public trust falters in commissioner keener

By Staff Reports

published: June 12 2007 06:13 PM updated:: June 12 2007 06:18 PM

County Commissioner Jim Keener and his wife Marjorie filed for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy February 9^th of this year.

In that filing, Keener listed four companies that were secured and 33 companies that were unsecured.

The total amount of money relating to the claims in this bankruptcy is $951,015.64 owed by the Keeners.

In the Chapter 13 Payment Pay dated February 2^nd 2007, the Keeners will have to pay $720 per month for the next 60 months which total $43,200.00.

Keener is the County Commissioner in the 10^th District and is on the Purchase Committee for Sevier County and has recently been employed by the School District in the School Bus Department.

For one reason or another, Keener had a contract with Debra Wheeler, owner of NuWeigh. Keener refused to honor the lease purchase contract he had with her, as reported in the June 6^th issue of the Seymour Herald and on the seymourherald.com website.

Many have questioned whether Keener should resign due to this bankruptcy and the fact that the monetary amount is nearly $1 million dollars.

Others say that a personal bankruptcy should not reflect on his office.

There are those that say he is not fit to properly perform in public office and should immediately resign.

"I think he should at the least, step down from his committee assignments and possibly resign," stated Jack Done. He went on to say, "Everybody has had bad times, but not everyone is in charge of running the county, which is public funds and public trust. I don't trust him any more."

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User Comments

#1 Wondering commented, on June 13, 2007 at 7:33 a.m.:

If Mr. Keener can't run his personal business, how can he be trusted to run county business?

#2 also wondering commented, on June 13, 2007 at 8:39 a.m.:

"...recently been employed by the School District." What was the hiring process? Was the opening posted so the general public could apply? I hope so.

#3 Mrs. Taxpayer commented, on June 13, 2007 at 9:11 a.m.:

I think he should resign; that would be the right thing to do. But he hasn't done any of the right things yet so why would he start now? I can think of a bunch more commissioners that ought to resign along with him, but that won't happen either. These guys are solidly entrenched and only your vote can toss them out and force them to get a real job. It's a very tight-knit den of thieves. 28 years of blindly following "stuck on stupid" is hard to change. A good start would be to appoint 5 new members to the Planning Commission this month - but that won't happen either. The ship of public trust is sinking quickly while the captain is sitting on the sidelines and remains "Clueless in Sevierville." Where have the leaders gone??

#4 AWOL commented, on June 13, 2007 at 12:53 p.m.:

our mayor is awol. He always claims problems to be outside of his control.

He is always right there to kiss babies, shake hands of the masses and claims that ultra-flow is a good thing and his brain child.

Shameful conduct is rewarded in Severe county.

#5 Get A New Slogan commented, on June 14, 2007 at 11:10 a.m.:

Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer,

Is it really necessary to use the same tired phrase, "28 years stuck on stupid"? Have you posted even one time without using that?

It's as tired and worn out as Joe Karl's ranting about the "need" for a community center. It's as obvious as the Herald's lack of spell checker.

#6 Barbara Trout commented, on June 15, 2007 at 8:43 a.m.:

to # 5
AND YOUR NAME AND PERFECTION IN LIFE MAY BE????
Did you ever think everyone gets tired of your negative comments??
Try being positive for once, you might like it!!

#7 John Taxpayer commented, on June 17, 2007 at 9:02 p.m.:

Well # 5, just how long has Sevier County been STUCK ON STUPID ? Larry Waters put us there a long time ago. Now it is time for him to go and his cronies and all the nepotism. Are you related to any of them? I'll bet you are.

#8 to John Taxpayer commented, on June 18, 2007 at 6:14 a.m.:

Has anyone heard any official responce from Mayor Waters?

#9 Inquiring Minds commented, on June 19, 2007 at 9:25 a.m.:

"John Taxpayer", do you write for the Herald? It's easy to assume you do with your spelling. Do you mean "response"? Why would he respond about a personal matter?

#10 Hermosa commented, on June 20, 2007 at 1:48 p.m.:

John Taxpayer and wife always seem to have the answer lets just let them tell everyone what to do and blindly trust them. Im SURE if they were in charge there would be no nepotism or favors for friends. Im sure they would be about as fair and balanced as Joe Karl.

#11 Feel the love commented, on June 22, 2007 at 8:40 a.m.:

WOW, "Inquiring minds" do you have nothing better to do besides edit everyones spelling? This is not an English course! If you are so worried about everyones spelling than maybe you should spend your "Mean spirited" time else where. Loosen up, this is for people to share their views, NOT TO CRITICIZE EVERYONE.Get a life

#12 Editorializing commented, on June 24, 2007 at 5:05 p.m.:

What I see is here is the simple-minded redneck East Tennessee crap that other people laugh at. You people are so backward that your own elected officials get away with screwing you and making it seem like it's in your best interest! What's more, you people seem to love being treated in that manner! The Sevier County government from the 28 Year Mayor right down to the backroom deaing commissioners is a pathetic JOKE. You have nepotism going on and no one questions it - why not? Redneck ignorance! Don't you idiots know that only YOU can change how things are done at the county level?? Or are you so cross-bred that you have a mental blockage making you blind to what's really going on?

#13 Start at the top... commented, on June 24, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.:

When I moved here three years ago, my neighbor told me that "the county commission was, for the most part, corrupt and it would not change until Larry Waters was voted out." How true those words turned out to be. We see the same folks on every committee, folks that are part of the problem, including the new ethics committee. Sad, but true. Wake up folks.

#14 to #12 commented, on June 25, 2007 at 7:20 a.m.:

If you don't like it.....move back up north!!!! Noone's holding you here. Ignorance, idiots, simple-minded rednecks---didn't your mother teach you any manners. If you can't say anything nice, then DON'T say anything at all.

#15 Right!! commented, on June 26, 2007 at 7:33 a.m.:

Thats exactly the trouble, no one says anything at all. These guys are stealing the citizens blind and nobody says anything.

#16 to Right commented, on June 27, 2007 at 7:34 a.m.:

If you have something to say then say it in a constructive manner and in the proper forum. The Seymour Herald isn't it, attend a commissioner meeting and get heard there. Name calling and complaining on this site doesn't get anything done. So the problems remain.....

#17 Brownie commented, on June 27, 2007 at 5 p.m.:

Heck of a job, Keener!