Thu
Oct 11 2007
02:23 pm
Would you volunteer yourself to be appointed to Knox Co. Commission?
By: pan

I've been following the KnoxCo Commission foibles this year since personally attending the January 31st meeting. I've been angered by the lack of concern for public input and the palpable contempt towards the public from certain commissioners.

I think it's great that there are people running for election (next year) who will refuse interim appointment (this year). It seems to me that the best appointments would be people who will NOT be seeking election/reelection next year.

So my question is: which of you KnoxViews bloggers who live in Knox County would both be willing to serve as commissioner (if appointed) and to promise that you will NOT be running for the office next year?

I would, although I feel like I'm the least qualified. No college degree, no membership in a political party, no contributions to local players, and no *paying* job experience with anything remotely resembling commission. Also, though I've lived here for 12 years, I'm not a homeowner. That being said, I am very interested in promoting a public process, in open and honest deliberations, and in listening to all Knox county residents and not just certain developers or sheriffs or mayors. But I know I wouldn't have a chance in hell if I submitted my name. Are they even accepting submissions?

Anyway, who else here aside from myself would be willing to serve as interim appointment and NOT seek election (or improperly "re-election") next year?

Pan Walker
2nd District

Topics:
Rachel's picture

I've seriously considered

Submitted by Rachel on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 2:32pm.

I've seriously considered throwing my hat into the ring as a "caretaker." But I live in the 9th district and Paul Pinkston would probably eat ground glass before he'd see me in the chair next to him, even for a few months.

"The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones." - John Maynard Keynes

calloway's picture

(No subject)

Submitted by calloway on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 4:04pm.
edna waters's picture

I'm ok

Submitted by edna waters on Fri, 2007/10/12 - 7:02am.

with him eating glass.

Lisa Starbuck's picture

Rachel Do It!

Submitted by Lisa Starbuck on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 2:36pm.

I would be very willing to lobby commissioners on your behalf and I'm sure others would as well.

Lisa

Bbeanster's picture

I've been thinking about Paul Kelley in the 2nd District--

Submitted by Bbeanster on Fri, 2007/10/12 - 7:07am.

Presumptuous of me, without even having called him, but he is honorable, experienced, knowledgeable, served on the school board with great distinction, lives in OLP, where he was president of the neighborhood association.

I do not know how anybody could object to Dr. Kelley serving as a caretaker in this seat.

Pam Strickland's picture

Excellent

Submitted by Pam Strickland on Fri, 2007/10/12 - 2:02pm.

Paul Kelley would be an excellent Second District choice, not that I'm against Pan. He once came to my door getting signatures for a neighborhood watch petition, which clearly would qualify him as being concerned, which is more than some of us can say for most of the commissioners past and present.

And Rachel or CAFKIA would be great.

For a variety of reasons I wouldn't be the best choice, but I like this thread.

Pam Strickland

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut

gingerjamrog's picture

Rachel, you would be wonderful

Submitted by gingerjamrog on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 2:48pm.

We need more like you in there. I'm out of your district now but everyone knows how crucial you were in the SW process. Not to mention you knowledge of local history, your intellectual savvy, your reasonable approach and your sane demeanor... ditto Lisa..."Do It!"

cafkia's picture

me

Submitted by cafkia on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 4:30pm.

I am certainly open to the idea and would serve and easily and honestly promise that running for office is the last thing I want to do. So yea, sure, I'll be happy to represent the 1st until a fair election can be held.

CAFKIA

---------------------------------------------------------- 

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
  - William G. McAdoo

Treehouse's picture

You got my vote

Submitted by Treehouse on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 8:18pm.

Rachel, Paul Kelley and CAFKIA all have my vote. Or, whatever I can do to support people like this for country commission, I will do. This is a great grassroots effort. Come on out!

Pickens's picture

Pan

Submitted by Pickens on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 8:25pm.

Also, though I've lived here for 12 years, I'm not a homeowner. -Pan

I don't think you have to be a homeowner to be on commission.

Up Goose Creek's picture

Insurance

Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 8:30pm.

Sure, I'd love to get my teeth fixed on the company dime. But I also know it ain't gonna happen.

I guess I'll book a trip to Costa Rica instead.

____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

Carole Borges's picture

Hey, Pan don't put yourself down...

Submitted by Carole Borges on Thu, 2007/10/11 - 10:02pm.

I doubt that any of the "requirements" you mentioned are actually true. Sincerity and some knowledge of local politics might count for more than you think. Homeowners are also not the only people active in helping the community. Many important improvements in communities across this country have come about because people who were "only" renters saw and need and jumped in.

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Inspiring

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Fri, 2007/10/12 - 12:16am.

This thread is very inspiring. I hope every one of you will consider being a "caretaker." It's a servant's job, and I know each of you to be a servant.

Knox County citizens are hungry for some humility from their representatives, I think.

pan's picture

So I looked it up...

Submitted by pan on Fri, 2007/10/12 - 1:48pm.

I technically qualify, yes.

I've tallied up my addresses, and over the 12+ years I've lived in Knox county, 7+ have been spent living in the 2nd district. Moreover, I've lived here continuously since the spring of 2003 (Old North Knoxville, then Fourth & Gill, and now Oakwood / Lincoln Park).

About a year ago, I signed up more than half the houses on my block of Hiawassee to start up a neighborhood watch, but I didn't feel capable of handling block captain responsibility as my wife and I were dealing with the birth of our first child. Perhaps I should take all the civic responsibility I feel which the commission fiasco has so freshly stirred up and just have another go at the neighborhood watch.

... Though I must admit I have experience w/ serving on boards of local, state & national orgs as well as in student govt at David Lipscomb U., so I'm familiar with and enjoy working through various processes in both Roberts Rules and consensus-based systems. Also, I understand the sunshine law. :) So I suppose I am volunteering for appointment.

That being said, I think Paul Kelley would be a better choice than me.

Carole Borges's picture

Way cool, Pan...

Submitted by Carole Borges on Fri, 2007/10/12 - 6:17pm.

Good luck!

Up Goose Creek's picture

Residency

Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Fri, 2007/10/12 - 8:00pm.

Wasn't it insinuated that one of the appointees had been living in Florida? So I think 12 or 7 years is pretty well qualified.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

Hoseman19's picture

Sure, I would be willing to

Submitted by Hoseman19 on Sat, 2007/10/13 - 9:26am.

Sure, I would be willing to serve, and without pay. But since I live south, and openly supported an opponent of Pinkston, it would never happen. Besides that, I believe that developers should not only pay for their project in its entirety, I also think they should pay impact fees. And they should use concrete culverts.

Lisa White's picture

4th district

Submitted by Lisa White on Wed, 2007/10/17 - 9:45pm.

I have been considering the idea for the 4th district. I think we need to have a serious change of power--whether as caretakers or otherwise. I am not sure which option is better at this point, but know I'd throw my hat in for caretaker.

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