League of Women Voters

Special to the News Sentinel

City of Knoxville mayoral candidates

Fletcher Burkhardt

Website: fletcherformayor.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 337-2288

Age: 32

Address: 4303 Thornwood Dr. 37921

Family: Left blank

Employment: I am a Social Media Marketing Specialist. I work with local, national, and international companies to build marketing strategies that will increase ROI and brand/name recognition.

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: I’m a part-time photographer for a race team in the Formula Drift Pro 2 series. On top of that I’m a licensed hairstylist who does hair for artists on tour.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: I believe we should begin to market Knoxville better. We live in one of the greatest cities in the country and need to do better with letting others know. If we can begin to attract more people off the interstate on their way to and from a destination, companies will take notice. Meaning if there are people spending money in Knoxville, companies will want to be here. This means jobs will be created. Also, we need better public transit, we need to get rid of our entertainment tax and begin to offer more then just bars. These are just a few things.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: I think this location should be used for a mental health facility and affordable housing units. I do not support the police station proposal.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: We must market Knoxville. We are located on the intersection of three of the biggest interstates in the country and we need get people to stop here to spend money. We have to get rid of our entertainment tax and bring back events like Boomsday and Sundown in the City. I have proposed bringing back Boomsday and turning it into a weekend long music festival like Lola or Music Midtown. Both of these events generate huge revenue for their cities. In Tennessee alone the music industry is a 4.9 billion dollar industry that supports over 61,000 jobs and over 5,500 businesses. Knoxville can do better in the entertainment field. Obviously I do not believe this is the only way, but I know it is one of the best.

Indya Kincannon

Website: kincannonformayor.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 226-9067

Age: 48

Address: 941 Eleanor St. 37917

Family: I’ve been married 24 years to Ben Barton, who is a professor at UT College of Law. We have two teen daughters. Dahlia graduated from West High School in May, 2019 and is heading to college in August. Our younger daughter, Georgia, is a rising junior. Both of our daughters are part of the International Baccalaureate program at West High School. We have a 10-year-old rescue dog named Bobo, who runs trails with me all around Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness.

Employment: I worked as Special Programs Manager for Mayor Madeline Rogero from 2015-2018 when I stepped down to run for office myself. I am a full-time candidate right now!

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Every week since 2004, I have been a volunteer reader to students across the city. I have served as PTA president, as a youth soccer and basketball coach, and as a board member of both Project GRAD and the Great Schools Partnership. I am a member of the Leadership Knoxville Class of 2006. In 2012, Gov. Bill Haslam appointed me to the Opportunity Scholarship Task Force. I serve on numerous boards, including the Safe Routes to School committee, Parents As Teachers Advisory Board, member of the Census 2020 Complete Count Committee and I am President of the West High School Foundation.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: To attract new high quality jobs to Knoxville we must have a well-educated work-force and a high quality of life. A well-educated work force means schools that prepare students for jobs in every sector, whether medicine, teaching, or plumbing. As Mayor I will connect people to post high school apprenticeship opportunities and elevate career paths in trades such as electricians, HVAC repair and welding. These are high-skilled, well-paid jobs that cannot be bought on-line or shipped overseas. During my 10 years on the School Board we strengthened our magnet and Project GRAD Schools and started the L&N STEM Academy, Career Magnet Academy, and the International Baccalaureate program. I was an early and ardent supporter of Community Schools, which helps schools address social and health issues, so teachers can concentrate on academics. A high quality of life means a city that values diversity and inclusiveness, a city where every person can reach his or her full potential.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: Since Tennova chose to shut down this hospital my priority would be to make sure the property is converted to a positive re-use as soon as possible so we avoid blight. I support Mayor Rogero’s plan to use part of the property for a new KPD headquarters, with a small area for KFD and a newly constructed space for our city courts. Our first responders’ current facilities are woefully out-dated, and the St. Mary’s site fits their needs as far as space, parking, central location and security. For the remaining office tower and historic hospital building I would discuss ideas with the community, issue an RFP guided by that input and and see what proposals surface. A nursing school in the tower would connect well to Fulton’s school of Health Sciences. There’s a pressing need for affordable housing, especially for seniors and people with disabilities. Given the location so close to downtown II could envision a mixed use space for residential, office and retail.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: The best ways to generate increased revenue are redeveloping blighted and under-utilized properties, and creating a city that attracts new businesses and encourages existing businesses to expand. This requires a city that unleashes the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, a city that is run efficiently and transparently, a city that supports the arts, a city that is sustainable and resilient, in economic and human terms. To catalyze redevelopment efforts we will make sure our infrastructure investments are aligned towards the greatest need, so underserved areas start to attract more private investment. Streetscapes and facade improvement initiatives are part of this approach, along with making sure current and prospective developers know about the tax advantages available via federal Opportunity Zones.

Eddie Mannis

Website:mannisformayor.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 293-0828 "It's true we were dysfunctional...

Age: 60

Address: 7346 Bellingham Dr. 37919

Family: Father (Cecil), Robby (brother), two sisters (Jan and Leanne), nine nieces and nephews

Employment: President of Prestige Cleaners and Prestige Tuxedo, Founder and President of HonorAir Knoxville, and Former Deputy Mayor and COO of City of Knoxville

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Chair of McGhee Tyson Airport; has also served as Chair at Zoo Knoxville; I’m proud that HonorAir Knoxville, an organization I founded more than 10 years ago, has now flown more than 3,500 WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials built to recognize their valor, sacrifice, and service. Knocking on doors across Knoxville has certainly become a recent hobby, travel, gardening, spending time with his family and enjoying one of Knoxville’s amazing greenways.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: Quality of life is important to attracting new companies to Knoxville. From my perspective, we have a great quality of life here but we need to do a better job on promoting. We must demonstrate that we are an open, welcoming and inclusive city. We have a ways to go but our administration must never lose sight of this goal. We also must work on making Knoxville a city that is easier to do business with. Our practices in the past of not represented this to be true. We must also work toward keeping some of the bright minds from UT and the Anderson School of Entrepreneurship and encourage and put incentives in place to keep them in Knoxville to nurture their ideas, grow their products and start their companies here. We must also work to retain more of the companies that we here by asking the question.....what can we do better? As Mayor, I will work with our partners to actively recruit new companies and listen to the concerns of our existing companies on ways we can improve.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: The Tennova site is one of the last amazing sites in our city. I would work with the community to make sure that we find the best use for the site so that it could continue to be an asset. My goal would be for it not to be consumed by a central large police headquarters. I would prefer that we put precincts locations within our communities and leave the Tennova site for a smaller administrative building. The admin building could also be located on many other sites as well. This site could be developed as a mixed use development that could include office space, possibly workforce or market rate housing. I am also a huge advocate for working with LMU and possibly put their school of Dentistry and/or nursing on this site. It could also have housing for law students. There are many opportunities but most importantly working with the community every step of the way will be important.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: We must work on increasing tourism within our city. The former commissioner of tourism and I had a conversation several months ago. The State estimates that over 60% of the 12 million visitors to Sevier County go up and down 40, right through Knoxville. When asked what percentage stopped in Knoxville, he said it was VERY low. We need a mechanism to attract these tourists to stop in Knoxville. In my opinion, we need something that will do for Knoxville what the Aquarium has done for Chattanooga.

Calvin Skinner

Website: calvintaylorskinner.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 214-7011

Age: 37

Family: Rev. Dr. Johnnie and Andrea Skinner (parents), Rev. Alisha Lola Jones, PhD (fiancé), Johnnie and Corey (siblings), Mount Zion Church

Employment: Minister, Mount Zion Church; Community Organizer; Lead Consultant with InSight Initiative

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Bargain Shopping; co-founder of One Knox Legacy Coalition; East Knox Lions Club; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Alumnus, Masters Series for Distinguished Leaders (Washington, DC); Sketching Buildings, Photography, Road trips to wineries and distilleries with Alisha Lola, Food Tourism; Family Time; Music (Old School & Bhangra Hip Hop; Black Sacred Music; Jazz; Knoxville: Summer of 1915 by Samuel Barber; Salsa; Famous band Earth, Wind & Fire; Concerts; Movie Festivals; Mindfulness Meditation; Readings by Howard Thurman, C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Barbara Brown Taylor, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Gardner Calvin Taylor, Tom Skinner, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Maya Angelou, Michelle Alexander, Nikki Giovanni

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: The qualities of an attractive city are not only an emphasis around diversity, but a greater emphasis upon inclusion. Diversity speaks to our differences (culture, gender, etc.) and inclusion assures all groups have access to all available opportunities to thrive —Representation matters! Therefore, I am always intentional to engage all communities. My life’s work reflects this as well as my mayoral campaign. We have every background working with us to embrace the call of One Knoxville, One Vision. This is the posture I will maintain as mayor.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: I am a proponent of community input as they may know best what could be useful. Additionally, this is an opportunity to have community involvement, providing ownership and pride for the community and the city. There are examples where community input for re-development projects offered creative uses of spaces that paid dividends. Such an example is a shared work space offering small businesses, offering affordable rates to use the facility.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: The best ways to generate increased revenue is through cultural preservation and live events. My experience in live event logistics have exposed me to this growing industry. Through Knoxville, and East Tennnessee’s, rich culture, there is great potential to capitalize on delivering high quality events.

Marshall Stair

Website: marshallstair.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 232-9820

Age: 41

Address: 1325 Armstrong Ave. 37917

Family: Wife-Natalie Stair, daughter Stella Stair

Employment: Attorney in private practice at Lewis Thomason

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Audit Committee-Chair: Public Property Naming Committee- Chair; Bijou Theatre – President; Central Business Improvement District- Vice President; City People- President; Knoxville Symphony Orchestra; East Tennessee Historical Society; Legacy Parks; Appalachian Mountain Bike Club; Director of Pro Bono and Immigrant Assistance Project at UT College of Law; Beer Board Member; Latin America, Whitewater, Camping, Spanish, Politics, and Football

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: I have three priorities that are critical in attracting quality jobs. First, we must focus on creating a great quality of life for all citizens. Investments in arts and culture and parks and trails, are important to improving the lives of Knoxvillians, but these amenities are critical in recruiting and retaining talent and businesses. Second, we must embrace a culture of creativity, technology, and innovation. We can do this by expanding the Entrepreneur Center and creating an International Business Council. In addition, I would fund a feasibility study for broadband to improve the quality and access to high speed internet. Lastly, we must be intentional about our diversity and inclusion efforts. Diversity and inclusion are not only morally right, they are necessary to attracting top talent and good paying jobs. I would create the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to achieve these goals.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: I have been supportive of the plan to locate the new public safety building at the former St. Mary’s site. One of the reasons I support this plan is because the site would likely be left vacant and blighted for years if left to the private market. I have toured the current facility and we need a new one as KPD leadership has been advocating for this for decades. This centrally-located headquarters will allow KPD and KFD to have a state of the art facility to more efficiently respond to calls, and provide better services for the city of Knoxville. In addition, we help stabilize a fragile neighborhood by bringing in city employees. In addition, I would work to partner with other organizations, such as the LMU School of Nursing to fill out the campus with quality development. Lastly, I am excited about the potential relationship between Fulton and KPD to help address our recruitment challenges and improve police and community relations.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: The city’s primary revenue comes from property and sales taxes. My goal would be to continue the city’s current momentum by recruiting businesses, restaurants, residents, arts, and culture to the city, which will help grow the tax base. Most importantly, we must grow sustainably, and the growth must improve the lives of all Knoxvillians.

Michael Andrews

Website:https://www.facebook.com/michael.andrews.3538039

Age: 46

Address: 2544 Washington Ave. 37917

Family: Single, father of two daughters

Employment: Master Barber at Obsidian Barber Shop and Beauty Salons and catering chef

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Member of Overcoming Believers Church, Master Barber, Chef, Little league basketball coach, entrepreneur, author, mentor and sports fan

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: I think we need to have good structural availability either with good buildings or land for big businesses to develop.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: I think that it needs to continue to be a hospital. By not having one in that area could be the difference between life or death.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: I think sports and entertainment will dramatically increase revenue in the city. These are some that I am in favor of: 1) A city WNBA team; 2) PBA tournaments throughout the city; 3) Food and music festivals; 4) NCAA College Bowl game; 5) Professional Boxing and MMA matches; 6) Hosting tournaments social activities such as Chess, Checkers, Horseshoes, Poker, etc.

Knoxville City Council at-Large Seat A candidates:

Lynne Fugate

Website:lynnefugatecitycouncil.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 566-7414

Age: 58

Address: 530 Mellen Ave. 37919

Family: She is married to Scott Fugate and has two adult sons, Henley and Patrick.

Employment: Lynne Fugate has been the CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians since 2016.

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Current Boards - Knox Heritage; Holston Conference Foundation; Previous Boards - Fourth District Representative for Knox County Board of Education ( Chair & Vice-Chair); YWCA of Knoxville (President); Leadership Knoxville ( Executive Committee); East Tennessee Regional Leadership Association; Tennessee School Board Association; Knoxville Museum of Art (Executive Committee); Trustee for the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine; YMCA of East Tennessee (Executive Committee); Knox Housing Partnership (President); Great Schools Partnership; Metropolitan Drug Commission; Southeast Community Capital Corporation; Economic Ventures, Inc.; AmSouth Community Development Corporation; University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Associates; CISV (President); West High School Foundation (President); Bearden Middle School PTA (President); Sequoyah Elementary School PTA (President); Kids Place at Sequoyah (President); Member - Knoxville Rotary Club: Executive Women’s Association; Leadership Knoxville Class of 2000; East Tennessee Regional Leadership Class of 2004; and Junior League of Knoxville; Awards - 2001 YWCA Tribute to Women Honoree for Business and Government; Knoxville Chapter, Public Relations Society of America Community Service Award; John J. Duncan, Sr. Award for Commitment to Housing and Community Development; and The Bob Gonia Leadership Award for Outstanding Regional Leadership

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: The most critical thing that a city needs to attract well-paying jobs is a workforce with the skills those companies require. I know from my years on the Board of Education that excellent schools are the first step in meeting that requirement. Therefore the city must continue to work with the Board of Education to make sure that our public schools are the best in the Southeast. We are fortunate to have several wonderful post-secondary educational opportunities in our community. These institutions allow our citizens to continue their education and improve their skills so that they have options for employment. Another factor considered in corporate relocations is a community’s quality of life. Quality of life issues typically include; a thriving downtown, low cost of living, affordable housing, public safety, access to healthcare, access to recreational areas such as parks, greenways, and other public spaces, and a vibrant arts community.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: City Council has already approved the purchase of the site and is moving ahead with the relocation of the Police Department, Fire Department, and City Court. Therefore what is left to be developed is the historic hospital site and adjacent property. At this time, LMU is already using some of the hospital for its nursing school so I think that should stay and perhaps other health science programs could be added there. The expansion of post-secondary healthcare programs would be good for the area since there is typically a shortage of trained healthcare workers. This also would complement nicely the School of Health Science that is at Fulton High School today. The city should work closely with the area neighborhoods, as the city has said it would, to see what types of businesses and services residents would like to see on the adjacent property.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: The two major sources of revenue for the City are property taxes and sales taxes. The best way to increase property tax is to put more property on the tax role. One way to do that is for the city to continue its efforts to reclaim blighted property and get it in the hands of someone who will rehabilitate the property and make it more valuable. I would also like to see the City look at using current incentive tools and look for new ways to stimulate commercial and mixed use development on the corridors leading from downtown; Magnolia Ave, Chapman Hwy, Broadway, and Kingston Pike. This would also increase the property tax base. The creation of new businesses in the city along these corridors and elsewhere will also create more sales tax revenue. The city must grow its tax base especially because the Hall Income Tax is being totally phased out within the next couple of years. Any loss of revenue needs to be replaced or the services the city provides can be affected

Charles Lomax

Website: electlomax.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 405-1485

Age: 37

Address: 3235 Misty Hill Way 37917

Family: Charles F. Lomax Sr. (Father) Terri J. Carlock-Lomax (Mother)

Employment: Senior Pastor at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Alcoa

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: worked at Knoxville Leadership Foundation as the Match and Training Coordinator for Amachi Knoxville, was appointed as Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commissioner, pastored at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Alcoa (served as senior pastor at this church last 7 years) Moderator, Knoxville District Baptist Association; Vice-President, Knoxville Interdenominational Christian Ministerial Alliance (KICMA); Former Commissioner, Metropolitan Planning Commission; Hobbies include: traveling, reading, sports and video games.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: Of the qualities desirable to attract new businesses, I believe affordability and great schools are two of the most important components that need to be considered. Corporations and businesses of every type are concerned about their bottom line. Relocation has to be financially feasible for the organization itself, as well as for its employees. Employees also want to work and live in areas that have a quality education system for their children. Matters of connectivity and a sustainable infrastructure also should be taken into consideration, especially if the relocating businesses are hauling or moving freight. Additionally, a city that does not have amenities such as parks, greenspace, and diversity of culture are often overlooked by businesses looking to expand into other locations.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: I believe the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus would be a hospital. Tennova’s decision to vacate the area left a noticeable gap in emergency medical coverage in East Knox County, and as a result, lives are potentially placed in jeopardy. Because we cannot undo what has been done, I support efforts to convert the campus into the new home for our police officers and firefighters. The location is convenient, and the neighborhood appears supportive of the endeavor. With the additional space, I would potentially like to see another place, similar to the Change Center, for youth in the community or an area promoting entrepreneurship for members of the community.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: First, I think you have to investigate wasteful spending (if there be any) to see where we might be able to save funds in that way. As far as generating revenue, it can be generated by minimizing the number of blighted properties and getting them back on the books. There are a number of properties throughout the city that are not meeting their maximum potential and as a result are costing the city money. Also, I believe that we have to be more judicious in the disbursement of PILOTs and TIFs so that those entities who can still proceed without them are still moving forth.

Knoxville City Council at-Large Seat B candidates

David Hayes

Website:votedavidhayes.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 963-6476

Age: 26

Address: 241 Hawthorne Ave., Apt 1 37920

Family: My partner, Dr. Lisa East, and I have a beautiful toddler.

Employment: works part-time for a black-owned clothing manufacturer in East Knoxville: Marc Nelson’s Denin

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: organizing workers for a union and a living wage, helping people in need find affordable housing, working with families and their loved ones who are battling court cases, and drafting public policies that grant more power to communities and neighborhoods. Co-founder of Stop School Push Out; Co-founder of UT Coalition for Responsible Investment; Co-founder of East TN Community Defense; Co-founder of Black Lives Matter Knoxville; Co-founder of City Council Movement; Past Labor Organizer with SEIU’s (Service Employees International Union) Fight For $15 campaign; Past member of Southern Energy Network’s Steering Committee

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: First and foremost, the city must prioritize the needs of its residents, communities, unions, environment, and local businesses, putting people over profit. The city of Knoxville must be intentional about the out of town businesses it attracts, and cease being a place where corporations come to pay low wages, low taxes, and pollute our environment. The city should prioritize businesses who are willing to sign community benefits agreements with unions and community organizations so development can benefit all residents. Furthermore, the city must take an active role in building a sustainable local economy that poor and working class, Black, Brown, and all people benefit from and participate in.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: A hospital was the best use of St. Mary’s Hospital campus and it’s unfortunate that local governments did not do more to prevent the hospital from leaving. Currently, there is no proof or data to confirm that renovating St. Mary’s Hospital campus into a police/fire headquarters is cheaper than renovating the current police station. Furthermore, moving the city courthouse from its location in the current police station (which is a block away from the bus station) to St. Mary’s is an unnecessary hardship on bus riders. The city must have a larger imagination when it comes to the use of St. Mary’s and involve the surrounding community and the students, families, teachers, and staff at Fulton High School to identify the best use of the space. Personally, I would like to see the ownership of the land transferred to a community land trust, with social services, healthcare, cooperatives, and/or small businesses using the space.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: Uplifting the poor and working class must become a central way we build our tax base as a city. Having properly funded social services, community resources, and housing are investments into people that will allow our tax base and revenue to grow while also ensuring that our city works for everyone. Poor and working class Knoxvillians currently pay too much of their income in taxes due to our high sales taxes while wealthy corporations and large businesses pay low wages to their employees and low taxes. It’s time for wealthy institutions to pay their fair share and properly contribute to our communities.

Janet Testerman

Website: electtesterman.org

Campaign Phone: (865) 250-4860

Age: 50

Address: 423 Scenic Dr. 37919

Family: Married to Joey Creswell, she also is the proud stepmother to Elie, 17, and Georgie, 15; Golden Retriever/Corgi mix, Buddy, and rescue Dachshund, Lollie.

Employment: CEO of Young Williams Animal Center; she spent nearly a decade in communications as manager of internal communication for Scripps Networks Interactive and earlier as executive editor of E.W. Scripps’ custom publications, Knoxville Magazine and skirt! Magazine

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: has served on numerous boards including Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation (now Visit Knoxville), Bijou Theatre, Leadership Knoxville and Young-Williams Animal Center for five years prior to joining the organization full time. She recently rolled off as board president of Dogwood Arts. When she isn’t catering to her dogs, you can find her enjoying Knoxville’s great arts and food culture, as well as bringing her passion to many of the community’s great causes.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: During my time at Scripps Networks, we had this discussion often as we looked to recruit talent to Knoxville. As happened with companies like Scripps, Whittle and Regal Entertainment, once people choose Knoxville for a career opportunity, they establish roots because of the quality of life Knoxville provides. In recruiting, however, I maintain a city needs a 360 experience that includes a vibrant downtown, arts and culture, culinary experiences, outdoor recreation, which includes transportation options and walkability, along with quality schools and safe neighborhoods. On the flip side, companies looking to relocate look for a skilled workforce, and I feel Knoxville offers that, especially as we invest more on vocational skills education and training. Affordability is also key, and Knoxville is attractive because of our low taxes and has been on multiple best-places-to-live lists, which companies seek by looking at accolades a city has received as part of their decision-making process.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: The city has already acquired the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus and is in the process of site planning for the Knoxville Police Department and Knoxville Fire Department. That said, I have met with the leadership of KPD and KFD who are all excited about the move to a new location, which will grant them more space but also help streamline the resources of our top first-responder agencies along with the city municipal court system. In addition, spending time with members of the 5th District, I have heard nothing but an overwhelming response from residents in favor of the relocation and will be committed to working with the neighborhood on the use of the old hospital and its grounds. I know there is conversation as well with members of the private sector to lease any additional space that would likely result in shared responsibility with certain overhead expenses.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: Discovery and Regal are divesting/transitioning in Knoxville, and with the investment of Berkshire Hathaway in Pilot/Flying J and Clayton, the long-term presence of these companies remains unclear. With so much transition among our largest employers, we need to leverage our city for opportunities that create jobs as well as build/expand our tax base to, in turn, provide, support and fund much-needed social services. The new Chamber leader is also a critical role for business development and selling our city to prospective employers looking to relocate to Knoxville. Another revenue generator is finding solutions for vacant properties. Blight isn’t an option, so let's promote new business and local entrepreneurs to get these properties back on the tax rolls and generating income. Having been a small business owner, I know the blood, sweat and tears a start-up takes, but getting the doors open is not enough. We need to be self-sustaining and set them up for long-term success.

Knoxville City Council at-Large Seat C candidates:

Amy Midis

Website:amymidis.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 384-1558

Age: 50

Address: 5015 W. Summit Cir. 37919

Family: Married for 22 years to Greg Midis; two daughters, ages 10 and 15

Employment: Financial Analyst, Covenant Health

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: She served as president of their neighborhood association for six years, where she became known as a consensus-building leader. She was appointed to several city-wide neighborhood committees such as the City of Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory Council, Public Property Naming Committee, and the Stakeholders Advisory Council for Recode Knoxville. She is an outdoor enthusiast, 5-time Ironman, and avid cyclist. She serves on the Bike Walk Knoxville Advisory Council and is an advocate for alternative forms of transportation.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: (1) City staff and administration needs to be a resource for new industries and businesses wanting to operate in Knoxville. We are economic partners and our success as a city is dependent on their financial success. (2) A trained and skilled workforce is essential especially in the current tight labor market. Their success as a business is directly linked to the skilled level of workforce they employ. (3) An attractive and vibrant community that appeals to the many generations wanting to make Knoxville their home. As individuals age, their priorities change. While job opportunities may incentivize employees to move to Knoxville, we need to continually respond to the changing needs of our residents.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: I support the relocation of the safety building and city courts to the former St. Mary's Hospital campus. I would like to see extensive outreach with the Oakwood Lincoln Park neighborhood before city administration and city council decides on the future of the remaining parcel. The neighborhood has a history of being directly affected by businesses being located within their boundaries: beginning with the C.B. Atkin Furniture Manufacturing firm and the Southern Railway, and most recently the Fort Loudon Recycling Facility. I would advocate that the citizens of that community be directly engaged regarding any future development within its borders.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: Property taxes is the city budget's largest revenue stream. Additional property tax revenues could be best generated by re-purposing vacant or underutilized buildings along our corridors into new commercial spaces or new residential housing. Generational changes in the aging baby boomer population as well as the younger Millennial and Gen Z age groups are creating a new demand for urban living. The current and previous administrations have incentivizing economic development of downtown properties with PILOTS and TIFS as well as expanding opportunity zones to increase capital reinvestment in the underserved areas of town. I would continue this type of stimulus, but would more aggressively support economic development that naturally stimulates the demand for these types of sustainable developments, eventually leading to greater economic opportunities for the residents of Knoxville.

Amelia Parker

Website: VoteAmeliaParker.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 851-8561

Age: 40

Address: 5917 Holston View Lane 37914

Family: Single, no children

Employment: Executive Director, Peace Brigades International - USA (www.pbiusa.org)

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Amelia is a member of the Birdhouse Community Center Board of Directors, the Democratic Party’s Progressive Action Committee Police Reform Task Force, and a founding member of the City Council Movement, the Coalition to Stop School Pushout, and Black Lives Matter Knoxville.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: Knoxville is a beautiful city with some of the friendliest, most laid back folks you’ll ever meet. It is also a transportation hub, with interstate 40 and 75 running through our city, and 81 just down the road. Knoxville is also within a day’s drive of half of the continental U.S. Our city is truly a gem that is ripe for businesses to locate. To attract businesses that pay their employees well, we must be a city that reflects the values of ensuring the well-being of our residents. A company that pays a living wage to their employees would not want to relocate to a city that does not prioritize taking care of the most vulnerable in our city or addressing growing wage gaps and poverty in our city. Knoxville must exhibit a commitment to the well-being of all of our residents by making greater investments in social services, addressing our affordable housing crisis, and promoting economic development among our lowest wage earners to attract businesses that value paying their employees well,

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: The absence of a healthcare facility in various parts of our community has compounding effects on our residents, effects that have already begun with the closing of the former St. Mary’s/Tennova North campus. Recently, I learned that the Walgreens Pharmacy on Broadway is no longer 24 hours. Therefore, those living in the area who experience a prescription-related health scare in the middle of the night must now travel farther to reach a pharmacy or drugstore. In thinking about what should go in the former St. Mary’s, the city must promote healthy neighborhoods by helping secure the services needed in each part of our city. With the closing of Baptist Hospital and now the Tennova North campus, much of our health services within the city limits are now concentrated in West Knox. Long term, this could lead to poorer health outcomes for our residents living in other parts of the city. Consideration of an urgent care facility at that location in partnership with the county should continue.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: A city with a high rate of poverty like Knoxville is in need of increasing our workforce so that we have a larger population participating in our local economy. Vacant buildings in our city can be put to good use for residential and commercial purposes with tax incentives and low interest/no interest loans offered by the city. The city should prioritize those parts of the city and members of our community experiencing the highest rates of poverty. We can also increase revenue by applying a small tax to new amenities that come to town, such as the electric scooters, so that perhaps a dollar of each purpose goes directly back to the city and could be used to fund a city priority such as making our sidewalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act by adding curb cuts throughout the city.

Hubert Smith

Website: www.facebook.com/Hubert-Smith-for-Knoxville-City-Council

Campaign Phone: (865) 414-8557

Age: 65

Address: 5021 Jacksboro Pike, Apt 22 37918

Family: single

Employment: retired

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Listening to classic R&B music. I like making music CD's for friends of classic R&B music.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: One attraction is a well-educated workforce from which to choose when hiring. Consequently, good schools for their families providing they have children. The absence of a state income tax is an attraction. Moderate to low property tax is also incentive. A very active and supportive chamber of commerce. Good housing choices. Opportunities for family recreation and entertainment.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: Assuming the decision remains, my job is to do everything within my power to make it work for the Knoxville Police and Fire departments, Municipal Court, Civil Service and any other departments that may relocate. The remaining part of the campus is an unknown. I don't have the answers for best use. It's possible that offers will be made to make the decision easy. It's also possible that the surrounding neighborhoods will have a role to play in the decision-making.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: Growth is an easy one. Particularly business growth, but tourism growth is the cleaner way. Lodging benefits, which generates sales tax to the city. Residential growth helps all the way around.

Bob Thomas

Website:BobThomas.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 309-4364

Age: 65

Address: 6815 Stone Mill Dr. 37919

Family: Kim Simmons Thomas (wife) been married 34 years; kids: Brooke Brummitt (Husband Logan of Knoxville), Chad Thomas (Wife-Mindy Fleming Thomas of Knoxville) and Jake (actor in Los Angeles); Grandkids: Corbin (11), Piper (9), Olivia (8), Samuel (6), Sutton (6) and Maz (2)

Employment: WIVK 25+ years, formerly Ed and Bob Show

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: former Knox County Commissioner, had broadcasting career for 30 years, revived the Knoxville Christmas Parade and served as chairman for 16 years, served on the Board of the Cerebral Palsy Center for Handicapped Adults, owner of the Knoxville Cherokees (hockey team); actively serving on these boards: Metro Drug Coalition Board, Dogwood Arts Festival Board, Young-Williams Animal Center Board and Executive Committee, American Cancer Society Board, Arts & Culture Alliance Board and Executive Committee, Previous Boards he served on: Former Chairman, Knox County Cable TV Committee, Knox County Pension & Retirement Committee, Knox County Parks & Recreation Board, Community Television Board,Thompson-Boling Arena Use Committee. Served two years on the Knox County Development Corp Board

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: Our government needs leaders with ideas, not people who just react to whatever situation pops up. That's one of the reasons I presented the Downtown Tram idea with no taxpayer funding - to get people thinking about the future of our city and what it could be. If we want a growing, thriving city of the future, the city will have to attract young families. I believe people want a city that is looking toward its future. We will need a good quality of life, good education, mobility and fast internet just to mention a few things. My experience in broadcasting, working on dozens of community boards for decades, serving this community in many capacities and as a business owner, give me an edge on how to move our city into the future and attract the types of businesses that will ensure quality jobs for our citizens.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: A hospital layout may provide a good transitional building for the homeless or victims of domestic abuse in need of temporary shelter. There are also meeting rooms there that could be beneficial for counseling, class rooms and various gatherings. A police precinct could also be located there. Moving all the safety departments and police department to that building may be expensive for all of the improvements needed. Plus, access in and out of the building does not seem to lend itself for a constant flow of police vehicles. First and foremost I would get more public input.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: First, the city needs to become more business friendly. Too many times I have heard investors and business owners saying that it is much easier to do business in other cities rather than Knoxville. I would like to see the city take stock in itself with a survey of businesses that have moved into our city and find out what we can do better. Second, I would seek out new ideas that are on the forefront of technology and business today and bring those ideas and qualities to our city. Attract entrepreneurs by turning empty buildings into “think tanks” for startups. Third, but not last, the city needs to maintain a high quality of life and educational possibilities that everyone wants for their families.

David Williams

Website: Dawill64@yahoo.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 256-1828

Age: 66; born in fort sanders in 1952

Address: 505 Hollywood Rd. 37919

Family: Great-grand dad built house; 4th generation Pond Gap resident; mom taught how to read/write before school; dad was in marine corp., he passed away; mother is still alive; he was an elementary school teacher so tells people he had hundreds of children; not married

Employment: retired; 20 years ago got really active in neighborhood issues and around town

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: Republican group, got started in politics in 1964; help taking care of great-granddad’s house - learning about architecture and carpenter skills;

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: The quality of our people attracts new residents, visitors, and jobs. Warm, friendly, hardworking, and caring describe Knoxvillians. A sense of community history and pride prevails. We are quick to help a neighbor. We don't wait on government to act. We the people organize then act. We help those who can not help themselves. We promote free enterprise not more government. We apply common sense and wonder why the government doesn't. We are open and free to speak our minds. We respect neighborhoods and honor the unique qualities of each. We prefer to let our actions speak for us. We cherish the knowledge we are all God's children!

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: The best use is what the neighborhood wants! Restoring and preserving unique buildings showcase our history and pride. The neighborhood is echoing this feeling. I believe we should involve young people. Let a senior architect class at UT show their prospective. Top priority is getting good cost estimates . Those who have good track records in restoration should be consulted. Let the project tell the story of what makes us Knoxvillians!

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: Promote free enterprise! Promote neighborhood friendly businesses! Those that enhance characteristics, values, and history of their communities will thrive. That is how you build the tax base. I have worked with businesses in Pond Gap with this same concept. It works! It can work citywide! Eliminate red tape and be forthcoming and open and honest! Allow people to succeed and don't force bad projects on them . Those that know best are those folks in each neighborhood.

Knoxville City Council District 5 candidates

Charles Al-Bawi

Website: votecharlesalbawi.com

Campaign Phone: (865) 200-3755

Age: 29

Address: 1111 Texas Ave. 37921

Family: My wife, Jeminaka

Employment: attorney

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: spending time with family and reading

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: A city should have two main qualities to attract businesses that offer living wages and benefits. The first and most obvious quality is a big pool of educated and happy workers. Second, the city should offer logistics that will enable the businesses to find and supply their customer base. Knoxville has both of those qualities. First, we are blessed to have quality educational institutions such as TCAT, Pellissippi, LMU, and the University of Tennessee. These institutions recruit and train a workforce capable of performing in any field. Second, Knoxville is at the junction of I-40 and I-75. We connect North to South and East to West in the United States. We are a one day drive from fifty percent of the population in the United States. We are also right beside one of the most visited National Parks in the Country. Our location provides businesses a remarkable advantage that other cities cannot. Our labor force and logistics provide an advantage that should attract any business.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: I believe that our City needs two main resources that the St. Mary's site can provide. The first is affordable housing. The site is large enough to provide a substantial source of affordable housing. That could mean creating a future KCDC apartment complex, an apartment complex aimed at working class individuals who want to live in a conveniently located neighborhood, or a cooperative apartment complex that provides a mix of affordable and affluent apartments. The second option would be to use the area to establish the in-patient mental health care facility that this city needs. These options could be created instead of the Public Safety Complex or in conjunction with it.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: First, we can increase our tax base by actively addressing our housing needs. We would look at restoring blighted properties. We can work to expand our many housing programs that would improve access to housing for those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. We can also work with property owners to improve the quality of their current residence. All three of these would increase the City's revenue from property taxes by expanding our tax base and by increasing property values throughout the City. Second, we can increase revenue from our sales tax. We can bring in new businesses that are unique to this region that encourage customers to spend in Knoxville. We can also increase the disposable income of our residents by bringing in high paying jobs and by making the City more affordable to the poor and working class. To achieve this we can expand many programs that already exist such as our summer programs for children that essentially offer reduced cost childcare to our residents.

Charles Thomas

Website: www.facebook.com/charles.a.thomas.16

Campaign Phone: (865) 687-6090

Age: 64

Address: 386 Hiawassee Ave. 37917

Family: Single, Sarah Hurd (sister), Richard O. Larson (Cousin), Celia Larson (Cousin), Elizabeth Marston Airhart (Cousin), and Stacy Siko (Cousin)

Employment: Lawyer and bookseller at Union Ave Books. I'm a former City Councilman, and have served on numerous boards and tasks force, including the KTA, MPC, Greenway Commission, Broadway Corridor Task force and currently serve on the Legacy Parks Land Conservation Committee.

Professional affiliations and/or hobbies: worked on Knoxville-Knox County Planning, was a City Councilman, North Knoxville Business and Professional Association, Knoxville Bar Association. I love organic gardening, biking, hiking, and all things of nature. I am an avid reader. I enjoy improving my Spanish, which I learned doing educational and human rights work in Guatemala.

Q: All cities want to attract new businesses that will provide its residents with well paying jobs. What qualities do you think a city should have to attract these kinds of businesses?

A: Knoxville has made great strides in recent years in amenities which make it an attractive place to both live and locate a business. As a city, we should continue our efforts in correcting urban blight, becoming more pedestrian and bike friendly, improving bus and trolley service, protecting our historic buildings and unique architecture, encouraging the arts, and highlighting our rich history. The expansion of linear parks and greenways that connect neighborhoods and the development of the Urban Wilderness has attracted people here both as visitors and residents. Calculated investments in these areas not only attract outside talent and businesses, but also encourage local talent and businesses to remain here. I want to help continue that progress.

Q: What is the best use of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus?

A: City Council has voted for this abandoned site to be the new headquarters for the KPD, Fire Department, and City Court. Considering the likelihood that the area otherwise would be vacant indefinitely and deteriorate, this appears to be the best available option, and I support it. As this will involve roughly only half the area, the remaining approximately 4 acres would be available for other uses. Lincoln Memorial University is interested in an existing office tower as a facility for their nursing program, and I would encourage that. The remaining area has great positive potential for the surrounding area, and an open process involving all stakeholders and the surrounding residents and neighborhoods is essential. A variety of options including possible mixed-use commercial, affordable housing and greenspace are among options that can be considered, with the possibility that more than one could be incorporated. Public input is of utmost importance.

Q: What do you think are the best ways for the city to generate increased revenue?

A: Knoxville still has a great deal of blighted property, vacant lots, and surface parking which could be reclaimed, restored and put back on the tax rolls. This would provide more opportunities for both businesses and affordable housing. The City should continue a close dialogue with the business community, and mutually beneficial public/private partnerships should be explored and encouraged. Payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and tax incremental financing (TIF) are among the tools that can be used, and when carefully and judiciously applied, can produce beneficial outcomes that enable a business to solidify itself at the outset with the city receiving an opportunity for increased revenue from a lower tax-generating site.