Clement critical of state's security efforts [TN]

Knoxville News-Sentinel ^ | June 5, 2002 | Tom Humphrey

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Clement critical of state's security efforts

Sundquist spokesman calls lawmaker's remarks 'nonsense'

By Tom Humphrey, News-Sentinel Nashville bureau
June 5, 2002

U.S. Rep. Bob Clement, campaigning for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, on Tuesday attacked Gov. Don Sundquist for "ridiculous" shortcomings in the state's homeland security efforts.

However, the man in charge of those security efforts seems somewhat baffled by Clement's remarks and overtures to help him gain security clearance.

But what might be even more baffling is why a former Army brigadier general is still waiting for security clearance from the feds.

Clement's position was labeled as "nonsense" by Justin Wilson, chief deputy governor for policy in the Sundquist administration.

But Clement believes that "we cannot risk the lives of Tennesseans in an effort to balance the budget or simply because no one from the governor's administration could find the time to make the arrangements for a working system."

Clement has written President Bush urging that former Army Brig. Gen. Wendell Gilbert, the state director of homeland security, be promptly given clearance so that he may review sensitive federal documents.

However, Clement hadn't talked to Gilbert before writing his letter.

Gilbert, who also heads the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, said he is "in no way handcuffed or impeded" by the seven-month lack of top-secret security clearance.

"I applied for it, so obviously I think I should have it. But if I thought it was a real problem, I would have been making a lot of noise about it," said Gilbert, who spent 27 years in the Army and previously had top-secret security clearance.

Gilbert has waited eight months for clearance, though eight Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officers - including Director Larry Wallace - have received clearance.

David Jennings, legal counsel for the TBI, told legislators that the clearances were obtained two years earlier, and there has been a backlog of applications since Sept. 11.

But Clement was not appeased.

"Gov. Sundquist claims to have a strong relationship with the White House," Clement said. "But apparently he hasn't bothered to use that influence to get General Gilbert the basic clearance he needs to do his job.

"General Gilbert's hands are tied by bureaucratic red tape and, as a result, Tennessee families and businesses are at risk," Clement said.

Clement also cited reports that the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency lacks a needed computer and communications equipment, estimated to cost about $1 million, and that the state Department of Safety has not yet used $300,000 already provided to conduct background checks on people hauling hazardous materials.

The money was part of a $1.8 million special appropriation to state homeland security in April.

"This problem can't just be blamed on the finances," said Clement. "Some parts of this administration evidently have the money, and they still will not get to work on securing the safety of Tennessee families from terrorist attacks.

"They have the resources to get to work and the administration just cannot seem to get the initiative to get up and do something to make Tennessee families and businesses safer," the congressman said.

Wilson, who returned a call to Sundquist's press office for comment, said Clement's comments were wrong. He noted that Clement's statement referred to Gilbert as having the nickname "Bud" when Bud Gilbert is actually a former state senator, now running for Knoxville mayor.

"Bob Clement is using his congressional staff for his campaign against Don Sundquist for the United States Senate," Wilson said. "This is nonsense, and we not going to respond further to his weekly foolishness."

Last week's "foolishness," Wilson said, was a contention by Clement that Sundquist was threatening to close the Brushy Mountain prison complex in Morgan County to prod state Rep. John Mark Windle, D-Livingston, who represents the county, into supporting a state income tax.

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Tom Humphrey may be reached at 615-242-7782 or humphrey@edge.net.

[archy]

Ping!

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[Nora]

Ya know I could warm up to Clement, if he keeps this going.

[gg188]

Nothing wrong here that an income tax won't cure. I'm surprised Sunquist doesn't jump on the opportunity to AGREE with Clement and say yes, the problem is that we don't have enough money thanks to the greedy horn-honking, talk-radio listeners out there intimidating our lawmakers from doing the right thing.

(Oh wait, I left out LOW LIFE talk radio listeners. Wouldn't want to leave out Naifeh's complete description of those who oppose the income tax.)

[GailA]

Typical Tennessee government. Day late and a dollar short. Nothing an income tax won't cure if you ask boss hogg, prince roach and king don.

[Shermy]

Thanks.

But Clement believes that "we cannot risk the lives of Tennesseans in an effort to balance the budget or simply because no one from the governor's administration could find the time to make the arrangements for a working system."

Perhaps he's referring to the stall in changing the drivers license scam whereby Tenn. earns big bucks issuing licenses to illegals in order to help the budget? More? If he wants to win, he might make this issue clearer, if he hasn't.

I don't believe Gilbert's dismissive comment, and I don't think the writer does either. Sounds all very corrupt. Another article says that Republican Congress candidate Ed Bryant has the same concern as Clement.