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IN THIS ISSUE
Says consolidated finance department already has saved money
Improvement in education for Union Countians is high on the priority list of the Chamber. “There is a lot of common interest and crossover of goals between economic developers and educators,” said Julie Graham, Chamber president.
By Libby Morgan
Read more on page 2
Teacher to appeal Tina Wilder will appeal her termination by the Board of Education to Chancery Court, according to someone close to the case. That’s good. A teacher should not lose her job because of one dumb mistake, but as mistakes go, Wilder put together a doozy. Sandra Clark sums up the case.
➤ See Sandra’s column on page 4
Spring football Spring football with a new coach is an exciting time. Anything may happen. I am reminded of two unusual changeovers with ties to Fayetteville, Ark. So starts Marvin West. Read more on page 5
Alder Springs community was formed around a log church built in 1849. The community was so named for the alder bushes growing in the many wetlands in that area and, in particular, the three springs at the site of the church.
By Sandra Clark
Read Bonnie Peters on page 5
Big Ridge Bonnie Peters continues her research on how places got their name. “The community of Big Ridge is located at what I call the lower end of the Lone Mountain Range that runs from Anderson County to Claiborne County. “I haven’t found documentation on the name Big Ridge, but everyone I talked with seems to agree that Big Ridge was so named because when the lake was filled it appeared from the lake to be a really “big ridge.”
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NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Libby Morgan Bonnie Peters | Cindy Taylor ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey | Brandi Davis Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly at 7049 Maynardville Pike, Knoxville, and distributed by mail to 11,000 homes in Union County.
of us to be able to fill in for the others. I’m a hands-on kinda gal, and I wouldn’t ask anyone to do a task that I’m not willing and able to do,” she said. Centralizing the accounting will free up school money and highway department money, explains Dyer. Citing a $69,000 savings for the highway department alone, she said, “David Cox should be able to buy some much-needed equipment. And the school board can redirect $70,000 that previously was spent for accounting.” The new Finance Department will be funded from the county budget, but can and will pay for itself, according to Dyer. “For instance, we will save money by using the bulk purchasing power for paper products already being used by the school system. The schools are paying much less for those products than the county has been paying. I have identified Ann Dyer at work for the county Photo by Libby Morgan many opportunities to save a substantial amount of money. I grew processes to centralize accounting, “I’m looking forward to report- up poor, and I know how to save and chose to emulate Morgan Coun- ing our progress a year from now,” money.” ty, since the size, budget and popula- says Dyer. Moving the staff out of their retion of the two are similar. A weakness she quickly identi- spective offices and into 300 Main “This plan has long-reaching fied has been the lack of back-up in Street is scheduled to be complete benefits. It is an opportunity for the the event someone is not available by April 1. That’s when Dyer, Pat county to grow professionally and fi- to do their job. Morgan, Melissa Brown and Brenda nancially, to make the county stron“Cross-training everyone on Metcalf will be settling in and conger, to manage county finances with staff strengthens us in areas of pay- tinuing their jobs together, looking a solid plan. roll and accounts payable. I want all out for every penny.
The Union County Board of Education has narrowed its search for a new director of schools to 5 of 12 applicants and scheduled interviews in March. Interviews will be conducted at UCHS at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, and at 6 and 7 p.m. Monday, March 18. Interviews are open to the public. Finalists are local educators Dr. Jimmy Carter and Randy Arnwine; Dr. Gerald Miller, principal
of Glenwood Elementary School in Greene County; Regina Mathis, director of human resources for Swain County schools in Bryson City, N.C.; and Brandon Ratliff, principal of Marion Middle School in Smythe County, Va. Dr. Jimmy Carter brings a resume packed with credentials and a smooth upward trajectory including a stint as temporary director of schools when Wayne Goforth was suspended by a previous board.
Carter holds a bachelor’s degree from Te n n e s see Tech, a master’s and Ed.S. from Lincoln Mem o r i a l University, Carter and an Ed.D. from East Tennessee State University. He has taught at Luttrell Elementary and Union County High School. He was a
principal in the system from 1997 to 2003, serving at Sharps Chapel, Big Ridge and Horace Maynard Middle School. Since 2003, Carter has worked at the central office, as supervisor of instruction, director of personnel, director of transportation, Title VI and IX, insurance preparer, elementary and middle school supervisor, pre-K supervisor and safety coordinator. He was named Educator of the Year by the Union
County Business and Professional Association in 1998. Randy G. Arnwine, of Luttrell, has taught and served as pr incipa l at Luttrell Elementary School. He has worked as Arnwine a technology coach since 2005. To page A-3
Quilting nouveau By Cindy Taylor
Read Bonnie Peters on page 6
7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136
Ann Dyer is dedicated to saving money – tax money, for everyone in Union County. Union County’s implementation of the County Financial Management Act of 1981 allows the county government to centralize accounting and payroll for the county, the schools, the highway department and emergency services. County Commission unanimously adopted the 1981 Act last summer and named a Finance Committee. After considering many applicants, the committee appointed Dyer as the county’s first finance director on Dec. 1. Her official deadline for getting the department up and running is in early August. And it looks like she’ll have no problem making it all work. Her personal goal is a month earlier. “We will need to get through a few months of working out any problems or oversights. We have a good plan for moving payroll and accounting staff from the school system, getting all of us moved into a central location, and getting down to business,” says Dyer. “Training is ongoing now.” Dyer has help from the UT Institute for Public Service’s County Technical Assistance Service, which has been helping counties all across Tennessee do what Union County has decided to do. She was given the opportunity to study other county’s
Interviews set for new schools chief
Alder Springs
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March 2, 2013
Dyer preps for move
Education is Chamber priority
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VOL. 8 NO. 9
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POSTAL CUSTOMER
Emily Doane developed an interest in quilting just a couple of years ago. Her mother, Pat Pike, had been involved in the art form for more than 10 years and asked Doane to take a class with her. Emily fell in love with the craft but had a hard time finding fabric she really wanted for her projects. “Batiks were bright and pretty but too earthy and organic,” she said. “Reproduction prints held certain nostalgia, but I still wanted something brighter, bolder, more graphic and geometric.” While surfing the Internet, Doane happened upon
a blog that changed her quilting world. “Once I started digging I found this whole online planet containing a bustling community of modern quilters,” she said. This isn’t exactly your grandmother’s style of quilting. Doane said modern quilting is different from traditional in design, color and method. Her color preferences lean toward “color,” and she uses a lot of teal, coral, chartreuse, deep purples, pinks and grays. Most modern quilts are minimalistic in design yet bold, bright and graphic. The quilts are primarily functional rather than
decorative and frequently asymmetrical. The designs rely less on repetition and often lack visible block structure. Doane said she approaches quilting designs the same way she cooks. “I take in a lot of different ideas and let them stir in my head for a while. I am short on time so I find myself experimenting more with smaller wall hangings, pillows, doll quilts, coasters and placemats.” While Doane employs modern techniques and designs, she still favors traditional hand-quilting for the finish work on her To page A-3
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Emily Doane displays a few of her designs and fabrics. Photo by Cindy Taylor
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