April 2021 Constituent Update
News & Noteworthy Events in Knox County / Commission
This constituent update contains information on the work of Knox County Commission, news about recent experiences, community information and upcoming events. This newsletter is issued at the beginning of each month and generally covers activities of the previous month.
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When Josh Smith left prison, he knew his life had to change in a profound way.
Fast forward decades later through a successful venture in entrepreneurship and sale of his commercial cleaning company (Master Service Company) to today, where Josh is focused on helping reform the lives of men who are released from prison through his Knoxville-based criminal justice reform nonprofit 4th Purpose Foundation.
I attended the press conference this month where Josh Smith was joined by Governor Bill Lee to announce the plans to open an affordable housing development for ex-offenders in East Knoxville. The Dogan-Gaither Flats will help reduce Tennessee's significant recidivism rate and feature 16 one-bedroom apartment units and will offer counseling, work placement, skills training and accountability for tenants. The facility will be managed by Men of Valor, a nonprofit that owns and manages a similar facility in Middle Tennessee called Valor Ridge. Statewide, 47% of all individuals released from custody for felony sentences were arrested again within three years, according to this recent Tennessee Criminal Justice Investment Task Force report. Men of Valor reports the recidivism rate is less than 10% for residents of Valor Ridge. Look for big things from Josh Smith in the coming years - I am proud to call him our neighbor and want to thank him for his dedication to improving our community.
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PEEPS ARE COMING TO KNOX COUNTY!
Today, the Chamber announced that Just Born Quality Confections, Inc. is moving their PEEPS production lines from Bethlehem, PA to Knoxville later this year. With over 2 billion PEEPS made each year, the company also announced its intention to hire 400 local workers. So get ready folks....it's marshmallow time in Tennessee!
You can read the entire announcement at this link.
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Congratulations to Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr., Chief Judge of the Tennessee Court of Appeals on his 55 years of service. This month his portrait was unveiled and hung in a private ceremony in the Tennessee Supreme Court chamber alongside his esteemed colleagues. What a great honor for a great man who left an impression on our legal system that will, no doubt, have a positive impact for generations to come.
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After years of hard work, this month we cut the ribbon on Collier Preserve, a new 12-acre park located in the heart of Powell (next to the library). This nature preserve features a nature walking path, access to Beaver Creek, an abundance of wildlife, trees and flowering native plants! The property has been in the Collier family for many generations, serving as the homestead and farm for Dr. Collier’s grandmother, Stella B. Moore, and ancestors before her. Dr. Collier wished to honor the history of his family’s land by preserving it forever and in 2016, donated the land to the Legacy Parks Foundation and placed a conservation easement on the property, requiring it to stay in a natural state as a refuge in perpetuity regardless of ownership. If you get an opportunity, stop by for a stroll through the woods or pick up a book and enjoy a read on the water! If you'd like to read more about the Collier Preserve, click on this article link from the East Tennessee Design Center.
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40 new EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) graduated this month from the AMR (American Medical Response) academy. This month's celebration is part of the AMR "Earn to Learn" program where trainees are paid to attend EMT training school with an agreement to stay on the force for at least two years. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in participating in the next training academy starting on May 24th, visit the job board.
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To help celebrate the upcoming Easter holiday, I was proud to partner with NellOne Therapeutics’ GIVESMART Foundation to provide all the goodies to fill 5,500 eggs for baskets to every student at Lonsdale Elementary and Sam E. Hill Primary School. Special thanks to the Knapper Family for putting the project together, for inviting me to participate, and for these great youth volunteers (Braden, Camryn & Joel) who put all the eggs and baskets together.
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County Commission honored a good man this month. Chief Deputy Michael Paseur served in the Knox County Clerk's Office and was a welcome fixture of Commission meetings. Unfortunately, Michael lost his battle with cancer this month but will be forever and warmly remembered by all who knew him for his sense of humor and ability to easily make others laugh.
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3...2...1...DIG! The groundbreaking for two new elementary schools is now official - Adrian Burnett Elementary School and Lonsdale Elementary School. These two projects might be some of the most needed (and most overdue) Knox County School investments that the people of Knox County have made in decades. I can't wait to see both schools open in the next few years and for our neighborhoods to see new and exciting centers for learning.
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This month, the FY'20 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020) Knox County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (known as the CAFR) was presented to us in the the Audit Committee. In addition to looking at the County's financial status for the year, the document has lots of good information on the local tax rate, capital projects and more.
Read the entire report for yourself at this link.
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The Knoxville/Knox County Planning Department is working on the Mobility Plan 2045, a project that looks 25 years into the future to determine current transportation needs and what to anticipate in the future. There are several opportunities for input on Mobility Plan 2045. Learn more at https://knoxmobility.org and make your voice heard! |
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Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting John Elliot, President of Elliott's Boots, Shoes and Sandals. With seven retail stores across Tennessee, this nearly 40 year-old second-generation family business has been a must-stop place for many. From the early days serving industrial businesses and their employees with safety boots, Elliott's expanded into western boots, outdoor footwear and everyday shoes for men, women and children. If you need a new pair of kicks, don't miss an opportunity to stop by and meet the team at Elliott's - they'll treat you right! I always appreciate the opportunity to get to know our local business owners. If you have a great business here in Knox County you'd like me to know about, contact me.
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It seems like yesterday that I began this journey as your County Commissioner. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. Looking ahead, the 2022 election season will be here before we know it and I will be seeking re-election to the Knox County Commission (At-Large, Seat 10).
If you would like to help me continue to represent you and all the people of Knox County, please visit my support page. |
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