Daily Dose for November 29, 2007

Kurita May Face Primary Challenger

Kurita May Face Primary Challenger -- State Senator Rosalind Kurita will host a fundraiser tonight in Clarksville for her reelection efforts. Several members of Gov. Bredesen's team, including Economic Development Commissioner Matt Kisber and Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz are expected to attend. But apparently that doesn't mean there hasn't been momentum from folks looking for someone to challenge Kurita in a Democratic primary. Former Montgomery Co. Mayor Doug Weiland is expected to announce he will challenge Kurita in the primary soon. Some Democrats, led by State Sen. Jim Kyle, are still upset with Kurita for voting for the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor, Ron Ramsey.

Knox Co. Commissioners May Still Be Violating Sunshine Laws -- Attorneys that brought the much talked about News-Sentinel lawsuit, say that Knox Co. Commissioners may still be violating the State's Open Meeting Laws by talking about votes through intermediaries. Commissioner Phil Ballard had private discussions with Property Assessor John Whitehead about Ballard's vote on the method for making appointments to 12 vacant county offices. Whitehead wanted Ballard to support the plan put forth by Commission Chairman Scott Moore, who is Whitehead's son-in-law. Whitehead says he didn't talk to Moore about the plan, but does admit talking to Ballard. Richard Hollow: "It's a potential violation of the injunction ... You can violate that by your own action or by one person talking to another or by procuring an intermediary to do the conversation for you."

More on Proposed Open Meeting Law Changes -- The Knoxville News-Sentinel has more on the changes recommended by the state's Open Meetings Laws Study Committee. The committee voted earlier this week to recommend several revisions to the state's Open Meetings Laws, which Frank Gibson, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition on Open Government calls "a setback." More here and here.

Ford Prision Date Postponed -- U.S. Dist. Court Judge J. Daniel Breen postponed the former State Sen. John Ford's Dec. 12 incarceration date after Ford's attorney asked that he remain free while his ex-wife, Tamara Mitchell-Ford, serves a drunken-driving sentence of 11 months and 29 days in Collierville. They have four minor children -- ages 2 to 15 -- and Ford has become the custodial parent and their sole provider since their mother went into custody earlier this month.

Oak Hill Doesn't Have to Approve Gov's Plans -- The state Attorney General's office said the city of Oak Hill does not have to approve plans by First Lady Andrea Conte to build an underground entertainment room at the Governor's Mansion. The state replied to a letter by Oak Hill City Attorney Robert Notestine III asking that the Tennessee Residence Foundation Board present its plans to the Oak Hill City Commission for approval. Deputy Attorney General Kevin Steiling said the expansion is "under ultimate control" of the State Building Commission and does not have to be approved by local authorities.

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