Following the meeting one of the members remarked in the parking lot of the Red Lobster, “tonight was nothing but Chicago style politics.” Another said that is an insult to the memory of the former first Mayor Daley and current Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. What was witnessed was really akin to the fictional television story from Hazard County, KY brought to life in our own river city Knoxville.
The character Boss Hogg was described as a bobble head (shaking his head yes and no) to his loyal Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane was mumbling and bumbling information based on the Bosses shake of the head. The loyal deputy Enos Strate was played out by a clean cut guy carrying out the instructions as directed.
Last night the West Knox Republican Club took in $530 with 53 new & re-newed $10 memberships. It appeared to several attendees that members of the KuhlHun clan made phone calls between the January meeting and last night. The clan added new members and reengaged old members that they recruited, One of the loyal deputies had a spreadsheet with names typed and marked as paid 2013, at the end of the meeting he handed in the spreadsheet and money. Out of the $530 there were two $100 bills, the club also received $180 in twenties. One college republican said I am a member, but I do not know who paid my $10. The perception with many in attendance was that the clan (group that agree with one another) purchased a lot of memberships last night.
Twenty six (26) Members from last night has never been a member of WKRC. A Majority of the new members were young, admitted College Republicans. Five of the new members were Farmer family members; 2 new Kulhman members, and Ruth’s son in law Matt who has never attended the meetings. None of the new members supplied addresses, it only listed their name & marked paid.
Former City Councilwoman Jean Teague admitted that she has not been a member since 2008, Teague has maintained that she babysits her grandkids on Mondays. However, last night she was able to attend, pay 2013 WKRC membership and vote.
Established members of the WKRC voiced both during and after the meeting their displeasure with the shenanigans of seizing control of the club. Jimmy Harris took the floor and the microphone and announced how embarrassed his dad Legendary UT Athelic figure Haywood Harris and Wallace McClure would be. Both Harris and McClure built the club into the most active and largest Republican club in the county. JImmy Harris who was visably upset, literally called Ruthie out as being a unorganized and a disgrace to the club. A few established members stood up and said this is not what we want to show our young republicans how it is done and divided. It was a true disgrace. There were lot of egos, power trips, and dirty, good ‘ole boy politics.
Several established WKRC said that this type of display had never occurred and they would not be back. They said that it really takes the compassion right out of you, considering the reasons why we wanted to get involved, volunteer our time.
New Location for West Knox?
It seems that while the crowd was larger, there were fewer meals served and more alcohol and was not a family friendly setting, especially when a few folks began yelling. It seems that Red Lobster may be reconsidering the availability of the room in the future.
Disgruntled Club Presidents
The Presidents of the other Republican Clubs are apparently getting agitated that the County Chair is remaining as Club President of West Knox. Which translates into her not assisting the other clubs. Halls Club, Young Republicans, South Knox, Center City, Karns, Concord Farragut. The Powell, Eighth District, College and North Knox/Ftn City clubs are NOT even listed on the new website.
A NEW WEST KNOX REPUBLICAN CLUB?
Several of the individuals that are best portrayed as the family of Bo and Luke Duke of Hazard County, KY are beginning discussions of forming another West Knox Republican Club. The clubs are separate and operate independently from the Knox County Republican Party apparatus.
