Predictably, and true to form, Lenoir City mayor, Tony Aikens, again used the city council meeting to try to clean up another one of his screwy property transactions.

In the last weeks report on another dirty deed deal by the mayor, we learned that he bought a property in 2002, quit claimed it back and forth a couple times then sold it last month. But don't let your lying eyes deceive you.

At last week's council meeting, Aikens wanted to take a minute to "explain something". On the agenda was a request to annex the same parcel of property he had just sold a couple weeks ago. But according to Aikens, a "blogger", that's me, had put out information about the property that was wrong.

Aikens said he actually sold the property back in March of 2019 and offered some documentation to council as evidence. Then he gets real mumbly and says something about he did have a lien on the property. News flash for Aikens, if you hold a lien, you own the property. He then says the owner decided to pay it off.

He did not explain to council how he "quit claimed" the property and got less $$ for it than the county appraisal. Nor did he explain why he had owned the property since 2002 but had never asked for it to be annexed into the city. Of course, the reason he likes to talk trash at council meetings is because he knows he'll never be challenged. If he did get a dollar more than the county appraisal of $135,700.00, then he lied on his swear and affirm line, which is illegal.  

Another new twist to the council agenda, there was no mention that the property was going to be rezoned R-3, 24 units per acre. Nor was there any mention that the new property owner wants to build 5 four-plexes and 3 duplexes and keep the existing house on the property. I'm sure that was just an oversight on Aikens part.

On a high note, true to his word, councilman, Todd Kennedy, voted NO on the annexation and R-3 zoning. Unfortunately, the rest of the Tony crony council fell at the feet of the mayor and gave him what he wanted, no questions asked.

So, let's see, is the mayor right or is the "blogger" right? Did he sell the property March of 2019 or did he sell it March of 2024? Somebody's got to be wrong.

Below is the actual transfer document registered at the Loudon County Register of Deeds Office. I may not be a smart man, but I do know how to read pretty good.

You decide.

Click Here To See Council Video. The mayor's comments begin at the 29:05 mark in the meeting.

Nothing will ever change in Lenoir City until something changes in Lenoir City.