What Is The Point?
For the second time this season, The Point Resort and Marina cancelled a fireworks event due to lack of cooperation from the Town of Dandridge. In July, the question centered around a financial contribution from the Town of Dandridge that was denied and the Labor Day weekend dispute was regarding road closure that was necessary […]
What Will Our Legacy Be?
Some weeks it appears as if the world has gone crazy. Rioting in the streets and looting innocent business owners is deplorable and should be the most troublesome event of the week. Sadly it was not. The very public, horrifying death of an American photo journalist certainly took top bill in a week full of […]
Buying into Education
Jefferson County is in that time of flux and it can be a wonderful break from all of the politicking and upheaval. This is the time of choice for everyone that lives in our beautiful area. Will we continue to be what we have been or will we stretch a little and try to re-prioritize […]
Mandates Hard to Come By
Elections are always exciting and Thursday’s election did not disappoint. Jefferson County did not come out in droves to let their voice be heard. In fact, I would call the voting numbers more a whisper or church voice hush rather than a shout but, whatever, the voters have spoken. Out with some of the old […]
Farewell
It was a rather sad week for many in Jefferson County, as we lost a long time Jefferson County educator. John Hill was the long time Driver’s Education teacher and Assistant Basketball Coach at JCHS. He was also one of my father’s oldest friends and I don’t remember a time when John was not a […]
Let The Games Begin
Jefferson County now has a balanced budget, as well as a new $2.35 tax rate. While meeting the end of July deadline was important, I am surprised at all of the things that did not get discussed, never mind funded, at Monday’s meeting. I got the distinct impression that some on the Commission simply did […]
It All Comes Down To Accountability
It is time to vote on a budget and that means that it is time to get real and stop playing with the numbers. I know that I don’t have a vote on the budget but I do have questions regarding who gets what and who gets nothing and how we do, or do not, […]
Curtain Call?
This week the budget for fiscal year 2014-2015 will be presented to the full County Commission. And, while I do not enjoy budget season and have no desire to extend it beyond what is necessary, I sincerely hope that they do not pass this budget as presented. It only addressed a portion of the needs […]
More At Stake
We all know that voting is important, or at least we should all know that voting is important. This August, it may just be more important than we know. On the ballot there will be 23 questions regarding retention of members of the judiciary. Generally these are considered to be general housekeeping questions because these […]
A Spoon Full Of Sugar
Budget season is often frustrating for many in the County and I would include myself in that mix. This budgeting season has been a blur of questionable choices, all presented with a calm voice and semi smile. A spoon full of sugar may make the medicine go down but it isn’t really fooling anybody. This […]
The Ostrich Approach
There are problems with this year’s budget. Now, I know that many who are reading this are thinking really-no joke but I mean that there are serious issues with this year’s budget and it concerns me. First, and foremost, I have yet to see a budget that is not riddled with mistakes. The fiscal year […]
A Near Miss
Jefferson County slid by this week and we should consider ourselves lucky. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency announced its list of applicants that would be offered low income housing credits. Hopefully, many will remember that Jefferson County was up for six low income housing developments that could have dumped around 700 economically disadvantaged students in […]
Head Scratching Moments
Sometimes I wonder about things that happen. I understand mistakes and life often gets in the way of the best laid plans but we seem to have more than our share of head scratching moments. Perhaps it is the humidity or lack of rain that makes me testy and maybe, just maybe, it is not. […]
Choosing Well
Upheaval is a part of life and government. While the Chamber of Commerce may not be on the minds of many Jefferson County residents, the position/ person at the helm of the Chamber has a considerable amount of influence in Jefferson County. Not only does this person serve, in many ways, as the commercial face […]
The Time Has Come
Expenditures are up and projected revenue is down. No kidding-after all, it is budgeting season. This week there was much brew-ha-ha regarding the new Wal-Mart that is coming to West Hamblen County and what impact that will have on Jefferson County revenues. According to the Jefferson County Finance Director Helton, he is anticipating, and the […]
Never Give Up!
May always bring to mind two things for me-graduation and my father. I suppose the former is because it seems to be the crowing event in a month filled with accolades and the latter because, not only does it mark the second passing of my father but, because he spent years at the helm of […]
