This story is not so much about that particular issue but to discuss the actions of some at the meeting. In attendance were several residents of the Allenbrook subdivision, Lenoir City mayor, Tony Aikens, Lenoir City councilwoman Jennifer Wampler, councilmen Jim Shields, and James Brandon. Everyone in attendance was given an opportunity to address the commission at the beginning of the meeting. Mayor Aikens and others did in fact speak to the Allenbrook matter.

At the end of the public speaking time, commissioners began to discuss and debate the merits of the county paying to pave city streets. There were differences of opinions as commissioners debated. During this time, several folks in the audience spoke out in an effort to be a part of the commissioner's discussion even though the public comment time had passed. This is expected and permitted from time to time from citizens who may not be familiar meeting protocols but it's not expected from other elected officials who are very familiar meeting protocols.

Throughout the meeting, Mayor Aikens and councilwoman Wampler continuously and disrespectfully injected themselves into the meeting discussions as though we were at a city council meeting. At one point Ms. Wampler and Mayor Aikens tried to tell commissioners they couldn't vote on a certain issue, Ms. Wampler even stating that commissioners didn't know what they were doing.

At first I thought this to be just plain rudeness then it dawned on me, they didn't understand what was going on. They aren't familiar with elected officials having dissenting and different viewpoints much less not voting in lockstep. In Lenoir City council meetings, "NO" votes are rare, very rare. In Lenoir City meetings, voting "NO" just about never happens.

I went back just to see how many "NO" votes were cast over the last two years, 2017 and 2018. Looking at their meeting minutes, there hasn't been a "NO" vote by a single councilperson in at least two years. In 2017, with 187 different votes, there was not a single "NO" vote on anything. One time, Bobby Johnson Sr. abstained from one vote, the Rain Tax vote. In 2018, with 158 different votes, Bobby Johnson Sr. PASSED on one vote, the vote to kick Earlena Maples off the city council election ballot.

But things could be changing, this past January,  both Bobby Johnson, Sr. and newly elected councilman James Brandon both voted a big fat "NO" on Mayor Aikens proposal to eliminate the Parks and Rec director position. Think of that, two councilman voting "NO". Unheard of.

So I guess county commissioners can give the mayor and councilwoman a pass this time. They were just confused about something they've rarely seen.

Forgive them Mr. Chairman, for they know not what they do.