Metro Pulse/Ear to the Ground

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Garbage Bill

Remember that big flap back in 1993 over Tim Burchett's improper mulching operation?

Burchett's company, Compost Corporation of America, was improperly making mulch out of household city waste. Although his mulch was eventually determined to be safe, the controversy caused the city to pull its contract with Burchett, who folded his company. However, it did help launch Burchett's political career.

Well, it seems the good senator is spending some of his energies in Nashville to make sure all hard-working, decent solid waste disposal operators are protected from those pesky government regulators.

This year, Burchett introduced Senate Bill 2155, which "Eliminates department of conservation and environment and local government supervision and approval for solid waste processing facilities; eliminates provision permitting interested persons' requests for public hearings on solid waste processing facilities."

In other words, the state would no longer have the power to make sure solid waste is disposed of properly, and concerned citizens wouldn't be entitled to scrutinize these operations. Smells kind of funny.

Hot Dog!

How about some good news on the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, which won the annual excellence award from PetSmart. Every year, two organizations are chosen nationwide. More than 500 PETsMARTs work with hundreds of Humane organizations (in the majority of the stores, several organizations share the space). HSTV got $5,000 and sent three people to Arizona to accept the award.

Hoops in the Hood.

Community policing is a good thing. That's why Pastor Jarvis Ross of the Community Evangelistic Church decided to invite some police officers to play in a benefit basketball game against neighborhood youths as part of the church's First Annual Community Accountability Conference. Ross had already started planning the event when he received a letter from officer Jeff Eastern declining the invitation. Eastern offered as reasons the assault of two officers by "...two young black males at the mall. One of the officers was struck in the head with his own radio. This act was a blatant disregard for delegated authority once again in our city. Also, one of our players reminded me of the time he was assaulted and his weapon taken away from him. The general consensus is that a basketball game will not provoke the necessary changes in attitude and behavior of our home boys to effect a change in our community."

Eastern, an African American officer who was on disability for a long stretch after he was clubbed from behind by a white officer who mistook him for a thug when he was chasing a fleeing perp while Eastern was wearing street clothes, ended the letter with the hope that he and his fellow officers "pray that we can still come together with yourself... and some of the Home Boys to implement a plan to rescue and recover lost souls in Knoxville."

Ross, in a letter that was copied to the mayor, police chief, and various local officials, expressed great disappointment:

"...I do no know if your refusal is a reflection of your entire team's attitude. If it is, then I think KPD has a simmering problem. I regret and grieve the hardships of the police officers that you mentioned. Nevertheless, and regardless of our inner city problems, police officers are called to protect and serve. As a pastor, I cannot blame the problems of a few disgruntled members on the entire congregation and refuse to preach!"

A Living Gift

The Cooperative Appalachian Marrow Program is holding a marrow donor recruitment drive for Bill Bolus Jr. The drive will be held Saturday, April 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baptist Health Information Center in West Town Mall. All that's required is a blood sample to see if you can be a matching donor.