- Cleaning Up South Knoxville
We can discuss it in terms of “beautification” or simply put, enforcement of our Knox County Codes, the result will be the same. We need to make a genuine effort to try and make our community as nice as we possibly can. The face of our community has a lot to do with whether folks will move into our community and raise their families here. I believe we need to enforce our existing codes to make our community look better. It is not fair for folks who follow the law to have to live next to run-down properties.
- Schools
The fact is your County Commissioner can’t do much about schools under existing law. You may remember the Board of Education sued the County Mayor and County Commission over funding and interfering in school policy and they won that suit. That means the County Commission cannot by law attempt to dictate school policy or direct how funds allocated for schools are spent. It’s time we started holding the members of the Knox County Board of Education accountable. They are elected just like the Commissioners and it’s their job to make our schools as good as they can be, The County Commission does have to appropriate money for our schools which currently receive about sixty percent of Knox County’s entire budget. I will work with our Board of Education members and listen to our community about our educational needs.
- Constituent Services
I believe one of the most important functions any public official has is not only reflecting the views of the constituency he or she represents, but in performing constituent services. You have a right to expect your County Commissioner to intervene to help you with every department or agency of our government and I will do that as your County Commissioner. I will promptly answer telephone calls, emails, and letters.
- Delinquent Tax Attorney
It is time to eliminate this position and return the tax dollars spent on a political appointee to where it will do the most good: keeping your taxes low. The Knox County Trustee has long used the practice of hiring a delinquent tax attorney ostensibly to supervise the sale of delinquent tax properties and the like, but the result is the highest paid person in all of county government. Not surprisingly, this person is usually the chief fundraiser for the Trustee and in the past, this individual has managed to get county health insurance while collecting fees totaling in the millions of dollars. Keep in mind, a million dollars equates to a penny on the property tax rate. If I am elected to the Knox County Commission and the Trustee has not eliminated this position, I will immediately introduce a Resolution asking the Trustee to do so. I will also urge every member of the Knox County Legislative delegation to introduce legislation to eliminate the position. This is a function that can easily and efficiently be performed by the Law Director’s office or even a staff attorney hired by the County Trustee. It is time to end a practice that is nothing but a political pay off at your expense.
- Getting Our Fair Share
We all pay taxes and South Knoxville deserves a fair share of those tax dollars. South Knoxville doesn’t have to be and certainly doesn’t need to be a dumping ground for those projects nobody else wants. South Knoxville deserves its fair share of IMPROVEMENTS just like any other community.
- Infighting
It seems like the last several years, all we’ve seen from our county government is a series of scandals and infighting for political position. This needs to stop NOW. Certainly we need our government officials to be honest and hard working. We need to be open about the various governmental processes and make information readily available to the public, but we need public officials who are not affiliated with “factions” or doing the bidding of other public officials. I propose to serve only the people of South Knoxville and be beholden to no one else.
- Job Creation and Economic Development
South Knoxville NEEDS good economic development, which in turn creates opportunities and jobs for our community. With our population steadily declining, this is vital to the future of our community. We need a Commissioner who represents our community not as an extension of any special interest, but one who will evaluate every project on its individual merits. Development isn’t always bad or good, but without it, the fact is our community will not grow. No Commissioner can be against everything and expect to help attract jobs and development. I will work hard to help attract businesses and jobs to our community. Our children should not have to move from South Knoxville simply to find a job!
- South Knoxville’s Declining Population
Figures show South Knoxville’s population has been steadily declining for the past several years and this should be a concern to everyone who loves and lives in South Knoxville. It is a problem we must meet head-on. In fact 2010 will begin another census and we need to start taking steps NOW to revitalize our community. If South Knoxville’s population continues to decline, will we still have all the schools we have at the moment? Probably not. Some would have to be closed and or consolidated. It is even possible that other areas of Knox County will be incorporated into our community and thereby diluting our political representation. While you may think that unlikely, it has already happened. South Knoxville has been redistricted (which is done on the basis of population) for the state House of Representatives. You will find those folks living inside the City of Knoxville portion of South Knoxville actually voting in districts with the people of Powell, East Knox County and even Jefferson County! We are in danger of losing our identity as a community if we do not work hard to revitalize South Knoxville.