You Say Tomato

I read with interest your "Urban Legends" article in the January 21 edition of your weekly voice.

Unfortunately, you did not debunk one of the most popular myths which your paper continues to perpetrate. In fact, you continue to perpetrate this same myth in the current edition of the Metro Pulse. I refer specifically to the "Recipe for Strife" [by Joe Sullivan, Vol. 9, No. 3] article wherein you discussed supposed strained relations between the executive and legislative branches of county government.

Let me assure you and the citizens of Knox County nothing could be further from the truth. Relations between the Knox County commission and the Knox County Executive, as well as various departments of local government, are quite excellent; a fact acknowledged and reported by The Knoxville News-Sentinel last Sunday. Communication is frequent, candid, and very cordial. County Executive Tom Schumpert would be the first to confirm the fact communications and relations between the two offices are better than at any point in his administration.

While we do not always agree on every issue, there is hardly any strain in relations between the legislative and executive branches. Naturally, the members of the County Commission and the county executive will disagree occasionally; commissioners will continue to debate critical issues, not the least of which will be the budget. Of course, vigorous debate is a vital part of the democratic process and the executive and legislative branches are not serving the public interest if one is subservient to the other.

Joe, the fact is the relationship between the Knox County Commission and the Knox County Executive is nothing less than harmonious. I can easily cite numerous excellent examples of our teamwork on behalf of Knox Countians. I realize harmonious relations leaves you little to write about; however, perhaps some of your readers may be interested in the true story behind this media myth.

Mike Arms
Knox County Commissioner