WWE BENOIT

Hi All: I'm Len Assante, and

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 20:31.

Hi All:
I'm Len Assante, and first off, thanks for mentioning me here. The original post and comment raise a few of good points, which I'd like to address.

1) I've gone back and forth about mentioning the Aegis connection to WWE and the Benoit case. While it is irrelevant to Senator Black's job performance as a state senator, the fact that TN has contracts with this company is relevant.

2) Also relevant is that Sen. Black has, at least indirectly, gained income from the state's relationship with Aegis. Senator Black certainly has not broken any laws here, but it is information relevant to making a decision about whether to vote for her for re-election.

3) The subtle jab at the media for not further reporting this, to me, is just as big a point as any other part of the column. In many cases, our public officials are not under much scrutiny from local media, and this is of concern to me.

I am new to the columnist game, and if I stepped over any lines, I do apologize. But, Sen. Black's record as Senator and as then-Vice Chair of Senate General Welfare is public record and open to scrutiny