Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Town Hall Session on Knox County Government, Ethics & Oxymorons OK, the headline is a cheap shot. It's just that the title of this event next Tuesday reminded me of one of the worst headlines to sit atop one of my stories in The Hartford Courant. The city's mayor at the time, the late George A. Athanson, had a tradition of composing -- and giving a dramatic reading of -- a New Year's Day poem about the closing year's events. The only time I was sent to cover this "photo-op" I had fun writing about the marriage licenses and dog licenses available downstairs at City Hall, and the poetic license available on the second floor... Having been an English major once, I also mentioned the mayor's use of the (thunderous silence) contradictory literary device called an oxymoron. The story ran with a staff photographer's shot of his honor making an extravagantly comic face while reading his poem.. Above it was this headline: "Oxymoronic Mayor." I didn't look forward to my next meeting with Mr. Athanson, but he had a sense of humor about it. Back to Knoxville... and what (seriously) looks like a good meeting to attend next week. Alas, classes will be over by Tuesday, so we can't send a legion of journalism students to cover the event described in this colorful e-mail announcement provided by Dorothy Bowles of the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists: Knox County Government and Ethics: an oxymoron? May 1, 2007 7 p.m. East Tennessee History Center Auditorium 610 S. Gay St.-- across from the Tennessee Theatre Free parking available at the Locust St. and State St. Garages For more information, email eleedwards@aol.com or phone 457-5459 Months ago, headlines proclaimed that a dozen Knox County commissioners and heads of county departments were term-limited and could no longer hold their seats. Their positions were filled -- but not without controversy, name-calling and a lawsuit. What happened and where do we go from here? Join a discussion sponsored by the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists on how to move from conflict to consensus. Five officials and community activists will present their ideas on how to get from the dysfunction of the last few months, prompted by the election of County Commission members and other officials, to an orderly, people-centered process of government. We promise a panel you won't want to miss. The public is invited and very welcome at our open meeting, so invite your friends and potential candidates for the discussion. We hope that audience members will become primary discussants!! Moderator - John Becker, WBIR-TV News Anchor From the Ethics Commission: Rev. Ron Stewart, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, and Mike Hammond, county commissioner and vice president of Citadel Radio From Public Trust PAC: David Moon, secretary-treasurer, head of Moon Capital Management and financial columnist with the News Sentinel From Reforming Knox County Government: John Schmid, former Knox County Commissioner and Tom Salter, former county commission candidate and executive director of Keep Knoxville Beautiful May 1, 2007 7:00 p.m. East Tennessee History Center Auditorium 610 S. Gay St. across from the Tennessee Theatre Free parking available at the Locust St. and State St. Garages For more information, email eleedwards@aol.com or phone 457-5459 8:37:27 PM    comment []

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