Blount County Commission · District 8B · May 5 Republican Primary
Decisions are being made right now that will permanently shape this district.
$646 Million in Decisions.
Almost No Public Conversation.
Traffic on roads already stretched past capacity
Water systems being sized for a county 5× larger than today
Land changing before residents know it’s on the table
Christina Delaney — 25-year resident. Townsend Planning Commissioner. I showed up before I ran.
If you only have 30 seconds
Fact 1
$646M+
in public funds moving through District 8B
A $338.5M federal highway, $6.6M ARPA water grant, and more — moving without a public briefing from your commissioner.
See the full breakdown →Fact 2
71%
Commissioner Jopling's attendance record
Fourth from the bottom of the 21-member commission. The county average is 82.3%. That gap is 11 points — and it covers the years these decisions were being made.
See the official record →Fact 3
“No Going Back”
What the Blount Partnership CEO said publicly
“There is no going back. We will operate an events and activity center.” — October 2024 public meeting. Months later, a state de-annexation bill was introduced.
Read the full story →The Mountain District — District 8B
$646.0M
in verified public funds flowing
into District 8B infrastructure
These are not projections. Every figure is sourced from public records, TDOT plans, and federal grant databases.
$338.5M
SR-162 Pellissippi Pkwy Extension
TDOT 10-Year Plan / Transportation Modernization Act
Right-of-way FY 2026 (accelerated) · Construction FY 2036
$26.1M
Federal Water & Sewer Infrastructure
ARPA / EPA / TDEC — South Blount & Tuckaleechee Utility Districts
3 grants awarded 2022–2024
$6.6M
ARP Water Infrastructure Grant (TDEC)
TDEC Open Records — Awarded December 2023
South Blount/Tuckaleechee Utility District
I did not set out to run for office.
I simply showed up, did the work, and paid attention.
Over time, it became clear that stepping forward, at this critical moment, was the natural next step in serving this community with the presence and accountability it deserves.
The seat that represents District 8B.
These times require more.
The Seat Carries Responsibility
These are not quiet years. Hundreds of millions in infrastructure decisions are moving through this district. A land use plan sits years past its due date. A de-annexation fight reached the state legislature.
A $338 million federal highway project is moving through District 8B. Residents deserve to know what that means for their roads, their land, and their community's future. That conversation has not happened publicly. I will make sure it does.
The Contrast
I go to the meetings, request the records, and report back to the community. That hasn’t been happening.
Jeff Jopling's attendance: 71% — fourth from the bottom of the 21-member commission, during the years these decisions were being made. He also serves on the board of the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority — the agency that promotes the growth this district is trying to manage.
Loving a place is not the same as fighting for it.
If nothing changes
Here is what this district looks like in 10 years without a different kind of commissioner.
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More development, less planning
Infrastructure is already being sized for a county five times its current population. Without oversight, that growth shapes the district before residents understand what’s happening.
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Roads and water under pressure
72% of Blount County residents already say roads are not sufficient for future growth. The water line being built on US-321 was designed for 21,533 customers. We have 4,557 today.
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Decisions made before you know about them
The PER that justified an $8.29M water project was approved and construction started before most residents had seen it. That’s the pattern. It doesn’t have to be.
Join Me
This is not a normal local election.
These decisions will shape this district for a generation.
I’m asking you to join me — not just to vote, but to stay informed, share what you learn, and hold your commissioner accountable.
Sign up for updates. I’ll report back on every meeting, every document, and every decision that affects this community.