The plan to renovate JCHS, which would not require any additional tax increases, failed by one vote last night at the County Commission meeting. Commissioners Tommy Musick and David Hubbard were absent. I wonder if their vote would have made a difference?

Another partial renovation plan was also presented, but it failed as well. This $10M plan just picked a few of the components of the total plan that would add up to $10M. Of course, this partial plan will not bring the building up to code, which will be required during a major renovation, creating further chaos. Imagine taking down an old ceiling and old dim lights to replace the HVAC and electrical components, then putting the 35 year old ceiling and lights back up, only to be told that now you have to take it back down again because you are required to install a sprinkler system, which of course there are no funds for. Not a good plan. We can do better. That is why I voted against this partial plan that was presented at the last minute.

It is being reported that Jefferson County is being sued by Steve Palmer, owner of Sherman Oaks Campground and promoter of Dexfest Music Festival. The suit is reportedly filed in response to Jefferson County Commission passing an Outdoor Music Event Resolution, which requires any outdoor music event to end at midnight.

There are several stipulations in the approved resolution, such as it must be a paid event, it does not apply to municipalities, and several others.

There is also the allegation that the Sunshine Law was violated.

Palmer is represented by Attorney Herb Moncier.

On Thanksgiving we have a cool family tradition. In the afternoon after the Thanksgiving meal our neighbors, the Wickers, come over, and we engage in a spirited game of football. As our families increase and the children get older, the field is more crowded, and the game is more entertaining.

This year I believe the Griffiths were intimated by the Wicker’s face painting and the parade with the decorated golf cart. At least that is what I contribute our 10-9 loss to, that and the fact that our oldest son, Dillon, was not able to attend because of work.

For me this year, the game was a reminder of what I am most thankful for. I am still in the game, as is all the members of our families. We are still healthy and active. We love life, a competitive game, and great friendships. I still want to compete — in football, in business and for the cause of Christ. I am not looking for retirement or a life of ease. I don’t look forward to the day when I will not be an active participant in the football game–or the game of life. I am still looking for challenges, hills to climb and causes worth fighting for.

And for that, I am truly thankful to God, who is the giver of all life and blessings. Now, if we can just raise our game a little for next year’s battle…

The issue of whether to accept the offer of the Union Hall building was discussed and debated at  County Commission meetings for several months. Ultimately, the offer was rejected by County Commission.

On the surface this appears to be an easy, straightforward decision. Obviously libraries play an important role in communities and enhance the education of the citizenry. But as is often the case, there are many more details and a greater story. I voted to reject the offer, and in the final analysis, I believe there are several reasons why the offer was declined.

1. The Union Hall building is in need of much repair. Estimates ranged from $160,000 – $200,000. Although local citizens were willing to raise some of the funds needed, Axel Ringe, Chairman of the Library Board, stated that funding from County Commission  would be needed.
2. Jefferson County does not fund library buildings for any other community. The other libraries (Jefferson City, Dandridge and White Pine) are supported by the municipalities. If the County funded improvements for the Strawberry Plains Library, then the precedent would be set and other communities, like Talbott and Chestnut Hill, would likely expect comparable funding, and rightly so.
3. The motion by Commissioner Blevins to accept the Union Hall Building stated explicitly that the County would not provide any additional funding. If we accepted the building, but the community could not raise the needed funds, then the County would be stuck with a building it could not use.
4. The citizens of Strawberry Plains were equally divided between keeping the library at its current downtown location and accepting the Union Hall building.
5. The current 800 sq.ft. library, which is in need of expansion, could be more than doubled in size for approximately $100,000 (1000 sq.ft. x $100/sq.ft.). The Parrott family was generously offering a 99-year lease at no cost, including additional land if needed for an expansion.
6. State grants could possibly be obtained for either building.
7. The Union’s offer required that the building be used for a library. There were other needs that the building could be used for, for example a Senior Citizens Center, if the offer did not constrain the building’s use.
8. Union officials stated that the offer would be withdrawn after our November meeting. Further study by perhaps the Facilities Committee was not an option.

The Finance Committee meets Monday, April 11 at 10 am in the Main Coutroom of the Courthouse in Dandridge.

County Commission has a work session at 6:30 pm, April 11 in the Main Courtroom of the Courthouse in Dandridge.

The regular monthly meeting of County Commission is at 6:30 pm, April 18 in the Main Courtroom of the Courthouse in Dandridge.

Picture a family of four with an income of $46,000, annual costs of $78,000, and a credit-card debt of $281,000.  The figures are roughly proportionate to federal government revenue, annual outlays and the accumulated national debt,  as reported by House Budget Committee member Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R., S.C.) at a committee hearing. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite).

Follow the link below to see a conceptual plan from Norfolk-Southern for the proposed intermodal in New Market.

NS Conceptual Plan

Also, a preliminary traffic study has been prepared for TDOT. Follow the link below to see the study.

DRAFT New Market Intermodal traffic Impact Study.dat

Thanks to Daryl Brady, Chairman of the Industrial Development Board, for forwarding this information to me.

Today, there are three meetings of the Jefferson County Commission.

1. The Finance Committee meets at 10 a.m.
2. The Budget Committee meets at 5:30 p.m.
3. County Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. for the regular monthly work session.

All meetings are located in the Main Courtroom of the Jefferson County Courthouse in Dandridge.

Eleven County Commissioners voted to slash the school building program from $64 million to $26.7 million, but still mandated that the original scope be accomplished, which is absurd. The School Board voted to use the $26.7 millio to build two elementary schools, which delays any meaningful solution to the high school overcrowding.

Given the underfunding of the school building program and the School Board’s decision to not address the needs of the high school, I proposed a joint work session to provide a forum for the two bodies to have a meaningful discussion. This would provide the School Board an opportunity to explain their plan, and potential alternatives, to the County Commission, which would include the opportunity to discuss additional funding. County Commissioners could hear their reasoning, ask questions and hopefully come to consensus on the best path for moving forward, and hopefully find a better solution than the one that is on the table.

The offer was rejected 5-2! No open and full discussion? The impasse continues.

Tom Humphrey has an informative article about Knoxville’s Public Building Authority (PBA). They are obviously not school planning experts, and I cannot understand why they were hired as consultants by the Jefferson County School Board to tell us which schools to build.

The PBA has a working relationship with many of the Knoxville architects and contractors. They are also not an unbiased 3rd party advisor.