Community invited to ribbon cutting for new Mynatt Chapel in Powell

By Focus Staff

Longtime North Knox County establishment Mynatt Funeral Home is cutting the ribbon on its new Powell chapel this Friday, June 2. Congressman Tim Burchett and Dwight Van de Vate from the Knox County Mayor's Office are scheduled to speak at the event which will begin at 10 a.m.

The community is invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and the open house following from 1 – 4 p.m. An additional open house will be held Saturday, June 3 from 10 – 4 p.m.

The new Mynatt Funeral Home Powell Chapel is located at 2000 Powell Drive in Powell. This will be the third location for the family-owned and operated business founded in Halls in 1900 by Ernest Mynatt. The Fountain City Chapel followed in 1929.

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By Steve Hunley

Ten Pounds Of Lard In A Five-Gallon Bucket

Realtors are being polled by their own association asking some questions that have raised eyebrows amongst homeowners.  A few of those are:

"Do you support removing the special use requirement for duplexes and triplexes in the RN-2 and RN-3 zoning districts AND for townhomes and multifamily dwellings in the RN-3 and RN-4 zoning districts?"

"Generally speaking, do you support zoning amendments to make it easier for property owners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property?  Examples include removing the owner occupancy requirement, amending gross square footage standards, and removing off-street parking requirements."

"Do you support eliminating (or substantially reducing) minimum off-street parking requirements for new residential development in the City?"

The questionnaire also points out "only single-family homes are allowed by right in nearly 80% of residential land in the city (i.e. RN-1 and RN-2)."  The questionnaire goes on to ask Realtors, "Generally speaking do you think having such a large percentage of residential land zoned this way is in the best interests of the city and its residents?"

This comes as Hancen Sale, a 25-year-old who is the Government Affairs and Policy Director for the Knoxville Association of REALTORS, is appearing before the Knox County Commission to give what has imperiously been referred to as the "State of Housing Report."  Basically, Sale is the real estate industry's chief lobbyist, to put it simply.  There was a time when lobbyists were not invited to lecture the commission as if they were experts.

Let me be clear that I have nothing but respect for the bulk of the hardworking people who comprise the core of Realtors in our community.  I don't have the same kind of respect for those who are trying to pack 10 pounds of lard into a 5-gallon bucket.  That seems to be the gist of what the questionnaire sent out under the guise of the Knoxville Association of Realtors is advocating.  The goal seems to be to pack the City of Knoxville with another 50,000 or even 100,000 new residents.  Of course, to accomplish that, many neighborhoods would have to be demolished and the process of building "up" would have to begin.  The goal would be, as suggested in the questionnaire, to build multifamily housing throughout the city.

Much of what the city government likes to call "affordable" housing is actually subsidized housing.  Nor is the blueprint being pushed by the real estate lobby good for the individual Realtors, who sell single-family homes.  The blueprint, however, is very good for developers and landlords.  Only empty-headed leftists actually believe those developments would be built for little or nothing.  That's never going to happen.  If they are built, they will cost a great deal of money, as would the demolition of neighborhoods.  Unless the city government proposes the general taxpayers underwrite the rents, they will go at the market rate.

Politically speaking, the real estate lobby doesn't seem to be very bright.  Last year the Realtor's political arm endorsed Stuart Hohl over Gina Oster for the county commission.  Oster is a Realtor.  This year, the real estate lobby is backing Councilwoman Lynne Fugate over Cameron Brooks, who is also a Realtor.

Nor does the real estate lobby acknowledge the effect on housing in local communities caused by the open border.  With millions of illegal aliens coming into the country and being allowed to be parsed all across the nation, they must be housed somewhere.  All of those people must be accommodated and it will drive up local tax rates as every aspect of local infrastructure will be affected.  Schools will have to be enlarged, more teachers hired, or new buildings built.  It will also increase the demand for housing and prices will rise accordingly.

Thank You, Mr. Bernstein

Bernard "Bernie" Bernstein passed away on May 19, 2023.  In the interest of full disclosure, Bernie Bernstein was the lawyer for my businesses.  I was quite fortunate in my choice of lawyers and even more fortunate in that Bernie took me on as a client.

The son of immigrants from Hungary, the life of Bernie Bernstein was the very definition of an American success story.  Bernie earned a scholarship to one of the most prestigious colleges in the country: the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  Bernie fought for his country, serving as a lieutenant in the Air Force and was an intelligence officer during the Korean War.

One of the best business lawyers in the country, Bernie Bernstein demonstrated repeatedly his legal ability in just about every field.  Bernie was also a leader in the civil rights movement at a time when it wasn't always popular to take up the cause.

Bernie's firm encompassed his partnership with the late Charles Susano Jr., who went on to be appointed to a seat on the Tennessee State Court of Appeals.  Bernie Bernstein's legal career could very well serve as a road map to the growth and development of Knoxville and Knox County.  Bernstein was the lawyer for Proffitt's Department Store, Clayton Homes and Whittle Communications.

Bernie's expertise as an attorney was not confined solely to business; he was equally adept at criminal matters and even what is politely referred to as "domestic relations."  Bernie was a tiger in the courtroom and a formidable advocate on behalf of any client, whether it was a Fortune 500 company or a party to a divorce battle.  For his oftentimes fierce fighting for his clients, Bernie was an able and experienced mediator and was able to resolve conflicts between adversaries.

Throughout his career, Bernie Bernstein was recognized by the members of his chosen profession and peers in just about every way possible.  He was also recognized by his friends and neighbors, who elected him as a delegate to Tennessee's 1977 Constitutional Convention.  Then-Mayor Victor Ashe called on Bernstein to head a commission to facilitate conflicts between citizens and the Knoxville Police Department.

Bernie served as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee Law School and was one of the founders of the College of Law's Legal Clinic.

Bernie Bernstein was probably one of the most prominent members of Knoxville's Jewish community.  Then-Governor Lamar Alexander appointed Bernstein to head Tennessee's Holocaust Commission.

Bernie was devoted to his family, religion, profession, friends and community.  Bernie Bernstein's life was a monument to a life well lived.  For those who knew Bernie Bernstein, we will truly miss him and continue to cherish the memory of his friendship.  So, too, will our community miss someone who constantly gave of himself.  While successful in every aspect of life and work, Bernie Bernstein gave back far more than he ever received.

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By Steve Williams

Aaron Large may be taking on his first head coach position, but he's not short on coaching experience.

The new Gibbs High boys basketball coach was an assistant football coach for the Eagles for 11 years and elevated to defensive coordinator on Brad Turner's staff in 2022. Having been a position coach on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, he took on more of a leadership role as the DC.

He also was an assistant basketball coach for six years under former Gibbs head coach Timmy Meade.

Large, a 2007 Gibbs grad, was a two-sport player in high school, playing basketball for Coach Geff Davis his first three years and then his senior season under Rick Anderson.

Aaron was a quarterback in high school and continued to play football in college at Carson-Newman for legendary coach Ken Sparks. He graduated from C-N in 2011 and came back home to coach at Gibbs.

With his background in two sports, Large was asked if he had more of an interest in either one. His reply was whatever "was the season," and added he would rather see today's kids competing in multiple sports too rather than specializing in one.

An EFL through and through

Born in 1989 and now 34 years old, Large is definitely an Eagle for Life.

That tagline probably has more to do with the Gibbs Eagles, than C-N's Eagles, but the latter was a nice bonus.

"I grew up here," he said. "I played baseball and football at Ruritan (Park). I played GYA basketball. I know this community. I know the kids we have here and hopefully I can bring some success."

He met his wife, Sarah, who is from Lincoln County in Middle Tennessee, at Carson-Newman. They have twin boys, Asher and Brady, who are 2½ years old. "They are going to be here running around the gym like crazy," said dad.

Coach Large has interest in Gibbs' past as well as the present and future. An opening comment on his Twitter account testifies to that: "As an alumnus of Gibbs High School, I love to know and hear the history of the players and teams that came before me and after me."

Large wants an 'exciting' style of play

"I want to put an exciting product on the floor," said Large. "I don't want my kids to hesitate. They need to be full-go. Up tempo, confident, wreaking havoc but in a controlled environment on the defensive side, and offensively, we are going to be moving the ball and we are going to be moving on offense. It's not going to be very stagnant. It's a pass and cut offense with a lot of screens. If the ball gets to a certain spot, we are going to be moving."

Large said he probably learned the most about the game of basketball from his two high school coaches (Davis and Anderson), and there were others too that he learned from along the way.

"My dad (Tim Large) was a player here at Gibbs. I learned a lot from him growing up. He pushed me as a player and taught me a lot.

"Obviously, having Coach (Randy) Carroll in football (played a part)," added Aaron. "He's a great man and taught me a lot too when it comes to having that leadership role."

Large also said he benefitted from being able to work for some of the best coaches in the community as well.

"I'm a constant researcher and constant learner, so I'm never satisfied in my knowledge; I want to know more," he said.

"That's kind of what I've told my (candidates) for the assistant coaching positions. 'If I hire you, I want you to push me. I don't just want it to be me pushing you; I want you guys to push me. I'm not always going to be right. I don't know everything. I'm still learning, so we can learn together.'"

Large wants to hire three new assistants: a freshman coach, junior varsity coach and an assistant varsity coach.

He's excited about the opportunity

"One of my big things is I want our kids to serve our community," said Coach Large. "I want them to be out and seen in local businesses, churches and schools. I want us to help them. They help us enough; we want to help them as well."

Although it's been almost 60 years ago, Aaron has heard about the school's great basketball season in 1964-65, and he mentioned the '82 team, the '87 team, and the 2013 team that reached the state tournament in the classification era.

"Now those are big-time teams in the Gibbs community," he said. "A lot of those players still come around. I want them to be up here as much as they can."

Large also pointed out there are "a lot of resources on the current staff" at Gibbs.

"We've got state championship coaches here at this school," he said. And if needed in his first season as a head coach, Large said, "I'm going to be leaning on those people."

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By Ray Hill

Joseph Rosier was an unlikely United States senator and only reached that body because of his personal friendship with Matthew Neely. Matthew Mansfield Neely held sway for decades as both a perennial candidate for public office and unlike most perennial candidates, he was usually a perennial winner. Neely was also the most powerful individual and Democrat in West Virginia after the Mountain State had gone from being dominated by Republicans to becoming devoutly Democratic in its voting habits. The people of West Virginia had endured more than most during the hardships and sufferings inflicted upon the American people during the Great Depression. While there had always been a core of Democratic voters, the arrival of the Depression and Franklin Delano Roosevelt changed the political nature of the state.

Joseph Rosier was at the heart of a controversy that had to be decided by the United States Senate itself. While West Virginia had become a Democratic state, it had been seriously divided into two warring factions. Matt Neely headed the "federal" faction, which was heavily supported by organized labor, one of the most important and potent political forces in the state. The other faction was the "statehouse" faction, usually headed by the governor. H. Guy Kump had been elected governor in 1932 and left office (West Virginia governors could not then seek a second consecutive term) highly regarded for his response to the Depression and was personally popular. Kump's successor was Homer Holt, who had been West Virginia's elected state attorney general. Both Kump and Holt were considered more conservative than Neely and his federal faction. Neely largely controlled the vast political patronage that flowed into the state through the New Deal. Likewise, Governors Kump and Holt controlled the substantial political jobs held by the state government. By 1940, Neely was openly seeking a candidate to support for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Matthew Mansfield Neely enjoyed a remarkable political career and frequently lost one office, only to come back and win another in the next election cycle. Neely had served in Congress until being swept out of office in the 1920 GOP tidal wave. Two years later, Neely ousted GOP United States Senator Howard Sutherland. In 1928, Neely was beaten by Governor Henry D. Hatfield for reelection to the Senate. Two years later, Neely ran for and won West Virginia's other seat in the United States Senate by the largest majority ever given to any candidate for the Senate in the Mountain State.

When the statehouse faction attempted to impose its own candidate in the 1934 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, Neely responded by backing his own candidate, Rush D. Holt, a twenty-nine-year-old state legislator who was almost entirely unknown. With Neely's support came the backing of the powerful United Mine Worker's Union. Holt won the nomination and defeated Senator Hatfield in the general election. Holt had to wait six months to take office, as he had not yet turned thirty, the minimum age required by the Constitution. Subsequently, Neely was easily reelected in 1936.

The friendship between Neely and his protégé quickly soured and was replaced by a bitter enmity between the two men. One of the nicer things Neely said about his junior colleague was to refer to him as a "sewer rat." Senator Neely backed a local judge, Harley Kilgore, against Holt, while the statehouse faction strongly supported the candidacy of former governor Guy Kump for the Democratic nomination for the Senate. Several prospective gubernatorial candidates presented themselves to Neely for consideration as the federal faction's backing to become governor and each was summarily rejected by the senator. Eventually, Neely announced he would run himself.

Neely won the gubernatorial nomination of his party while Harley Kilgore won the senatorial nomination. Both were easy winners in the 1940 general election. That was when things got really interesting. Neely had to resign his seat in the United States Senate to become governor of West Virginia. Both the incoming and outgoing governors of the state-appointed men to serve the state in the U. S. Senate.

Outgoing Governor Homer Holt appointed Clarence E. Martin, a prominent attorney and one-time president of the American Bar Association, a moment after midnight. Matthew Neely took the oath of office as governor three times in order to stake his own claim to the right to name his own successor in the Senate. Neely appointed Dr. Joseph Rosier.

Rosier was a professional educator and lived in the same town of Fairmont as Matthew Neely. At the time of his appointment, Rosier was the president of the Fairmont State Teacher's College. In his chosen profession, Rosier was described as a "teacher's teacher." Rosier knew Matt Neely quite well and for a time, Rosier served as an education consultant to the Works Progress Administration, an appointment almost certainly secured for him by Senator Neely.

As colorful as Matt Neely was, so was Joseph Rosier colorless. Rosier looked like a teacher, modestly attired with glasses and his white hair neatly combed. Neely was known for his powerful and flowery oratory on the campaign stump, while Rosier was not known for regaling audiences with his own speech-making prowess. Throughout West Virginia's history, senatorial appointees had little luck staying in office. Yet just about nobody in West Virginia thought for a moment Joseph Rosier would be a candidate to succeed himself in the 1942 election. It was an open secret Matthew Neely intended to run for his old seat in the United States Senate after he had fired all of the old statehouse crowd and replaced them with his own followers. Rosier was to be a placeholder, a distinguished and credible one, but a placeholder nonetheless.

First, Rosier had to win the pitched battle being fought inside the U.S. Senate to be seated. The Senate is the sole determiner of its own membership, and an intense fight was waged over whether Rosier or Clarence Martin was entitled to hold the seat. The Roosevelt administration quietly worked hard behind the scenes to push for Rosier to be seated, as the college president was known to be a strong supporter of the president and his policies. Likewise, the Roosevelt administration feared the seating of Clarence Martin, who was almost surely far more conservative in his political outlook despite being a Democrat.

Eventually, the Senate voted only narrowly to seat Rosier instead of Martin by a vote of 40-38. Rosier was given a leave of absence by the Fairmont State Teacher's College to serve in the United States Senate. Rosier took the oath of office from Vice President Henry A. Wallace, who also served as the Senate's presiding officer. Matthew Neely came from the governor's mansion in Charleston to the Senate to watch Rosier take the oath of office.

Once seated by the Senate, Rosier was assigned to the committee where he could likely do the most good: the Education and Labor Committee. When George S. Benson, president of Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, appeared before that committee to appeal for the abolition and dissolution of the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps, it was Senator Rosier who promptly challenged his fellow college president's testimony. Rosier questioned Benson's "ethics" and snapped, "We have a right to challenge your motives!" Senator Rosier wondered why Benson would request funding from the National Youth Administration when he didn't believe in the program. Benson retorted he believed in the government providing aid to education but thought all available funds should be used to win the war. The twenty students attending Harding College who were part of the NYA had written to WPA Director Aubrey Williams they were willing to turn over funds to help with the war effort. Williams had said it was not possible.

Senator Elbert Thomas of Utah, chairman of the Senate's Education and Labor Committee, posed the question should the government have spent money to educate General Douglas MacArthur at West Point. Senator Rosier pointed out Dr. George Benson did not belong to the professional educational organization of which he had long been a member.

"From personal experience and observation," Benson said, "I know that NYA and the CCC are financially wasteful. They are retaining a large number of bureaucrats needed in other fields. They contribute to the shortage of manpower by duplication of work offered in our regular school system."

That was the same attitude held by the sponsor of the legislation to dissolve the CCC and NYA, Tennessee's senior United States Senator Kenneth McKellar. McKellar had been one of the New Deal's strongest supporters inside the Senate, but with the war raging globally, the Tennessean believed both organizations had served their purpose to help provide jobs and opportunities for young people during the Depression. With young men needed as soldiers, pilots and seamen and young women needed as factory workers and support personnel for numerous agencies and entities, the need for the NYA and the CCC was far less, McKellar reasoned.

Nobody was surprised when West Virginia Governor Matthew M. Neely announced in 1942 he was running to return to the United States Senate. There would be two elections for the same seat in the Senate; the first being for the full six-year term beginning January 3, 1943; and the short term, to fill the remainder of the term from the November election through January 3, 1943. Dr. Joseph Rosier declared his own candidacy to continue serving in the Senate seat to which he had been appointed by Governor Neely.

1942 was likely the darkest time of the Second World War for the Allies fighting against Germany, Japan and Italy, who comprised the Axis powers. The Allies reeled from defeat after disappointment. The war caused intense anxiety for just about everyone with the flower of America's youth and manhood fighting all over the world. Parents worried about their sons and daughters, while wives and children had their own anxiety about their husbands and fathers. At home, everything was dedicated to winning the war and sacrifices were made on the part of the public with rationing of goods and soon certain items became scarce; items ranging from silk hosiery to tires for automobiles became as rare as hen's teeth. Everything from gas to sugar was rationed and "meatless" meals were common.

The high tide of the Roosevelt administration was ebbing, and Republicans won stunning victories in both houses of Congress. Republicans picked up nine seats in the Senate and forty-seven in the House of Representatives. For the first time since the 1932 election, Republicans in West Virginia made substantial gains. Governor Matthew Neely was defeated by Republican Chapman Revercomb, 55% – 45%. Neely carried only eleven of West Virginia's fifty-five counties. In Kanawha County, where the state capitol of Charleston is located, Revercomb won with better than 60% of the ballots cast.

The Republicans had offered former Congressman Hugh Ike Shott of Bluefield as their candidate to serve out the remainder of the term. Interestingly, Dr. Joseph Rosier fared much better than Neely. Rosier won roughly 48% of the vote while losing to Hugh Ike Shott.

After leaving the Senate, Joseph Rosier returned to his duties at Fairmont State Teacher's College. Rosier retired from his post in 1945 and ran for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946 and was elected. In January of 1947, Senator Harley Kilgore, a personal friend of Harry Truman, accompanied Dr. Rosier to the White House to pay a visit to the president. Kilgore explained it was purely a social call and had no political significance whatsoever. Rosier was the vice president of the National Education Association at the time.

Nor was Joseph Rosier the only former United States senator to serve in the West Virginia House of Delegates; Rush D. Holt was routinely reelected to serve his own home county.

Representing his county in West Virginia's state legislature was Dr. Joseph Rosier's last public service. The former senator's health began to fail and he died in 1951 at age eighty-one.

The post The Educator in Politics: Joseph Rosier of West Virginia appeared first on The Knoxville Focus.

By Steve Williams

Keegan Smith's strategy at last week's TSSAA State Track and Field Championships resulted in two victories.

The Knoxville Catholic High sophomore distance runner just wanted to win and began his 'kick' at the right times in the Division II Class AA 1600 and 3200-meter races at Dean A. Hayes Stadium on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro.

Smith won the 1600 with a time of 4:17.18, just a little under two-tenths of a second ahead of Luke Thompson, a Brentwood Academy junior. Keegan overtook Thompson with a 56.625 split on the last lap, while Thompson finished with a 56.900 split.

In the 3200, Keegan prevailed with a time of 9:12.35, again edging Thompson, who was clocked in 9:13.56.

Michael Conley placed third in the long jump for Webb School, with a mark of 22 feet, 6¼ inches in the event.

Christian Brothers took home the first place trophy after piling up 128 points. Catholic came in 10th with its 26 points.

CAK takes third place in II-A: Led by sophomore Silas Fulford's pole vault title, Christian Academy of Knoxville placed third in the Division II Class A team rankings with 56 points.

Top point-getters for the Warriors also included junior Austin Delp, who took third place in the shot put with a toss of 48 feet, 10 inches.

CAK also got a third place finish on the track from Joshua Cross, who posted a time of 4:30.88 in the 1600 run.

Franklin Road Academy captured the team title with 118.50 points.

Farragut finishes third in Class AAA: KIL champion Farragut, powered by its strength in the distance and field events, scored 58 points to take third place in the Division I Class AAA team scoring.

Brentwood (83 points) and Memphis Central (76) finished first and second.

Sophomore Bryce Thompson got Coach Vic Wharton's Admirals off to a strong start in the field events by taking first place in the shot put with a heave of 57 feet, 11¾ inches. Senior teammate Tyson Jackson added a second place showing in the discus event with a throw of 156-04.

Farragut senior Trevor Coggin ran a 4:16.93 to take second in the 1600 run and junior teammate Matteo Tonnos was runner-up in the 3200 at 9:15.70.

The Admirals' 4×800 relay also earned silver with a time of 7:54.43.

Hardin Valley sophomore McKale Hayes covered the 300 hurdles in 39.26 seconds to take third place.

Burse is second in Class AA shot put: Austin-East senior Camden Burse took second place in the Division I Class AA shot put event with a toss of 50 feet and ¼ inch.

Two Knox County relay teams placed third, with Fulton's 4×100 combo posting a time of 43.86 and South-Doyle's 4×800 turning in at 8:16.64.

Page High took top team honors with 73 points. A-E placed 13th with 23 points.

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By Steve Williams

The Hardin Valley Academy's dance team had a dance "camp" for youngsters in the HVA auditorium in January followed by performances during halftime of the high school girls' and boys' basketball games against Maryville.

"This annual event is still one of our favorites we do as a dance team and we can't wait to continue it this year!" said Coach Kaylee Pulvirenti when contacted in April regarding community service provided by local high school student-athletes in the second semester of the school year.

"The performance was on Jan. 17 at the HVA basketball games in the gym," said Pulvirenti. "The camp was held a weekend before in our auditorium. The routine was to 'Good Feeling.' The majority of the Hawkettes are from Hardin Valley Elementary School.

"I was the only coach and the following high school dancers were present: Kelci Shands, Alexandria Wells, Te'sharuia Akinleye, Erianna Summerville, Jackie Pizzi, Lucy Blair, Ellie Locke, Kaitlyn Keim, Kelsey Hawkins, Jovie Raddon and Riley Beemer."

Farragut cheerleaders assist with traffic flow

Farragut High School cheerleaders opened car doors at Farragut Primary School Thursday morning (May 11) from 7 to 7:45 to assist with the traffic flow.

"This is a fun way to volunteer in our community that is done by many sports teams from Farragut," said FHS Cheer Coach Dana Jacobs.

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Cumberland Estates Neighborhood Watch will host its Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale on Saturday, June 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Times may vary based on the individuals participating.

Residents planning to participate have been encouraged to place signs in their yards to direct people to the residences participating in the sale. The residents hope that you will stop by and say hello!

The Cumberland Estates neighborhood is located off Western Ave. near the Strike and Spare Bowling Alley. The entrance to the neighborhood is located on the corner of Western Ave. and Palmetto Rd.

The post Cumberland"]CUMBERLAND AVE. OVERHAUL TO START THIS SUMMER - The Knoxville Focus[/url] Estates Hosts Neighborhood Yard Sale appeared first on The Knoxville Focus.

Cumberland Estates Neighborhood Watch will host its Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale on Saturday, June 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Times may vary based on the individuals participating.

Residents planning to participate have been encouraged to place signs in their yards to direct people to the residences participating in the sale. The residents hope that you will stop by and say hello!

The Cumberland Estates neighborhood is located off Western Ave. near the Strike and Spare Bowling Alley. The entrance to the neighborhood is located on the corner of Western Ave. and Palmetto Rd.

The post Cumberland Estates Hosts Neighborhood Yard Sale appeared first on The Knoxville Focus.

Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed 2023-24 budget includes nearly $9.5 million in Parks and Recreation Department operational funding, plus $3.1 million in capital funding for major upgrades at Lakeshore Park and the Williams Creek Golf Course and to kickstart work on a new community park in Lonsdale.

"My budget reflects what's important to Knoxville families," Mayor Kincannon said. "And enhancing parks and improving access to recreational opportunities is absolutely critical to building up and strengthening neighborhoods.

"The City is committed to creating unique and special public places in every part of Knoxville. I'm proud to propose a boost in Parks and Recreation funding and to move forward with the Lakeshore Park, Lonsdale Park and Williams Creek Golf Course projects."

More than $30 million in private-public partnership investments have been made in Lonsdale – including a new Lonsdale Elementary School, the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex and a new $1 million City sidewalk on Texas Avenue.

With the old Sam E. Hill School now vacated, the City will be converting the site into a new community park. Part of the iconic school will be preserved, while the 150,000-square-foot site will be diversified to make room for sports, children's play, and open space for community events.

The space is still being designed, based on community input at public meetings and through surveys.

Preliminarily, the new park could host Lonsdale Homecoming festivities and have a basketball court, a playground, and a covered pavilion with staging for food trucks.

The first step in the park development will be the demolition of much of the old Sam E. Hill School, with the gymnasium being preserved. Design work on the park will continue this year, to be updated to reflect residents' preferences.

Parks and Recreation Director Sheryl Ely is hopeful that the initial park features will be added soon after the demolition is complete.

"We're working on a design that includes features that the community has asked for," Ely said. "Right now, based on community input, the goal is to build a playground, an outdoor fitness station, a basketball court and a community event lawn. There would be a multi-use trail, picnic tables and a multi-purpose community room with restrooms.

"This will be done in phases, with the first phase being the demolition of much of the building to make room to build in more features."

The $1 million in Kincannon's proposed 2023-24 budget represents a third budget year with investment in the Lonsdale Park project – now totaling $2.5 million.

To see preliminary design concepts, visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/LonsdalePark.

Kincannon also is proposing another $2 million in capital funds for Lakeshore Park and another $100,000 for the Williams Creek Golf Course.

The City is supporting the Lakeshore Park Conservancy's $42 million project, underway since last year, that is adding baseball fields, pavilions, a new playground and other amenities. The City has committed funding to improve the park's roadways and add parking.

At the Williams Creek Golf Course, the City is investing $300,000 over three years to fund improvements to the golf course cart paths, building, driving range netting and other infrastructure. The $100,000 in the 2023-24 budget would be the second installment.

To fund day-to-day operations, Mayor Kincannon is proposing a Parks and Recreation budget of close to $9.5 million – a 6.7 percent increase from the current budget, or an additional $594,380.

Of that $9.5 million, roughly half is for salaries and benefits. More than $1 million is earmarked for utilities costs.

Mayor Kincannon's proposed budget was approved by City Council on the first of two readings on May 2, followed by a legislative budget hearing and public hearing on May 9. Council's second and final vote on the budget is scheduled for May 30. For complete budget documents, see www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/Budget.

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The post Kincannon Budget: Parks & Rec funding up, new Lonsdale Park moves forward appeared first on The Knoxville Focus.

Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposed 2023-24 budget includes nearly $9.5 million in Parks and Recreation Department operational funding, plus $3.1 million in capital funding for major upgrades at Lakeshore Park and the Williams Creek Golf Course and to kickstart work on a new community park in Lonsdale.

"My budget reflects what's important to Knoxville families," Mayor Kincannon said. "And enhancing parks and improving access to recreational opportunities is absolutely critical to building up and strengthening neighborhoods.

"The City is committed to creating unique and special public places in every part of Knoxville. I'm proud to propose a boost in Parks and Recreation funding and to move forward with the Lakeshore Park, Lonsdale Park and Williams Creek Golf Course projects."

More than $30 million in private-public partnership investments have been made in Lonsdale – including a new Lonsdale Elementary School, the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex and a new $1 million City sidewalk on Texas Avenue.

With the old Sam E. Hill School now vacated, the City will be converting the site into a new community park. Part of the iconic school will be preserved, while the 150,000-square-foot site will be diversified to make room for sports, children's play, and open space for community events.

The space is still being designed, based on community input at public meetings and through surveys.

Preliminarily, the new park could host Lonsdale Homecoming festivities and have a basketball court, a playground, and a covered pavilion with staging for food trucks.

The first step in the park development will be the demolition of much of the old Sam E. Hill School, with the gymnasium being preserved. Design work on the park will continue this year, to be updated to reflect residents' preferences.

Parks and Recreation Director Sheryl Ely is hopeful that the initial park features will be added soon after the demolition is complete.

"We're working on a design that includes features that the community has asked for," Ely said. "Right now, based on community input, the goal is to build a playground, an outdoor fitness station, a basketball court and a community event lawn. There would be a multi-use trail, picnic tables and a multi-purpose community room with restrooms.

"This will be done in phases, with the first phase being the demolition of much of the building to make room to build in more features."

The $1 million in Kincannon's proposed 2023-24 budget represents a third budget year with investment in the Lonsdale Park project – now totaling $2.5 million.

To see preliminary design concepts, visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/LonsdalePark.

Kincannon also is proposing another $2 million in capital funds for Lakeshore Park and another $100,000 for the Williams Creek Golf Course.

The City is supporting the Lakeshore Park Conservancy's $42 million project, underway since last year, that is adding baseball fields, pavilions, a new playground and other amenities. The City has committed funding to improve the park's roadways and add parking.

At the Williams Creek Golf Course, the City is investing $300,000 over three years to fund improvements to the golf course cart paths, building, driving range netting and other infrastructure. The $100,000 in the 2023-24 budget would be the second installment.

To fund day-to-day operations, Mayor Kincannon is proposing a Parks and Recreation budget of close to $9.5 million – a 6.7 percent increase from the current budget, or an additional $594,380.

Of that $9.5 million, roughly half is for salaries and benefits. More than $1 million is earmarked for utilities costs.

Mayor Kincannon's proposed budget was approved by City Council on the first of two readings on May 2, followed by a legislative budget hearing and public hearing on May 9. Council's second and final vote on the budget is scheduled for May 30. For complete budget documents, see www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/Budget.

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