Bob Thomas Feels at Home Anywhere in Knox County
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PAGE APB The Knoxville Focus March 19, 2018 March 19, 2018 www.knoxfocus.com PAGE A1 PAID FOR BY TOM SPANGLER FOR SHERIFF- DEBRA POWERS TREASURER FREE Take One! March 19, 2018 Bob Thomas feels at home anywhere in Knox County By Mike Steely was elected three years [email protected] ago along with his long-time “Everywhere I visit in radio personality friend Ed Knox County, the people Brantley. The two hosted always make me feel so wel- the “Ed and Bob Show” come and right at home,” for many years in Knox- said Knox County mayor- ville. Thomas has served al candidate Bob Thomas as chairman of the Knox Thursday. County Cable TV Commit- Thomas was addressing tee and the Disability Com- a large crowd of local citi- mittee. He’s served on zens and political support- the County’s Pension and ers at the Corryton Senior Retirement Committee, Center. On hand to support the Parks and Recreation his candidacy were sever- Board, the Metro Drug al elected county officials Coalition Board and the and candidates for local Dogwoods Arts Festival and state office. Board. “The next ten years can He has also served on be some of the greatest the Young-Williams Animal years for Knox County. Center Board, the American PHOTOS BY MIKE STEELY. We’re going to have growth Cancer Society Board, the Above, County Commissioner Bob Thomas’ visit to the but we need to do it correct- Arts and Cultural Alliance Corryton Senior Center drew a huge crowd Thursday. ly. We have a great opportu- and the Thompson-Boling Thomas is running for Knox County Mayor and spoke nity for good jobs,” Thomas Arena Use Committee. briefly to the audience of local citizens and the many said. He and his wife, Kim county elected officials who turned out to support him. The Republican noted Simms Thomas, who was Right, Candidate for Knox County Mayor, Bob Thomas, that military veterans a local television news greets former Commissioner Jack Huddleston at last “made our country and our anchor, have three children Thursday’s event. county” and pledged to con- and five grandchildren. tinue to support programs Thomas pledges to keep for them. taxes low, get the most from safe and, above all, listen and help move the county Currently Thomas serves our tax dollars, make sure to citizens. forward. Together we can as the At-Large Commis- our children receive the “I have over 40 years of make great things happen sioner, Seat 10, which is best possible education, involvement in our commu- for all of Knox County,” a county-wide position. He keep our neighborhoods nity and I hope you’ll join me Thomas said. Town Hall meeting hears about school security By Pete Gawda “Our primary role is to protect these children,” said George Paidousis chief of security for Knox County Schools. “We do not get involved in school discipline.” Paidousis made these remarks in a speech Monday eve- ning, March 12 at a Town Hall East meeting. Paidousis was appointed chief of security in 2013 by then superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre after 30 years with the Knoxville Police Department (KPD). Paidousis described the difference between school resource officers (SROs) and school safety officers (SSOs). He said that SROs in the Knoxville school system are full time police officers employed by either the KPD or the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. (KCSO). The school system employs SSOs who are armed, uniformed secu- PHOTO BY MIKE STEELY. rity officers who only work 10 months a year during the Sometimes it “takes a village” to get something done and Friday’s ribbon cutting at the Behavioral Health Urgent Care school year. Center saw dozens of public official, citizens and health care professional help to cut the ribbon on the new facility. “We could not do it without the KPD and the KCSO,” Paidousis said. “We have a great partnership.” The school system is authorized 103 SSOs. However, Behavioral Center opens today Paidousis said it is hard to keep that number. His secu- By Mike Steely rity force is augmented by SROs. The SROs from the [email protected] Health and Substance Abuse Ser- told the story of a mentally ill friend KPD provide security at a fixed point. The SROs from vices, and Mayors Tim Burchett and who has prospered and Knoxville the KCSO work fixed points as well as having rotating The Behavioral Health Urgent Care Madeline Rogero. Mayor Madeline Rogero spoke of assignments. Center takes in its first patient today While many of those present were a relative with similar difficulties. It is the goal of Paidousis to have two security people, as the doors open on a facility that mentioned for their efforts to estab- Following the introductions, brief either SSOs or SROs, at each high school, one at each took about 10 years to develop. The lish the facility Commissioner Wil- speeches and a prayer from Rev. middle school and one at each elementary school. three-day treatment center for men- liams specificity mentioned commu- George Doebler of the UT Medical The school system’s security division has a 24 hour tally ill offenders charged with minor nity activist Vivian Underwood Shipe Center, tours of the Care Center were a day dispatch system. The security division is the only offenses is the first in the state and for her success in rallying the com- given. component of the school system that has psychologi- resulted in a combined effort by the munity and public officials. The Center has 16 beds and law cal screening, background checks by the KCSO and a county, city, local and state elected Also mentioned as principals in enforcement officers can divert men- required physical fitness level. In addition, SSOs have officials, the governor and individuals getting state and local funds to help tally ill offenders, including those to qualify on firearms twice a year. Paidousis said his who rallied the community. renovate the facility were Sheriff J. J. with drug problems, there. Officers security force is made up of young people who are start- Helen Ross McNabb Center Presi- Jones, Knoxville Police Captain Don will bring the patients there and a ing their careers as well as retired military and police dent Jerry Vagnier hosted a ribbon Jones, District Attorney Charme Allen, sheriff’s deputy will be present at all officers. cutting at the renovated facility just Stephanie Carter, Candace Allen, Lori times. When discharged the patients “We evaluate our people four times a year,” Paidou- off Western Avenue Friday and speak- Ramsey and Leann Human-Hilliard of will be assigned a case worker and sis said. ers included Marie Williams, Com- Helen Ross McNabb. treatment will continue beyond the Continued on page 3 missioner of Tennessee’s Mental Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett care at the center. Deborah Hill-Hobby Affiliate Broker 865-207-5587 Direct Line [email protected] NORTH KNOXVILLE! LOCATED OFF GLENN JACOBS REALTY Price includes $399 dock fee. Plus tax, tag and title. WAC. Dealer retains all rebates. BROADWAY! $93,000 Offi ce: (865) 238-5010 Restrictions may apply. See Dealer for details. Prices good through next week. JUST LISTED! CONVENIENT TO DOWNTOWN Cell: (865) 406-6054 2026 N Charles G Seviers Blvd . Clinton, TN & UT! ESTATE SALE! 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A mediation is tion does not take Mediations are an impor- an informal pro- place at the court- tant and effectively tool and cess that is used By Jedidiah house, a media- a large percentage of cases in a large number McKeehan tion usually takes are resolved at mediation. attorneyknoxville@ of lawsuits to try gmail.com places at an attor- This is because the uncer- to settle the cases ney’s office. Also, tainty of trial and the mas- before they go to if you are asked to sive expense of preparing trial. When a lawsuit has participate in a mediation for trial while still having an been filed, but before it and you are worried about unknown result is so risky. reaches trial, the attorneys seeing the other party at the At a mediation, you may not for the parties will typically mediation, do not worry, nor- get the exact result you want, discuss trying to resolve the mally you do not even see but you are getting to decide case early. Sometimes the the other side during a medi- what the final outcome of attorneys are able to have ation. It will just be you and your case will be. discussions between them- your attorney in a confer- selves and come to a resolu- ence room, and the media- tion. However, often the case tor (who is almost always an RONNIE ELECT involves enough disputed attorney), will come in and ROCHELLE issues that the parties will meet and discuss issues attend a mediation.