Appointed County Commissioner Gone Mad

William Daniels, appointed caretaker County Commissioner for the fourth district arrived at the Knox County Mayor’s State of the Community Address last Wednesday May 14, 2008 at Hardin Valley Academy High School. Daniels arrived about 10 minutes late. He arrived after County Commission Chairman Tank Strickland had introduced all elected officials and after the County Mayor had started his address.

I noticed that Daniels was speaking to a Sheriff’s Deputy, Daniels then approached me and said “this isn’t right, my notice said 8:30 and there is no seats for officials.” I said, “I don’t know and I don’t work for the county. Dwight Van de Vate is right there.” I was pointing to the County Mayor’s PR guy, Dwight Van de Vate.

Daniels approached Van de Vate and they had words, with Van de Vate clearly saying that the address was scheduled and advertised to begin at 8:15 not 8:30. Daniels went back to Van de Vate at least twice more during the address. Daniels also approached appointed County Commissioner Mark Campen of the Second district. Campen shrugged his shoulders and said something to the effect it’s o.k., I don’t care.

At the conclusion of the Mayor’s remarks, Daniels made sure that the County Mayor was aware of Daniels failure to be early for the State of the Community address.