Yesterday, was the Knox County Commission Workshop Session. A few notes.
Newbie (Commission appointee) Commissioner Richie Beeler tried a Resolution that would tie the hands of the lawyer representing Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs on defending a lawsuit by a few citizens that include the daughter and son in law of Charles Busler and former failed Commission candidate John Fugate.
First, during discussion, Commissioner John Schoonmaker made a point asking what is this Commission scared of. Vice Chair Michele Carringer responded no one is scared of anything, making the point that the two ladies on Commission she and Evelyn Gill have never been asked or appointed to the Retirement and Pension Board. Watching on the live stream. I wanted to say the scaredy cat would have been the one that resigned from the Retirement Board last October (about a month after being reappointed) likely due to the lawsuit. That was Schoonmaker.
Second, kudos to probably my least favorite Commissioner, Larsen Jay for pointing out the Charles Busler should NOT be the second for the motion as his daughter and son in law were Plaintiff’s. Busler still voted to instruct the defense attorney.
Beeler made a statement, that was odd at best. Saying he is no ones man, however, he opined that he did not believe that the Law Director was conflicted. Certainly seemed like he was Armstrong’s guy. But Beeler likely just ensured that a Republican primary opponent will challenge him on March 3, 2020 and maybe a Democrat opponent in August 2020.
The Resolution tied 5-5 (6 is needed to pass) Commissioner Brad Anders had a previous commitment and was gone from the meeting during this time. Commissioner Schoonmaker attempted to reconsider the Resolution after Anders was back. However, there was NO ONE on the prevailing side, in order to bring a matter back for reconsideration, it had to be someone on the prevailing side.
stay tuned, more later….maybe
Knox County Commission 8/26/2019
