County Commission Interview: Ruthie Kuhlman

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.
I am a native Knoxvillian who grew up in Sequoyah Hills. I attended Sequoyah Hills Elementary, Tyson Jr. High and West High School as did my husband of 29 years, Russell. I graduated from Sullins College and attended UTK. Russell and I married in 1978 and have two children: Hannah and Briscoe. Hannah is married to Matt Gard and works for Tuesday Morning in management. Briscoe graduates in May at ETSU in Criminal Justice. He is in the US Air Force and will depart for Iraq shortly after graduation. I have worked in the legal, banking and commercial leasing fields. Most recently, I was Executive Secretary to the Director of Public Affairs and the Deputy to the Mayor under former Mayor Victor Ashe, now the Ambassador to Poland and also I was the Director of PR and Marketing for the Dogwood Arts Festival. The last few years I have been taking care of a family relative with Alzheimer’s and volunteering with Mobile Meals. I am also on the board of the Second Presbyterian Preschool. My previous volunteer work has been with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Elder and Deacon as well as Moderator for the Deacons at Second Presbyterian Church, Teen Board of Knoxville, Junior League of Knoxville and former board member of the Kingston Pike Sequoyah Hills Association. My husband and I support Knox Heritage, Florence Crittenden Agency and Kids on the Block as well as Old Grey Cemetery. We are proud of our community involvement, and have always been proud of our community, but there have been changes in Knox County Government that no one is proud of.

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?

I don’t believe Knox County should continue to administer grants the way we have, we do not need to waste valuable time on issues such as the God Amendment (Thomas Jefferson already addressed that) and Commission does not need to ignore expert advice on storm water or pander to developers.

3. What 5 things could you not live without?

Five things I could not live without would be God, my family, friends, open and honest government, and the power to vote into office who we think is the best for the job.