PAGE APB The Knoxville Focus July 9, 2018 July 9, 2018 www.knoxfocus.com PAGE A1 Now offering online auction services Fountain City Auction for all of your auction needs (865)604-3468 fountaincityauction.com FREE Take One! July 9, 2018 Redmon honored, The ‘Jane greenway extended and Allen Drive’ Lonsdale property accepted by city By Mike Steely [email protected] keeps going During a short meeting the Knox- ville City Council adopted a resolu- tion honoring the late Lynn Redmon, postponed a rezoning on Ferd Hickey Road, authorized a property purchase to expand a greenway, and authorized the mayor to apply for a grant to pur- chase a police boat and dock. The thirty-minute session on Tuesday saw Councilman Marshall Stair read the resolution about Redmon, honor- ing the community leader and political consultant, a persuasive speaker and activist, a leader of the Norwood com- munity, and a gentleman. Mayor Madeline Rogero said that Redmon always looked “at the long game” and believed that good and rea- sonable people may disagree. Red- mon’s longtime companion, Susan Rickabaugh, spoke briefly and accept- ed the honors on behalf of Redmon’s family. Larry Silverstein said that Redmon was one of the founders of Community Forum. “He didn’t have to yell to make his point,” Silverstein said. The second and final reading to permit 4 units per acre to be built on Ferd Hickey Road east of Piney Grove Road was postponed for two weeks on a request from Councilwoman Seema Singh-Perez. The rezoning, requested by the Planning Commission, would PHOTOS BY STEVE WILLIAMS take the property from Agriculture to Top: Jane Allen Drive honors and pays tribute to a lady who has served Fountain City and the City of Knoxville for over 55 years. That’s Planned Residential. what Glenn Allen wanted to accomplish when he went through the process of renaming the street last year. Above: Longtime Fountain The council also voted approval of City residents Glenn and Jane Allen will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary in November. an agreement with Volunteer Ministry Center for $110,000 to provide ser- By Steve Williams vices to the homeless who utilize the home, said Glenn. cards, get-well wishes and announcements Day Resource Center, Dental Clinic and omeday, when you’re driving north “We had a friendship,” said Jane. “She of wedding and baby showers. She also Bush Family Refuge. It also authorized on Broadway past Historic Fountain was getting up in age and I wanted to make sends Christmas and Easter cards to “shut- contracts with Och, Inc. to provide long- City Lake and the duck pond, slow it easier for her.” ins.” term disability and life insurance for downS as you near Fountain City Wrecker Some years later, however, weak from Just last Thursday morning, while Glenn city employees. The agreement is for Service on the right. chemo treatment she was taking for was playing golf at Whittle Springs, she three years. At the next turnoff, notice the street sign: cancer, Allen fell and broke her neck. was at home in their condo off Cedar Lane, A guardrail project agreement Jane Allen Drive. It used to be Brief Road, “She can barely walk with a walker,” said sending out birth announcements of a new with Roadway Solutions LLC was but was renamed about a year ago, at the Glenn this past spring. “I bought a new car addition in her family. approved. The city-wide agreement request of Glenn Allen, Jane’s loving hus- to make it easy for her to get in and out.” “We’ve become great-grandparents,” is for $200,000 for the first year and band for going on 59 years. Now at 84, Allen may not be able to get she said joyfully. $100,000 each year with an option His reason given to the Metropolitan around on her own like she used to, but her The Allens’ granddaughter and grand- to renew. Planning Commission and City of Knox- mind is sharp, her personality sweet and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Daniel Reese, Also authorized was an agreement ville for the change: charming and she still gets out and goes had brought their first child into the world with CDM Smith, Inc. for $102,623 for “To honor and pay tribute to a lady who places with friends as well as Glenn. at Germantown Hospital near Memphis on the Amherst Road project. has served Fountain City and the City of St. Paul United Methodist Church may June 26. Her name is Nora Jane Reese. The mayor was authorized to acquire Knoxville for over 55 years,” stated Glenn be her favorite destination. It’s located That, of course, brought a smile to Jane property along Ball Camp Pike from in the application dated June 1, 2017. on Garden Drive, just a quick, left turn off Allen’s face. twelve landowners for the Northwest He also went on to add that his wife had Jane Allen Drive that many folks use for a Glenn would return home later in the Greenway Connector Project. The been selected as Fountain City Woman of short cut. afternoon and prepare dinner for the two $250,000 project would go to acquire the Year (1995) and was given the Knox- “About 1964, I asked a neighbor about as he usually does. right of way acquisition between Victor ville News Sentinel Community Corner- finding a small church,” recalled Jane. “I “When Glenn shared about his street Ashe Park and the pedestrian bridge stone Award (2000). thought it was important to start Nancy sign project last year, he told how long he on Western Avenue. The project is esti- “Mrs. Allen also served on the Board of (her then 4-year-old daughter) in church had been working on it but didn’t think it mated to take about six months of con- Zoning Appeals and the Tax Equalization and I really needed it. I’m so thankful and was going to happen,” Jane remembered. struction. Board for the City of Knoxville under former blessed to have started at St. Paul, where Mayor Rogero was also authorized “I told him the important part was that he Mayors Victor Ashe and Bill Haslam,” I joined United Methodist Women, became to accept the closed right of way at tried. He never cared for meetings and stated Glenn. chair for Helping Hands and taught the chil- Minnesota Avenue next to Sam E. such but worked so diligently. That road is still short and brief, but the dren in Sunday School. Hill School in Lonsdale as part of the “What an honor and tribute – not life of the person it’s now named after has “My church has been an important, Emerald Youth Foundation’s plans for deserved but so appreciated!” been long and physically challenging, yet vital part of my life! I wanted to serve and a center there. It’s fitting too that they picked ‘Drive’ filled with much caring and giving. became a member of the women’s group She was also authorized to apply for for the new name. Jane Allen has been In addition to her work for the mayors, and became involved in Missions. I love my a Homeland Security grant of more through so much but had the drive and there were times when Jane Allen used to church and church family so!” than $430,000 with a 25% match determination to keep going. pick up Sarah Moore Greene, well-known Jane is still able to continue her “card to buy a police boat, equipment and Civil-rights pioneer, educator and commu- ministry,” which she started years ago. She Please continue Jane’s story inside. a dock for use by the police and fire nity leader in Knoxville, and give her a ride loves sending birthday and anniversary departments. Price includes $399 dock fee. Plus tax, tag and title. WAC. Dealer retains all rebates. Restrictions may apply. See Dealer for details. Prices good through next week. 2026 N Charles G Seviers Blvd . Clinton, TN 865.457.0704 www.rayvarnerford.com PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus July 9, 2018 Mother influenced Jane’s future in volunteer work and church By Steve Williams and she let us borrow her University of Georgia.” “uneducable,” said Jane, Jane Briggs Allen was clothes,” Jane recalled, Dorothy was the third and funding stopped, clos- born on April 27, 1934 and laughing. oldest of the sisters. ing the school. grew up in Rome, Ga. “My oldest sister helped Frankie, named after her Jane then began Red She was the youngest of me a lot when I started dad, followed Mary Emma Cross training in Montgom- Mary (Warren) and Frank school. We had that little and Martha was fourth in ery, Ala., and soon trans- Briggs’ five daughters. Dick and Jane reader. My the line and still lives in ferred to the Jacksonville, Rome is about halfway favorite part was, ‘Mew, Rome. Fla., Naval Hospital, where between Chattanooga and Mew,’ said little Mew, the Jane remembers the first she eventually started work- Atlanta and was a small cat, and I loved that,” again time she marched with the ing for the American Red town back then. laughed Jane. “So, my sis- band as a majorette. Cross. Her dad was the city elec- ters called me little Mew for “It was on a Sunday morn- “I liked what the Ameri- trician and there’s a Little a long time.” ing and the military from the League ball park in the town As a youngster, Jane Marine Armory were headed can Red Cross stood for,” that’s named after him.