Confusion & a call to end debate – Line-up of next speakers announced, in order: Tim Bruce, Dee Crum & Truman Crum. Then Commissioner Ragsdale is given the floor. Comm. Ragsdale mentions listening to speakers for 3 hours already, how it could get debated “till the end of time,” and asks to get a reading from the other commissioners about whether they’re ready to vote on the issue. Makes a motion to end debate and go ahead with the vote now. Some heated discussion ensues, with audience egging it on. A few minutes later, Comm. Cooper takes voice vote and declares the motion to vote passed, to loud cheering. Comm. DeSelm requests a roll-call vote, which provokes some displeasure from the crowd. Comm. Rogero asks for clarification about, when the school prayer resolution comes up next, whether people will be allowed to speak about that as well. Comm. Cooper basically says yes, but then calls Comm. Rogero out of order, which Comm. Bratton disputes. Comm. Rogero asks how many more people are left on the speakers list who haven’t spoken yet; Comm. Cooper says 27, and the list keeps growing. Calls from crowd: “Vote!” Roll call vote begins, but Comm. DeSelm withdraws her motion for a roll call, and some confusion reigns for several minutes
Video produced by and used with permission from Community Television of Knoxville.
1993 Knox County Commission's anti-gay Resolution 121 (TN) 