Monday - Saturday 8am - 7pm Sunday 10am-6pm wash only
Service and Lube | Closed Sunday 703 Parkway Sevierville, TN
(865) 428-0999
FIRST WORDS
Teacher offers support for Bob Thomas By Lauren Hopson
At the public forum for the final two candidates for Knox County superintendent of schools, I witnessed two ends of the spectrum. One struck Hopson me as a used car salesman who talked a lot but avoided answering the questions. What he said did not match up with the stories I have heard from people who have worked with him. The other was sincere and clearly connected with the crowd. On many occasions, he has asked for my input on how best to move our school system forward and restore a culture of respect and professionalism to our system while keeping the focus on our kids. When my term as president of the Knox County Education Association ends, I will most likely be returning to the classroom. Leaving KCS would cost me my tenure and likely my ability to advocate for public education. It could jeopardise my career and ability to provide for my family. However, I will not work for another superintendent who puts on one face for the public and another out of the spotlight. I will not work for another superintendent who refuses to genuinely collaborate with the people who do the heavy lifting every day. I will not work for another superintendent who makes teachers feel afraid to be an active part of their professional association and advocate for our students. I will not work for another superintendent who won’t support my right to challenge the Department of Education when it enacts policies that are harmful to our profession and our children. I will not work for another superintendent who rewards those who publicly agree with him, no matter how they feel in private, and punishes those willing to speak the truth. However, I will proudly work for a man who exemplifies integrity and decency while building relationships with teachers and students based on a desire to help both groups succeed. I will proudly work for Bob Thomas. The Board of Education will choose the next superintendent in less than two weeks. I encourage everyone to contact all school board members and voice your opinion, even if it is not the same as mine. My opinion is only one. They need to hear all of them. Lauren Hopson can be reached at 865-5229793.
NEWS News@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark – 865-661-8777 Sarah Frazier – 865-342-6622 ADVERTISING SALES Ads@ShopperNewsNow.com 865-342-6084 Amy Lutheran | Patty Fecco Beverly Holland | Mary Williamson CIRCULATION 844-900-7097 knoxvillenewssentinel@gannett.com
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
March 15, 2017
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
Carter High Singers hit high notes together
Carter Singers rehearse early in the morning at Carter High School. Photo by Esther Roberts
By Esther Roberts “I don’t like to waste their time.” This respect for her students is the hallmark of Carter High School choral director Jessica Strutz. Strutz quickly gets the advanced choir, The Carter Singers, focused and ready to work. In a moment, two dozen chatty teenagers meld into one voice. They are attentive. Enthusiastic. And oh, so very talented. “We go to competitions and other schools see ‘Carter’ and
think, ‘oh, that’s just a rural school.’” The expectation of larger schools, Strutz explains, is that the choral groups at Carter won’t be very good. At a recent competition, however, the other schools were taken by surprise when some judges gave Carter a “Superior” rating. Strutz smiles. “Carter’s school motto is ‘Excellence for EVERY Child,’ and my students strive to embody that motto.” Observing Strutz work with
her students is like watching a beloved athletic coach work with top-tier talent. Strutz is inspiring, supportive and demanding. Her students are dedicated to their art and devoted to their “coach.” The banter between students and teacher reflects a mutual affection founded on mutual respect. The Singers are a diverse group, including the 2017 Carter Valedictorian, members of the football team, the wrestling team and the moot court team. Singers are all
different shapes and sizes, colors and ethnic backgrounds, some live in suburbs and some on sprawling farms. The unifying thread that binds them together is music. When asked to talk about what it’s like to be a Singer and learn under “Strutz,” the students are quick to answer, but with one caveat – no individual source credit for their comments. “We sing as one voice; we speak as one voice.” To page A-3
Melony Dodson loves music and the outdoors By Carol Z. Shane You know her voice, but you probably wouldn’t recognize her if you ran into her in Kroger or Rami’s Cafe. Melony Dodson, who has been the announcer for WUOT’s Morning Concert for the last seven years, loves living in her Fairmont/Emoriland neighborhood, and she’s celebrating one year of occupancy in her historic house, built in 1935, this spring. “I love the architecture of the houses – how each one is unique and lovely in its own way. The pride that the neighbors take in taking
care of their houses and lawns! How friendly and welcoming everyone was when I moved in. I love that it’s a ‘walking neighborhood’ and I also love that I can walk to Señor Taco! Jumbo margaritas!” Dodson laughs. She’s discovering new things to love all the time. “I enjoy its close proximity to downtown and to work. It’s quiet, clean and feels safe. I love all of the beautiful old trees, and the boulevard is lovely. And I love my house, which has ‘old character/charm’ but was lovingly restored and updated by the previous owner.” Originally a Tarheel, Dodson grew up in
Greensboro, N.C., but says that Boone, where she attended Appalachian State University for two bachelor’s degrees in piano performance and music therapy, “feels like home to me.” She came to Knoxville to earn her master’s degree in collaborative piano at the University of Tennessee, and is well-known around town as a pianist for the UT Concert Choir and Men’s Chorale, First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, and pianist/music director for the Clarence Brown Theatre and Theatre Knoxville. To page A-3
MPC rolls out draft of walkability ordinance By Nancy Anderson Gerald Green says sidewalks offer a lot of benefits. The Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission, which Green heads, has finalized its draft walkability ordinance. Green spoke last week at the Karns Community Club. “Transportation, you can walk to your local grocery store. Recreational, you can run or walk your dog, which also adds health benefits. A great sense of community, sidewalks connect you with your neighbors. You can get out and visit with your neighbors and get to know them. That adds to the safety factor. When you’re outside you can see what’s going on in your own neighborhood.” Green shared a draft of the “Proposed Walkability Ordinance for city of Knoxville and Knox
We Offer:
foot for new development. Since sidewalks are required on only one side of the street, the cost is ultimately divided by two homes. “In the end, the sidewalks will add about $1,500 per home, which is nominal considering the added value. We don’t know what the fee in lieu of would be, but hopefully it will not be seen as more attractive by developers. That would just pass on cost to the homeowner without any added value.” The fee would be used to build sidewalks elsewhere to improve connectivity. Sidewalks will have to adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act with regard to cross slopes. While a sidewalk, which must be 5 feet wide, can contour to rolling hills, it can’t have a cross slope causing someone in a wheelchair to slide off.
Green said the walkability ordinance is now being presented to the public, and it is imperative to let the county commissioners know your thoughts. “The walkability ordinance in now available online, it’s being rolled out to the public. Now is the time to let your county commissioners know your thoughts whatever they may be – the good, the bad and the ugly. That’s going to directly relate to the success and funding of this project. “They need to know what you want. They’re here to enact your vision and they need to know what this vision is. “Visit the MPC webpage often to stay current, you can sign up for emails, and you can contact your county commissioner through the webpage.” Info: www.Knoxmpc.org
CANTRELL’S
• Complete inspections, maintenance & repairs for all air conditioning & heating equipment • Money-saving high-efficiency system upgrades! • FREE ESTIMATES on new equipment • FINANCING through TVA E-Score programs • Maintenance plans available.
County” with a small but enthusiastic crowd of about 20. The ordinance proposes that all new development and redevelopment will provide sidewalks with the exception of some types of development outside the Gerald Green urbanized area. Developers can pay a fee in the event terrain does not permit sidewalks. Many expressed concern that the fee would be more attractive than paying to put in sidewalks. Green said that sidewalks would improve home value and thus attract buyers and that the goal is to impose a fee that is not more attractive than installing sidewalks, which will cost about $40 a linear
HEAT & AIR “Cantrell’s Cares”
SALES • SERVICE • MAINTENANCE 5715 Old Tazewell Pike • 687-2520 Over 20 years A+RATING experience WITH
MEMBER GREATER EAST TENNESSEE
Call now to schdule your spring maintenance!
KN-1507973
VOL. 5 NO. 11