Mayor Jacobs was irresponsible to stump for Trump in Iowa when snowstorm was coming here

Jacobs was irresponsible to stump for Trump in Iowa when snowstorm was coming here

As one of the more well-documented conservatives in our state with 40-plus years of supporting the Republican Party, the Second Amendment, Make America Great Again and Donald Trump, and being a preparedness professional, I do not appreciate Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs going AWOL before a dangerous winter storm (one that deaths, destruction and economic loss have been attributed to) prior to it arriving in East Tennessee.

Since 2018, Jacobs has traveled to various stadium venues from Saudi Arabia to Australia when working as a contractor portraying a WWE intellectual property asset or for his personal political/branding reasons. For the first time in Knox County history, the office of mayor has competing interests that dilute its focus on our community.

In 2020, I served as the 5th District representative to the Knox County Charter Review Committee and specifically brought these very concerns forward as it was evident Jacobs presented a risk via his travels by potentially being away during emergencies and supporting the WWE brand portfolio (stock valuation) while serving in public office. I accurately predicted this would be a future issue, as seen with this month's debacle.

Jacobs made a choice to go to Iowa to campaign for former President Donald Trump. It was evident that Trump would easily win the Iowa caucus and that Jacobs and Trump, both WWE Hall of Famers, can communicate practically at will. With a pending crisis upon our community, Jacobs fled Knoxville for the Trump shoutout and other political public-relations accolades.

Jacobs' statements on TV upon his return were outlandish, as was the follow-up spin from his apologists. An executive skipping critical work to go to a party is a firing offense in the private sector or a court martial in the military. Jacobs was AWOL during our community’s time of need. He made a risky choice, and now the Knox County Commission and the entire community must disavow this irresponsible behavior.

Bill Johns, Knoxville

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jacobs was irresponsible to stump for Trump when snow was coming here