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Contact Isa at 865-637-4074 or
[email protected]   

Candidate’s Statement:

I am running for Mayor of the city of Knoxville. I pledge to you that I will be completely devoted to achieving the goals that we set together, be open to new ideas, treat people with respect, be fair in my deliberations, keep my word, be accessible to our city’s people, be honest in word and action, and always do my best.

In Knoxville I believe we must focus on these issues:

1. Public Trust. Government should be open and responsive. We should honor the will of the people. I will act to ensure that every person’s voice is heard, and will talk with our city’s people every day to find out what their concerns are … their problems, their dreams for a better community. I will work to ensure that every citizen of Knoxville contributes to the decisions about how their tax money is spent, and understands how the city’s budget is determined … and why.

2. Voting. Democracy requires that each person gets involved in selecting who will represent them. I will initiate methods for obtaining each citizen’s vote which can include providing transportation to the polls for persons unable to reach them on their own, granting a “fare-free” day on all public transportation and free parking lots on election days, creating a cadre of volunteers to visit homebound persons and obtain their written ballots, extending voting days over a weekend to enable workers to reach the polls, and providing on-site childcare so that parents can focus on submitting their votes.

3. Representation. Taking Democracy to the next level means that each person be ready and willing to run for representative positions in city government. I will work to ensure that civic responsibility is nurtured through our schools, community organizations, the media, and through door-to-door canvassing. Training programs, materials, and neighborhood initiatives can prepare and encourage people to take on the responsibility of governing themselves.

4. Meeting the concerns of all Knoxville citizens Citizens who live in the city are valuable members of Knoxville’s greater community. A vibrant city will benefit all of Knox County, and a vibrant county will benefit the city of Knoxville. I will promote the idea of one neighborhood called Knoxville and work toward the elimination of the artificial boundaries that separate us from our neighbors, insulate us from learning about one another, and prevent us from working together to solve our common problems.

5. Development. Economic and social development from a community governance viewpoint means redistributing resources so that all areas of the city are equitably developed, whether it involves smart planning of new communities or redevelopment of existing ones. It also means protecting homeowners against use of eminent domain by city government, and halting divestment of city assets (public buildings, public spaces). It means creating more and better jobs that pay a living wage and provide health benefits to workers, as well as require a living wage from city contractors. We need to link economic growth to the environmental health of Knoxville. I pledge to bring in new types of businesses based on creating a “green” economy that taps into booming new opportunities. We need to live in a healthy environment and also produce the goods and develop the services that will ensure availability, affordability, and responsibility. “Green” industry can include light and heavy manufacturing, construction, research, health care, food production and distribution. I will also work on developing employee-owned businesses where employees are true partners and not merely stockholders. We need to increase internet access for more people through our libraries, public buildings and public spaces. We need to establish “buy local” campaigns and expand farmers’ markets throughout the city.

6. Transportation. With gas prices skyrocketing and our air quality among the worst in the nation, I believe that we need to implement alternative forms of transportation that are safe and efficient. I will direct the effort to join our disconnected sidewalks and provide them where they are really necessary – near schools, for example. I will work toward creating more greenways and bike trails, defining public access areas for canoeing, off-road vehicles, horseback riding, as well as providing additional benches and shelters for our public and school bus stops. I will establish a task force of citizens, business interests and TDOT to review plans – from a “smart growth” viewpoint - for improved highways, more efficient city streets, and more accessible public transportation. I will advocate for a vigorous educational program to encourage the citizens of Knoxville to drive less, carpool more, and choose smaller, more efficient vehicles.

7. Public Space. The people of Knoxville need a space where creative and innovative projects can flourish. I will initiate a plan to establish a public community center that will accommodate music/theatre/art groups, performance and rehearsal spaces, galleries, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups.

8. Preserving the unique character of Knoxville. One of the best ways to preserve Knoxville’s character is to ensure that the people of Knoxville determine their community’s future.