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| Feb 2, 2012 |
This week in local history - Jan. 29 - Feb. 4
1987 - In the news 25 years ago: With a foothold already in McMinn County, the Monroe County town of Sweetwater was eyeing the site of a proposed truck stop just outside its borders over the county line. While no official actions had been taken on the parts of either Sweetwater or McMinn County, Sweetwater Mayor George Cansler said city officials had met with the developers of the truck stop to discuss the possibility that it might be annexed. "There should be no special problems," Cansler said. "It would mean a lot of additional tax money." That's what concerned McMinn County Executive Ron Banks. With differing sales and property tax rates, money was a potential problem. Local sales tax rates in Monroe County were 2 1/4 cents a dollar and 2 cents a dollar in McMinn - a problem the state would probably have to figure out, he said. |
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| Feb 2, 2012 |
Only Niota citizens can close this circus
A few weeks ago, we said in this column we hoped "patience and reason become the motto of the Niota City Commission." Our hope, along with that of a great many of Nitoa's citizens, not only has been dashed but crushed over the past several days as the town has been embroiled in political turmoil and controversy. Since last week, former City Recorder Sandra Lowry was unceremoniously fired, City Attorney Chuck Pope resigned amid the controversy and it was uncertain for a while whether city workers would receive their weekly paychecks because of all the confusion. |
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| Jan 27, 2012 |
Salute to Joel Riley: The Man of the Year
As those who nominated Joel Riley for the J. Neal Ensminger Man of the Year Award said of him, while he's made many contributions and dedicated his time and talents to our community, he's always preferred to maintain a low profile and "fly beneath the radar." |
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| Jan 27, 2012 |
On My Mind: Washington's advice on civility
I watched television news broadcast recently that made me realize just how rude some folks can be to each other. You're thinking that I've certainly been around long enough to know how some people treat each other. The fact is that more and more conflicts are not being solved with civil discussions, but with anger and unfortunate outcomes. |
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| Jan 26, 2012 |
This week in local history - Jan. 26
1987 - In the news 25 years ago: A U.S. District Court jury awarded the Athens City Board of Education $553,000 following nearly a week of testimony in a lawsuit between the school system and an asbestos manufacturer. A verdict was reached for the board which tried to regain money spent in removing asbestos from Athens Junior High School. The award was nearly $100,000 less than what was requested. No punitive damages were awarded. "We would have liked to have had more," said Dr. Robin Pierce, superintendent of Athens City Schools. "We didn't get back what we spent, (but) I'm real pleased. I'm glad it's over and I'm glad we won." Pierce said the School Board fulfilled its obligation to city taxpayers by trying to recover the money spent in removing the dangerous material. |
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| Jan 26, 2012 |
Cell phone ban: Can it make roads safer?
Choose just about any relatively busy intersection in our area and find a safe place to sit back to watch the drivers passing by for a few moments. It can be an eye-opening and educational experience. |
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| Jan 25, 2012 |
Watch out for lottery scams
"You have won a million dollars in our lottery." It's a line Etowah Police Detective Jim Shaw has heard time and time again. It's not because he plays the Powerball Lottery every week and is uncommonly lucky. Rather it's because he routinely hears such reports from residents who are reporting scams. Det. Shaw issued an alert to Tuesday a group of residents who gathered at the Etowah Senior Center for his seminar on what to watch out for regarding what an alarming rise in the number of lottery scams. |
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| Jan 25, 2012 |
Youth baseball alive and well in Athens and McMinn County
Happy New Year!! This salutation always brings forth feelings of optimism and hope for the coming year. That is certainly true for the 2012 McMinn Little League Baseball season. While the start of the season is still more than three months away, preparations have already begun to make the coming season the best yet. |
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| Jan 20, 2012 |
Thumbs up salutes!
We say thumbs up to four people responsible for helping bring a new life into the world under some very trying condition. |
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| Jan 20, 2012 |
The time is always right to do what is right
Earlier this week was a national holiday observed by many in "the land of the free and the home of the brave." As a nation, we had the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Friend, what did you do to recognize this great American? Given the day was a federal holiday, many government offices, area businesses, and human services agencies were closed. Whether you had to work or enjoyed the day off, wha did you do in observance of the holiday? |
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| Jan 20, 2012 |
Language can be real confounding
I absolutely love the English language with all its idioms, regional dialects and unique phraseology. With my twangy hillbilly talk, I have come to realize my voice is recognizable to many folks. Sometimes, when I call someone, they know who I am in three words or less. I should have bet money on them on the old TV show "Name That Tune." |
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| Jan 19, 2012 |
Don't close doors on our government
Accountability: It's not only what we should expect from our elected and appointed public officials, it's what we, as citizens, must demand. The best way to hold our officials accountable is to require whatever they do in the name of citizens be done in public view. Fortunately, for Tennesseans, our local governing bodies are required by law to conduct business in the open for all to see and hear. The "Sunshine Law," as it's often called, forces accountability as open meetings and records provide the means for citizens to see for themselves what their public servants are doing. |
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| Jan 19, 2012 | Agency says thanks for support | |||
| Jan 19, 2012 |
This week in local history
1987 - In the news 25 years ago: A park was going to be built next to the new Decatur Elementary School by the city with help from the state and Meigs County. Tennis courts, a jogging track, picnic tables and shelters would be the first facilities built. When more funds became available, additions would be made to the park. Ballfields, shuffleboard courts and a playground were among the things the aldermen hoped to add to the park when funds became available. A 50-50 matching state grant amounting to just under $20,000 was making the park possible. Decatur would have to match the funds donated by the state. |
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| Jan 18, 2012 |
United Way needs you to meet goal
This time of year is hugely important to one of the community's most key social service agencies: The United Way of McMinn & Meigs Counties. The remaining days of critical fundraising campaign is hugely important to the thousands of local residents assisted by the efforts and works of the United Way's 18 partner agencies. |
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| Jan 13, 2012 | Letter to the editor: Parents & teachers: A great education team | |||
| Jan 13, 2012 | Letter to the editor: Here's why we need term limits | |||
| Jan 13, 2012 |
How much trivia do you really know about 'The King?'
This past week was a special one for a large group of diehard fans of rock and roll music because last Sunday, Jan. 8, Elvis Presley would have been 77 years old. Though I have never been a big fan, I do remember a number of his songs from the 1960s. |
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| Jan 12, 2012 | Readers say thanks for many reasons | |||
| Jan 12, 2012 |
This week in local history - Jan. 8-14
1987 - In the news 25 years ago: Meigs County applied for funds to pay for a program of basic education for adults, Superintendent Robert Greene announced at a Board of Education meeting. "We have been looking at this for a long time, trying to start it back up in our county," said Greene. A state grant of about $5,000 would be used to teach adults to read and start a graduate equivalency diploma (GED) program. The last time Meigs County had a similar program was in 1979. In an effort to get students and teachers in the program, the churches in the county would be utilized. Greene said he had spoken with the pastors of the churches about cooperation in the program. |
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