It was a great parade!!! The weather was beautiful for a December day (or any day) and the parade included over one-hundred units. The bands, floats, antique vehicles, horses and horse drawn carriages, marching units and various other entries made it an extremely interesting parade to watch. We had a very large crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
I want to thank the Tourism Director, the members of the Tourism Commission, the citizen volunteers, the city departments and utilities department employees and everyone who contributed in any way to make this one of our best parades ever.
And I also want to thank Campbell County Litter Control Officer Glennis Monday for bringing his crews through town, both before and after the event, and Herman and Nancy Heath for the work they did at the Veterans Monument in preparation for the parade.
Ken Schwall, our grand marshal, seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself and wanted to see the entire parade. Once we reached the Masonic Lodge Hall (site of the post-parade reception), we viewed all of the remaining units. (He said that he did not always get to do that).
And "Schwall's World" turned out to be a "Small World". In talking to him, I learned that he is from Detroit, Michigan and lived in a neighborhood that Dick Creekmore, George Wilson and I have visited. (Former Jellico resident and good friend Walter "Bo" Daugherty lived there). They may have never met but they may have frequented some of the same "hangouts" at the same time. Like two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and famous war correspondent Don Whitehead who covered General and later President Dwight Eisenhower's briefings and press conferences during World War II once said, "No matter where you go, you seem to meet someone from Jellico, Tennessee." In fact Whitehead heard so much about Jellico during his world travels that he once came here. (His entire statement about Jellico can be found on the internet at www.jellico.com/jellico/jellico.htm.)
I can never get too much of seeing our Jellico High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) students in their uniforms and involved in community activities. It is great training for young people and I (along with others) worked hard to obtain the program for J.H.S. I am very proud of the way it represents our school and our community.
During the past three years, I have had opportunity to become acquainted with many of the JROTC staff and students at Whitley County High School. That school too has an outstanding program. Virtually the entire cadet corps for W.C.H.S. was present for our parade and one of the real highlights of the day for me came when the corps passed "in review" and I received an honorary salute from Sergeant First Class (retired) Starling Powers, the parade unit commander. Although in "civilian" clothes, I returned the salute with all the military "smartness" that a nearly sixty-two years old man could muster.
And at school the next day, it's for sure that I did not report any of the students who broke military discipline and quietly greeted me from the ranks although they were marching at attention. And a lot of other students with other units and within the crowd, yelled to say hello. Believe me when I say that there's nothing like the appreciation and respect of a bunch of high school students (and former students) to perk up the spirits of a "retired" teacher/administrator.
I sincerely appreciate all of the kind remarks from everyone that were extended to me as we traveled the parade route and as we watched the remainder of the parade from the Masonic Lodge parking lot.
Our special call meeting of the council was held on Thursday, December 9th. Actions taken by the council during the meeting included voting to pay for the recently completed blacktopping of some city streets; appropriating money for the complete cleaning of the old Presbyterian Church; authorizing the development and publication of specifications for the blacktopping of Veterans Park Annex; and discussion of available recycle grants.
City Attorney Jeff Hall could not be present for the meeting so the proposed changes to the drug testing policy and collection of delinquent taxes had to be delayed until a future meeting. Establishing policies for the use of the Community Conference Room was also delayed due to all of the preparations taking place at that time for the Christmas Parade.
I had earlier recommended that fifty-thousand dollars of the money realized from the surplus property sale be applied toward street and road repairs. However the council voted to advertise for a new backhoe and a floor hoist for the street department (approximately $41,000.00). Motion by Councilman Vann, seconded by Councilman Barton with a unanymous vote. From all accounts, both were needed and I have no problem with that purchase. But I again pointed out to the council that we need to make street and road repairs a priority item. We have too many situations needing attention and I am constantly receiving inquiries about when repairs will be accomplished.
Councilman Bill Barton told the council that there are complaints about a police officer talking in a rude and threatening manner to motorists stopped for minor traffic violations. Councilman Jim Dobson, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee that oversees the police department, confirmed that he had heard the same complaints but had not received any written and signed statements of complaint prior to the special call meeting. According to Dobson, such written and signed statements are necessary before any disciplinary action can be taken against an officer.
The council was in general agreement that the law should be enforced and that police officers are to be commended when they carry out their assigned responsibilities. But members of council insisted that all alledged offenders are to be treated in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
Councilman Alvin Evans pointed out that we have had some problems with drivers exceeding the speed limits and mentioned that one speeding vehicle had only recently passed the J.H.S. driver education car at a high rate of speed - threatening the safety of the students. Officers are fully justified in issuing citations for such violations.
But Evans stated that he believed that Dobson should take whatever action is required to correct any abuse of authority that may exist and, if necessary, to bring the situation before the council for its confirmation of that action.
Dobson agreed with Evans and indicated that an investigation was already in progress, that he would continue to thoroughly investigate the situation and that he would take whatever action is deemed appropriate under the provisions of the city rules and regulations governing operation of the police department.
I will report on the results of our Beer Board meeting and our regular council meeting of Thursday, December 16th in next week's column. (I will also have to report then on our "Christmas Downtown" activities since this column is usually "faxed" on Wednesdays of the previous week.)
I do want to thank the Jellico High School art department for the beautiful figurines representing the nativity. A group was planning to place them in front of the caboose when this article was forwarded.
I am working to complete the grant application requesting federal funds with which to contract for the removal of the median strip located between the two Rocky Top Markets. Street department personnel helped with the required sketches and James Edward Branam furnished the necessary photographic documentation of the potentially dangerous situation. However I must still obtain some additional information to place with the application.
As I stated in the last two columns, I certainly hope that the application is favorably considered by the appropriate authorities. It is an "accident looking for a time to occur".
Mr. W.H. Bowlin has completely removed the old house on Commerce Street (Stooksbury/Stephens Property). That has made a great improvement in the appearance of that area but much more needs to be done. But as I wrote earlier, the eventual completion of the exterior of the new Rescue Squad Hall along with the landscaping, will certainly be another improvement. The removal of the Old City Hall and replacement with a new one story building (if grant funds are received) could virtually complete the restoration of that street.
A list of veterans was dropped by the office since last week's article was forwarded for publication. Names (as listed on the note) were: Don Whitaker, Darrell Whitaker, Steve Albertini, J.E. Artis, Jerry Anthey, Arlis Broyles, Robert Broyles, Robert Lay, Larry Leach, Archie Baird, Johnny Weaver, Johnny Brooks, Tim Thomas, Carl Thomas, Doug Manis, Lee Lewallen, Fred Brewer, Jonathan Stevens, J.S. Lay, Lawrence Lay, J.B. Nayles (listed in an earlier article), Jess Garfield Smiddy, James Gilreath.
John Perkins gave me the names of John Hubert Perkins, Paul Vann and Ellis Hoskins (listed in a previous column). Mrs. Shirley Williams sent me the names of General (first name) Bernard Williams and Bob Daniel. Mrs. Eloise Ellison furnished the name of Phillip Williams. Mrs. Bonnie Shepherd reminded me that Jeff Bradley and Jimmy Bradley are veterans. Sandra Funk called in the names of Joe Davis, William Davis and Wallace Davis. I want to add the name of Ed Sowder.
Melvin Weaver recently commented on the very favorable reception that my printing of the names of area veterans has received. According to Melvin, most families in this area have had members to serve in the military including fathers, grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins, etc. and are glad to see them recognized. (And many females have served and the number continues to increase). I know that it is impossible but I wish that I could learn and publish the name of every single veteran.
Congratulations to Mrs. Betty Hurst, our city recorder, who has recently been awarded the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk. According to the correspondence from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks making the announcement, the prestigious award, "fully recognizes the professional competency of Ms. Hurst fulfilling the responsibilities of her office. It is granted only after a person has met high educational, experience, participatory and service standards established by IIMC."
As I have written on several occasions, Mrs. Hurst certainly does an outstanding job as city recorder and our city benefits greatly from her training, knowledge and experience.
Businesses that have decorated since last week's column include Associates in Eyecare; Bill Neely's Barber Shop; Ruby's Laundromat; Family Drug; Jellico Hardware; Jellico Towers A & B; and the Seventh Day Adventist Mission. (Please be sure to let me know if I have missed listing any that have made the effort to decorate. I do not want to omit any individual or business).
The participation of our building owners/business operators in decorating for the Christmas season has been very encouraging. I appreciate every effort made to display the Christmas spirit and to brighten our town. I hope that the practice will continue and that we have a growing participation with each passing year.
And we appear to have more homes and lawns decorated this season than in past years. The beautiful nativity scene placed at the corner of Siler Street and Fifth Street by the Clifford Douglas family has certainly added to the Christmas theme and quickly draws the attention of passing motorists. In addition to our main streets through town and leading into town, there are beautiful displays on Cumberland Avenue and throughout that general area; Sunset Trail, Bowlin Strait, Newcomb Pike, Indian Mountain Road, Douglas Lane and all around the entire area. There are far too numerous to list without omitting some. But all are enjoyable to view and they are appreciated.
I wish that we still had a ladies "Garden Club" or some similar organization to judge the decorations each year and award plaques for the most beautiful and tasteful displays (commercial and home). That would be a good project for our Senior Citizens Organization, Community Health and Development Team or some other group to sponsor (as if they needed another project to assume). But it could create added interest and possibly stimulate even more participation. (Judging criteria would need to be published well in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday since so many begin their decorations at that time).
I have regularly kept our citizens advised of the conditions of our public water supply and our progress in preparing our utilities for Y2K. Few things are more important to our health and welfare than having a safe and dependable water supply and a constant energy source that suffers few interruptions. Living in Jellico, we are fortunate in both respects!
Even during the recent drought, we experienced no restrictions upon our water usage although numerous surrounding communities had to enact and enforce such restrictions upon their citizens. The erection of an electric sub-station several years ago to replace our former out-dated and inadequate facility and the maintenance of our system have enabled us to have electric power when other areas have lost power for extended periods of time. In fact, last winter (and during previous winters), our uninterrupted electric service permitted our service crews to work with other systems to restore power in those areas to provide electricity for heating and cooking during some of our coldest temperatures.
As I have reported in the past two columns, no problems are expected due to the computer Y2K problem - either for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) or by the Jellico Utilities Department. All TVA computers have been converted and all of our Utilities Department computers except one (1) had been converted as of November 30th.
In the extremely unlikely event that a problem with Y2K should develop, it certainly will not be due to a lack of preparation and planning. Countless meetings have been held, conversions accomplished and tests conducted. And both the TVA and our utilities will have personnel on duty and/or standby during the evening of December 31st and the early morning hours of January 1st. They will be available strictly as an added precaution to insure that every preventive measure has been taken.
I have been constantly assured that we are now far more likely to experience problems with high winds or ice forming on the power lines and in water lines than we are from the Y2K "bug".
Final Note:
I have received numerous Christmas cards and good wishes and I certainly appreciate every one. I cannot possibly send out individual season's greetings to everyone but this column reaches a lot of folks. And to all of our citizens including everyone who purchases this column at the news stands, receives it through subscription or takes it from the internet - here's wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!!!
And to those who now live away from Jellico and will not return for the holiday season, I hope that this column brings a "little bit of Jellico" to you. That is certainly true of our servicemen and women who cannot be here no matter how much they desire to be. Their services are crucial and greatly appreciated by our citizens and especially our veterans who have been there.
I like to hear from all of my readers no matter where they are located. (My official mailing address is 410 South Main Street, Jellico, Tennessee 37762.) I would like the comments of internet users and I can be reached by e-mail at webmaster@jellico.com. I would greatly like to have responses from the out-of-country users and especially those in Korea. (Be sure to specify that the correspondence is intended for me since Interstate 2000 receives a large volume of e-mail).
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