Charter Mess
6 News Reporter Melissa DiPane has been trying to answer the question: Who's responsible for the Charter mess? Her research has boiled it down to three people - then-Election Registrar Irene Lovely, then-Knox Co. Law Director Richard Beeler and current County Clerk Mike Padgett.
According to what Melissa learned, the process was supposed to work like this: 1 - voters approve the charter. 2 - its certified by election commission and registrar sends Charter to County Clerk. 3 - Clerk sends Charter to Law Department. 4 - Its sent back to Registrar who sends it to Secretary of State for certification. 5 -The certified copy is sent back to the Court Clerk..who keeps it on file for posterity.
So what happened? Mike Padgett says he never received a copy from the Election Commission. The Election Commission's Greg MacKay says, he wasn't there at the time, but was told the Election Commission never received a copy to forward. He doesn't know why. And the person who might know - Irene Lovely - now lives in Florida and can't be reached.
Why didn't the County Law Director oversee the process? Richard Beeler is now in private practice and didn't return Melissa's calls. The current Law Director Mike Moyers was an assistant to Beeler back then, he says "it was an unfortunate oversight and it doesn't appear that anyone can be held responsible."
And Dwight Kessel - who was County Executive back in 1988 and who was only peripherally involved - says "it boils down to no good checks and balances."
Boy is that a mouthful. An issue as important as implementing a new form of government, and nobody was paying attention.
It's no wonder so few people vote. They figure their votes don't count anyway. And in this case, they were right.
Comments
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Comments
Well, Gene, I don't know
Well, Gene, I don't know what your reporter has been doing to reach me, but it seems odd to me that other local repoerters have not been having too much trouble. finding me.
You might want to explain to her that I was NOT the Law Director in 1988, but rather was in private practice until September 1,1990. Additionally, the Law Director is not the general supervisor for all other officers and officials of the County. All of these offiaials are adults, can drive cars, get married & everything, and are responsible for their own duties. Although it is really easy to blame the lawyer in situations like this, it simply isn't factual.
I really don't think it's asking too much that a reporter at least get the players right. That's the kind of thing that can be researched without too much trouble.
Can someone answer something
Can someone answer something for me? I think this is a valid point. Only laws passed by referendum are subject to invalidity to the charter. Because it was voted on by the people of Knox County, the wheel tax is not going to be refunded to everyone who paid it. Well, was term limits not voted on also? Which means since it was not a referendum that it should still be a valid like the wheel tax.
Voter: Since you've posted
Voter: Since you've posted your question twice, I'll offer a possible answer. The wheel tax vote met all the requirements of state law and the election was certified. The issue with the Charter, according to the Judge, is that it did not meet the state requirements. Whatever is done to get it fixed will, I believe, include term limits. The people of Knox County have voted overwhelmingly for Charter government and for term limits. I think the goal is to get both of those in place legally as quickly as possible. The will of the people needs to be executed.
6 News Reporter Melissa
6 News Reporter Melissa DiPane has been trying to answer the question: Who’s responsible for the Charter mess? Her research has boiled it down to three people - then-Election Registrar Irene Lovely, then-Knox Co. Law Director Richard Beeler and current County Clerk Mike Padgett. "
Hey Melissa, finding out things that have already happened is not reporting at all, BUT if you will find out who is going to FIX the problem and how then you win the golden sow award!
Come on kids, it is the way "they" run Knox City and Knox County, they do it the way they want and not how it should or even is required to be run. Look at Victor and his days or even dash back to Kyle, it was all about what I want and how I want to do it.
Charter is a great story because it caught more than a few of the aged white men's you know what in the ringer. NOW, lets get cracking on the story and stop finger pointing, won't do a bit of good to look back, go find something NEW like how Rags will fix it or NOT!
I really don’t think
I really don’t think it’s asking too much that a reporter at least get the players right. That’s the kind of thing that can be researched without too much trouble."
wow!!!!
See, I told you it was better to work on the future than the past. After this BOMBSHELL how much credibility can the WATE reporter have on ANY of her work concerning the mega charter screw up?
WBIR has been doing a nice job and their reporter is also a lawyer, WVLT has hung back and reported the findings in clear detail and the news paper has just tried to figure out a way to spin it to nail the sherifff.
WATE does get a tin (gold is for those who do great) star for trying to claw into the story, but now that star is a bit on the tarnished (can tin tarnish?) side with this giant revelation from a person they touted as a KEY player in the charter mess!
Mr. Patton: Mayor Ragsdale
Mr. Patton: Mayor Ragsdale has been pretty clear about fixing it. He's seeking ways to legally fix the current charter to make it legal, he's named a committee if we need to create a new charter and gotten Commission to call a special meeting next Monday to approve the committee, as required by law. He's also made it clear it must contain term limits, as the people voted. If you know of something else he can be doing or a way to do things faster, you should suggest them. He seems to be doing everything he can to get it fixed.
He seems to be doing
He seems to be doing everything he can to get it fixed. "
Lord you sound like you work for the guy! As for Rags, I am all for giving him a shot at it, it is a real example of the people voting for something and never seeing their vote COUNT. Clearing it up might be even bigger than building that oh so needed library downtown, who knows???
Mr. Patton: Mayor Ragsdale
Mr. Patton: Mayor Ragsdale has been pretty clear about fixing it. He’s seeking ways to legally fix the current charter to make it legal, he’s named a committee if we need to create a new charter and gotten Commission to call a special meeting next Monday to approve the committee, as required by law."
After getting all over WATE for their slight problem with the story a new little aside pops up.
Rags is not the dude to fix this thing! The guy has N O authority to crank a committe to re-write it! Now county commission can and the fact is they are the only ones who can. Hey WATE ask Rags why he is trying to form a committee that has no authority to work this mess out? GREAT question for you and if you do then that tin star will be elevated to silver!
No joke didn't the the judge say ALL of it was invalid not just parts? Yep he did and that says C COMMISSION has to fix the mess not Rags!
Heck put DON DARE on it, he is a sneaky little...what was the rest of that line?? Animal House, Dean talking to to the frat guy about investigating...??? You remember, help me out here!