Farragut Shopper-News 041217

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Egg Hunts ➤ VOL. 11 NO. 15

FIRST WORDS

Here comes Randy Boyd By Scott Frith

Last month, Randy Boyd, the former state commissioner of economic and community development, kicked off his campaign for governor. Boyd is best known for his philanthropy, ownership Scott Frith of the Tennessee Smokies baseball team, and as founder of PetSafe (the folks who make the invisible fence for your dog). Media coverage is the lifeblood of any statewide campaign, and Boyd has proven skilled at getting it. While money can’t buy you love, money can certainly buy good publicity. Boyd has figured out that giving away a lot of money can bring a steady stream of positive media coverage for a nascent gubernatorial campaign. For example, just last week Boyd announced a $223,000 donation to the South-Doyle High School library. (Boyd attended South-Doyle.) Last October, Boyd donated $5.5 million to UT track and field. (Boyd attended UT.) Last month, Boyd announced a $5 million gift to the Knoxville Zoo. (Boyd clearly likes animals.) You get the idea. It also helps to be friends with the governor. Randy Boyd is a longtime political ally of Gov. Bill Haslam. Haslam has openly praised Boyd. Expect their financial supporters to be indistinguishable. This cozy relationship is almost certain to cause unease among conservative Republican primary voters. Just as Shirley MacLaine once said to never trust a man when he’s in love, drunk, or running for office, many conservatives will question whether Boyd is a conservative at all. In fact, Boyd appears to have anticipated this problem by bringing in Republican lifer and conservative stalwart Chip Saltsman to run his campaign. Also, while Boyd may be a Haslam ally, Boyd won’t retrace Haslam’s path to Nashville. Haslam was elected mayor of Knoxville twice before being elected governor. Boyd has never run for office. (Even Bob Corker served as mayor of Chattanooga before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006.) Boyd’s decision to skip local office reflects a new political reality. It’s a lot tougher for a Republican to get elected mayor than it used to be. For example, it’s no secret that Knoxville has To page A-3

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April 12, 2017

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Doris Woods Owens stands with Farragut Museum coordinator Julia Barham at the entrance to the gallery named in honor of Owens.

From humble beginnings Farragut Museum soars By Margie Hagen What started as a temporary exhibit meant to last just three weeks turned into the permanent Farragut Museum, now documenting the heritage of Farragut’s early residents and places. In 1986, then-Gov. Lamar Alexander initiated a statewide collaboration to celebrate homecoming for the UT winners of the Liberty Bowl. Named “3000 Places to Call Home,� nearly all Tennessee communities participated with special events highlighting local history. Author Alex Haley and country music legend Minnie Pearl were named co-chairs for the festivities. To page A-3

Fighting crime in Farragut By Margie Hagen As the Knox County Sheriff’s Office substation in Turkey Creek enters its second year of operation, Chief of Administration Lee Tramel says, “It has exceeded expectations, allowing officers to work more effectively and efficiently. “The shopping area is a major target for thieves, so having the station right here helps in quick apprehension and processing. Rather than driving downtown, patrol can come here to email warrants and arrange for transportation, saving hours and getting them

back on their beats faster.� Shoplifting is a real crime, not just pocketing a candy bar. Invariably it involves individuals or groups stealing to support a daily drug habit. It’s big business, costing retailers some $45 billion every year. Typically that cost is passed on to consumers. That’s where the Organized Retail Crime Unit comes in. Staffed by officers Angela Varner and Nick Phillips, the team has to stay on top of the ever-evolving schemes employed by thieves. For example, one person steals an item, then their partner goes back to return

it without a receipt, getting a gift card in exchange. The cards are then traded for cash, often for 10-20 percent of the face value. “When people have a drug habit to support they need cash every day,� says Captain Robbie Lawson. “That’s what drives roughly 90 percent of these crimes.� State Rep. Jason Zachary and state Sen. Richard Briggs have taken note, sponsoring bills to increase the penalty for shoplifting and crack down on stolen gift card sellers, making it harder for thieves to unload the cards. To page A-3

Bobby Todd Antiques to relocate to Bearden Well-known Sweetwater gift and antique shop Bobby Todd Antiques is relocating to its sister store, “UPSTAIRS,� at 4514 Old Kingston Pike, in Knoxville. Bobby Brown and Todd Richesin announced they will be moving the store following the sale of their current building in Sweetwater; initially opening a “Pop-up Shop� for Bobby Todd in late summer, and then transforming the UPSTAIRS location fully to Bobby Todd for the opening of their much anticipated Bobby Todd Christmas Shop in October. Situated in the iconic “Up and Down Service Station,� UPSTAIRS is at 4514 Old Kingston Pike in the heart of the Bearden district, at the intersection of Kingston Pike and Lyons View Pike. Bobby and Todd are thrilled with their plans to relocate. “This is something we have been dreaming about for some time,� said Richesin. “We want to consolidate our efforts and return to our original Bobby Todd mission statement, which involves really focusing on each and every product we offer, making sure it is right for our brand,� said Brown. Bobby Todd was founded on the idea that the shop would

Todd Richesin (in car) and Bobby Brown are moving their popular Sweetwater antiques shop to Bearden. The Sweetwater building is being sold to a “likeminded, creative retailer,� Richesin said.

be an extension of the way Bobby and Todd live in their own home. They have since moved from their original loft space in Knoxville’s historic Old City, to a gracious European country home in West Knoxville; but their current home embodies their dream of the way people should live. “Classic, stylish, and comfortable. Those are the key elements to creating the perfect backdrop for experiencing your life,� said Brown. Bobby and Todd have been committed to downtown Sweetwater since starting their business there 15 years ago, and because of that commitment, they have hand selected the buyer for their building. “Sweetwater is our hometown, so we are excited by the opportunity to fill our former Sweetwater building with a likeminded, creative retailer who will contribute to the unique personality and fabric of the historic downtown area,� Richesin said. “The new owner is someone who is just as committed to downtown Sweetwater as we have been and will carry antiques, gift items, and will also offer interior design services,� Brown said. The transition To page A-11

For all your vehicle needs, sales & service. Thanks! - Ray

CLINTON TENNESSEE 865-457-0704 or 1-800-579-4561 www.rayvarnerford.com

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