Knox County commissioners voted to rescinded the appointment of Robert "Alex" Moody, who police say punched a protestor earlier this month, from the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals.
The Oct. 26 Knox County Commission meeting became a referendum on Heritage Hubs, the far-right nonprofit that's seeking to build "conservative infrastructure" in Knoxville. The punching incident took place at a Heritage Hubs fundraiser.
Heritage Hubs is recruiting donors and participants for its efforts to use publicly funded tax tools to help finance the purchase of a building. It's affiliated with the Tennessee Heritage Association, a "single-issue advocacy group determined to end and reverse mass migration," its website says. "We support policies that put Americans
first and politicians that fight for Americans only."
Neighbors flooded the commission meeting to show support of and opposition to Moody's appointment, his conduct and Heritage Hubs. Groups like Indivisible Knoxville and Democratic elected officials have denounced Moody's behavior and Heritage Hubs in general, and called on their Republican colleagues to do the same.
"I don't get along with everyone up here but we are colleagues," Democratic Commissioner Damon Rawls said. "If we go out to an event, I don't want someone going up on me. I don't want to be hit. Let's act appropriately. Let's tell the people that we appoint to boards, commissions to act appropriately."
Commissioner Brandon Huckaby asked his colleagues to remove Moodyfrom the zoning board after he faced criminal charges.
"Unjustified physical violence against a member of the public demonstrates a serious failure of judgment and self-restraint relevant to continued service on a county board that hears and resolves disputes involving members of the public," Huckaby's resolution said.
Ultimately, Commissioner Courtney Durrett revealed Oct. 26, Moody hadn't yet been sworn into his post, so Huckaby's effort to remove him was moot. Instead, Durrett successfully sponsored an effort to rescind Moody's appointment before he could be sworn in.
Durrett's proposal to put the issue on the agenda was backed by Commissioner Angela Russell even though Russell ultimately joined the minority's side that voted to give Moody a chance.
"We're at a point in Knox County where we're going to have to learn to work together," Commissioner Angela Russell said. "I don't mean compromising on issues, but I do mean we're going to have to learn to stop calling names, fighting with each other and focus on moving forward."
Commissioners Barry Beeler, Justin Cofer, Andy Fox and Russell voted against rescinding Moody's appointment. Cofer and Fox were at the Heritage Hubs fundraiser where the incident took place.
"We are ignoring the person who created this mess," Cofer yelled before the vote, pointing across the room at Huckaby. Cofer was twice ruled out of order by Commissioner Chair Terry Hill.
Allie Feinberg is the politics reporter for Knox News. Email: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com; Reddit: u/KnoxNewsAllie
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County zoning nominee won't serve after facing assault charge
