http://www.metropulse.com/news/columns/knoxville-issues/insights/?partner=RSSMetroPulse Stories: Insights by Joe Sullivanen-uscolumns/knoxville-issues/insightshttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/may/15/can-downtown-knoxville-sustain-its-growth-new-cons/?partner=RSSFor all the entrepreneurial economic development that’s revitalized downtown Knoxville since the turn of the century, about the only new buildings to go up have emanated from the public sector. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 15 May 2013 14:26:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-26024-735003columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNCan Downtown Knoxville Sustain its Growth With New Construction?MetroPulsecan-downtown-knoxville-sustain-its-growth-new-consurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-26024-735003Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/may/01/new-developments-gay-street-getting-full/?partner=RSSThe time could be at hand for Gay Street’s missing teeth to get filled in, restoring a full smile to downtown’s signature thoroughfare. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 01 May 2013 14:26:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25975-734994columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNNew Developments: Gay Street is Getting FullMetroPulsenew-developments-gay-street-getting-fullurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25975-734989Change734994Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/24/letter-critical-mass/?partner=RSSMoffett: I was especially interested as I was project designer for that three building complex—the Holiday Inn, the convention/ exhibition center and the office building—with consultation from the lead designer of Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25952-734982columns/knoxville-issues/insightsStaff WriterKnoxville, TNLetter: Critical MassMetroPulseletter-critical-massurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25952-734982Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/10/haslams-bold-health-care-gambit-may-result-better/?partner=RSSAnyone who doubts Gov. Bill Haslam’s sincerity in seeking to provide high-quality health care coverage to low-income Tennesseans has another think coming. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:43:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25874-734968columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNHaslam's Bold Health Care Gambit May Result in a Better Plan—if it WorksMetroPulsehaslams-bold-health-care-gambit-may-result-betterurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25874-734968Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/apr/03/heading-upscale-knoxvilles-convention-center-gets/?partner=RSSTo the extent it’s possible to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, Nick Cazana’s plans for converting the drab state office building on Henley Street into a sleek hotel will succeed in doing so. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:13:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25862-734961columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNHeading Upscale: Knoxville's Convention Center Gets a Posh Hotel BoostMetroPulseheading-upscale-knoxvilles-convention-center-getsurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25862-734961Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/20/empty-seat-knox-county-commissioner-dave-wright-us/?partner=RSSI’ve criticized or poked fun at lots of elected officials in this column over the years, but I’ve never before singled one out for ridicule. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:52:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25811-734947columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNEmpty Seat: Knox County Commissioner Dave Wright is Usually WrongMetroPulseempty-seat-knox-county-commissioner-dave-wright-usurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25811-734947Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/mar/06/land-opportunity-making-most-lakeshores-acquisitio/?partner=RSSNow that the city of Knoxville is completing acquisition of the site of the former Lakeshore Mental Health Institute, a big question becomes how to make the most of its magnificent 186-acre campus bordering Fort Loudoun Lake in West Knoxville. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:43:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25749-734933columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNLand of Opportunity: Making the Most of Lakeshore's AcquisitionMetroPulseland-opportunity-making-most-lakeshores-acquisitiourn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25749-734933Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/feb/20/lockdown-school-security-needs-fortification-not-r/?partner=RSSRecent revelations of security system deficiencies at two Knox County schools need to be put in the rear view mirror, and the school system needs to move ahead with doing exactly what Superintendent Jim McIntyre called for in his Feb. 5 State of the Schools address. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25696-734919columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNLockdown: School Security Needs Fortification, Not RecriminationMetroPulselockdown-school-security-needs-fortification-not-rurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25696-734919Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/feb/06/misfires-tennessees-gun-control-deficiencies-and-a/?partner=RSSOne gun control measure strongly favored by public opinion and supported by the National Rifle Association would require background checks on all gun purchases. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25645-734905columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNMisfires: Tennessee's Gun-Control Deficiencies and AnomaliesMetroPulsemisfires-tennessees-gun-control-deficiencies-and-aurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25645-734905Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/jan/23/safety-center-mcnabb-center-how-best-improve-knoxv/?partner=RSSSome 5,000 calls a month pour into Helen Ross McNabb Center’s 24/7 crisis service lines. They come from distressed individuals, their family members, hospital emergency rooms, and law enforcement officers. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25595-734891columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNSafety Center? McNabb Center! How Best to Improve Knoxville's Mental Health Crisis ServicesMetroPulsesafety-center-mcnabb-center-how-best-improve-knoxvurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25595-734891Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2013/jan/09/electoral-exit-presidents-should-be-elected-popula/?partner=RSSBarack Obama won the 2012 presidential election with nearly five million more popular votes than Mitt Romney and a resounding electoral vote majority of 332 to 206. But was his electoral vote victory necessarily so clear? Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:36:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25534-734877columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNElectoral Exit: Presidents Should Be Elected by Popular VoteMetroPulseelectoral-exit-presidents-should-be-elected-populaurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25534-734877Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/dec/26/new-billboards-knox-county-should-be-banned/?partner=RSSCounty Commissioner Richard Briggs is spearheading an effort to make the ban permanent and also prohibit any more conversions. After holding hearings and a workshop, Commission is due to act on Briggs’ proposed amendments to the county’s zoning ordinance in January, and there seems to be a consensus that the number of billboards should be capped. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25492-734863columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNNew Billboards in Knox County Should Be Banned MetroPulsenew-billboards-knox-county-should-be-bannedurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25492-734863Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/dec/12/rookie-standout-pension-reforms-highlight-rogeros/?partner=RSSMadeline Rogero has accomplished a lot during her first year as mayor of Knoxville, but when asked what she considers most significant, she’s quick to single out her overhaul of the city’s pension plan. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25451-734850columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNRookie Standout: Pension Reforms Highlight Rogero's First Year as MayorMetroPulserookie-standout-pension-reforms-highlight-rogerosurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25451-734849Change734850Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/nov/28/sec-sec-sec-conference-tv-revenue-bonanza-will-bol/?partner=RSSEven if the University of Tennessee’s football fortunes continue to flounder, its Athletic Department’s financial future appears secure. Its saving grace is UT’s membership in the Southeastern Conference and the bonanza of football TV revenues the conference promises to garner for its members when the new national championship playoff scheme and bowl alignments kick in two years from now. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25400-734835columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNA Conference TV Revenue Bonanza Will Bolster UT's Athletic BudgetMetroPulsesec-sec-sec-conference-tv-revenue-bonanza-will-bolurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25400-734835Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/nov/07/overtime-college-football-games-last-too-long/?partner=RSSI’ve been a lifelong college football fan, but at this stage of my life the games have gotten too long for me. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25312-734814columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNOvertime: College Football Games Last Too LongMetroPulseovertime-college-football-games-last-too-longurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25312-734814Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/oct/31/product-development-devising-new-tourism-brand-kno/?partner=RSSIt’s got a new name and a new lease on life, but it remains to be seen how well the organization now known as Visit Knoxville can deliver on its imperative. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:18:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25275-734807columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNProduct Development: Devising a New Tourism Brand for KnoxvilleMetroPulseproduct-development-devising-new-tourism-brand-knourn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25275-734807Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/oct/17/trying-be-neutral-assaying-county-commissions-surp/?partner=RSSWhen, to the surprise of nearly everyone, including himself, Tony Norman was elected chairman of the Knox County Commission in September, it appeared to give impetus to his effort to strike back against forces that had provoked him as a commissioner, especially the Knoxville Chamber. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:43:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25203-734793columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNTrying to be Neutral: Assaying County Commission's Surprise New Chairman, Tony NormanMetroPulsetrying-be-neutral-assaying-county-commissions-surpurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25203-734793Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/oct/03/subgroup-improvement-closing-achievement-gaps-knox/?partner=RSSI have been impressed with the Knox County school system and its leadership since Jim McIntyre became superintendent in 2008. So I was surprised that the McIntyre-led system failed to make a list of 21 “Exemplary School Districts” recently announced by the state Department of Education. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:37:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25152-734779columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNSubgroup Improvement: Closing Achievement "Gaps" in Knox SchoolsMetroPulsesubgroup-improvement-closing-achievement-gaps-knoxurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25152-734779Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/sep/19/avoiding-plunge-congress-appears-be-taking-us-towa/?partner=RSSIt’s hard to believe that Congress will allow the U.S. economy to go over the fiscal cliff that’s looming at year’s end. Yet given this Congress’ oft demonstrated dysfunctionality, it’s hard to have any confidence that the dire consequences of inaction will be averted. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:44:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25096-734765columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNAvoiding the Plunge: Congress Appears to be Taking Us Toward a Fiscal CliffMetroPulseavoiding-plunge-congress-appears-be-taking-us-towaurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25096-734765Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/sep/05/new-alliance-launching-tennessee-health-insurance/?partner=RSSWhen Jerry Burgess founded the HealthCare 21 Business Coalition in 1997, his mission was to help companies in the Knoxville area and beyond better manage their health benefits, with an emphasis on employee wellness and maximizing health plan value. Sullivan@MetroPulse.com (Joe Sullivan)Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:29:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25034-734751columns/knoxville-issues/insightsJoe SullivanKnoxville, TNA New Alliance: Launching a Tennessee Health Insurance Co-opMetroPulsenew-alliance-launching-tennessee-health-insuranceurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-25034-734751Change0Usable