The undersigned business leaders firmly believe the Knox County Board of Health should dis-continue to operate in the current capacity as an independent un-elected board, making decisions and mandates based on statistics that do not warrant unconstitutional control of our livelihood. The current Board members act based on data that represents percentages lower than other historical illnesses that did not warrant the current mandates for business and residents of Knox County.

Everyday we, as business owners, are tasked with keeping the people in our community employed and safe. In doing so, we keep the economy moving forward and bring in tax revenue, which allows our local governments to continue to operate and provide the services so critical to our community. Because the Board of Health has exceeded their powers, many businesses have closed in Knoxville, decreasing tax revenue, forcing the residents to be unemployed therefore increasing government services for the people and further increasing the cost burden on the city and county. We have not been able to continue our services because the Board of Health crosses the legal lines in controlling our businesses. History proves we have been able to control our businesses in a healthy manner based on Health Department rules and regulations already in place. If the historical rules and regulations were not efficient – why were we ever measured on them?

We request the Knox County government to dismantle the Board of Health in its current state of unprecedented control.

Sincerely,

Concerned Business Owners and Residents of Knox County