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If the Divelbiss story is true and I'm sure it is, then Matt Brookshire and Dale Hurst should resign. I have no big issue with Maggie Hunt. I'm sure she didn't send the email to the wrong person on purpose but for Brookshire and Hurst to ignore it or worse just try to cover it up puts them on a whole different level. They may have committed a crime by keeping it a secret. This is just one more example of the mayor's incompetence. Recipient of a letter. 5/8/08
I
can't believe how the city is so
hypocritical.
Ok
Matt, time to act and act fast.
Who is going to lose their job
over this? It better be someone
because this is a BIG TIME screw
up much worse than abusing city
property or the like. For all
the past employees and current
employees who have been jacked
by your staff I feel we deserved
the same punishment. FIRE
SOMEONE or don't get reelected,
huh like you would anyway!
-Really Ticked 5-8-08
About the Dave
Divelbiss story concerning Lenoir
City's failure to fess up to the
private information leak: I would
like to remind everybody that this
is a perfect example of why Maggie's
position should REMAIN an elected
position (after all, THEY appointed
someone who has trouble sending an
email.) It also explains why Terry
Vann wanted Debbie Cook gone- all
sorts of mayhem can happen and no
one would be the wiser. I am sure
that if Debbie had made such a
mistake, she would have rectified
the situation immediately. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD
BE A INTERESTING TOPIC..
Your
right on the money just
wondering , I was told by the
general manager 14 years ago I
was more than able to do the
job but his hands were tied. I
also talked to seven employee's
said your same words. About the
school's that need $$ Get Hedlee
to sell the property on 321.He
did it make him fix it. Don't
make tax payer's pay for BOE
mistakes. Also I see at least 9
gov cars sitting at their homes.
and they want a wheel and
increase property tax?
PLEASE!!!!!
LETS START VOTING PEOPLE!!! 5/5/08
Has
anyone ever noticed the hiring
practices of Loudon utilities is
a joke? If your DAD
doesn't work there, you dont
DRINK
everyday with a present
employee, you don't have a
FAMILY MEMBER on
the board or go to "THERE"
church your out of luck. Just
wish more people would open
there eyes and just look at who
is getting the jobs they would
see how L LOUDON GOVERNMENT is
being ran.
JUST
WONDERING 5/4/08
Would everyone quit whining
about why someone was low balled
or high balled in the director
search. I think if someone
picked Mickey Mouse as the
candidate there would be some
idiot that would complain their
person wasn't picked and try to
analyze the reason they weren't
picked and try to make someone
look bad. But hey, that's
politics right?
Mickey mouse politics that is.
-Goofy 5-3-08
Your article "Hocus
Pocus" just reaffirms my belief that
Lenoir City officials are about as
loony as they come- especially Judge
Terry Vann. It has always been
apparent that they think of us as
"dumb hillbillies", but to think we
are dumb enough to swallow this
latest makes me wonder about their
visions of grandeur. What is next?
Maybe he will try to convince us he
is the second coming next? In my
opinion Brookshire, Vann, Littleton
and Nelson all ought to be carted
off to the loony bin!
Amen
to "From the inside looking out:
!!!!!
4/12/08
Anonymous 5/2/08 In regards
to OLD SCHOOL 3/6/08, Does anyone know why
Wayne Honeycutt left the Roane
County school system to go to
Illinois in the first place? Seems
like someone should have checked
that out before hiring him........ The following
comment is in regards to Joe Webb's
story "A Word on the School Board
Election"
It is very disturbing to see the
number of local professionals
out drinking and such in front
of our children. Is there not a
written policy that states that
Teachers and other education
officials cannot conduct in such
a matter. What are we to tell
our children about this? I
think maybe our morals in this
county are a little too lax in
every area not just one
department.
Just Wondering about such. 4/26/08 The reason Jimmy Davis got thumped and the others did not is simple. Davis is not covered under the Sheriff's Merit Board System and the others are. Davis can't appeal his demotion to the Merit Board. Besides he is on his way out. Wackenhut is it? This is the way it works at the ol LCSD. As long as you follow the leader nose to butt, you're in. Remove nose from butt, your out. 999 4/24/08
William: Comparing the Misty
Cosner case to the Callie Rogers
Elder Davis case is like apples
and oranges. As far as I know,
this is the first time Misty
Cosner has ever had a "run-in"
with the law. This can not be
said for Davis. She has had
several incidents with law
enforcement in the past. Mr.
Davis knew all about his wife
and her "run-ins" when he
married her. He knew who
protected her and how her
illegal activities were covered
up or just plain disappeared at
the LCSD. Maybe, just maybe,
this is why he was
demoted. Maybe, he was warned
and just didn't take the advice
given to him. No one knows the
answer to this, but Mr. Davis.
Let's just sit back and see what
our DA does now.
BINGO 4/24/08
To William,
The answer to your question is
simple. Get a copy of the
county policy manual and you
will see on the first page at
the bottom, it says the county
reserves the right to apply
these policies or not to
situations they deem
applicable. I am not quoting
exactly but it is something like
this and the general idea is
they can apply their policies to
one person but not the other. It
also says there is no standard
of punishment. You can be wrote
up for coming to work late and
then the next person fired.
There is no scale to which they
can be held to. They decide
what punishment you get and in
what order. Just ask around and
you will see how easily one
person can get written up and
another just a verbal warning.
Now what do you think about them
apples?
-Chips and Salsa 4/24/08
I would like to know what the
Cosner woman did to this
helpless child to cause those
injuries? If its what I'm
thinking ,,, may GOD help her
Anonymous 4/24/08 If Misty Cosner pleads guilty of something, does her husband get demoted like Davis? If no why not? How can different policies apply to different people? Sheriff Tim Guider, we are watching to see what you will do. Election 2010 will be here soon enough. William 4/23/08
I
notice that often times, the
stuff on the blog is depressing
or angering. I would like to do
something different and share a
positive thing. I'd like to
start out by saying that except
for being a customer, I have no
relationship to any of the
parties or businesses involved.
Until auto zone came to town, I
was forced to drive out of
county for parts. I can't afford
NAPA prices, and a string of
problems with advance got me to
the point that I refused to ever
deal with them again. (And, its'
not just me, I know several
others who feel the same way.)
So,
I have had a broken wrench
laying in my vehicle for a few
months now. Its' supposed to be
a "lifetime guarantee" thing,
but I bought it on sale as part
of a kit, and I didn't spend
much to start with. As a result,
it hasn't been a priority.
Today (Tuesday the 22nd), I
needed to get a part, so I took
the wrench to auto zone,
forgetting I bought it from
advance. They immediately
recognized that it wasn't one of
theirs, and told me it was from
advance. I started looking for a
garbage can, because I would
rather throw it away then go
down there and exchange it for a
(maybe) free new one. This is
when one of the store managers
stepped in and offered me one of
theirs as a replacement.
Seriously.
They
honored another store's
guarantee, when the item was
obviously of poor quality to
begin with.
I am
NOT saying go dig all your stuff
out from where ever to go to
Autozone in Lenoir City, because
I am certain they'll have to
draw a line somewhere. But I am
saying that I have their
customer card, I buy things
there once a month, and they
valued and respected me enough
even as a low end customer to
fix a problem I had with
another companies' product to
keep me from having to deal with
them. THAT is customer service,
and I wanted everyone to hear
that they did right by me. Which
is becoming increasingly scarce
in this day and age. No arguing,
no reading of fine print, no
"Sorry, that's all we can do."
They saw a problem that wasn't
even theirs, and they fixed it
because I am a customer.
They
maintain this level of service,
I will be a staunch supporter of
theirs until they carry
spacecraft parts and I am too
old to turn a wrench anymore.
lol
Satisfied Customer 4/23/08 Is there anybody who doesn't really know why Mayor Brookshire, Judge Terry Vann and some of the councilmen want control of the treasurer's office? Just in case some of you don't know, let me tell you. They want control of the money. As long as the treasurer is elected they can't tell them what to do. But if the council appoints the treasurer they can also fire the treasurer if they don't do what they tell them to do. It's just that simple. That's why they ran Debbie Cook off. They couldn't tell her what to do and she wouldn't kiss their butts. Now they are afraid they might get somebody else elected who wouldn't kiss their butts. The voters better wake up and
smell the roses. If that bunch of
crooks gets control of the money,
it's all over for Lenoir City. Vote no on any charter change.
Small Town Politics
Politics are everywhere and they influence just about everything. I do not know how many people are aware that recently LCUB was working on their union contract. While the union did choose a committee to do their negotiations, they did not choose to be railroaded by the very employees they chose. Having a General Manager who's son in-law is the Mayor is like swimming up stream, you can do it, but it is hard to say the least. Fred Nelson wanted the contract signed with no questions ask and that is what he got .The men as a whole did not agree on the contract in fact several of the men went to different council members and ask them not to sign off on the contract. There was at least 4 council members who agreed not to sign off on it or they lead a lot of men to believe they would not sign off on it. The day of the meeting with council, word was passed along at the utilities Fred Nelson said, the employees who show up at the meeting will be dealt with, please tell me how anyone can dictate who can and can not come to an open public meeting! Now, the reason the majority of LCUB employee's did not want the contract signed is because it gave the lineman a substantial raise over the next three years and thumbed it's nose at everyone else (Fred Nelson's other son in-law is a lineman). Understand, no one, wanted to take anything from the lineman, they just wanted a cost of living raise also. Gas, groceries, and utilities went up for everyone, not just the lineman. Fred Nelson had the audacity to compare the lineman with the soldiers fighting on the front line in Iraq and he minimize the National Guards involvement also. There was only one council member who voted against the contract and that was Tony Akins, I am sure it was because his nephew works in the gas and water department, but he gave his word and kept it. I know of one council member who use to work in collection and had this happened when he was employed at LCUB he would have cussed and shouted to high heavens. This council member also has a daughter that will be working down there before to long, that is the reason he sided with Fred Nelson. The citizens of Lenoir City are already paying his son and daughter in-laws wages. I know this letter will not change anyone or anything, but I want people to pause and think next election, do we want the same old people making decision for us? Just because someone has done something for more years than I like to think about does not mean they are the best person for the job. Get people in there that do not want their whole family's to work for the city, and do not owe any favors, someone who will listen to the people. I think it should be part of the charter of the city that no top officials should be related by blood or marriage, and no one official should serve more than TWO terms of office!!! Not happy 4/21/08 I just read in the scandal sheet a long press release from district attorney Russ Johnson how he has got caught up on all the cases left over from the last DA. Well I guess it is a lot easier to get through the cases when he cuts deals and reduces charges of a lot of the well known people who go through the court. He shouldn't be blowing his own horn too loud. Marketha Plumb 4/21/08 To One TICKED off Parent! 4/17/08, Let me guess, your child is one of those who is already a great ball player. Come on, there just kids. If they have any talent for the game it will come. Let them be kids and enjoy themselves. Been there done that 4/18/08
Do you know there was a slave
graveyard in the Eldridge farm?
I heard the development had to
move the bodies but where?
Maybe you can look into this and
find out. It was somewhere
across the rd from summit
medical or down from it behind
adesa.
Aren't or shouldn't things like
that be on a historical
register? And what is left in
this county from those days that
need to be on the register.
The bandit 4/18/08
Absolutely, police officers should be held to a higher standard of honesty and morality than the average Joe. In fact I think they take an oath to do so. These are the people who we must be able to trust. For instance, every time I read about certain officers making arrests or doing investigations I can't help but wonder it the arrest/investigation is legitimate or maybe another motive. That's just human nature. Credibility is everything and when it is lost, it's gone forever. Honesty first 4/16/08
If
know one has noticed that Parks
& Rec in Loudon is a joke! If
you have a kid that is playing
tee-ball you know what I mean!
They are learning nothing!!!
When you sign up to play ball
you think ok you keep score,
your called out, etc. But wait
your so wrong! They don't keep
score they don't have umpires
and better yet they cant even
play on the dirt they have to
play in the grass! Come on its a
joke I could play ball like that
in my own yard and teach them
more than that! Mark Harrell
better get his act together and
let these kids play true
tee-ball, because they are not
doing our kids any good! Thank
God SWEETWATER has a true Parks&
Rec not a joke of one! I am glad
that are tax dollars paid for
nice ball fields that are kids
can't even play on, maybe they
need to build one made out of
rubber & padding then maybe they
could play some ball.
One
TICKED off Parent! 4/17/08
To Brad
The District Attorney General
has the authority to ask the
Director of the TBI for
assistance to investigate an
alleged crime in his District.
Between September 1, 1998 and
September 1, 2006, I exercised
this authority fairly frequently
when I felt that more likely
than not a crime had been
committed and the allegations
were such that the resources of
the TBI were required.
In some instances, at the
request of a Chief of Police or
a Sheriff, I requested the TBI
to conduct an investigation of
that Chief or
Sheriff's department or
employee because the Chief or
Sheriff felt that an internal
investigation of wrong-doing
would look too cozy. That
procedure provided necessary
independence of the
investigation and was good
practice.
The TBI can, without the request
of the District Attorney
General, conduct criminal
investigations pertaining to
fugitives from justice, offenses
involving corruption or official
misconduct, organized crime and
a couple of other
instances. Acting without a DA's
request is not the rule and as a
practical matter doesn't happen
very often at least in my
experience. The results of the
investigation are presented to
the DA.
Drug investigations are a
separate matter.
Bear in mind too that the agents
often have worked with the
agencies. When an agency is
investigated, it is good
practice to be sure the agent
can be as independent as justice
requires. A good agent will let
it be known to his superiors
that he has a conflict of
interest due to familiarity and
will opt out in favor of another
agent. I feel this was problem
for me on one occasion.
If the DA refuses or neglects to
present the case to the Grand
Jury, then the Director of the
TBI or his designee can appear
before the Grand Jury.
The Feds generally require a
higher level of proof before
they will expend federal money
on an investigation particularly
when the allegations concern a
public official. Obviously,
there must be a federal crime
involved too. This was the
situation with Judge Austin in
1998. But persistence,
cooperative informants, good
work by TBI and my willingness
to initiate the investigation
and grant immunity from state
prosecution for the informants,
made the difference in 2005 when
we approached the Feds. Austin
is now in the federal
penitentiary.
The TBI's web address is
www.tbi.state.tn.us/ click
on "criminal investigations
unit" for further information.
I hope this is helpful.
Scott McCluen
For years, not afraid to sign my
name 4/15/08
Mr. Scott McCluen Sir,
It's obvious that you read or
have read entries on this blog
site. I don't understand your
statement "Unless
the Callie Rogers Davis case was
bound over from the General
Sessions Court to the Grand
Jury, it would not have hit my
radar screen and I would
not have likely known about it."
Are the citizens of this county to believe that you are that naive, when the cases against this woman have continued to go on for such a long time with more than enough "proof".
"You can fool some of the people
all of the time, and all of the
people some of the time, but you
can not fool all of the people
all of the time."
Abraham Lincoln
I do however agree with your
earlier statement "Wake up, use
your brain and keep a watchful
eye. The tail is waging
(wagging, I assume you meant?)
the dog."
It's high time the human sewage
that controls this county and
this country are railroaded out
of town!
Tom J 4/15/08
In Response to Turtle and From
the Inside Looking Out:
Unless the Callie Rogers Davis
case was bound over from the
General Sessions Court to the
Grand Jury, it would not have
hit my radar screen and I would
not have likely known about it.
In General Sessions Court,
I would have relied on my
Assistant District Attorneys to
follow office policy of
prosecuting those cases for
which we had probable case to
believe that the
defendant committed the crime.
This assumes we had witnesses at
Court to prove our case. In the
event we had proof problems and
needed to get what we could get,
the Assistant District Attorneys
were authorized to make a
reasonable plea offer consistent
with our general office policy
concerning plea
offers. Sometimes they
passed proposed plea offers by
me for prior approval in the
event they were uncomfortable
making a plea decision under our
office policy.
As a general office policy
concerning plea offers, I
felt, in any case, reasonable
minds could differ as to the
proper plea decision within a
rather narrow range of plea
decisions. All my assistant
district attorneys where given
full authority to exercise their
professional judgment within
this realm of reason.
If any of my assistant district
attorneys operated outside of
this policy or the realm of
reason, they would have been
held accountable, assuming I
found out about it.
If you ignore policy like
that, it generally catches
up with you and I would have
heard of it. If I had known
of any violation of policy,
I would have intervened with
that employee by
imposing appropriate
disciplinary measures which
I did use on other matters
from time to time.
If it was a Criminal
Court case, my senior
Assistant District
Attorneys would not have
pled a case low where we
could prove the case
beyond a reasonable
doubt and had witnesses
for trial.
Also, the same
above-stated general
office policy applied.
My senior Assistant
District Attorneys
sometimes
passed proposed plea
offers by me for prior
approval in the
event they were
uncomfortable making a
plea decision under this
policy. Often deciding
the proper outcome
involved much thoughtful
in-house debate.
Didn't know I had been "thrown
under the bus" on such a simple
case. I figured that strategy
would have been saved as an
excuse for later and more
serious cases. Prosecuting bad
check cases is not rocket
science.
Public record shows the Billy
Hall case went to trial which
ended in a hung jury. As a
result the case went back on the
criminal court docket for
retrial.
Records from the Criminal Court
clerks office show the case was
dismissed by the present DAG in
late 2006 or early 2007.
I don't think the other cases
occurred on my watch. If they
did, the above rules and
policies applied.
Scott McCluen
For years, not afraid to sign my
name.
04/14/08
If just some of the stuff written on this blog is true, and I believe it is, then why isn't somebody doing something about it? Is there no state agency that can come in here and cut through the corruption and put an end to this? They did it in Cocke County. Where will all this end? Brad 4/14/08
Buford,
Please explain to me why someone
who worked for Loudon County
would have to go to Blount
County to interview for a
promotion here? Sounds fishy to
me, kind of like the director
knew who deserved the promotion,
but since her best friend put in
for it too, she tried every way
to dig him out of it! He should
sue for sexual discrimination,
and possibly harassment if he
saw the dirty picture Ricky
talked about! Guess if she told
her buddies at Blount Co to pick
her friend, she wouldn't be the
bad guy that made the decision.
Sounds to me she is unfair and
has no _______. (Things that
Hillary Clinton likes to keep in
a lock box.) Please Buford, do
tell more about this situation.
Sounds to me that the two girls
are running their own little
spending empire without anyone
that would notice it. Cant
believe they haven't gotten rid
of the other male there, but I
think the director knows she
couldn't run the place without
him. That's o.k. though, he
will soon be a college grad and
will be far above the public
servant realm of unhappiness.
Jenny ~ Loudon 4/14/08
TO THE 2008 GRADUATING
CLASS OF LOUDON HIGH SCHOOL
I want to congratulate you all
on a job well done and for
reaching a milestone in your
lives. I hope you all continue
to grow and strive for success.
Especially to Rob, you've come a
long way baby, love you.
Michelle Fickey-Loudon, TN.
4/14/08
To: Jake 4/8/08
You wrote:
<<<My source says the car was
pulled over because there was no
license plate. The Loudon
officer was not cited because it
was a brand new vehicle. This
really isn't much of a
scandal.>>>
It's the only way the Loudon
County Sheriff's Department can
be defended any more: The old
"So-what-everyone-does-it?!"
alibi.
We've seen Bear Webb get rid of
two bad apples in the past 1-1/2
years. They have problems
(because they have humans) but
they like to solve them. No
attempts are made to cover
things up there.
David Divelbiss
Lenoir City 4/14/08
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. Ephesians 5:11-12 Fearful for our county, 4/13/2008 To: Get a Life... The officers should be punished because of their spouse's actions. They are officers of the law. They took an oath to uphold the law whoever the criminal is. They had the knowledge, they should have acted accordingly and didn't. I'm sure it was embarrassing to them...their wives should have thought about that! I am sorry for the officers that do a good job and put their lives on the line for the folks of Loudon County. You all are appreciated. Eyes Wide Open, 4/13/2008
In
Response to Mr. McCluen's post
I'd like to add a little bit.
First R Johnson our DA threw
McCluen under the bus in The
Callie Rogers Davis article in
the Sentinel. I'd be willing to
bet that McCluen never heard of
this case. If the citizens
would put two and two together
you will see that Jimmy Davis
was the reason she got out of
those bad checks four years
ago. I know for a fact that the
ADA's do not like to cross the
police department and they just
agreed to let her off the hook
if she paid them (Sounds like a
recent incident, Right?). The
only time this girl has gotten
charged correctly was in a Knox
County shoplifting case when she
pled guilty. She pled guilty to
that charge I am told and was
placed on probation. Mrs. Davis
has since been in trouble more
times than you can count on one
hand in Loudon county and has
gotten zero due to her
relationship with Mr. Davis.
Why do you think she married the
guy? This Christian girl
supposedly, would sell out her
own family to save her butt and
it's no telling how easily she
would sell out Aikens and Guider
if she had something on them to
save her own butt. Enough of
her though because this incident
has raised bigger issues with me
and should be a big concern to
Loudon Countians and how it
handles it's justice system.
Mr.
Johnson, who private practice is
in Loudon, now has on more than
three occasions thought of
himself as the Judge and Jury
when it comes to punishing
crimes. April Bowen was charged
with stealing a large sum of
money from the local football
club and she gets away with
probation plus restitution.
Aikens is indicted twice by
Grand Jury's but Johnson decides
that there ain't enough evidence
to go to trial. Why did the
Grand Jury indict then? Then
you have Mrs. Callie Rogers
Davis, who just pleaded guilty
to identity theft less than 12
months ago, gets a get out of
jail free card for committing
the a similar crime less than a
year later. I hear DA Johnson's
reasoning but it doesn't add
up. She would have been
indicted by a grand jury. If DA
Johnson had said that it would
have been tough to sit a jury
because she is so hated
throughout Loudon County then
I'd been ok with that
reasoning because it's true.
Three felonies and three times
Johnson has decided in favor of
the Sheriff's department. Not
three times in favor of
supporting the sheriff's dept.
trying to convict criminals but
three times in favor of not
prosecuting people inside the
sheriff's department. He'd
probably plead the Houston boy's
case in Roane County if they
were lcsd deputies. It's sad
that a beautiful place like
Loudon County has such a stench
in it's local government that
it's like driving around
Tennessee National all day
enjoying the fresh Air.
signed, Turtle 4/12/08
I
had a couple of questions that
maybe the former D.A. or someone
else could answer? Billy Hall
of the Loudon County Sheriff
Dept. had a trial for the
assault on an inmate, the trial
ended in a "hung Jury" does that
mean it was just forgotten about
or is this something that is
still pending? Did the new D.A.
dismiss the charges? And with
the charges against officer
Davis', officer Costner' and
officer Bowen's wives, why have
none of these people served
not even 1 hour of jail time? Is
this again the work of the
present D.A.? And the chief
deputy, the patrol captain and
officer Hall where indicted on
felony charges and yet NONE of
them were disciplined in
any way, yet Bill Shirk
was fired for removing some jail
supply order forms from the
jail?
I voted for Tim Guider every time he has ran but I will never vote for him again and I think anyone that has any common sense would not either. This department bends and changes the rules to fit their needs and has become a big joke and quite frankly a disgrace to law enforcement. I know many officers of this department are good people and are fine examples of "professionals" in their field, and for them I am sorry you are put in the middle of this circus, but the top 5 ranking officers at the Loudon County Sheriff Department are simply disgraceful and very poor examples of law enforcement officials. Regardless of what you think of a person personally when a person chooses to be a law enforcement officer they put themselves in the "eye" of the public and are held to a higher standard, like it or not. But, these officers put themselves above the law and just keep on and on doing whatever they like because they know that the sheriff is NOT going to do anything about it. This is standard operating procedure for the LCSD and this is not going to change until there is a new sheriff in town. I have nothing personal against any of these people but a thief is a thief no matter what kind of badge you wear or hide behind and as for the others and their various charges, i.e.- assault, tampering with evidence, extortion, etc., breaking the law is breaking the law. I am sure some will write and say that some of the charges were dropped or dismissed or whatever but those involved know the TRUTH. The people of Loudon County need to wake up.
From the inside looking
out..................4/12/08
Ron
Paul for president 08". Check
out his web site and Infowars
.com. We would not have these
problems in this county if the
constitution were followed by
our so called servants they make
the law by what you're last name
is. They will pay at St. Peters
gate!!!!
They
know who they are! 4/12/08
Ricky,
I am not sure who
you are but; I support what you
say 100%. Also, I am not sure
how long you have been in the
system. If you have been here
long enough to remember the
"good ole days" with the first
director. Dispatch is returning
to those days once again. If
you were around then you
remember all of the favoritism
showed by the Director toward
certain employees. Remember the
shopping sprees and trips. How
bout the most recent trip to
Washington D.C. on 911's funds.
Not only did the Director go,
she took her favorite employee,
aka training officer.
There is 2 round
trip flights, 2 motel rooms, all
meals and getting paid while
gone. Now, there was another
person that went on this trip,
the training officers husband.
It would be interesting to see
the invoices from this trip to
see if 911 paid for any
additional meals than the ones
that were already unnecessary.
There was a time
that before becoming training
officer and while being a
supervisor, that the director
allowed her to supervise 3rd
shift from day shift for several
months. The reason, she's
building a house and it is
easier on her this way. Was the
other dispatcher that was
displaced for this in agreement
asked? No.
Let's move to the
Training Officer position and
how it came about. First, it
was posted and 2 people put in
for it. After so many hoops to
jump through to make it more and
more difficult, the other
candidate, with more experience
more qualified and was finally
pushed out to open it up for
her. Why should a Loudon 911
training officer prospect have
to go to Blount County to
interview for the position? It
seems as though she has finally
got what she wants, almost. She
now has a cozy dayshift job,
plenty of time to pawn the
trainees off on the
working understaffed dispatchers
and plenty of time behind closed
doors with the director. Now
only if she could get the
Directors position she would be
set.
Why does this
continue, the Director has her
favorites. Lets see, how bout
911 having to buy a stolen
vehicle that was entered
incorrectly? Did these
employees get fired or time
off? No, they got a little
write up. It is time for this
to end, I am with you when you
say it is time for the Director
to resign, and hopefully the
training officer, just in case
the Board thinks it would be a
good idea for her to take over!
Yours truly,
Buford T Justice
- for all 4/12/08
To GET A
LIFE!!! 4/11/08
"And last I checked it is not against the law to run an unlicensed daycare. Maybe you people need to get your facts right." This below came from http://www.daycare.com/tennessee/state2.html , Licensing Standards for DayCare Centers 1240-4-3-.01 If you want to open a child care facility, call that (local DHS) office before you do anything. You cannot care for a group of five or more children without a license. 8. Imposes a misdemeanor penalty of imprisonment for six months and a fine of $500 or both for each offense (day) of operating without a license.
If you have a question about
these standards, or if you want
to report an unlicensed facility
or a facility that is violating
licensing requirements, call the
DHS county
office. It is listed in the
telephone directory under
Tennessee State Government -
Human Services
Department. Someone there will
refer you to the licensing unit
in your area.
If you want to open a child care facility, call that office before you do anything. You cannot care for a group of five or more children without a license. 2. If you have a question or concern about these standards or the licensing procedure, call or write: Day Care Licensing Coordinator TN Department of Human Services Citizens Plaza Building 400 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37248-9800 Phone: (615) 741-7129
Mike B in LC 4/12/08
Dearest Ricky,
I am so glad that you are the
best cop in the world that you
have time to worry about the 911
center and patrol the county to
keep us safe. I'll bet the next
time your working and someone's
house catches fire, you'll be
the first to run with your
lights and siren to the scene at
about mach 10 through Lenoir
city paying no attention to
intersections or red lights,
only to stand around and watch
someone's dream go up in smoke
and thank god that it wasn't
your home. Or you could be
brave and get people out of a
burning building like Loudon
Police Dept did a while back and
be a hero, but wait, you said "and
we are not to call out the fire
dept to a fire,
or do
their work for them. "
So have you gotten a copy of the
tape and listened to how the
call came in to this fire on
notch in hill? You know the
last time the woods caught fire
over there several acres burned
before anyone noticed and the
people that did lived across the
river, not the ones in the
area.
As far as your relationship with
the 911 director, well that's
between you and her and I think
as a law enforcement officer
respecting people would be your
first priority. If you have a
problem with them go to their
supervisor. If that doesn't get
anywhere go up the chain. That
is the right thing to do.
And to Speak the truth, I am
glad you got to put your opinion
on here don't you love this
country?
-Dr.Seuss
To "Roane County and Proud",
to say I caved in to
political pressure or
influence to let people in
high places get off is just
plain wrong. Wake up and
use some discernment.
You obviously are mistaken
about my record as District
Attorney beginning September
1998. During my tenure, the
office set about cleaning up
the corruption that plagued
the District for decades.
We began in 1999 dealing with
organized gambling, which until
then was, at best, ignored or,
at the worst, protected. In
"Operation Cherry Picker" the
TBI at my request swept the
District seizing, if I recall
correctly, over 100 illegal
gambling machines. Some of these
locations also served as havens
for lower level
drug traffickers. One of these
locations (in Roane County) was
forced out of business and has
since 2006 reopened.
After 1999, we didn't let
up. Later, we partnered with
the Alcohol Beverage
Commission and hit private clubs
on Super Bowl weekend.
This action drew the ire of
some of the powers that be in
Loudon County and established a
political alliance of those who
longed to return to the good old
days as they saw it.
We also took on suspected crimes
in high places.
In 1998, our office
investigated ticket fixing in
Roane County General Sessions
Court. At that time, I was
unable to secure the help of the
US Attorney's office and we
couldn't establish an
investigative plan with enough
resources to determine whether
there was any ticket-fixing
occurring.
Later an informant, who was
unwilling to cooperate further,
made an allegation of kickbacks
to the Roane County General
Sessions Court Judge pertaining
to the driving school. Thus we
were unable move on this.
In 2005, we had two cooperative
informants who again made an
allegation of kickbacks. I
granted the informants immunity
from state prosecution and I
ordered an investigation by the
TBI. Later this investigation
was joined by the US Attorney's
Office and the FBI. As you know,
Austin plead guilty in Federal
Court as a result.
Also we, along with the
Comptroller's
office, investigated corruption
in the Rockwood city recorder
and judge's office where many
hundred's of thousands of
dollars were embezzled by the
city recorder and judge. Before
he could be prosecuted he died
of a self-inflected
gunshot. Others were prosecuted
and convicted on related cases.
In addition, based on
information received by us from
the State, we also initiated an
investigation by the
Comptroller's office and the TBI of
LCUB, the Dixie Lee Utility
District and a former state
legislator. The investigation
revealed information that was
too old to form the basis of any
possible prosecution should a
prosecution have been warranted.
This too established a
political alliance of those who
longed to return to the good old
days as they saw it.
In Morgan County, I ordered the
TBI to investigate the
disappearance of drug evidence
from the Sheriff's department
and the illegal pretrial release
of well-connected prisoners from
the Morgan County jail. In
addition, along with the
Comptroller's office, we were
involved with investigation and
indictment of the County Clerk
of Morgan County for
embezzlement.
This established a political
alliance of those who longed to
return to the good old days as
they saw it.
At my direction as a result of
complaints or leads from private
citizens, the TBI
initiated several investigations
of law enforcement officers.
Some officers were exonerated by
these investigations, some were
not. Those that were not, had
charges against them presented
to the grand jury of the
appropriate county.
Those cases touched three of the
four counties in the judicial
district - - not just Loudon as
some would have you believe nor
were they fueled by a political
vendetta. (The remaining Loudon
county cases where never tried
on the merits of the
allegations but were dismissed
by your present DA or by his pro
tem. The same occurred in case
against a Roane County Deputy
for DUI and violation of the
implied consent law for failing
to submit to blood alcohol test
when requested by a state
trooper.)
This again established a
political alliance of those
who longed to return to the
good old days as they saw
it.
We established case
protocols for law
enforcement to follow
(according to some officers
this is no longer enforced)
and provided training to
help us ensure we had the
best investigations
possible. Good
investigations and good case
files would force defense
attorneys to fold in the
face of impenetrable
prosecution cases. These
case requirements also
insured we didn't prosecute
innocent people. It also
afforded "Swifter Justice".
But sometimes doing good
investigations was more
work and we faced opposition
from some in the law
enforcement community.
This again
established a political
alliance of those who
longed to return to the
good old days as they
saw it.
We thwarted situations
were the powers-that-be
wanted cases to just
disappear or go away.
You may recall the
Lenoir City mayor, now
deceased, was
prosecuted for trying to
interfere with an
investigation by the
LCPD of a child abuse
case in the school
system just to name
one.
We did business in the
open. We established the
District Attorney
General website www.dag9jdtn.org which
had criminal court
schedules for
all cases
indicted by the grand
jury on the web for the
public to see, follow
the progress of and
attend trials if they
wanted.
The website also
provided the public the
opportunity to make
confidential complaints
to the DA's office.
Some of the entries I
see on this blog could
have been reported for
possible investigation.
That website and the
opportunities for
oversight and
investigation are now
gone.
In summary, to say I
caved into political
pressure or influence to
let people in high
places get off is just
plain wrong.
"Roane County and Proud"
obviously doesn't
personally know me or my
record. If he or she
did, they would know
that if anyone working
for me caved to this
type of pressure and
fixed a case, I would
have fired them.
To the contrary, looking
back on it, my failure
to do that created a lot
of political opposition
to what I was trying to
do. Now, looking back, I
wouldn't have changed a
thing. That's what
Loudon County and the
other counties deserve.
I have lived through the
"good old days"
and the unfettered
operation of the good
old boy system. It
wasn't pretty and
certainly wasn't good.
You desire better.
That's why I ran for DA
in 1998 and for
re-election in 2006.
The problems facing your
community are sometimes
broad and very
deep. If there
are people with direct
knowledge of any wrong
doing, it is likely
they are justifiably
scared.
Support those in your
local agencies who are
seeking to be fair and
just. I know from my
prior experience, there
are good officers who
are working under very
difficult conditions.
Use some discernment.
Don't paint them all
with the same brush.
Support them and their
families.
Get rid of the rest.
Wake up, use your
brain and keep a
watchful eye. The tail
is waging the dog.
Scott McCluen
For years, not afraid
to sign my name 4/11/08
What's the big deal with officer Costner having a private investigation business on the side. Big Tony and Diamond Gem have been operating a private security service out of the sheriff's office for years. You need private security at your home or business, call Big Tony. He will send out certain "off duty" officers to protect you and your property. Remember when Extream Trucking went under and all the truck drivers were so mad at Brandenberg. Secret Service to the rescue. And then there is the Dunn Ridge deal. 12 hour security, 6p to 6a 7daw $20 per hour on the side. I wont even go into some of the things that have gone on at the guard house. You might ask the 911 director. She knows. So you got trouble, need protection, contact Big Tony or Diamond Gem. They make your problem go away. Forget about it 4/11/08
As a parent of a child who
attends Greenback School, I
think it's a disappointment that
the conduct of two teachers has
been allowed to continue. For
the past year, Mr. Wheeler has
been allowed to stay in the
classroom even though he was
arrested for a DUI. Now we
learn of a second incident where
he has been arrested again for
the same crime. When asked why
he is still in the classroom the
answer is because it was on his
personal time not school time.
From a previous blog, light has been shed on a second teacher that also has had an occurrence due to alcohol. Even though this happened on school time at a sporting event while students were present it seems nothing has been done and he will continue to teach there next school year. Not only has this teacher been accused of being drunk around his students, he is supposedly having inappropriate relationship with another school employee. School board members and Edward Headlee are all aware of this and continue to turn a blind eye toward this inappropriate conduct that continues to take place on school grounds. Not only as parents do we need to worry about our building issues but we need to worry about the faculty issues and why only certain persons are punished. The other employee is only an aide and there have been many opportunities to relocate her to another facility to cure this problem. What kind of an example are they setting for our impressionable youth? She too has had her share of problems this year and is going to be allowed to work this year without any reprimand. She also allowed a young lady to change clothes on the school bus while in mixed company with parents following the bus. What will the Greenback Faculty do next?
VERY CONCERNED AND IRRITATED
PARENT OF GREENBACK 4-11-08
Larry,
Funny that you should mention
the house fire incident. I
think that it is tragic that the
loss of a life could come from a
simple mistake. If you look
into the Policy and Procedure
manual at the 911 dispatch, you
will find that if there is a
report of smoke, or even the
smell of smoke or gas, with or
without fire, 911 dispatch is
supposed to immediately dispatch
the appropriate fire dept. It
is not my job as an officer to
see if it is a fire. We have
had this discussion before with
the director, and she made it
clear that we are not the fire
dept, and we are not to call out
the fire dept to a fire, or do
their work for them.
So, if 911 dispatch didn't follow the procedure manual, then I believe the firings should happen again. If she is going to hold everyone to such a strong standard as she did Marshall and Tony, then lets do it to everyone. Making a funny phone call and neglecting procedures possibly costing the life of a human are two totally different things. I believe it is time for the director to resign for unfair judgment in discipline, her "dirty text picture" that has gone unpunished, for her allowing of the employees and board to spend money on purchase cards in a frivolous manner, and other things that I cannot post on this blog. By the way, the frivolous manner of purchase cards is referring to the many DOCUMENTED meals purchased for Friends, family and members of the 911 board. How can she let things go on there with employees that are possibly criminal or severely immoral without punishment, but punish the people that are guilty of the same things she has done? I see here on the blog that one dispatcher made a contract with the schools to work, and left early without paying them back. Is this not theft? How many people in this county alone have gone to jail for the same thing? How about allowing for years, the personal conversations on recorded lines between married men and women to their "special Friends" while on the job. It is there for anyone to get! (Hint Hint to the people that are being left for a dispatcher) Does she not realize that she is letting the place be legally liable for those kind of actions? Every single phone conversation that goes in or out of the place is digitally recorded. They can be burned to a CD or tape, and bought by the public for what they would call a small fee. Ha! It is obvious that the place is in shambles. You can't even listen to their website live on-line anymore. Guess they don't want the public to hear the embarrassment anymore than they have to. The election is coming my friends, and there will be new people that are more eager to look into these actions. It's audit time!
Ricky 4/11/08
To all the bloggers on Van's
terrible site who think that
they know everything. You
obviously don't know
anything so why don't you
just keep your opinions to
yourself. You people like
to get on here and say
things about other people
like our officers not even
thinking about the fact that
most of them have kids and
what this is doing to them.
You wouldn't want the things
that you do to affect your
kids and I am sure they
don't either. You can get
on here and talk about our
officers but when you need
something from them you
don't hesitate to call 911.
If you think so badly of our
officers then why don't you
just take care of your own
problems from now on, or
move to another county.
What their spouses or other
family members do should not
affect their jobs if they
are good at what they do
like Officer Costner is (who
by the way deserves his
promotion, sounds like some
people are jealous of him)
then that should not affect
there job. He works with
our children because he is
good at that to and is a
very caring person you
people who like to get on
here and say things about
him and his wife obviously
don't know what has really
went on you just know what
you hear from others just
like you who like to talk
about other people and
spread crap. Or you would
know that the crap on his
wife is just that, crap and
she never should have been
indicted in the first
place. It is because of
other stupid people like you
that she was anyway, and as
far as him having another
job and using company time,
and phones, and other
resources to help him in
that business. I did a
little checking of my own
and found out a few things
that you people didn't take
the time to find out before
you got on here and starting
running your mouth about
that either. He does have a
PI business but its not
against the law for someone
to have a second job even if
they are a cop as long as it
does affect their
performance. Times are hard
now and a lot of people have
second jobs when they have
families, also the phone
number that is given for his
PI business is not a phone
issued to him from the
county as you people think
other people besides cops
can have Nextels and that
phone Nextel or not is paid
for privately by him. Most
people do have a private
cell phone of their own.
Maybe you guys should do a
little more homework before
you talk about others it
wasn't hard for me to find
these things out. Obviously
you guys just like to talk
about people before you even
know that truth. Next time
why don't you try treating
people the way you want to
be treated and don't talk
about our officers when you
don't really know what you
are talking about. Have you
ever heard of (do unto
others as you would have
them do unto you). Guess
Not!
Speak the Truth or Don't
Speak at all! 4/11/08
Well, Well, Well, here we go
again. I think all of you
people need to get a life. I
think you all are crazy. Why
in the world should these
cops be punished for
something they had no
control over? I am talking
about Davis, Bowen and
Costner. These guys get out
here everyday and put their
lives on the line for YOU...
YES YOU the ones who are
complaining. And last I
checked it is not against
the law to run an unlicensed
daycare. Maybe you
people need to get your
facts right. And IF you knew
the whole story you would
know that Mrs. Costner did
not hurt the child
intentionally. But again you
do not know all the facts,
you just know what you
heard... As far as a PI what
does that matter. If you had
any intelligence at all you
would know that it is
perfectly legal for anyone
to be a PI and a cop you can
just not do criminal work in
the county you are a police
officer in. It is my
understanding he has had
this PI Business for years,
I know of people he has done
work for before he was ever
a full time cop. So know
maybe before you start
running your mouths you
should find out everything.
Once again why not lay off
these guys and get jobs
yourselves, because you
obviously do not have one if
you have all this time to
sit around and talk about
these people on a daily
basis.
GET A LIFE!!! 4/11/08
I am so sorry that all the deputies at the sheriff's office are being painted with the same brush. That's so unfair. Most of the deputies are hard workers dedicated to serving the public. But all we ever hear about are the bad apples. Who's fault is that. The responsibility sits squarely with Sheriff Tim Guider. Guider has consistently refused to take control of his department. He has as he said it, stood behind his men, no matter what they did. Now look at the mess we're in and there is no way to ever regain the respect and trust of this community. To Mr. Guider, you have destroyed the Loudon County Sheriff's department either with your actions or inaction. To those deputies and their wives who have refused to be a part of the destruction, keep the faith. A better day will will come. A very sad citizen 4/10/08 As a parent of a Greenback student, I was glad to see that Edward Headlee finally did something about Bo Wheeler. But 2 DUI's and he is still there, that's makes no sense. Why isn't he dismissed immediately? The bad thing is, there is still another problem teacher with a drinking problem. He was once escorted from a sporting event by an officer because he was drunk. He has also been involved in other improper activity with another teacher. Those of you from Greenback know very well who I am talking about. If you feel what's going on in our school is not right, you should do what I did and contact your school board member and Headlee. It's bad enough that our building is falling down around our ears but do we also have to have teachers in our mists that are such bad examples for our children? All this is just one more reason why it's time for a new school board. I care in Greenback 4/10/08
I've been reading the blogs related
to the Callie/Jimmy Davis matter.
Seems to me most of you are missing
the big picture. The real story in
this is the actions of District
Attorney, Russell Johnson.
Roane
County and Proud 4/10/08 well, well, well,
here we go again....does the
sheriff's department have a policy
about being a criminal or being
married to one in order to be
hired? Charlie Costner's wife is
indicted last year and he's being
promoted to detective. Why am I not
surprised. As for his PI business,
I just wonder if he's using his
police powers to run background
checks and driver's license checks?
Wouldn't that be against the law?
If anybody knows if it is illegal to
use his police powers for that
stuff, please tell me. Is he's
following cheating spouses on county
time or in a county vehicle. Well,
he works with some of the cheating
spouses, so he could just keep tabs
on them at work. As for Jimmy
Davis, no tears for him. Callie had
a pretty colorful reputation before
he married her. let me see, she's
paying the family bills, stealing
the money via a friends checking
account, and he knows nothing about
it. How did he think the bills were
getting paid? Chris Bowen doesn't
know what his wife was doing, Davis
has no idea, and I'd bet if you
asked Charlie, he had no idea his
wife was running an unlicensed
daycare. Boy, those guys are on top
of their game. Oh yeah, and Aikens
had no idea he could not seize that
guys money. Loudon county's finest
to be sure. And for the sheriff, he
has no idea this stuff goes on
either right. wake up people To Loudon Lou,
Sounds to me like someone needs to do a little investigating of there on. By going to the site you can see, oh there is an address associated with the company. If you do a reverse look up on whitepages.com you will find this is indeed Mr. Costner. If you hover over the service info link, is goes to C Costner. Now the next part is to see if the Nextel number listed there is his or the county issued phone. Makes you wonder who the surveillance equipment belongs to, and who his partners are. How much time is spent on the counties dime doing database research? I'm sure TBI would not find a conflict of interest here, a PI having access to there database records at will for non-law enforcement purposes. How many other county investigators are involved with his company?
Signed, Oh what a tangled web…4/10/08
Just
wondering if Davis gets the big
job taken away what about the
others? Or Bowen why is he not
in the jail working? His wife's
crime was just as bad as
Callie's. Or Costner why is he
working with our kids!? Or what
about the ones that are having
marital affairs and are now
getting divorced? What
ever happened to if one does
wrong why should another not get
the same thing!?? What kind of
Dept. is Guider running it seems
to me as though it is a joke!
As
for the City they are just as
guilty what about Bear what the
heck its a joke down there to!
I
thought these people were
suppose to be prime examples to
our children? What in the world
are these people thinking! Maybe
they all need to get right with
the Lord and fix things first
with the BIG man & then try on
living a better life.
Loudon County Tax Payer 4/10/08
Loudon Lou,
Sounds to me that someone is
jealous over Officer
Costner, from what I hear he
is a very good Crime Scene
Investigator and is
dedicated to his job. What
does it matter if he is a
Private Detective on the
side, these days everyone
has to have a Second job.
How many jobs do you have?
And you know he has kids,
why not lay off him for his
kids sake. You all get on
here and go off on these
people without even thinking
about what you are doing to
their children. Would you
want people doing that to
your kids or do u care?
Give these people a break
4/10/08
It was tragic about
the man that died in the house fire
out in Notch In Hill. But if someone
would go back and listen to the 911
tapes they would find that the
deputy in charge that evening told
dispatch that the sheriff's
department had no way of getting to
the location of the reported fire.
Dispatch asked the officer several
times if he wanted them to page out
the rescue squad. The deputy told
dispatch that they had been getting
this same call about once a week.
Again dispatch asked if he wanted to
page out the squad. A lot of
response time was lost by the
deputy's hesitation. Sounds like it
wouldn't have made a difference even
if the sheriff's deputy's had
responded promptly. But who knows.
Loudon Lou 4/9/08 To Let's Appreciate the cops It's not as though they (cops) are volunteers. They do get paid for their work and some of them very well. If we have cops that can't handle the day to day strain of being a cop then they sure shouldn't be carrying a weapon. They are working in their chosen profession and if they can't follow the rules or they don't like what they are doing they should find another line of work where they would be more comfortable. Michael R. 4/9/08 I agree with Mr. Raggland. Public servants should be held to a higher standard. I also believe they should experience harsher punishment when caught breaking the law or exposed to scandals. Now let’s define public servants. This means doctors, lawyers, politicians, police officers, school teachers and misters. All these folks are in very high profile jobs. Where their actions good or bad can have a very lasting impact on children and young adults. So if you can’t obey the law and maintain a higher moral and ethical standard. Then get out and get out now. This means, don’t cheat, lie or steal. Once the trust is broken, it can never be regained. Just Wondering 4/9/08 Just
Wondering,
To
Ricky,
It has been told, and shown, to
me there is not a fraternization
policy for the county. So
husband and wife, boyfriend and
girlfriend can work for the same
or separate depts.
To Jenny H,
I have to give the dispatchers
this one, I heard it on the
scanner. Would you like one,
I'll put it on the trading post
for you to buy already
programmed.
Comment on officer/dispatcher
stop,
We can't control what people do
on their off time. And as far
as I know the only thing the
government has given us on
policies regarding morals is
taking prayer out of school and
we all know what happened there.
Comment on ethics,
Contracts made by people are
private, even if they are
contracting with a public
agency. And to my knowledge
county workers aren't allowed to
enter into contracts as a county
employee so this contract would
have to have been private and
thus none of us or 911's
business. You are correct
though it should be paid back if
it is not already.
And lastly to just wondering,
2010 will change this county,
just wait till then. It will be
better.
-Captain and Tenille 4/8/08
I have noticed that many of the accusations on the blog are about infidelity, a moral sin not a crime. The accusations may or may not be true, I have no idea. In most instances I would take issue with those who would cast stones at others for their morality or lack there of. But in the case of law enforcement, a compromise in ones moral integrity can be cause for concern. A law enforcem |