Tonight’s Knox County Commission meeting was a comedy of errors by Chair Terry Hill. If you follow the blog’s Facebook page, you could have followed it in real time. But never fear, I will lead you through it.
First up, on the published agenda Fifth District Commissioner was to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Hill called on Commissioner Frazier, I mean Russell. Russell has been a Commissioner since August 1, 2024 and sits third to the right of the Chair. Commissioner Frazier was honored tonight as a former four year Commissioner at Large Seat 11. Never fear, she can’t recall who her Commission colleague is, but recognized the Trustee, who is former 8 year Register of Deeds, who has been an employee of the County since he was 17, according to Register of Deeds, former County Clerk Sherry Witt.
Second, she did the honorary Resolution for eight year (two term) County Commissioner at Large Seat 10 Larsen Jay. Interestingly, no photo was done of the Commissioners with the honorary former Commissioners.
Third, the Chair announced that the Knox County Commission would honor former two year Knox County Chair Gina Oster next week. Odd, because Knox County Commission doesn’t meet next week.
Fourth, the Chair announced next is Public Forum, the County Clerk employees had to say NO, there were two more Honorary Resolutions. One for Dolly Parton and the other on Ovarian Cancer. There were photographs of those two Honorary Resolutions with all the Commissioners. The best part was both Resolutions by the Democrats, were signed by Mayor Betsy Henderson and Democrat’s Jackson and Huckaby read that.
Fifth, Chair Hill in asking Knox County Finance Director Chris Caldwell to the podium called him Commissioner Caldwell, Is he double dipping on the salaries from Finance Director and County Commission?
I call on the Republican Commissioners Angela Russell, Barry Beeler, Vice Chair Adam Thompson, Andy Fox, at Large Commissioners Justin Cofer and Garrett Holt to place a Resolution on the October agenda as a No Confidence Resolution in Chair Hill. All six can pass the Resolution, it takes six to pass the Resolution.
Three years ago Hill was Commission Chair (2023-2024) after having served as Vice Chair to Democrat Courtney Durrett (2022-2023), the electronic voting system has been inexistence for several months, Hill tried to blame the electronic system for her errors this evening. As a reminder, Hill was is retired as a Knox County Schools Social Worker (possibly a Supervisor), served six years on the Knox County School Board, evening serving as Chair of the School Board.
Word has been spreading that in 2028, she will challenge State Rep Justin Lafferty for District 89 State House, I already have a headache watching tonight’s fiasco, I can not even consider Hill at the State Capitol.
