Better Know A Candidate: George Wallace

Just who is George Wallace?

George grew up in Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee. These strong roots have instilled in George a love of this city and a strong desire to see it continue to progress in a viable and positive way.

After graduating in 1981 with a B.S. in Agriculture, Ornamental Horticulture Landscape Design, George started his own business and, eventually, joined his brother Jim in the family’s real estate business. Jim and George have grown the company from one location, six employees and twelve sales associates to seven offices, forty-five employees and 280 sales associates today.  Wallace & Wallace has been supporting and growing with Knoxville for 75 years.

George met his wife of twenty-six years, Stephanie, at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church where they are still active. George serves as a Deacon and chairs the Long Range Planning Committee and Construction Advisory Team.  Stephanie dedicated her career to teaching elementary school children in Knox County.  They have one son, Nick, who is in law school.

If Elected to City Council, Wallace Will…

Promote Vibrant Neighborhoods by:

• Better funding for sidewalk installation and maintenance to connect neighborhoods and provide safety.
• Focusing on solving the complex problem of dirty and vacant lots resulting in increased property values and safety.
• Continuing support for quality parks and connection to greenways resulting in a better quality of life.
• Continuing to support connectivity and transition between commercial districts and neighborhoods.

Grow and Recruit High Quality Jobs by:

• Being aggressive in business recruitment using Knoxville’s quality of life and affordability as a natural tool.
• Improving and streamlining the building permit process. This will provide a more efficient experience for businesses looking to locate or grow in Knoxville. The online submission of plans would be one area that could be improved.

Provide Quality Educational Opportunities

• Although the city is not in the business of operating schools, we must be in the business of partnering with Knox County to improve our schools.
• Project Grad has provided many benefits to the schools in its focus but should be expanded to include other struggling schools inside the city limits.
• Partnerships should be explored to expand workforce-training opportunities for those not wishing to attend college.

10 Questions for Wallace…

1. Favorite Local Guilty Pleasure: The lemon cookies at Ham n’ Goody’s.
2. Favorite Childhood Memory of Knoxville: The Dogwood Arts Festival:  Growing up we lived on the Dogwood Trail.  Cars lined the streets on the weekend in an endless parade to see the flowering dogwoods and azaleas.  I setup a lemonade stand to accommodate these thirsty sightseers.  They made it well worth my time!!
3. Favorite Local Restaurant: Calhoun’s
4. Favorite Annual Knoxville Event: The Dogwood Arts Festival: The beauty of Knoxville in April is unmatched anywhere in the country.  It is a time to celebrate the beauty of the region, the arts and the crafts of the area, and showcase our city.
5. I’m Rooting for the Magnolia, South Waterfront, Cumberland Ave, and Broadway/North Central Projects: All four of the major projects are vitally important to Knoxville.  One without the other will leave the City incomplete.  All of these have equal importance and all need focus and attention to become a reality. Magnolia Corridor:  This area has been underutilized for a long time.  There are a significant number of historic properties that can be preserved.  There are also a significant number of available commercial properties.  Adding bike lanes and visual enhancement would encourage businesses to return to this vital area. South Waterfront: Very important development for Knoxville.  This project will benefit residents, businesses and will draw visitors to south Knoxville.  The project creates more access to the waterfront, areas for business development as well as residential opportunities.  The South Waterfront will directly benefit UT students and directly connect to downtown. Cumberland Avenue: Needed improvements to make Cumberland Ave a safe and attractive destination for small business.  This is a key initiative will improve the look of Cumberland and offer new zoning alternatives. Broadway/North Central:  Much work has been done in this corridor and I have had the benefit of working on the advisory panel for KCDC.  Great improvement has already taken place but the area of service could be enlarged.  There are still too many blighted properties in this area.
6. One Word that Describes Knoxville: Friendly
7. I’m Currently Reading: Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff
8. I Can’t Start My Day Without: A cup (or two) of coffee and reading the Bible.
9. Most Inspirational Politician/Statesman: Thomas Jefferson
10. Quote that Sums of Your Worldview: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. —  Philippians 4:13 ESV

For more information on the Wallace campaign, please visit: www.wallacecitycouncil.com. Be sure to also check out his Facebook and Twitter profile.