I truly hope that this lawsuit is allowed to move forward to trial. I want to hear from every one of the commissioners--under oath-- whether or not they were at this meeting and what was discussed. It's time for some serious investigation into the cesspool that is our county government.

Technically, the press release is incorrect in stating that the Association "filed an amendment to their lawsuit." What was filed was a motion to amend. If the motion is granted, the Association will be allowed to filed an amended complaint containing the allegations. However, motions to amend are almost always granted (absent an imminent trial date), and the applicable procedural rule goes so far as to say that ""leave [to file an amended complaint] shall be freely given when justice so requires."

That technicality aside, the practical ramification is that this illustrate the massive liability and legal uncertainty the politicians have opened up for taxpayers by playing fast and loose with the Sunshine law. It also illustrates both why the politicians are scrambling to change the Sunshine law and why the public should be demanding that they instead invest the effort of learning to comply with the law (letter and spirit).

The County Commission in June 2006 is different than the ones on the current commission or that prior to January 2007. Diane Jordan, David Collins, Billy Tindell, John Mills, John Schmidt, Mark Cawood ... who else? Could be interesting if they are called to testify.

I also hope there is a "redo" of the vote for this ridiculous project. I heard that there were checks waiting for the commissioners present from the developers for their campaign fund.

The County Commission in June 2006 is different than the ones on the current commission or that prior to January 2007.

Excellent point.

Democracy gets some 'Sunshine,' and a chance to grow. This is a good thing. My guess is there are more of these cases that may spring up. This could really improve the area. I never quite understood why the Development Corporation existed. Looks like maybe it never should have.

And money to boot! Great news. The Midway situation is even more insidious than the stormwater case.

This story is as big or bigger than the original sunshine lawsuit because it is finally going to uncover the way Knox County has done business for years.

Once this story broke, you had Mike Edwards categorically denying that any meeting took place period. Then you have Todd Napier, John Greiss and Wallace McClure saying that maybe they did recall being at that meeting with a poster set up to "answer questions" from commissioners. Then you have Edwards saying the allegations were "bizzare" and that maybe they did come to the realtor's meeting with their posters etc. to answer some questions about Midway, but they didn't really do a presentation. Then you have Mr. McClure saying that he didn't remember if checks were given out to commissioners.

Wait till discovery starts in the lawsuit and the depositions get going. It's going to be quite a ride.

This story is as big or bigger than the original sunshine lawsuit

That's what I was thinking.

And Our Larry Smith, Tony Norman, Phil Ballard...

I doubt this case will have any legs before the February appointments so we can add those to the list.

What if several of these commissioners in question come clean now (especially those not in office) and then ask the commission to do a "redo" of the vote. That may be more palatable to some than having to testify.

I would like to see an investigative reporter find out who all got one of those checks and how much they were for.