Kathy Bryant sent her answers in to us as she pur­sues County Com­mis­sion Seat A in Dis­trict 6.

1. Intro­duce your­self to Knoxville, who are you, and why are you running?

Kathy Bryant My name is Kathy Bryant and I am run­ning for County Com­mis­sion Dis­trict 6 Seat A. I entered this race in response to events of almost a year ago Jan.’07. As I watched and read about County Commission’s appoint­ments and the bro­ker­ing that placed indi­vid­u­als in office, I was greatly sad­dened. In the 21st cen­tury, cit­i­zens should be inspired by those in office not dis­il­lu­sioned. I offer my dis­trict a fresh per­spec­tive. One that comes from my expe­ri­ence rais­ing 2 chil­dren, being involved in the pub­lic schools through PTA, work­ing for Tennessee’s Early Inter­ven­tion Sys­tem, a state agency that edu­cates and sup­ports fam­i­lies whose chil­dren, birth to 3, have devel­op­men­tal delays, and being actively involved in the polit­i­cal arena at the state level for many years through the East TN Coun­cil for Chil­dren and Youth as Pres­i­dent and Leg­isla­tive Chair. I have never run for pub­lic office, but I am con­fi­dent my enthu­si­asm and desire to serve the peo­ple of Dis­trict 6 will allow me to be a good and faith­ful ser­vant. I feel all cit­i­zens should feel a sense of pride as they exer­cise this impor­tant “right to vote” they have been given.

2. We think it’s bet­ter know­ing what not to do rather than hav­ing an exten­sive plan. What areas or inter­ests would ben­e­fit Knox County not to ven­ture into?

1. One area that sticks out in my mind is in regards to the Sun­shine Laws. Knox County elected offi­cials need to adhere to the laws and stay away from chang­ing them until they know they do not work. So much time was spent by indi­vid­u­als stat­ing the laws did not apply to Knox County that I don’t think the inten­tion of the law has been attempted until now. We need to be patient.

2. Pub­lic offi­cials need to stop infight­ing and polit­i­cal pos­tur­ing. Pos­i­tive results can not be accom­plished if indi­vid­u­als are not will­ing to find com­mon ground and respect each other for what they might bring to the dis­cus­sion. Gov­ern­ment belongs to the peo­ple and it is their inter­ests that should be most important.

3. What 5 things could you not live without?

1. God
2. My hus­band Bob. He inspires me to be bet­ter than I am.
3. My chil­dren, Adam and Lee. Oh the lessons they are teach­ing me.
4. Peo­ple in my life who affirm who I am and what I do.
5. Oppor­tu­ni­ties to serve oth­ers pri­vately and publicly.