Summer is here and everyone is ready to get out and participate in summer activities. I know I’m very happy for the warm weather, and all the beautiful flowers and lawns that come with this weather, as I go walking around our neighborhoods.

We have just sent our only son, Briscoe, off to the war in Iraq. I ask that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Since February, I have been busy going to all the Commission meetings and learning what I can about how our county is run. We find our county in hard times and I am challenged by the need to not raise taxes while providing you, the citizens of Knox County with the best in schools, police protection, and roads.

I have been working towards making our neighborhoods safer by holding a Neighborhood Safety Forum. I brought together KPD, the Sheriff’s office, 911, and various other organizations to meet with the citizens to discuss what we could do in this time of slow economy and high crime. 

We have had a lot of crime in the Fourth District in the last four months, including a police shooting, two robberies at gunpoint, and break-ins. My goal is to bring this to everyone’s attention so that we can work towards more police protection, more awareness from our neighbors, and more efficient 911 service.

I look forward to meeting you all during my walks around the neighborhoods. If you see me out and about, please stop and introduce yourself. I enjoy meeting everyone! Let me know what you are thinking about our county and what concerns you most. How can I do my job unless you tell me what Knox County and the Fourth District needs?