Graduation at Kingston was supposed to be outside, but everyone got scared watching the forecast and began wishing it was going to be inside the gym. Their wishes came true, and it was the first time since 1994!

So, we all sat and sweltered, waving our programs at each other to stay cooler, while rude people filed into the gym and stood in the aisles in front of the seated first couple of rows.

And what's up with latest fashion trend of wearing a fancy dress and walking around with dirty bare feet?! Do we not respect ourselves and others anymore?

Thank God we only have to endure going back to school a couple times in our lives.

Back outside, as I broke the doorway, it was cool, with a clear blue sky, and the moon shining down.

We're never satisfied!

Here is a video made by Delano Williams who lives near the TVA Coal Ash Disaster in Kingston, TN.

Here is the Link...

Media Contact: vacelious1@aol.com

A process in the Cleanup of the TVA Kingston Disaster includes as part of the Superfund, the formation of a community group....

In the TVA disaster, it will most likely be what is called a CAG, or Community Advisory Group. A Community Advisory Group is a term EPA uses to define a committee, task force, or board comprised of residents affected by a hazardous waste site.

CAGs are made up of members of the community and is designed to serve as the focal point for the exchange of information among the local community and the EPA, the State regulatory agency, and other pertinent Federal agencies involved in the cleanup of the Superfund site.

CAGs enhance public participation in the cleanup process by providing a public forum where representatives of diverse community interests can discuss their concerns and learn from each other.

The CAG can assist the EPA in making better decisions on how to clean up the site. It offers EPA a unique opportunity to hear and seriously consider community preferences for site clean up and remediation.

The size of the CAG will depend on the needs of the affected community. Typically CAGs have 15-20 members, who are willing to devote at least 2 years to the CAG. Some CAGs continue for longer periods of time, due to the extent of a particular cleanup. Anniston Alabama has a CAG that has been ongoing since September 2003, and continues due to the large scale cleanup needed in that area: Link...

CAGs will also provide information to the public regarding the cleanup and progress. The CAG will received a grant to hire an independent Technical Advisor to assist with the information processes related to data received from all entities working within the clean up site.

To learn more: Link...

Superfund Today - Focus on the Community Advisory Group
Link...

CAGs; Case Studies:
Link...

The TVA/Roane County CAG is now forming. There are currently 12 core members, with nominations being accepted until next Thursday, August 6th.

If you would like more information regarding Nominations, or are interested in applying for the position of Technical Advisor you may contact the group at roanecountycag@gmail.com

Applicants for the Technical Advisor position should be someone who can provide at least the following:

Help our community to better understand cleanup technologies and their effectiveness;

Be responsible for reviewing, interpreting, and explaining technical materials in an understandable way;

Meet with our community to answer questions and to listen to our concerns;

Please note: The technical advisor is a paid position, and the CAG is currently asking for interested persons to send a resume by email to:

roanecountycag@gmail.com with the subject line Technical Advisor.

The group would prefer someone locally (East Tennessee), due to the cost of travel.

If you have any questions, the group will do their best to answer them, just send them an email. roanecountycag@gmail.com

Thank You

Take a quick look around Kingston, Tennessee. GO HERE and click on “Slideshow”!

As promised, I took a walk around Kingston yesterday…another beautiful day with a dark blue sky for a background. Note the one shot of the closed business with the “Closed” sign hanging in the door. It seems to sum up all of our little towns in Roane County. However, I, for one, believe something will happen one day to cause those signs to be removed. You just have to believe our “Appalachian Dreams” will come true.

Please take the time to look at the photos and send me any historical information you might have on them. I don’t know the building/home names or the dates they were built. Please help! Send to fuzzbert_1999 AT Yahoo dot com.

I plan on doing the same "walk around" for Rockwood and Oliver Springs soon!
Check out stories from "A Sixties Kind of Man" HERE!

Did you know that TVA makes a weekly report to the EPA OSC?
Link...
HIGHLIGHTS
• The ash stilling pond dredging was initiated and approximately 3,000 cubic yards removed.
• Held a briefing on the root cause analysis for the TDEC technical team on May 21st in Nashville.
• About 18,000 cubic yards of river ash was removed from the Emory River.
• Received EPA approval on 5 minor work plans; rail spur, rail car offloading, barge area offload, ash movement east of Dike 2, and movement of yellow dredge.
• Submitted draft safety and health plan and time critical removal action memorandum to EPA.
• Work progressing on schedule on the rail spur construction. Nearly 800 feet of rail and ties have been positioned for installation.

I haven't looked on the TDEC website for information on the "root cause analysis".
I don't see the plans for the rail spur posted, but TVA has a Swan Pond Rd. lane closure notice on their website.

Long Term Recovery Committee Meeting

May 13, 2009

The meeting is blogged here: Link...

The next meeting will include Reps from TVA

May 20th @ 4:30pm at the Roane County Courthouse

Who can give me some information on Donnie R. Davis who is running for Kingston Mayor? Where does he work, qualifications, website etc? I am very pleased that the race is not unopposed.

I just noticed that it is now easier to contribute to the Kingston campaign of Randy Martens. His website, RandyMartens.com (Link...), added a Paypal donate button.

Watch documentary free - on line through Jan 31

Appalshop, the independent media folks in Whitesburg, KY have made Robert Salyer's excellent documentary film "Sludge" (about the Oct 2000 coal slurry waste disaster in eastern Kentucky) available free on line through the end of January.

There are some very interesting similarities between the Kentucky coal slurry spill and the TVA spill, and I think it will really resonate with the people in Roane County.

The film is about 45 mins long and contains interviews with people in Martin County who live near the spill. They talk about they were treated by Massey Coal Company and the EPA, plus the clean-up operation, the government investigation/whitewash of the spill, etc. Its a great film and I encourage you to check it out. It streams live on line and you can go to this link and watch it for free:

Link...

We are also planning a community screening of the film in Kingston in late February at the American Legion Hall in Harriman.

Dave Cooper

The Mountaintop Removal Road Show
Link...
608 Allen Ct.
Lexington KY 40505

Dear friends,

Appalshop, the independent media folks in Whitesburg, KY have made Robert Salyer's excellent documentary film "Sludge" (about the Oct 2000 coal slurry waste disaster in eastern Kentucky) available free on line through the end of January.

There are some very interesting similarities between the Kentucky coal slurry spill and the TVA spill, and I think it will really resonate with the people in Roane County.

The film is about 45 mins long and contains interviews with people in Martin County who live near the spill. They talk about they were treated by Massey Coal Company and the EPA, plus the clean-up operation, the government investigation/whitewash of the spill, etc. Its a great film and I encourage you to check it out. It streams live on line and you can go to this link and watch it for free:

Link...

We are also planning a community screening of the film in Kingston in late February at the American Legion Hall in Harriman.

Dave Cooper

The Mountaintop Removal Road Show
Link...
608 Allen Ct.
Lexington KY 40505

January 4, 2009

January 4, 2009

January 4, 2009

January 4, 2009

Bring your family to Fort Southwest Point (Link...) in Kingston, TN on August 9 to learn about our history.

Find out about the fort, period clothing, equipment, food, weapons, and more.

"Kingston Parks and Recreation will be 'Smokin' the Water' beginning at noon with drag boat races, followed by a parade, a car show at Roane County High School, a homemade raft race, a home run derby at Byrd Field, live music at City Park by Tall Paul, vendors at the Gravel Pit and City Park, and finishing off with fireworks over Watts Bar Lake at 9:30PM."
Quoted from: Link....

"Hear ye, Hear ye... Come step back in time."

"Fort Southwest Point in Kingston, Tennessee will be hosting a Christmas Candlelight Tour and Reception on December 8 beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting until 9:00 p.m.

Sign up to participate in the 2007 Kingston Christmas Parade

Kingston got screwed !!