First I want to say thank you to all of you who helped with my safety issue. As a secondary bonus, thanks to you all the illegal dumping before Cherry Street has been cleaned up. Too often the help and concern of others goes unnoticed and without recognition. I wish to change that even if it is in a small way. So thank you Harriman and you bloggers out there; I for one appreciate all your help and assistance. I'm a new-comer and somewhat of a loner but the kindness of others still moves me to regard humanity with hope and appreciation.
Having said this, I was wondering if anyone knows why and what they are building just below the HUB station at the end of Cherry Drive? My wife thinks it might be an access road to the HUB station; I'm of the mind that it is some sort of barrier to check the overflow of the river. Anyone have a clue?

Thanks again....
Fitzsimons Family

George Hyatte has pled guilty. Sentenced to life without parole. It's a done deal.
see (link...)
More at:
(link...)

RB

I'm going to try something to let folks donate right here to West Roane VFD. Click the image to donate:

East Tennessee artist Shannan Greenhouse has donated a custom postcard design for use by the West Roane County Volunteer Fire Department.

It's that time of year again, time for the West Roane County Volunteer Fire Department Spring appeal.

The fine men and women of this all-volunteer charity not only fight our fires but also provide our First Responder and emergency medical services very cost-effectively.

Please consider a generous tax-deductible donation by mail to WRCVFD, P.O. Box 417, Rockwood, TN 37854, or online at WestRoane.com.

SATIRE: Nation's Blacks Creeped Out By All The People Smiling At Them

WASHINGTON—A majority of African-Americans surveyed in a nationwide poll this week reported feeling "deeply disturbed" and "more than a little weirded out" by all the white people now smiling at them.

Black citizens have reported a disturbing 350 percent increase in interracial high-fiving since January 20.

First witnessed shortly after President Obama's historic victory, the open and cheerful smiling has only continued in recent months, leaving members of the black community completely unnerved.

(link...)

See complete information in Upcoming Events section, bottom of right column on this page.

RB

Classic play by Tennessee Williams to be presented at Roane State Community College. Also an opportunity for a meal prior to a show.

I Recieved the following letter from TVA's outreach coordinator today

Thought for today!
Respect is earned and not a given because of a uniform you wear.
Just because something is not illegal does not mean its appropriate
RB you stated that HR people donot check Facebook and MySpace Sites Wrong1
(Well maybe in Roane County but that could be one of the reason there is mistrust of LE)
Can Facebook and mySpace Hurt Your Job Application?
Another great article on employers using the internet looking at sites like Facebook and mySpace to do background checks on potential job candidates. This article presents a good legal perspective since the author Jeanine DeBacker is an Employment lawyer for Wendel Rosen Black & Dean. An interesting employment statistic presented in this article:

“According to a 2006 CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 1,150 hiring managers, one-quarter of them reported using search engines to screen job candidates, while one in 10 said they’ve used social-networking sites. The survey also found that more than half of managers have chosen not to hire an applicant after viewing their online profiles.”

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Not only can social networking sites hurt your chances of getting a job, but sites like Facebook can also get you fired! Take a look at this post about the Canada Border Services employees who are in hot water at work over the things they posted on Facebook.

To Nosey: While there are some on here who attack every post you make
there are others who agree with you.
Do Officers need down time ? Most definiitely but it should be more private

That's my Rant for this week. Hang in there Nosey there are some who feel
you are providiing a service for Roane Countains
Question of the Day " Why is there mistrust and disrespect of LE"
REPECT IS EARNED NOT GIVEN

Since several comments on another thread that theoretically is about the Houstons and their saga have changed subject matter, and have moved into the arena of relationship between LEOs, specifically the Sheriff, and the communities, I thought a discussion on those issues would better be served by having a thread actually named about the subject of discussion.

The Judge has overturned the verdict.He gave Rocky a bond of 400,000 and Leon one of 302,000.The lawyers asked for the Houstons to be tried together and the prosecuter said he had no problem with that.They will go back Tues.at lunch for a decision on that and to find out the terms of their release.

Another millionaire appointee with tax problems...

Former Sen. Tom Daschle failed to pay more than $128,000 in taxes in the three years before Obama nominated him in December to head the Department of Health and Human Services. See the LA Times story on Tom Daschle (link...)

Undoubtedly, this is NOT a Democrat or Republican problem, but it is a problem we should all (regardless of our ideology) be extremely upset about.

That there seems to be an ever-increasing double standard in our country should alarm us all. We little guys are too afraid to so boldly cheat, ignore, underpay, or otherwise stiff the IRS.

On the other hand, rich fat cats on both sides of the isle know they will not hold themselves or their friends accountable so they cheat, ignore, underpay, and stiff the IRS.

No matter how qualified or otherwise esteemed is an individual; he or she must be held accountable to the same standard as the People.

Its in Fridays edition , the city of Harriman wants Swan Pond.
They cannot even take care of what they have now, i was not suprised at the group who filed the $165 million suit against TVA, now the city want their part, the thinking is TVA will buy it up and refurbish the land, then resell it later on placing it back on the tax rolls, thus Harriman would benefit, there think in the RCN was everyone would get lower insurance, i checked and i could not find one agent with lower rates, even with a higher fire rating, I think councilman Mynatt has not spoken with too many businesses, he stated that Harriman has not felt the pich as bad as many during the recent economy, Lowes more than likeky is looking at massive layoff if not closing all together , we need to think before we leap.

I just got a telemarketing call from them. These folks, who also go by the name of TN Federation of Police, seem to have taken in over $300k in 2007 and given out $1.5k in scholarships. Nearly all the rest apparently went for various administrative and fundraising "expenses."

They are ostensibly a membership organization but in 2007 apparently only had fewer than 30 members.

If you want to give to charity you could pick nearly any other one and get more bang for your buck.

At tonights city council meeting...
The Mayor talked about the TVA spill, had the water tested right away and everyday since then, no signs of arsenic or lead, nor heavy metals. Our water treatment plant is designed to filter these out regardless, but testing will continue daily and then as needed.

January 19 is the ML King Day of Service: A National Day to Volunteer. This year West Roane VFD is having a virtual Recruitment Day. Firefighters, EMTs, First Responders, and Associates who help behind the scenes are all needed. Training is available! Call 354-3116 today to find out more about your fire department and what you can do to help.

According to RCN Dr. McGriff chose not to close school on Friday due to the extreme cold weather. This decision was made by "WE" based on the fact that children would miss two hot meals and a place to be warm
My questions are
#1 What happened to the 13 days written in the school calendar every year
for inclement weather?
#2 What about children who miss two hot meals on wekends when they are not
in school?
#3 And finaly could her decision be based on the bonus she will receive at
the end of the year based on attendance?
The weather foreast said 5 minutes in the cold could be dangerous.Many children had to wait more than 5 minutes for the bus plus if they arrived at school too erly they were not allowed in the bldg.

January 19 is the ML King Day of Service: A National Day to Volunteer. This year West Roane VFD is having a virtual Recruitment Day. Firefighters, EMTs, First Responders, and Associates who help behind the scenes are all needed. Training is available! Call 354-3116 on January 19 to find out more about your fire department and what you can do to help.

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

Here's one in Texas: (link...)

Senate boosts wilderness protection across US By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press Writer

Sun Jan 11, 3:55 pm ET

WASHINGTON - In a rare Sunday session, the Senate advanced legislation that would set aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as wilderness. Majority Democrats assembled more than enough votes to overcome GOP stalling tactics in an early showdown for the new Congress.

... how about all levels of government and petroleum usage?

1) We reduce usage of gasoline and diesel because of prices and numerous other factors (but mainly because it hurts so much to buy it).

... In fact I don't think I ever have done this. But...

Fairly toward the bottom of the "Discussions" column in the 2nd column from the right margin of this website is a link to WC's own personal blogsite.

Does anyone know the status of the remaining retention ponds? Have these also not been exposed to the same rain, freeze/thaw, erosion as the one that blew out? If the force of the blow-out on 12/22 was powerful enough to demolish an island, a couple of houses, a few hundred acres, what did it do to the dike next door?

Well I see Dennis Ferguson is alive!!! He has been strangely silent and hidden during this whole thing. I also wonder where our State Senator-elect Mr Yager is.
I would think something like this would have them out visiting with the public....but wait, they have already been elected and can ignore us now!!!

Dear Concerned Citzens of Roane County,

My name is Matt Landon. I am the full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense, a Knoxville based non profit, and we have been working on the ground around the spill site for the past 4 days. We have been traveling back and forth from our Volunteer House in Knoxville to Harriman each day. On Christmas Day we had 5 volunteers working at ground zero.

TVA has ruined beautiful Watts Bar Lake. As my user name suggests I love fishing for crappie on Watts Bar Lake, which includes portions of the Emory and Clinch Rivers. I'm saddened to report that today the lake has been transformed into a reservior of suet and debris. Dead fish are washing ashore by the thousands. From my deck I can see waterfowl such as ducks and heron covered in ash suet. The lake is completely and eerily grey. A TVA spokesman stated earlier today that the dying fish are possibly due to colder temperatures. What a joke! Only a government agency could make such an assenine statement.

I just received a phone call from another local resident wanting to know what folks can do to help the displaced families of Swan Pond. I didn't know what to tell her :( but thought maybe someone else here would know. Please, does anyone have information on this?

These books make wonderful local gifts and benefit a worthy cause. Read more: (link...)