Volume # 2, Edition # 10 May 1, 2002
May 1
These articles must be written well prior to the day of publication to allow the printer the time set them up, etc.. So I cannot keep everything taking place reported just as soon as it happens. But it is clear that our new city council does not care to work at the job. We have already had a special call meeting, two workshops and a special call meeting is planned for Tuesday night, April 30th. Others in all probability will be scheduled. Additionally some members serve on the Planning Commission, Utility Board, Tourism Commission, Beer Board, etc. and must attend those regular and special meetings.
The three key items of business at hand include our next fiscal budget, the problem with finding a new city judge and making any charter changes that the council desires including the stated intention by some of going back to the mayor/council form of government. All three issues require a series of meetings.
The question of what to do about filling the vacant position of city judge is a problem to which there seems to be no solution. We had hoped that we could raise the salary of the city judge and/or waive the requirement that he/she live within the city limits. But we have been notified by competent authority that neither of those proposals is legal and enactment of either might result in litigation for the city.
I try to acquaint everyone with all new businesses that open in Jellico. I have not always been successful in accomplishing that fact but I do want to mention some that have recently opened or have made major additions and/or improvements. (Any that I may have left out should let me know and I will cover in the next edition.)
EJ's SHOES, APPAREL & MORE was scheduled to open Monday, April 29th at 268 North Main Street (Old Central Drug Store building). At the time this article was written, I had not had an opportunity to meet and talk with the owner/operator. However their advertisements indicate that shoes by famous makers will be carried including Nike, Adidas, Reebok, New Balance, Converse and Jordans. The shoe line will include ladies and men's name brand dress shoes along with kids athletic shoes, boots and socks. Body jewelry and boutique clothing are also offered.
Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM 784-0501
MOVIE STATION/TOTAL FITNESS at 450 North Main Street is a bright new facility owned and managed by Steve Jarboe. Chad Heath serves as day manager. The latest movies can be rented and tanning beds are available. The facility's new fitness center has machines for every muscle group. Membership packages include special individual, married and family rates. (Rates range from $ 15.00 monthly for individuals in the family plan to $ 29.00 per individual not on a one year contract.) 784-7060
The center is open from 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM Mondays through Thursdays. Friday hours are 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM.. Open on Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
WHOLESALE SUPPLY GROUP, INC. has its corporate headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee and serves as distributors of plumbing, electrical and HVAC supplies. The firm has stores located through out Tennessee, and with outlets in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina.
Our new store is located in the old McComb Supply Company building at 343 North Main Street and is managed by John McCullah, a native of Campbell County. A tremendous inventory of products and brands are available ranging from Duracell batteries, to G.E. panels and controls, to complete lines of Kohler and Square D products (the list of available items is far too lengthy to even attempt to relate here.)
Hours of operation are 7:30 AM -5:00 PM Monday thru Friday. 8:00AM - 12:00 Noon on Saturday. Telephone 784-8441
JELLICO VIDEO, 224 North Main Street, has recently undergone major interior and exterior renovation (the rear entrance greatly improved the looks of the building facing Broad Street). Women's fitness and a family arcade are now offered. A snack bar is also presently being added. (It is my understanding that line dancing instruction may presently be offered - or will be offered - in the future.)
The arcade includes billiard tables, air hockey, video games and a jukebox. I recently shot a couple games of "pool" there with one of our local young people and shocked myself by actually winning one. (I wonder what ever happened to the old time "Pool Rooms" we used to have.) Hours are 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Mondays thru Saturdays. Open on Sunday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Telephone 784-3420
(An extremely interesting display is evident when you first enter the Jellico Video premises. Several shelves display the trophies won by Alla Faye Monday Rutherford in horshoe pitching competition. Alla Faye is a former Tennessee State Women's Horseshoe Pitching Champion and once threw 22 "ringers" in a row. I'm not sure that I have thrown a whole lot more ringers than that in my entire lifetime.)
In addition to those businesses already in place, I have had two inquiries (one from within the Jellico area and one from an out-of-town restaurant operator) concerning the prospects for opening a restaurant in our downtown. And hopefully one will open in the not so distant future.
Right now we need a restaurant that will provide breakfast and lunch. But I can forsee the day when an establishment can be successful serving dinner in a building with "old town" décor and atmosphere. But we still have some buildings in the downtown that badly need repair and renovation and we must get something done to those buildings before the latter can probably ever become a reality. Both the Planning Commission and the City Council have discussed the problem in recent meetings. Councilman Alvin Evans has pointed out to the Council that the city of Jellico is authorized to ask building owners to take corrective action within thirty (30) days following the written request. If the corrective action is not taken within that period, the city can then authorize the work to be done with the owner responsible for payment.
Several months ago, I wrote about a Fourth of July celebration in Jellico sometime in the early 1940's. We were already in World War II, fighting Germany, Japan and the other Axis powers and a big parade was held. Horses and wagons were still plentiful on our streets and were entered in the parade. (We still had a "stock jail" in the form of a corral located almost exactly where Creekmore IGA now stands.) Some drove what few automobiles that were available; others rode bicycles; and small kids even rode scooters and pulled their little red wagons. It was a patriotic red, white and blue extravaganza topped off late that night by a large fireworks display right over our main traffic light in the center of town.
But the thing that made that event stick out in my mind so strongly was the fact that German Nazi Dictator Adolf Hitler was hanged in effigy from a utility pole near the center of town. However I was very small and I remember riding on my father's shoulders so I could see what was going on and details have escaped me over the years.
Last week's Community Voice had a story about what happened to Hitler in Jellico and even included a photo of "Der Fuhrer". The article stated that the year was 1941 and that it occurred during a Labor Day celebration rather than the Fourth of July.
But I am glad to get confirmation on what I had written in that earlier article concerning the "hanging" of Hitler. Several had told me that they did not recall the incident nor had they ever even heard that story before. But the photo confirmed exactly what I recalled although I was wrong about the particular holiday when it took place.
I don't know for sure where they obtained the mannequin representing "Uncle Adolf" but I believe that it was made by some of our local ladies who really knew how to sew in those days. There was a distinct likeness to even include the small black mustache that was unique to Hitler.
(I sure hope that everyone continues to provide those old time photos for placing in the Community Voice. I sure love to look at them and I know that a lot of other folks do too!!!)
Sometimes you read something that has nothing to do with anything of importance but you just have to pass it on to others. According the Australian Bureau (that is equivalent to our Worker's Compensation Board), the following is an actual letter from an applicant for benefits in that country (taken from Internet).
"Dear Sir: I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the Accident Report Form. I put "poor planning" as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a six story building. When I completed my work, I found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were found to be slightly in excess of 500 pounds. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in Block ll of the Accident Report Form that I weigh 175 pounds.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel which was now proceeding down the side of the building at an equally impressive rate of speed. This explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collar bone, as listed in Section 3 of the Accident Report Form.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were buried two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of beginning to experience a great deal of pain.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 pounds as opposed to my earlier mentioned 175 pounds. As you can imagine, I then began a rapid descent down the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations of my legs and lower body.
Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked. Having to lay there helplessly on the pile of bricks, in pain and unable to move, I once more lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope. Although now empty but still weighing 50 pounds, the barrel began a rapid journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.
I hope this answers your inquiry. Respectfully, Steve_______".
AND WE SOMETIMES THINK THAT WE HAVE BAD DAYS!!!
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