Bill Knowles' Re-election announcement
County Clerk Bill Knowles has announced for reelection. Knowles said, "I am extremely grateful that the citizens have allowed me to manage the Clerk's office. "My service continues to be with the same enthusiasm that has guided me since 1974. With God's help, my promise is to serve taxpayers with the same vigor.
"I have endeavored to be a good steward, working diligently with a professional and dedicated staff searching for methods to simplify the bureaucratic functions mandated to the Clerk's office.
"During this time some 600 million dollars have been collected, and through the years more than 1.4 million dollars have been earned utilizing short term investments by changing banking practices. Audits of office funds during my tenure have repeatedly received high marks.
"Pioneering the tags-by-mail and tags-by-internet options, as well as opening the Bonny Oaks satellite office are alternatives that have made it much easier for busy Hamilton County motorists. Agreements with the State enabling the Clerk's office to print most vehicle titles locally and to renew state driver licenses on the spot at the Courthouse continue to be popular with the public.
"The issuance of marriage and business licenses has been brought into the digital society. Many marriage records have been posted on our web site: http://www.countyclerkanytime.com/ -- this improvement aids citizens in genealogy research and saves the Clerk's office valuable time in assisting those requesting copies of these documents.
"As Secretary to the County Commission, the most modern commission record keeping system in the state has been developed. Meetings are recorded to disc, indexed for easy access, quick transcript, and released in mp3 format immediately to the news media."
Clerk Knowles concluded by saying, "I offer these achievements as cornerstones of my service to the taxpayer. I promise to continue exploring ways to provide extra dimensions of service and always administer an office that will go the extra mile in assisting citizens."
Knowles has served as both the President of the County Officials Association of Tennessee and the County Clerk's Association. He was a founding member of the County Clerk's Organ Donor Awareness program and has been selected as Clerk of the Year three times. The County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT) elected him as the Outstanding County Official of the Year for 2006. He was cited for keeping his office on the cutting-edge of technology.
In 1978 he was recipient of an honorary doctor of laws degree from Trevecca University in Nashville. He has received a citizenship award from the Civitan Club and a distinguished alumni award from Central High School. He has served on the local Salvation Army Board, the Boy Scouts Exploring Council, the Public Bible School Committee, the AMG Board of Directors, the Convention & Visitors Bureau Board, and as Chairman of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Commission.
As a member of the United States Army Reserve he held the rank of Sgt. First Class and later was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in the Tennessee Defense Force. In 2004 he served as Co-Chair of the local Armed Forces Week Celebration and Parade. The County Clerk has received several Freedoms Awards from the Valley Forge Foundation.
Knowles, a native Chattanooga, was born in the St. Elmo community. He is one of six children of the late Chattanooga Police Detective Claude and Rose Knowles. He has been married to the former Marlene Coulter for 54 years. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. Knowles and his wife are active members of the Woodland Park Baptist Church.