Is it time for a Metro Government?

[John Spellings]

I have become one of the opinion recently that we, in Knox county, are setting ourselves up for a long term problem. Our current governmental system is ill-serving our community and creating more problems than it solves. In the face of this I am forced to begin thinking that we need a completely new system in place to tackle the challenges we face.

A consolidated metro government (http://writeinspellings.blogspot.com/2008/04/what-im-prepared-to-do.html) could provide us with the stability and unity of purpose that is needed in our fast growing area. Notice that while the city continues to expand its jurisdiction the county stagnates and shrinks in its area of responsibility. Why do we need a dual system? Why must we have county representatives who live in a district encompassed completely by the city? Why are there parts of the county that have no access to city services?

I think that there needs to be serious consideration and discussion of this issue and hope to get some good feedback.

[Ian]

It might be a good idea to post this in the Forum rather than the Troublemakers section.

[binR Bishop]

I used to be all for metro government. Voted for it.

But now, with City government running well, and County government in complete disarray, I'm not at all sure I want the inmates taking over the entire asylum.

[Sappho]

A side from the government stuff, city development,commerce and such... I wonder about being subjected to laws and such that are in the city but not the county. I live in the county because i don't care about such services. And what about the increase in taxes for services I don't need, want or use. I already pay for a lot of services I will never use. That's not even considering that I am paying to a government that doesn't even recognize me as a fully equal citizen. My taxes would at least double.
Will I still be able to have my waste water filter out to my gardens if I become part of the city? I wonder how it is going to impact my home and living arrangments. If I have six unrelated womin living in one suitable house, are they going to make someone move because we could not posssibly be a family??? While others are breeding us into situations that deplete services and create demands for more services. I never hear anything about that kind of stuff. Just about how it would benefit the area and we could grow and develop.

I sure don't blame any city dweller for not wanting the Jerry Springer Show running the city! It's embarssing. That's what will drive opportunities away from the area.

[Tennessee Jed]

As long it don't change my paycheck I am all for it. As I understand most metro changeovers the city government goes out of business and the county takes over.

Do you all want Ragsdale (a.k.a. thief/liar/weasel) to be the boss?

[faybe]

It might be a good idea to post this in the Forum rather than the Troublemakers section.

he said in the other thread that his log in is labeled to go directly to trouble makers thread. He says he is spine-trep.

[spintrep]

he said in the other thread that his log in is labeled to go directly to trouble makers thread. He says he is spine-trep.

Please! Just anxious the question and step badgering the witness!!

[earlnemo]

He says he is spine-trep.


Please! Just anxious the question and step badgering the witness!!





"John Spellings" is spintrep?

[DnB]

"John Spellings" is spintrep?

I don't think so. I think spintrep was simply assuming spintrep's own posts were put over here. He didn't make that quite clear.
Spellings lives in Ian's building.

[faybe]

I don't think so. I think spintrep was simply assuming spintrep's own posts were put over here. He didn't make that quite clear.
Spellings lives in Ian's building.


I was wondering if anyone knew of Mr. Spellings. So he is real. It did get confusing why both of Spellings posts are in the Troublemakers area.

[# 9]

I have become one of the opinion recently that we, in Knox county, are setting ourselves up for a long term problem. Our current governmental system is ill-serving our community and creating more problems than it solves. In the face of this I am forced to begin thinking that we need a completely new system in place to tackle the challenges we face.

A consolidated metro government (http://writeinspellings.blogspot.com/2008/04/what-im-prepared-to-do.html) could provide us with the stability and unity of purpose that is needed in our fast growing area. Notice that while the city continues to expand its jurisdiction the county stagnates and shrinks in its area of responsibility. Why do we need a dual system? Why must we have county representatives who live in a district encompassed completely by the city? Why are there parts of the county that have no access to city services?

I think that there needs to be serious consideration and discussion of this issue and hope to get some good feedback.

The middle paragraph shows a complete lack of understanding about both the role of local government and history.

You need to do some research. It is difficult to believe you wrote, "Why are there parts of the county that have no access to city services?"

You really don't know what you are talking about do you? A clever graphic and some catch phrases are not enough. Where is the substance?

[John Spellings]

Wow I step away for a few days and the questions pile up.

Yea I am real. I live downtown, am running for commission, and care deeply for the success of it.

- I understand why certain parts of the county don't have access to city services, perhaps I didn't make myself clear as it was more rhetorical in nature.
--I simply was attempting to point out that all of Knox county could be operating under a generally unified umbrella for basic services. Sorry for the confusion, no need to attack.

We obviously must do something about the current system, I want a discussion about what possibilities we have. I'm willing to explore all of the options out there and if necessary make dramatic changes to the make up of our government, even at the risk of voting myself out of a job.