Up next, running for Knox County Commissioner 4-A, is Walt Wojnar.

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

My name is Walter Wojnar. I am a 50 year old hotel manager that has lived in Knoxville for 10 years. Knoxville is the place that my wife Susan and I have decided was the right place to raise our children and settle into for life. We have two children, Kaitlin 19 is a sophomore at Amherst college in Massachusetts. Kaitlin went through Rocky Hill elementary, West Valley Middle and Bearden High. Adam is 14 and is a freshman at Bearden. Adam also went through Rocky Hill and West Valley.

I am running because I, like thousands of other Knox County Citizens, was appalled by the appointment process on January 31, 2007 and by the antics of the commission and administration ever since. We should expect better and I can do better.

Read the rest of this entry »

Scott Emge chimes in as the first Register of Deeds hopeful to answer our questions.

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

I am not a politician and have no connections with any county officials, developers, or special interest groups. I’m 45 years old, married, a 1981 graduate of Halls High School, and I attended the University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State. I majored in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and I am a small business owner; a residential painting contractor. I’m running because of the train wreck that our government has become at the hands of career politicians who feel they are entitled to spend our money as they see fit. I feel it’s past time to have honest citizens in office that work for the people of the county, not the politicians or special interests.

Read the rest of this entry »

Current Commissioner Tim Greene gladly answered our Knoxified questionnaire.

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

My name is Tim Greene, 45 and I was born January 14, 1963 to Bennie & Betty Greene of South Knoxville. I have two brothers, Todd and Ted and a sister, Tina. I attended Gap Creek Elementary School, Doyle Middle and Doyle High School where I played center on its football team. I graduated in 1981. While at Doyle High School, I met and dated Sally Pickens, a cheerleader. We married on June 15, 1985.

I am the owner of Betty’s Florist since 1983 and Co- owner of Sally’s Alley, a clothing store with his wife since 2002. Read the rest of this entry »

Finbarr Saunders, who is running for Knox County Commissioner District 4, Seat A, helped the Knoxify Guys start the Young Professionals of Knoxville. We were super-pumped to see his response to our questions below.

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

Who is Finbarr Saunders and why is he running?

I am a Knox County native, married to Ellen Bebb, a 6th grade teacher with the Oak Ridge Schools. I have two children, Emily Woodle & Robert Saunders, and a granddaughter, Katelynn Saunders.

In 1966 I received a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Transylvania University, in Lexington, Kentucky.

I am a Vietnam veteran, and I worked for 14 years in banking. Currently, I am the office manager for Novinger, Ball & Zivi, Public Accountants
Read the rest of this entry »

We continue on with our Knox County interviews with Steve Drevik who is up for County Commissioner District 4, Seat B.

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

I’m Steve Drevik, candidate for County Commission 4-B. I’m an engineer, a business owner, and a lifetime resident of Knox County. I feel called to run. My primary objective is to put in place the reforms for all commissioners that would come after me- reforms that would make County Commission an uncomfortable place for anyone who would misuse the office for their own gains or for their cronies. I have a specific and agressive 10-point plan to do this, which includes extending the conflict of interest rules to family members and major donors, and requiring Commissioners to report any conversation they have (not just with other commissioners!) where County business is discussed.

I also want to bring more scrutiny to our budget and procurements, using my private business experience working with 100+ other county and state agencies on large procurements, contracts, etc. With that money, we can improve education and the lives and opportunities for Knox County citizens.

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On January 2 we circulated 3 “knoxified” questions we wanted answered for the upcoming Knox County elections. To date we have received 13 responses spanning multiple district’s and political branches. Our list of respondent’s in order by which we received their answers.

• Matthew Jones
• Charles Connatser
• Cortney Piper
• Evelyn Gill
• William Daniels
• Elaine Davis
• Mike Brown
• Indya Kincannon
• Amy Henley-Vandergriff
• Kathy Bryant
• Jim Smelcher
• L.B. Steele
• Ruthie Kuhlman

Photography by Fuzztooth

For interview #13 we present Ruthie Kuhlman who is running for Seat A in District 4.

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

My name is Ruthie Kuhlman and I am running for County Commission, District 4A. Thank you for allowing me to let me tell you about myself.

My parents, the late Tom and Joan Stone, always taught me that it is important to give back to the community where you live. I have tried to do that throughout my adult life. However, I believe it is time to do more. That is why I am a candidate for County Commission District 4A. Read the rest of this entry »

Another Executive branch hopeful. L.B. Steele is running for Knox County Trustee.

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

I worked for the Knoxville Police Dept. for 13 years. I was elected to the Knoxville City Council for 4 years. I have retired from the Tennessee Department of Revenue after 20 years. I am a graduate of Walters State Community College and Carson Newman College. I have 20 years experience collecting delinquent taxes that was due the State of Tennessee. I have a good record as being a good supervisor at the Police Dept. and with the Tennessee Dept of Revenue. I fill that with my education and my life experience is a great asset for me to bring the trust back to the trustees office. I’m a very hard worker, I did not go back to school until I had a family and worked full time.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hi. I’m Patrick Beeson.

And I’m a new guest blogger for Knoxify.

(Thanks for the invitation Casey!)

It’s always difficult writing about yourself, especially as an introduction on a blog, so I’m going to switch to question and answer mode:

What is your name and age?

Patrick Beeson. And I’m 27 years old.

How long have you been in Knoxville? What part of town do you live in?

My fiance, Lindsay Durango, and I moved to Knoxville in late February of 2007. We currently reside in the Cedar Bluff area.

Though I’ve never lived in Knoxville before now, I did grow up in Bristol, which is about a two-hour drive to the north east corner of the state.

Y’all might have heard about the Bristol Motor Speedway… Read the rest of this entry »

Next up, Jim Smelcher who seeks Seat B in District 4.

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

My name is Jim Smelcher and I am running for County Commissioner District 4, Seat B. I am running for this office because I believe I have the passion and the drive to make a difference in our community. I have served as an educator, coach and small business owner while residing in Knoxville for the past 30+ years. I came from a humble background in Lake City, TN and was offered a football scholarship and opportunity to attend the University of Tennessee. From there I grew to love the community and the people. I have faith in what the people of Knox County can accomplish as a group and I would like to give back to the citizens who have so graciously given to me on many different levels. I offer my time, service and proven leadership ability. Read the rest of this entry »