Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon has postponed a decision about whether to make a portion of Union Avenue downtown one-way until a nearby hotel under construction is completed. That will not occur until late summer 2027, when the mayoral contest to replace Kincannon is well underway.
Here's the backstory: In early August city downtown coordinator Ellie Moore met with residents of the Pembroke and Daylight buildings on Union Avenue, who had not originally been told of this idea. They learned of it secondhand. Moore was unable to give any dates as to when the consideration of the plan might occur and how residents would be informed. She did not seem to know who within Kincannon's administration would actually decide the matter.
Meanwhile, Chesapeake's
downtown restaurant, through its attorney, Allison Jackson at the law firm of Egerton McAfee Armistead & Davis, has sent Moore a four-page letter pointing out a study on the downtown circulation issues is more than 11 years old and not current. Updated studies on this topic have not occurred, and they feel a conversion may have "adverse consequences for businesses in the area." Moore has not yet responded.
The next city election for mayor, city council and municipal judge is a year away. Kincannon, who is term limited, cannot run again, nor can Councilmembers Lynne Fugate and Amelia Parker for the same reason. Judge Tyler Caviness is expected to seek a second term as judge, as is Debbie Helsley on city council.
Vivian Shipe, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for Knox County Commission's At-Large Seat 11 in the Aug. 6 election, announced she will seek Parker's city council seat in 2027. Shipe did well in the city precincts for the county commission seat, which Republican Garrett Holt won, prevailing over him in many of them. This should help her in the city council election in August 2027. It is also nonpartisan, which the county election is not. Others besides Shipe will seek the position.
The Sue Clancy Greenway Extension in North Knoxville was dedicated and had its ribbon cut Aug. 18. Clancy, 94, was present with her six children. She was director of special events when I was mayor. More than 70 people attended, as the greenway had been built internally by the city.
While Knoxville Police Department Chief Paul Noel is now back in his job after four weeks of unpaid leave for exchanging sexually charged messages with a subordinate, I would not be surprised if he departs city employment before Kincannon's term ends in December 2027. He will have trouble restoring his credibility. Assistant KPD Chief David Powell, who led the department during Noel's suspension, would likely serve as chief until a new mayor takes office. The new mayor might appoint Powell as permanent chief or Kincannon could simply promote Powell to this position.
Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, who was married to U.S. Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. of Tennessee, died Aug. 21 at age 94. She was the first woman to represent Kansas in the U.S. Senate and for several years was the lone woman serving in the Senate. She was the daughter of former Gov. Alf Landon, the Republican nominee for the presidency in 1936, who lost to incumbent Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a landslide.
Michaela Barnett had a large turnout Aug. 25 at the Crafty Bastard Brewery with more than 200 people present. The Democrat is running for the U.S. House District 2 seat. Given the strong showing of Democrat Beau Hawk against newly elected Knox County Mayor Betsy Henderson, a Republican, with 48% of the vote in Knox County, Barnett may reach 40% of the vote in the county against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, the Republican incumbent.
Birthdays
Sept. 12: Knoxville City Councilman Charlie Thomas is 72. Madge Cleveland is 70. Rick Harrington is 77. David Jerrolds is 60. Betsy Child is 73.
Sept. 13: Retired District Attorney General Randy Nichols is 78. Marcus A. Hilliard is 40. Attorney Tripp White is 44. Terrye Whitaker is 75. Sandra Goss is 73. Brandi Lowell is 48. Charlie Bradshaw is 62.
Sept. 14: Dwight Van de Vate is 65. James Massey is 75. Dale Longmire is 76. George Krieps is 65. Cheri Siler is 55. Lamont Belk is 62. Mort Massey is 75. Mike Hammond is 74. Lee Tramel is 62. State Rep. Jeremy Faison is 50.
Sept. 15: John Shanahan is 65. Tommy Siler is 56. Tony Hollin is 67. Mike Edwards is 75. Jennifer Torgeson is 55. Allan Grossman is 77. Prince Harry is 42. Daniel Cupp is 37.
Sept. 16: Paris E. Woodhull is 32. Ronald V. Kalafsky is 58. Bennett Kizer is 46. Jeffery Griswold is 46. Angelia Nystrom is 58. Judy White is 83. Natalia P. Sanders is 43.
Sept. 17: Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz is 73. Caula Beyl is 75. Lauren A. Longmire is 39. Michael Mollenhour is 75. Richard Hinton is 77. Elizabeth Rowland is 47. Stephanie Hall is 73. Robert Marlino is 65. Billy Stair is 74. Richard D. Tierney III is 58. Joseph Lenn is 50.
Sept. 18: Former Vice Mayor Finbarr Saunders is 82. Kristi Kristy is 56. Jasper Boers is 27. Tracey Williams is 57.
Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville mayor and former ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Postponement of decision on Union Avenue change welcomed | Opinion
