POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 8 NO. 42
| pp www.ShopperNewsNow.com
In memory of Beth
IN THIS ISSUE
Saluting Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam received a starspangled salute at the World War II Veterans Memorial last week. No, not the guy with the beard, this is a real person, a real hero, Halls guy Sam Hardman, who passed away at age 95 on Aug. 16.
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See Jake Mabe’s story on page 8
Stinky As the season changes, pests seek shelter for the coming winter, and the brown marmorated stink bug is no exception. The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive pest that feeds on many crops and ornamental plants during the growing season and then continues its pest status as it invades homes to overwinter, said Karen Vail, UT Extension urban entomologist.
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Read Shannon Perrin on page 6
Where will the money go? Union County Commission wrapped up its business in 90 minutes Tuesday with 13 members present, passing budget transfers and amendments without vetting by the Budget and Finance Committee which had to adjourn the previous week for lack of a quorum.
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See Sandra Clark’s story on page 4
Home-going Homecoming is a standard event on college calendars. This is about home-going. Dave Hart, valued at $817,250 plus perks per year as vice chancellor and director of athletics at the University of Tennessee, will return to Tuscaloosa this weekend.
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Read Marvin West on page 4
A spider’s house It was an early morning, one of the first really cool mornings, when I first saw the web. The spider had spun her magic in the fence, and the dew had fallen on it, still hanging, in fact, like so many diamonds.
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Read Lynn Pitts on page 5
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October 19, 2013
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By Sandra Clark Beth Holloway lived just 29 years before succumbing to cystic fibrosis, but her memory lives on in the hearts of friends and family who rally every year for a memory walk and fundraiser to find a cure for the debilitating disease. The atmosphere at Wilson Park was festive for the sixth annual Memory Walk for Beth. Her mom, County Commissioner Janet Holloway, was clearly in charge, assisted by family members including Beth’s cousin, Tiffany Morgan. “This group is so amazing,” said Heather Perry, senior director of the East Tennessee Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis. “They are who we look to to fund a cure.” The Walk for Beth has raised $68,000 in five years and took in another $9,000 at the Oct. 12 event. “It’s like a family reunion,” said Vicki Atkins, whose husband, Ronnie, is Janet Holloway’s brother. She spent $400 for gift baskets last year and would not comment on this year’s investment.
The baskets were a high point with spirited bidding. One kid actually sat on a bid sheet, daring others to up her offer for a doll basket. (She won it.) Walkers in bright green shirts marched around Wilson Park. Kids enjoyed the bunny brought by Boy Scout Troop 401. The Scouts helped with logistics. Great food was available for lunch including a secret recipe sauce for pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs fresh off the grill. Beth Holloway was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age six months, Vicki Atkins said. “She lived under a death sentence, but didn’t let that stop her from enjoying life.” Near the end, Beth got a dog so her mom would “have someone to look after.” That boxer, Sally Ann, was in her element at the memory walk. “I guess you would call this my grand-dog,” said Janet Holloway.
More pictures on page 3
Jail medicine is budget-busting By Sandra Clark Sheriff Earl Loy Jr. and Union County Mayor Mike Williams are looking for a way to reduce the rapidly increasing cost of medical care for inmates in the county jail. The issue is almost at crisis point. Based on current spending, this fiscal year total could be $341,579 against a budgeted amount of $196,993. Williams distributed materials Oct. 15 to county commissioners, saying, “I’m giving you this packet tonight to look over. Let’s be sure we’re comparing apples to apples.” The packet contained information from a Chattanooga-based company, Southern Health Partners, which provides medical services for inmates in 14 states including Morgan County where Finance Director Ann Dyer has talked extensively with her counterpart, Gary Howard. Howard said costs in Morgan County ballooned from $150,000 11 years ago to a high of $253,000, according to Dyer. “Now his annual budget is $93,000 including
Janet Holloway with Sally Ann, a boxer that belonged to her daughter, Beth, who passed away Feb. 4, 2008. Photos by S. Clark
drugs and medical supplies.” Officials estimated Union County’s inmate population at 100 for purposes of the quote. Southern Health Partners offered two alternatives, $104,700 or $74,700 annually, based on the county’s exposure. Under the less expensive plan, the county would remain responsible for prescription medications, offsite medical and mental health, dental care and X-rays. A local firm also has proposed a plan to treat inmates. Williams asked commissioners to study the issue and be prepared to debate and vote at the November meeting. Dyer said Union County spent $229,803 in the fiscal year that ended June 30 for inmate drugs and medical services. Sheriff Loy and Officer Mike Butcher have attended at least two commission meetings on this topic. Each county is required to attend to the medical needs of inmates. Williams said it’s a growing problem across the state.
‘Give Where You Live’
Foundation seeks momentum with new advisors By Libby Morgan
A “Friends-Raising” for the Union County Community Foundation was held last week to infuse new ideas and connections from a more diverse and larger advisory board. Three members were added: Neva Kitts, Bill Rollins and this writer. Existing advisory board members attending the meeting were Stewart Oakes, Steve Thompson, J.V. Waller, K. David Myers and chair Eddie Perry. Thompson explained that the most important immediate goal is to raise awareness of the foundation, and a great way to reach out to the community is to have advisory members from more walks of life, such as Rollins as a representative of veterans. Trudy Hughes, regional development director of the East Tennessee Foundation, which is the managing agency of similar foundations for a 25-county area, spoke about how ETF can provide assistance to the local foundation. “We of ETF are here to help … with advice, with fundraising ideas, with grant writing, and with investments to grow funds. Some Union County Attorney K. David Myers talks with commissioners R.L. Jones of our moneys are earning more (left) and Wayne Roach (right) following Tuesday’s meeting. Photo by S. Clark than 12 percent, so that in itself is
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a big boost to the funds we manage,” said Hughes. Earlier this year, UCCF provided grants totaling $3,830 to four departments at the high school. The money has been used to purchase a computer program for the band, art supplies, tennis equipment, research books and textbooks, and a program to supplement the animal science curriculum. Close to 30 teachers applied for the funds, and Jackie Erlbacher, former vice chair of UCCF, said, “Every one of the applications was more than worthy. It was very difficult to choose among them. We wanted to fulfill all of the requests, but we were limited to a few by the amount available.” During the first year of the foundation, funds were given to send children to 4-H camp, to help restore the Oak Grove school building, and to support the Heritage Festival. Perry said, “We are encouraging Union Countians to ‘Give Where You Live’ to make our community a better place.” Opportunities abound for enhancing personal and community development. Johnson County’s To page 2
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