I cited the fact last week that some dire predictions that our town was facing utter financial collapse were totally debunked by the independent auditor who informed us that we were in much better condition than we could actually have ever hoped for in view of all that had happened to require unexpected expenditures. (The auditors' complete report has been furnished to the Office of the Tennessee State Comptroller.) And I emphasized that we would probably not have to have roadblocks, yard sales and cookie sales to keep the city afloat in spite of those gloomy forecasts.
But to be on the safe side, one fellow jokingly told me that if we should ever have to resort to such fund raising tactics in the future, that we could place glass jars around town for donations. But he cautioned that some of us definitely should not place our photos in the jars! Ouch!
That was some crowd here last weekend including UROC National President Patey who came all the way from Provo, Utah to be in Jellico. He stated that UROC has now become so popular all across this country that cities and towns everywhere are asking to host its events. But so far he said that the cooperation, organization and assistance provided by Tourism Director Jake Bennett and Tourism Commission, City Council and entire town and area have not been topped anywhere.
The second edition of the EICW free wrestling shows will be held this Saturday night (May 1st) in the stage area of Veterans Park. That activity sure drew a crowd last year and Jake told the Tourism Commission at its last meeting that an even larger crowd may well attend this weekend's event if the weather is good. (Everyone is again reminded that the wrestling show is neither sponsored nor sanctioned by the city of Jellico and/or the Tourism Commission. The city Council only allows use of the park for that and other community events because drawing a crowd helps local businesses.)
And something else free of charge to families: Jake informed the Commission that Steve Meeks and "Life Touch and Good Soul Ministries" will make family photos free of charge in the Community Conference Room of the Tramell Building (next to the Office of Tourism and Library) on the dates of May 4th, 5th, and 6th. According to the information we were given, the photos will include one (1) 8 X 10, two (2) 5 X 7. (I am not sure if there will be others made.)
Indications are that the shooting of scenes for three books and covers plus the filming and casting for a movie depicting the life of Grace Moore will take place on June 3rd, 4th, and 5th. The City Council gave permission for that activity during its last monthly meeting.
Jake says that he will get out more information concerning the event if plans continue to proceed. According to the prospective sponsor, that event could also draw a crowd to our town.
The now annual "Jellico Car Show" will be held on Saturday, June 19th. Pre-registrations will be $10.00 with registrations on day of show costing $12.00. Charlie "Rooster" Napier who has become so well known throughout the entire region as the "DJ to the Cars" will again be here to provide music for the event.
Dash plaques will be presented to the first one-hundred (100) entries and categories will include "Best Paint", "Best Engine", "Best Interior", "Best Unfinished", "Best Truck", "Best Low-Rider" and "Club Participation". (Judging on one-hundred point format and trophies will be presented at 3:00 PM.) As usual there will be food and games, a "50/50" cash drawing and door prizes. Contact Jake at the Tourism Office for more information (423/784-3275).
For us old timers, walking around the university campus nowadays is a strange experience. No longer does Ayers Hall and the old Alumni Gym symbolize "The Hill" as we knew it and there are now multi-million dollar structures where private residences were located only a few years ago. More are constantly being built and its even getting difficult to find one's way around.
And in addition to all of the millions of dollars that have been spent on our athletic facilities, the new Athletic Director proposes to spend one-hundred million within the next few years that would include some badly needed work on Neyland Stadium. But the way that he plans to raise that money has sure drawn the ire of a lot of folks including at least one Jellico resident. Most of us who annually order season passes make a donation to the Volunteer Athletic Scholarship Fund as well as purchasing the now very expensive tickets. But a Tennessee home football game has become such an entertaining spectacle that folks out there are willing to pay whatever is required.
But some long-time fans purchased seats many years ago when the stadium only seated seventy thousand or less and the athletic department was glad to sell them tickets along either sideline for face value and without any donation. Now however when a one-hundred and seven thousand seats stadium will not even start to accommodate all of the thousands who would like an opportunity to purchase season seating, the AD has decided that those who have the sideline seats including the mentioned Jellico resident, may have to make very large donations for the privilege of purchasing more than two of those good seats they held for so many years. Our man is upset and no one can blame him. The University of Tennessee belongs to the state and I have always contended that although it would be difficult, some system should be worked out to insure that all current students are given first priority followed by alumni and then an open market for all fans.
We usually have several Jellico area folks at the Orange and White "game" every year and several told me that they would be there this year. But for the first time that I can ever recall, I didn't see anyone from around here that I knew. (The "old-timers" baseball game kept some at our ballpark and I have been called on the carpet myself for missing that season opener.)
As everyone knows, it is almost impossible to get a true picture of what our team will look like in the fall from watching the O & W exhibition. But there were some very impressive moments in the contest and there was no question that both sides were trying hard to "win" for the bragging rights until August. The teams were very evenly matched as the 21-21 tie indicates. I was very impressed with two walk-ons - a running back and a defensive back. And we badly need help at both positions - especially in the defensive backfield. It's still several weeks until we kick off the 2004 season but somehow we will just have to survive until then! But that's hard on Vol fans!
And continuing to talk about football. Campbell County School Board Member Bo Buckner called me relative to my comments concerning the need for football programs at all area elementary schools. Bo indicated that attempts have been made to start such programs but that there have just not been enough boys at those schools interested in playing to be able to field teams. (With all of the computers, electronic games, four-wheelers, etc. available to today's kids, I sure understand where Bo is coming from on that.)
Bo says that a very few boys from those schools come to Jellico Elementary to participate but transportation to and from practice and games has been a major problem. He and others feel that should a special bus be provided from those schools to JES, that more boys might participate. But in any case, Bo says the board is working on the problem and that's good news. As I have stated in two previous articles, Jellico High can never hope to be truly competitive in football in the future without a much larger feeder base sending players to the school every year.
(And Bo, Jim Arnold and many others who have expended their time down through the years to help elementary kids - often at their own expense - are to be both commended and appreciated.)
You never know what can become of any idea if folks are willing to follow through:
Boston Elementary School has drawn a lot of attention since the announcement that we are once again included in the three finalists for the "Campus of the Year Award" for elementary schools. We have had video taping crews from Lexington and expect other media representatives before the final winner is named on May 17th. A photographer from the Whitley Republican who recently visited our school to do a story on our PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment) project that we hope will result in our selection for that coveted honor for 2004, is originally from Florence, Kentucky. And after making photos of our facilities and learning that I serve as mayor of our small town, he related a story to me that I really found interesting.
Everyone who travels into northern Kentucky on Interstate Highway-75 is very familiar with the huge water tower along the highway in Florence with its now famous "Florence Y'all" sign that really draws attention. That sign's fame has spread far and wide and in fact, folks jokingly now refer to the town as Florence Y'all, Kentucky. But it almost didn't happen!
Several years ago, a shopping mall was constructed just behind the tower and the city wanted to help advertise the mall due to the folks that it would draw to the area and the additional revenue that it could produce for the town. So the city fathers instructed that "Florence Mall" be painted on the tower in an effort to draw folks - including potential shoppers - off the highway and into the area.
But "concerned citizens" bless 'em, pointed out that the city's sign was benefiting private business as well as the town, which of course was technically correct. And the issue was forced to the point that the city council decided to order the sign removed. But someone (and I believe that he said that it was a lady mayor) had the bright idea to just change the "M" in Mall to a "Y" and to add the required apostrophe (') which they eventually decided to do.
At first the "Florence Y'all" sign was the subject of much ridicule and a few still insisted that it be removed. But some city officials and citizens liked it and just as strongly insisted that it be left right where it was. And that was a very wise decision indeed! Today the sign has become so popular that it has even developed into somewhat of a landmark and tourist attraction. There have been numerous stories and photos published concerning the tower and sign, and publications distributed to publicize the town feature the tower on their covers. And it has been much more successful in drawing motorists to the mall than the original sign could have ever attracted!
(By the way, did you know that the plural form of "Y'all" is actually "All Y'all"?)
Our own version of Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment known as "Jellico Clean Up, Fix Up, Paint Up Week" is May 8th - 15th. And YES! We do want and expect our citizens to help to do that job for us. The only folks who can improve their own property are those who own it. The city crews cannot go on private property to do repairs. And regardless, our town will be what we ALL make of it - and most certainly including private citizens!
(And the time for placement of American Flags on the graves of our deceased veterans is nearing and I hope that everyone will contribute to that tradition of many, many years.)
Above all - stay positive!
E-mail me at: mayor@jellico.tn.us
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