October 2016 Knox County Schools Bus Driver Safety Awards

(Wednesday, October 19th, 2016) The Knox County Schools Bus Driver Safety Awards were held this morning at Ted Russell Ford, 8551 Kingston Pike. Here are some facts:

1. There are approximately 375 Knox County School bus drivers
2. They drive 20,000 miles A DAY! That's like driving from Knoxville to Los Angeles and then BACK to Knoxville - FIVE TIMES...in ONE day. And all in rush hour.
3. There are a lot of drivers that do it right each and every day.

 

 The Knox County School Bus driver Safety Awards at Ted Russell Ford on Kingston Pike begin.

 

Andy White, the owner of Ted Russell Ford addresses the crowd.

 (From left to right) driver Stephen Cauthen, Andy White owner of Ted Russell, driver Tegwyn Pryse, driver George Jefferies, driver Frank Overton, Knox County Schools Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas, driver Greg Gentry, WIVK mascot Wivik the Frog and Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas)

The drivers that were honored this month are:

1. Stephen Cauthen, drives bus 243 at Farragut Primary, Middle School and High School for the contractor BLJ. He has driven for 5 years.
2. Greg Gentry, drives bus 126 at Christenberry for Gentry Bus Lines. He has driven for 38 years.
3. George Jefferies, drives bus 206 at Shannondale for Lynch Buses. He has driven for 14 years.
4. Frank Overton, drives bus 245 at Halls Middle School. He has driven for 5 years.
5. Tegwyn Pryse, drives bus 227 at Farragut Intermediate and Primary Schools. She has driven for 10 years.

Collectively, these drivers have over 72 years of experience driving a school bus!

The awards are sponsored by Ted Russell Ford and WIVK 107.7. They each received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Knox County Schools and a $100 check from Andy White the owner of Ted Russell Ford. Congratulations drivers and job well done!

There are many great school bus drivers in Knox County and this is one small way we can show them our appreciation. The next presentation will be in November. If you have any questions please contact me.

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
Seat 10 At-Large Commissioner of Knox County Commission
Chairman, Knox County Cable TV Committee
Chairman, Knox County Disability Committee
Knox County Development Corp Board
Knox County Pension & Retirement Committee
Knox County Parks & Recreation Board
Metro Drug Coalition Board
Dogwood Arts Festival Board
Young-Williams Animal Center Board
American Cancer Society Board
Arts & Culture Alliance Board
Community Television Board
Thompson-Boling Arena Use Committee

October Update

October update for Knox County!

 ***This past month we added many new supporters and donors to our campaign! Another month went by quickly. 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.

***Early voting begins Wednesday, October 19th and ends November 3rd. Get out to vote and talk to your neighbors! VOTE Republican! Make sure we put someone in the White House that will place the right people on the Supreme Court.

***This month's Knox County School Bus Safety awards will be Wednesday, October 19th presented by Ted Russell Ford and WIVK. The presentation will begin at 11:00am at Ted Russell Ford at 8551 Kingston Pike. Five drivers who have been graded with excellent marks will be presented a $100 check from Andy White the owner of Ted Russell Ford, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Knox County School System and a prize package from WIVK.

 ***On Thursday, October 20th, our Ed & Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be 5-7p at Jackie's Dream, 2223 McCalla Avenue in East Knoxville. Come out and say hello and let Ed and I know your concerns and join us for some of Jackie's "Hot Chicken!" https://www.facebook.com/JackiesDream2223McCallaAve/

***It was my honor to be selected to join the Knoxville Airport Authority's Aviation Academy. Over five weeks we are learning all the "behind the scenes" activities that make McGhee Tyson Airport and Island Home Airport serve you best.

***I am very proud to be part of the National Association of Counties Health Learning Challenge and to host the video of our presentation to make counties across America healthier. You can view the video here: https://www.facebook.com/KnoxCountyHealthDepartment/videos/10157460684330471/


***I am honored to be a member of the Arts and Culture Alliance Board that hosted the "Dinner on the Bridge" October 2nd to celebrate Knoxville's 225th birthday. Closing the Gay Street bridge for dinner and music was a tremendous success in marking this festive occasion, as well as raising funds and awareness for our artist community.

***Saturday, October 1st I visited the annual Greekfest to kick off October. Great food, music and fun. Everyone should put this event on their "Must Do" list.

***I was proud to be the guest stadium announcer at the September 30th Central Bobcat football game. It was Homecoming on a beautiful fall-like night.

***Saturday, October 22n the Annual Five Points Clean-Up takes place from 9a-Noon. The event kicks off at the Harvest Center Plaza parking lot, 2410 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Join me as we clean the East Knoxville community. We will meet at Harvest Center Plaza and then disperse into the neighborhoods to pick up litter. Snacks and beverages and the use of cleanup tools, gloves and supplies will be provided to participants at no cost.  I encourage everyone to come out and help. The group’s mission is to unify and beautify East Knoxville through increased community engagement and community pride. 

***On Friday, October 28th the Clarence Brown Theater presents the opening night of "This is our Youth." Performances will run through November 13th. For more details visit http://clarencebrowntheatre.com/.

***Halloween is on Monday, October 31st. We will still be in Daylight Savings Time but make sure you are extra careful driving through neighborhoods that night as "Trick or Treaters" will be out in force.

***I am part of the planning for the biggest and best adult costume party! It's the Young-Williams Animal Center's "Howl-O-Ween" Friday, October 28th at the Jackson Terminal. 
The bash features live music by The Coveralls, a costume contest, a taco bar, moonshine tasting, wine, beer, a candy bar and some howling surprises. Tickets are $45.00. I am a Board Member of YWAC and assure you that all money raised will help provide medical care for our pets, offset facility costs, and public spay and neuter surgeries for low income families. Get your tickets and more information here: http://www.young-williams.org/blog/2016/10/06/join-us-for-howl-o-ween/

***Sunday, November 6th Daylights Savings Time ENDS! Let your clocks "fall back" to regular EST. Set your clocks before you go to bed on Saturday night, November 5th to make sure you don't miss church.

***Tuesday, November 1st at 6:00pm it's the Emerald Youth Foundation Legacy Dinner at the Knoxville Convention Center. For more details: http://emeraldyouth.org/get-involved/events/emerald-youth-foundation-legacy-dinner

***Thursday, November 3rd at 6:00pm it's the Annual Mission of Hope Banquet at Rothchild's on Kingston Pike. This program helps those families in need throughout the Appalachian area. For more details: http://missionofhope.org/our-events/celebration-fundraising-banquet-at-rothchild/

***Friday, November 4th it's "Boots, Buckles and Books" the annual fundraiser for the Friends of Literacy. It's a fun night of food and music at The Standard on Jackson Avenue. For more info: http://friendsofliteracy.org/our-events/2016/11/4/boots-buckles-books

***The Young-Williams Animal Center "Furry Fall Festival" is Sunday, November 6th from noon-4 pm. It's FREE and open to the public with booths and activities for pets and their families to enjoy. It all takes place at Young-Williams Animal Center located at 3201 Division Street. details here: http://www.young-williams.org/blog/2016/10/11/join-us-for-free-family-fun/.

***The Annual Hope Gala will be Friday, November 11th at the Mill and Mine on Depot Avenue. As a Board Member of the East Tennessee American Cancer Society I hope everyone will consider attending this fundraiser that helps battle a disease that has affected so many East Tennessee families. Details here: https://acsknoxville.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2016HopeGala/tabid/756261/Default.aspx

In Commission news...

On Monday, October 17th at 5:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold its monthly workshop in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. At 4:00p we will be hold our quarterly-required Finance Committee meeting.

On Monday, October 24th 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.  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. There will NOT be Knox County Commission Beer Board meeting this month due to no applications or citations.


The bulk of the items that are coming before Commission for October are from two departments: 19 school resolutions (merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not) and 9 from Purchasing. In zoning there are 10 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:
1. A Memorandum of Understanding between Knox County Parks & Recreation and Carter High School for the use of baseball and softball fields.
2. The transfer of some  property between the city of Knoxville and Knox County.
3. The purchase of land by Knox County from a trust.
4. A resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the Knox County Regional Forensic Center and the Appalachia HIDTA to address drug related activities and deaths.

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

Seat 10 At-Large Commissioner of Knox County Commission
Chairman, Knox County Cable TV Committee
Chairman, Knox County Disability Committee
Knox County Development Corp Board
Knox County Pension & Retirement Committee
Knox County Parks & Recreation Board
Metro Drug Coalition Board
Dogwood Arts Festival Board
Young-Williams Animal Center Board
American Cancer Society Board
Arts & Culture Alliance Board
Community Television Board
Thompson-Boling Arena Use Committee