Knox Commission thumbs nose at public

The Knox County Commission is continuing to thumb its nose at the public.

You'll remember the commission plotted to elect cronies to empty seats until a court ruled that it has violated open meetings laws.

With that, a citizens committee came up with nine reforms intended to make county government more open and responsive.

Commissioners could have voted to put the reforms on the ballot so the public could decide whether to change the county's charter. Instead, it told voters if they want reform, they'll have to force it upon commissioners via a referendum. Only one of the reforms was approved for the ballot and that is to allow a petition drive to change the charter by 15 percent of voters in the last gubernatorial election rather than 15 percent of registered voters in Knox County.

Undaunted, a group called Knox Charter Petition is organizing to gather the signatures it needs to put the amendments before voters. It won't be an easy task -- 40,000 signatures are needed. Reports say the group has raised more than $60,000 so far and has hired Citizens Solutions of Portland, Ore., to manage the collection of the signatures in hopes of getting the issues on the August ballot.

A look around Tennessee leaves little doubt that the power brokers are alive and well and working to maintain control of the people's government. While Knox commissioners block reforms, Nashville's mayor and Chamber of Commerce seek to control the schools and in Memphis, the mayor says he'll give up his job only if he can take control of the schools. And to make it easier, public officials are working to keep records of their efforts secret.

Government is not intended for the enrichment of a few. It is intended to serve the people. If the current trend continues, nothing short of electoral revolution will stop them.

It's time the people regained control of their government.

    -- Jim Grinstead