Bill Dunn swears off driver and security for 3-week stint as House speaker

Victor Ashe
Shopper News columnist

A week from today, 73 House Republicans will meet in Nashville to choose a nominee for speaker to replace the disgraced Glen Casada, who resigns Aug. 2. That nominee will almost certainly be the next speaker.

While Knoxville's own Bill Dunn is not seeking the nod, he is speaker pro tem and assumes the duties of speaker from Aug. 2 until Aug. 23, when the House meets to choose the new speaker.

Dunn will convene the House on Aug. 23 and preside until a new speaker is elected. He will be the first Knox County resident in over 100 years to be acting speaker. During these 21 days, Dunn will attend the State Building Commission meeting as a member. His pay will triple for these three weeks only, as the speaker makes three times a regular member. Casada's pay drops accordingly.

Dunn has written the Commissioner of Safety that he will not need a highway patrolman as driver or security for the 21 days he is acting speaker. Dunn tells me he will still be the Bill Dunn we have always known, and he can drive himself in Tennessee. One of Dunn's most charming assets is "he is who he is" and does not put on airs.

Dunn will also be able to fill vacancies on various state boards and commissions if they occur during these three weeks.

Burchett wasn’t told about fundraiser   

On July 7, U.S. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was guest of honor for Third District Rep. Chuck Fleischmann at the lakeside West Knoxville home of Hash and Nazzy Hashemian for a fundraiser. The Hashemians are gracious and vibrant hosts who know how to entertain.

About 60 people attended, including Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch (an active and committed Democrat), Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, state GOP chair Scott Golden, state Rep. and speaker candidate Cameron Sexton, new UT Chancellor Donde Plowman, and attorney Jeff Hagood. Fleischmann represents Chattanooga and Oak Ridge in Congress.

Not attending was our own Congressman Tim Burchett, in whose district it was held. It is unusual for a colleague of the same party to have a fundraiser in another member's district and that sitting congressman not be there. When asked about his absence, Burchett said briefly, "Chuck never mentioned it to me."

It seems strange that Fleischmann did not ask Burchett to co-host or attend the event being held in Burchett's district with the House GOP whip in attendance.

Sign honoring ex-mayor is missing    

Jack Dance is a short street near Westown Mall with several businesses on it.

Most people would not know where Jack Dance Avenue is and even fewer recall he was mayor of Knoxville in the 1950s, preceding John Duncan. He died in office. It intersects with Kingston Pike across from West Marine and Men's Warehouse, but no one would know it because the street sign has been missing for months.

Since it is only a short block long and dead ends, there would be only one street sign. However, there are five businesses on this street including two restaurants, The Sticky Rice Cafe (Laotian food) and Salsarita’s (Mexican) plus Nail Spa, Vintage Vapors, Hop Salon and BenchMark Physical Therapy. Unless one already knows the area, having a street sign up for a newcomer is essential. 

Good news is that Steve King, deputy engineering director, promised to get it replaced soon. It may be up by the time this column appears.

Recode likely to pass council, awkward for Stair    

The effort by Team Rogero and Knoxville-Knox County Planning to pass Recode, the city's effort to update planning codes, continues to stir the political waters but is likely to succeed.

Mayoral candidate Eddie Mannis has made opposition a signature part of his campaign. Indya Kincannon, while supportive, has been able to avoid the spotlight as she does not vote on it. Councilman Marshall Stair is probably in the most difficult position because he has to vote on it.

Whichever way he goes, it could generate problems for his campaign because he'll alienate either Recode supporters if he votes against it or opponents if he supports it.

Birthdays    

July 15: John Kalec is 69. Dean Rice, aide to former county mayor Tim Burchett, is 50. 

July 16: Developer Ron Watkins is 77. Former Knox County commissioner Mark Cawood and Mary Stackhouse are 65. 

July 17: Bill Sansom, former TVA board chair, TDOT commissioner and president of H.T. Hackney, is 78. 

July 18: Dr. Ewin Jenkins is 75. 

July 19: Former UT president Joe DiPietro is 68. City Service Director Chad Weth is 43. Fran Keith is 68. Libba Wall is 80. 

July 20: John Sibley is 71. Attorney John Winemiller is 53. 

July 21: Former U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan is 72. U.S. Rep. Phil Roe is 74. Federal Judge Pam Reeves is 65. 

Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville Mayor and former Ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News.