Last week's column has sure sparked a lot of interest on the part of our citizens as well as citizens and officials in other areas including Whitley County. I have had several requests for copies of my article from some who did not obtain a copy.
I want to point out again (as I did last week) that nothing is definite concerning either project. But they both look very promising at this time.
In another development, Jamie Dugger of "Jamie's Curtains and Decor" is scheduled to make a proposal to the City Council during Thrusday night's regular meeting. Ms. Dugger is expected to request the use of our city owned building (old Chevrolet dealership/Jellico Apparel).
That firm presently has a work force of 27 employees of which 6 or 7 would remain at the Kentucky facility with the others moving into our building. Dugger says that she hopes to quickly add 6 or 7 jobs to the Jellico workforce and that she also expects to continue to expand in the future.
I have placed a memo in each Council member's mailbox recommending approval of her request. I also recommended initially granting her very liberal terms for rental including deducting the cost of repairs (interior renovations and exterior painting, etc.)
My reasons for making that recommendation include the fact that she has been in business for 17 years and has a very stable market; we need those jobs and paydays; we do not need that building sitting empty; the building is beginning to show the effects of years without painting and/or renovation; and the workforce will provide potential customers for downtown businesses - helping with our drive to revitalize the downtown.
We have definitely scheduled our "Open House" for the new city building for Memorial Day (1:00PM - 4:00 PM) when we may have numerous visitors in town.
Many of our local citizens have also delayed visiting the facility until we have the official opening.
The Campbell County Commission recently voted unanimously to honor Jellico area school bus driver Pat Lynch Parrott. A resolution dated April 19th and signed by Tommy C. Stiner, County Executive, cited Parrott for her thirty-two (32) years of dedicated service to the children, schools and communities of Campbell County.
Some of the Commissioners want to present the resolution during an appropriate ceremony and have suggested our open house as a possibility for the presentation.
I have received numerous inquiries concerning the much discussed problem with the "year 2000" (Y2K).
Mrs. Betty Hurst, City Recorder, has been working to prevent any problem from developing with the arrival of the new year. According to Mrs. Hurst, our equipment is outdated and will not run the new programs that will be required. She is in the process of taking bids for the required new hardware and software that will be necessary for the conversion.
Once the bids are received and the Council takes action to fund the purchases, city files, accounts, etc. will then be downloaded and she expects no major problems (if those actions are accomplished on time.)
Jenny Bowlin, Accountant and Computer Coordinator for the Jellico Electric and Water System, says that the Utilities has now successfully completed 70 percent or more of the required conversions in that department. She projects to be 100 percent completed within the next month or two. And she expects no major problems.
Police Chief Ned Smiddy says that we presently have a problem with our main traffic signal(s) in the center of town. A wire that controls the computer was cut into two sections by the constant wear and tear of traffic. (Automatic relays that could speed the flow of traffic if repaired. However there is no adverse affect upon the safety of pedestrians/vehicles in any way since the timing of "walk/don't walk" lights was recently extended to allow for sufficient time for pedestrians to cross the street).
He is presently acquiring estimates on the cost of repairs to the computer wire connecting the computer with that signal. He sees no problems with Y2K.
The traffic light at Hardees has been checked and certified as ready to go. The light on South Main Street/Florence Avenue works off a different system as does the light at North Main Street (Post Office). There can be no probleem with Y2K with either of those two traffic signals. (We do need permanent crosswalks at several locations and City Administrator Mike Jones is working to gather information concerning costs of having them placed. The State of Tennessee holds municipalities responsible for placing all required crosswalks.)
Laura Marples, Deputy Court Clerk, says that the hardware containing police files has been checked and certified as adequate but new software will be required for downloading.
I plan to name and thank the workers in one city department each week. This week I have chosen the personnel in the sanitation department.
If anyone doubts the difficulty of that job, just talk to City Administrator, Mr. Mike Jones. he recently spent a day with the crew working the garbage collection truck in order to become more familiar with the day-to-day operation of that department. By the time the day was finished, he had absolutely no doubts that the workers earn their money many times over.
Senior member of the department with over 4 years service is Jerry Lynch. Leroy Ruiz has worked in that capacity for over 2 years and Bo Bo Buckner has been there for 1 and 1/2 years.
Almost everyone who has studied American History in school knows that one of the most important events during the Civil War involved General Robert E. Lee's invasion of the north though Maryland and into Pennsylvania. That invasion of the north (Eastern Theatre) was ended at Gettysburg by the largest battle ever fought on the North American Continent.
But few, other than students of the Civil War, are aware that a second invasion of the north on a much smaller scale (Western Theatre) was launched by Confederate General Kirby Smith. Much of that southern force that invaded Kentucky came through what is now Jellico.
Smith hoped to capture the Kentucky cities of Lexington and the state capital at Frankfort and he was successful on both counts. However he never gained the support from the people of Kentucky and surrounding states that he had expected and he was eventually forced to withdrawl from that state.
Smith's troops were stationed at Cumberland Gap prior to the start of the movement northward. They left the Gap at daybreak on August 13, 1862. Coming through Powell Valley, Smith sent detachments through Rogers Gap but brought the main force through Big Creek Gap (now LaFollette). Turning the force northward at that point, he followed trails and wagon roads besides creeks and river beds where possible and eventually reached the vicinity of present day Highcliff.
Cavalry and some picketts (infantry) probably forded the river somewhere in that area but the main body of troops apparently continued on the wagon road due to the large number of heavily loaded wagons in the train. (The total force consisted of something like 5,000 soldiers, numerous supply wagons including an extra 50 or so loaded with rifles and ammunition with which to arm the expected conscripts from Kentucky, heavy horse-drawn guns, several hundred horses and mules, camp followers, officer servants, etc.)
The troops probably traveled on a wagon road (now Kentucky Street) late in the day on August 15th but that date cannot be confirmed. (Smith reached Barbourville in time for a battle on August 18th).
August is generally very dry and one can only imagine the dust, noise and smell as the units of soldiers, camp followers, horses and mules all passed along present day Kentucky Street.
No one knows for certain how long it took for Smith and his army to pass through present day Jellico but it must have required at least an hour and probably much longer. And the reaction of the handfull of residents in this area at that time would have been something to witness since most were still staunchly loyal to the Union.
The Tennessee Historical Commission was genuinely surprised when I informed that agency that no historical marker now exists in our area that cites Smith's invasion of Kentucky. A marker had been placed many years ago on the present Hardee's property but no one seems to know of its present whereabouts.
Another marker along Smith's original route at Morley has also disappeared within the last two or three years - either due to an automotive accident, vandalism or theft.
The Historical Commission is having a replacement plaque prepared and erected (free of charge to the city of Jellico) due to the great historical significance of Smith's invasion of Kentucky. I am to select the site and I will probably choose a location on North Main Street somewhere between the post office and the Kentucky line where Smith first passed into Kentucky. It should be very visible there and will hopefully be another item of interest to visitors to our town - especially those interested in the Civil War.
Note: North Main Street was reportedly a swampy cornfield in 1862 and that area remained so until sometime around 1905-1909 when extensive filling was accomplished - bringing the level up an estimated twelve feet or more in some areas.
The Jellico area, and especially American Legion Post #29, will soon lose a valuable member. SFC (ret.) David Begluitti, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) army instructor at Jellico High School and post #29 adjutant, has informed me that he is considering moving to another area.
SFC Begluitti has worked tirelessly in numerous school and community projects (placing of flags on graves of deceased veterans during Memorial Day weekend; Christmas in the Park; providing color guards for numerous events including military funerals for deceased veterans; and numerous other voluntary services too numerous to list.) He will be hard to replace, if indeed, we can find anyone at all to fill all of those roles.
SFC Begluitti and the other members of post #29 have not had available time to collect donations this year toward the purchase of American flags for the approximately 550 military graves in the immediate area.
We must have donations if we are to keep the tradition alive that was stared approximately 70 years ago by Mr. Clarence Lay of Newcomb and carried on for many years by Mr. Frank Zecchini of Newcomb and Jellico.
Please send any donations as quickly as possible to SFC David Begluitti, c/o Jellico High School, 141 High School Lane, Jellico, 37762. We need the donations as soon as possible in order to receive the flags in time for placement in the cemeteries.
Those desiring to get on the internet with access to this column (and much more information about Jellico and the Jellico area) can do so by calling Interstate 2000, (784-2000 locally and 1-800-895-5593 outside the local area.) Rates are $14.95 and up.
To again clarify site locations:
Note: Site locations should be entered exactly as listed to insure access. (some sites have links for additional information).
Final Note:
I have stated several times in past columns that I try to be a step ahead where possible.
I have been encouraging everyone to plant flowering trees all over town since I assumed office in April, 1998. Several have followed through with the planting and more say they plan to do so in the future.
I recently received correspondence from the East Tennessee Development District (ETDD) that the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division, has grant funds available for FY 99. The Forestry Service will accept proposals from local governments for tree planting projects.
According to Mitch Loomis (ETDD), we are eligible to apply for up to $5,000.00 for the continuation and expansion of our tree planting project. I have asked Mitch to place Jellico on the list of applicants and to request the maximum amount available. We can't have too many trees - especially those that bloom so beautifully in the spring.
Every town that receives a "tree grant" will be required to establish a "tree board" to oversee the expenditure of the funds and to decide what direction the project will take. Any city of Jellico resident that might want to serve on the board should call the municipal building and leave their name(s). 784-6351
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