Last week I reported that the contractor planned to be done on the Trammell replacement building by January 1st.
I told him that we would want a City Representative to go through the building along with our Contracted Building Inspector, our Regular Building Inspector and the Contractor's Representative before we assume final responsibility.
The Planning Commission has approved a request to place a communication tower on the ridge above the Jellico Community Hospital.
We are all concerned about what the proliferation of such towers (along with clear-cutting) are doing to the local environment. But we felt that the tower would benefit our citizens (along with motorists on the Interstate Highway) who now have cellular phones. And the builder of the tower did present assurances that all environmental impact regulations would be met.
We also based the building permit upon the receipt of written authorization to use the tower for our Police Department, Fire Department, etc. in case we decide to do so. And that usage would be at no charge to the city (we would need to pay a one time charge to have the equipment installed since trained/qualified personnel would be required for that task).
The planning commission is also considering a request to place a metal building on the site of the old Jellico Ford Dealership (the Council earlier approved a used car lot for that same site). The building would have the same color scheme as the General Dollar Store across the street and would house a barber shop.
At the time of this writing, the Commission was awaiting more information but approval seems likely once that additional information is received.
Mr. Ron Perkins has withdrawn his proposal for a machine shop in the city owned building on South Main Street. Mr. Perkins indicated that there were several reasons involved including the fact that more than the originally requested $25,000 would be needed. But his biggest concern was the stability of the market for the items to be produced.
This is the second time that we have had prospective employers to express an interest in utilizing that building only to change their minds before actual occupancy.
We would rather have them to take such action than to go ahead and set up their equipment and then have to close down and lay off any employees that might have been hired.
Mr. Perkins has also informed me that Taylor Manufacturing has already purchased the heat and cooling equipment for the building on South Main Street that is to be renovated to serve as an office building for that firm.
Taylor plans to replace the ceiling using the old time metal squares and will also tile the entire floor. That type of renovation will maintain a lot of the historic character of the building. And it is in keeping with the ideas that we have for the renovation of the downtown.
I believe that we have more Christmas decorations around town this year than in any previous year that I can recall. And they are in all areas of Jellico and outside of our city limits.
Last year someone from out of town remarked that Jellico does as much in the way of decorations and activities at Christmas time as any small town where he has ever visited.
I want to thank everyone for the efforts that they make to decorate and hope that they will continue to do so in the future.
And I hope that even more will join them.
Few things are prettier than Christmas decorations.
For the last several weeks I have mentioned people who thank me for writng this column and who say that they now read the Jellico Advance-Sentinel to learn what is going on in our town.
Since last week's column I received a card and note that had great meaning to me. Mrs. Cherry Artis wrote to say that she enjoys this column and she enclosed a donation of $ 100.00 toward the cost of "Christmas in the Park, `98". The donation was made in memory of Charles Artis and in memory of Billy Ballard. Nothing could have been more appropriate!!!
Billy served as manager of the park for many years. He loved the park and he loved the job. Charles was always interested in community activities and never failed to help financially and otherwise with any activity that he felt would be worthwhile to the people of our area.
Last year, George Perkins, Novella Perkins and other park personnel and Jellico City employees joined together to plant and decorate a tree in memory of Billy for "Christmas in the Park, `97" and I want to thank them for that gesture.
This will be the last column before December 29th so I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas!!! Here's hoping that everyone will have a happy, healthy and safe time during this the busiest and most meaningful holiday season of all!!!
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