October 2017 Knox County School Bus Driver Awards

Wednesday, October 18th the Knox County Schools Bus Driver Safety Awards were held at Ted Russell Ford, 8551 Kingston Pike.

Did you know...
1. The Knox County School Bus Driver awards were started in May 2016 by At-Large Commissioner Thomas to bring awareness to the hundred of bus drivers that do an excellent job driving our children to and from school safely.
2. There are approximately 375 Knox County School bus drivers
3. 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.


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

 Commissioner Thomas begins the ceremony.

(From left to right) Ted Russell owner Andy White, Manager Rick Arnold who accepted award for Amy Ledbetter, driver Gerald Roe, driver Anna Cox, driver Deborah Ditchfield, driver Kreis Baldridge, Knox County Schools COO Russ Oakes, Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas, Front Row - WIVIK the Frog)

Honoring Bus Driver Deborah Ditchfield who calmly cleared a bus of 1st graders as it was filling up with smoke.

 Commissioner Thomas speaking with driver Ditchfield after the awards

The five drivers that were honored this month were:

·         Kreis Baldridge - drives bus for Norwood Elementary

·         Anna Cox - drives bus for Halls MS and High School

·         Deborah Ditchfield - drives bus for Farragut

·         Amy Ledbetter - drives bus for Cedar Bluff

·         Gerald Roe - drives a bus for Gresham

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 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 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 from Commissioner Bob Thomas

          Commissioner Bob Thomas and wife Kim

Here is your October Update for Knox County!

***Our campaign for Knox County Mayor kicks into high gear this month as we start our "Bob Thomas for Mayor County Caravans!" Our first Caravan will be Oct 28th through East Knox County. Details will be announced soon at BobThomas.com and our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ElectBobThomasEvents/. We are in the sixth month of our "Faith Tour" visiting a different church service each week. If you want us to visit your church please contact us at ElectBobThomas@yahoo.com!

***Join us for a "Bob for Mayor" Tailgate before the Tennessee-South Carolina game. There will be food, drink and fun as we gather before the Vols game. You can find the tailgate in the parking lot next to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse starting at 9am until kickoff!

***The October Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be Wednesday, October 18th,  5-7p at E.B.'s Eats and Treats, 4620 Mill Branch Ln in Halls. This will be our 33rd community meeting in Knox County! Come out and talk with your Commissioners and enjoy lots of Eats and Treats!


***The October Knox County Schools Bus Driver Safety Awards will be Wednesday, Oct 18th at 11:00am at Ted Russell Ford, Kingston Pike. Please come out and show appreciation to these drivers that help keep our children safe going to and from school each day.  

***The Knoxville Firefighter memorial ceremony will be Monday, October 16th at 11:30am at the Memorial Park in front of Fire Headquarters on Summit Hill Drive.

***The 2nd Annual "Dinner on the Bridge" will be Sunday, October 15th at 5:30pm. Join us for this night as the Gay Street Bridge is closed for this wonderful dinner. Tickets are available at  https://www.knoxalliance.store/product-category/dinner/. Proceeds go to local arts non-profits.

 
***The September Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was at Jackie's Dream, 2223 McCalla Ave in East Knoxville. Many came by and spoke with us. I had the Hot Chicken - Ed "chickened" out!

 Commissioners Thomas and Brantley at Jackie's Dream

 Commissioners Thomas and Brantley with the owner Jackie of Jackie's Dream

 Commissioner Bob Thomas with wife Kim outside Jackie's Dream

In Commission news...

On Monday, October 16th at 4:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold a Finance Committee meeting. At 5:00pm they will hold its regular monthly workshop followed at 6pm with a special meeting to hear citizen concerns over several new ordinances. These meetings will take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.

On Monday, October 23rd 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. 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. There are 22 items from the School Board. School resolutions are merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not. There are 2 second reading of ordinances. In zoning, there are 10 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:
1. Resolution approving a contract with Shelton General Contractors for renovations at Karns High School for the Culinary Arts Program in the amount of $397,446. This was deferred from September.

2. Resolutions on the acceptance of an award of a grant to provide the Sheriff's Department with Naloxone kits.

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