Sunday, January 15, 2012
Blount County Young Republicans Hosting Debate Watching Party
The Blount County Young Republicans will be hosting a Republican Presidential Debate Watching Party on this upcoming Monday, January 16th. The event will take place at the Court Yard Grill on Alcoa Highway, and guests are encouraged to arrive by 8:45 P.M. The debate starts at 9:00 P.M. and will last until approximately 11:00 P.M.
I plan on attending (providing that I can get at least one of the boys to sleep by then). As with most YR events, it will be a casual evening with informal discussions by Republicans under 40 who are concerned about our nation. For those not familiar with Court Yard Grill, it is on the right as you head south down Alcoa Highway just prior to entering the Alcoa Motor Mile. It's a big restaurant with green neon highlights.
I plan on attending (providing that I can get at least one of the boys to sleep by then). As with most YR events, it will be a casual evening with informal discussions by Republicans under 40 who are concerned about our nation. For those not familiar with Court Yard Grill, it is on the right as you head south down Alcoa Highway just prior to entering the Alcoa Motor Mile. It's a big restaurant with green neon highlights.
Labels: 2012 Presidential Campaign, Blount County, YRs
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Judge Young Retires
The Honorable W. Dale Young, Judge of the Circuit Court of Blount County, Division 1, retired from the bench yesterday.
I had the pleasure of practicing before Judge Young for the past 6 years. Even if the case didn't turn out the way that I wanted, I always felt that my client had received a fair and impartial hearing. Judge Young wasn't afraid to hammer a deadbeat dad, but he also showed great compassion for litigants that were needing the court to right a wrong. And no one enjoyed adoptions more than Judge Young; he and his staff went out of their way to make sure that it was a day that the children and adoptive parents would always cherish and remember.
That being said, Judge Young's retirement has been expected. He has been of poor health for quite a while, and despite his attempts to keep up with his dockets, it was apparent to everyone that a Republican Governor would likely mean his retirement. (If you don't understand the need for a Republican Governor, research what happened last time that Governor Bredesen appointed a Circuit Court judge and the drama that ensued.)
Names have been floating for a while as to who will apply to replace Judge Young. Some of them include the following: the Honorable William R. Brewer, Judge of the General Sessions Court of Blount County (Division III); Rob Goddard, former County Attorney under Mayor Jerry Cunningham; and Tammy Harrington, Deputy District Attorney.
Some folks have said that I am a candidate. I can see why people would say that, since I have established residency in Blount County recently, have let it be known that I would like the opportunity to serve this community as a member of the judiciary, and have never turned down the experience of sitting for a judge when they are not available. However, at this time and until I feel otherwise led, I am not planning on submitting my name for consideration for the Circuit Court position.
Whoever is appointed to the bench will have a hard act to follow. In addition to Judge Young, Blount County has a great collection of jurists that have set a high standard for any newcomer to the bench to uphold.
Photo from Blount Today
MORE: Editorial on Judge Young's Service
Labels: Blount County, Judiciary
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Blount County Bar's Young Lawyers Division Meeting Today
Just a reminder that the Young Lawyers Division of the Blount County Bar is meeting today at Aroma Cafe (off of E. Broadway) in Alcoa at noon. All eligible lawyers (either in the first five years of practice or under the age of 35) are welcome to attend.
The Blount County YLD is a fairly new group, and our slated topics of discussion today are related to website development and future CLE topics. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
The Blount County YLD is a fairly new group, and our slated topics of discussion today are related to website development and future CLE topics. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Labels: Blount County, Firm Life, YLD
Friday, May 22, 2009
Blount County Lincoln Day TONIGHT
I'm about to dash to William Blount High School, site of the 2009 Blount County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. It starts at 6:00 P.M., and Congressman Marsha Blackburn is the keynote speaker.
See y'all there!
See y'all there!
Labels: Blackburn, Blount County, Lincoln Day
Friday, January 16, 2009
What Does Not Kill Me Makes Me Stronger - and This Cold Just Might Kill Me
Anyone who has seen me in court over the past two days has surely been conflicted over whether to feel pity or feel amused. With my voice having disappeared on Tuesday evening on my way back from Nashville, I was pretty useless in Sevier County Juvenile Court Wednesday morning. As my voice continued to fail, I almost had to break down into interpretive dance to communicate with Judge Rader.
My voice was a bit better on Thursday, although I probably felt worse. If the case scheduled for the afternoon in Blount County Juvenile Court hadn't been one that I had been involved in for over 17 months and was set for conclusion, I probably would have been laid up in bed.
That being said, I was unable to attend Blogger Night with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra on Thursday night. (You can get a complete recap from Frank Murphy over at his site.) Likewise, I was unable to attend the Blount County Commission meeting, where our good friend Peggy Lambert was selected to take the place of newly elected Representative Robert Ramsey on the Commission.
Sometimes I have to laugh about how I garner certain information before it is released. The Daily Times and certain other commissioners were seemingly shocked at Lambert's quick rise to the Commission, as only some other guy named Huddleston had been formerly nominated for the job. Heck, it's been at least 5 months since I was told that Peggy would more than likely take Ramsey's spot. I'm just glad that it's done with, because it's somewhat disconcerting to keep reading headlines like "Huddleston Looks to Join Commission" when I don't remember doing anything of the sort.
Now let's see if I can get to feeling better...
My voice was a bit better on Thursday, although I probably felt worse. If the case scheduled for the afternoon in Blount County Juvenile Court hadn't been one that I had been involved in for over 17 months and was set for conclusion, I probably would have been laid up in bed.
That being said, I was unable to attend Blogger Night with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra on Thursday night. (You can get a complete recap from Frank Murphy over at his site.) Likewise, I was unable to attend the Blount County Commission meeting, where our good friend Peggy Lambert was selected to take the place of newly elected Representative Robert Ramsey on the Commission.
Sometimes I have to laugh about how I garner certain information before it is released. The Daily Times and certain other commissioners were seemingly shocked at Lambert's quick rise to the Commission, as only some other guy named Huddleston had been formerly nominated for the job. Heck, it's been at least 5 months since I was told that Peggy would more than likely take Ramsey's spot. I'm just glad that it's done with, because it's somewhat disconcerting to keep reading headlines like "Huddleston Looks to Join Commission" when I don't remember doing anything of the sort.
Now let's see if I can get to feeling better...
Labels: Blount County, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Music
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Red State Update: Maryville Townhall Meeting
Tuesday night at Maryville College was a special night. In fact, it might have been the most raucous night at Maryville College since the school's one keg party (which is a legend that still lives to this very day).
Jackie & Dunlap of Red State Update held a Townhall Meeting at Maryville College - which, as one alumnus puts it, is the school that put the "liberal" into the "liberal arts college" - in an effort to both entertain and enlighten. At least one of those goals was achieved Tuesday night. When informally polled by Dunlap, about 20 of the nearly 200 people packed into the venue showed some support for John McCain (and those would have been me, a few elected Republicans, some of Lamar Alexander's staff, and about 7 students). You can guess who had the other 180 people (although there wasn't much guessing who the women wearing all purple and carrying a black mannequin head with a purple wig were supporting - at least they took off their tin foil hats for the show). Dunlap said that he understood, though, because all Maryville College students had to take an oath while touching the Covenant Stone (that sits in the middle of campus) to vote Democratic for the rest of their natural lives.
Jackie and Dunlap did a great job with improvisation, especially given that Maryville College's sound system was apparently the same one used by Marx when he was trying to redistribute wealth. Early on, the microphones were discarded (forcing Dunlap to disrobe, much to the delight of the female members of the crowd), and the boys went on the strength of their own voices for the rest of the night. This also cut out several of the musical numbers, but there were plenty of songs to keep the crowd going.
Jackie & Dunlap heavily involved the audience in the show. From the start, they worked the room, even saying that I looked like a judge (which sounds like my first endorsement for a random judgeship should I decide to run for one). Many ground rules were also in effect, including that hope would not be mentioned ("There is no hope here."), that military pandering and pandering to the Religious Right would be mandatory, and that one segment would have to be devoted to saving the environment.
Jackie sang a new song, which may have been titled "Need a Little Churchin' Up." I'm pretty sure that it sets a new international record for the number and variety of bestiality references, but I will have to check with Guinness.
Other topics discussed were Al Gore's negative tanning beds ("sucks the tan right out of him"), the need for Dunlap to sell their latest CD, "How Freedom Sounds," because he's up to his neck in a time share pyramid scheme, Obama's ties to William Ayres ("What kind of p^%$@ terrorist has a living room?"), how McCain should have had an Obama impersonator do some robocalls that made Obama sound like a hippy on drugs, and how one -ism has been put down ("sexism") but that it doesn't help Joe Biden (who suffers from "assholeism").
Dunlap then channeled Conway Twitty (or so he said) and sang a little ditty that involved him sexually harassing the women in the audience. As you can tell from the picture above, Dunlap had the women all over him, to the point where I almost had to call for security to help him for fear of him being hurt by the co-eds in the crowd.
Shimmy Sham, the liberal dummy, also made an appearance. However, he was short-lived, since he's on the faculty at Maryville College and had to attend a faculty meeting.
There were a few other revelations during the show. Jackie revealed that he probably wouldn't run for President in 2012 because he doesn't want to upset Sarah Palin. (I can't be sure, but I think Jackie might be a bit sweet on the Alaskan Governor...) Also, Jackie and Dunlap revealed that they have a big time fan in the person of Karl Rove. (They said that I could announce this here, and that they would be making a big announcement about it on a later YouTube.) Apparently, before they left to come to Blount County, the boys received a letter from Karl Rove - in his actual handwriting. It's just another sign of how much influence this duo from the 'Boro are gaining.
Their fame isn't going to their heads, though. They stood around, talked with fans, posed for pictures, and signed autographs for an extended period of time after the show.
I had a great time. If you're ever lucky enough to have Jackie and Dunlap come near your town for a Townhall Meeting, fake debate, or even a bar mitzvah, make sure to check them out.
Jackie & Dunlap of Red State Update held a Townhall Meeting at Maryville College - which, as one alumnus puts it, is the school that put the "liberal" into the "liberal arts college" - in an effort to both entertain and enlighten. At least one of those goals was achieved Tuesday night. When informally polled by Dunlap, about 20 of the nearly 200 people packed into the venue showed some support for John McCain (and those would have been me, a few elected Republicans, some of Lamar Alexander's staff, and about 7 students). You can guess who had the other 180 people (although there wasn't much guessing who the women wearing all purple and carrying a black mannequin head with a purple wig were supporting - at least they took off their tin foil hats for the show). Dunlap said that he understood, though, because all Maryville College students had to take an oath while touching the Covenant Stone (that sits in the middle of campus) to vote Democratic for the rest of their natural lives.
Jackie and Dunlap did a great job with improvisation, especially given that Maryville College's sound system was apparently the same one used by Marx when he was trying to redistribute wealth. Early on, the microphones were discarded (forcing Dunlap to disrobe, much to the delight of the female members of the crowd), and the boys went on the strength of their own voices for the rest of the night. This also cut out several of the musical numbers, but there were plenty of songs to keep the crowd going.
Jackie & Dunlap heavily involved the audience in the show. From the start, they worked the room, even saying that I looked like a judge (which sounds like my first endorsement for a random judgeship should I decide to run for one). Many ground rules were also in effect, including that hope would not be mentioned ("There is no hope here."), that military pandering and pandering to the Religious Right would be mandatory, and that one segment would have to be devoted to saving the environment.Jackie sang a new song, which may have been titled "Need a Little Churchin' Up." I'm pretty sure that it sets a new international record for the number and variety of bestiality references, but I will have to check with Guinness.
Other topics discussed were Al Gore's negative tanning beds ("sucks the tan right out of him"), the need for Dunlap to sell their latest CD, "How Freedom Sounds," because he's up to his neck in a time share pyramid scheme, Obama's ties to William Ayres ("What kind of p^%$@ terrorist has a living room?"), how McCain should have had an Obama impersonator do some robocalls that made Obama sound like a hippy on drugs, and how one -ism has been put down ("sexism") but that it doesn't help Joe Biden (who suffers from "assholeism").
Dunlap then channeled Conway Twitty (or so he said) and sang a little ditty that involved him sexually harassing the women in the audience. As you can tell from the picture above, Dunlap had the women all over him, to the point where I almost had to call for security to help him for fear of him being hurt by the co-eds in the crowd.
Shimmy Sham, the liberal dummy, also made an appearance. However, he was short-lived, since he's on the faculty at Maryville College and had to attend a faculty meeting.
There were a few other revelations during the show. Jackie revealed that he probably wouldn't run for President in 2012 because he doesn't want to upset Sarah Palin. (I can't be sure, but I think Jackie might be a bit sweet on the Alaskan Governor...) Also, Jackie and Dunlap revealed that they have a big time fan in the person of Karl Rove. (They said that I could announce this here, and that they would be making a big announcement about it on a later YouTube.) Apparently, before they left to come to Blount County, the boys received a letter from Karl Rove - in his actual handwriting. It's just another sign of how much influence this duo from the 'Boro are gaining.
Their fame isn't going to their heads, though. They stood around, talked with fans, posed for pictures, and signed autographs for an extended period of time after the show.
I had a great time. If you're ever lucky enough to have Jackie and Dunlap come near your town for a Townhall Meeting, fake debate, or even a bar mitzvah, make sure to check them out.
Labels: Blount County, Red State Update
Monday, October 27, 2008
Red State Update - Coming to Maryville
Folks, blogging isn't the only thing that's been "off" lately with me. I'm burned out - burned out on practicing law, burned out on this election cycle, burned out on this cough of mine that I just can't seem to shake (although the antibiotics are helping with that).
I need to recharge.
And hopefully that will start on Tuesday night at Maryville College when the only good thing to ever come out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee - Jackie and Dunlap from Red State Update - invade Maryville College (a school that puts the "liberal" in "liberal arts").
The Town Hall Meeting is set for Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 P.M. and should last for 1.5 hours. Did I mention that it was free to the public? Yes, that's FREE people! How many free things are you going to get this week? Not coming to this - the biggest political event in East Tennessee since the election of Greene County's Davy Crockett to Congress in 1826.
The event will be held at Isaac's Cafe in Bartlett Hall. I've heard that several prominent Blount County residents are already camping out for premium tickets, so get there plenty early!
I need to recharge.
And hopefully that will start on Tuesday night at Maryville College when the only good thing to ever come out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee - Jackie and Dunlap from Red State Update - invade Maryville College (a school that puts the "liberal" in "liberal arts").
The Town Hall Meeting is set for Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 P.M. and should last for 1.5 hours. Did I mention that it was free to the public? Yes, that's FREE people! How many free things are you going to get this week? Not coming to this - the biggest political event in East Tennessee since the election of Greene County's Davy Crockett to Congress in 1826.
The event will be held at Isaac's Cafe in Bartlett Hall. I've heard that several prominent Blount County residents are already camping out for premium tickets, so get there plenty early!
Labels: Blount County, Red State Update
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Blount County Meet & Greet
For those of you who would like to meet the new Blount County General Sessions Judge, Robert Headrick, there is a meet and greet scheduled this evening from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Blount County Public Library. Refreshments will be provided.
Judge Headrick has taken to his new position quite well, having only recently been appointed by the County Commission. Headrick was previously served as an Assistant District Attorney out of Mike Flynn's office in Maryville.
Judge Headrick has taken to his new position quite well, having only recently been appointed by the County Commission. Headrick was previously served as an Assistant District Attorney out of Mike Flynn's office in Maryville.
Labels: Blount County, Judiciary
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Life and Death in Blount County
My apologies for being MIA for the past few days. After my weekend-of-fun (my reward for surviving yet another year on the planet), life has been rather somber. My friend and colleague, DCS Attorney Susan Rushing, lost her son, Jonathan, who had been involved a few years back in a bad ATV accident. Jonathan was several years my junior, so this was a crushing blow. The outpouring of support from friend, family, and co-workers in Maryville was incredible, with several hundred well-wishers attending the receiving of friends on Monday evening.
Then, yesterday afternoon, I received word that Glee Coppinger, who was one of the bailiffs for Judge David Duggan in Blount County, had passed away suddenly Tuesday morning. Glee was on the other end of life's journey as compared to Jonathan. You see, Glee had stormed the beach at Normandy during D-Day. I have known Glee for several years, and I enjoyed our conversations immensely. He will be missed, and I do dread attending court before Judge Duggan (probably next week) without Glee in attendance. It won't be the same.
Then, yesterday afternoon, I received word that Glee Coppinger, who was one of the bailiffs for Judge David Duggan in Blount County, had passed away suddenly Tuesday morning. Glee was on the other end of life's journey as compared to Jonathan. You see, Glee had stormed the beach at Normandy during D-Day. I have known Glee for several years, and I enjoyed our conversations immensely. He will be missed, and I do dread attending court before Judge Duggan (probably next week) without Glee in attendance. It won't be the same.
Labels: Blount County, Obituaries
Thursday, August 14, 2008
State: Blount County Commission Will Appoint Duggan's Successor
In yet another blow to Blount County Democrats, the Tennessee State Election Commission issued an opinion regarding the soon-to-be-vacant General Sessions judgeship that requires the Blount County Commission to appoint a judge to sit on the bench until the elections in August, 2010.
The vacancy will occur once David Duggan is sworn in as the new Blount County Circuit Court Judge on September 2nd.
A few names have already been bandied about as to who may have an interest in the General Sessions position, with the name on everyone's lips being that of Robert Headrick, Assistant District Attorney.
I have worked with Robert on nearly a daily basis over the years, and I have found him to be an excellent prosecutor. While I know that I am supposed to be worried as a defense attorney about yet another prosecutor being elevated to the bench, I can't help but say that - in my opinion - Robert Headrick would be a great choice. I have no idea how District Attorney General Mike Flynn would replace Robert in his office, but his loss could be the Blount County judiciary's gain come September.
No doubt that the Blount County Democrats will take this ruling hard. After all, how will they come to terms with the State Election Commission - a group that is controlled by DEMOCRATS - being part of the vast Right-wing conspiracy, aka "the Republican Machine," that runs Blount County and cheats the Democrats out of everything?
Heh heh.
The vacancy will occur once David Duggan is sworn in as the new Blount County Circuit Court Judge on September 2nd.
A few names have already been bandied about as to who may have an interest in the General Sessions position, with the name on everyone's lips being that of Robert Headrick, Assistant District Attorney.
I have worked with Robert on nearly a daily basis over the years, and I have found him to be an excellent prosecutor. While I know that I am supposed to be worried as a defense attorney about yet another prosecutor being elevated to the bench, I can't help but say that - in my opinion - Robert Headrick would be a great choice. I have no idea how District Attorney General Mike Flynn would replace Robert in his office, but his loss could be the Blount County judiciary's gain come September.
No doubt that the Blount County Democrats will take this ruling hard. After all, how will they come to terms with the State Election Commission - a group that is controlled by DEMOCRATS - being part of the vast Right-wing conspiracy, aka "the Republican Machine," that runs Blount County and cheats the Democrats out of everything?
Heh heh.
Labels: Blount County, Democrats, Judiciary
