News
September 17, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Road improvements and contracts for other Town projects got the green light from Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its meeting Thursday, Sept. 11.
In one action, the Board unanimously approved an agreement with Blue Ridge Waterways Inc. to purchase steam mitigation credits for the Union Road improvement project, which are credits bought from water restorations.
“I just want to know when this (Union Road) project’s going to start,” Vice Mayor Scott Meyer said. “It was planned before I was in office, and that was eight years ago.”
“We are about eight years into this now, and we are nearing the point where we should have all the right-of-way. Permitting is continuing,” Town engineer Darryl Smith said. “We hope to have it started early next year.
“All road projects have an environmental impact,” he said. “The Union Road project impacts Little Turkey Creek as it crosses a narrow bridge.”
Smith said the widening of the road would expand the bridge.
“By expanding the width of bridge, there is also a width of stream of 58.4 feet, which requires the purchase of 58.4 stream credits,” he said.
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September 17, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
To begin the process of selecting a South Ward alderman to replace the late David White, the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously voted on how to proceed during its meeting Thursday, Sept. 11.
“It’s something we don’t do very often,” Town administrator David Smoak said of the appointment process. “With the passing of Alderman David White on Aug. 21, there remains a vacancy on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
“On Aug. 29, the staff reached out to the public by publishing in the farragutpress and on our website for individuals interested and qualified to serve in that capacity to turn in their applications,” Smoak said.
The Town received résumés from six candidates before the Wednesday, Sept. 10, deadline: Reed Honken, Joe LaCroix, Sean Murphy, Kimberlie Jo Parks, Brian Walker and Greg Wiberley.
Smoak explained the Town charter includes provisions for filling vacancies in Section 6-3-107(b)(1-2). “… By affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members, the Board shall fill a vacancy in the office of alderman for the unexpired term, but any portion of an unexpired four-year term for alderman or mayor that remains beyond the next municipal election shall be filled by the voters at that election, if the vacancy occurs at least 20 days before the latest time for filing nominating petitions for candidates in that election. (2) All such elections by the Board shall be made by voice vote, on the calling of the roll. If a tie vote occurs in filling a vacancy on the board, the presiding officer shall vote a second time to break the tie.”
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September 17, 2025 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce members, guests and the public had an opportunity to learn more about the Town’s past when the Chamber presented “History Beneath Our Feet,” a breakfast speaker series that took place in Farragut Town Hall and Pleasant Forest Cemetery Wednesday morning, Sept. 10.
The series featured local historian and retired history teacher Frank Galbraith, who grew up in historic Concord, and David Stinton, a Pleasant Forest Cemetery board member.
“We try to do about three or four of these programs every single year,” FWKCC president/CEO Julie Blaylock said. “We do a lot of different topics. We spend a lot of our time on critical issues that affect our region, like infrastructure, housing, some of our candidate races that come up.
“But we like to sprinkle in some more community-focused events that deal with history in our area and just getting to better know the place that we live,” she said.
Making it possible were Simply Magical Vacations by Amy, which sponsored the event; Speaker Series Committee; Chamber board of directors and members.
Galbraith focused on the Town’s early past and its connection to Adm. David Glasgow Farragut, whose father, Jorge (George) Farragut, was a ferryman in old Concord and who came to America from Minorica, part of the Balearic Islands.
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September 17, 2025 by Wendy Smith
Town of Farragut staff were shocked and saddened at the recent passing of Alderman David White. He was a passionate representative of the people and he didn’t shy away from disagreements. I personally appreciated his sense of humor, which I primarily witnessed behind the scenes.
Now, the Board of Mayor and Alderman is tasked with filling David White’s vacant South Ward seat until the next election in August 2026. As of the Sept. 10 deadline, six Farragut residents had applied. Each will get to make their case for why they should be appointed at the Sept. 25 BOMA meeting.
The last time a vacant seat was filled, Ron Williams left a South Ward seat vacant when he was elected mayor in 2018. The board appointed Drew Burnette, who went on to win that seat twice by election. In 2016, Louise Povlin was appointed to fill a North Ward seat left vacant when Ron Honken moved away. Louise went on to win the seat by election twice, serving as vice mayor during her second term.
While the public won’t vote on the new aldermen, this is an important process, and anyone who cares about the Farragut community should take notice. The Board will make important decisions in the coming years, and anyone who has concerns about safety, transportation, zoning and public services should pay attention to this appointee and what they think about these issues.
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September 17, 2025 by
Town of Farragut cut the ribbon Wednesday, Sept. 10, on Phase 4 of McFee Park, which includes a 127-spot parking lot and pavilion to serve as a trailhead for the adaptive mountain bike and hiking trail, as well as a future dog park. On hand for the event were, from left, Town Parks & Recreation Director Ron Oestreich, Farragut Municipal Planning Commissioner Ron Pinchok, Town administrator David Smoak, Mayor Ron Williams, Town engineer Darryl Smith, Brian Walker with Arts & Beautification Committee, Franklin Group (contractor) project manager Heidi Jones, Town senior engineering tech Ben White, Ross/Fowler architect David Craig and Parks & Athletics Council member Joe LaCroix.
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