July Update from Commissioner Bob Thomas

Commissioners Bob Thomas and wife Kim

Here is your July Update for Knox County!

***Another great month for our campaign for Knox County Mayor! We have had several great events and more are just ahead. One 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 July Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County will be Wednesday, the 19th 5-7p at SoKno Tacos, 3701 Sevierville Pike in South Knoxville. Come out and talk with your Commissioners and line up a few tacos!

***The West Knoxville republican Club will have Annual Picnic and cake Auction Monday, July 10th at Rothchild's on Kingston pike. Free dinner starts at 5p, cake auction starts at 6:30p

***My son actor Jake Thomas (Lizzie McGuire & A.I.) will be in Knoxville along with fellow actors Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry Maguire) & Chris Brochu (The Vampire Diaries) for a "Get Out the Vote" event Friday, July 14th, 8-10p at The Crown & Goose in the Old City. Details are at BobThomas.com.

***The June Ed and Bob NIGHT OUT in Knox County was at Pup's Pit BBQ on Asheville Highway near Four Way Inn. We talked to several folks and enjoyed Pup's great food!

 Commissioners Ed Brantley and Bob Thomas

Enjoyed talking with some of the local residents.

Sometimes it takes both hands for Commissioner Thomas to speak

Craig "Pup" Cole was busy smoking BBQ just below one of his many American flags

***It was an honor to once again be in the Farragut 4th of July Parade! We were humbled by all the supporters that turned out.

***The Worlds Fair Park was a busy place on the 4th of July with a great performance by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

***We made a trip to the Powell Park and Splash Pad on the 4th! Lots of food, music and fun!

***It was my honor to speak at the Beta Theta Boule Father's Day program along with The Voice winner Chris Blue. Great organization honoring wonderful fathers. 

 Commissioner Bob Thomas along with Beta theta Boule member Leroy Thompson

MC Hal Hill along with The Voice winner Chris Blue

***The Front Page Follies honored my friend & former co-worker WVLT's Alan Williams. And they decided to include me in a scene that night as well!

Commissioner Bob Thomas performing in a scene at the Front Page Follies

  Commissioner Bob Thomas along with Front Page Follies Honoree Alan Williams

***As a Young-Williams Animal Center Board Member, my wife and I visited the Bark at the Park on the Worlds Fair site.

***The 10th Anniversaary of the South Knoxville Senior Center was held with lots of food, fun and a little pickin' & singin'!

  Commissioner Bob Thomas with some of the staff at the center.

***I am so fortunate to celebrate my Mom's 88th birthday!

Commissioner Bob Thomas, sister Barbara and their Mom, Nelle Thomas

In Commission news...

On Monday, July 17th 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, July 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. 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 85 items. This month the bulk of the items are from the School Board and Community Development. There are 38 items from the School Board and 18 from Community Development. 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 acceptance of a Career and Technical Education grant allocation for $852,319.31
2. Resolution by the schools for repayment to the county in the amount of $11,962,133 for energy management equipment.

3. Approving a MOU with the city to transfer a portion of Sam E. Hill  school property to the city for redevelopment.

4. First reading for changes to the Noise Ordinance regarding construction equipment.

5. Approval of various Block Grants by Community Development for just over $250,000.

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