Get Involved with City, County & Tennessee State Government

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To view a sample ballot and read about each referendum click here

Here are a few of our thoughts. 

Referendum 4876-24

Shall  the Charter of the City of Johnson City be amended to allow adoption of  city ordinances after two (2) separate readings, at least one (1) week  apart and in open session, rather than three (3) readings, at least one  (1) week apart and in open session.

 Our response:  We  oppose Johnson City's proposed ballot measure to reduce the number of  public hearings from three to two is strengthened by recent events that  illustrate the importance of robust public engagement in zoning  decisions. Just last week, residents living on Nave Street successfully  defeated a rezoning request during its third reading. This request aimed  to permit high-density housing near their neighborhood. This outcome  highlights why maintaining three public hearings is crucial. It provides  ample opportunity for community members to voice concerns, present  evidence, and rally against proposals that could significantly impact  their quality of life and property values. Reducing the number of  hearings to two would limit citizen participation and reduce the  transparency of the zoning process, potentially disenfranchising  residents and restricting their ability to influence decisions directly  affecting their neighborhoods. 

Referendum 4877-24

Shall the Charter of the City of Johnson City, Tennessee,  be amended to allow the city manager the right and power, in addition  to all other rights and powers, to make temporary appointments of  employees for a period to be determined by the appropriate department  director and approved by the city manager, or his/her designee

Our response:  Republicans  are supposed to be against non-elected, unaccountable government. Keep  this type of decision to the legislative branch, the commission, which  answers to the people. We vote no to giving a non-elected position this authority. 

Referendum 4878-24

Shall  the Charter of the City of Johnson City be amended to: (1) Move the  election of the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education to first  Thursday in August, beginning August 2028, to be sworn into office on  the first Monday of September; (2) Extend the November 2026 term  expiration for Board of Commissioners and Board of Education members  elected in November 2022 to the first Monday in September 2028; and (3)  Extend the November 2028 term expiration for Board of Commissioners and  Board of Education members elected in November 2024 to the first Monday  in September 2030 

Our response:  Jenny  Brock is included in this extended term. She is one of the more left  leaning commissioners who bends her ears to the LGBTQ agenda. I don't  think we should be extending the terms of commissioners unless they are  on the ballot, not via a rule change. 

Referendum 4875-24

To allow publication of the proposed budget ordinance once at least 10 days instead of one week which will save $3,500.

Our response:  I'd love input on this. How will this save $3,500?•

• Washington County School Board - meets 1st Thursday each month 5:30 pm with a workshop meeting the last Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm,   District 2 has 3 board members up for election/re-election in 2024.    Voting during the August 1st  general election.  Washington County School Board website. 

• Washington County Commission - meets 4th Monday of each month at 6 pm;  Committee meetings 1st Thursday of each month, with exception of Election Commission and Budget Committee.  Budget committee meets 2nd Wednesday at 9 am.    Website.

• Johnson City School Board - meets 1st Monday 6 pm.   Johnson City School Board Website

 3 seats are up for election in 2024.   Primary is August 1st and final election is November 5th.  

• Johnson City Commission - meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6 pm.   3 seats are up for election in 2024.  Primary is August 1st and final election is November 5th.   Website

• Jonesborough Board of Mayor & Aldermen - meets are on the 2nd Monday of each month, 7 pm.   Mayor and 2 aldermen are up for election in November 2024.  Website

We need volunteers to help with covering information regarding county government in Carter, Sullivan, Johnson, Unicoi, Greene, and Hawkins County.   If you are available to help us, please email Martha:  JohnsonCityFreedom15@gmail.com ).

•Taking Robbie's challenge of being informed, participating in government and holding our government accountable, would you be interested in helping us by attending any of these meetings?  We would like to be able to communicate with everyone any items of interest that are occurring at any of these sessions and we welcome participants to give a 2 minute recap at our monthly meetings.    

If you are willing to help, please respond to Martha at this email: JohnsonCityFreedom15@gmail.com ).