That is a good article.

I would imagine this will make the work of each district commissioner a degree harder since they will be the ones taking the calls from constituents now trying to navigate through the new set up. And with only one commissioner per district, we can double that degree again, unless the two county-wide can take on some of the work. Or, constituents can call Burchett's office....

Of course, being in the second district which is completely in the city, we do not have so much to worry about (I hope).

department also suggested that he halt the county taxpayer's contribution to United Way, the SuperChamber, and all not for profit entities purportedly established to do "good works" in the community that should stand on their own or fall on their own. These quasi government charities need to be off the public support and stand or fall on their own. The value of the work that they do will determine whether or not they stay or fail.

The county government has two essential function, eduction of the children and maintenance of a civilized society. The rest of county government needs to go and the less money we have to throw around on cronies and their pet entities will serve us all well and do more to put Knox County on track to attracting employers looking to relocate in a county where they don't get shaken down time and time again for meaningless and worthless handouts time and time again.

Has he mentioned The Development Corporation of Knox County? What authority if any does he have there?

"...That office does so much good. Grant Rosenberg is just an awesome person, and what he has done for this county is phenomenal. He has been directly involved in so many things. He is truly a dedicated public servant.”

That goes for what Rosenberg did for our neighborhood. Burchett's not pruning; he's cutting down the whole tree. I guess he just wants to invest in non-creative resources "at this time."

I wonder if Mr Rosenberg's outspoken support of the current Ten Year Plan to end Chronic Homelessness, even in the face of Ragsdale's funding cuts, has anything to do with Burchett's decision?

not in the county. Who knows? Keep cuttin' Timmy, eliminate all but the essential government functions as we know them.

Knoxville's 311 info line has been very helpful on similar questions that folks are calling the Dept of Neighborhoods about. Grant did a great job - maybe he could now head up a 311 effort for Knox County...

One thing I noticed on the county's web site last year, was the Dept of Neighborhoods seemed to take credit for Neighborhood Watch. Actually that program belongs to the Police Department. I had a heck of a time finding the right contact...

Mayor Burchett is doing what he promised. He knows more about what has been going on behind the doors than most give him credit for. He is aware that the people in this town are fed up with the shenanigans. Relax and give the new Mayor a chance.

I am very concerned about the elimination of the Office of Neighborhoods, but particularly about Grant Rosenberg, who is a tremendous asset to Knox County in my opinion. He was recently put in charge of Codes Enforcement and was doing a great job of following up on things that had been allowed to slide for years. The OON implemented a database that actually tracked codes and other complaints to make sure they were resolved. Everyone that I know of that is involved in neighborhood issues thinks we need MORE codes enforcement, not less, and the idea of just moving it to the engineering department probably isn't going to accomplish that.

I don't think eliminating the OON is a good move for the new administration in my opinion because so many of the neighborhood groups depend on Grant and many of the forward thinking initiatives (like the Quality Growth conference, training for BZA members, etc.) have been under his guidance.

...not in the county.

Not so, RW. One of the reasons we had to go to county is because we're not inside the city.

...eliminate all but the essential government functions as we know them.

Who are "we" and just what do "we" consider the essential government functions to be? (As we know them indeed.)