Just heard that Kevin passed away. Does anyone have details!

C'mon you guys, this guy needs to go!

Here's a very interesting article from the recent Newsweek.
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Rep. Hurley has received a good deal of criticism here, but she had the good sense not to bend to the RC Commission's pressure to introduce a bill to put collars on the critters there. I know that few of the commissioners post here and most read the content, yet none have had the courage to comment on the logic behind the unanimous vote. If there is some sort of war going on with Hurley and the Commission as was implied in the RC News yesterday, it's time to end it and do what's right for the people who put them in office.

It has become clear that government spending needs to be cut. If one takes a look at Republican spending cut proposals some very interesting information emerges.
Republicans want to cut:
91 billion from, remaining stimulus funding, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and Medicaid
4.5 Billion from Veterans benefits, not to mention Social Security and Medicare cut proposals.
3.1 billion from Corp for Public Broadcasting, Endowments for Art and Humanities, Parks and National preservation, low income housing assistance and education programs.
3.5 billion from Amtrak and inner city transit programs
1.5 billion from DOE Energy research

The list goes on and on with one disturbing commonality: The vast majority of proposed cuts directly affect the average American taxpayer or federal employee but leaves heavy campaign contributors such as PAC members (Corporations) and pork barrel projects untouched. Your Republican representatives recently turned down a measure to penalize government contractors who continuously send jobs offshore.

Here are a few sacred cows they refuse to touch:
6.2 Billion to oil companies who are making record profits
3.5 Billion on a new Stealth jet engine that the defense department says it doesn’t need
25 Billion to corn based ethanol production. Studies have proven that corn ethanol is far too expensive to produce and the price of corn is artificially inflated causing price increases in animal feed (meat and poultry) sweeteners, cereal products etc.

Tea anyone?

Don't ignore your own safety when walking on icy areas. I did and will pay the price! Last Saturday when taking the dog for his walk before before bed I stepped on what I thought was a wet patch. Turns out that it was refrozen melted ice. The result was a compound fracture of my ankle (tibia), 3 hours of repair surgery involving pins,screws and plates, and 4 days in the hospital. I now face a minimum 8-10 weeks in a cast, loss of basic mobility, and months of physical therapy.

All because I failed to exercise caution. Be careful out there!

Councilman Brant Williams sent me a copy of the following letter that he has submitted to the RCN:

That TDEC is requiring the TVA to install a liner in the gypsum storage pond is no surprise.
That there are problems with the pond is, sadly, unremarkable.
As far back as Jan. 2, 2009, at the special-called Kingston City Council meeting when TVA Chairman Tom Kilgore addressed the public regarding the TVA ash spill, former Kingston councilman Jim Rivers raised the issue of the gypsum pond construction.
Mr. Rivers expressed concern that the pond was not being built with a liner (as TDEC is now requiring the TVA to retrofit).
In Mr. Kilgore’s reply was the promise that the people and the city of Kingston would be allowed full review of the gypsum pond construction plans.
When asked about a third-party engineering firm possibly reviewing the plans, Mr. Kilgore agreed that it could be worked out.
Later in a city council workshop, I brought up the gypsum pond issue and reminded council of Mr. Kilgore’s promise to allow third-party oversight.
At the time, council informally agreed to send a letter to the TVA and Mr. Kilgore expressing concern that the pond be built to the highest safety standards.
At a later meeting, I again brought up the gypsum pond issue and expressed concern that the TVA had not responded to our letter.
Unfortunately, by this time then-county commission chairman and Kingston Mayor Troy Beets had seemingly become the TVA’s “frontman” and was actively running interference for the TVA in an apparent effort to thwart organized or official resistance to the TVA plans regarding the conduct of ash spill cleanup, economic recovery and gypsum pond construction.
At one point, then-commissioner and Mayor Beets acknowledged he was actively involved in private discussions and secret meetings with high-level TVA officials.
During a council workshop, the mayor alluded to having inside information regarding the TVA plans on economic recovery.
However, when asked what he knew and when he knew, Beets refused to answer.
When pressed that as our mayor he should not be holding secret meetings and should at the least be informing council of such discussions, Beets steadfastly refused to reveal the nature of his talks with the TVA (however shortly afterward the TVA made a gift of $43 million to the Roane County and made Beets head of the foundation that was to give the money out of which $37 million went to Beets’ pet projects — the schools and a new sewer plant).
In any case, I feel certain that had it not been for Beets’ constant assurances that the TVA would do the “right thing” and had his supporters on city council not refused to use the City of Kingston’s influence to pressure the TVA into allowing oversight of the gypsum pond construction, the pond might already have a liner and not today be leaking.
Finally, it is my sincere hope that the citizens of Kingston and Roane County take this sad chapter in Roane County politics as a lesson and never forget the unnecessarily high cost of allowing one man to hold two high-elected offices at the same time.
Brant W. Williams
Kingston councilman

I gladly let Stockton put a sign in my yard and voted for him as well. 3 weeks later the sign's still there and I see his signs all over town. Doesn't help his image at all.

While it is generally good to see new businesses in our community, the latest addition of a "Title Loan" operation in downtown Kingston is hardly an attraction worth noting. The cheap, gaudy signs plastered all over the building and nailed to utility poles around town are emblematic of an area in financial distress. Anyone investigating our community as a possible place to relocate will probably keep on driving and most likely pay no attention to our beautiful waterfront and new pavilion. Mayor Beets, you condemn T-shirt shops and tattoo parlors, but you remain silent about a business that preys on the un-creditworthy at the highest legal interest rates.

It would appear that no one on Council cares to make any effort whatsoever to improve the appearance of our city. All we hear about is how development of the Gallaher Road corridor is going to be the answer to what ails us.

It's time for action and not more rhetoric!

Draw your own conclusions on this one!http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100228/NEWS0206/2280327/Zach-Wamp-ruffles-bird-lovers

Yesterday, Rocky spit in the face of Court Clerk Angela Randolph. Those who come to his defense might want to give some consideration to his mental stability. This man could be on the street ready to continue his war with authority if we are not very careful.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Brad Parish Forms Exploratory Committee for Tennessee’s Third Congressional District to Replace Zack Wamp

January 10, 2010

Oak Ridge, TN – Today, Brad Parish announces that he is forming an exploratory committee to look at running for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 3rd District in the November 2010 election. Parish will run as the “energy-economy candidate” for a stronger nation, innovative companies and well-paying jobs for the 3rd congressional district.

Parish stated, “Energy is power: it has brought the necessities of life to Tennessee, it has brought world changing technology to our door step, it has caused wars, and it has brought businesses here. Energy is the power that will drive the future. I don’t see a candidate running that has the qualifications that I have to move us into the energy future. That is why I am considering this historic run: for our jobs, for our families and for our national security.”

If he makes the final decision to run, Parish will seek the Democratic nomination to replace Congressman Zack Wamp, who is retiring to run for Tennessee Governor this year.

Parish, born in Oak Ridge, believes his central location is an advantage that will allow him to easily reach all parts of the 3rd District and best represent the interests of the entire district. Parish brings to this competitive race a clear strategic understanding of the District in addition to an impressive background. Parish believes that his past experience will prove valuable in recovering from the current economic situation. Parish understands that since the need for energy will continue to drive the economy, the Tennessee Valley Corridor is uniquely positioned to lead the State and the Country into the energy future. As Congressman, Parish plans to bring even more innovative companies and jobs to the District.

Brad Parish is ready to be the champion for our region, our businesses and workforce, and our families regarding the core issues facing the 3rd District:

• Economic Development and Job Creation
Parish has a long history of working to create a strong regional economy. Parish is a two-term Governor-appointed member of the State’s Workforce Development Board, where he serves as the Vice Chair of Strategic Planning. Parish has worked to reform poorly performing areas while ensuring that the State’s efforts clearly focus on key growth industries for the future and while supporting private businesses through retraining grant funding. Parish was formerly one of the key personnel for the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee. This organization worked to create regional jobs through reindustrialization strategies such as spurring growth of private automotive, transportation, environmental and technology companies.

• Education
Parish has been a leader in pushing for technical education and career planning. Parish has worked with a coalition of companies and unions such as TVA, Alstom Power, and Y-12 in aligning educational opportunities with career paths in the energy, industry, and construction sectors across the State. He has also served as Co-Chair of the P-16 Education Council developing communication strategies to keep kids in school from preschool through the completion of the college degree. One of the educational projects that Parish initiated was recently listed by UT and the Southern Growth Policy Board as one of the State’s best youth initiatives. Over twenty years ago, Parish founded a long-lasting Pre-Engineering Program that partly paved the way for technology education in the Tennessee Valley. In addition, Parish worked as an Education Program Manager with the Oak Ridge Associated Universities supporting educational initiatives such as the Tennessee Science Bowl. Parish has served on committees for local colleges, youth councils, and youth leadership committees.

• Health Care
Parish has helped change health legislation. In 2003, Parish was elected as a Board Member for the Rural Health Association of Tennessee, the largest rural health association in the country at that time. As a member of the Government Relations Committee, Parish worked on strategies to bring health care to rural areas of Tennessee through recruiting doctor and nurses, and by improving technology. In 2009, Parish was appointed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Health and Human Services to the Tennessee Technology Access Program Statewide Advisory Committee. This committee works with disabled people and their families to provide them with the tools that they need to live independent, productive lives where and how they choose. As the East Tennessee Organizer for the Campaign for a Healthy and Responsible Tennessee, Parish was instrumental in the successful anti-tobacco fight—the fight that led to subsequent legislative changes like smoke-free restaurants—through a coalition of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and the March of Dimes. In 2004, Parish served on the Tennessee Taskforce that established the Health Science educational standards for statewide high school curriculum.

• Science and Technology
Parish has lived science and technology. He started his career in a research laboratory for environmental sciences and recently served as a Program Manager for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory recruiting PhD scientists from across the world and managing career development programs for the Spallation Neutron Source. In 2009, Brad was appointed to the State’s Energy Sector Partnership Committee working with Chattanooga State Community College, Heat & Frost Insulators, TVA, Hemlock Semiconductor, Nissan, and other energy-related companies. For several years, Parish has been selected as an evaluator for the Federal Laboratory Consortium of Technology Transfer in which he judges technology from NASA, national laboratories, and other government agencies.

Parish has the business experience to be an outstanding legislator, as demonstrated by the fact that he grew the revenue of a Fortune 500 company’s region to $18M/year in less than three years. Recently one of the top candidates for the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency’s Executive Director, Parish is currently the Vice President of CPS, Inc., a nationwide government services firm that has supported over 150 government agencies in 44 States and 6 foreign countries.

Parish believes in responsible government and fair taxes. Parish has even taken this fight of responsible government to City Hall on behalf of the people. In 2005, he tried to hold the City of Kingston’s taxes down when city leaders proposed a massive 25% tax increase, due to unbridled spending and lack of control. Even though entrenched politicians won that fight, Parish’s resolve was tested making him stronger for any and all legislative fights on the Hill or campaign fights to represent the people of the 3rd District. With the strength to fight, Parish intends to bring that same fiscal conservative approach to Congress.

Although he is seeking his first publically elected office, Parish has aggressively worked in grassroots politics for the past two decades. In addition to the many statewide committees on which he has served, Parish’s political experience includes a term as a County Democratic Party Chair. For several years, Brad Parish was the co-host of a local TV political talk show that gave him the opportunity to listen to and talk with the constituents. Over a decade ago, Parish was given a statewide award by the Tennessee Democratic Party and continues to be very active for the Party.

Brad Parish, age 40, lives with his wife Esther, a researcher at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and their two children Levi age 6 and Avery age 4. They are members of Morrison Hill Christian Church.

Here's a letter to the editor of the Roane County News written by Sherrie Farver who has been active in helping the rescued dogs. Keep in mind that the Dodd woman STILL has a large number of dogs in her possession and the inhumane treatment of these animals is ongoing. The hearing is set for this coming Monday. I am trying to find out what time and will post it when I know.

December 8, 2009

Editor
P.O. Box 610
Kingston, TN 37763

Life as a puppy mill dog

The hearing date of Dec. 14th for alleged Roane County puppy mill operator, Marjorie Dodd, is growing near. We who have sought veterinary care for the 28 dogs seized from her property and opened our homes to provide foster care and safe haven for them, hope that justice is fully served. These innocent victims have multiple health problems. Their skin conditions, rotting teeth, infected gums, sores, tumors, ear infections, mange, matted hair, and flea infestation are visual indicators of the neglect and the suffering they have endured.

We have imminent concern for the 80 dogs that District Attorney General, Russell Johnson, chose to ignore by failure to pursue their immediate removal from the property as well. In addition, our legal rights as law-abiding citizens were compromised by his refusal to petition the court for Ms. Dodd to post a bond of security for the expenses incurred for the dogs taken in by local rescue groups.

Can any of us begin to imagine what it would be like to live as a puppy mill dog? A small area of confinement covered with urine and feces is the home provided. There is little to no human contact. Professional veterinary care is not provided as the owner keeps expense to a bare minimum.

The strong stench of ammonia in the air is so thick that breathing is difficult especially in the heat of the summer months. Water, necessary for life, is often contaminated with algae or bodily excrement. Food is cheap and stale. And the fleas…..they thrive year round in this type of environment. Even mange and chronic skin conditions do not interfere as they relentlessly feed from the bodies of their hosts.

And then, puppies are born into this domain of filth and disease. Being the source of income and profit, they will be sold as quickly as possible to the unwary consumer before sickness manifests. As an adult breeder dog, the cycle will continue yet again and again. The physical and mental degradation is unbearable, yet there is no choice but to bear it for this is life in a puppy mill to those who survive.

The Humane Society of the United States has launched a national tip line and encourages callers to report suspected cruelty or unlawful activities involving puppy mills. The hotline, 1-877-MILL-TIP is available to anyone with information. Please do not purchase the puppies that you see at flea markets or at pet stores. Most likely, their parents endure a wretched life in conditions such as those just described.

Sherrie Farver
(link...)
Ten Mile

What a sad commentary on an apparent lack of interest by some of its members. As chairman of the committee, Farmer should see to it in advance that a quorum will be present. If not, the meeting should be cancelled before inconveniencing everyone. It's as simple as a quick email to the group!

This committee has been ineffective from its very inception and still doesn't seem to know its purpose. I listened to the entire proceeding and the only committee member who made a meaningful contribution was newly appointed member Randy Ellis. Randy fearlessly jumped in and challenged TVA directly on a variety of issues. He is the spark that this committee needs. If some other members of the committee don't wake up and start acting in the community's interest they need to be replaced.

I attended several of the early meetings and watched while community members came before the committee and spoke on deaf ears. After a few of those mind numbing sessions I stopped going. After hearing the way Ellis handled himself on Wednesday, I plan to attend future meetings and would encourage those who want to be heard to do the same.

This is yet another example of elected officials forgetting why they were elected and who they are supposed to serve. Interestingly...they were considering a 5 minute rule but Commissioner/Mayor Beets pushed for 3 minutes. Soon they will find a way to eliminate any public participation.

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They have already divvied up the 40 Million without the citizens of Roane County having any say. This is back room, good old boy politics at its worst!
Where was the "sunshine" when Beets and his boys were negotiating this deal "since February"? From the outset the Long Term Recovery Committee aired nothing but frustration and helplessnes in its dealings with TVA. Interestingly, Beets took great pride at numerous Kingston City Council meetings in implying that he was on an inside track with TVA and was talking to them regularly. When questioned by fellow Kingston City Council member Brant Williams as to what these conversations entailed, Beets refused to answer, saying that Williams could call him if he wanted to know.

TVA appears to be doing the honorable thing here and deserves some praise. At least they were smart enough to be a 50% partner in this "Foundation" and will be able to have some control how their money is spent.

When will the citizens of Roane County tire of this kind of nonsense?

Steelers and Titans going to overtime

This dirtbag has managed to crawl out of the sewer and resume his pro football career. I hope that people will boycott Philly and any advertiser who sponsors them.

Newly elected Councilman Tim Neal flew squarely into the face of the status quo and proposed that the City put 10-12 boat slips at the Gravel Pit in front of Red Bones, our new, and popular full service restaurant. This would give temporary dockage to boaters wanting to patronize the restayrant. There was also some discussion of adding a gas dock there.

Tim went a step further by proposing that the City build a small marina with a gas dock at the location where the Watts Bar Bell was docked.

Council has agreed to immediately study the Red Bones issue and look at the marina issue later.

Hats off to Tim. This is the kind of progressive leadership we need!

Roane County news is publishing a story that TVA still plans wet storage of gypsum when the new scrubber comes on line...this from Anda Ray. Simply another "screw you Roane County" move. This stuff may not be as toxic as coal ash but the volume will be greater. It is highly alkaline and a big spill would rapidly change the water PH and cause huge fish kills.

Cry us some more crocodile tears Anda!

If this is true , I believe it is unfair. While he challenges some beliefs and viewpoints and readily states his opinion, he does so without personal invective and insult. His posts are usually thought provoking and sometimes entertaining ....even if you disagree.

Last week I was part of a 300 mile river pleasure cruise from Watts Bar that ended in Florence Alabama. Aside from the incredible beauty and the experience of " locking through" it was an eye opening experience. Beginning in Chattanooga, progressive and forward thinking towns and cities along the river have done wonders with their waterfronts.

As we continued down river we found that numerous small towns have also discovered that their riverfronts are important assets that could generate revenue while providing citizens and visitors with quality recreational facilities. We saw beautiful city and county owned marinas, camp grounds, golf courses, parks, and beaches that would make any community proud. Scottsboro in Alabama is a good example. Goose Pond Colony is in Jackson County which has about the same population as Roane County and is in about the same proximity to Huntsville as Roane County is to Knoxville . The Scottsboro facility has 2 golf courses, a marina, waterfront cabins, a lodge with meeting facilities, a 1500 seat amphitheater and other attractions.

Further down river we saw Ditto landing, an equally impressive facility. Florence also has a great city owned marina with a great beach and impeccably maintained park.

All of these facilities came as a result of visionary leadership and a "build it and they will come attitude". I doubt that the money to pay for them fell from the sky and the cities involved are not huge cities with unlimited funds, but they managed to get the job done.

There's no question why we have nothing of the sort in Kingston or Roane County.....a total lack of vision and imagination. Recently, Kingston soundly voted down a Mayoral candidate who dared promote any waterfront development and elected a Mayor who says we'll have to develop the waterfront "over his dead body". His greatest fear seems to be tattoo parlors and T-shirt shops dotting the shores of Kingston. Our County leadership is equally impotent and seems totally occupied with trying to extract money from TVA; yet neither seems to fear achieving the highest property tax rate in the state.

Perhaps the $100,000.00 that Kingston wasted on their professional study would have been better spent on a trip down river! By the way....we didn't see a single tattoo parlor or T shirt shop.

Wake up Kingston and Roane County!

Don't leave it to others! Exercise your right and responsibility to vote and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

Randy Martens

I understand that there has been some discussion that I may be a candidate who is only interested in issues that affect my own neighborhood, the Center Farm sub division....that couldn't be further from the truth.

I sort of expected some of that since my initial battle with City Hall was over our sewage situation, but that's only a single issue. That issue, if not resolved, will affect more than just Center Farm. Center Farm has not been treated particularly well, but the other issues here are the same as in the rest of our city. I feel strongly that every citizen of Kingston is being shortchanged by a Council that does not welcome their input or participation. Council's answer to any fiscal issue is to increase taxes or utility rates, and there are virtually no plans to increase the city's revenue by any other means. Business people or citizens asking for help are stonewalled or given the runaround if there is any controversy or expense involved. Entirely too many issues are decided without regard to sunshine laws and political favors seem to be the order of the day.

Having attended every City Council meeting and work session for the past year, my decision to get involved was made after watching endless political posturing, back stabbing and lackadaisical Council members.

Have I assured Center Farm residents that I'll look out for their interests? You bet! But certainly no more than I'll do to see that every Kingston resident and business owner gets a fair shake from the City.

My tenacity in not allowing the Council to kill my willingness to fight for my neighbors will extend to every citizen of Kingston if I am elected.

Thanks!
Randy Martens

As many of you are aware, I am a candidate for Kingston City Council. Being a political neophyte, I can use all the help I can get. I am encouraged by the growing support I am receiving. If you live, vote or have family or friends in Kingston, please take a look at my website. If you feel that I'm on the right track, I'd love to hear from you! I've never been a big fan of political ads, signs, and contributions but the fact is, they are necessary parts of the process. I need more locations for large and small signs and if you will send me a private email and include your address, I'll bring one to you and will remove it after the election. I would also welcome the opportunity to meet with community members to discuss my ideas for Kingston. A link to my website is below. You can also make a contribution there if you choose.

Thanks!
Randy Martens

(link...)

On May 14th the City of Kingston will sponsor a public candidate forum at 7:00 PM at the Kingston Community Center. UT's Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) will conduct the forum and I'm sure will do a passable job. However, after each candidate makes some opening remarks, the same questions will be asked of all the candidates. MTAS will supposedly create the questions, I'm not so sure that they will do so totally on their own. Regardless, the public will not be given an opportunity to pose questions to the candidates and the format will not permit any sort of direct debate between the candidates.

I would love to see a true debate between Kingston's Mayoral and Council candidates that involves public participation. In many areas The League of Women Voters sponsors and moderates such events, but since the nearest chapter is in Oak Ridge, I doubt that they will want to do something in Kingston. I have emailed them to ask and await a reply.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Randy Martens

Here are some meetings that should not be missed.

Tuesday April, 7th 6:00PM Community Center- Kingston City Council Work Session

Wednesday April 8th 4:30 PM Courthouse- Long Term Recovery Committee Meeting

Snatched out from under a very contented chicken! Absolutely wonderful! I have lived in the city for too long and forgot what real eggs are supposed to taste like. After omelets list night and two over easy this morning I now remember. Spouse and I Visited Farmer Leaf's Broadened Horizon Farm yesterday and were most graciously shown what farming should be. He actually pastures his chickens, irrigates with accumulated rainwater, and gardens organically. Leaf even lights his chicken houses using solar cells and his solar powered oven can cook meals as well as your crockpot. Can't wait til summer for vegatables and honey!!

Today's RCN coverage of the Long Term Recovery Committee's plan to ask for 15% of TVAs cleanup costs clearly demonstrates why we need a professional advocate.

A member of the committee stated that the main reason that the 15% request was settled on, was so that we could negotiate down from there. Other members of the committee agreed with this strategy. Gee, do you think TVA will pick up on this?

Just received this from Brad Parish:

I stopped by the Long Term Recovery Planning Meeting tonight.

Mike
Farmer made the motion to have TVA pay a percentage to cover our
economic recovery. The committee voted to have the percent at 15% of
the total clean up cost. The deemed cleanup as to when TDEC said it
was cleaned up. The also decided to dedicate the funds to capital
projects only. It looks like new schools (with an "s") will be the
capital project from the county level, plus the cities have their own
capital projects with any extra money being decided on hopefully by a
point system that would stress the economic impact of those projects.
They also agreed to have the payments start soon and be regular
payments, so we don't have to wait until the end of the project.
Apparently their will be seperate funding from TVA for a PR firm to
work on our image recovery. I think this was a great step forward.
In addition I don't know how TVA could say "no", as that would make
them look bad. I'm sure some would say that Roane County will be
causing a hardship on other electric bill payers in the valley, but
Frank pointed out that the entire clean-up is just 4% of their
operating budget, so this would just be a small factor in the scheme
of things.

Gonna have to think about this one...seems reasonable for starters. Disposal of the ash and long term health issues must be seperate issues.

Randy Martens
For Kingston City Council
(link...)