By way of ACK, the Nashville Post has obtained a copy of State Sen. Raymond Finney's formal request for a recount. The "reasons" section is some interesting reading, to say the least.

(Rep. Doug Overbey defeated Finney by 139 votes in last week's GOP primary for State Senate 8th District, which includes Blount Co. and portions of Sevier Co. No Democrats ran, and Overbey will face Independent Ira Lapides in November.)

Sevier County has a new Building Inspector.

The new building inspector in Sevier County has never been a building inspector. He is not a licensed contractor. He has no experience setting up a building inspection department or any other department. He's never worked in a building inspection department. He's never been required to know building codes, never has passed a building inspector exam and has no proven track record as a building inspector. Judging from his resume, he has never even conducted a building inspection.

He did have a license as a security guard several years ago.

The Sevier County commissioners have set the county up for more legal action if and (God forbid) when a building fails and it is learned that the building failed after passing the rigorous inspection by the unqualified building inspector.

FRIENDS OF WEARS VALLEY P.O. Box 1625
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
Press Release
Contact: John A. Meyers
Phone: (865) 300-8055 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 P.M. EDT, January 25, 2008

Friends of Wears Valley receives Grant from the Cave Conservancy Foundation

Wears Valley, TN. January 25, 2008

The Friends of Wears Valley (FOWV) is the recipient of a grant from the Cave Conservancy Foundation of Richmond, Virginia. The grant will fund an initiative led by the FOWV to increase public awareness and address water quality issues related to recent growth and development adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The major focus of the project is the protection and restoration of sensitive landscapes, community drinking water supplies, and Cove Creek, which is already on the state 303(D) impaired waters list.

The new project will facilitate a grassroots approach to hazard assessment and planning through education, monitoring, and partnerships. Activities are intended to support the emerging countywide discussion about sustainable development, environmental quality and aesthetic values. During 2008 and 2009, FOWV hopes to co-sponsor several workshops for teachers, local officials, developers, realtors and concerned citizens about groundwater, surface water and resource protection. The major objective is to establish an ongoing water quality monitoring program involving local grade school students. Both phases of the project will begin this spring with a preliminary investigation of hydrology and land use in Wears Valley.

The FOWV is a non-profit organization formed to promote the long-term protection of natural resources and cultural heritage in the area. FOWV supports the concept of better growth management as a means of sustaining a balance between tourism and nature, and seeks to forge strong partnerships in this effort.

The Friends of Wears Valley can be reached at: 865-300-8055, Link... or P.O. Box 1625
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

I found this thread on the Seymour Herald site.

It seems to raise some questions about possible illegal or certainly unethical behavior of the County Mayor and those that he employs.

Some people sure know a lot. I wonder what else others might be able to turn up.

It seems that Knox County may not have the monopoly on questionable behavior by those charged with "working for the people."

An investigative reporter should jump on this. Could be a Pulitzer prize in the making!

Complete text of the Seymour Herald thread follows:

Deputies called to Sevier Co. meeting after ethics disputes

Sheriff's deputies were called to a meeting of the Sevier County Commission's ethics panel on Monday to keep the peace among commissioners and residents.

Have you seen any stolen hay? If so, law enforcement can use your help:

Detective Jeff Manis has been hot on the trail of hay thieves. He said a break in the case led to Trotter's arrest. "I got a tip from a citizen in Seymour yesterday morning and turned out to be correct."
. . .
More than 30 1,700-pound bales remain missing from the rightful owner, Jack McMahan.

Searching for it isn't an easy task, but Manis says there are ways to find the rest of the bales. "We could take a sample of the hay and the UT [sic] could compare it, tell from same field and same grass."

Sounds like a little CSI action is possible.

It's my understanding that hay prices have been above average due to the drought.

for the most powerful man on the planet on this list of the top 100 geniuses compiled by Creators Synectics, a global consultants firm.

Do look for that nice lady from Sevier County.

There are other surprises as well.

This is an open letter to public officials in Sevier County.

Recently, The Knox County Ethics Committee recommended a policy that would ban city, county, state and federal employees, including school system employees, from serving in elected county offices.

I respectfully request that the Sevier County Ethics Committee pursue a similar policy to address nepotism and cronyism in Sevier County government.

I believe the citizens of Sevier County will be better served by a local government that operates completely above board with officials - elected and appointed - who have no conflicts of interests.

I further believe that all efforts should be made to ensure that there is not even the appearance of any impropriety or conflict of interests in regard to the operation of Sevier County government.

John A. Meyers

Sevierville

Why is it this reminds me of this (except on a mega-scale)?

Smoky Mountain Vacation Guide
Copyright (c) 2004 South Knox Bubba/R. Neal

A vacation in the Smoky Mountains can mean only one thing -- time to load up the mini-van and head for the world famous family vacation hub of Pigeon Forge, Gateway to the Smokies. 

Forget the beach. Forget Disney World and Six Flags. Pigeon Forge is your ultimate family vacation destination. Pigeon Forge offers a great opportunity for your family to explore the natural beauty and wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains. Scenic vistas abound, and your family will wonder at the sights.

Because the Smoky Mountains National Park boasts one of the world's most diverse ecosystems, your children will treasure lifelong memories of their interactions with nature.

Where else will your family have the opportunity for close encounters with such a wide variety of native wildlife in its own natural habitat?

Your visit will be educational for the kids, too. For example, did you know that octopi and land sharks were indigenous to the Southern Appalachian rain forests?

You'll also learn about the giant dinosaurs that walked the earth in prehistoric times. Exhibits of scientifically accurate reproductions portray these giant "thunder lizards" exactly as they appeared when they roamed the hills and valleys of the Smoky Mountains.

The Smoky Mountains' close proximity to Oak Ridge has resulted in some interesting effects, too. Be sure not to miss the giant native fowl and fishes collected by Great Smoky Mountains National Park biologists:

After a long day of communing with nature, what could be more fun than a fast-paced game of paintball? There is regular airborne assault paintball:

And painless paintball:

For a different and more futuristic style of simulated violence, perhaps your kids would prefer an exciting game of laser tag:

One interesting thing about laser tag is that it seems to bring out the very best in our local architects:

If learning to solve problems with aggression and violence isn't your kids' cup of tea, perhaps they would be interested in Hillbilly Skydiving (at least I think that's what this is, I'm not really sure):

But what about Mom? By now she's probably bored with all this educational nature and child development stuff. She's probably ready for a little shopping. And she's come to the right place!

Pigeon Forge is world-renowned for its shopping, with stores offering the widest possible variety of goods. For example, where else could you find not only moccasins, swimwear, and windmills, but also an unusual collection of fudge knives -- all in one place!

Available in Infinite varieties, fudge is indeed a popular item in Pigeon Forge. For example, you've probably never sampled exotic diesel fudge:

T-shirts are a popular item, too. This merchant offers an incredible collection of colorful and skillfully rendered artistic designs.

For the discerning upscale shopper, Pigeon Forge offers an impressive selection of fine art, such as this lovely lawn sculpture collection:

Indeed, Pigeon Forge merchants cater to a diverse clientele. People of every ethnic background are welcome here:

In fact, Pigeon Forge is a great place to learn about East Tennessee culture, and offers many opportunities for cultural exchange:

Not to mention the abundant historical artifacts:

By now, the whole family has enjoyed a fun-filled, action-packed day of learning and adventure, and the finest shopping experiences. The question on everyone's mind at this point (especially Dad's) is... What's for dinner? If you're looking for the best dining experience, look no further. Pigeon Forge has your favorite casual dining establishments in a relaxing and picturesque setting:

Or, if fine dining with a value proposition is more your style then you've come to the right place:

But for something completely different, may we recommend the dining experience everyone is talking about. That's right, it's the Dixie Stampede, which combines fine dining with an  entertaining and informative portrayal of the rich Southern Appalachian Cowboy Heritage:

Now that everyone is tired from a full day of fun and stuffed full of the finest in East Tennessee cuisine, it's time to retire to your luxury Pigeon Forge accommodations.

Yes, indeed. The Smoky Mountains National Park may boast millions of species of wildlife, birds, insects, and plant life, not to mention cool mountain streams and unbelievably
scenic vistas. But what a man really needs at the end of the day is a cheap room, highlight reels, and the latest Sopranos episode. This is, after all, America.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pigeon Forge. Y'all come back now, y' hear?

OK, then.

Republican State Sen. Raymond Finney, who represents Blount Co. and portions of Sevier Co. in the Tennessee Senate, has a massive, two-page ad in today's Maryville Daily Times summarizing this year's session, with his comments on the various legislation passed.

Although I don't agree with Sen. Finney's politics on a wide range of issues, I have always given him credit where credit is due for his accessibility, open communication with constituents, and communications outreach (with a couple of exceptions). Although he generally does not represent my views, I'm the minority in Blount Co. so he effectively represents his mostly conservative constituency.

Here's the web edition of Sen. Finney's legislative update ad that ran in today's paper. It's as good a summary of the session as you will see anywhere, although not all the controversial issues are discussed.

Even though he ran as a firebrand conservative, Sen. Finney's positions on the issues mentioned reveal that he may be more moderate than he lets on. Or maybe that's the impression he wants to portray.

By my tally, based on his positions and my interpretation of the generally accepted party line on the issues, Sen. Finney scores a 12 on the Democrat/liberal scale and an 11 on the Republican/conservative scale (out of a possible 26). If you weight it based on the intensity of his feelings on a particular issue, it comes out only slightly more conservative.

Of course, wedge issues such as abortion and gay rights weren't in the spotlight during this session, probably because it isn't an election year. A more thorough review of all his votes would probably suggest a more conservative record. But at least he documents them.

(It's curious that he voted "yes" on every piece of legislation put before the Senate except the very few times he abstained, and that nearly every bill passed unanimously. I wonder if that has something to do with letting them change their votes to tidy up their records as long as it doesn't change the outcome?)

(UPDATE: ACK previously discussed the vote "do overs". Not sure this is such a great idea, for exactly the reasons he states.)

Dolly Parton, in today's Knoxville News Sentinel:

Back in the 1940s, a doctor named Robert F. Thomas rode his horse into our holler, and this loud-mouthed little girl was born. My daddy paid him with a sack of cornmeal. I guess that was all I was worth.

[..]

The Robert F. Thomas Foundation and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center are working toward building a new, modern hospital in Sevierville that will serve all of the people here in East Tennessee, not just in Sevier County.

I have always been a firm believer in working hard for what is right and for making your own breaks if you want things to change. With that in mind, my Dollywood and Dixie Stampede companies are donating $500,000 to this cause. I am also performing a benefit concert on May 20 at the Smokies Stadium to help raise money for this $100 million hospital project.

I want to challenge all of you to help in any way you can to support this important project for all of East Tennessee.

They couldn't have gotten a better spokesperson for the project.

Ethics coming to Sevier County soon. An ethics policy is required to be in place by June 30. The requirement for counties to adopt an ethics policy is part of the Ethics Reform Act of 2006, which came about after the Tennessee Waltz scandal involving the arrest of some state lawmakers.

I, for one, welcome ethics to Sevier County. I hope that the Ethics Committee in Sevier County is successful. They have a tremendous amount of work to do.

I am excited that our elected officials stand on the precipice eager to leap into the realm of ethical behavior! I sincerely hope they succeed!

Let's all wish them luck!

Sad Day for Sevier County
By James J. Wilson

The Cove Mtn. project (High Bridge PUD) was approved by the Sevier County Planning Commission (PC) last night by a 7 to 4 vote.

There were many questions about the legality of the documents the developer (Kenneth Whaley, also a county commissioner) submitted.

Specifically, the developer presented a 1971 deed that just turned up yesterday that, they say gives them the 50 foot Right of Way (ROW) necessary to access their project.

You may recall that the PC voted to deny this same permit last month because of just that ROW question.

There was an overflow crowd waving signs and being very vocal, as you might imagine. Both commissioners from the district that this PUD is forced upon were pleading with their fellow commissioners to defer the vote until such time that the legality of the documentation could be verified.

Remember that this same commissioner, Kenneth Whaley and his partners at Southern Design are the same ones whose last PUD went belly up and has left scars across Webb Mountain that is causing severe erosion of a pristine waterway even today.

The commissioners had a motion (and second) on the table with a recommendation for approval from the County Planer, Jeff Owenby, before they accepted any public comments.

Five people spoke against the project and raised many questions.

The County Planner did not choose to amend his recommendation and it was hastily passed.

(more after the break)

An open letter to Mayor Larry Waters and the Sevier County Commission.

Several articles have been written in the past couple of years regarding the lack of funding for infrastructure needs in Sevier County. A TACIR report states that Sevier County is short by approximately $300 million. A bond issuance was recently passed. Schools lack needed funds. A new hospital needs to be built.

I have attended commission meetings, planning commission meetings and have hosted Mayor Waters at a Friends of Wears Valley meeting. Citizens have repeatedly been told by county leaders that development / developers projects do not create additional burdens on infrastructure because 1. Rental cabins are not used full time. 2. Renters do not send their children to our schools. 3. Additional tax moneys collected on sales to tourists more than offset the burden they place on our system.

More after the jump...

According to WATE, WBIR, and WVLT, a man was injured by a black bear near Gatlinburg yesterday. It seems he spotted the bear and her two cubs in the parking lot of a mountain condo/chalet development and got out of his car to take pictures. He left his car door open and his dog escaped, attacking the cubs. If you've been around a black bear mother and her cubs, you know what happened next.

According to the news reports and witnesses, the man was "attacked" by the bear while he was kicking her in an effort to rescue his dog. Thankfully, neither the dog nor the man suffered serious injuries. A TWRA officer shot the bear, and believes it wandered off to die. They were still searching for its body. The two cubs will be raised in captivity and released into the wild when they are older.

So, how many mistakes does it take to kill one of Mother Nature's magnificent wild creatures?

Mistake #1: The guy who decides to risk his life by approaching a wild black bear and her two cubs, and bonus, lets his dog escape and attack the bear's cubs, and double bonus, attacks the bear to rescue the dog. In the big scheme of nature, and especially from the bear's perspective, who was the aggressor here?

Mistake #2: The general manager of the mountain condo/chalet development who was quoted by WVLT as saying "It's going to be terrible that she's not here anymore. It's something we looked forward to on a daily basis and now it's gone thanks to a tourist." Memo to Gatlinburg businesses: sure, wild bears and especially their cubs are cute, but wild bears are not advertising props or promotional gimmicks. It's bad enough we encroach on their territory, but allowing them to hang around afterwards is a recipe for trouble.

Mistake #3: The TWRA officer who shot the bear, who according to WBIR said "A bear has attacked a human being... I'm not comfortable having a bear run around after having attacked a man with no consequence." Who attacked who again? (See Mistake #1.) What are the consequences (other than getting swatted by a bear) for people who harass or feed bears? How many citations have been handed out in the past year for that? And he's not "comfortable" having a bear running around? Then why wasn't the bear relocated away from a populated area? According to news reports, TWRA knew about the bear. Apparently everybody up there did. (See Mistake #2.)

Via Barry, comes this quiz

I'm currently tied with him at 30 of 33.

Have fun!

Can libertarians with conservative leanings play too?