GOVERNMENT/POLITICS A4 | OUR COLUMNISTS A6-7 | YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS A9-11 | HEALTH & LIFESTYLES SECTION B | BUSINESS SECTION C
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farragut
VOL. 5, NO. 17
APRIL 25, 2011
INSIDE
Wife, mother, artist
Not another peep
Sculptor Linda White Rankin on career, kids and Admiral Farragut
Duck deaths spark new county policy
See page A-2
Running isn’t everything But winning is, according to the late Vince Lombardi. Last week Knoxville mayoral candidate Marilyn Roddy took counsel of her fears and concluded that her slim prospects of winning had taken the fun out of running. See Editor’s Corner on page A-2
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By Natalie Lester The ducks at Concord Park have never really bothered frequent visitor Lacie Smith and her son. “They are always around, but they have never given us any trouble,” she said. “But, they are a nuisance sometimes.” A few of the ducks that would have populated the park in the coming months were killed last week by Knox County Parks and Recreation maintenance workers when they were answering citizen complaints. “We had received several calls about the mother duck’s behavior,” said Knox County Parks and Recreation Director Doug Bataille. “Apparently, she was chasing and snapping at the children at the park.”
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When the workers saw the situation, they decided to move the nest. “The ducks had built their nest under the playground,” Bataille said. “And, in a situation like that there are two options. We can either close the playground or attempt to move the nest.” Bataille admitted the workers did not call their supervisor before making the decision to move the nest, nor were they trained in the proper way to manage the move. When they relocated the nest, the eggs cracked and the ducklings died. As a result, Bataille said the county would be looking at developing a policy on how to deal with problem nests. “A lot of times, our best option will be to relocate the nest, and more often than not the mothers don’t return after they are moved,”
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A male and female duck enjoy some sunshine during a quiet afternoon at The Cove at Concord Park. Photo by N. Lester he said. “But, we will take it case by case to decide what is best.” All Creatures wildlife zoologist Paul Osborne said it is important to relocate nests close to the original spot. “It is a tricky thing,” he said. “I haven’t seen a successful case that was moved more than 15 to 20 feet. The mother has to be able to smell it.”
Show me the money, part II Grant requests top $300K By Natalie Lester
FEATURED COLUMNIST VALORIE FISTER
Word pictures Local artist Kathy Thacker and Knoxville native Ann Lovell team up on children’’s books See page A-7
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Local organizations, schools and Knoxville Area Transit have applied for a total of $315,300 in grant money from the town of Farragut. “Everyone is climbing on the bandwagon,” said Alderman Bob Markli. “Once people find out you give them (community grants), they come back and multiply,” said Alderman Ron Honken. “I don’t mean that harsh, it is just a reality.” The request with the largest percentage increase over last year was made by the Farragut Business Alliance, which asked for $44,000. Last year, FBA applied for and received $6,500. FBA president David Purvis said the money will be used to hire a part-time director, expand the Shop Farragut campaign and purchase office equipment. “The director’s job description would include member development and expanding the Shop Farragut
news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com EDITOR Larry Van Guilder lvgknox@mindspring.com ADVERTISING SALES Paige Davis davisp@ShopperNewsNow.com Darlene Hacker hackerd@ShopperNewsNow.com Debbie Moss mossd@ShopperNewsNow.com Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly at 10512 Lexington Drive, Suite 500, Knoxville, TN, and distributed to 33,237 homes in Farragut, Karns and Hardin Valley.
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campaign to a year-round campaign,” Purvis said. “We would hope to administer what the town is doing now and have window stickers made.” Purvis said the director would also negotiate advertising contracts for the campaign with area media outlets featuring a different business each week. FBA also hopes to serve more as a liaison between the town and new businesses and developers. He estimated $30,000 of the group’s request would go towards this parttime position. According to Purvis, the group’s 55 members have not met in approximately six weeks because they are waiting to see what hap-
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pens with the grant. “That is a big chunk of change,” said Alderman Bob Markli of the FBA’s request. “I wouldn’t support that number.” Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill said deciding on grants is always a difficult part of the budget process. “We’re always torn,” he said. “FBA is rather new, but I think they are doing a good thing. The town talked about hiring someone part time to recruit business, so this may alleviate our need to do that. It all boils down to what gives the town the greatest benefit for its money. We want to see tangible benefits. It is not just about giving away money.”
A better idea for Midway By Larry Van Guilder She may be “G.R,” not GE, but Gloria Ray is inspiring some better ideas for making use of The Development Corporation’s 380-acre tract in the Midway community.
Analysis 10512 Lexington Dr., Ste. 500 37932 (865) 218-WEST (9378)
Osborne also suggested workers study a mother’s travel habits before moving it. “Look for how she is coming to and from it,” he said. “Then, try to put it in the middle of that pathway. Whatever you can do to increase the likelihood of her finding the nest again is best. It is not an exact science, but it can be done.”
Ray, president and CEO of the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corportation, is leading an 18-member committee as it explores alternative uses for the property. The committee met for the second time last week. “It’s always important to manage Gloria Ray expectations,” Ray said, kicking off the discussion. “We’ve done such a good job of this that no one expects us to accomplish anything.” Ray’s observation was deliv-
ered tongue-in-cheek, but her wit doesn’t mask the skepticism with which some view the committee’s efforts to find a solution for Midway satisfactory to TDC and those in the community opposed to aggressive development. And if last week’s gathering is a reliable indication, even some of the major players in this dialogue are lukewarm about the committee’s prospects. Rhonda Rice, executive vice president of the Knoxville Chamber, departed midway through the meeting. TDC’s executive vice president, Todd Napier, was a no-show and Roger Osborne, chair of TDC’s board of directors, arrived more than an hour into the meeting. All of which is unfortunate, because Ray and the committee members displayed the kind of creative approach to Midway which has been in short supply at TDC and the Chamber. Ray initiated the brainstorming by soliciting suggestions for ways to “build out” what she called a “Health and Lifestyle Center.” Noting that
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Tennessee claims the unenviable top ranking in the U.S. for incidence of obesity, and that baby boomers are taking a greater interest in their health, Ray began by sketching out what the main facility at the center might contain. A workout center and a pool were obvious choices, and for those looking for more pampering, a spa was suggested. Branching out, retail spaces might include a restaurant serving vegetables grown from an on-site garden and a meat market featuring local products. A golf course and trails for hiking, biking and horse riding would provide opportunities for outdoor activities. An educational unit for classrooms and demonstration projects would be complemented by rustic “cabins” for visitors who came for an extended stay. Jeff Christian, an ORNL energy efficiency expert, suggested a dual purpose solar panel sound barrier. Besides service jobs, Ray foresaw possibilities for teachers and even
Wear Else!
Alderman Ron Honken said he would have similar priorities when evaluating the applications. “I will look at the basic need and what they can do for the community,” he said. “Some organizations can only take money and spend it, and I’d rather see them leverage it and use it for something to make the town grow.” Last year, the grants were partially funded through the red light camera program, but Traffic Enforcement Manager Ben Harkins recently told the board he expected those numbers to drop. “We’re already seeing less citations,” he said. Alderman Ron Honken worried over the loss of that income. “If the red light cameras are ripped out tomorrow, losing the revenue will not hurt the town, but it will hurt these community grants,” he said. The traffic enforcement program raised approximately $92,000 this year but will have to cover its operating costs before any monies can be allotted to grants.
doctors. That sparked discussion about the shortage of nurse practitioners, and Tom Ballard of ORNL suggested that the education unit might grow into a school for the specialty. “It may be a great service and a great idea,” Ray concluded, “but can it sustain itself from a business standpoint?” Elaine Clark thinks it could with the right approach. “We have to learn how to partner with different industries,” she said, such as hospitals, schools and utilities. Ray’s “Headquarters Hill” concept generated even more ideas. Taking a cue from Indianapolis’ claim as the “amateur athletics capital of the world,” Ray envisioned Knoxville as the energy efficiency capital of the world, drawing on the technical expertise at ORNL and UT. Even Osborne was impressed – with a caveat. “I like this concept. It’s a good concept for Knoxville. … But, whether Midway is the right place to put it, I don’t know.” Ray plans to convene the committee again in May with the aim of developing a consensus proposal.
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