Last night, the West Knox Republican Club met and the candidates for Knox Co. Law Director. Bud Armstrong was late, (Gary Loe even speculated that Armstrong might not make it) Nathan Rowell gave a good presentation, mentioning that back in 1991 he became a Knoxville Journal copy editor and in December 1991 the paper closed. So, he went to law school and has been practicing governmental law for 20 plus years. He discussed three recent cases that he represented the taxpayers and won, Red Bank, TN; Bean Station, TN and Rocky Top, TN.

Armstrong came in dramatic fashion, out of breath and said he didn’t get a speeding ticket although he tried. He talked about how disorganized the office was when he took over. He didn’t identify which former law director was to blame, Joe Jarrett, Bill Lockett, John Owings, Mike Moyers, Richard Beeler, Dale Workman or all of them.

I asked them to discuss the recent story where Law Director Armstrong negotiated a $50,000 settlement with an incarcerated inmate, then the Magistrate ruled an additional $77,000 in Attorney fees. My question was why $50,000 to an incarcerated inmate. That is a lot of money in an inmates Commissary account. Newport cigarettes for everyone!

Phyllis Severance got up and challenged Rowell asking him where he has been working within the Republican Party. (NOTE: I BrianHornback have been active since I was 16, that is 33 years today) but because someone isn’t active doesnt mean they are not Republican. We need thousands to simply vote for our Republican candidates.

I will note before being nominated at a Republican caucus meeting in 2008 to be the Republican nominee for Knox Co. Commission, Bud Armstrong had never been seen actively engaging in Severance’s term “blood, sweat and tears”. Rowell responded to her that he has NEVER voted Democrat, always voted Republican and that the reason he hasn’t attended meetings and been in grass roots is because he is NOT a politician.