For the benefit of locals (and out-of-towners) who read this column who might be interested in the upcoming summer and fall elections, the following information is furnished:…………….
Current Campbell County Board of Education member Delbert "Bo" Buckner will be unopposed in his bid for reelection to the Board...
Forster Baird, Carl W. Baird and Terry Singley will run for reelection to the Campbell County Commission but are expected to face some very stiff opposition from Clarence "Bass" Bolton, Stan Marlow, Herbert Hackler and James "Jimmy" Evans in what may turn out to be one of the hottest races for that office around here in several years.
Three candidates will be on the ballot for fifth district Constable including long time incumbent Paul Webb who will be challenged by Charles Marples and Lewis "Bo" King..
Don Moses will run unopposed for the office of Jellico City Judge..
Qualifying for the Jellico offices of Mayor and members of Council in the November election will take place between the dates May 26th and August 24th (noon). As I announced earlier, I plan to again seek the office of Mayor in the election of November 7th and there is a strong possibility that most if not all current members of Council will place their names on the ballot for reelection as well.
Additionally two men who have never before sought any public office, have stated that they are seriously considering making the race for Council.. And a very capable lady says that she sees progress being made and that there is a good possibility that she will seek a seat on the Council for the first time as well. If all do follow through and qualify, it is entirely possible that we could have the largest slate of candidates for Council that we have had in quite some time..
Now that former Director of Utilities John Leach has retired from that position effective with the April monthly meeting of the Utilities Board, it is time for the Board to quickly begin the search for the new director and as I wrote in my article of February 6th of this year, the vacancy needs to be posted along with qualifications that should - in my humble opinion - include:
Some have said that we cannot possibly obtain anyone who meets all of those qualifications for the director's current salary. But an individual from out of town was mentioned to me almost immediately following Leach's retirement. According to the person making the referral, the subject individual possesses those qualifications and might possibly be interested in the position. I of course told him to watch for the posting and if that individual is both qualified and interested, to have him file an application with the Utilities Board whose responsibility it is to screen the applications and to do the hiring in keeping with the required credentials.
Utilities Board Attorney Terry Basista also mentioned during the meeting of the Board that the Tennessee Valley Authority may have a list of several prospective applicants. And applications can possibly be expected from within the system and from several differing sources.. Ideally all will be considered and the most highly qualified person hired for the position.
Basista and others also cited the need for a personnel policy handbook for the Utilities Department - although one of some type or another apparently is in existence. However from all accounts, few have seen the handbook and those that have say that it badly needs reviewing, updating and made much more comprehensive in its scope.
I talked with Rarity Mountain developer Mike Ross last Friday and he inquired as to who would now be administering the department, I informed him that the Utilities Board would do so until the new Utilities Director is hired. He stated that he would need to work with the engineer and the Board - probably in the next thirty days or so. Overall he said the development is progressing satisfactorily with a lot of work going on - especially toward tying the interchange into Interstate-75.. And he indicated his desire to work in close cooperation with Jellico..
The downtown dogwoods began blooming just in time for our Easter weekend and I have heard compliment after compliment concerning their beauty.. And I talked with some who say that they drove London Avenue/Black Oak Road just to look at the young dogwoods and redbuds that were planted along that route by Indian Mountain State Park.. One of these days after those trees have been around a few years, we may have our own mini version of the "dogwood trails".. (And have you driven up Cumberland Avenue in the past two or three days?)
There was plenty of activity in Jellico over the Easter weekend although it was different not having the passion play this year at the Church of God, Mountain Assembly.. But I understand that it will probably be revived in the future and once the church has made the move to the beautifully renovated Tabernacle. The Tabernacle will have great lighting, acoustics, temperature control, etc. and the new seating will provide great comfort to those in attendance at such activities. (At last reports, the Tabernacle is expected to be ready for the JHS graduation 2006.)
Last Saturday morning's "Resurrection Breakfast" in the Community Conference Room had a very good turnout. Those in attendance at what is now an annual affair, came from all over the county and some possibly from outside the county.
The Health Walk at the Park as predicted had an increased number of entries this year (151) who made the trip around the mile long trail. The aim is for 200 participants next spring.
The turnout for the Easter Egg Hunt was something to see also and I talked with one lady who brought her children all the way from Lafollette to participate. And both northern Campbell County and southern Whitley County children were well represented and joined in the fun.
We had possibly the largest number of participants ever for our "ole timers" baseball game that afternoon and I was asked to thank our city workers for the great condition in which they had prepared the playing field. The infield was in superb shape with all markings in place.
I also met with WJJT radio station manager Marvin Douglas also on Saturday and he gave me the news that he hopes to have the "new" station on the air shortly.. An "official" grand opening will be conducted within the next few days and the public invited..
Sunday morning's "Community Sunrise Service" reportedly filled St. Boniface Catholic Church to near capacity. And there were special services and egg hunts all over the community.
I love to write about the successes of our young folks and I want to be sure to congratulate the Jellico Elementary School 4-H team that won the Campbell County "Clover Bowl" (academic competition). The team reportedly won all of its matches against clubs from other schools in the county by good margins. They will now enter the regional competition to be held at the University of Tennessee on May 16th and are expected to do very well in that competition also.
The JES 4-H team is made up of DALTON LEMARR and DEVON HARMAN from Mrs. Jenny Clifton's fourth grade homeroom and ZACH SWAFFORD and QUINITA CHAUDRY from Mrs. Jana Byrge's fourth grade homeroom.
Good luck to them in the regional competition at UT and here's hoping they qualify for the Tennessee state competition in Nashville.
Congratulations to our Jellico High School graduates in the class of 2006 with special congratulations to the top five academic honors recipients:
In addition to posting outstanding academic credentials, all five have been very active in extra- curricular leadership activities that will also serve them well in their future endeavors.
(I am especially interested in the fact that Ayers serves as Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Battalion Commander. During the years that I was principal at Jellico High, I worked with then Superintendent of Schools Arlis Chapman, a veteran of the US Marine Corps, the Board of Education and U.S. Army officials at Fort Knox, Kentucky to obtain that program for J.H.S.. Regardless of whether enrolled students in JROTC ever even remotely entertain the idea of entering military service following graduation, it teaches them survival skills and self reliance activities not offered in any other area of the curriculum.. And seeing them immaculate in their uniforms and performing with precision at our community activities never fails to make my chest swell with pride!)
E-mail me at: mayor@jellico.tn.us
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