Scruffy Little Essays

In 2007, the local newspaper in Knoxville, Tennessee, ran a contest to select Community Columnists to write monthly opinion columns on regional issues of importance and concern to citizens in the Greater Knoxville area.At the urging of my wife, Lisa, I submitted an entry, and the editors of the Knoxville News Sentinel selected me as one of eight finalists from nearly 100 submissions. With a circulation of over 150,000 subscribers, I embraced both the excitement and nervousness that such a large readership might induce. I had never expressed my written opinions on such a scale before. This book is a collection of the twelve essays I wrote for this opportunity from 2007 to 2008, along with commentary about my experience. I also include some additional essays that have yet to be published.My hope is that the reader will gain insight into Knoxville politics and history and be challenged to become a writer, too.