Mayor’s split duty plan fails: Meyer also vice mayor
With new Alderman Alex Cain (Ward I, North) ready to make an impact moments after being sworn into office, that’s exactly what happened soon after fellow Alderman David White made a motion to nominate Alderman Scott Meyer as Town vice mayor during this Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting Thursday, Aug. 22, in Farragut Community Center.
Though Mayor Ron Williams got unanimous approval to appoint Meyer as the Board’s second representative on Farragut Municipal Planning Commission, replacing term-limited former Vice Mayor Louise Povlin, Williams then made a motion to nominate re-elected Alderman Drew Burnette (Ward II, South) as vice mayor.
With Burnette and Williams on one side, and White and Meyer on the other in the vice mayor sweepstakes, it came down to Cain — who voted to appoint Meyer as vice mayor.
As for Meyer’s new FMPC service, “The position on the Planning Commission carries a tremendous amount of responsibility with our Farragut legislative process,” Williams said. “As one of nine, the research on each agenda item is very important for understanding the background when it comes time to vote.
“Most folks do not realize that a majority of the projects that come to our staff go to the Planning Commission only and never even make it to the Board,” the mayor added.
Williams said the vice mayor “will also be available to help the mayor with both our federal and state legislators. This may be the most critical challenge that will be given to the vice mayor.”
That includes “the close working relationship with the Tennessee Municipal League, National League of Cities, Knox County Mayor and Commissioners, as well as the Knoxville mayor and her staff,” the mayor added.
“There will be required work with East Tennessee Development District, TPO, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, TDOT, the Joint Economic Development District, Knox County School Board and others.”
