Kincannon exposes her weak political instincts by making police chief search secret | Ashe

Very few people knew the search for Knoxville's police chief would be conducted in full secrecy. When the City Council approved a $43,000 contract with an out-of-state firm to perform the search, Mayor Indya Kincannon did not tell the council it would be confidential. No paper trail would exist. Also, no council member asked about it.

It did not occur to council members to ask that question. Councilwoman Seema Singh now says she “is uncomfortable” they were not told as it might have triggered a discussion about secrecy and even a different vote.

The mayor's administration says secrecy was necessary to hire the best person. Qualified applicants would not apply otherwise, they argued.

The mayor made a significant mistake when she did not tell the public and council prior to the vote that this contract was for a behind-closed-doors search.

It shows contempt for the state’s open records law, as it expressly avoids creating any written documents so city officials can claim they do not exist. Such records, if they exist, clearly would be subject to the open records law.

Does Kincannon plan to use this approach, if it is legal, when hiring other city department heads? Several council members told Knox News that the mayor has full authority to hire the chief, but surely they would not condone a willful mayoral intent to circumvent the open records law?

It may not have occurred to the city that Knox News would file a lawsuit over this in which they are represented by attorney Rick Hollow, a respected expert in Tennessee's open records law.

This lawsuit will cost the city far more than the original contract. Taxpayers are paying for this on top of the contract itself. Total legal costs – assuming it goes to the state Supreme Court – conceivably could exceed $140,000 for the private law firm that the city hired. The cost will be public record. If Knox News wins, the city may be liable for paying the news organization's legal expenses, too.

This is the first time I can recall a mayor hiding the written record on the employment of a city department head. This lawsuit will continue to receive extensive coverage in the midst of the mayor's reelection campaign. Council candidates will be asked their views on it.

Chancellor John Weaver heard the case Oct. 7. The losing side will likely file an appeal whatever he decides. This lawsuit could run another 15 to 16 months if it goes to the state Supreme Court.

This is not the first time just this year that the mayor has failed to keep the council informed on important plans. The current proposal to place the hiring of personnel for Knoxville-Knox County Planning under the city and county mayors was slipped into a budget amendment with the City Council not being told about it in advance. Vice Mayor Andrew Roberto has urged Kincannon and her staff to be more open with the council, but this solid advice has been ignored.

Kincannon is very personable, smart and likable. Currently, she is coasting to a second-term election without viable opposition.

However, these two episodes, which show the council being ignored, are major missteps when it comes to council relations. They show the mayor's political instincts are inadequate or weak. She really needs someone with political savvy to assist her. At some point, the council may draw a line that cannot be crossed.

Birthdays

Dec. 1: Knox County DA Charme Allen is 58. Former Election Commissioner and attorney Tammy Kaousias is 57. Deputy city engineering director Steve King is 67. Bedros Bozdogan is 43. Peter W. Glander is 44.

Dec. 2: Alan Duff is 68. WBIR's John Becker is 51. David Etnier is 84. Patrick Goswitz is 24. Rev. John Ross of St John's Episcopal Church is 68 (he recently celebrated 25 years at St. John's). Democratic County Commission Chair Courtney Durrett is 42.

Dec. 3: Donald K. Dougall is 92. Denark CEO Raja Jubran is 65. Kelly Johnson is 47. Sara McCord is 33. Catherine Traver is 64. Brandon Bruce is 44.

Dec. 4: Scott Smith is 58. Travis Vickery is 42.

Dec. 5: Former County Mayor Tommy Schumpert is 84. Former judge and county Law Director Dale Workman is 76. Stuart Brotman is 70. Lisa Cyr is 40. Casey Fox is 40. Architect and former KCDC chair David Hutchins is 67. Eric Barton is 47.

Dec. 6: Former Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis is 68. Former UT Dean Warren Neel is 85.

Dec. 7: Sen. Richard Briggs is 70. Marva Martin is 79. Mayor Glenn Jacobs’ spokesman Mike Donila is 50. Bishop Brian Cole is 55. Alanna McKissack is 30. Vance Sherwood is 76.

Victor Ashe can be reached at vhashe@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Kincannon exposes weak political instincts in chief search | Ashe