VOL. 11 NO. 6
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
The show goes on at Grace
FIRST WORDS
Gas tax makes no ‘cents’ By Scott Frith
By Nancy Anderson
Gov. Bill Haslam has announced a wide-ranging tax proposal that would add 7 cents per gallon on gasoline and 12 cents per gallon on diesel fuel. As part of the governor’s plan, the sales tax on groceries would be lowered by one-half a perScott Frith cent (a 50-cent decrease on a $100 grocery bill) and the Hall income tax decreased. Most would agree that Tennessee’s bridges need work. Although our state ranks near the top of states in highway quality, we lie near the bottom in bridge health. In fact, one study by TRIP, a transportation research and lobbying firm, found that 19 percent of Tennessee’s bridges are “structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.” Supporters of the gas tax increase say that new revenue is needed to repair bridges and fund a backlog of state road projects. Also, they argue it’s only fair that drivers (who use the roads) pay for road improvements. That’s the problem. A gas tax isn’t fair at all. Gas taxes are among the most regressive forms of taxation. Whether you’re a millionaire, a senior on a fixed income, or a family barely getting by every month, a gas tax increase will cost you more money. If you’re rich (or comfortably middle class), you probably won’t notice any increase. However, if your family is worried about the cash for your next fill-up at the gas station, any tax increase hits hard in the pocketbook. Tax increases are always politically problematic, but a gas tax increase is even more treacherous. Has the Haslam administration not considered the optics of a billionaire governor (who happens to own a fuel center empire) increasing taxes on the poorest Tennesseans to pay for better roads? Even worse, Haslam’s plan decreases the Hall income tax, a tax on interest from bonds and dividends from stocks, which would inevitably benefit rich Tennesseans. The campaign attack ads against these folks write themselves. Of course, it’s important to remember that Gov. Haslam’s
Grace Christian Academy Theater Department’s much anticipated production of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” was in danger of cancellation Friday, Feb. 3, as the school endured its third day of closure due to illness, including strep throat and stomach flu. But “the show must go on,” said director Tonya Wilson. Instead of performing to a packed house of students and parents, the cast performed the effervescent musical about a boy who tours Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory to an intimate crowd of about 200, including Lonsdale grade five students, residents of Willow Place and residents of Riverbirch Village. “It’s all been touch and go until just a little while ago. We postponed the matinée from yesterday and today my ‘Charlie’ is under the weather. We’ve been closed for three days. But the show must go on and Tanner White, who plays ‘Charlie,’ is going to do the best he can. “We’ll miss all the GCA students today, but you know it doesn’t matter if we play to 10 people or a thousand, we’re going to perform our hearts out,” Wilson said. Nearly a year in the making, this production is GCA’s most technically intricate show to date.
Wyatt Edwards as Willy Wonka sings “Pure Imagination” with the Oompa Loompas during Grace Christian Academy’s production of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” performed at Grace Baptist Church Friday, Feb. 3. To page A-3 Also pictured are Lauren Hickey, Isabella Murrell, Bess Helt, Brittney Hill and Hannah Cobb. Photos by Nancy Anderson
Hardin Valley’s rich history By Margie Hagen Now one of the fastest growing areas in West Knoxville, Hardin Valley was once untamed land for early settlers. Named for Colonel Joseph Hardin Sr., it was originally known as the Territory South of the Ohio River. Born in Virginia, Hardin was a militiaman during the Revolutionary War and fought on both sides of the Appalachian Mountains. Along with John Sevier, later to become the first governor of Tennessee, Hardin contributed to the founding of the State of Franklin. Franklin didn’t become a state, but Hardin continued to serve in positions including Speaker of the House for the territorial assembly. As was the custom, he was rewarded
with a land grant of several thousand acres, some in Hardin Valley and the remainder located south and west, in what would become Hardin County. Hardin himself never lived on the land in Hardin County; the area was largely wilderness, and legal disputes with squatters took some 30 years to resolve. Members of his family did move there eventually, but Hardin settled his wife and children in the relative safety of the valley during the late 1770s. Even then, life was not easy. Hardin lost three sons in the Tennessee Indian Wars. He managed to escape harm during his decadelong militia service and lived a long life for the times, dying on July 4, 1801, at 67. He is
By Sandra Clark Madeline Rogero’s degree in urban and regional planning is very handy as she starts her sixth year as Knoxville’s mayor. When she spoke at North Knox Rotary the other day, she listed several plans. Parks and greenways? Plan. Public safety? Plan. South Knoxville? Plan. She’s the perfect extender of former Mayor Bill Haslam’s plans; but, of course, as director of community development for Haslam, she helped write them. “We started at the core and are moving out,” she says. Credit Haslam with the revitalization of downtown Knoxville. Rogero is re-creating the major corridors to benefit businesses and neighborhoods around them: Chapman Highway, Magnolia Avenue, North Broadway and Cumberland Avenue.
NEWS News@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark – 865-661-8777 Sarah Frazier – 865-342-6622 ADVERTISING SALES Ads@ShopperNewsNow.com 865-342-6084 Amy Lutheran | Patty Fecco Beverly Holland | Mary Williamson CIRCULATION 844-900-7097 knoxvillenewssentinel@gannett.com
“We leverage public funds to draw private development,” she says. “I have three more years – 1,060 days or so – to maximize accomplishments. “We’ve got a plan for connecting greenways; we’ve developed the Urban Wilderness and the outstanding Lakeshore Park.” Not mentioned but important, Rogero hired engineers to fix the problems at Fountain City Lake. She joked that Knoxville has so many breweries that we might be called “the ale trail,” and she was back in Fountain City last week to announce a $6.4 million federal grant to improve traffic flow. She spoke at a windy bus stop. The plan, she said, is to install smart, interconnected traffic control signals on Broadway, Chapman Highway and Kingston Pike. The system will analyze where cars are backing up and make sec-
Mayor Madeline To page A-4 Rogero visits Fountain City to announce a $6.4 million federal grant to help alleviate traffic congestion on North Broadway, Chapman Highway and Kingston Pike. Photo by Ruth White
ond-by-second adjustments in the timing of the signals to optimize traffic flow. “The latest upgrades ($2 million for Broadway alone) represent a combined $8.4 million investment in this corridor, and we’re excited to be installing cutting-edge
WATCH BATTERY COUPON
5
Includes battery & installation
Foster’s
*1.5v only (Gasket not included)
KN-1469195
interred in Hickory Creek Cemetery in Hardin Valley, where a large monument honors his contributions. Other pioneer families in the area included Walkers, Jones, Gillespies and Gallahers, many of whom intermarried. Genealogy records for most are sparse, but some do exist. The Gallahers were prominent citizens; living on the family farm during the Civil War, John Montgomery Gallaher passed down his recollections of Confederate soldiers raiding chickens near Campbell Station Road and brother fighting against brother on opposing sides. Rifles were carried by the men out in the fields to protect against Indian raids. To page A-3
Elect a planner, get a plan
To page A-3
$ .99
February 8, 2017
Expires 2/28/17 Must present coupon (some models excluded.)
Fine Jewelry
7023 Kingston Pike In the West Hills Center 584-3966 www.fostersjewelry.com
For all your vehicle needs, sales & service. Thanks! - Ray
CLINTON TENNESSEE 865-457-0704 or 1-800-579-4561 www.rayvarnerford.com
technology to help resolve decades of frustration with gridlock on Broadway,” Rogero said. “Everyone’s commute will improve, and less time sitting in traffic means reduced emissions of pollutants.” And that’s a plan we all can applaud.