What is crony capitalism? It is an economic system characterized by close, mutually advantageous relationships between business leaders and government officials.
Last November a discussion began about the Uniformed Officers Pension Plan known as UOPP. The discussion primarily between the Knox County Retirement and Pension Board and the Knox County Law Directors Office. Thus a lawsuit began Knox County -vs- Knox County Retirement and Pension Board. Last November, then Knox County Mayor wanted no controversy because he was running for higher office. So, little discussion happened until September 1, 2018 when Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs took the helm and discovered that some lawyers were already at more than $600,000.00 in taxpayer dollars.
Knox County Law Director Bud Armstrong appointed Knoxville Attorney Keith Burroughs, who happened to serve as his campaign Treasurer and Burroughs firm. That on the surface seems odd. Is it a system of close mutually advantageous relationship between business leaders (Attorneys) and government official (ole Bud)? One could say so, I would think.
Lets travel back almost four years ago when two Knox County school buses collided on Asheville Hwy in East Knox County. Both buses were carrying students and faculty. One bus traveling west. One bus traveling east failed to maintain control, it crossed a concrete median struck the bus traveling west, causing the bus to overturn and two students and one faculty member died from injuries sustained. The bus traveling east that struck the bus traveling west that three lives were lost was owned by Bob Burroughs, the older brother of Attorney Keith Burroughs.
One bus contractor, the one that owned the bus traveling west surrendered all bus contracts. Mr. Burroughs was still a bus contractor the last time I checked, which has been a while. The law department represents the Knox County School System and Board. Is there a connection? I do not know the answer to that.
Let’s go back to the early 2000’s. The Knox County School Board sued the Knox County Commission. It was two elected bodies. At the time, I was a Knox County School Board Member representing Southwest Knox County. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale struck a deal between the two legislative bodies and while it was a costly lawsuit, it was resolved and the court approved. This is similar to what Mayor Jacobs is trying to do in approving a settlement proposal the Knox County Retirement and Pension Board approved and Mayor Jacobs is asking the Knox County Commission to approve.
Back in the mid 2000’s Knox County Chancellor John Weaver ruled the Knox County Charter in regard to term limits was invalid. In 2006, the Tennessee Supreme Court overturned his decision. At the time, I was the Knox County Republican Party Chairman.
My point is, this could go on forever. With a head strong law director that appears to be possessed with raw political power on the brain while retired law enforcement officers and at least one widow of a law enforcement officer do not know if the retirement they were told they were getting is the retirement they will get. Will the county take back benefits and money they were told and promised they were getting? While the only people making money is Attorneys and the law clerks that work for the Attorneys. One firm that just so happened to have an Attorney in their firm that just so happened to be the Law Directors Political Campaign Treasurer.
Just notes from me with no answer and no accusations.
