A great community newspaper.
COMMUNITY A3 | OUR COLUMNISTS A4-5 | YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS A6-7
POSTAL CUSTOMER
union county
VOL. 6, NO. 21
MAY 21, 2011
INSIDE www.ShopperNewsNow.com
|
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
|
twitter.com/shoppernewsnow
Helping hearts, helping hands Willow Ridge makes care kits By Cindy Taylor
‘Be our guest!’ Drama class performs Disney classic See page A-6
Construction ahead! Haslam greenlights 33 widening from Halls to Union County line. See page A-2
Fresh-picked Union County Farmers Market offers produce straight from the farm to your table. See page A-3
FEATURED COLUMNIST MARVIN WEST
Dad gum and tough stuff
According to the United States Fire Administration and FEMA, more than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires, and approximately 18,300 are injured in fires. An overwhelming number of fires occur in homes, and the number of house fires rises significantly in winter months, with the use of candles being a major contributing factor. Residents at Willow Ridge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Maynardville work with the Union County Red Cross each year to help alleviate some of the suffering caused by house fires. Led by activity director Kelly Holt and assistant Glenda Mills, residents wrapped up Nursing Home Week on May 13 by having their annual care kit packaging party and picnic. Singer Tammy Marshall entertained during the picnic. “This is our fourth year to do care kits. Each resident has a station, and we pass the bags around, and they fill them up,” said Holt. “They do all the work. We have one resident who has asked to do this more than once a year, and if we have enough supplies we may do that.” Personal care items such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap and combs are donated by residents, staff members and the community. Residents place the items in zipper bags to be distributed by the Red Cross to families in Union County who have had house fires. Red Cross team leader for Union County Shirlee Grabko drove 17 hours from Connecticut to pick up the kits.
DO YOU
LIKE? TELL US! The Shopper-News is now on Facebook! Check us out for updates, photos and more! www.facebook.com/ ShopperNewsNow
4509 Doris Circle 37918 (865) 922-4136 news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com EDITOR Cindy Taylor brentcindyt@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES Darlene Hutchison hutchisond@ Shopper NewsNow.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.
“These residents are just wonderful,” said Grabko. “Last year, we had more fires than ever before, and all the comfort kits made were delivered to residents of Union County. We really appreciate their willingness to help. When you have a devastating fire, the last thing you can do, or want to do, is run out and try to find necessities such as these.”
Resident Kathleen Bailey helps put kits together every year. “I am always in charge of toothpaste,” said Bailey. “I enjoy being able to help.” Rebecca Mills has been the administrator at Willow Ridge for more than five years and is always excited when this event comes up. “Our entire team helps celebrate this annual event to enrich
the relationships between residents, youth, community members, families and staff,” said Mills. “The residents of our center are so deserving of this kind of attention.” We all hope for a year with no house fires, but it is good to know residents at Willow Ridge have their care kits ready for the Red Cross to disperse if needed.
Luttrell awards scholarship
UT’s basketball woes See page A-5
ONLINE
Volunteer Lavada Aker and Willow Ridge activity director Kelly Holt pack the boxes with care kits for the Red Cross. Aker’s son has been a Willow Ridge resident since suffering a stroke in 2006. Photo by C. Taylor
By Cindy Taylor Luttrell City Council members got to revisit a favorite agenda item May 16. “We look forward to this every year,” said Merritt. “It is our opportunity to give back to the community.” Merritt was speaking about the annual $500 scholarship the city awards to a graduating Union County High School senior who resides within the city limits of Luttrell. This year’s recipient was Penny Ewing. “Thank you all. I appreciate this very much,” said Ewing. “Once I’m a doctor, if you need something, come and see me.” Seventeen-year-old Ewing plans to attend UT to study medicine and is the daughter of Darlene Ewing of Luttrell. Moving on to regular business, the mayor presented the annual budget for first reading, and it was a balanced one. The eight city employees in Luttrell are budgeted for a 1.7 percent raise. Other line items discussed included $4,500 for trash pickup on city streets and $13,000 for park upkeep. Council member Sheila Buckner requested additional funding for the Christmas Tree Lighting and Memorial, which was approved. Even with a balanced budget, vice mayor Jackie Roberts voiced her concerns over some specific
★ Lowe’s Collision Repair ★ 3419 Maynardville Highway email: lowescollisionrepair@yahoo.com ★ ★ ★ ★ 865-992-LOWE (5693)
L
Across from Union County High School ★ 30 Years Experience ★
• Insurance claim assistance • I-CAR, /ASE trained • Towing assistance technicians • RENTAL CARS • Frame/electronic • HAIL DAMAGE REPAIR measuring system • Free estimates Warranty On Repairs
Luttrell City Council member Leon Kitts presents the Luttrell Scholarship Award to Penny Ewing at the May 16 council meeting. Photo by C. Taylor
line items and made a request not often heard coming from politicians. “This is probably not going to be a popular thing for me to say, but I think we should all take a salary cut,” said Roberts. “Times are hard, and this could help our city.” Resident Darlene Ewing supported the council in their earnings of $100 per month for each council member. “While I appreciate the fact that all of you would be willing to do this, I doubt if that amount of money even begins to cover the time all of you spend taking care of business for this city,” said Ewing. “I wouldn’t begrudge that at all, and I don’t think you should cut your salary.”
“None of us do this for the money anyway,” said council member Phil Ruth. The mayor and other council members were not in disagreement with Robert’s suggestion but discussed that there is legislation in place that prohibits a salary change during office. Sheila Buckner informed the council that she had been approached by Luttrell Elementary School principal Sonja Saylor requesting that the city donate $1,000 to the school. Four new classrooms are now complete after the renovation, and the school is asking for the money to purchase tables for those classrooms. The council agreed the money would come from the city budget pending research to be certain there
WE BUY
GOLD Directly across from Fountain City Park
was no funding available from the school board budget or school renovation contingency fund. Vandalism has decreased in the city as surveillance continues to increase. The council intends to prosecute anyone caught in any act of vandalism. The city of Luttrell municipal election will be June 2. The purpose of this election is to fill the seats of three City Council members for four-year terms and also the seat for city mayor for a twoyear term. Johnny Merritt and Kevin B. Merritt are running for mayor. Running for City Council are Sidney Jessee Jr., Ray A. Hyde, Jody Glenn Smith, Darel L. Donahue, Jack H. Dyer and Sheila Buckner. Some on the ballot have expressed concern regarding residents voting outside their district. Union County Election Registrar Deborah Viles stated that it is the voter’s responsibility to notify the Election Commission when they have a change of address. “We make every effort to be certain our roster of voters is correct,” said Viles. “If you are on our roster, you will be allowed to vote in that district if no one present issues a challenge. The law is on the side of the voter, and according to state law, new voter registration cards must be issued every 10 years based on the census.”
NEW CUSTOMER
SPECIAL! mention this ad and get
$200 loan oa payback only $205
865-705-5836
Union County Cash sh Ad Advance vance
5334 N. Broadway
(across from Rite Aid)
992-9899 • 2703 Maynardville rdville H Hwy