POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 8 NO. 50
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IN THIS ISSUE Remembering Jimmy White Last week Bonnie Peters wrote about the People’s Tree, and this brought back memories of Jimmy White, the Union County artist who created an ornament for the White House Christmas tree.
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See Bonnie’s story on page 4
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
December 14, 2013
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Luttrell cheers the season Luttrell Elementary takes the Polar Express through town.
By Libby Morgan Luttrell folks put on a sweet small town parade in cold temps, but the rain held off for this event. The lineup was a half-mile long and had some religion, some silliness and some very cool antiques, with smiles and community pride throughout.
More photos on page 3
Santa resets The Union County Christmas Parade was rescheduled from Sunday, Dec. 8, until Sunday, Dec. 15, because of weather. The parade will step off at 2:30 p.m. from the high school and march north through downtown Maynardville.
Bill Landry to visit UC Museum Union County Historical Society open house with guest speaker and Heartland Series host Bill Landry will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec.15, at the Union County Museum. Landry will be selling and signing his new book, “Tellin’ It For the Truth.” Even The Grinch came to Luttrell.
Red Cross needs volunteers Have you ever wanted to help your Union County neighbors but cannot make a commitment that takes a lot of time? Well, do we have a solution for you! Shirlee Grabko says the Union County Red Cross needs members. “Whether the disaster is a house fire that affects one family or a flood or tornado that strikes thousands of people, the American Red Cross provides immediate help to those in need. “In Union County, disaster is almost always a house fire. Red Cross volunteers assess the immediate needs of the disaster victims. This may include shelter, food, clothing, shoes, toiletry items and/or referrals to other community organization.” Each Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer commits for 1-2 months every year to be on call. During that time there could be several fires or, most commonly, no fires at all. Training is free, straightforward and not difficult. Because of age, illness or moving out of the county, the Red Cross is short of volunteers, said Grabko. Info: Shirlee Grabko at 278-3917, Jimmy Sexton at 216-9373 or Betty Kelly at 7194126.
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 Brandi Davis | Patty Fecco
Announcing that faith is what Christmas is all about.
This kid shows everyone how to have the most fun ever.
Inmate health care is outsourced By Sandra Clark After months of discussion, the Union County Commission voted Dec. 9 to terminate the county’s contract with Dr. Carroll E. Rose of Claiborne County effective Jan. 15, 2014, and to contract with Southern Health Partners (SHP) to provide medical services to the county’s inmates. Commissioners asked Mayor Mike Williams to contact physicians to seek proposals to be the county’s medical examiner, a position required by state law. Two commissioners, Doyle Welch and Jeff Brantley, voted against the change after representatives from Quality Medical Center said they were never given a chance to bid on the service. Com-
missioner J.M. Bailey was SHP’s chief advocate, saying, “We went before the Sheriff’s Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee and now the full
J.M. Bailey commission.” County attorney K. David Myers said bids are not required on a personal services contract such as this. Mayor Mike Williams added, “We’re just trying to stop the bleeding (save money).” Finance Director Ann Dyer said spending for inmate medical services is on track to reach $300,000 during this fiscal year. Southern Health Partners prom-
board’s attorney, Mary Ann Stackhouse, said the amendments drafted were necessary to meet expectations of the state comptroller. “We’ve made it as clear as we know how to make it.” Myers recommended a one-year renewal. ■ Commission adopted a resolution prepared by county attorney Myers memorializing the late Dorothy Mae Cook Williams who died Nov. 27 at age 87. Her sons are Ralph and Michael Williams; daughter-in-law Barbara Williams; grandchildren, Darin Williams, Damon Williams, Kristi Lawson, Brandi Williams Davis and Gordon Williams, eight greatgrandchildren, nephew, Lynn Sexton, and niece, Diane Shell.
Union County creates Special Response Team By Sandra Clark Union County Sheriff’s Office has created a Special Response Team (SRT) for emergencies. Criminal Investigator Steve Rouse presented the policy and procedures manual to Union County Commission for review on Dec. 9. The SRT is a team of highly trained personnel proficient in the use of special weapons and tactics, geared to combat small scale actions or cope with highly dangerous or unusual situations. Rouse said the team will “back up each other,” as it responds to emergencies. Specific problems
that SRT might encounter include: barricaded persons, sniper actions, hostage situations, and large scale or high risk arrests. Working under a team commandSteve Rouse er will be a point scout, an observer, a marksman/ counter-sniper, the rear guard, a grenadier and a command post officer. The team commander will be appointed by the sheriff.
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Membership is limited to fulltime law enforcement officers who are POST-certified; however, the sheriff may approve a reserve officer for team membership if he/she has special qualifications such as medical training that would be an asset to the team. In response to questions, Rouse outlined a rigorous physical examination for team members, saying each must run a 14-minute mile in uniform including a 30-plus pound weapons belt and carrying either a rifle or shotgun. Members must complete 25 pushups in one minute or less and
must complete 25 sit-ups in one minute or less. Members must be able to swim, willing to perform extreme physical activities (such as mile-plus running and weight lifting), provide medical and psychological qualifications, and score at least 90 percent on a POST pistol and rifle qualifications course. In addition, team members must agree to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each must be able to rappel from a structure or terrain up to 50 feet or greater. Rouse left the commission with everyone’s hearty thanks, but with no volunteers.
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ised savings, and Brent Deweese of SHP added: “We hire local doctors and nurses. … If I can’t save you money, I don’t want to be here.” The contract allows for cancellation by either party upon 60 days’ notice. ■ Commissioners appointed to the Budget and Finance Committee for 2014 are: Wayne Roach, Dawn Flatford, Stanley Boles, Jeff Brantley, Joyce Meltabarger, Mike Sexton, J.M. Bailey, R.L. Jones, Janet Holloway and Mayor Mike Williams. ■ K-12: Commission unanimously adopted a one-year extension to the contract with K-12 Corporation to operate the Tennessee Virtual Academy through Union County Schools. The school
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