I can recall few times in my lifetime when our weather has been dominated so completely with thunderstorms. The only real change that we have had for a lengthy period of time now is that in recent days we have had a forecast of isolated thunderstorms and for the other days, scattered thunderstorms have been predicted. For a while there we were just getting constant predictions of thunderstorms but at least there's some variation now with forecasts of thunderstorms, isolated thunderstorms and scattered thunderstorms alternating. And at the time these notes were prepared, Internet site www.weather.com was predicting more of the same for days and days to come. We are definitely in the thunderstorm season.

It goes without saying that the weather greatly hampered our drive in April to "clean up, fix up and paint up". And we have not had many more success in May. But on the bright side, we can all be extremely thankful that the weather has not brought death and destruction to us like it has to some areas. And as so many keep pointing out, we will be glad that we are receiving all of the rain when we finally reach the typically hot, dry days of July and August.

The rain held off last weekend until after the Nissan mountain ride, but it began falling heavily once again just as the Carnival was getting set up. An awful lot of local kids really were disappointed when that happened. In fact there was a steady stream of kids (and adults) going to the area of the baseball field on Sunday afternoon to watch the rides, vending areas and other attractions being erected. But the rains re-started that very evening. This is our first Carnival in years and it appeared to have numerous rides that are in very good condition. And the folks in charge very favorably impressed those sponsoring the activity. (Jellico Elementary Football).

It was still raining with more rain predicted at the time that these notes were being prepared. But here's hoping that there is a great change in the weather before the Carnival closes. The last day and night are scheduled for this Saturday, May 10th. (One of the biggest concerns some of us have had is due to the fact that the Carnival site is located within the food plain and we sure didn't want to see all of that expensive equipment caught in potentially rapidly rising water that could do extensive damage before it could be removed from that area.)

The first quilting class taught in the Conference Room of the Trammell Building had ten (10) participants and a larger turnout is expected for the next class that will be held on Saturday, July 12th (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM). The financial planning workshop taught by John Fawaz (to be assisted by Steve Morgan and Tom Barclay) had sixteen (16) for the initial session.

The Nissan Club had eighteen (18) vehicles for their weekend mountain ride. Most of the participants camped at Indian Mountain State Park and were very complimentary of our scenery and the welcome they received. They apparently were just checking our area for future events and stated that they do plan to return next year with greater participation.

Jake is fast becoming the victim of his own efforts and success. All of the activities already scheduled would be more than enough to keep him busy. But the Community Conference Room in the Trammell Building is now under greatly increased usage requiring setting up and tearing down for all kinds of activities. And its amazing how many people say that until recently they did not even know that the Conference Room is there. And that was especially true until folks began attending the Saturday night music at that facility.

And there is a steadily growing demand for our Jellico Mountain Wedding Chapel that Jake expects to increase at an even greater rate during this month - and especially during the traditional nuptial month of June. But as Larry Boles remarked recently, Jake loves it and that's the way he wants it. And it's for sure that that's the way the city of Jellico wants it.

And speaking of use of the Community Conference Room, I was asked to announce that Ted Barrineau, photographer, will take Jellico High School Prom photos there this Saturday, May 10th (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM). That is just another one of many activities that are being held more and more in our downtown city building that bring folks to the area. And as I wrote a couple of weeks ago, more folks coming to the downtown translate to prospective patrons for businesses that might be considering opening there.

The next activity on the schedule will be the "Spring Sensation" sponsored by the Jellico High School Student Council. (Saturday, May 17th in Veterans Park). The City of Jellico will not be officially involved with that activity in any way except that Jake and our city personnel have offered to assist the JHS students wherever they can.

To get our downtown back to where it needs to be, we are going to have to have the help of our young folks. And this activity that they have planned for Veterans Park indicates that they are interested in helping with what we are trying to do.

Let's just hope that they have better luck with the weather than we have been having!

The Community Bulletin Board on the Trammell Building (purchased and erected by John Mays, CEO of Barton-Carey Medical Products, when the previous City Council refused funds for it), is sure getting a workout. Jake is constantly changing it now to announce area functions and activities. That's what I hoped would happen five years ago when I asked for a bulletin board.

With all of the delays and cancellations during our drive to "clean up, fix up, paint up" due to the weather, it would be easy to get discouraged. But we can't let that happen!

We are currently getting some things accomplished in spite of the thunderstorms and rain. John Leach as promised, has been painting on his building on South Main/Fifth Street between rains as George Hackler earlier reported that he is doing to his building on North Main. And Total Fitness has been placing a nice stone railing in front of that business. Both Llewellyn Funeral Home and Harp's Funeral Home are making additions and/or improvements along South Main Street - as are private residences in several areas of town.

And have you noticed the Jellico Drug Store Building and the former Llewellyn Furniture Store Building and the painting that is being done there? As someone mentioned to me, those colors are going to make those buildings look like our downtown used to look years ago.

Jake and the city crews have set out more Bradford Pears that were donated to the city by Wayne Barton, Ray's Superior Market, in addition to the Dogwoods that were planted earlier in the spring. And we have more yet to be planted.

As I mentioned in an earlier article, we have all summer to get some things done. But I am impatient since we have been at the task for over five years now. Councilman Clarence Gene Beck keeps telling me that, "Rome wasn't built in a day!". But I remind him that historians say that they were working on it every day and that's why they eventually got the job done! And I hope that the weather eventually improves to the point that we can do likewise!

We have had a lot of calls and contacts concerning the situation on Hill Street. And that situation is a more serious matter than the usual breaking up of street surfacing. Water collecting deep under the surface is causing sliding and to correct the situation as it needs to be done, is going to be very expensive. Councilmen Alvin Evans and Clarence Gene Beck have been working on the problem and Councilman Evans hopefully will be able to soon announce the obtaining of funds in a sufficient amount to correct the problem once and for all. But it will require a major project.

We are also getting calls concerning high grass, weeds, etc. But the city crews are like many of us who can't keep our lawns mowed. They too have to mow between rains. The constant rainfall plus the water standing in many areas has really hampered their work. They are going to have some catching up to do when the rains finally do end.

And it goes without saying that the constant rainfall has not helped the Street Department with its goal of doing street repairs, painting of lines, etc.

As mayor, school principal, member of the planning commission, beer board, tourism commission, advisory councils, committees, etc. I meet myself going and coming to numerous functions and meetings; being personally contacted concerning various topics; and getting lots and lots of phone calls. Some ask questions, vent anger or frustration, make requests, complaints and suggestions concerning countless topics. It comes with the jobs and I listen to all calls that come in while I am out. And I try to return them all - although I sometimes take issue with the caller(s) when I personally have strong opinions about whatever the subject of the call(s) may be.

It is not my intention to take any calls lightly and I sure do not want to ever poke fun at any caller. But one fellow's message that I found on my recorder a few nights ago when I arrived home very late sure got my attention and I played it over several times. By his voice he appeared to be a little bit (or maybe more than a little bit) inebriated or doing a great job of sounding that way. The more I listened to the message he left, the more humorous it became. It went something like this (although there is no way that I could get it down word for word. And I sure cannot duplicate the voice and inflection).

"This may not be the right number somebody give it to me but if it is the right number and like I said it may be the wrong number but if it is yore number they said yore name was on some kind of a sign sommers and they wanted me to call you about somethin'. I can't remember what they said it was but it's somethin' you'uns have done. Or maybe it's somethin' you'uns are going to do. Fact of matter it could be somethin' you'uns are doin' right now. I don't know fer sure. Like I said I don't know what it is exactly but they had a word fer it but I can't remember the word fer it and they wanted me to call and tell you that I'm fer it. That's what I'm uh doin'. Hey wait a minute! Come to think of it they might have said to tell you that I ain't fer it. Well I ain't a hunerd percent sure that's what they said but I believe that's what they said. Whatever it is they must not like it unless I got mixed up and maybe they are fer it. What you'uns really need to do about that thing whatever it is to, well uh, uh…. You'uns need to uh, uh… Oh (loud expletive)! I don't know what the (expletive) I am talking about! Sound of hanging up! Dial tone!"

I still don't know if it was a bona fide call or not, and it could have just been someone playing with my mind. (I don't think that Police Commissioner Jim Dobson would be a party to such shenanigans. But Fire Chief John "Redbird" Perkins and some of the fellows at the fire hall have never been above such tricks - especially when their minds are idle and being utilized by the Devil as his workshop(s). And Redbird is better than Rich Little at sounding like anybody he wants to.) But in any case, I loved it! In the words of the after-shave commercial: "Thanks! I needed that!"

JOHN CLIFTON, Mayor, City of Jellico