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.

A private airstrip is in the planning stages for Seymour and the community is not happy. There was an attempt to put a 90-day moratorium on the construction of airstrips in the county. The moratorium was voted down by the Blount County Commission, 12 against and 5 for the moratorium.

Several commissioners were concerned that the moratorium would leave the county open to a lawsuit from Maryville developer Dennis Weaver, who is planning Into the Wind Airpark.

Is it relevant that the airstrip developer Dennis Weaver may be the same developer that allowed the foreclosure of a condominum project he was unable to complete in South Knoxville? Note, the bank was left holding the property until just recently (December 31, 2008).

Here is a artist rendering of the new Blount County Animal Center. As you can see, this will not be like the Maryville Shelter. And it is at the center of 12 acres. It has been placed on the land where it will hopefully cause the least noise nusiance to its neighbors.

This land was donated by the county for the shelter. It has been selected for its easy access as well as the large acreage. There are plans to later put in walking paths, dog parks, and other landscaping. We hope to see a center that will be a place to go. And hope it will be an approvement to the neighborhood.

Terry

Your presence is requested for the Ceremonial Ground Breaking of the NEW Blount County Animal Center—January 8, 2008 at 3pm

When: January 8, 2008 at 3pm

Where: 12-acre site located on Tyler Road located behind the

Boys and Girls Club

241 Currie Ave

Maryville, TN 37804

*The exact address has not been finalized as the road to the center is just being put in this week. Directions should be sourced based on the Boys and Girls Club address.

Who: Hosted by the Smoky Mountain Animal Care Foundation

What: The ceremony last approximately 30 minutes and will feature guest speakers (still waiting on confirmation of their attendance)

Why: Blount County is currently relying on the Loudon County Shelter to provide shelter to the homeless and abandoned animals in Blount County. The new Blount County Animal Center will feature an adoption center, over 140 kennels, medical suite and a focus on educational outreach to address the lack of spay and neutering of companion animals in the county.

I am an earlybird this morning. Check out the front page of the DT this morning:
Link...

Rick Laney keeps looking at the bigger picture in Blount County Courtrooms.

Link...

Selected transcripts of this Bible Q & A session can be found Link...

Let's stop right here. When somebody says beast to me, I'm thinking lion, tiger, gorilla some sort of monster. It that what you're talking about?

The BC Education Committee meets on Sept 11

From Link...

Now what are your concerns and comments on the agenda? What do you want to know?

I would like to know what if anything is being done about those SROs that are no longer in all the schools.

AGENDA

EducationCommittee
Tuesday,September11,2007-12:00noon

Blount County Schools Central Office
Members: Chairman JohnKeeble, Gerald Kirby, Joe McCulley, Kenneth Melton,Bob Proffitt, Wendy Pitts Reeves, and Steve Hargis.
1. Approval of minutes of August7,2007.
2. Public Input on Items on the Agenda.
3. Reports:
A. Maintenance/Construction Report.
B. Reports regarding Carpenters Athletic Fields,New Union Grove and Townsend
Schools Construction.
C. Financial Report.
4. Old Business:
A. Discussion Regarding New School property on north end of BlountCounty.
5. New Business:
A. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Report to Full Commission Concerning
Each County School’s Core Capacity and Current Enrollment.
B. Discussion Regarding Report Concerning Student Testing and No Child Left
Behind.
C. Other.

Do you know who did?

This young dog has been seen waiting at the corner of this rural Blount County Road for three days now. She sits. She waits for the owner who left her here all alone. She won't let me get close enough to remove the rope she is dragging. She won't eat. She won't drink. She waits.

Unlike the heartless b@stard who left her here she has plenty of company from the kindness of strangers. Every dog in the neighborhood is taking turns waiting with her. Who says dogs can't talk? These well loved family pets know more about this pup's story than we ever will.

Currently, Blount County has one single Animal Control Officer and I talked with Josh this morning about our little brindle gal. He has such a large backlog of calls like mine that it will be a good many days before he can come and try to help this pup.

Our local rescue groups are overwhelmed and we desperately need this new Blount County Animal Shelter and more Animal Control Officers. You can help, yes you can. Have a garage sale to raise some money. Stick a few things on eBay and send the money to the new shelter. Get your pet spayed or neutered. And take a close look at the pup in the photo. Do you know who she belonged to?

And you folks in the animal world- start blogging. I know most of you have websites but not all of you have the time to keep the sites up todate because you are busy out doing animal care work. But how can we the general public know what goes on from day to day in and around the Blount County animal world if you don't tell us?