An Open Letter To The Citizens Of Jellico
Sponsors of the proposed special recall election report that public opinion now appears to be swinging very heavily in favor of the recall. Some citizens who earlier were reluctant to attach their signatures are calling for an opportunity to sign petitions.
According to the sponsors, the rejection by the city council of the citizens' request for continued use of the stage in Veterans Park Annex led to the start of the recall movement. But the recent actions of the council have also upset a large number of people. Supporters believe that the filling of the vacancy on the council; the "special call" meeting; the hiring of a city administrator; the resignation of Mrs. Betty Hurst as city recorder; and even the "Letter to All Citizens" have all served to add momentum to the drive for signatures of citizens qualified to vote in Jellico city elections. (Ironically they are convinced that some signers of the "Letter to All Citizens" will actually now vote in favor of recall due to the above cited actions of the council.) I earlier reported that one business owner was able to have his name removed from the list prior to publication of the letter and I was informed that others attempted to do so but were too late with their request.
A few petitions were still out but one of the organizers has informed me that the group projects to file petitions this week with the Campbell County Election Commission bearing 300 to 325 signatures. A very high 234 signatures (40% of the votes received by the candidate who received the highest number of votes in the last city election) is required as a minimum for inclusion on the ballot. Most city charters require a much lower percentage including some that ask for only ten percent. But petitioners have recently had little trouble in gaining signatures well in excess of the Jellico charter minimum. They also say that they have a fairly lengthy list of potential signers who had stated their willingness to sign if required to do so to insure that the minimum total of 34 would be achieved.
According to that individual, the group was initially totally unaware as to the best method for collecting signatures. (In fact she said that the group at one time had difficulty in obtaining one-half the required signatures). They originally prepared far too few copies of the petitions because there did not appear to be a great amount of public interest in a recall at that time.
However the number of petitions was eventually increased to meet the demand as was the number of petition bearers. She now believes that with a little more time, that at least 400 signatures would be possible. She also believes that with a little more time, that at least 400 signatures would be possible. She also believes that if the drive were starting now and running for the next 30 days that 500 signatures would not be entirely out of the realm of possibility - judging by the recent swing in the expressed attitude of our citizens toward the proposed recall.
But she says that the most surprising development has been the response of citizens approached as potential signers who would not sign. Many were reluctant to sign the petitions for a number of reasons. But the petition bearers report that an extremely high percentage of those who declined to sign have indicated their strong support for the recall and plan to vote "yes" on August 4th. It is their belief that if the election were held at the present time that the required 67% would be obtained.
Following approval of the recall, the group will begin "gearing up" for the summer campaign and plan an intense effort including door-to-door coverage of the entire town. A second list of non-registered citizens expressing a desire to vote in favor of the recall was also compiled and a registration drive will be conducted to insure their eligibility to vote on August 4th.
And Jellico is certainly not the only town considering recall action. As I mentioned several weeks ago, the Knoxville News-Sentinel has reported that Oliver Springs will vote on August 4th for the possible recall of three individuals serving on that town's board of aldermen. A town in middle or west Tennessee is reportedly considering recall action as well. And there are numerous recall elections held every year in all parts of the country.
Now there could be some irate citizens in the city of Clinton according to the News-Sentinel of Sunday, May 21st. The town's council has voted 7-0 to pay $85,000.00 for the "buyout" of the financial contract of the city administrator. The action was taken after a closed door meeting of the council with the city attorney. (Such secret meetings are permitted only when governments are discussing legal meetings.)
The council members refused to discuss the secret meeting or comment about their decision.
I reported last week on the tremendous effort being made by SEMACO to establish a permanent and steady presence in Jellico. I also announced that more jobs were expected to become available shortly and I was asked this week to announce that the firm now has immediate openings for experienced industrial sewing machine operators. Long term government contract work is available with a benefit package including day shift jobs only; 4 1/2 days work week; sick and vacation time; dental, life and medical insurance; and 401K matching fund retirement. Apply in person Monday through Thursday at SEMACO on Creekmore/Housley Drive in the Oswego Industrial Park.
It sure looked great to see the flags back on the graves of deceased veterans over the Memorial Day weekend. That is a great tradition that I hope never dies. The number of flags required each year is increasing at a faster than normal rate as we lose more and more of our World War II, Korean and other veterans each year. Over 1,000 flags were purchased this year and placed in thirty (30) cemeteries. The involved veterans and others assisting with the project report that one cemetary was found at Oswego that was previously unknown to them. (There are probably many others in such areas as Proctor, Wooldridge, etc.).
The veterans say that some graves may have been inadvertently missed and that some flags may have even been taken from the graves. But additional and replacement flags are available by calling 784-2656 or 784-9313.
The flags are a symbol that we still do remember and do appreciate the sacrifices made by every deceased veteran who has ever served in our country's armed forces.
I do not have a complete list of all those involved this year in the drive to raise the funds, purchase the flags, place them in the cemeteries, etc. Some of whom I am aware include Gary "Boo" Leach, James "Sarge" Collins, Bobby Loudin, Ed Leach, and Herman Heath. But my sincere thanks to every other individual, group and organization that helped in any way. It was a job well done!!!
I am sure that everyone has noticed by now that some of the young Dogwood trees in the downtown have started wilting and dying. We earlier replaced three that may have failed to survive the winter. But since that time at least three and possibly four of our healthiest trees have died or are dying.
I have asked a horticulturist to do an examination of the affected trees and to take samples of the surrounding soil for analysis by the agriculture extension agent. But there is no sign of Dogwood "blight" and I have been told that the blight generally strikes non-nursery stock and then only in damp areas where there is limited sunlight. Ours are fully exposed to the sun throughout most of the day and are not likely to succumb to that disease. No other logical reason is evident for their dying except the possibility of the recent drought that has just ended. The soil analysis should reveal the presence of any substance in the soil which could be affecting their survival and growth.
But those who love the Dogwoods need not worry. One businessman who also loves them has agreed to replace all that die and as long as need be to insure that they are there every spring. A second merchant has offered to provide enough trees to plant them from the post office on down North Main Street in the direction of the state line.
We will begin the replacements and the new plantings at the appropriate time.
City attorney Jeff Hall will be working to draw up details dealing with the disposition of the building on South Main Street as soon as specifications are established. It is my understanding that the council prefers to sell the structure through public auction or sealed bids rather than renting or leasing. I will be glad to see something taking place at that location and I have suggested placing the stipulation within the terms of sale or lease to require renovation of the building within a specified time, i.e. six months to one year.
I have not given up on my hopes and plans to see our downtown completely renovated and revitalized although some of my plans have had to be placed on hold for the time being.
The internet has a lot of negatives but overall it is an extremely beneficial medium that has tremendous positive potential. Several of our citizens are using it at the present time to express their opinions of what is presently taking place in our town.
Numerous teachers and students in the Whitley County School System tell me that they now regularly call up this column each week - especially those living in the Williamsburg area and the "southern end" of the county. I am very glad that they do since to many of them, Jellico is "town" and they often purchase items here and contribute to our local economy. It is good that they are interested in what is taking place.
I received some very favorable feedback when an American History class at Whitley County High School used my article of a few weeks ago dealing with the Vietnam War. It was utilized as reference material while the class was studying that tumultuous period in our nation's history. And one student informed me that the list of those killed in that conflict from the Jellico area has led him to attempt to learn the identity of those from his own area who gave their lives in Vietnam.
There could be no greater compliment for this column.
FINAL NOTE:
But Interstate 2000, our local Internet server, has finally succeeded in totally ruining my on-line concentration. They have added a great rendition of "Rocky Top" to the site containing this column (www.jellico.com/jellico/jellico.htm). I now find myself calling up that site every time that I can get a chance and just letting the music continue to play.
Last week I was serving as principal at a school in Whitley County. I got the school day off to a "good" start by calling up that site and letting everyone enjoy the "Big Orange" fight song (right in the middle of all those Kentucky Wildcat fans). I could not think of a better tune to liven up a Monday morning away up there in "Big Blue" country.
But some of the teachers got even with me later that day by coming to the office and singing "My Old Kentucky Home" to me. Even as a Vol fan, I have always loved that beautiful classic song and I surprised them by joining right in and singing with them. But for some totally unexplained reason, they all stopped when I started. Surely it wasn't my voice. (Marjorie Johnson must have warned them).
View the Archives of this column.