SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012 Saks picks LaVergne for fulfillment expansion (Business Clarksville)

Retailer Saks Incorporated (NYSE: SKS) announced on Feb. 13, it will add a new distribution and fulfillment facility in LaVergne, Tenn. in 2012. The announcement was met with much excitement in the Rutherford County region as it brings the promise of more new jobs to the areas residents. The new state-of-the-art distribution and fulfillment center will occupy approximately 564,000 square feet of leased space and will be equipped with a sophisticated mobile-robotic fulfillment system that has been successfully utilized in the companys Maryland facility. The Company expects the Tennessee facility to be operational by August 2012 and ultimately to employ over 250 full-time associates at complete capacity. Saks Incorporated has made a great decision in choosing Tennessee as its newest distribution center location, and I am pleased to welcome this well-respected company to Rutherford County. Were working to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs, and by focusing on a business-friendly environment, it encourages businesses to invest, grow and create jobs, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said. http://businessclarksville.com/2012/02/17/saks-picks-lavergne-for-fulfillment-expansion-39573/

Guns-in-Parking-Lots Compromise Could Win Haslam Support (TN Report)

Gov. Bill Haslam hinted this week he wouldnt necessarily shoot down legislation that would allow Tennessee gun owners to keep a firearm stored in their vehicle while they are at work even over the objection of their employer. Still, the proposal idling in the General Assembly seems overly broad to the governor. But during a meeting with the Capitol press corps W ednesday, Haslam suggested that if the House and Senate can pass a compromise, hell likely sign on. Sen. Mike Faulk and Rep. Eddie Bass are sponsoring the legislation, which gained some traction last year but not enough to win over GOP leaders in the House. Proponents are confident it would pass if Speaker Beth Harwell, of Nashville, and Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, of Chattanooga, were to allow the bill to come to the chamber floor for a vote. http://www.tnreport.com/2012/02/guns-bill-compromisecould-win-haslam-support/

Haslam offers $10k reward for east Knoxville shooting death (W VLT-TV Knoxville)
Gov. Bill Haslam is offering a ten thousand reward for information leading to the apprehension, arrest, and conviction of whoever was involved in the shooting death of Robert "Ernie" Reno at an east Knoxville home last November. Haslam announced the reward late Friday afternoon. He is asking anyone with information to contact the Knoxville Police Department's crime information line at 865-215-7212. Reno was found lying face down in the of a home on Selma Ave. just after midnight on November 11 with several bullet wounds in his legs, according to Knoxville Police Dept. spokesperson Darrell DeBusk. http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/Haslam_offers_10k_reward_for_east_Knoxville_shooting_death_13 9542198.html

Haslam's pick may have edge in Davidson Circuit Judge race (Tennessean/Gee)
On the same day Gov. Bill Haslam interviewed candidates for his first Nashville judicial appointment, voters began casting ballots for who would get the job on a more permanent basis. Two of the three candidates recommended to Haslam by the states Judicial Nominating Commission, Stan Kweller and Phillip Robinson, also are running in the Democratic Partys primary election for the post. Early voting began Wednesday. A vacancy on the Davidson County Circuit Court was created by the retirement of Third Circuit Judge Barbara Haynes last year. The primary election winner will advance to the August general election and face independent candidates Scott Rosenberg, a Juvenile Court magistrate and the third candidate under consideration by Haslam, and John Heacock, who also applied to replace Haynes but didnt make the Judicial Nominating Commissions short list. Judicial vacancies in Tennessee are temporarily filled by the governor until an election is

held. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120218/NEWS0201/302180025/Haslam-s-pick-may-edge-DavidsonCircuit-Judge-race-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Hagerty: ECD incentives bill being reworked, diligence a priority (Nash. Biz Journal)
Gov. Bill Haslam's top economic development official today acknowledged he's reworking a controversial incentive bill, saying his main concern is getting more material for due diligence on companies. Commissioner Bill Hagerty said the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is still considering what position it will take on legislation that has spurred criticism among legislators concerned about keeping secret the ownership of companies receiving incentives. Hagerty said his legislation aims to get vital financial information companies often won't hand over because there's no guarantee it will remain private. "We'd like the ability to make more informed decisions," Hagerty said in an interview. The legislation would stipulate that proprietary information, including investors in privately held companies, would be kept private. The idea that ownership of companies receiving incentives would be kept from the public spurred outrage from government transparency advocates like Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, and Republican leadership acknowledged their own concerns this week as well. http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2012/02/17/hagerty-haslam-ecd-transparency-jobs.html

Huffman meets privately with Hamilton school board (Associated Press)

Officials with the state Education Department and the Hamilton County School Board are pointing blame at each other for declaring a recent meeting closed to the public. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that public notice of Thursday's meeting between the board and state Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman was issued to the media last week. But when reporters tried to gain access to the meeting, they were denied (http://bit.ly/ygHHU4 ). Department spokeswoman Kelli Gauthier said local officials had decided to close the meeting because the panel was discussing a competitive grant. But school board chairman Mike Evatt and Superintendent Rick Smith said the meeting was closed at Huffman's request. Evatt said he saw no need for the panel to meet in executive session. "It wasn't my call," Smith said. "It was the commissioner's call." The meeting also included representatives of the local teachers' union, the Public Education Foundation and school administrators. Kent Flanagan, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, said that the state's Sunshine Law operates on the presumption of openness, and makes only limited allowances for executive sessions. http://www.tennessean.com/usatoday/article/38603981?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Confusion surrounds closed school meeting (Times Free-Press/Hardy)

The Tennessee Department of Education and local officials haven't been able to pinpoint just who is responsible for moving a Thursday school board meeting behind closed doors. The Hamilton County Board of Education met with school administrators and Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman after his address to the Chattanooga Rotary. They were discussing an upcoming grant that Hamilton County likely will apply for to start a School Innovation Zone, which would target low-performing schools by allowing greater flexibility in how schools operate. A public notification was distributed before the meeting, as usually occurs with other board meetings. But as the meeting was starting, reporters were told by Huffman spokeswoman Kelli Gauthier that the meeting was closed to the media because officials were discussing a competitive grant application. When asked, Gauthier couldn't cite the law that allowed them to circumvent the Tennessee Sunshine Law and close the meeting. Gauthier addressed reporters and shut the door, but said she was only repeating information she'd been told. She said the decision to close the meeting was made by local officials. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/b1-confusion-surrounds-closed-school-meeting/?local

Agencies push prep for severe weather (Jackson Sun)

TEMA announces release of Ready TN mobile application The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and National W eather Service are promoting preparedness for families, individuals and businesses during Tennessee Severe Weather Awareness Week, which begins Sunday and runs through Saturday. Tennessee has experienced two years of unprecedented natural disasters, and individual preparedness is more important than ever, said TEMA Director James Bassham in a news release. Emergencies and disasters can happen anywhere and anytime, so we hope Tennessee citizens will take an active role in the preparedness of their families, their neighborhoods and their communities. Throughout the week, NW S, TEMA and other supporting groups will conduct educational activities and drills to help people prevent injuries and deaths from tornadoes, 2

damaging winds, flash floods, lightning and hail. The release said TEMA also is announcing the release of a new mobile, smartphone application, Ready TN. Ready TN is a tool to help citizens know the hazards in their community and the preparations they should take to be ready for any emergency. The application provides location-based information on severe weather, road conditions, open shelters and local government contacts. http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20120218/NEWS01/302180006/Agencies-push-prep-severe-weather

Tenncare offers help to those struggling with medical bills (W BIR-TV Knoxville)
Tennesseans struggling with medical bills may have an opportunity for help next week. State officials announced Friday that the Tenncare Standard Spend Down program will offer another round of open enrollment. It gives a limited number of qualified people access to Tenncare coverage. Low-income people or those with high unpaid medical bills who are aged, blind or disabled, or the caretaker of a Medicaid eligible child meet the qualifications. The only way to request an application is by calling the program's toll-free number next Tuesday. That number is 1-866-358-3230 and will be open between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. eastern. Operators will close the phone line once 2,500 applicants call in. http://www.wbir.com/news/article/206312/2/Tenncare-offers-help-to-those-struggling-with-medical-bills

Brady Banks resigns from state Books From Birth post (City Paper/Garrison)
Metro Councilman Brady Banks, arrested Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of patronizing prostitution, has resigned from his job as acting officer and outreach coordinator of the Governors Books From Birth Foundation. According to Gov. Bill Haslams office, the foundations board of directors notified the governors office of Banks resignation on Friday. Banks resignation is effective immediately. As of Friday afternoon, Banks still hadnt talked publicly about his arrest or addressed his future as a city councilman. The Governors Books From Birth Foundation is a partner of Dolly Partons Imagination Library. Founded in 2004, the Governors Books From Birth Foundation seeks to serve as a catalyst and tangible resource to Tennesseans establishing and sustaining county Imagination Libraries, according to its website. The foundation relies on public and private funds. http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/brady-banks-resigns-state-books-birth-post

Brady Banks' political future unclear after arrest in prostitution sting (Tenn/Cass)
Day after prostitution sting, fellow council members say he needs to focus on family With a wife whos a minister, a divinity degree of his own, a beautiful baby boy and a penchant for ending phone calls with the words Be good, Metro Councilman Brady Banks had a reputation for clean living and a rock-solid character. But that image took a hit late Thursday afternoon, when Banks was accused by police of paying a female undercover officer $100 for sex at a MetroCenter hotel. He was arrested at 4:40 p.m. on a misdemeanor charge of patronizing prostitution and released that night after posting a $1,000 bond. The first-term councilman, who was elected from a southeast Davidson County district in a runoff last September, has not responded to repeated requests for comment since his arrest. He spoke briefly to W SMV-Channel 4, saying only that he made a mistake and that his first priority was saving his marriage, the station reported. Banks resigned Friday from his job of nearly two years as outreach director of the Governors Books from Birth Foundation, effective immediately, Gov. Bill Haslams office announced. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120218/NEWS0202/302180013/Brady-Banks-political-future-unclear-afterarrest-prostitution-sting?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Dozens of tickets, cases trashed because of ex-trooper's credibility (N-S/Lakin)

A hundred-plus drivers can tear up their court papers and walk away, courtesy of the ex-Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper fired for driving past a fiery wreck last year. Knox County prosecutors dropped charges Friday in all cases handled by Charles Van Morgan, a veteran trooper who routinely logged the most drunken-driving arrests in the Knoxville district for years. Morgan lost his job this month after THP internal investigators determined he drove by the Nov. 26 wreck that killed Gordon Kyle Anito on Andersonville Pike in North Knox County and didn't stop. The agency fired him for neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming a trooper. "Mr. Morgan's actions were so egregious as to completely destroy his credibility," Tammy Hicks, an assistant district attorney general, wrote in a motion. "As such, the district attorney general's office cannot continue with the prosecution of his cases." The cases dismissed Friday ranged from felonies to misdemeanors and amounted to 95 defendants, some facing more than half a dozen charges each. About half the defendants appeared to be first offenders, with others on their second and third DUI arrests. That number doesn't include minor traffic tickets. Prosecutors said they're still trying to sort through those and drop them one by one. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/18/dozens-of-tickets-cases-trashed-because-of-ex/ 3

New dorm will help overcrowding at UT (News-Sentinel/Boehnke)

"The problem with the waiting list is those people didn't go away or go to another school or anything, they just looked in the community," said Ken Stoner, associate vice chancellor for student life. "Now if we're their first choice, we'll be able to accommodate that need." The dorm, funded through student housing fees, will be built near Presidential Courtyard, on what is now a gravel parking lot north of Andy Holt Avenue between Francis Street and Melrose Avenue. The rooms will likely be configured as "super suites," which would include double bedrooms with a shared living space, bathroom and kitchenette. It will also include two dining venues, though which concepts will be offered hasn't been determined yet, Stoner said. The project was originally approved by the State Building Commission in 2007 for $41.5 million, but the price tag has since jumped $17.5 million. The state approved the new figure on Feb. 9 The increase came when officials decided to up the size of the project to include an additional floor for a total of seven and 100 additional beds. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/18/new-dorm-will-help-overcrowding-at-ut/

THP names Dwayne Stanford Trooper of the Year (WRCB-TV Chattanooga)

The Tennessee Highway Patrol named Trooper Dwayne Stanford the 2011 Trooper of the Year at an award ceremony held Thursday evening. This marks the second consecutive year Trooper Stanford, a third generation State Trooper, has earned the honor. He was also recognized in Gov. Bill Haslam's State of the State address in January. Additionally, seven other State Troopers received Trooper of the Year honors in their respective districts. Awards were also given to the Investigator of the Year and Interdiction Trooper of the Year, while 10 troopers were also recognized for their DUI enforcement. "It is a privilege to honor the recipients of this year's Trooper of the Year award," Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. "These men and women represent just a small number of State Troopers who are on the front lines every day to ensure Tennessee is a great place to live and work. We thank them for being true public servants for the state." "The 12 individuals recognized tonight are true examples of what our agency stands for professionalism, integrity and pride," THP Colonel Tracy Trott said. "This job can be a thankless profession at times. It's important that the troopers in the field see that we recognize their sacrifices, we honor their commitment and we are thankful for their dedication to service and safety." http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/16961824/thp-names

THP Troopers, Dispatchers Honored (WTVC-TV Chattanooga)

The Tennessee Highway Patrol named Trooper Dwayne Stanford the 2011 Trooper of the Year at an award ceremony held Thursday evening. This marks the second consecutive year Trooper Stanford, a third generation State Trooper, has earned the honor. He was also recognized in Gov. Bill Haslams State of the State address in January. Additionally, seven other State Troopers received Trooper of the Year honors in their respective districts. Awards were also given to the Investigator of the Year and Interdiction Trooper of the Year, while 10 troopers were also recognized for their DUI enforcement. Trooper Dwayne Stanford earned the Trooper of the Year honor after several significant events throughout the year, including the arrest of suspects involved in armed robbery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possible terrorism, home invasions, and possession of stolen guns and stolen vehicles. Most notably, Trooper Stanford initiated a traffic stop on September 28, 2011, where he was shot in the chest by the vehicles passenger. The vehicle was pulled over for traffic related violations on Interstate-40 westbound near mile marker 115. Trooper Stanford took the female driver into custody for an outstanding criminal warrant. http://www.newschannel9.com/news/trooper-1009127-stanford-year.htm

Gun bill sponsor Bass still unsure of party-switching (Times Free-Press)

So is Democratic Rep. Eddie Bass of Prospect, Tenn., welcome in the Tennessee Republican Party or not? The Middle Tennessee rural, conservative Democrat this week told The Associated Press he hasn't decided yet which party he'll affiliate with when seeking a fourth term in the House. Bass is now in a Republican-leaning district. Republican House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, of Chattanooga, said he likes the potential GOP candidates in District 65 and was dismissive of Bass. "I'd rather he'd stay where he is, to tell the truth," McCormick told AP. "He's not doing himself any favors running that gun bill." Bass is sponsoring a National Rifle Association bill that would require public and private employers to let workers store their firearms in locked vehicles parked on company lots. Businesses oppose the measure saying it violates their right to determine what happens on their property, and Republican leaders are trying to devise a compromise. Speaking to reporters later in the week while McCormick stood by, House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, was asked about Bass. "I welcome everyone into the Republican Party," Harwell said. "But I've made no attempt to recruit Rep. Bass." 4

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/gun-bill-sponsor-bass-still-unsure-of-party/?local

For Some Hit by 2010 Flood, No Safeguard Too Costly (WPLN-Radio Nashville)
Last night Metro officials gave an update on plans theyre drafting in case of another big flood, like in May of 2010. W PLNs Daniel Potter reports some hit hard by the disaster two years ago want to spare no expense in keeping it from happening again. Metro is looking at all kinds of options for areas the last flood left under water. They could build floodwalls or earthen levees, or tear down more houses near rivers. They say deciding just what to do, and where, will mean a balancing act between risk and cost. You never know. It could not happen again for another 500 years. Tamlin Lorenz says after her home in Pennington Bend flooded, she had to take out a federal loan to afford cleanup costs which will take 17 years to pay back. While Metros flood prevention plan is months from a cost estimate, Lorenz thinks being on the safe side is worth any expense. To not have to go through what I went through again, I think most people would be willing to put out a little bit more. http://wpln.org/?p=34242

Panel OKs anti-terror training (Daily News Journal)

POST Commission initially said hours wouldn't count A state panel now says anti-terrorism training in Rutherford County this week will count toward the 40-minimum hours all officers are required to get every year to be certified with the state. The Muslim civil rights organization Council on American-Islamic Relations is among those that have publicly denounced the Understanding the Threat to America course by the Strategic Engagement Group, a Virginia nonprofit, which was presented over three days to local law enforcement officers. Brian Grisham, who is the director of the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, was asked in a letter Tuesday to investigate the appropriateness of the training presented by SEG because of its anti-Muslim leanings. False and inaccurate training is ultimately counterproductive and could have a detrimental effect on officers ability to fairly police the community they serve, reads a Tuesday letter from Washington-D.C.,-based CAIR. The letter singles out trainer John Guandolo for scrutiny. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120218/NEW S/302180022/Panel-OKs-antiterror-training?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Georgia again debates tapping TN water (Associated Press)

Once again, Georgia lawmakers are debating whether they can pipe water from the Tennessee River to fix a water shortage in metro Atlanta. Republican Rep. Jay Neal wants the General Assembly to pass a resolution asking environmental regulators and others to study the feasibility of capturing water that flows into the Tennessee River and diverting it south toward Atlanta. Neal says conservation alone wont answer Georgias water needs. Environmental watchdog groups say it would be cheaper and more effective to conserve water rather than building expensive pipelines. Senior Republican leaders have floated tit-for-tat trades with Tennessee authorities so they can get water from the river shed. Tennessee House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick said nothing has changed to make his state interested in parting with its water. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120218/NEWS21/302170145/Georgia-again-debates-tapping-TN-water? odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

Redistricting Up for Second Reading (Memphis Daily News)

Shelby County Commissioners will see Monday, Feb. 20, if there is still a seven-vote majority on the body to pass a new set of district lines and a new commission structure on the second of three readings. The plan that would convert the commission from a 13-member body of five districts to a set of 13 single-member districts is the third attempt by the commission since late last year to complete its once-a-decade redistricting process. The process was supposed to be completed at years end. It is the subject of a pending Chancery Court lawsuit filed by commissioners Walter Bailey, Mike Ritz and Terry Roland. The district lines of the commission and other local, state and federal legislative bodies are redrawn once every 10 years to reflect population changes and shifts in the U.S. Census. The commission meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith Administration Building, 160 N. Main St. The single-member district plan passed two weeks ago on first reading. Passage of any plan on third reading requires a nine-vote, two-thirds majority. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/feb/20/redistricting-up-for-second-reading/

Ray is gone as CEO of KTSC, and the Hall of Fame (News-Sentinel/Witt)

When Gloria Ray retired Friday from the tourism group she helped developed, she also stepped down as president and CEO of the nonprofit over the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame which she helped build. It is 5

uncertain who will follow her to lead the nonprofit Sports Management Inc., which runs the Hall of Fame. Also unclear is what will happen to $4 million in an investment account for the Hall of Fame. The money was raised for Hall of Fame capital improvements and property purchase, but because of an uncertain future in the relationship between SMI and the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corp., there's no straight answer as to how it will be spent. "We will know early (this) week," Kim Bumpass, interim president of the KTSC said Friday about the relationship between the two groups, and funds for the Hall of Fame. Ray was head of both nonprofits under an agreement with KTSC and SMI. "Until there's a resolution to everything that's going on, I'm not going to guesstimate or have any thoughts," Karla Douglas, who is on the Hall of Fame board of directors, said Friday. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/17/ray-is-gone-as-ceo-of-ktsc-and-the-hall-of-fame/

Most TN lawmakers vote no on payroll tax-cut extension (Tennessean/Bewley)

Most members of Tennessees congressional delegation wanted nothing to do with the tax-cut extension Congress passed Friday, arguing it adds too much to the national debt. But two Tennessee Republicans Reps. Stephen Fincher of Frog Jump and Chuck Fleischmann of Ooltewah voted for the bill, which extends the 2-percentage-point payroll tax cut through the end of the year. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, also voted yes. To be clear, this is no time to raise taxes, Fincher said after the vote. I voted to extend the payroll tax cut and stop a 2 percent tax increase on Americans. The tax cut will save around $80 a month for people earning $50,000 a year and will save high-income workers a maximum $2,200 for the year. It also extends benefits for the long-term unemployed and prevents a large cut in Medicare reimbursements to doctors. It pays for that socalled doc fix in part by cutting $5 billion from a fund created by the 2010 health-care reform law that aims to prevent certain diseases. Fincher and Fleischmann said they liked that the bill cuts funding for a provision of the health-care reform law. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120218/NEWS02/302170139/Most-TN-lawmakers-vote-no-payroll-tax-cutextension?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|s

Tennessean Congressmen Split on Payroll Tax Bill (WPLN-Radio Nashville)

The Tennessee congressional delegation was divided over legislation to extend a payroll tax holiday for millions of average workers, but unlike past battles the bills critics didnt put up much of a fight. The bill puts around one thousand dollars into the pockets of average workers. Many Republicans, such as Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, dont like that the tax cut isnt paid for and comes from money intended for the Social Security Trust Fund. Its just not good public policy to really deteriorate the whole Social Security trust by doing this. This eventually will lead to Social Security being a welfare program. Freshmen Republicans have won many battles in this Congressforcing party leaders to avoid compromising on what they say are conservative principles, such as not adding to the deficit. Not this time. Republican Congressman Scott DesJarlais says thats partly because the bill wasnt released publicly until last night. Final details were not presented until really just yesterday so there wasnt a lot of time to discuss it further. http://wpln.org/?p=34234

Roe votes against payroll tax cut holiday, unemployment benefits extension (T-N)
U.S. Rep. Phil Roe reported he voted against the payroll tax cut holiday and unemployment benefits extension legislation that passed in the House Thursday and the Senate today. Roe, R-Tenn., stressed the bill puts an already at-risk Social Security system in greater peril. "By passing this bill, we are taking nearly $100 billion dollars from Social Security, at a time when it is already running deficits. W e are also continuing a trend of paying for current benefits out of future generations pockets," Roe said in a prepared release. Further, this bill provides another short-sighted, temporary fix to Medicare physician payments by cutting from one part of the system to patch another. The Affordable Care Act already cut $500 billion from Medicare and our seniors deserve better. Taking money away from Social Security, our seniors safety net, poses a great risk to seniors who depend on that income. In fact, Social Security was the primary source of income for 64 percent of retirees in 2008, and for a third of them those checks represented 90 percent or more of their income." http://www.timesnews.net/article/9042472/roe-votes-against-payroll-tax-cut-holiday-unemployment-benefitsextension

Romney leads in Tennessee fundraising (Gannett/Bewley)

If campaign donations translated into votes, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney would sail to victory in the Volunteer State. Campaign finance records show Romney raised $898,081 from Tennessee donors as of Dec. 31 almost double President Barack Obamas haul of $482,599 and more than four times as much as the nearest Republican rival, Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Romney raised most of his money 57 percent during the final 6

three months of the year. While former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was the top fundraiser in Middle Tennessee when reports were last filed on Sept. 30, Romney had taken over that title by years end. He brought in more than $379,000 from donors in ZIP codes beginning with 372, 370 and 371, which encompass Nashville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro and surrounding areas. That accounts for 42 percent of Romneys fundraising statewide. Overall, the presidential candidates have raised more than $2.4 million in Tennessee so far. More than 45 percent of that sum came from Middle Tennessee. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120218/NEWS/302180007/Romney-leadsTennessee-fundraising?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Report: Nuke contractor overbilled TVA (Tennessean/Paine)

A nuclear contractor overbilled the Tennessee Valley Authority by more than $1.2 million over three years, according to a TVA Office of Inspector General report. Out of a total of $67.9 million in costs that were audited, Williams Plant Services LLC, which supplied supplemental maintenance, technical support and modifications, charged too much or billed for items it should not have, the report said. These included $714,288 for subcontractor costs for W illiams sister company, Williams Specialty Services; $279,288 for payroll tax costs on non-manual employees; and $225,463 for labor costs, including $190,804 in fringe-benefit costs for non-manual employees who did not receive fringe benefits. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120218/NEWS11/302160098/Report-Nuke-contractor-overbilled-TVA? odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p

TVA laying off security force (Knoxville News-Sentinel/Marcum)

TVA announced Friday it is laying off the 61 uniformed employees in its Police & Physical Security organization and is moving to contract employees as part of an organizational realignment meant to cut costs and make the federal agency more competitive. It is ending uniformed patrols, stationing contract guards 24 hours a day at critical TVA locations and increasing the use of security technology at non-nuclear power facilities, TVA said in a prepared statement. Security at TVA nuclear facilities is not affected. "There are 61 uniformed officers," TVA spokeswoman Barbara Martocci said of the security organization. "They are all losing their jobs, but they will have the opportunity to apply for other jobs within TVA." The security personnel also will receive severance packages, she said. The layoffs will take effect in 60 days. The security division changes are part of a general realignment the agency announced in early February, Martocci said. When TVA Chief Operating Officer Bill McCollum announced he would retire, TVA said it would launch an evaluation of how it could make changes to more efficiently support its goals and business priorities. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/17/tva-laying-61-police-physical-security-employees/

Y-12 says max exposure equal to 10 chest X-rays (News-Sentinel/Munger)

The government's contractor at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant says the maximum radiation dose any worker could have received from using a dirty respirator was about 100 millirems roughly the equivalent of having 10 chest X-rays. That's based on the most contaminated equipment found so far as B&W Y-12 continues to investigate the extent of the problem at the Oak Ridge plant, where workers use respirators to protect themselves while performing tasks in certain radiological areas. Last week, a rad technician discovered that some of the plant's respiratory equipment, including masks and breathing tubes, were contaminated with uranium even though they had been sent to an off-site laundry facility and reportedly returned to Y-12 in packages certifying they were clean. Subsequent inspections found more than 200 pieces of supposedly clean equipment that had "unacceptable levels" of contamination. B&W this week provided information to Y-12 employees on the situation. "There is currently no evidence that workers have been harmed," the contractor said. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/18/y-12-says-max-exposure-equal-to-10-chest-x-rays/

Cuts at Erlanger to save $2.5 million a year (Chattanooga Times FreePress/Martin)

Erlanger Health System will cut 23 to 30 management positions by March 31 and offer a voluntary buyout program at the staff level as part of an ongoing plan to get the public hospital back into the black. Most of the management positions were cut this week. The manager and director layoffs comprise about 20 percent to 25 percent of Erlanger's midlevel management and will save the hospital about $2.5 million a year, Chief 7

Administrative Officer Gregg Gentry said Friday. "We wanted to start at the leadership level," Gentry said. Last month, the hospital eliminated six executive positions, about 40 percent of its executive ranks. Estimated savings are about $1.4 million to $1.6 million. Employees in some of those positions were moved to budgeted positions elsewhere in the hospital, so the savings occur with the elimination of the executive posts. Erlanger's Budget and Finance Committee will meet Monday to discuss January financial figures. Executives have acknowledged they expect Erlanger to lose money for several more months. In the first six months of the fiscal year, the hospital lost $10.3 million, primarily because of lower surgery numbers, administrators have said. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/218-a1-cuts-at-erlanger-to-save-25-million-a-year/?local

Suburban Schools Train Has Left the Station (Memphis Daily News)
The six suburban mayors say the train to municipal school districts is on the tracks and has no time to stop to consider whatever plan the schools consolidation transition planning commission comes up with for a merged public school system. But in the first formal meeting between the mayors and the planning commission last week, the mayors got an earful from the commission about their concerns of a municipal school districts train wreck the commission may have to clean up. Come August 2013, we will have a plan that can serve your children and serve them well, planning commission chairwoman Barbara Prescott told the suburban leaders. There has to be that. W ere going to take in to consideration all of your concerns. We will have a plan that addresses many of your stated concerns. It may not go far enough. Asked if there was anything in the structure of a consolidated school system that might prompt the suburban leaders to halt or delay their plans and join the merged school system, Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald replied, I would never say never. But its unlikely. The train has left the station. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/feb/20/suburban-schools-train-has-left-the-station/

Lebanon raid targets prescription drug abuse (Tennessean/Smietana, Haas)

Police swept through Lebanon on Friday morning arresting 19 people suspected of illegally selling prescription drugs. Most were low-level dealers, said Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen. Sometimes we target the top guys who are dealing drugs, he said. This time we targeted the street-level dealers. Bowen said that Lebanon Police had warrants for 29 people and will continue to look for the last 10 suspects. He said Fridays raids had been planned for a week, and the total investigation had been under way for 15 months. A lot of these folks are transient; they move from place to place, he said. To get 19 of 29 is great. W ith the help of Wilson County sheriffs deputies, the state inspector generals office and the FBI, Lebanon officers confiscated prescription drugs such as oxymorphone and Roxicet. They also confiscated marijuana, crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia during the early morning raids. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120218/NEWS03/302180014/Lebanon-raid-targets-prescription-drugabuse?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

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OPINION Editorial: Bagging Saks a big boost for La Vergne (Daily News Journal)
This weeks announcement that Saks Inc. plans to open a distribution and fulfillment center in La Vergne should come as a breath of fresh air to unemployed residents and a potential boost to the citys bottom line. The new facility, which will move into the Borders facility that closed last summer, is set to be fully operational by August. It will bring 250 full-time jobs and some interesting technology with it. Saks will invest as much as $15 million and lease 564,000 square feet in La Vergne in addition to its smaller distribution centers in Aberdeen, Md., and Ontario, Calif. The La Vergne facility will be equipped with a sophisticated mobile-robotic fulfillment system from Saks Maryland facility. Saks plans to ask the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board for a seven-year break on personal property taxes, which the IDB will consider on Feb. 29 as a part of an inducement package for Saks. That would serve as a well-needed shot in the arm for La Vergnes industrial landscape. Saks CEO Steve Sadove said he was excited about Middle Tennessees workforce, which we believe is more than capable of taking on the technological challenges that come with the new facility. Workers in La Vergne and Rutherford County are well prepared for these new jobs, and will likely line up for a shot to work at Saks. http://www.dnj.com/article/20120218/OPINION/302180008/EDITORIAL-Bagging-Saks-big-boost-La-Vergne

Times Editorial: W here gun rights end (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

Tennessee's legislators generally don't worry much about the social impact of widening gun rights in the state. Despite the solid opposition of law enforcement officials who fear more gun violence, lawmakers have made it legal for gun-permit holders to carry guns into state parks and, subject to local approval, into local parks and into bars where alcohol is sold. They've also considered allowing gun-carry rights in churches. Now, they're pushing for the next round of the National Rifle Association's guns-everywhere agenda: allowing employees to bring guns to work and to leave them in their vehicles in their employers' parking lots. On this specific issue, however, the business lobby is rightly balking. Owners of companies are obviously aware of the nation's dreadful recent history of angry, aggrieved employees walking out their company's door and roaring back in with pistols or assault rifles blazing -- killing or wounding several or more fellow employees. Such horrific tragedies have enormous costs, both in the shattered lives of affected employees and their families, and in the related losses to businesses. They also raise the risk of employers' severe financial liability for allowing employees to bring guns onto their parking lots. The NRA apparently isn't concerned about employers' liability concerns, never mind the prospect of multimillion-dollar lawsuits for employers who fail to take due diligence steps to keep guns off their property. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/0218b-t1-where-gun-rights-end/?opiniontimes

Times Editorial: Cheating the public interest (Chattanooga Times Free-Press)

It's not clear which official barred the press from attending a meeting here Thursday between Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman and our county school Superintendent Rick Smith, along with most members of the board. Each leader told our reporters it was the other who excluded them. How lame. Both had a 9

duty to invite the press and hold an open, public meeting. Both the nature of their meeting and the topic of discussion demanded adherence to the state's open meetings act. The meeting occurred after Huffman spoke to the Chattanooga Rotary Club about the state's new School Innovation Zone program, for which a competitive grant of $30 million to $40 million will be awarded. School systems have to bid for the grant, and Huffman said he hopes the Hamilton County school system will apply. Officials here seem likely to do so. School patrons, teachers and parents surely would have been interested in the discussion in the follow-up meeting, in another room at the Chattanooga Convention Center, between Huffman and our school officials. The winner of the program will get to use state taxpayer funds to design and implement creative programs to improve student achievement outside the bounds of regular school rules. They might, for example, use longer school days and use differentiated curriculum. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/0218b-t2-cheating-the-public-interest/?opiniontimes

Editorial: Mayors didn't come to listen (Commercial Appeal)

Suburban mayors' drive for municipal schools suggests we're heading back to separate urban and suburban districts. After a meeting Thursday between a delegation of suburban mayors and the advisory panel planning the merger of Memphis and Shelby County schools, it's obvious that there is not going to be one unified public school system in the county. The mayors made it clear to the Transition Planning Commission that the train carrying plans to start municipal school districts had left the station. Unless something happens to change minds, public education in Shelby County will effectively revert to the status quo -- separate districts for urban and suburban families. We don't necessarily think that is the best route for the children of this community. It would not be fair to begrudge suburbanites for wanting, like all parents, the best education options for their children. But we regret that the mayors won't heed the advice of Gov. Bill Haslam, county Mayor Mark Luttrell and Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris to give the merger process a chance to work. The TPC appears amenable to working with the suburban mayors to find structural options for the merged district that would give the suburban schools more autonomy. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/18/editorial-mayors-didnt-come-to-listen/ (SUBSCRIPTION)

Free-Press Editorial: Front-runner Santorum to firm up Tennessee edge (TFP)

In the seesaw race for the Republican presidential nomination, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is leading the pack, partly on the strength of primary and caucus wins last week in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Santorum is slightly or well ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in recent national polls. And polls show Santorum with a considerable lead over Romney even in Romney's home state of Michigan. The Michigan primary is Feb. 28 -- less than two weeks from today. Given Santorum's current front-runner status, it is significant that he plans to visit Chattanooga next Saturday. According to a recent poll, he leads Romney in the Volunteer State by 7 percentage points. Santorum will be at Abba's House in Hixson, headlining a Chattanooga Tea Party event. That highlights his conservative credentials, which have helped vault him past the more moderate Romney and fellow conservative Newt Gingrich. During his Chattanooga visit, Santorum will be seeking to firm up his lead in Tennessee and make further inroads in Georgia. It is impossible, though, to count out Romney, or Gingrich for that matter. Romney has vast financial backing that can buy much more political advertising than the other candidates can afford, and Gingrich has a way of attracting support by clearly articulating the frustrations and hopes of many voters. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/18/welcome-mr-santorum/?opinionfreepress

Guest columnist: Regulate sugar, and personal responsibility dissolves (Tenn)

Like a lot of people, Im increasingly concerned about an expanding waistline and lifestyle-related illnesses. I want my kids to live long, happy, healthy lives, and I want them to develop good eating habits. Unfortunately, the public health community sees this as an opportunity to scaremonger and clamor for government intervention, instead of as a teachable moment about personal responsibility. The most recent example comes to us from three scholars at the University of California-San Francisco, who recently suggested that the United States should regulate sugar the way we regulate alcohol and tobacco. Their logic: Since the United Nations fingers smoking, drinking and eating poorly as the biggest causes of noncommunicable diseases, governments should do for the last behavior what theyve already done for the first two: regulate and tax them. Most Americans probably recoil instinctively at this idea as well they should. Simple logic is in their favor. Lets take the professors arguments one by one. For starters, the fact that the number of deaths from noncommunicable diseases is now higher than the number of deaths from communicable diseases is not something to lament. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120218/OPINION03/302180009/Regulate-sugar-personal-responsibilitydissolves?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Opinion|p 10

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