- Below/attached is a high-level recap/transcription of the incumbent’s plans for our city as she shared in last week’s City Council meeting (i.e., these are her most up-to-date ideas for our city). Since not everyone has the time to listen to the 3 hour City Council meeting here that was held last week, we pulled out a few pieces of information and had them transcribed that you need to be aware of.
- During the meeting, the incumbent shared her short-term “SOLUTIONS” to addressing housing affordability:
- Rent Control (which she shared she cannot legally do, aside from the fact that evidence from cities who have tried rent control points to it being a failed system)
- She encouraged those who are not paying rent and being evicted to know their rights! Rather than spend city time/resources working on actual solutions, she shared that she had updated her website to inform people who are not paying rent of those rights. I quote, from the current Mayor: “If you are facing eviction, please know your rights and know the process. Just because you received an eviction notice does not mean you have to leave immediately.” Meanwhile, she has forced a 40% property tax increase on property owners, whose hands are tied and have no choice but to increase rent on rental properties.
- As for how to handle the issue of housing affordability in Knoxville, which is leading to an increase in homelessness and crime, her plan is: Ask Your Employer for a Raise! I could be mistaken, but I suspect that asking some of the same people who are impacted by the forced 40% increase in property taxes might also be the same ones who are dealing a labor shortage of quality workers AND are trying to figure out how to keep their businesses going. However, now the rallying cry is for the workers they do have to ask them for MORE money?!
So, when does the buck stop with the Mayor??? It seems as if our leader no longer feels she has to propose actual solutions and instead is presenting sure-fire ways to stifle growth and foster decline in our city. Also, note that her three “solutions” above are PASSIVE. They don’t actually require her to do anything.
What about entrepreneurial solutions and partnering with ALL stakeholders in our city??
- In contrast to the incumbent, Jeff has more than 22 years of mortgage banking experience and 30+ years of civic leadership roles in Knoxville. In fact, Jeff made headlines in today’s news regarding this matter: “Talman wants city, county to work together.” You can read the article here.
Jeff is poised to lead our city to prosperity. Learn more about how Jeff’s experiences will help to inform his strategy of leading Knoxville here.
