Last night Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs came to the Powell community for his first Constituent night. It was scheduled from 5:30-7:00 at the Powell Branch library.
It was held in the Larry Stephens Community Room. Stephens was an longtime educator at Powell High School, he was County Commissioner from and for the Powell Community from 1998-2006. He is still very active in the Knox County Business Community.
The night started with the Mayor arriving 15 minutes early, beginning the meeting 10 minutes early at 5:20 pm. His first constituent was a UT Journalism student. Prior to the Mayor’s arrival I was happy to do a brief interview for her, explaining why I attended and what I hoped to witness.
The crowd quickly picked up with at 90% of the people frustrated with HPUD (Hallsdale Powell Utility District). They are frustrated with the rates, the quality of water and the overall policies of HPUD. Mayor Jacobs and Knox County Commissioner at Large Seat 11 Justin Biggs are both HPUD rate payers. Biggs was in attendance from the beginning to the end of the meeting.
Jacobs explained what he has been told and expressed some confusion with at least one explanation that HPUD had given him. After listening to many residents in an overflow room of about 100 people. Jacobs asked that everyone leave their email addresses and that he would have HPUD come to a 5:30 or 6:00 pm community meeting to listen and address these concerns.
About 6:15 pm (45 minutes) after it started, the district Commissioner Charles Busler showed up. At Commission meetings he has left twice before it ended, last night he was late. That is one consistent action of Charlie lately.
So, we go there, we give you a recap and give you a view of what happened. But we also take you in through video, here is most of the HPUD discussion for you.
Mayor sitting down to begin his first Constituent Night
a UT Journalism student meeting with the Mayor.
The beginning of the crowd right at 5:30 pm. Commissioner Biggs listening to a citizen.
Knoxville Realtor Kim Isenberg, Biggs and Myself
Two Knoxville tv news station photographers and Mayor Jacobs Communication Director Rob Link.
Myself and Powell Community Activist and Businessman Bo Bennett
The crowd begins to build
Powell realtor Justin Bailey, Steve Goodpasture meet with Mayor Jacobs as Mandi Benedict, a Mayoral staff person listens in.
Mayor Jacobs being presented with some HPUD information
The crowd for the HPUD discussion. There were at least three people standing outside the door.
Commissioner Busler after a 45 minute delayed arrival
