Dear David Divelbiss 10/28/07
 
You are correct Shannon Littleton is costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars per year by settling every case out of court, but this does not bother him.  He is smiling all the way to the bank.  I just saw in the Newsless Hearld that the LC city council had adjusted their budget for City Attorney pay from $45,000 to $101,000.  LCUB gives him a matching amount plus all the lucutitiate benefits (retirement, health insurance , life insurance, workers comp., 401k pension, vacation, sick leave, expense paid trips, etc, and etc,) Its impossible to list tem all.
 
This is another way the Mayor has taken care of his family and friends.  Another example is the General Managers salary at LCUB has increased form appox. $80,000 per year to approx. $150,000 per year under the current Mayor.  These increases went to the Mayors father-in-law, which increased the father-in-laws cash pay out at retirement from approx $400,000 to over $1,000,000.  Yes that is 1 million dollars which the Mayor and his wife will inherit one-half.  Is this white colar crime, conflict of interest, or all the above?  They must stay up late at night to figure ways of getting the taxpayers money.
 
 
B.Lane
LC 10/31/07

No way we can let that council get their hands on the money. God help us all if they do.

Sick Of All Of Them 10/26/07

If anybody thinks it is a good idea for city council to appoint the city treasurer, the person who handles all the money, I've got some land on the moon to sell you. If they get their hands on that position, there will be no stopping the crooks.

Mike 10/25/07

I agree that it is highly important for the taxpayers of Lenoir City to keep the position of City Treasurer/Recorded an elected position.  To find a prime example of what would happen if it is changed to an appointed one we need to look at the position of General Manager of LCUB.  An inadequate lineman with only a high school education with no financial or engineering experience was over promoted to the position of General Manager.  LCUB is one of the largest Utilities in the TVA region and is in dire need of expert expertise in finance, electrical engineering, rate making, etc.  Because of politics and back room deals, it has been given the most incompetent Manager in the TVA region.  The only qualification that was considered in this appointment is that he is the Mayor's father-in-law.
 
B. Lane LC 10/25/07

I am so glad to see someone has finally taken the news Herald to task on their shoddy paper. They have so little news that the name newsless herald fits just right. Besides If you really want to know what's going on in Loudon County just visit this web site.

June 10/22/07

It's rather obvious why Commissioner/Principal Meers wants another tax hike for the schools. More money for the schools means more money for him. If there is a vote on a tax increase, Mr. Meers should not be allowed to vote for the obvious conflict of interest.

Loony In Loudon 10/11/07

Thank you both Van and Sarah for taking the News Herald to task , I agree totally.

The newspaper's job is to report the news, and not take sides. The problem is that what it does print is sometimes not the truth. A perfect example of that is the statement in at least three papers that said that the petitioners in the public records suit abandoned Pat Hunter, when neither had a choice in the matter.
  
It would be nice if the paper would print the whole truth about the entire goings on, but we know they will not step on political toes to do so. I'm paid up this year, but will not be renewing my subscription next year, unless things change drastically.

JoAnne Turner 10/11/07

Seems like the News-Herald just picks and chooses what they want to run in their so-called paper.  I requested to the News-Herald in a very timely manner to run a picture/invitation for my mother's 80th birthday celebration.  My mother taught at Lenoir City High School over 30 years.  I thought that maybe some of her peers and students might want to come by and wish her a happy birthday.  The time came and went and no invitation was put in the paper.  When I inquired why this was not in the paper when requested, the answer was, "I have no excuse or reason"!  I never ceased to be amazed...

Sarah Shaver, 10/9/07

I was so discouraged to see that my commissioner wanted to make sure that Mayor Arp got his forty-nine dollars back for the inflammatory propaganda he had stuffed in the employee pay checks. To my fellow Loudon countians. Not all of us in Tellico Village are as gullible as our supposed representative, Don Miller. We know Mr. Arp is no friend to Tellico Village. Wake up Don. He is making a fool of you and us.

Franklin Tellico Village 10/9/07

Concerning your article on Pat Philips wanting to retire as a county employee and be rehired as whatever- my opinion is that the whole county would benefit if he went home to stay. Who do they think they are kidding?  This is clearly their own spin on trying to make the LCEDA a non-governmental entity (therefore not subject to public records, state audits, or any other nose into their business).

The inter-local agreement is published on the internet (as well as the comptroller having a copy). They cannot pull it from the clerk's books like some of the other things that have been changed (in my opinion) there, so they are going to assume the public is not wise to their tricks. If the auditors do their job, my bet is Philips will be drawing his retirement in the state pen.

The pubic would do well to keep an eye on Mr. Philips and Doyle Arp. Keeping a close tab on grants and how they are spent (or not) may be the answer to our school problems and our development woes. We are being sold out piece by piece in the name of progress, but the only ones seeing to benefit are them. If Mr. Philips wants to go home, I will gladly pay his cab fare to do so.

Tired of the corruption and lies in LC   10-9-07

I cannot say that I am happy about hearing of another lawsuit being wagedafter reading that Pilot is taking us to court. However, I was happy to hear who in my opinion was caught red handed again- Russell Newman our dear planner. From personal experience, I know that the man changes- or ignores rules and regulations when it suits him. This is not the first nor will it be the last time the man has lied. I had hopes that the county would do something, but realize that having someone do your bidding can affect the amount of money in some officials pockets.

Newman has destroyed the beauty of this county by smoothing the way for some developers and has made a nice little nest egg himself with his unethical-if not illegal deals. Mulberry street property and the property that he and developer Cheng bought on Watt Cemetery road come to mind. County Commission knows about his side deals and choose to ignore it. In my book, they are just as unethical. But whoever said the officials in Loudon County have ethics?

Tired of the corruption in LC 10/1/07

Why would we have two school systems? Seems like it would make a lot of since to only have one. I guess that's why there are two. Rarely do politicians display since.

A parent 9/27/07

I'd like to add one more thing to the Leo- on-the-job post. Leo is paid to do two jobs- maintenance director and purchasing agent for the county. Even my bad math says that those two jobs pay more than tax assessor would. Would YOU give up a good paying job for less pay? My bet is that if you had a friend in government that could slip a little under the table for doing a favor here or there- you just might.
 
While on the subject of money, Gordon Harless is paid about 50,000 for being the animal shelter director. I have not seen a salary for his EMS or his convenience center jobs. Does this same government friend slip something under the table for those two jobs? Can we add security guard for the mayor to his list of jobs, since his home seems to be the county building these days?

Tired of the corruption in LC 9/25/07

Dave Divelbiss made some good points and observations "Leo-on-the-job-for-you"! 

When Joe Webb went before the Grand Jury, why didn’t he do some real digging and add Leo Bradshaw’s name, Mayor Arp’s trusted lieutenant, to the list? Bradshaw is the Maintenance and Purchasing Director. He is paid to oversee the maintenance of all county buildings, schools included! Where oh where has Leo been, when schools were falling into disrepair and neglect?

Why would city officials even consider giving Overholt any tax breaks? They have to know as soon as he gets what he wants he will sell out and be on to his next big deal. It's all just a bunch you of you know what. City council better wake up and smell the roses.

A city tax payer 9/24/07

Sherri and Mac,

You're both right. They all go to Gatlinburg.

School safety was on everyone’s mind when the Loudon County Board of Education held its annual retreat in Gatlinburg. (News Herald)

Lenoir City is broke, LCUB is broke, the BOE claims they're broke. So why are any of them spending thousands of dollars going on junkets at the tax payers expense?

This just once again shows what a disconnect exists between our elected officials and reality.

Raymond 9/20/07

After reading your "election 08" it was a surprise to see Arp's new yes man, Leo Bradshaw, in the running. I was there when Jenkins was appointed and it did not sit well with Arp to see Mrs. Smith loose to Mr. Jenkins. In my opinion the last thing we need in this county is Arp controlling the tax appraisals again., which is exactly what will happen if Bradshaw gets the seat.

Tired of Arp in LC   9/19/07

Bad week for the Marcus tag team. She got a smacked down her insurance scam, he got a smack down on trying to dump Headlee.

Laughing in Loudon 9/18/07

Another good argument to secure the armory.

ET man gets 15 years for plot

A schizophrenic ex-guardsman who admitted a plot to blow up a Tennessee National Guard armory in Lenoir City and kill a retired sergeant and a captain racked up a 15-year prison term Monday.

Ivan Duane Braden also becomes the first East Tennessean to be officially labeled a terrorist under a provision in federal law that boosts the penalty range for acts of terrorism.

The sentencing brings to a close a case that has spanned nearly three years and saw Braden deemed mentally incompetent and then mentally rehabilitated through medication.

In fact, mental illness is both what drove Braden to plot the armory attack and to confess it before he carried it out.

“Determining the appropriate sentence in this case has been extremely difficult,” U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips said at Monday’s hearing.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Braden, 22, in October 2004 after Braden, who had been on his way to Iraq as a guardsman but was booted out of training because he confessed urges to shoot fellow soldiers, showed up at an outpatient clinic operated by Peninsula with a stunning tale.

He intended to break into the armory and take hostages, including retired Sgt. Maj. Robert Williams, who had delivered Braden the news that he would not be allowed back in the Guard until he was cleared by a medical board.

Braden planned to periodically kill hostages until his demand that his commanding officer, Capt. Charles Leslie, be delivered to him to be beaten and killed. He would then blow up the armory.

Guard The Crossroads 9/18/07

• this county is getting a lot of high end housing that I am sure pays its share of taxes. A lot of tax dollars generated from the village and from the areas on the outer edges of the county near Knox and now Rarity Point in Greenback.      
  where are all the dollars going?
• We have a substantial industrial base that keeps increasing there profit margin. do these companies not have to pay taxes?
  if so where are all the dollars going?       
• With all the publicity in Knox county about misuse of money and county issued vehicles do we not think it is time to look at how many non-worked related miles are put on some of our departmental issued vehicles? And while we are at it why do we not establish guidelines for who gets these vehicles? The sheriff department has a lot of unmarked vehicles that are used as a persons primary mode of transportation whether is on or off duty. Does the county still furnish a vehicle equipped with Blue lights and siren to a Ms. Helton of the Baptist association for her to drive to and from home and work with tax payers footing the bill for vehicle and fuel everyday?
• Is it true that the LCEDA uses tax dollars to buy food and alcohol for potential developers?
• If the LCEDA is doing such a good job why do we only have one food market in Loudon?
• If they are doing such a good job why is it taking so long for the Centre 75 development to get established? I am 50 and I would like to see the promised KFC go in while I still have my teeth.
• Did the LCEDA audit ever get results? if so where can we find those results?
• LAST but not least......IS IT NOT TIME THAT NANCY MARCUS GET VOTED OUT OF OFFICE...she is in the news for all the wrong reasons and putting too much effort in trying to make it harder on the spoke that support the wheel.

Armory Revisited

Last weeks story on the illegal immigrant parties at the National Guard Armory at Eaton's Crossroads, generated a lot of interest in both those who agreed that this was inappropriate activity and those who defended the activity. I received a number of emails and a couple of blog posts taking issue with my position on the use of the armory by illegals. Some questions were relevant and worthy of response.

My investigation into the parties was prompted by concerns brought to my attention by residents and law enforcement. It had nothing to do with prejudice or profiling based on any skin color. The only group I hold prejudice toward are criminals who openly violate the law. If you break the law, that is a crime and therefore makes you a criminal. Currently the law makes it a crime to be in the USA illegally and until that changes, those who are here illegally are criminals.

"Innocent until proven guilty" is a statutory requirement applied to the government, not a requirement enforced on the people. It's true that I don't have a law degree but I do have a degree in common sense and applying the simple percentages of our school system, 90% of those in attendance at the party would be illegal aliens. Surely no one would be naive enough to suggest that all those at this one event were legal.

I will never reveal the sources of information for articles unless those involved agree or request to be named in a story. However in the case of the Armory it could be that those responsible for actually renting the facility feel trapped in a politically correct environment where, what ever action taken could be held as the wrong action. Maybe the bigger question is whether a military installation such as the Armory should ever be open to mass public events in this era of terrorism and just plain craziness? If a lack of proper funding for the facility is the driving force for open events, then changes at a higher level should be taken.

And finally, to the personally degrading remarks, I know some find it necessary to be critical of others success to justify their own failures.

Illegal immigration and the associated problems are certainly not unique to our community but are a nation wide problem that is driven by the booming economy. Where there's plenty of work and plenty of money, the illegals will follow. Until the state and federal government gives local agencies the tools, resources and authority to address the problem, it will get worse.

Van Shaver, Blog Host 9/10/07

Today, I would like to address some recent comments and writings made about the National Guard armory in Lenoir City.  There are several in discrepancies in those communications that I would like Mr. Shaver to address.

Let us first start with the border missions that these troops have been called to perform. Operation Jump Start, the calling of National Guard troops to the border, is not for the arresting of illegals. The troops are there to perform support missions so that the  Border Patrol Agents can police the border.  National Guard members are not involved in actual law enforcement at the border.  Matter of fact, the troops are instructed to do nothing but report the sighting of an illegal crossing. So, the first discrepancy is that these soldiers are not "charged with enforcing immigration laws" nor are they "charged with arresting illegal immigrants."  The soldiers at any armory have no more control over illegal immigrants than your local bag boy.

Secondly, he makes his case about these events hosting illegal immigrants on a regular basis.  I would have to claim that as not being so.  He has only spoken of the two, and from my knowledge that is the only Hispanic parties that have been held there.  That in itself is not a regular basis.  If you only went to church two times you wouldn't consider yourself a regular attendee.  If you had smoked pot twice in your life, you wouldn't be a regular drug user.  The other point to this discrepancy is that Mr. Shaver has no proof that these attendees were indeed illegals.  Do not get me wrong when I say that illegal immigration is a problem and a widespread one at that.  I believe that our great system has something as innocent until proven guilty.

You spoke of "state officials" telling you that the armory would not be rented for those occasions anymore.  I was wondering if you could more clearly define those state officials.  I believe that the state has no formal regulation on armory rentals, leaving it to the local armory employees.  You spoke to the state, did you speak to the local soldier's at the armory?  If not, why?

In dealing with armory rentals over the years, it is my understanding that part of most armory policies on rentals include a section on
alcohol usage.  I believe that an off duty law enforcement officer must be employed by the renter if there is to be any alcohol consumption.  I would like to know, other than the one party that you spoke of, what other events have you known of that included alcohol?  You mentioned in your piece about various events.

I could go on and on about immigration and such, but will not.  In closing you make a statement on this very blog page not to make false accusations yet your website seems to be full of those.  You also mention about hypocrites that drag others through the mud for personal gain.  I am wondering if that might be you.................................

Time to either go in and start checking green cards, volunteer to police events that might contain any illegal act, volunteer to give rides home upon failure of a Breathalyzer, or just move on to a far better subject.

Questioning
Kingston, TN 7/9/07

I would like to address commissioner Nancy Marcus latest attempt to hurt every Loudon County employee. For what ever her reasons are, she has been on a three year crusade to change our insurance policy to the point that some of us could not afford to continue to work for the county. Unlike Mrs. Marcus, not all of us make sixty thousand dollars a year and can afford another hit to our pay check. While it's true the county has made sure the upper class employees and friends and family of our elected officials (Mr. Arp) have received huge rises, those of us not related or buddies in the right circle and on the lower end of the pay scale can barely make ends meet as it is. I know Marcus can not understand that.

Mrs. Marcus keeps telling us that her motives are about saving the county money. What a liar and hypocrite. At the very same time she is trying to cost us money in the name of saving the county money, she has voted for herself and other commissioners a hefty pay raise, voted for huge raises for "certain" employees, voted to expand the county office building for hundred of thousands and voted to buy all the commissioners new lap top computers which probably none of them could even turn on.

As a county employee I am outraged at Mrs. Marcus on going attempt to punish us for her bad decisions. As a first district resident you can bet I will be doing everything I can to make sure she never gets elected again.

One of many very angry employees 9/7/07

Dear Van,

I have viewed your video several times trying to identify the problems that you point out, but it seems that I need your help.

You say that there is a problem with people drinking at the event, but I did not see any booze, BYOB, or otherwise, in your video, or anyone acting in a disorderly, drunken manner. I only saw some water bottles, Mountain Dew, Coke, and other soft drinks. What I saw actually made me smile. There were children having fun, people dancing to a slow melody, others sitting and talking. No one was acting in a threatening way or even talking loudly. They were not even smoking outside! Talk about a good Christian gathering.

So, what was it that you saw, Van, that troubled you so much? Was it that you came in, didn't recognize anyone there, and no one noticed you? No one shook your hand?

The people at the armory that you videotaped don't seem to be white, but I could not tell if they were undocumented immigrants or not. How can you tell?   Is it because they are brown skinned, wear cowboy hats and speak a different language? I must tell you that I am as brown as they are, can speak another language, and yet, I am as American as you and I try to serve my community and country in every way I can, just as you do. In fact, from all that I have read and know about you, I would venture to say that you and I have a lot of things in common, with the exception that I actually hold a 4 year degree from an accredited university and did not get my money from my dad's produce store.

If you think that they are undocumented simply because they are brown, which I don't think that you would be so shallow and nearsighted to do, then we do have a problem, because there are so many people here in America who are American despite being brown. But I think I have a solution to this "distinguishing" matter which you might like: why don't we have everyone who is a citizen wear some kind of symbol on the outside of their clothing so we know that they are citizens,  just like they did in some places back in the 1940's?

You, Mr. Shaver, have a huge burden on your shoulders. Your website and blog are read and taken very seriously by many people in Loudon County . So, I urge you to be very careful in you generalizations and statements when it comes to an entire group of people.   I believe that it is a far greater crime to incite hatred for others than to have a party at a local facility. And, if alcohol, drugs, and bad intentions are what you are looking for, I urge you to attend the Armory when they have one of those toughman contests, unless you afraid of having a substance abuse relapse.

If the story I read on this site about the illegal aliens using the Armory is true, and apparently it is, then I am outraged. Who is in charge of allowing that to happen? Somebody should be fired or court marshaled. This is a travesty to our military. I for one will be contacting every federal and state official I can to register my complaint. I want to thank Mr. Shaver for once again bringing us the real story.

Mildred G. Loudon 9/5/07

I am shocked that LCEDA would be associated with such a potty mouth as yourself. The reason Van is concerned with LCEDA is he cares about this community, and not the welfare of a few! What kind of work do you really think gets done down there on a daily basis? Do you think any body has a hard job? Bad benefits/retirement/insurance/vacation ect.? How about stress? Do you think they feel any pressure from  the struggling economy? I am sure they are doing an outstanding job whatever it is they do on a daily basis.
Who in their right mind would not like a gig like this? Do you have any idea what their job descriptions are? I think 90% of the
taxpayers in Loudon County would sign up for a tour of duty there (LCEDA) if they realized what a gravy train that is. No accountability what so ever!

Ride around Loudon county and tell me what kind of planning has been going on here in the last 20 years? Roads are over crowded, Schools are overcrowded, go try to pull out at Ford Road and Muddy Creek or Shaw Ferry and Hwy 11. How about bringing Adesa Drive onto Hwy 70 This is real smart! Commercial use at Dixie Lee Junction 70 and 11 This is another example . It is a  wonder their has not been bad wrecks at both.

If you do not Like Van Shaver do not look at this sight. Sounds to me you already know this is where you can get the real news in Loudon County. Van tells it like it is! The Truth Hurts. Sounds to me like you may have one of these Government jobs where you swing on the Tit of the taxpayers too! Your momma should wash your mouth out with soap !!! Open your eyes to what is really going on! Keep up the good work Van! Do not let this idiot bother you sounds like she , he or it is in the Fraternity.

Max     Lenoir City Loudon County USA 9/5/07

(I wasn't sure if this was meant just for me or if the sender wanted it blogged. But in an effort to always be fair and balanced here it is. I bleeped the profanities. Van)

Why are you so concerned with LCEDA? (Loudon County Economic Development Agency) I was just wondering I have been reading you blogs and realized you are almost annoying to them. Or at least you are to me. You know I know every person in that office and I do believe they are doing an outstanding job. I also think that yes its public knowledge what the county employees make but do you really have to display what Pat and Kathy make? I think its very immature and almost a**hole of you to diss them as much as you do and do you have  a clue what slander is? Because thats what you are doing to these people and as far as that goes you are just some backwoods reckneck son of a b**** who gets his kicks from tourturing people and blogging about bulls**t you have no clue about. Maybe I will blog about your extra long finger nail on your pinky finger. Did you know that makes you look like I cocaine addict....hmmm...maybe we should start that load of s**t on you and see how you feel. Mind your own f******g buisness and leave the EDA alone A**HOLE!!

Anonymous 9/4/07

Let's say I break into your house

A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!!!  It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV.

Her point:

Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely.

Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors.  I've done all the things you don't like to do.  I'm hard-working and honest  (except for when I broke into your house) .

According to the protesters:

You are Required! to let me stay in your house, You are Required to add me to your family's insurance plan, You are Required to Educate my kids, You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family. My husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part.

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself.  I'm a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house.

And what a deal it is for me!!!  I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.

Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you to learn MY LANGUAGE!!! so you can communicate with me.

An American 9/3/07

To the newcomers who think that we keep electing these fools over and over.... has it occurred to any of you that maybe the votes are changed, not counted correctly or not counted at all? Does anyone really think that Van lost so badly or that Matt Brookshire could have won as dog catcher? Corruption touches more than mayor's and sheriffs departments.

JT LC 8/30/07

Seems to me like there are too many foxes and if they keep feeding they will soon run out of hens. It appears that Doyle Arp and Robert Bowman are not happy with the judges ruling last week. Free Access to public records is about to be challenged once again. Robert Bowman must think the judge misunderstood and is now taking the fight to another county to make him understand. I think every citizen in Loudon County should have a front row seat for this. Either the judge will take care of Bowman once and for all,
or he will hang himself by reversing his decision. How many people show up to witness the show may determine  the outcome.

Suzy Q 8/30/07

District Attorney Russ Johnson openly admits that he used his influence and position to pull strings to get the fire marshal's office to back off on the life safety repairs at Loudon High School. So will Johnson be prosecuted? Will he be forced to step down? There seems to be no end to the corruption in Loudon County. Johnson as DA conjures up the old adage, The Fox Is Watching The Hen House."

Mark 7/28/07

I just had a relative sent to Lenoir City's driving school as part of their satisfaction of a speeding ticket. Apparently, Judge Terry Vann, co-council for Chief Deputy Tony Aikens, has appointed Aiken's daughter as driving school instructor. A very lucrative position. It just never ends. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

Mark LC 8/27/07

I've been reading this blog page for about a year now but have never submitted one till now. Not being a life long resident of this county, I feel I have a different perspective than some. Many of you seem to be surprised with the corruption of your local officials, yet you continue to elect the same ones over and over. What do you expect you will get? What message are you sending to the elected officials? Many of them were corrupt and everybody knew it before the election yet you voted to reelected the same people. This simply affirms to the corrupt officials that they can continue to flaunt their illegal and illicit activities. You asked for it, you got it. Stop complaining.

TVDAN 8/27/07

To Adam Not Surprised,
It is not just the Sheriff's department. And it is certainly not a new trend. Stealing county money has been going on for years. Back it the 1980's The County Court Clerk Riley Wampler. Who is a personal friend to Doyle Arp. Took $10,000 of tax payer money. Got caught, paid it back, and walked away. I am sure, if a true county wide all departments investigative audit was performed. We all might be surprised who has taken money and NEVER gotten caught.

Just Wondering 8/18/07

Question, why does the grand jury report to the mayor and the county purchasing agent ( I noticed the CC to both on your report)?
Is this more of the good ole boy system? Seems like no one goes punished around here lately. Maybe we need a new prosecutor?

Suzie Q 8/18/07

As a professional with six years of post secondary education and two degrees, I feel short changed. I should have joined the Loudon County Sheriff's department. Apparently the pay is excellent. According to records at the Blount County Court House, our own Loudon County Chief Deputy, Tony Aikens just bought himself a nice little mountain hide away in a gated community in Townsend for the tidy sum of $354,000.00. Congratulations Mr. Aikens. First the extortion charges dismissed, now a new summer cottage to get away from the rat race. Aint life grand.

Not Surprised 8/17/07

Is it just me or we starting to see a trend? Loudon County Deputy Drinnon gets caught stealing, pays back the stolen money and walks away. April Bowen, a Loudon County Deputy's wife, gets caught stealing pays back the stolen money and walks away. Deputy Aikens takes mans money gets caught pays back money walks away. Indictment dismissed three times. Deputy Arden indictment dismissed. Deputy Billy Hall indictment hung jury. The moral of the story, if you are affiliated with the Loudon County Sheriff's department you are apparently above the law.

Adam Not Surprised 8/14/07

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

This is the question we should be asking our county school board members. Obviously the sheriff's department has it's problems but they pale in comparison the the antics of the school board. What these clowns have done must border on criminal but maybe they could claim insanity. From the million dollars they threw away on the 321 land to the Loudon High School mess, the board in their entirety has proven their absolute in competency to deal with the simplest of issues. All of them should resign for the sake of the children and the citizens of Loudon County.

Bobby Broils in Loudon 8/6/07

Referring to the activities of the Loudon County Sheriff's Office as a soap opera is far too kind. In reality, it is a disgrace and embarrassment to the entire County.  It's all too obvious that there is no leadership in that office. Every manner of of immoral and often illegal activity is just accepted as business as usual. I understand that Tim Guider is an elected official, but when does it get to the point that some outside agency steps in to put a stop to the madness. We the people are surely getting the short end of the stick.

An Embarrassed County Resident 8/1/07