Knox County hears brief introductions from four Board of Equalization candidates; vote set for Monday

Four applicants for the Knox County Board of Equalization spoke briefly to commissioners during the agenda-review session, and the commission scheduled a formal vote for the next meeting.

Chair opened the meeting and asked the clerk to call the roll before starting candidate introductions. The chair introduced John Anderton as the first applicant; Anderton said he was "born and raised in Knoxville," has served roughly five years on the board previously and wants to continue serving the community. "I was just trying to do a little community work," he said.

The panel then heard from William (Bill) Gentry, who described a long career in the school-bus business and said he has "really enjoyed the last two years serving on the board." Commissioners thanked Gentry for his past service to the county's children and transportation needs.

Gail Hawkins said she has served on the board for about five years and described her 53-year career at Saint Mary's Credit Union and its successor. James (Jim) Thompson, who said he is retired from an engineering consulting business, told commissioners he previously served on the board and would like to return for another term.

No commissioners asked substantive follow-up questions of the applicants during the review meeting. The chair reminded everyone that the formal vote on appointments will occur at the commission meeting on Monday at 5:00 p.m. and invited the applicants to return for that session.

The interviews were brief and procedural: the session functioned to introduce candidates to the body and to let commissioners confirm availability for the formal vote rather than to vet policy issues or hold an extended public hearing.