December update for Knox County!
***WOW! What a busy time of the year! Our Bob Thomas for Knox County Mayor group walked in the WIVK Knoxville Christmas Parade. Since I started the parade in 1976 and was the chairman of the parade for 16 years, it was surreal walking "IN" the parade as a candidate for Knox County Mayor. Thanks to all my family members and supporters that walked with us and encouraged us during the parade. We continue to work hard toward our goal since our announcement last May. If you would like more details on our campaign or would like to view our announcement follow this link: ElectBobThomas.com. My family would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
***December's Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be Ed Brantley and I ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at West Town next to the Cheesecake Factory on the 14th from 6p-8p. We hope many people will stop by with donations and speak with us about their concerns.
***Knox County’s 18th annual Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove at Concord Park kicks off Friday, Dec. 16th at 6pm and runs through Friday, Dec. 30, excluding Christmas Day. The three-quarter-mile greenway trail will be illuminated nightly from 6 to 9 p.m. The Cove is located at 11808 S. Northshore Drive.
***November's Knox County School Bus Safety awards was a great celebration for drivers that do a great job everyday for our children. The awards are sponsored by Ted Russell Ford and WIVK. Five drivers who were graded with excellent marks were presented a $100 check from Andy White owner of Ted Russell Ford along with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Knox County School System and a prize package from WIVK.
Commissioner Bob Thomas starts the presentation.
Andy White, the owner of Ted Russell Ford, speaking about why it is important to honor these drivers.
***On November 16th we hosted another Ed & Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County at E. B.'s Eats and Treats in Halls. It was a great turnout and we got to speak with several citizens with problems.
***I participated in the "Principal for a Day" program serving as the principal at Rocky Hill Elementary. A great school with a wonderful staff and involved parents.
I visited with my granddaughter, Piper, a student at RHE.
With Rocky Hill Principal Cory Smith opening the doors as the children arrive.
In music class they let me show my musical skills. They weren't impressed.
***The Annual Hope Gala was November 11th at the Mill and Mine on Depot Avenue. As a board member of the East Tennessee American Cancer Society, it was great to see the event sold out. A lot of money raised to fight cancer!
WVLT's Ted Hall was the MC for the evening.
The crowd was entertained with "Deulin' Pianos."
In Commission news...
On Monday, December 12th at 5:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold its monthly workshop in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. This month we are meeting a week earlier due to Christmas.
On Monday, December 19th at 2pm 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 Beer Board will meet at 4:00pm. The regular Commission meeting will begin at 5pm followed by Zoning at 7pm. All meetings will take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.
The bulk of the items that are coming before Commission for December are from two departments: 36 school resolutions (merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not) and 8 from Engineering and Public Works. In zoning there are 8 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:
1. Approval of $360,000 for design work of additions and renovations to Inskip elementary.
2. Acceptance of a $100,000 donation from PetSafe for a dog park at the new Plumb Creek Park.
3. Approval $800,000 for Community Development for permanent multi-family renatl housing for homeless veterans.
4. Resolution for Stop Loss insurance contract for employee health insurance costing $651,818.
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
