Knoxville Tennessee Blog

September 10th, 2007

Tonight the Knox County travel audit

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Nine

Some time today between 5:00 to 6:30 PM Knox County Commission will convene in a special session for the results of the travel audit of Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and his staff. This is one of the most serious and potentially criminal audits the Mayor and his staff face.

It will be covered on Community Television of Knoxville.

Last week on the hour long WBIR special “Knox County Files” Knox County Law Director John Owings said he would file an ouster suit if criminal activities were disclosed in any of the five audits being performed on Knox County government. You can watch that hour long special here.

Things have changed a great deal in the past few months. Paul Pinkston opened the kimono with his questions of P-card abuse and theft. WBIR unleashed Kay Watson for some of the most impressive investigative journalism seen in a very long time in Knox County. Private citizen Lewis Cosby made sure he was heard in last months Knox County Commission meeting. His audit of Knox County government brought over 100 questions that have yet to be answered.

Both WBIR and WATE have special sections on their websites to make it easier for people to follow the maize of allegations and questions. The Knoxville News Sentinel also has a special section appropriately named “Knox County Chaos”. Larry Van Guilder, Betty Bean, and Sandra Clark have covered every step and misstep of Knox County government. Unlike other media outlets they have been on the case before it become necessary to do so.

It makes one wonder if these problems would ever have happened if this investigative journalism had been there all along. It seems the honeymoon with the press and the Mayor’s office was followed by the abuse of the taxpayers.

There are some obvious lessons learned here. Maybe journalism and boosterism shouldn’t be commingled. Maybe the taxpayers should pay more attention to those who work for them. No matter what happens people will no longer accept that good intentions, big ideas, and reading to children can excuse ignoring the law and living the lifestyles of the rich and famous on the taxpayers dime.

September 5th, 2007

Wrong on every level, but still funny

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Nine

You have to love the marketing people at McDonald’s. They have no pride or remorse and they are quite brilliant.

Take their latest ploy. Many people want to save the Earth from Global Warming. So how can a company that sells hamburgers capitalize on this trend? Remember, their product is hamburgers. Perhaps the most dangerous product on Earth as far as Global Warming is concerned.

In Japan you can buy a Big Mac for half price if you download a form that shows how to reduce Global Warming. Do you think there is anything on that form that suggests eating fewer Big Mac’s will prevent Global Warming?

Genius. Give them an A, for audacity.

September 2nd, 2007

Blogger Meet-up

Posted by KTB in Uncategorized

Blog Night @ Ray’s ESG, formerly Kingston Alley

What: “Blog Night @ Ray’s”; a kick off event for the conversion of
Kingston Alley to Ray’s Entertainment Sports Grille (Ray’s ESG) with free
appetizers and happy hour priced drinks for all bloggers. (Ray’s is
considering scheduling a regular blog night and would love your feedback).

When: Tuesday, September 4, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: 7355 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Why: All bloggers are welcome, RSVP by calling (865) 384-8564 or emailing
zane.hagy@asenpr.com to attend. Come check out the restaurant’s new identity,
enjoy your choice of appetizer and check out the changes:

A high-end wine bar with 19 wines offering options for the most discriminating
taste, as well as the occasional wine drinker

An outdoor patio (more than 2000 square feet) featuring the Baja-jajaja Tiki
Bar, Ray’s third full-service bar

A total of 7 smoke eaters are now in place to allow non-smokers the opportunity
to enjoy a nearly smoke-free environment

Two managing partners are now ABC certified. Although not everyone will serve
alcoholic drinks, Ray’s does recognize the need for upper-management
officials to have knowledge of current laws and practice a variety of rules to
help ensure the safety of its clientele

New events are coming, such as wine and cocktail pairings that allow diners to
learn about how to properly select mixed drinks and wines that go with
different menu items
A horseshoe pit has been installed for any customer to use, with tournaments
scheduled in the near future

An outdoor grill for special events

The addition of seven high definition plasma TVs and a high definition
projector for a total of 40 screens

Valet parking as well as additional parking

Wi-fi availability

August 31st, 2007

The “I have a tear” speech from Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Nine

By now most people in Knox County and the surrounding counties have learned of the incredible turnaround that happened in the Knox County Commission meeting on Monday. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale gave his best Bill Clinton “I have a tear” speech complete with pained emotion and the carefully picked words, “Let’s pull it back together. Let’s get some things done. We’ll work with you. We’ll work with Mr. Cosby. We’ll do the best we can.”

Mayor Ragsdale then inexplicably took all of the good will he had just made and forever destroyed it with one word. As concerned taxpayer Lewis Cosby was speaking at the podium in the Public Forum Mayor Ragsdale turned his head to Cosby and softly said, “Showboat.” Cosby and the audience was stunned. Cosby turned to Ragsdale and asked, “A showboat, what did you just say?” Then Cosby shook his head in disgust and said “Incredible.”

You can see the entire episode on YouTube Channel Nine or on the WBIR website. Most people believe it is not possible for Mayor Ragsdale to run for Governor. Yet three years is a long time.

Does insincerity disqualify a politician from higher office? Some people think so.

August 24th, 2007

Is it time to call for Jesse James?

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Nine
Like a few hundred thousand other people I have tired of the idiot contest between Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and the Knox County Commission. It is too close to call and shows no sign of ending. 

Over a few beers a friend of mine said the Harborgate, Lobstergate, P-Cardgate, and Finchgate scandals in Knox County government would make a great reality television show. What a great idea.

If the politicos cannot get their house in order I know someone who can.

Appearing this fall, Jesse James is the Mayor. A new reality TV show where Jesse James of “Monster Garage” takes over a town for a week as the Mayor.

I have a candidate for the first show. Knox County.

August 13th, 2007

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale on the Gene Patterson show

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Nine

You can see it here:

 http://www.tennesseethisweek.com/archives/88

 It seems the best course of action is to audit all departments under the control of the Knox County Mayor’s office along with all non-profits that receive money from Knox County government.

Nothing else can restore faith in Knox County government.

August 1st, 2007

Where does the buck stop Mayor Ragsdale?

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Nine
For some time citizens of Knox County have wondered if County Mayor Mike Ragsdale was the Emperor with no clothes. No matter what kind of mistake was made on the western end of the sixth floor of the City County Building or how serious that mistake is, it is always passed off as some trivial issue such as a bookkeeping mistake or clerical error. The news is always given by an underling and along with a positive quote from the County Mayor. 

One Knox County taxpayer has had enough. Lewis Cosby called and talked with the County Mayor on the Hallerin Hill radio program on WNOX and questioned the Mayor Ragsdale for several minutes about the P-Card (purchasing credit card) abuse from the Mayor and his staff as well as the travel expenses for the Mayor, his Chief of Staff Mike Arms, Senior Communications Director Dwight Van de Vate and Chief Financial Officer John Werner. Mayor Ragsdale, as he so often does, was very positive and upbeat. When Lewis Cosby asked the Mayor if a person could examine the P-Card statements and receipts Mayor Ragsdale said, “Come on up anytime, I’ve never met you, I like to have a chance to talk to you, swing by someday.”

WBIR reports that Lewis Cosby did exactly that. In a television interview with WBIR Mr. Cosby, a former CPA who at one time audited Knox County government, expressed his shock with what he had found. Lewis Cosby said, “In all my career, these records as to expenditures and lack of documentation is some of the worst I have ever seen. Records are missing, receipts are missing, entire statements for certain people are missing.”

Lewis Cosby compiled a list of 59 questions about the P-Cards plus more about the Hospitality Account. Mr. Cosby says the Hospitality Account is negative and has been negative for two years. He can’t understand why the Mayor kept spending.

You can watch the Lewis Cosby interview on WBIR here.

Spokesman Dwight Van de Vate released this statement on Tuesday evening:

“At this point, the records in the Mayor’s Office are probably the most closely scrutinized records ever maintained by Knox County and everyone recognizes that there are places where improvement is needed. Obviously we don’t shy away from scrutiny.”

Mr. Van de Vate’s statement wears no clothes.

July 30th, 2007

Embattled Mayor Ragsdale has a tough 24 hours

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Politics, Nine
Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has had a very rough 24 hours. On the Sunday talk shows the County Mayor was the subject of much speculation concerning whether he could finish the remaining three years of his term. On “Inside Tennessee” panelist and prominent local attorney Don Bosch said Ragsdale’s term would be remembered as “The Lobster that ate Knoxville.” If you have not heard the lobster story more about it here and here. 

The biggest surprise was when the head of the Tennessee Conservative Union, Lloyd Daugherty, called for Mayor Ragsdale to resign on Gene Patterson’s show “Tennessee This Week.” Frank Cagle, columnist for the Metro Pulse said the Mayor would not step down voluntarily but might not have a choice if the on going audits turned up more fraudulent charges on county credit cards. Those words would be prophetic in less than 12 hours.

In today’s Halls Shopper News Sandra Clark rates the Ragsdale administration and gives a grade of F in the department of “Making Government better every day.” Sandra Clark writes, “Starting with Tyler Harber flashing his badge at the Copper Cellar and ending with disclosures of P-Card spending yet to come … Ragsdale’s management is a casebook study of what not to do. He made bad hires and supervised them poorly. He handed out purchase cards with little oversight. He divided the world into two groups – friends and enemies. Now the town is laughing about lobster lunches, Princess cruises and the liquor fund. In our land of Oz, Ragsdale is not a wizard, just a little fellow behind a curtain with an expensive suit and two press agents.”

Just when it seemed it could not be a worse 24 hour period Sandra Clark breaks a new story that the County Mayor himself used a county credit card for a medical procedure co-pay. For a colonoscopy of all things. This caused the Mayor’s Communications Director Dwight Van de Vate to have to send an emergency memo on a Sunday night to County Commission members explaining the “mistake”. How does anyone use a Knox County credit card for a medical co-pay? What other mistakes are there?

People want to know when we will get to the bottom of this. As the audits turn up new information on almost a daily basis the office of the County Mayor has become a rudderless ship. Who will be the next to call for the County Mayor to stand down?

July 26th, 2007

All of the sudden, the News Sentinel sees the problem

Posted by Number9 in Uncategorized, Politics, Nine
Like many people in Knox County I was shocked to read the editorial in the Knoxville News Sentinel today. The title is, “Is county mayor’s office out of control?” 

How convenient. After five years of being the chief cheerleader for the County Mayor now the editorial staff of the News Sentinel wakes up and smells the coffee. This occurs after some serious investigative journalism from WBIR television in Knoxville which has accounted for the resignations of three people very close to the County Mayor. To the Sentinel’s credit reporter Scott Barker has also followed the story closely.

Better late than never but the question does arise, what took so long? Knox County Commissioner Paul Pinkston spoke with WNOX’s Hallerin Hill Tuesday morning and suggested that the Mayor’s office had wined and dined various members of the local press in Knoxville to gain favor. Pinkston also opined that columns concerning the Mayor written in the Knoxville News Sentinel appeared to have been written by Mayor Ragsdale’s right hand man Dwight Van de Vate, the Communications Director for the Mayor. You can hear Commissioner Pinkston’s interview with Hallerin Hill here.

As everyone awaits the audits of the troubled P-cards there is apprehension about the audits of the privately funded “Hospitality fund” which is used for entertainment. Will this audit prove that there was an effort to garner favor with the local press by expensive meals and drinks?

Much more at Knoxviews here and here.

June 6th, 2007

Lady Vols Lose World Series to Arizona

Posted by KTB in U.T. Sports

In a disappointing outcome for Tennessee fans, the Arizona Wild Cats shut out Tennessee for the second night in a row to win 5-0 against the Lady Vols.

The Lady Vols had plenty of opportunities leaving runners in scoring position in nearly every inning. The Wildcats pitcher Taryne Mowatt threw a wonderful game with double digit strike-outs for the
second night in a row.

Congratulations to the Wildcats on their 8th World Championship.

Cheers Lady Vols, you represented Tennessee well! We’ll keep our eye out for some of you in the Olympic Games.

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