VOL. 52 NO. 25
IN THIS ISSUE
Miracle Maker
Jim Bellamy could have been a comedian. He taught American history at Powell High School from 1952-66 and was principal at Farragut High School for 24 years. Sandra Clark recalls an interview she conducted with Bellamy in 2000.
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See story on page A-11
A burning bush moment Judging by the way the day of the interview started, Doug Kose thought maybe the job wasn’t meant for him. He missed his exit on the way to the interview. While stopped at a red light at the next exit to turn around, he was involved in a major wreck.
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See Jake Mabe’s story on page A-3
‘Pass it on well’ “Pass it on well” is Anne McKinney’s watchword, her signature sign-off in speeches about wills and estate planning and on her YouTube videos. She has become as well known for public speaking as for her expertise in estate planning, tax law and wills and trusts, and she takes a lot of satisfaction in knowing that her audiences are vitally interested in what she has to say.
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See Betty Bean’s story on page A-5
Greatest Vol ever? Children with orange interests and undoubtedly high IQs were frolicking in their forum sandbox. Surprisingly, they got semiserious long enough to conduct an informal poll – to determine the greatest ever football Volunteer. Of course Peyton Manning won.
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See Marvin West’s story on A-6
Farragut play day Last week, the Shopper News interns braved the flood to enjoy a play day in Farragut. They praticed their golf swings at the Concord Par 3’s indoor facility. They enjoyed lunch at Lakeside Tavern and got a history lesson from columnist and historian Malcolm Shell. The day ended with a tour of WBIR-TV and a guest spot on “Live at Five at Four.”
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See pages 8-9
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June 24, 2013
Bus stop legacy Virginia College has first grads By Sandra Clark Jim Branham spent less than two years in Fountain City, but his work here will be remembered for a very long time. His intangible contributions are the success stories of students at VirJim Branham ginia College, which held its first local graduation last week. His tangible contribution will be a covered bus stop on Broadway in front of the school. Branham gets it. He understood that working with the Fountain City Business and Professional Association and the Knoxville Chamber would pay off for Virginia College. And he knew that a sound partnership is a two-way street. Take the bus stop, for instance. Jim quickly learned that Fountain City leaders are interested in various transportation models: vehicular (cars and buses) and non-motorized (bikes
and walking). He knew his own students would benefit from a covered bus stop, and at the former Kroger location, he had the land to provide it. Negotiations took almost two years (and it’s not built yet), but the sketches are finished and Virginia College has agreed to foot two-thirds of the estimated $15,000 to relocate utilities and get the bus stop built. The project includes a sidewalk along Broadway for the length of the lot. It will be on the corner of Broadway at Highland, set back so the bus can pull off Broadway to pick up riders. (See sketch on A-3.) Jim Branham and his wife are moving to South Florida where he will continue his work in postsecondary education. A 21-year Air Force veteran, he’s worked in education for 10 years, the last 5 with Virginia College. “I want to thank the community for all the support we’ve received,” he said. “From Day One, the community has opened its arms. I have no doubt Virginia Misty Miller, Jennifer Jarnigan and Sami Rmaila wait as Jim Branham serves up dessert at a staff gathering on Friday, Branham’s final day at Virginia ColTo page A-3 lege. Photos by S. Clark
HPUD adopts summer sewer cap By Sandra Clark Hallsdale Powell Utility District customers could get a break on sewer bills this summer. The board of commissioners adopted a plan last week that will set a cap on sewer charges for residential customers during June, July and August this year only based on average monthly water usage in 2012. Darren Cardwell, chief operating officer, said the customers would still pay for all water used, but the sewer charge would be capped at the average. Customers do not have to request this service. He said the 12,000 gallon sewer cap remains and the swimming pool credit program will be retained. “This will produce some savings for folks who use more water in the summer months,” Cardwell
said. The full policy will be on HPUD’s website. ■ HPUD set 26 water meters and inspected 19 sewer hook-ups in May. The district treated 234.2 million gallons of water and 276.8 million gallons of wastewater. ■ Payments were OK’d for Judy Construction ($317,285) for work on the Raccoon Valley Road Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, which is 90 percent complete, and Mike Smith Pump Service ($118,148) for the East Brushy Valley Road waterline improvements. Cardwell said the Brushy Valley project has “almost doubled the water pressure” in some areas and increased water volume by replacing leaky 2-inch galvanized pipe. The staff outnumbered the customers at the district’s sec-
Selling beer to kids By Sandra Clark Knox County Commission, sitting as the Beer Board, struggles each month with permit-holders who have sold beer to minors. There’s not a month that someone does not get cited. There’s not an offender who disputes the charge. All apologize. And next month there are more offenders.
Analysis What to do? The Beer Board’s rules are clear: first offense is a $500 fine or 30-day permit suspension; second offense is a $1,000 fine or 60day suspension; third offense can mean revocation of the permit. The Beer Board will meet today
(June 24) to consider three alleged violations: two are first offenses and the other is a second offense. Violations tend to be clustered geographically because enforcement is sparse. In May, violators were from Powell and Halls, causing heartburn for 7th District Commissioner R. Larry Smith. Sheriff’s Office Capt. Allen “Wolfie” May explained his procedure: “I pick a direction. We start up the highway and stop at every (permit-holder’s) place. Last week we checked 27 places and cited three (with another three out of business). “We go straight down the road.” May said violations “have to do with the clerk. They either pay at-
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Soil samples: Holloway suspects a sewer line overflow on her property and asked where to seek a soil analysis. Contract engineer Robert Campbell said Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has a list of certified private examiners on its website. Excess equipment: Cardwell said surplus equipment including the vehicle driven by former manager Marvin Hammond was sold by Powell Auction and Realty. “It brought in about $88,000.” Before the meeting, Cardwell said several calls have come in regarding water standing on Emory Road near Collier. “We’ve been out there” and cannot find a leak, he said. Cardwell, an engineer, suspects the water is runoff from heavy rain.
tention or not. They either sell or not. Sometimes we will check 30 places and not cite anyone.” In May, CVS Pharmacy at 417 E. Emory Road was cited for a first offense. John Williams of Lenoir City represented the company. He blamed a computer system error for not flagging the under-aged buyer of a six-pack of Bud Lite. “The parameters were set wrong,” he said. Smith moved for a $500 fine. Spicy’s North, 950 E. Emory Road, was up next, for a second offense. Lee Mayshark said several folks including an under-aged buyer sat at a table and ordered Bud Lite. “We preach to those employees every day,” about checking ID, he said. Smith said Mayshark is “trying to do the right thing and make Spicy’s family-friendly.” Then he moved for a $1,000 fine. Next up was New Smokies,
7217-C Clinton Highway, a first offense. The owner was the violator. John Baker said he was “in a hurry” and just glanced at the ID. “This is a wake-up call for me, an awful and general embarrassment,” said Baker. In addition to the $500 fine at the Beer Board, he was cited to court where he worked a plea deal by paying a $300 fine. The offense will be on his record for a year. “I’ve sold beer and liquor for 18 years and never had an offense,” said Baker. Commission chair Tony Norman asked May if it’s his policy to try to catch operators during stressful times. May said no. Finally, came Heiskell Market & Deli, 9443 Heiskell Road, on a first offense. “We went in on April 9 and bought a six-pack of Bud Lite,” said May. Smith grimaced and moved for a $500 fine.
ROOFING
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ond evening meeting. Only Bonnie Holloway spoke, again asking questions: Property on corner of Maynardville Hwy. and Cunningham Road: Board member Bob Crye suggested listing the lot for sale, but the idea was punted back to Cardwell with instructions to talk with commercial real estate brokers. Former commissioner Jim Hill said selling now is a bad idea with real estate values depressed. Liability: Holloway asked whether vendors and preachers who use the corner property get permission or sign a liability release?” Discussion ensued. “The produce guy” has permission, Cardwell said, as does the Women’s League. The preachers are on state right-of-way.
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