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1. Meet Your Neighbors: Jody Mullins and James Tomerlin
2. First District Candidate Forum is Tonight
3. City Council Hosts Workshop
4. Don’t Forget the Neighborhood Resource Fair
5. NAC Applications Are Open
6. ONE Seeks Cohort for Leadership Training Class
7. BBB Cancelled; POH Will Meet This Week
8. Parking The Wrong Way is Unsafe and Illegal
9. August 6 is First Day of Early Voting
10. Candidates Respond to Active Transportation Survey
11. Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
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Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhood Empowerment, we report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. Include your neighborhood related event or meeting in this space. Call 865-215-3232. News deadline: 12 noon on Fridays.
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnoxvilleNeighborhoods
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1. Meet Your Neighbors: Jody Mullins and James Tomerlin
Summer in the City intern, Amar Swamy, recently interviewed two neighborhood leaders in the Cumberland Estates neighborhood, where he also lives.
Located in the 3rd District, Cumberland Estates is a vibrant, tight-knit community.
Swamy spoke with Jody Mullins and James Tomerlin about their involvement in the neighborhood organization and what they hope to accomplish in the future.
Mullins works in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and enjoys playing golf. Tomerlin, who formerly umpired baseball, now devotes his time to caring for his mother. Both are active in planning events like the annual Cumberland Estates Chili Cook-Off, held this year on Oct. 7, for National Night Out.
They shared their appreciation for the neighborhood’s beauty and welcoming spirit, and both expressed a desire to connect with more residents. They noted that neighborhood communication has changed significantly in the last two decades, from going door to door to using mostly online platforms. One of their hopes for the future is to organize a community garden or similar nature-based project.
If you would like to highlight a neighbor in your community, please contact Hayley Howard at hho...@knoxvilletn.gov.
2. First District Candidate Forum is Tonight
A City Council 1st District Candidate Forum will be held tonight, Tuesday, July 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at South High Senior Living, 825 Tipton Ave.
All are welcome to attend, especially 1st District residents. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get to know the candidates. Attending forums like this helps voters make informed decisions about who will lead our city.
The forum is sponsored by the South Knoxville Neighborhood and Business Coalition, South Knoxville Alliance, Old Sevier Merchants Association, and the League of Women Voters.
3. City Council Hosts Workshop
City Council will host a workshop this Thursday, Aug. 31, at 5 p.m. in the Large Assembly Room of the City Countu Building, 400 Main St.
They will be discussing various Codes Enforcement processes throughout the City including short term rentals, scooters, and general codes violations. All are welcome to join.
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4. Don’t Forget the Neighborhood Resource Fair
Summer vacation may be winding down, but the fun is just beginning!
The Office of Neighborhood Empowerment (ONE) is hosting the Neighborhood Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Jacob Building, 401 Lakeside St. This event is open to all, whether you're a longtime resident, a new neighbor, or a local leader!
Whether you've attended before or it's your first time, there's always something new. From fresh community initiatives to helpful city resources, the fair is a great way to connect, learn, and build relationships.
Some of the newest booths that will be present at the Neighborhood Resource Fair are Girl Talk Inc., the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, the Boy Scouts of America, and CAC’s own, Ask Eric. These groups and all the others will have tons of valuable information, fun swag, and you may even see a furry friend!
Pre-register to receive extra door prize tickets and to help organizers plan for food quantities. To sign up or ask questions, contact Shannett Riley at sri...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-3232.
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5. NAC Applications Are Open
Are you, or someone you know, interested in serving your neighborhood and greater community while learning more about city operations? The City is looking to fill the following seats on the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) for the Jan. 2026 through Dec. 2028 term. Applications are due on Thursday, Aug. 14, by 4:30 p.m.
- Seat 1-A
- Seat 2-A
- Seat 3-B
- Seat 6-B
- Seat B (At-Large)
Some of these seats are currently held by neighbors that are eligible to re-apply, so not all seats may be appointed by new people.
Consisting of neighborhood leaders from around the city, the NAC serves in an advisory and partnership capacity to:
- Give advice and feedback on the programs and policies of the Office of Neighborhood Empowerment,
- Bring neighborhood issues and concerns to the attention of the Mayor and City Administration,
- Propose to the Administration responses and solutions to address these concerns; and
- Serve as a sounding board for city initiatives and proposals affecting neighborhoods.
The NAC meets the second Wednesday of each month except July and December. As a matter of policy, it does not advise Knoxville City Council, Knoxville-Knox County Planning, and other elected and appointed bodies. Members are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by City Council and serve three-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms. Members may serve again after a one-year break.
For more information about how to apply for or recommend someone for a seat, please visit the City’s website or contact Debbie Sharp at dsh...@knoxvilletn.gov.
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6. ONE Seeks Cohort for Leadership Training Class
The Office of Neighborhood Empowerment (ONE) is looking for neighbors interested in participating in the Building Strong Neighborhood Organizations (BSNO) Leadership Training Class. If you are interested in participating, please email the following information to Hayley Howard by no later than Friday, Aug. 22, at 4:30 p.m.:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Neighborhood organization
- Reason for wanting to participate
BSNO is a free, eight-week course will take place on Monday evenings, except during fall break, Sept. 8 through Nov. 3, with graduation taking place on Nov. 10. This leadership training program, for those living in the city, is created specifically for participants in and leaders of resident-led, resident-controlled, democratically run neighborhood groups. Additionally, the training is open to individuals who would like to start neighborhood associations in unorganized neighborhoods.
Over 70 neighborhood leaders have graduated from this class in the past. We consider anyone helping in a neighborhood organization or starting an organization to be a leader.
Participants receive resources including a 3-ring binder full of numerous “how-to” articles on various aspects of creating and sustaining community-based organizations.
If you have any questions, please email Hayley Howard at hho...@knoxvilletn.gov.
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7. BBB Cancelled; POH Will Meet This Week
The Better Building Board (BBB) has been cancelled for this month due to no new business.
The Public Officer Hearing (POH) will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building, 400 Main St.
For new business, the POH will be discussing the following addresses:
- 209 South Castle St.
- 2504 Washington Ave.
For boarding approvals, the POH will be discussing the following addresses:
- 209 South Castle St., Boarded 4/23/25
- 1136 Massachusetts Ave., Boarded 2/20/25
- 3307 Pilkay Rd., Boarded 2/13/25
- 2504 Washington Ave., Boarded 5/27/25
- 2504 Washington Ave., Boarded 7/8/25
- 520 Victory St., Boarded 3/6/25
The City of Knoxville ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services.
To request language translation services, contact the City’s Human Resources Department at tit...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-3100. For disability accommodations, contact City ADA Coordinator Stephanie Brewer Cook at sc...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2034 at least 72 hours before the meeting.
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8. Parking The Wrong Way is Unsafe and Illegal
Parking against the flow of traffic may seem harmless, but it poses real safety risks to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Here’s why this practice is unsafe and prohibited:
- Unsafe entry and exit: Parking facing the wrong direction requires crossing oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of head-on or sideswipe collisions.
- Poor visibility when leaving: Pulling out against traffic limits your view of approaching cars, bikes, or pedestrians, especially on narrow or busy roads.
- Confusion for other drivers and cyclists: Vehicles parked the wrong way can disrupt traffic flow. Cyclists and drivers may not expect a vehicle that is facing the wrong direction or pulling out unexpectedly.
It is always important to park in the direction of traffic flow. Please call 311 if you have questions about the City’s parking ordinances.
Thank you for keeping our streets safe for all users!
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9. August 6 is First Day of Early Voting
Early Voting for Knoxville City Primary Election will start on Wednesday, Aug. 6, and run through Thursday, Aug. 21. Election Day will be on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
City Council Seats that we will be voting on are for Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. To learn more about the folks running for these offices, you can visit our Go Vote! Knoxville website.
There are close to 200,000 residents in the city of Knoxville and about 97,000 who are registered to vote (which is up by 20,000 from a few years ago). In the last City election; however, there was a small fraction of the registered voters that actually voted. Sometimes, it is only a few thousand people making decisions for our community. Participating in elections is one of the most important ways to have your voice heard. We hope you will join us in either early voting or voting on Election Day. Your voice matters.
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10. Candidates Respond to Active Transportation Survey
Ahead of the 2025 City of Knoxville Election, Bike Walk Knoxville (BWK) invited all City Council candidates to share their thoughts, concerns, and priorities related to biking and walking in our community.
View the candidates’ responses to BWK’s Active Transportation Survey to help you make informed decisions as you prepare to vote in the upcoming election.
For more information about the election, please visit Go Vote Knoxville!
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11. Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
To add your neighborhood event or meeting to the Google calendar, call 865-215-3232.
Other Calendars
Additional online calendars that cover events outside the neighborhood realm include:
The City of Knoxville requires a permit to operate a short-term rental property. Details and a list of short-term rental permits are located on the City’s website here.
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