Vetoes Proposed South Knox Development
Anyone who doubted Betsy Henderson lacked any leadership skills can rest easy. As old-timers used to say, “The proof of the puddin’ is in the tasting.” Mayor Henderson took the oath of office on September 1, 2026. One of the last acts of the outgoing Knox County Commission was to give a developer a special 50% tax exemption on property in South Knox County for construction of townhouses. The development was to be 80 units, and half of those were designated as “affordable” housing. What that actually means is that the rest of us paying property taxes are subsidizing the housing for those units. And the county commission gifted the developer further by giving him a 50% exemption on the property taxes for his new development for 20 years. Mayor Betsy Henderson did not think that was a wise expenditure of taxpayer money, and right out of the gate, she vetoed it. In other words, she done plumb knocked it in the head.
“I made a promise to the voters of Knox County that I would prioritize their voices in our government and carefully consider each action I take as mayor,” Henderson said. “After much thought and listening to the people of South Knox County, I will veto R-26-8-905.”
The outgoing commission, lame ducks and all, had little to fear from the voters as they were already on their way out of office. Originally, the proposed development didn’t even qualify for consideration as the beneficiary of the tax exemption program. The county commission decided to fix that and amended the language to allow the development to qualify. Such tax exemptions were originally intended to encourage large-scale capital investments and enhance job creation as a result. Think car manufacturing plants and the like. Eighty townhomes is a far cry from a new Ford plant or an Amazon distribution center.
Henderson did not mince any words, saying, “I do not believe it is the role of government to subsidize luxury townhomes that are also used for affordable housing. I want the Knox County government to provide value for every dollar that is spent, and I do not believe the [payment in lieu of taxes] for this project is a good use of taxpayer funds.”
The overwhelming sentiment of the community surrounding the proposed development was against the project. The outgoing commissioners could have cared less and passed the project and the special tax exemption. Of course, if one developer gets it, more will seek the same favorable treatment from the local legislative body. Developers would soon be lined out the door, hat in hand, seeking special exemptions in exchange for a percentage of a housing development being labeled “affordable” housing. Only morons believe the government provides anything to anybody for “free.” The government, federal, state or local, doesn’t give anybody anything for free; somebody, somewhere pays for it. That’s why the Caviar Communists and Champagne Socialists talk about taxing the fool out of billionaires. For one thing, many of them are worth millions or more themselves.Many of these DSA people are trust fund babies or spoiled elites whose parents have coddled and cared for them well past their thirties and still keep them up. Everything has been “free” for them, and they really believe it’s just fine for working folks who are just trying to keep food on their own tables to pay for others who don’t want to work, living off of government- funded assistance programs. The amount of fraud in ONE program in ONE state, Minnesota, some $9 billion, gives an idea of just how much fraud and abuse exists in the federal programs. The caviar Communists and champagne socialists always manage to overlook that the best way for people to afford things is by helping them to get a good JOB. Everyone paying taxes is the very definition of equity and equality.
The development was proposed for Governor John Sevier Highway, which was designated by the State of Tennessee some time ago as a “scenic highway.” That has become a sick joke, and the designation has been utterly ignored for ages and has ceased to mean much for anything. Knoxville and Knox County are not required to build accommodations for anyone who moves here.
Smart growth is a proper function for local government. With a new county commission in office, the incoming members have the opportunity to demonstrate they are not deluded into believing they were elected deputy-congressmen to opine each month about national issues. Commissioners should be active in their districts, helping with the needs of their constituency, and goodness knows there is plenty to keep them busy with roads, potholes big enough to swallow a Toyota, our schools, and local law enforcement. There is more than enough for an active county commissioner to stay busy every day of the week without trying to get attention for something he or she can’t do a thing about. We have a really good congressman as it is, as well as two able US senators. Stay and work in your own lane and get something done.
It is rare for any officeholder to come flying out of the gate, guns blazing and doing what he/she said he or she would do. Betsy Henderson has already proved several things for anyone who doubts her commitment to our community. Firstly, she means what she says and says what she means. That should be a prerequisite for ANY politician in this country today. Secondly, Mayor Henderson has proved she listens to and responds to individual communities. Lastly, Henderson has proved she is not intimidated by any special interest, nor is she afraid of taking the side of the people she represents. Mayor Betsy Henderson deserves the commendation and appreciation of all right-thinking people for her recent actions. It took real strength, real leadership and real character to do what Mayor Henderson did.
For those who supported Betsy Henderson, it confirms what her supporters always believe, and she has made believers out of many who did not. Thank you, Mayor Henderson!
