PAGE APB The Knoxville Focus April 13, 2020 April 13, 2020 www.knoxfocus.com PAGE A1 Visit www.knoxfocus.com The Knoxvillele to access OCUS FREETake One! www.knoxfocus.com F April 13, 2020 Phone: 865-686-9970 | PO Box 18377, Knoxville, TN 37928 | Located at 4109 Central Avenue Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37912 BOE maintains business as usual in digital form By Amy Box Fellhoelter Keeping in step with the chang- es in our nation due to the pan- demic, the members of the Knox County Board of Education held their meeting electronically on April 8. Following Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order No. 16, which was issued on March 20, the BOE is required to meet openly and transparently while taking measures to protect the health of each citizen and government official. Chairperson Susan Horn ran the regular session as usual although it took the form of a vir- Abigail and Taylor Bennett point to Easter Eggs posted on home windows. A post by a Norwood woman caught on fast and spread tual gallery of faces of the super- like a virus on the internet. Photo courtesy of Ashley Lyons. intendent, board members, and KCS staff. After a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Special Easter egg hunt in Norwood goes viral Flag, Chairperson Horn relayed By Mike Steely for kids to hunt while walking or the state BOE will meet Thurs- Senior Writer [email protected] riding our neighborhood?” she day, April 9, to address student asked. credits, grades, attendance, and Something special happened “Next weekend is Easter Week- matters which are affecting edu- last week in the Norwood neigh- end and with everyone having to cators directly. Once the Knox borhood. Resident Ashley Lyons stay at home while staying safe County BOE receives the state was lamenting the lack of a group I thought this would give parents information from this meeting, Easter Egg Hunt. She took to the and kids something to do. We it will be relayed to the county Nextdoor website with a sugges- have so many wonderful neigh- accordingly. tion. bors out walking their pets and “Thanks to all those watching “I’ve been working in yard all with kids it would be fun,” Lyons at home … tremendous efforts day. Just came in catching up on continued in the post she titled are being made to meet the news. Why would any church hold “Egg Hunt - Norwood with Social physical needs of our students services, outdoor activities, or Distancing.” through programs as our food dis- gatherings? Why would you risk The idea caught on quickly and tribution plan and … our KCS@ your congregation safety? I just Lyons heard from Lou-Ann Rod- home program,” said Horn. She don’t understand!! You can have gers, Bryan Thomas and Ronda explained that paper packets church at home!” she posted.. Crawford of Cumberland Estates are available for kindergarten “Hi, Norwood, I was wondering and Margie McKee of West Alana Phillips of Norwood decorated her front window with Eas- through eighth-grade students if anyone would be interested in Haven Village. Nancy Coven of ter Egg pictures so children walking by can spot them. Many other whose homes lack a computer. Posting an Egg in their window Continue on page 4 residents did the same and the idea caught on. Continued on page 2 Davis selected as next Council postpones creation of Human Resources Election Executive Director Department By Mike Steely By Mike Steely Senior Writer Senior Writer and places it under the HR [email protected] [email protected] Department.” He also said that the current Civil Service Board “We’re going to follow the law, Possibly the most controver- is missing a Knoxville Police we’re the gatekeepers of democ- sial matter before the Knox- Department representative. racy,” said Chris Davis on Tuesday ville City Council Tuesday was He wrote that when he his after he was selected to replace postponed early in the opening term ended on the board he Cliff Rodgers as the executive minutes of their Zoom regular expected his position to be director of Knox County Elec- meeting. filled but neither former Mayor tions. Rodgers will retire effec- A caller, Phillip Reyes of Madeline Roger nor Mayor Kin- tive May 30th. Mountain Park Road, asked for cannon has named a police The commission, meeting the postponement until June. department representative. together in the small assembly He said a “virtual meeting is “The mayor is trying to create room of the City-County Building, not good for this.” The coun- a HR department under her unanimously voted to hire Davis. cil agreed and little discus- direction and remove respon- He’s been working as deputy sion was held on the matter sibilities from Civil Service. He director to Rodgers for 12 years Involving Mayor Indya Kincan- charged that the Mayor would and received his boss’s hearty non’s request to amend the city have authority to reclassify any endorsement. code to create a Department of civil service employee into any Chris Davis (left) stands with Cliff Rodgers at the Knox County Elec- “He can do everything I can do Human Resources within the job title without a civil service tion Commission office. Davis has been Rodger’s assistant for 12 years and some things I cannot,” Rod- executive branch. process. and was chosen by Rodgers to replace him after May 30th. The Elec- gers told the board. The some- Former Civil Service Board “It leaves Civil Service doing tion Commission agreed 100 percent. Photo courtesy of Chris Davis. times outspoken executive direc- member Bill Pittman had nothing while still technical- tor told the board to “replace me warned the mayor and council ly existing,” he wrote, adding, with Chris,” adding, “I ain’t about streamed on the Knox County commission office Davis was a in a letter that the creation of “Every personnel decision will to change my mind.” website. communications director for the the new department “removes be at the will of the Mayor.” The brief meeting was Prior to coming to the election Continue on page 4 everything Civil Service does Continue on page 2 Deborah Hill-Hobby Affiliate Broker Stk#T6311 865-207-5587 Direct Line [email protected] ONLINE AUCTION FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Price includes $399 dock fee. Plus tax, tag and title. WAC. Dealer retains all rebates. See pictures at fountaincity- NORTH HILLS! HGTV inspired basement ranch Restrictions may apply. See Dealer for details. Prices good through next week. auction.com has 6 BRs, 4 1/2 BAs, Finished Basement with 2026 N Charles G Seviers Blvd . Clinton, TN Elevator for easy access for those who can’t use 120 B Lynnwood Dr. (865)474-9931 stairs! Gorgeous Lot, private back! $425,000 Knoxville, Tn. 37918 865.457.0704 MLS # 1112467 865-770-4030 www.rayvarnerford.com PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus April 13, 2020 Hardin Valley to expand yet again What Is Title Planning Commission cluster of homes on the flatter por- Engineering and Traffic Calming, approves residential tions away from the sinkholes. We and Tarren Barrett, a county trans- Insurance? development in are in agreement with county com- portation engineer to discuss the mission staff recommendations issues of entrance, drainage and A legal term you property to the Hayden Hill and we urge approval of such.” privacy protection. Harbin insist- may have heard new owner. The border of the subdivision ed Fairstein’s concerns would be of but have no If the new By Bill Howard will back right up to John Fairst- addressed to his satisfaction. idea what it actu- owner is in a ein’s property line. Fairstein voiced Several commissioners were ally means is the hurry, they may In Hardin Valley, the hits, as they a number of concerns to the com- quite vocal in their support of the term, “title insur- just request a say, just keep on coming. mission. development. ance.” quitclaim deed At its monthly meeting on April “My property borders the pro- “I think Mr. Fairstein is fortunate What is title conveying the 9, the Knoxville-Knox Co. Planning posed development on the west to have this kind of plan,” said Com- insurance? The By Jedidiah property from Commission voted unanimously side,” he said. “I only saw any missioner Scott Smith. “That’s 1.5 short answer is McKeehan the owner to the to approve the expansion of the details about this development on units per acre. I have a lot of confi- that title insur- attorneyknoxville@ new owner. That Hayden Hill community in Hardin Monday, April 6. It’s been very diffi- dence in the county about drainage ance protects gmail.com essentially puts Valley. The developer of the proj- cult to understand all the impacts. and traffic. I have confidence in the property purchas- the risk regard- ect will be Safe Harbor Develop- The concerns I have include the developer. I think the plan is really ers from prob- ing problems ment, the owner Campbell Proper- Road E entrance, protection of pri- good. I don’t think there’s anything lems that may arise later with the title on the new ties LLC#2. vacy concerns, infrastructure ques- that can’t be worked out.” if an issue comes up with owner. If you go the quit- The meeting took place online, as tions, and environmental issues.” “I agree with Commissioner their ownership of the prop- claim deed route though, the commissioners were practicing “More of a safety concern to me Smith,” said Commissioner Pat Phil- erty they have purchase. no title insurance will be the well-known precaution of avoid- is that Entrance E is only 150 feet lips.