June 23, 2006
JELLICO NEWS / MAYOR'S COLUMN
I don't think anyone who was there would dispute that this was our best Classic Car Show yet - in terms of both attendance and quality of the vehicles displayed. My sincere thanks to Jake Bennett, Jerome Smith, Larry Boles, Jill Boles, Alla Faye Rutherford and everyone who combined to make it such an outstanding success. And as they said, 'Just wait 'til next year!
I'll have to admit that my head may have been a little swollen with pride over the past few days. I earlier wrote that I had prepared a message of congratulations and appreciation to former Jellicoan Paul Hawkins, Sr. who retired on June 1st.. Hawkins who has a long and distinguished career in both the military and civil service was not only Chief of Fire and Emergency Services at our huge and extremely strategic Eglin Air Force Base, but he was the first Fire Protection Flight Chief to ever receive the civil service rank of GS -14 in the entire history of the Air Force Command.. That is truly an accomplishment and he was appropriately honored for his service..
Eglin Air Base is a huge complex approximately the size of the state of Rhode Island that is crucial to the defense of our country. But our small town of Jellico was recognized by the presiding dignitaries for producing an outstanding individual capable of performing such a tremendous task. In fact Paul was mentioned among several well known former Jellicoans including singer and actress Grace Moore, Dr. William McCall of Columbia University, nationally known sports writer Tom Siler and others And a challenge was issued to "the Mayor of Jellico John Clifton to add the name of Paul D. Hawkins, Sr. to the list of Jellico's prominent people." It goes without saying that we are proud of Paul's outstanding record of service..
And to emphasize the contrast between the size of our town and Eglin Air Base, an area representing Jellico was placed on a map of the base and passed to the audience and media and it resembled something like a single small bean placed on a large dinner plate. In fact the accompanying information given to all in attendance indicated that our entire town could easily fit comfortably between Eglin's runways of numbers 12 and 19..
My reason for taking great personal pride in such an outstanding ceremony - in addition to the accomplishments and recognition of Paul and our town - is the fact that letters of congratulations and appreciation poured in to him from numerous officials from all over the country. Some were read aloud during the ceremony including those from former President of the United States George Bush, President George W. Bush, Florida Governor Jeb Bush and mine as Mayor of Jellico on behalf of our citizens -and in that very sequence. That's some pretty tall cotton and had I known that my statement would have been read along with those from a President, a Former President and a Governor, I guess I would have been scared to death since I don't have speech writers available to me. But according to Skeez and proud sister Trula Hawkins Housley who were in attendance, my statement went over very well.
We are proud of the accomplishments of all our citizens and former citizens that bring credit upon Jellico. And all of the positive recognition and comments concerning Jellico during the ceremony honoring former Jellicoan Hawkins is just another plus for our town.
Numerous attempts that I have made in the past to improve our Interstate-75 Interchange have failed. So I have now drawn up a petition requesting the State of Tennessee to take action to improve the situation. The combined entrance/exit to and from the Interstate is hazardous as it is - and especially for traffic coming down the mountain. But the very poor lighting and the heavy vegetative growth greatly increase the danger and causes many motorists to pass by Jellico.
Copies of the petition are to be placed in several locations and locals, visitors, stopping motorists, etc. are requested to sign a copy requesting immediate action. Be sure to cite your current address with no post office box numbers.
Although we still have the state and county elections in August and our city of Jellico election is not scheduled until November 7th, we already have some outstanding candidates declaring their intention to run for seats on the City Council. Our soon to be new City Judge, Don Moses, recently called our present Council one of the most qualified Council's ever. And it's very good news that five of our incumbents who work well together and have done such a commendable job in promoting and improving our town, have already informed me personally that they will place their names on the ballot… ALVIN EVANS, JIM DOBSON, JOHN DAVENPORT, BOB DANIEL and ELSIE CRAWFORD will all make themselves available for further service. That's good news because they have been a winning combination!
And a new and equally highly qualified candidate has told me that he will definitely seek the sixth seat. MICHAEL JOHNSON who resides on Cumberland Avenue, also has some outstanding credentials to offer. Michael graduated from Fonde Christian Academy in 1999 with a 4.00 Grade Point Average based upon a 4.00 scale (all "A's").. Since that time he has spent seven years in the banking business working in Corbin, Kentucky and was recently recognized for his service to our entire area by being elected as the incoming President of the area Kiwanis Club.. He now wants to perform public service in his hometown and with his combination of youthful exuberance and experience, he would be a great addition to our Council.
Other qualified individuals have told me that they are also considering making the race as well. Overall it should be a very strong field of candidates for Council. And that's good!
The stage and caboose in Veterans Park have new paint jobs thanks to the volunteer work of some of our citizens after Tourism Director Jake Bennett called for help in getting them painted. Following a power washing by our volunteer Fire Department, Larry Boles, Jill Boles and Albert "Porky" Buck were quick to respond to his request, obtained paint and they performed that task on the stage. It looked great for our Car Show and the fresh red, white and blue colors will be most appropriate for our Fourth of July celebration - as well as brightening up the downtown..
And the caboose is no longer a faded color but now has a paint job that grabs our attention. The equally all volunteer Rescue Squad that does so much for our community and utilizes the caboose for concessions at our community events pitched in, power washed it and completed the paint job.. It too now helps to make things much brighter in that area.
Pride is contagious and there clearly is a growing pride in our town! And one senior citizen lady earlier strongly encouraged me to run for reelection with the statement, "Now that things are so looking up, please don't let it die!" We sure can't let that happen no matter who is elected!
The "Effusion and Friends Rock Band" will use the stage from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM this Friday evening, June 23rd as a benefit event for funeral expenses. (Joyce Ward, Newcomb)
Radio WJJT has informed us that the station will sponsor singing on Friday evening, June 30th starting at 6:00 PM..
Jake is working on scheduling other evenings and all individuals and/or groups wishing to use the stage should check with him at 784-3275 to insure that there is no conflict in the scheduling for its use. It would be good if we can have some type of activity there every Friday and Saturday night while we are having this great weather..
The Fourth of July is almost here and plans are being finalized for our annual celebration. Those who wish to set up displays, operate concession stands, have booths, etc. can begin claiming spots in Veterans Park starting at 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 2nd .. The lineup of outstanding gospel groups that now appear at our Fourth activities has continued to grow and we have gotten contacts from all over.. And Reverend Troy Cupp now has a complete schedule for the two days: Folks may want to save the schedule for future reference.
Monday, July 3rd
Derrick Brown has apparently worked out arrangements to have the especially equipped emergency vehicle currently stationed in Louisville, Kentucky here for the Fourth of July (and probably our Fall Fest in early October as well.) As I wrote last week, the vehicle is especially designed and quipped to deal with emergencies such as hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, etc.. It should really be an item of great interest to folks of all ages unless such a major emergency requires its deployment elsewhere during the Fourth and/or the Fest.
Another item of interest will be a "Bearz and Friends Workshop" to help raise money for a Jellico Hospital Mission Trip. The workshop will be open 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM both Monday and Tuesday. Everyone is invited to "Build a Bear" that will make a wonderful gift.. (We earlier had such a workshop at Boston Elementary School and both our students and our parents had a great time making the bears.) For more information contact Deana Barton at 784-1289 or 1265..
And Reverend Danny King, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, has informed us that the Jellico Ministerial Association plans to have a booth this year - possibly for the first time ever.
Like many hundreds of thousands of our fellow military veterans, I have received correspondence from the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs concerning the loss of our service records. There is no evidence as yet that any protected data has been misused but most would feel much better if the data can be recovered. However many veterans who may not have gotten the correspondence (due to the fact that the VA does not have current addresses for all veterans) and may be concerned, can call the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-333-4636.. And I am sure that Campbell County Veterans Service Officer Kevin Walden will be happy to pass and explain any information that he may have as well.. 423/562-3531..
E-mail me at: mayor@jellico.tn.us
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