PETITION TO THE KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD
Appeal for Moral Stewardship, Public Accountability, Conscience, and Equal Standards
TO THE KUB BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, LEADERSHIP, EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS
We call upon the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), an institution entrusted with serving the public, to exercise its influence, public-facing
communications, community partnerships, and resources with transparency, impartiality, and moral seriousness. This appeal is
grounded in the conviction that God—not shifting cultural consensus—is the ultimate standard of righteousness, and that every
sphere of life, including public service, is accountable to Him. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1);
stewards must be “faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2); and whatever we do must be done “to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Respect
for every person does not require institutional endorsement of every cause.
OUR CONCERNS
Political and ideological affiliation: KUB should clearly distinguish essential utility service from institutional advocacy, political
messaging, and ideological alignment. Customers and employees should not be left to wonder whether the authority and credibility of
a public-serving utility are being used to favor particular causes or viewpoints. If KUB supports community organizations or
advocacy-related activities, the governing criteria should be public, principled, and consistently applied.
Social media and public presence: KUB’s official social-media accounts and public communications should follow a
viewpoint-consistent policy: communicate essential services and public information, disclose the basis for highlighting or partnering
with outside organizations, and apply the same standards to Christian, religious, conservative, LGBTQ, labor, and other civic or
ideological viewpoints. Employees should be able to express sincerely held religious convictions respectfully, without being compelled
to affirm contrary beliefs, while remaining subject to legitimate safety, conduct, and job-related rules.
Stewardship of funds and resources: KUB’s published materials describe its United Way campaign as employee-funded, and
report $2.2 million in employee contributions since 2007. United Way of Greater Knoxville lists East Tennessee Equality Council, Inc.
(Knox Pride) as a 2026 Community Investment Grant recipient of $15,000. These facts do not, by themselves, prove that KUB
ratepayer funds financed a particular Pride event or performance. That is precisely why disclosure is necessary: the public deserves a
clear accounting of any KUB corporate spending, sponsorships, in-kind support, facilities, staff time, promotional resources, or other
institutional assistance connected to such organizations or events.
Children and moral responsibility: The supplied photograph from SoKno Pride 2026 appears to show minors present during a
provocative adult performance. The image alone does not establish a crime or identify the source of funding; it does warrant serious
questions about age-appropriate safeguards at events supported or promoted by institutions. Christ warns against causing “little ones”
to stumble (Matthew 18:6).
WE THEREFORE PETITION KUB TO:
1. Publish clear records of relevant corporate expenditures, sponsorships, in-kind contributions, promotional activity, facility use, and
other resources provided to SoKno Pride, Knox Pride, East Tennessee Equality Council, or related events, identifying the source of
each contribution. 2. Publish the written criteria used to select community partners, feature causes on official social media, and
approve sponsorships—and apply those criteria equally across viewpoints. 3. Disclose safeguards for events accessible to minors
and clarify whether KUB resources support adult-oriented programming. 4. Protect respectful religious expression and conscience
through fair, consistently applied workplace policies. 5. Preserve relevant records and provide the public a meaningful explanation of
these decisions.
This petition is not a call to mistreat or demean anyone. It is a call to accountable stewardship, truthful disclosure, equal
treatment, and moral clarity. Neutrality must not become a cover for selective institutional favoritism, and equal service
must not be confused with ideological endorsement. KUB should serve the public without using entrusted authority or
resources to privilege one worldview over another. We ask for transparency, consistent standards, and accountability
before the public—and before God.
“Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) | “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)