February Update

Here is the February Update for Knox County!

 ***Our campaign for Knox County Mayor is doing well. 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 February Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be on Wednesday, February 22nd, 5-7p at Kay's Ice Cream, 6200 Chapman Highway in South Knoxville. We invite all Knox County citizens to stop by and talk with us about their concerns and and enjoy a treat at Kay's!

***The Knox County School Bus Driver Awards for February will be presented on Wednesday, February 22nd at 11:00am at Ted Russell Ford at 8551 Kingston Pike. The awards are sponsored by Ted Russell Ford and WIVK. Five drivers who were graded with excellent marks will be presented a $100 check from Andy White, owner of Ted Russell Ford, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Knox County School System and a prize package from WIVK.

***The Development Corporation of Knox County will meet Thursday, February 16th at 8am. I am a member of that board along with both Mayors.

***I will be at a breakfast with Governor Bill Haslam on Friday, February 17th at the Knoxville Convention Center.

***I will be the MC once again for Doc Rock, Saturday, February 25th at NV in the Old City. This is a fundraising effort for local non-profit medical charities featuring bands made up mostly of local doctors. Come join us for a great cause and hear a lot of great music! More details here: https://www.facebook.com/DocRockForHealth/

***Join me at the annual O'Connor Senior Center Pancake Breakfast on Friday, March 3rd at the center on Winona. I will be flipping some pancakes starting at 7:30am

***The Historical Society presents East Tennessee National History Day on Friday March 3rd. I will be a guest judge of the many works submitted by students throughout East Tennessee. Don't miss it! ETHS manages the regional competition for Knox and surrounding counties.  You will be inspired by the students and their hard work.  Details here: www.eastTNhistory.org

***The Knoxville Urban League will have their annual meeting on Wednesday, February 15th at the Knoxville Convention Center. 

***I will be attending the Fulton High Community Partners Lunch on Thursday, February 23rd at Central UMC. I am anxious to hear more about the great achievements at FHS.

***The January Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was at Sam & Andy's West in Farragut. We had a great turnout. Thanks to the citizens that stopped by to speak with us as well as elected officials from Farragut and the Knox County School Board.

 

***The Knox County School Bus Driver Safety Awards were presented in January on the 19th details here: http://bobthomasknox.blogspot.com/2017/01/january-2017-bus-driver-safety-awards.html

***Remember Knox County property taxes are due by February28th!

In Commission news...

On Tuesday, February 21st 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  on a Tuesday due to the President's Day holiday on February 20th.

On Monday, February 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 50 items. This month the bulk of the items are from Engineering and Public Works and the School Board. There are 18 items from Engineering and Public Works and 14 from the School Board. School resolutions are merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not. In zoning there are 5 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:

1. A resolution honoring long-time Knox County leader Jack Huddleston.

2. Approving a contract for the installation of GPS equipment in school buses.

3. Approval of a $438,927 construction contract for a new bridge on Kimberlin Heights Road over Gap Creek.

4. Approving a $111,100 construction contract for the installation of video detection equipment on several Knox County roads.

5. Approval of $350,055 Homeland Security funds for first responder equipment.

6. A KCDC request for a TIF approval for a new development on Gay Street.

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

January 2017 Bus Driver safety Awards

Thursday, January 19th 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 Knox County School Bus driver Safety Awards begin at Ted Russell Ford on Kingston Pike begin.
 

                       Ted Russell Ford owner Andy White and Knox County Schools COO present award to Betty Cahill.

(From left to right front) WIVIK the Frog, driver Deborah King, driver Deborah King, driver Betty Cahill, driver Juanita Acuff, driver Anne Coble, Knox County School COO Russ Oaks. (back row l-r) Ted Russell owner Andy White, School Board Member Terry Hill, Knox County Commissioners Bob Thomas and John Schoonmaker, School Board Member Patti Bounds, Knox County Commissioner Charlie Busler

The drivers that were honored this month are:
1. Juanita Acuff, drives at Halls schools for the contractor Doug Davis. She has driven for 44 years.2. Betty Cahill, drives at Brickey & Powell for Rudder. She has driven for 4 years.
3. Anne Coble, drives at Corryton for McGinnis Buses. She has driven for 5 years.
4. Deborah King, drives at Halls schools for Doug Davis. She has driven for 18 years.
5. Deborah Wynn, drives at Norwood school for Lois Hubbs. She has driven for 2 years.

Collectively, these drivers have over 73 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, 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

January Update

January Update for Knox County!

 ***2017 is here and we are looking forward to a year of prosperity for Knox County. There is great opportunity in the future and if we all work hard we can keep our taxes down and our quality of life high. We continue to work hard toward our goal of becoming the Mayor of Knox County. If you would like more details on our campaign or would like to view our announcement follow this link: ElectBobThomas.com. We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

***January's Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be on Wednesday, January 18th, 5-7p at Sam and Andy's WEST in the Aspen Square Shopping Center at 11110 Kingston Pike. We invite all Knox County citizens to stop by and talk with us about their concerns and while you are there have one of the best burgers in town!

***The Knox County School Bus Driver Awards will be presented on Thursday, January 19th at 11:00am at Ted Russell Ford at 8551 Kingston Pike. The awards are sponsored by Ted Russell Ford and WIVK. Five drivers who are graded with excellent marks will be presented a $100 check from Andy White owner of Ted Russell Ford along with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Knox County School System along with a prize package from WIVK.

***The Martin Luther King holiday brings a lot of events to celebrate the life of Dr. King. Thursday, January 12th I will be attending the Awards Luncheon at the Downtown Marriott. On Monday January 16th I will be walking in the MLK Parade that starts at 10am at the Tabernacle Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Avenue then ending at the Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church in Burlington, for the annual Memorial Tribute Service. Monday night I am one of the sponsors of the Knoxville Symphony's Celebration of Dr. King starting at 6p at the Tennessee theater. The concert is free.

***In December the Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was turned into a fundraiser for the Salvation Army as we rang the bell at the entrance to West Town Mall. Many citizens stopped by to speak with us and best of all, many came by and put money into the Red Kettle. Thanks!

 ***Knox County’s 18th annual Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove at Concord Park kicked off Friday, Dec. 16th. The three-quarter-mile greenway trail was illuminated with many Christmas figures. Every year your family should put this on your "must do" list.

After the holidays my wife and I drove to Gatlinburg to see the damages caused by the fires and to spend money there to do what little we could to help the city get back to normal. It was hard to see the destruction in these pictures all just a few blocks off of the Parkway. It is going to take years to rebuild, but I hope we all will try to visit often.

***Over the holidays it was my honor to dine with Tennessee Vol Legend Gus Manning. While at Club LeConte I witnessed Gus signing the enclosed Vol Flag that is on display in the club. Gus is a real treasure of Knox County and a encyclopedia of Vol stories, folk lore and secrets.

Congratulations to Knox County native Sarah Harris who was crowned Ms. Chattanooga. I met with her to discuss her work for Second Harvest of Knox County.

In Commission news...
On Tuesday, January 17th at 2:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold its monthly workshop in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. This month we are meeting in the middle of the day on a Tuesday due to the MLK holiday and the Knoxville City Council meeting in the same room that night.

On Monday, January 23rd 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 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 Commission agenda is very light with only 14 resolutions. The bulk of the items that are coming before Commission for January are from one department. There are 7 items from Engineering and Public Works. There are no school items unless some are added later. School resolutions are merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not. In zoning there are 6 issues this month. The Millstone Lane issue is coming back after being deferred from December to give the opposition time to have discussions with the developer. Some resolutions that stand out are:
1. A resolution honoring long-time Knox County leader Jack Huddleston.
2. Acceptance of a $144,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for the Knox County Stormwater Division.
3. Acceptance of a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Knox County Air Quality Program.

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