TUESDAY,AUGUST27, 2013 SBAdeclaresfloodingto be disaster(Tennessean/Sisk)

Homeowners and business owners in Davidson, Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties will be eligible to apply for low-interest loans until Oct. 25 to cover physical damage caused by the flooding. They have until May 26, 2014, to apply for loans to cover economic damage. Gov. Bill Haslams office said Monday that more than 190 homes and 46 businesses in Davidson County were damaged during the heavy rains on Aug. 8. The interest rates on loans to homeowners who do not have other credit will be 1.937 percent, while homeowners with credit will pay 3.875 percent. Businesses will pay 4 percent or 6 percent, depending on whether they have credit elsewhere. Temporary offices will be opened to help those affected by the flooding apply for loans. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130826/NEWS/308260073/SBA-declares-flooding-disaster? nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Haslamannouncesdisasterrelief fromrecentflashfloods(DailyNewsJournal)
Gov. Bill Haslam announced Monday that the U.S. Small Business Administration has granted a disaster declaration for Metro Nashville-Davidson County and its contiguous counties, including Rutherford, for the flash flooding that occurred earlier this month. The declaration also includes Cheatham, Robertson, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties, and an SBA disaster declaration makes homeowners and businesses affected by the disaster eligible for low-interest loans. Those affected have until Oct. 25 to apply for assistance for physical damage and until May 26, 2014, to apply for relief from economic injury, according to a news release. Access to the SBAs disaster loans will help individual homeowners, renters and businesses begin the recovery process much faster, Haslam said. I am grateful to the SBA for making this assistance available. http://www.dnj.com/article/20130826/BUSINESS/308260051/Haslam-announces-disaster-relief-from-recent-flashfloods

HaslamnamesMontgomeryto criminalappealscourt (AssociatedPress)

Gov. Bill Haslam has named Robert "Rob" H. Montgomery Jr. to fill an upcoming vacancy in the eastern section of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Montgomery is a former assistant district attorney general who has been a criminal judge in Sullivan Count since 2006. He will replace Joseph M. Tipton, who is retiring at the end of his current term. Montgomery, of Kingsport, earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1979. Haslam last week named W. Neal McBrayer to the middle section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. He is replacing Patricia J. Cottrell, who isn't seeking another term. McBrayer is an attorney in private practice in Nashville. He specializes in commercial litigation and bankruptcy law. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/27/haslam-names-montgomery-to-criminal-appeals/

HaslamnamesRobertMontgomeryto TennesseeAppealsCourt(TimesFree-Press)
Gov. Bill Haslam today announced he will appoint Robert H. Montgomery Jr. of Kingsport to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Eastern Section. Montgomery, 59, is currently a criminal court judge in the Second Judicial District. He will replace retiring Criminal Court of Appeals Judge Joseph Tipton, who plans to step down next year at the end of his term. Rob Montgomery will be an excellent judge, Haslam said in a news release. His experience on the bench, as well as his experience as an assistant district attorney and an attorney in private practice will serve East Tennesseans well. Montgomery has been a criminal court judge since 2006. Prior to that, he was an assistant district attorney general in Sullivan County from 1987-2006 and an unemployment appeals referee in the Department of Employment Security in Kingsport, Morristown, Johnson City and Knoxville from 1986-1987. The judge said he is honored and humbled by the trust that the governor has placed in me, Montgomery said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/26/gov-bill-haslam-names-montgomery-tennessee-appeals/?local

HaslampicksKingsportjudgefor TennesseeCourtof CriminalAppeals(T-N)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has chosen Criminal Court Judge Robert Rob H. Montgomery Jr. of Kingsport as a judge for the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section. Montgomery will replace Joseph M. Tipton, who will retire at the conclusion of his current term. Rob Montgomery will be an excellent judge, Haslam said in a prepared release. His experience on the bench, as well as his experience as an assistant district attorney and an attorney in private practice will serve East Tennesseans well. Montgomery, 59, has been a criminal court judge in the Second Judicial District since 2006. He was assistant district attorney general in Sullivan County from 19872006 and an unemployment appeals referee in the Department of Employment Security in Kingsport, Morristown, Johnson City and Knoxville from 1986-1987. http://www.timesnews.net/article/9066669/haslam-picks-kingsportjudge-for-tennessee-court-of-criminal-appeals

McBrayerNamedto TN Courtof Appeals(TNReport)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed W. Neal McBrayer as a judge for the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Middle Section. McBrayer will replace Presiding Judge Patricia J. Cottrell, who will not serve an additional term of office. Neal McBrayer has a strong background as an attorney, and I am pleased to make this appointment, Haslam said. We are fortunate to have someone on the bench with his experience and expertise. McBrayer, 50, is an attorney at Butler, Snow, OMara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC in its Nashville office, concentrating on areas of commercial litigation and bankruptcy law. He was previously at Miller & Martin from 1999-2012 and at Trabue, Sturdivant & DeWitt from 1989-1998. I am honored by the governors selection and look forward to serving the people of the Middle Section on the Court of Appeals, McBrayer said. I will do my utmost to uphold the trust that the governor has placed in me. http://tnreport.com/2013/08/25/mcbrayer-named-to-tn-court-of-appeals/

Dyersburggetsfooddistributorship,157 newjobs(CommercialAppeal/Locker)
Dot Foods Inc. announced Monday it will build a $24 million food distribution center in Dyersburg, Tenn., that will employ about 157 people after it begins operations in September 2014, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic Development. The new 166,500 square-foot facility in Northwest Tennessee will include frozen and refrigerated storage, a warehouse and a truck and tractor garage. It will serve Dot Foods distributor customers in West and Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. The company, based in Mt. Sterling, Ill., is the nations largest food products distributor. Customers include Colgate Palmolive, Farmland Foods, General Mills and Tyson Foods. The new plant will be built in the Dyersburg Industrial Park on Tennessee 211. The new facility represents a boost for the Dyersburg area. About 2,500 industrial and warehouse jobs have disappeared in Dyer County over the last decade, bringing the number of factory and distribution workers employed to about 4,000. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/26/new-food-distributor-creates-157-jobs-dyersburg/ (SUB)

Heavyuse of standardizedtests sparkshardquestions(Tennessean/Fingeroot)

Principal Virgina Gunns data room is jam-packed with test results that she uses to create custom lesson plans for every child in her troubled school. Its hard to argue with her strategy, since students at her Margaret Allen Middle School made so much progress last year that the school landed on the states list of top achievers. But a growing number of Tennessee parents are joining their counterparts in other states in questioning the heavy use of standardized testing that forms the basis of so many education decisions. Its a steady drumbeat, said Metro Nashville school board member Amy Frogge. Parent groups are springing up in Knox and Williamson counties, and Frogge believes other areas are not far behind. My personal philosophy is theres too much testing, said Phillip Wallace, director of Stewart County schools. Its gotten out of hand. Were testing our children to death. It should be diagnostic, like going to the pediatrician. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/NEWS04/308270032/Tennessee-s-heavy-use-standardized-testssparks-hard-questions-from-parents-educators (SUBSCRIPTION)

KnoxvillebridgereopeningbeforeThanksgiving(AssociatedPress)
A main Knoxville bridge will reopen several months ahead of time, in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation says it didn't expect to reopen the bridge until late February after adding repairs to the bridge's concrete piers to the project. The bridge connects downtown Knoxville to south Knoxville across the Tennessee River by way of U.S. 441. The completed bridge will have new features, including wider sidewalks for pedestrians and bike lanes in each direction. TDOT says traffic will continue to be restricted to one 2

lane in each direction while workers finish staining and lighting and complete a gas line that runs the length of the bridge. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/27/knoxville-bridge-reopening-before-thanksgiving/

Biz community,leaderswelcomeHenleyBridge'sannouncedopening(N-S/Lakin)
After nearly three years, some of the most hated barricades in South Knoxville could be coming down. The Henley Bridge could reopen to traffic in time for the Thanksgiving rush, officials said Monday. The 82-year-old bridge, which connects South Knoxville and Chapman Highway to downtown, has been closed since January 2011. Plans initially called for the bridge to reopen in June, but delays pushed the schedule back. The delays and other complications have also pushed the final cost of the bridge work from an initial price tag of $24.7 million to nearly $32 million or higher. South Knoxville business owners, particularly those along Chapman Highway closest to downtown, rejoiced at the news. All I can say is that were really excited, said Ron Emery, owner of Emerys 5 & 10 on Chapman Highway. You can see all of South Knoxvilles been down. I think this will help quite a bit. Once the bridge is open, traffic will still be restricted to one lane in each direction while work continues on lighting and a gas line. Crews hope to have all work completed by next June. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/27/business-community-leaders-welcome-henley/

Smyrnawomanin 'freakaccident'on OcoeeID'd (TN, TFP/Tamburin,Bradbury)

Tennessee officials continued Monday investigating how two women, including one from Smyrna, died during the weekend while rafting on the Ocoee River in East Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are leading the inquiry, but evidence collected suggests the pair of deaths were tragic accidents, TDEC spokeswoman Kelly Brockman said. Katherine Tyler Luna, 36, had been rafting with family and friends Sunday when she fell into the water, Brockman said. Luna was removed from the water and taken to a nearby hospital. Lunas death came a day after 51-year-old Marnita McGruder of Georgia fell into the water and died. Both incidents took place in the Grumpys rapid area, Brockman said, and the women were on commercial rafts and were wearing life vests and helmets. River higher than normal On the Ocoee, the Tennessee Valley Authority regulates how much water flows down the river. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/NEWS21/308270031/Smyrna-woman-freak-accident-Ocoee-ID-d? nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

A deadly24 hours:Howtwo womenmet their deathson Ocoee(TFP/Bradbury)

Grace Hookway kayaked the Ocoee River on Monday, but she skipped the first major rapid in the Middle Ocoee. Because it's the same rapid -- "Grumpy's" -- where two women died in separate incidents Saturday and Sunday after falling out of their professionally guided rafts. Hookway shook her head as she stood on the side of the river waiting for her kayaking buddy to make it through the stretch, which is right at the beginning of the run. "The first time I skipped it, I just thought, well it's my first time on the river, let's not do the hardest rapid," she said. "But now, I'll just avoid it. I don't want to be the third one." The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is investigating the deaths of Marnita McGruder, 51, of Rex, Ga., and Katherine Tyler Luna, 36, of Smyrna, Tenn. Six people have died on the Middle Ocoee since 1993, according to American Whitewater, a national nonprofit organization focused on preserving rivers and whitewater. McGruder and Luna bump that up to eight. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/27/a-deadly-24-hours/

OcoeedrowningvictimsID'd; TVAsayswaterflowratesweresafe(N-S/Hickman)
Officials have identified two women who drowned in separate rafting incidents on the Ocoee River within nearly 24 hours of one another over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Valley Authority said initial media reports misstated that the river flow rate exceeded safe levels at the time of the first drowning Saturday.vSaturdays victim was Marnita McGruder, 51, of Rex, Georgia, according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which manages the surrounding state park. McGruder was on a commercial rafting trip when she fell overboard about 11:30 a.m. at a series of rapids known as Grumpys. A TDEC news release identifies the second victim as Smyrna, Tenn. resident Katherine Tyler Luna, 36, who similarly fell overboard at the same set of rapids while on a commercial rafting trip. That drowning was reported at 11:41 a.m. Sunday. TVA operates three hydroelectric dams along the river and manages water flow levels through the popular white-water venue in East Tennessee. When water flow levels exceed 3,000 cubic feet per second, TVA notifies TDEC, which has the authority to suspend all commercial rafting on the river. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/26/ocoee-drowning-victims-idd-tva-says-water-flow/ (SUB)

InterimU of Memphispresidentpushesnewlong-rangestrategies(CA/Kelley)
Interim University of Memphis President Brad Martin believes good marketing and communication will help the 3

school reach its goal of adding 2,000 students in the next two years one of eight major initiatives announced by Martin in a message to the U of M community last week. The goal can be reached through relationships, internships, scholarships matching what we have and were really great at with (students) needs, Martin said in an interview Monday, the first day of the fall semester. And going beyond our immediate area. One of my goals is to eliminate out-of-state tuition if not for the entire university for a number of disciplines. U of M enrollment dropped by 2.7 percent in the fall of 2012, when 20,971 enrolled. So far this year, 20,677 have signed up for classes, which started Saturday, and that falls far short of the growth the university needs to increase state appropriations and help mitigate future hikes in tuition, Martin said. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/26/interim-u-of-memphis-president-pushes-new-long/ (SUB)

TennesseeAttorneyGeneral:Citiescan banfiringweapons(TimesFree-Press)
Local governments can prohibit the discharge of firearms within their jurisdictions in most cases, Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper says in a newly released legal opinion. Cooper said such local bans are legal so long as they don't conflict with state statutes or regulations related to permitted hunting promulgated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission. In his three-page opinion, Cooper noted state lawmakers in recent years expressly preempted local regulation of the "transfer, ownership, possession or transportation" of firearms and ammunition except for allowing cities and counties to ban handgun possession in publicly owned areas such as a public park, nature trail or greenway. But, Cooper noted, the statute says nothing about discharging a weapon. Similar preemption statutes in states like Arizona and Washington do contain language specifically barring localities from enacting ordinances or rules prohibiting firing a gun. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/27/cooper-cities-can-ban-firing-weapons/?local

Tenn.courtadministratorto retire by endof year (AssociatedPress)

The head of the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts is retiring by the end of the year. Libby Sykes made the announcement this week. She has held the court position for seven years, and spent 27 years in state government. Sykes joined the AOC in 1995 and was appointed deputy director in 1999. The Tennessee Supreme Court named her administrative director in 2006. The AOC provides administrative and technical support as well as training to judges throughout the state of Tennessee. Sykes directs a staff of more than 75 people and oversees a budget of $130 million that funds courts and indigent defense. Prior to joining the AOC, Sykes worked for the Tennessee Department of Corrections and was executive director of the sentencing commission. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/27/tenn-court-administrator-to-retire-by-end-of/

Tennesseecourts' administrativedirectorto retire (TimesFree-Press/Vallier)

The director of Tennessee's Administrative Office of the Courts, Elizabeth "Libby" Sykes announced Monday she plans to retire by year's end. Sykes has served the past seven years as chief over the office, which provides administrative and technical support as well as training to judges. "It has been a privilege to serve the judiciary of Tennessee," Sykes said in a release. "This is a truly honorable group of people that I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from over many years." She has worked in the office for 25 years and prior to that spent two years with the Tennessee Sentencing Commission and the Department of Correction. "Libby Sykes has enjoyed a remarkable career in her service to the state of Tennessee, especially during her tenure as administrative director of the Courts," said Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade. "By her remarkable competence and caring manner, she and her staff have earned the respect and admiration of the entire Judicial Branch of government." Wade said Tennesseans and judges "could not have asked for a more dedicated public servant." http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/27/courts-administrative-director-to-retire/?local

HarwellseeksAGopinionon charterschoollaw fundingissue(Tenn/Garrison)

Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell says shes seeking the opinion of the states attorney general on questions posed by a Metro Nashville Public Schools attorney on the constitutionality of the states charter school law. Were in the process of that now, she said. The Tennessean reported last week on a legal memorandum that Washington, D.C., attorney John Borkowski drafted for MNPS officials. Borkowski concluded that Tennessees decade-old charter law seems to impose increased costs on local governments with no offsetting subsidy from the state, which he said violates the Tennessee Constitution. Harwell, a proponent of publicly financed, privately led charters who helped draft that 2002 law, confirmed she had seen the legal memo. Ill just say its disappointing, Harwell said, noting that four of Metros top middle schools in student achievement gains this past year were charters. I dont understand the efforts to deny this to children who definitely need this option, she said. I think it sends the wrong message to potential charter schools to relocate in this area for there to be this constant turmoil. 4

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/NEWS0201/308270040/Harwell-seeks-AG-opinion-charter-schoollaw-funding-issue (SUBSCRIPTION)

TN HouseSpeaker:Im Not SureWeCanHelpNashvillesBusProposal(WPLN)

The most powerful Nashvillian in the state legislature is not sold on the Bus Rapid Transit proposal being hyped by the citys mayor. The $174 million project is banking on the state for 20 percent of its funding. Pulling it off would be tough, if not impossible, without support from House Speaker Beth Harwell. The bus rapid transit line called the Amp would run in a dedicated lane from East Nashville to the edge of Harwells district along West End, where she called from a cell phone. I havent closed my mind to it I appreciate the mayor looking at what is a problem in Nashville, and thats West End Avenue. It is always congested; Im sitting on it right now. Mayor Karl Dean wants the state to kick in some $35 million. Harwell says getting lawmakers to agree to that wont be easy. I want to be open to the idea, but honestly, thats a lot of money, and we have a lot of other needs across the state, so I think it would be difficult. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/08/26/tn-house-speaker-traffic-is-bad-im-sitting-in-itright-now-but-im-not-sure-we-can-fund-nashvilles-bus-rapid-transit/

GeneralAssemblyTo TN D.C. Delegation:Lets ChatAboutStatesRights(WPLN)

Lawmakers at the Tennessee capitol say they need to talk to the states congressional delegation all nine of them, and on the same day. A handful of Republicans have called for an unusual joint session to discuss states rights. State Sen. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) says theres a disconnect with Washington, and he gets an earful all the time. Probably the number one topic I hear from my constituents both parties is the frustration we have with the federal government and the unrestrained power the federal government has taken on in the last few decades. Bell is part of the group pushing for a formal meeting in January of the entire 132-member General Assembly with the states U.S. Senators and Representatives. The topic is essentially how to keep the feds out of Tennessee. House Speaker Beth Harwell says she thinks its a pretty good idea and would like to see it happen. Its unclear whether members of congress would all come, especially Tennessees two Democrats. But it could be uncomfortable for a couple of Republicans too who are being challenged by state lawmakers in next years GOP primary. http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/08/26/tn-lawmakers-ask-for-session-with-congressional-delegation/

StateRep. JoAnneFavorsbeginsforumsaboutnewhealthcarerules(TFP)
With just weeks to go before the Affordable Care Act's online health insurance marketplace opens in Tennessee on Oct. 1, state Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, on Monday announced plans to begin educating the community about the program. Favors and the Clergy Koinonia, a group of local clergy whose president is Bethel AME Church pastor, the Rev. Alan J. Holman, are scheduling the first of several forums this Thursday. The program is called The Affordable Care Act: A Compelling Conversation for Clergy and will be held from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Olivet Baptist Church. "I'm trying to make sure that ... they understand this," said Favors, a retired nurse and former health care administrator. "This is going to be a massive undertaking in terms of educating and outreach." Favors said she and several other speakers from the health and insurance industry will be on hand to explain the new federally operated and funded health insurance marketplace, also known as an exchange. The keynote speaker is state Rep. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville. Favors said the clergymen collectively have thousands of church members who want accurate information about how the system works. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/27/favors-begins-forums-about-new-health-care-rules/?local

LegislatorvisitsUTMon first classday (JacksonSun)

State Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville, and his wife, Mary, experienced the beginning of a new academic year for themselves Monday as they joined thousands of students for the first day of fall semester at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The Brookses werent taking classes, but they traveled across the state to see what and how students are learning in todays college environment, according to a news release. Brooks, who represents the 19th District, traveled to Martin in his role as chairman of the House Education Committee. Mary, a retired schoolteacher, joined him on the visit as he focused on teacher preparation, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education, higher-education funding and affordability, and other topics, the release said. UT Martin students also met with the lawmaker. Were pleased that Rep. Brooks chose to visit UT Martin for the start of fall classes, said Tom Rakes, UT Martin chancellor. His interest in teacher preparation and STEM education mirrors our own efforts to prepare students for jobs in a changing technological environment. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130827/NEWS/308270015/Legislator-visits-UTM-first-class-day (SUB)

TN GreenPartysuesto tossout voterID law (Tennessean/Cass)

5

The Green Party of Tennessee has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to throw out Tennessees voter ID law, calling it unconstitutional and unfair to minority voters. Alan Woodruff, an attorney in Gray, Tenn., who has represented the Green Party in previous lawsuits, said he filed the complaint Monday morning in the Eastern District of Tennessee. It names Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins as defendants. There is no justification for having the photo ID requirement, as there is no such thing as voter fraud, said Woodruff, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year as the Democratic nominee in the 1st Congressional District and might run again in 2014. Its overly burdensome. It affects minorities and the progressive-leaning voter more than the typical Republican conservative, and it was intended to. Blake Fontenay, a spokesman for Hargett and Goins, said he had not seen the lawsuit and was unable to comment. The General Assembly passed the voter identification law in 2011, requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls. Republicans said the law discourages voter fraud, which Democrats describe as rare. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/NEWS02/308270030/TN-Green-Party-sues-toss-out-voter-ID-law (SUBSCRIPTION)

Mt. Juliet wrestleswithgun-carryingrulesfor city workers(Tennessean/Humbles)

The Mt. Juliet City Commission scaled back an ordinance Monday on where on city property employees with valid handgun permits are allowed to carry their guns. The initial proposal, passed on first reading earlier this month, would have allowed those employees to bring their guns with them to work, but the new version only allows them to keep their weapons in their vehicles while on city property. The commission voted 4-1 to pass the amended ordinance and change the citys personnel manual to match the state guns-in-trunks law. Because the changes were substantial, a second approval vote will be required before the measure can go into effect. The initial proposal, sponsored by Commissioner Art Giles, also proposed allowing department heads and commissioners with valid permits to carry handguns onto city property. That measure was amended to give every employee with a valid permit the option of carrying a gun at work. Liability issues But questions, including those related to liability and the potential for higher insurance rates, forced the commission to rework the proposal. I dont think we have all the answers, Commissioner Ray Justice said. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/NEWS02/308270035/Mt-Juliet-wrestles-gun-carrying-rules-cityworkers (SUBSCRIPTION)

Franklincity streetsare key to MiddleTN segmentof U.S. bicycleroute(TN/Walters)

A proposed 174-mile bicycle route from Kentucky to Alabama runs through Franklin City Hall. Tonight, Nashvillearea bicycling advocates will ask Franklin leaders to support the creation of U.S. Bicycle Route 23, which would be Tennessees first officially designated north-south U.S. Bicycle Route and part of a national network envisioned by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and supported by state road officials. After years of work, volunteers have secured pledges of support for the route from government leaders, including some in Williamson County, along its path from near the Kentucky/Tennessee border to the Tennessee/Alabama border. All thats left to complete the route through Middle Tennessee is for Franklin city officials to agree to add an estimated four-mile stretch of city roads to is path. Officials are touting how the route could attract tourists at a minimal cost by creating U.S. Bicycle Route 23 road signs. Final cost of those signs was not available. For the signs, this cost would be minimal, if the route is approved, since our Street Department will be able to make and install the signs once AASHTO and TDOT provide the graphics, said Vernon Gerth, assistant city administrator. The cycling route would be yet another way to increase tourism. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/WILLIAMSON10/308270029/Franklin-city-streets-key-Middle-TNsegment-U-S-bicycle-route (SUBSCRIPTION)

CountycommissionersOK$30Kpackagefor outgoingauditorWalls(N-S/Witt)
County Commission on Monday approved a retirement package worth at least $30,000 for outgoing internal auditor Richard Walls, and is expected next to review the role of the office. The vote came without comment from commissioners, whose appointed audit committee recommended firing Walls in July. Commissioners instead offered Walls the buyout after Chairman Tony Norman negotiated the deal. Under the package, Walls will retire Sept. 3 with a payout worth four months salary, and added money from accrued sick leave and remaining vacation. His county health insurance coverage will last through March 31, 2015. Walls did not comment during Mondays commission meeting nor afterward was he available. Scrutiny of the auditors office will continue after Walls leaves. Commissioners have said they will review how the office should operate, including future audits. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/26/county-commissioners-ok-30k-package-for-outgoing/ (SUBSCRIPTION) 6

TalkingPoints(MemphisDaily News)
Not long after appearing on two morning news shows to assert that U.S. military action in Syria is imminent, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker started his week with a list of Memphis appearances that included speaking to a lunchtime crowd on a range of subjects everything from Middle East policy to the housing markets incremental recovery. The midday appearance Monday, Aug. 26, by the Tennessee Republican was at an event hosted by the Memphis Area Home Builders Association and was billed as a discussion of legislation hes put forward dealing with the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But the talk also turned to other pressing national challenges some so pressing that the senator had to take a private call in a hotel kitchen before the event, and at least one national political figure was trying to reach him during the event. To an audience that included bankers, real estate agents and industry professionals as well as political figures such as Shelby County Trustee David Lenoir the senator noted a lighter mood compared to his last visit with the group. A reference, of course, to the dark days after the housing bust, when the first priority among national leaders like Corker was dealing with the aftermath of the Great Recession. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/aug/27/talking-points/

SigningUp SuspiciousOf InsuranceExchange:TheresA Grant(WPLNRadio)

Clinics around Tennessee are divvying up more than $3 million from the federal government to recruit people into the new health insurance exchange. One priority is signing up those who are young and healthy. United Neighborhood Health Services which operates clinics around Middle Tennessee sees 17,000 uninsured patients a year. They wont need much convincing to sign up for a federally-subsidized health plan, says CEO Mary Bufwack. But those who havent needed medical care might not seek out a plan on the exchange. People are very suspicious, Bufwack says. There is even an element of disbelief in people that this really means me. The federal money pays for a total of 69 outreach workers statewide. Bufwack says she has already hired her four insurance counselors who will be dispatched to technical colleges, health fairs and church meetings. Nashvilles Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center and University Community Health Services also received grants. So did Mercy Health Services of Franklin. (Click to see a list of all 25 statewide) http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/08/27/signing-up-tennesseans-suspicious-of-insurance-exchange-theresa-grant-for-that/

U.S. Treasuryto Hit DebtLimit in Mid-October(Wall StreetJournal)

The Treasury Department said it would hit its borrowing limit in mid-October and be unable to pay all of its bills soon after that time, narrowing the window the White House and Congress have to maneuver on budget talks. The deadline, which is sooner than many on Capitol Hill had expected, gives a sobering jolt to a number of fiscal discussions that have faltered for months. The White House and many lawmakers, as well as economists and business leaders, have warned of a possible financial crisis if the $16.7 trillion borrowing limit isn't raised and the government can't pay all of its bills. Interest rates likely would spike and the bond and stock markets would become extremely volatile if the value of Treasury securities came into question. Before Monday, the Treasury had said the debt-ceiling deadline would occur sometime after Labor Day, and some outside analysts had forecast it might not come until November. The new mid-October deadline falls just two weeks after Congress and the White House must reach a separate agreement over how to fund government operations beyond Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year. Failure to do so would trigger a partial government shutdown. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323407104579037181763668714.html? mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories (SUBSCRIPTION)

StatesOverhaulCivil ServiceRules(Stateline)
State civil service rules originated a century ago to prevent incoming governors from replacing state workers with their political supporters. Now a handful of governors are working to change those rules, saying they make it difficult to hire and retain the right employees and to fire anyone even the worst underperformers. "I've got a $20 billion operation I've got to run, and you can't run it with your managers and your executives hands tied, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said in an interview with Stateline. McCrory, a Republican who worked for 28 years for Duke Energy, wants public sector employment to be more like employment in the private sector. But some experts say significantly altering the current civil service system may bring back the widespread cronyism of the early 20th century. Rick Kearney, a professor of public administration at North Carolina State Universitys School of Public and International Affairs, worries the changes will make public employment a less attractive option for highly skilled workers. The whole idea was to take politics out of the public bureaucracy and make it merit7

based through job protections and objective performance appraisals, he said. To be successful, you have to insulate public employees from politics. http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-overhaulcivil-service-rules-85899500482

BrownsFerrynuclearplantslappedwithanotherNRCcitation(TFP/Flessner)
Nuclear regulators on Monday slapped another citation against the Tennessee Valley Authority for a safety violation at its Browns Ferry nuclear plant, but officials said the incident last December was of "low to moderate significance." The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a "white" finding for an unplanned emergency shutdown at Browns Ferry due to the failure of a nuclear operator to follow proper procedures. The finding is the lowest among the four levels of the NRC's color-coded warning system. In a meeting with the NRC in July, TVA argued against the finding based upon its statistical modeling for risk and significance for such a shutdown. TVA spokesman Mike Bradley said Monday "a lack of oversight or a peer check in the field while work was being performed" during a refueling outage helped lead to the error. The NRC finding won't generate any fine against TVA or any intensified oversight by regulators since Browns Ferry is already operating under heightened review because of a more serious "red "finding that stemmed from the 2010 discovery of a blocked emergency cooling line in a key safety system at Browns Ferry that TVA was apparently unaware of for the previous 18 months. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/aug/27/browns-ferry-slapped-with-another-nrc-citation/? businesstnvalley

As sentencingloomsfor Y-12 protesters,legal battlescontinue(N-S/Munger)

The Transform Now Plowshares protesters remain jailed in South Georgia, where theyve been held since May to await sentencing on federal charges related to last years break-in at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant. While their status has been on hold, the legal wrangling in the high-profile case has continued this summer. Numerous motions and other documents have been filed in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, where the sentencing hearings are currently scheduled for Sept. 30. Defense attorneys continue post-trial to push for acquittal on sabotage, the most serious charge on which the three Sister Megan Rice, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed were convicted following a two-day trial in early May. After federal prosecutors had presented their case, defense attorneys filed a so-called Rule 29 motion for acquittal, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove each and every element of the sabotage charge such as injuring the national defense of the United States beyond a reasonable doubt. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/27/as-sentencing-looms-for-y-12-protesters-legal/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Don't worry,Nashville:Newreality showwon't shameyou, producersays(NBJ)

Nashvillians need not worry: The unscripted series "Nashville Confidential" is not going to hurt the city's reputation, says Douglas Ross, founder of Evolution Media, the show's production company. "Nashville Confidential," a show featuring still-unnamed players in the city's country music scene, is produced by the same company who brought the world "The Real Housewives" series of shows known for depicting dramatic cat fights and messy divorces. Ross said the city that has embraced ABC's "Nashville" show will also be pleased with the unscripted portrayal of the music industry. The show will launch in early 2014 on TNT. Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp., is not convinced and offers heavy skepticism, a stark contrast with his enthusiasm for ABC's "Nashville," which he says has helped market the city in a positive way. "Let's see how stupid we can make everybody look -- that's typically where it lands, Spyridon said, describing the reality television genre. "I'm more protective of our brand and authenticity and experience you get here. We don't need to do that to ourselves. I'd like to leave that to L.A. and New York." http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2013/08/26/nashville-confidential-wont-let.html

MemphisPolice, SchoolSystemRift Not First One(MemphisDaily News)

It took three weeks into the unified school systems first school year for Memphis Police to get a memo that they were to respond to calls at Shelby County Schools within the city of Memphis. The information bulletin from Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong went out to all officers Thursday, Aug. 22, the same day that a 5-yearold kindergarten student at Westside Elementary School walked into the Frayser school with a gun in his backpack and the gun went off in the backpack. Prior to police roll calls that day, Armstrong said a verbal order was given: If you get a call to a school you are to respond, especially if it is an emergency call. Armstrong and interim schools superintendent Dorsey Hopson showed the sometimes-active political fault line between the school system and the Memphis Police Department is active once again. They held separate press conferences the same afternoon with each critical of the way the others department operates. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/aug/27/memphis-police-school-system-rift-not-first-one/ 8

At CharterSchools,ShortCareersby Choice(NewYorkTimes)
Tyler Dowdy just started his third year of teaching at YES Prep West, a charter school here. He figures now is a good time to explore his next step, including applying for a supervisory position at the school. Mr. Dowdy is 24 years old, which might make his restlessness seem premature. But then, his principal is 28. Across YES Preps 13 schools, teachers have an average of two and a half years of experience. As tens of millions of pupils across the country begin their school year, charter networks are developing what amounts to a youth cult in which teaching for two to five years is seen as acceptable and, at times, even desirable. Teachers in the nations traditional public schools have an average of close to 14 years of experience, and public school leaders and policy makers have long made it a priority to reduce teacher turnover. But with teachers confronting the overhaul of evaluations and tenure as well as looming changes in pension benefits, the small but rapidly growing charter school movement with schools that are publicly financed but privately operated is pushing to redefine the arc of a teaching career. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/27/education/at-charter-schools-short-careers-by-choice.html? ref=todayspaper&_r=0 (SUBSCRIPTION)

OPINION Guestcolumnist:Futurewill offer challengesin highereducation(Tennessean)

Student debt, graduation rates and a variety of other issues confront higher education today. Meanwhile, corporate governance changes are occurring, in part, because of a different economy, global markets and new legal requirements. A big issue is: Can education benefit from the administrative changes public companies experience? Corporate governance experienced major changes in this century as a result of two congressional acts, SarbanesOxley and Dodd/Frank. More transparency and additional responsibility to shareholders resulted in changes to corporate organizational structure, board of directors, their organizational structure and senior management. The changes are not over. Board member election, evaluation, committee structure and other issues remain a concern to investors. The shareholders of higher education, the students, teachers and taxpayers are also undergoing economic pressure. Student debt, falling graduation rates, tuition increases and intense competition for jobs among bachelors degree recipients are but a few of the changes. The future of universities may be better addressed with modifications to trustee selection, administrative practice and expectations of faculty. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/OPINION03/308270023 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Guestcolumnist:WGU'sonlinelearningbuildsjob skills (CommercialAppeal)

Western Governors University Tennessee is off to a very fast start, especially in Memphis. Job providers are embracing it as one of several fresh tools to help improve their talent pools and competitiveness. I am proud to serve as WGU Tennessees first chancellor, and a big part of my job is to make sure as many people as possible know about us. So, since coming on board in late July (the program formally kicked off with Gov. Bill Haslam two 9

weeks earlier), I have met with media, business, community and education leaders across the state. It has been an exhilarating few weeks. The WGU Tennessee model of affordable, competency-based, online learning has been welcomed everywhere we have been. Its differentiators of being a nonprofit organization, having one-on-one time with assigned faculty mentors, not being bound by class schedules, and having all texts and materials provided have been well-received. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/27/guest-column-xxyuxxy/ (SUB)

Editorial:CommonCoregoalsworthy;detailsneedsomework(DailyNewsJournal)
On a neighborhood street corner or in a formally crafted opinion poll, few argue that they are satisfied with the quality of U.S. education. How to improve public education and on what level of government these improvements should come continue to be matters of intense debate around the nation. The latest focus of this debate is Common Core or Common Core State Standards. The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers are leading this standards effort. In all, 46 states, including Tennessee, and the District of Columbia are participating in Common Core, and its goals, according to supporters, are to create national standards for language arts and math instruction, to help students develop higher-order or critical-thinking stills and to prepare students to compete in a global economy. While few can argue with these broad goals, a lower-order maxim quickly comes to mind: The devil is in the details. Some critics contend that Common Core is a federal takeover of education that should remain under the control of local communities. http://www.dnj.com/article/20130827/OPINION/308270003/OUR-VIEW-Common-Core-goals-worthy-details-needsome-work (SUBSCRIPTION)

Editorial:Partoncontinuescommitmentto SevierCountywith expansion(N-S)

Country music legend and Sevier County native Dolly Parton announced last week she plans to invest $300 million in her Dollywood theme park and a new resort. The 10-year expansion plan, which is worth more than the cumulative investment in Dollywood during its 27-year existence, will create jobs, increase tax revenues and, perhaps as important, project confidence in the continued economic growth of the tourism mecca that is Sevier County. Parton has gone from a precocious child singer in the hills of East Tennessee to an international superstar musical performer, actress and entrepreneur. Her ambitions for Dollywood to make it one of the biggest and most popular destinations in the whole country are no less grand. This a very special day, because my dreams are about to come true, Parton told a crowd at the theme parks Showstreet Palace last Wednesday. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/aug/27/editorial-parton-continues-commitment-to-sevier/ (SUB) ###

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