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Who do you think should be next Knox County Commission Chair?
Submitted by Pamela Treacy on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 8:22am.
Who do you think should be next Knox County Commission chair and why?
There are lots of comments on KNS site about the possible sunshine violation of Leuthold's phone calls letting his fellow commissioners know his intent, but there is little discussion on who and why should get this post. This spot is next in line to be Mayor in the event of a resignation or removal from office.
So I am coming to the folks who read KnoxViews for their insight as to who would make the best Chair.
Submitted by Anonymously Nine (not verified) on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 9:00am.
Craig Leuthold is the most qualified. He has the most experience.
This manufactured issue about the Sunshine Law was ridiculous. Newly elected Knox County Law Director Bill Lockett will be on "Tennessee this Week" with Gene Patterson and he will tell Knox County voters that the Sunshine Law will be interpreted much differently than it is currently under John Owings term.
Owings is using the Sunshine Law to punish County Commission for what he feels is the reason he lost his election. He blames Commission for that loss and wants pay back. Leuthold reportedly asked Owings about contacting the Commissioners and Owings said it was fine only to later question if that was correct. Yeah, right. The only thing Leuthold did wrong was to trust Owings.
It gets down to Leuthold or Hammond. Does Hammond even qualify to server on County Commission if he lives in the 9th District?
Rachel, what's your take? 180 degrees opposite? Do you like Hallerin and Phil's boss better?
Submitted by Bird_dog on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 3:33pm.
I've watched way too many hours of CC meetings on CTV. Great job? Tank doesn't repeat the motions being voted on (and their many substitutes & iterations) causing confusion, and he seems quite selective about enforcing a 5-min rule on speakers (some are allowed to ramble, others are always cut off). An effective chair could keep the meetings moving along - no one else can do that. Don't know who would do a better job, but the bar is pretty low right now.
Submitted by PeterBiggs (not verified) on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 3:36pm.
You people are not paying attention. Dr. Briggs, a seemingly intelligent man, is a Ragsdale rubber stamp. The man has no original thoughts. Is that what you want?
Submitted by BH (not verified) on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 12:01pm.
I say anybody that does not have a tax payer funded "real job", so that eliminates.
Tank Strickland - Knoxville Mayor's office
Mark Harmon - University of Tennessee
Ivan Harom - City of Knoxville
Craig Leuthold - Supervisor Knox Co. Trustee's office
New guy Brad Anders - Knoxville Police Department.
That leaves us with
Sam McKenzie
Amy Broyles
Tony Norman
Finbarr Saunders
Ed Shouse
Mike Hammond
Richard Briggs
Greg Lambert
R. Larry Smith
Scott Moore
David Wright
________________Phil Ballard's replacement
Mike Brown
Paul Pinkston
Submitted by tennesseevalues... on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 1:41pm.
Well, if BH is going to eliminate "taxpayer funded" jobs (as opposed to "real jobs" whatever the heck those are) then McKenzie is out, too. He works at ORNL.
Of course, you should probably eliminate anyone who has more than 50 family members without "real jobs," so Scoobie's out as I would imagine even his pets are on the county payroll.
And, when did teaching at UT quit being a "real job"?
All that aside, I say let Tank stay on as chair. Of course, he hasn't really embarrassed the community with his leadership during his interim chairmanship so he's probably disqualified early on from the opportunity.
Submitted by BH (not verified) on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 4:08pm.
last time I checked. I ain't a County Commissioner. A private citizen ain't eligible for Commission Chairman. Am I missing something here? Or are you just infatuated with trying to throw me into all your little bomb throwings? I hadn't realized that I had become a subject of cyber-stalking by you.
I have not advocating elimiating Commissioners for Chairman that have relatives on the county payroll but if 10 commissioners want to do that. I say more power to them.
Submitted by BH (not verified) on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 7:05pm.
I do not want to get off topic so feel free to email me offline and I will be happy to explain the intent. Unlike James Calloway I will explain to you where you can locate the email address. You go to Brian's Blog click on view my profile and locate my email address. I know that you know how to locate Brian's Blog as you have linked to it several times in different posts.
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 1:56pm.
I was visiting with friends last Sunday, one of whom is a UT prof. She was discussing how many people don't recognize her work as real. I've taught, not as a full tenure-track prof, but as a college adjunct, a community college adjunct and a full-time high school teacher. It's the hardest work I've ever done. Real job for real.
Of course, most of my work was in newspapers or public relations so maybe that's not a real job either -- you try not laughing outloud when some of those Arkansas legislators are in the midst of floor debates. Hard work, I'm telling you.
All I can say is that it shouldn't be Lumpy or Scooby. I'd probably lean toward keeping Tank b/c he keeps them from embarrassing themselves too much. However, those commission meetings are still too long.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
Submitted by Pamela Treacy on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 3:04pm.
Pam,
Don't want to get off topic.
I would agree the use of the word "real job" implies someone isn't working hard for their money. My belief is that there are folks in both the private and public sector who don't understand a strong work ethic. But what I dislike is stereotyping one group such as public workers or even those in higher income brackets as not having real jobs or working hard for their wages. Most of us work hard for our money.
Submitted by James Calloway (not verified) on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 1:55pm.
Your 'real job' comment is beyond ridiculous and, to be honest, cuts out a heckuva lot of smart folks considering how many people work for the government around these parts.
A 25 yr McDonalds drive-thru veteran gets the job while the Ion Beam researcher at Y12 is ignored ?
Do you think before you write this stuff or is your main purpose to just aggravate. Email me offline and let me know 'cause I am curious.
Submitted by BH (not verified) on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 4:15pm.
I would be happy to email you offline. However, there you provide no email address and your post, like mine are (not verified). So don't ask me to do something when you do not provide the neccesary information.
After all, I don't want Rachel saying that I have refused to email you offline per your request when you fail to provide an email address.
It seems to me that Tank has done about as well as anyone could in an almost impossible job. Can't imagine why he wants the job, but if so, I think he's earned it.
I suspect Dr. Briggs would run a very efficient meeting, but Commission usually elects a chair who's been on Commission longer.
For amusement value, my vote would go to Paul Pinkston.
Submitted by Pamela Treacy on Sat, 2008/08/16 - 3:07pm.
I thought Tank would make a good choice as well. I did read that he was having a serious surgery. Should we be concerned by that? If he is putting his name in the hat, I can only assume that his Doctor and family have discussed it.
What forum is there for public input on this topic or do commissioners just see this as something they "approve"?
Submitted by BH (not verified) on Sun, 2008/08/17 - 7:15am.
Not at all. As a matter of fact had there been a move. It would have happened yesterday. My side won yesterday with the Official party position of opposing the charter amendments (all the amendments) so let's see if ole' Georgiana Vines, Jack McElroy and crew report that any better than they did today, burying it in a story on B8.
Submitted by BH (not verified) on Sun, 2008/08/17 - 11:41am.
of the "real" Republicans. Not the johnny come lately's or RINO's. The majority that opposes the likes of giving the County Mayor appointment authority and removing our right to vote on elective officials.
The majority that doesn't buy the crappy Sentinel, and throws the Slopper in the trash. The majority that refuses to be inlfuenced by ole' Georgianna Vines, Jack McElroy, Sandra Clark and crew.
Submitted by James Calloway (not verified) on Sun, 2008/08/17 - 5:02pm.
such a diehard conservative and republican yet sport pics all over your site of you with McCain .. a man who has stuck knives in both groups (and they are increasingly very different groups) and twisted them regularly.
He swallows the hocus pocus of global warming. His pathetic class-baiting over the tax cuts was shameful (a Republican should get booted out of the party for talking about tax cuts 'for the rich'). He doesn't seem to give much of a damn when it comes to our sovereignty (immigration, deals with Mexico), and he has said he though Sam Alito was too conservative - because, you know, there is some sort of universal edict handed down from God detailing how the court has to be absolutely balanced that Bush forgot to follow.
He is an awful, awful candidate who is only going to win because the other side managed to pick someone only slightly worse.
Also, looking at your website, I don't think McCain has been a friend to the 'real evangelicals'.
Submitted by Scott Emge on Mon, 2008/08/18 - 4:34am.
The new chair should be someone who was not involved in Black wednesday or a violator of the sunhine law. Craig Leuthold was involved in both.
When the story broke about Josh Jordan's past drug dealing, I called Craig to ask why he had voted for Jordan. He said he was "totally unaware" of Jordan's past (B.S.!). This is the man that claimed he carefuly vetted potential commission appointees?
Submitted by Anonymously Nine (not verified) on Sun, 2008/08/17 - 4:43pm.
Tank has not been a good Chairman. I supported him in the beginning. Until he cut off debate. He also cut off citizens at the podium. He has done a poor job.
He failed time after time with proper procedure and Robert's Rules. Many times Craig Leuthold and other Senior Commissioners had to correct Tank on proper procedure.
Tank is not well. He has a serious medical condition. Is that the reason for the confusion? I don't know. But he has made too many mistakes. I understand how people might see him as neutral. But that supposed neutrality is suspect.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2008/08/17 - 10:36pm.
Sunshine law?
What about all this talk about "Bud" Armstrong being appointed by the new commission to take Ballards commission seat.
What a bunch of crap.....Ballard should resign and let the good folks of the 8th district, one of the largest districts in sq. miles elect a new commissioner in November. Is the GOP afraid of the Dems in the 8th. I doubt it. The GOPers just want to hand pick someone. Here comes the new puppet.
Submitted by Sandra Clark on Sun, 2008/08/17 - 11:10pm.
My understanding is that the attorney general has opined that parties can't nominate until an actual vacancy exists ... and that won't happen until (pick one)
The newly elected property assessor (Ballard) and Criminal Court Judge (McGee) are:
1. Elected
2. Certified
3. Sworn In
Bill Lockett said on WATE today that he plans to be sworn in on Aug. 29 -- others have said Sept. 2. At some point, we are past the deadline to qualify for the Nov. ballot. I have now said more than I know. -- s.
Submitted by BH (not verified) on Mon, 2008/08/18 - 6:07am.
the deadline for the November ballot is September 10. That is whay the GOP announced it's convention for Sept. 2. One day after the vacancy occurs and 8 days before the deadline. I agree with your comment that you had said more than you knew. Do better next time.
Submitted by B. Paone (not verified) on Mon, 2008/08/18 - 5:58am.
...either Briggs, McKenzie or 8-B Commissioner David Wright would, in my view, make excellent commission chairs. Problem is, I don't think any one of them is crazy enough to take the job.
I have to agree with Emge in that it shouldn't be a Black Wednesday participant. It probably will be anyway, but there's certainly enough in the newcomer talent pool to come away with a solid chair.
Submitted by Anonymously Nine (not verified) on Mon, 2008/08/18 - 8:59am.
...either Briggs, McKenzie or 8-B Commissioner David Wright would, in my view, make excellent commission chairs. Problem is, I don't think any one of them is crazy enough to take the job.
There is a always a third way with you Scoop. The only experience those three have is doing what Team Ragsdale wants. McKenzie is the only one of the three that actually talks. He is closer to Lumpy on the talking scale. Only Campen is more silent than Wright. Briggs is always ready with some idea like "reasonable man". Not Chairmanship material. Too Fristian. Do we need a Bill Frist as Chairman? No thanks.
Of those three, who would like to be Chairman? McKenzie and Briggs would want it. Both of them have stars in their eyes. Status quo, consensus, centrist who are guaranteed not to rock the boat. Both of them were pitiful on this years budget. Both pitiful on the mulch yard contract. Wright was much better on both the budget and the mulch yard.
While it is legal for any Commissioner to be Chairman experience and seniority are the tradition.
There is a reason for tradition. It comes down to Leuthold and Hammond.
Submitted by B. Paone (not verified) on Mon, 2008/08/18 - 10:26pm.
...but that's all it is - an acerbic opinion that isn't backed up by fact.
* If your only knock against Wright is that he doesn't talk much, then you don't have an argument. Perhaps you'll counter with the notion that Wright lacks institutional knowledge, but that's not necessarily a deterrent in this county's political environment. The chair's responsibilities entail running an efficient, effective meeting, and serving as the mayor should the elected mayor become unable to serve. It takes intelligence, honor, and the ability to effectively work with one's peers to do that. Those are qualities that can be had without being an established politician.
* Weren't you the one who was championing Briggs right up until this summer? I'm curious to know why, even though he's the only one who submitted a meaningful budget cut, that you turned so quickly on him (besides the fact that it seems to be your M.O. with people who oppose you politically). If it was the "reasonable man" standard, get over it already. It was a fair approach to the problem, and I'm SO sorry that your little faction didn't win the battle on that one.
It seems you don't play chess very much or very well, but that's another story. Moving on:
* Some of your most vicious and undeserving comments seem to come at the expense of Strickland and McKenzie, I've noticed. Maybe it's because they're not as "torch and pitchfork" as you would like, but there's something to be said for a level head. Regardless of your opinion of either man, they both seem to possess that key trait. I'm truly surprised that you don't acknowledge that, but I'm sure you have your reasons.
* I'm well aware that you want to pigeonhole the argument and make it a Leuthold v. Hammond affair. However, it's just not that simple. Like it or not, there's real talent out of the three remaining commissioners who weren't involved in Black Wednesday AND have experience.
You can opine all you want to the contrary, but the facts simply state otherwise.
Submitted by B. Paone (not verified) on Tue, 2008/08/19 - 11:20am.
...I thought from the response below ("I don't have an argument, so I'm just going to take it to the playground and act like a petulant child! That will surely get me the attention I crave!"), he was more from the Ann Coulter school of "thought".
Anyway, back to the topic:
Leuthold's not a bad choice, nor is he incompetent. I just don't think he's necessarily the best or only choice.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2008/08/19 - 7:17pm.
If honor is required for this commission chair, I am afraid we in the 8th district have no one with honor representing us. I know for a fact Mr. Dave Wright lacked honor when he lied numerous times on his opponent and tolerated dirty tricks by his supporters. Mr. Jack McElroy knows this as well but decided to overlook his unethical behavior because KNS endorsed Wright. How can we have a true and honest representation in government when our representative conducted himself in an unethical and dishonorable way during his election?
Craig Leuthold is the most qualified. He has the most experience.
This manufactured issue about the Sunshine Law was ridiculous. Newly elected Knox County Law Director Bill Lockett will be on "Tennessee this Week" with Gene Patterson and he will tell Knox County voters that the Sunshine Law will be interpreted much differently than it is currently under John Owings term.
Owings is using the Sunshine Law to punish County Commission for what he feels is the reason he lost his election. He blames Commission for that loss and wants pay back. Leuthold reportedly asked Owings about contacting the Commissioners and Owings said it was fine only to later question if that was correct. Yeah, right. The only thing Leuthold did wrong was to trust Owings.
It gets down to Leuthold or Hammond. Does Hammond even qualify to server on County Commission if he lives in the 9th District?
Rachel, what's your take? 180 degrees opposite? Do you like Hallerin and Phil's boss better?
Tank has done a great job in what was a very difficult time.
He's a friend & from the district I live in.
But when you look @ the job he's done I know you will agree.
Tank is the best choice for Chair.
Tank is a dolt. Have you not watched CC meetings? In the last CC meeting, Tank did nothing and let Owings run the show. Tank needs to go.
I've watched way too many hours of CC meetings on CTV. Great job? Tank doesn't repeat the motions being voted on (and their many substitutes & iterations) causing confusion, and he seems quite selective about enforcing a 5-min rule on speakers (some are allowed to ramble, others are always cut off). An effective chair could keep the meetings moving along - no one else can do that. Don't know who would do a better job, but the bar is pretty low right now.
Perhaps Scooby has learned his lesson. Maybe he hasn't.
Dr. Briggs seems to have a very firm grip on reality and should be capable on imparting that upon the body as a whole.
You people are not paying attention. Dr. Briggs, a seemingly intelligent man, is a Ragsdale rubber stamp. The man has no original thoughts. Is that what you want?
I say anybody that does not have a tax payer funded "real job", so that eliminates.
Tank Strickland - Knoxville Mayor's office
Mark Harmon - University of Tennessee
Ivan Harom - City of Knoxville
Craig Leuthold - Supervisor Knox Co. Trustee's office
New guy Brad Anders - Knoxville Police Department.
That leaves us with
Sam McKenzie
Amy Broyles
Tony Norman
Finbarr Saunders
Ed Shouse
Mike Hammond
Richard Briggs
Greg Lambert
R. Larry Smith
Scott Moore
David Wright
________________Phil Ballard's replacement
Mike Brown
Paul Pinkston
Plenty of choices.
Well, if BH is going to eliminate "taxpayer funded" jobs (as opposed to "real jobs" whatever the heck those are) then McKenzie is out, too. He works at ORNL.
Of course, you should probably eliminate anyone who has more than 50 family members without "real jobs," so Scoobie's out as I would imagine even his pets are on the county payroll.
And, when did teaching at UT quit being a "real job"?
All that aside, I say let Tank stay on as chair. Of course, he hasn't really embarrassed the community with his leadership during his interim chairmanship so he's probably disqualified early on from the opportunity.
I say anybody that does not have a tax payer funded "real job", so that eliminates.
Hey, BH, didn't your wife used to work for the school system? Was that a real job?
last time I checked. I ain't a County Commissioner. A private citizen ain't eligible for Commission Chairman. Am I missing something here? Or are you just infatuated with trying to throw me into all your little bomb throwings? I hadn't realized that I had become a subject of cyber-stalking by you.
I have not advocating elimiating Commissioners for Chairman that have relatives on the county payroll but if 10 commissioners want to do that. I say more power to them.
Guess I hit a nerve. Nice try going off a tangent, but I wasn't referring to anything mentioned in your response.
I was referring to your snarky description of govt jobs as "real jobs."
Or maybe I misunderstood Hornbackian again. If so, please translate.
I do not want to get off topic so feel free to email me offline and I will be happy to explain the intent. Unlike James Calloway I will explain to you where you can locate the email address. You go to Brian's Blog click on view my profile and locate my email address. I know that you know how to locate Brian's Blog as you have linked to it several times in different posts.
Tony Norman or Briggs
Give Strickland a full term. He's done a good job. -- s.
I was visiting with friends last Sunday, one of whom is a UT prof. She was discussing how many people don't recognize her work as real. I've taught, not as a full tenure-track prof, but as a college adjunct, a community college adjunct and a full-time high school teacher. It's the hardest work I've ever done. Real job for real.
Of course, most of my work was in newspapers or public relations so maybe that's not a real job either -- you try not laughing outloud when some of those Arkansas legislators are in the midst of floor debates. Hard work, I'm telling you.
All I can say is that it shouldn't be Lumpy or Scooby. I'd probably lean toward keeping Tank b/c he keeps them from embarrassing themselves too much. However, those commission meetings are still too long.
Pam Strickland
"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut
Pam,
Don't want to get off topic.
I would agree the use of the word "real job" implies someone isn't working hard for their money. My belief is that there are folks in both the private and public sector who don't understand a strong work ethic. But what I dislike is stereotyping one group such as public workers or even those in higher income brackets as not having real jobs or working hard for their wages. Most of us work hard for our money.
Your 'real job' comment is beyond ridiculous and, to be honest, cuts out a heckuva lot of smart folks considering how many people work for the government around these parts.
A 25 yr McDonalds drive-thru veteran gets the job while the Ion Beam researcher at Y12 is ignored ?
Do you think before you write this stuff or is your main purpose to just aggravate. Email me offline and let me know 'cause I am curious.
I would be happy to email you offline. However, there you provide no email address and your post, like mine are (not verified). So don't ask me to do something when you do not provide the neccesary information.
After all, I don't want Rachel saying that I have refused to email you offline per your request when you fail to provide an email address.
It seems to me that Tank has done about as well as anyone could in an almost impossible job. Can't imagine why he wants the job, but if so, I think he's earned it.
I suspect Dr. Briggs would run a very efficient meeting, but Commission usually elects a chair who's been on Commission longer.
For amusement value, my vote would go to Paul Pinkston.
I thought Tank would make a good choice as well. I did read that he was having a serious surgery. Should we be concerned by that? If he is putting his name in the hat, I can only assume that his Doctor and family have discussed it.
What forum is there for public input on this topic or do commissioners just see this as something they "approve"?
Is it true that there is a move underway to purge you from the Republican party?
Not at all. As a matter of fact had there been a move. It would have happened yesterday. My side won yesterday with the Official party position of opposing the charter amendments (all the amendments) so let's see if ole' Georgiana Vines, Jack McElroy and crew report that any better than they did today, burying it in a story on B8.
I guess there are "official" purges and "unofficial purges".
Now, what side is it you're on again?
of the "real" Republicans. Not the johnny come lately's or RINO's. The majority that opposes the likes of giving the County Mayor appointment authority and removing our right to vote on elective officials.
The majority that doesn't buy the crappy Sentinel, and throws the Slopper in the trash. The majority that refuses to be inlfuenced by ole' Georgianna Vines, Jack McElroy, Sandra Clark and crew.
Thanks for asking, though.
This is so telling... I see why they are trying to throw you out.
such a diehard conservative and republican yet sport pics all over your site of you with McCain .. a man who has stuck knives in both groups (and they are increasingly very different groups) and twisted them regularly.
He swallows the hocus pocus of global warming. His pathetic class-baiting over the tax cuts was shameful (a Republican should get booted out of the party for talking about tax cuts 'for the rich'). He doesn't seem to give much of a damn when it comes to our sovereignty (immigration, deals with Mexico), and he has said he though Sam Alito was too conservative - because, you know, there is some sort of universal edict handed down from God detailing how the court has to be absolutely balanced that Bush forgot to follow.
He is an awful, awful candidate who is only going to win because the other side managed to pick someone only slightly worse.
Also, looking at your website, I don't think McCain has been a friend to the 'real evangelicals'.
I like Mark Harmon and Briggs. Or Lumpy, at least it would be entertaining.
The new chair should be someone who was not involved in Black wednesday or a violator of the sunhine law. Craig Leuthold was involved in both.
When the story broke about Josh Jordan's past drug dealing, I called Craig to ask why he had voted for Jordan. He said he was "totally unaware" of Jordan's past (B.S.!). This is the man that claimed he carefuly vetted potential commission appointees?
Tank has not been a good Chairman. I supported him in the beginning. Until he cut off debate. He also cut off citizens at the podium. He has done a poor job.
He failed time after time with proper procedure and Robert's Rules. Many times Craig Leuthold and other Senior Commissioners had to correct Tank on proper procedure.
Tank is not well. He has a serious medical condition. Is that the reason for the confusion? I don't know. But he has made too many mistakes. I understand how people might see him as neutral. But that supposed neutrality is suspect.
Sunshine law?
What about all this talk about "Bud" Armstrong being appointed by the new commission to take Ballards commission seat.
What a bunch of crap.....Ballard should resign and let the good folks of the 8th district, one of the largest districts in sq. miles elect a new commissioner in November. Is the GOP afraid of the Dems in the 8th. I doubt it. The GOPers just want to hand pick someone. Here comes the new puppet.
My understanding is that the attorney general has opined that parties can't nominate until an actual vacancy exists ... and that won't happen until (pick one)
The newly elected property assessor (Ballard) and Criminal Court Judge (McGee) are:
1. Elected
2. Certified
3. Sworn In
Bill Lockett said on WATE today that he plans to be sworn in on Aug. 29 -- others have said Sept. 2. At some point, we are past the deadline to qualify for the Nov. ballot. I have now said more than I know. -- s.
the deadline for the November ballot is September 10. That is whay the GOP announced it's convention for Sept. 2. One day after the vacancy occurs and 8 days before the deadline. I agree with your comment that you had said more than you knew. Do better next time.
...either Briggs, McKenzie or 8-B Commissioner David Wright would, in my view, make excellent commission chairs. Problem is, I don't think any one of them is crazy enough to take the job.
I have to agree with Emge in that it shouldn't be a Black Wednesday participant. It probably will be anyway, but there's certainly enough in the newcomer talent pool to come away with a solid chair.
...either Briggs, McKenzie or 8-B Commissioner David Wright would, in my view, make excellent commission chairs. Problem is, I don't think any one of them is crazy enough to take the job.
There is a always a third way with you Scoop. The only experience those three have is doing what Team Ragsdale wants. McKenzie is the only one of the three that actually talks. He is closer to Lumpy on the talking scale. Only Campen is more silent than Wright. Briggs is always ready with some idea like "reasonable man". Not Chairmanship material. Too Fristian. Do we need a Bill Frist as Chairman? No thanks.
Of those three, who would like to be Chairman? McKenzie and Briggs would want it. Both of them have stars in their eyes. Status quo, consensus, centrist who are guaranteed not to rock the boat. Both of them were pitiful on this years budget. Both pitiful on the mulch yard contract. Wright was much better on both the budget and the mulch yard.
While it is legal for any Commissioner to be Chairman experience and seniority are the tradition.
There is a reason for tradition. It comes down to Leuthold and Hammond.
...but that's all it is - an acerbic opinion that isn't backed up by fact.
* If your only knock against Wright is that he doesn't talk much, then you don't have an argument. Perhaps you'll counter with the notion that Wright lacks institutional knowledge, but that's not necessarily a deterrent in this county's political environment. The chair's responsibilities entail running an efficient, effective meeting, and serving as the mayor should the elected mayor become unable to serve. It takes intelligence, honor, and the ability to effectively work with one's peers to do that. Those are qualities that can be had without being an established politician.
* Weren't you the one who was championing Briggs right up until this summer? I'm curious to know why, even though he's the only one who submitted a meaningful budget cut, that you turned so quickly on him (besides the fact that it seems to be your M.O. with people who oppose you politically). If it was the "reasonable man" standard, get over it already. It was a fair approach to the problem, and I'm SO sorry that your little faction didn't win the battle on that one.
It seems you don't play chess very much or very well, but that's another story. Moving on:
* Some of your most vicious and undeserving comments seem to come at the expense of Strickland and McKenzie, I've noticed. Maybe it's because they're not as "torch and pitchfork" as you would like, but there's something to be said for a level head. Regardless of your opinion of either man, they both seem to possess that key trait. I'm truly surprised that you don't acknowledge that, but I'm sure you have your reasons.
* I'm well aware that you want to pigeonhole the argument and make it a Leuthold v. Hammond affair. However, it's just not that simple. Like it or not, there's real talent out of the three remaining commissioners who weren't involved in Black Wednesday AND have experience.
You can opine all you want to the contrary, but the facts simply state otherwise.
You can opine all you want to the contrary, but the facts simply state otherwise.
Haven't you learned by now that the digit agrees with Ronald Reagan - "facts are stupid things." :)
...I thought from the response below ("I don't have an argument, so I'm just going to take it to the playground and act like a petulant child! That will surely get me the attention I crave!"), he was more from the Ann Coulter school of "thought".
Anyway, back to the topic:
Leuthold's not a bad choice, nor is he incompetent. I just don't think he's necessarily the best or only choice.
You can opine all you want to the contrary, but the facts simply state otherwise.
Who is the decider? Who decides what the "facts" are? Would that be you Scoop?
BTW, missed your column this week. You on vacation Scoop?
If honor is required for this commission chair, I am afraid we in the 8th district have no one with honor representing us. I know for a fact Mr. Dave Wright lacked honor when he lied numerous times on his opponent and tolerated dirty tricks by his supporters. Mr. Jack McElroy knows this as well but decided to overlook his unethical behavior because KNS endorsed Wright. How can we have a true and honest representation in government when our representative conducted himself in an unethical and dishonorable way during his election?
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