The Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College will convene a community forum and study group on health care reform, to be held at the Blount County Library on Tues., Sept. 1 from 6:30 until 8 p.m.

No elected officials have been invited to speak, and the program is designed to be a time of non-partisan study for those who may have been confused and seek better understanding of the current health care debates. “Very different from the summer town hall campaigns and debates around the country, we have decided to take a more academic and learning-oriented approach, opening the door for people to better educate themselves on the issues,” said Billy Newton, director of the Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College.

Dr. Carole Myers, who teaches courses in health care policy to graduate students at UT, will review basic principles and various reform elements being discussed and debated. Tony Garr, executive director of Tennessee Health Care Campaign, will give an update on the current status and variety of legislative bills that Congress is facing. Members of the League of Women Voters will facilitate a time for participants to submit questions to the speakers. There will also be an opportunity to pick up resources and network with others for further study.

According to Newton, the program is not a rally or campaign for any particular health care bill, and it has been planned for the purpose of study. Autumn Hall, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Blount County, sums up the program. “So much of what’s in the news about health care reform is confusing. We hope the forum will give information to make the needs and issues clearer,” she said.

For more information, please contact Newton at 865.273.8894 or billy.newton@maryvillecollege.edu

The county mayor's attorney has interpreted the law, no need for Blount County Commission to take a vote. By default, Blount County opts out of allowing guns in parks because the cities of Alcoa and Maryville have already voted to opt-out.

In the Legals section of The [Maryville] Daily Times, the South Blount Utility District Water has a post regarding their continuing drinking water problems. Higher than acceptable lead levels are being reported, 0.015mg/L versus 0.036mg/L. High levels of lead were reported for the South Blount Utilitiy District in 2006 and 2008.

As in the past, the blame is put on homes built prior to 1987, which may contain lead solder joints on plumbing.

This problem has been lingering for at least three years. The lead levels do appear to be going down, but they are still twice the actionable level. Why can't South Blount Utility District provide acceptable drinking water? Are other water districts having this problem? Don't they have homes built prior to 1987?

According to the South Blount Utility District, here are some important safeguards regarding drinking water:

• Do not drink of cook with water from the hot water tap.
• Do not boil the water in an attempt to remove contaminants. Lead remains in the water and cannot be boiled away.
• Run the water for 15-30 seconds before drinking or using to flush standing water from pipes.

For more information, contact South Blount Utility District, 865-982-3560.

The City of Alcoa Board of Commissioners just voted unanimously to ban guns in city parks.

Is there a campground or ATV park coming to your R-1 residential neighborhood? There could be if the County Commission allows Campgrounds and ATV Parks as Special Exceptions. What is so special about a campground or ATV Park? Why should a few men on the BZA be allowed to give approval to these commercial enterprises when the full Commission can not?

Unanimous vote by City Council.

Best Boomer Towns has ranked Maryville as one of 2009's 20 "best places to thrive" for baby boomers looking to retire soon.

Towns are selected based on "excellent health care, university, airport access, fine dining, low crime, cultural activities, beautiful weather, active lifestyle, average cost of living and a range of home sizes and prices."

Others picks were: Aiken, South Carolina; Asheville, North Carolina; Ashland, Oregon; Athens, Georgia; Austin, Texas; Bend, Oregon; Camarillo, California; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Charlottesville, Virginia; Columbia, Missouri; Danville, Kentucky; Fort Collins, Colorado; Las Cruces, New Mexico; Paso Robles, California; Pinehurst, North Carolina; Prescott, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; St. George, Utah; Tucson, Arizona; Villages, Florida.

The Blount County Commission holds regular monthly meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00pm in the County Commission room of the Blount County Courthouse.

Next meeting: Thursday, August 20, 2009
359 Court Street
Maryville, TN 37804-5906

All meetings of the City of Alcoa Board of Commissioners are open to the public. Commissioners meet in regular session on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building.

Next meeting Tuesday, August 11, 2009
223 Associates Blvd
Alcoa, TN 37701-1948

The Cities of Alcoa and Maryville, and Blount County have yet to address the issue of the new law that allows individuals with handgun carry permits to carry handguns in our local parks.

If you want your local government to address this issue by opting out to not allow these individuals to carry handguns in your local parks, contact the members of your city council, city commission, or county commission and let them know.

The new law takes effect September 1, 2009. You will need to contact your local representative soon to get this issue on the agenda of the last city council/commission, county commission meeting.

City of Alcoa Board of Commissioners contact information.
City of Maryville City Council contact information.
Blount County Commission contact information.

Details...

UPDATE: Arrest made.

Got stuff to get rid of? Need stuff?

SMACF is hosting:

"Paws & Tails Parking Lot Sale"

When: Saturday July 11th 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Rain or Shine

Where: TN Bank 1311 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy (beside Dairy Queen)

What: Antiques, Books, Craft items, Dishes, Furniture, Home Decor, Jewelry, Kitchen Items, Purses, Tools and MORE!!

According to reports by the Maryville Daily Times, four people were rescued the first Sunday of June, eight people rescued last weekend, and another person was rescued yesterday.

The rescues are occuring primarily at the bend behind the KOA campground.

"The problem is the hydraulics of the river," Townsend Police Chief Ronnie Suttles said Monday. "The force slams tubers into the rocks. There is nothing they can do because of the tremendous force of the river."

Be careful out there!

Wonderful news!

The Maryville Farmers' Market is now open Wednesdays in Alcoa.

Check it out!

Location: Anderson Lumber Company, Alcoa
Hours: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

From June 17 to September 16

Thanks!

Haven House is a local domestic abuse emergency shelter and support organization for abused women and children. The recently had a kitchen fire, and would like to rebuild with more capacity to serve more clients.

To help, you can send a tax-deductible check to:

Haven House
P.O. Box 134
Alcoa, TN 37701

For more information, call the Haven House office at (865) 983-6818 or e-mail jshaver@havenhousetn.org.

RELATED:

• An open letter to Blount County

• Haven House: Help!