January 2009

Haslam Raises Big Bucks

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 30, 2009 - 3:10am

Bill Haslam is off and running in his race for governor. Tonight the two-term Knoxville Mayor, held his first fundraiser - a $1,000 a person affair - and picked up a cool 1-point-4 million dollars.

According his campaign guy, Jeremy Harrell, it is the biggest single hometown fundraiser for a state-wide candidate in Tennessee history.

The host list was a who's who of Knoxville Republicans. A few Democrats showed up on the list as well. Perhaps the most prominent was former State Representative Wayne Ritchie.

Update on UT Bonuses

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 29, 2009 - 12:54am

UT Vice President Hank Dye says the UT Development Department's bonus plan - approved by the Board of Trustees in 2006 - is being suspended pending a review because of these tough economic times.

Dye says the Administration was in a "tough middle place" over the bonuses approved by President Petersen Monday, which he said was $415,000, not the half million dollars our sources told us.

We asked him about the timing of the bonuses - wondering if it sent the wrong message during a time of budget and personnel cuts?

Bonuses for Development

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 28, 2009 - 8:38pm

Sources at the University of Tennessee tell me that nearly half a million dollars in bonuses are heading to members of UT's Development Department - the fundraising arm of the University.

Dr. John Petersen signed off on the bonuses Monday.

That was the same day, members of the UT Faculty Senate passed a resolution asking the Administration to give priority to maintaining teaching staff and filling vacant positions.

Ashe in Poland a Little Longer

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 27, 2009 - 9:46pm

Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe - the current U.S. Ambassador to Poland - has been asked to extend his stay in Warsaw.

The Ambassador had planned to leave his post on February 6, but now says he'll be staying until his successor is confirmed.

Mr. Ashe, who served four terms as Knoxville's Mayor, was appointed by President Bush.

Basketball and Gubernatorial Candidates

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 26, 2009 - 9:55pm

Not all the jockeying for position at Saturday's UT-Memphis game was on the basketball court. Sources tell me a couple of gubernatorial candidates were also vying for attention.

The Haslam family has courtside seats, but Mayor Bill was no where to be seen early in the contest.

His republican opponent, Congressman Zach Wamp, however, was visible. He sat with UT President John Petersen, just a row or two away from the Haslam seats.

I'm told it wasn't too long before the Mayor did show up with his wife and claimed the front row.

A Little More Conservative

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 22, 2009 - 11:44pm

Knox County Representative Harry Brooks says this new legislative session should be a bit more conservative than past sessions.
And that's because of new House Speaker Kent Williams picks for Committees and Committee Chairs.
"He did what he said he would do," said Brooks regarding Williams selections. "He said he would balance the Committee chairs with Republicans and Democrats."
He and fellow Republican Bill Dunn picked up a couple of top Committee posts.

Have You Checked Your Homeowners Lately?

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 22, 2009 - 10:16pm

Don Dare reminds us on an almost weekly basis to read the fine print when entering into any contract. Despite the admonition, he has no trouble finding folks who've run into problems because they didn't.
Add reading the fine print of a homeowners insurance policy to that list and add my name to the list.
Recently I noticed two small stains in the upstairs master bathroom in my home.

Alan Lowe and the Bush Library

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 21, 2009 - 2:45am

While the country moves forward with a new President, Alan Lowe, director of the Baker Center for Public Policy, is looking backward with the former.

As of April 12, Lowe will be the new director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library. He will oversee the gathering and cataloging of the President's papers.

The Library will be built on 25 acres on the campus of SMU in Dallas, Texas.

The Inauguration of Our President

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 19, 2009 - 8:38pm

The inauguration of Barack Obama is tomorrow. You've probably noticed.

In my lifetime, I can't recall a Presidential Inauguration that has been looked forward to with such hopefulness as this one. Perhaps, JFK in 1960, but I was too young to get any real sense of what was happening in the country then.

A new administration is always a time for hopefulness. But the desire for this administration to succeed, seems (to me) greater than most. Given the challenges we face, it's no wonder.

Bob Booker and his vote for a Republican

Submitted by Gene Patterson on January 16, 2009 - 10:37pm

Former State Representative Bob Booker of Knoxville says he doesn't pay too much attention these days to the happenings in Nashville or state government.
But 40 years ago, he was very much a part of the scene.
As one of the few Democrats in East Tennessee, Booker found himself in a unique position to make history.
At stake was the Speaker's post. Bill Jenkins - an upper East Tennessee Republican (who would later become Congressman) - was vying for the position against Democrat Pat Lynch of Winchester. Both parties had 49 members.