Renee HoyosVerified account

I live in a small town on the outskirts of Jefferson County,closer to Knox County than Jefferson. There are no local businesses here, plenty of buildings and space,but no business. We have a school, a library, a senior center, and a post office. There's probably 6 churches in 5m

This is what is known as an area of non achievement. It's a beautiful community fraught with abject poverty. The education system has failed here and alcoholism and drug dependence run rampant behind closed doors. Racism and sexism are unfortunately still present here.

There are no plans to revitalize our community, no push for gentrification. Vacant buildings and wasted potential litter my small city. There's more than enough land for expansion, it is beautiful enough for outdoor trails or mountain biking.

The close proximity to Jefferson, Knox, and Sevier counties make it an spot with incredible opportunity. So why is nothing happening here? Is it too far away for @pottsmark418 or @GlennJacobsTN to care? We are split between both counties after all not just one.

Is the socio economic crisis in the area not worth bringing new life into it? I understand that this is poverty land and our systems quite dilapidated, but do we not deserve a chance? Is the only option to move away from Strawberry Plains because it us just too much to fix?

These are the reasons I can not sleep. I have seen what poverty can do. I have seen East Knoxville and West Jefferson County begin to die out as the focus shifts primarily to more urban areas. What kind of future is expected from these communities whilst they crumble down?

With our location who do we go to for help? Knoxville and Jefferson both encompass us on their outskirts. Do we appeal to @pottsmark418 or @GlennJacobsTN or directly to @BillLeeTN ? I wish I knew how to fix it or that people out here had the money to fix it for themselves.