Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Shoppers, start your engines
From the Knoxville News Sentinel:
$80 million Colonial Pinnacle officially opens
By ROGER HARRIS, harrisr@knews.com April 12, 2006
Colonial Pinnacle at Turkey Creek officially opened today with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and welcoming speeches by the mayors of Knoxville, Knox County and Farragut.
The 485,000-square-foot, $80 million "lifestyle center" has approximately 70 upscale businesses, including national retailers like Belk, Ann Taylor Loft, Talbots and Jos. A. Bank’s and restaurants such as Bonefish Grill and Panera Bread.
Several locally owned businesses are part of the retail mix, too, including Apricot Lane, International Flair and Natural Alternatives. Regal Entertainment Group has already opened its Pinnacle Stadium 18 movie theater in the development.
read more
$80 million Colonial Pinnacle officially opens
By ROGER HARRIS, harrisr@knews.com April 12, 2006
Colonial Pinnacle at Turkey Creek officially opened today with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and welcoming speeches by the mayors of Knoxville, Knox County and Farragut.
The 485,000-square-foot, $80 million "lifestyle center" has approximately 70 upscale businesses, including national retailers like Belk, Ann Taylor Loft, Talbots and Jos. A. Bank’s and restaurants such as Bonefish Grill and Panera Bread.
Several locally owned businesses are part of the retail mix, too, including Apricot Lane, International Flair and Natural Alternatives. Regal Entertainment Group has already opened its Pinnacle Stadium 18 movie theater in the development.
read more
Is Metro Government good for Farragut?
On three separate occasions Knox County and the City of Knoxville have voted on Metro Government. Each time the majority of voters have decided Metro is not a good deal. After each failed Metro vote the City of Knoxville has gone on an annexation binge.
Metro Government is controversial. One of the key selling points is the common sense logic that duplication of services cost more money. In the post Mike Hammond researches Metro Government for Knox County it has been pointed out by several commenters that our past history in Knox County does not prove that when consolidation of services occur that costs are reduced. In the case of the Knox County Schools and the Knox County Library system the costs went up and budgets expanded greatly.
Farragut was formed because the people here wanted more control over zoning and had no desire to pay Knoxville City property taxes. Some consider Metro as a form of annexation. When Knoxville City and Knox County public expenditures are compared one thing is clear. The City of Knoxville has a spending problem. Why should the people of Farragut have to pay for the mistakes made by the City of Knoxville?
Some people say that there are ways to have Metro Government and not penalize the taxpayers in Knox County. The urban services fee is one example. The problem with the urban services fee is that it only addresses the current debt of the City of Knoxville. It offers no protection from future foolish spending decisions for downtown projects. Knox County government has not been perfect. The Knox County Farmers Market was a mistake. On total when you compare the two governments Knox County has a much better track record on spending.
Both Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Knoxville City Mayor Bill Haslam have publicly discussed Metro Government. Mayor Ragsdale has a project to study consolidation of services such as the codes department. Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond is one of seven people involved with the study.
Should Mayor Ragsdale openly discuss what plans exist for Metro Government before the election? Is there a responsibility for him to do so? Some say that after Mayor Haslam's reelection that the City of Knoxville may surrender its Charter and force Metro Government without a referendum.
Former Mayor Don Sundquist told the people of Tennessee that he would not push an income tax in his second term. He did push for an income tax in his second term. Before you cast your vote in early voting shouldn't you find out what Mayor Ragsdale and the prospective Knox County Commissioners will do about Metro Government in their next term? Don't you have the right to know before you vote?
Metro Government is controversial. One of the key selling points is the common sense logic that duplication of services cost more money. In the post Mike Hammond researches Metro Government for Knox County it has been pointed out by several commenters that our past history in Knox County does not prove that when consolidation of services occur that costs are reduced. In the case of the Knox County Schools and the Knox County Library system the costs went up and budgets expanded greatly.
Farragut was formed because the people here wanted more control over zoning and had no desire to pay Knoxville City property taxes. Some consider Metro as a form of annexation. When Knoxville City and Knox County public expenditures are compared one thing is clear. The City of Knoxville has a spending problem. Why should the people of Farragut have to pay for the mistakes made by the City of Knoxville?
Some people say that there are ways to have Metro Government and not penalize the taxpayers in Knox County. The urban services fee is one example. The problem with the urban services fee is that it only addresses the current debt of the City of Knoxville. It offers no protection from future foolish spending decisions for downtown projects. Knox County government has not been perfect. The Knox County Farmers Market was a mistake. On total when you compare the two governments Knox County has a much better track record on spending.
Both Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Knoxville City Mayor Bill Haslam have publicly discussed Metro Government. Mayor Ragsdale has a project to study consolidation of services such as the codes department. Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond is one of seven people involved with the study.
Should Mayor Ragsdale openly discuss what plans exist for Metro Government before the election? Is there a responsibility for him to do so? Some say that after Mayor Haslam's reelection that the City of Knoxville may surrender its Charter and force Metro Government without a referendum.
Former Mayor Don Sundquist told the people of Tennessee that he would not push an income tax in his second term. He did push for an income tax in his second term. Before you cast your vote in early voting shouldn't you find out what Mayor Ragsdale and the prospective Knox County Commissioners will do about Metro Government in their next term? Don't you have the right to know before you vote?
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Knox County Election update news
Popular Knox County School Board candidate Thomas Deakins has added a blog.
You can find it here.
There have been many updates at the Knox County Voters Guide at the Knoxville News Sentinel. You can see the changes here.
District Five candidate Kyle Phillips has a blog at the KNS site and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has both a video and a MP3 file.
You can find it here.
There have been many updates at the Knox County Voters Guide at the Knoxville News Sentinel. You can see the changes here.
District Five candidate Kyle Phillips has a blog at the KNS site and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has both a video and a MP3 file.
Long-time Farragut principal dies
From WBIR television news:
Knox County Schools has lost one of its long-time principals. 62-year-old Robert Frazier, Farragut Intermediate School's principal, died suddenly at his home early Tuesday morning.Dr. Frazier was the only principal in the history of Farragut Intermediate School, and he will not soon be forgotten.
After a school-wide announcement relaying the sad news Tuesday morning, school counselors went to each classroom to talk to the students."There's a mixture of reaction. Some kids I don't think know what to feel. I think a lot of it is shock. Some are sad and are crying, but for the most part very quiet," said Farragut Intermediate School counselor Amy Kroninger.
read more
Knox County Schools has lost one of its long-time principals. 62-year-old Robert Frazier, Farragut Intermediate School's principal, died suddenly at his home early Tuesday morning.Dr. Frazier was the only principal in the history of Farragut Intermediate School, and he will not soon be forgotten.
After a school-wide announcement relaying the sad news Tuesday morning, school counselors went to each classroom to talk to the students."There's a mixture of reaction. Some kids I don't think know what to feel. I think a lot of it is shock. Some are sad and are crying, but for the most part very quiet," said Farragut Intermediate School counselor Amy Kroninger.
read more
Monday, April 10, 2006
Mike Hammond researches Metro Government for Knox County
Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond revealed Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has asked him to be on a committee with seven other people to "look at combining services between the city and the county". Hammond goes on to say that they are not looking at combining governments but are looking to find efficiencies.
Some people say that Metro is goal number one for both Mayor Ragsdale and Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond. What do you think? Why is it so difficult to get a straight answer from any local elected representative about whether they support Metro Government? Is it because Metro Government has failed three times in Knox County and is radioactive?
Just as Don Sundquist refused to talk straight about the State Income Tax our leaders in Knox County refuse to talk straight about Metro Government.
If it is so great why not have the courage to stand up and tell the voters what you stand for?
Some people say that Metro is goal number one for both Mayor Ragsdale and Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond. What do you think? Why is it so difficult to get a straight answer from any local elected representative about whether they support Metro Government? Is it because Metro Government has failed three times in Knox County and is radioactive?
Just as Don Sundquist refused to talk straight about the State Income Tax our leaders in Knox County refuse to talk straight about Metro Government.
If it is so great why not have the courage to stand up and tell the voters what you stand for?
Roller coaster school bus ride in Farragut
From WATE television news:
Officials: Knox school bus driver takes kids on wild, drunken ride
April 10, 2006
FARRAGUT (AP) -- A school bus driver was allegedly drunk as she drove her afternoon bus route.44-year-old Jennifer Reddy sideswiped a car Friday afternoon before responding to the children's pleas to return them to school.
The children used cell phones to call their parents to inform them of their driver's behavior. None of the children were injured.
Knox County Schools spokesman Russ Oaks says school security officers gave Reddy a breath-alcohol test.
She allegedly registered a .26, more than three times the legal limit.
Reddy was charged with drunken driving and hit and run. She was jailed in lieu of a $1,000 bond.
Officials: Knox school bus driver takes kids on wild, drunken ride
April 10, 2006
FARRAGUT (AP) -- A school bus driver was allegedly drunk as she drove her afternoon bus route.44-year-old Jennifer Reddy sideswiped a car Friday afternoon before responding to the children's pleas to return them to school.
The children used cell phones to call their parents to inform them of their driver's behavior. None of the children were injured.
Knox County Schools spokesman Russ Oaks says school security officers gave Reddy a breath-alcohol test.
She allegedly registered a .26, more than three times the legal limit.
Reddy was charged with drunken driving and hit and run. She was jailed in lieu of a $1,000 bond.
