| AUGUST | ARCHIVES |
Mayor Kincannon says City employees are shining bright and Go Vols!
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 Let There Be Light!
For the first time in six years, decorative lighting has returned to the street-level deck of the Henley Bridge.
Last night, Mayor Kincannon, the team from LED Lighting Concepts, and the pros with City Engineering’s Signal Shop dramatically turned the bridge lights to orange and white for UT’s football home opener.
Going forward, local nonprofits and event organizers can request commemorative lightings for festivals, public events or causes that are near and dear to the hearts of Knoxvillians. Most any color combination can be programmed.
It might look easy, but getting the decorative lighting back required a combination of state-of-the-art new technology, programming patience, color-mixing expertise, and a lot of good old-fashioned muscle in retrofitting the existing light bollards.
Check out this write-up and video, which explain what had to happen behind the scenes and also capture last night’s “viola!” moment.
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City Hosts First-Ever National Night Out
Kick-Off Celebration
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KAT Reimagined Launches: Better Service, More Frequency, and Fare Free for 2-Weeks
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Grant Funding Available to Improve
Turkey Creek Water Quality
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City Supports Makers Through
Partnerships and Support
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 Public Service Wants to Know
Our Public Service department provides exemplary service to residents. And one of the ways we can do even better is to gauge the needs of residents.
Now through Oct. 1, Public Service is conducting a short survey designed to help learn more about what neighbors know, don’t know and would like to see from Public Service.
Questions include:
• Have you ever called 311?
• What is your favorite public park or greenway?
• How many times a year do you use the curbside brush collection service?
If you are a city resident, click on the button below for the survey and tell Public Service what they want to know!
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Opportunity Youth Grant Reports Show Impact
 The City’s ongoing investments in violence interruption are reaching more young people than ever with job opportunities and activities funded through the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment. You can read the encouraging data and narratives in the Spring Break and Summer Break Opportunity Youth Grants Impact reports.
A total of 23 organizations received nearly $227,000 and served 847 youth ages 18-24 during last year’s spring and summer breaks. Participating organizations include Drums Up, Guns Down; Turn Up Knox; Girl Talk; My Daughter’s Journey; The Bottom Knox; Closer Walk Reentry; Emerald Youth Foundation; Two Bikes; and more.
What is the ultimate goal of supporting programs with these funds? In her letter that introduces the impact reports, Director LaKenya Middlebrook puts it this way:
“Connecting young people to positive networks and engaging them in opportunities associated with personal, community and social development can begin the process of dismantling barriers to success, expanding perceptions of what is possible, focusing on community strengths and assets, and ultimately preventing violence in the community.”
Thanks to Star Starks and her team for putting together these reports and to our graphic designer Dan Frye for making them so easy to read and illustrate the impact our violence-reduction efforts are having in the community.
Mayor Kincannon Hosts Dozens of Mayors from Across the Country
 In early August, mayors from across the country convened in Knoxville for the Mayors Innovation Project Summer Meeting.
The three-day event was about bringing mayors together to share ideas about prosperity, environmental sustainability, and efficient governing.
During their time in Knoxville attendees were invited to all corners of the city and were treated to discussions on a variety of topics including:
 Affordable Housing Progress
 Vision Zero
 Violence Interruption and Prevention
 And, Great Place-Making
“In addition to our City staffers shining, another highlight of the event was Reverend Harold Middlebrook,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “Rev. Middlebrook delivered our keynote address, and talked about his thoughts on how mayors can make a positive difference in creating a beloved community.”
For event photos and to read more about the Mayor’s thoughts on this event, click the button below to read her “Memo from the Mayor”. And if you aren’t signed up to receive her personal updates, take the time to do that now.
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 This month’s mystery employee is a relative newcomer to the City’s team, with one year under her belt.
She’s part of a small but mighty team, that works hard and plays hard too.
She loves pasta, ribs, and veggies of all kinds.
And she’s a bit of an athlete, having moved to San Diego at one point in her life to surf every day.
Can you name this city colleague?
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 Happy anniversary to employees hired in the month of August!
Congratulations to the individuals and departments that recently won awards and KUDOS.
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 City Recognizes 20+ Years of Service at Employee Appreciation Luncheon
August 12, dozens of employees were honored at the City’s annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
More than 70 employees who have worked 20 years or more for the City, were recognized. Among those were 2 employees who have worked more than 50 years for Knoxville: Fleet’s Rodney Wilson and KPD’s Mike Waggoner.
During the celebration Mayor Kincannon told the crowd, “This kind of longevity is rare, and valuable. Both men have institutional knowledge that is unmatched!”
Collectively, the employees who were honored have worked a total of more than 2000 years for the City!
The celebration had a picnic-like atmosphere with food trucks Hamburger Hill and Kazoku Hibachi Express providing lunch on the floor of the Coliseum, and Central Creamery providing dessert.
A big thanks to all of the friends and family who not only attended, but helped provide pictures of our honorees to display on the massive scoreboard above the luncheon.
Watch the video below and click the button to see photos from the luncheon.
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CITY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT |