VOL. 9 NO. 9
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
March 4, 2015
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IN THIS ISSUE In the sunshine Does the Sunshine Law go too far? Not far enough? Does it give too much power to mayors and political operatives? Attorney Scott Frith lays out the pros and cons of the law here in Shopper-News.
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By Sara Barrett Lydia Brown is a typical 6-year-old who loves school, talking to her friends and macaroni and cheese. You would never know she has been diagnosed with autism. Her mom, Margaret, said it peeks through during Lydia’s social interactions. “Because of her disability, she stands out more in public,” said Margaret. “I want her to interact with her peers in a way that is comfortable for both parties.” Thanks to a local nonprofit, Lydia is now showing great improvement socially. Artistic Spectrum, based in Knoxville, hosts a number of events for people of all ages living with Autism Spectrum Disorders, or ASD. Since Lydia’s diagnosis about two years ago, Margaret has been bringing her to Artistic Spectrum events including painting parties and Autism Family Fun Day at the Muse Knoxville, sponsored by Artis-
Read his story on page A-4
Snow angel When the county slowed to a standstill during the recent two-week storm, Joseph Qualls trolled the byways of Karns in his H2 Hummer looking for stranded motorists and those in need. Qualls drove his Hummer more than 780 miles through local side streets, rescuing 21 motorists and giving countless others rides to work, medical appointments or grocery shopping.
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See Nancy Anderson on page A-3
Rotary spirit Dr. Roy King says a recent medical training project in Zimbabwe by the Rotary Club of Knoxville demonstrates the spirit of what Rotary is all about. Collaboration of the Knoxville club and the Rotary of Bulawayo South, Zimbabwe, shows what the organization can do.
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To page A-2 Lydia Brown paints a canvas during an event organized by Artistic Spectrum.
The challenges of growth
See Bonny Millard on page A-10
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
MPC revamps Northwest County Sector Plan
Mayor plans meetings
By Sandra Clark
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will host constituent meetings in March to invite comment from citizens. These meetings are open to the public. Area times and locations are: ■ Monday, March 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Cedar Bluff Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. ■ Thursday, March 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Bearden Library, 100 Golf Club Road. ■ Monday, March 16, 9-10 a.m., Strang Senior Center, 109 Lovell Heights Road. ■ Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m. to noon, Karns Library, 7516 Oak Ridge Highway. For more times and locations, visit www.knoxcounty. org.
Knox County’s northwest sector is the fastest-growing of the county’s six, and, as “Monk” star Tony Shalhoub often said, that’s both a blessing and a curse. Planner Liz Albertson briefed Knox County Commission on the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s work to update the sector’s land use plan, last reviewed in 2003. Commission chair Brad Anders, who represents the area, said the process was begun last summer. “I appreciate the public meetings you have held.” And at-large Commissioner Ed Brantley said preliminary work shows “fantastic growth in area.” Albertson said the sector’s scattered growth has put stress on the
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By Anne Hart Not since the 1980s has Knoxville seen an event like the one set for the World’s Fair Park in late May. If you’re a lover of barbecue, you might want to start dieting right now because QueFest, the 2015 Tennessee State Barbecue Championship, is going to be an opportunity to nibble your way to pork paradise. On May 29 and 30, the heavenly aroma of barbecue will waft over the park as it did when the events called “Riverfest” dotted the site for a few years after the fair closed, when local groups competed for the best barbecue in town.
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bemoaning the disappearance of “a sense of place” in areas like Karns and Ball Camp. Others want to conserve agricultural land for future food production. The northwest county sector extends west from the Knoxville city limits to the county line. It is bounded by Clinton Highway on the north and Interstate 40/75 on the south. It is the county’s most populous sector and the the second largest with 77 square miles. It has the most-amended sector plan with 99 plan amendments involving 500 acres of land over the past 10 years. Amendments have included approval for both residential and commercial development along the Pellissippi Parkway Technology Corridor. Emerging issues: Albertson
got 500 responses at public meetings or online since starting the update. Of these, 80 percent cited the need for a new middle school in Hardin Valley. Residents want more pedestrian and bike routes, especially around schools. Several people mentioned the loss of the area’s rural character and “small town feel.” The plan must be changed to reflect the state’s cancellation of Interstate 475, the “orange route” beltway through Hardin Valley. Traffic congestion is a concern, particularly the intersection of Pellissippi Parkway and Hardin Valley Road. Finally, several people asked about the county’s policy on sidewalks within new subdivisions – are they required and is that requirement being enforced? Albertson expects to complete her draft in March and move toward another round of public meetings. The plan must be adopted by the MPC, Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council.
Rotary barbecue cook-off headed to World’s Fair Park
‘Standardized’ The public is invited to a free screening of the movie “Standardized: Lies, Money & Civil Rights: How Testing Is Ruining Public Education” from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Bearden Public Library, 100 Golf Club Road. A panel discussion will follow.
infrastructure and could lead to “inefficient use of capital expenditures.” She said two new schools (Amherst Elementary and Hardin Valley Academy) have driven residential growth and now residents require wider Liz Albertson roads, sidewalks and recreation. More than 7,000 new homes including apartment units and 351 non-residential projects have been built since 2003, requiring the rezoning of almost 6,000 acres. “It is more difficult to pay for capital improvements stretched over a large area,” she said. And residents at public meetings are
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Those events will look like beginner stuff when the Rotary Club of Bearden hosts some 50 or so contestants from all over the country at the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS)-sanctioned QueFest, which will feature two days of intense competition for the best barbecue in four categories, live music and lots of other entertainment for the entire family. The cooking competition for KCBS honors is fierce and like no other. It is closely monitored and
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judged by professionals. No amateurs here: the winners’ purse totals more than $10,000. The big rigs and fancy motor homes hauling all manner of grilling equipment will start arriving at the park’s South Lawn early on Friday, May 29. By 5 p.m., when the event opens to the public, the cooking will be underway, along with entertainment for the evening. Legendary concert promoter Stephen Gudis of Nashville is lining up top-flight entertainers and
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bands to perform Friday until 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors will be able to wander the site and talk with contestants about their “secret recipes” and special techniques. And there will be plenty of good Ted Hotz food. Event chair Ted Hotz says vendors will include local favorite Dead End BBQ, whose owner, George Ewart, has
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