November 27, 2017 www.knoxfocus.com Now offering onlinePAGE A1 auction services Fountain City Auction for all of your auction needs (865)604-3468 fountaincityauction.com FREE Take One! November 27, 2017 PARADES! short-term rentals approved for aLL residential zones DEcEmbEr 1 Parade By Mike Steely [email protected] Duane Grieve and Nick has opposed STRs in R-1 prohibit rentals in those operated rentals. The 45th Annual WIVK Della Volpe, opposed the and R-1E neighborhoods zoned areas. Debra Olsen, a South Christmas Parade will be Despite continual oppo- final 6-2 vote. Council- since November of last “The overwhelming con- Knoxville STR owner, said held Friday, December 1, sition from some neighbor- man George Wallace was year. He said that since sensus is against this,” he that over the past year 2017 at 7:00 p.m. hood groups the Knoxville absent from Tuesday’s then, ten neighborhood said, adding that the coun- more than 8,000 visi- Rain or shine, the parade City Council passed, on meeting. organizations have voiced cil “has not listened.” tors have stayed in short- will step off onto Church a split vote, a short-term Larry Silverstein, rep- similar opposition. Silver- Several current STR term rental homes with- Street and travel towards rental policy for every res- resenting the Communi- stein urged the council owners spoke and asked out a major complaint Gay Street, where the idential neighborhood. ty Forum, told the coun- to approve Councilman the council to grandfather from neighbors. She said parade emcee will be posi- Only two council members, cil that the organization Duane Grieve’s motion to those current non-owner Continued on page 2 tioned, announcing each unit as they pass. The parade will turn onto East Jackson Street and will dis- Parkridge band in the Old City, past OfficiaLs OPEN fOrEsT hEighTs POcKET ParK Barley’s. historic DEcEmbEr 2 Parades The Karns Christmas Zone Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 2 expansion at Ingles and continues to the red light in downtown delayed for Karns. Line up begins at 9 a.m. in the Ingles park- 6 months ing lot. By Mike Steely Come see Santa at the [email protected] 2017 Luttrell Christmas Parade which will begin You might call it a at Tazewell Pike and Park historic decision. The Road at noon on Saturday, Knoxville City Council December 2. For informa- voted Tuesday evening tion about participating, to postpone any deci- please call 865-992-0870 sion on expanding the or 865-363-4752. H-1 Historic Zone for The Halls Christmas PHOTO BY KATHLEEN GIBI. six months. Councilman Parade is Saturday, Decem- Mayor Madeline Rogero, Vice Mayor Duane Grieve, City Council At-Large member Marshall Stair and City staff Daniel Brown made the ber 2, 2017 beginning at 2 members assist in cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Forest Heights Pocket Park. successful motion. p.m. Lineup starts at 12:30 For almost a year the p.m. at Halls High School. idea of adding more than For questions contact 400 homes, many of Travis Woody at the Halls them not designated as Food City or at 688smgr@ Knoxville 1st Tennessee city historic, to the existing foodcity.com. district, pitted neighbor The Powell Annual Christ- against neighbor. Oppo- mas Parade will be Satur- nents charged that the day, December 2, 2017 at certified as wildlife habitat proposed designation 5 p.m. The parade route There was more than the open- maintain it on a regular basis. East Tennessee’s trademark,” said would eventually force begins at Powell Plaza ing of a new park to be celebrated The park features a paved walking Mayor Rogero. “Whether it be the poorer neighbors out and travels to Powell High last Monday, as City officials cut the loop, picnic tables and play equip- 1,000-acre Urban Wilderness or a and increase the prop- School. Participants must ribbon on the recently acquired and ment, including new swings and a smaller-than-an-acre pocket park erty values and impose be present and registered renovated Forest Heights Pocket natural playground installed by City like Forest Heights, it’s a win for our restrictions and expens- by 4:15. If you want your Park, located at 411 Highland Hills crews. kids and our grandkids.” es on making home float judged for “Best in Road. During the ceremony, Mayor Mad- To achieve the city-level certifica- repairs. Show”, you must register Until last week, the 0.8-acre eline Rogero announced that Knox- tion, a city is required to first cer- Supporters said the float to participate. Regis- park had been split into 32 parcels ville has just been named the first tify 312 sites at homes, schools or expansion would pro- tration cost is $5 onsite. owned by the Forest Heights neigh- city in Tennessee to be certified common areas that provide the four tect all the homes in the The winning float receives borhood residents. The park, adja- by the National Wildlife Federation basic elements that all wildlife need: East Knoxville neighbor- half the pot. For more infor- cent to the City’s Bearden Village (NWF) as a Community Wildlife Hab- food, water, cover and places to hood and preserve his- mation email: tnpowell- Greenway, was transferred to the itat. raise young. Knoxville currently has toric homes there. [email protected]. City so that Public Works Depart- “We have to preserve our wildlife 344 sites (322 homes, 16 common Brown, who initially The Rocky Hill Busi- ment crews could upgrade its ame- habitats so that our future genera- areas, and six schools). requested that the plan- ness District is proud to nities to meet safety standards and tions experience the beauty that is Continued on page 3 ning commission look at announce the 4th Annual expanding the historic Christmas parade here in designation, announced our community on Satur- his opposition two weeks day, December, 2 at 6:00 ago. Mayor Madeline p.m. For more information City begins streetlight Rogero cited the views of please visit www.rockyhill- Brown and councilwom- christmasparade.org. an-elect Gwen McKen- zie, when asking that the DEcEmbEr 9 Parade retrofitting in East Knoxville matter be tabled earlier The 24th Annual Sey- By Ken Lay this month. mour Community Christ- Knoxville on the corner of at night and exceeding Knoxville. Three opponents to mas Parade is Decem- The City of Knoxville is Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. our sustainability is a win- These pilot demonstra- the designation and two ber 9, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. changing its streetlights. and Olive Street. win. tions will aid both Siemens supporters spoke to the Registration is now open. It became official recent- That ceremony began “Also, we’re especial- and the City of Knoxville council last week. Visit www.seymourtn.org/ ly when Mayor Madeline the retrofitting project to ly pleased that Siemens to determine the best fix- Kim Trent and Jenny events/christmas-parade/ Rogero hosted a cere- replace the old inefficient has hired local subcon- tures and bulbs for differ- Mesnick spoke for the to register. mony where the first LED lights. tractors to do the bulk of ent types of streets and historic designation. light was lit. “I’m very pleased that the work.” locations. Mesnick called the plan a NOTE Rogero and city coun- Knoxville is the first of The ceremony on Martin The 16 other pilot loca- way to “encourage afford- Due to safety concerns cilman and former mayor Tennessee’s four major Luther King Jr. Ave. was tions will be at Union ability” and said she wel- on Broadway, there will Daniel Brown were on cities to begin retrofitting. the first of nearly 100 Ave. near Market Square; comes Mayor Rogero’s be no Fountain City Opti- hand when Angel Pena Knoxville is taking a lead- demonstration LED’s. James White Parkway near offer of cooperation. mist Christmas Parade this of Siemens turned on ership role in this,” Rogero Those will be installed at year. the first new light in East said. “Improving visibility 17 locations throughout Continued on page 4 Cont. on page 2 Dee Canizales Realtor/Broker Tel: 865-637-9118 x 100 Cell: 865-686-8335 Fax: 865-637-9119 [email protected] 701 N Central St www.associatedtherapeutics.com Knoxville TN 37917 PAGE A2 The Knoxville Focus November 27, 2017 Parkridge historic Zone Special needs children are expansion delayed for 6 months Cont. from page 1 speak against the pro- 60 days was preceded by an around-the-clock job Trent called the propos- posed expansion said that statements from various By Mike Steely al a “valuable tool” and proponents have “a lack council members includ- [email protected] Focus. He frequently harms himself and then said she wants to of compassion” for poorer ing Marshall Stair who Note: This true story is part of The Knox- others. He cannot communicate what’s know “what the process residents there. said he is pleased the ville Focus’ continuing series on Special wrong and must often be restrained. She is.” Rogero said that the “Do you have the toler- administration is commit- Needs Children and should give readers said that he often gets outside and takes administration has “not ance for the hatred this ted to the process. Coun- an idea of how some parents wrestle with off all his clothing. He wets and soils his set a plan” yet. The mayor has cost?” Britney Allen cilman Duane Grieve said, the needs of their child on a daily basis.