sort of comical from a political perspective, given Schmid's hostility for Sheriff Hutchison. I would think Shouse or Cate have a good chance. As a 5th resident, I'm thankful for Frank Leuthold being willing to serve.

I will be interested to see what "newcomers" who's names have been thrown out there for appointments actually run next year. Are they really committed to serving or did they just have political connections and want a leg-up with an appointment?

Next year could be a free-for-all, with the Presidential race, U.S. Senate, state legislative, Congress and all new county officeholders...all in the same year. Geez, sign-makers, printers and TV will be busy. Candidates better start signing up volunteers now. The experienced ranks will be thin.

rocketsquirrel's picture

my pick for every district

my pick for every district is a free and fair election. not a back room deal. I have no favorites.

Knox Insider 007's picture

question for cbt

Are they really committed to serving or did they just have political connections and want a leg-up with an appointment? How about you? What advice do you have for getting a leg-up with an appointment.

Bbeanster's picture

I figure you're insinuating

I figure you're insinuating something here, but I'm not sure what. For anyone reading this, it's unfair to hint that Chad is someone who has benefited from the Good ol' Boy system, as evidenced by the appointment process used to fill the vacant General Sessions Court judgeship last year. That one was greased for Jimmy Kyle Davis all up and down the pole, and left Chad outside looking in.

I disagree with Chad's politics, but he's an honest guy.

rocketsquirrel's picture

honesty vs. benefit

Betty,

you are incorrectly equating honesty with benefit. Just because someone benefits from the GOB network, doesn't mean they are inherently dishonest. It just means they may not always represent the interests of the people for whom they were elected.

Oh my bad. The twelve appointed today won't be freely elected. Neither were the 12 who weren't qualified to run last time but did.

Make no mistake. We're not getting independent thinkers in this round either.

CBT's picture

Thanks Betty.

Thanks Betty.

Rachel's picture

Some pretty good people are

Some pretty good people are going to land on commission, in spite of all the shennanigans.

Hmm, I see two, maybe three. Leuthold and Cawood (and I'm taking Betty's word about Cawood, since I don't know her). And some folks I know in the 8th like Huddleston so that look ok.

The other 5 - ohmigod.

Bbeanster's picture

Gemini said: Some pretty

Gemini said:
Some pretty good people are
Submitted by gemini on Wed, 2007/01/31 - 1:54pm.
Some pretty good people are going to land on commission, in spite of all the shennanigans.

Hmm, I see two, maybe three. Leuthold and Cawood (and I'm taking Betty's word about Cawood, since I don't know her). And some folks I know in the 8th like Huddleston so that look ok.

The other 5 - ohmigod.
.........................

Ohmigod, indeed.
This ranks right up there with the smelliest, stinkiest most disgusting public meetings I've ever seen.
I hope somebody sues their asses off.
I'll be back after I puke.

StaceyDs Cat's picture

Scott Davis

Interesting how when Scott Davis spoke, Mark Harmon didn't say a word to cut him off. But when Billy Tindell spoke, Harmon let all hell break loose. That's no better than Karl Rove.

D Mac's picture

Oh, you silly, little, kitty

There is a big difference between Tindell being allowed to pontificate on a nominee (that had already been nominated) and Scott Davis pulling his name from the list.

StaceyDs Cat's picture

"There is a big difference

"There is a big difference between Tindell being allowed to pontificate on a nominee (that had already been nominated) and Scott Davis pulling his name from the list."

Yep, there's a difference. It got you a Republican in the second district seat. Bravo.

D Mac's picture

little kitty

Do you really think that letting Billy talk would have changed any of that stinking mess? They sacrificed Billy and his nominee early in the game. Pushed Scoobie's buddy Bolus because he would do their bidding on the vote in the 4th district.

Do you really think Wimmer would have sucked down that garbage and voted the way Bolus did? Get real.

They had a chance to put in a repub and they went for it. Dirty rotten bunch stink like rotting feces.

Paul Witt's picture

Interesting how when Scott

Interesting how when Scott Davis spoke, Mark Harmon didn't say a word to cut him off. But when Billy Tindell spoke, Harmon let all hell break loose. That's no better than Karl Rove.

Scott Davis was speaking to withdraw his name, not to advocate for a particular candidate. Billy Tindell was speaking to advocate for Wimmer. If Billy had played it so that he'd get to nominate Wimmer from the floor then he could've said more. Not a lot, but more.

rikki's picture

huh?

That's no better than Karl Rove.

What is that supposed to mean?

R. Neal's picture

It should be noted that

It should be noted that Betty is, I believe, 11 for 12, and the one she missed was pretty much out of left field. Pretty good oddsmaking.

Number9's picture

So who won?

Ragsdale or the Sheriff?

R. Neal's picture

See update on live blog.

See update on live blog.

Knox Insider 007's picture

The Semicompetent

wasn't competent at all, your still not $100.00 richer. You missed Bolus over Wimmer. Oh well, try again. This Game is Over.

Pickens's picture

Knox Insider 007

who has had a license to ill for all of 14 hours on this forum, it might be premature to declare "This Game is Over." Me thinks there's a large shoe out of Cincinnati still to drop.

Bbeanster's picture

Trying to resist the urge to

"wasn't competent at all, your still not $100.00 richer. You missed Bolus over Wimmer. Oh well, try again. This Game is Over."

Trying to resist the urge to correct *your* hornbackian grammar, but *you're* wrong. The bet was with a cynical Democrat who didn't believe ANY Dems would be appointed to commission. Two were appointed, so I won the $100. Collecting it might be another matter.

And your logic isn't so hot, either. The game is over and you're advising me to try again?

p.s.: Did you try to get appointed to a seat and get turned down?

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