Manic Monday
I have decided that any Monday that includes a County governmental meeting should be declared a Manic Monday. It has become apparent that, regardless of the amount of time that they take off, this group cannot come together and just simply do the business of the County. This was the first meeting of the New […]
Life Lessons From Unexpected Places
This past week, I had the opportunity to meet a very brave young man named Wyatt Crippen and his parents. Wyatt is a student at Mt. Horeb Elementary School and he is facing his third brain surgery for his second brain tumor. I have to admit that this was a hard story to do and […]
Public Records Commission?
As we begin to gear up for another year of policy and politics, I wonder if there are not paths that we can take to answer the issues that seem to dog our County. Transparency in government is, and should be, a priority for all-both elected officials and the public at large. Without transparency there […]
Farewell 2013
It is difficult to believe that we will say good-by to 2013 this week. It hardly seems like a few months have passed since we were ringing it in, little alone 12 months. We have packed a lot into the last year, some of it good and some of it not so great. Though many […]
Dear Santa
This is truly the most wonderful time of the year! Even a sometime cynic like me can’t help but smile when the bells start jingling and the tree lights are twinkling. It inspires me. Dear Santa, I would like to say that I have been good this year, however there are those that might disagree. […]
Jefferson County 12 Days of Christmas
Christmas is fast approaching and I must admit that this weekend, following a marathon shopping trip, I had my Grinch on. To say that my Holiday Spirit had gone seriously south was an understatement. Then, one act of unexpected kindness changed my outlook and reminded me that we do live in a pretty great community. […]
Pay Close Attention When It Seems Slow
Though December is usually a down month in Jefferson County, this year seems to be the exception. It seems that this is the month that those proposing questionable ventures come before the municipalities, hoping to slip by in the blur of holiday lights and good will to men. This is the second year that Dandridge […]
A Little Something Extra This Year
Last week, Jefferson County was in Thanksgiving mode and now the Holiday Season has started in earnest. The County Commission and most of the Committees will be on hiatus until after the New Year. This is a much needed break and a chance for the 21 Commissioners to regroup. When they return in January they […]
Thankful In Jefferson County
It is rather difficult to believe that Thanksgiving is coming this week. It seems like only yesterday that we were carving pumpkins and I was listing the scariest things in JeffersonCounty. Those days of fall fun are almost gone and I can hear the faintest sound of sleigh bells. We, as a community, have much […]
Pride Goes Before A Fall
We are quickly approaching the close of 2013 and the government is winding down for the year. One would think that this would be a time of relative peace, as there really isn’t that much on anyone’s plate that must be dealt with right now. The truth is that you can feel the tension humming […]
It Makes A Strange Sort of Sense
Though the 2014 election cycle is still some months away, it is quickly becoming time for interested candidates to pick up petitions. Perhaps I live a sheltered life, but I was not aware that in order to hold some of the highest offices in the County, State and Nation all that is required is that […]
A No Brainer
Papers were served last week as County Commissioners, as well as EDOC and the Chamber of Commerce, were named as defendants in a recent law suit by fourteen Jefferson County residents. At stake is the ability of EDOC to maintain closed meetings and records. Frankly, this is a law suit that never should have happened. […]
Things that lurk in the shadows.
This week Jefferson County is preparing to be spooked. Though ghosts will rule the night and goblins may be abundant, they are far from the being the scariest things in Jefferson County. While I adore Halloween, there are some things that strike fear in my heart. I am sure that your list may be different, […]
Lots of Changes
Lots of things are changing in Jefferson County. Leaves are changing, the weather is changing, and even the time is shortly changing. But, the one constant that citizens can rely on is that there is going to be a brew-ha-ha when the County’s governing body meets. Monday’s work session was no exception to the sad, […]
A Self Serving Venture
Do you ever just tire of the government? Oh, I am well aware that it is necessary to keep our society in order and moving, but sometimes I wonder just how in touch any government is with their people. Not just on the Federal level, but on the State and local level, as well. On […]
Thank You
It has been a sad and stressful week in Jefferson County. The recent tragic wreck on I-40 that ended 8 lives and injured 14 others, combined with other accidents, has made many pause and reassess the blessings in their life. As a community, Jefferson County made me proud this week. Certainly, we have our issues, […]
