Yesterday the Knoxville News Sentinel published a second story about the 7 County Commissioners that committed a Sunshine Law violation. For a second time it is reported that Commission Chairman Dave Wright did not return the Sentinel’a phone call seeking a comment. Is Wright’s hiding from reporters an admission of guilt? He is always clamming for media attention to break ground, break wind or cut a ribbon.
Additionally, Law Director Bud Armstrong had political double speak in the same article, If the Commissioners had only authored a letter and sent it to the legislators it would NOT be a violation. However, at the next official meeting less than 15 days the Commission debated and voted on the subject in the letter. The Commission used the letter as an instrument to deliberate to a conclusion, which is a violation of the Sunshine Law. Additionally the letter by an elected official on government letterhead as a form of communication is an official document.
The 2007 litigation that found the Commission in violation of the Sunshine Law was brought by the Editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel. I believe lawyers and citizens have been and are engaged in conversations about a filing requesting the courts review of the court’s order that was entered on the Commission and any future Commission to NOT violate the Sunshine law and the 7 Commissioners letter and subsequent action at their March 2016 meeting.
Funny how Ownby expects everyone to believe him. In 2012 he said he was innocent of his arrest and in 2013 he plead no contest to the charges and wrote a letter to his constituents apologizing for his criminal act……once a liar, always a liar….
If a court rules the 7 violated the Sunshine Law, 6 of them could have diversion, BUT 1 of them would be ineligible to receive diversion and may have to serve time in the county jail.
Sure am hoping a lawyer will file soon
Brian, I wish you could look into Kuhlman and the county GOP money given to Beiggs and then given to her daughter in law and son. Also, Paul Bonovich paid the same campaign manager that the Sharps Ridger had but the Sharps Ridger shows no money paid, if she did it as an inkind service or if she was paid by someone else shouldn’t it be recorded either as an inkind or as a contribution to the campaign. Of course, I would understand after two years and finally beating her in that frivolous lawsuit why you wouldn’t write about it……just my thoughts…..4th district voter glad that Ownby/McCalla will be done on 9/1