The last six weeks has included a flurry of activity that bodes well for the future of Jellico.
I mentioned in earlier articles the prospects for two major developments in our general area: the proposed industrial development in southern Whitley County and the projected "Reserve on Jellico Mountain".
Those two projects stagger the imagination as to what could happen to our local area, if indeed, they do become a reality. The Jellico Mountain project is designed for only one side of Interstate-75 but other developers have pointed out that the requested interchange would allow for extensive development by other investors on the other side of that highway.
We recently granted the necessary permits for construction of a second Rocky Top Market that will include a Wendy's fast food restaurant (construction may already be underway). When those two businesses assume full operation, Rocky Top Corporation will employee over 100 workers from the Jellico area.
We also granted a permit for a fireworks store to be located near "Johnny's Trough". The request met all ordinance requirements as to permanent structure, required square footage, proper set-back, etc.
Fireworks sales have few employees but they do attract motorists from the interstate - thereby providing potential customers for other businesses. That is especially true during periods of summer holidays as well as New Year's Eve, etc., etc.
The move of "Jamie's Curtains and Decor" to our city owned building will bring an eventual estimated 25 or 30 jobs and paydays although the initial workforce will be smaller. And I have been in touch with several small businesses that have expressed at least some interest in opening in Jellico, E.G. computer sales and sporting goods.
The work that we are doing to improve the appearance of our downtown certainly is one of the main reasons for the increased interest. A resident of Williamsburg told me recently that he had never seen as much improvement in the appearance of a town in only one year as has been made in Jellico. But as I told him, we still have a long, long way to go.
We are still seeking an industry to locate in the vacant building at the Oswego Industrial Park. I have been in touch with building owner Mr. Bill Daugherty of Knoxville who is also actively searching for prospective industry for that site.
The garment industry is no longer a viable option and we are especially interested in attracting a machine shop/assembly line type operation.
I have written about our pages on the internet and they are excellent. And we know that they are being accessed by a lot of folks. The computer tabulation of "hits" (accesses) now numbers in the thousands. Hopefully one of those hits will interest some prospective employer.
And we welcome the help and advise of anyone who may know of any prospective employer(s). I recently quoted a Tennessee Valley Authority official who stated that "the best way to attract industry is for a community to just get up and do something". It will take all of us working together to accomplish the things we need for Jellico.
Some donations have come in since last week's appeal for funds needed to purchase flags for area graves of deceased veterans. But we still need much more!
Many of us have deceased veterans, E.G. fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, friends, etc., etc. buried in local cemeteries and I can think of no better way to remember their sacrifices than by placing an american flag on their graves every Memorial Day.
American Legion Post #29 and all area veterans and veterans organizations will sincerely appreciate all donations to our very worthy annual custom of placing the flags during the Memorial Day weekend.
Please send donations to SFC (ret.) David Begliutti, Post #29 Adjutant, c/o Jellico High School, 141 High School Lane, Jellico, Tennessee, 37762.
And while I am on the subject of cemeteries, I want to be sure to thank all of those involved with the Jellico Cemetery Association for the great job they do in keeping the cemetery mowed and looking good, collecting money, helping visitors to the cemetery, etc.
For many years the cemetery was neglected and it required a tremendous amount of non-paid labor to bring it back to its current condition.
I sincerely appreciate all of those volunteers who give up their time (including holidays) to do volunteer work for the cemetery association. And I know that the great majority of our citizens feel the way that I do!
The flags that we place on utility poles during holidays drew more compliments last summer than anything that we have ever tried to do downtown.
The flags will be placed this year for the following holidays:
Herman Heath recently made a great suggestion and area veterans have already followed through on that idea. Four service flags will be placed around the Veterans Monument (one on each corner of the base) for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy/Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force.
The flags have been ordered and may be in place by the time this article is published. That will create an impressive and beautiful sight. (we will need donations from veterans in helping to pay the cost of the flags.)
Any local sevior citizens who are not participating in our Senior Citizens Organization may not know what they are missing. The group is located at 289 Baker Street (two blocks from our main downtown traffic light).
The Senior Citizens Center has lunch available everyday Monday through Friday for the unbelievably low cost of $ 5.00 or $5.50 per month. (Eligibility starts at 60 years of age.)
A pot luck supper is available each Tuesday at 5:30 PM. Participants need only to bring a covered dish, potato chips, soft drinks or any contribution (and that is not a requirement of participation.)
The group takes interesting trips and excursions and will soon have a new bus available for transportation.
More information can be obtained by calling the center at 784-9041 or Mrs. Bessie Steely at 784-6003.
I hope that our senior citizens will take advantage of the services offered by the center.
This week I want to name and thank the members of the Street Department for the job they do with the limited resources that are available to them. One citizen recently called and requested work on the street where she lives and the work is badly needed. But to correct the problem as it needs to be done, would require the Street Department's budget for the entire year. And there are situations much like that one existing all over town.
Some of the department's equipment could stand replacing and other types of equipment are badly needed. Additionally the department has been short one man for some time. Only three people are responsible for such an enormous task of maintaining our streets plus many other vital jobs that often require their help.
I served as Street Commissioner during my twenty-two months on the Council. And it did not take me long to realize the magnitude of the demands made upon that department.
Jerome Smith has worked for the city for 17 years including the past seven with streets. Jerry Hyslope has worked for twelve years and Mike Johnson for the past four years.
I sincerely appreciate the job those guys do.
I had one reader to tell me that she greatly enjoys the historical notes pertaining to Jellico that I occasionally place in this column. So I will continue to periodically include them.
As Fred Brown, reporter for the Knoxville News-Sentinel states in his article each week, people pass right by histroical markers almost every day that include very interesting information to many of us.
For example, a marker on the Whitley County Court House lawn identifies "Aunt" Julia Markham as the only woman to earn a full Veterans pension as a fighter during the entire American Civil War. Markham survived the war and lived until the mid 1930's. She was in her 90's at the time of her death in Williamsburg.
Although no local marker identifies Lewis Baird of Elk Valley, he is known to students of the Civil War as the oldest prisoner of war during that entire conflict. Lewis was captured by Confederate troops when he was nearly eighty and sent to a POW camp in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis reportedly heard about Baird and his advanced age. Word was passed to Baird that if he would take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, he would be allowed to return home. However he steadfastly refused to even consider that action and he died in the POW encampment. He was buried in Salisbury.
Final Note:
I recently completed my first full year in office and I think it is time to give a progress report to our citizens (report card time). While I was running for the office of Mayor, I committed to work toward three goals:
We have been far more successful in reaching that objective than I ever thought possible. Many predicted increases to our users in the range of $ 50.00 monthly to accomplish what the states of Tennessee and Kentucky were demanding.
Through grants, loans and a lot of hard work, we were able to get the montly increase down to as low as $ 5.00 or so for some users. (Rates based upon usage). We have made great progress to date with plans, etc. for the new waste water treatment facility.
We have gotten a lot accomplished in that respect and more is currently taking place. There is still a tremendous amount to be done in getting the downtown back to where it should be. But we are making an effort and we are showing visible progress.
The new Library/Office of Tourism/Community Conference Room hopefully will help in attracting visitors to our town. Almost everyone now agrees that that building is a tremendous addition to our downtown and well worth the money that we have spent for its construction. Renovation of the old City Hall into a visitor center could also be a great help. We are currently taking cost estimates from several local builders prior to submitting an application for funds to restore that historic structure.
But again, I want to emphasize that it is crucial that we get our town completely restrored, renovated and revitalized as a signal to possible investors that we are willing, as a total community, to do what needs to be done.
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