District 3 – Gerry Holman

I have spent a great deal of time recently talking with Gerry over coffee, and each time I become more and more impressed with his ideas and his enthusiasm for Knoxville’s future. Gerry understands that the Knoxville area has the potential to become a national leader in emerging technology and business, such as Silicon Valley on the west coast and Research Triangle in the east (minus the negatives of uncontrolled growth). He is interested in working collaboratively with the County Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, Innovation Valley, ORNL, and the University of Tennessee to make it happen. As a former advertising executive, he has the experience and know-how to help promote our area. These concepts are very, very important to me, and I am excited to have a counterpart on Council who shares the same priorities.

Just as important, Gerry understands and appreciates the unique beauty and value of our natural resources. He supports the hard work that Joe Hultquist and Tony Norman have done with the Ridgetop and Hilllside Development Task Force, and he is concerned with the quality of our air and water. He will not promote business development at the expense of our area’s natural beauty; he understands it is a major factor in what makes our area so attractive to businesses that are looking for a place to grow. Like me, Gerry is interested in working with the local governments of surrounding counties to address air and water quality, as well as other regional issues.

Although Gerry has spent his career in business and advertising, he has a degree in Fine Arts. He understands the importance of the arts and culture organizations of our city. Gerry really sees the “big picture” of Knoxville, and recognizes that smart, sustainable growth, protection of our natural beauty, development of emerging technologies, support of our local entrepreneurs, and support of our arts community are all equally important in building and maintaining a city that is vital as well as successful!

I am very impressed with the way Gerry recognized issues in which he needed a little more knowledge, such as the Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, and then went out and did his homework! It shows how willing he is to learn, his openness to new information and ideas, and how much effort he is willing to expend to “get it right.”

Perhaps most importantly, I believe that Gerry is a “team player,” willing to work with others to accomplish a goal. He treats others fairly, and I have been impressed with his character and honesty. I trust that he will do what he says he will do, and that he will encourage others to be the best they can be as well.

His website is: (link...).

The City Council races are supposed to be non-partisan so I'm not even sure who is a Republican or Democrat but I do know there's only one woman running for a spot on City Council and she's qualified and smart and I'm disappointed one councilwoman didn't understand the advantages of supporting another woman on Council.

I really, really wish we could keep partisanship out of what are supposed to be non-partisan races.

I know it's always there under the surface, but I'd like for it to be as muted as possible.

And Treehouse - Broyles is County Commissioner, not a member of City Council.

I don't see the sense in supporting a candidate based solely on gender or race. They need to be qualified first. Find a qualified candidate, then if they are a woman or a minority that's a plus. At least that's the way I see it.

Pam Strickland

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." ~Kurt Vonnegut

Unfortunately, I haven't decided whom to vote for in this particular race. I can't say I'm excited about either candidate. I did notice recently that Mr. Holman's campaign had flooded areas of right-of-way with campaign signs. Someone correct me if I am mistaken, but isn't that illegal under present city ordinance? I agree with several of the other posts as far as partisanship and race and gender are concerned. I wouldn't allow such things to influence my vote.

Unfortunately, I have also seen Holman signs in right-of-ways, tied to Stop signs, and telephone polls. All of which are illegal under the City of Knoxville ordinance. I sincerely believe that if a candidate breaks the law while running for office, that he will do it while in office. Because of this, I will be voting for Brenda Palmer.

So which is worse, putting signs in the median or operating a PAC from you home address?

(link...)

Yikes!! I might have to just not vote at all in the 3rd District. That isn't good, like I said, if you break the law while running for office you will probably do it while in office.

Btw, you sure are on top of things Ms. Bean.

If you have been to a recent forum with both of them, Mrs. Palmer has been extremely contentious with Holman. I think Holman has a been a very lazy campaigner by all accounts. All in all, I am just not sure either one of them are very good candidates.

Knox Rebel knows elected Knox Co Dems have a long proud history of supporting the GOP candidates in non-partisan and some partisan races, long before Amy supported Gerry. While I dislike the huge organized effort they used when supporting Haslam, an occassional supporting of a Republican or independent candidate is fine. After the ordeal with term limits in 2006 and various other fiascos with the Party, I no longer wanted it on paper that I was required to support the local parties bi-laws or candidates or attend meetings. I hate the yellow dog attitude where some local Party members give up their right to vote if its only to GOP candidates in the race or a non-partisan candidate they think is Republican, all this over keeping some ward chair seat. I dislike any political party more and more. Sometimes the one with the D by their name is not a good candidate.