Knox H. White

Knox H. White (born January 26, 1954) is an attorney in his native Greenville, South Carolina, who has served as his city's 34th and current mayor since December 11, 1995, a longer tenure than any other mayor of Greenville.^[1] Previously, he was from 1983 to 1993 an at-large member of the Greenville City Council. He won another four-year term in November 2015.^[2]

Background

White graduated from Christ Church Episcopal School, Greenville Senior High School, Wake Forest University in North Carolina, and the University of South Carolina School of Law in the capital city of Columbia.^[3] He is a partner in the law firm Haynsworth, Sinkler & Boyd, with his specialization in immigration and customs.^[4] He and his wife, Marsha P. White (born c. 1955), have two children.^[3]

Political life

At the age of eighteen, White was an alternate delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida, which re-nominated the Nixon-Agnew ticket. In 1988, at the age of thirty-four, White was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for South Carolina's 4th congressional district seat in the United States House of Representatives. His campaign was determined and well-financed, and backed by Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr., who formerly held the House seat himself.^[5] He lost narrowly to the Democratic incumbent Liz J. Patterson, the daughter of former U.S. Senator Olin D. Johnston.^[6] This came even as George H. W. Bush carried the 4th by a large margin.

Mayoral tenure

Greenville has operated since 1976 under the city manager form of government, with an elected mayor and six-member city council, four chosen by district and two at-large.^[2] White was elected mayor in 1995 and has been reelected every two years since.

Under White's tenure as mayor, Greenville has avoided direct increases in property tax rates and kept its bond rating high. Upon taking office, White announced an overall theme of making Greenville "the most beautiful and livable city in America." Toward this goal, White has pushed for neighborhood and downtown revitalization and like Mayor Workman, an emphasis on economic development.^[3]

Greenville during the White administration has removed the Camperdown Bridge and established Falls Park, the birthplace of Greenville. The city restored both Court Street and the Poinsett Hotel, now a Westin facility named for Joel R. Poinsett. A new retail establishment, the Mast General Store, and the baseball stadium Fluor Field have been added to the downtown. There has been development along the Reedy River and the creation of a system of walking and bicycle trails throughout the city. Public art flourishes along Main Street. There have been annexations and improvements in the infrastructure to accommodate the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, a part of Clemson University in Clemson.^[3]

White has worked to lessen traffic noise, construct more sidewalks, revitalize parks, enhance beautification, and encourage the establishment of neighborhood associations. New housing has been constructed in special-emphasis neighborhoods.^[3]

See also

• Max Heller
• Jesse L. Helms
• Harry B. Luthi
• R. Cooper White, Jr.

References