A highly-reliable source has indicated today that Greg MacKay will retain his position as Administrator of Elections over several GOP applicants - such as Steve Hall, Cindy Buttry and Gary Drinnon. The Commission is accepting resumes and will hold a public hearing in two weeks for the applicants. While it has been rumored that MacKay's job was at the mercy of new GOP appointee Bob Bowman, it is now likely that MacKay's "cavalier attitude" of late is the result of GOP Commissioner Paul Crilly's all-but-certain agreement to support him against any other applicant. With the support of the 2 Democrats on the EC, MacKay wins on a split 3-2 vote. Wonder how well that's going to sit with new GOP Chair Ray Jenkins?

MacKay has an opportunity to receive the support of all 5 commissioners, but this will require him to actually submit a resume and take an active part in the selection process, something he has not yet done.

John Redding's picture

Paul Crilly, the closet

Paul Crilly, the closet Democrat.

Stacey M.'s picture

Wouldn't this be a violation

Wouldn't this be a violation of the Sunshine Law?

Nobody's picture

I suspect you will be proven

I suspect you will be proven wrong on this one. Crilly is a pro life homeschool parent who worked on Bill Dunns campaign. I would say its over.

Rachel's picture

Didn't Crilly vote to put

Didn't Crilly vote to put Mackay in the EA position way back when?

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Yes.

Yes.

Crilly was the third vote when the Dem majority didn't come through for Mackay.

Rachel's picture

That's what I thought. And

That's what I thought (although I had some vague idea that the vote was 4-1). And Crilly has seemed upset at the way some folks have talked about replacing Mackay.

I've thought all along that there was a good chance - although not a certain one - that there were at least 3 votes for Mackay on the EC.

Kimmi's picture

connect the dots

Rachel's right, and Nobody is confused.
You can look at the election commissioners and look at the knoxville legislators and just connect the dots.
campaign managers, childhood friends, former legislative aides, etc
So with whom does the McKay-vote welding Crilly align? Not Bill Dunn, but rather your female member of the knox delagation.
Whether you are a McKay fan or not, I find this interesting information. and I'd be willing to wager that the GOP chairman will follow KNS's lead and not say one bad thing about the media darling.

bill young's picture

Commissioner Crilly

I have made it clear in remarks to the election commission & in a letter to the Chair that I firmly believe Mr. Mackay should be retained.

However,I have had no conversations with the three Republican Election Commissioners concerning their opinion on the matter.

Therefore,I do not know which way the wind blows with respect to how they will proceed.

I've found Commissioner Crilly to be an a honorable,decent individual that takes his duties as an election commissioner very seriously.

Commissioner Crilly will come to his conclusion after considering all the factors involved.

I would caution anyone not too read much into knoxrebel's post.

Unless knoxrebel's "highly-reliable source" is Paul himself.

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Why Crilly's last vote?

I've found Commissioner Crilly to be an a honorable,decent individual that takes his duties as an election commissioner very seriously.

I know Paul (just somewhat), as well as his wife and children, through activities both our children were involved in in years past, and I perceive him just like you do, Bill. I also think he's an honorable man.

Concerning Paul's vote for Greg Mackay years ago, though, one thing we don't know for sure is how much importance Paul attaches to this notion that the Local Election Administrator's party affiliation should mirror that of the legislative majority. Did Paul possibly vote for Greg previously because Dems held a legislative majority and he DOES feel this "match" is important?

I don't really think so, but if maybe he did, that would seem to indicate that Paul will NOT vote for a Dem this go-around. Just one more uncertainty in a sea of them...

Tamara Shepherd's picture

One more thought (or two)...

In one last thought on this subject, I don't think Paul Crilly, dedicated public servant that he is, would commit to any one applicant AFTER his peers voted to accept resumes and BEFORE the deadline for applicants to submit their resumes. I think he would accept his task to honestly review the resumes submitted, then reach a conclusion.

And, contrary to what knoxrebel posts about who has applied (and contrary to what the KNS has reported, too), at least one of these people reported to be an applicant has not yet applied.

I spoke with Cindy Buttry, my school board member, just last night and she says she has only previewed her resume with two of the three Repub election commissioners (but not Crilly). Like Greg, Cindy hasn't yet submitted her resume to Knox County through the defined application process.

(Cindy offered another correction on the related topic of whether, if she applies and is chosen, she would retain Greg. She read knoxrebel's previous post on that topic here, to the effect that she would retain Greg. She expressed surprise, and told me that she said no such thing. She said no one has even posed this question to her, so she hasn't yet given the subject any thought at all.)

Bbeanster's picture

so she hasn't yet given the

so she hasn't yet given the subject any thought at all.)

That would be strange, since Greg's the center of almost all the discussion, and both Crilly and Heagerty like him a lot, think he's done a good job and (IMO) would probably look favorably on keeping him around in some capacity. (Just my opinion from sitting through the meeting and watching them at very close range)
The names we are seeing/hearing so far is a rollcall of the usual suspects -- Republicans who are a threat to any office. I believe I saw Ron Isenberg hand Heagerty a resume' at the last meeting, btw.
And I expect that we'll see some extremely well-qualified applicants and some extremely well- connected applicants (not nescessarily one and the same) come forward in the next week or so.

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Mulling other issues

That would be strange, since Greg's the center of almost all the discussion...

Yeah, it does seem like she'll need to take a position on this early on, if she actually applies.

In talking with her last night, though, she seemed more focused on finding her position on the convenience voting issue than on Greg's possible retention.

Since she serves on the county's GOP exec committee, and since they're so strongly opposed to the convenience plan, I'm sure she's getting lots of counsel on that subject, welcome or not. It sounded to me like maybe she's more receptive to the idea than her party is, although she does have some questions on the plan just yet.

Anyway, that seems to be where her head is right now...

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Drinnen

I happened to speak with Gary Drinnen moments ago. He says he hasn't yet submitted any resume to Knox County for the LEA position, either.

Stanley's picture

It would seem to be a

It would seem to be a violation basic ethical standards to make an "off the record agreement" before any of the applications are even considered.

The applications may be reviewed, but I'm not certain that the review process will be meaningful.

Nobody's picture

so let me get this straight

knoxrebel's reliable source is likely as reliable as the statements (s)he is trying to pass off as facts. 2 of the 3 people she called applicants have yet to apply.

why do these people post topics?

John P.'s picture

I think knoxrebel is correct

I think knoxrebel is correct in that each of these people are planning to apply. Whether or not the other information (a secret agreement between Crilly and MacKay) is correct, remains to be seen.

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Integrity intact for both

Like Bill, I just think too highly of both of them (Crilly & Mackay) to believe that either would enter into any kind of "secret agreement" before other candidates even apply.

Neither man has ever given us any reason to doubt his integrity.

volguy07's picture

Bbeanster you might want to

Bbeanster you might want to take your glasses to the next meeting. What was handed to Heagerty didn't come close to resembling a resume. Odd you didn't recognize it was a commendation of some type, complete with a large gold star/seal, to be observing from such "close range".

No wonder there's so much misinformation on the position floating around.

Bbeanster's picture

Sorry, I saw the handoff and

Sorry, I saw the handoff and was later told it was a resume and didn't check it out.
My bad.

Tom Jenkins's picture

If true, this commission is

If true, this commission is a farce.

Though, until we have solid information, we should give Crilly the benefit of the doubt and wait to see what he does...

knoxrebel's picture

First, I don't know if this

First, I don't know if this will actually happen or not. I am told by my "sources" that it will. That same source told me 10 weeks ago about Bill Lockett's problems downstairs at Kennerly Montgomery and predicted then that it would cost Lockett his job. Crilly strikes me as not being blinded by loyalty to the Republican Party. Unless Jenkins and the other GOPs who want MacKay out can exert some sort of "pressure" on Crilly between now and then, MacKay stays. But I'm not so sure they can make Crilly abandon Greg. And be sure, Buttry, Drinnon, and Hall are or will be applicants - that's straight from a Commissioner who knows a heckuvalot more than I do about it. I support Greg and we've exchanged emails about the process and I've given him my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

Second, I don't share the view that Crilly agreeing to support Greg is somehow "unethical" or "wrong" at all. We can take this "concern over ethics" business a bit too far.

Tom Jenkins's picture

Of course Crilly is free to

Of course Crilly is free to make up his own mind, but secret agreements made well before resume's are even considered would be a severe violation of ethical standards.

Anonymously Nine's picture

Done Deal?

Of course Crilly is free to make up his own mind, but secret agreements made well before resume's are even considered would be a severe violation of ethical standards.

Typical back room Burchett. Why do it in the open if you can fix it in Nashville?

If you think Ragsdale is a disaster as Mayor free little Timmah from the well.

(link...)

Mayor Timmah, "I got your water Coach Haslam".

(link...)

Bbeanster's picture

Nine, your schtick has

Nine, your schtick has gotten old. Although I guess I should be grateful you didn't inflict your baby rhino on us for the umpteenth time.
How's that charter overthrow movement going?

Anonymously Nine's picture

Too cute

His name is Timmah,

(link...)

and he is adorable.

Anonymously Nine's picture

Really?

How's that charter overthrow movement going?

Ask Briggs, it's his coup. When the new law director is appointed you can bet there will be a litmus test.

New law director, suspend the rules with super-majority, vote on Briggs coup again, badda bing badda boom. Coup complete. Why bother the voters with things that will just confuse them when the smart people can think for them?

One step closer to total Haslamville. Let's give Oligarchy a try.

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Heh

We can take this "concern over ethics" business a bit too far.

You're a real stand up guy, aren't ya, Knox?

knoxrebel's picture

Yeah, I try to be. Glad you

Yeah, I try to be. Glad you recognize it. Do have my fall downs, though. For instance, I don't think two of my three county commissioners should have to call a public meeting to discuss some minor issue that would have to be voted on by a committee and then the entire commission or have a cup of coffee fearing the ethics police are lurking nearby. It's just silly. But that's just me.

And Tamara, why do you insist on taking little potshots at me? If you have something to say, say it. At least I'm not signing and then reneging on real estate contracts, hanging folks out to dry, like some folks.

Tamara Shepherd's picture

I'm done...

I'm not taking "little potshots," Knox. I'm just frustrated that your "scoop" on this topic may have made it more difficult for Crilly to vote to retain Greg, and Dems need that third vote somewhere, assuming Greg is the strongest candidate. I'm also frustrated that you don't seem to recognize Crilly's responsibility to participate in a genuine "search" for a LEA, after a majority of his peers voted to conduct one.

(Have no idea about your ref to a real estate contract? Signed two ever in my lifetime, and bought both homes. Did lose some earnest money about 20-ish years ago in a "for sale by owner" arrangement--after sellers reviewed the FHA inspection needed for my loan, they said, in front of FHA inspector, that they couldn't afford the many repairs FHA detailed would be required of them. I bought elsewhere the very next day, before sellers had made the first repair (or even indicated that they would), and sellers pocketed my earnest money. Is that the transaction you reference? If so, I was the one "hung out to dry.")

Anyway, that's all from me...

Rachel's picture

You two take it outside.

You two take it outside. Please.

Steve Melton's picture

Whatever happens, this thing

Whatever happens, this thing better not be an ordination of a predetermined candidate. I have know idea which one of these candidates would be the best fit, but a secret agreement about the issue before all the applications are in stinks to high heaven.

Bbeanster's picture

That's the best you got?

Nine, your schtick has
Submitted by Bbeanster on Fri, 2009/06/05 - 4:21pm.

Nine, your schtick has gotten old. Although I guess I should be grateful you didn't inflict your baby rhino on us for the umpteenth time.
How's that charter overthrow movement going?

Ask Briggs, it's his coup. When the new law director is appointed you can bet there will be a litmus test.
New law director, suspend the rules with super-majority, vote on Briggs coup again, badda bing badda boom. Coup complete. Why bother the voters with things that will just confuse them when the smart people can think for them?
One step closer to total Haslamville. Let's give Oligarchy a try.

It took you four days to come up with that lame, warmed-over response. Sad.

Anonymously Nine's picture

the dark side

I remember when the local press wasn't a subsidiary of HaslamCo. What is lame is one man controlling everything. Next stop 2010.

If you look carefully you can see the thin wires from the puppet master.

SnM's picture

question

how'd the string-pulling cabal convince the law director to embezzle money from his former firm - and then convince him to come forward and throw himself on his sword (albeit with convincingly acted reluctance) for doing it so that his replacement could be installed?

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