Can Farragut Change?

Turkey Creek Road Drag Racing

2006-05-08T22:45:00.000-04:00

There was some life and death drama in the Brixworth subdivision in South Farragut last Friday night. I received an email describing what occurred that included the pictures you see here. The writer of the email requested that no names be mentioned, as they were not sure of the age of the two young drivers.

A black Honda and a black Lexus were drag racing down Turkey Creek Road heading west towards the Brixworth subdivision entrance. There was a screech of tires as both cars went into the subdivision at a high rate of speed. They continued up the hill and around the cul-de-sac and then went speeding down the Brixworth Blvd hill.

The driver of the Honda was going too fast to stop at the stop sign at the base of the Brixworth subdivision. Even though the driver tried to stop he could not and went across Turkey Creek Road, jumped the curb, and collided with a tree. That tree saved his life.

If he had gone just to the left of the tree he would have gone over the small hill down to the railroad tracks. The train came just a few minutes after his wreck.

As the residents of Brixworth came to give aid and assistance to the driver who wrecked the other driver in the Lexus got in his car, gave the one finger salute and drove away. It is not known if he was arrested by the Sheriff's Department.

This is a heavily traveled road and it is fortunate there was not a car on Turkey Creek Road when this out of control car shot across the road. The most popular walking trail in Farragut is on Turkey Creek and many people walk across this intersection.

What is Farragut High School doing about the wreckless driving of its students? What is the Town of Farragut doing about the ever-growing problem of wreckless driving in Farragut? Most importantly what are the parents of these young drivers doing?

How many young people must die before our community decides there is a problem?

Shoppers, start your engines

2006-04-12T12:32:00.000-04:00

From the Knoxville News Sentinel:

$80 million Colonial Pinnacle officially opens

By ROGER HARRIS, harrisr@knews.com April 12, 2006

Colonial Pinnacle at Turkey Creek officially opened today with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and welcoming speeches by the mayors of Knoxville, Knox County and Farragut.

The 485,000-square-foot, $80 million "lifestyle center" has approximately 70 upscale businesses, including national retailers like Belk, Ann Taylor Loft, Talbots and Jos. A. Bank’s and restaurants such as Bonefish Grill and Panera Bread.

Several locally owned businesses are part of the retail mix, too, including Apricot Lane, International Flair and Natural Alternatives. Regal Entertainment Group has already opened its Pinnacle Stadium 18 movie theater in the development.

read more

Is Metro Government good for Farragut?

2006-04-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

On three separate occasions Knox County and the City of Knoxville have voted on Metro Government. Each time the majority of voters have decided Metro is not a good deal. After each failed Metro vote the City of Knoxville has gone on an annexation binge.

Metro Government is controversial. One of the key selling points is the common sense logic that duplication of services cost more money. In the post Mike Hammond researches Metro Government for Knox County it has been pointed out by several commenters that our past history in Knox County does not prove that when consolidation of services occur that costs are reduced. In the case of the Knox County Schools and the Knox County Library system the costs went up and budgets expanded greatly.

Farragut was formed because the people here wanted more control over zoning and had no desire to pay Knoxville City property taxes. Some consider Metro as a form of annexation. When Knoxville City and Knox County public expenditures are compared one thing is clear. The City of Knoxville has a spending problem. Why should the people of Farragut have to pay for the mistakes made by the City of Knoxville?

Some people say that there are ways to have Metro Government and not penalize the taxpayers in Knox County. The urban services fee is one example. The problem with the urban services fee is that it only addresses the current debt of the City of Knoxville. It offers no protection from future foolish spending decisions for downtown projects. Knox County government has not been perfect. The Knox County Farmers Market was a mistake. On total when you compare the two governments Knox County has a much better track record on spending.

Both Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Knoxville City Mayor Bill Haslam have publicly discussed Metro Government. Mayor Ragsdale has a project to study consolidation of services such as the codes department. Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond is one of seven people involved with the study.

Should Mayor Ragsdale openly discuss what plans exist for Metro Government before the election? Is there a responsibility for him to do so? Some say that after Mayor Haslam's reelection that the City of Knoxville may surrender its Charter and force Metro Government without a referendum.

Former Mayor Don Sundquist told the people of Tennessee that he would not push an income tax in his second term. He did push for an income tax in his second term. Before you cast your vote in early voting shouldn't you find out what Mayor Ragsdale and the prospective Knox County Commissioners will do about Metro Government in their next term? Don't you have the right to know before you vote?

Knox County Election update news

2006-04-11T22:15:00.000-04:00

Popular Knox County School Board candidate Thomas Deakins has added a blog.

You can find it here.

There have been many updates at the Knox County Voters Guide at the Knoxville News Sentinel. You can see the changes here.

District Five candidate Kyle Phillips has a blog at the KNS site and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has both a video and a MP3 file.

Long-time Farragut principal dies

2006-04-11T15:40:00.000-04:00

From WBIR television news:

Knox County Schools has lost one of its long-time principals. 62-year-old Robert Frazier, Farragut Intermediate School's principal, died suddenly at his home early Tuesday morning.Dr. Frazier was the only principal in the history of Farragut Intermediate School, and he will not soon be forgotten.

After a school-wide announcement relaying the sad news Tuesday morning, school counselors went to each classroom to talk to the students."There's a mixture of reaction. Some kids I don't think know what to feel. I think a lot of it is shock. Some are sad and are crying, but for the most part very quiet," said Farragut Intermediate School counselor Amy Kroninger.

read more

Mike Hammond researches Metro Government for Knox County

2006-04-10T10:32:00.000-04:00

Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond revealed Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has asked him to be on a committee with seven other people to "look at combining services between the city and the county". Hammond goes on to say that they are not looking at combining governments but are looking to find efficiencies.

Some people say that Metro is goal number one for both Mayor Ragsdale and Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond. What do you think? Why is it so difficult to get a straight answer from any local elected representative about whether they support Metro Government? Is it because Metro Government has failed three times in Knox County and is radioactive?

Just as Don Sundquist refused to talk straight about the State Income Tax our leaders in Knox County refuse to talk straight about Metro Government.

If it is so great why not have the courage to stand up and tell the voters what you stand for?

Roller coaster school bus ride in Farragut

2006-04-10T10:28:00.000-04:00

From WATE television news:

Officials: Knox school bus driver takes kids on wild, drunken ride

April 10, 2006

FARRAGUT (AP) -- A school bus driver was allegedly drunk as she drove her afternoon bus route.44-year-old Jennifer Reddy sideswiped a car Friday afternoon before responding to the children's pleas to return them to school.

The children used cell phones to call their parents to inform them of their driver's behavior. None of the children were injured.

Knox County Schools spokesman Russ Oaks says school security officers gave Reddy a breath-alcohol test.

She allegedly registered a .26, more than three times the legal limit.

Reddy was charged with drunken driving and hit and run. She was jailed in lieu of a $1,000 bond.

People make the community they live in

2006-03-30T22:23:00.000-05:00

For a long time I have written about the importance of being a good neighbor and understanding that how you drive in your neighborhood has a huge contribution to the safety of your neighborhood and the quality of life.

A Fox Den resident expresses this better than I can. I hope you will think about how good a neighbor you are when you drive through your neighborhood.

From the Farragut Press:

letter to the editor
- Thu, Mar, 30, 2006

Picture this – it’s a sunny day and you take your dogs out for a walk in your neighborhood. Most cars when they see you, slow down, move away from you and wave as they go by. Not today however. A van is coming in front of you – they don’t appear to be slowing down or making a move away from you. You get scared, grab the dog leashes and move as close to the curb as possible. Scared, you yell out “slow down!” The van just keeps going and you continue your walk.

A few minutes later, a van slows down and stops. The woman driving the van yells out: “I was going the speed limit.” You are amazed that someone would actually drive back through the neighborhood and confront someone for yelling slow down.

Now, picture this — you are in a wheelchair. Yes, that’s right. I suffer from multiple sclerosis and take my dogs out using a jogging leash. I have never, never had someone be so “rude” and inconsiderate as this woman was. I can only hope and pray that she never has to use a wheelchair to get around.

In closing, even if you are driving the speed limit, when you see someone walking with children or dogs, slow down so that neither the dogs or the children get scared. Try to visualize how a van looks to a little child or to a dog.

Remember, driving the speed limit is one thing everyone should do. But use common sense when you are in a neighborhood. Going 25 mph does not actually give you enough time to react to a child or a family pet from darting out into the street. Better to drive slowly in a neighborhood and keep everyone safe.

Thank you,

Barbara Wyman

Fox Den

Candidate roundup for Farragut voting NEW UPDATES

2006-03-30T09:34:00.000-05:00

In future posts I will give my recommendations and my analysis of the best candidates for local public office. For now I want to give you as much information as I can so you can learn about the candidates for public office.

Candidate website has been added for Thomas Deakins. Radio interviews have been added for Craig Leuthold and Kyle Phillips. Knoxville News Sentinel Blogs added for Randy Sadler and Kyle Phillips. Podcast added for Lee Martin. John Griess will be removed from the ballot due to term limits.

Any candidate may email me at Farragut_Republican@yahoo.com and enclose a bio and platform, limit is 500 words. I will post these in separate posts here on Can Farragut Change. If you know of a candidate website that is not listed please email me or leave it in the comments section.

District Five County Commission Candidates:

County Commission Seat 5-A

Mike Hammond incumbent

Randy Sadler challenger
Randy Sadler Knoxville News Sentinel Blog

County Commission Seat 5-B

Craig Leuthold incumbent
Farragut Press article
Craig Leuthold Radio interview with Lloyd Daugherty

Kyle Phillips challenger
Kyle Phillips website
Kyle Phillips Knoxville News Sentinel Blog
Farragut Press article
Kyle Phillips Radio interview with Lloyd Daugherty

County Commission Seat 5-C

John Griess incumbent no challenger (Removed from ballot due to term limits)

School Board race Farragut Schools

School Board District 6

No incumbent, current School Board member Chuck James has left the School Board to run for County Commission.

Thomas A. Deakins
Thomas Deakins website
Farragut Press article

Fred Dillon
Farragut Press article

H. Lee Martin
H. Lee Martin website
Lee Martin podcast
Farragut Press article

Can Farragut Change Most Viewed

2006-03-23T09:38:00.000-05:00

From time to time I show the most popular posts. Since this is campaign time for candidates I hope both they and the voters will consider how important public safety is to our community.

Let's have a debate on the proposed roundabout

It is time to address the safety issues at Kingston Pike and Lovell Road?

Civil disobedience; drive the speed limit

Is it true?

Leuthold takes credit for roundabout at Northshore Drive and Concord Road

2006-03-17T12:19:00.000-05:00

Knox County District 5 B Commissioner Craig Leuthold was quoted in the Farragut Press giving his excuse that the roundabout was the only solution for the intersection of Northshore Drive and Concord Road.

What Mr. Leuthold did not say was that the community had no chance to give input for this County Commission vote. The Knox County Commission website did not post the agenda and none of the local newspapers printed any information about this vote until the vote was held in County Commission.

Voters will decide if this omission of a major public safety issue is grounds to seek a new commissioner.

From the Farragut Press:

Leuthold was also a driving force behind the creation of a roundabout at the intersection of Northshore Drive and Concord Road.

Leuthold said he tried to get a stoplight at that intersection, but Northshore Drive is considered a state highway by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

“That’s a case where Knox County can’t tell the state what to do,” he said.

The TDOT officials said a light wasn’t an option because of the lack of land required to install turn lanes. Leuthold said the roundabout was the only option.

Leuthold said he supported the creation of a wheel tax for Knox County. In fact, he had proposed making the wheel tax $41 instead of the current $36, with the extra $5 being designated for school construction funding. An increase in the wheel tax in the future, he said, isn’t something that’s on the table.

From our school board correspondent Karen Carson

2006-03-17T12:15:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon All,

Last year the Tennessee legislators were charged with the task of creating a uniform grading scale in answer to questions about achieving a 3.0 for purposes of distributing lottery funds. As a result of this the Tennessee grading scale was established. This stipulates that an A is 93-100, B is 85-92, etc. The other thing that was changed is that AP and Honors courses were no longer considered on a 5.0 scale.

In Knox County we have acknowledged the increased difficulty of the AP and Honors courses and students were given an additional 1.0 for each AP course and 0.5 for each honors course. The state last year changed this to offering an additional 5 POINTS to the Letter Grade for AP Courses and 3 points to the letter grade for honors. For example, if a student received an 87 in an AP Biology course, his grade would be adjusted to a 92 (5 points). The impact of this is to move the student from a grade of B to a grade of B! Not really an incentive.

All of this has been the long way of letting you know that there are two Bills being considered this year that would allow us to go back to the 0.5 and 1.0 additions for these classes. I ask that you consider contacting our state representatives and letting them know you support this change. I am attaching 3 documents. The first one is a copy of the proposed Bill. The second is a copy of the letter the Board of Education is sending our state representatives. The third is a list of our representatives and their contact numbers

Please consider supporting this change. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Also, please feel free to forward this to neighbors/friends.

Thank you,

Karen Carson

Overnight car crash knocks out power for 1,000 in Farragut

2006-03-08T10:24:00.000-05:00

From WATE television news:

March 8, 2006

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- An overnight car crash in Farragut knocked out power for 1,000 LCUB customers Wednesday.

A man lost control of his car on Grigsby Chapel Road near Smith Road around 4:00 a.m. The collision totalled the car, but the driver has only minor injuries.

The car hit a 50-foot power pole which knocked out power. It took more than three hours to restore electricity to the homes.

Driving awareness program teaches students to stay safe

2006-03-07T11:48:00.000-05:00

From WBIR television news:

Recent accidents have taken the lives of five young people over the past two weeks. Tragedies that are familiar to one community. But, a program in place is encouraging drivers to be careful and it seems to be working.

Matthew Derrick doesn't remember much about his accident, but it has had lasting effects.

"I may have dozed off for just a quick second, but that's all it takes," Matthew says. He lost most of his arm in that accident two years ago.

"It's been a roller coaster ride. Up and down, up and down, up and down. I get better one week and the next week I get knocked right back down," he says.

A trying experience that he and his doctor, Diane Rourke, now use to teach others. A type of presentation that fit perfectly into Powell High School's new driving awareness program.

"Being able to present Matt at the end of the presentation, have them see him not just as a picture on the slide, but the real thing, I think brought the message home to them," Dr. Rourke says.

An important message that strikes a chord with Powell students. Starting in 1999, a series of wrecks left more than a dozen Powell students dead.

read more

Another tragic teenage car crash

2006-03-06T13:12:00.000-05:00

From WBIR television news:

Family and friends remember two teenagers killed in weekend accident

A car accident Friday night took the lives of two Lenoir City teenagers.

When 18-year-old Zachary Robinson merged on to Pellissippi Parkway from Lovell Road his Honda Prelude slid under a semi-truck. Lynsey Ford, who was 16-years-old, was a passenger in Robinson's car.

Knox County Sheriff's deputies say Robinson was speeding and alcohol was in the vehicle, but none of the containers were open.

Friends and family who knew them best say Zach and Lynsey were special people.

A friend of the two, Wende Moore, says, "They were dating, but I mean they were best friends. They just loved each other's company and just to hang out and have fun together."

read more

Lindsey loses Hamilton County bid

2006-03-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

From the Knoxville News Sentinel:

Search committee took less than 10 minutes to narrow list of candidates

By ERICKA MELLON, mellone@knews.com

March 5, 2006

CHATTANOOGA - Knox County Schools Superintendent Charles Lindsey lost his bid Saturday to become the superintendent of Hamilton County Schools.
It took the county's Superintendent Search Advisory Committee less than 10 minutes Saturday afternoon to eliminate Lindsey and two other candidates.

The reasons the candidates were eliminated is unclear. The committee members did not make any comments about the rejected candidates during a public meeting Saturday afternoon.

The committee members simply circled the names of their three favorite candidates and handed the sheets of paper to Bill Attea, a partner with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the Illinois-based firm hired to oversee the nationwide search.

read more

More from WATE television news

From our school board correspondent Karen Carson

2006-03-06T13:05:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon everyone,

Just wanted to update you on the results of the school Board
meeting on Wed. March 1st. As you are probably aware, the Board of
Ed. did approve the capital plan (it wasn't pretty!) Now this
proposed plan will be presented to the County Commission for
approval. If approved, we will then need to find land and begin
construction on a new West Knox Elementary school next year. As you
all know, that is never a quick process!

The Board also approved the first draft of the general operating
budget. We will be asking for an increase in funding to support two
new, and I think vital, programs. One will be foreign languages at
the elementary level. We are asking for 18 positions to begin this
process. If anyone has any knowledge of any innovative ways to
introduce foreign language at the elementary level utilizing today's
technology, please pass it on to me. The second new program will be
the introduction of a technology position at each of the 12 high
schools. Currently Knox County spends about 1% of its operating
budget on technology , well below state and national averages. Our
plan will be to expand this program to all schools over the next few
years.

On a separate note, I will let you all know -as soon as I
become aware of what will happen with Dr. Lindsey and the position in
Chattanooga. (though I am sure you'll hear it on the news first!)

Teens facing severe driving penalties

2006-03-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Too many teenage traffic accidents and deaths have moved the State of Tennessee to change the state’s graduated license program. Associated with this will be changes in insurance rates for those teenagers who have traffic accidents.

What can you as a parent do? First, require your child to turn off the cell phone and prohibit its use when the car is in motion.

Second, require that your child not have passengers unless they have your specific approval.

Third, let your child drive the family car or purchase them a family sedan. Save the sports car purchase for when they graduate from college.

Fourth, get involved and teach your child that tailgating and speeding reduce reaction time and cause accidents.

Fifth, make sure your child has the best driver training you can afford.

From the Knoxville News Sentinel:

By BETH RUCKER, Associated Press
March 1, 2006

NASHVILLE — Teenagers convicted of even a small number of traffic violations could face losing their driving privileges under changes to the state’s graduated license program that took effect Wednesday.

Drivers younger than 18 who accumulate three points on their driving records within a year will be required to attend a hearing with a parent or legal guardian to discuss the traffic violations. They also must take an eight-hour defensive driving course.

If the violation is severe, the license could be suspended.

Previously, a teen did not face punishment until he or she had accumulated 12 points.

"Teenage drivers must realize that driving a car is serious business," said Lt. Phil Hardin, director of the Department of Safety’s Driver Improvement Program.

The changes to the graduated program, known as Hayden’s Rule, were initiated by a Knoxville family who were victims of a February 2003 vehicle crash involving a teen driver.

Hayden Maple was born premature by emergency C-section after the teen driver crossed a double yellow line to pass another vehicle and hit Hayden’s mom, Robin Maple. Hayden, who doctors said before the crash would be a healthy baby, now suffers from daily seizures and must take more than 10 medications per day.

High drama on Turkey Creek Road

2006-03-01T10:03:00.000-05:00

I received a phone call last night about some high drama on Turkey Creek Road on Tuesday. Around 3:15 PM my friend was traveling west on Turkey Creek Road approaching the sharp turn at the end of Turkey Creek. He could see two Sheriff’s cars over at the railroad bridge where people park to go fishing. There was a white van with a ladder on top of it. The Sheriff’s helicopter was overhead circling.

In the rearview mirror three Sheriff’s cars with lights were approaching. My friend pulled over. Four more Sheriff’s cars came by. My friend backed up as the road was completely sealed now. A white man was being led up from the lake in handcuffs. Many more Sheriff’s cars and motorcycles came. My friend spoke of the precision with which this happened. At the time my friend had not heard the news so he turned on the radio and heard the story. It wasn’t until later in the evening that he learned that the van and occupants were still at large.

This is a good time to remind people how important it is to pull over and allow emergency vehicles to pass. Keep in mind that if you see one Sheriff’s patrol car or fire engine there may be more on the way. Pull over and stop.

Our community extends our thanks to the Sheriff’s department for all that was done yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Knox County Sheriff's Office Patrol Officer Cory Johnson. Your service is greatly appreciated.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputy wounded

2006-02-28T21:59:00.000-05:00

From the Knoxville News Sentinel

Search under way for deputy's assailants

By DON JACOBS, jacobs@knews.com
February 28, 2006

Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cory Johnson was wounded by a shotgun blast today while on undercover patrol in West Knox County.

Johnson, the 2003 Patrol Officer of the Year, was shot as he approached a van at Cove Park off Northshore Drive about 12:45 p.m.

Sheriff Tim Hutchison said Johnson was in an SUV with blue lights in the grill when he came upon a white van parked on an eastbound pulloff near Cove Park.

An occupant in the van apparently waved Johnson off, Hutchison said, but then the officer heard a woman scream "as if she were being held down."

About that time, a man exited the van and fired a shotgun round at Johnson, Hutchison said.

The round struck the window and driver’s door of the black SUV and at least one pellet struck Johnson in the left shoulder in the lung area, Hutchison said. The driver’s window did not shatter but sustained at least seven pellet holes, the sheriff said.

Johnson was not wearing a vest.

Johnson returned fire.

"We think he got off eight to 10 rounds," Hutchison said.

Lindsey applies for Hamilton County superintendent job

2006-02-28T07:08:00.000-05:00

What happens when communication issues cannot be resolved? Something has to give.

Have you noticed that the job of Knox County School Superintendent is a little like the job of the University of Tennessee President? It seems that it is not possible to satisfy every political nuance of the powers that be. Talk about thankless jobs. I wonder someday if the trend continues if anyone will apply for either job.

Do we do ourselves any favors by allowing this impossible atmosphere to exist where good people cannot do their jobs? A year ago many people would have been saddened by the departure of Dr. Charles Lindsey. Today there is not the same amount of support. So was this a political win for County Mayor Mike Ragsdale? Few will discuss the matter but there is some joy in Mudville tonight. There is also some sadness.

What is clear is that no one gets a gold star for playing well with others. What a poor example for the children of this community.

From the Knoxville News Sentinel:

By ERICKA MELLON, mellone@knews.com
February 28, 2006

Knox County Schools Superintendent Charles Lindsey revealed Monday he has applied for the superintendent's job in Hamilton County, but he was tight-lipped on details.

"Beyond that, it really is inappropriate for me to make any further comments," Lindsey said.

Russ Oaks, the spokesman for Knox County Schools, said further questions should be addressed to the Hamilton County school system in Chattanooga or to the Illinois-based firm handling the search: Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates Ltd.

The firm is the same one that helped bring Lindsey to Knox County in 1999.

Pat Bowers, director of communications for Hamilton County Schools, said the search firm is expected this week to give a list of the top five candidates to the district's Superintendent Search Advisory Committee.

read more

Are Knox County Schools underfunded?

2006-02-25T09:50:00.000-05:00

Since Knox County is in an election cycle it might be helpful to look at both the Knox County Schools budget and the Knox County budget.

If you have not seen either of these you may be surprised. They are both large budgets. Depending on who you listen to you will hear that these budgets are the pinnacle of financial management or exactly the opposite.

You can find the Knox County Schools budget here. You can find the Knox County budget here.

Much has been made of the wheel tax and where that money is going. This is a good question. It was sold as a tax to fund the school system but in reality over 84% of the wheel tax goes into the general Knox County budget. School board member Robert Bratton says that adjusted for inflation the school board is going backwards and receiving less money year to year. Some taxpayers say the school system receives too much money and is wasteful.

What is the real answer? Over the next few months I invite you to explore these issues here on Can Farragut Change. Candidates for School Board or County Commission may send an email to Farragut_Republican@yahoo.com if they wish to have their bio or a letter to the community posted here.

Lindsey considering Chattanooga school system

2006-02-25T09:44:00.000-05:00

From the Knoxville News Sentinel:

Monday deadline to apply for Chattanooga school post

By ERICKA MELLON, mellone@knews.com
February 25, 2006

Knox County Schools Superintendent Charles Lindsey said Friday he has been asked to apply for the open superintendent's job in Hamilton County, and he is considering it.

"I've been asked to consider the position, but I have not made any applications at all," Lindsey said in an interview Friday afternoon.

The deadline to apply for the job in Chattanooga is Monday, Lindsey said.

"I will consider it as I have other offers," he said. "It's a good school system. It would be an attractive school system for any superintendent to try their hand at."

Lindsey, who was hired in Knox County in 1999 and whose current contract runs through 2008, said he is "happy" in his job now.

"At this point I'm very happy in Knox County," Lindsey said. "We've done some great things. We've made some progress on the world-class school system template."

read more

From our school board correspondent Karen Carson

2006-02-25T09:36:00.000-05:00

School Board Notes

As you are all probably aware, the Board of Education has begun discussion on next year's capital and operating budgets for Knox County Schools. Throughout these discussions you will hear about potential cuts to student services—driver's education and foreign language at the Middle School were recently in the news. The Board has a responsibility to prepare and submit the budget to the appropriate legislative body. The Board of Education also has a primary duty to provide the opportunity for the best and most appropriate education for all children entrusted to its care. It appears that the responsibility to prepare the budget and the duty to provide for the best and most appropriate education for our children are in conflict. We need to increase our revenue and we need to look at each level of government.

At the Federal level: Four years after the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, Congress has continued a steady decline in fully funding the law, shifting a greater portion of the cost of compliance with adequate yearly progress and supplemental services to local school districts and states. Under the IDEA (Individuals With Disabilities Education Act) mandate of 1975, the federal government committed to funding 40% of the cost per pupil for special education. However, the federal government has met less than one-half of this commitment, creating a cumulative funding gap of more than $50 billion over the last four years!

At the State level: The state determines how much money it sends to a school system using the Basic Education Program (BEP) formula. The BEP funding formula is flawed and discriminatory in a number of ways. The differences in this funding formula create a funding shortfall for Knox County of $17.4 million.

At the Local level: While total dollar funding has increased, the percentage of money allocated from Knox County, for our schools, has decreased. Additionally, new residential construction has place a tremendous burden on our schools.

What can you do? Become involved. Write or call you elected officials, at all levels, and let them know your concerns about the needs in educational funding. Let's work together with our local officials to explore methods of increasing revenue. Let's fully explore "impact fees". What are the pluses and minuses of this method of creating new revenue?

At every level of government, education is recognized as "The Key" to the future of our Country. The President's State of the Union address, the Governor's State of the State address, and every candidate running for local office refer to the importance of education. It's time that we all not only "talk the talk" but also "walk the walk".

Karen Carson

School Board Representative

5th District

Tragic automobile crash in Farragut

2006-02-20T17:52:00.000-05:00

From Wate news:

Man facing charge for death in Kingston Pike crash

February 20, 2006
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- A man is facing a vehicular homicide charge after the state highway patrol says he ran a red light on Kingston Pike Sunday night, killing another man.

According to the highway patrol, 33-year-old Martin Smith was driving a Toyota Tercel when he ran the light at the Kingston Pike and Campbell Station Road intersection.

Smith hit a Geo Tracker with three people inside. Thirty-two-year-old Edward Cates was killed. A woman and her four-year-old daughter who were in the Tracker were injured.

The child, who was in a car seat, had only minor injuries.

The accident, which happened before 10:30 p.m. Sunday night, shut down part of Kingston Pike.

Martin Smith is facing a charge of vehicular homicide. He also had some injuries.

Why does this keep happening?

UPDATE:

More from the Knoxville News Sentinel