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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Sprint Call Center Planned for Sullivan Co. (TN Report)Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Comm issioner Bill Hagerty along wcompany officials announced today that Sprint (NYSE: S) will relocate its call center operations to SullivCounty from a current Bristol, Va. facility. The move will bring more than 600 new jobs to Tennessee arepresents a multimillion dollar investment in the state. The call center will be built on a site already aptly-nam“Sprint Drive” in Blountville. “I want to thank Sprint for deciding to relocate to Sullivan County and build a modecall center facility,” Haslam said. “The company’s investment is indicative of the pro-business climateTennessee, and we look forward to working with Sprint as we str ive to become the No. 1 location in tSoutheast for high quality jobs.” “Sprint is excited to bring its call center to Tennessee so that we can provide oemployees with an improved facility and updated amenities all under one roof,” John Battaglia, Sprint vpresident of Contact Centers said.http://www.tnreport.com/2011/11/sprint-call-center-planned-for-sulli van-co/ 

Sprint to build call center in Sullivan County (Business C larksville)Sprint (NYSE: S) will relocate its call center operations to Sullivan County from a current Bristol, Va. facility. Tmove will bring more than 600 new jobs to Tennessee and represents a multimillion dollar investment in state. The call center w ill be built on a site already aptly-named “Sprint Drive” in Blountville. “I want to thaSprint for deciding to relocate to Sullivan County and build a m odern call center facility,” Gov. Bill Haslam sa“The company’s investment is indicative of the pro-business climate in Tennessee, and we look forwardworking with Sprint as we strive to become the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.” “Sprinexcited to bring its call center to Tennessee so that we can provide our employees with an improved facility aupdated amenities all under one roof,” John Battaglia, Sprint vice president of Contact Centers said.http://businessclarksville.com/2011/11/16/sprint-to-build-call-center-in-sullivan-count y-36099/ 

Call Center Relocation Affecting Economy, Jobs (WCYB-TV)There has been a battle in Bristol the past few months to keep the Sprint call center from moving to Tennessfrom Virginia. On Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and E conomic and C ommunity DevelopmCommissioner Bill Hagerty announced that Sprint would relocate and build to Sullivan County. But both sidesthe Bristol seem to agree that this move is better than Sprint’s other options, which included moving to Kentucor North Carolina, according to Richard Venable from the NETWORKS - Sullivan Partnership. "We didn’t lo  jobs; we retained these jobs in this area. Our Virginia friends have said we're happy they didn't move too away." That is even better news for the 670 employees. Deb Domer, a director at the Sprint call center, sabout 70% of the employees already live in Tennessee and commute to Virginhttp://www.wcyb.com/news/29788471/detail.html

Tennessee considers changes to teacher evaluations (Tennessean/Hubbard)Changes could come to Tennessee’s new teacher evaluation system over the summer, CommissionerEducation Kevin Huffman told the state legislature’s Joint Operations Committee on Wednesday. Stringent nteacher evaluations tied to student test scores kicked in this school year. Four months into implementatiocomplaints include time spent on evaluations and whether principals rate teachers fairly or give out enough tscores. Huffman said the state isn’t backing off evaluations but will make sensible adjustments. “Oftentimes, vgood ideas and theory don’t work out in their execution and implementation,” said Committee Chair Sen. Watson, R-Hixson. But Huffman told lawmakers to expect changes once the Department of Education gathteacher surveys and measures data to see whether high observation scores mirror high scores for studelearning gains. The state also will weigh evidence comparing four evaluation models now used in the state w

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Memphis C ity Schools and Hamilton County, which are trying alternative evaluation models.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111117/NEWS04/311160125/Tennessee-considers-changes-teacher-evaluations?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Haslams Offer Holiday Tours of Governor’s Residence (TN Report)As we mentioned in our last email, we’re beginning a new tradition this holiday season at the TennessResidence. “Tennessee’s Hom e for the Holidays” is a two-week long series of open house days where everyo

is invited to share in the experience of holidays at the Residence. Tennessee’s home will be beautifdecorated inside and out with several Christmas trees throughout the house and Conservation Hall. We’ve hewonderful stories about past holiday traditions cherished by families at the Residence, so we’re excited to opeup and share this new tradition with Tennessee. We’ve tried to make the reservation process as easy possible… Reservations can be made online by visiting the “Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays” page Crissy’s website. Once there, just click the “plus” that corresponds to the time you would like to reserve. Pleanote that parking and the shuttle service will be running from a particular location each day. All times are fcome, first serve so please make your reservations early.http://www.tnreport.com/2011/11/haslams-offer-holiday-tours-of-governors-re sidence/ 

Corrections Department Asks for Budget Increase (TN Report)Officials with the Tennessee Department of Correction want the state to increase funding for prisons by $

million, even as the governor is asking all state agencies to prepare 5 percent cuts. Gov. Bill Haslam sTuesday he doesn’t expect to have to make those kinds of cuts in each department’s budget, but it’s too soontell. “We’re going to have a huge list of requests and priorities, and we’ll start that winnowing-out process,” tgovernor told reporters after a day of budget hearings at the Capitol Building. “Right now, closing a prison wobe a very drastic decision.” The Department of Correction, which oversees 14 prisons on a total budget of jover $700 million, is one of many departments asking for spending bumps this year as Haslam prepares a stgovernment budget expected to be in the neighborhood of $30 billion. However, administration officials say thare facing a $400 million budget gap to compensate for increasing state government costs that exceed state’s revenue growth.http://www.tnreport.com/2011/11/corrections-department-asks-for-budget-in crease/ 

Man charged with "doctor shopping" for third time (WRCB-TV Chattanooga)A McMinn County man is charged for a third time with TennCare "doctor shopping". Charles E. Self, 43, hbeen arrested and charged in a Bradley County indictment with three counts of fraudulently obtaining controlsubstances using TennCare. Charges say he went to multiple physicians within a 30-day period, receiving same or similar controlled substances. Self is currently housed in the Bradley County Jail for unrelated chargwhere he was served with the indictment. Self was arrested, in January, after a Bradley County indictmecharged him with one count of "doctor shopping." Then, just over a week later, he was arrested for a secotime and charged in Knox County with two counts of "doctor shopping," using TennCare to pay for the samesimilar controlled substances. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years charge in prison. Report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhereTennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare FrauTennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/16057870/man-charged-with-doctor-shopping-for-t hird-time

Rutherford County man charged with TennCare fraud (Daily News Journal)A Rutherford County man is charged with TennCare fraud for using the state’s public healthcare insuranprogram to obtain prescription drugs, which he later sold. The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistanfrom Smyrna police, today announced the arrest of Joshua S. Mitchell, 23, of Smyrna. He is charged with ocount of TennCare fraud for obtaining a prescription for Lithium, a strong medication used to treat the maepisodes of manic depression or bipolar disorder, and using TennCare to pay for the prescription while plannto sell a portion of the drug. “Local officials were key in this case, and worked with us to prepare evidencebring charges,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “Some of these strong medications are dangerousthe hands of people they were not prescribed for, and we’re focused on stopping this activity in the TennCaprogram.” The TennCare fraud charges aga inst Mitchell could result in a two year sentence if convicted. DistAttorney General William C. W hitesell, Jr. is prosecuting. The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution a

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recoupment to TennCare, w ith a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare prograaccording to latest figures. To date, nearly 1,500 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.http://www.dnj.com/article/20111116/NEWS01/111116011/Rutherford-County-man-charged-TennCare-fraud?odyssey=nav|head

State aeronautics division has new director (Associated Press)The aeronautics division of the Tennessee Department of Transportation has a new director. William B. Orella

will oversee the licensing of Tennessee's general aviation airports and grants for them. He is a former U.S. AForce colonel with 26 years of service, including the position of base commander at Wright-Patterson Air FoBase in Dayton, Ohio. Orellana was appointed by TDOT commissioner John Schroer.http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37959945.story

U of M Law Adds Flexibility Into Curriculum (Memphis Daily News)The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has approved changes to the school’s curriculthat go into effect next year and reflect the changing nature of the legal profession. Starting with the class tenters in the fall of 2012, students w ill have more flexibility in classes they take earlier in their education. In fall of 2009, law school dean Kevin Smith tasked the law school’s curriculum committee with reviewing tcurriculum and recommending changes, if necessary, according to David Romantz, associate dean for academaffairs. Romantz said the curriculum had not been given a comprehensive review in years and that Smit

interest was in m aking the curriculum better reflect changes in the field of law in recent years. “For many, mayears, most law schools were geared toward a traditional litigation model,” Romantz said. “But certainlymodern practice, there’s a lot more transactional work, and even within litigation there’s a lot more alternativelitigation such as negotiation and mediation. “And so this new curriculum sort of reflects modern practice mumore so than our old curriculum did.”http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/nov/17/u-of-m-law-adds-flexibility-into-curriculum/ 

No insurance hinders man to join transplant list (Jackson Sun)Chris Laslie passed out in his living room from a gruesome headache a little more than a year ago. His wDebra Laslie, said doctors later told them Chris had suffered an aneurysm related to early sclerosis of his liand that he would need a liver transplant. A year later, after Chris, 33, lost his job and medical bills piled up, said he still has not been accepted by a private or public insurance company and that the doctors he needssee about getting on the transplant list will not see him without an insurance card. "It's awful," Chris said. "Ycan go to one doctor and you might like them, but you'll get sent to another one and never see them again anseems like you don't ever get any further along."… Chris said he has been rejected by TennCare twice, aDebra said TennCare told the family Chris did not qualify because he was not a minor, did not have cervicalbreast cancer, was not pregnant and was not blind. A TennCare spokeswoman said she could not comment the case.http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=tennessean&sParam=37956549.story

Weight limits in place on bridge (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/Walton)Starting today, no vehicles heavier than 10 tons are allowed on the Wilcox Boulevard bridge over the DeBuRail Yard off Amnicola Highway. Chattanooga officials announced last week they would impose weight limafter a state inspection turned up deficiencies on the 54-year-old span that crosses the Norfolk Southern yard. Two groups that might be expected to be most affected say it's not a problem. Hamilton County sch

buses don't use it to pick up and drop off children, schools Transportation Supervisor Ben Coulter said. "It's gothat Amnicola is mostly commercial from there to downtown. It is not mandatory for any of our routes," Coulsaid. But field trips might have to be rerouted, and all drivers have been notified not to use the bridge, he saAnd Tom Dugan, executive director of the C hattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, has saidshould be fairly easy to reroute buses that come and go from barns next to the bridge. The weight-limit sigwent up Wednesday, a spokeswoman in the city traffic engineer's office said. That followed an inspection tsummer by the Tennessee Department of Transportation that revealed "continued deterioration of the stebeams on the bridges," TDOT spokeswom an Jennifer Flynn said in an email Wednesday.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/17/weight-limits-in-place-on-brid ge/?local

Kingsport nurse's license on probation following conviction for assault (T-N)A Kingsport registered nurse whose license was p laced on probation due to an assault conviction is one of th

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area nurses named in the Tennessee Department of H ealth’s latest disciplinary action report. The report, issuTuesday afternoon, states the Board of Nursing placed the license of Bradley R. Blackburn, R.N., on probatfor a period of one year and ordered him to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs. A corresponding board order dated O17 states an assault conviction “on or about April 5, 2011” in Sullivan County General Sessions Court initiaprompted the suspension of Blackburn’s license effective Oct. 17, pending his completion of a TennessProfessional Assistance Program evaluation and signing of a m onitoring agreement, if recommended. A ccordto sessions court records, the assault occurred Oct. 3, 2010, and the final disposition was issued in late MarThe board also placed Kristi J. Bowling, L.P.N., Elizabethton, on probation for an unspecified amount of tiafter she tested positive for oxymorphone on a drug test. She w as also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costshttp://www.timesnews.net/article/9038416/kingsport-nurse39s-license-on-probation-following-convictio n-for-assault

Beavers Considers ‘Starting From Scratch’ on Court of Judiciary (TN Report)In one of her strongest statements to date, Sen. Mae Beavers raised the specter Tuesday of doing away with board that polices judges. The Court of the Judiciary has been the subject of intense legislative attention this as Beavers has sought to revamp the make-up and operations of the body. Critics of the Court have said system is one of judges protecting judges, and that reform is needed. “I’m very much considering starting frscratch because there’s so much resistance from the Court of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court, to make evminor changes,” Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, said after a meeting of a House and Senate joint subcommittee. Beavhas been a vocal critic of the COJ and as Senate Judiciary chairwoman led an examination of the cour

practices in September. She walked away saying the Court should be more transparent, require judgesdisclose conflicts of interest, make disciplinary actions against judges public and add more laypeople to tpanel. Democrats generally agree that steps need to be taken by the judiciary to show the public and tLegislature they’re taking complaints about judges seriously, said the House minority party’s caucus chairmMike Turner, D-Old H ickory.http://www.tnreport.com/2011/11/beavers-considers-%E2%80%98starting-from-scratch%E2%80%99-on-courtof-judiciary / 

Commission takes no action, preserving Occupy protest (TFP/Haman)Though Occupy encampments have been swept away across the nation, Occupy Chattanooga protesters staying in place on the courthouse lawn for the moment. Hamilton County commissioners, w ho said Tuesdafternoon they were poised to take action, didn't bring up the matter at Wednesday's commission meeting

turn, Sheriff Jim Hammond said his deputies would continue only to enforce state laws. "The commission has made any decision giving any direction," Hammond said. Commission Chairman Larry Henry said Tuesdafternoon it was likely the body would vote to designate a liaison to work with Hammond on enforcing aapplicable laws, no item w as added to the commission's Wednesday agenda. "W e're just trying to watch themlong as there are not any health and safety issues that come out of it," Henry said after the meeting. The OccuChattanooga group was prepared to take legal action to void any commission action to evict them from tproperty, group mem ber Scott Burnett said Wednesday.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/17/staying-put-occupy-chattanooga-courthouse/?local

Hamilton County sheriff seeks videoconferencing for inmates (TFP/Haman)Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hamm ond is pushing to bring videoconferencing to the county jail. On W ednesdhe met w ith a Hamilton County Com mission committee to discuss the possible benefits of providing an Intern

based way for inmates to communicate with visitors, attorneys and courts from their cell blocks. "I see it as a wwin for the county," Hammond said. "I see it as a win-win as an investigative tool." The new technology woallow deputies to monitor and record calls between inmates and visitors and reduce the personal contact tmight allow the transfer of illicit materials, including drugs, Hammond said. Commissioner Tim Boyd asked abthe system's ability to allow lawyers to communicate with clients by video. Vince Laurita, a Colorado-basrepresentative of manufacturer Vizvox, said the technology would be password protected and conversations wlawyers would not be recorded. Fulton County, Ga., uses the technology, Laurita said. Vizvox provides tequipment for CTC Co. Inc., which provides the actual communications service.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/17/sheriff-seeks-videoconferencing-for-inma tes/?local

Memphis sues county over disputed MLGW payments (C. Appeal/Connolly)The city of Memphis has filed suit against Shelby County government in a financial dispute involving millions

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dollars, a step that ends months of informal negotiations and raises the stakes for taxpayers. Memphis LigGas and Water Division doesn't pay property taxes, but it makes "payments in lieu of taxes" to the city on its gand electrical equipment. The city passes a portion of this money to the county government, which says it is getting its fair share. For months, Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz had urged the county governmentfile suit to force the city to pay more money. But the city struck first. City Council attorney Allan Wade filedcomplaint in Chancery Court on Nov. 4, the day after city and county officials held a meeting to try to reachsettlement. The amount of money that the city is seeking is much larger than the parties had discussed so fThe county had recently said that it was seeking about $7.9 million in payments for recent fiscal years.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/17/memphis-sues-county-over-disputed-mlgw-payments/ 

Alexander’s Online Sales Tax Proposal Gets Support Back Home (WPLN-Radio)Wednesday small business owners from Tennessee are in Washington helping sell a proposal that would online retailers collecting sales tax. The legislation gives states a way to force online retailers like Amazoncollect sales tax on purchases. The online retail giant approves of the deal, even after fighting with states to kefrom collecting sales tax. Donnie Eatherly is president of P&E Distributors in Goodlettsville, which sperformance car parts. He says it’s already nearly impossible to match a company like Am azon’s discounprices. “It’s still going to be a little difficult to compete. But this w ill go a long way. You’re already in my situatputting 10 percent back up on the table.” At a press conference in Washington, Eatherly will hold a $6performance carburetor. He says right now, customers can browse in his store, then go home, order it onliand save close to $60.http://wpln.org/?p=316 65

TN businesses rally for Sen. Alexander's online tax bill (Nashville Biz Journal)Tennessee companies sounded the call for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander’s online sales tax legislation todpushing Washington to tackle what has been a hot debate within the business community. AlexanderRepublican, held a news conference this afternoon in Washington, D.C., in support of legislation he’s pushthat would allow states to require online retailers to collect sales taxes. Joining him were Tennessee businepeople, including a Goodlettsville business man who said the competitive landscape will remain lopsided in increasingly difficult retail environment if Congress doesn’t act. “It’s just leveling the playing field,” DonEatherly, president of P&E Distributors, a performance auto parts store, said in an interview before the neconference. It’s yet to be seen how that argument will play in a Congress, w ith numerous high-profile prioritiesplay and Republicans vigilant in batting down real or perceived tax increases.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/11/16/alexander-eatherly-tennessee-sale s-tax.html

Alexander confident Congress w ill pass on line sales tax b ill (NewSentinel/Collins)U.S. Sen. Lam ar Alexander said Wednesday he is confident Congress w ill pass legislation giving states the rito collect sales and use taxes on online purchases from out-of-state retailers. "I believe it is going to happen," tMaryville Republican said. A bipartisan coalition of senators, including Alexander and U.S. Sen. Bob Corker,Chattanooga, filed legislation last week that would allow, but not require, states to collect taxes they are owed online purchases. U.S. Reps. Steve Womack, R-Ark., and Jackie Speier, D-Calif., introduced similar legislatlast month in the U.S. House. Traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses have been trying for years to Congress to pass some sort of "e-fairness" legislation, arguing they are at a competitive disadvantage becauthey must collect taxes on purchases and remit them to the state. Remote sellers, such as Amazon.com, eBand others, are not required under federal law to collect the taxes unless they have a physical presence,nexus, within that state. That means consumers can avoid paying the taxes by purchasing goods onli

Shoppers in Knoxville, for example, can avoid paying $9.25 in taxes on $100 worth of merchandise by simordering the goods online.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/nov/16/alexander-confident-congress-will-pass-online/ 

Senators want state taxes levied online (Times-Gazette)U.S. Senators Lamar A lexander (R-Tenn.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced last week ta bipartisan group of 10 senators, including Alexander's Tennessee colleague Bob Corker, are introduclegislation that would, if it passes, give states the option to collect sales taxes on all online purchases. Currenstates can only force online merchants to collect sales tax if the merchant has a physical presence in that stasuch as a retail store or distribution center. The tax is still due, and consumers are legally responsible to reptheir online purchases and pay sales tax on them if the tax isn't collected by the seller. But compliance with tlaw is low to non-existent. Issue's origin The issue was recently raised in Tennessee because of agreeme

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between the state and online retailing giant Amazon.com to bring distribution centers to Tennessee. Former GPhil Bredesen signed the first such agreement before leaving office, bringing Amazon facil it ies to Chaattanooga area and exempting the company from having to collect sales tax which its physical presenwould otherwise have required.http://www.t-g.com/story/1784945.html

TN Lawm akers Encourage Super Comm ittee, Make Contingency Plans (WPLN)If the so-called congressional “super committee” fails to cut more than a tri ll ion dollars from the defi

Tennessee risks a downgrade of its bond rating. The panel remains gridlocked, but some m embers of the statcongressional delegation are trying to pressure the group to reach a deal. Lawmakers in both parties are glooabout the prospect of the committee failing with only a week left. On Wednesday Tennessee Republican SenaLamar Alexander gathered with more than thirty lawmakers to urge the committee to come up with a larpackage. Alexander says world markets are watching. “This is about more than money. It’s about whether Congress and the president can competently govern.” Nashville Democrat Jim Cooper was on the stage too. says Congress needs to consider adopting a budget outline from a past deficit reducing commission insteadthe automatic cuts that could take place. “Should the ‘super committee’ fail we need to come up with alternative plan that solves the problem. It’s going to take about $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next years just to stabilize the situation.”http://wpln.org/?p=316 97

Tennessee lawmakers focal point of Lacey Act fight (Memphis Business Journal

Proponents of the 100-year-old Lacey Act are pushing back against Tennessee lawmakers who introduced tmonth a bill aimed at protecting individual musicians and guitar merchants in the wake of multiple raidsNashville-based Gibson Guitar Corp. facilities. On a conference call Wednesday, environmentalists arepresentatives from the steel and forest industries claimed the proposed bill would m ake sweeping changesthe Lacey Act, which was amended in 2008 to include plants among the law's protected species. Namelegislation backed by Democrat Jim Coope r and Republican Marsha Blackburn, both of Tennessee, would mathe Lacey Act more complicated, opponents said. “I think that, in general, the more confusing laws are, the moexceptions and carve outs they have,” said Andrea Johnson, director of forest programs for the EnvironmenInvestigation Agency. Opponents pointed to three aspects of the Cooper bill – intended to protect musicians aothers who unknowingly posses guitars made of illegally harvested wood – that they believe would undermthe basic premise of the Lacey Act, which combats trafficking in “illegal” wildlife, fish and plants.http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2011/11/16/tennessee-lawmakers-focal-point-of.html

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper wrongly listed among wealthiest Americans (Tennessean)U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper is not among the top 1 percent of wealthiest Americans, as had been reported in analysis by USA TODAY that was published in The Tennessean on Wednesday. The information about Coowas based on faulty data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics, which estimated mem bers’ worth wita range reported on financial disclosure forms by members of Congress. The correct midpoint of that range Cooper, D-Nashville, was $7.5 mill ion, which places him outside the top 1 percent. The 2010 financdisclosures reveal mem bers’ assets and liabilities in broad ranges but fail to distinguish between full and parinvestments. The article said a member’s net worth often is much higher than the amount listed because tdisclosures don’t include the value of their primary home. But it failed to note that a member’s wealth might substantially lower than the amount listed if his or her holdings are only a portion of the overall investment lison the disclosure form. Cooper’s office declined to put a figure on the congressman’s actual wealth but said $million was a correct interpretation of the data under the center’s formula.

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FEMA unlocks millions for Nashville flood home buyouts (Tennessean/Cass)Lars Frederiksen and his family can’t live in their old house anymore. The flood of 2010 ruined it more than months ago. But they’ve continued to pay the mortgage, the insurance and the property taxes. When federal astate money to help Metro buy the Melrose-area property got held up last summer, Frederiksen felt a sensedread as his debts — including Small Business Administration loans and a new mortgage in East Nashvillecontinued to pile up. But his burden eased a bit this w eek when the Federal Em ergency Management Agentold Metro the buyout money is now available. “The only possible buyer is Metro,” said Frederiksen, the sadirector at Graffiti Indoor Advertising. “You can’t build on it. So we’re here thinking, ‘If this FEMA thing doeshappen, I am dead.’ But now it’s happening again, so we’re breathing.” He said he hopes the sale will

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complete by January. Mayor Karl Dean’s office said Wednesday that $30.4 million, including $3.8 m illion in Mematching funds, is now back on track to help the city buy 122 homes, raze them and convert the land to opgreen space where water can flow freely. FEMA had put a freeze on long-term disaster relief spending afHurricane Irene hammered the northeastern United States in August and Congress debated how to come with new funds.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111117/NEWS0202/311160115/FEMA-unlocks-millions-Nashville-flood-home-buyouts?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

FEMA Funds On the W ay to Restart Flood Buyouts (WPLN-Radio Nashville)Nashville’s flood buyout program is back on track, now that federal funding has been restored. After devastating floods in May of last year, the city made deals to purchase just over 200 homes that stood in floodways. But the program depends on money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those funwere frozen in September after FEMA’s budget was strained by a series of natural disasters. At that point, city had closed on less than half of the properties. Now, those funds are available again, and Mayor Karl Desays FEMA is sending about 30 million dollars to finish the buyout program. The city has begun the processclosing on all of the remaining hom es.http://wpln.org/?p=317 00

FEMA funds flow again; flood home buyout program continues (City Paper)Some $30.4 million in funding is back on the table, allowing Metro to continue with a home buyout progra

resulting from last year’s flood. According to Mayor Karl Dean’s office, the Federal Emergency ManagemAgency funds that had been frozen, putting the buyout program on hold, are now available again. That hallowed Metro to begin closing on 122 homes that were part of the city’s Hazard Mitigation Home Buyoprogram to buy the homes of participating flood victims at the pre-flood value of the home. M etro already bouout 97 homes prior to the funding freeze with another seven closures pending. In all, 226 homes in Metro are to be part of the buyout program, which is largely funded by FEMA and the Tennessee Emergency ManagemAgency. Metro Water Services administers the home buyout program. “It was unfortunate that FEMA delaythese funds to flood victims in Nashville, but I am grateful to Metro Water Services for acting quickly to get tmoney to homeowners on the buyout program as soon as possible,” Dean said.http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/fema-funds-flow-again-flood-home-buyout-program -continues

Nashville lauded for efforts to ease flooding (Tennessean/Paine)Nashville is one of 14 cities featured in a report released Wednesday for its efforts to reduce flooding and mawaterways cleaner by the nontraditional method of capturing rain where it falls. It’s mostly about greenery: greroofs, rain gardens, parklands and trees. As it is, millions of gallons of rainwater run off every day, filling streamaround the country with sewage and urban pollutants, said Rebecca Hammer, attorney in the Natural ResourcDefense Council’s water program. “By making the cityscape literally greener, Nashville is making its rivcleaner too — and with much greater return than conventional solutions,” Hammer said. She listed a mattractive city, higher property values, energy savings and cleaner air among add-on benefits. The NRDC repcalled Rooftops to Rivers II, says Nashville is one of the leading cities in committing to increase greinfrastructure. It cited Metro’s master plan to do so, demonstration projects, how-to m anuals, dedicated fundand other initiatives. “Metro must lead by example, and I hope the light this shines on our successes w ill spur private sector to also adopt low-impact development, such as green roofs and natural plantings designedabsorb and filter stormwater,” Mayor Karl Dean said in an emailed statement.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111117/NEWS11/311160138/Nashville-lauded-efforts-ease-flooding?

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Kids' Heart Health Is Faulted (Wall Street Journal)Analysis of Federal Data Finds Shortcomings in D iet, Exercise, Cholesterol Levels A new analysis of federal dprovides a dismal picture of children's cardiovascular health that suggests the current generation of teenagcould be at risk of increased heart disease. The study, which examined children between 12 and 19 years oldthe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control aPrevention, found that the adolescents performed poorly overall on a set of seven criteria set by the AmericHeart Association for ideal cardiovascular health. Diet in particular w as a problem, with not one of the 5,4children randomly selected for the survey from the U.S. population meeting the standards for diet. Taking out diet measure, still just 16.4% of boys and 11.3% of girls were rated ideal on all of the other six criteria, whincluded smoking, exercise, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. "In this country, essentially

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of us are born with ideal cardiovascular health, but we lose it very quickly," said Donald Lloyd-Jones, chiefpreventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and senior author of the report.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204517204577042412501431378.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Timing is right for technology transfers, DOE official says (News-Sentinel/WillettThe timing is right to increase technology transfer from government labs to the private sector. That was

assessment Wednesday of Karina Edmonds, technology transfer coordinator for the Department of Energy, wdelivered the keynote address at the Entrepreneurial Imperative Conference being held at the Crowne Plahotel in downtown Knoxville. Appointed in 2010, Edm onds is the DOE's first coordinator for technology transThe amount of attention focused on technology transfer by government leaders is cyclical, Edmonds said, notthat the current state of the economy has prompted strong interest in creating jobs through technology trans"We have a serious mandate from the president to out-invent and out-educate the competition," she said. As largest funder of physical science in the federal government, DOE is expected to be a leader in technolotransfer. "We're not trying to turn CEOs into scientists," she said. "We're just trying to get them to think moflexibly about how the technology can be used." Edmonds used Global Positioning Systems as an examppointing out that the technology once designed for nuclear missiles has become ubiquitous in a numberconsumer applications.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/nov/16/timing-is-right-for-technology-transf ers-doe/ 

Data center provider opens Nashville office (Nashville Post)An Ohio-based data center company is pushing into the Middle Tennessee market with an office in Cool Sprinand the hiring of a veteran local business development executive. AdvizeX Technologies has hired EdRichardson to be its regional sales manager. Richardson most recently was director of business developmentKraft Enterprise Systems, the IT unit of KraftCPAs that was founded as Axis Accounting Systems. He also hheld similar roles at Com Frame Software, iNet Strategy and others. "I'm delighted to join the AdvizeX team aexcited about the opportunities that await us in the Nashville market," says Richardson. "AdvizeX has partnewith leading technology vendors to offer a variety of highly competitive IT solutions. I have no doubt that wthese quality products, experienced staff, and AdvizeX's trusted industry reputation that we are going to makeimmediate impact on the local IT market." AdvizeX has leased space in the Meridian Cool Springs projedeveloped by Boyle Investment. The firm is headquartered in Ohio and runs nine other offices in cities rangfrom upstate New York to Tampa.

http://nashvillepost.com/news/2011/11/16/data_center_provider_opens_nashville_office

Chattanooga-built Passat named Motor Trend Car of the Year (TFP/Pare)A mixture of German engineering and Tennessee craftsmanship is why Volkswagen's made-in-ChattanooPassat drew Car of the Year honors from Motor Trend magazine, the assembly plant's chief said Wednesd"This is a really good sign," said Frank Fischer, CEO of VW's Chattanooga operations. Making announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Motor Trend cited the all-new midsize sedan's desiengineering, fuel efficiency, safety and value. "Here's where VW 's $4 billion Chattanooga plant investment pafor U.S. buyers," the magazine said, citing the cost VW reported it took to bring the car from design to the Udealer. According to the magazine, the Passat edged out the Chrysler 300 in the closest vote ever. AngMacKenzie, Motor Trend editor-in-chief, especially cited the Passat's "engineering excellence." "Chassteering, ride and handling all are tastiest," he said. The Passat, redesigned for the American market

becoming larger and featuring creature comforts attuned to the desires of U.S. motorists, competed against other vehicles. Jesse Toprak, TrueCar.com's vice president of industry trends and insights, said the Passat isgood value proposition" in a m arket of midsize sedans that's "the most competitive it has ever been."http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/17/locally-built-passat-named-motor-trend-car-of -the/?local

Leaders to meet on Whirlpool road project (Chattanooga Times Free-Press/LeachBradley County commissioners have asked to meet w ith Cleveland officials before beginning road improvemeassociated with the Whirlpool factory relocation. The projects, which include upgrades to Benton Pike, DurkRoad and Michigan Avenue, are part of a venture between Bradley County and Cleveland to retain WhirlpoThey will cost the county more than $1.6 million, according to recent Tennessee Department of Transportatiestimates. The city's share amounts to a little more than $330,000. Members of the County Commission FinanCommittee have expressed concern over the costs as well as the county's share. Several said the expenditu

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would be split 50/50 with the city, just like the split in the $1.8 million infrastructure site costs. TDOT estimatsplit city road improvement expenses between the city and county, while the county pays for all county roupgrades. The Cleveland City Council recently approved the plan. "They passed this resolution, but how did thcome up with that in the first place?" asked Commissioner Ed Elkins. "Is this what they would like to dBecause this is not the way it started out." Using the TDOT estimates, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Dapresented a number of alternatives to the committee, including compliance with the current schedule, reducthe scope of the improvements or increasing the city's share of expenses.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/17/leaders-to-meet-on-whirlpool-road-proj ect/?local

Union sues to get addresses of Music City Center workers (Tennessean/Gee)A local union that wants to know whether Music City Center has lived up to its billing as a local job-creator hsued Metro for access to personal information about workers on the 16-acre site downtown. The InternatioUnion of Operating Engineers Local No. 369, which covers Middle and West Tennessee, submitted requestsNashville’s Convention Center Authority in Decem ber and January for the certified payroll records of contracton the largest municipal project in Nashville history. The purpose for the requests was to investigate adetermine “whether contractors on the … project were paying proper wages to their employees … and whethsaid contractors were living up to commitments to hire employees from the local workforce,” according to tlawsuit filed Tuesday in Davidson County Chancery Court. Both requests were m et with bills of more than $1,5for records that redacted information including the Social Security numbers and addresses of laborers. WayWells, assistant business manager for the union, said the addresses should be turned over. “We’re not trying

recruit these people. We’re just trying to see how many local people there were at that time, but they’re ncooperating at all,” Wells said. “The mayor (Karl Dean) promised us the vast majority of people would be lohires. We just want to make a comparison with w hat the numbers actually are. “Where I come from, a manonly as good as his word.”http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111117/BUSINESS02/311170056/Union-sues-get-addresses-Music-City-Center-workers?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Roane County lawsuit alleges educators knew of bullying, did nothing (NS/FowleFrom the time he entered kindergarten in 2005 to late 2010, a Roane County student was subjected to "sevepervasive and prolonged bullying," a $5 million federal Civil Rights lawsuit alleges. The complaint, filed in UDistrict Court in Knoxville, contends the child's mother, Melissa L. Hunka, repeatedly met with educators, they did nothing to stop the bullying. Soon after he started school at Walnut Elementary School in Harriman, biracial boy began being bullied, primarily by three Caucasian classmates, the lawsuit alleges. Students "thr

and spit food at the minor plaintiff, stabbed him w ith pencils and pens, stole his snacks and school supplies, son him, and injuriously assaulted him in the hallway and on the playground during recess," according to tcomplaint. Hunka reported the incidents to teachers and P rincipal Kevin Ayers "w ithout anything being donecontinues. School Director Dr. Toni McGriff was aware of the bullying but was "deliberately indifferent," complaint states. In a phone conversation, McGriff told Hunka: "I will take the word of my teachers or princiany day over the w ord of a parent," the lawsuit alleges.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/nov/17/roane-county-lawsuit-alleges-educators-knew-of/ 

MTSU prof partners with Oakland on bullying education (Daily News Journal)An MTSU professor has created a partnership with O akland High in an effort to teach teens about the impbullying has on society. Jackie Gilbert, a professor in MTSU's College of Business, teaches PrincipalsManagement, a course required for all business majors. Beginning Friday and continuing for the next two w ee

small groups of G ilbert's students will visit the high school and share what they've learned about the five formsbullying. Principals of Management has an "emphasis on behavioral science concepts as applied to managpeople in organizations," according to the university's website. Gilbert's classes hosted Gary Nam ie, an experworkplace bullying, in March. She said she's started teaching on the different facets of bullying because peoaren't generally informed about what actions are considered as bullying. "Bad behavior occurs at work becaupeople are not educated on its consequences, its impact on other people, or more essentially, on wconstitutes bullying," Gilbert said. "My cooperative with Oakland High School is an attempt to educate the ngeneration of m anagers on what it means to respect others' boundaries and to behave in a civil fashion."http://www.dnj.com/article/20111117/NEWS01/111170321/MTSU-prof-partners-Oakland-bullying-education

Alabama: In Alabama, Calls for Revamping Immigration Law (New York Times)An increasing number of state lawmakers say they are willing to consider critical changes to Alabama’s sweep

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Ohio: Remapping Fight Costs Ohio Clout in Primary (Wall Street Journal)Democrats are getting closer to forcing a referendum on the state's Republican-passed congressional maprare strategy in redistricting fights that threatens to complicate the 2012 election in this pivotal state. Treferendum campaign has already compelled Ohio, a swing state in the presidential election and an importcongressional battleground, to push back its presidential and U .S. House primary from Super Tuesday on M a6 to June 12—49th of the 50 states—a late juncture by which the GOP nominee could already be picked. Olikely outcome is that the political makeup of congressional districts in Ohio—including that of Republican HouSpeaker John Boehner—could be decided by a county judge. Dem ocrats allege that GOP lawmakers in Ogerrymandered congressional districts to pack Democrats into four districts and ensure Republicans com fortahold 12 of the 16 House seats for the next decade. The state currently has 18 seats, 13 of which are Republicbut lost two because of slow population growth. Republicans say they sacrificed one Republican incumbent aone Democrat with the new districts, and that their map is more competitive than Democrats say.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204517204577042493513951300.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Oregon: Oregon Tests iPads as Aid to Disabled Voters (New York Times)Could the iPad someday supplant the voting machine? O regon last week became the first state in the country

use iPads to allow people with disabilities to vote, and it intends to use them again for another electionJanuary. Several other states are expected to follow suit with iPads or other tablets, possibly as early as for nyear’s presidential election. In a special primary election in five counties in Oregon, 89 people with disabilitmarked their ballots on an iPad. They did not actually cast their votes online — Internet voting is an idea whotime has not yet come, several elections officials said. Rather, these voters used iPads, brought to their homor nursing homes by election workers, to call up their ballots, mark them on-screen and print them out oportable w ireless printer. The voters or assistants then either mailed in the printed ballots or dropped them ofelection stations. One woman, who has impaired vision, was able to enlarge the print on her ballot so that scould see the names of candidates. A man with arthritis who could not hold a pen was able to touch the screwith his finger and mark his ballot.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/us/oregon-tries-out-voting-by-ipad-for-disabled.html?ref=to dayspaper(SUBSCRIPTION)

Wisconsin recall: How powerful super PACs could influence the battle (CSM)If hundreds of thousands of protesters camping for weeks on the front lawn of the statehouse in Madison eathis year made you think the battle between union organizers and Wisconsin Gov. Scott W alker (R) had reachan all-time high, think again. “That was just the w arm-up act, this is the real deal,” says Paul Maslin, a campastrategist and pollster based in Madison. “This” is the recall effort designed to remove Governor Walker froffice, which officially began Tuesday and which may become a testing ground for the growing political cloutso-called “super PACs.” For the recall election to take place next year, more than 500,000 signatures need tocollected. Recall supporters swarmed the state capital at midnight to galvanize the nearly 9,000 volunteerecruited to gather signatures. Democrats hosted over 100 petition drive events throughout the day Tuesdincluding one in front of Walker’s home in nearby W auwatosa. If enough signatures are gathered, it would be third recall election in Wisconsin in a single year, the first two being of Republican state senators also targetedunion supporters.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/1115/Wisconsin-recall-How-powerful-super-PACs-could-influencthe-battle

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OPINION

Free-Press Editorial: Education waivers skirt rule of law (Times Free-Press)We can readily see why Tennessee and Georgia are seeking waivers from some of the requirements of tfederal No Child Left Behind education law. The law has two big factors working against it: * First, there is lievidence after decades of heavy federal spending and "guidance" on public education that all that moneyboosting achievement among our young people. * Second, we do not see authorization in the U.S. Constitutfor Washington to set standards for public education. In fact, the Constitution is clear about leaving such mattto the states and the people. (And there are refreshing calls among current Republican presidential candidates

eliminate the U.S. Department of Education altogether.) That brings us to Tennessee and Georgia, which among the states asking for waivers from the Obama administration that would let them fashion their oeducational accountability standards. Among other things, Tennessee wants more flexibility in how it spenfederal dollars that go to schools with high proportions of students from low-income families. And in Georgofficials want to include science, social studies and foreign language achievement -- not only math and readingin determining which schools are making progress.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/17/education-and-the-rule-of-law/?opinion freepress

Editorial: Spending cuts mainly hit poor (Paris Post-Intelligencer)Cut federal spending. Cut federal spending. That mantra of the political right sounds so logical, so obvious, thais spoken with almost religious fervor. What most of its adherents see is slashing of frivolous and luxurioprojects that have plunged Uncle Sam into abysmal debt. When it comes down to what spending to c

however, the picture changes. Almost inevitably, the axe falls heaviest on the poor and the sick. Why that isisn’t easy to understand, but it’s borne out by how the Tennessee Health Department proposes to manticipated budget cuts. Gov. Bill Haslam has asked each state department to suggest how they would redutheir budgets by 5 percent in the coming year if the federal government comes through as promised with shareductions in federal aid to the states. Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner told a budget hearing Tuesdthat the only way he can see to cut $40 million is to do away with a number of primary health-care centers low-income residents. Was he trying to avoid slashing his budget by deliberately choosing the area that woraise the biggest stink instead of trimming fat from less harmful areas? Not so, he said: “While we wish thecuts weren’t necessary, we believe the ones we have chosen will have the least impact.”http://www.parispi.net/articles/2011/11/16/opinion/editorials/doc4ec3ed929ed469129 29693.txt

Guest columnist: Get moving, quit smoking to put brakes on heart disease (Tenn

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The recent article “Tennesseans suffer fewer heart ills” noted the decrease in heart disease mortality over tpast four years. While this is good news, it also serves as a reminder still that we have work to do on mahealth issues in our state. The U.S. Centers for D isease Control and Prevention reports that the mortality rateheart disease in Tennessee dropped 16 percent from 2006 to 2010 — that’s the good new s. However, our hedisease rate of 6.9 percent for adults is the ninth-highest in the U.S. The A merican Heart Association’s 20impact goal aims to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths frcardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent. But a new study shows that improved trends in smokincholesterol and high blood pressure in the United States since 1988 have been offset by increases in body m aindex and unhealthy blood sugar levels. Unless those trends are reversed, researchers project only a 6 percimprovement in cardiovascular health by 2020. Many people remain unaware of the link between unheallifestyle behaviors and heart failure risk. Recent Am erican Heart Association research shows that: Male smokhave an 86 percent higher risk for heart failure compared to people who never smoke. Female smokers’ rincreases to 109 percent.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111117/OPINION03/311170016/Get-moving-quit-smoking-put-brakes-heart-disease?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Guest columnist: Harwell, Haslam should stand up for Muslim vets (Tennessean)Veterans Day is a time to honor our troops, not slander them. Republican State Rep. Rick Womick seemshave it backward. Friday, while many of us were celebrating our veterans, Womick, R-Rockvale, had other plaHe spent the day speaking at a conference for anti-Muslim activists, telling the crowd that “we cannot ha

Muslims in our military because we cannot trust them.” When asked by a reporter about Muslims in the armforces, Womick replied that they should be forced out. Unfortunately, these weren’t offhand remarks or quotaken out of context. According to Womick, any Muslim in an American uniform might be part of a terror plot, ahe’s concerned that those who appear to love their country are faking it. These would be shameful, ignorwords on any given day. On Veterans Day, however, they were particularly repugnant. Why? Because thmarred the remembrance of Humayun K han, Azhar Ali, Kareem Khan, and others like them — young Americawho served their country in battle, lost their lives as a result, and also happened to practice the Muslim faThese young men left their families in the United States to go to war in Iraq. They never made it home.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111117/OPINION03/311170014/Harwell-Haslam-should-stand-up-Muslimvets?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p

Jack Neely: How Lakeshore Helped Create Bearden (Metro Pulse)

Now preparing to close, the mental institution was once an object of civic pride Three Knoxville institutions acelebrating their 125th birthdays this year: the public library, the News Sentinel, and Lakeshore Mental HeaInstitute. Lakeshore will likely close after its 126th. Just after I finished reading that news in the m orning papeleft Pete’s, and heard shouting that sounded at first l ike an Occupier’s chant. Down on Clinch I foundparticularly scruffy citizen raving at the disappointing world, using some curse words even Jim Dykes stays awfrom, laced with liberal random racial slurs. He sounded angry and dangerous, as if it were all directed at soparticularly despicable individual. But he was walking alone. He was a schizophrenic, I suppose, and he wasthe last one I saw that morning. The Veterans’ Day parade was coming up, and lots of unfamiliars were afooseemed like punctuation to the story of the closing of Lakeshore. We’ve been seeing more of the mentally ilour streets, probably, than ever before in our history, and with further closings of public facilities, maybe we’ll smore. http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/nov/16/how-lakeshore-helped-create-bearden/ 

Ricki Hall: Why Rural Counties Should Tax the 1% (Metro Pulse)The Appalachian Public Interest Environmental Law conference, held last month at the UT law school, wawonderful blend of attorneys and activists. In only its second year, the conference drew in panelists aparticipants from several surrounding states for talks on coal mining, forest management, public health, clewater laws and more. I came away with lessons that resonate with the Occupy Wall Street movement. Incoinequality has always been a fact of life in rural Appalachia, but I gained insights into both how inequaperpetuates itself and how communities can counter the flow o f wealth from their lands and labor to the balansheets of distant owners. In the late 1970s, Save Our Cum berland Mountains conducted a detailed surveyproperty deeds in Appalachia and found that m ore than half of the land in rural counties was in the handsabsentee landowners, typically large coal or timber interests. This year, SOCM resurveyed a few counties afound absentee owners still dominant, but they found that much of the property has changed hands.http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/nov/16/why-rural-counties-should-tax-1/ 

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Times Editorial: Food giants + GOP = obese kids (Chattanooga Times Free-PressIf Republicans don't want reforms to make health care more affordable, they should at least be w illing to suppnew dietary rules in school lunch programs to promote healthier children. That would help stem the surgepidemics of childhood obesity and related diabetes, which now afflict an astonishing one-third of Americchildren. But no, Republicans favor giant food conglomerates over healthier children. They've already kilefforts to levy a moderate tax on addictive sugary sodas to reduce heavy consumption of such drinks. Tuesday, House and Senate Republicans joined ranks to defeat a proposal by the Department of Agricult

aimed at reducing students' consumption of french fries and pizzas, two of the most popular -- and fat-ansodium-laden -- items on school lunch menus. They did so after a call-to-arms by lobbyists from foconglomerates like ConAgra, Coca-Cola, Del Monte Foods, and makers of frozen pizza. The companies claimnew school lunch standards would raise school lunch prices by $6.8 billion over the next five years, and woresult in students wasting unwanted vegetables on their plates. They didn't mention a possible dent in thprofits, of course, but that was surely what they m ost wanted to protect.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/nov/17/food-giants-gop-obese-kids/?opiniontimes

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