GOVERNMENT/POLITICS A4 | OUR COLUMNISTS A6-7 | YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS A13 | HEALTH & LIFESTYLES SECTION B
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karns / hardin valley
VOL. 5, NO. 48
NOVEMBER 28, 2011
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Fun at the Fantasy of Trees New leader Elder Thomas Clapp Jr. is the Knoxville stake president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. See page A-7
Thelma Hickey
The dance team from Karns MIddle School performs one of three routines for an appreciative audience at the Fantasy of Trees.
Joe Rector pays tribute to “the queen of Karns” See story on page A-3
Peyton watch How much do the Colts miss Peyton Manning? Marvin West tells us on page A-6. FEATURED COLUMNIST MALCOLM SHELL
Concord’s First convenience stores. See page A-6
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Halsey ends term at GKBA Heidel to head WKUD; Banks retires By Sandra Clark
As Bill Halsey wrapped up his two -year term as president of the Greater Karns Business Association, he looked back on a time of Halsey membership growth and expansion of the organization past the traditional borders of Karns. “My tenure was marked by wider, more structured networking,” he said. “We brought in lots of new members and expanded the geography to include Solway, Ball Camp, Hardin Valley and even the North Cedar Bluff area. We
brought new people into leadership, updated the bylaws, and rescued and rebuilt our website.” Halsey expects to stay involved with the GKBA but will “step back and let the new officers establish their roles.” New officers, installed this month, are: president John Coombs, vice president Alisa Pruett, treasurer Kathryn Eaton and secretary Carolyn Greenwood. Halsey owns Insurance and Planning Solutions, a home-based business that works with families and small businesses to “examine each life stage and anticipate upcoming stages.” Businesses, as well as families, experience life stages, he said.
The best laid plans? Commission neuters Hillside/ Ridge Top Plan By Larry Van Guilder
10512 Lexington Dr., Ste. 500 37932 (865) 218-WEST (9378) news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com EDITOR Larry Van Guilder lvgknox@mindspring.com ADVERTISING SALES Sydney McLean mcleans@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.
After more than 3 1/2 years, County Commission’s debate on the Hillside and Ridge Top Protection Plan ended last week as that body accepted an amendment which declared the plan “advisory.”
Richard Briggs Tony Norman
Briggs’ amendment was supported by the Knoxville Chamber and mollified developers. It allowed commissioners who had never supported the plan Commissioners voted 7-3 to declare victory. R. Larry for the amended plan, with Smith said later Monday at Dave Wright abstaining. the Halls Republican Club, Only Tony Norman, Amy “both sides won.” Broyles and Sam McKenzie Despite Briggs’ declarastood against the amend- tion that the amendment ment that gutted the plan. was “not intended to subCommissioner Richard vert anything,” it’s a frank
Analysis
Keep Your Me Memories emor em SAFE!
Bill and his wife, Helene, chose to live in Karns, both for the sense of community and for the quality schools. Their three kids went through Karns schools and now are in college. Bill says they were “extremely well prepared.” Bill grew up in Oak Ridge, moved to Middle Tennessee and then back to Karns. He and Helene live in Golden Meadows subdivision. He’s proud of the Greater Karns Business Association and wants everyone in business “to come check us out.” The group thrives on networking – creating a business climate where local folks can support their neighbors. The group is open to all.
betrayal to homeowners and businesses that endorsed the plan that had emerged from the facilitated joint meetings of commission and City Council. Plan opponents have habitually engaged in bluster and threat, and last week was no exception. Speaking for the Chamber, attorney Tom McAdams said, “There are lawsuits waiting to be had if you make this binding.” “All you want to do is kick us in the teeth when we’re down,” developer Scott Davis said, alluding to the depressed construction industry. County Law Director Joe Jarret said a property owner’s right to appeal an MPC decision was not affected by the plan. “Regardless of what language you put in the plan, there’s still redress for the landowner,” Jarret said.
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By Sandra Clark
Heidel
The succession was orderly, transparent and even cordial as Charles M. “Mike” Banks prepares to step down Dec. 31 as general manager of the West Knox Utility District. He will be replaced by his current assistant, Drexel Heidel, P.E. Replacing Heidel will be staff engineer Wayne Hastings. The board of commissioners finalized contracts for the men last week, following interviews. Banks will work as a consultant for one year at a fee called “modest and fair” by board chair Daniel Hurst. Heidel’s salary will be $161,215, while Hastings will earn $115,000. “You’re the best we could have. We’re looking forward to working with both of you,” said Hurst. “It’s going to be tough, not being the boss,” said Banks with a grin.
Hastings
“It’s raining again,” said Norman, as discussion wound down. The vote is about water issues and Briggs’ amendment “is a Trojan horse, he added. “City Council walked away (from the joint facilitated meetings) and we were in agreement. “Water knows no boundary between city and county. … We need to stay parallel with the city.” “The Briggs amendment,” Norman concluded, “is muddying the water metaphorically and practically.” But Briggs said his amendment “un-muddies” the water. “People may say I’m taking one side or another, but I’m not,” he said, without a trace of irony. What are those who expected more left with? First, a plan for the county that is unlikely to pass – or even be presented – at City
To page A-3
Council. If council members sign off on the plan approved at the joint meetings, city and county policies on slope protection diverge. That outcome brings to mind the city/county divide on stormwater ordinances in 2007 which resulted in the city threatening to sue the county. Because of Briggs’ amendment, developers in the county may feel less constrained in continuing the practices that resulted in the Dawson Hollow disaster a few months ago or the hillside stripping at Watt Road which Norman aptly called “an abomination.” “How do you have a ‘nonbinding’ map?” Norman asked. With Briggs’ “advisory” amendment tacked on, that self-contradicting, limbo-dwelling creation is precisely what we have.