It's a known fact that new automobiles, trucks, vans, buses and other types of motorized vehicles are being produced far faster than older models are being removed from the highways. And many families now own and drive multiple vehicles. So many are taking to the roads and streets that massive traffic jams are becoming an unwelcome part of our American culture.

And it's not only the large cities that are experiencing traffic problems. The small town of Williamsburg became so congested a few years ago that a new bridge had to be constructed across the Cumberland River and parallel streets designated as one-way to allow folks to move through the downtown. And anyone caught in Lafollette at certain times of the day know that they might as well get prepared to move at a snail's pace until they get well outside the city limits. And there is always a large volume of traffic there - even when the congestion does not result in virtual standstills.

We have not yet had a serious problem in Jellico although as someone has pointed out, the volume of traffic through our downtown continues to increase at a steady pace and eventually we will have our own mini-version of gridlock. And unlike Williamsburg, we do not have parallel streets running along side our main streets that would allow us to create strictly one-way thoroughfares. (The utilization of Kentucky Street by some as an alternate to North Main Street has created far more problems than it has solved. And it is not nearly wide enough in any case.)

I sometimes walk the railroad tracks because I enjoy the solitude that it provides as well as the scenery and abundant wildlife that I often encounter during my walks. (Thankfully I haven't met the bear as yet). Occasionally I get to thinking - which as I often admit can be dangerous! And I worry a great deal about the fact that the rusting rails show very little usage by coal trains that have run that route since 1883. Obviously we have had coal trains (and passenger trains earlier) passing through Jellico and Newcomb during our lifetimes and for generations before our own. Jellico would not be the same without that railroad.

But on the other hand, the railroad must pay taxes on every stretch of rails and if there are no coal trains, the railroad company steadily loses money on our tracks - a situation which they will not allow to continue indefinitely. Our railroad yard and business sidings were removed many years ago and several of us have worried for some time now that the company executives could at any time make the business decision to remove the mainline tracks that in turn would relieve them from the railway taxation.

I was recently informed by someone very knowledgeable with the situation that some possible new sources of coal production may soon develop in this area that will require railroad transportation. Hopefully that situation will develop which could help us to retain our tracks. We need the railroad and we certainly need the jobs that the coal production could provide.

But if sometime in the future the worst-case scenario does develop and the tracks are removed, we need to have some idea as to what can be done with the railroad property. Traditionally the railroad company has been very lenient in making such non-use property available to governmental entities and several years ago I was able to obtain the 1.4 acres adjacent to Veterans Park for the sum of ten dollars ($ 10.00) and the blocking of a virtually unused crossing.

If the previously mentioned tourism/freight railroad never materializes; if the coal production does not become a reality; and if the railroad property should ever become available to us, we could very easily start somewhere near North Main Street, grade down the railroad bed to widen it and then blacktop it as far as we chose to do so. That newly created street along with South Main Street would then provide two parallel streets that we are going to need eventually. And the city owns some bordering property that lies within the flood plain that could be filled above flood level. It could then be utilized for parking or construction. In fact it would be an ideal location near downtown for an industrial building of some type. The street could tie in with Dairy Avenue (running alongside Indian Mountain State Park) or to Florence Avenue or for that matter, all the way to the Industrial Park with some widening of the bridge below Branam Hill. And Campbell County could complete the route on to Newcomb if it should choose to do so. (The city of Jellico could take that action if the Newcomb area should be annexed by that time. But regardless who would do it, we just can't have too many roads.)

It will certainly be great news if the coal development becomes a reality in creating jobs. Jobs are always priority number one and in this case, followed closely by the retention of "our" railroad. And the possible future use of the railroad bed is just an idea that may never be realized. But it never hurts to have ideas - even if you hope that they do not materialize!

Change is inevitable and folks just have to realize that fact and be prepared for it. During the period when the coal industry boomed, there were several opportunities for Jellico to diversify its economy. But strong opposition at that time held that, "Coal is king here and will always be king here!" But those of us old enough to remember are very familiar with the economic disaster that struck when the coal industry almost totally collapsed in the 1950's. We have not recovered even until today! But it can be done!

In spite of the recent cuts in state revenues and possibly in some other sources of income, the City Council appears determined to balance the 2003-'04 budget - including a some raise for city employees - without increasing our property taxes. City Recorder Linda Meadows has worked long and hard to help us accomplish that and we greatly appreciate her help. The Council may be forced to authorize the use of some of the fund balance as a cushion should our revenues fall short. Chances are the funds will not be required for shortfall, but in any case, some members of Council prefer that action in lieu of a tax hike.

I have pointed out numerous times in the past that I certainly did not want the job of heading up the study required under Tennessee Public Law 1101 that identified areas for possible municipal growth. But as mayor, I - along with mayors of all towns and cities and all county executives in Tennessee- were charged with carrying out that task or lose future grant funds. Although it was enacted by the Tennessee State Legislature in Nashville and actually involved thousands of people, I often get a chuckle when some unknowing local folks charge that it was my idea!

Any annexation that may be enacted by the City Council in the future will require a majority of that body and under the provisions of our city charter, I will not be permitted to even vote on the issue. But the more work we did in city and county committee meetings, public meetings, city council meetings and county commission meetings, the more I became convinced that it could be good for all concerned parties. And I do favor annexation if a plan of services can be worked out that will be totally funded by any revenues brought in by the added property taxes.

Our monthly meeting of the Jellico Planning Commission for August was followed by a workshop to discuss the plan of services required under PL 1101 before annexation of any of the identified areas can be accomplished. The services must be in place within a five years period.

Utilities Director John Leach pointed out during the workshop that electricity and water are already being supplied by the Jellico Utilities Department to all areas in the identified and state approved PL 1101 Jellico Urban Growth Plan and that sewer has been made available to a large section of the area. He emphasized that one grant application is already being processed for the purpose of completing the additional sewer lines that will be needed and that other grants are also available for that purpose. Leach stated that the Utilities Department can accomplish installation of fire hydrants and street lights in applicable appropriations..

Sheryl Ely from the Tennessee State Office of Planning gave out several data sheets to be completed by the various city departments for any other required services to the areas eligible for annexation including police and fire protection, garbage collection, etc.. The reports will be collected , studied and approved during the September meeting of the City Council and then presented to Ely for development of a comprehensive plan of services for the potential annexation areas. No debate as to the wisdom of annexation will be permitted during that meeting since public hearings will be held at a later date for that purpose following completion of the plan of services. She hopes to complete the plan and present it to the Council in November or December. Following careful consideration and acceptance of the plan by the Council, public hearings can then be announced and conducted.

The public has always been totally informed by all media within the state of Tennessee of the process of developing PL 1101 from its introduction into the Legislature and later passage dating back to the previous mayor and councils. And now the PL 1101 "planned and orderly" process of over six (6) years is closer to decision time as to what areas -if any - are to be annexed.

By far and away those Jellico people PRIVATELY expressing an opinion to me and to members of the Council favor annexation - as do some of those living in the areas for potential annexation. The present and previous Councils have conducted all meetings required under the law and will continue to do so. All proper notices have been issued for each meeting. But few attended any of the required and announced meetings and so far, we have heard OPENLY from only a very small percentage of area citizens and they have generally been opposed.

We live in a democracy (actually a republic) where the majority rules. And when the public hearings are finally conducted leading up to the actual vote by Council, ALL citizens need to be present to OPENLY express their opinions -those favoring annexation as well as those opposed. And the fact that BOTH sides need to participate to determine the will of the majority will be well publicized prior to the public hearings. This is one of the biggest issues to be faced by Jellico and the surrounding areas in many years and the Council needs to hear OPEN opinions from BOTH sides - and not just from only the supporters or the opponents.

Our last EROCC weekend competition drew the largest crowd yet - along with the corresponding huge number of vehicles. (The "ladies only" competition will not be held this year as originally announced but will be conducted during next year's session.) Photos of earlier competitions have reportedly been published by newspapers in several large cities from coast to coast and bearing a Jellico dateline. That kind of publicity can't help but put our town in a positive light - and all over the entire country at that!

It's finally football time in Tennessee! And we sure have a big weekend coming up. Our Jellico High Blue Devils take on the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets at home this Friday evening and few things in life are ever any sweeter than swatting our arch rivals every chance that we get.

And 110,000 screaming meemies (whatever they are) and God willing, including yours truly, will pack Neyland Stadium on Saturday. What is so rare as Neyland on game day?

Everyone is reminded of the "fish fry" and wrestling match in Veterans Park on Saturday. The fish fry will start sometime around noon and cost $ 5.00 for a full course meal with profits going to the Jellico Rescue Squad. The wrestling will start at 7:00 PM and be free of charge. Bring a lawn chair!

JOHN CLIFTON,
Mayor, City of Jellico