I want to direct you to the latest blog submitted by nomorelifeonswanpond, "Art From Ashes". Take the time to watch the video that was put together. It is a wonderful preview of what you will see at the Knoxville Museum of Art starting May 17. And, it will touch your heart too. Words cannot do it justice. The video speaks for itself.

The Event:  Art From The Ashes" Art Exhibit and Silent Auction

Where:       The Knoxville Museum of Art

When:        Art Exhibit opening date:  May 17, 2009
                 Time:  3:00 p.m.
                 
Silent Auction and Reception
                 June 28, 2009
                 Time:  3:00 p.m.      

To support the work Of the non-profit community organization,
United Mountain Defense and its efforts on behalf of the victims and survivors of the TVA coal ash spill on 12/22/08 in Roane County Tennessee. 

This young man will have an entry:

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Let me take a minute to brag about my granddaughter's first prom dance!

I think we were all concerned that the Roane County High prom spirit may have been broken by the death this week of James Sams, but it appears that they properly grieved at the funeral, the candle light observance, and in their own special private ways, leaving the prom spirit in tack.

I posted the story and her photos here!

The last time that Yager and Ferguson came to Roane County, they took names and address and conplaints at the end of their meeting from the attendees. They said that they were going to help us and take care of our complaints. As to date they have not helped anyone. It was all a big show to make us think that they were going to help us.

Why do they even come here, if all they do is lie to us? This needs to be remembered when election time comes around. I sure won't forget.

Has anyone noticed the names this year we have a Buddy Holley and an Elvis running for Harriman City Council. I have also noticed that only one has came on board and answered questions. Are anymore coming to this site to anwser questions we may have?

Has anyone an idea as to what TVA is spraying to suppress dust while working on the TVA Fly Ash disaster site? The other day, Saturday to be specific, as I was driving on Swan Pond Road, the roads had dried out and the dust from the construction road was substantial. It was a very black / dark dust coming off the back tires of the trucks. The truck had just left the fly ash pile, was along side my vehicle and the wind was pushing the "dust" directly into my car.

Curious to know what, other than pure water, TVA is using to suppress dust.

Thank you!

Check this out. Mesh nodes instead of discrete nodes for wireless connectivity. It MAY help us!

(link...)

RB

In Today's Roane County News, I was disappointed in the words of Kingston City Councilman, Kevin McClure. First, let me say that I respect his opinion and thank him for his service. However I have to disagree with him. I will quote the RCN.
"It wasn't the Rockwood fly ash spill, McClure said. It wasn't the Harriman fly ash spill. It was the Kingston fly ash spill."
Just because it is the Kingston Fossil Plant does not mean that other areas were not devastated. The last time I checked, most of the visible coal ash is in the coves and along the banks of the Swan Pond and the Emory River Road communities. I never saw any "ash bergs" under the bridge. And most of Swan Pond and much of the Emory River Road area is outside of any city limits. Call a Swan Pond resident dialing 376 first. You may find a few, but most have 882 or other Harriman numbers.
I live in Kingston myself. I graduated high school here. But, this is a county disaster. Check with Jerry's Bait Shop this summer and see if their sales are down. My bet will be yes.
Again Councilman McClure, I respect your service to the Kingston community. I applaude your passion for Kingston. But just being a Kingston ash spill? I have to strongly disagree.

Boy did TVA's feel good ad bring tears to my eyes...NOT! This had to be the worst form of desperation I have ever seen.
Yes, I will agree that there is some bad lawsuits out there. I think everyone will give that to you. But did you put in the ad what the "two court filings" were about? No, you didn't. Why didn't you just come out and say you filed for immunity from ALL claims filed?
Next, you say that TVA "plans to clean up the ash spill in the Kingston community and do it right".
OK, what about the Swan Pond community, where the majority of the coal ash is? I see two coves that used to have water, and was used for recreation that are still full of coal ash. And you have already mentioned that they will not be cleaned out. I see places that used to have 30 feet of water, where the coal ash has been covered with tons of rock. So, are you ever going to dig out the rock and coal ash there? I sincerely doubt it.
Now, let's see. You say "TVA is working to be responsive to the effected people of Roane County".
How responsive are you being to people like Dana May, Lisa Christianson, and their newborn baby by evicting them and forcing them to move back into a place that their own doctor says isn't safe for the baby? How responsive are you being to Jack Arp, who has documentation that he should be removed from the place he lives in, but because he lives outside of the imaginary line (that used to be the red and green zone that no longer exists) he cannot be with his family. Or how about the Ellis family? I could go on and on.
And the last thing I will mention at this time is the bottom of the ad.
"TVA is finalizing an agreement with Oak Ridge Associated Universities to provide an independent, qualified resource to help those who live near the spill area address any health related questions or concerns."
Now that is a good one. Instead of just trying to answer questions, why don't you pay for independent metal and health screening for those who are sick and cannot get out. They cannot afford to move. Increasing health care costs add to the problem. And because they live just outside of the imaginary line, their illnesses must be due to the "cold and flu season".
Taking out this ad just shows me the desperation TVA is feeling. They know they are liable. That's why they seek immunity from EVERY lawsuit. Come on guys. This ad is sad. No, it's pathetic. And I for one am not buying it.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is a good time to look for more ways you can help those around you. For example, the West Roane County Volunteer Fire Department ((link...)) needs help! To find out more about NVW, see: (link...)

just talked with the man responsible for over a mile worth of new sidewalks in Harriman and he said he would help anyone with a new one in their neoghborhood, or in frontof their home, best of all no red tape or cost, just get in touch.

I just talked with the man responsible for more than a mile of new sidewalks in Harriman, and he said he would help anyone that wants a new sidewalk in their neighborhood or home just get in touch.And the good thing is no red tape and no charge.

A slew of properties, that have not been condemmed should be. One at the end of the Lon Mee Bridge claimed a father and sons life, several years ago and still police and fire tape around it, should have been gone within a week yet it remains.
A delapidated trailor owned by a Harriman business man and a big part of the soon to be savior of downtown princess theatre, a report has been filed with the cities codes enforcement office , 2 years ago and every month since, has yet to do anything , heck the building inspector and the codes enforcement office has turned and eye and looked the other way pics were taken to them to show them nothing done.
Downtown buildings condemmed and are being vandalised and copper stolen from them yet nothing being done to protect the citizens this building is a major fire hazard and presents many dangers to fire fighters as well.
This is called SELECTIVE ENFORCMENT. and is illegal but its going on everyday in the city of Harriman under the mayors watch and direction!!

TVA Statement on Court filing
To Request Dismissal of Tort Claims Related to the Kingston Ash Spil
April 17, 2009

TVA requested today that the Federal District court in Knoxville dismiss all tort claims filed against it related to the ash spill at Kingston Fossil Plan.

Update: PDF file attached

I finally was able to reach a TVA rep...(it went to his cellphone voicemail first....) regarding the issue with the lawn maint. at the home that TVA has relocated us to (a rental).

The original agreement was that TVA would have the company handling the rental to do maintanance and mow our lawn.

Well, as of today... there will be NO lawn mowing. TVA has "ran into this issue recently" and they are not doing any mowing.... (this was provided at my previous residence in Swan Pond and I don't own a lawn mower... anyone got some hungry goats?)

So, as the grass gets higher and higher I think it will be a jungle soon.

Maybe I'll just put up a sign in the yard with TVA's phone number... then my neighbors can call TVA to complain.

West Roane County VFD's "Spring Yard Sale" is all day Friday and Saturday on Mother's Day weekend, May 8 and 9.

Call 354-8201 or 354-1993 to have donated items picked up, or leave your items with a volunteer at Station #1 on Pumphouse Road.

West Roane County VFD's "Spring Yard Sale" is all day Friday and Saturday on Mother's Day weekend, May 8 and 9.

Call 354-8201 or 354-1993 to have donated items picked up, or leave your items with a volunteer at Station #1 on Pumphouse Road.

On an outing today I was snapping pictures under I-40 toward the plant...

I was taking some pictures of TVA and the "booms". I noticed ash floating, and some thick ash on the shoreline.

I then came across a lot of clear plastic bags... duct taped shut.

(photo added by WC)
I snapped the following pictures... but I can't them to download here (not that techy)... so heres the (link...)

The Road Commissioner told me tonight that Swan Pond will be open Monday and the rest of the Circle and Quarry roads soon to be paved.

Hoping for the last leg of Swan Pond Road to be openned. Projected date: 4/17/09 - late, depending on the weather and the replacement/installation of guard rails.

The news is the road is soon to open which will allow another view of coal fly-ashville.

Just spoke with a TVA official who provided the following;

The property is government property so no smoking allowed in the buildings of federally owned properties. Will this apply? Who knows.

Who will keep the lawns? Apparently, the lawns are beginning to be mowed and several local residents have gone to TVA looking for work. Of course, the workers must show evidence of insurance since the property is federally owned and, therefore, insurance is one requirement of contractor work.

Who is moving in the properties? It has been suggested some contract workers will move, however, this TVA official did not know of any occupants at this time.

Thought I would pass along what I've been told.

Famed reporter, Arian Campo-Flores has been in Harriman/Kingston conducting interviews, touring, and investigation for a Newsweek story. Mr. Campo-Flores has provided very interesting stories for Newsweek including an extensive investigational story on US Troops in Iraq. He is an incredibly professional reporter and we welcome him to our devasted area.

CNN's famed Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be in the area today touring the disaster site. To the best of my knowledge, it is a one day trip from Dr. Gupta without any personal interviews. I believe TVA is taking him on a tour, however.

Tomorrow, CNN reporter, Stephanie Smith, will be in our area conducting interviews following up on the visit of Dr. Gupta.

On Saturday, April 18 there will be a "dawgs and bun" cookout at Roane County Park, pavillion 1, from 5 to 7. This is a chance to meet people effected by our disaster. This is no big fancy thing. But, everyone will have the opportunity to learn how to operate air monitors, and find out simple ways to monitor the air. With warmer weather and windy days coming up, we need to know the quality of the air we breathe. Everyone is invited; even our elected officials. Fell free to contribute something simple like chips or desert. We invite all of you. Come out and meet your neighbors. Hope to see you all there.

This article - found by looking at the Science Daily stuff on the right - is very interesting. Give it a read, all who area interested by sustainable earth, fuels we use, etc. Deals with impact on climate change.

(link...)

RB

A comprehensive series of relevant and information related to water issues in our state today.... from the Nineteenth Tennessee Water Resources Symposium.... very interesting....

(link...)

The Raone County Property Assessor will hold a meeting on April 28, 2009 at 6:30 P.M. The meeting will be held at the Emory Heights Baptist Church. She will be discussing property tax issues and how the TVA disaster is effecting her office. She will address questions from the audience.
Well, this one should be good. Please plan to attend.

The Roane County Commission will meet Monday, April 9 (tonight) at 7:00. It will be held in the Qualls Commission Room on the second floor of the courthouse. I urge those who can attend to do so.

Potential ad for the newspaper.

Comments - suggestions

This story appeared in the New York Times...

Are we always the last to know?

(link...)

We had quite a storm here yesterday, although we fared better than some other counties. However, that did not keep the wonderful volunteers at West Roane County VFD from being busy.

Before the storm hit us, the National Weather Service called Chief Charlie Redwine and asked him to mobilize the volunteers to be on standby in case of storm emergencies.

Next, Chief Redwine beeped the firefighters and First Responders and called them to report for duty at Station No. 1. About 30 volunteers left their work and families and responded to his call.