Last Rites

Jack Sharp and Mary Lou Horner were the only currently-serving elected officials to attend the funeral of Cas Walker Sunday. But Cas probably didn't mind, since a big crowd of old friends showed up to say goodbye to the Old Coon Hunter. Some of Walker's friends were on the verge of causing a minor riot when they arrived early for visitation Saturday and found the casket closed. Walker's family showed up and had it opened, which quelled the disturbance before someone had to pepper spray a bunch of octogenarians. Out at Woodlawn Cemetery, after the pallbearers (most of whom were wearing Walker trademark shears tie tacs) carried him over to the family plot (which is of course right up front), and after a few more verses of scripture and a few more prayers, his dear friend Bobby Toole stood at his graveside and pronounced his own private benediction:

"He was a good sonuvabitch."

Not Much Call Fer That Around Here...

Knox County school officials make a big hullabaloo about the school coupon books students sell each fall, and with good reason—the $10 books raise hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for classroom supplies and technology. But the books also serve as great PR for the hundreds of merchants and organizations featured therein. Which is why Ginger Cook, executive director of The City Ballet, was disappointed when her non-profit organization mysteriously disappeared from the just-released 1998 edition. "We had a ton of people, like 1,200, [use the coupons] last year," Cook said. School spokesguy Mike Cohen says there's only room for so many coupon providers in the thick little books—"We're sorry about everybody that didn't get in." Cohen says school people look for geographic diversity, value, and ease of use in deciding who makes the cut. Apparently the Ballet coupon—a free children's ticket with the purchase of an adult's ticket, worth up to $46—couldn't compete with offerings like $1 off admission to the Knoxville Museum of Art or 60 cents off a chicken value meal at Burger King. (Cook says the Ballet did make it into the Blount County book, which Cohen says is produced independently.)

Last Leg

Lillian Bean, whowas earlier thwarted in an attempt to cut herself a $39,000 check for unused vacation time prior to leaving office Sept. 1, has lost another bid to cash in on her years as clerk of General Sessions, Circuit and Juvenile courts.

The Knox County Pension Board, in an 8-0 vote (with Chief Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Van de Vate, who was active in the campaign of her opponent, Cathy Quist, abstaining) denied ex-clerk Bean's request for a $3,706 monthly disability pension Tuesday. Bean cited bad knees aggravated by weight problems as her disabling condition, but the board followed the recommendation of consultants from Benefit Concepts Inc., who were asked to determine whether Bean was eligible for disability benefits under the terms of the county plan. Bean, 55, was not present, because she is recuperating from bilateral replacement of both knees. A veteran of 23 years county service, 18 as the elected clerk, Bean may now apply for retirement benefits, which are slightly lower than disability.