Knoxville Women’s March 2019

With the temperature in the 40’s and the rain falling consistently throughout the day, the weather may have dampened the number of people that showed up for the Knoxville Women’s March, but not their spirit.

For the second straight year, The Blue Dots had a tent at the event. In between heavy bursts of rain, great conversations were had with people who braved the weather from all over Knox and surrounding counties. Proud to add new faces to the ever growing Blue Dot family.

Thank you to the women of the Women’s March Coalition for all the work they did to bring another Women’s March to Knoxville.

2018 Knox County & Tennessee Election Facts at a Glance

* Two Democratic candidates from Knox County heading to Nashville – Gloria Johnson won HD-13 and will join Rick Staples HD-15.

* For the first time in 22 years, GOP has less total members in the legislation after an election.

* Democratic voters in Knox County increased 20% compared to 2016

• Knox County is the 3rd most changed county in Tennessee. In 2016, it was 59% Republican to 35.1% Democrat (23.9% spread). In 2018, it was 50.8% Republican to 47.7% Democrat (3.1% spread) … a 20.8% point gain for Democrats.

* Full-slate of quality Democratic candidates

• 116 Democratic candidates ran at state and federal level in 2018 compared to 74 in 2014 … an increase of 57%. Also 5 Democratic candidates ran in Knox County races.

* Diversity of the candidates – 37% of state and federal candidates were women, 19.5% were under 34; 24% were persons of color.

* Wins for Women: 16 women won in Tennessee legislation – 3 AA women in state senate; nationally women hit an all time high 38% while 16.7% in TN;

* Young voter turnout increased 664% compared to 2014 – TN had 4th highest young voter increase in the country (but only 7% of early vote)

* High overall voter turnout in Tennessee: turnout in the 2018 midterms was 92% of 2016 Presidential turnout and 176% of 2014 midterm

* Volunteer engagement & enthusiasm at an all time high resulting in over a million door knocks, 600,000 phone calls, 1.5 million texts sent

Knoxville Women’s March anticipates crowd of 15-20k

The annual Knoxville Women’s March, formed two years ago to protest the priorities of President Donald Trump on the day after his inauguration, will continue this year but moves from downtown to the Midway at Chilhowee Park in East Knoxville because planners expect the largest crowd yet.

Officially called Women’s March 3.0-Knoxville, the event planned for Saturday, Jan. 19, will celebrate “accomplishments of women over the past year” and raise voices to “continue to seek equality and justice for women everywhere,” said Caroline Mann, one of the founders of Women’s March Coalition Tennessee. Two other founders are Kimberly Peterson and Kendy Altizer.

Full Story from KnoxNews.com

Picnic in the Park with Craig Fitzhugh

The Knox Blue Dots are excited to host Craig Fitzhugh for Governor.

We are taking advantage of the summer season and having a Picnic in the Park event. Bring a picnic dinner (or take-out) and a drink and join us at the covered pavilion at Victor Ashe park. Kids & pets are welcome. The Blue Dots events are always a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people who are fun and welcoming.

Craig Fitzhugh is a Democratic candidate running for Governor of TN. This is a GREAT opportunity to meet him, hear him speak, and ask him questions.

RSVP HERE

If you have friends of family who you’d like to share this event with, you can copy and paste this link into a text message or email: https://craigfitzhugh.eventbrite.com. The link will take you to Eventbrite which has all the information about the event.

KBD Hosting Karl Dean – May 14th

The Knox Blue Dots are excited to host Mayor Karl Dean on Monday, May14th at 6:30pm. Mayor Dean will speak to us about what he envisions for Tennessee after traveling around the state and listening to constituents, he will answer questions, and then visit with attendees. Mayor Dean’s introduction will be by his wife, Mrs. Delta Anne Davis. This is an incredible opportunity and the Knox Blue Dots are honored to bring you this event!Please join us!

This event is FREE and family friendly!! Please RSVP this will be a large event and it will assist us in ensuring ample seating.

Here is a link you can share with friends who are not on Facebook so they can see the details of the event and RSVP: https://karldean.eventbrite.com/

The event will be held centrally in Knoxville. We will update this announcement when we have confirmed the venue.

Trash Talking w/ The Knox Blue Dots

A catchy, country-rock song plays in the background of this scene: “…Tennessee trash messin’ up the highway, Tennessee trash gunkin’ up the byway. Lord, there ain’t no lower class than Tennessee trash.” Then a voice-over says, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” ~ This is from a commercial that played in TN is the 70’s…Things may have improved but with environmental regulations getting squashed we’re going to have to, literally, PICK-UP the slack.

“Trash Talking” is an initiative by the Knox Blue Dots. We will be cleaning up and socializing all over Knox County. On April 29th we’re starting at Farragut Intermediate School. Join us at 12pm at 208 West End Ave, 37934. You can park in the lot closest to the school or drive up to the round-a-bout. Bring some gloves!

We’re going to SOCIALIZE and CLEAN-UP schools, neighborhoods, whoever will have us- we’ll be there! EVERYTHING is fun when we do it together! Bring your kids, bring your dogs, everyone is ALWAYS welcome and let’s clean up our community and gab for an hour on Sunday.

We’ve reached out to East Knox for next month. If you have contacts at our public schools, libraries, community centers, or neighborhood organizations please let them know that the Knox Blue Dots will lend a hand! Contact me at Shelly@KnoxBlueDots.com

NORTH Knox Blue Dots ~ Meet-up

The North Knox Blue Dots took over Senor Taco!! We had 32 ppl and so much fun!! Thank you all!

Thank you to the candidates who joined us, Renee Hoyos, Greg Mackay, and Sheri LaDawn Ridgeway. I heard people volunteering to work on campaigns, people wanting to donate, and saw signs being handed out! Such great night!

Kim Spoon, KBD Organizer (left); Renee Hoyos, candidate for U.S. Congress Dist 2

Greg McKay, candidate for House Dist. 89 (left) w/ attendees

 

SAVE OUR STUDENTS

Today The Knox Blue Dots in conjunction with Vivian Underwood Shipe hosted “Save Our Students” to support keeping Project GRAD, the Magnet Schools, and the Gifted and Talented programs from being DE-FUNDED by the Knox County Schools Board of Education.

People joined us from all over Knox County and together we wrote over 100 postcards addressed to the BOE members , County Commissioners, Superintendent Bob Thomas, and Mayor Tim Burtchett! Our message: Knox County citizens are UNITED in support of funding all 3 of these programs for our students!

WBIR-10 News covered this event.

Thank you to all the candidates who came to support our students!!! Renee Hoyos, Justin Davis, Coleen Martinez, Sheri LaDawn Ridgeway, Greg Mackay, Indya Kincannon

Candidate Cody Biggs

Knox County Commission District 3

My name is Cody Biggs and I want to be the #CommunityCandidate for Knox County Commission District Three! https://knoxcounty.org/commission/images/maps/map3.pdf

I am originally from Coopertown, TN, a small rural area north of Nashville. To this day we still only have a couple of red lights, and one is blinking. I left my small city to come to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville. I did not know what I wanted to do, and that is ok. I changed my major several times, until I finally found a hospitality course and fell in love. I have worked for the Copper Cellar Corporation for 8 years, the Hilton downtown for 4 years. My most recent career was almost 10 years with the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Knoxville, where I worked from front desk, to breakfast, to housekeeping. After several years of hard work and dedication to my amazing Hotel Management company I became the General Manager at the Hampton. After almost 3 years of being a General Manager I have decided I wanted to find a new way to reach out and help support and progress our amazing Knox County. While continuing to help my hotel management company, The 9 Group, the opportunity to run for County Commission District 3 presented itself and I look forward to continuing to grow as a Servant Leader for you and the rest of Knox County.

I am married to an amazing man, Nicholas Biggs, that is currently helping the medical field in Seattle, WA. I often state that he is the #BiggsSavingLives, and I am the #BiggsServingLives. We have 3 dogs and 3 cats and have enjoyed every minute of living in the Crestwood Hills community of West Knoxville. I am an open book and I am happy to share any of my life experiences with you.

– I want to make our education a priority by making sure the budget works for all: students, teachers, parents and administrators.

– I want us all to be able to enjoy our beautiful landscape in Knoxville, and I will always support measures to improve the safety, security, and quality of public spaces and roadways.

– I want to create opportunities, not barriers, for businesses and homeowners both. I will make zoning decisions based on the benefit of the community. Working with the MPC, businesses, homeowners, and rental property associations, I will listen and promote the best for Knox County.

https://www.facebook.com/ElectCBiggs

Thank you again for your support, whether it is financially, with a vote, or both. Please share my message and goal of making Knoxville a community that works together and looks past party lines!

Donate and make a #BiggsDifference! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/biggsfor3

#VotingIsABiggsDeal! #BiggsIdeas #VoteBiggs

Get Out The Vote KNOX COUNTY