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union county
VOL. 6, NO. 38
SEPTEMBER 17, 2011
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Remembering 9/11 ‘Trashy Bill’
Honor Guard educates students By Cindy Taylor
The legend retires See page 4
Crime wave? Plainview faces theft See Cindy’s story on page 2
FEATURED COLUMNIST BOB COLLIER
Fall’s big family Flowers of the season See page 6
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Sept. 11, 2001, is a day that will live forever in the hearts and minds of all Americans. As with other infamous dates that affected our country, most people who were 10 years old and older on that date can tell you exactly where they were when the Twin Towers in New York City were struck in an unexpected and brutal terrorist attack. No student at Horace Maynard Middle School has memories of that beautifully clear autumn day that turned tragic, and many weren’t even born. For this reason, the school staff made the decision to hold a day of remembrance for 9/11 as a teaching tool so students could understand what took place, follow the timeline of that day and get a feel for how we as Americans responded. Teachers Jane Hanson and Sharon Collins were instrumental in organizing the event. Collins is also a member of the Tri-County Veterans Honor Guard. “All of us were affected by it, but the students here would not remember it,” said Collins. “We are here to honor all of the people who died on 9/11.” “Since this is the 10th anniversary, we just wanted to show that we still remember and it still affects us,” said Hanson. “Each social studies teacher will speak about 9/11 and show documentaries throughout the day.” Students and faculty gathered in the auditorium for a special presentation given by eight members of the Honor Guard. The guard members were introduced by American Legion Commander retired U.S. Army
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4509 Doris Circle 37918 (865) 922-4136 news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com EDITOR Cindy Taylor brentcindyt@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES Darlene Hutchison hutchisond@ ShopperNewsNow.com Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly at 4509 Doris Circle, Knoxville, TN, and distributed to 11,000 homes in Union County.
Sgt. Charles Scruggs, who led the auditorium in a moment of silence followed by prayer. The American flag was unfolded and refolded with an explanation of what each fold represents. “These men and women and others like them are the reason you are able to sit in this auditorium this morning,” said Scruggs as he addressed the students. “Be proud to be an American, and may I say to you, God bless America.” Students were solemn during the presentation, then gave a round of applause and standing ovation to the veterans as they exited in for-
mation from the auditorium. On a side note, U.S. flags flown over the Tennessee State Capitol on Sept. 11, 2011, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will be sent to every fire department and school in the 4th Senate District, according to state Sen. Mike Faulk. Faulk represents the 4th District in the Tennessee state Senate, which includes Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson and Union counties, and is sponsoring the effort. “Sept. 11, 2001, changed the lives of many Americans forever and the course of history for this nation,”
said Faulk. “It changed the way we looked at our loved ones, our flag and our very freedom, with all of these becoming more precious.” “The flag in particular was symbolic of those hard days and weeks following the attacks,” added Faulk. “It is an appropriate way to commemorate the victims, our first responders, and the many brave men and women who have served this country in the U.S. Armed Forces over the past decade. On this milestone anniversary, may we continue to strengthen our preparedness and resolve to guard our freedoms; and may we never forget.”
Letter, letter, who wrote the letter? By Cindy Taylor
DO YOU
Honor Guard members Reed Campbell and Sharon Collins demonstrate the proper folding of the American Flag during the 9/11 memorial at Horace Maynard Middle School. Photo by C. Taylor
With Union County Schools $771,000 in the red and no budget set for the coming year, one would think a solution to that problem would be a primary concern. However, many who attended the Union County Commission meeting Sept. 12, an estimated 800 people, wanted to know who wrote a letter addressed to parents and sent home with students of all grade levels. Residents and concerned parents began arriving at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. meeting. By 6:30, it was standing room only in the large courtroom with hoards of people trying to hear from the hallways, down the steps and in the street. Details of the meeting as it progressed were carried from person to person in line to keep those informed who had to remain Parent Wendi outdoors due to Purcel thanks lack of space. school board Commissionmember Don ers were upset Morgan for his that the letter assertion that painted them Director of as the bad guys. Schools Wayne Parents were Goforth knew the origins of the upset, claiming mysterious letter. that had they
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people. I would rather see a man with a backbone than a child with a backpack and a note. We are going to work together, but this is not the way to do business.” The letter stated that the students of Union County needed the parents’ help and urged everyone to call their commissioners and attend the commission meeting Sept. 12. The letter claimed the decision to fund the school system was in the commission’s hands, that the school board could not raise money on its own and had no choice but to make drastic cuts. The budget cuts voted on at the Sept. 8 school board meeting were listed. The letter closed by listing statistics of how poorly the county funded the schools compared to other school districts in Commissioner Gary England confronts Director of Schools Wayne Goforth resurrounding counties and had the garding unexplained line items in the school budget. names of all Union County school not received the letter, school budPrincipals claimed that they were principals listed at the bottom. get cuts would have been made that told to send the letter home, but The commission discussed the affected them and their children none would disclose who instructed letter and the school system buddirectly. Many claimed that hav- them to do so, and no one pres- get for two hours, interspersed ing the letter delivered by students ent would admit to knowing who with comments from the audience traumatized their children. Some at- composed the letter. Commission- with no solution forthcoming. Fitendees were upset at the possibility ers requested that the schools stop nally, cooler heads prevailed when of a property tax increase. Director sending out such letters, and Union Commissioner Jonathan Goforth of Schools Wayne Goforth was upset County Mayor Mike Williams spoke suggested a workshop between the school board and the commisthat a letter he claimed to have no to that effect. knowledge of had been sent home “This letter does send a bad mes- sion. Williams and Wayne Goforth to parents. Teachers and bus driv- sage,” said Williams. “It makes us agreed that could be profitable soers were upset upon finding out that as a commission feel better if you lution, and the school board and they could be losing their jobs. In come to the table versus putting a letter in the backpack of our young To page A-3 short, no one was happy.
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