Metro Pulse/Ear to the Ground

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Gilley Taking 'Time Off'

Amid swirling rumors about his long-term future at UT, President J. Wade Gilley is taking a month off this summer, officially for health reasons. UT trustee Jim Haslam says the president "has diabetes and has been having some trouble with it. He hasn't taken any vacation since he's been here." Despite street talk to the contrary, Haslam says, "I wouldn't call it a leave of absence." Gilley could not be reached for comment at deadline time.

How to Elect a Millionaire

A recent candidates' workshop called "Stepping Up: Engaging In The Political Process II" at the United Way office drew some big business names as Larry Martin, Sam Furrow and Jim Haslam showed up to hear featured speaker Bob Corker, who was recently elected mayor of Chattanooga. Introduced by his old college chum Bob Talbott, Corker talked about how Chattanoogans once used to want to "be like Knoxville," and attributed his downriver city's success to private-public partnerships and strong leadership. He said he was "recruited" to run by Chattanooga business leaders, raised about $650,000, religiously attended services at African-American churches and knocked on 9,800 doors during the first three months of this year. The bigwigs departed after the Corker talk.

Other speakers included Knox County's head of governmental affairs Molly Pratt, the News-Sentinel's Georgianna Vines, WNOX radio general manager Mike Hammond, WATE-TV newsreader Gene Patterson and Nashville PR guy Keith Miles. The audience of about two dozen was heavily dominated by Republicans.

Hat in the Ring

And, speaking of candidates, lawyer Sheryl Rollins appears to have gotten a jump start on her campaign for the 6th District City Council seat, judging from the host list from her first fund-raising event. Sponsors included NAACP honcho Dewey Roberts, ex-Council member Bill Powell, Oscar "Poor Boy" Brown, NAACP legend Sarah Moore Greene, County Commissioner Diane Jordan, Police Review head Carol Scott, lawyer George Underwood, members of the influential Gaiter family and downtown activists Bob and Julie Webb. Rollins is married to Avon Rollins, director of the Beck Cultural Center.

Lawyer Mark Brown, chairman of the Knox County Election Commission, still hasn't announced his intentions, but he would have to be considered a tough act to beat in the 6th if he makes the race.

Cirkus Folk

One of the odder sights in East Tennessee recently was the packed auditorium of the Sevierville Civic Center on Monday night for a performance by the post-modern theater troupe Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Why was the acclaimed, subversive New York company playing in such a locale at 11:30 p.m. on a weeknight? Well, see, Sevier County now has a sizable seasonal theater community (all those guys and gals who sing and dance for the tourists at Dollywood and the assorted other venues), and some of them are apparently pals with the Bindlestiff crew. The late start was to allow the crowd to finish their own gigs and still get to the small-top show on time. And so we were all treated to spectacular juggling acts, fire breathing and sword swallowing, and the slightly naughty stage antics of Mistress Philomena (who did a very funny albeit mucusy skit with a condom). All under the amused but watchful eyes of assorted Sevierville officials. Presumably, their presence is what discouraged Philomena from her traditional show-closing routine, which involves spinning plates atop a strap-on phallus. Pity.