Group forms to shape Knox Co. government as citizens see it

Group forms to shape Knox Co. government as citizens see it

April 27, 2007

By AMELIA DANIELS
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- After controversial appointments put 12 new office holders in Knox County government, more than 60 citizens are joining together to help create a better local government.

The group is called "Knox County - One Question." Through a series of public meetings, they hope to answer this question:  

"What changes, if any, do the citizens want to make to the form or structure of government in Knox County?" 

From term limited constitutional officers to the backroom deals that plagued the appointment process, that was then and this is now.  

"It was an awakening! It was a shock that caused the people to say, Hey look, I want to become involved," says steering committee member, Larry Mauldin.

University of Tennessee President Emeritus Dr. Joe Johnson is leading the group. "It's important we have a diverse group representing the entire community. Not just a group of folks from West Knoxville or North Knoxville or wherever."

Researchers from UT's Howard H. Baker Center For Public Policy will assist.

The center's director, Alan Lowe, says researchers will first take a snapshot of Knox County. "It's looking at how government is structured right now in Knoxville, Knox County and Farragut. So, we're asking, How are government services provided to citizens here right now?"

Lowe says he's excited the Howard Baker Center is part of the movement. "We have a great interest in how local government works."

The researchers will also examine other local governments around the nation to see what works best.

"We also talk on a more general level about civic awareness and civic engagement of all citizens at all levels of government, so this is really basic to our mission," Lowe says. 

Former Knox County Commissioner John Schmid says of the group, "It's a grass roots deal. And I think it's an opportunity for the public to turn what has been a negative these past couple months in our county government into a good positive." 

As a term-limited county commissioner, Schmid saw petty politics rear its ugly head first-hand.

6 News' cameras rolled on January 31, when Schmid confronted his newly appointed replacement, Richard Cate, as Cate attempted to be sworn in early in a backroom. Schmid said it was typical of the backward way Knox County government operated. 

Schmid said Friday, "There is a window of opportunity here definitely because of the decision, because of the county commission meeting in January that provides people an incentive to get out and say, Here's what I would like to see happen in my county government." 

Johnson agrees and says, "I don't think there's any question that the whole matter of term limits and that sort of thing heightened some interest in some sectors."

They're hoping to parlay the interest into a dialogue at their public input sessions:

Monday, May 14 
7:00 p.m.
Halls High School 

Tuesday, May 15
7:00 p.m.
Bearden High School

Thursday, May 17
7:00 p.m.
Carter High School

Monday, May 21
7:00 p.m.
South Doyle Middle School

Tuesday, May 22
7:00 p.m.
Fulton High School

Steering committee member Lynn Fugate will moderate the input sessions. She says she's hoping for a large turn-out at each event.

The goal is to break into small groups so everyone's ideas can be heard. Steering committee members will facilitate. 

"We're walking a fine line. We don't want people to turn their frustration inward, rather have an outlet for it, but in a positive way," Schmid says. 

Results from the idea gathering and the research will be presented to the community for further reaction in August.

The steering committee will develop conclusions from the process and recommend next steps to the public consistent with those conclusions.

"The only agenda of the group is to be able to get people's input and to think about what the future holds," Lowe says.