At TennViews...

CNN/Money Magazine has compiled their list of best small cities for families. Franklin is the only Tennessee small city to make the list, number 45. To be included in this list, a city must have a population between 50,000 and 300,000.

Maryville is too small to be considered. Here is how Maryville compares to the top 10 best places to live. Alcoa is way too small and no comparison is included for our tiny town.

In 2007, Money Magazine looked for the best towns in America and compared towns with a population of 7,500 to 50,000. Bartlett was the only Tennessee town to make the top 100, at number 95. Here's how Alcoa and Maryville compare to the 2007 best towns in America. Alcoa shows good job growth and a higher than average racial diversity index. Maryville shows a lower than average commute time and a higher than average percentage of the population that walk or bike to work.

H/T's to Kleinheider and Jack Lail.

A short clip of Judge Mike Meares speaking at today's campaign rally. This pretty much sums up what this election is all about:

The Committee to Elect Judge Mike Meares is having a free BBQ Bash TODAY, July 19, from noon until 2 p.m. at the Greenbelt Pavilion in Maryville.

There will be live music from Mountain Gap and free BBQ, face painting, cotton candy and door prizes for those who most creatively show their support for Blount County Circuit Court Judge Mike Meares. Come on out and enjoy great food, great music and lots of fun with your neighbors at the Meares Campaign BBQ Bash.

For more information, contact the Committee to Elect Judge Meares at (865) 681-0553.

Nothing to say, but WOW! One whole entire hour on a Beer Permit. Lots of neighbors showed up against it. David Boyd and Rob Goddard refereed for the applicant and there were questions from about all of the Commissioners. Goddard said, if she meets all the criteria, then regardless of the outcome, she can get the permit. The Commission voted the Permit Approval down.

Water Quality buffer was touched on a few moments (more later). Cm. Samples spoke on behalf of the Mayor. Reeves wants to postpone the Vote for a Raise, until after Aug. 7 election, that motion failed.

Back to turning 411 into a Commercial Paradise. Walker & Helton warn of piece-mealing 411 together like Alcoa Hwy, without access roads. Don't want a repeat--I agree.

Reeves proposes Ad Hoc committee to handle putting the language together for the Water Quality Buffer document demanded by the State. Melton makes good point that Mr. Teague is just one man, and cannot be expected to cover all the bases demanded by the State. State will fine County if County Ordinance not submitted. Kudos, Dr. Farmer "Let's do it right the first time." Proposes TDEC member be on or on call for Ad Hoc Committee meetings. Acc. to Mr. Teague, The State already knows what the Pollutants are, and what the causes and sources are in our 29 streams. Hey, I'd kinda like to know too.

Cm. Ballard proposes creating a Cost Center for 21 SRO's for our County Schools! Kudos, Cm. Ballard, paraphrasing: If we want to have it, we have to have a budget item--a separate Cost Center. Reeves, Murrell, and Graham agree. Objections to Micro-managing Sheriff's budget. Kudos to Graham, "If I have to Micromanage to Protect the Kids, then I don't mind doing it!" Cm. Murrell, "The funding was there. We ARE the funding body. SRO's have gone from 21 to 13 to 10 ... We ARE the watchdogs of the People's money, it's a million dollars. That money should be visible." Cm. Ballard, "You can call this Politics all you want to, this (monitoring this budget) is the Commission's job." The Amendment Failed. Kudos to all the Brave Souls who tried.

Superintendent Dunlap (I'm still in awe of his 4 day work week--people first, Amen!) CSX wants to wash their hands of the Binfield Bridge that the State wants to shut down. Motion to contact and write CSX to take responsibilty for the Bridge. Gasoline Tax agenda postponed til' next time.

Derrick Harmon spoke on the effects of Flourine(ide) hydroflouro- , etc. Very informative. Good loud polished speaker.

Cm. French helped define the Barking Dog Ordinance--didn't understand if they have to bark for 15 minutes or an hour, before they're violating. Looks as if the Local Police Departments are in charge of enforcing the Barking Dog Ordinance. I have a neighbor's dog problem, myself. They gather at the fence when I've got my back turned and my heart jumps outta my chest when they retort--I can envision my flesh dripping from their teeth. I wonder if I had a racetrack Rabbit running back and forth, in front of the Dogs, while the Police Officers are timing their bark, if that would count?

Maryville Daily Times

The 8th District State Senate race pits incumbent Sen. Raymond Finney against 20th District state Rep. Doug Overbey in the state Republican Primary. Since there is no Democrat running, the winner of the primary will win the seat in the November general election, barring a major write-in vote. The seat represents both Blount and Sevier counties. Jim Bishop of Sevier County is also on the ballot.

This is certainly big news to Ira (Doc) Lapides, who has qualified and been certified by the Tennessee Division of Elections to be on the November ballot as an Independent.

Texi has been missing since 7-6-08 from around the Boys & Girls Club. She is very slender and multi-colored. She is friendly but may be scared of people or other animals. She is an inside/outside cat. I have had her for 6 years and really miss her

Zoe is a black and white female (fixed) pit bull. She disappeared on 7-12-08 around the Boys & Girls Club. Zoe is extremely friendly but may be scared. She has scars on her ear and stomach from recent surgeries and she desperately needs her medications!!! Also, she is an inside dog so she will probably not be doing very well outside. $500 reward

So glad that so many showed up with thier big chested and big blog mouthes, all we heard for the last couple of years, they did not show up for this big ooooooooo ahhhhhhhhh no they can't do that they are all developers they are getting paid they are this they are that. well you had your chance to speak about the county plan by the planning commission to go by. and even mr neal wasn't there. Linda King had her meeting and even the nerve to comment on "truth" radio that it was a very important meeting and she wished that she could go but she had her meeting at the library and that it is funny how the planning commission knew that she had her meeting the same day and time as her's is planned a year ago. well Blount County does not revolve around Linda King, maybe the planning commission can make a call to Ms king to see if her calender is free for the next meeting???? Sad sad sad. "what you say" mr neal?

There are two races of interest in Blount County next month. The Meares-Duggan race is a no-brainer for progressives. But what about the Republican primary?

I plan to vote in it because, well, the Senator will not be a Democrat. So who is the best of this awful bunch? Who is the least worst Republican jerk?

Arguments I've heard for Finney: He's more transparent than most politicians and his support for the mountain-top removal ban shows him willing to spurn the wishes of local big developers and apply his religious beliefs to the environment.

For Overbey: He isn't a Christofascist extremist and is willing to work with Democrats in the Senate to pursue a more sane agenda - even if too conservative.

Negatives for Finney: He's an arch-right wing Christian fundamantalist extremist who wants to revive the Scopes law and institute the David Horowitz law at Maryville College. He's just a generally creepy religious nutcase.

Negatives for Overbey: He's a total opportunist doing the bidding of the Lamberts. He would never spurn his party on anything the way Finney did.

So who should a progressive support on August 7?

I lean toward Overbey. Finney and his ilk make non-Christians like me feel like second class citizens. That tends to override anything else he's done. But I don't say that as a compliment to Overbey. His "effective conservative leadership" slogans make me vomit. But at least I won't be embarrassed to have my home town associated with my Senator.

What do you think?

MDT Poll for 07/16/08: Who will you vote for in the Circuit Court judge race?

Meares: 57.1%
Duggan: 42.9%

Number of votes cast: 3135

Conclusion: interest in this race is high, and informed voters prefer Meares.

Meares supporters shouldn't let up, though. If fair-minded Democrats and independents get out to the polls and vote, Meares wins. The key is getting them to the polls.

P.S. Expect heavy turnout among Republican insiders and faithful because of the Finney v. Overbey primary...

(Click image to enlarge...)

Early voting for the August 7th state primary and county general elections starts tomorrow, July 18th and continues through August 2nd. There are three early voting locations. Any registered voter can vote at any location. First time voters who registered by mail should bring your voter registration card or photo ID. The locations and hours are:

Election Commission Office
383 Court Street
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Everett Gym
3185 Everett High Road
Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
No Saturday voting

Pellissippi State Technical Community College
1010 Middlesettlements Road
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
No Saturday voting

Sample ballots:

County local and Democratic state primary

County local and Republican state primary

The meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, July 17th, at 5:30PM.

Here is the agenda.

The upcoming Pellissippi Place on the Oak Ridge Corridor has not been in the news much lately. The plans are in the works and the project is growing. If it is development they want, then development they will have. As citizens of this beautiful area, it is to our benefit to track the development to ensure it is held to a higher standard than most every other past developement project in Blount County.

The Pellissippi Place Riverwalk

As you can see, the plans show the attractive aspects of the R&D park.

Master Plan 1 calls for a riverwalk (think San Antonio, TX), a square with a fountain, residential, retail, and commercial development. Open space, trails, and walkways are included. There is also a reference to office space over the parkway (as in Pellissippi), which of course is not there and has not been approved.

Check out Master Plan 2 and the Land Use Districts.

Years ago, when the City of Alcoa was originally designed by/for the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), one of their guidelines was to have one acre of green space for every 100 citizens. "It was this vision which gave birth to Springbrook Park..." I don't know if we can expect this vision in the 21st Century. What I do know is we can insist new developement be designed with a vision of green space, trees, walkability, and aesthetics. It has been obvious that when money runs low, this vision is the first to be eliminated. As citizens of this beautiful area we should not let that happen. If they cannot afford the entire vision, they should not be allowed to proceed with any portion of the project.

One other thing, let's hope there are no plans to bring in industry like this at the East Tennessee Technology Park to Blount County.

The Everett High School Class of 1973 Reunion is Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Sullivans Downtown Maryville. Buffet Dinner at 6:00pm.

From the organizers:

We need help getting the word out to everyone, if you know of someone that hasn't been contacted, please let them know.

Contact everyone that you know that graduated with us, even if you think they may already know.

Questions, email Diane Welch at dwelch@bmnet.com or Susan DeLozier Johnson at thepurpleangel@gmail.com

UPDATE:

• Maryville Daily Times

• Knoxville News Sentinel

• Blount Today

Previously...

In case you were wondering what all this "Judge Meares stuff" was about, here is the official finding of fact with regard to statements made to the local media about Blount County court rules and the statistical reporting of case dispositions.

It's some very interesting reading, in terms of all the misinformation being tossed around from another judge, the court clerk, and local lawyers, and I don't have time to summarize it for you right now. Better to read the whole thing and judge for yourself.

You probably won't read about it in the papers, unless the Knoxville paper decides to distort it for the benefit of the local political bosses.

If you're just looking for the bottom line, here it is...

At KnoxViews...

The Committee to Elect Judge Mike Meares is having a free BBQ Bash this Saturday, July 19, from noon until 2 p.m. at the Greenbelt Pavilion in Maryville.

There will be live music from Mountain Gap and free BBQ, face painting, cotton candy and door prizes for those who most creatively show their support for Blount County Circuit Court Judge Mike Meares. Come on out and enjoy great food, great music and lots of fun with your neighbors at the Meares Campaign BBQ Bash.

For more information, contact the Committee to Elect Judge Meares at (865) 681-0553.

Interview with Ron Brewer, Director of Tennessee Operations for Remote Area Medical, at KnoxViews...

Re. the previous event item, The Bank of Maryville was a Blount Co. institution for nearly 100 years. It was founded, I believe, in 1885, and was acquired by First Tennessee in 1983. (If anyone knows of a detailed history, please send it my way!)

I worked there sometime in the late 1970s as a computer operator, and again in the early 1980s as the Systems Programmer (the guy who kept their mainframe computer operating systems up and running).

From a technology standpoint, the Bank of Maryville was pretty innovative for a small town community bank. Among other things, they had the first ATM in Blount Co., and maybe in East Tennessee. They also had an automated "voice response" system that tellers could dial on the phone to get account balances and other info, and area auto dealers could call in and get loan payoff amounts. This was all in the late 1970s before anyone had heard of the internet, online banking etc.

They had their own in-house developed computerized banking system, which was practically unheard of for a community bank in those days. It featured a consolidated, online "customer information system" that let bank employees view everything about a customer and all their accounts on one screen, which was also unheard of in terms of a customer service tool at a community bank back then.

The Bank of Maryville also had a sophisticated check processing system for a bank their size. The ability to clear checks quickly and reduce "float" saves and makes banks a bunch of money. (That, combined with their state-of-the-art data center in Alcoa -- only minutes from the airport -- was no doubt part of the attraction for First Tennessee, who eventually set up their regional check processing center there.)

One of my last projects there was helping convert all that to a sophisticated mainframe computer system, similar to what mega-banks like First Tennessee run today.

Former Bank of Maryville employees Shirley Rupert and Susan Johnson contacted me to let everyone know about an upcoming reunion for all Bank of Maryville employees. Susan writes:

The reunion is Saturday, October 4th, 2008 at Pearson Spring Pavilion, Montvale Station Road, Maryville.

It is "Pot Luck" around noon, bring a lawn chair. We need help in contacting all employees, so if you know of someone, please let them know, even if you think they may have already heard about it! We don't want to miss anyone with the invitation.

The organizers are Sara Adams, Dorothy Beaver, Shirlynn Stewart, Janet Hicks, Susan (Young) Johnson, Joan Templin and Shirley (Garner) Rupert.

If you want to help out, contact me and I will forward contact info for the organizers.

At TennViews...

They are trying to come up with a replacement for Willie Nelson.

Please vote for the Allman Bros. here.

I've seen them 3 or 4 times and it was a great show every time. Good ole band from the South.

We heard a rumor that the Maryville Daily Times is pulling the plug on their Blount County Voice weekly. (The current front page of their website is rather bizarre in terms of some of the content.)

The Pellissippi Research Centre at Pellissippi Parkway and Old Knoxville Highway in Alcoa - a high tech industrial park being developed by Blount and Knox counties - is in line to receive $700,000 in federal appropriations according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. Read the complete story here.

• MDT: Injunction seeks to halt BCSO training facility

• MDT: Plaintiff amends fluoride lawsuit

MDT

Country music icon Willie Nelson has canceled his performance at the 2008 Foothills Fall Festival, leaving the festival at least temporarily without a closing headliner.

UPDATE: So, did they not have a signed contract when they announced? From the article, it sounds like Mike Hammond and WIVK are promoting the event. What's their experience in promoting something this big? And what's the deal with letting people vote on who they'd like to see as headliner? That seems kind of strange.

Anyway, if they're in a jam, I bet AC Entertainment could help them line up a blockbuster headline closing act. We have one of the premier concert promoters in America right next door. Might be a good idea to reach out and take advantage of the best resources available.

The Meares campaign has released a statement regarding the mysterious flyer which says unequivocally that the flyer was not distributed or created by the campaign.

Full text of the statement attached.