jcnewsandneighbor.com sharing a lifetime event….from this...

Ellyn LancasterJohnson City

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T H E J O H N S O N C I T Y

VOL. 17 | ISSUE 48 | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | OFFICE: 423-979-1300 | CIRCULATION & DELIVERY: 423-282-0051 | EMAIL: [email protected]

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Now that the formal ceremonies are over, it’s time to enjoy family and friends. Brad and Amanda (Jester) Clay celebrate at their Carnegie Hotel reception.

Sharing a lifetime event….from this moment forwardBrides and grooms remember their wedding day as the best day of their lives. It doesn’t matter about the location or the

weather, the ceremony is a heart-warming event. Every year when we publish our Bridal Edition we are amazed how the community shares their special events in our Head To Toe Women’s Magazine. We know you will enjoy reading these

special stories and seeing photos of weddings of local brides and grooms you are sure to know. The Bridal Edition inside

this week’s News & Neighbor features 25 weddings.

Jordan and Tara (Byrne) FindlayBrandon and Lauren (Truman) Murphy

Chase and Macy (Garland) ThomasThomas and Elizabeth (Jordan) WilkinsonIsaiah and Allie (Scalf) Greer

Brian and Morgan (Shaw) Jackson

2 JOHNSON CITY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 28, 2015

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JANUARY 28, 2015 JOHNSON CITY COMMUNITY NEWS 3

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More than $275,000 was raised last Satur-day evening during the annual Mountain States Foundation Spirit Gala held at the Millennium Centre. Proceeds support the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, which serves 29 regional counties. More than 370 people attended the event,

which included a silent auction, live auction and car raffle sponsored by Champion Chevrolet Cadillac. This year’s theme was “Silver Screen” com-ing from the early days of motion pictures in celebration of the Spirit Gala’s 25th Anniversary. John Speropulos was

presented with the 2015 Spirit Award, recogniz-ing his outstanding and dedicated support to the community and his lead-ership in the region. The award goes to a person respected among peers who has demonstrated support for Mountain States Health Alliance’s mission while giving

unselfishly of his or her time and talents. Clarinda Jeanes was the 2015 Spirit Gala chairperson. Amy Benton was the auction chairper-son and Jody Seligman was raffle chairperson. Ann McMullin and Nancy Storie were co-chairs for Dinner on the Mountain auction.

Spirit Gala raises nearly $300,000

ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland and First Lady Donna Noland. Photos cour-tesy of Mountain States Foundation.

John Speropulos, center, receives the Spirit Award from MSHA CEO Alan Levine and Mountain States Foundation President Pat Holtsclaw.

Mountain States doctors Clay Runnels, left, and Morris Seligman, right, with their wives Emily and Jody.

Mountain States’ Tony Keck, left, with his wife Shannon Robshaw and Mountain States’ Tom Tull.

The Johnson CIty News & Neighbor Circulation Audited and Verified by


A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus. - Martin Luther King Jr.

If Johnson City and Washington County lead-ers have begun moving toward mutually beneficial solutions for the challenges facing our local public schools, the first move was inauspicious at best. Yet, after last Thursday’s session between the city school board and county commissioners, I hope they have started a long journey with a small step. While it’s clear they disagree on several things, Washington County Mayor Dan Eldridge and Johnson City School Superinten-dent Richard Bales agreed Thursday on one thing: Educational attainment, and quality public educa-tion, are the most impor-tant keys to young people’s future success in life and work. The better-educated a local population is, the more likely its community is to attract the jobs and investment that translate into prosperity and a high quality of life. A dozen Washington County commissioners and Eldridge were at the city schools’ central office to hear city school represen-tatives discuss “achieve-ments and funding.” One naked truth is that the city schools achieve more per capita than the county schools – if test scores and higher educa-tional attainment are the measures – and that they do so with per pupil fund-ing some 12 percent higher than Washington County’s. Another naked truth is that

local option sales tax col-lections and allocations, as directed by state law, are the primary cause of John-son City’s ability to fund its schools more generously than Washington County does its own. Both systems, by the way, overachieve sig-nificantly relative to their spending when stacked up against other Tennessee systems. The meeting came as both systems face annual wrestling matches with their respective fund-ing bodies. Those tussles have become increasingly frustrating for the schools as we move further into an era of flat government revenues and fiscal belt-tightening. It came as Washington County and Johnson City appear set to face off in a lawsuit over liquor by the drink tax revenues, as some sharp attorney downstate has discovered that cities may not have been sharing those revenues – which go to schools – with counties as required by law. The meeting came after a year in which the state legislature turned annexation law on its head. It came a year after Washington County Mayor Dan Eldridge and his Johnson City counterpart, Ralph Van Brocklin, stood together for a photo on the steps of Boones Creek Middle School to signify

their mutual desire to forge a path toward intergov-ernmental collaboration on education. Events, and quite possibly attitudes as well, have served to sour that relationship for the time being. Richard Bales is right: If Washington County wants to increase funding for its schools under the current scenario, there is an answer. That answer -- a special “rural” tax -- is highly unlikely to be implemented. It is also a galling suggestion to county representatives who, despite the semantic gyrations deployed by “the other side” in its explana-tions about funding, can very clearly see an inequity does exist. Dan Eldridge is right: Washington County con-sumers spend most of their money in Johnson City, and Johnson City benefits disproportionately from that fact. City school of-ficials took pains Thursday to note the city govern-ment tops off the schools’ budget out of its general fund instead of specifically directing its extra sales tax dollars toward schools. To imply that the sales tax in-equity isn’t the proximate cause of the city schools’ higher per-pupil expendi-tures is a fallacy, and one I would hope all of our local high school graduates have the critical thinking skills to see through. Yet it is only natural for city school leaders to want to defend their current status, particularly in the difficult fiscal climate. If I’m not getting as much from the city as I think I need, why in the world

should I consider sharing some of what I do have with the county? So Mayor Eldridge, fair as it may be to change the allocation of local option sales tax, you know that dog won’t hunt. Some of my acquain-tances know I think school consolidation may be the best long-term answer for our community. That is community, singular, because that is certainly how people from outside the area view us – and that should tell us all something about how we should view ourselves. I boned up on consoli-dation just a bit this week, skimming through reports from two state agencies. By the way (though this is not in itself a reason to pursue consolidation), did you know that John-son City’s is the largest municipal school system in Tennessee? Nashville,

Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Jackson all have consolidated systems. Done properly, consoli-dation would not be easy. The best way to do it would to be use Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 Part 12. It outlines provisions for a “unification educa-tional planning commis-sion,” and includes “very specific requirements for the planning process and an approval process for all legislative bodies and citi-zens involved,” according to a 2012 report from the state comptroller’s office. Using this part of Title 49 would require calm, thoughtful, harmonious leadership. Eyes would have to be kept on the prize of constructing the most excellent, equitable system to ensure the best opportunity at life success for all of our community’s

schoolchildren. It would be a wonderful circumstance, and a pleas-ant surprise at this point, if we media folk suddenly be-gan reporting that mayors Van Brocklin and Eldridge, and their respective school board leaders, had agreed on principles and begun putting into practice a path toward K-12 (pre-K if you like) solutions for all 17,000 local students. While some may choose to see last Thursday’s meet-ing as an exercise in futil-ity attended by two sides entrenched in their own camps, I choose to see it as the beginning of something good. And because I believe the seeds of consensus exist under the soil of the current tension, I wait for those molders of consen-sus to come forward. Our kids and our community deserve no less.

The Johnson City News reserves the right to publish an advertisement, to correctly classify any advertisement and to delete objectionable words or phrases. Submission of an advertisement to the Shopping News and Neighbor does not constitute a commitment by the paper to publish the advertisement. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute an agreement for continued publication.

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PublisherWilliam R. Derby

Assistant PublisherJeff Derby

Managing EditorScott Robertson

Associate EditorJeff Keeling

Food EditorMary Duke McCartt

ContributorsRev. Gerald CassonCongressman Phil Roe

Classified Salesand AccountingJudy Derby

Advertising Jeff Derby Leslie HaasLinda JenkinsTaylor Trent

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News & Neighbor Staff

NEWS & NEIGHBORT H E J O H N S O N C I T Y

The Largest Readership in Johnson City and Washington County... and we can prove it!

OPINION

by JeffKeeling

[email protected]

Associate Editor

Since so many of us have been sick this winter, here are some medical terms and localized defini-tions you may have heard in the walk-in clinic, hospital or your doctor’s office.

Artery - Study of paintingsAnally - Occurring yearlyBacteria - Back door to cafeteriaBenign - What you be, after you be eightBowel - Letter like A, E, I,

O and UCaesarian Section - A district in RomeCatarrh - Stringed instrumentCAT Scan - Searching for Kitty

Carpal - Someone you drive to work withCauterize - Made eye contact with herCell-ulitis - getting sick right before getting arrested. Colic - A sheep dogComa - A punctuation markCyst - To give someone a helping handD & C - Where Washington isDiarrhea - Journal of daily eventsDuct - What you do to

avoid being hitEnema - Not a friendElixir - What a dog does to his owner when she gives him a boneFester - Quicker than someone elseFibula - A small lieHangnail - Coat hookImpotent - Distinguished, well knownIntense Pain - Torture in a teepeeLabor Pain - Getting hurt at workMedical Staff - A Doctor’s cane, sometimes shown

with a snakeMorbid - A higher offer than I bidNitrate - Cheaper than day rateNode - Was aware ofOutpatient - A person who has faintedPelvis - Cousin to ElvisPlatelet - A small saucerPost-Operative - Letter carrierProstate - Flat on your backProtein - Favoring young peopleRecovery Room - Place to

do upholsteryRectum - Damn near killed himRheumatic - AmorousSecretion - Hiding somethingSeizure - Famous Roman Emperor who lived in the Caesarean SectionTablet - A small table to change babies onUrine - Opposite of you’re outVein - ConceitedVitamin - What you do when friends stop by to visit

Countryfied medical terms

It takes integrity to respect a process you’ve sworn to be part of when that process isn’t going your way. We saw that demon-strated Monday night at the Washington County Com-mission meeting. The economic develop-ment proposal for “Project X” drew the most spirited de-bate this commission has held to date, eclipsing in vigor even the discussion of ending taxpayer-funded health benefits for commissioners. At issue was whether to take $1 million from the coun-ty general fund and use it (through the county Indus-trial Development Board) to fund an incentive program designed to convince an existing Johnson City business to expand its operations here rather than moving those operations out of state. Should the company stay, it would commit to hiring 25 to 75 additional workers, at salaries in the neighbor-hood of $50,000 - $55,000, and would invest $16 to $20 million in its local facilities. Should the firm choose to move its operations out of state, it would take with it more than 150 existing jobs amounting to an $8 million payroll. That’s quite a carrot and stick package. To get any suspense out of the way, the commission voted 19-4 (with two absent) to approve offering the package to the company. The county should hear wheth-er the company accepts the package within the next two to four weeks. But it’s not so much the outcome that showed some-thing about the character of this commission, it’s the manner in which the commission reached that outcome. The discussion started with a disclaimer from County Mayor Dan Eldridge. The Washington County Economic Development Council has entered into a confidentiality agreement with the company, Eldridge told the commis-sion. That agreement needs to be honored, Eldridge said, in order to protect the county from potential legal liability.

County Attorney Tom Seeley echoed Eldridge’s statement. Thus warned, the commission began its deliberations. Commissioner Sam Humphreys began by expressing disdain for the concept of confidentiality in an open gov-ernment meeting, asking, “Who’s going to get the million dollars?” Eldridge replied, “The owner of the company.” Humphreys asked, “Is it a private individual?” Eldridge replied, “We can’t disclose that.” Eldridge explained that since the company had not made a decision on whether to remain in Johnson City or to move to another state, it did not want to burden its employees with uncertainty over their future before any decision is made. Other commissioners raised valid questions both in favor of, and in opposition to the project. Commissioner Todd Hensley asked, “If you don’t support this, how are you going to replace an $8 million payroll?” Commissioner Robbie Tester asked, “If we’re going to have open, transparent responsible government and be good stewards of taxpayers’ money, I don’t understand how we can sit here in good conscience and vote to spend a million dollars of taxpayers’ money to buy a secret building. I don’t even understand how that’s legal but I guess that’s a question for Mr. Seeley*.” Before the commission voted, it heard from three county citizens who had asked before the meeting for the opportunity to address the commission. Commissioner Mitch Meredith expressed concern that one of them might have an inkling of the company’s identity and say something to blow up the deal. The commission voted in an overwhelming voice vote, however, to hear from the three. Each opposed the project. None spoke the name of the company. When time for the commission vote came, four com-missioners (Edens, Humphreys, Light and Tester) voted against making the offer. At least two others (Boreing and Ford) took protracted moments of consideration before casting their votes in the affirmative. It was clear that the idea of handing a seven-figure

check to a publicly unidentified company rankled many commissioners. But the possibility that the investment could lead to more high-paying jobs (and more tax rev-enue received without any tax rate hikes) was the deter-mining factor for more. In the end, no one blurted out the name of the com-pany, not even those who opposed the project and who probably have a very good idea who the company is. No one stood up and made an $8 million mistake. Perhaps most importantly, in the future, compet-ing communities won’t be able to point to Washington County and tell potential employers, “You don’t want to do business in that county. They can’t even live up to a simple non-disclosure agreement.” Because the Project X agreement is written with safe-guards against the company failing to meet its obliga-tions, I see it as a safe investment for the county, and one that might bear repeating if and when other local companies consider expanding their local operations (or moving). Tennessee is a backward state in that it provides no economic development dollars to incent companies staying in the state, while it offers millions to attract new companies. Yet the return on dollars spent to get existing companies to grow is far greater than the return on dollars offered to incent new companies to move in. To those commissioners who believe Wash-ington County has invented an out-of-the-box, ahead-of-the-curve solution in Project X, I offer a tip of the hat for your forward thinking. And to those four or more commissioners who be-lieve this is a million-dollar boondoggle, I offer a salute and thanks. The easiest thing to do would have been to derail this project, ethics and long-term consequences be hanged. But you didn’t take that approach. Thank you for representing the county with integrity when it may not have been easy to do so.

*The county attorney confirmed for the commission the project is legal.

Commissioners’ integrity prevents $8 million mistake by Scott

Robertsonsrobertson

@jcnewsandneighbor.com

Managing Editor

The time has come to mold consensus on local public education

by Bill Derby

Publisher

Compiled


GUEST COLUMN BY SARAH COLSON

“Just lean on me,” my dad said right before guiding me down the aisle at my wedding rehearsal. “We can do this.” While this may seem like a sweet, sentimental mo-ment between a bride and her father, I was actually worried about passing out while walking down the aisle.

On Dec. 18, the day be-fore my wedding, I woke up with the worst stomach virus of my life. By noon, I was complete-ly quarantined on my couch, too weak to stand. I received a call saying that my little sister, also my ring bearer and junior bridesmaid, had the flu. My entire family was put on Tamiflu and only my mom was brave enough to occasionally break the rules and enter the sick room.

Things were not looking great for my “big day.” I didn’t think there was any way I could make it down the aisle at the re-hearsal scheduled for 6 p.m. that same day. Knowing I didn’t really have an option, though, and sick of hearing the “at least you’ll fit into your dress” jokes, I eventual-ly stopped crying, put on the rehearsal dress I had been dying to wear, and slowly walked to the car, Gatorade and banana in hand. The rehearsal was scheduled to last an hour. I basically floated through the mock ceremony and leaned on a chair whenever I felt weak. After the rehearsal came the rehearsal dinner. I had been excited about this for years. It was time for people to say nice things about my groom and me and eat a lot of good food. If there was ever a time in the one-year span I was engaged that all the love and blessings should have been 100 per-cent directed at us, this was it—my shining moment. The only problem was, the entire place smelled like food—hot, delicious, home-cooked food. The smell that most people savored upon

entrance left me even more nauseous and dizzy. Before I knew it, I was in tears again and begging my mom to drive me home. While I was blubbering goodbyes to all of my loved ones, it hit me. Not only could the wedding almost take place without me, but the wedding was not about me at all. Sure, all of the people I love were in one place because of my love for my groom and his love for me. But, ultimately, those people were in that room because we weren’t just combining two lives. We were creating a new family, a new culture of people who decided to join together in the name of love to help each other out for the rest of their lives. As I walked down the aisle on my actual wedding day—after 12-and-a-half hours of sleep the night be-fore and an absurd amount of Gatorade and toast—it wasn’t just my groom I was staring at, but all of the people who made our wed-ding possible. Dozens of my family members and close friends had decorated, cooked, served, held my hair while I was sick – OK, that was just

one, precious, selfless friend who happens to be my new sister-in-law – and come together to make our special day one we will never forget. That’s how life is. When there’s something to cel-ebrate, like the love of two people, or when you’re too

sick to get off of your couch, the new family you’ve cre-ated is there to laugh, cry, pick you up and remind you that there is no one you can depend on more than the people around you when you say “I do.”

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Down the Aisle: New News & Neighbor intern weds

Sarah and Jonathan Colson

During Monday night’s meeting of the Washing-ton County Commission, Director of Schools Ron Dykes gave commission-ers all the facts they might need to explain why they could support building a new K-8 school building to replace the old Boones Creek Elementary and Middle Schools. “I have had several commissioners ask me to explain to the current

commission some of the issues associated with Boones Creek Middle School,” Dykes said. “There are several.” “No. 1 has to do with its inability to handle any growth,” Dykes said. “That school currently it (Boones Creek Middle) and Boones Creek Elementary are over 95 percent capacity. They have been as much as 105 percent. In addition, the middle school building is over 70 years in age. “The office space at the middle school is com-pletely inadequate,” Dykes continued. “Accessibility is poor. We have parking issues and traffic issues.” As commissioners glanced around the room at each other, during the long list of issues, it be-came apparent Dykes was just getting warmed up. “There is lightning damage to the building. It really needs to be repaired. The gymnasium is completely inadequate, extremely small sized. So we have not only compatibility issues there, but some code is-sues as well. The fire alarm system needs replacement. The HVAC system’s con-trols need updating. The exterior lighting needs to be improved. Some of the issues Dykes mentioned are decidedly first-world problems. “We have an inadequate library for today’s population, espe-cially when you consider the issue regarding state-mandated online testing.” Other issues seemed

more like third world problems. “Portions of the building do not have access to student toilets,” Dykes said. “Students there have to go to other parts of the building.” There are multiple ad-ditional code issues with the facility as well, Dykes said. “The bleachers do not meet cur-rent code. The same is true of the main exit doors in the building. The ceiling height and cafeteria ramp do not meet current code. The mechanical system does not adequately sup-ply outside air.” “There is inadequate outdoor athletic space and we are currently using three portable classrooms as well,” Dykes concluded. “The estimate on refur-bishing all that is some-where in the $10 -$12 mil-lion range for that school alone.” In addition, refur-bishing the elementary school would cost in the neighborhood of $3 mil-lion. “Locker space at the elementary school is either inadequate or nonexis-tent,” Dykes said. “The same holds for storage. We have a lot of deteriorating tile in certain areas. The hardware needs replacing there. Cabinets, counter-tops need to be replaced.

We have an open class-room configuration there that needs to be modified to allow for self-contained classrooms and to im-prove the acoustics. The building is in dire need of reroofing right now. That one project is $750,000. Replacing exterior doors and redesigning the media center are also issues asso-ciated with the elementary school.” While making all the upgrades, modifications and repairs listed would cost the county around $15 million, and leave the county with two old buildings, a single new K-8 facility would run between $27 and $30 million. A majority of the Washington County School Board members including Annette Bu-chanan, Keith Ervin, Todd Ganger, Clarence Mabe and Mike Masters attend-ed the meeting.

Dykes lays out Boones Creek needs for county commission

Ron Dykes File photo

The Washington County Department of Education will register children who will enter kindergarten in a Washington County school this fall. These schools include Boones Creek Elementary, Fall Branch, Grandview, Gray, Jonesborough Elementary,

Lamar, Ridgeview, South Central, Sulphur Springs, and West View. Parents may register their child or children at the elementary school nearest them Feb. 12 or March 12 between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. At that time, parents will make an appointment to

return to that school with the child in the spring for an educational screening. The child or children must be five years old on or before Aug. 15, 2015. Parents or guardians should bring any or all of the following information: the child’s official birth certificate, Social Security card, Tennessee Immuni-zation Certificate/physical form, and proof of resi-dence address. For more information regarding kindergarten registration, parents or guardians may call the school or (423) 434-4923 or email [email protected].

Washington County Schools set kindergarten registration


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BY JEFF KEELING

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam can expect a recep-tive audience Thursday as he pitches his Insure Tennessee Medicaid expansion plan at the Johnson City Community Health Center (JCCHC). Silas Tolan, the center’s executive director since mid-2014, said last week Insure Tennessee’s implementation would be a boon to JCCHC. Nearly half of JCCHC pa-tients have no insurance, and a number of them would be among those (with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level) to gain coverage if Insure Tennessee becomes reality. “A shift like that would definitely help us,” Tolan said. “People who will qualify, when they see us now, are charged on a sliding scale, but even when they do pay those bills, it’s significantly less than the amount Medic-aid would reimburse us.” While many physician practices and other for-profit primary care providers have the option of not treating uninsured patients, JCCHC does not. It is a “federally qualified health center” that receives significant federal funding from the Health Re-sources and Services Admin-istration. That fact, and its mission, compel it to accept and treat all patients regard-less of insurance status. This leaves Tolan’s view of Insure Tennessee closer to that of hospital administra-tors, who also must treat all patients regardless of insur-ance, at least at the emer-gency room level. Once known as the Down-town Clinic, the center, oper-ated by East Tennessee State University and with nurse practitioners as its primary clinicians, has expanded its

scope since moving into a new, much larger building across from Johnson City Medical Center in 2013. The center’s core mission continues to be providing care to underserved popula-tions, including many people without insurance. But to serve those patients effec-tively, Tolan said, JCCHC is striving to become more en-trepreneurial, and to attract more insured patients. “The downtown clinic started out in 1990 with a mission to provide services to homeless people in Johnson City, and also provide some clinical outlets for faculty,” Tolan said. “Now we have this large facility, and we still have a mission of serving the underinsured and uninsured and those most in need, but the game plan is much big-ger. Without having income, without having a margin, we can’t fulfill that mission.” So, just as Haslam’s plan includes elements of choice and consumer responsibility different from the general Medicaid expansion Tennes-see rejected two years ago, JCCHC’s new approach aims to sell the clinic’s positives to a broader audience. Trish Mims, a nurse practitioner and Navy veteran with an MBA, runs the Johnson City facilities (there are two smaller ones as well) bring-ing a business mindset to the clinical services. Carter Wade, who like Mims and Tolan arrived last year, works strictly on the business devel-opment side. The clinic boasts a broad array of services under one roof – including pediatrics, women’s services, audiology, physical therapy and speech/language pathology – and is branding itself as a provider of choice for patients of all income levels. The more it

can increase the now-tiny sliver of higher-income pa-tients with standard third-party insur-ance, Tolan said, the better it can afford to serve its tradi-tional patient base. “One market we’re looking at with a few initiatives is Medicare,” Tolan said. “That is a good, sustainable popula-tion to target as far as helping finance your health center, and we have room to grow our patient volume.” Grants are not getting any easier to come by, Tolan said. And the $1.5 million annual HRSA grant that undergirds much of JCCHC’s operating budget could be subject to a 70 percent cut if not renewed next year. Tolan said there is bipartisan support for it, but added that it shows the wis-dom of broadening revenue streams. While Tolan’s reasons for supporting Insure Tennessee are fairly straightforward, a major ally came fully on board last week when the Tennessee Medical Associa-tion (TMA) announced its board had unanimously voted to support the propos-al. TMA’s president, Dr. Doug Springer, is a Kingsport gas-

troenterologist who discussed the issue Friday at his office. When Haslam an-nounced the initiative six weeks ago, TMA offered qualified support, saying its 8,000 members needed to thoroughly vet the proposal and citing several specific concerns. Springer, who met directly with Haslam, said in large part those have been addressed. “We know, and the TMA is absolutely in support of this, that people with health insurance have a higher quality of life,” Springer said. He said Insure Tennessee would inject $1.5 billion into medical care provision, and if it works, physicians will get paid to treat people at the appropriate level of care. “You’re not having people

go to the ER, the most ex-pensive place in the world to visit, when they’ve got some-thing wrong,” Springer said. “They get treated before that to prevent something from going wrong.” Some of the huge costs currently borne by hospitals as they treat people with advanced problems will abate, lowering overall health care expenditures – again, if Insure Tennessee works as envisioned, Springer said. “This should allow for getting things taken care of like unknown hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic illnesses – catching up on all the screening that should

be done on people that don’t have any money, don’t have insurance and therefore won’t go get screening.” Haslam’s stop at 2151 Century Lane is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

JCCHC pediatric nurse practitioner Kyli Riehl checks 3-year-old Brian Salinas’s heartbeat as his sister, Alondra, looks on. Photos by Jeff Keeling

Seven high school seniors, including David Crockett’s Chase Partin, have been chosen as the newest members of East Tennessee State University’s Roan Schol-ars Leadership Program. In addition to Partin, the students who will join 18 returning Roan Scholars on campus next fall are Annie Malcolm of Sullivan East High School; Morgan Mun-sey of Sullivan East High School; Mandy Nutter from Dobyns-Bennett High School; Joe Oliver from Unaka High School; Kate Phillips from Pisgah High School; and Taylor Wilson of Tennessee High School. The Roan program, which is funded primarily by private donations, was established in 1997 by Louis H. Gump to attract the region’s most promising young leaders and develop each student’s unique leadership potential. Students are nominated by their high school and chosen by the Roan Steering Committee on the basis of their overall leadership potential and their demonstrated excel-lence in four areas: character, intellectual curiosity, physical vigor and leadership. The Roan provides both a full schol-arship to ETSU and four years of cus-tomized experiences and opportunities, including international travel and study abroad, internships, workshops and seminars, alumni and community leader interaction and other unique programs, all of which are focused on equipping students for leadership excellence and to

make a positive impact. “Selecting this year’s class was espe-cially difficult for our steering commit-tee, as the number and quality of Roan nominees continues to increase,” says program director Scott Jeffress. “The Roan Class of 2019 brings to campus a tremendous amount of talent, energy, and leadership potential. We’re excited about that and about our vision to grow the program, expand into new geographic areas, and increase the number of Roan Scholars selected each year. We’re eager to see all that these students will accom-plish, and the positive impact they will have on ETSU, the region and the world.” Partin lives in Jonesborough, and ranks in the top five in his class academi-cally with a GPA above 4.0. Involved throughout high school with Future Farmers of America (FFA), he has served as president of the local chapter and earned numerous awards at both region-al and national levels. President of the Spanish Club and Chess Club at David Crockett, Partin is also vice president of the school’s Choral Department, and has been selected as an All-State Choir member. He has also represented Washington County at the annual State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) conference. The son of Michael Myers and Aman-da Jo Partin, Partin plans on a career in secondary or higher education.

David Crockett senior Chase Partinamong seven new Roan Scholars

David Crockett principal Andy Hare, right, congratulates Chase Partin while Partin’s music classmates look on.

Health center director talks Insure Tennessee ahead of governor’s visit

Tennessee Medical Association President Dr. Doug Springer at his Kingsport office.

Johnson City Community Health Center Executive Director Silas Tolan.


BY JEFF KEELING

Kirby Bradford – son, brother, schoolmate and sol-dier – has long lived in the memories of his family and friends. Now, the face of the young Marine from Sulphur Springs, who was killed in Vietnam 48 years ago, is part of a permanent multi-media exhibit sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. “I think it’s very impor-tant,” Bradford’s sister, Kar-en Snyder, said of the proj-ect, which can be accessed at vvmf.org/wall-of-faces. “Not because my brother was a hero or anything like that, but look at what they faced. Every day they went on patrol or went into battle knowing, ‘this may be my last chance to gulp air.’” Last summer, Snyder learned that State Sen. Rusty Crowe’s office was seeking photos to match the 580 names (nearly half of Ten-nesseans killed in action in Vietnam) for whom the Memorial Fund had no pic-tures. Her brother was one of them. Snyder sent a photo to Crowe’s office, along with a lengthy, eloquent letter about Kirby, his family, their community and the impact his death had on everyone.

Snyder’s letter describes not just one boy’s life and its tragic early end. It paints a picture of a family in rural Fall Branch, of the com-munity and of the terrible blow that struck in late January, 1967 when two Marine sergeants arrived at the Bradford home to inform the family that he had been killed Jan. 26. “Words did not have to be spoken, as the sergeants’ countenances told all,” wrote

Snyder, who was a high school senior when her only brother was killed less than two months’ shy of his 20th birthday. The small community ral-lied around the family. Sny-der was two years younger than Kirby, and Hiram and Annie Bradford had three younger daughters – Dinah, Nava Jo and Carlene, who was about nine when Kirby was killed. Remembering it all last week, Snyder said classmates of hers have con-tinued to talk about it even to this day. One of her classmates tried to enlist after hearing of Kirby’s death. Others were old enough to receive draft notices during the spring. “So what do you think know-ing what had happened to this older kid they knew did to their minds?” she said. While Snyder and her brother were close, she ad-mitted that as a high school senior, she was wrapped up in her own interests and didn’t grasp the magnitude of Kirby’s pending Marine service. “I know my parents were worried sick. I would write occasionally, but I don’t think I nearly realized the danger. I was just naïve.” The loss of their only son hit his parents in different ways. Annie Bradford erupt-ed in grief, not eating for a week. Hiram, a World War II veteran who had served in Europe, commissioned

the building of a cabinet that displayed mementoes of his son’s life. Snyder said her father never recovered. He died of a massive heart at-tack three years after Kirby’s death, aged 52. “He just went through a kind of withdrawal. His outlook on life diminished.” Of her mother, who lived until 1993, Snyder said, “I think her initial reactions helped her. I don’t think you ever really adjust. You go in and out of stages of grief, and I think she learned how to do that.” Snyder said her sisters Nava Jo and Carlene have said they don’t remember a lot about the time. For her part, she said she, “tried to probably sublimate as much as I could.” And yet, she said, the years go by and various life experiences come, such as having children of one’s own, and it hits home again – they would have had an uncle. “It’s hard to say what the words are,” Snyder said. “You proceed. You go on and do the best you can. And that happens to a lot of families.” Sen. Crowe, who specifi-cally mentioned the power of Snyder’s letter, was recently recognized for collecting the most photos – 23 – of any state senator in an effort organized by Sen. Mark Green. Crowe said he was very pleased that Green, who served as a physician in Vietnam, undertook the ef-

fort. People from Congress-man Phil Roe’s office also helped with the effort, as did local military historian Alan Jackson. “It was especially moving to read Kirby’s letter because we were born in the same year, almost at the same time (Crowe is less than two weeks younger), were over there in Southeast Asia at the same time,” Crowe said. “I was lucky not to have to be in

the position he was. My job was taking code and break-ing codes to try to figure out when they were going to try to ambush people like Kirby. It really hit home.” More photos of Kirby Bradford, and the entirety of Snyder’s letter with its fuller details of the family’s story, can be seen in the online version of this article at jcnewsandneighbor.com/kirbybradford.

A young Kirby Bradford on the hood of one of his father Hiram’s jeeps.

When I worked as a registered dietitian at the city hospital in Memphis Tennessee sometimes we would prepare quiche for the patients at lunch. For some reason the cooks

called quiche “Quincy.” Pretty soon everyone in the kitchen referred to quiche as “Quincy” and the name just stuck. Even though I know better I still catch myself calling it that name!

In the South quiche is often served at brunch or ladies’ luncheons. This is my mother’s favorite recipe for quiche. She’s not par-ticular about what time of day she eats it. Anytime is fine with her!

Chicken Broccoli Quiche

• 1 unbaked pastry shell • 2 cups broccoli florets• 1 cup diced cooked chick-

en (see recipe for roasted chicken)

• 6 ounces shredded Swiss cheese

• 4 beaten eggs• 1 and 1/2 cups half and

half• 1 teaspoon lemon juice• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt• 1/2 teaspoon freshly

ground pepper• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

In the pastry shell layer the broccoli, chicken and Swiss cheese in 2 layers. In a large bowl whisk together the beaten eggs, half and half, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dry mus-tard. (Make sure there are no lumps of dry mustard hiding in the egg mixture or you will get a spicy bite!) Pour egg mixture over the broccoli, chicken, and cheese. If you have any egg mixture left over discard it. Place quiche on a baking sheet and bake at 375 F for 40-45 minutes or until filling is set in the center. To check for doneness insert a knife in the center of the quiche. It should come out clean. Remove quiche from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. Enjoy, friends!

Mary Duke Cooks! Sassy Southern CuisineMary Duke McCarttFood Editor

Online at marydukecooks.com

‘Wall of Faces’ project includes story that changed a family forever

Karen Snyder, Bradford’s sister, with mementoes from his life. Photo by Jeff Keeling

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Bradford the Marine – a photo submit-ted to the Wall of Faces project.

The Bradfords in the 1950s. Hiram and Annie with Kirby, Karen (in dress), Dinah (front) and Nava Jo (held by Annie).


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BY KELLY HODGE

Keisha Gregory has already gotten to savor a few championship bas-ketball seasons, as both a high school player and the daughter of a college coach, but this one may be a little more special. The senior guard has been the driving force behind Science Hill’s title defense in the Big Seven Conference. The Lady Hilltoppers will likely wrap that up Friday night against David Crockett, and Gregory, who is averaging over 19 points a game, is a strong player-of-the-year candidate. “This season has defi-nitely been a little tougher, just because we’ve had such great teams in the past and gotten so far,” she said. “I’ve had to do a little more, shooting and driving to the basket, and be more of a leader. That’s not always easy, but it’s been a fun year.” The Lady ‘Toppers have made just one false step during the regular season, losing at Volunteer in a shocker on Jan. 9. That snapped a 56-game win streak in the conference.It currently stands as their only conference loss. “That hurt us because we wanted to be undefeated again,” said Gregory, “but I think it also refocused the team. We realize we have to be at our best every night or we can get beat.” Science Hill was 16-7 heading into the penulti-mate week of the regular season and has already clinched the top seed for the District 1-AAA tournament.

Coach Keith Turner’s team has some tough acts to follow. Over the last three years the Lady ‘Toppers twice lost in the state final and last season, in Turner’s debut, won 33 games before suffering their only defeat, to Morristown West in the re-gion semifinals.Those teams featured Divi-sion I players like Shy Copney, Tianna Tarter and Gabby Lyon. Gregory, who was more of a defensive specialist, has already joined the list, having signed in November with Austin Peay. “I’m happy I made my decision early,” she said. “The coaches there are re-ally nice, and the players are amazing. I’m excited to be going to Austin Peay.” Gregory, who stands 5-foot-10, is the daughter of former ETSU women’s coach Karen Kemp, who spent 19 seasons at the school and led the Lady Bucs to three straight At-lantic Sun Conference titles from 2008-10. Growing up, she was always running around the Dome with a basketball in her hands, working on her shooting or playing pickup games. “My mom has definitely helped me a lot with my game and just understand-ing what it’s all about,” said

Gregory. “I guess it kind of comes naturally to me.” Turner sees better than most how the basketball education has paid off.“Her mom has been a great influence. Keisha knows the game so well,” he said. “She’s also a very good vol-leyball player, but I think once she gets to focus all her time on basketball you’ll see a lot more development there. She has great range and can be an outstanding off guard in college. And if they need her to play some point guard, she’s capable of doing that, too.” Turner knew his inex-perienced team’s fortunes this season would depend heavily on Gregory, and she hasn’t disappointed. “In the past she had always been rock solid and did whatever the team

needed,” he said, “because we had Tianna and Gabby and Shy. This year we had so many new ones, and Keisha has stepped up in a lot of ways. “I like the way she’s at-tacking the basket. She’s just a stronger player and a better player.” Combined with the ris-ing talents of teammates like Hannah Rodgers and Kaitlyn Phillips, the Lady ‘Toppers appear to be in good shape for the postsea-son, even if they aren’t the dominant team that fans have grown accustomed to. “The thing about the district, region and even the substate, I think it’s wide open,” said Turner. “Who-ever gets hot and is play-ing well at the right time has just as good a shot as anybody. Our goals haven’t changed because players have come and gone. We’re

still trying to win champi-onships.”

Senior leadership: Gregory helps Lady ‘Toppers stay on top

OBITUARIES• Fred D. Chase, Jonesbor-

ough, 1/15/15• Joe J. Davidson, 74,

Johnson City, 1/16/15• Thomas M. Cole Sr., 91,

Jonesborough, 1/15/15• Lee Goodman, 90, John-

son City, 1/15/15• Andrea Jean Konrad, 75,

Jonesborough, 1/22/15• George H. Johnson, 86,

Johnson City, 1/16/15• Alice Sharp, 89, Johnson

City, 1/16/15• Carroll Edwin Tran-

barger, 80, Johnson City, 1/16/15

• Nancy L. Windbigler, 69, Johnson City, 1/1/15

• Barbara Bruce “Babs” Moore, 82, Jonesbor-ough, 1/17/15

• Connie Faith Bowman, 59, Johnson City, 1/19/15

• Gary Mills, 58, Johnson City, 1/18/15

• Jerry W. Payne Sr., 73, Johnson City, 1/16/15

• Ben D. Slemp, 71, Jones-borough, 1/18/15

• Gary Dale Fowler, Jones-borough, 1/20/15

• Timothy Scott Holt, 44, Johnson City, 1/20/15

• Frederick W. Schempf, 83, Johnson City, 1/20/15

• Aretha O. Scott, Johnson City, 1/16/15

• James Anderson Sisk III, 70, Johnson City, 1/18/15

• William Paul “Bill” Hall, Jr., 62, Johnson City, 1/19/15

• Donald Nelson Harrell, 72, Johnson City, 1/22/15

• George M. Nevin, 76, Johnson City, 1/19/15

• Barbara H. Dumic, 94, Johnson City, 1/21/15

• Jason Eric Edwards, 51, Johnson City, 1/19/15 • Donald Nelson Har-

rell, 72, Johnson City, 1/22/15

• Brian Eastman Day, 71, Jonesborough, 1/23/15

• Margaret Saults Domin-guez, 89, Johnson City, 1/22/15

• Virginia Snyder Effler, 88, Johnson City, 1/24/15

• Ross Hensley, 89, John-son City, 1/23/15

• Emma Ruth Lyons, 83, Johnson City, 1/24/15

• Betty “Jane” Foster Aiken, Johnson City, 1/24/15

• Dorothy W. Bowers, 87, Johnson City, 1/25/15

• Ida M. Fanduzz, 89, Johnson City, 1/24/15

• Nathan Luke Story, Jonesborough, 1/24/15

Walters State signs Jackson - Science Hill High School senior Garren Jackson signed a letter of intent Wednesday to accept a baseball scholar-ship to attend Walters State Community College. As a relief pitcher for the Hilltoppers in 2014, Jackson had a 3-1 record with four saves and a 2.70 ERA, striking out 20 in 23 innings. Shown above are (Front row, L-R): Mike Jackson, Garren Jackson and Kandi Jackson, (Back row, L-R), Coach Ryan Edwards, Louise Jackson and Jakey Beats.

Rabbitts season? Baseball season! - Science Hill High School senior Grant Rabbitts signed a letter of intent Wednesday to accept a baseball scholarship to attend Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, Tenn. Rabbitts, a Big 7 All-Conference Team member in 2014 sported a 6-2 won-loss record for the Hilltoppers. Pictured above are: Front Row (L-R): Kylee Rabbitts, Mike Rabbitts, Grant Rabbitts and Wendy Rabbitts. Back Row (L-R) Karen Hitt and Coach Ryan Edwards.

Keisha Gregory has taken more of a load on her shoulders this year, includ-ing having to drive to the basket more often. Photo by Bart Nave Photography. See photo galleries at: bart.ifp3.com


Photos by Bart Nave Photography. See photo galleries at: bart.ifp3.com

Elizabethton 70, Daniel Boone 53

115 Woodlawn Drive (off West Market Street) | 975-0095 | LakebridgeHealthCareCenter.com

Lakebridge Health Care Center wants to congratulate our

Caregiver of the Year recipient Casey Street. Casey has worked at Lakebridge over 7 years. She gets to know the residents and makes them feel special. She is upbeat and personable with residents, families, and her co-workers. She never complains and is always willing to go the extra mile. Casey says, “My motivation comes from my residents. They make me feel needed and loved. I love the work I do because there is never a dull moment.”

505 North Roan Street • 423.975.2000 • www.agapenrc.com(next to the Johnson City Public Library)

Thanks to Agape“I would like to thank the staff of Agape

for admitting my mother during a very stressful time for us. I had been staying with her in her home for nearly 4 months, then I needed to return to my own home in Texas. During the week of Christmas, my mother, Betty Coffey, was suddenly getting more ill and needed around the clock care. It only took only one call to Christy Lowe, Director of Nursing. Within the hour, my mother was on her way to Agape’s nursing facility to be admitted. The staff was waiting for her at the door when we arrived with her room waiting. They were very understanding of our situation and made all of the admission paperwork as quick and painless as possible. My mother has always been a picky eater, but she really enjoys the food. She is getting more involved thanks to their activities and social services. Her room is very clean, and the building is well taken care of. When we arrived at Agape, she had a look of relief on her face that told me she felt safe. It was really hard for me to leave my mother, but I truly thank you for the kindness and care you have shown her.” - Teresa Graham

Christy Lowe, Betty Coffey, and Carla Duncan

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The Five Guys Burgers and Fries/News & Neighbor, Science Hill High School Athlete of the Week is Peyton Wingate. Peyton, a junior, is a guard on the boys basketball team. Peyton aver-aged 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists as the Toppers went 3-1 in their last 4 games. Congratulations to Peyton, our Five Guys Burgers and Fries / TriCitiesSports.com Athlete of the Week. This week’s plaque is presented by program sponsor Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Johnson City store manager Torrey Smith.

Athlete of the Week

SPORTS

Byron Martin with the fast break lay up.Alex Percell shoots through the block attempt.

Ryan Keever attempts a 3-point shot.Dylan Cloyd drives the lane.

BY KELLY HODGE

The chances of East Ten-nessee State mounting a serious basketball challenge in its return to the Southern Conference are beginning to dwindle, at least on the men’s side. The Bucs fell at Wofford 72-64 on Saturday night to drop three games behind the league leaders in the loss column with eight to play. The Terriers, the defending champs, share the top spot with Chatta-nooga at 7-1, and both have already beaten the fourth-place Bucs (6-4). Coach Murry Bartow’s team will play at Furman on Thursday night and then host North Carolina Central in a non-conference match-

up Saturday. The Bucs couldn’t muster much of a presence in the paint at Wofford, get-ting outrebounded 38-25, and their best perimeter shooters disappeared, too. Rashawn Rembert and Lester Wilson combined for just five points on 1-for-9 shooting. As a team, the Bucs were 3 of 16 from behind the arc.And still, the outcome was in doubt in the closing min-utes as ETSU rallied from a 21-point deficit. Forcing turnovers with their pres-sure, the Bucs got as close as four after a Jalen Riley 3-pointer with 1:37 left. Riley, the league’s leading scorer, tossed in 22 of his 25 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough.

The frantic finish was punctuated by a heated exchange between Bartow and Wofford coach Mark Young. One of the Ter-riers reportedly tried to come between Bartow and Rembert as the coach called his player over to the bench area for instructions and was physically moved out of the way. That drew an angry response from Young, and both coaches received technical fouls. The rematch in John-son City comes Feb. 5 and promises to be intense.Meanwhile, the ETSU wom-en kept pace with the league leaders with their 69-47 home win over Wofford. The SoCon is still a divi-sion of haves and have-nots at this point. The top four

teams are a combined 18-3, and the bottom four are 3-18. Chattanooga leads the way at 6-0, with ETSU right behind at 5-0, Samford at 4-1 and Mercer at 3-2.The Lady Bucs were 13-7 overall after winning five in a row, but the schedule has gotten more challeng-ing. They narrowly defeated Mercer on Monday night and will host Samford at Brooks Gym on Saturday. Sophomore guard Sham-auria Bridges continued to lead the team in scoring, at 13.5. Tianna Tarter, the freshman from Science Hill, was at 12.9 and also aver-aging 4.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds.

Lady Bucs keeping pace in SoCon race, Bucs falling back


• Items and Prices are specifically intended to apply locally where issue originates. No sales to dealers or competitors.

Quantity rights reserved. 2015 K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. Food City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SALE DATESWed., Jan. 28, -

Tues., Feb. 3, 2015

• BOONE’S CREEK • CHURCH HILL • GRAY • GREENEVILLE •• JOHNSON CITY • JONESBOROUGH • ROGERSVILLE •

Whole in Bag

Boston Butt Pork RoastPer Lb. 199

With Card

100

Red, Ripe

Fresh Strawberries

16 Oz.

2/400With Card

Food City Fresh

Chicken Breast TendersFamily Pack, Per Lb. 249

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Chicken & Dumplings or

Dinty Moore Beef Stew

20 Oz.

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Selected Varieties

Chobani Yogurt

5.3 Oz.

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Selected Varieties, Food Club

Diced Tomatoeswith Green Chilies

10 Oz.

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Food Club Tomato Ketchup

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With Card499

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SUPER SUNDAYSAVINGS!

Selected Varieties

Tide Laundry Detergent

32 Loads, 46-50 Oz.

Valucard Price.............BrandSaver Coupon inSunday Newspaper.........

YOURFINALPRICEEACH 549

with card

5.99

-$0.50* Availablein selectlocations.

Quantities less than 5 are 3.49 each.

Must purchase 5 or more in the same transaction to receive discount.

Selected Varieties

Pepsi Products6 Pk., 16-16.9 Oz. Btls.

BUY 5SAVE MORE.

Each

5/1000 Selected Varieties

Bud orYuengling

24 Pk., 12 Oz. Cans or Btls.Quantities less than 2 are regular price.

Must purchase 2 in the same transactionto receive discount.

BUY 2SAVE MORE

Limit 1 transaction per customer,per day.

1999 1299

Fresh Made

Medium CookedShrimp Tray

Serves 5-9, Each

With Card

2/1000

Chicken Salad Croissants or Pinwheels

SmallOctagon Tray

Each

With Card

599

Selected Varieties

ChickenWings

Per Lb.

With Card

549

Food City Fresh

PartyMixPer Lb.

With Card

799

Deli Fresh

CheeseBallPer Lb.

With Card

2299

Selected Varieties

HotParty Pans

Starting at

With Card

1999

Fresh Made

Shrimp andCrab Tray

Serves 8-12, Each

With Card

GAME PLAN HEADQUARTERS!

Each

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