September 9, 2013 www.knoxfocus.com FREEPAGE A1 Take One! Visit www.knoxfocus.com to access September 9, 2013 FOCUS Waggoner Considers Bid for Sheriff Weekly Poll* By Focus Staff The Knoxville Focus has Do you agree or confirmed Robert “Bobby” disagree with Waggoner is officially explor- ing a campaign for Knox Mayor Madeline County Sheriff. Waggon- Rogero’s recent er, freshly retired as Chief of Detectives in the Knox maneuver to County Sheriff’s office, kill the South belongs to one of the oldest political families in our com- Knox James munity. White Parkway Waggoner’s grandfather, Bernard, was Knox County extension? Sheriff in the 1970s and his AGREE 41.90% sister Brenda was a referee at the Juvenile Court and DISAGREE 58.10% later a respected judge of the General Sessions Court. PHOTO BY DAN ANDREWS Survey conducted Yet if anyone might think September 6, 2013. L-R Knox County Law Director Bud Armstrong, Broadus Hubbs, Wanda Moody, Bobby Waggoner, 8th District Bobby Waggoner made Commissioner Dave Wright and former General Sessions Court Judge Brenda Waggoner at the Tennessee Valley Fair’s * Focus Weekly Polls are conducted his formidable reputation annual Government Business Luncheon. by an independent, professional polling because of family connec- company. tions or politics, they would sciences from the University the top priority of any good of months,” Waggoner said. The filing deadline for be dead wrong. If elected, of Alabama. Waggoner is a Sheriff,” Waggoner said. “I don’t think any good law anyone seeking local office PART-TIME Bobby Waggoner might well graduate of the Georgia Law “Justice can never be applied enforcement agency, or any will be February of 2014 SALES POSITION be the best-educated and Enforcement Command Col- through favoritism, politics, public official for that matter, and the political pot is trained Sheriff in Knox Coun- lege and the FBI Executive or who you know. It has to can ever afford to be compla- already beginning to heat AVAILABLE. ty’s history. Development Course. be applied equally.” cent,” Waggoner said. “Vio- up. Local radio personality FLEXIBLE Waggoner has a Master’s Waggoner worked in Waggoner said he is giving lence against law abiding citi- Bob Thomas has announced degree in Public Administra- the Knox County Sheriff’s serious thought to entering zens, the war on drugs, those his intention to seek election HOURS. GREAT tion from Columbus State office as the Assistant Chief the Republican primary next things are, unfortunately, a to the Knox County Commis- OPPORTUNITY. University. Waggoner has a Deputy of Administration year. constant in our society today sion for an At-Large seat and 686-9970 Bachelor of Science degree before becoming Chief of “I sure am thinking about it and we need the most pro- is believed to be a very strong in Criminal Justice, specializ- Detectives. and will be talking to a lot of fessional Sheriff’s depart- candidate by most seasoned ing in social and behavioral “Justice must always be people within the next couple ment we can afford.” political observers. KCHD’s School- located Influenza Vaccination Early voting for the September 24 Knoxville City Primary Clinics start Sept. started last week and will continue Monday - Saturday 16 through September 19. Here is a closer look at the two candidates for City Council District 6. The Knox County Health Q&A Department (KCHD) will Questions by Tasha Mahurin. kick off this year’s in-school influenza (FluMist) vacci- nation program Monday, Sept. 16. Vaccination clin- ics are scheduled in Knox Nick Della Rick County elementary and middle schools as well as some Head Starts, private schools and child care cen- Staples ters. Volpe “Children are known to 1.) What, besides an interest in public service, initially prompted you to 1.) What, besides an interest in public service, initially prompted you to seek be the major transmitter seek public office and/or re-election? public office and/or re-election? of the flu to other persons, I have lived and worked in Knoxville for 40 years, virtually all of it in the Besides my interest in taking my public service to the next level, I have including those who could Holston Hills community. My wife Donna and I moved here right out of a vision of Knoxville becoming an even better place to live. People from be at high risk for compli- school. I have always taken an interest in community projects and issues, all over the world will want to experience the beauty that our city has to cations, like the elderly and working through our community group, Town Hall East. I care about the offer. I feel that not enough is being done by the city council, and I would infants,” said KCHD Direc- health of our community, and believe we should try to leave the place better like to provide energy, ideas, and focus needed to move our city forward. tor Dr. Martha Buchanan. than we found it. As I was retiring from my law practice, several people from 2.) What do you feel is the most significant challenge the City of Knoxville “This collaborative effort the 4th district asked me to run. At present, there are several issues, like currently faces, what is your position on said issue, and, if elected or re-elected, creates a healthier com- the plan to move St. Mary’s/Tennova hospital west to Middlebrook Pike and how do you plan to contribute to a solution? munity and helps keep the removal of highway visibility and signage barriers to shopping oppor- I believe building a stronger economy that will continue to grow for years our children in school and tunities around the East town interstate exits, that profoundly affect my to come is the most important issue for the future of Knoxville. A stron- schools open.” district, which I would like to see through to conclusion. ger economy means a stronger city government, a higher quality of life for FluMist is an intra-nasal 2.) What do you feel is the most significant challenge the City of Knoxville our citizens, and safer neighborhoods. In the past few years, a lot of effort influenza vaccine that is currently faces, what is your position on said issue, and, if elected or re-elect- has been put into revitalizing downtown, but I think the time has come approved by the Food and ed, how do you plan to contribute to a solution? to also revitalize North and East Knoxville. I want to strengthen existing Drug Administration for use Tough to limit this to one item. On the fiscal side, the pension issue initiatives, like the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, while also developing in children as young as 2. looms quite large as it will soon require a $30 million per year contribution new and innovative policies that can help bring new businesses and jobs Children at the vaccina- which amounts to 20% of the city’s budget. Unless we tackle this fiscal to these communities. All too often the council is a rubber stamp whose tion clinics who are under issue soon we can foresee diminished services, employment cuts, and/or only responsibility is to show up and vote. I want to change that by con- 2 years of age will receive higher taxes. We need to get everyone to the table to discuss how to head tributing ideas and working harder every day to push our city forward. We a flu shot. No child will be off some of those expenses, which stem from a $200 Million underfund- need passion and energy on our council to tackle this issue, and that is vaccinated without a com- ing/ shortfall, and make that pension system sound and sustainable. I what I seek to provide. pleted, signed and returned plan to keep us focused on the fiscal threat until we solve it. 3.) As a member of a legislative body, you will/have most certainly encounter consent form. Parents or By contrast, in the 4th district, the potential loss of St. Mary’s hospital requests from special interest groups such as The Chamber of Commerce, the guardians may complete and the concentration of homeless individuals and services near Broad- League of Women Voters, Save Our Schools, various neighborhood and political the form online at zippslip. way both present serious challenges that need focused attention. I am associations, etc. How do/will you balance and/or discern between the demands com/knox. Paper consent trying to keep our community informed and fully engaged in the ongoing of special interest groups and the collective voice of your constituency? forms are available at the dialogue until we solve them. Everyone deserves a voice in their city’s government and I believe that schools or online at knox- 3.) As a member of a legislative body, you will/have most certainly encoun- everyday citizens, like you and me, and special interest groups, which county.org/health. A sched- ter requests from special interest groups such as The Chamber of Commerce, amplify the voice of a specific group of citizens, both deserve a seat at the ule of the vaccination clin- Continue on page 4 Continue on page 2 ics is also available online. PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus September 9, 2013 Focus on the Law FOCUS Fair debt collection practices Weekly Poll Due to con- may not threaten legal action unless 30 days after receipt of the cerns over abu- litigation is actually being contem- notice, disputes the validity Do you agree or disagree with sive, deceptive plated. They may not make repeat- of the debt the debt will be and unfair col- ed phone calls or telephone calls at assumed valid by the debt col- Mayor Madeline Rogero’s lection practices, unreasonable times.