Karen Carson - Do as I say, Not as I do!

[Brian Hornback]

Karen Carson, Fifth District Member and Vice Chair of the Knox County School Board has sent a communication to the Knox County Redistricting Committee asking even pleading that they not separate neighborhoods in any redistricting plans. In her communication (which is below in it's entirety) (6-13-2009 10:00 a.m. THE EMAIL IS NO LONGER IN IT'S ENTIRITY. THE SCHOOL MATTERS POLICE REMOVED THE EMAIL ADDRESSES OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS) (If you desire the contact information of the committee, contact me at [e-mail] and I will supply the contact email addresses of the Redistricting Committee) Carson even throws the Town of Farragut residents and Commissioner Briggs proposal under the bus. She said, ..."as you look at these proposals and their impact on our community you will attempt to put keeping neighborhoods together before keeping any towns together."

Now, here's the deal. This from the school board leader that not only split neighborhoods and towns. But split families in her high school redistricting plan from just a year or so ago. Everyone that didn't fall into the "grandfathering" clause of the redistricting plan got screwed by the Chief Hypocrite Carson.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Karen Carson"
To: "Rick Emmett may be reached at [e-mail]; Joshua Tyler may be reached at [e-mail]; Lloyd Daugherty may be reached at [e-mail]; County Commisison Chairman Thomas "Tank" Strickland may be reached at [e-mail]; County Commissioner Ivan Harmon may be reached at [e-mail]; Appointed County Commissioner Michele Carringer may be reached at [e-mail]

Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:39 PM
Subject: Redistricting proposal

> To: Members of the redistricting committee
>From: Karen Carson
> 5th District School Board Representative

>> I have reviewed the proposed redistricting plans and wanted to share
> my concern about the proposals which would split individual
> subdivisions. Specifically, I have been contacted by constituents who
> live in Crestwood Hills Subdivision who are very concerned about not
> only having their voting districts (and representatives) changed but
> also would have their neighborhood divided. I hope that as you look at
> these proposals and their impact on our community you will attempt
> to put keeping neighborhoods together before keeping any towns
> together. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
> about these concerns. Thank you for your continued work to improve
> Knox County,

>> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> Karen Carson
> 5th District School Board Representative
> Home: 675-0236 - Cell: 300-6443
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>>

This is also found on Brian's Blog at http://brianhornback.blogspot.com

[Cathy McCaughan]

I care a whole lot more about where my children go to school than which district I am assigned. I may only get to vote for one district, but I loudly support or don't support elected officials from everywhere.

[Brian Hornback]

I am not sure why the adminstrators of School Matters edited this post. Granted you edited it by removing the email addresses. However, a courtesy email to me explaining why that violates some rule and I would have edited. Because now, it isn't correct to say that the email is below in it's entirity.

Individuals reading this post may have wanted to contact the committee members to suggest they do the opposite of what the School Board Member said and NOW they do not have the contact information for the committee members.

So, what is up with this?

[Doug McCaughan]

Looking into it.

[Doug McCaughan]

Brian, No moderator has claimed to have edited the post so I must assume it was a Knoxnews staff member.

[Brian Hornback]

Well, that's NOT surprising the KnoxNews staff doesn't want the public engaged in the process of advocating against a position that they are for.

So, all the mantra that this forum is driven by citizens. Really isn't true then. It is obviously driven by McElroy and Crew.

That's enough to make me want to stop participating. But, guess what they ain't gonna drive me out. I am in for the long haul, with a determination to prove 'em all.

[Doug McCaughan]

Please don't stop participating. I think you are reading too much into this one. I would say someone was naively thinking they were protecting privacy by removing the email addresses. Those addresses however are easily found on the Internet as they are published to facilitate communication with the redistricting committee. Besides, it appears that either you or someone else has already replaced the addresses.

[Lola Alapo]

Brian, the KnoxNews staff did not edit your post. There likely is a character count limit on School Matters. In the future, you may try breaking it into two posts and see what happens.

Thanks,
Lola Alapo

[Doug McCaughan]

When in doubt, blame Ning.

[Cathy McCaughan]

It is extremely likely that Ning ignored the part of your post that it misconstrued as code. When in doubt, don't blame anyone. Assume technical issue and try posting the information differently.

[Brian Hornback]

Thanks Doug and Cathy,

Yes I went in this morning and edited the information back in. Cathy has confirmed for me that in the futureI will post the information differently as I did this morning.

Thank you both.

[Brian Hornback]

Lola:

Obviously the "Character Count" defense is not the issue. I added more characters and it accepted them. Dividing the item into two posts would additionally water down the subject. I have seen posts on here three times longer than this one.

Someone is guilty of attempting to make it difficult for the public to react. I know Doug and Cathy and most of the moderators. If they say they didn't edit my post. I believe them.

[Debi]

It's interesting neighborhoods shouldn't be broken up, yet the Norwood community is very broken up. Our elementary and middle schools are in Ms. Buttry's district but our high school is in Mr. Stooksbury. I cannot even vote concerning my kids' zoned high school. Our kids go to a middle school that is split into what, four different high schools? If that isn't a split neighborhood I don't know what is.