Archives 9/1/08-9/26/08
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All
the things that I have read on
here about sheriff and chief are
just a minor correct way of
putting it! Five years ago
things were not his bad at LCSD
on the other hand now it's all
out of control! Look at one
factor one detective gets bumped
out so another can have a good
seat! Oh yeah then you got the
good ole boy system work in in
our schools what do you do now,
because now the so called fine
one's (yeah right) are now
working with our children!
Everyone on here keeps saying
call the feds in well what good
will that do the chief will just
pay some money or black male the
crap out of them to keep there
mouth shut! Now that is how the
AIKENS POLICY WORKS!! The only
way to make a change is in 2010
to vote for someone else
regardless of who else runs, and
just pray that things get
better! Hopefully the new
sheriff in town will come in and
clean a little house!
The
End....9/26/08
DOES
ANY ONE HAVE A FOLLOW UP TO
7/4/O8 ? to protect and serve
are you kidding. ALSO THANK YOU
VAN I AM GLAD YOU STILL BELIEVE
IN FREE SPEECH AND TRUTH I ONLY
WISH ALL OUR COUNTY SERVANTS
DID! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER
RAG LOCAL PAPER!! WE ARE LUCKY
TO HAVE AN HONEST FAMILY IN THIS
COUNTY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
GOOD PEOPLE COME TOGETHER 9/26/08
First let me thank you for this
great site. Now everyone talks
about the stink in Lenoir City,
as in politics. Let's talk
about the raw sewage smell
coming from the treatment plant
next to Yale. This is terrible.
You should come down and have a
picnic.
Next is the red light situation
that maybe some have
noticed. Since the gas prices
have gone up I think someone has
changed the timing on some
traffic control. You have to sit
for ever, even though no traffic
is coming either direction. Is
someone that sets the light
controls also selling gasoline?
Lastly, why did people have a
hard time over Joe Sims? He
is/was a felon. I think Robert,
Tooter, Robinette is an honest
hard working individual. He
tries to treat everyone fair in
his business and I think he
would be a great asset for you
people in Lenoir City. I can't
vote there.
So in closing please get rid of
the raw sewage, set the traffic
control, and elect a mayor that
will work for you instead of
himself. Thanks again for having
this site.
Robert from Roane
County 9/26/08
The residents on Welch
Avenue in Loudon City are
being invaded with water
bugs because of the house at
1111 Welch Avenue. The
residents are having to
spray and bomb theirs houses
because no one will do
anything about the house
that is causing the problem.
Why will no one do anything?
The proper people have been
contacted including the city
building inspector and still
nothing has been done, why
does our residents have to
live with this problem and
why sould they have to spend
their money to protect their
houses when the city should
do its job and they would
not have to deal with this?
Just wondering 9/26/08
This is in response to comments
by: -they need help,
The escape of the inmate had
nothing to do with how much
money was spent on the jail for
security. The fact is that if
the officers involved had been
doing their jobs then it
wouldn't have happened. An
inmate cannot walk out of that
jail unless someone opens both a
door and a gate for them to get
out of. The controls for this
gate and door are in the control
room of the jail, which is
supposed to be monitored
at all times by an
officer and that officer is not
supposed to open the door unless
he/she knows who is at that
door/gate wanting in or out of
it. IF the
inmate was in fact in a holding
cell there would be no issue
because there would of been no
escape. And as for the LT. jail
administrator, she herself was
working one night long ago along
with the 4th in command when an
inmate escaped from the rec.
yard of the jail, yet look where
they are now, while another
officer that let an inmate walk
out of the booking room was
fired. So it really doesn't
matter what you do at the Loudon
County Sheriff Department. it is
all who you know and what
secrets you keep.
I know how this works! 9/25/08
If the state is
CRACKING down on those worthless
parents, they need to do more
than take their licensees. WOW
!! that is really going to the
extreme. I would say make them
work.... Sitting in jail is
just fine with them. free meals
and a bed and all the amenities
of home. so are we (the taxes
payers) going to keep paying for
their up keep and keep racking
up child support that WILL NEVER
GET PAID!!!!
I am owed over
ten thousand dollars for my
child so what is the problem
collecting it????????
The state is to
busy with this election crap to
care about the important
stuff...
Debbie
tell the system
to start working for the
children and not themselves...
9/25/08
I have a few questions, maybe someone can answer? Below is a quote from the newspaper article about the jail escape.
At the jail, a
corrections officer removed
Hayworth's ankle shackles and
handcuffs
after placing him in
a holding cell in the booking
room. When the officer turned
his back to check on another
inmate, Hayworth "darted behind
the officer and out he went"
through an open door, Guider
said.
If Mr. Hayworth was in a HOLDING
CELL, how could he of darted
behind the officer and escaped?
First of all, holding cells are
locked from the outside and
cannot be opened from inside,
2nd, there are cameras in the
booking room and control room,
sallyport and outside the jail,
why was no one watching the
cameras? 3rd, there is a gate
and a door that you have to go
through to get to the outside
and they have to be opened from
the control room, so how did
someone open both doors and let
a prisoner walk out and yet no
one saw him? I heard that Mr.
Hayworth was sitting in the
booking room unattended and that
one of the officers opened the
doors so the trustees could go
outside and smoke and Mr.
Hayworth just walked out the
back door. This scenerio makes
more sense than the one in the
paper. Any comments on this
from anyone?
One who knows!!!! LC TN. 9/25/08
To the ones suspended,
Better go find another job
because you know they will bend
you over. You made them look
bad. Never mind the policies or
that the fence isn't high
enough. You can't punish
metal. If you ask me it isn't
your fault and they should be
held accountable too and why was
the chief out in that area that
day, I wonder if they suspended
the new LT jail admin? Don't
think this would have happened
with sharky? But goes to show
that they didn't spend enough
money making the place more
secure, probably shaved off 2 ft
to the fence so the chief could
have better office furniture?
-they need help 9/24/08
Does anyone know why
some of our county officials are in
Las Vegas? Is this on our tax
dollars? How many officials are
there and why?
I
recently noticed those beautiful
benches they put down Broadway in
Lenoir City, who's idea do you think
it was to put them in the middle of
the sidewalk in front of the Roan
State building. It seems that if I
were in a wheelchair I would have a
lawsuit against the city if my chair
would happen to overturn while I
fell off the curb trying to get
around them, or does the City
Government care about that, the
taxpayers will pay for it I guess.
No we do not have a good choice
for mayor, but if we elect a
good city council, we can turn
some things around, I believe.
There are 3 choices for city
council and there are 8 that are
running for these positions.
The mayor has no vote and if the
city council works together,
like they should, it would
counteract a bad mayor. The
mayor is elected for 2 years.
The councilmen each serve a 4
year term. The problem we have
had in the past, is, the mayor
has listened to some very bad
advice and the council has gone
along with him. This needs to
stop! The city council is the
voice of this city. You do not
have to go along with a mayor
that has no clue. Please start
voting your true convictions and
be honest. You have made
promises to us while you were
going door to door. Stick to
what you told us when you asked
for our votes. We are going to
try and change things at city
hall by voting for you. Please
don't make fools of us by going
against everything you said you
would do when you were out there
campaigning. Remember we are
watching you during all the
important decisions you will
make and every budget you will
pass. Four years will be here
before you know it. Just do
what you promised or don't make
promises to me while you are
standing on my front porch
asking me for my vote. OK?
Thank you!
John Q Who Votes In Lenoir City
9/19/08
Just
some info for those who may be
interested.
According to the TVA website one
of their press releases said
this.
"The
FCA for the three-month period
of October through December is
slightly more than four-tenths
of a cent per kilowatt-hour, or
0.432 cents. The impact will
vary across the Valley, but
residential consumers can expect
an increase ranging from about
$3 to $6 in their monthly bills.
"
now
that is talking about the
increase we HAVE NOT gotten
yet, they are talking about
beginning in October. Now on
another page it says to figure
out what your cost should be
multiply your used kilowatt
hours by .00744. Mine comes out
to be $28.98 and thats exactly
what my bill shows. Now in
October you will have to
multiply your used kilowatt
hours by .01958 and that would
be $78.70 (I am using the same
kilowatt hours, just as an
example) That is an increase of
$49.72 NOT the $3 to $6 that
they claim. And just for the
record last year same time it
was .00094 for a whooping total
of $3.78. That is a great big
difference. That is an increase
of $74.92!!!! This is just the
TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment our
utility costs are also scheduled
to increase. I am not sure by
how much but you can bet it will
be felt. Utilities UP, Gas UP
Groceries UP, Taxes UP, I am not
certain how they expect the
working people to survive.
A Rate payer 9/19/08 To Are Van's Facts important? You’re darn tootin the facts are important. If that bothers some, you are either a part of the problem and don’t like being told on, or you are living in a different world than the rest of us. Maybe you prefer to not know. The solution is simple- don’t visit vanshaver.com and enjoy those rose colored glasses. It IS still a free country. Personally I WANT to know what is going on so I can be a part of the solution. I don’t LIKE giving my money to crooks who cheat and lie to me. I like even less that they think they can get away with it and there is nothing we can do about it. Knowledge is power. I have to think that someday if we all try, we will bring them all to justice- or at the very least elect honest people who care about doing a good job. As for Tooter- I don’t know him- or his financial status, but my mama used to say if you lay down with dogs you get fleas. If that shoe fits……….. JoAnne Turner 9.19.08 To Are Van's Facts important? I sure think they are. If someone wants my vote I want to know who they run with and who they will be taking care of. Obviously Robinett will be taking care of Aikens and Vann. I appreciate Van letting us know the facts but the sad thing is we really have no good candidate for mayor. Mad Mike 9/18/08
Has
anyone heard a peep from the DA
about the Raritygate
investigation? Does he think if
he puts this off long enough,
we'll all just forget about it?
That we'll forget about how Arp
gave away more than a hundred
thousand dollars in property tax
breaks to his buddy Mike Ross in
just the past three years?
That all us peasants will forget
how our appraisals shot up 15%
to 20% in 2005, while the big
wheels were laughing all the way
to the bank?
Not
a chance.
And
why should it take the DA more
than two months to figure out
what Van Shaver and an
investigative reporter for the
News-Sentinel were able to piece
together in just a few hours?
Can someone enlighten me?
--Just curious 9/18/08
All this pro-liquor talk
coming from someone
else whose own Loudon County
sins were successfully hid
from legal prosecution. You
make me sick. Go ahead and
move to Blount County!
I won't go into details,
luckily for your sake, but
I know that you must drink
frequently in order to drown
your memories of what it did
to the one person who
trusted you with everything.
You be sure to remember
every day, what you
did --Just so happens that I
know it is fact. I hope your
conscience eats at you
constantly day after day and
you NEVER FORGET!! If you
want to know what I'm
talking about,-- ask
her...but she'll never admit
anything!
SIGNED YES I INTEND TO BE
ANONYMOUS! 9/18/08
Van:
An excellent article about Mr.
Ross and the sneaky TRDA land
swap. For those who didn't read
it, a couple of years ago Ross
deeded land to TRDA only to have
them deed it right back to him
in order to skirt county
building code jurisdiction.
Sure, it was a dirty deal, and I
bet if you checked you might
also find it was illegal. TRDA
was set up to accept a one-time
transfer of land from TVA. I'll
bet nothing in the state
legislation authorizes them to
acquire land from private
owners. By the same token, as a
public entity, TRDA cannot sell
or give away land without
putting it out for bid. Did
TRDA request bids on the land
before deeding it back to Ross?
Of course not.
If
I'm wrong, Mr. Ross or Mr.
Hammontree, please prove me
wrong. Maybe the DA needs to add
this one to his list of Rarity
deals to investigate?
--FedUp
9/18/08
Are Van's Facts important?
Van,
I am not sure what you feel
that you are accomplishing
by bringing out a
candidate's financial status
in this election. I do not
feel that will determine how
he runs the city as our
"mayor" Just because Robert
Robinett has been in
partnership (joint
ventures), per say, with
others in the city does not
mean that he will allow that
to influence him with his
decisions. I feel that he
will do what is right for
Lenoir City. I believe that
Robert Robinett is our best
candidate for "mayor". That
does not go to say that I do
not like the other
candidates..........but I
feel that we need a change.
What business is it of yours
to publish his personal
finances......and then to
say as you have ended the
other opinions that you
have........
This
information is not in
support of any candidate or
in opposition of any
candidate. These are just
simply the facts.
If you want to give the city
the facts, that is fine.
But give to them some
information that will enable
them to see what the
candidates stand for in this
election...........and not
all of this garbage.
Anonymous 9/17/08
I'd like to know
when we are getting our new
Bridge going over the Dam to 321
? Thank God the Huge Rancher
type House that was floated down
the streets of Broadway that
held up traffic Tuesday
afternoon didn't have to be
carried over the bridge ! It'd
fell through the bridge for
sure into the river renaming it
a House on/in the Lake for
sure giving the traffic going
across the bridge a new splash
exit off the old bridge! We
Need our New Bridge!
wanderin in
Lenoir City 9/17/08
I think that this so call
concerned county, needs to focus
on the children in this county.
They are being raped, sexualy
assaulted beaten and abused.
Left alone at home, while the
so-called parents are out doing
God only knows. The children are
afraid and alone! It has been
reported and reported, but,
their cries and voices are
dismissed, like the trash of
yesterday..
help me save our future!!!!!
DJC 9/17/08
I
don't live in Tellico Village,
but I was born, raised and still
live in Loudon County and I
support the liquor stores in
Loudon County. And I think if
you would go to any liquor store
in Knox or Blount County and
watch how much money is leaving
our county, then you might stop
and think again. And a lot of
people that are opposing this in
Loudon County will still go to
Knox and Blount Counties to make
their purchase because they are
afraid they might be seen.
Stopping sales of liquor in this
county is still not going to
prevent liquor in the county.
And people from Loudon County
were purchasing liquor from
other counties long before
Tellico Village was ever thought
of being in existence.
As
long as the school systems are
in poor conditions, our local
government throwing away money
on expensive office
construction and the list can go
on, I think we need all help we
can get. So hey lets keep it
here.
Joanne Greenway 9/17/08
We
made CNN for having the most
stupid gas prices in history:
To Lu Lu To Lulu 9.13.08 You wrote the following: <<<Please tell me how to do this. I've written the governor and other state officials until my fingers are raw. I¢ve even contacted an attorney who prosecutes people misusing federal grant money. The problem is they all want proof before they investigate.>>> It can be discouraging. But the good news is that the deck is stakced against the crooks. They have to be 100% successful - which is against human nature. I'll explain why. There is a former Roane County judge currently serving federal prison time. If our local Loudon County politicians were to contact him, he would tell them two things: 1. "You must cover your tracks", and; 2. "In doing so, you must bat one-thousand. If you strike out just one time, you're finished". So, keep watching and talking about them. And keep complaining. Try talking to federal agencies instead of the state. That's who put Roane County judge Thomas Austin in prison. That's also who rounded up the gang that was running Cocke County. That's who conducted the Tennessee Waltz sting. They actually enjoy doing their job. Talking to the state may be futile. The problem you are complaining about infects the state level also. David Divelbiss Lenoir City 9/15/08 Here's the plan. Tooter gets elected as mayor. Aikens gets reelected to council and is the highest vote getter which makes him vice-mayor. Robinett resigns. Aikens becomes mayor then appoints judge Terry Vann as manager of LCUB. Good plan. Problem is, Tony nor Toorter will be elected and Terry will probably be going to jail. Better plan. YoYo 9/13/08 To Ron who said: Wake up, people. The way things are in Loudon County is NOT the way it is supposed to be. Get some backbone and demand that all the charges be investigated by FEDERAL PROSECUTORS, not a well-connected local DA with a future and family to destroy. Please tell me how to do this. I’ve written the governor and other state officials until my fingers are raw. I’ve even contacted an attorney who prosecutes people misusing federal grant money. The problem is they all want proof before they investigate. How do you get proof when records are denied or in some cases completely changed at the county clerk’s office? Lulu 9.13.08
I have to wonder if there is any
reason for those of us who had
to leave Loudon County to find
good jobs have a reason to come
back. My last few trips home
have led me to believe that
crime and drugs are rampant, law
enforcement is corrupt, and a
mafia-type element controls
politics.
Well, I could retire and come
back home to enjoy the most
beautiful place in America (and
some of the best people
anywhere), but why should I???
Do I want to be like Sheriff
Buford Pusser and walk into a
hornet's nest that everyone is
turning a blind eye and deaf ear
to?? I think not.
Wake up, people. The way things
are in Loudon County is NOT the
way it is supposed to be. Get
some backbone and demand that
all the charges be investigated
by FEDERAL PROSECUTORS, not a
well-connected local DA with a
future and family to destroy.
I've dealt with people like
these before in my professional
career and have had my life and
my family's safety
threatened....it's not funny.
DEMAND that the house be
inspected and declared clean or
dirty, but don't just let it
simmer and become even more
entrenched.
Ron 9/12/08
To Anonymous 9/11/08
Let's see. I pointed out facts
and You are accusing me of
passing judgment. This is an
issue that has confused many
people. On one hand, we are
commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Do
not judge, or you too will be
judged” (Matthew 7:1). On the
other hand, the Bible also
exhorts us to beware of
evildoers and false prophets and
to avoid those who practice all
kinds of evil. How are we to
discern who these people are if
we do not make some kind of
judgment about them?
Christians are often accused of "judging" whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses that state, "Do not judge." There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
As far as the Yankee comment. We
had to fight the Japs, the
Germans and the British, to keep
our God fearing values and this
country free and safe. Then they
moved to the US ( primarily the
north). Because they didn't like
where they lived and what their
country had become. Same holds
true with the Village. All I am
saying. If they want liquor
stores. They should have them IN
THE VILLAGE.
Just Wondering 9/12/08
To: Legal2judge
you seem to have a problem with
talking out of both sides of
your mouth, one blog you are
saying things about a law suit
that you have no idea of what
you are talking about, and all
the while condemning the sheriff
and then you are on another one
taking up for Aikens, so my
question to you is which side is
your bread buttered on? Or do
you just not have anything
better to do between the 1st and
15th of the month while waiting
on your gov't check.
just asking
Moe 9/12/08
Last year a local businessman
who is also a part time deputy
(go figure) was trying to
relocate into a larger space.
The build out bids for the
larger space were coming in
pretty high 60,000 plus. The
businessman made a call to T.
Scott Jones, T. Scott called
Tooter, Tooter called the
businessman and did the build
out for 35,000. If people in
this town don't think there's a
reason a nobody like Tooter is
running for mayor their wrong.
It's a scam Tooter is just the
face. Don't fall for the
citizens, I don't care for
Brookshire but if Tooter gets
this were all in trouble!
ABC 9/11/08
Is there a reason that
personal friends of Tony
Aikens get to have emergency
tags on their personal
vehicles? I mean why would
someone that works at Club
Tan need a E Tag, as far
as I know she nor her
husband are employed with
and emergency agency that
would require such, so is
this another perk they give
out? I mean there are some
of Chief Davis' friends that
have fulltime FOP stars on
there cars and they are no
way associated, but then
again maybe that is how he
gets them to be friends.
curious 9/11/08
I
grew up in LC and have always
appreciated that until now. I
cannot believe all the junk that
is going on. Someone needs to
get enough gumption or
intestinal fortitude to call in
the Feds and clean house.
Surely there is someone who
cares enough to get rid of all
the corruption. This sounds like
a really bad movie plot when I
read about all the things that
go on. I still have ties to the
area and could tell you a few
things that I know specifically.
The Sheriff Dept. is crooked as
a " dog's hind leg" They let
drug dealers do deals on the
street and do nothing. I know
this for a fact since I saw 3
drug deals go down while driving
around LC and when the
authorities were told, they did
nothing. They did nothing when
a druggie stole medicine from an
elderly lady and sold it.
Somebody help get this mess
cleared up. I keep praying that
God will intervene and put these
people where they need to be.
-- behind bars
A LC
9/11/08
Reply to No Thanks 9/10/08
Could we PLEASE......I am saying please leave Tony Aikens out of mix for at least one day or so. So what if T.Scott Jones was out campaigning?? I say more power to Tony....if you can afford to have friends campaign for you I say DO IT!!!
We seem to rehash ALOT on here
that is common knowledge to most
of Loudon County and beyond.
What will we have to talk about
after this election???????
Legal 2 Judge 9/11/08
Can anyone tell me why kathy
proaps has anything to do with
the school system? Her husband
is on the school board and if
she receives money from the
school system for anything then
isn't that a violation of their
nepotism policy? I know she
isn't the only one but I ask the
school board members to please
consider how unethical this is?
I know the other political
leaders of the county could care
less but we need to start clean
somewhere and it should start
with the new school board.
Don't make me regret my vote.
-Stacy 9/11/08
Just wondering 9/10/08
You are showing your lack of smarts. before you were born the British Japan,. German's called us all Yankee's. get out a 4th grade history book if you can read also if you have a bible read the part about we are all brothers not to hate each other he will judge you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I
bet you drink!!!
Anonymous 9/11/08 Did anybody else get a visit from attorney T. Scott Jones? Last Saturday Jones who has been the attorney of record for all of Tony Aikens indictments and most of the other sheriff deputies and wives who have been indicted or arrested showed up on my door step asking me to vote for Tony Aikens for city council. Go figure. A $300 an hour lawyer out campaigning for a $3 thug. I guess Jones has made a lot of money defending all the crooks at the sheriff's office. Just the fact Jones is out campaigning for him should tell you all you need to know about Aikens. Three T's in a pod. Terry, Tony, Tooter. No thanks 9/10/08
It looks like the Yankee's in
Tellico Village want liquor
stores in Lenoir City with 1425
signatures. They moved here,
because they didn't like it up
North with all the crime and
problems these kind of things
bring about. I say move back, or
keep it in the Village!
Just Wondering. 9/10/08
Let's see...our D.A.G. is a crook, our county mayor is a crook, our Lenoir City mayor is a crook, the L.C.U.B. manager is a crook, the city judge is a crook, the sheriff and chief deputy are crooks, most of the developers are crooks...no wonder our county is in the shape it's in! They use our county, our city, and our tax dollars for their own personnel use! Our county is being used as the crook's playground. Too bad there is not a single honest and upstanding citizen that is running for Lenoir City mayor. And the crimes against the citizens continue... Tiny 9/9/08 John, you've got my vote. That's one. I'm ready for change. Darla 9/6/08
Zeb: 9/5/08
Thank you for your input. In
fact, thank you for presenting
the perfect argument in my
favor. If I have offended anyone
in my challenge to make a
change, then my point came
across loud and clear. The power
of the voter is proven at the
polls and I look forward to
seeing you there.
You also make another powerful point in my favor. You are correct in your assessment that I have not been in the community long. ( five years to be exact.). The irony of this fact is that the issue that presents itself as my biggest hurdle ( Not being from Loudon Co. and connected to the "Good Ol' Boy" network) seems to be the very thing that all of you want change in. From a political agenda standpoint, don't expect me to "Blow Smoke" and stroke egos with idle commitment of what great things I'm going to do as a Councilman. I want all of YOU to tell ME what is is that you expect from me as an elected official. I'm working for YOU. In Closing, the abrasive nature of my original blog was intended to jump start these discussions. Now that the motor is running, I invite each and everyone of you to contact me via email at jwaliga@qmwkx.com or by phone at 389-2168. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss your concerns.
Jon Waliga 9/6/08
Early voting starts Oct. 15th. I
urge everyone to get out to the
polls and make this a record
turn-out. I am planning on
setting up a campaign booth at
the Oct.11th street festival
downtown. I invite everyone to
stop by, ask questions, voice
concerns, or just say hi.
Jon Waliga
Candidate for Lenoir City
Council 9/5/08
In
response to Mr. Waliga:
9/3/08
Your post confuses me. All in one breath you seem to be asking readers to vote for you and the other "new faces" running for Council; then you start psychoanalyzing and insulting the very people whose votes you need to get elected. ("Living with constant hatred and blame is nothing more than an excuse for not holding yourselves accountable for what you don't like about your life. ...stop sitting around complaining, sending useless blogs, and feeling sorry for yourselves. ..." etc...). Real smart.
I'm
sure you're a fine person, and
might even make a fine
councilman, but with that kind
of political acumen, I suspect
your political future just ended
before it even started.
Some
may wonder what kind of shape
this city and county would be in
without vanshaver.com and all of
us "complaining...useless"
bloggers. Let me clue you...it
would be in a heckuva bigger
mess than it is now. Who else is
going to shine the spotlight
into the dark, shadowy corners
and smoke-filled rooms of local
government?
Those of us who have lived here
most, if not all, of our lives
and love this community are sick
to death of the corruption, the
political favoritism, and the
good ol' boy network that tries
to run everything. If you can't
relate to that, you either
haven't been here very long,
haven't been paying attention,
or simply don't care. Many of us
have felt disenfranchised for
years -- and with good reason --
and this medium gives us a voice
that helps level the playing
field just a tad. If that
offends your sensibilities, may
I suggest you go buy yourself an
overpriced ad in the Newsless
Herald and express your elitist
opinions there, not here.
--Zeb
9/5/08
I cannot help but
think that Arp is up to his old
tricks- getting sick as he did with
the public records case, to avoid
answering to his dirty deeds. If he
thinks he is going to find sympathy
here, he had better think again.
This time I want PROOF that he
really IS sick, and I suggest that
DAG Johnson demand the same. Living with constant hatred and blame is nothing more than an excuse for not holding yourselves accountable for what you don't like about your life. There are five new faces running for the City Council seats in the upcoming Nov. 4th election. This is YOUR time to "Man-Up" and change what you don't like about our city government, or, you can continue to sit around complaining, sending useless blogs, and feeling sorry for yourselves. Every single vote is an opportunity to enhance the future of our community, so, hit the polls hard this November.
Jon Waliga
Candidate For Lenoir City
Council 9/3/08
I
appreciate your comments. I
don't want Van's blog becoming
the Chapman only site, but I
would like to reply. I believe
there are things going on in
the offices of all elected
officials that we would at one
time or another disagree with.
I have spoken to the Sheriff &
Chief Aikens about things I have
heard concerning their
department that I disagree
with. I work with them on a
professional basis, but I spoke
as a voting citizen. I have
done so with other officials,
from the County Mayor on down.
That & vote is about all I can
do.
Regarding Jake-my belief is that
we enter this world with a
pre-determined by God amount of
days to live. I believe also
that our environment & personal
choices influence how we
leave-we can shorten our days.
God chose when to take Jake.,
but the Lenoir City political
arena set the scenario. God
chose the time & place because
He knew Jake couldn't take any
more suffering. God is always in
control, but He did not cause
Jake to die. If that were so,
defense attorneys wouldn't need
much court time. God did it-not
my innocent client! I will not
discuss religion or actual
politics any further than that.
Nothing would make me happier
than to know Joe Sims had
changed, as long as he cannot
forget what he caused. My
personal belief is that he, nor
any other convicted felon, who
abuse public trust for personal
gain should ever be allowed to
hold public office again. I do
not hate Joe Sims. I cannot
forgive & forget though I have
somewhat mellowed. I still find
his actions despicable & do not
want him or anyone else to be in
position to abuse public trust
again, just because he can.
Cissy Chapman 9/3/08
Thank you, Wayne K, for your
compassionate thoughts
concerning Jake. Jake's
illnesses, for the last few
months he was with LCPD, did
keep him out of work & we
certainly appreciated the
concern & donations of sick time
from the department. However,
let me share some information on
Jake's medical condition. The
last year or so of his life Jake
had diminished immune system
which was due to not eating
right, he couldn't sleep-all
cause by the stress & pressure
from the political scene at
work. He suffered from very
severe migraines and several
bouts with pneumonia &
bronchitis. He went through all
the allergy & environment test.
Doctors ruled them stress
related; one doctor diagnosed
cluster headaches-another form
of migraine. I can recall
him attending appointments with
at least 4 different
neurologists, 1-cardiologist, a
rheumatologist, an orthopedist
and even a psychologist. We
spent several days at Duke
Medical in Raleigh-Durhan, NC
for evaluation. Every doctor's
opinion basically boiled down to
stress related illness. The
first time he was Chief, the
stress was virtually
nonexistent. When Joe Sims &
his followers Don Pace, Buddy
Hines & others ganged up &
decided to take control of City
Hall everything changed. But
not overnight.
The
intimidated through & to the
department was horrendous.
Questioning every action Jake
took-even though it was
procedure. Outrageous
complaints that never even
occurred. This went on
constantly- all in an effort to
make him leave. The same
tactics applied to the other 2
department heads they tried to
fire. As you know John R.
Johnson was fired as street
dept. supervisor, but David
Denton survived for a time as
Fire Chief. I totally agree
that the City needed a chief who
was able to work everyday. Had
they left him alone he would
have. But the other 2 were not
sick-they were doing their jobs,
but they still fired 1 & made
them all suffer, too. And only
for their own political agenda.
Jake was a fighter-but they
literally beat him down. Jake
was a good, honest, Christian
man, but like all of us far from
perfect. It still upsets me when
I think of how they broke his
spirit & how he
suffered-physically &
emotionally. I want them to get
a visual image of what I saw &
experienced. Jake
standing-propping himself in the
corner of a darkened bedroom,
crying in pain from a headache
with no relief-having just
thrown his guts up-not
questioning why, but asking God
for relief.. He got his
relief. But Joe Sims & cronies
put him & others through hell.
Just for their precious
politics. It was so important to
show the people who elected them
"I can & I will, no matter the
cost". Joe Sims does not deserve
his citizenship rights restored
ever. It would take a lot of
foolish voters to ever elect him
to another office where he could
do this again. I
, too, have no political agenda,
but common sense says this
shouldn't happen again.
Again, thank you for your
concern. I appreciate it more
than you know.
Cissy Chapman 9/3/08
TO
LOST & FOUND:
I'm
very aware Jake was working as a
corrections officer for Sheriff
Guider when Jake died. I was
about 5 months after he was
fired by the Sims regime.Jake
was still being treated for his
severe migraines & had no where
near recovered from being fired
for no legitimate reason.
I'll
always blame Joe Sims for the
way he treated everyone he tried
to fire at the same time. It was
unfounded & uncalled for. He
should never be placed in a
position to do that again to
someone else.
Thanks so much for your
interest, but I have quite a
full life. I now have a
beautiful grandson, also named
Jake.
I
have known you for many, many
years & always tried to get
along with you & your family.
You have often sought me out in
difficult situations & to answer
questions. Since you left your
job, does that me you & yours
has more time to devote to
investigating your "hidden
valley" interests????
Sissy Chapman 9/3/08 I would like to know why the same thing is printed on your site day after day? i used to read it all the time but lately, it's the same old thing. a friend of mine had a wreck on tellico parkway. they both went to ut with broken backs. one of them may never walk again. you did'nt print it. she had no seat belt on. i think that could be a lesson to others about being safe in a car. about the politics in this county, you people dont stop to think that the "powers that be" are the same now as they were 25 years ago. get over it!!!!! and why dont you show us some pics of the dead beat parents that refuse to pay their child support?? print something that matters to "the people" thank you, sha
sherri 9/3/08
Ms. Chapman, please accept my post in the spirit intended. I knew and counted your late husband a friend. No doubt the loss of his job and the political implications may very well have contributed to his untimely death through stress. But as you and I and others remember very well, Jake was a sick man. We all tried so hard to get him to seek more professional care for his intense illness usually attributed to severe migraines. But for what ever reason he seemed to feel he could handle it. Unfortunately in hindsight, his condition was far more critical than any of us realized. His illness caused him to out of work a lot. If you will recall, a number of city employees even donated their sick time to him to help him out. The decisions of the council at the time may very well have had some political motives but the truth of the matter was, the city needed a chief of police that could be on duty. Was it fair for the council to fire him while he was sick? Probably not. But what else could they do? How long could they continue to have the office vacant? I have no political agenda. I no longer live in Loudon County. I just wanted to say to you, you did all you could do. Even had Jake gotten a higher level of medical attention the outcome may have been the same. I continue to think of you and your family often. Wayne K 9/2/08
In response
to Mrs. Chapman,
i dont know how many of
you know cissy chapman but i do
know her and have for a long
time. she is saying that joe
sims caused her husband to have
a stroke and die. who do you
think jake was working for when
he died. it sure was not joe
sims. he was working for TIM
GUIDER AND KING TUT ( AIKENS )
IN THE JAIL. CISSY YOU KNOW
THAT JAKE WORKED FOR THEM AT
LEAST 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR AFTER
HE LEFT THE CITY. SO YOU TELL
US HOW JOE SIMS CAUSED HIM TO
HAVE A STROKE!!!!!
joe
sims has paid his dues. HAVE
YOU CISSY?
NOW
THE PEOPLE KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT
THAT CISSY. IT WAS GUIDER AND
KING TUT. NOT JOE...
GET
A LIFE CISSY!!!!!!!!
more
later,
lost
and found 9/2/08
In response to Mrs. Chapman,
Thank you for posting your
information, we all need to know
as much as we can, obviously
this was written before he was
removed from the ballot. I
thank you for the service you
provide to the county and i am
glad we can give our opinions
about people but I feel that I
must respond .
If you think Joe Sims was bad
then you apparently have been in
the dark as to the chief that
works there and his employee the
sheriff. I know things that have
happened that doesn't even hold
a candle to gambling or payoffs.
I know you would feel some
hatred to him for blaming the
death of your husband on him but
we are taught, well some of us,
that God has that control no one
here on earth can take someone
home. The current Lenoir city
administration is run in a
similar way as to how you
described it back then. Those
as dept heads are there because
someone wanted them there not
because they are qualified.
Politics is such and it is going
to take a genuine person to go
in there and clean it up. I
know not when that will happen
but I know Joe has changed his
life from those days, he has
learned his lesson and is
remorseful for what has
happened, but we cannot change
the past, only look into the
future. I personally hope to
see him clear his name and run
for county mayor in 2010.
-a close friend 9/1/08
All
of you need to go buy gas.
They
are evacuating the oil platforms
in the ocean, and shutting down
some of the refineries near New
Orleans. You all remember what
happened last time, and the
prices still have not gone down.
-Shawn 9/1/08
I have several
questions to pose to Cissy
Chapman and others who are the
powers that be.......And Cissy
you are "A POWER THAT
BE"...whether or not you will
admit to it is a totally
different story!! I know you
want everyone to think that you
are a regular citizen...and that
is GREAT! But several of us that
KNOW you know different...or
have to do any business with you
on a regular basis.
I completely
understand the stance that she
is taking against Joe
Sims....But I would like to know
have you EVER said....."Well,
Because I can...." You need to
think REALLY hard about your
answer. You seem too quick to
judge others that will test
you....or go up against you
might be a better phrase.
The Dark Clouds
that haunt this county start at
the Justice Center and seems to
be like a vortex that just sucks
anything into its path....That
means good people too!!
It seems to me if
you and any other people in the
POWER that BE positions, that
don't like what is going on
would start by leading by
example. "Lead and they will
follow!!"
Or Maybe our town
needs to think about this old
saying......."A true test of
character in a person...is what
that person does when they think
no one is looking." I believe
this has become some of the
politicians motto!!!!!!!
I believe that
people go into political office
to change things.....but somehow
get side tracked on the way!!!
My last question
for Cissy and any others
.....Are your hands as clean as
you think?? You have never used
a position of power to gain or
get even with anyone?? Think
hard before you answer. Because
I know the answers!!!!!!
Signed
Legal 2 Judge
9/1/08
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