Vice Mayor and 6th District City Councilman Mark Brown has accepted the position of Knox County Judicial Commissioner, which requires him to resign as Vice Mayor and his elected position on Knoxville City Council. He was sworn in by the Honorable Andrew Jackson, VI today.
Brown was first elected to City Council in November, 2001, representing the 6th District. In 2003, he became the city's first elected African-American Vice Mayor. He was re-elected to City Council and the Vice Mayor position again in 2005. He is currently a practicing private attorney with Clark, Brown and Waters, an association of attorneys located on Magnolia Avenue.
"I really appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of the 6th District and the City of Knoxville," said Brown. "While I would have preferred to complete the remainder of my term, I am nonetheless proud of all the work that we have accomplished over the past seven years," he said.
Brown also said, "Together with my fellow city council members and Mayors Bill Haslam and Victor Ashe, we have accomplished many things throughout the City of Knoxville. Brown points to economic development and job creation within the 6th district, including the Cherokee Health System complex, Five Points Redevelopment, the Burlington Library, Market Square redevelopment, and the Mechanicsville Food City Grocery Store.
He has also worked to improve community traffic and safety issues including the Bearden Trip Reduction. Additionally, improvements were made in traffic calming throughout the city and specifically along Brooks Road, Linden Avenue, the Pond Gap area and Wilson and Castle streets. He also championed efforts to keep open the Burlington Fire Hall for service to the community.
Youth Development initiatives have included support for the Crutcher Memorial Youth Center, the Literacy Imperative Center, Project Grad, the Wee Course, the Fraternal Order of Police and numerous other organizations. He has also worked on several community revitalization projects, such as the Ashley Nicole Playground, Caswell Park, Danny Mayfield Park, Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center, the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park and renovations to the John T. O'Connor Senior Center.
Brown says, "This was a very difficult decision. While I am closing one chapter of my service to the public, my new duties and responsibilities will allow me to grow professionally while continuing my commitment to serve the great citizens of Knoxville and Knox County. My sincere hope is that I was able to help make our city better for all of its citizens. I still believe and will continue to operate under the principle that 'There is more that unites us than divides us.'"