county’s first building inspector approved

Seymour Herald/Joe Karl

Chirstopher Jenkins, new Sevier County Building Inspector

published: February 20 2008 01:37 PM updated:: February 20 2008 02:42 PM

Sevier County has hired its first head building inspector at the county commission meeting Monday evening. With the exception of Commissioner Jimbo Conner, the vote was unanimous.

Christopher Jenkins, owner of Diamond J. Construction, has been building and remodeling homes for the past several years.

Prior to the commission’s vote, several members of the public opposed the Jenkins appointment stating, among other concerns, Jenkins didn’t hold a contractor’s license.

John Meyers, addressing the board stated, “The only license I’ve been able to find for the candidate (Jenkins) was one of a security guard several years ago. He has no experience as a building inspector in an official capacity and as far as I can tell, he has no experience supervising building inspectors.”

Meyers went on to state that he felt the Building Director should have experience working in a building department. Meyer’s claims Jenkins has no experience setting up a building department or any other department in any county government.

Jenkins claims he has ample experience and knows the ropes of proper building thru his experience as a developer.

Mayor Waters told the Seymour Herald, “We advertised the position for one week and out of eight applicants, the committee decided on Chris.”

Comments may take up to 10 minutes to appear due to site cache.

User Comments

#1 Sad day for taxpayers commented, on February 20, 2008 at 9:31 p.m.:

"The committee decided on Chris." Yeah right!! Nobody but Larry Waters decided on Chris. Several of the commissioners stated AFTER the meeting that they still had not seen Chris's resume. There was a committee in name only -Larry chose his buddy Chris just like he chooses every other nominee for any appointment in the county. It might be OK if the chosen one actually had at least some minimum qualifications. When one of Larry's nominee's (as usual) doesn't have any qualifications and are chosen "by committee" over others that actually do have some good qualifications, it is embarrissing to every honest person in the county. I don't know how Larry keeps selling this junk to the commission. You would think a few of the more honest commissioners would wake up and say something. Some of the applicants actually had experience setting up just such a building inspection department before. The taxpayers loose out again and Warren Hurst and Larry have another unqualified friend and/or family member on the citizens payroll. Sad to see.

#2 County Accountability commented, on February 21, 2008 at 2:53 p.m.:

Is there any way to publish the resumes of all 8 individuals so that the citizenry can see what has been passed over?

#3 Larry's Friend commented, on February 21, 2008 at 6:07 p.m.:

The commissioners should be ashamed of themselves for choosing this man to lead the building inspection department. It would be laughable except that ALL the county taxpayers will suffer, especially the good builders that will have to deal with him. For the commissioners to vote yes on accepting this appointment from Larry Waters reflects very poorly on each and every commissioner. Be honest, look at the mans' resume; he has NO experience. There is no way the mayor can defend this selection.

#4 John A. Meyers commented, on February 21, 2008 at 7:06 p.m.:

I spoke with Mayor Waters and Asst. Mayor Henry. According to them, of the 8 resumes, 2 had previous qualifications but they (I believe) refused the job. It seems that the Mayor had to "settle" for Mr. Jenkins. Too bad he has never inspected a building. He's never had a contractors license and he has no qualifications as a building inspector.

I was mistakenly told by two people that he was related to Warren Hurst. I was wrong and I apologize for my misinformation.

#5 Rush to Problems commented, on February 21, 2008 at 7:42 p.m.:

You don't "settle" for a bad candidate, you re-open the position and advertise it again. This is exactly how the county got stuck with our current underwhelming staff. Why multiply the wrong? Take the time and get it right the first time. We haven't had a building inspector for thirty years, I think the taxpayers would wait another few weeks for a good, qualified candidate to be selected. Our commissioners have shown they can be pretty patient- such as with the Saratoga Study, they have been studying it for almost two years now and still haven't made any decisions.

#6 CJ commented, on February 21, 2008 at 7:47 p.m.:

Yeah, I wouldn't admit to being related to Warren either.

#7 What Codes commented, on February 22, 2008 at 9:29 a.m.:

Has Sevier County decided which codes to adopt? The job should require a licensed structural engineer or architect for the department chief.

#8 Guess Again commented, on February 22, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.:

Guess it's all in Larry's unwrtten codes manual. Wonder how that compares to Chris' unwritten codes manual? They can figure that out as they go like they do with all the rest of the rules and regulations in the county. You know some folks require more regulating than others.

#9 FormerEagle commented, on February 22, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.:

Chris was an All East Tennessee defensive end graduated in the top 10% at Seymour High School in 1990, he went on to play football and earn his degree. I also think he earned All Confrence honors at Maryville. He is a smart guy and I'm sure his political ties help get him his job but lets just see how he does, he is a very capable man. I've haven't spoken to him in a long time but I think he couldl do O.K.

#10 Stretched Taxpayer commented, on February 22, 2008 at 6:54 p.m.:

"Just wait and see how he does" is exactly how we got so many unqualified people working in our county government right now? Why should the taxpayers accept or support unqualified people with political connections struggeling to do a professional job? Get it right the first time. What part of UNQULALIFIED don't you understand? Being a nice guy or demonstrating football greatness doesn't figure into the equation.

#11 9T29 commented, on February 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.:

He's a smart guy, alot of companies hire people and then send them to school, i'm not saying how he got his job is right and thats he's even qualified, i'm just saying give him some time and lets see how he does, if he's not a yes man which he has never been in the past he may do a good job. I was just giving a little back ground on him, he is a college graduate which is more than I can say for 75% of any of our county goverment employees baring teachers.

#12 B3T6 commented, on February 22, 2008 at 8:35 p.m.:

Larry makes lifetime appointments then your assistant takes over- unless you go to jail first. If he had a "trial period" in his contract it might be better but who is going to vote on his progress - the same people that hired him? It's cronyism and it is unethical and wrong and it needs to stop. Will it stop with the next appointee, or the next? You are helping to pay an unqualified man's salary. That might not bother you but it does me. Sevier County obviously hasn't sent any current employees to school, why would they start now?

#13 My2centsworth commented, on February 22, 2008 at 9:13 p.m.:

There are plenty of county employees that do good work and are great people, not every teacher, cop, paramedic, office person, garbage truck driver, elected or apponted employee do a bad job. Now some are awful and need to be replaced but not all.

#14 John A. Meyers commented, on February 22, 2008 at 11:24 p.m.:

My wife is a wonderful person. Smart, Beautiful and Nice.

She's not qualified to be my doctor, though.