So, Knox Sheriff Tom Spangler‘s outside counsel Gary Prince came to the Knox County Merit System for Knox Sheriff Employees Council with a Motion for two members to recuse themselves from three pending Grievance Hearings.
Knoxville Attorney John Valliant who is legal counsel for two of the pending hearings filed a response to the motion to recuse. Knox County Law Department’s Attorney Myers Morton sat quiet, Merit Council Chair Gina Oster stated some facts that she said Morton advised she could do.
Merit System Council Members Jim Wright, Jr., Jim Jennings, Chair Gina Oster. Alternate Member John Marshall is obstructed. Executive Director Paula Taylor and Knox County Law Department Attorney Myers Morton closest to the podium
Merit Council has nothing to do with hiring or firing. All hiring and firing is up solely to Sheriff Tom Spangler.
APPLICANTS/HIRINGS
In 2018, from when Tom Spangler became Sheriff in September the Merit System sent 106 applicants, Spangler hired 60.
In 2019, the Merit System sent 356 applicants, Spangler hired 129.
In 2020, the Merit System sent 496 applicants, Spangler hired 176.
In 2021 255 plus applicants, 10 patrol applicants, Spangler hired 93.
The Merit System has handled 1,223 applications since Tom Spangler took office.
Sheriffs Department Departures
422 employees have left Knox County Sheriffs Department since Tom Spangler became Sheriff.
Request of Knox Sheriffs Office and Actions by Council
A review of all the minutes of the Merit System Council from June 27, 2018 until June 23, 2021 ALL Requests by Sheriff and the Sheriffs HR Department have been approved. Sheriffs HR Department asked to lower the age for applicants for Corrections Officers to 18. The Merit Council lowered it to 19.
Grievances
From 1992 2012 there were 12 (TWELVE) Grievances
In the last two years with Sheriff Tom Spangler there have been 7 (SEVEN) Grievances.
You can watch the entire meeting here from my YouTube page or below
those in attendance included Ken Lay, Reporter for Fountain City Focus, Jesse Fox Mayshark of Compass Knox, CTVKnox, myself and three from Knox Sheriffs Department Jeff Smith, Bernie Lyon and Wes Norris.
Attorney Gary Prince talking to Bernie Lyon
