We received some very good news from the office of Mr. Jerry Ammonette, Office of USDA Rural Development, concerning our previously approved grant from that office for $500,000.00 to be applied to our waste water treatment facility -- although there are conditions attached.
We were in serious danger of losing that grant since we have had so much difficulty in obtaining approval of the final draft of the plans for a treatment facility. There was a real possibilitiy that the funds would be transferred to another town for a similar purpose.
But I received a letter from the office of Mr. Roger Lemasters, Manager of the Municipal Facilities Division, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, dated July 19th granting approval of the final design report. Howevr exception was made relative to the report's implementation schedule relative to the phase II Sewer Rehabilitation Projects. That letter enabled us to receive a last minute reprieve and prevented our losing the grant for the immediate future. Mr. Ammonette reserved the funds for Jellico following the approval!
But to continue to retain the grant still requires us to work out details for a much more aggressive plan to correct the acute problem with inflow of surface water into our aging sewer system. And that will be expensive and we may still face significant increases if additional grant funds cannot be located.
Many towns are now having to do expensive construction to meet waste water treatment guidelines. But none have a problem that affects two states as we do and that is why we will be required to completely meet all regulations and guidelines.
I announced last week that Walmart of Williamsburg will make a $1,500.00 grant to our Rescue Squad to do work on the caboose in Veterans Park. Following that article, I received a call from Mr. Mike Smith of LaFollette Walmart that that store would also contribute some outdoor furniture for use by the squad.
Mr. Smith lives in Jellico and is interested in the things we are trying to do downtown. We certainly appreciate his help and the help of LaFollette Walmart.
The Community Health and Development Team is exploring the idea of purchasing "banners" to place in the flag holders on the utility poles that hold our American flags during holiday weekends. The banners would be seasonal in nature and should add a good deal of color.
We appreciate the help of Mr. Smith, Walmart, the CHDT and the numerous individuals, firms and organizations that have helped with our downtown renovation and revitalization project. The number of participants just continues to grow and we do sincerely appreciate all of the help that we receive with our goal to improve the downtown.
And we presently have several other projects underway that will also help to improve the appearance of our downtown.
The First State Bank has just completed extensive renovations to both the interior and exterior of that building. The Jellico Post Office is undergoing pressure washing, replacement of some windows and painting of the exterior trim. Herman Heath has done extensive work on his home and business place (Mike's Graphics) on South Main Street. Jamie Dugger will soon begin renovation on the neighboring city-owned building.
Other residences and properties are being painted, cleared, etc. But we still have a few buildings in the downtown that badly need renovating.
And we are still working to attract prospective employers to Jellico. Jamie Dugger has told me that she will begin installing machines in the city owned building as soon as the interior renovation and painting is completed. The work force in that building will increase after the machines are installed and operating.
I am remaining in close contact with Mr. Bill Daughtery of Knoxville (owner of the vacant building at the industrial park) and we are working together trying to locate prospective occupiers for that building.
Plans are still proceeding for both the industrial development in Whitley County and the "Reserve on Jellico Mountain". We are not directly involved with either but have offered to help in any way possible.
Interstate 2000 continues to run information on the internet relative to the advantages that we have available to prospective employers.
And we welcome any contacts that our citizens may have and any suggestions or other help that anyone can offer toward attracting prospective employers to our town and our area.
I recently received a call from Ms. Kici Beengtsson, Swedish Broadcasting's American Bureau, located in Washington, D.C. Swedish Broadcasting visited Jellico a few years ago and did a story as to how our town and area had declined after the collapse of much of the coal industry.
Ms. Beengtsson stated that the network has been informed that our town has recently begun a recovery and that Swedish Broadcasting wants to do a follow up story as to what is now taking place. She seemed to be very knowledgeable about some of the progress that we are making. (The story will be released in that country).
That media was scheduled to be in our town for video taping, conducting interviews, etc. at the time this article was written.
We welcome Swedish Broadcasting and all media to Jellico for the purpose of putting us in a more favorable light. Too many articles in the past have dwelt upon the negative aspects and we are hoping that the media is now starting to emphasize the positive things that are occurring.
All Councilmen and I have been furnished a memorandum from City Attorney Jeff Hall in reply to a request from Councilman Allen McClary pertaining to the position of City Administrator. I am quoting most of that memorandum verbatim since it is an item of so much interest to many of our citizens:
Quote: "The City Charter (Chapter 101 Private Acts of 1998) requires and permits the following with respect to the appointment and qualifications of a City Administrator.
Based on the foregoing, it appears that the Board must act, with all deliberate speed, to fill the now vacant office of City Administrator by the appointment of a person having the required minimum qualifications as are set forth above, either on an interim or permanent basis. It further appears, that the Board, if it so chooses and if so authorized by ordinance, may appoint a person to the office of City Administrator who might also hold some other city office. As and for example only, it would not appear inconsistent with the charter that the Mayor, if he or she meets the minimum qualifications required of the City Administrator by section 3.02 of the charter, might be appointed by the Board to serve also as the City Administrator, either on an interim or permanent basis, if that should be authorized by ordinance." End quote.
By quoting the above opinion of the City Attorney, I am not lobbying for the appointmentof City Administrator. I quote it only to clarify what the Private Act now requires for the city of Jellico and what can be done to fill the position.
But I do think the Council should take a hard look at combining the position of Mayor and City Administratoror changing the charter to provide for a full time mayor -- even if it decides to do so only to become effective following the conclusion of my four years term.
Most area towns that are making visible progress have already employed a full time person, including Williamsburg that has combined the offices of Mayor and City Administrator. The problems that we are now facing and the prospects for our future development almost dictate that we now have a full time person. That was my reason for originally favoring creating of the position of City Administrator!
I want to publicly apologize to First State Bank for missing the open house. I have committed to attend every public function that I possibly can but I simply forgot that event.
My calendar of activities is so full that I knew that it was only a matter of time until I did forget one and it just happened to be the bank's open house.
All businesses are important to our town and certainly the First State Bank is a vital part of our local economy. And we greatly appreciate all of the renovation work that has been done to that facility that has helped to improve the appearance of our downtown.
The bank has always been very willing to contribute to a great number of local clubs, organizations and worthy causes and we look forward to many future years of continued cooperation with First State Bank.
It is time once again for the Chhurch of God Mountain Assembly convention/assembly that will start next Monday (August 9-13).
I am honored that assembly officials invite me to open the assembly each year with a welcome to the delegates and visitors. The C.G.M.A. that started with one small congregation on Ryans Creek, Kentucky in 1906 and quickly moved to Jellico, has now grown into an international organization with churches located throughout this country and several foreign countries. And we are fortunate to have the international headquarters remain in Jellico.
The annual assembly brings a lot of visitors to our town, gives us an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and provides a boost to our local economy.
On behalf of the City Council and our citizens, I want to welcome everyone attending the 93rd annual assembly and to say that "We are glad you are here!"
The C.G.M.A will sponsor a small parade through town on Wednesday, August 11th at 1:30 PM. Participants will line up in the vicinity of McCombs Supply Co. on North Main Street and march to the tabernacle on Florence Avenue (escorted by the Jellico Police Department).
Note from Interstate 2000, Inc.'s Webmaster: Visit the Church of God Mountain Assembly's official Web Site at: www.cgmahdq.org .
Some residents of the Indian Mountain/Oswego community are very happy that a portion of Proctor Hollow/Black Oak Road has been raised above flood level by the Campbell County Road Department.
Residents of that area have had to go all the way to Pioneer and back on Interstate I-75 to get to town during periods of flooding. Very high floods have resulted in the road blocking at Woolridge which made even that route unavailable and allowed them no way out until the waters subsided. A few situations have developed when emergency vehicles could not get to individuals needing immediate medical care.
Residents can now take Black Oak Road (which was earlier raised by Whitley County, Kentucky) to US Highway 25-W and then quickly into town.
Final Note:
The "Saturday Nights in the Park" utilizing the Veterans' Park Annex stage have been very well attended for the first three nights. Ronnie Dabney expects the crowd to continue to increase as more people become aware of that activity (Saturday nights 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM including this Saturday night). Dabney had not planned to have the activity on Saturday, August 7th but has now decided to do so due to the very favorable reception for the first three Saturday nights.
The "Saturday Nights in the Park" draw people to the downtown area, provides something to do on Saturday nights and gives an opportunity for all local entertainers to perform.
Different people like different types of music and Ronnie is attempting to provide a variety of country and gospel. Any individual or group wishing to perform is welcome to do so. Just contact Ronnie at the stage and he will arrange an opportunity sometime during the evening.
Everyone is reminded to bring a lawn chair or some other type of seating since none is available in Veterans' Park Annex.
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