The Silent Majority seldom approves of County Commission activities. Victoria DeFreese, newest Commissioner (District 9B) is a notable exception. Victoria seems to have a natural distaste for the "Good Old Boys Club" that Knoxville has become, and appears poised to do something about it. For that reason, we have selected her as our Heroine du jour. She appears to be one of our few hopes of retrieving the Knoxville we once knew and loved pre-Ragsdale. Victoria, a born Hoosier, fell in love with East Tennessee. We are very glad she did. Here, in her own words, is her story.
I was a "Volunteer" before I came to Tennessee. As a girl in Speedway, Indiana (home of the Indianapolis 500), I volunteered at every opportunity to help some worthy community group or project. Although there were only 92 students in my Class, I had the great honor to participate in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar at Butler University, and to tell 200 high school juniors about my extensive volunteer experience It was a bit intimidating for a girl - my counterparts on the panel were all at least twice my age, and were state, business and government leaders. Fortunately, my presentation was well received, and I was asked to come back - twice!
Upon graduation, I "scholarshipped" to Knoxville to attend Johnson Bible College, in quest of a teaching degree. There I met my future husband, Donald DeFreese, at Freshman orientation, and we were married one year later. Donald, reared in "Big City Atlanta, had just completed a 4-year stint with the Marines, participating in Desert Shield/Storm. Knoxville contrasted so uniquely with our roots: the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, the down-home nature of the people, and especially the rural nature of South Knoxville......we were SOLD! We determined that this area was where we wanted to settle and raise a family. I graduated with honors (and two young children) after a challenging 6-year program. We happily moved into our home in South Knoxville, where we currently raise and home-school 4 children.
Donald and I have always worked as a team for the good of our family. We were self-absorbed in building our nest, when neighbors came to our door to notify us about a huge zoning issue of 100 acres across the street. The issue seemed ridiculous to both of us, as it would irrevocably damage the quality of our neighborhood. At that point, we determined that I would devote myself to civic duties while Donald watched the fort by night. My rewarding involvement in that community effort led to my appointment on the Knox County Library Advisory Board.
This was my first encounter with the Mayor's powerful political machine. It was not the last. Mayor Ragsdale seems to have an agenda all his own. Incredibly, he decided to make Knox County the only county in Tennessee to have our Library Advisory Board accontable to him, instead of the traditional Library Board of Trustees, thus giving him that much more power. I fought hard with the help of civic activists, the State Librarian, and sympathetic folks in Nashville. Two concerned and articulate citizens, Bonny Naugher and Julie Webb, penned a letter to the mayor in April 2003 verbalizing their caution of placing the library under the Executive Branch:
"The bill places on the county executive the burden of protecting intellectual freedom when challenges to the right to read and to have access to freely available information arise. When books are challenged by would-be censors, an elected official certainly does not want to be the one to say that an unpopular point of view has a right to be represented on the library shelves. When such a situation arose in Cleveland, the library board and Friends united to save the day. There are so many issues already facing the county executive [note: now county Mayor...another power grab] that supervision of such a large library system would be an onerous task."
These warnings and cautions were ignored by Mayor Mike Ragsdale in yet another power grab. Miraculously, the grab launched a personal epiphany for me: I took it as a personal catalyst, galvanizing my effort to make a difference. I became extensively involved in my community. My drive culminated in my application for appointment as a Commissioner (strongly encouraged by folks in my community). This is why I hit the ground running upon appointment to the Commission. I believe that I can help make a difference. I am committed to do what is right for Knox County. I have a special place in my heart for the common man who is relying on his representative. I will fulfill my obligation as caretaker of seat 9A most humbly, objectively, and passionately. My commitment is a family matter. Donald is helping supplement home school and household responsibilities when he gets home from work. The children have taken on more responsibilities around the house. In addition, I continue to be a 4-H volunteer leader, a private tutor, mother, and wife. I am taking Spanish, to maintain my Tennessee teaching license. I am passionate about life ( I survived a near-death experience with pancreatitis six years ago).
I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. I'd much rather have a picnic in Cades Cove than stiff the taxpayer for a stuffy lobster dinner at Club LeConte. Last summer I biked the entire 11-mile loop around Cades Cove - twice! Mustering up physical endurance and ability to bike 11 miles (mostly uphill, I swear!) was quite a personal victory! (Of course you don't know that I once weighed 240 pounds! Please don't tell anybody.) The bikeathon was a great reflective and serene experience, with lots of photo opportunities. I especially enjoy cultural experiences and visits to exhibits hosted by area museums. I am willing to try new things. Currently, I am a guest portrait model at an art class at the Candora Building that was prompted by my encounter at the Tennessee Valley Fair. I am a frequent home economics exhibitor at the fair. For my 34th birthday this spring, I am hoping to try hang gliding! I am ready to soar! But I want to take my constituents along.
Most Sincerely,
Your public servant,
Victoria DeFreese
I place this quote most sincerely under each personal e-mail that I send out:
"Do It Now" I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it; for I shall not pass this way again." --Stephen Grellet
OUR HEROINE