February 3, 2014 www.knoxfocus.com FREEPAGE A1 Take One! Visit www.knoxfocus.com to access February 3, 2014 Commission listens to teachers FOCUS By Mike Steely Weekly Poll* [email protected] Tony Norman said. “We have he and School Board Chair meeting the day before the “I think it’s useful, we can no information on its struc- Lynne Fugate will both run retreat begins and Commis- talk and be frank.” He also Do you support Who exactly controls dis- ture. Last year’s retreat had the retreat, which will be sioners and Joint Education mentioned that the Teach- cussions at the upcoming marginal benefit and I’d like held at Maryville College Committee members Sam er Survey will be discussed the sale of wine County Commission and to hear more about it.” on February 7 and 8. He McKenzie, Amy Broyles and again at the February retreat in retail food Board of Education Retreat? Commissioner Mike offered the commissioners Mike Hammond agreed that and added that he believes stores such as This was a question at last Brown told the other com- a summary of what would the past meetings were that “money and budget” week’s commission meet- missioners that he felt the be discussed, who would useful and asked that meet- are the main issues contest- convenience ing, with some of the com- teacher issues have been be attending, and promised ings continue, with or with- ed between the two elected stores, grocery missioners voicing some controlled by a spin doctor. time for “open discussion.” out a facilitator. bodies. concern. “We’ve been spun all The School Board/County “If you think it is helping, Following the discussion stores and big “The last retreat was around,” he said, voicing his Commission hybrid Joint we will serve,” McKenzie told about the retreat, the com- box retailers such more or less structured by opinion on the administra- Education Committee also Commission. mission went on to other as Walmart and the school administration; I tion’s handling of the Teach- came up during the dis- “We’re making progress business but reconvened think it should be between er Survey. cussion on the retreat. The and addressing issues head at 4:30 to hear from teach- Target? the school board and the Commission Chairman Joint Education Committee on,” Broyles said. ers. Several of the teachers YES 61.42% commission,” Commission Brad Anders explained that is slated to have its final Hammond agreed, saying, Continue on page 2 NO 38.58% Survey conducted January 30, 2014. Is ‘the thaw’ * Focus Weekly Polls are conducted Lady Hawks notch comeback win over West by an independent, professional here to polling company. stay? East Tennessee PBS to broadcast tonight’s State of the State Address By Bob Becker East Tennessee PBS Meteorologist will air live coverage of Tennessee Gover- After the past several win- nor Bill Haslam’s State ters have been so mild, many of the State address have been caught off guard on Monday, February by the cold of the past few 3, beginning at 7 p.m. weeks. First I will say that Eastern time on chan- I am a big believer in pat- nels 2 and 15 for most terns in weather. Drought is viewers. This will be often followed by flood and Haslam’s fourth State of extreme warmth can be fol- the State Address. Gov- lowed by cold. So this winter ernor Haslam is expect- has not been that much of a ed to speak for 30-40 surprise to me. minutes, after which I do NOT consider myself time the remainder of an expert at all on the topic PHOTO BY DAN ANDREWS. PBS NewsHour will be of Global Warming or lack of Hardin Valley’s Brie Carter (32) dribbles past West High’s Mini Palay in the Lady Hawks’ 75-59 victory over broadcast. An unin- it, but I can tell you that the the Lady Rebels last week on Senior Night at HVA. STORY ON C1. terrupted feed of PBS position of the jet stream Newshour will air at 10 (a river of air about 20,000 p.m. on ETPBS-2 World. feet above us) guides all our weather systems and greatly determines what type of weather we will see, especially during the winter months. If you follow weath- Dr. Harold Middlebrook honored er, you will see when the East By Mike Steely is cold, the West is normal- [email protected] told the meeting. He also ly warm. As a matter of fact, led the commissioners and the west has suffered from Dr. Harold A. Middlebrook visitors in prayer. little rain during what is nor- retired recently as founder “Don’t forget the least, mally their wet season along and senior pastor of the the left-out, and those who with mild weather while the Canaan Baptist Church of seem to be lost. No country Central and Eastern parts Christ. He moved to Knox- is absolutely perfect, but of the United States have ville in 1977 and has been when we work together life seen this cold. Our national long active in civil rights. can be better,” he said. snow cover is the lowest it He serves as chairman In his youth, Dr. Middle- has been since 2006. While of the Martin Luther King brook was active in voter we have heard about all the Commission and has won registration and the NAACP. snow and ice in the East many honors, including the Dr. Middlebrook was pres- and the South, the West has Whitney Young Award. ent with Dr. Martin Luther been literally storm-free due Tuesday he was hon- King in Memphis at the to this very persistent pattern ored by the Knox County hotel where King was killed. that the jet stream has been Commission on a motion He has served on many locked into. This pattern has from Sam McKenzie and national and local organi- brought us shot after shot was joined by all the com- zations and plans to stay of Arctic Cold. You probably missioners and his daugh- active in the community. thought we had reached a ter, Arlene Bennett, for a Dr. Middlebrook mar- season low on the morning photo. ried the Betty Mock and of January 7, when Knox- PHOTO BY MIKE STEELY “I have not died, I’m just they have three children, ville officially hit 2 degrees, Dr. Harold Middlebrook (pictured center with daughter, Arlene Bennett) was retiring from pastoring. I two grandchildren and one recognized by the entire County Commission last week in honor of his retirement. love this community,” he great-grandson. Cont. on page 3 PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus February 3, 2014 Focus on the Law State Income Tax FOCUS You may have the Individual your permanent or princi- stocks and bonds of pen- Weekly Poll heard that one of Income Tax. pal residence (as opposed sion trusts and profit-shar- the many reasons Enacted in to a temporary residence ing trusts which are exempt Do you support the sale of wine the Great State of By1929, thisDistrict tax like aYes vacation home).No Totalfrom federal income taxa- Tennessee is an was originally There are numerous dis- tion are also exempt from in retail food stores such as especially wonder- Bycalled theGender Hall tinctionsYes and examplesNo ofTotal the state income tax. This ful place in which income tax after what is and is not taxable includes such accounts as convenience stores, grocery to live and do busi- By Sharon the state sena- under this law. Taxable IRA and 401(k) accounts. stores and big box retailers such ness is because it Frankenberg, tor who spon- income subject to the Indi- Distributions from IRAs does not have an Attorney at Law sored the legis- vidual Income tax includes and 401(k) plans are also as Walmart and Target? income tax. This lation. The tax dividends from stock in: exempt. is not completely accu- is imposed on individuals all corporations, insurance There is an exemption rate. True, there is no tax and other entities receiv- companies not licensed to of the first $1,250 tax- Yes 61.42% on earned income such ing interest from bond and do business in Tennessee, able interest and dividend as wages. There is even notes and dividends from all holding companies, and income for single filers and No 38.58% a proposed amendment stock. The tax applies to state-chartered banks out- $2.500 for married couples to Article II Section 28 of individuals, partnerships, side Tennessee not doing filing jointly. All taxable div- By Age Yes No Total the Constitution of Tennes- associations and trusts business in Tennessee. idend and interest income 18-29 100.00% [None] 2 see to explicitly prohibit that are legally domiciled in On the other hand, divi- exceeding this exemption 30-49 58.62% 41.38% 58 the general assembly from Tennessee. A person who is dends from national banks is taxed at the rate of 6%. 50-65 65.66% 34.34% 166 levying, authorizing or oth- legally domiciled in another and Tennessee-chartered Five-eighths of the income erwise permitting any state state but maintains a place banks are considered non- tax revenue collected from 65+ 58.82% 41.18% 238 or local tax upon payroll or of residence in Tennessee taxable. The individual the Individual Income tax is Total 61.42% (285) 38.58% (179) 464 earned personal income or for more than six months of income tax guidance avail- deposited into the state’s any state or local tax which the year is also subject to able on the State Depart- general fund.