Nothing Lasts Forever
What a difference a week makes-or not. Jefferson County woke up Wednesday morning with incumbents winning their Primaries in the two lead ticket races. Was it a pretty win? Not really. The Primary Election was like a testy cat. No matter how good it looked for either candidate, there was bound to be some blood […]
More Why
Questions are funny creatures. Some would say that there cannot be too many questions but I would have to disagree. There certainly can be too many questions if they are not well thought and I also disagree that there are no dumb questions. Of course there are dumb questions. I have heard many through the […]
September May Cure All
It is every year, about this time, that I realize just how many things perplex me. The budgeting process has begun and the political process is in full swing. One is enough to leave me scratching my head, little alone the combination. Politics and budgets make ugly bedfellows. Really, really-the two coyote kind of really-ugly […]
Think – Consider – Vote!
This was the week that candidates for opposed positions debated the issues. Turnout was high and the expectation was that there would be some tough questions and there were. Because the format included a blind draw for questions and time was limited, not every question made it to the candidates. I must admit that I […]
Be Informed, Respectful, and Active With Elections
This is an important week for Jefferson County. Saturday, the Republican Women held a candidate forum for the May and August elections. The room was obviously divided by the Sheriff’s election, with half of the room in Orange and Blue and half the room in Yellow and Blue. For those attending the forum that were […]
Collective Memories
The budgeting process has begun and the fire departments and charities were the first to appear before the Budget Committee. I sometimes wonder why our elected County Commissioners believe that they are entitled to address citizens in the manner that they do, regardless of the request of the citizen or group. There should be an […]
After The Storm
Those that have already looked at the headlines today will have noticed that the Post is hosting a candidate debate. Some election cycles come and go with little fanfare or public attention. This is not one of those years. While some have already decided which button to push for the May elections, some are still […]
Enter The Budget Cycle
Jefferson County is, once again, entering the budget cycle and this year could be the most contentious yet for this County Commission. Many are seeking re election and all, whether looking to stay or going, want to leave their mark. Unfortunately, the Commission has aligned itself into packs and that does not lend to good […]
Our kids can fly. Can we?
Sometimes I am amazed by the level of achievement of the children in Jefferson County. On every level, in every school, I see those that will stop at nothing short of excellence. It is astounding, really, especially when you consider the obstacles that they overcome to reach their goals. Though our elementary school and middle […]
Are We Thinking At All?
Sometimes I wonder what we are thinking in Jefferson County. Or rather, are we thinking at all? Last year, an outside company came looking to put section 42 housing adjacent to the Field of Dreams in Dandridge. Ultimately, the company did not receive the tax credit grant that they were looking for and moved on […]
Wishing All Good Luck
With the coming of March, Jefferson County is becoming steeped in the political process and it appears that the minutes are rushing toward May 6, 2014. And, that will be only the beginning of several more months of politicking and decision making. We will all be making out our Thanksgiving menus and starting to think […]
Time To Buy In
Reports are pouring out that declare the economic downturn, as it is called by the politically correct or the politically motivated, has passed and it is sunny paths ahead to the future. I agree that there has been a lessening of the vice that has held this County and Country in its grip since 2008. […]
Missing The Point?
I am now, and have always been, a proponent of education. Coming from a family of educators, I understand the importance of a quality education and believe strongly that our state and local government should support and uplift the pursuit of knowledge and training. That being said, Governor Haslam’s Tennessee Promise misses the mark. The […]
Are We There Yet?
Much has been said recently about the County’s vision for the future. I certainly agree that the County needs a vision and a direction. It just appears to me that, while reports are being written and meetings are being conducted, very little consideration is actually being given to what the general population wants for Jefferson […]
Tastes Like Groundhog
The recent snap of bitterly cold weather has given me a lot of time to think and that is both good and bad. First, I want to commend the First Responders in Jefferson County for the tremendous job that they did when the snow and ice hit the ground last week. It was a mess […]
Four More Years?
This week the Department of Education met for the first voting meeting in the New Year. On the agenda was the extension of the contract for Director of Schools in Jefferson County. On a 6-1 vote, the School Board approved a four year contract for current Director of Schools, Charles Edmonds. I expect that their […]
