Tom Spangler Is A Great Sheriff – Mayor Williams Should Be Ashamed
Sheriff Tom Spangler has launched a blistering letter to Ron Williams, the mayor of Farragut. The letter comes after Williams appeared on WBIR-TV to express his dismay that the Knox County Sheriff’s Office had moved from Turkey Creek to a new location in Cedar Bluff. Williams also expressed his concern about the lack of the sheriff’s presence in Farragut. Williams complained that Spangler wasn’t returning telephone calls or attending meetings in Farragut. Mayor Williams did give KCSO some credit for having curbed sticky fingers and shoplifting at Turkey Creek.
“We pay our property tax, and out of that property tax we’re supposed to have police protection, and we have none,” Williams told WBIR.
“Knowing that the patrol duties of the deputies in the Town of Farragut have not changed and knowing the reason for the precinct move was entirely economic, you chose to go on television and lie,” Spangler wrote to the mayor.
A sheriff’s spokesperson did point out that sheriff’s deputies are dispatched through the 911 system rather than through precincts and that Farragut still has its dedicated units operating within the township.
“We have no complaints with the type of protection we have when we have it,” his honor, the mayor, told WBIR. “It’s just that we no longer have the police out here like what we had before.”
Meaning, a precinct in Turkey Creek rather than Cedar Bluff, which will support all of West Knox County. As to attending meetings, several news outlets did not mention that Sheriff Tom Spangler is presently battling cancer and, with a compromised immune system, crowds are a dicey thing.
Just about every subdivision in Knox County would like to have a patrol car stationed inside for the peace of mind of residents. And the daily newspaper wondered who was in charge of the sheriff’s department! Looks like Sheriff Tom Spangler will be there right through the completion of his term of office, September 1.
Most Americans Believe They Pay Too Much In Taxes
Most people don’t realize it, but taken in total, federal tax revenues have doubled since 2012. Every Democrat in Congress voted against the tax cuts proposed by President Trump and approved by Republicans in Congress, which prevented an increase in taxes of $4 trillion. Yet we are also spending more and more and a recent poll indicated Republicans, Independents and Democrats – – – 70% of Americans – – – believe they pay too much in taxes.
Blackburn Running Strong In Governor’s Race
Tennesseans will be voting again this August with primaries for all state offices and federal offices. The marquee race in the state is the Republican nomination for governor, as incumbent Bill Lee is term-limited. US Senator Marsha Blackburn, Congressman John Rose, and state Representative Monty Fritts are competing for the GOP nod to run in the general election for governor.
Polls presently have Senator Blackburn leading the field handily, but she has taken nothing for granted and has been campaigning actively for months. In the Senate, Blackburn has been an ardent advocate for Tennessee and has been one of the strongest supporters of President Trump’s agenda in Congress.
Blackburn has just been endorsed by the Shelby County Deputy Sheriff’s Association for governor. The president of the SCDSA, Mark Lowe, issued a press release saying, “Today, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Association is proud to officially endorse and support Marsha Blackburn for Governor of Tennessee.”
Lowe praised Senator Blackburn’s rock-solid support of law enforcement professionals and officers throughout her time in public office. Lowe praised Senator Blackburn’s “strong leadership” and “true commitment to public safety and unwavering support” for law enforcement personnel.
Blackburn thanked the SCDSA for their endorsement and, in turn, praised “some of the bravest and most dedicated men and women in Tennessee.”
Shelby is the most populous county in Tennessee, and Blackburn has been endorsed by numerous West Tennessee mayors, many of whom have publicly stated they are deeply grateful to Blackburn for the senator’s support of the safety of our citizens and backing the men and women in blue.
Blackburn was also endorsed by the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association recently.
Oversight Board For Memphis – Shelby County Schools Is Needed
Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill into law that has the effect of creating a board of oversight for the Memphis – Shelby County School system. The bill was sponsored in the Tennessee General Assembly by state Senator Brent Taylor and state Representative Mark White. The public schools in Memphis and Shelby County have consistently received low performance ratings, as evidenced by repeated appearances on Tennessee’s priority list, and ongoing absenteeism. The oversight board will have the responsibility largely given to elected boards of education, including budgets, operations, school facilities, curriculum, academic performance and personnel. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Taylor and Representative White after the comptroller’s office cited no less than 175 deficiencies in the operation of the Memphis – Shelby County public schools. Some of the deficiencies included expenditures flagged as either “waste” or “abuse” amounting to $1.14 million, as well as an additional $1.73 million in expenditures which did not adhere to district policies.
Bryan Burklin, a veteran employee of the comptroller’s office and the director of the local government audit division, called the discrepancies “staggering” and “some of the worst I’ve seen in my 45-year career.”
Governor Lee, in accordance with the legislation, has named five members of the special oversight committee, and another four members will be appointed by Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton.
