Last night beginning at 7:34 pm and lasting until 11 pm, Knoxville City Council listened, talked, asked questions and by a vote of 8 in favor 0 in opposition and Councilman Andrew Roberto abstaining approved KUB entering the Broadband business, creating a fifth utility.
Vivian Shipe in favor of KUB expansion speaking in favor while the 100 or so in favor stand behind her.
About 100 KUB loyalists -vs- a handful of skeptics and a Comcast Representative filled the City County Buildings Main Assembly Room. One supporter demanded that it be a unanimous vote. It wasn’t. Roberto wanting a workshop. Councilwomen Lynne Fugate and Amelia Parker sounded the alarm. Councilman Tommy Smith walked the center line.
Councilwoman Lauren Rider did a good job representing her mixed bag of constituent thoughts and views. However, she cited her vote in favor of KUB was because of one constituent that said they were one block away from connectivity and couldn’t connect, so the fourth district vote went with KUB.
Councilwoman Janet Testerman told a story more personal. One where her own connectivity was too expensive and she couldn’t afford it (presumably in the past, I believe) so she supported KUB.
KUB President and CEO Gabe Bolas flanked with Board Chair Jerry Askew, Executives Jamey Davis, Mark Walker and 5 other staffers combined with Mayoral Assistant Erin Gill and Mayor Indya Kincannon sold the deal.
Union County Mayor begging Knoxville to do what he has been unable to do, deliver Broadband to Union County, TN
Interesting that City Council and the Knoxville administration was more enamored with the Union County Mayor then Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
