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Interns head downtown
Last week, the ShopperNews interns toured the Knox Area Rescue Ministries, the health department and ate lunch at the Knoxville Visitors Center during a WDVX Blue Plate Special concert.
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See their story on pages A-10, 11
Mose’s mark There’s an underground campaign to influence Mayor Tim Burchett to reappoint Robert M. “Mose” Lobetti to a third term on Metropolitan Planning Commission. Lobetti already has left an indelible mark.
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See Betty Bean’s story on A-4
UT revitalization This is the revitalization time of Tennessee football, says Marvin West. “Hope is here. Rebirth is likely. Improvement is just around the corner. Derek Dooley is optimistic.” Marvin says, “There had to be changes.”
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See Marvin’s story on page A-5
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Realtor info Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace Realtors will host career night 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28. The principal broker at each office will answer questions about obtaining a Tennessee real estate license. No appointment is necessary. Locations: Bearden Hill, 140 Major Reynolds Place; Farragut, 10815 Kingston Pike; and West Town, 124 N. Winston Road; Info: Mike Pappas, 693-1111 or mpappas@cbww.com, or visit www.cbww.com.
Index Coffee Break Sherri Gardner Howell Government/Politics Malcolm Shell Marvin West Town of Farragut Faith Business Community Calendar Health/Lifestyles
A2 A3 A4 A5 A5 A6 A7 A14, 15 A16 Sect B
10512 Lexington Dr., Ste. 500 37932 (865) 218-WEST (9378) news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com GENERAL MANAGER Shannon Carey shannon@ShopperNewsNow.com EDITOR Sherri Gardner Howell gardners@tds.net FARRAGUT REPORTER Suzanne Foree Neal papernews@tds.net ADVERTISING SALES Jim Brannon brannonj@ShopperNewsNow.com Debbie Moss mossd@ShopperNewsNow.com Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly at 10512 Lexington Drive, Suite 500, Knoxville, TN, and distributed to 33,237 homes in Farragut, Karns and Hardin Valley.
June 25, 2012
Annexation of Old Concord Meeting lays question on the line
By Sherri Gardner Howell When you boil down the questions, fears and passions for and against the annexation of Old Concord by the town of Farragut, the underlying sentiment of those who live there is pretty simple: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Town administrators’ point of view is also pretty basic: We don’t want anyone coming along and breaking it. The community of Old Concord is under the watchful eye of Knox County, not the town it borders. Talk of moves to annex the historic area by the town of Farragut circulates regularly. On June 18, residents of Old Concord met at Concord Presbyterian Church to listen to Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill and Town Administrator David Smoak lay it on the line concerning annexation. Approximately 50 people attended the question and answer session, which was hosted by the Old Concord Residents Association. Mayor McGill emphasized several times that the town’s only agenda is to work with the community and to protect the residents and historic area. “This is a special place,” said McGill. “We know it is a special place. You know it is a special place. We want to make sure it stays a special place.” Old Concord falls within the 16 square miles of the town’s urban growth boundary and already en-
joys some protection with the historical overlay designation. “You are a little piece of that boundary,” said McGill. “Our only goal is to be able to protect you from what might come down the road.” Smoak explained that Concord Road is one of the gateways into the town of Farragut and is therefore very important. “If we were to annex Old Concord, we would ask for your help in putting together a Historical Zoning Committee so decisions could be made at the town level and not at the county level,” said Smoak. “We don’t want to come in and develop your community. That is not what we do. The question is pretty simple: Would you rather the oversight be by the town or by the county? If you are happy, then we can go back to the board of alderman and tell them that.” Carol Russell, president of the Old Concord Residents Association, said after the meeting that the relationship between the association and Knox County is “very, very good.” “We have a history with them,” she said. “They have supported us in the past on several projects that would have been damaging to our historic community. They have always been very interested in helping us maintain the historical integrity of our community.” Russell said the association will work in the next few months to conduct a survey and a petition to
Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill and Town Administrator David Smoak take questions from citizens of Old Concord. This map shows the urban growth boundaries and the historic zoning of the Old Concord area.
determine the will of all the members. “This was good dialogue,” she said. “The town would like a formal declaration of the will of the people who live here, so we will try to facilitate that.” Mayor McGill warned that historical overlays can be abused, adding that protecting the community is the town’s only motivation. “I feel the town is in a better position to be more responsive to issues and problems that might arise because we are closer to the area.” The mayor said the meeting was a positive step. “It was helpful to
Carol Russell, president of the Old Concord Residents Association, opens a meeting and discussion about annexation. clear the air so that maybe there will be no more misunderstandings,” said McGill. “Annexation decisions ultimately rest with the board of aldermen, but I believe we are all on the same page with saying if the citizens don’t want it, then we have no desire to do it.”
Campbell Station Park: Natural beauty By Suzanne Foree Neal Farragut’s Campbell Station Park is perhaps the most eye-catching of all the town’s parks. Turkey Creek meanders through the long, narrow park that also has walking trails which cut through a swath of woods. The 17-acre park at 405 N. Campbell Station Road is considered a passive park. Situated next to the Farragut Branch Library, the park can be a busy place when a children’s event at the library concludes. Parents and children head to the park. With lots of woods and shade, it’s a popular place on a hot day. The town bought the first 13 acres in 1993 and celebrated the completion of Phase 1 in 1999. In 2000, asphalt and mulch trails in the west portion were completed through a Recreation Trails Program grant from the state. The park is dotted with an assortment of playful metal sculptures representing children and animals at play. There are two pavilions. Burnside is covered, has electricity, a water fountain, a grill, seats 24 at three tables and is situated off the entrance to the library. It rents for $25 for a half day or $40 for a full day. Longstreet is covered, has electricity, a grill, seats 40 at five tables and is off
Keep Your Me Memories emo SAFE!
the south parking area on the hill. It rents for $45 for a half day and $80 for a full day. All pavilions are rented for half day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3-8 p.m., or 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a full day. You can find information to rent the park’s facilities on the town’s website and can make reservations online or call 966-7057. There is no charge for using pavilions when they are not rented for private gatherings. Recently, Mikol Bukovska, Bianka Bukovska, Lukas Bukovska, Jasper Smelcer and Cooper Smelcer waded in Turkey Creek at Campbell Station Park while their mothers watched from lawn chairs in the shade. There was also plenty of opportunity to hop from rock to rock through the creek as well. Mom Martina Hajkova says the park is a favorite for her and her children because of the shade, the stream and the library. “They can bring their bikes and ride and sometimes we hike,” she says. “In winter, we have gone sledding down some of the hills.” Although they don’t live in Farragut, they still come at least once a week. Teens MeKenzie Riley, Ryan Creel, Kyle Parker and Ben Holt come to the
Portable hammocks stretched over Turkey Creek at Campbell Station Park in the shade make for a great place to while away the day. McKenzie Riley, 16; Ryan Creel, 17; Kyle Parker, 17; and Ben Holt, 18, come to the park about once a week.
This week: Campbell Station Park 405 N. Campbell Station Road Hours: 9 am to 8 pm
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To page A-3
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VOL. 6 NO. 26
IN THIS ISSUE
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■ Eight metal sculptures ■ Restrooms ■ Benches
Farragut Shopper-News takes a look at what amenities you’ll find if you venture out to any of Farragut’s family-friendly parks. Three are active parks – Anchor, McFee and Mayor Bob Leonard – and two are passive parks – Campbell Station and Farragut Memorial Plaza by Town Hall. Each offers a different experience.