Shopper-News 031714

VOL. 2 NO. 11

IN THIS ISSUE WHERE

JOBS ARE the

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South Woodlawn:

By B By Betsy etsy et tsy P Pickle ickle ick ic k le

This week, our search for Where the Jobs Are takes us to one of the most famous last names in Knoxville – Clayton, as in Clayton Homes.

Company founder Jim Clayton has been a local fi xture since 1956, when he opened his first mobile home retail center on Clinton Highway. If you’ve been around here awhile, you’ll no doubt remember the center’s spinning mobile home sign. And you’ll probably remember Clayton’s television series, “Star Time.”

Where the Jobs Are on page 7

Greenway project drags The First Creek Greenway, announced by Mayor Rogero in her first budget in 2012, still has not been built two years later as she prepares her third budget. Perhaps no one at city hall is really pushing it, so little delays become long delays and people spend time on other issues.

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looking good and being noticed

South So S ou utth Knoxville is made m up of great neighborhoods, but the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association is flying higher than probably any other right now.

SWNA was one of six neighborhood groups – and the only one in South Knoxville – to receive an achievement award at the Neighborhood Awards and Networking Luncheon on Saturday, March 8, at the Knoxville Convention Center.

“It’s quite an honor,” says Janice Tocher, SWNA president. She also appreciated the $75 check that came with the accolade.

“Our treasury’s down a little bit because of the money we’ve spent on newsletters, trying to keep neighbors involved.”

The association emphasized three activities in its application for the award: the creation of an outdoor classroom at South-Doyle Middle School that will be used not only by the middle school but also by other schools and the community; obtaining certification from the National Wildlife Federation as a Community Wildlife South Woodlawn residents Debbie Habitat – the first in the state; and Sharp, Robert Marlino, Mayor Mad- establishing a program to honor eline Rogero, Janice Tocher, Kathy and support postal, police, fire Hitchcox, Danny Gray and Shelley and other civil-service workers.

Conklin pose at the entrance to the The group also nominated outdoor classroom at South-Doyle Kathy Hitchcox for Neighbor of Middle School after the ribbon-cutTo page 3 ting in November. Photo submitted

Clayton Homes is always hiring

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March 17, 2014

South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association president Janice Tocher and members Danny Gray (with Buford) and Roe Lyle are ready for class. Photo by Betsy Pickle

Read Victor Ashe on page 4

Dem women “Inform, Organize, Register and Vote.” Hmm, the Knox County Democratic Women’s Club’s slogan doesn’t mention “party.” But that’s what members and friends did to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the group’s founding.

➤

Read Betsy Pickle on page 3

Lessons add up There’s more to putting together a Subway sandwich than just slapping some meat, cheese and veggies on bread.

That’s what the thirdgraders at Mooreland Heights Elementary School discovered as they prepared for their “50Foot Sub Day” and on the big day itself.

➤

Fulton girls reach title game

Read Betsy Pickle on page 6

The Fulton High girls basketball team placed 2nd in the state tournament last week. Pictured are: head coach John Fisher, assistant coach Tyler Howell, KeKe McKinney, Dreama Coats, Elicia Faulkner, Tink White, Jametri Mathis, Moneisha Thomas, Tyanna Castle, Brittani Whiteside, Qua Hines and assistant coach Sir David Pettus. See more on page 6. Photo by Steve Morrell/FullCom

Fulton team accepts state trophy.

NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ

Carter boys The Carter High School basketball boys advanced to the state tournament which was held over the weekend.

Results were not known at press time.

7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Betsy Pickle ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey Jim Brannon | Tony Cranmore Brandi Davis | Patty Fecco

Looming health-care deadline spawns signup push

By Betty Bean Time is running out on the open enrollment period to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The deadline is Monday, March 31, and local residents can find information on the city of Knoxville web site at www.cityofknoxville. org/AffordableCareAct, as well as at healthcare.gov, the federal government website. Or call 1-800318-2596.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero is making a strong push to encourage her constituents to enroll:

“For the first time, those who have been shut out of the healthinsurance system in the past have a new way of accessing quality, affordable options,” Rogero told more than 50 representatives of area churches at an ACA signup rally Rogero last week. “Faith leaders like you share a vision of a responsibility to care for our nation’s sick, our nation’s children

and the overall health of our community.”

The city is sponsoring an enrollment event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Pellissippi State Community College’s Magnolia Campus, 1610 E. Magnolia Ave. Trained enrollers will be on hand to provide free assistance to people who want to apply for health coverage.

For more information or to volunteer to help at the event, contact Elizabeth Wright at ewright@enrollamerica.org or 865-203-4691.

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nurse who served as Knox County’s ACA volunteer coordinator last year, has gotten back into the fray for the last big push after taking a couple of months off. She says the state has been unhelpful.

“State government has made it really difficult for us (to help people sign up). For example, the only way you can enroll in Tenncare now is through Healthcare.gov.

You used to be able to go to the Department of Human Services and apply, but you can no longer do To page 7

2 • MARCH 17, 2014 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles Treatment for prostate cancer keeps retired professor close to home As a retired professor of industrial engineering, John Hungerford of Knoxville, 74, is used to taking a methodical, scientific approach to solving problems. When he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2006, Hungerford used the same logic to make decisions about his treatment.

“I used all that good training to plot my treatment plan,” said Hungerford. “But at first, I had kind of a sense of panic about the whole process. You think you have to do something right away.”

But Hungerford’s cancer was in an early stage, giving him some time, and, like many prostate cancers, was relatively slow growing.

“At first you think, ‘I’m going to die.’ But then you find out that’s not the case if the cancer’s not aggressive. Yes, you’re going to die, but not necessarily from that,” he said.

Hungerford attended a prostate cancer support group at the Cancer Support Community of Knoxville – formerly called the Wellness Community. “I found that group amazingly helpful because a lot of men had a good reservoir of technical knowledge,” he said.

Hungerford considered many current treatment options for prostate cancer.

“Then I heard about this alternative at Thompson Cancer Survival Center, called tomotherapy.

It’s basically a very focused kind of radiation that is limited to the cancerous cells and a small area around them,” he said.

Tomotherapy delivers radiation slice-by-slice, a tiny bit at a time, as opposed to hitting the entire prostate at once.

Hungerford went to the Thompson Cancer Survival Center in the summer of 2006 and met Dr. Daniel Scaperoth, a radiation oncologist.

“Right from the outset I liked Dr. Scaperoth,” said Hungerford.

“He was very straight-forward with me and answered all my questions

Prostate cancer survivor John Hungerford enjoys a daily walk with the family dog, Gertrude. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, Hungerford researched a treatment that was right for him and that led him to Thompson Cancer Survival Center.

“From the time my wife and I to my satisfaction. I felt like he was great deal of honesty between him in it for the patient’s benefit, and and me.” went to Thompson, we had a good he was trying to respond to what He said the Thompson Center feeling about the place,” he said.

“It’s a light and airy atmosphere, the patient needed. There was a impressed him as well.

Weighing your options for prostate cancer Of all the cancers, prostate is one of the slowest growing. If caught early, patients typically have plenty of time to decide on the best treatment option for their particular situation.

“People can die of prostate cancer, but it’s also very treatable and, for the most part, curable,” said Dr. Daniel Scaperoth, a radiation oncologist at Thompson Cancer Survival Center.

Each of the treatments currently available for prostate surgery has a similar success rate, with a variety of side effects. In general, they fall into two main categories: radiation Dr. Daniel or surgery.

Scaperoth “Usually men will go to a urologist or radiologist and get a couple of different opinions,” said Scaperoth. “There are support groups in town, and men will share their stories about what went well and what didn’t go well.”

“And the decision depends a little bit on age,” he added. “Younger patients in their 50s and 60s will lean a little toward surgery because they can always add radiation later. People over 70 might lean more toward radiation.”

There are so many options it can be difficult to choose, Scaperoth said. If it’s an early stage of disease, men can even choose not to do anything at all.

“Watchful waiting is also OK, with active surveillance of PSA levels,” Scaperoth said. PSA, prostate specific antigen, is a blood test that can detect the disease at an early stage. “The PSA test is what gives you lot of options,” said Scaperoth.

The American Urological Association recommends that men talk to their physicians about when to have a first PSA screening and how often they should be screened after that. In general, men ages 55 to 69 should be screened every two to four years.

“It’s really something you should talk to your doctor about, based on your own risk factors,” said Scaperoth.

and the people were the same way.

I just had a really good feeling about it.”

Starting in mid-July, Hungerford had 39 tomotherapy treatments, one per weekday, until the end of summer.

“They do precise CT (computed tomography) scans to locate the prostate,” he said. “There’s no pain. I was just lying there maybe 20 to 30 minutes each time. You don’t really feel anything, actually.”

“Toward the end of the treatment series you feel a little bit of fatigue,” said Hungerford. “The last couple of weeks I felt sluggish and slow, like I was walking through mud.”

But over the weeks, Hungerford’s PSA tests showed that the cancer was being destroyed. A PSA test is a blood test that detects the prostate specific antigen, an indicator of cancer.

“I’d say the treatment was very successful,” he said. “My PSA level started coming down to well below where it needs to be, and I’m pleased with that,” he said. “I haven’t had any problems since.”

Hungerford said he would recommend Thompson Cancer Survival Center to anyone facing prostate cancer treatment.

“The personnel are just great, and the technicians that worked with me when I was going through treatment were terrific too. Everyone was so helpful,” he said.

Hungerford said his wife, Ruth, met friends in the waiting room each time they went for treatment.

“She’s outgoing and got to know most of the people in the waiting room, and we’ve stayed friends with a lot of those people after treatment. It was really kind of neat to have that social aspect, unanticipated,” he said.

“I thought the care was outstanding, and it’s been that way ever since,” said Hungerford. “I’ve been treated really well.”

Prostate cancer treatment choices Surgery – Removal of the prostate either with an open incision or with a less invasive robotic system that uses several smaller incisions. The risks of surgery would include infection and anesthesia problems and a slightly higher risk of incontinence afterward.

Radiation – Radiation treatment is done either from the outside, bombarding the prostate with radiation beams, or from within the prostate, by implanting radioactive seeds inside the prostate. Tomotherapy is one type of external radiation, which applies the radiation in thin, precise slices. Risks of radiation would include a higher irritation to the bowel and rectum than surgery. Seed implants can cause swelling that can cause difficulty urinating.

Cryosurgery – A technique for freezing and killing abnormal cells, cryosurgery is being tested for very early stage cancers. It is a one-time procedure performed under anesthesia.

Hormone therapy – Male sex hormones can cause prostate cells to grow. Drugs that suppress hormones can slow the growth of cancer, but they have some serious side effects. These drugs are only used in more advanced cancers.

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Shopper news • MARCH 17, 2014 • 3

Magpies Bakery donated the gorgeous cake.

Mayor Madeline Rogero joins “suffragette” Betty Reddick, a past president of the Knox County Democratic Women’s Club. Photos by Betsy Pickle

U.S. Senate candidate Terry Adams creates a united front with state Senate candidate Cheri Siler.

Knox County Democratic Party chair Linda Haney and KCDWC president Kathy Manning relax after a busy evening.

Proud parents Peggy and Hugh Price show support for son Leland Price, candidate for Criminal Court judge, Division III.

Former Knoxville Mayor Randy Tyree shares a moment with Sylvia Woods, treasurer of the KCDWC.

Dem women – 85 years young “Inform, Organize, Register and Vote.” Hmm, the Knox County Democratic Women’s Club’s slogan doesn’t mention “party.”

But that’s what members and friends did to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the group’s founding.

Fun took precedence over politicking at the March 8 anniversary celebration at the Southern Depot. With approximately 215 people in attendance, the renovated railroad depot was wiggleroom only, so stumping would have been difficult, to say the least.

Kathy Manning, KCDWC president and a descendant of charter members, welcomed the crowd and said the organizers “tried to make this a historic occasion.” After all, the KCDWC is the oldest Democratic women’s club in the nation.

The beautiful setting – built a quarter-century before the club was founded on March 28, 1928 – and a few guests decked out in period attire brought the past to life, but it was the multitude of Democratic leaders from throughout the county and the state that made the event historic.

Mayor Madeline Rogero made a relaxed and personable master of ceremonies.

She had the crowd rolling as she paused before starting the program and confided,

Betsy Pickle

“I really love being mayor.”

The official procedure didn’t last long enough for anyone to get antsy. Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz led the Pledge of Allegiance. Rogero and state Rep. Gloria Johnson read proclamations.

State party chair Roy Herron expressed his thanks for the group’s contributions.

Rogero introduced politicians and candidates in attendance, and attorney Wanda Sobieski gave an overview of the life of Lucy Graham Crozier, founder of the club.

Despite a few technical difficulties with A/V equipment, the evening was a feel-good event, wrapping up with several hopeful rounds of “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

■

Vestal vets, vents

The Vestal Community Organization had its most spirited meeting in months on March 10.

Part of that was thanks to visitors such as sheriff candidate Bobby Waggoner and

City Council at-large member Marshall Stair. Both were endorsed by businessman Ron Emery, who came to introduce Waggoner but went ahead and also did the honors for Stair.

Waggoner, who hopes to unseat incumbent Jimmy “J.J.” Jones, emphasized his long career in law enforcement and his professionalism.

Stair, a downtown dweller whose term isn’t up yet, just wanted to make himself known and available to constituents.

Neither probably had in mind the probing abilities of VCO president Newman Seay, who hit hard with questions about budgets and the interests of South Knoxville. There was levity as well, but Seay and other VCO members pushed – politely – and let their own opinions be known.

Seay also discussed plans for cleanup sessions at Mary Vestal Park – one was to be held this past Saturday, along with ideas about connecting with other neighborhood organizations.

Another lengthy discussion was held about the need for a better accessible entrance to the South Knoxville Community Center.

The VCO meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the South Knoxville Community Center.

Knox County Sheriff candidate Bobby Waggoner, endorser Ron Emery and City Council member-at-large Marshall Stair visit the Vestal Community Organization.

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the Year for her hard work and devotion to getting the outdoor classroom off the ground. Hitchcox received a proclamation praising her efforts.

“I was pleased to see the SWNA recognized for being the first and, so far, only Community Wildlife Habitat in the state of Tennessee,” Mayor Madeline Rogero said. “This means they are working to promote greener landscapes and buildings, improve air and water quality and restore wildlife habitats in their neighborhood. Surrounded by the Urban Wilderness, SWNA’s Community Wildlife Habitat is a perfect complement to the efforts to protect the Urban Wilderness and make it an outdoor recreation destination.”

Coincidentally, Rogero herself lives in the South

From page 1 Woodlawn community. Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis also lives in South Knoxville and is a staunch cheerleader for community organizations.

“I could not have been more proud of the hardworking folks from the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association for their recognition at the Neighborhood Awards event,” Pavlis said.

“The outdoor classroom at South-Doyle Middle School is unprecedented and will serve the students and teachers there for years to come.”

Putting together the outdoor classroom, with the aid of a grant from Dow Gives, “took lots of hard work and cooperation from their neighbors and businesses, too,” said Pavlis. “They have worked tirelessly and endlessly to make their neighborhood and South Knoxville a better place to live.”

Tocher, who is wrapping up her term as president, said SWNA will celebrate the accomplishments with a “Yeah, we did it!” party at Stanley’s Greenhouse. It will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12.

“I am just so delighted that the hard work of our neighbors is being recognized,” said Tocher. “When you’re doing good things, it’s good for your heart, but when somebody calls you out and says, ‘Hey, you’re doing good things,’ it inspires you to keep doing good things.”

She said the award is helping her group get the word out to other neighborhoods about what can be accomplished when neighbors work together.

“Letting other people know what we’re doing might inspire them, too.”

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government Greenway project drags The First Creek Greenway, announced by Mayor Rogero in her first budget in 2012, still has not been built two years later as she prepares her third budget.

Perhaps no one at city hall is really pushing it, so little delays become long delays and people spend time on other issues.

Victor Ashe

New city press spokesperson Eric Vreeland says the greenway is actually ahead of schedule with a completion date of December 2016. Surely he jests, but actually not.

Announced in April 2012 and not going to be completed for 4 1/2 years and that is ahead of schedule? Apparently, if you set the completion date far enough out then any project will come in ahead of schedule. If Rogero is not re-elected in 2015, her successor will be cutting the ribbon in 2016.

It’s stunning that a greenway takes 4 1/2 years to construct. Someone is not on top of this … or maybe no one.

■ Ted Welch, Nashville and national Republican fundraiser, died March 8, marking the passing of an era. He was commissioner of finance for Gov. Winfield Dunn. He was national finance chair for the GOP. He was close to every major Republican officeholder since 1970 including Lamar Alexander, Bill Frist, Bill Brock, Winfield Dunn, Fred Thompson, Don Sundquist and others.

Former Gov. Dunn said of Welch, “If Ted had lived to be 100, it still would have been a premature death.”

Dunn himself is 86 and in excellent health.

■ State Rep. Steve Hall will face an active summer if West Knoxvillian Martin Daniel turns in his petition to run for state representative and they face each other in the August primary. Hall is a strong backer of state Sen. Stacey Campfield and often sponsors Campfield legislation such as the bill to sell Lakeshore Park before it was transferred to the city of Knoxville.

Hall has generally been an invisible member of the General Assembly except when he defends the controversial Campfield.

Interestingly, Daniel lives in the Rocky Hill precinct off Northshore Drive that Hall insisted on being placed in his district so his district would be overwhelmingly Republican instead of going to the Gloria Johnson district where it would have tilted that district toward the GOP. Consequently, Hall faces a stiff challenge this summer due to his insistence on protecting himself.

Hall should remember the old adage, be careful what you ask for, you might get it.

■ It has been eight months since the special court appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam heard arguments in Nashville on the John J. Hooker lawsuit challenging the selection method for appellate judges, and there has been no decision. Why is this? Are they purposely slow-walking their decision? What is their motive?

Eight months is plenty of time for five people to write their decision (whatever it is) for a single case. Two of the five special justices are from Knoxville: former city law director Morris Kizer and former U.S. attorney Russ Dedrick.

Some wonder if the panel is waiting on the legislature to adjourn so this session cannot react to their decision with legislation. Some wonder if they plan to wait until after the constitutional amendment is voted on this November to change the judicial-selection process. There is no deadline on writing opinions for the state Supreme Court. Retiring Supreme Court Justice Bill Koch has taken as long as two years to write an opinion on cases assigned to him.

The fact is, this was a case where the opinion could have been written in days. Have they reached a decision that is unanimous or divided? One also wonders why the mainstream media has not jumped on the lengthy delay here. They should have issued an opinion months ago if they were doing their job properly.

■ John Gill, former U.S. attorney and top aide to District Attorney Randy Nichols, contrary to some speculation, will not be retiring Aug. 31, but will continue working for the new district attorney general elected this August. Gill is married to Margie Nichols, top aide to University of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek.

4 • MARCH 17, 2014 • Shopper news

Circuit judge race photo finish Hang on to your hats, y’all. This Circuit Court judge’s race could be a heck of a lot of fun.

Jake Mabe

Three Republican candidates – Kristi Davis, Ray Hal Jenkins and Billy Stokes – are running for the Division I seat being vacated by Dale Workman.

Their contrast in styles was displayed at the Fountain City/North Knox Republican Club meeting last week.

Stokes spoke first. He’s the most familiar face of the three and is a former Knox County GOP chair.

Billy started blabbing – rambling a bit, to be honest – telling his life’s tale. After three minutes or so, I drank a big shot of Coca-Cola just to stay awake and thought, “What is he doing?”

Then it hit me. He was emphasizing his experience.

About the time the light bulb lit up in my head, he said: “I’ve tried just about everything (as a lawyer). Running for judge seems like it would be another progression on the path. I’m prepared to do this.”

Davis gave the best speech. She is cogent and calm.

She kept her biography

Kristi Davis

Billy Stokes

Ray Hal Jenkins

brief, talked about her experience trying cases in circuit courts “from Chattanooga to Erwin.” Said her experience is “very broad and very general,” and that she’s represented plaintiffs and defendants, adding that it’s beneficial for a judge to view cases from both points of view.

Davis said a good judge should possess three things – experience, a good work ethic and a firm but respectful demeanor in the courtroom.

Why is she running?

“We need strong leaders who can come out of the private sector and (serve). I’m not the most experienced politician in this room, but that’s OK.” Note the lines about the public sector and experienced politicians. Davis made the ever so subtle distinction that both Jenkins and Stokes have long involvement in the Knox County Republican Party.

Jenkins is jovial, gregarious. He cracked jokes, said he’s made the switch from being “a corporate attorney to a country lawyer.”

He said his work ethic was displayed when he held down a full-time job while going to law school at night.

Jenkins is proud of his work as a former party chair.

“I tell people that my two jobs were to raise money and elect Republicans. We did both.”

Stokes probably has the widest support among the

establishment. But Jenkins comes from a widely known family of Republicans.

Davis is the newbie, but that may work to her advantage.

My brain tells me that this is Stokes’s race to lose, but my gut tells me that he and Jenkins are going to split the traditional Republican vote. That leaves Davis with a major opportunity.

Make sure your camera batteries are charged, folks.

This race could very well be a photo finish on Election Day. “Pull Up A Chair” with Jake Mabe at jakemabe.blogspot.com.

Rick Ross hopes Republicans in Fountain City and in North Knoxville will attend the combined club meetings, which are held at 7 p.m. each second Monday at Shoney’s on North Broadway. Dues are $5 a year, and Ross says he’ll work out a payment plan if anybody needs one.

Checking that gift horse’s dentures Last summer, shiny happy school board members gathered around Superintendent James McIntyre to cheer the announcement that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was giving Knox County Schools a humongous grant to help figure out how to spend taxpayer money. It was festive.

Nobody was rude enough to correct McIntyre’s math when he said it was a $1.2 million Gates grant, when in fact $840,000 came from Gates and the other $360,000 in equal amounts from the Knox Countysubsidized Great Schools Partnership and from Knox County Schools. And nobody mentioned that the Parthenon Group – the Gates-approved, Bostonbased business consultant chosen to create the “Smart Spending” plan along with its subcontractor Education Resource Strategies – is known for recycling the same advice in different school districts, so there

Betty Bean wasn’t much mystery about what the recommendations would be.

“We’re really excited about, not just the shortterm impact this will have on the budget process coming up, but also the longterm impact on making sure we are getting the best possible return on our educational investment in our community,” McIntyre said with a straight face.

The media shared his excitement and delivered the news like a glitter bomb: “Knox County Schools announced Monday the district is getting more than $1 million from some of the world’s top philanthropists,” said one TV newsreader.

“The Gates Foundation grant is just the latest opportunity for the school district to shine on a national stage.”

But the atmosphere was far different at last week’s school board work session.

The board members weren’t smiling when the Parthenon Group consultant rolled out recommendations they knew were coming and most used to be OK with – increasing classroom sizes, eliminating as many as 300 “low-performing” teachers based on value-added (TVAAS) scores, laying off librarians, custodians, counselors, social workers and nurses, stop giving pay raises for advanced degrees, ax Project Grad and most of the TAP program, quit helping poor kids to go on field trips and stretch out the school year with a “balanced calendar,” requiring teachers to work some 20 additional days per year without commensurate compensation.

Last summer’s gift horse couldn’t weather the months-long public-information campaign waged by teachers, parents and even students. Parthenon’s Seth

Reynolds probably wouldn’t have gotten a chillier reception if he’d recommended barbed-wire enemas all around.

Once he was done, librarians and counselors and a University of Tennessee researcher stood up at a public forum and challenged the board to look closer at the Parthenon gift horse.

Librarian Amber Rountree observed that she’s never heard anyone ask for larger class sizes and criticized the Parthenon report for recommending hiring two recruiters and four humanresource specialists for the administrative staff while cutting personnel who work directly with students.

Finally, she urged the board to remember the intangibles: “Our classrooms are a community in which our students learn skills like empathy and kindness, many of which cannot be measured by a bar graph or in a bottom line.”

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Shopper news • MARCH 17, 2014 • 5

Future favorite: Vic Wharton III I don’t know Todd Kelly in Butch Jones and sincere Jr., but I like him because of gratitude for an opportunity roots. Ditto Dillon Bates. to make a difference.

Perhaps you know Wharton background basics.

Former Volunteer all-SEC basketball guard Brandon Marvin Wharton, 1,651 points in the West late 1990s, is his uncle.

Vic was an athletic freshman of some distinction at Catholic High.

He transferred to Christ That said, until further notice, Vic Wharton III is Presbyterian Academy outmy favorite incoming foot- side of Nashville and had a ball Volunteer. He has not great sophomore year in footcaught a pass or returned a ball, basketball and track.

He transferred again, punt for the orange, but he has demonstrated a deep ap- to Independence High in preciation of the University Thompson’s Station, and of Tennessee, complete faith became one of the better

Work required on pensions The city of Knoxville is on a collision course with your wallet.

It manages pension plans that cover some 3,750 people (2,255 retirees and 1,491 active workers). The main plan, now closed to new entrants, had an estimated $690 million in liabilities but only $520 million in assets as of February 2014.

That $170 million shortfall will weigh heavily on the city’s annual budget for

Nick Della Volpe

decades to come. The market downturn of 2001-02 and the recession that began in 2008 have contributed heavily to the shortfall.

The old plan currently pays

all-around, mid-sized (6-0, 190) athletes in the country. There might have been a connection between that move and the school adding his dad to the coaching staff.

Do what? You never heard of Vic Wharton Jr. or Thompson’s Station, population 2,194, steeped in history, Civil War battleground, Williamson County, between Franklin and Spring Hill?

Young Vic III did what he could to make Thompson’s Station more famous.

He played defensive back, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and kick returner. He did all that very

well, about 2,500 all-purpose yards as a senior, nine touchdowns running, eight receiving, six doing other things.

He made a bunch of tackles, intercepted some passes, threw a touchdown pass, had a 98-yard kickoff return, etc.

One college coach said Vic is an instinctive defender. Another said he is better as a receiver, not a burner but once under 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. If that isn’t flying, it is takeoff speed.

Some who do recruiting evaluations say he is a fourstar prospect. That is incidental. Here’s what matters:

Because of Jones, Vic was more interested in Cincinnati than Tennessee when Derek Dooley was coach.

When Jones switched schools, Wharton decided he was part of the package.

He had to wait only for confirmation that he was wanted. Butch had previously offered a Cincinnati scholarship after Vic camped with the Bearcats.

When the Tennessee offer came, Vic was first to commit for the class of 2014. He called Jones on Christmas Day 2012. A few minutes later, he appointed himself assistant recruiting coordinator and called TK. That is code for the aforementioned Todd Kelly Jr. Soon others were in the loop. The theme was the fu-

per year (while employees Right now, nothing. out some $40 million per year in benefits and $3.5 The city is laboring un- add $3.8 million) and is well million in management fees and administrative costs.

“We are racing forward, knowing that the bridge is out.”

The good news is that the city (with the help of active voters) closed those old plans. der the weight of the un- on its way to over $30 milA new hybrid Plan H, ad- derfunded “closed” plans, lion per year in the next few opted by charter change in which will continue running years. Yikes!

The city went from near November 2012, applies to up the costs of government employees hired after Jan. for the next 20-plus years. parity with the worker/ benThose plans are consuming eficiaries of the plan, to four 1, 2013.

Problem solved? Or only an ever-larger share of the or five times the employees’ share. At that rate, the city’s a good start? Plan H covers city’s annual budget.

A decade ago, the city contribution will eat nearly about 90 new employees, whose pension claims will was contributing about $4.4 20 percent of the city’s enmature some 20 to 25 years million per year to the plan tire $180 million operating in the future. Compare that (an amount roughly in line budget. In simple terms, the to the 3,750 retirees and ac- with the employees then-$3 more pension monies paid tive workers under the old million contribution, or 6 in = less services to you, or tax increases you don’t want plan, and you realize it is a percent of salary).

The city is currently con- and can’t afford. Yet, we are first step. tributing over $22 million racing forward, knowing So what’s being done?

ture, trying to restore Tennessee football to its rightful place of prominence.

Over and over, Vic Wharton III said to prospective teammates, “Once we get there, we are going to help make a difference.”

Optimism. Enthusiasm.

Faith in tomorrow. And why not?

“I think he’s the greatest coach in the country,” Wharton said of Lyle Allen “Butch” Jones Jr. “I mean, I just can’t wait to play for him.”

Even with more talent on the roster, I am almost certain there is still a place for leadership. The Vic Wharton approach is good enough for now.

Marvin West invites reader response. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.

that the bridge is out.

Who pays? You do. It’s your money. The city’s revenues come primarily from property taxes and sales taxes (which have been flat for the past several years). The rest comes from other fees and taxes (including a share from the state). Budgets remain tight. So, why not act now to slow the runaway train? Thus far, the city claims nothing more can be done. Adjusting pension benefits is said to be barred by a 33-year-old Tennessee Supreme Court decision known as the Blackwell case.

Next week, we will tackle Blackwell, looking at recent action in Chattanooga.

Nick Della Volpe, an attorney, represents District 4 on Knoxville City Council.

Tall and taller: Eddie Smith comes after Gloria Johnson From the folks who brought you Bill Dunn, Stacey Campfield, Steve Hall and Roger Kane comes Eddie Smith.

In an unusual press release, Smith said Johnson i nc u mb ent state Rep. Gloria Johnson has “had her chance to prove she will stand tall,” and has “failed to serve your

best interests.

“I intend to stand much taller.”

Johnson, one of the few Democrats left in the Legislature, led a rally Friday to support teachers Smith and parents who are questioning the Common Core State Standards. She looked pretty tall on Market Square.

Sandra Clark

But Smith, who lives in South Knoxville and is the married father of two says he represents “the values and beliefs of state House District 13 and will hold true to those values and beliefs in Nashville.”

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6 • MARCH 17, 2014 • Shopper news

Fulton girls blow past ranked rivals to reach state title game

By Stefan Cooper

Safety-patrol members Jakob Marrow and Boone Sommers load up trays to take to classmates.

Lessons add up with 50-foot sub project

By Betsy Pickle There’s more to putting together a Subway sandwich than just slapping some meat, cheese and veggies on bread.

That’s what the thirdgraders at Mooreland Heights Elementary School discovered as they prepared for their “50-Foot Sub Day” and on the big day itself.

“They’re piling everything they’re learning into this one day,” said school board member Pam Trainor.

“It’s huge. They have such a good time.”

The special sub day is a big project. Students wrote letters to notable citizens, inviting them to attend.

“It was wonderful,” Trainor said of her letter.

The child who invited her also acted as her host.

Other attendees included radio personality Hallerin Hilton Hill and “Biggest Loser” runner-up and University of Tennessee Vol for Life director Antone Davis, along with current players Cameron Sutton and An-

drew Henry.

Teachers used the event to teach as many applications of their studies as possible.

For instance, kids used rulers to measure the sub.

They also used iPads to shoot videos about what they had learned about food and food sources.

The students built the massive sub, with materials and oversight provided by Subway of Knoxville.

“Every time we come, they’re so welcoming,” said Deb Settle of Subway. “This is the only school that’s ever asked us. We’ve been doing this at least four years now.”

The sandwich project also is a fundraiser. The third graders raise money for the safety patrol, 15 fifth-graders, to travel to Washington, D.C., in May. Parents and community members were encouraged to come join the feast.

“I think this event is awesome,” said Hill, a former safety-patrol member himself. “The world needs to see this.”

For the Fulton High School girls basketball team, it’s more than reaching the championship game in its first trip to the state tournament.

It’s more than the dynamic duo – freshmen Qua (pronounced Quay) Hines and KeKe McKinney, who were fabulous.

What is one for the record books is who the Fulton team beat in their journey, beginning with the district championship game three weeks ago.

Fulton fell, 66-52, to Elizabethton in the Class AA title game on March 8 at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center, giving the Falcons the second place silver ball trophy.

The Elizabethton team was ranked third in The Associated Press’ final poll of the season, but on the way to the championship game, Fulton did some damage to the rest of the Associated Press’ top five.

First to fall was No. 5-ranked Gatlinburg-Pittman, 62-59, in the District 3AA championship game.

G-P won both regular-season meetings, by 18 and 14 points, respectively.

“We didn’t play well in a couple of ball games,” said

coach John Fisher. “We didn’t play well in either G-P game in the regular season.

We didn’t perform well, and people kind of wrote us off.

“We kind of got it going after that.”

The fuse lit, Fulton went off.

The team toppled No. 1-ranked Grainger County, 57-55, in the sectional round to send Fulton to state. Once there, they all but ran No. 2-ranked Cannon County and 2014 Class AA Miss Basketball Abbey Sissom from the arena, 6749, in the quarterfinals.

No. 4 Creek Wood put up a fight, but eventually succumbed in overtime, 45-41.

“It was survive every day mode,” Fisher said. “We never got into who we were playing. We were focusing on the little things it took to win that game.”

Hines performed beyond her years in the championship game, pumping in a game-high 26 points – 24 of them coming in the second half as Fulton rallied. Foul trouble limited McKinney to a 14-point, 8-rebound, 2-block effort.

“We knew before the season we were going to have to depend on them early,” Fisher said. “They’ve been special players for a

Freshmen Keke McKinney and Qua Hines, senior Jametri Mathis and coach John Fisher display their runner-up trophy. long time.”

Both return next season.

Unfortunately, Fisher said, seniors Tyanna Castle, the district tournament most valuable player, and Brittani Whiteside – a go-to player who made “play after play for us” – do not.

Hines, McKinney and Castle were each named to the all-state tournament team.

“I hope it leaves a taste in their mouths to want to get back there next year,” Fisher said. “It was a special time.

You start off trying to survive practice. Then there’s Thanksgiving, then Christmas. Then, to finish the way we did, it was just a special time.”

He needn’t worry. When

asked about their plans, McKinney (a young Glory Johnson) said she wants another crack at Elizabethton.

Point guard Hines (think Ariel Massengale) agreed.

After all, they won two national AAU championships with the Tennessee Flight Select. They’re attracting considerable attention from college coaches and plan to play “exposure” events this summer to build their recruiting ranking.

But they both know exactly where they want to end up after they graduate.

“There’s only one place for me,” McKinney said. “I want to stay right here and play for Tennessee.”

Hines agreed.

Betty Bean contributed to this report.

Games bring fun, family together

By Betsy Pickle Teachers and volunteers at South Knoxville Elementary School fed their kids’ minds as well as their tummies at Family Night.

Grade-appropriate math games were set up at tables in the school’s gym. Kids – with siblings and parents in tow – headed for the tables to test their wits in the skillenhancing games.

Each child received a

game packet so they could play the same games at home.

Mom Christy McMillan thought the Feb. 27 event was a hit with first-grader Zoey.

“She’s pretty good at it,” said McMillan, who has

three children at the school.

“She likes it.”

After playing games, the families moved on to the cafeteria, where Kids’ Hope mentors from First Baptist Church were ladling out homemade chili.

Sisters Jaylee and Ciera Moore, sitting with young cousins Hayden and Jared Thomas, were happy with the games and the meal.

“They were fun,” fifthgrader Ciera said of the math games. “It was easy.”

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UT professor to lead national STEM effort Part of a national effort to advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics undergraduate education is being directed by a Louis Gross UT professor.

Louis Gross, director of Sisters Jaylee and Ciera Moore enjoy chili provided by Kids’ the National Institute for Hope mentors from First Baptist Church.

Mathematical and Biological Synthesis at UT, will serve as director of the BiCatch up with all your favorite columnists every Monday at ology Ideas Lab, to be held March 30 to April 4 in Leesburg, Va.

www.ShopperNewsNow.com

Shopper news • MARCH 17, 2014 • 7

An aerial shot of the Clayton Homes corporate office in Maryville

Photo submitted

Clayton Homes is always hiring

By Jake Mabe This week, our search for Where the Jobs Are takes us to one of the most famous last names in Knoxville – Clayton, as in Clayton Homes.

Company founder Jim Clayton has been a local fi xture since 1956, when he opened his first mobile home retail center on Clinton Highway. If you’ve been around here awhile, you’ll no doubt remember the center’s spinning mobile home sign. And you’ll probably remember Clayton’s television series, “Star Time.”

Clayton started out selling cars, began using mobile homes as collateral for car sales and realized modular home sales could be a lucrative business.

Audrey Saunders, Clayton Homes’ public relations and

marketing coordinator, says owns companies that one the company has 312 home might think are rivals, centers across the nation, 35 such as Freedom Homes, home building centers and Outlook Homes and Love a host of supply centers. Its Homes. As of 2012, Clayton corporate headquarters is Homes is the largest homelocated in Maryville. Warren builder – of any kind – in Buffett’s Berkshire-Hatha- the United States, Saunders said. way bought the comsays the company in 2002 WHERE Shepany after Buffett is always the hiring. read and was “ O u r impressed by pa rk ing Clayton’s aulot is full,” tobiography.

Jim’s son Saunders said.

Kevin Clayton “We’re expanding the parking lot. is now the chief executive officer of a company It seems like every week I umbrella that also includes meet 10 new (employees).”

Saunders says career opretail and manufacturing centers, Vanderbilt Mort- portunities can be found gage and Finance, 21st Cen- at the company’s website, tury Mortgage and Home- w w w.clay tonhomes.com.

Prospective employees can first insurance company.

Clayton Homes also also follow the company on

JOBS ARE

Slugger and Lauren Chesney, the Smokies’ director of community relations, visited firstand second-graders at the Bonny Kate library on March 11 to promote Slugger’s Reading Club.

Students who read four books earn a free ticket to a Smokies game. (Parents will be eligible for a discounted ticket.)

Seats must be reserved by Friday, March 28, so Spring Break is the perfect time to read your way to a baseball game. After the game, a parade and fireworks will be held on the field. If Bonny Kate students read the most out of all the schools participating, the library will win $250 for new books.

THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 23 World premiere of “Tic Toc” by Gayle Greene, presented by the Tennessee Stage Company, Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 319 N. Gay St. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Info: www. tennesseestagecompany.com.

THROUGH TUESDAY, APRIL 15 Registration open for UT-led Wildflower Pilgrimage to be held April 15-19. Tickets: $75 per person for two or more days; $50 for single-day tickets; $15 students with ID. To register: http://www. springwildflowerpilgrimage.org. Info: 436-7318, ext.

222.

THROUGH SATURDAY, MAY 17 Tickets on sale for Tennessee Theatre’s annual “Stars on Stage” event. Kenny Rogers will headline, 8

Healthcare deadline that. They put a kiosk in and point people to it.

There’s no assistance.

“Supposedly, the state was to have its website up and running, but that still

From page 1

hasn’t happened. It’s hard to explain to people where they fall financially, and it’s kind of frustrating. But enrollments have been happening,” Harmon said.

Here are Tennessee Health Care Campaign’s Knox County enrollment events until March 31: ■ Wednesday, March 19, 3-7 p.m. – South Knox Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike.

■ Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. – Pellissippi State’s Magnolia Campus, 1610 E. Magnolia Ave. ■ Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 1807 Dandridge Ave. ■ Monday, March 31, 3-8 p.m. – Cherokee Health Systems, 2018 Western Ave. Tennova Healthcare is sponsoring enrollment events 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 29, at these locations: ■ Turkey Creek Medical Center, West Lobby (Walmart side), 10820 Parkside Drive ■ Physicians Regional Medical Center (the former St. Mary’s), admitting entrance (Fulton HS side), 900 East Oak Hill Avenue ■ North Knoxville Medical Center, Outpatient Department, 7565 Dannaher Drive off Emory Road Anyone wishing to enroll will need these documents: ■ Social Security numbers (or document numbers for legal immigrants) ■ Employer and income information for every household member to be covered (numbers from pay stubs or W-2 forms – Wage and Tax Statements, modified adjusted gross income) ■ Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering household members ■ A completed Employer Coverage Tool for every job-based plan for which a member of the household is eligible (www.healthcare.gov/downloads/ECT_Application_508_130615.pdf).

Global renal services provider to create 665 new jobs

Bonny Kate Elementary School librarian Robin Milhollan and the Tennessee Smokies’ mascot, Slugger, give two thumbs up to the Reading Over Spring Break program.

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Fresenius coming to Knox

Smokies promote reading

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Twitter through its handle, @claytonhomes.

“We post new positions on Twitter all the time, if people want to get alerts about when jobs are becoming available. And they can also follow us on LinkedIn. That’s a good way to start and connect with the company.”

The home office in Maryville employs 1,500.

Clayton Homes employs people nationwide.

Saunders says it’s a great place to work.

“I’ve been here since 2009 and interned for two years before that. I started out at Vanderbilt Mortgage.

Clayton Homes is great about promoting from within, so you can move up the corporate ladder quickly.

“Our facility at the home office is vertically integrated. Everyone, even Kevin Clayton, sits in a cubicle, so we have a very open door policy. We’re very team oriented. Teams aren’t shut off from one another.”

Saunders says the company offers great benefits, has a greenway at the corporate office and a wellness initiative. Clayton is competing to become the fittest company in Knoxville.

Roughly 100 employees will participate in either the upcoming Knoxville Marathon or the 5k event.

These days, Jim Clayton is the president of Clayton Bank, which is headquartered in downtown Knoxville. He is known for his philanthropy. A park currently being built in Halls will bear his name because of his substantial donation to purchase the land.

“I’m proud to work for the Clayton family,” Saunders said.

Fresenius Medical Care will locate its new East Coast manufacturing facility in the Panasonic building in the Forks of the River Industrial Park in Knox County, Gov. Bill Haslam announced last week.

Fresenius will invest up to $140 million in the project and correspondingly create approximately 665 new jobs over the next several years, said Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty. He said Fresenius operates in 120 countries.

The Knoxville facility will produce dialysis related products, which will be distributed to Fresenius Medical Care’s clinics and distribution centers in the eastern part of the United States.

p.m., Saturday, May 17. Proceeds will benefit the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18 UT Hospice Adult Grief Support Group meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., UT Hospice office, 2270 Sutherland Ave. A light supper is served. Info/reservation: Brenda Fletcher, 544-6277.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 Parent to Parent Support meeting for parents of children with mental health diagnoses, 6-8 p.m., K-TOWN Youth Empowerment Network, 901 E. Summit Hill Drive.

Info: Alicia, 474-6692 or abanks@tnvoices.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21 Dale Ann Bradley in concert, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, corner of 16th and Laurel Avenue. Tickets: $16, available at http://www.knoxtix.com, 523-7521 and at the door. Info: Brent Cantrell or Toby Koosman, 5225851 or concerts@jubileearts.org.

“Funding your Art: Finding Cash” workshop presented by the Arts & Culture Alliance, 5-6 p.m., Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Presentation by R.L. Gibson is $3 for members, $5 for nonmembers. To register/info: http://www.knoxalliance.com/development. html or 523-7543.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 Sarah Morgan in concert, 8 p.m., Palace Theater,

“In Knoxville, we’ve found a home with an excellent workforce pool, a facility that will work well for our purposes, and a location that will enable us to serve our customers in the eastern half of the U.S. more efficiently,” said Fresenius vice president of manufacturing Troy McGhee. “We are additionally drawn to the area’s outstanding business climate, and are looking forward to developing and expanding our presence here in the coming years.”

Fresenius Medical Care will begin moving one production line to the Knoxville facility in September 2014, but actual production at the facility is not expected to begin until early 2016, pending a designation from the Food and Drug Administration

that the facility is a qualified plant for production.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said the expansion will fill a now-vacant piece of industrial property and bring “hundreds of hightech manufacturing jobs” to the entire region.

The company will begin hiring in different phases. Toward the middle of 2014 it will begin hiring for support jobs, such as engineering facilities management, and in the fourth quarter of 2015, it plans to begin hiring for other positions such as supervisors, technicians, production line workers and maintenance. Job opportunities will be posted on the Fresenius Medical Care North America website, http:// jobs.fmcna.com.

113 W. Broadway, Maryville. Tickets: $13 advance, $15 at the door. Tickets: 983-3330 or Murlin’s Music World, 429 W. Broadway, Maryville. Info: www.palacetheater. com.

The Captain W.Y.C. Hannum Chapter #1881, United Daughters of the Confederacy meeting, 10:30 a.m., Green Meadow Country Club in Alcoa. Business sesson, 11 a.m. followed by lunch. Guest speaker: Doris Campbell, “A Hard Life for the Wives and Mothers left Behind During the WBTS.” Visitors welcome. Reservations/info: Charlotte Miller, 448-6716.

World Storytelling Day, 2-4 p.m., Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre, 461 Parkway, Gatlinburg. Presented

by Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association. Story theme: “Dragons and Monsters.” Tickets at the door: $7; Seniors, students, groups: $5. Proceeds go to SMSA. Info: 984-0246, katmav212@gmail.com; or 429-1783, cuznjan@juno.com.

UT School of Music gala, 6 p.m., Cherokee Country Club, 138 Lyons View Pike. Includes silent and live auction. Open to the public, reservations required.

Proceeds go toward UT School of Music scholarships.

Info/reservations: 974-7547 or http://www.music.utk. edu/gala2014.

Performance by Dance Company Ailey II, under the Artistic Direction of Troy Powell, 8 p.m., Clayton Center for the Arts, located on the Maryville College campus. Tickets: 981-8590 or www.claytonartscenter. com.

MONDAY, MARCH 24 “Towards a Theory of Earliness” lecture by Eva Franch i Gilabert, 5:30 p.m., UT Art and Architecture Building, 1715 Volunteer Blvd. Part of the UT Church Memorial Lecture Series. Free and open to the public.

8 • MARCH 17, 2014 • Shopper news

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