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 John Schoonmaker
675-6625

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About John...

Occupation: Regional Sales Representative for an international manufacturer of sport optics, Optovision U.S.A.

Previously a Partner in East TN furniture manufacturing company. Responsible for sales, marketing, and management of $5, 000, 000 national corporate account.

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Three Reasons to Vote for John...

1. As a seasoned community leader in West Knox County for the past 10 years, I have had the privilege of working side-by-side with citizens of the 5th district.  Together we have positively influenced the direction of West Knox County.  This extensive involvement has allowed me the opportunity to develop a firsthand working knowledge of county operations.  With this experience behind me, I am ready and able to focus on pressing county issues and begin working for you immediately. 
   
   As your County Commissioner, I will work to ensure that education remains a top priority in funding allocations.   I will support appropriate development for our neighborhoods, parks, and roads.   I will promote safety and security in our subdivisions and shopping areas.  And, I will facilitate neighborhood meetings in the 5th District to discuss issues.

2.  I’m a dedicated family man and have been married to my college sweetheart, Heather, for 28 years.  We have been blessed with two children, Laura (20) and Justin (17), and have been very involved parents.
   
   My wife and I are equally committed as volunteers in our community.  While I have concentrated on civic issues, Heather has volunteered her time to support our West Knox County Schools.  She has served on the PTSO Board and was a co-chair of Project Graduation for Farragut High School.  This past year, we served together as co-vice presidents for the Farragut High School Football Booster Club.  
   
   

3. I want the job of representing you, the taxpayer.  My professional career in business and sales management has prepared me with many skills which I will bring to the job.  I realize that no one person has all the answers so I believe in collecting all the facts and listening to all the stakeholders.  I have demonstrated this successful team approach in all my endeavors.  I am a hard worker, and will be accessible to you.  I will be an objective decision maker because I have no personal or corporate ties to influence my vote.

John's Thoughts On...  

Knox County Schools:

                    I firmly believe in our Knox County School system.  Both our children have attended Knox County schools including; Farragut Primary, A.L. Lotts, Farragut Middle, West Valley Middle and Farragut High School.  As an involved parent for the past 16 years and counting, I am keenly aware of the ongoing challenges we face in providing all our 54,000 children with a first rate education.  

As your county commissioner, I will work closely with school board members, school administrators, teachers, staff and parents in allocating and prioritizing our tax dollars for education.  In addition, we must identify and implement solutions to retain teachers and staff and empower our community’s adults to become more involved in our classrooms.

Property  Taxes:

          The county’s expenses are escalating every year just like expenses for our businesses and households.  How do you adjust for this?  At the county level, there are ways to expand revenue to pay for these expenses.  As a business owner, I am very familiar with these financial matters.  I favor expansion of our business base.  I am opposed to raising personal property taxes and am opposed to reducing county services.

Knox County is unique because people in nearby communities come to our retail centers to shop which helps to supplement our tax revenue.  One example in the 5th district is Turkey Creek.  The county receives a portion of the sales tax revenue from these visitors’ purchases.

Development:

          As a community leader, I work with homeowners, neighborhoods and land planners so I have an understanding and appreciation for the need for logical growth in our county.  In the 5th district alone, we have experienced phenomenal growth.  As demand for suitable land increases, we must work in cooperation with development groups to create a sustainable future for Knox County.  If we can think and act with a mindset to develop conservation subdivisions, then we will avoid building beyond the limitations of the land and overloading the existing community infrastructure.

Environment:

          As the representative from the 5th district to serve on the Knox County Stormwater Advisory Board, I am very familiar with the type and scope of the environmental decisions we face in the very near future.  Within the next year, Knox County must comply with State of Tennessee stormwater regulations or be assessed daily fines. 

The 5th district will need a knowledgeable county commissioner who will be accessible to county residents and will seek reasonable and fair-minded solutions regarding our future stormwater program.