Commissioner Lynn Beeler
7th District
785 Tazewell Pike
Luttrell, TN 37807
“One of the most important goals of the
Union County Strategic Plan,” says
County Commissioner Lynn Beeler, “is getting
industry and businesses into the county.”
The Luttrell Industrial Park is almost
finished. “All utilities are in and when the
Highway 61 project is complete, it’ll be
almost all straight 4 lane into Knoxville”.
Rail transportation is available too. Lynn
believes that this will be one of the more
desirable places in the county for industry.
“I would not be opposed to working with
businesses in any way to get them into the
Park,” Lynn says. “Attracting business and
industry is very competitive, but they are
not going to just stumble over us. Someone
has to go out there and get them to take a
look.”
Lynn is concerned about the money Union
County loses in sales tax to Knoxville and
Tazewell. He believes we need to develop
more retail outlets here such as car lots, a
large grocery store, building supplies,
places to eat, anything that provides for
the daily needs of residents.
School systems are a challenge to be planned
for. As the population grows, schools
become increasingly jam-packed. “We’ve been
talking about building a new elementary
school to relieve the overflow in Luttrell
and Maynardville Elementary.” And, as Lynn
points out, the increased elementary school
population will soon hit the high school.
When it comes to funding some of the
construction projects that Union County is
facing, Lynn supports a wheel tax, which
seems significantly more fair than
increasing property taxes; everyone shares
the load.
Lynn notes, “Everyone thinks of Union as a
rural county - but the state actually
classifies us a ‘metropolitan area’ because
of population growth and the percentage of
Union County people who go to Knox County to
work. I don’t see that slowing down at
all. With the expansion of Highway 33, the
new bridge, the second phase of Highway 61,
the county will become more accessible.”
Health and safety are key in the development
of the county. Lynn feels that starting a
county-owned EMS Ambulance Service is “one
of the best things I’ve done since I’ve been
a commissioner.” The County Commission
installed an EMS substation in Plainview,
and we’d like another around the Big Ridge
area and one in Sharps Chapel. That would
give the county adequate coverage.” As the
population expands, so does the need for
more police, fire and rescue staff and
equipment. Water is also an issue and Lynn
says that once the new EMS building is
completed the county will apply for more
grants. “One of my priorities is to get
water throughout the county,” he says. He
would like to see more convenience centers
to encourage citizens to properly dispose of
their garbage. “And I would like to have
more recreational opportunities throughout
the county, maybe a swimming pool, tennis
courts, a “Y” for kids.”
Lynn states that he goes into meetings
open-minded and examines all facts before
voting. He is very active on the Budget and
Finance Committee and believes that things
are running a lot smoother with a committee
to preview financial transfers. He is also
on the Ambulance Board and really enjoys his
participation in these committees. He is
accessible to his constituents both at home
and at the Pit Stop Market. He is one of
the first two commissioners in the newly
formed 7th district and has
enjoyed working with and helping people.
Lynn’s Great Grandfather and Grandfather Lee
(age 90) first came to Plainview in 1935
from the Sharps Chapel area because of the
building of Norris Lake. His father is the
Rev. Gary Beeler, founder of the
Maynardville Crusade. Lynn and his wife Kim
have four children: Joshua, Larhea, Dalton
and Seth.
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