County Clerk Bill Knowles Seeks New 4-Year Term

  • Friday, November 22, 2013
Bill Knowles
Bill Knowles

Bill Knowles, who pioneered Tennessee’s first tag renewal option by Internet, announced Friday that he is running for re-election.

He said, "I am grateful for the past confidence voters have expressed in my government service as County Clerk. Today, I am asking for re-election to this position.

"With the assistance of dedicated deputy clerks who serve with me each day we have worked diligently to add extra dimensions of service for the citizens of Hamilton County.

These innovations have received numerous citations from the National Association of Counties. I promise energetic and progressive leadership continuing on the path of the digital society.

"In considering the schedules of busy taxpayers it has been a privilege to implement tags-by-mail and Tennessee’s first tags-by-internet option. With these options, along with establishing the Bonny Oaks Branch office, building the countyclerkanytime.com web site, and providing 24/7 email response.

"Also, by signing a contract with the State of Tennessee the Clerk’s office has been given authority to replace a lost vehicle title ‘while you wait’. Previously, replacements issued by the Title and Registration Division in Nashville required an inconvenient waiting period.

"An agreement with the Department of Safety allows the renewal of a photo driver’s license on the spot at the Clerk’s Courthouse office. Later, the County Commission’s approval of installing a driver’s license Kiosk in the Bonny Oaks tag lobby offers another alternative to a motorist wanting to simply renew a Tennessee driver’s license.

"Working to attract business from eligible national trucking firms has proved financially beneficial to Hamilton County and the State of Tennessee. In recent months almost 3 million dollars in excess fees has been remitted to the county general government.

"While serving as Secretary to the County Commission a modern record-keeping system has been developed. Meetings are indexed with multiple entries for fast research. Comprehensive minutes are published and posted on county web sites for public access, and media outlets immediately receive weekly commission actions in mp3 format. Transcripts can also be quickly produced when needed by government officials.

"Other accounts have been digitized and placed on www.countyclerkanytime.com.  These include legislative minutes stored since the county’s beginning and historic marriage license records that have proven beneficial to genealogists, the public library, and interested citizens.

"Each day I enter the clerk’s office with the enthusiasm that has guided me while serving as the custodian of this important office. I promise voters that I will continue this work with vigor."

Mr. Knowles has received three County Clerk of the Year awards and was named State-wide Official of the Year by the County Officials Association in 2006. The Association is comprised of more than 500 elected officials.

He is a former co-chairman of the local Armed Forces Day Parade Committee, and has been the recipient of several Freedoms Foundation Awards for speeches delivered promoting the theme of God and Country. He has served as Chairman of the Juvenile Court Commission, was a member of the Salvation Army Board, the Public Schools Bible Study Committee, and has received a Civitan Citizenship award. An honorary Doctor of Laws degree was conferred by Trevecca Nazarene University.

He and his wife, Marlene, are members of the Woodland Park Baptist Church.

The County Clerk is also a member of the Nightside Pachyderm Club. He invites the public to access www.electknowles.com


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