Go Hug Your Dad
This is always a strange time of the year for me. Six years ago my father passed away and my life changed forever. As adults, it is hard to imagine just how impacting the death of a parent can be; after all, it is not like you still live at home or need the wisdom […]
A Wonderful Pounding
There are days and weeks that I believe that nothing can surprise me and then, wham, something comes up that leaves me shaking my head. With the first round of elections under our belt and the next round not coming for several months, I suppose that I thought things would slow down. You couldn’t have […]
Magic 8 Ball Says “Not Held Accountable”
So, we have passed our fist round of elections in Jefferson County and, frankly, I was somewhat surprised. Oh, not so much at the outcome because I had expected close races for most offices, but in the spread of the election when the numbers rolled in. Never would I have anticipated such a mandate on […]
Get In The Game
Early voting has ended and this week those that are waiting until Election Day to cast their votes will be able to exercise their right to vote. This election cycle has been a little tense and I expect that the tension will not ease until after the last vote is counted on Tuesday evening. In […]
Until The Last Vote Is Counted
Do you ever wonder just when things started spinning out of control? We are in the full throws of election season, and this is just part one; already we are wading knee deep in muck. I really did not expect this May election cycle to be pristine, but there was hope that we would not […]
What Is More Important Than Student Safety?
Question of the week-what is more important than student safety? The answer should be nothing but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Last week, two prisoners who were working at White Pine School managed to escape in a Department of Education vehicle and the school did not go on lock down. Please explain that […]
Go Local, Except For The Good Jobs
Despite qualifications and the communities’ desire to see a Jefferson County native hold the office, the school board has, once again, gone outside Jefferson County to find a director for Jefferson County Schools. One local candidate, Mark Garrett, made the final three for the directorship, but it was clear that he was fighting an uphill […]
The Great Debate
This week the Jefferson County Post will host a public debate for candidates in the May Primary Election. The debate will offer voters the opportunity to see the various candidates answer questions that have been submitted from the public. Judge Ben Strand (retired) will be the moderator for the debate and will be keeping things […]
Hot Tempers and Happy Easter
It is getting a little hot in Jefferson County, and I obviously don’t mean the thermostat. With elections looming and so much change in the air, it is no wonder that tensions are running high. The County Commission kicked off the week facing an angry crowd from Parrotts Chapel, who are looking to leave Jefferson […]
May They Choose Wisely
The Jefferson County School Board will begin their interview process for a new Director of Jefferson County Schools. Searching began for a new leader to take the educational helm when then current Director Charles Edmonds vacated the position at the end of the calender year, ahead of the expiration of his contract, due to health […]
By Going Through the Process
This week I expect that there will be some discussion about the funding level of the fire departments. Now whether that discussion is a part of the budget committee meeting or if it is just among those that follow such things remains to be seen, but it is unlikely that the recent work session of […]
In Neck Deep
Things have been heating up both literally and figuratively in Jefferson County. Nothing, and I mean nothing, stirs the pot more than an upcoming election and when you have three in one calendar year the broth is sure to boil. This past week there was some unusual excitement on the election front as one local […]
How Did We Get Here?
Last week was a difficult week for parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers and neighbors to understand. It is not everyday, but it is way too often, that a young person takes such heinous action against their peers and society in general in the way that happened in Florida last week. If if didn’t […]
Just One More Question
The recent debate in Jefferson County about the type and direction of economic development has raised another question. When we decide what we want, how far are we willing to go to get it? With so much of the County divided in their views of the future of economic development it will be difficult enough […]
The Long Way Home
This is the month that Jefferson County begins the budget season but the Budget Committee got a jump start on one of the most controversial budgeting items this week as it addressed fire department funding. As some may remember, last budget season fire department funding was the hot topic and, though all eventually walked away […]
Guest Editorial: To Cede or Not to Cede
The following is a guest editorial by Steve Hammer. Steve is a local businessman, and holds a seat on the Jefferson County Industrial Development board. To Cede or Not to Cede… Over the past several months, the county commission has been inundated with the numerous concerns from the Parrotts Chapel community. These concerns primarily relate […]
