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October 2008

Tragedy in Scott County

Submitted by Gene Patterson on October 27, 2008 - 8:05pm

I can't imagine the pain the families of those four Scott High cheerleaders are feeling today. One family lost two daughters in the late Friday night car accident.

It's devastated the community. It's devastated us all.

And let us not forget the travelers in the other car. A woman who was looking forward to a new grandchild is gone; and so is the unborn child.

Every parent, who ever handed over car keys to a child, understands that there but for the grace of God could be any of us.

We tell our kids to be careful drivers. They usually say something like, don't worry.

Citizens Group Opposes Changes

Submitted by Gene Patterson on October 10, 2008 - 2:31am

A new group has formed to oppose the charter changes proposed on the November 4th ballot. Known as Amendments 3 and 4, those changes - if approved by voters - would have a profound effect on Knox County governance.

The group, Citizens Committed to Save Our Right to Vote, filed papers Wednesday and are now raising funds to help make voters aware of why they believe voters should turn back the two amendments.

The treasurer of the group is Frank Leuthold, a former Knox County Commissioner.

How Bad Is It?

Submitted by Gene Patterson on October 4, 2008 - 12:36am

So how bad is it out there for pension funds and local retailers?

Former McWherter Chief of Staff, Billy Stair believes it's really bad, describing it as "freightening" and backs up his concerns with two examples.

Stair points to the State Treasurer who - on Tuesday - said Tennessee's pension plan lost - over a 24-hour period - one billion dollars.

And Stair says, for the first time in its history the ORNL Retirees' Pension is, as he described it, "under water," meaning the plan has fewer assets than liabilities.