Farragut area docs on Thomas ’18 wagon
A group of Farragut area doctors and their wives want to get the message out early: “We want Bob Thomas to be the next county mayor.”
Although the primary election isn’t until May 1, 2018, they aren’t wasting any time picking their favorite to replace Mayor Tim Burchett, a Republican, who can’t run again because of term limits.
On a beautiful evening Thursday, April 6, eight Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance members and their wives, along with friends Kent and Rhonda Bostick, met at RiverSound clubhouse to throw a party for Bob and Kim Thomas. Some of the KAMA members have known Thomas — a Knox County Commissioner, At-Large Seat 10, with strong Farragut ties — for a long time. All of them seem to think of Thomas as someone “who will get the job done,” no matter what it is.
“I’ve very attached to Farragut,” Thomas said. “We went to ballgames there. All three of my children went to Farragut. Brooke, now Brooke Brummitt, is married to former Farragut High School baseball player Logan Brummitt. She was homecoming queen and was president of her senior class. Chad played football for Farragut. He always wanted to do what he’s doing now. He worked at the hospital while he was in high school and is the leading salesperson in the country for Stryker. ... Jake was in Improv there and he’s now an actor filming a movie in Mexico.”
Thomas, a Republican, is no stranger to politics. Since 2014 he has served as one of 11 Knox County commissioners.
Jenny and Larry Bushkell are Montgomery Cove residents. “We met him first through doc rock with KAMA,” Jenny Bushkell said. “When there was a medical facility that wanted to go in at Choto, we knew it would bring a lot of traffic to the Northshore area. He took a proactive interest where he got involved.”
“I respect what he has felt is really important,” said Barbara Crist, an Andover Boulevard resident. “One thing I’m particularly interested in is his interest in the greenways. I’m a big hiker and a bicyclist and I’d love to see [trails] improved.
“From personal experience, he was someone who was called on and took action immediately on one of my friend’s county road issues that had not been taken care of for years,” said supporter Tina Callicutt, a Jefferson Park resident.
“Our goal is we want tpeople to know about Bob,” Riversound resident Jacque Prince said. “We’re getting the word out early, but that’s a good thing.”
She said Thomas helped her with a drainage problem after she purchased a home.
“I called several people,” she said. “My nextdoor neighbor had been calling for two years. With my first call, he took action.”
Thomas stood in front of the clubhouse fireplace as he addressed the crowd of about 50.
“I lived in L.A. and saw what not to do. If we spend our tax money wisely, we can do great things,” he said, drawing applause. “Our tax dollars are going to go up just with natural growth, not with tax increases. Knox County was tied with Hamilton County for the most tourist dollars in the state.”
Thomas has early competition.
Glenn Jacobs, Knoxville businessman and former professional wrestler known as “Kane,” recently announced his candidacy.
