We are now in an election year for the city of Jellico and the issues and manufactured issues can be expected to begin popping up on a regular basis. We have just had to deal with the controversy that developed over the alleged mistreatment of animals - although once the situation was thoroughly investigated, a somewhat different story came to light.. It was an unfortunate situation and some poor choices were made, But all those in the animal control business who examined the animals stated that they found absolutely no evidence of abuse of any kind upon the dogs in question which certainly was gratifying to the city of Jellico in view of all the bad publicity that we initially received.

And everyone is now aware of the vote on first reading to abolish the Jellico Utilities Board as proposed by some members of Council. That Board has served us well for something like the past seventy (70) years or so when the Jellico Electric System shut down its power plant on Dairy Avenue that runs along side present day Indian Mountain State Park and joined the Tennessee Valley Authority in order to receive lower cost electricity from that agency. The Utility Board was established as the legislative board for the new system following the changeover.

All such boards, commissions, councils, businesses, schools and even churches have disagreements and problems to arise over countless issues.. But the problems can -and usually are- worked out for the betterment of all.. And in my personal opinion, the same is true of the Jellico Utilities Board. I respect the opinions of the members of Council who do advocate a change but I personally do not favor abolishing or even restructuring that body although I will not have a vote and it can probably be legally accomplished if a specified procedure is followed:

According to correspondence from the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) legal section,
Without the benefit of reviewing the proposed ordinances and assuming (emphasis added) that there are no outstanding utility bonds, and further that there are not provisions in the city's TVA agreement prohibiting such abolishment, following is our response to the proposed abolishment of the present utility board and replacement with new members,

Based on "State ex rel. Patton v. Mayor of Lexington, 626 S. W.2d 5 (Tenn. 1981) MTAS has advised the city that it can abolish the board of public utilities created under the Municipal Electric Plant Law of 1935, returning control of the utility to the governing board of the municipality.

By taking such an action even if legal, the Council could open up a Pandora's box and then be unable to get the lid back on if things go wrong. As City Attorney Jeff Hall pointed out during our last meeting of the Council, if the Utilities Board should be abolished, the Council had most definitely better have a mechanism in place for administering the system.. And it's clear that that system would have to be operated by the City Council and no other body.

I was informed by a member of Council that the Tennessee Valley Authority has stated that our present Utility Board does not legally exist since some members may not have been sworn in to the office. But according o MTAS,

………..MTAS could not find where any oath of office for utility board members operating under the Act is required.

Some have said that they would like to abolish the present board and then reappoint a new board although it is hard to see any benefit that could come from such an action. Any new board would inevitably face problems just like the present and past boards. Problems just come with the job responsibilities. But more importantly, it would in all probability be illegal and would almost certainly face legal challenges. According to the same TML correspondence:

………The city can abolish the present utility board returning control of the utility to the governing board of the city. If the city abolishes the board for the purpose of replacing the present members, such action in our opinion would be illegal, and the present utility board would remain.. There are two ways to abolish the utility board. One is as outlined above for the purpose of returning control of the utility to the governing board of the city. The other way is to bring charges against the existing utility board members, show cause why they should be removed, conduct a public hearing before the city council, and vote to remove them. As you may imagine, the city may be challenged in a court of law as to the validity of the causes shown.

I have had numerous folks to discuss with me the recent meeting of the City Council and the accompanying stories in the media pertaining to the proposed abolishment of the board and a few have expressed their support.. But by far and away the majority of citizens that have talked to me have been strongly opposed to making any changes whatsoever with the board's organization..

If there really is a basis for wanting to abolish the board and placing our utilities in the hands of the City Council, why not place it on the ballot as a referendum for the upcoming city election? I do not know how many members of the Council favor making the change but in any case, why not wait until election time and allow our citizens to make that choice? There is no reason to rush to judgment and the election will be held in very early November.

Short of placing it on the ballot for a referendum, I would certainly advocate calling for public hearings on the matter before any changes are made. Since it is an issue of such importance, our citizens all need the opportunity to express their views.. If the majority of our folks are in favor, then abolish the board. It is an issue that will affect our town for many years to come and needs maximum citizen involvement and input.. And with the improvements and development going on at the present time, we certainly do not need any additional turmoil.

I have been asked over and over again why Channel-10 has been removed from the list of channel selections on our local cable TV.. I have inquired as to the reason - as many subscribers have done since Channel -10 is the favorite of many Jellico viewers and they greatly miss not having it available to them.

But as I understand what has happened, Channel-10 has added a charge for that channel and should the cable company agree to the charge, the possibility exists that the other 30 broadcasters with which the cable company cooperates might take that same action and apply similar charges - which could greatly increase the monthly total cable bill.. According to the owner, that is why the action was taken to remove Channel-10 from the available channels.

But he states that he is still negotiating with Channel-10 in an attempt to come to some type of agreement which might eventually allow him to resume carrying that channel on cable.

Our very un-winter like weather continues but I have not heard many complaining about the lack of snow and ice. But as I have written several times previously, an awful lot of folks would like to see at least one significant snowfall just so that we can fully realize that we are in the winter season.

Regardless of what that fancy eastern groundhog decides on Thursday (and the forecast calls for a mixture of sun and clouds which means he may or may not see his shadow), several types of spring flowers are starting to "poke" their heads above ground and several species of trees look as if they could bud at any time. (I even have a small Dogwood that has very tiny specs of green already visible and I won't be surprised if it doesn't soon have small leaves if the weather stays as warm as it has. But Jack Frost is still moving about and he may yet nip everything in the bud.)

And speaking of Dogwoods, city employee Jerry Hyslope working after hours, has trimmed the Dogwoods on our sidewalks to remove limbs that extend out onto the street… With another year or two of growth they should be subject to much more extensive trimming.

Another sign of spring is the work that is being done around Jellico at the present time. I notice that Steve Zecchini is having some work done to the front of that building. If he continues to make improvements, the appearance of that building will be changed from one of our most run down appearing structures to one of our most improved structural appearances.

I have not talked with John Baird concerning his plans for the old service station property on Fifth Street other than his comment that he is sure "stirring up the ground". And about the same report comes from John Davenport and the excavation being performed also on Fifth Street.

Work is progressing on the Tabernacle and it sure presents an impressive sight. As I wrote earlier, the Tabernacle is going to be one of the nicest churches/auditoriums anywhere in our area and a lot of us can't wait to see the finished product.. (As I also reported earlier, it is expected to be completed in time for the Jellico High School graduation - if not before that time.)

I have not been in the new studio being prepared for Radio Station WJJT that is attached to the Tabernacle Annex. But I am told that it is going to be a very appealing and technologically up to date facility and I am anxious to see it upon completion as well.

As I continue to emphasize, this will be our last year in office for the mayor and council prior to the city election in early November and here's hoping that we get an awful lot done to our town prior to that time. And everyone is reminded of our special "Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up Week" scheduled for April 29th - May 6th.. Some years that activity has had very good involvement and I remember my first summer in office when neighborhoods organized to pick up litter and clear vacant lots, etc.. In fact one Saturday I saw work and/or painting being done on four (4) different buildings. That is the kind of participation that we need once again and I hope that everyone will make plans to get involved this year. It's still three (3) months away but it's never to early to start planning for the event..

I recently received an e-mail from Kerry Pardue who writes:
Johnny….Not sure if you will remember me , we first met at Fort Lee, Virginia. Both of our units were training there several years ago. At that time you told me that you had known my family, the Singletons and the Faulkners……… I moved back to Arizona and since have retired…

Recently visited my aunt Willie Mae Faulkner Begluitti and uncle Joe Begluitti Clinton.

I certainly do remember you Kerry and I still remember your family including your aunt Willie Mae and uncle Joe who now live in Clinton and who used to never miss the annual Jellico High School Homecoming. (We sure have a lot of former Jellicoans who now live in Clinton and Oak Ridge.) But some of your folks still live in Jellico and ironically, the day that I received your e-mail, one of your relatives officiated a basketball game for the elementary school where I serve as principal.

As you recall, we had several Jellico and Jellico area residents serving in the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment at that time at Fort Lee and I am sure that they will all be interested in hearing from you.. And I will be looking for your book, "Reflections of a Combat Medic", based upon your experiences in Vietnam.. It should sure make interesting reading! And thanks for your service during that conflict.

E-mail me at: mayor@jellico.tn.us

Go back to the Mayor's Page .

Visit the Archives of the Mayor's Column .

Visit the City of Jellico's Web Site at: www.jellico.tn.us