Monday, March 13, 2017

March Update




















Here is the March Update for Knox County!

***Our campaign for Knox County Mayor moves along! Thanks to our new supporters and donors. I have been speaking at a lot of local neighborhood organizations and love the questions I am getting about Knox County government. Our new website has just been launched...check it out today at the NEW domain BobThomas.com!

***The March Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be on Thursday, March 23rd, 5-7p at Sam and Andy's in Ft. City. We invite all Knox County citizens to stop by and talk with us about their concerns and try one of their incredible burgers! More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/623492111179317/

***The February Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was at Kay's Ice Cream on Chapman Highway. It was a great turnout! We spoke non-stop to the people of South Knoxville about their concerns. 

 


***The Knox County School Bus Driver Awards for February were held on the 22nd at Ted Russell Ford. Many people were on hand to see us honor five deserving drivers. See all the pictures and details here:http://bobthomas.com/2017/03/05/february-knox-county-schools-bus-driver-safety-awards/

***I was the MC once again for Doc Rock. Doc Roc is a fundraising effort for local non-profit medical charities featuring bands made up mostly of local doctors.



***The annual O'Connor Senior Center Pancake Breakfast was packed with fun. I was assigned cooking duties, so I flipped a lot of pancakes.




***The Historical Society sponsored East Tennessee National History Day. I was a judge of some of the outstanding exhibits presented by students throughout East Tennessee. More details here: www.eastTNhistory.org


***The Knoxville Urban League annual meeting had a packed house at the Knoxville Convention Center. 



***I was a guest at the Fulton High School Community Partners Lunch. There are a LOT of great things going on at FHS!



In Commission news...
On Monday, March 20th at 5:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold its monthly workshop in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.

On Monday, March 27th at 1:30pm, 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. Beer Board, Commission and Zoning will all take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.

The Commission agenda has approximately 60 items. This month the bulk of the items are from  the School Board and the Health Department. There are 18 items from the School Board and 9 from the Health Department. School resolutions are merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not. In zoning, there are 6 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:
1. A resolution honoring long-time Knox County official Steve Hall
2. Approving several donations for playground equipment
3. Accepting a grant of $50,000 for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy
4. Accepting Health Department funding of 452,912.90 for testing, prevention and linkage to care for Hep C, Hep B and HIV
5. Approval of an agreement between Knox County and LMU for LMU donating design and construction for new additions to Young-Williams Animal Center for university clinical year rotations
6. Authorizing the issuance of up to $99,000,000 in bonds to finance the capital improvements from the current budget.

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

Sunday, March 5, 2017

February Knox County Schools Bus Driver Safety Awards

Wednesday, February 22nd the Knox County Schools Bus Driver Safety Awards were held at Ted Russell Ford, 8551 Kingston Pike.

Did you know...
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.

These drivers have been graded with high standards by the Knox County School system, the contractors, the Sheriff's Department and by school staff.

   The crowd gathers for the awards.

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

Commissioner Thomas addresses the crowd.

Knox County Schools Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas and Commissioner Thomas greeting the honorees.


Interim Superintendent Thomas addresses the crowd.

Ted Russell owner Andy White addresses the crowd.



(From left to right) Driver "Junior" Cox, Ted Russell owner Andy White, driver Kathy Evans, driver Jennifer Hayes, driver Karla Mikels, driver Yvonne Tomlin, Knox County Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas, WIVIK the Frog, Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas

The drivers that were honored this month are:
1. Colonel "Junior" Cox, drives for Carter
2. Kathy Evans, drives for Carter
3. Jennifer Hayes, drives for Beumont Elementary
4. Karla Mikels, drives for Gap Creek & Doyle MS
5. Yvonne Tomlin, drives for Cedar Bluff


The awards are sponsored by Ted Russell Ford and WIVK 107.7. They each received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Knox County Schools, a $100 check from Andy White the owner of Ted Russell Ford and a prize package from WIVK. 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. If you have any questions please contact Commissioner Bob Thomas.

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