POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 9 NO. 36
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NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
September 10, 2014
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District Attorney Jared Effler takes the oath of office from Judge Darryl Edmondson (back to camera). At right are Mary Effler and Circuit Court Clerk Barbara Williams. Pho-
Community mourns passing of Alvin Merritt
tos by S. Clark
Funeral services were Sept. 5 for Alvin Merritt, 77, well-known business and civic leader in Luttrell. His son, Johnny Merritt, is mayor of Luttrell and a Alvin Merritt board member of the Union County Chamber of Commerce. He also leaves son Ricky and wife Linda, and Johnny Merritt’s wife, Tammy. He called his daughters-in-law “daughters,” and loved his grandchildren: Andrew, Jeremy, Hannah, Alison and Blake. Mr. Merritt and his wife of 51 years, Mabel June, founded Merritt Construction Contractors Inc. and operated the company for more than 40 years. Mrs. Merritt predeceased him. Mr. Merritt was a member of Mountain View Church of God where he served as a deacon, greeter and in various leadership roles including building and finance. Interment was in Dyer Cemetery in Luttrell. Cooke-Campbell Mortuary in Maynardville handled arrangements.
District Attorney Effler takes office By Sandra Clark
It was historic. Union County native Jared Effler brought his entire staff to Maynardville for an oath-of-office ceremony that lasted a very long time. Perhaps it’s still going on. “This is a big night for the Cox and Effler families,” said Union County Mayor Mike Williams. Effler thanked everyone for attending saying, “This night is the culmination of my life journey; it’s a testament to the power of friendship and family.” The youthful DA acknowledged his roots and two elders of the 8th Judicial Circuit by asking Arzo
Carson, former district attorney and director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to talk about the role of the district attorney general. He had the Rev. Burney Hutchison offer the benediction. His daughters, Katy Beth and Mia Effler, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann brought a welcome. Assistant district attorneys sworn in were: Thomas Barclay, Sarah Davis, Mark Blakley, Graham Wilson, Matthew McClung, Carla Brewer, Meredith Slemp (acting), Tracy Jenkins, William Todd Longmire, LaTasha Wassom, David Pollard, Courtney
7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark Libby Morgan | Bonnie Peters ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey Jim Brannon | Tony Cranmore Patty Fecco | Wendy O’Dell
be cut. Hard work got him here today. Union is the second smallest county in the district.” “The power of the district attorney general is almost scary,” said Effler. “I will work hard every day to ensure the guilty do not escape nor the innocent suffer.” We caught up with Burney Hutchison who had invited the gathering to big happenings at Valley Grove Baptist Church the next Sunday. “What’s going on at Valley Grove?” we asked. “Just preaching,” Hutchison grinned. See more detailed coverage on our website www. ShopperNewsNow.com
Fall blooms for all By Libby Morgan Allen Beeler is surrounded by hundreds of chrysanthemum plants, but hardly any blooms. “That’s how you want to buy mums, before they bloom. If you go buy a mum that’s in full bloom, you’ll have a pretty plant for about two weeks, and that’s it. “I hardly ever get to see my things bloom. These mums will have a great display of flowers for a much longer period. And some of the varieties I have will, with the right care, come back next year. “Genetics have changed to where mums are bred for color and bloom size, not for return. Plant breeders want people to buy them again every year. “Everybody thinks you stick ’em in the ground, and they come back automatically the next year. That’s not true anymore. “When they do come back, they’ll bloom in July, but you don’t want to let them. My rule of thumb is to keep them trimmed back to four inches until July, then let them grow for fall bloom.” Beeler is readying tiny pansy
Union County budget approved Finance Director Ann Dyer said the state Comptroller’s Office has approved Union County’s budget. “We’re good to go.” The commission’s Budget and Finance Committee met Sept. 2. Director of Schools Jimmy Carter said when the state’s BEP money came in it was $250,000 more than anticipated. He asked to spend the extra money on capital projects for “much needed roofing and HVAC improvements.” Carter said this year’s funding represents the final installment of “Race to the Top” federal funds. Chamber president Patrick Hurley secured approval for hotel/motel tax revenues to be spent for promotional materials. Committee members Mike Williams, J.M. Bailey, Wayne Roach, Janet Holloway, Mike Sexton and Dawn Flatford attended. Also present was newlyelected commissioner Stanley Dail. – S. Clark
Stanifer and Tyler Hurst. “Jared, I’m so, so proud of you,” said Circuit Court Judge John D. McAfee. Criminal Judge E. Shayne Sexton also attended, as did newly-elected Chancellor Elizabeth Asbury and Public Defender Leif Jeffers. Interspersed through the crowd of family and friends were lawyers from Knoxville and elsewhere who might have occasion to represent clients in the 8th Judicial Circuit. “Jarod is like my son,” said Judge Darryl Edmondson, who conducted the ceremony. “His passion is to be a prosecutor. … I can promise you no corners will
Allen Beeler in the midst of mounds of mums at Little Valley Nursery and Landscaping. Photo by Libby Morgan
plants to plant in four weeks. He has violas and panolas, variations of the common pansy. “Many varieties will bloom through the winter unless we have unusually low temps like last year. Pansies come in lots of colors and forms. Breeding of pansies has given us varieties that bloom all the way to May. When you think of bang for the buck, you can put pansies in in September, and they could keep being showy until late summer. “There are lots of great growers up this way. Tater Valley Nursery, Brian White’s Nursery, Holden Nursery in Mascot, the Riddles at Seven Springs and more. I hope we can band together and let people in the Knoxville area know that it’s worth the trip to come and buy from us.” Beeler’s plants are selling quickly, and he plans to bring them to the farmers markets in the next few weeks, until he sells out. Find Little Valley Nursery at 1704 Little Valley Road in Maynardville. Hours are evenings and weekends, but call first, 865-2589926.
Breeding makes changes in Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Billy Breeding has made key administrative changes and promises to “change the culture” of the Sheriff’s Office. Breeding out-polled two-term Sheriff Earl Loy Jr. in August and took office Sept. 1. “I will wear my uniform and everyone here will work, from the sheriff on down,” he said. By last Friday he had already made two arrests. Breeding said a working sheriff will set the tone for the department and “show support” for the deputies. Brian Smith, formerly chief of police for the city of Maynard-
Treating
NARCOTIC ADDICTION with ®
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ville, is Breeding’s chief deputy. Jesse Ellis is the new jail administrator. Breeding confirmed that Detective Phillip Johnson is no longer with the department. His replacement has not been named. Loy’s Billy Breeding administrative assistant, Mike Butcher, is also gone. Loy had operated without a chief deputy. Breeding said his goals are clear – to reduce drugs and mur-
ders in the county. He is now lining out internal patrol zones and plans to increase police presence in residential areas. He also wants to get an inmate crew out working to improve the community. Staffing levels will remain con-
sistent since Breeding is bound by the budget adopted in July. He plans to attend County Commission meetings and be available to talk with citizens. -- S. Clark
Luttrell Music Festival is Sept. 20 The annual Luttrell Bluegrass Festival will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Luttrell Park. Come for craft vendors, bounce house, shade tree pickin’, Ciderville Music, Jerry Cole, Tim
Dennis Powers State Representative 36th District
865-882-9900
State Capitol Nashville TN 37243 Phone (615) 741-3335 Fax: (615) 253-0296 Toll Free: 800-449-8366 ext. 13335 E-mail: rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov
expresshealthcare.webs.com
Paid for by Powers for the People, Barbara Rinehart, Treasurer
Lovelace and the Darrell Webb Band. Proceeds will benefit the Luttrell Volunteer Fire Department. Come for hamburgers and a silent auction.
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