The “I have a tear” speech from Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale
By now most people in Knox County and the surrounding counties have learned of the incredible turnaround that happened in the Knox County Commission meeting on Monday. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale gave his best Bill Clinton “I have a tear” speech complete with pained emotion and the carefully picked words, “Let’s pull it back together. Let’s get some things done. We’ll work with you. We’ll work with Mr. Cosby. We’ll do the best we can.”
Mayor Ragsdale then inexplicably took all of the good will he had just made and forever destroyed it with one word. As concerned taxpayer Lewis Cosby was speaking at the podium in the Public Forum Mayor Ragsdale turned his head to Cosby and softly said, “Showboat.” Cosby and the audience was stunned. Cosby turned to Ragsdale and asked, “A showboat, what did you just say?” Then Cosby shook his head in disgust and said “Incredible.”
You can see the entire episode on YouTube Channel Nine or on the WBIR website. Most people believe it is not possible for Mayor Ragsdale to run for Governor. Yet three years is a long time.
Does insincerity disqualify a politician from higher office? Some people think so.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Contempt for the served appears to be a common denominator among our servants.
September 1st, 2007 at 10:15 am
Arrogant and stupid. I can’t even stand the sight of him any more.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:20 pm
You will not believe this. WBIR reports that Mike Ragsdale spent $51,000 last year for food and booze.
What was the budget for food and booze? $5,000.
Ragsdale and his people spent a grand a week of the taxpayers money so they could live high on the hog.
But wait, there’s more. Ragsdale and five others went to a restaurant in Sevierville and ordered 17 entrees. In the world of the “Rich and Famous” it is called “sampling”. They also ordered appetizers.
What they didn’t eat they took home.
This placed didn’t serve booze and the bill was still over $800. They left a huge tip. A millionaire Mayor with billionaire tastes paid for by the taxpayers.
But he reads to children so it’s all good.