During the Knox County School Board Meeting this evening a first for Former Knox County Commissioner Rex “Tony” Norman (who was one of the Commissioners back in 2007 that was found to have violated the Sunshine Law on “Black Wednesday” January 31, 2007), Jenifer Owen and Susan Horn.
One of the first orders of business was to elect a Chairman. First District Board Member Gloria Deathridge nominated Sixth District member Terry Hill, Fourth District Board Member Lynne Fugate seconded the motion. Norman nominated Eighth District Board Member Mike McMillan and newbie Jennifer Owen seconded the nomination.
Seventh District Board Member Patty Bounds was absent from the meeting due to scheduled out of town family function.
It should be noted that McMillan has successfully fought throat cancer this year. His voice is damaged and very weak. Why Norman and Owen would subject McMillan to the task of one year of considerable speaking in conducting and leading the boards work for the next year, is perplexing and on its face appears (in my humble opinion) hurtful.
The board members voting for McMillan were Norman, Owen, Fifth District Susan Horn and McMillan. The board member voting for Hill were Deathridge, Fugate, Hill and Rountree. Ninth District Board Member Amber Rountree had intially attempted to pass.
Rountree the. tried to defer the action until October. Norman insisted on repeating the vote. A flashback to Black Wednesday when the Commission was deadlocked. However, the acting Board Chair Fourth District Fugate ruled there would be NO BREAKS. As a refresher to 2007, the commission deadlock ended when a newly appointed Commissioner took the oath of office and participated. I am not sure who Norman thought would be sworn in to break the tie but the school board voted again and the votes stuck again. Rountree offered a deferal motion until October and it passed.
When they resume in October they must resume where they left off. No additional names can be added and the choices are Hill or McMillan. If votes change it will raise the question how, why or who got to someone to change their votes.
I see that Steve Hunley was holding McMillan’s right side while a lady had his other side. I believe it was on BrianHornback.Com where I read that Hunley gave THOUSANDS to Horn and significant dollars to Owen. So, it’s obvious that Hunley is pulling the strings of Horn, Owen, Norman and McMillan. So when the cancer get McMillan, Hunley who only got four years on the board from 1996-2000 will be able to fill McMillan’s term.
Great job Ms. Rountree for making your own decision and not caving to the fat bully aka Boss Hogg