For the second meeting in a row, Lenoir City councilman, Todd Kennedy, has defied Lenoir City mayor, Tony Aikens, on 3 different zoning matters before the council last Monday.

Kennedy made a statement before any voting that he would not vote to approve any more R-3 rezones or developments in the city. R-3 allows for 24 units per acre and mostly used for apartment complexes, Aikens new favorite thing for the city. Kennedy wants a study to see if the city has the ability to accommodate more mass development. Not to be disrespectful to Mr. Kennedy, but a 5th grader could tell city officials they can not accommodate anymore residential growth until they address infrastructure issues. Back in 2022 while running for county commission, councilman Eddie Simpson himself said, he felt the city might be growing a little too fast. Since making that statement, Simpson has approved over a thousand new residential developments.

Councilman Kennedy is not only a big man in stature, he's becoming a big man on the council. He's the only council member, thus far, who isn't afraid to stand up to Aikens ongoing demolition of Lenoir City. But he can't make any changes alone, he must have help from other council members.

Tony Aikens keeps telling people he just wants to serve one more term then he'll retire. In all honesty, Lenoir City can not survive another four years of the Aikens administration nor his loyal followers.

Come November, city voters must make a change when the mayor, and his three council members will be on the ballot, Jennifer Wampler, Eddie Simpson and Mike Henline. But no change can be made if no one steps forward to challenge the status quo.   

Click Here To Watch Kennedy Statement

His remarks come at the 30:40 time in the meeting.