July 3, 2002
The report of our June meeting of the city council by the LaFollette Press has unquestionably angered a lot of folks (and the newspaper article did not relate anything like everything that was said during the meeting. And I am glad that it did not print some the off-handed remarks that were made by some in the audience.)
Few times have I ever seen public opinion appear to shift as quickly on anything as it apparently has on the annexation issue. At the last meeting of the city council, only opponents of annexation seemed to be in the audience. And that gave the impression of almost total opposition to the prospects of incorporating additional areas into the city of Jellico. But that has proven to not be the situation at all.
I don't think that anyone would now argue that the majority of citizens of Jellico expressing an opinion do not favor annexing some, if not all, of the areas identified in the state plan as being eligible for incorporation - if city services can be provided to those areas within the required time.
Certainly not all living outside the city now agree that annexation should occur and it is an evident fact that some will never agree. But the pro-annexation sentiment is clearly gaining momentum and I understand that one citizen may be considering passing petitions in favor of annexation.
One citizen for whom I have great respect told me that he was "ashamed" of what happened at the meeting; that he regretted attending, and he left early so as to not be associated with what was taking place.
One lady said that if she had been at the meeting, that she would have had to arise to answer some of the "throwing off" on our town that has been good to our area citizens as well as good to the citizens of Jellico.
An individual has reportedly stated that announcements prior to the meeting made it appear to him that annexation was to be "sprung" that very night rather than following a state required process.
lity to provide services and at a reasonable cost to the city and to the users, an information sheet will be prepared by the council utilizing all of the accumulated data. That data will then be shared during a public meeting with certified property owners located in any area(s) proposed for annexation.
To illustrate all of the misinformation that is being spread, the Press reported that one in attendance arose to state that they city of Jellico is broke, heavily in debt, etc.. But most Jellico residents know that we are in great financial shape as of June 26th with adequate reserve funds in case of a major disaster. It is true that we are like everyone else in the fact that we face shortfalls in revenue for the upcoming year due to what was happening in the state legislature at the time this article was written. But that is true of Campbell County as well - and including areas where those folks presently reside. (And it is true of all other counties, towns and cities in Tennessee.)
I have been identified by some as the leader of the annexation movement. But the 1998 Tennessee State Legislature required development of Public Law 1101. I, and the other mayors of towns and cities throughout Tennessee, were charged with seeing that an "Urban Growth Boundary Report" was developed. And the chief executive officer of each county was appointed for counties under that law. It was further mandated that we cooperatively develop the plan by a specified date or face the loss of some funding. Our Jellico Plan was developed and published on August 31, 1999 by the Tennessee State Planning Office and our former city council voted to accept that plan. Councilmen Bill Barton, Jim Dobson, Alvin Evans, Jerry Neal, Lonnie Vann, and Charles Violet all voted in favor. (And I agreed with the approval although I was not even permitted to vote as mayor under the provisions of the city charter.) The large County-Wide Committee representing all of Campbell County recommended the plan and the Campbell County Commission approved the entire plan for Campbell County (with the Jellico, Lafollette, Jacksboro, Caryville, part of Lake City, etc. plans) on August 21, 2000. Those voting in favor of approval included two of our three Commissioners - Carl W. Baird and Forster Baird (Allen Douglas did not attend the meeting). The plan was then sent to Nashville where it was given final approval by the state of Tennessee.
But before any annexation can take place, availability of services need to be determined and a majority of our council must still vote in favor - and the mayor again will not be permitted to vote. So calling me in support or opposition will have absolutely no effect upon the eventual outcome. However everyone should feel free to contact me if they desire to do so. I will be glad to talk with them! (But I will support the council in whatever action it decides to take and feels is in the best interests of our town and our area.)
The question is asked -"Just what are some of the advantages provided in and by,
the city of Jellico?"
The city council is etermined that a similiar situation will never again develop during a future meeting such as happened during the June meeting. Annexation was not on the agenda or even slated for discussion. Yet the large crowd appeared and we decided to recognise a spokesperson out of courtesy. A spokesperson was identified and recognised but numerous individuals insisted upon speaking anyway. And we were very late in even getting to our city's business affairs that were listed on the agenda.
The council plans to place a podium near the council table for individual citizens who want to address the council during the period set aside for that purpose. And any groups will need to have a spokesperson. All others will be required to respect the speaker and the council by paying attention to what is being said. No outbursts will be tolerated and no one will be recognised after that time unless designated by one or more members of the council.(It has been suggested that we complete city business before recognising anyone).
We conduct our city's business in the open and we welcome visitors to the meetings. But they must conduct themselves in an orderly manner and all rules of order will be enforced in the future!
I did meet with officials of the Church of God Mountain Assembly concerning the old Camel Manufacturing/Imperial Cantrell factory buildings as I mentioned that I would. The CGMA is willing to give the city an option for a six months period to see if we can find a prospective industry interested in locating there.
The Church is interested in renting the building as a source of revenue and prefers to rent. (But I assume that the structure might could be purchased if the price is right. I am going to ask the members of council to go through the plant with me and then to discuss the options that are available to us).
The city council during it's last workshop discussed the need for a City of Jellico website that would carry all information (including photo's) pertaining to advantages of our town and area that might be of help to prospective industry looking for a place to relocate; facts about our school system; facilities for medical care; recreational and tourism offerings; this column and anything else of relevence dealing with Jellico, our immediate area and our local citizens. (It would be good to include the Imperial Cantrell building).
The cost of such a website would be nominal when we consider that well over 900,000 accesses have been made on all of the Jellico Netlink sites since 1996. Abd usage is still continuing to increase from all over this country and even in other countries. A web page for advertisement for our town would certainly appear to be a bargain - as well as anything that might help to attract businesses and jobs to Jellico!!!
A big Thank You to the Jellico Rescue Squad for getting the caboose painted. Now both the stage and caboose present a bright appearance and just in time for our 4th of July activities. Slowly but surely we are improving the the appearance of our downtown. But we still have some buildings badly in need of renovation and the planning commission and council are discussing what is to be done next to solve that problem as well. Property owners have the responsibility to keep up the buildings and city ordinances require that they be maintained. It is only good business - and favorable appearances increase their property values.
Schedule for our Fourth of July weekend celebration: Save for reference.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!!! ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!!
The community service conducted by the Jellico Ministerial Association was very enjoyable with some great singing. Jellico Methodist Church began their portion of the program by singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and it never fails to run the cold chills down my back. Like Handel's "Messiah", that song had to be devinely inspired. Julia Ward Howe after hearing Union soldiers singing "John Brown's Body" could not get the melody off her mind. One night she arose from her bed, grabbed a quill pen and paper and begun to write "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!" The rest is history.
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