tennessee daily news clips, sept. 11, 2013

7/29/2019 Tennessee Daily News Clips, Sept. 11, 2013

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WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER11, 2013TennesseeNo. 7 amongbest statesfor doingbusiness(Nashville Biz Journal)Area Development Magazine has named Tennessee to its list of top states for doing business. The Volunteer statecame in at No. 7 in the annual survey of site consultants. Texas topped the list. The ranking was based on severalfactors, including: business environment (costs, taxes and regulations, incentives, etc.); labor climate (diversity,costs, development programs, etc.); and infrastructure and global access (rail/highway access, shovel-ready sites,utility rates, logistics access). The following is what the magazine had to say about Tennessee: "Low taxes andfiscal stability are key reasons why many companies choose a city or state for expansion or relocation. Accordingto Fitch Ratings, one of the country's top bond rating agencies, Tennessee has the lowest debt ratio of any state inthe country. In 2012 Barron's magazine ranked Tennessee as the third-best-run state. Tennessee is a right-to-workstate, has no personal income tax and enjoys the second-lowest cost of living in the United States."http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2013/09/tennessee-ranks-no-7-in-top-states.html

TN first lady CrissyHaslamreads to third-graders(Tennessean/Humbles)Tennessee first lady Crissy Haslam read to about 90 third-graders from Lebanons Southside Elementary Schoollast week as part of a Read20 Family Book club event at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Third grade is a veryimportant year for students, when they transition from learning to read to reading to learn, the first lady said.Haslam read Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems by Kristine OConnell George. Afterward, students visitedthe parks nature center and hiking trails to learn more about Tennessee wildlife and forestry. For information aboutthe Read20 Family Book Club, visit www.tn.gov/read20 or www.facebook.com/CrissyHaslam, follow @Read20TNon Twitter or go to your local public library.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/WILSON01/308200067/TN-first-lady-Crissy-Haslam-reads-third-graders (SUBSCRIPTION)

LaunchTennroad showstopsat Scripps,KnoxEntrepreneurCenter(N-S/Marcum)A traveling entrepreneur road show visited Knoxville on Tuesday, highlighting 10 companies two from Knoxville picked to take part in the states first master business accelerator program. Launch Tennessee, a program ofthe Tennessee Technology Development Corp. selected 10 fledgling businesses from across the state to take partin The TENN road show. These startups will have access to 40 mentors from across the state, including investors,other entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. They will also be flown to California and the East Cost to network withother investors and corporate executives. But this week, they are doing a bus tour of Tennessee, meeting withleaders of top companies and getting chances to deliver sales pitches.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/launch-tennessee-road-show-stops-at-scripps/(SUBSCRIPTION)

TDOThead visits West TN (JacksonSun)Ill be here for the ground-breaking and the ribbon cutting, John Schroer said. Weve talked about the exchangefor two-and-a-half years and its under design. We have a couple of renderings, but its not an easy fix. Schroer,the state commissioner of transportation and former mayor of Franklin, made his comments to a gathering of localpoliticians and business people at Casey Jones Village on Tuesday. One of three projects earmarked for the cityand county, Schroer said total funding would cost $100 million, with $4.5 million directed at the bypass. Thebreakdown also includes $70 million for the exchange or Super Point Urban Interchange at exit 80 atHighland Avenue and $26.8 million toward widening I-40 from Highway 70 to Highway 412 from four to six lanes.There is a tendency that this road is about us, Clark Shaw said. Its not. Its about the people of Jackson and thehealth and the safety of our visitors to the city. Shaw, CEO of Casey Jones Village and Old Country Store, saidmore than 100 acres of land exists between exits 79 and 80 on Interstate 40, but there would be no developmentuntil the bypass gets an extreme and long-awaited makeover.
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2013/09/tennessee-ranks-no-7-in-top-states.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/WILSON01/308200067/TN-first-lady-Crissy-Haslam-reads-third-gradershttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/WILSON01/308200067/TN-first-lady-Crissy-Haslam-reads-third-gradershttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/launch-tennessee-road-show-stops-at-scripps/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/launch-tennessee-road-show-stops-at-scripps/http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2013/09/tennessee-ranks-no-7-in-top-states.htmlhttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/WILSON01/308200067/TN-first-lady-Crissy-Haslam-reads-third-gradershttp://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/WILSON01/308200067/TN-first-lady-Crissy-Haslam-reads-third-gradershttp://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/launch-tennessee-road-show-stops-at-scripps/


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http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130911/NEWS01/309110021/TDOT-head-visits-West-TN (SUB)

Tennesseehealth official honoredat White House(AssociatedPress)A Tennessee doctor is being credited by the White House with protecting the public and saving lives by identifyingthe fungal meningitis outbreak connected to contaminated steroid injections last year. Tennessee HealthDepartment epidemiologist Marion Kainer was among eight people honored Tuesday during a ceremony at theWhite House as a prevention and public health "Champion of Change." The White House website says Kainer andher team helped save lives by quickly determining the cause of the outbreak and stopping the injections as well as

by tracking down every affected patient and getting treatment to the sick. The official death count from the outbreakin Tennessee is 15, with 153 pahttp://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/23397134/tennessee-health-official-honored-at-white-house

Letter says thousandsto lose CoverTNhealth care coverage(AssociatedPress)Thousands of Tennesseans have been notified that they will lose health insurance under a TennCare-sponsoredprogram due to the new federal Affordable Care Act. The Tennessean reports state officials sent a letter this monthto people who had insurance through CoverTN, a plan that helped small businesses and the self-employedpurchase benefits. The letter says the limited-benefit plan does not cover all the services required under federallaw and won't be available after the end of this year. Under the CoverTN plan, annual benefits were capped at$25,000. Yearly caps aren't allowed under the federal law. The law establishes subsidies to help people purchasecoverage on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which becomes active on Oct. 1.

http://www.wate.com/story/23390663/letter-says-thousands-to-lose-health-care-coverage

State TrooperPlacedOn LeaveDuringInvestigation(WTVF-TV Nashville)A Tennessee state trooper has been placed on discretionary leave with pay, pending an investigation. TrooperTommie Boleyn's leave was effective Monday. The investigation by the Tennessee Department of Safety andHomeland Security's Inspectional Services Bureau stemmed from allegations that Boleyn violated TennesseeHighway Patrol policies and procedures during an on-duty incident in Shelbyville on August 31. The exact detailsabout the incident were not released. The 48-year-old started his second term with the Highway Patrol inNovember 2009. He was initially hired in 2000, but resigned eight years later before returning in 2009. TrooperBoleyn was assigned to the THP Lawrenceburg District during both terms. He has worked in Bedford, Marshall andLincoln County, where he is currently stationed. He was relieved of his service weapons, badges and commissioncard, pending the investigation.http://www.newschannel5.com/story/23392574/state-trooper-placed-on-leave-during-investigation

TWRAadds newK-9 to wildlife law enforcementteam(Nooga)The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has a new tool to catch illegal hunters in Southeast Tennessee. TWRASgt. Ben Davis, stationed in Bradley County, now spends his days patrolling with a full-time, four-legged partner.The partner's name is Levee, as in "drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry." Levee and Davis justgraduated from K-9 school earlier this year, so this will be their first hunting season together. "We're excited. Deerseason should offer us lots of opportunities to make use of the K-9," Davis said. Levee is trained for a wide varietyof tasks. "He can do evidence recoveryfind shells or shell casings," Davis said. "He's trained in wildlife detectionhe can find deer, turkey, geese, ducks; and he's trained to do short-term man-tracking." Levee knows when he'swearing a certain collar or harness that he's going to be called upon for a different task.http://www.nooga.com/163357/twra-adds-new-k-9-to-wildlife-law-enforcement-team/

Universityof MemphisBreaksGroundOn NewDormitory(WREG-TV Memphis)The University Of Memphis celebrated a new chapter in giving students a home away from home. Agroundbreaking ceremony was held for the Universitys new $53 million dormitory Tuesday afternoon. The newbuilding will replace Richardson Towers at the corner of Patterson and Norriswood, and feature, classrooms, studyareas and a room where students can hold programs. The new dormitory is expected to be complete for the Fall2015 semester. http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/university-of-memphis-breaks-ground-on-new-dormitory/

AttorneyGeneral: TennesseeCharterSchool Law Constitutional(AssociatedPress)Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper has rendered a legal opinion that the state's charter school fundinglaw is constitutional. The Tennessean reports Cooper issued an opinion Monday that defends the 2002 law thatdetermines how charter schools are funded. "On its face, the Charter Schools Act does not directly or expressly
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130911/NEWS01/309110021/TDOT-head-visits-West-TNhttp://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/23397134/tennessee-health-official-honored-at-white-househttp://www.wate.com/story/23390663/letter-says-thousands-to-lose-health-care-coveragehttp://www.newschannel5.com/story/23392574/state-trooper-placed-on-leave-during-investigationhttp://www.nooga.com/163357/twra-adds-new-k-9-to-wildlife-law-enforcement-team/http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/university-of-memphis-breaks-ground-on-new-dormitory/http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20130911/NEWS01/309110021/TDOT-head-visits-West-TNhttp://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/23397134/tennessee-health-official-honored-at-white-househttp://www.wate.com/story/23390663/letter-says-thousands-to-lose-health-care-coveragehttp://www.newschannel5.com/story/23392574/state-trooper-placed-on-leave-during-investigationhttp://www.nooga.com/163357/twra-adds-new-k-9-to-wildlife-law-enforcement-team/http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/university-of-memphis-breaks-ground-on-new-dormitory/


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require the expenditure of extra funds beyond what a (local school district) is already spending on education,"Cooper wrote. The opinion conflicts with the conclusion reached by a Metro Nashville Public Schools attorney. Theschool district's attorney, John Borkowski, had said the law imposes financial burdens on local school districts inviolation of the state constitution One section of the Tennessee Constitution says lawmakers shall not impose"increased expenditure requirements on cities or counties" unless that burden is shared by the state. Under currentprocedures, state and local per-pupil dollar amounts follow students to their new schools. In Nashville, the amountequals about $9,200 per student. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/attorney-general-tennessee-charter-school-law-constitutional/

Obesity Rate IncreasesFor AmericanChildrenAnd Teens(WREG-TV Memphis)Some disturbing news about the obesity rate. The American Heart Association now describes about five percent ofAmerican children and teenagers as severely obese. They say its a more serious disease than regular obesity,with potentially deadly health consequences. Researchers are calling for more study on the safety of weight losssurgery for children.http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/obesity-rate-increases-for-american-children-and-teens/

Meningitisoutbreak:Lawsuit identifiesTennesseevictimwho died (Tenn/Roche)Six more suits filed A 72-year-old retired autoworker from Crossville, who loved nature and NASCAR, has beenidentified for the first time as one of the Tennessee patients who died in the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak.A suit filed by his family in U.S. District Court in Nashville identifies the victim as Dallas Ray Nealon, who died on

Dec. 9, 2012. The suit was one of six new complaints filed this week as a one-year deadline looms under stateproduct and health care liability statutes. The outbreak was first made public by state and federal officials in earlyOctober 2012. A dozen new suits have been filed in federal court by victims of the outbreak since Sept. 1. Dozensmore already were pending before a federal judge in Boston. The latest data from the CDC shows 15 Tennesseepatients have died in the outbreak, while 153 were sickened. Another recently filed suit, however, indicates theofficial death count may be understated. Five of the new suits were filed on behalf of patients who, like Nealon,were injected with a fungus-tainted spinal steroid at the Specialty Surgery Center in Crossville.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS07/309110136/Meningitis-outbreak-Lawsuit-identifies-Tennessee-victim-who-died?gcheck=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

RepublicanGroupSeeksto Put More Womenin Office (AssociatedPress/Johnson)The nation's largest caucus of Republican state leaders plans to spend $6 million to recruit 300 women to run foroffice in the next election cycle, women GOP leaders said Tuesday. The announcement was made at a newsconference near the state Capitol following a two-day leadership summit of Republican women from around thecountry. Last year, the Republican State Leadership Committee identified 185 new female Republican candidatesfrom 36 states, and 84 of them were elected to state offices. The caucus is hoping to get at least 150 elected nextyear. "The whole point of this ... is to find qualified women who would like to be asked and would like to have thesupport of an organization like this," said Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville. Republicans holda supermajority in the Tennessee General Assembly. Out of the state's 132 legislators, there are four Republicanwomen in the Senate and eight in the House.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/republican-group-seeks-to-put-more-women-in-office/

GOPgroupwants morewomen,minority officeholders(Tennessean/Sisk)A group that aims to persuade more Republican women to go into politics announced an initiative Tuesday torecruit 300 minority and women candidates nationwide, capping a conference in Nashville. Republican National

Committee co-chairman Sharon Day and other GOP women said at a news conference at the state Capitol that theGOP plans to spend at least $6 million next year and hopes to elect at least 150 more women and minorities, aspart of an effort to reorient the party amid changing demographics. We need more women leaders, Day said.Theres nothing wrong with our great Republican message except we need more women talking about ourmessage. The announcement came at the conclusion of the Republican State Leadership Committees two-dayRight Women, Right Now summit at the Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville. The event drew about 100Republican women officeholders from across the country. Organizers of the conference note that women make up53 percent of the electorate but hold only about 23 percent of the top state offices a group that includesgovernors, senators and, in many states, attorneys general and secretaries of state.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS02/309110149/GOP-group-wants-more-women-minority-officeholders?nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/attorney-general-tennessee-charter-school-law-constitutional/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/attorney-general-tennessee-charter-school-law-constitutional/http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/obesity-rate-increases-for-american-children-and-teens/http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/obesity-rate-increases-for-american-children-and-teens/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS07/309110136/Meningitis-outbreak-Lawsuit-identifies-Tennessee-victim-who-died?gcheck=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS07/309110136/Meningitis-outbreak-Lawsuit-identifies-Tennessee-victim-who-died?gcheck=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS07/309110136/Meningitis-outbreak-Lawsuit-identifies-Tennessee-victim-who-died?gcheck=1http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/republican-group-seeks-to-put-more-women-in-office/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS02/309110149/GOP-group-wants-more-women-minority-officeholders?nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS02/309110149/GOP-group-wants-more-women-minority-officeholders?nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS02/309110149/GOP-group-wants-more-women-minority-officeholders?nclick_check=1http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/attorney-general-tennessee-charter-school-law-constitutional/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/attorney-general-tennessee-charter-school-law-constitutional/http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/obesity-rate-increases-for-american-children-and-teens/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS07/309110136/Meningitis-outbreak-Lawsuit-identifies-Tennessee-victim-who-died?gcheck=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS07/309110136/Meningitis-outbreak-Lawsuit-identifies-Tennessee-victim-who-died?gcheck=1http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/republican-group-seeks-to-put-more-women-in-office/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS02/309110149/GOP-group-wants-more-women-minority-officeholders?nclick_check=1http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS02/309110149/GOP-group-wants-more-women-minority-officeholders?nclick_check=1


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GOPwomenmeet in Nashville to plan electionstrategies(C. Appeal/Locker)Women comprise a slight majority of the U.S. and Tennessee populations, but only about 17 percent of theTennessee legislature and about 23 percent of state elected officials nationwide. Nearly three dozen state-levelelected Republican women from across the country concluded a two-day Right Women, Right Now Summit inNashville Tuesday with a goal of encouraging more Republican women to run for public office and then

supporting their campaigns with money and advice after they become candidates. We share a common goal:recruiting more women to run for public office as Republicans, said Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, whohosted the conference. Participants included the lieutenant governors of Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin, thesecretary of state of Washington, Republican National Committee co-chairwoman Sharon Day and state and locallegislators from 10 other states from New Hampshire to New Mexico. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa said the RightWomen, Right Now initiative plans to spend $6 million in the 2014 elections to recruit and help fund at least 300Republican women candidates, with a goal of electing at least 150 of them. In the 2012 elections, the effortidentified 185 Republican women candidates, spent $3 million and won 84 of the elections. Right Women, RightNow is an initiative of the National Republican State Leadership Committee, whose mission is to elect Republicansto state-level offices.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/10/gop-women-meet-in-nashville-to-plan-election/(SUB)

State Sen. Burkswon't seek re-election(WSMV-TV Nashville)State Sen. Charlotte Burks announced she will be retiring at the end of her current term, according to a newsrelease. Burks was elected to the state Senate after the death of her late husband, State Sen. Tommy Burks, in1998 as a write-in candidate. Burks (D-Monterey) currently represents Bledsoe, Cumberland, Jackson, Overton,Putnam and White counties. She is a native of Jackson County and owns a farm in Monterey where she raised herfamily and has lived for nearly 50 years. Burks has three daughters, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.During her tenure in office, Burks has served on numerous committees, including ethics, commerce, labor,agriculture, education, government operations and the select committee on children and youth. She has alsoreceived multiple awards and recognitions for her work as a state senator. Much of her focus has been in the areasof education, domestic violence and issues concerning children. She has been an eight-time recipient of theLegislator of the Year award from the Tennessee Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence for her work inthose areas. She also received national recognition from the U. S. Attorney General's Foundation for theImprovement of Justice. http://www.wsmv.com/story/23394678/state-sen-burks-wont-seek-re-election

CountyCommissionsPartisan, PersonalDivide Resurfaces(MemphisDaily News)As Shelby County Commissioners were asking some pretty pointed questions Monday, Sept. 9, of those vying foran appointment to the countywide school board, Commissioner Heidi Shafer told Shante Avant, one of thecontenders, Were not as scary as we seem. Thats a matter of opinion, Avant replied. Avants appointmentunleashed a torrent of conflict within the commission that had little to do with her or any of the others vying for theschool board position. Commissioners called each other racist, sexist and crooked, and accused each other ofcharacter assassination as well as trying to figuratively lynch each other, starting with the aftermath of the vote onAvant. The commissions partisan and personal divide resurfaced at the first meeting of Commissioner JamesHarveys tenure as chairman. Integral to the division is that Harvey, a Democrat, was elected chairman by five ofthe six Republicans as well as his own vote and that of fellow Democrat Justin Ford.http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/commissions-partisan-personal-divide-resurfaces/

The CommissionsNewMath (MemphisFlyer)Those mad (as in angry) suburbanites who have been railing in local online comment spaces about the ShelbyCounty Commissions 8-to-5 voting ratio for the last two or three years can lighten up and adjust their arithmetic.On the evidence of Mondays Commission meeting, the numbers appear revised to the point that, a year fromnow, people on the other, city side of various issues might be grumbling about the same old seven and six. For,on the basis of the two key votes on Monday the Commissions naming of Shante Avant to fill a vacancy on theUnified School System board and its vote of approval for new chairman James Harveys appointment ofCommissioner Heidi Shafer as the bodys budget chairman the Commission may now have not only adoptedsome new math but reversed philosophic direction in the process. Two members of the long-standing coalition ofseven Democrats and one Republican that has determined Commission policy on school-merger issues and thebudget, among other matters, have shown clear signs of defection.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/10/gop-women-meet-in-nashville-to-plan-election/http://www.wsmv.com/story/23394678/state-sen-burks-wont-seek-re-electionhttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/commissions-partisan-personal-divide-resurfaces/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/10/gop-women-meet-in-nashville-to-plan-election/http://www.wsmv.com/story/23394678/state-sen-burks-wont-seek-re-electionhttp://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/commissions-partisan-personal-divide-resurfaces/


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http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2013/09/10/the-commissions-new-math

ShelbyCommissionPlaguedBy PersonalConflicts (WREG-TV Memphis)The purpose of the Shelby County Commission is to take up the peoples business, but this board seems to bewasting their time with personal fights and personality conflicts. On Monday, commissioners could barely vote onthe current item because they were too busy calling each other racists and hypocrites. New chairman JamesHarveys hope of banishing name-calling and personal attacks from commissioners is clearly too much to ask. I

would request you conduct behavior of orderliness, said Harvey. That started falling apart as Commissioner TerryRoland accused his colleague, Sidney Chism, of voting for his cousin to fill a school board seat. His family hassold paraphernalia that deals with klans most of their life, so I got a reason to think hes a racist, said Chism. Callme a racist? Hey I aint crooked OK! I am not crooked, Roland replied. This is an on-going theme, and personalattacks take time away from meaningful debate about the commissions professional work.http://wreg.com/2013/09/10/shelby-commission-plagued-by-personal-conflicts/

Committeediscussesreplacementfor oustedinternal auditor (News-Sentinel/Witt)With the former internal auditor ushered out, the Knox County Audit Committee began seeking a replacement thisweek. And committee members expect his replacement to cost more. The Audit Committee in July recommendedfiring former internal auditor Richard Walls, citing a lack of performance. County Commission then offered thelongtime employee a retirement package worth more than $30,000 in severance and buyouts. As the committee

talked about a replacement Tuesday, members discovered that they will have some input on the finalists and canoffer another recommendation on how the office should be run. There is no deadline by which to hire an auditor,according to the Knox County Law Directors office. Joseph Carcello, a University of Tennessee accountingprofessor and chairman of the Audit Committee, has said he hopes to attract a candidate such as a senior stafferin a place like Nashville or Memphis.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/committee-discusses-replacement-for-ousted/(SUBSCRIPTION)

AlexanderWantsTo CampaignBoth In, And Above, ObamacareFray (WPLN-Radio)As Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander laid out his stance on Syria this week, he included a campaign pitch indefense of moderation. Alexander was talking to a receptive audiencethe kind youd expect him to bank on forre-election, as he girds to face a conservative tea party challenge in next years GOP primary. Alexander told theRotary Club in downtown Nashville his party needs to say what its in favor of, rather than just scrapping to seewho hates Obamacare the most. As in an op-ed last month, he emphasized results, even when it requirescompromising. I dont belong to a shut-down-the-government crowd. I belong to a I hope to a take-over-the-government crowd and lets get some results. On healthcare, what I think, what I would suggest to people on myside of the aisle, is that we say what were for is that we say what we would do if we were trusted with thegovernment. Thats not to say Alexander is above touting his 23 votes against Obamacare, as he does in a recentTV ad. It came on the heels of a radio attack accusing him of not fighting tooth-and-nail against the healthcare law.http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/10/sen-alexander-would-rather-gop-take-over-government-not-shut-it-down/

Sen. LamarAlexanderlamentsend of CoverTNhealth program(Nooga)Sen. Lamar Alexander took another opportunity to slam the Affordable Care Act Monday after it was announcedthat a TennCare-sponsored program used by 16,000 Tennesseans would be discontinued under the new law.Alexander, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate committee that oversees health policy, issued a news

release saying President Barack Obama's signature policy had "destroyed an innovative state health insuranceplan" and called once more for the law to be "repealed and replaced." "Like all Americans, these Tennesseanswere promised by President Obama that under his health law they'd keep their coverage, but will likely be forcedby the law into the Obamacare exchange, where the affordability of health insurance, security of their personalinformation and ability of doctors to take new patients are all in question," Alexander said. "This is why the lawshould be repealed and replaced with step-by-step reforms that transform the health care delivery system byputting patients in charge, giving them more choices and reducing the cost of health care so that more people canafford it." http://www.nooga.com/163395/sen-lamar-alexander-laments-end-of-covertn-health-program/

Sen. Alexanderon Syria: "I will vote 'no'" (WVLT-TV Knoxville)Sen. Lamar Alexander will not back President Obama's plan to strike Syria over the Assad regime's alleged use of
http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2013/09/10/the-commissions-new-mathhttp://wreg.com/2013/09/10/shelby-commission-plagued-by-personal-conflicts/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/committee-discusses-replacement-for-ousted/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/committee-discusses-replacement-for-ousted/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/10/sen-alexander-would-rather-gop-take-over-government-not-shut-it-down/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/10/sen-alexander-would-rather-gop-take-over-government-not-shut-it-down/http://www.nooga.com/163395/sen-lamar-alexander-laments-end-of-covertn-health-program/http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2013/09/10/the-commissions-new-mathhttp://wreg.com/2013/09/10/shelby-commission-plagued-by-personal-conflicts/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/committee-discusses-replacement-for-ousted/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/10/sen-alexander-would-rather-gop-take-over-government-not-shut-it-down/http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/10/sen-alexander-would-rather-gop-take-over-government-not-shut-it-down/http://www.nooga.com/163395/sen-lamar-alexander-laments-end-of-covertn-health-program/


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chemical weapons on rebel fighters.nOn Monday, the Republican Senator told members of the Nashville RotaryClub he "will vote 'no' because of too much uncertainty about what comes next." "After step A, what will be steps B,C, D and E? I see too much risk that the strike will do more harm than good by setting off a chain of consequencesthat could involve American fighting men and women in another long-term Middle East conflict," continuedAlexander. Shortly after President Obama announced he would seek Congressional approval for the plannedattack, Alexander said he participated in a briefing with Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security AdvisorSusan Rice, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey and Director of National Intelligence JamesClapper. He also said he spoke to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel over the weekend.http://www.local8now.com/news/headlines/Sen-Alexander-on-Syria-I-will-vote-no-222993101.html

Fleischmannannouncesoppositionto use of U.S. military force in Syria (Nooga)One day after saying he was "leaning no" against supporting a U.S. strike in Syria, Rep. Chuck Fleischmannannounced his opposition to the proposal put before Congress last week by President Barack Obama. In a newsrelease, the congressman described it as a "somber decision" and said he had sought input from residents ofTennessee's 3rd District in making his choice to oppose. "After hearing the information presented by theadministration, I cannot support the authorization for the use of military force in Syria, should it come before theHouse for a vote," Fleischmann said. "I am deeply concerned about the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian civilwar and have given great thought to the impact this decision could have on the Syrian people, our allies and theinstability in the region as a whole." The congressman added that his concerns on the issue had boiled down totwo main questionsneither of which had been adequately answered by officials. "My concerns about the use of

military force in Syria have centered on two essential questions: What is our goal, and what are the implicationsfollowing military action? Neither of these questions has been adequately answered by the administration,"Fleischmann said. "In fact, if anything, my concerns have grown."http://www.nooga.com/163399/rep-chuck-fleischmann-announces-opposition-to-use-of-us-military-force-in-syria/

In Tennessee,soldierswait, familiesworry (Tennessean/Hall)The world is waiting to see what the United States will do or wont do in Syria, but for many in Tennessee, thewait is personal. Theyre hanging on every presidential statement, breaking news alert and pundits tweet, lookingfor signs of how their families might be affected. They have relatives in the military or living in Syria, or livelihoodstied to Middle East stability In Clarksville, Tenn., home of the 101st Airborne Division, the potential conflictdominates conversation. That even goes for teens at Northeast High, the high school closest to Fort Campbell in adistrict where one-third of all students parents serve in the military. Even promises of no boots on the ground or

the dangling prospect of a diplomatic solution arent enough to quiet hallway chatter. Thats because, after morethan a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, students have grown up with parents who missed lifes milestones,said Dylan Kellogg, a senior. His father, Capt. Michael Kellogg, already deployed twice in four years, likely will bein Afghanistan when Dylan accepts his high school diploma. People bring up the fact that the civil war has beengoing on in Syria for three years, Dylan Kellogg said. Why would we go in after chemical gas, after theres beenbombing of civilians for so long? http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS01/309110144/In-Tennessee-soldiers-wait-families-worry?gcheck=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

TN lawmakersexpressskepticismon day of Obama'sspeech(Tennessean)Several members of Congress from Middle Tennessee watched President Barack Obama address the nation witha skeptical eye, saying he hadnt done enough to justify military action even before he started talking. EarlierTuesday, U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Diane Black added their names to the list of lawmakers who plan to

vote against a military strike on Syria. In doing so they joined Sen. Lamar Alexander, who told the Rotary Club ofNashville on Monday that he would vote no a position Alexander reiterated after the presidents speech. It ismore consistent with our national security interests for the president to pursue a diplomatic solution thatdemonstrates our disgust with and discourages further use of chemical weapons in Syria, and that includesexploring with appropriate skepticism the Russian proposal, Alexander said in a statement. Tennessees otherGOP senator, Bob Corker, has voted to give the president limited authority for a surgical strike against Syria. TheRepublican House members announced their opposition in a pair of statements.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS02/309110147/TN-lawmakers-express-skepticism-day-Obama-s-speech(SUBSCRIPTION)

Chatt. area gives resounding'no' on Syria attack(TFP/Harrison,LaFave,Miller)As President Barack Obama faced the nation to justify a potential targeted strike against Syria, he also reached out
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to Congress to delay a vote authorizing the use of U.S. military action in hopes of pursing diplomacy. "Anythingother than an airstrike or trying to go in at this point is a great idea," Kristy Hodson, 31, said about the president'sannouncement Tuesday night. "You know innocent people are going to be killed." Hodson is among dozens ofChattanooga-area residents polled by the Times Free Press who adamantly opposed even a limited military strike.As international discussions heat up, Americans remain widely skeptical of Syrian involvement. In interviews,online polls and email exchanges asking how locals felt about the U.S. intervening in Syria's conflict, a vastmajority of respondents from a wide range of socioeconomic and political backgrounds told reporters they wereagainst it. The reasons range from being sick of war, to a general distrust of Obama, to worry that intervention willcause more harm than good for everyone. "The U.S. has absolutely no real reason to enter the conflict in Syria. Ifwe do the consequences could be horrible. Our country is under no threat in any way," said Ellijay, Ga., insuranceagent Robert Westmoreland.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/11/area-gives-resounding-no-on-syria-attack/?local

Corker Calls VolkswagenTalks With UAW'Incomprehensible' (AP/Schelzig)Volkswagen would become a "laughingstock" if it goes through with a deal to have the United Auto Workersrepresent workers at its Tennessee plant, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said Tuesday. The Tennessee Republican toldThe Associated Press in a phone interview that he was dismayed when VW last week sent a letter to employeesregarding its discussion with the UAW about creating a German-style works council at the Chattanooga plant. "Formanagement to invite the UAW in is almost beyond belief," Corker said. "They will become the object of manybusiness school studies and I'm a little worried could become a laughingstock in many ways if they inflict this

wound." Corker, who played a large role in persuading Volkswagen to build its lone U.S. assembly plant in the citywhere he was once mayor, said he hopes the company pulls back from its decision to engage in talks with theUAW. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/sep/11/corker-calls-volkswagen-talks-with-uaw-incomprehensible/

Corker: VW talks with UAWover Chattanoogaplant 'incomprehensible' (TFP)Volkswagen would become a "laughingstock" if it goes through with a deal to have the United Auto Workersrepresent workers at its Tennessee plant, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said Tuesday. The Tennessee Republican toldThe Associated Press in a phone interview that he was dismayed when VW last week sent a letter to employeesregarding its discussion with the UAW about creating a German-style works council at the Chattanooga plant. "Formanagement to invite the UAW in is almost beyond belief," Corker said. "They will become the object of manybusiness school studies - and I'm a little worried could become a laughingstock in many ways - if they inflict this

wound." Corker, who played a large role in persuading Volkswagen to build its lone U.S. assembly plant in the citywhere he was once mayor, said he hopes the company pulls back from its decision to engage in talks with theUAW. "We've talked to management, and to me it's beyond belief that they've allowed this to go that far anddisplayed this kind of naivety that the UAW is somehow different than they were years ago," Corker said.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/11/corker-vw-talks-with-uaw-incomprehensible/?business

Sen. Bob Corkerspeaksout againstVolkswagenunionization(Nooga)U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said Tuesday that union organization at Volkswagen is "incomprehensible" and that thecompany will become a "laughingstock" if leaders make a deal for United Auto Workers representation, accordingto The Associated Press. Corker said he was dismayed to learn that Volkswagen leaders sent a letter to workersabout the discussion with the UAW and the possibility of creating a German-style works council at the local factory.Last week, The Associated Press also reported that Frank Fischer, Volkswagen Chattanooga CEO, and Sebastian

Patta, head of human resources at Volkswagen Chattanooga, sent a letter notifying employees about talks withUAW officials regarding a works council. "The company states in the letter that its engaged in talks with the UAWbecause in the United States a works council can only be established through an established trade union,"according to The Associated Press.http://www.nooga.com/163397/sen-bob-corker-speaks-out-against-volkswagen-unionization/

Businesseshired to makeObamacarework say they're ready (M. Biz Journal)The businesses the federal government has hired to make health care reform work assured Congress on Tuesdaythat their systems will be ready by Oct. 1, when the law's new health insurance marketplaces will begin enrollingcustomers. Individuals and small businesses will shop for insurance on these online exchanges. Only 17 states,counting the District of Columbia, decided to run their own exchanges. Seven more are partnering with the federalgovernment on these exchanges. The federal government will operate exchanges for the remaining 27 states.
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There are lots of doubts as to how well these exchanges will operate on opening day. "I'm a little skeptical thesystem can function as advertised by Oct. 1," said Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., who chaired a hearing on the issueTuesday. That skepticism is merited when it comes to most state exchanges,http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/news-wire/2013/09/10/businesses-hired-to-make-obamacare.html

ORNLemployeesassist U.S. with destructionof chemicalweapons(WATE-TV)As chemical weapons make headlines with the evolving crisis in Syria, 6 News spoke with experts at ORNL about

the threat the chemicals pose and how the U.S. is working to destroy its own stockpile. Greg Zimmerman, theleader for the ORNL Human Health Risk & Environmental Analysis group, said the U.S. is currently in possessionof about 3,500 tons of chemical weapons, though the U.S. has never used them. As part of the Chemical WeaponsConvention, the U.S. is working on destroying its chemical weapons and Zimmerman's group assists the army indetermining the safest methods for destruction to avoid any negative environmental or health effects. The U.S.currently has GB, known as Sarin gas; mustard gas; and VX, a venom agent. "These chemicals were designed tokill people," Zimmerman said. "They're basically weapons of war. Sarin gas is the same chemical that U.S.Secretary of State John Kerry said Syria used during chemical attacks last month that killed more than 1,400people.http://www.wate.com/story/23396531/ornl-employees-assist-us-with-destruction-of-chemical-weapons

EFCSystemsmoves, expandsin WilliamsonCounty(Nashville BusinessJournal)EFC Systems, a software company providing wholesale and retail services for the agribusiness industry, has

relocated from Antioch to Brentwood. According to founder and President Ernie Chappell, the EFC currentlyemploys 40 people in the office, with plans to hire 10 more over the next six months. EFC Systems' new office,located at 9015 Overlook Blvd., is about 12,500-square-feet -- more than twice the size of its Antioch office.Chappell said the company decided to relocate to give its employees more of an office environment and moveaway from industrial space. "Brentwood offers the best in services and location for employees without getting toofar south, since we have employees coming from all over the Metro Nashville area," Chappell said in an email.http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2013/09/efc-systems-moves-expands-in.html

ABC's'Nashville' Season2 gets $500,000incentivefromcity (Tennessean)Metro government has agreed to chip in $500,000 to ensure that the production of the second season ofNashville stays here a small price, officials say, for what amounts to a one-hour nationally televisedadvertisement for the city. The Metro Council voted unanimously Tuesday to complete a grant agreement withSanta Monica, California-based Music City Productions Inc. that stipulates the company produce the majority ofscenes from at least 13 episodes within Davidson Countys boundaries.At-large Councilman Ronnie Steine likenedthe ABC series to a commercial for Nashville. Most of us agree: The city looks great, sounds great, andimportantly to us all, the music is authentic. The payout marks what is believed to be Metros first-ever monetaryplay in the film or television industry, and it continues Mayor Karl Dean's incentive-based business approach.Unlike the state, the city did not provide any incentives to Nashville during the filming of its first season, whichwrapped up its inaugural season in May.http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130911/NEWS0202/309110148/ABC-s-Nashville-Season-2-gets-500-000-incentive-from-city?nclick_check=1(SUBSCRIPTION)

Hutchesonto issuerequestfor proposals(ChattanoogaTimesFree-Press/Omarzu)Hutcheson Medical Center today will issue a request for proposals to lease its Fort Oglethorpe hospital and othermedical facilities to a new health care partner. "Hutcheson is seeking a partner that can best serve the health care

needs of the 150,000 people living in our tri-county service area," said Corky Jewell, chairman of the HutchesonMedical Center board of directors in a news release. "These counties are among the fastest-growing in the NorthGeorgia and Chattanooga region." Meanwhile, at 9 a.m. Thursday, the Catoosa County Commission will hold aspecial meeting to consider whether to issue a $35 million bond anticipation note to refinance most of the hospital's$60 million debt. "We'll talk about it," Catoosa Chairman Keith Greene said. "We're going to discuss it and possiblytake action. The bailout was requested by a group of Hutcheson doctors and the board of the hospital, which isowned by Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties. Walker and Dade county officials have declined to issue the bondanticipation notes before a new partner is found. So Catoosa County may go it alone and issue the $35 millionbond anticipation note.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/11/hutcheson-issue-request-for-proposals/?local
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Debateon school facilities continues(WMC-TV Memphis)The school board could make the ultimate decision on Shelby County Municipal School facilities. The law is murkyon this one, and the buildings could end up in a court settlement. "There's been a lot of talk about what wouldhappen to school buildings and school facilities," said Steve Mulroy, Shelby County Commissioner. Mulroy askedevery school board applicant his or her position on school buildings Monday. "I would work as a school boardmember to ensure we have a process to determine what a fair value of those buildings are in order to make adecision," said Shelby County Schools interim board member Shante Avant. The commission recently appointed

Shante Avant to fill the seat Reginald Porter left behind to join school staff. She did not take a position on how thesuburbs should obtain the buildings. "Her vote will be critical on the school board," explained Mulroy. School BoardChairman Billy Orgel says everything is up in the air.http://www.wmctv.com/story/23397298/debate-continues

Special treatmentplannedfor 14 moreShelbyCountyschools(C. Appeal/Kelley)The Achievement School District, a state-run borderless district whose aim is to raise test scores in public schoolsthat are performing among the states bottom 5 percent, announced that it had placed nine schools on its shortlistfor inclusion in 2014. Eight are expected to be in the ASD in fall 2014. In a joint news conference, administrators ofthe Shelby County Schools Innovation Zone, which manages some of the other schools eligible for ASDmembership, announced plans to place five more schools in its purview next year. New ASD schools are likely tobe Denver, Spring Hill, Coleman and Westwood Elementary Schools, South Side and Wooddale Middle Schools,

and Frayser and either Carver or Fairley High Schools, depending on the outcome of meetings with the affectedcommunities. Expected to land in the I-Zone next year are Grandview Heights and Vance Middle Schools andHamilton, Melrose and Trezevant High Schools. Carver is on a list of schools being considered for possibleclosure, depending on school board action, in 2014.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/sep/11/special-treatment-planned-for-14-more-shelby/(SUB)

SomeNashville schoolscould closeto avoid deficit (Tennessean/Garrison)Register laid out these potentially draconian scenarios at an hourlong Metro school board Budget and FinanceCommittee meeting. He is forecasting a need for $38 million in additional funds, which would bring the proposedbudget to $784.4 million. As a result, budget talks that typically begin each winter have started already. This is notan easy subject to broach, particularly this early in the year, Register said. Register said the district has had anumber of conversations about consolidating certain schools. His staff handed board members and mediaTuesday a list of 12 schools that are below 70 percent capacity. Most are in North or East Nashville. Consolidatingschools is problematic, Register said. When you start combining enrollments, when you start changing zoningand everything, its a very complicated issue in communities. He didnt indicate which schools would beconsidered first. The 70 percent threshold is used to determine which schools are considered appropriately utilized.Another consideration is which of these are the lowest performing. He said more data would be ready at monthsend. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130910/NEWS04/309100135/Some-Nashville-schools-could-close-avoid-deficit?nclick_check=1 (SUBSCRIPTION)

Oak RidgeschoolsclosingloomsOct. 1 unlessstate mandatemet (Tenn/Fowler)Controversy stems from debt dispute Oak Ridge city schools will close Oct. 1 unless the city comes up with$250,000 to keep state-mandated maintenance of effort funding levels, according to the school board chairman.Keys Fillauer issued that warning to City Council on Monday in connection with a high-stakes dilemma thatultimately dates back to a years-old controversy about sales tax revenue to cover debt service on high school

renovations. The state has served notice that it will withhold $1.87 million a month starting Oct. 1 from Oak RidgeSchools unless maintenance of level requirements are met. Any resolution would have to be approved in twomeetings each of the school board and City Council. No special sessions have been called. The citys decision toincrease the schools budget will have an impact on all future community services, City Manager Mark Watsonsaid in a statement Tuesday, so we are doing our due diligence to explore every possible solution.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/11/oak-ridge-schools-closing-looms-oct-1/(SUBSCRIPTION)

SullivanSouthACTscoresbest Dobyns-Bennett, ScienceHill (Times-News)Sullivan South High Schools composite ACT score for its 2013 graduating class, 22.7, has bested Dobyns-Bennettand Science Hill high schools. That places South among the top-scoring high schools in Tennessee and makes itthe highest-scoring high school on the ACT in Northeast Tennessee. Systemwide, Sullivan Countys average ACTscore for the 2013 graduating class improved, making it higher than the state average score. At 20.1, the districts
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average increased from 19.9 the previous year, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning David Timbs saidTuesday. The state average for 2013 was 19.3 on the assessment that measures college readiness in English,math, reading and science. Individually, Timbs said, two Sullivan County high schools posted gains from theprevious year. Sullivan South High School increased its composite score from 21.8 to 22.7, with large gains inEnglish and reading. In addition, Sullivan East High School increased its composite score above the state average.At 19.6, Sullivan East saw gains across the board, with the largest gains in English and science.http://www.timesnews.net/article/9067259/sullivan-south-act-scores-best-dobyns-bennett-science-hill

Kentucky:Gov. Calls For Job RecruitingTruceBetweenSouthernStates (WPLN)Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says southern states should stop fighting with each other over jobs and unite asa region to recruit advanced manufacturing in an increasingly global competition. To conclude a meeting of theSouthern Governors Association, Kentuckys Beshear who is this years chairman released a study onsupporting the development of hi-tech manufacturing. It found that economic development incentives dished out tocompanies by southern states often top $100,000 per job. For years, the states in the American South havecompeted with each other, but we have moved into a new era where we not only compete with one another, andother states in the U.S., but we are competing with the world, said Governor Beshear in a statement. We cancompete better if the region comes together on advanced manufacturing and presents a unified front. This reportprovides us with an important tool to begin the process. The 55-page document concludes states could savesome money if they instead worked together, promoting the development of industry clusters that might cross

state lines. It envisions states cooperating much like local governments do jointly funding incentives and agreeingto split the potential tax revenues.http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2013/09/10/ky-governor-calls-for-job-recruiting-truce-between-southern-states/

OPINION

TimesEditorial: Scoringour children'sfutures(ChattanoogaTimesFree-Press)It's good to see Hamilton County students, on the whole, making gains this year on the Tennessee ComprehensiveAssessment Program tests TCAP, for short. The TCAP tests form a set of statewide assessments intended tomeasure students' skills and progress. The news is both good and bad, though. It is good that Hamilton Countyyoungsters appear to be learning more in math. The school system's overall score marks nearly 10 percentagepoints in improvement from 2011 to 2013. But reading is only slightly improved -- by just more than two percentagepoints -- and student reading in Hamilton County still lags behind the state average. Yet the real shocker is thebigger picture of what these scores mean: Only 54.2 percent of Hamilton County students -- about half -- are

performing at grade level in math, the subject where we improved. And 46.9 percent, or less than half, are readingat grade level. Hamilton County has just over 41,000 young people enrolled in more than 70 schools, and half ofthem are performing below grade level.http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/sep/11/scoring-our-childrens-futures/?opiniontimes

FrankMunger:ORNL'splutoniumwaste to be shippedwest (News-Sentinel)Oak Ridge contractors are in the preparatory stages of a two-year project that will get rid of 170 containers of so-called transuranic waste from Oak Ridge National Laboratorys Solid Waste Storage Area No. 5, including 26containers that reportedly contain significant quantities of plutonium. U.S. Department of Energy spokesman MikeKoentop declined to specify the amount of radioactive plutonium stored at SWSA-5. A couple of officials haveprivately expressed concern about the level of security at the site where fissile materials, of potential use inweapons, are housed. I cant be more specific on the quantity, Koentop said. According to DOE, the project will

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retrieve and process the containers of radioactive waste including 26 containers of high-fissile waste fordisposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. Koentop confirmed that the fissionable waste containsplutonium. This activity is part of the ongoing transfer and processing of transuranic waste to meet milestonesestablished with the State of Tennessee, Koentop said in an email response to questions.http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/11/frank-munger-ornls-plutonium-waste-to-be-shipped/(SUB)

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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/11/frank-munger-ornls-plutonium-waste-to-be-shipped/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/11/frank-munger-ornls-plutonium-waste-to-be-shipped/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/sep/11/frank-munger-ornls-plutonium-waste-to-be-shipped/

tennessee daily news clips, sept. 11, 2013

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