VOL. 52 NO. 20
IN THIS ISSUE
Miracle Maker As the Knoxville Zoo’s outreach and outdoor science coordinator, Steve McGaffin has carted furry, scaly and feathery friends all over East Tennessee in the Zoomobile. But for the past two years, McGaffin has been attracting another sort of friend – the six-legged kind. It’s all part of the zoo’s educational outreach program.
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See Wendy Smith’s story on A-9
Mr. Perry goes to Washington Turns out the rent is higher in the Washington, D.C. suburbs than it is in Kailua, Hawaii. But that doesn’t worry Dewayne Perry. Asked what it’s like to be leaving paradise for a concrete jungle, he just grins. “I’ll be able to fit the car into a parking space.”
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See Jake Mabe’s story on page A-3
So long, Stokely Stokely Center is going, going … “Nobody asked me to do the official eulogy,” Marvin West writes. “Considering the shortage of institutional memory, perhaps nobody realized I was there more than anybody not on the university payroll.” I didn’t see it all but I was at courtside. …
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See Marvin’s story on page A-6
‘A Mouse’s Tail’ With 17 published works beginning with “The Moon is Always Full,” David Hunter has become a name synonymous with Knoxville scribes. From nonfiction to fiction, Hunter has run the gauntlet with his stories of crime, passion and absurdity. The Powell Branch Library hosted a signing May 11 for Hunter’s latest book, “A Mouse’s Tale.” It is fiction but, as with all Hunter’s work in the genre, may contain snippets from real life.
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See Cindy Taylor’s story on A-3
Best deal in town Powell Presbyterian Church, 2910 W. Emory Road, invites the community to dinner 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, with bingo following. “Our cook (Marcia Fisher) is fantastic. She makes everything from scratch,” said Margaret White. “At two dollars it’s the best deal in town.”
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See page A-7
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Expoquip earns Pinnacle Award Expoquip Inc. was awarded the Knoxville Minority Business of Excellence at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Business Pinnacle Awards Gala on May 3. The Pinnacle Awards recognize outstanding local businesses and businesspeople. More than 200 companies were nominated in nine categories, with only nine businesses walking away with the honors. Expoquip is a Knoxville-based company founded in 1998 by Jorge Sanabria of Powell. It is a local and worldwide supplier of heavy equipment as well as replacement parts and components for the construction, earth moving and mining industry. The company’s product line includes engines, transmissions, undercarriage, ground engagement tools, hydraulics, electric and miscellaneous parts, equipping machines ranging from 2 tons to 720 tons. Over the past 15 years, Sanabria has grown the company from a one-person operation which started out of his home into a multimillion dollar company with 10 employees. Expoquip currently
Expoquip Inc. owners Deana and Jorge Sanabria inside their office at 6636 A-1 Central Avenue Pike. Expoquip distributes replacement parts for heavy equipment in more than 34 countries. Photo by Ruth White
serves customers in 34 countries, as well as local, state and federal government agencies. Jorge Sanabria and his wife, Deana, have lived in Powell for
18 years. Jorge is originally from Bogota, Colombia, and Deana is from Sneads Ferry, N.C. They have three children who attend Powell schools: Valentina 16; San-
Homeowners discuss codes By Sandra Clark Expect a fall meeting and possible new officers for the Broadacres Homeowners Association. That’s the word from president Ed Smith and vice president Andrew Sharits following the April 2 meeting at Powell Presbyterian Church. “We had a great turnout,” said Smith, “and once again we want to thank the church for the use of its facilities.” Knox County Commissioner R. Larry Smith met to discuss codes enforcement – the top issue of concern when residents were asked how to improve the neighborhood. “If you have an issue such as speeding cars, messy lots, vandalism, etc., call the
tiago, 13; and Sophia, 11. They are members of Powell Church and involved in school and community sports.
Weigel’s promises help on mud hole
community outreach office at 215-2000 or the Sheriff’s Office,” said Ed Smith. Neighbors also talked about the huge muddy ditch beside the speed bump on Shropshire behind Powell Middle School. “This property belongs to Weigel’s and they have been informed,” said Smith. Contacted Friday, senior management promised to fi x the pothole on their property. In reference to yard maintenance at all entrances, we plan to trim several of the large trees and apply fresh mulch and Residents who paid Broadacres Homeowners Association maintain these for the year dues by April 16 were eligible to win a free pool member- (lawn mowing and general ship. The drawing was handled by Natalie Sharits (at right), upkeep), said Smith. “We pictured with her mother, Jennifer, and was sponsored by also plan to replace the Broadacres Pool. Winners were Phil and Kathy Jones. missing brass letters at one
entrance, and hopefully replace the white letters at Shropshire if funds allow.” Dues are $50 per year. Volunteers are needed to upgrade bulletin boards found at subdivision entrances by installing new plywood for messages and painting the green frames. Anyone who can help should contact Ed Smith at 947-0129. “Our goal is to keep you informed of any valuable information that affects us,” said Sharits. “BHA maintains the entrances and lighting but we also work with local government to be sure our roads are paved and the stormwater system works properly for Broadacres subdivision.”
Sign task force looks for consensus By Betty Bean The push to make Knoxville a more beautiful city and the pushback from businesses that rely on signage to drive customers to their doors have made the work of City Council’s Sign Ordinance Task Force a challenging enterprise. They went to work in February 2012 and hope to finish soon.
Analysis Can both Joyce Feld and Bill Weigel walk away happy? (Feld chairs Scenic Knoxville, which opposes big signs. Weigel is CEO of the local chain of convenience stores that has 80 outlets bearing his name and has a longestablished brand, promoted via signage and distinctive façade.) “That was a challenge, but they’ve both been great,” said task force chair Duane Grieve,
who represents the beautification-conscious Bearden area on City Council. “This task force has been dedicated, sincere and a good cross-representation. I’ll bet there’s been less than 10 percent absenteeism.” He said the assistance of MPC director Mark Donaldson has been invaluable. Grieve started the task force’s work by putting everyone on a bus and touring the city. He said one impression was shared by almost everyone, whatever their point of view: “Hey, there are a lot of abandoned signs out there.” Grieve said there is a lot of agreement that lowering sign height will be a good thing, and he’s hoping the county will follow the city’s lead in these matters. Feld says aesthetics are good for business, especially in thriving business districts where regula-
tions are the most stringent. “A wonderful example is the revitalization of downtown and Market Square. Signage is highly regulated there, but the economy in that area is thriving and has pulled new businesses and residents. And look at Turkey Creek – when they developed it, they removed six to eight billboards that were already there. They have no signs taller than six feet and they’re all monument signs, other than the primary directory signs on the interstate. It has been a resounding success.” City Council member George Wallace co-chairs the task force. He is a Realtor and advocates a more cautious approach. He says most of the comments he’s heard during public forums boil down to three things: “First, people are asking us to be reasonable and fair. Second,
Knoxville’s Sign Ordinance Task Force will hold its final meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at the KCDC building, 901 N. Broadway, before handing the new ordinance over to the Metropolitan Planning Commission, where it must be approved on two readings before being returned to City Council for deliberation – and two more readings. Written comments will be accepted until Wednesday.
special consideration should be given to interstate interchanges – hotels, fast food. These are not in neighborhoods and it’s all about trying to drive traffic. Third, keep in mind that we’re still Knoxville. This is a community that has a certain style, a certain feel. Let’s don’t overstep our bounds.” 2704 Mineral Springs Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917 Ph. (865) 687-4537
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