The suspension of Knoxville Police Department Chief Paul Noelfor four weeks unpaid will cost him over $17,200 in salary for inappropriate text messages to a female employeebut does far more in undermining his reputation and makes it harder for him to restore trust if in fact he returns to his position.
Acting Police Chief David Powell could very well continue until Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon leaves office in December 2027. Noel now becomes an issue in the upcoming race for city mayor as candidates are forced to voice their support for keeping Noel or seeking a new chief, either internally or outside KPD.
Noel's selection was challenged in a News Sentinel lawsuitwhen he was hired by Kincannon.
Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence will
be celebrated 3-10 p.m. Aug. 22 with a potluck picnic at Lakeshore Park's Tower Playground Pavilion. The event is free and family friendly. The public is invited, especially those favoring freedom throughout the world. Ukraine's Independence Day falls on Aug. 24.
The Knoxville City Council adopted on first reading on Aug. 5 a city charter amendment to allow any council candidate winning over 50% of the vote in the primary to be declared the winner – as currently applies to the mayor and city judge – instead of having to stand for the general election a few weeks later. If approved on second reading on Aug. 19, it will go on the November general election ballot along with three state constitutional amendments, which are separate issues.
Vice Mayor Lynne Fugate is the main sponsor of the proposal, but it is expected to have council backing. If adopted it will reduce amount of money city candidates need to raise.
A controversy arose last month over a plan by the Kincannon administration to convert the one block of Union Avenue between Locust and Walnut going east to Gay Street to one way. This was not requested by property owners or residents. Ellie Moore, who replaced the able and popular Rick Emmett, is handling this for Kincannon. This is the block that includes Pete's Restaurant & Coffee Shop and Union Ave Books.
Chesapeake's Seafood Restaurant downtown also would face a challenge because it owns a parking lot on Union Avenue where customers often park. It is surprising that Kincannon is bringing this up with only 16 months left in her final term when other issues would seem to be much more urgent.
Moore in an email acknowledged that many had not been briefed on this. She sent this email on July 16:
"As we've continued conversations with residents, businesses, and property owners, it has become clear that not everyone received information about the proposal. We've also heard additional questions and concerns that deserve further discussion before any changes take place. We want to ensure everyone understands the proposed plan and has adequate notice before any changes occur."
Three popular restaurants – J.C. Holdway, Pete's and Chesapeake's – have a stake in the decision. All produce considerable revenue for the city and county. Residents of that area live in the Pembroke, where Marie Alcorn is the leader of the group. Many have been there more than 15 years.
Moore gave the email recipients only 14 days to respond, and no public meeting is planned for area property owners, residents and renters.
The Kincannon administration, led by Chief of Staff David Brace, does not seem to have learned from the Chilhowee Park disaster that full communication is essential. On Sept. 30, 2025, city council voted 5 to 4 to withdraw a proposal to sell 12.7 acres of Chilhowee Park public land to the private Emerald Youth Foundation. Many council members did not learn about the proposal until until Knox News reporter Allie Feinberg broke the news that the plan would be introduced at a council meeting. Councilmember Denzel Grant, who represents this area on council, was left out of the conversation for some time.
Birthdays
Aug. 22: Benjamin F. Lee is 56. Wanda McMahan is 77. Craig Leuthold is 63. Former Farragut Mayor Eddy Ford is 87. Attorney Sid Gilreath is 90.
Aug. 23: Former Tennessee Governor and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam is 68. David Brace, chief of staff for Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, is 54. Keifel Agostini is 55. Geri Mewett is 52.
Aug. 24: Lee Ann Rogers is 70. Chris Whittle is 79. Kamilia Kozlowski is 76. Shaun Fulco is 59. Karen Simsen is 60. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker is 74. Knoxville City Council attorney Rob Frost is 58.
Aug. 25: Marie Alcorn is 73. Rick Locker is 71. Attorney Timothy Conner is 60. U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett is 62. Ben Farmer is 44. Tanika Harper is 47. Ron Pinchok is 78.
Aug. 26: Lucy Hosenfeld is 64. Daryl Lowe is 49. Mike Benn is 41, Rob Heller is 73.
Aug. 27: John C. Lowery is 48. Todd B. Skelton is 40. Lisa Hatfield is 57. Ashlind M. Bray is 34. Steven D. Root is 48. Former Tennessee Valley Authority Chairman Craven Crowell is 83. UT law professor Glenn Reynolds is 66. Bruce Hartmann is 69. David Wilson is 63.
Aug. 28: Knox County Commissioner Terry Hill is 76. Gururas K. Khalsa is 44. Ravi S Dharnidharka is 49. Don Barger is 76. Attorney Bruce Fox is 75. Polly Doka is 76. Joan Allen is 87.
Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville mayor and former ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News.
Knox News and Shopper News promptly correct all errors. If you think we have published incorrect information, please email accuracy@knoxnews.com. Describe the error, where you saw it, the date, page number or the URL.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Police chief texting scandal likely to influence mayor race | Opinion
