VITAL POLICY – OPINION – Appointed School Superintendents, A Revolving Door of Instability
The system of appointed school directors has become a stepping-stone, a rung on the ladder, an instrument of promotion for individuals seeking to advance their school management careers. Small counties are just a place for would-be school directors to gain experience for a bigger and better gig. Five East Tennessee counties are currently in the […]
VITAL POLICY – Dr. Monty Sharp Facilitates Medal of Honor Character Development Training for Jefferson County High School Staff
Critics of public schools often point to the lack of patriotic education and the absence of character-related values in school curriculum. These pundits would have one less thing to complain about if they spent one afternoon with Dr. Monty Sharp, Assistant Principal, Jefferson County High School, or witnessed 2000 students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance […]
VITAL POLICY – Commissioner Marcus Reed Proposes County Resolution for Voter Choice on Elected School Directors
Thirty years ago, the legislature enacted a package of education reforms called The Tennessee Education Improvement Act of 1992. Within that legislation, signed by then Democrat Governor Ned Ray McWherter, a provision of the act mandated that school directors be appointed by local school boards rather than be elected by the people. Liberals and the […]
GSMCR Donates to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs
Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) in Lenoir City received a donation of $250.00 from the Greater Smoky Mountain Council of Regents (GSMCR), National Society, of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) on November 18. SMSD Board Member Chuck Stewart and team member black Labrador Sadie accepted the check. Members present from the Spencer Clack Chapter, NSDAR, […]
VITAL POLICY – Tennessee and Jefferson County’s Constitutional Dilemma with Food Truck Regulations
Local Regulations Two of Jefferson County’s five municipalities regulate the operation of food trucks, White Pine and Dandridge; Jefferson City, New Market, and Baneberry do not. The regulations and fees that Dandridge impose on food trucks are centered around health and safety; but the White Pine regulations exceed health and safety by regulating the number […]
VITAL POLICY – Governor Lee Signs Partisan School Board Elections into Law, Jefferson County Republican Party Calls Primary
Governor Bill Lee signed multiple bills into law late Friday that were enacted in the Third Extraordinary Session of the Tennessee General Assembly, among those House Bill 9072 authorizing partisan school board elections, supported by Representatives Jeremy Faison, Andrew Farmer, and co-sponsored by Senator Frank Niceley (SB9009). Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee, expecting Lee’s signature […]
Six Vietnam War Era Veterans Honored
Six Vietnam War Era Veterans were honored at the November meeting of the Martha Dandridge Washington (MDW) Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). Certificates and pins were presented to the following: Daniel Eual Berney, US Air Force; Paul Fredrick Haynes, US Navy Reserve (received by Janet Guyett); Robert M. Jessee, US Army; […]
2021 August Workshop and 2020 State Awards of National and State Committees
Due to the uptick in the Covid-19 Delta Variant, the 2021 August Workshop for the Tennessee Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (TSDAR) was held virtually for the second year. Moreover, graduation for those ladies who had completed the Members Course and New Horizons Course was formally acknowledged at a Zoom meeting on October 28. […]
East TN Historical Society Presentation by Dr. Warren Dockter
Dr. Warren Dockter, PhD and new president and CEO of the East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS), entertained and informed the Martha Dandridge Washington (MDW) Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), with his presentation on “The Person and Works of the East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum” at the October chapter meeting. Dr. […]
VITAL POLICY – Tennessee Legislature Approves Partisan School Board Races
With a myriad of legislative proposals floating in the third Extraordinary Session of the Tennessee General Assembly, bills aimed at making school board elections partisan were approved in fast succession by the house of representatives, and then by the senate on Friday October 29, 2021. House Bill 9072 was approved as amended in a floor […]
VITAL POLICY – STATE LAWMAKERS CONSIDER PARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD RACES IN SPECIAL SESSION
Representative Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) has introduced proposed legislation that will allow candidates for school board to run for office and be nominated by a political party on or after July 1, 2022. Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) is the sponsor of a companion Senate Bill (9003). In light of Covid-19 issues and controversial decisions made by […]
VITAL POLICY – OPINION – Knoxville Tennessee’s Everlasting Threat to Your Property Rights
Imagine getting a letter from the local government stating that it intends to take your property, and your neighbor’s property, for private development. MOTIVATION FOR ABUSE Your little residential community just doesn’t generate enough tax revenue; so, the city or county decides to take the whole neighborhood away from its rightful owners and turn it […]
Judge Dennis “Will” Roach II Speaks On 8th Amendment To U.S. Constitution
The issue of bail reform has been in the forefront of the news in many states over the past two years. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” That amendment deals with the issue of bail in just […]
VITAL POLICY – Arthur Bohanan Reflects on 911 Terror Attack, Advises Vigilance
“We are not dismissing school early today. Despite the events unfolding in Washington D.C., New York, and Pennsylvania, we are not canceling class. We are not changing our schedule or yielding to those who are doing evil”, words spoken to Jefferson County High School students and staff via intercom by Assistant Principal Louie Vesser at […]
VITAL POLICY – Tennesseans Will Vote on State Constitutional Amendment in November 2022
Tennessee is one of the most financially responsible states in the nation, has a fully funded retirement system for teachers and other civil service employees, no income tax, low unemployment, very low debt, and a healthy economy that has weathered many financial storms. Tennessee ended its 2020-2021 fiscal year with a budget surplus of over […]
VITAL POLICY – Jefferson County Republicans Call Primary Elections for May 3, 2022, County Commission Offices Included
Jefferson County Republican Party has called primary elections for May 3, 2022, for the following offices. Circuit Court Judge 4th Judicial District, Part I Circuit Court Judge 4th Judicial District, Part II Circuit Court Judge 4th Judicial District, Part III Circuit Court Judge 4th Judicial District, Part IV Chancellor 4th […]
