So, WVLT did this story on my fifth cousin Cindy Ballard and her husband, Phil a former Knox County Black Wednesday Commissioner. You see Cindy was a Blake before marrying Ballard. My mom was a Blake.

They are selling this piece of property along the Holston River, supposedly the last of the Livonia Diary Farm property. The Blake Egg Farm property was developed into Ruggles Ferry Golf Course. The You Pick (Mr. Rennie Blake) Farm property has been primarily sold off in larger tracts for estate homes.

There is still some Blake Farm property on up Ruggles Ferry, the corn is about in. however, it is Blake property not influenced or controlled by the Ballard’s.

The problem is the developer that wishes to purchase this “last century old family farm” is wanting to slam 482 single family homes on the property. The density is far too extreme for the area.

Ballard has been the holder of a Real Estate license, so many in the community believe he will be the agent selling the 482 parcels making him a very rich former politician.

Again, the area does NOT need this density, at a minimum should be half or less. But, that’s a fight for another day.

The community have the best legal and engineering help in fighting this battle. So, a little “victim humanistic” story on tv appeared to be the strategy.

Good Luck Phillip.