government
A-4 • AUGUST 29, 2011 • WEST SIDE SHOPPER-NEWS
At Superman’s funeral The Rev. Tiki Dixon gave the eulogy at James Anderson’s funeral. He told the family to look around and see who was there.
Betty Bean That was important, he said, because one of the markers of a life well lived is when the people at your funeral don’t all look like you. If the Andersons followed his instruction, they saw a sanctuary packed with all kinds of people – young, old and in-between; black, white and in-between; rich, poor and inbetween. Although we’d welcome some cooler temperatures, we That’s when I swear aren’t jumping the gun on Christmas. Still, some cooling I heard James’ voice: off might be in order on County Commission. “There’s nobody here as Recently Commissioner Jeff Ownby made a plea for good-looking as me.” civility. He didn’t cite specifics but did allude to indisHe would have loved criminately reading blogs as one way in which public the crowd and he would figures may get their feelings hurt. Ownby also asked have loved the big red fire commissioners to show greater respect for one another truck waiting out front to during their deliberations. take him home. Same with There are a couple of ways to consider Ownby’s position. It was obvious to this writer that someone had taken a shot (or shots) at him in the blogosphere. Regrettable as that is, especially to the commissioner, it happens every day to public figures. Short of libel, this perk comes with the job – get used to it. That said, there is something commendable about Ownby’s longing for more civil discourse. The comments sections of most daily newspapers are a sewer. A recent front page phoDrop in a story promising the least hint of controversy to showed Chris Irwin, who and watch the anonymous commenters gnaw at one anwas wearing red paint faother as they scramble to claim the title of King Rat. It’s cial makeup, being denied past time for publishers and editors to practice a little entry to a public meeting extermination. of the TVA board. I do not Ownby’s political leanings are no secret, so it’s ironic know Chris Irwin. I had that some of the vilest political commentary over the air never heard of him before and on the Internet comes from the far right. Not that seeing this picture. I do left-leaning pundits are angels, but most can’t hold a not agree with his position candle to the likes of Michael Savage, Bill O’Reilly, Mark against nuclear energy. Levin and a host of lesser lights. However, we should Any public figure prone to wearing his heart on his ask why TVA is imposing sleeve should reflect on the difference between satiria dress code on ratepaycal banter and downright cussedness. If I call you a lilyers and citizens who wish livered son of a rattlesnake, you might be tempted to pull to attend a board meetout your six-shooter and let me have it. If I say it with a ing. Does not Chris Irwin grin, you’d probably laugh along with me. have a right to paint his Ownby tapped another vein with regard to the man- face, look foolish and still ner in which commissioners interact with one another. attend a public hearing of There’s historic city-county tension on the body, run- a government agency? Cerning in tandem with the Republican-Democrat split. tainly, he would not have Over the years, about as many Democrats as there are been turned away from palm trees in Greenland have served on commission, so meetings of City Council, it’s not difficult to see how the Dems may have developed County Commission or not only an inferiority complex, but a respectable load of even a KUB board meetfeistiness. ing for wearing red paint Commissioner Amy Broyles exemplifies the latter, makeup. and it’s not uncommon for her tenacity to irritate her Why is TVA worrying colleagues. Commissioner Mike Brown, who became about how people dress as visibly annoyed with Broyles at last week’s commission long as they are in fact not meeting, would probably call it stubbornness. There is a indecent? tendency for the outnumbered city slickers to filibuster Here is TVA’s response: an issue, but if you know you’re going down in the up“TVA asked that people coming vote you may as well get your money’s worth. attending the board meet“To build or not to build” Carter Elementary has ing dress without costume raised some hackles on commission lately. Dave Wright or make-up so each individand Richard Briggs aren’t exchanging love notes, and ual could be identified pribefore the issue is laid to rest the rhetoric may heat up a or to entering the meeting. few more degrees. We asked that no costumes So, Ownby’s plea for manners and restraint is not be worn to reduce any dismisplaced. But when the slings and arrows of outra- turbance at the meeting. geous columnists come your way, Jeff, don’t take it so We knew this would be an hard. Fame comes with a price. overflow crowd and the
Peace on earth, goodwill toward commissioners
the fire department honor guard. He would have loved his wife, Kristi, taking her place in the church choir and, of course, his beautiful children and new grandchild. He would also have loved the solo his nephew Anthony sang: “You saw the best in me.” I couldn’t help thinking about how James won’t get to see Anthony running kickoff returns for the Vols this fall. The minister, of course, was right. The crowd at Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church was a reflection of a life that touched hundreds, maybe thousands, of others in everyday ways. Exuberant, boisterous and generous in the extreme, James was hilariously braggadocios and, before his health betrayed him, gifted with physical strength and athletic ability. When his big heart started to give out, he came to know the misery of failing health. But he was always willing to share what he had with whomever he
This picture of James Anderson and his grandson, Cayden, was taken the day before James died. Photo by David Bean thought might need some tomatoes from his garden or their yard mowed or someone to sit and visit a spell. Nobody could feel bad when James came calling. He wouldn’t allow it. In his youth, when he was a gifted athlete (an Anderson family trait), he took up power lifting, and muscles bulged on his fireplug frame. At one get-together, I was trying to light some charcoal and asked if
he had a match. “Not since Superman died,” he said, grinning that face-splitting grin. When he joined the Knoxville Fire Department, he found the perfect job. He could help people when they needed it, crack jokes with his buddies when it was slow and make time for his lawn care business. He made a smoker/ grill out of an old water heater and proclaimed his barbecue the best in town and probably the world. But he was plagued by heart trouble, and a couple of years ago, a lung full of toxic fumes he sucked down at a house fire ended his career prematurely, and probably helped cut short his life. One of the speakers at his funeral was a friend of his daughter Jessica’s whom he had coached in soccer. She called him Superman. How, she asked between wracking sobs, could Superman die? I haven’t figured that one out either.
No Smokey for TVA
Contact Larry Van Guilder at lvgknox@mindspring.com.
Victor Ashe
would allow the board to continue the listening session without interruption. We do not have a written policy, but nevertheless, we believe it was the prudent way to handle a formal business meeting to ensure the safety of the public and TVA staff.” This is from Barbara Martocci, a senior manager of public relations. My reaction is this: “Make up the rules as you go. Hide behind security (need to identify persons, hence no masks, paint, etc.) and phony decorum (no disturbances) and publish nothing. The people learn the rules when they get there. We are the federal government and can’t be questioned. If you think we are wrong, take us to court and maybe you will get an answer in eight to 10 months.” What is the TVA dress code? There is no written policy. Who, then, decides what is acceptable or not? Is this not a limit of free speech least amount of distraction guaranteed under our U.S.
Constitution? What if Lawson had worn orange paint to highlight his support of the Vols? Would a woman who wore a veil over her face due to religious reasons be barred from a TVA meeting? Would a person who wore a turban for cultural or religious reasons be barred? Who devised these unstated standards? No one is talking. Did the board in open session vote to impose a dress code? No. What public process occurred to arrive at this questionable decision? None. Is the TVA board seriously worried about how citizens dress at their board meetings when they have more important issues? I guess so. It is naive to think wearing makeup impacts the safety of the public and TVA staff. It may look silly and foolish but it has no impact on safety. By barring Chris Irwin, TVA gave him a front page photo in the New Sentinel. TVA made his day. And for what purpose? Seems to me he would have an excellent federal lawsuit against TVA for denying him his First Amendment rights. Will he will pursue this? Even if TVA could legally impose these standards, why bother? Who cares if someone looks foolish?
For 16 years as mayor of Knoxville, I presided over public forums at City Council where citizens came in all forms of dress and costumes. Gary Hiscock came dressed as an American Indian. One person used her time to sing a song instead of making remarks. Other brought props. One asked for silence. The audience often held signs and posters reflecting their views. It never once occurred to me or to any member of council to prohibit these citizens (some of whom did not even live in the city) from appearing, dressed as they wished and saying what they wished. Has TVA become so high and mighty that they feel they are immune from comment reflected in how someone dresses? Of course, the same TVA tried to deny release of their top salaries until the News Sentinel threatened legal action. TVA needs to reach out to citizens and listen instead of figuring out ways to limit participation. Right now TVA is arrogantly tramping on guaranteed constitutional rights. If they can do it to Chris Irwin, it could be you next. Smokey, our UT mascot, 0had better avoid TVA public hearings. He will be barred. He might impact public safety.