Gem City News by Mark J. Tidwell

August 30 Edition

City Government Election:  The contenders have been established for the November election for city officials.  Those that have filed for Mayor of the City of Jellico are:  Les Stiers, Jeff Partin, Tim Huckaby, John Lewis, Mike Johnson, and Ramona Ivey.  Those that have filed for City Council are:  Pam Carbaugh, Tommy Bowlin, Venita Johnson, Chuck Vermillion, John Davenport, and Alvin Evans.  Since there are six candidates and six council seats, this will be the next Jellico City Council.  As the LaFollette Press reported, Jellico voters will simply be casting “courtesy votes” for these council candidates.  The Mayor’s race, on the other hand, is only beginning to get cranked up.

     Not seeking another term on the Jellico City Council are Alderwoman Elsie Crawford, Alderman Darrel Byrge, and Alderman Mike Smith.  Mayor Forster Baird did not seek re-election for Campbell County Commission or Jellico City Mayor. 

New Restaurants:  Jellico has two new places open to consider for your dining pleasure.  The Cellar is located in the lower level of Shutterbug Studio.  This is the former Church of God Mountain Assembly Church building on 5^th Street, next to Llewellyn Funeral Home.  Their menu lists everything from salads to sandwiches.  Their number is 423-784-6167 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              423-784-6167      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

     Musick’s Deli and Market (423-784-7859 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              423-784-7859      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) is located in a brand new building approximately midway from where you turn at the red light by Hardee’s and the Jellico High School.  Burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and side items are on their menu. 

Gem City Activities for September:  Tourism Director Jake Bennett has these activities on tap for September:  September 6, Jellico Community Hospital Miners’ Mile Walk, 5K, 10K run; September 11^th, Commemorative Candle Light Service for 9-11 at Veterans Park; September 12^th, 5^th Annual Emergency Services Day at Veterans Park.  For further information and details, call 423-784-3275 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              423-784-3275      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

5^th Annual Buck Brothers Hardware Tractor Show:  The annual tractor show was held on Saturday, August 21^st.  Tourism Director Jake Bennett was in charge of the show. The rear section of Veterans Park was alive with the rumble of old, earth-tilling iron.  Newer tractors were on display as well. 

      The day started off with a slight reprieve from the heat.  Folks really seemed to enjoy themselves.  At precisely 1:00p.m. a police escort arrived for the tractor parade.  Dozens of tractors fired up simultaneously and chugged through the parking lot, then headed onto 5^th Street.  The parade continued through Indian Mountain State Park, around Sunset Trail, back on to 5^th Street, finally culminating on Main Street and ending back in Veterans Park.  Just as the tractors turned down Main Street, the heavens opened up with heavy drops of rain.  Everyone got soaked, but just laughed it off as it added to the memory of the day.

     From youngsters just a few years of age, to those with several decades under their belts, everyone had a big time.  Thanks to Ronnie Buck for sponsoring the annual tractor show. Buck also provided cash prizes and some tee shirts for participants. 

Football Scores:  The Elementary/Middle School Team has played 3 games.  The coach is Les Stiers, Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Lawson, Offensive Coordinator Tommy Bowlin Sr., Ryan Morris Backs Coach, and the line coach is Tony Barton. 

     In the first game of the season, Jellico lost to Williamsburg 62-0.  In the second game JES lost to Burchfield 34-12.  Victory came in the third game against Episcopal School of Knoxville, with JES winning 40-0.

     The next scheduled game is at home with Fairview of Scott County as the opponent.  The game will be this Thursday, September 2^nd.

     Jellico High School lost to Williamsburg in its first game, 68-22(?).  North Greene also defeated JHS by a score of 12-6. 

Monday Night Jammers:  As part of the Tourism Department’s list of ongoing activities in Jellico, the Monday Night Jammers gather every Monday afternoon in the Conference Room of the Tramell Building, directly across the hall from the Jellico Public Library.  The jammers are generally arriving as I am leaving the library after 5:30p.m.  Sometimes the music goes on until 10:00p.m.  Fiddles, banjos, guitars, mandolins and the like are packed in by the arms’ full.  Gospel and bluegrass music is played.  We have Jammers like “Uncle Tom” Adkins, well in his nineties, to young musicians just starting out.  Sometimes folks travel from LaFollette or Williamsburg to be a part of the Monday Night Jam Session.

Tent Revival:  A Tent Revival has been going on in Jellico for over a week now.  The City On Its Knees tent is set up between The Mexican restaurant Aztecaz and the First State Financial Bank.  Matthew McClary, son of Allen and Diane McClary of the Union Bank has organized the deal.  Many local and some visiting pastors have been bringing the messages.  Attendance has reportedly been good.  My little mother has attended every night and has reported that things have been quite lively at the tent revival.

      That’s all I have for now.  Stay tuned for more news from Jellico in the near future.