Candidate for Commission District 2-B

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Chuck Williams

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Chuck Williams
237-8761

 

 

 

About Chuck:

Occupation/ Work: Student/ Substitute Teacher

I am a sophomore at Pellissippi State Technical Community College at the Magnolia Avenue Campus. I am majoring in Elementary Education and I am a substitute teacher for Knox County (mainly at Fulton H.S.).

 

Three Reasons to Vote for Chuck....

 

1. I am neither Anti-Mayor nor Anti-Sheriff nor am I Pro-Mayor or Pro Sheriff. I am PRO District 2 and Pro-Knox County and I do not have any allegiance to anyone in government.

 

2. I am not a professional politician but a concerned citizen and community activist, who is tired of the lack of services in District 2, as well as all of the political in-fighting in county government.

 

3. I am bringing a fresh new approach to the commission without any of the bickering. I am bringing the approach of partnership with all of the Commissioners to not improve the services of District 2, but the entire county. Being a 8 year Veteran of the U.S. Navy (Honorably Discharged), I have traveled throughout this great nation and the world and I do know how to deal with people from all walks of life. I do have experience in working with the WHOLE community and not just one sector of it.

 

Chuck's Thoughts On....

 

Knox County Schools:

 

Basically the commissioners do not have any say in regards to how the School Board conducts their business. While the meetings by the school boards are held somewhat more effectively, they do leave a lot to be desired in regards to some of their recent decisions:

1. The firing of a Superintendent without giving the taxpayers a real reason why this person was terminated.

2. The construction of Hardin Valley High School in a district that is really not capable of having enough students to justify that school being built in that area. Within the next 5 to 10 years I believe that children will have to either be rezoned (again) or bussed from outer areas to justify the Hardin Valley High School.



3. Some Schools are still failing and in danger of being taken over by the State or even closed (if this is the reason or one of the reasons the Superintendent was terminated so be it, but say so). Our schools are able to compete on the athletic field for state championships, that is well and good for community pride, however, that pride does not secure the educational future.


4. County government and the School Board must come together as one to not only recruit,

      but fairly pay the educators of our schools so

      that we attract and keep the best teachers

     here in Knox County.


5.    We must give our teachers their fair share in regards to salary, benefits and pension. While no one becomes a teacher to get rich; teachers do have families, etc… We are not keeping the best teachers due to a lower salary scale. As Commissioner, I would want to work with the School Board to not only recruit the best teachers, but keep them.

 

 

Property Taxes:  

                               

Property taxes should not continue to spiral when we have a wheel tax. Senior Citizens should NOT be paying the same tax rate that other citizens pay. We have a surplus in the Wheel Tax and that should be able to make up the deficit if the Seniors are given a tax relief break of say 10%. Senior Citizens have contributed and given to this county all their lives, it is now our turn to give back to them.

Development:

It appears to me that the main concern for development is the waterfront, downtown and West Knoxville. District 2 has empty lots, abandoned buildings, buildings that are complete eyesores. These buildings are white elephants on the government since no taxes are being collected for them. I have contacted one developer about looking at this area to see what can be done to develop this area. This will not only put the properties on the tax rolls, it will provide jobs and bring life back to District 2. Also the redevelopment of areas such as Central St, parts of Broadway will bring energy and life back here and as one travels from District 2 towards downtown you will continue to see the beauty of ALL of Knoxville.

Environment:

With the sewage problem between the City and County resolved for now, we must continue to ensure that rainfall water is properly disposed of. We also must do something to ensure that all factories are complying with the law in regards to air pollution, waste disposal, etc. With all of the construction that is going on, there are many instances that I see the air being polluted by some of the bulldozers. This is something that does have me concerned and something I would certainly want this investigated once elected. Also we must ensure that all waste at these construction sites are properly disposed of by these companies.