Knox County Update from Commissioner Bob Thomas

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

June Update from Commissioner Bob Thomas

Here is your June Update for Knox County!

***Father's Day is this Sunday, June 18th!

***I got to enjoy Mother's Day with my Mom, Nelle Thomas.

***Our campaign for Knox County Mayor has been busy! Several fundraisers are coming up. One is June 29th at Holly's Gourmet Market, 5:30 - 7:30p. Another is at Villa Collina on Lyons View Pike catered by Bistro by the Tracks and music by the Chillbillies. Details on both at: BobThomas.com.

***The June Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be Wednesday, the 21st 5-7p at Pup's Pit BarBQ, 8534 Asheville Hwy near Four Way Inn. Come out and talk with your Commissioners and have a little BarBQ!

***The Front Page Follies honoring my friend Alan Williams will be this Saturday, June 17th beginning at 6pm at the Knoxville Convention Center. Get your tickets for this fun night at: http://www.frontpagefoundation.org/

***The May Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was at Life House Coffee in Powell. We had a great turnout of Knox County officials ready to talk about the recently approved budget.

Commissioners Bob Thomas, Ed Brantley, Dave Wright, Finance Director Chris Caldwell, Engineering Director Dwight Van DeVate

Commissioners Bob Thomas and Ed Brantley with Life House owner Michael Cox.

***It was my honor to speak at the Annual Ride and Decide meeting. This is an excellent program that helps students decide if they want a successful career in the trades.

Commissioner Bob Thomas speaking to the students, parents and contractors.

***I was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Hatcher Memorial Softball Tournament benefiting FISH. It was an honor to be alongside some UT football icons.

Commissioner Bob Thomas and wife Kim along with UT Vol football greats Mike Price, Tony Robinson and Dewey "SwampRat" Warren.

Throwing out the first pitch: Phil Hatcher, Mike Price, Commissioner Bob Thomas and Tony Robinson

***The Annual Ft. City Day was well attended. We enjoyed talking to a lot of people.

Kim Thomas along with Knox County's First Lady, Kelly Burchett

***As a member of the Knox County Parks & Recreation Board it is exciting to hear news about a possible BMX track at South Doyle Middle School that would bring in national competitions. Great input by local residents.

***The Annual Leadership Knoxville class graduated. Joan Cronan was honored for her many contributions to Knoxville. Well deserved!

***Knoxville Chamber's Pinnacle Awards honored many businesses that keep Knox County growing.

My friend Sandra G accepting her Pinnacle Award!

Great night with friends! Commissioner Bob Thomas & wife Kim along with Rebecca and Alan Williams.

In Commission news...

On Monday, June 19th at 5:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold its regular monthly workshop. The meeting will take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.

On Monday, June 26th 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 and Engineering. There are 30 items from the School Board and 11 from Engineering. School resolutions are merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not. In zoning, there are 15 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:

1. Resolution for $191,439.39 for hardware, data transmission and storage for school bus GPS equipment.

2. Acceptance of a State of Tennessee Department of education grant for Pre K in the amount of $2,014,203.
3. Accepting a donation of $44,053 for Sequoyah Elementary for fencing.

4. Approval of $549,943 for roof repair and replacement at Holston MS and Corryton Ele.

5. Discussion regarding Tourism and Sports that will occur at the workshop.

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

Friday, May 12, 2017

May Update from Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas

Here is your May Update for Knox County!

***Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 14th!

***Our campaign for Knox County Mayor has been busy! We are having fundraisers and community meetings in people's homes across Knox County. Be sure to take a look at our website: BobThomas.com.

***The May Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be Wednesday, the 17th 5-7p at the Life House Coffee Shop in Powell on Brick Yard Road. Bring your sweet tooth!

***The Knoxville Chamber Pinnacle Awards will be Friday, May 12th, 6pm at the Knoxville Convention Center.

***Enjoyed speaking and answering questions for the West Knox Republican Club. We covered a lot of ground about government in Knox County.

***What a honor it was to speak at the Halls High School Academic Banquet. This event honored the juniors and seniors with a 3.5 or higher GPA and inducted new members into the National Honor Society.

Commissioner Thomas delivering the keynote speech

Commissioner Thomas along with his mother, Nelle Thomas and Commissioner Charlie Busler

Commissioner Thomas with Knox County School Board Chair Patti Bounds

***Enjoyed being the guest speaker at the Bearden High School Future Leaders of America. This group encourages young students to plan to be leaders of the future. They will make you proud to live in Knox County!

***Early morning pancakes as I was the speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Knoxville's Annual Pancake Breakfast. Yes, I ate too many!

***The April Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was at Chandler's Deli in East Knoxville. We spoke to many people and enjoyed some great ribs! Charles Chandler is a great success story!

***The Annual Five Points Up East Knoxville Clean-Up took place last month. My wife, Kim and I cleaned up the streets of Burlington where my Dad had a business when I was young.

***The Knox County School Bus Driver Awards in April had a great turnout as we honored five drivers that care for our children everyday. See more details at: http://bobthomas.com/2017/04/27/april-knox-county-schools-bus-driver-awards/

***The Knoxville Opera's 16th annual Rossini International Street Fair was wet then dry then soaking wet! I hope you got to enjoy the dry hours!

My POV from behind the Mayors on the stage.

***The reception for the new Knox County Superintendent Bob Thomas (the other Bob Thomas) was a wonderful event. I am very excited for the future of our schools.

***The Emerald Youth Prayer Breakfast was the most attended one they have ever had. It was a very inspirational morning!

In Commission news...

On Monday, May 15th at 3:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold a public hearing about the proposed Knox County Budget. At 5:00pm the regular monthly workshop will be held to followed at 6:00pm with another public session concerning the budget. All meetings will take place in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.

On Monday, May 22nd 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 Engineering. There are 30 items from the School Board and 7 from Engineering. School resolutions are merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not. In zoning, there are 10 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:

1. The proposed Knox County Budget

2. Resolution setting a new tax rate.
3. Over $28M in funds for schools from the State of TN Department of Education.

4. Resolution adopting a new 5 year Capital Improvement Plan

5. Discussion regarding Tourism and Sports

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

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

April Knox County Schools Bus Driver Awards

Wednesday, April 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.

Commissioner Thomas begins the ceremony.

New School Superintendent Bob Thomas addresses the crowd.

(From left to right) Driver Thomas Tinnerman, Ted Russell owner Andy White, driver Frances Kirpatrick, driver Rita Ramps, driver Juanita Thomas, Knox County Superintendent Bob Thomas, WIVIK the Frog, Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas)

The five drivers that were honored this month were:

· Frances Kilpatrick - drives bus for Northshore

· Rita Ramps - drives bus for Farragut

· Douglas Romig - drives bus for Carter

· Juanita Thomas - drives bus for Cedar Bluff

· Thomas Tinnerman - drives a bus for Farragut

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 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

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

April Update

Here is the April Update for Knox County!

***Our campaign for Knox County Mayor website is up and running! Have you seen it? Check it out at BobThomas.com. This month we are starting our meetings in communities. We may be coming to your neighborhood. A list of some of the places I will speaking are below. IS BELOW

***On Monday, May 8th I will be the speaker at the west Knox Republican Club. They meet at the Red Lobster on Kingston Pike. Dinner at 6, meeting strats at 7.

***On Tuesday, April 18th I will be the guest speaker at the Halls High School Academic Banquet. This event honors juniors and seniors with a 3.5 or higher GPA and inducts new members into the National Honor Society. The event will be in the Dogwood Room at the Expo Center.

***On Wednesday April 19th I will be the guest speaker at the Beaden High School Future Leaders of America. This group encourages young students to plan to be leaders of the future.

***On Friday April 21st I will be the speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Knoxville's Annual Pancake Breakfast. It begins at 7am at the Foundry on the Worlds Fair site.

***The April Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be on Thursday, April 20th 5-7p at Chandler's Deli, 3101 East Magnolia in East Knoxville. We invite all Knox County citizens to stop by and talk with us about their concerns and try their world famous ribs!

More details here:https://www.facebook.com/events/291322611281709/

***The March Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was at Sam and Andy's in Ft. City. It was another great turnout!

Commissioners Bob Thomas, Ed Brantley and Charlie Busler

***Join me for the Five Points Up East Knoxville Clean-Up on Saturday April 29th from 9a to noon. Meet at the Eternal Life Harvest Center Plaza to gather supplies like litter-pickers, gloves, garbage bags and safety vests. Then return to the plaza at noon for a free lunch.

***The Knox County School Bus Driver Awards for April will be Wednesday, April 19th at Ted Russell Ford. We will once again honor five drivers that do it right everyday for our children.

***The Knox County Republican Club Lincoln Day Dinner will be Friday, April 21st, 7pm at Rothchilds on Kingston Pike. Guest speaker will be Senator Roy Blunt.

***The Knoxville Opera's 16th annual Rossini International Street Fair will be Saturday, April 22nd from 10a to 9p on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.

***There will be a reception for the new Knox County Superintendent Bob Thomas (the other Bob Thomas) on Thursday, May 4th at 5pm at the Standard on Jackson Ave.

***The Emerald Youth Prayer Breakfast will be at 7am Friday, May 5th at the Expo Center.

***The Knoxville Chamber Pinnacle Awards will be Friday, May 12th, 6pm at the Knoxville Convention Center.

***Easter Sunday is April 16th. I wish everyone a happy Easter and I hope to see you at church!

***Mother's Day is Sunday, May 14th!

In Commission news...

On Monday, April 17th at 5:00pm, the Knox County Commission will hold its monthly workshop in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building.

On Monday, April 24th 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 62 items. This month the bulk of the items are from the School Board and Engineering. There are 15 items from the School Board and 7 from Engineering. School resolutions are merely a formality as they pass whether we vote for them or not. In zoning, there are 4 issues this month. Some resolutions that stand out are:

1. A resolution honoring long-time Knox County official Steve Hall

2. Approving a donation of $223,000 from Randy and Jenny Boyd for renovations to the South-Doyle High School Library.

3. Approving an Employment contract for Superintendent Bob Thomas.

4. Approving a construction contract of over $1M for bridge repairs at Bells Campground Road, Pedigo Road and Wayland Road.

5. Approving a construction contract of $291,647 for a new overhead bridge at Ball Camp Pike.

6. Approving of the acceptance of grants for over $14M for the Health Department.

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

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