FC Planning Commission Approves Rezoning to Mixed-Use in Sewanee

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the June 28 meeting, the Franklin County Regional Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 67 acres in Sewanee from agricultural and general residential use to mixed-use, allowing for commercial development. The area includes 24 leaseholds.
The University of the South requested the rezoning. “The intent is to allow continued development and adaptive reuse of existing structures, and create a walkable, mixed-use village in downtown Sewanee,” said University spokesperson Frank Gladu, Vice President of Administrative Services.
Four Sewanee leaseholders who own property within the area proposed for rezoning attended the meeting.
“Will there be demolition of any existing buildings?” asked leaseholder David Bowman.
“There are no plans to demolish any buildings,” Gladu said, “but the University has the right to remove buildings it owns.”
Leaseholder Louise Irwin read a comment from leaseholder Tam Parker expressing concern about development in the area when sewer line breakage and frequent overflows were common on Depot Branch.
“According to Sewanee Utility District manager Ben Beavers, SUD has plans to fix the sewer line in the area,” Gladu said.
“Are there plans for constructing specific buildings?” asked leaseholder Chris Colane.
“These questions aren’t the purview of the commission,” commission chairman A.L. Shasteen insisted.
“What is your purview?” Irwin asked.
“We make recommendations to the County Commission on zoning,” Shasteen said.
“What would make you not approve the rezoning?” Irwin asked.
“We must approve it if it meets our regulations,” commissioner David James explained.
Janet Petrunich, Director of the Planning and Zoning Department said, “We’re here to decide if the request to rezone is compatible. There are 500 acres of mixed-use property in Sewanee. Much of the residential proposed for rezoning to mixed-use is adjoined by property already zoned mixed-use.”
Leaseholder Lucia Dale expressed concerns about adequate parking.
County Highway Superintendant Johnny Woodall said, “We looked at the plans for parallel street-side parking and parking areas behind the buildings. It’s a good plan that will help the community and give them places to park.”
“Our intent is to create a walkable village from both homes and cars,” Gladu added.
“None of this is making me feel better,” Dale said. “You’re just talking about more concrete, more traffic and more trees gone.”
The commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the County Commission approve the rezoning request. The commission will vote on the request at its July 19 meeting.
The rezoned area’s boundaries include U.S. Highway 41-A, Hat Rock Road, Winn’s Circle, Bob Stewman Road, Bobtown Circle, Mimosa Circle, Ball Park Road, Castleberry Drive, Bakers Lane, Prince Lane and Lake O’Donnell Road. The current use is educational, residential and religious.
Mixed-use property is taxed based on use. Property taxes of leaseholders will not increase as a result of the rezoning.

School Board Passes Revised School Clubs Policy; Considers More Lenient Dress Code

By Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the April 11 meeting of the Franklin County Board of Education, the board passed an aggressively revised school clubs policy. Fifth district school board member Adam Tucker voted against the revised policy.
The board also discussed proposed revisions to the dress code policy with a view to making the policy more lenient.
The revision of the school clubs policy was prompted by the strong community reaction to the formation of a Gay Straight Alliance club at Franklin County High School in January of this year. The board’s review of the policy began in February.
Fourth district board member Chris Guess read from an email criticizing the board for its “violent attitude.”
“Members of the board have been targeted and threatened,” Guess said, “me in particular.” At past meetings, Guess questioned the legitimacy of the GSA club under the existing policy and school club guidelines.
Under the revised policy, the director of schools has final approval of all clubs following recommendation by school principals. The policy also defines and distinguishes between academic clubs which “serve as an extension of the school’s regular curriculum” and non-academic clubs which “the principal shall designate” as belonging to one of the following categories: service, honorary, interest, religious, political, and/or sports. Another major change requires a parent or guardian to give permission for a student to participate in a club.
The permission requirement “prevents me from supporting the policy,” Tucker said.
“Until the recent controversy, the policy existed unquestioned as an opt-out policy, as mandated by state law requiring schools to publish a list of clubs,” Tucker pointed out. Under the opt-out system, parents may refuse to allow their children to participate in a club, but permission to participate is not required, as in the opt-in system.
“The argument that an opt-in policy reduces legal risk is not supported,” Tucker said. “The schools are obligated to provide for the protection and safety of students regardless of whether parents have given permission for a student to participate in an activity.”
Tucker also stressed, “The first amendment right to freedom of expression applies to children, as well as adults. An opt-in policy enlists parents to limit student rights. An opt-out policy does not limit the rights of parents or students. I will vote against the policy for these reasons.”
The board passed the revised policy with Tucker casting the only nay vote.
Revisiting the April 4 working session discussion about the dress code, the board reviewed the revised policy presented by Director of Schools Amie Lonas.
At the working session, South Middle School student Paul McCray presented a petition from his classmates asking the board to allow students to wear shorts, mid-knee length, during warm weather.
Lonas consulted with school principals. The revised dress code allows shorts and also allows patterned shirts and tops. The current dress code says shirts, tops, pants and skirts must all be a solid color.
Board President Kevin Caroland from the 2nd district said he received one email objecting to students wearing shorts. On Caroland’s suggestion, Lonas will survey teachers on the shorts’ issue.
Tucker proposed patterned shorts, pants and skirts also be allowed. Lonas will add the question to the survey.
Tucker also proposed clarification of the provision allowing “logos on spirit wear.” Tucker asked if this referred only to sports-related logos or if other logos such as club insignia were allowed.
Lonas will consult with school principals about the current practice regarding spirit wear logos.
The board is also in the process of revising the attendance policy and alternative school drug testing policy. Lonas said, “legal review of the language” was still underway, as well as a review of the attendance and drug testing policies at other schools.
Lonas will present revised dress code, attendance and the alternative school drug testing policies for the board’s review at the Monday, May 2, working session.

County-wide Forum on Drug Abuse Prevention

A public forum about Franklin County’s problem of drug abuse and the best ways to combat it will be at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8, in the community room of the Franklin County Annex, 855 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester. The event will begin with a chili supper.

Panelists will include Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller; Buddy Perry and Ron Bailey from the Drug Court Program; Mary Beth Best, who runs a local rehab center; and Tabatha Curtis with the Prevention Coalition.

This event is sponsored by the Franklin County Democratic Party. It is free and all are welcome.

Rabies Clinics Scheduled

Tennessee state law requires that all dogs 3 months old and cats 4 months old and over have current rabies vaccinations. Area veterinarians cooperate to make it easy for residents of rural communities to comply. 

On Saturday, March 7, the mobile unit will be at the Cowan police department from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the Midway Market from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; and at the Sherwood Community Center from 11:15 a.m. to noon. 

On Saturday, March 21, clinics will be 1–2 p.m., at Sewanee Elementary School; 2:30–3 p.m., at the community center in Oak Grove; and 3:30–4 p.m., at the new city hall building in Decherd. Cost for the vaccination is $11 per animal.

Grants for Home Rehab Available from County

Franklin County has received HOME grant funds in the amount of $250,000 from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. These funds are for rehabilitating owner-occupied homes within Franklin County. The funds will be used to bring homes up to code. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 13.

Eligible applicants must be low-income, show proof of ownership (warranty deed, 99-year lease, life estate), have lived in the home for at least one year, and be current on all property taxes. Proof of income is required. Mobile homes are not eligible. 

Applicants will receive points in the following categories: income based on family size, number in household, number of elderly, number of disabled (must show proof of disability), single head of household, number of persons under 18 and the condition of the dwelling. 

Applications are available at the Franklin County mayor’s office, 855 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester. Applications are due back to the mayor’s office by 4 p.m., Friday, March 13. 

For more information call Sara Brown at (931) 379-2915.

The HOME Investment Partnership Act was approved in 1990 as part of the National Affordable Housing Act. The program provides Federal funds to state and local participating jurisdictions to carry out multi-year housing strategies through acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction of housing units and through tenant-based assistance. The purpose of the program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for low- and very low-income households. The State of Tennessee has chosen to focus its HOME program on homeowner rehabilitation projects and home ownership activities.

Homeless Now Have Advocates, Shelter

by Casey Willis, Messenger Intern

Most of us are fortunate to have never been without a home for an extended period of time. Someone who has not been in that situation can only imagine the life-altering effects it can have. Franklin County and the surrounding areas have a large number of people who have experienced homelessness.

About three years ago, a small group of people set up shop in the Franklin County Courthouse with a mission to “provide both individuals and families with transitional housing while networking with other agencies to obtain permanent housing.” Known as the Almost Home Transitional Housing Program, this nonprofit organization has no paid staff, with 100 percent of workers volunteering without pay.

In 2014, Almost Home already has received more than 1,000 calls for assistance.

Betty Pinkerton, a board member of Almost Home, said during an interview, “We just want to help people who find themselves unable to provide shelter for themselves and/or their families. We are just now beginning to recover from some very difficult economic times, and folks are finding it harder to afford what they need.”

The search for places to live for homeless people is the major focus of Almost Home. They do so by meeting with families by appointment, as well as by responding to emergency situations. They also help by looking beyond a place to live: helping people find employment and developing the necessary skills to sustain homes and jobs, as well as provide assistance for substance and alcohol abuse patients.

Almost Home recently purchased a duplex as a temporary housing option for families in the area. This facility broadens the group’s ability to assist families locally, while still being able to offer aid to individuals and families stretching out to Chattanooga and Nashville. The high volume of calls for help in 2014 has surprised everyone.

“It is overwhelming the number of homeless individuals and families in Franklin County who are trying to find jobs and provide for themselves and their families but do not have the resources to even get started,” said County Mayor Richard Stewart.

“Almost Home and the homeless shelter being constructed will help those people, and that is remarkable,” he said.

This program, Stewart said, “is an invaluable asset to our community and the proof is not only in the numbers but also their mission. The organization assisted approximately 591 homeless individuals last year and provided 723 critical needs services, including emergency motel stays, utility assistance to prevent homelessness and food to feed the hungry due to extreme cold weather resulting in higher-than- average utility bills. Not only does Almost Home provide these services; their ultimate goal is to successfully place people in full-time employment and in permanent housing through skills training.”

According to the Franklin County Community Assessment, housing ranked second on the list of top community needs in Franklin County in 2012, following only the mental health and substance abuse category.

Being a not-for-profit organization, Almost Home raises its support from individual donors, churches, the Franklin County United Way and the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition. Almost Home also holds special events to raise money and awareness of the issue of being homeless.

A benefit concert featuring local talent, as well as country music star Jimmy Wayne, will be on Saturday, Nov. 22 at North Middle School in Decherd. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available, and a silent auction will be held. General admission tickets are $10 per person; floor seats are $20.

The work done by Almost Home Transitional Housing has lessened the number of homeless citizens in Franklin County and the surrounding areas, as well as increased the number of the employed. With Almost Home continuing to grow, citizens in unfortunate situations can be confident that they will have a place to turn for assistance.

For more information, contact Pinkerton by email to <pinkerbee@gmail.com> or <almost.home.thp@gmail.com>, or go to the Almost Home website <almosthomethp.org>. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 906, Winchester, TN 37398.

University Creates New Community Engagement Office

The University has announced the creation of an Office of Community Engagement. Spurred by the growth of the Bonner and Canale service internship programs in the College and the establishment of the South Cumberland Plateau VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Program, the new office will work to meet the growing needs of students and expand the University’s relationships with other community organizations.

The Office of Community Engagement is composed of three staff members. Jim Peterman, professor of philosophy and director of Community Engagement, will continue to direct Community-Engaged Learning, the academic community engagement program, as well as the Bonner Leaders service internship program.

Nicky Hamilton, C’99, associate director of Community Engagement, will direct the South Cumberland Plateau VISTA Program and also assist the South Cumberland Community Fund to develop the capacity of community organizations to alleviate poverty. In this unique role, she will use her practical and academic training at the Clinton School of Pubic Service to help faculty and students understand how students can engage in the wide variety of facets of community engagement as a central component of their education in which they learn optimal ways of making a difference in their communities.

Robin Hille Michaels, assistant director of Community Engagement, will continue work with students through the Bonner Leaders Service Internship Program and the Canale Service Internship Program. In working closely with students and community partners to place students in community organizations, she helps Sewanee service interns develop professional skills and social understanding commensurate with the demands of their service projects.

The Community Engagement Office will work with its community partners to understand needs in the three-county area (Franklin, Grundy and Marion counties); what organizations (churches, clinics, schools) are invested in addressing those needs; what community-based research projects may assist; and how to align resources, including student internships, in support of those organizations and community-based research projects. In doing so, the new office seeks to support the University’s purpose to help students lead lives of “achievement and service” in local communities.

Given the burgeoning community engagement activity at the University by students, faculty and staff (sometimes with multiple groups reaching out to the same community organizations), the time is right to administer these community partnerships through an office that is aware of and able to monitor all of the programmatic relationships, and ensures that they are not only sustainable but also beneficial to Sewanee students and the local communities hosting them. 

The current community engagement plan and the University’s 2012 Strategic Plan envisioned the development of an Office of Community Engagement in its role in coordinating student opportunities “to learn about, and learn from, the variety of populations and their experiences, both locally and internationally. Many of the intractable problems facing the world—food security, poverty, public health, climate change and conflict—have local and global dimensions.” The opening of this office fulfills that goal.

Sewanee’s VISTA program came from a deepening of the University’s relationship to local community organizations and especially to the South Cumberland Community Fund, a co-sponsor and co-funder of this program. The VISTA program is also underwritten in part by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. The program is also supported by a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

For more information contact Peterman by email, <jfpeterm@sewanee.edu>.

New Officials Take Oath of Office

The oath of office ceremony for newly elected Franklin County officials will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29, in the Franklin County Courthouse in the courtroom on the second floor.

The Hon. Chancellor Jeffrey F. Stewart will administer the oath of office to all the elected officials including those for District 5: county commissioners Johnny Hughes and Helen Stapleton, constable Sandy Gilliam, road commissioner Joe David McBee and school board member Adam Tucker. Also taking the oath of office will be newly elected mayor Richard Stewart and sheriff Tim Fuller. Officials elected in Districts 1–8 will also be installed at this time. 

The ceremony is open to the public.

Aug. 7 Election Information

Election results were not available at press time.

For details go online to <www.franklincotn.us/departments/election_commission> or read next week’s issue of the Sewanee Mountain Messenger.

Candidate Forum

Candidates running for election in the Franklin County General Election will be answering questions at a Franklin County Candidate Night, 6 p.m., Monday, July 14, at the Franklin County Annex Community Room. The event is sponsored by the Tims Ford Council. Expected to participate are candidates for county mayor, county sheriff and circuit court judge.

The Franklin County Annex building is located at 839 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester. 

May 6 Primary Election Results

The results of the May 6 primary elections are complete. Since this was a primary election, voters were choosing either Democrat or Republican candidates only. For the Aug. 7 election, these winners may face Independent candidates.

12th Judicial District

Franklin, Grundy and Marion counties are located in the 12th Judicial District of Tennessee; it also includes Bledsoe, Rhea and Sequatchie counties. There are three Circuit Judges that serve the 12th Judicial District.

In the race for Circuit Court Judge, 12th Judicial District Part III, Democrat Steve Blount will face Republican Justin C. Angel.

Unchallenged candidates in the District who have no opposition in August include: Thomas W. “Rusty” Graham for Circuit Judge, 12th Judicial District Part I; J. Curtis Smith, Circuit Judge, 12th Judicial District Part II; Jeff Stewart, chancellor, 12th Judicial District; Mike Taylor, district attorney general, 12th Judicial District; and Jeff Harmon, public defender, 12th Judicial District.

Franklin County

Bill Green won the Republican primary for Franklin County mayor. He will face incumbent Democrat Richard Stewart and independent Burt Brown on Aug. 7.

Incumbent Democrat Tim Fuller will face Republican Mike Foster in the race for county sheriff. Foster has been sheriff in the past.

Register of Deeds Lydia Curtis Johnson defeated a challenge from James R. Cantrell in the Democratic primary for the office. Johnson has no Republican opponent in August, so she will retain her position.

Helen Stapleton, a Democrat, will face Dan Ferguson and Art Hanson, who are running as Independents, in the August election for County Commissioner, District 5, Seat B (Sewanee/Sherwood/Keith Springs).

Unchallenged candidates in the primary who have no opposition in August include: Johnny Hughes, County Commission District 5 Seat A; Randy Kelly, county trustee; Philip Custer, county clerk; Joe David McBee, road commissioner, Districts 1 and 5; Sandy Gilliam, constable, District 5.

Grundy County

Michael Brady won the Democratic primary for Grundy County mayor, defeating incumbent Lonnie Cleek and three other challengers. Brady will face Republican Aubrey Lee Harper.

Democrat Clint Shrum won the primary for Grundy County sheriff. He faces no opposition in August.

Gayle VanHooser was unopposed and will continue as register of deeds.

Melody Knight Oliver won the Democratic primary for circuit court clerk. She will face Republican Tosha Barrett in August.

For more information go to <www.elections.tn.gov>.

Primaries on Tuesday

On Tuesday, May 6, the Franklin County primaries will be held to select Democrat and Republican candidates for these positions: Eight-year terms—Circuit Court Judge-Parts 1, 2 and 3; Chancellor; District Attorney General; Public Defender; and General Sessions Judge; four-year terms—County Mayor; County Commissioners (16 seats); County Trustee; Sheriff; Circuit Court Clerk; County Clerk; Register of Deeds; Road Commissioners (four seats); and Constables (eight seats). 

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tennessee law requires all voters to provide a government photo identification at the time of voting.

For more information contact Margaret Ottley, administrator of elections of the Franklin County Election Commission, at 967-1893, or call the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office at (877) 850-4959.

A History of Recycling and Trash in Franklin County

by Carol Fulmer, Special to the Messenger

Franklin County’s convenience centers provide citizens with a clean, user-friendly location to bring their recyclables and trash. Before 1970, county waste was taken to a designated piece of property where garbage was simply dumped. According to a 1966 survey, there were about 270 sanctioned dumps in Tennessee, many with problems such as odors, smoke, flies and rodents. 

The issue of groundwater contamination was addressed in 1976 when the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act was passed, prohibiting open dumping. This legislation required the county to have an engineered landfill that addressed many environmental issues. In response, Franklin County began using green boxes often located on the sides of the road; many times they were filled to overflowing. 

With the passage of the Solid Waste Act of 1991, constructing a landfill became more difficult. The regulations were needed to protect the public health, but made constructing a Subtitle D landfill too costly for most counties (the estimated cost was $300,000–$500,000 per acre). The 1991 law encouraged counties to move to the convenience center system by issuing grants for site construction; it also contained a waste-reduction mandate, requiring counties to make a 25 percent reduction in their landfill usage. Now Franklin County operates convenience centers across the county (including in Sewanee, Sherwood, Alto and Cowan) that provide clean, safe places for citizens to participate in recycling and to dispose of waste. When an individual puts something into the trash, it costs the county$31.87 per ton to handle the waste. But when an item is recycled, not only does the county not have to pay, but it makes money. Last year Franklin County spent $333,233 in landfill fees for waste, much of which could have been recycled. During the same time period, the county received $148,354 from the sale of recyclables. For recycling, the county accepts paper, cardboard, plastic containers #1–#7, aluminum and metal. Prices for recycling fluctuate; currently the county is receiving $105 per ton for cardboard, $60 per ton for newspaper, $210 per ton for metal and $130 per ton for plastic containers #1–7. 

Franklin County recycles all cardboard, even if it is wet. The cardboard is baled and stored until a truckload has accumulated; it is then taken to RockTenn for processing. There, the material is shredded in a water solution and made into a pulp; it is saturated in water as part of the recycling process. 

The county sells aluminum and metal to CFC in Manchester, which sells to a smelting company that makes it into new products. Plastic containers go to various companies, such as Recycle America, where the material is separated, chipped and sold to make things such as toys, T-shirts, carpet, bottles, garbage cans and picnic tables.

Everyone is encouraged to further reduce their contribution to landfill waste by composting, donating clothing to charity and recycling computers, televisions, computer and printer cartridges and rechargeable batteries at the Recycling Center on Joyce Lane, Winchester. By separating recycling from trash, everyone benefits from conserving natural resources, saving tax dollars and reducing energy usage. 

For more information visit <www.iswarecycle.net> or phone 962-9048.

Fulmer is the regional administrator of the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority.

Blount Announces Run For Circuit Judge

Steve Blount of Sewanee, a senior assistant district attorney for the 12th Judicial District, announced this week that he is seeking to serve the people of the district in the position of Circuit Court Judge Part III. 

“I am excited for the potential opportunity to serve the citizens of the 12th Judicial District in a new capacity. I have served in the position of assistant district attorney for over 20 years, and I look forward to continuing my service from the bench,” Blount said.

Judge Buddy Perry just announced that he would not seek re-election to the position, thereby leaving an open seat in the circuit court system. There are three circuit judges and one chancellor serving the district, with one vacancy needing to be filled in the 2014 election. The 12th Judicial District is comprised of Bledsoe, Grundy, Franklin, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties.

“A trial judge should be experienced, fair, honest, just, firm, respectful, able to show compassion and hard working,” Blount said. “I believe I have the experience and attributes that would serve and benefit the citizens of our district. It has been nearly 45 years since we have had a circuit judge in our judicial district who had experience as a prosecutor. ” 

Blount is a graduate of the University of the South; he earned his law degree at Florida State University.

After representing the citizens of the district in private law practice for 10 years and with more than 20 years serving the citizens while in the district attorney’s office, Blount said he believes he has the experience and knowledge required to handle the responsibilities of the judgeship. 

“Judge Perry has honorably served as one of our trial judges since 1986. It would be an honor to carry forward the strong tradition of experience and devotion to justice that Judge Perry provided,” he said. 

In 2012, Blount was honored by being elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. Only 3.5 percent of all Tennessee attorneys have been elected as Fellows of the Tennessee Bar Foundation.

Blount was a founding member of the Drug Court TEAM of the 12th Judicial District. He holds the position of chairman of the Drug Court TEAM and serves as the vice-president of the 12th Judicial District Drug Court Foundation. 

He said, “Judge Perry has spent the last eight years establishing one of the strongest and most successful drug court programs in the state of Tennessee. It is imperative that this program continues in our Judicial District and I will strive to carry out Judge Perry’s legacy in this area.

“As a circuit judge, I will always honor and uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee,” Blount said. “I believe the roll of a judge is to rule and adjudicate following the laws passed by the legislature. A trial judge should not legislate from the bench nor attempt to write law. 

“Justice can and will result if a judge follows the laws on the books, applies logic and reason, draws on ample legal and life experiences, adds compassion where deserved, understanding when needed, sternness where appropriate, and uses good old-fashioned common sense,” Blount said.

“That’s my pledge to the citizens of the 12th Judicial District when I am elected to this judgeship.” 

Married to his college sweetheart, Mary, for almost 30 years, they have two children, Zachary, a rising sophomore in college and, Emily, a rising senior in high school. 

He is a lay leader at Otey Memorial Parish, and is a member of the Winchester Rotary Club. 

For more information, visit <www.steveblount4judge.com> or go to his Facebook page, “steveblount4judge.”

TDEC Hosts Hazardous Waste Disposal Saturday

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste (HHW) collection service will be in Winchester from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. Corrosive, flammable, toxic or reactive materials used in the home, car and truck or garden and lawn can be safely disposed of on this day.

“Our household hazardous waste mobile collection service provides the people of Tennessee with a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other potentially hazardous wastes at no cost,” said Bob Martineau, Environment And Conservation Commissioner. 

“This service travels across the state holding collection events in local communities, and we encourage all Tennesseans to take advantage of the opportunity to utilize it.”

The collection point in Franklin County is the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority (also known as the Joyce Lane Recycle Center), 487 Joyce Lane in Winchester. The local contact is John DeMoll at 967-1139. 

Since the program’s inception in 1993, households have properly disposed of more than 20 million pounds of material. HHW material is considered flammable, toxic, reactive and/or corrosive and should not be placed with regular garbage. 

Items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, 

fluorescent bulbs, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals and paint thinner. 

When transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper to prevent spills and cross-contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. 

Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets. 

Materials should be kept in the original container whenever possible. If not, place the waste in a plastic jug with a secure lid and label its contents. 

Items that are not accepted are medical or infectious waste, ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics, radioactive waste, smoke detectors, any empty containers and waste from non-household sources such as businesses, schools, farms and churches. 

For more information go to <www.iswarecycle.net/blog/index.php?id=9142346605518243642>.

Early Voting Ends Thursday

Early voting in Tennessee ends on Thursday, Nov. 1.

Across the state, early voting has been very strong in its first six days. As of Oct. 25, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett reported that more than 700,000 ballots had already been cast.

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Precincts will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All voters must show a photo ID before they are allowed to vote. The new Tennessee law allows voters to cast provisional ballots if they arrive at the polls without photo ID, but they must then appear at their local election commission within two days after the election to have their votes counted.

In Franklin County, early voting will be on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Franklin County Election Commission office; 829 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester. On Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 29–30, the office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On the final two days of early voting, Wednesday, Oct. 31 and Thursday, Nov. 1, the office will be open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Anyone who requested and received an absentee ballot must return it by Nov. 6. For more information call the Franklin County Election Commission at 967-1893.

Early voting in Grundy County is at two locations: the Election Commission Office, located at the Courthouse in Altamont or at 10218 U.S. Highway 41 (formerly the site of Sharron’s Beauty Shoppe between Monteagle and Tracy City).

Monteagle City voters who live in Marion or Franklin counties will vote in their regular polling locations; to vote in the Monteagle City elections, however, those voters will need to go to the Monteagle City Hall Annex. 

Hargett reminds voters to participate in the new “Tennessee Honor Vote” program, which provides citizens with an opportunity to dedicate their votes in the upcoming election to the servicemen and servicewomen of their choice.

A new page has been developed on the Secretary of State’s website where people may sign up and dedicate a personal message to one or more active or retired members of the armed forces. Go to < http://tnsos.net/Elections/honor_vote/form.php>.