It's May and a LOT is going on in Knox County!
***SAVE THE DATE! Join me for an Old Fashion "Baloney Cutting" THIS Wednesday, May 11th at Powell Auction on Pleasant Ridge Road. It all starts at 11:30a to 1p with thick-cut baloney sandwiches, Moon Pies & RC Colas. There will be music by the Chillibillies and "Uncle" Phil Leadbetter. Sammy "Barney Fife" Sawyer will be greeting the crowd. It's all FREE and I will be making an announcement that day. Bring your co-workers, your family and your friends. DON'T MISS IT!
***The Ed & Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County for May is May 18th in Happy Hollar! Join us from 5p-7p at the Time Warp Tea Room, 1209 North Central, 37917. Ed and I feel that going out to the people eases the strain on those who,
because of work, commitments, financial situation or the distance to the
City-County Building, cannot attend regular commission meetings. All elected
officials, media and public are welcome to attend. This is not a commission
meeting. There is no agenda. There will be no votes taken. But while you're
there enjoy a gamut of
drink selections, including gourmet coffee, tea, chai, hot chocolate, and
smoothies along with homemade cookies, tea cakes, and brownies. http://www.timewarpvmc.org/Tea_Room.htm
***I will be the Guest Speaker at the Ft. City Rotary Club, Thursday, June 9th at Litton's Restaurant. https://www.facebook.com/NorthKnoxRotary/
***On Thursday, May12th from 6:00p-8:00p, The Poppy Project will take place at the Botanical Gardens located at 2743 Wimpole Avenue, 37914. This is a celebration of the new Welcome Center.
***On Friday, May 13th the Knoxville Chamber presents the Pinnacle Awards honoring the outstanding businesses of Knoxville and surrounding area. It takes place at the Knoxville Convention Center beginning at 7:00pm. For more details click here: http://www.knoxvillechamber.com/pinnacle
***Open Streets Knoxville is back Sunday May 15th from 1:00p - 6:00p. It's your chance to play in the street! Details here: http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=109562&pageId=3127475
***The Knoxville Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be Wednesday, May 18th at 10:00am at the Mary Costa plaza behind the Civic Coliseum.
***The Annual "Honor Fountain City Day" will be on Memorial Day, May 30th from 10a-4p at Ft. City Park with lots of fun, food and music. The local Community Awards will be at 3:00pm at the Gazebo. More details here: http://fountaincitytownhall.org/honor.aspx
***It was my honor to serve as the host of the John J. Duncan, Sr. Senior Advacy Awards at Hunter Valley Farms on May 5th. The program put together by the Senior Citizens Information & Referral Service was outstanding. It was great to see my childhood friend and the awards namesake's daughter, Senator Becky Duncan Massey there to present the awards. For more information about SCIRS click here: http://www.knoxseniors.org/scirs.html
***The second monthly Knox County School Bus Safety awards will be Wednesday, May 18th. Ted Russell Ford and WIVK are sponsoring the awards. The presentation will begin at 11:00am at Ted Russell Ford on Kingston Pike with five drivers who have been graded with excellent marks. Each will be presented a $100 check from Andy White the owner of Ted Russell Ford.
***The Dogwood Arts Festival was a great success! I sit on the Board of the Dogwood Arts Festival and I am constantly impressed by the hard work of the seven staff members and the 100's of volunteers.
***The Annual Vestival South Knox Arts & Heritage Festival was Saturday, May 7th from 11a-7p at the Historic Candoro Marble Building in Vestal. There was live music, arts, dance, children's activities and lots of fun had by all!
In Commission news...
On Monday, May 9th at 9:00am Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will present his budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It will be in the Main Assembly Room at the City County Building before Knox County Commission and any public that would like to attend.
On Monday, May 16th at 4:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold a workshop on the Mayor's budget. This will take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. At 5:00pm the normal monthly workshop will take place followed by a public hearing on the Mayor's budget at 6:30pm. All citizens are urged to attend to voice their concerns.
On Monday, May 23rd at 1pm the Knox County Pension and Retirement Board will meet on the 6th floor of the City County Building in the Commission Conference Room. I am on that board and will be present. Also on May 23rd, the Knox County Commission will meet beginning at 4pm with the Beer Board, regular Commission at 5pm followed by Zoning at 7pm. All meetings will take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.
Among items of interest being considered this month:
1. Top of the list is the discussion of Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett's budget.
2. Various Knox County Schools' funding resolutions totaling over $35M. These items can be questioned, but all items from the KC School Board do not have to pass Commission to be approved. By law it is just a formality.
3. Resolution approving the acceptance of $27,962.80 from the Rocky Hill PTO for purchase and installation of sod and new playground equipment. Thank you parents!
4. Resolution of acceptance of a construction contract for improvements at Gleason Road and Ebenezer Road.
5. Resolution of acceptance of a construction contract for sidewalk improvements at Powell Middle School.
6. Resolution of acceptance of a survey and design project construction contract for improvements at Canton Hollow Road.
7. Resolution approving a Grant Contract between State of TN, Department of Health and the Knox County Government for TennCare Kids Outreach Services in the amount of $1,052,900.
In zoning after the 30 day delay of a sector plan amendment and zoning change by Dr. Kerri Bentley the item will be back on the agenda. This was delayed to give time for all concerned to discuss the various issues that were raised last month. I am sure we will again discuss this in great length, but I have no desire to approve changes in community zoning when the residents don't want the changes.
Should you or any Knox County resident need assistance from Knox County government, please contact me at:
Bob.Thomas@KnoxCounty.org or 865-309-4364
Vice Chairman, Knox County Commission
Chairman, Knox County Disability Committee
Knox County Development Corp Board
Knox County Pension & Retirement Committee
Knox County Parks & Recreation Board
Metro Drug Coalition
Dogwood Arts Festival Board
Young-Williams Animal Center Board
American Cancer Society Board
Arts & Culture Alliance Board
