government UT Athletic Board goes silent The UT Athletic Board is meeting behind closed doors after years of being open. The News Sentinel has gone to great lengths to criticize this change.
Victor Ashe
It is apparent that the university went to great lengths to ensure nothing comes out of the meeting that suggests remotely what is happening. No minutes are taken, and no reports are written. Clearly, they have had legal advice on how to avoid disclosure. It leads to the inescapable conclusion that there must be some heavy discussion going on inside the meeting room for UT to take the media hit for closed sessions with these instructions to board members and staff on how to stiff the media. This may have been done without Gov. Bill Haslam’s knowledge or approval. However, he is chair of the board, and a simple word from him to Chancellor Cheek would end this. The board itself, which operates in public, could end it. We should all remember that the UT board must meet in public to choose a UT president. Why should the Athletic Board be different? UT would not be going to so much trouble to keep it all quiet if there was not something worth hiding. The Athletic Board operated well for many years in public. Why the sudden need to go silent? ■ UT President Joseph DePietro is expected to appoint an internal committee to review the status of the historic Eugenia Williams house on Lyons View Pike. This house was acquired several presidents ago and has languished and deteriorated. The committee will look at the basic question of what to do with the Staub-designed house and where UT goes from here. One hopes a sensible use can be found. This needs to be resolved since UT has only been embarrassed by it to date while this historic home simply falls down in front of us. ■ Don’t hold your breath, but TVA might consider opening its committee meetings to the public. That is where all its
real work occurs. Recently the regional advisory committee that TVA named listed open committee meetings as one of its recommendations to the full board (now short one member). TVA has discussed this in the past but opted to keep them closed every time. Current board chair Bill Sansom has opposed going open. Given that it is TVA’s own advisory group that has pushed this, TVA will have to respond in some way. It cannot be dismissed. Within the group, the effort to highlight this was led by Anne Davis, head of the Tennessee Office of the Southern Environmental Law Institute and wife of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, and Steve Smith of the Clean Energy group here in Knoxville. Supporting them was Gov. Haslam’s appointee on the group, Susan Richardson Williams. She is a former TVA board member who unsuccessfully supported open meetings along with former TVA chair Mike Duncan when she served on the board. ■ Almost five years ago in 2009, Knoxvillian Troy Whiteside, who has been active in local politics, was accused of murder. The trial still has not been held. Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols recused himself early in the process, and it was transferred to DA Berkeley Bell of Greeneville. One of his assistants is actually handling the case. It is now scheduled for trial on April 21 with Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz (who is retiring Sept. 1) to hear it. It is a first-degree murder case with prominent attorney Greg Isaacs representing Whiteside. The DA expects it to go to trial. The judicial system has worked very slowly in this case.
Correction Mayor Rogero will not present two budgets to City Council as previously stated in this column, but she has asked department heads to present two budgets to her prior to her single budget going to council on April 24. One will have 6 percent cuts in her internal budget hearings, which are open to the public. The 6 percent cuts are usually designed to alarm citizens into supporting a tax increase.
A-4 • FEBRUARY 24, 2014 • POWELL Shopper news
Solutions in search of problems “Well, we didn’t give you much to work with today,” Tony Norman said after County Commission’s work session last week. I just grinned. The meeting was, well, weird. Discussion over R. Larry Smith’s resolution affirming commission’s support of the End of Forced Annexation in Tennessee Act was downright contentious. Andy Andrew, who has been fighting annexation nearly as long as I’ve been alive, evoked everything from rugged individualism to the Bill of Rights. “This is an opportunity to solve a problem that has bothered Knox County as long as I’ve been here,” he said. Amy Broyles said this resolution is “a solution in search of a problem.” (I looked around for Stacey Campfield. But I digress.) Broyles said the city of Knoxville is not allowed to annex outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), and those who live within it know annexation can happen. Smith called Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones, who was trying to get the heck out of Dodge (long day – his department lost the beloved Roger Wilson last week), to the lectern. Jones agreed that finger annexation has caused a problem over lawenforcement jurisdiction. “We’ve already had this conversation,” Sam McKenzie said, adding that the
Jake Mabe
process is working. “That’s because there’s been a moratorium on annexation,” Smith said. “There’s not been a moratorium,” McKenzie said. “That ended in 2008. This is 2014. This was an issue with one city mayor a long time ago.” (Paging Victor Ashe.) “We know what our culture is in Knox County. We’re pro-property rights. I’m voting against this because I think we’re already doing this.” Dave Wright hit his light. “Well, if there’s no problem, Commissioner McKenzie, if it’s moot, then it would be OK for the state to pass it.” Wright is upset about finger annexation on Millertown Pike. “There’s an excellent development at the end of Millertown Pike, but it’s still just a (small) road leading up to it. The suggestion that we had the conversation in 2001 … doesn’t mean we can’t have another discussion before it becomes a problem in search of an answer.” (I looked around for Stacey Campfield. But I digress.) “If we want to change
this, let it be homegrown,” McKenzie said. “I don’t want the state telling us what to do.” (The Republican in me smiled.) “All we are doing, commissioners, is letting Nashville know where we stand,” Smith said. “I bet less than 3 percent of homeowners know if they live in the (UGB).” Broyles is sponsoring amendments to ordinances ensuring that county employees are protected when speaking out against employers without risk of termination. She cites both teachers who have spoken up recently and county employees who want to campaign for someone other than their bosses. “I’m going to use Commissioner Broyles’ earlier words against her. This is a solution waiting on a problem,” McKenzie said. (I looked around for Stacey Campfield. But I digress.) Rick Briggs said free speech in this case needs limits. “Tennessee is an atwork employer state,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t be in favor of something that would protect an employee who spoke maliciously, giving the county no resource to stop it. Broyles said the amendments would include all departments and elected offices and would not protect slander and libel. Chief deputy law director David Buuck said the only process in place now is a lengthy, costly battle in
federal court. “This brings it to the local level,” Broyles said. “And the mayor (Tim Burchett) said he is for this, so I don’t want you to miss an opportunity to vote for something that he and I are both in favor of …” (Maniacal laughter.) “Retribution occurs,” Norman said, referring to teachers. “There are a variety of ways to do that. This might help the teachers and their position.” McKenzie mused and changed his position, saying he felt more comfortable that the county wouldn’t have to defend slander or libel. Briggs was the lone “no” vote. Finally, Barry Hawkins, who is running for Knox County trustee, took exception to Wright adding a discussion item based on a News Sentinel report about his allegedly getting $3,000 that he allegedly wasn’t owed as a former county employee, adding it is a political tactic timed to help his opponent. Wright said his feelings were hurt at such a charge, “but I’m a sitting commissioner and I have no feelings.” I have to disagree with you, Tony, my friend. Y’all gave me plenty with which to work. For that, I thank you. Commission will hold its regular meeting at 1:45 p.m. today (Monday, Feb. 24) in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. “Pull Up A Chair” with Jake Mabe at jake mabe.blogspot.com
Dem women prepare to party The oldest Democratic founder Lucy Graham Crowomen’s club in America is zier’s sister Lizzie Crozier French stands on Market throwing itself a party. Square, commemorating the feminists who worked for women’s suffrage. Betty The Croziers, both eduBean cators, were smart, fearless and deeply involved in the political fight that The Knox County Demo- made Tennessee the crucratic Women’s Club, estab- cial 36th state to ratify the lished March 28, 1928, will 19th Amendment, which celebrate its 85th anniver- gave women the right to sary 6:30 Saturday, March vote in 1920. They had three other sis8, at the Southern Depot, in conjunction with Women’s ters, Mary, Anna and CorHistory Month. The public nelia, all described in Coris invited and descendants nelia’s obituary as “women of charter members will be of dominance and individthere. There will be music, uality.” The Crozier home, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a said to house the finest cash bar. It’s not a costume private library in the area, party, but period attire will stood on the corner of Gay Street and Clinch Avenue be welcome. Club president Kathy now occupied by the former Manning says the event Farragut Hotel. Lucy was will be more of a celebra- born there in 1856. Her fation of the historical con- ther, attorney John Hervey tributions of Knoxville Crozier, a two-term memwomen than a political ber of Congress, sided with event. Tickets are $40. the Confederacy during the A bronze statue of club Civil War and retired from
politics soon thereafter. Kathy Manning’s grandmother Mary Vance Manning and great-aunt Ann Manning were founding members of the Democratic Women’s Club. She found Lucy Crozier’s obituaries, dated Nov. 30, 1930. One praises her “unquenchable spirit and great heart.” Another begins like this: “A brave and earnest soul passes in the death of Lucy Graham Crozier. An extremist she was, of course. But she was always sincere and often brilliant.” Kathy Manning never knew her grandmother, but her aunt spent her last years living with her, and Manning says she wishes she’d asked more questions. Since the club’s purpose was to educate women as new voters and encourage them to become involved in politics, and it was chartered the year that Democrat Al Smith, the first Catholic to run for president, took on Republican Herbert Hoover,
Manning believes her Catholic grandmother and aunt were probably involved in that campaign. She wishes she knew more about them. “My aunt was a World War II veteran and served with the Army Nurse Corps. Later, she was a public-health nurse for the city of Knoxville. I’ve since realized, ‘Gee, I should have asked her all those questions.’ Having the oldest club in the country is something we can all take pride in.” Knox County Democratic Women’s Club charter members: Lucy Crozier, Mary Crozier, Mrs. J.C. Guinn, Mrs. Frank Haur, Mrs. Sarah Henry Hood, Mrs. J.B. Shinliver, Miss Emma Pate, Mrs. Joe McMillan, Mrs. E.T. Beach, Miss May Leland (Marshall), Mrs. Sam Heiskell, Mrs. J.C. Renfro, Mrs. Herman Schenk Jr., Mrs. Ida Reynolds Lonas, Mrs. Bannister Wilkes, Mrs. J.J. Manning and Miss Ann Manning.
Want Sinus Relief? Are you suffering from sinusitis that disrupts your day with facial pain or pressure, difficulty breathing, yellow or green discharge, headaches, pain in your teeth or a sore throat? Join Dr. Allan Rosenbaum to learn about Balloon Sinuplasty—a minimally invasive procedure that opens sinus passages and relieves pain and pressure associated with sinusitis.
Thursday, February 27 11:30 a.m. North Knoxville Medical Center Sister Elizabeth, Room A 7565 Dannaher Drive Featured Speaker
Lunch included. Space is limited.
Allan Rosenbaum, M.D.
Call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682) by February 25 to register.
Tennova.com
1-855-836-6682
Member of the medical staff