In what I'd say was a pretty classy
move (I suppose some folks would say it was a political move, but
whatever), Knox County Commissioner Brad Anders suggested that the
board nominate all six or seven (I lost count there) of the
applicants who showed up last week to interview for the final spot on
the county's Ethics Committee.
Then Knox County Chairman Tony Norman
pointed out that “someone in the audience” can also submit a
nomination.
All this, obviously, was in far contrast to the Oct. 10 Ethics Committee meeting in which the panel reappointed two of its members and – according to commissioners and some folks – gave little consideration to the other 23 applicants.
All this, obviously, was in far contrast to the Oct. 10 Ethics Committee meeting in which the panel reappointed two of its members and – according to commissioners and some folks – gave little consideration to the other 23 applicants.
In the end, Ken Gross – click right smack here for his credentials – got the gig. It's a partial term
that expires next Halloween. (Seriously.)
According to his resume, Gross has some
governmental experience. In August, Gov. Big Bill Haslam picked him
to serve a three-year term as the East Tennessee Commissioner on the
State of Tennessee Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission
in Nashville (talk about a mouthful of a title).
He's also done some other stuff. Again,
just click here.
Now, with that said, all this could be moot anyway. The commission today also agreed that during next month's work session it will probably appoint a subcommittee to look into overhauling the 9-member panel.
Now, with that said, all this could be moot anyway. The commission today also agreed that during next month's work session it will probably appoint a subcommittee to look into overhauling the 9-member panel.
I wrote about it the other day.
Stay tuned.
I suppose.
Wasn't Homer Simpson employed in occupational safety too?
ReplyDeleteI don't know the guy. I just thought it was funny. I mean, he really is suited more for HR or plant safety or something like that, though to be fair the Ethics Commission really isn't a difficult job.
For the right people, anyway.
hahahaha. true.
ReplyDeleteit's possible he got it because he was the only one who showed up today (not that any of them needed to since the interviews were done last week)
Ken's job involves regulation, rules, codes of behavior (safety vs. ethics), and I'm sure OSHA rules have a lot of 'grey area' issues of discussion. I think he's certainly a qualified pick.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the special committee will just look at overhauling the membership rules and terms, not the Ethics Committee itself (e.g., standing members). Such wording just feeds the trolls.
(Even if Amy would like to see it disbanded and reformed with new members, putting it in the hands of an outside group, that's unlikely to happen).