Here's the August update for Knox County!
***THANK YOU to our many new supporters donating to our campaign for Knox County Mayor! We continue to work hard toward our goal since our announcement in May. If you would like more details on our campaign or missed our announcement you can view it at ElectBobThomas.com.
***On Tuesday, August 16th I have the honor of speaking at the Knox County Young Republicans Club. It starts at 6:30 at the Chick-fil-A at 4944 Kingston Pike in Bearden. Come out and say hello!
***On Thursday, August 18th the final Third Thursday Concerts at New Harvest Park starts at 6:30p with the Blue J's followed by Mae Beth Harris at 7:30. I will be there along with WIVK's Jimmy Holt from the Andy & Allison Show as the MC. The park is located at 4775 New Harvest Lane off Washington in Northeast Knox County. Come out and hear some great music and it's all FREE!
***I am on the Knox County Health Department's National Association of Counties Health Learning Challenge Committee. The NACo National Convention was in July in Long Beach, CA where we unveiled our group's video which I hosted. This committee is the recipient of a grant that made our work possible. I went to Long Beach and spoke before the committee as well as attending other informative meetings. In particular the session that concerned the mentally ill in our jails. No Knox County funds were used. Expenses were covered by the grant or I paid for them myself.
***Tuesday, August 30th join me on the riverboat "The Star of Knoxville" as I am one of the Celebrity poker players with the "Cards for Kids" fundraiser for Children's Hospital. It will be a fun night! Help sponsor me or buy a ticket to join us by clicking here: https://www.etch.com/giving/cards/
***Groundbreaking for the new Plumb Creek Park will be Wednesday, August 24th at 10am. I serve on the Knox County Parks and Recreation Board and am very excited to get this project started in the Ball Camp area. The address is 1517 Hickey Rd.
***Swearing in of the newly-elected Knox County Officials will be Thursday, September 1st at 9:00am in the Main Assembly Room at the City County Building. There is usually a brief reception immediately following the ceremony in the Small Assembly Room.
***The reorganization of Knox County Commission is tentatively set for Thursday, September 8th, but this has not been set in stone and may change. If it does happen it should be at 9:00am in the Main Assembly Room at the City County Building. This is when the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the following 12 months will be elected. Also standing committee appointments will be made as well. A definite date will be set in the August work session.
***The annual Zoo Knoxville "Feast with the Beasts" event is this Saturday, August 13th from 7p-11p. Details and tickets can be found here: https://www.zooknoxville.org/event/feast-with-the-beast/
***Knoxville's favorite son, Con Hunley will be in concert with Janie Fricke Friday night, August 26th at the Country Tonight Theater in Pigeon Forge. Tickets and details available here: http://www.countrytonitepf.com/celebrity-shows/
***Labor Day weekend will start early this year with the Thursday night football game between Tennessee and Appalachian State at Neyland Stadium. Game time is 7:00pm.
In Commission news...
On Monday, August 15th at 5:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold its monthly workshop in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.
On Monday, August 22nd 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 that day, the Knox County Commission Beer Board will meet at 4pm. The regular Commission will begin at 5pm followed by Zoning at 7pm. All meetings will take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. At 4:30 there will a reception and show of appreciation for outgoing Commissioners Sam McKenzie, Amy Broyles, Jeff Ownby and Mike Brown.
The items that are coming before Commission for August include 11 school resolutions and 11 from Engineering and Public Works. There is one resolution for a TIF from KCDC and five zoning issues this month. Some that stand out are:
1. Consideration of an agreement with the Navy for the establishment of a ROTC program at West High School.
2. Consideration of school grants from the Tennessee Department of Education for over $400,000.
3. Consideration of approving contracts for resurfacing of roads in East and South Knox County at a cost of over $1.3M with 98% of the funding coming from TDOT.
4. Consideration of approval for tax increment financing in the redevelopment of the old Pryor Brown Garage by Dover development. This property is the first going through the approval process by an independent third party with expertise in this type of financing. They make an assessment of whether the property deserves any assistance for redevelopment and how much assistance is needed. This assists Commission in making decisions about a complicated issue.
Should you or any
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
Dogwood Arts Festival Board
Young-Williams Animal Center Board
American Cancer Society Board
Arts & Culture Alliance Board
