wednesday, april 14, 2010

By DEREK HODGESStaff Writer

SEVIERVILLE — Maybe it was the year an engineering firm spent on it, or the two years an appoint-ed task force spent on it, or the nearly a year its own Rules and Regulations Committee spent on it. Whatever it was that reassured the county Planning Commission the proposed rules on Hillside devel-opment before it Tuesday were OK,

it did it fully.The three folks from the county’s

Hillsides Taskforce who turned out for the session expected a fight to get the suggestions they’ve worked two years on past the Planning Commission on Tuesday. Instead, they got a unanimous vote in their favor after no discussion.

The tally means only that the next steps in the journey are taken with the unanimous backing of the planners. That means the propos-

als come before each of the four city planning commissions and, likely in June, the County Commission with a recommendation in their favor from the Planning Commission, its Rule and Regulations Committee and the task force itself.

The hillsides group boiled down a booklet of suggestions made by engineering firm Saratoga Associates after that group was brought in by the cities and the county to consider development

on local sloped property. What it has done amounts to imposing stricter regulations on construc-tion that occurs on land pitched at 30 percent or greater by creating what it has called a Critical Slope Overlay Zone. Additionally, the group recommended approval of changes to the existing Subdivision Regulations to bring them in line with the proposed rules.

The Mountain Press■ Sevier County’s Daily Newspaper ■ Vol. 26, No. 104 ■ April 14, 2010 ■ www.themountainpress.com ■ 50 Cents

Wednesday

INSIDE

Local

PaGE a2

1st District Seat B up for grabsCommission candidates respond to questions

Local & State . . . . A1-12Calendar . . . . . . . . . . A3Money . . . . . . . . . . . . A5Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . A7Sports . . . . . . . . . . A8-11Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . A12Advice . . . . . . . . . . . A13Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . A13Classifieds . . . . . . A14-17

Index

The Mountain Press is committed to accuracy. Please report factual errors by calling 428-0748 Ext. 214.

Corrections

Weather

TodayMostlySunny

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DETaILS, PaGE a6

5Play ball!First-place Smokies open home slate tonight

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Sharon Gibbs, 65Larry Hill, 65Edith Morris, 96Elmer Ogle, 79Ruth Young, 88Jimmie Mellinger, 69Larry Watson, 60

Obituaries

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5Celebritiesin the newsLeno music director Kevin Eubanks leaving “The Tonight Show”

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By JEFF FaRRELLStaff writer

SEVIERVILLE — Although no site has been pur-chased yet, the Sevier County Board of Education reviewed “generic” plans for Northview Junior and High School Academy.

Director of Schools Jack Parton said officials are getting close to buying property for the new school after reviewing more than a dozen possible loca-tions.

In the meantime, they have completed plans for a junior high and high school that would be on the same campus, linked by a common kitchen that would serve cafeterias for both.

The schools would be considered “academies” because they teach additional subjects besides the Submitted

An architect’s concept of what the fifth high school in Sevier County might look like. It will be in the Northview area.

‘Generic’ plans forNorthview schoolsreviewed by board


SEVIERVILLE — Local officials are debating how to handle a state law that allows local governments to impose a $45 penalty on criminals, with the money from the fee used to fund programs that assist victims.

The County Commission last year approved assessing the levy on people convicted in Circuit Court, at the request of Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center Director Donna Koester.

Since then, leaders from

SafeSpace, which provides servic-es to both women and children, have asked for a share of the cash, helping to spur state lawmakers to change the law to allow the money to be split between two agencies. Koester is asking to put the fee in place for General Sessions Court, as well.

That effort, though, has ignited a debate that involves the victims assistance programs, local judges and county commissioners, all of whom discussed it during a session this week.

Both of Sevier County’s General

Sessions judges spoke against the move, arguing it could actually con-tribute to the crime rate and affect funding of the local judicial system.

They maintain General Sessions Court handles more of the “com-mon criminals,” those accused of things such as petty theft. Their experience tells them many of those people can’t afford to pay the exist-ing levies related to their crimes.

“We already struggle to collect court costs as it is,” Judge Dwight Stokes argued. “Adding an addi-tional financial burden for these individuals, I think, is a bad idea. It

could lead to a greater risk of recidi-vism, that is make them more likely to commit additional crimes to try to get the money.

“They’ll probably be less likely to reimburse their victims in cases where they’re ordered to do that for their damages and it would reduce the chance we’ll get paid for the court costs.”

While both judges insist they sup-port the two agencies, they believe the fee is better suited for Circuit Court. Additionally, adding the

Officials debate how to use criminal fee

Curt Habraken/The Mountain Press

Kurt Vogler hoses down a 1950 Chevy 2-door coupe, which belongs to local Gerald Houser, who brought five cars to show along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. This weekend is the Grand Spring Rod Run and with a high pollen count car owners are having to either cover cars or keep cleaning them.

Rod run pollen patrol


SEVIERVILLE — In their battle to defeat a pro-posal that would put a tax on hotel continental breakfasts in Tennessee, local lodging owners are working to enlist some help from the three men who represent Sevier County in Nashville.

According to Sevierville Lodging Association President Henry Piarrot, his group has sent a letter to those lawmakers asking them to fight against the tax, which the association says amounts to double taxation.

“On behalf of the members of the Sevierville Lodging Association, we are writing you to voice our concern about an unfair and unjust taxation on the so-called ‘complimentary’ [sic] breakfasts served by hotels to their paying guests,” reads the correspon-dence, which is signed by all nine members of the SLA board. “This threatens to undermine our state’s tourism efforts.”

Facing a projected $1 billion budget shortfall, officials with the Tennessee Department of Revenue have proposed the new tax to raise an estimated $2 million annually. They argue the move is fair because the hotels aren’t paying taxes on the meals. They don’t have to pay a levy when they buy the food because they’re doing that for resale, but they’re not charging customers separately for the meals. The state argues that means the hoteliers aren’t paying

Hoteliers asklegislators bitebreakfast taxLocal association sends letterto Sevier delegation in Nashville

See TAx, Page A5

See fee, Page A4

See PlANS, Page A5

See TASkforCe, Page A4

Taskforce approves hillside development regs

The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, April 14, 2010A2 ◆ Local

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series on can-didates for the Sevier County Commission. The same set of questions was sent to all can-didates in contested races in the May 4 primary. Answers are published in their entirety. District 1 includes the Jones Cove and New Center areas.

1st District, Seat B

1. What do you think the biggest issues fac-ing the county will be in the next four years?

JIM BISHOP: The stock politician answer: the economy, jobs and educa-tion. These are merely symptoms. The biggest problem: politicians refuse to listen to the voters. Washington has raised the deficit, bailed out banks, and forced unwanted leg-islation for Special Interest Groups. They only need us for votes. County com-missioners are no better. They only ask the insid-ers’ opinions about issues. When was the last time your commissioner asked for your opinion? I will spend two Saturdays a month in Jones Cove and Caton’s Chapel listening to your ideas and concerns. With me as your county commissioner you will be heard.

GREG BULLOCK: I think the biggest issue we will face as a county will be, let’s see where do I start. As always traf-fic will be an issue, but a good problem; without our guests every weekend our economy will not flourish. Another big problem will be zoning and proper land use, and as always budget-ing and education.

MAX WATSON: I believe property tax increases could be a big issue because of the shrinking economy. Sevier County’s tax base is large, but we depend on our sale tax revenue for a very large part of our budget. If the economy doesn’t get better and tourists don’t travel to Sevier County then we could have a shortfall in our budget.

TOMMY WATTS: To try to bring more full-time jobs with benefits to our county and advertise our county as the place to set up new industries, to keep taxes as low as possible and still keep services availed to our citizens that they deserve.

2. Do you support purchasing more industrial property, even in a slow econo-my?

JIM BISHOP: If we are going to need more indus-trial property in the next 25 years we should consider buying it while land prices are at a historic low. The county needs to develop a 25-year plan instead of continuing to react to every issue on a month to month basis. We, however, do not need to pay inflated prices to bail-out some local land-owner by giving them pre-slump prices when land was at a record high. If we want a more year-round economy then we may in fact need more industrial tracts. First district has an opportunity to really make a difference.

GREG BULLOCK: Actually in a slow economy would be the best time to buy more industrial prop-erty because of the price being lower now. We need to always have a vision for the future, we need to be good stewards with the money we have. Buy while property is low, for if we have to land parcels to entice the larger industries to come to us we will forfeit

the jobs to other counties.MAX WATSON: Yes,

even though our economy is slow we must not rely on tourism totally. This county has a good bond rating. I would think buying land for an industrial park could be a good investment if it were located in such a place to be convenient and logical, for industry wanting to locate in Sevier County. Being ready for industry to move here would look good to poten-tial companies looking for a new place to locate.

TOMMY WATTS: If the county has a contract with a company to use the prop-erty for a set period of time and there is no other areas that the county owns that can be used or modified to fit the need at hand.

3. What do you think Sevier County should do to give itself a more year-round economy?

JIM BISHOP: It is obvious that we need good paying jobs like the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. Those jobs do not just come along without lots of help from state and local govern-ment and our current Commission nearly kept

Lisega out. I was visit-ing at the house of a very gracious and intelligent lady in Jones Cove who told me about a job she had at Electrolux that she enjoyed very much. She hated to see them leave the area. Many other people in Sevier County had good paying jobs at Cherokee Mills. We must attract and retain good paying jobs.

GREG BULLOCK: Back to question 2. We need to entice more industries to come to us to build their companies here to keep jobs available for our Sevier Countians. Remember when Dan River was closed; just think how many people here in our County that affected. We need more industry.

MAX WATSON: Attracting more industry would help. We have a work force able and will-ing within the county to fill needed jobs. The growth of this county over the last 15 to 20 years has been overwhelming. It is going to take a long time to over-

come the recession we are in now, with patience we will recover over time.

TOMMY WATTS: Actively seek out compa-nies and offer incentives to bring them to Sever County.

4. Some counties in the state are fac-ing financial chal-lenges that may lead to cuts. What is your assessment of Sevier County’s financial situ-ation?

JIM BISHOP: We spend too much taxpayer money on questionable projects. The county needs a new kind of county commis-sioner that asks important questions. I asked the Director of Knoxville’s Lawson McGhee Library the number one reason people used their library. She told me about 97% of visitors only use the com-

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EARLY VOTING APRIL 14-29, 2010 ELECTION DAY: MAY 4, 2010Paid for by Citizens For A Better County Government Jeff T. Sims Treasurer

Commission candidates respond to questions1 s t d i s t r i c t s e at b

Jim Bishopn Address: 2327 Red Bank Road, Seviervillen Age: 57n Occupation: Marketing coordinator, Pigeon Firge/Sevierville Public Transportation Systemn Family: Singlen Education: Attended the University of Tennesseen Community/civic involve-ment: Last November ran a one-man “Thanks for Voting” drive, sending every voter in 1st District an Indian head penny for voting in the February 2008 local primary

Arlie “Max” Watsonn Address: 4028 Pearl Valley Road, Seviervillen Age: 59n Occupation: Retired dis-abled Vietnam veterann Family: Wife of 37 years Wanda Ownby; son Arlie Max Watson “Junior” and his wife Cindy Lamon; grandchildren Daniel, Haily and Benjaminn Education: High school gradute, six months T&T, Oak Ridgen Community/civic involve-ment: Former community club president; soccer, basketball and baseball coach at Catons Chapel School; assistant Boy Scout lead-er of Troop 211, Richardson Cove Baptist Church; member Pearl Valley Baptist Church; adjutant and treasurer of Chapter 94, Disabled American Veterans; member Post 104, American Legion; member Veterans of Foreign Wars; 12 years on the County Commission

Greg Bullockn Address: 4136 Locust Ridge Road, Seviervillen Age: 42n Occupation: Self-employed, insurance agent/real estate agent/landscape contractorn Family: Wife Jan Knight Bullock, daughter of Janella Allen Knight and the late Preacher Ben Knightn Education: B.S. degree in elementary education with teaching license in Tennessee K-8; master’s degree in administration and licensed in state of Tennessee to be a school principaln Community/civic involve-ment: Member of Evans Chapel Baptist Church, lead-er of music; traveling and singing with Locust Ridge and Inspiration Quartet; sponsor of athletic teams in different communities

Tommy Wattsn Address: 2040 Maples Branch Road, Seviervillen Age: 38n Occupation: Sevier County Sheriff’s Department; owner/opera-tor 416 Car Wash; co-manager, 416 Mini Storagen Family: Wife Joann Watts; children Dillon, Bo, Will and Lexin Education: Sevier County Hig School; Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy; KPD First Line Supervisor Schooln Community/civic involvement: Relay For Life, American Cancer Society, Cherish the Child Foundation, American Humane Society, FOP Lodge 31, member Maples Branch Baptist Church, Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010 ◆ The Mountain Press Local ◆ A3

Editor’s Note: The following information was taken from the intake reports at the Sevier County Jail. All people listed within this report are pre-sumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

◆ Cecil Casto, 40, of Harts, W.Va., was charged April 13 with DUI. He was released on $1,500 bond.

◆ Von S. Cox, 54, of 1506 Parrotts Chapel Road in Sevierville, was charged April 13 with a misdemean-or warrant form general sessions court and driv-ing while revoked. He was being held.

◆ Terry Edward Floyd, 46, of 1426 Floyd Road in Sevierville, was charged April 12 with violation of probation. He was released.

◆ Judith Lynne Grant, 30, of Knoxville, was charged April 12 with public intoxication. She was released on $250 bond.

◆ Anthony Franklin Hill, 27, of 4120 Hillcrest Drive in Sevierville, was charged April 12 with sex offender registration. He was released on $5,000 bond.

◆ Shannon Alyssa Horton, 36, of White Pine, Tenn., was charged April 12 with a second count of violation of probation. She was being held.

◆ Isiah Ray Kemp, 23, of 102 River Parkway in Sevierville, was charged April 12 with reck-less endangerment, aggravated assault, aggravated robbery and criminal impersonation. He was being held.

◆ Crystal Leigh Matthews, 27, of 4128 A Dolly Lane in Sevierville, was charged April 13 with violation of probation. She was released.

◆ Nicholas North, 27, of Apple Gate, Miss., was charged April 12 with public intoxication. He was being held.

◆ James Michael Ogle Jr., 31, of 3346 Whaley Road #1 in Sevierville, was charged April 12 with a misdemeanor warrant from general sessions court and two counts of forgery. He was being held.

◆ Barbara Marie Osteen, 29, of Knoxville, was charged April 12 with harassment. She was released on $500 bond.

◆ Joshua Edward Owens, 20, of 3506 Cozy Way in Sevierville, was charged April 12 with violation of probation. He was

released.◆ Joseph Paul Roy, 43,

of 1037 Voncannon Way in Sevierville, was charged April 12 with cruelty to animals. He was released.

◆ Sean Richard Skehan, 44, of 313 Merryweather Way in Pigeon Forge, was charged April 12 with DUI. He was released on $2,500 bond.

◆ Ashley Elizabeth Smith, 24, of Nashville, was charged April 12 with a misdemeanor warrant from general sessions court. She was being held.

◆ Christine Maples Tate, 49, of 315 Club Drive in Sevierville, was charged April 12 with public intoxication. She was released on $500 bond.

◆ Jennifer Lorraine Wilds, 36, of Knoxville, was charged April 12 with theft of property and criminal trespass. She was being held in lieu of $3,500 bond.

◆ Ronald Dean Wilson, 44, of 8820 Kodak Road in Knoxville, was charged April 12 with con-tempt of court. He was being held.

Staff

The Sevier County School Board accepted the following teachers for tenure:

n Alternative Learning Center: Jason Kerly

n Boyds Creek: Hailey Huskey, Kim Lawrence, Debbie Sims, Megan Stinnett, Heather Ward

n Catlettsburg: Kim Debusk, Jessica Justice, Karen Kerr, Kayla McCord

n Gatlinburg-Pittman: John Terrell, Paige Yates

n Jones Cove: Jelayne Moore

n Northview Primary: Summer Bohanan, Stacey Fox, Heather Miller

n New Center: Diane McGhee

n Pi Beta Phi: Carrie Crain, Sarah Dunn, Kerri Heinrich

n Pigeon Forge Primary: Charlie Bradford, Yanci Dennis Jennifer Huskey, Amanda Johanson,

n Pigeon Forge Middle: Denise Ward

n Pigeon Forge High: Mike Guinn, Keith Henegar, Jon Hutchins, Bard Parton, Casandra Sharp

n Sevier County High:

Megan Coates, Shane Cole, Lori Hill, Jill Kroll, Heather Overbay, Suzanne South, Zach Weaver

n Sevierville Primary: Heather Huskey

n Sevierville Intermediate: Rhonda Gossett, Keith Graybeal

n Seymour Primary: Tina Bull

n Seymour Intermediate: Teresa Gideon, Susan

Henryn Seymour Middle:

Megan Radern Seymour High School:

Tracy Ballew, Cassi Cardiel, Jon McBrayer

n Special education: Jill Hale

n Elementary PE: Jack Boyles, Jaimee Collier

n Others: Amy Julian, Leslie Miekle, Toni Hughes, Shelley Warner

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Submitted Report

PIGEON FORGE — The new Titanic Museum Attraction drew more than 20,000 during its open-ing weekend that featured Regis Philbin, numerous descendants and fam-ily members of those on board the Titanic and a christening of the ship.

The weekend-long event included special grand opening ceremony hosted by Philbin, a free concert by Neal McCoy, a free concert by Beatles cover band Liverpool Legends, nightly fireworks displays and more.

More than 20,000

guests from all parts of the nation visited the attrac-tion during its opening weekend, officials said.

Titanic Museum Attraction is a half-scale, permanent, three-deck re-creation of the ship. The museum houses 20 galleries to display nearly 400 Titanic artifacts.

In addition, the attrac-tion is interactive and offers a hands-on expe-rience. A two-hour self-guided tour gives guests the sensation of sailing on the original ship’s 1912 maiden voyage. The Titanic Museum Attraction is open every day from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.TitanicPigeonForge.com or by calling 800-381-7670.

Titanic opening weekenddraws more than 20,000

Submitted

Nightly fireworks dis-plays were part of the first weekend of the new Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge.

Sevier County teachers receive tenure

a r r e s t s

c o m m u n i t y c a l e n d a rEditor’s Note: The com-

munity calendar is printed as space permits. Items must be submitted at least five days in advance. Only noncommercial, pub-lic events held in Sevier County will be considered. To place an item phone 428-0748, ext. 214, or e-mail to [email protected]. Items may be faxed to 453-4913.

WednesdAy, APriL 14

Middle Creek UMCWorship services at 6:30

p.m., Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Road, Pigeon Forge. 216-2066.

Head StartCountywide Head

Start open house 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sevierville Community Center. Bring child’s birth certificate; shot record; Social Security card; insurance card; proof of household income.

St. Paul LutheranBenefit yard sale, rain

or shine, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1610

Pullen Road. Baked good and drinks available.

Sevierville Story TimePreschool story time

10:30 a.m., Sevier County Main Library. 453-3532.

Sevierville Garden ClubSevierville Garden Club

meets, noon at Sevier Senior Center. Speaker Liz Ballard on junior garden-ers. Board meeting 11 a.m.

Thursdy, APriL 15

Hot Meals Smoky Mountain Area

Rescue Ministries provides hot meals 5:15-6:30 p.m., Sevierville First United Methodist Church and Kodak United Methodist Church. 933-5996

Women’s Bible StudyGarlands of Grace wom-

en’s Bible study:n 9 a.m. UMC Pigeon

Forgen 2 p.m. Blue Mountain

Mist B&B, Pullen Road n 6:30 p.m. Sevierville

UMC, Conference Room

TOPSTOPS weight loss chap-

ter meets at 6 p.m.,

Parkway Church of God in Sevierville. 755-9517 or 429-3150.

Radio ServiceSevier County Emergency

Radio Service, 7:30 p.m., EOC office on Bruce Street. 314-0899. www.freewebs.com/aresradio.

Alzheimer’s SupportAlzheimer’s Support

Group begins today, third Thursday, 3 p.m. at Wellington Place, 3 p.m. Sherry Woten, 774-2221.

Submarine Veterans Smoky Mountain subma-

rine vets meet at 6 p.m., Islamorada Restaurant at Bass Pro, Exit 407. www.SmokyMountainBase.com, 429-0465 or 692-3368.

Good Age GroupGood Age group meets

11 a.m. for trip to Alcoa. Seymour UMC corner of Chapman Highway and Simmons Road. 573-9711.

Football/Cheer PracticeNew Center Football

Little League cheer prac-tice, 6-8 p.m., April 15, 27, 29 and May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, New Center School. 654-7789.

The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, April 14, 2010

“This has been in the works for quite a while,” County Planner Jeff Ownby said. “There’s been a whole lot of discussion. There’s been some heated discus-sion and some give-and-take – some compromise. They’ve been working to make this short and sweet enough to be able to under-stand it.”

The process has sparked plenty of debate. Among the task force members, spir-ited discussion have been spurred by everything from road slopes to paint colors. In the end, the group worked to come up with rules that will make sense in applica-tion in Sevier County, group Secretary Peter Bush said.

The rules would regulate how much of a lot can be disturbed during building, how steeply roads can be graded and how utilities must be installed, among other things.

Task force member Sam Hassen couldn’t control his excitement after the vote. He’s one of those who came ready to watch a debate and possibly defend the pro-posals, but instead found himself jumping out of his seat after the tally was made and vigorously shaking the hands of the other two group members present.

“I’m excited. I’m amazed,” he said after the meeting. “I’m thrilled to death that we just finally got some-place with it.”

Even now, Hassen said he still isn’t convinced some of those same Planning Commission members who also serve on the County Commission won’t vote against the proposals when they come before that latter

group.Like Hassen, task force

participant Kristi Flohe said she knows the vote is far from the end of the jour-ney, but is at least one step closer.

“There’s one battle won. Now if we can just win the war,” Flohe said.

Even Ownby commented on the historic nature of the moment as he spoke to the group.

“We’re looking at prob-ably in the next two months having regulations on the books to protect the hill-tops and ridges of Sevier County,” he said. “It’s a pretty significant step.”

The city groups, which must vote on the propos-als because the new rules would govern their plan-ning regions, are expected to act on the matter in the next few weeks. The County Commission will then schedule a public hearing and possibly a work ses-sion on the matter before it votes. That will proba-bly mean that action won’t come until June because of required public notification, Ownby explained.

During the session, the group also voted to approve.

Concept Plat Reviewn Autumn Ridge, a revised

plan for a 22-lot develop-ment on 55.82 acres off Jones Cove Road

Design Plat Reviewn Mountain Scapes Road,

a paved surface for access to the Mountain Scapes sub-division off Thomas Cross Road

Site Plan Reviewsn Foxfire Adventure, a

zipline project on Thomas Lane

n Climbworks, a canopy tour project on Branam Hollow Road.

n [email protected]

Mich., Kimberly Moran and husband Richard of Sterling Heights, Mich.

A memorial service will be held in Michigan at a later date.

Local arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home.

n www.atchleyfuneralhome.com

Jimmie L. MellingerJimmie L. Mellinger, 69

of Seymour, died Monday, April 12, 2010. Funeral Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Atchley Funeral Home Seymour. 122 Peacock Court, Seymour, TN 37865 (577-2807).


Larry Charles WatsonLarry Charles Watson, 60 of

Elizabethton, TN, formerly of Sevierville, died Monday, April 12, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents Flossie and Charlie Watson.

Survivors include his: daugh-ters and sons-in-law, Tonya and Randy Houk, Tanya and Jeff Livingston, Tonia and Robert Franklin; son and daughter-in-law, Avery C. Watson and Ashton; grandchildren, Courtney Livingston, R. J. Franklin, Ami Jo Franklin, Charlie Houk.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to benefit the family.

Cremation arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville.


Edith Mary MorrisEdith Mary Morris, 96 of

Sevierville, died Sunday, April 11, 2010. She had been a member of First Baptist Church, Sevierville since 1973. A retired employee of the FBI, she was a lifetime volunteer at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, David and Linda Morris; daugh-ter, Constance Barrett; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. Wednesday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. Family and friends will leave Atchley Funeral Home at 2 p.m. in procession to Shiloh Cemetery for grave-side service and interment. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville.


Elmer B. OgleElmer B. Ogle, 79 of

Sevierville, died Monday, April 12, 2010.

Survivors: wife, Joy Faye Ogle; son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Kathy Ogle;

daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Cary Courtney, Mary and Charles Ingle; four grandsons; five granddaugh-ters; eighteen great-grandchil-dren; one great-great-grand-child; brothers, James, Clon and Bill Ogle; sister Helen Guy.

Funeral service was held 7 p.m. Tuesday in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Burkett officiating. Family and friends will meet 11 a.m. Wednesday in Boyd’s Creek Cemetery for interment. The family received friends 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville.


Ruth Ella Young

Ruth Ella Young, 88, of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., died Monday morning, April 12, 2010.

She was a 30-year employ-ee of General Motors in Detroit, Mich. Upon retirement she moved to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Survivors: nieces, Cynthia Engle and husband Leonard of Grosse Pointe Woods,

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In Memoriam

Larry Allen HillLarry Allen Hill age 65 of Sevierville, passed

away Sunday, April 11, 2010. He was a member of First Baptist Church in

Sevierville and was owner of Larry Hill GMC and co-owner of Thomas-Hill-Burgin. Mr. Hill was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed activities with his family. He was preceded in death by his father J. Lynn Hill and brother Roy L. Hill.

Survivors include his wife Karen S. Hill; sons Christopher A. Hill and wife Pam, Geoffrey K. Hill and wife Debbie, Nicholas G. Hill and wife Lori; daughter Laura K. Boling and husband Andrew; grandchildren Cameron Cox and wife Shay, Chesney B. Clure and husband Mitch, Dane Hill, Zachary Boling, Katie Hill, Bryce Hill, Eli Hill, and Lakelyn Hill; great-grandchil-dren Brandt Cox, and Ashlyn Cox; mother Irene Hill; brother Jim Hill; sister Ann Mowery and husband Wayne, and many special nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Breakthrough (a non-profit organization for adults with autism), 1805 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37920.

Funeral service 7 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Sevierville. Dr. Randy Davis, Dr. Tim Alexander and Dr. W. W. Cope officiating. Family and friends will meet 11 a.m. Thursday in Trentville Cemetery, Strawberry Plains for interment. The fam-ily will receive friends 1-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Sevierville.


In Memoriam

Sharon Elizabeth Martin Gibbs

Sharon Elizabeth Martin Gibbs, age 65 of Sevierville, TN, passed away Monday, April 12, 2010.

She was a member of Abundant Life Christian Church who found great joy in gardening and work-ing as a teacher’s assistant with the children of the Headstart program at Wearwood Headstart. She graduated in 1966 as an English major from Lamar University in Texas and received a Master’s degree in 1994 as a Substance Abuse Counselor from the University of South Alabama. Sharon was married to her husband James for 47 years and was a wonderful grandmother.

Survivors include her husband, James D. Gibbs (66); sons, James D. Gibbs, Jr. (43) of Sevierville, Michael C. Gibbs (36) of Laguna Niguel, CA, Jon M. Gibbs (41) of Costa Mesa, CA; daughter-in-law, Tanaz J. Gibbs (33) of Laguna Niguel, CA; grandchildren, Nelson A. Gibbs (9), Mathew A. Gibbs (7); and special friends (daughter-in-law’s parents), Gool and Noshir Jerung of Huntington Beach, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abundant Life Christian Church, 236 E. Main Street No. 151, Sevierville, TN 37862.

Memorial service 7 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with Rev. Noel Kirk officiating. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville.


TAskfORCE3From Page a1

fine could serve as even more of a punishment for those who appear in the higher court, which hears felony cases, and it would be more likely to be assessed to those who perpetrate crimes against people, rather than vic-timless ones, the judges said.

“I don’t think it’s all or noth-ing. I think you could continue to have it in Circuit Court with-out being obligated to institute it in sessions court,” Judge Jeff Rader said.

Some pointed out the state law allowing the fee does stip-ulate it’s for both Circuit and General Sessions courts.

Either way, Koester and SafeSpace Director Van Wolfe argue the fee wouldn’t be an undue burden for offenders in the lower court and could help put the cost for investigating the crimes and counseling the victims on the criminals. Wolfe pointed out the fee is already assessed in both courts in Jefferson and Cocke counties, both of which are covered by the two agencies.

In those areas, the fee is pro-viding much-needed funding to the non-profits.

Koester sees only positive from imposing the fee on all.

“It’s the opportunity to put the burden on the backs of the people who commit these crimes,” she said.

She and Wolfe seemed to be making some headway with county leaders, a few of whom expressed their support for adding the fee in General Sessions Court.

“It sounds to me like we should have been collecting it all along,” Commissioner Kent Woods said.

Commissioner Gary Cole agreed, saying the group should take a new look at their action to enact the levy only in Circuit Court.

“The resolution we’ve got is flawed,” Cole said.

n [email protected]

fEE3From Page a1

regular classes. That could include health science, marketing, agriculture, trade and industrial tech-nology, consumer science, technology engineering and business technology. It would also have equip-ment for “distant learn-ing,” meaning students could take part in courses via the Internet.

“We’re really excited about these,” Parton said.

The school system has been planning a school on the north side of the coun-ty for years. It is expected to relieve overcrowding at other schools. The work will be paid for with funds from a tax increase voters approved last year.

The new school was the main part of an ambitious building program for the system, which needs new schools to handle the coun-ty’s rapidly growing popu-lation. It was a central part of the school board’s pitch to the public for the tax increase, which was defeat-ed the first time it came up for a vote as a referendum.

Grades 7, 8 and 9 would be in one side at the junior high academy. School sys-tems had gotten away from the junior high designation in favor of middle schools that house grades 6-8, but some have started recon-sidering junior highs, and Parton said he believed that split makes more sense.

He told the board he’d

rather have sixth-graders mixing with ninth-graders than have ninth-graders mixed in with 12th-grad-ers.

“There’s a difference in maturity there,” he said.

While the buildings would all be intercon-nected, the only way to get from the junior high to the high school would be by going outside or through the kitchen, he said.

With both campuses on the same site, they expect to save money by having one kitchen to serve both schools.

The design for the junior high campus features a library and a fine arts wing, along with its own gym and administrative offices.

Each grade would have its own separate wing.

The senior high school campus would have a gym and fine arts wing, along with a vocational and sci-ence wing, math and tech-nology wing, offices, a library and a wing for lan-guage arts and family and consumer science.

They would share ten-nis courts, a track, soccer fields, football fields and baseball fields.

n [email protected]

plans3From Page A1

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taxes on the breakfasts.So far, that has meant

audits of a number of hotels, including those owned by Pigeon Forge businessman Kenny Maples. Maples says he has since received an almost $70,000 bill for what the auditors say are past due taxes for three years at two properties.

Maples appealed the charge, a process that took him to a hearing before a Department of Revenue official who was asked to impartially decide if his own agency improperly charged Maples. Maples lost.

“Probably within the next seven to 10 days we’re going to be filing a lawsuit asking the courts to order the Department of Revenue to follow the law, not the law as Commissioner (Reagan) Farr interprets it,” Maples said Tuesday.

Farr wants the General Assembly to require hote-liers to break out the cost of the meal separate from the room rate and charge the necessary tax. Maples, meanwhile, argues the move would actually lose money for governments, not to mention the busi-nesses, by prompting peo-ple to avoid the meals.

He and the folks in the SLA maintain taxes are already paid on the food

service. Though they’re adver-

tised as free, a charge for the breakfasts is actu-ally built into the room charge.

“We’d be crazy not to add that into that cost,” Maples said.

On that rate, taxes are levied by both state and local governments. The SLA argues that means the state already is getting its fair share at breakfast.

“When a customer pays for his room, he is also paying for the breakfast and for the sales tax,” the SLA letter continues. “It would be a double taxation to charge the customer a second time for sales tax on their breakfast.”

The group points out the Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled on the hotels’ side in the past, shooting down other attempts to collect a tax for the meals. They ask the local lawmakers not only to work to defeat the current proposal, but to demand that situations like the one Maples face be stopped.

The letter was aimed only at Reps. Richard Montgomery and Joe McCord and Sen. Doug Overbey, who represent Sevier County and already vowed to fight the effort.

“They’ve all been very helpful and very support-ive,” Maples said of the trio.

n [email protected]

Tax3From Page A1

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STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

STOCKS OF LOCAL INTERESTName Last Chg %Chg Name Last Chg %Chg

NASDAQ

AFLAC INC 55.47 -0.09 -0.16%ALCOA INC 14.34 -0.23 -1.58%ALCATEL LUCENT 3.27 0.06 1.87%ALLSTATE CORP 33.06 0.02 0.06%ALTRIA GROUP INC 21.10 UNCH 0.00%APPLE INC 242.43 0.14 0.06%AT&T INC 26.20 -0.18 -0.68% BANK OF AMERICA 18.67 0.01 0.05%BB&T CORP 33.51 -0.54 -1.59%BOEING CO 71.19 -0.73 -1.02% BRISTOL-MYERS 25.98 -0.31 -1.18%CRACKER BARREL 50.93 0.50 0.99%CHEVRON CORP 80.21 -0.22 -0.27%CISCO SYSTEMS INC 26.44 -0.09 -0.34%COCA-COLA CO 55.02 0.26 0.47%CONEDISON INC 44.76 -0.27 -0.60%DUKE ENERGY CORP 16.22 -0.04 -0.25% EASTMAN CHEMICAL 65.84 -0.18 -0.27%EXXON MOBIL CORP 68.66 -0.05 -0.07%FIRST HORIZON 14.96 -0.07 -0.47%FORD MOTOR CO 12.79 0.02 0.16%FORWARD AIR CORP 25.92 0.18 0.70%GAYLORD ENT 30.21 0.22 0.73%GENERAL ELECTRIC 18.95 0.24 1.28%HOME DEPOT INC 34.34 0.86 2.57%IBM 129.03 0.67 0.52%INTEL CORP 22.77 0.23 1.02%

JC PENNEY CO INC 30.90 -0.06 -0.19%JPMORGAN CHASE 45.87 -0.27 -0.59%KELLOGG CO 53.12 0.04 0.08%KRAFT FOODS INC 30.65 0.31 1.02%KROGER CO 22.67 0.14 0.62%MCDONALD’S CORP 68.92 0.39 0.57%MICRON TECHNOLOGY 10.76 -0.06 -0.55%MICROSOFT CORP 30.45 0.13 0.43%MOTOROLA INC 7.41 -0.01 -0.13%ORACLE CORP 26.35 0.15 0.57%PHILIP MORRIS 52.46 -0.49 -0.93%PFIZER INC 17.18 -0.11 -0.64%PROCTER & GAMBLE 63.00 0.30 0.48%REGIONS FINANCIAL 8.34 -0.40 -4.58%SEARS HOLDINGS 106.42 0.36 0.34%SIRIUS XM RADIO INC 0.96 -0.01 -1.10%SPECTRA ENERGY 23.15 -0.18 -0.77%SPEEDWAY MTRSPTS 15.69 -0.21 -1.32%SPRINT NEXTEL CORP 4.15 UNCH 0.00%SUNOCO INC 30.34 0.16 0.53%SUNTRUST BANKS 29.02 -0.42 -1.43%TANGER OUTLET 44.16 1.24 2.89%TIME WARNER INC 32.77 0.07 0.21%TRACTOR SUPPLY CO 66.82 0.52 0.78%TRW AUTOMOTIVE 31.59 -0.11 -0.35%WAL-MART STORES 54.72 -0.30 -0.55%YAHOO! INC 18.18 0.54 3.06%

WASHINGTON (AP) — In full accord on a glob-al threat, world leaders endorsed President Barack Obama’s call for securing all nuclear materials from terrorists within four years at a 47-nation summit on Tuesday. They offered few specifics for achieving that goal, but Obama declared “the American people will be safer and the world will be more secure” as a result.

Obama had called the summit to focus world atten-tion on keeping dangerous materials out of terrorist hands, a peril he termed the greatest threat facing all nations and a “cruel irony of history” after mankind had survived the Cold War and decades of fear stoked by a U.S.-Soviet arms race.

Obama says nuke summit made world more secure

NASHVILLE (AP) — Legislation is advancing in the Senate that would allow handgun permit holders in Tennessee to carry weapons where alcoholic beverages are served unless posted otherwise.

The measure, co-sponsored by Democratic Sen. Doug Jackson of Dickson, was approved 7-2 by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and will now be sched-uled for a vote on the Senate floor.

A judge ruled last year that the guns in bars law is unconstitutionally vague.

Critics say it’s unclear where patrons can carry their weapons. But proponents say the new legislation solves the problem by allowing individuals to carry guns where alcoholic beverages are served “unless it’s posted” that they cannot.

Guns in bars legislation advancing in state Senate

KNOXVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority’s top executive says in a sworn court filing that before the December 2008 coal ash spill, he had no forewarning a dike failure at the Kingston Plant was “likely or immi-nent.”

Responding to federal lawsuits against TVA related to the huge spill, Tom Kilgore is battling requests for a deposition.

Kilgore’s affidavit, filed electronically Sunday in Knoxville, says he “never had any hands-on involve-ment” in personnel decisions about who inspected the Kingston ash facilities. Kilgore said he could not recall discussing or deciding any capital improvement item for the dike.

Plaintiff attorney Elizabeth Alexander of Nashville said Tuesday that a response will be filed and “we are going to continue to seek his deposition.”

TVA head: No forewarningof Kingston ash dike failing

The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, April 14, 2010A6 ◆

6 Wednesday

Departments:News: Ext. 214; e-mail: [email protected]: Ext. 210; e-mail: [email protected]: Ext. 201 & 221Commercial Printing: Ext. 229

“A UT-TPA Prize Winning Newspaper”

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Midday: 4-7-6-2 19Evening: 2-6-8-7 23

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Midday: 6-5-2 13Evening: 1-1-9 11

Monday, April 14, 2010

13-20-26-28-36

■ Air Quality Forecast:

Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Mountains: GoodValley: Good

Cautionary Health Message:No health impacts are expect-ed in this range.

toDAy’SbrieFiNg

CeLebritieSiN the NewS

toPStAte NewS

The Mountain PressStaffPublisher: Jana Thomassoneditor: Stan VoitProduction Director: Tom McCarterAdvertising Director: Joi Whaleybusiness manager: Mary OwenbyCirculation Distribution manager: Will Sing

SubscriptionsCarrier Delivery (where Available): $11.60 per 4 weeksin-County mail: $13.08 per 4 weeksout-of-County mail: $19.60 per 4 weeksPostmaster: Send address changes to The Mountain Press, P.O. Box 4810, Sevierville, TN 37864

(ISSN 0894-2218) Copyright 2008 The Mountain Press. All Rights Reserved. All property belongs to The Mountain Press and no part may be reproduced without prior written consent. Published daily by The Mountain Press. P.O. Box 4810, Sevierville, TN, 37864, 119 River Bend Dr., Sevierville, TN 37876. Periodical Postage paid at Sevierville, TN.

how to reach us:Phone: (865) 428-0746Fax: (865) 453-4913

P.o. box 4810, Sevierville, tN 37864

office hours:8 a.m. to 5 p.m. WeekdaysLocated at 119 Riverbend Dr., Sevierville, TN 37876

NAtioN/worLDQuote rouNDuP

■ Kevin eubanksLOS ANGELES — After

18 years as Jay Leno’s m u s i c director, K e v i n Eubanks has con-f i r m e d he will be leav-ing ‘The T o n i g h t S h o w ’ on May 28. After doing his “Headlines” segment, Leno called Eubanks to the stage and said, “We have one more headline to get to and it involves our very own Kevin Eubanks.”

“After 18 years, I just need a change of pace and see what else is going on,” Eubanks said. Back in February, NBC confirmed that Eubanks was ready leave.

“Germany is responsible for the fact that I have lost for good my whole reason to live, my family, my

happiness, any future and hope.”— Accused death camp guard John Demjanjuk, who turned

90 earlier this month and is standing trial on 27,900 counts of being an accessory to murder on allegations.

“My mother’s passion for history guided and informed her work in the White House. She believed in my father, his vision for America, and in the art of politics, and felt it was important to share her knowl-edge and excitement with future generations. It is a privilege for me to honor the memory of my parents

by making this unique history available.”— Caroline Kennedy after it was revealed transcripts

of interviews with her mother, late first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, will be published in 2011.

“I thought about this and it wasn’t that difficult. After 18 years of playing America in to commer-

cials, I’m gonna go somewhere where I can finish a song.”

— Kevin eubanks, on his decision to leave after18 years as late-night tV host Jay Leno’s music director.

LOCAL:Sunny

High: 81°Low: 47°

Windy

Chance of rain 20%

■ Lake Stages:Douglas: 979.0 U0.5

© 2010 Wunderground.com

Today's ForecastWednesday, April 14

City/RegionHigh | Low tempsForecast for

Chicago76° | 47°

Washington63° | 43°

Miami81° | 68°

New Orleans79° | 61°

Atlanta81° | 49°

Raleigh65° | 52°

Memphis83° | 58°

Showers Rain T-storms Flurries Snow Ice Sunny Pt. Cloudy Cloudy

Weather Underground • AP

toDAy’SForeCASt

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■ thursdaySunny high: 80°Low: 53°■ FridayPartly Cloudyhigh: 79°Low: 53°

Local■ SeVierViLLe

Road to closein Sevierville

The Department of Public Works announces the temporary closure today of a section of Middle Creek Road near Saint Ives Road. The project consists of replacing a drain tile.

Middle Creek Roadwill be closed to thru-traffic from Veterans Boulevard to Fox Meadows Boulevard beginning at 7 a.m.

Weather and other con-ditions permitting, the road will be reopened in the eve-ning. Motorists can expect delays.

■ SeVier CouNty

Early voting setin two locations

Early voting for the May 4 primary elections starts today at the Voting Machine Warehouse on Dolly Parton Parkway.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Sundays.

Voters in and around Seymour can do early vot-ing at the public library Thursday through next Tuesday, then again April 24. Hours there will be 11-6 weekdays and 11-2 on both Saturdays.

For questions call the Election Commission at 453-6985.

■ Seymour

Barbecue to featuremusic, candidates

Barbecue dinner served starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Seymour Primary.

County Commission can-didates in Districts 6, 9 and 10 will be introduced.

The cost of the meal is $7 for adults, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. The food will come from Cades Cove BBQ. Advance meal tickets sold at school are $5.

■ PigeoN Forge

Volunteers soughtfor UW fundraiser

Representatives of United Way of Sevier County will be parking cars Friday and Saturday at Riverwalk Development in connection with the Spring Rod Run car show.

Call the United Way office at 453-4261 to vol-unteer. Shifts are for two hours from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. each day. There are a variety of volunteer roles available.

■ Seymour

New Head Startcenter to open

Douglas Cherokee Head Start has started recruiting preschool children for the new Seymour class.

The center will be located one mile off of Chapman Highway on Wye Road.

Applications will be taken on children 3 to 5 years of age. Children must be 3 by Sept 30, and cannot be age-ready for kindergarten.

Applications will also be taken from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Sevierville Community Center for all Sevier County Head Start classes.

■ NAtioNAL PArK

Junior Ranger Dayscheduled April 24

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate the fourth annual National Junior Ranger Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24.

There will be a vari-ety of free, hands-on activities at Sugarlands; Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg; and Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, N.C.

Children can earn their Junior Ranger badge by completing three of the activities. A booklet is also available, for those who would like to explore the park in more depth.

thiS DAy iN hiStory

Today is Wednesday, April 14, the 104th day of 2010. There are 261 days left in the year.

■ Locally a year ago:Tennessee Valley

Authority officials say Douglas Lake is “on track” to reach its usual maximum fill level by June 1, even though the area is still experiencing lower-than-normal rain-fall. Severe drought con-ditions run as far back as December 2006. Runoff from precipitation is down about 31 percent, yet TVA officials insist they must prepare for the potential for spring floods even in the middle of drought.

■ today’s highlight:In 1865, President

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth during a performance of “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theater in Washington.

■ on this date:In 1902, James Cash

Penney opened his first store, The Golden Rule, in Kemmerer, Wyo.

In 1912, the British liner RMS Titanic collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic and began sink-ing.

■ ten years ago:

On Wall Street, stocks plummeted in heavy trad-ing, with the Dow indus-trials down 617 points and the Nasdaq composite index falling 355 points.

■ Five years ago: The House passed and

sent to President George W. Bush legislation mak-ing it tougher to erase obli-gations in bankruptcy.

■ thought for today: “As I would not be a

slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.” — Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865.

CHATTANOOGA (AP) — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee said almost twice as many custom-ers’ personal information than first thought could be at risk after the theft of computer hard drives.

Company spokes-woman Mary Thompson is quoted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press as saying BlueCross is notifying an additional 447,549 people that they could be at risk for iden-tity theft.

“We continue to try to be proactive in notify-

ing those who may have had some type of record on these computer hard files,” Thompson said.

The newspaper reports there are no documented cases of identity theft or credit fraud as the result of the hard drive thefts discovered last October.

Thieves entered a locked computer room at an office complex during a time when BlueCross was moving personnel to a different location.

Police reports stated the 57 hard drives were stolen on Oct. 2 and the

theft was discovered the following Monday when work crews returned to the office. Chattanooga Police Department and FBI investigations are still active, the newspa-per reported.

BlueCross is offering free credit monitoring services for the next year and access to a Kroll ID TheftSmart program for any customers who could be affected.

Thompson said BlueCross spent $7 mil-lion through January on investigations, notifying

customers of the theft and paying for credit res-toration services. While no new cost estimates were available, she said just sending the addi-tional cautionary letters would cost $200,000.

Nearly one-third of the company’s customers have received or will be getting the warning let-ters.

The company has declined to talk about security details during the office move, includ-ing cameras, staffing or alarm systems.

Another 450K at risk for ID theft

Eubanks

S u N r i S e i N t h e S m o K i e S

7 Opinion Wed.

Just consider this: In all the wars the United States fought in the 20th cen-tury — two world wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf war — 659,783 Americans died.

But just since March 30, 1981, when a deranged man tried unsuccessfully to assassinate President Ronald Reagan but did shoot and wound Mr. Reagan, presidential press secretary Jim Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy and Washington police offi-cer Thomas Delahanty, more than 833,000 persons have died from firearms in the United States. Of all the deaths from firearms in the 26 developed nations of the world, 86 percent of those deaths occur right here in the U.S.A.

Nostalgia can airbrush our memories, convincing us that there was a golden time, not that long ago, when neighbors were more friendly, children were more respectful of their elders, the beers was colder and our leaders were more deserv-ing of our respect.

But it is true that, not that long ago, we did indeed have national leaders who dared to stand up to the powerful gun lobby and publicly support a federal ban on the manufacture, sale and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons. That’s right -- like AK-47s and Uzis, and their equally lethal copycat models.

These particular leaders were four presidents, two Republicans and two Democrats: Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. The Congress would respond to the four chief executives’ message and vote to impose a federal ban on assault weapons.

That federal ban expired in 2004, when President George W. Bush pre-ferred to ignore the pleas of more than 1,100 chiefs of police and refused to ask his Republican Congress to keep these weapons, some capable of firing over 120 rounds per minute, out of the hands of criminal gangs.

Carter has publicly spoken of his per-sonal ownership of “two handguns, four shotguns and three rifles.” Both Clinton and Ford were hunters. Ronald Reagan was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Reagan, the conserva-tive icon, also publicly lobbied for the Brady law to establish a seven-day waiting period during which law enforcement offi-cials could do a background check of the purchaser of a handgun before the firearm could be delivered.

To their credit, these four leaders did not cringe at the Washington wise-guy line that holds: Guns don’t kill incumbent politicians; the gun lobby does.

When leaders do lead, they can make a difference. This may help to explain why, in May 1991, when the NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll asked, “Do you favor or oppose a law to ban the sale of assault weapons and semiautomatic rifles,” 75 percent of those surveyed answered that they did favor such a ban. But by late 2009, with no leadership from the White House on the issue for eight years, when the identical question was asked, 49 per-cent favored the ban on assault weapons, while 45 percent opposed.

To give the devils their due, the gun lobby -- by both relentless organizing and the use of intimidation as a politi-cal weapon -- has silenced many would-be opponents. You have to acknowledge the gun lobby’s effectiveness in being able to convince otherwise rational people that police chiefs who seek to ban semiautomatic killing machines from their city streets, where they can overwhelm the cop on the beat, are somehow part of a diabolical conspiracy to take hunting rifles out of the hands of sportsmen.

On this issue of domestic arms control, the majority Democrats — including the top Democrat in the White House — have hardly been Captains Courageous. Many chosen to seek political safety through their silence.

As somebody wise once noted, nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. But it is true that we did once have leaders named Ford, Clinton, Carter and Reagan who actually did lead and who dared to stand up to the power of the gun lobby.

— Mark Shields is a veteran political campaign manager and frequent television talk show commentator. Column distrib-uted by Creators Syndicate. (C)2009 Mark Shields.

Mountain Views■ The Mountain Press ■ Page A7 ■ Wednesday, April 14, 2010

c o m m e n ta ry e d i t o r i a l

P o l i t i c a l v i e w

P u b l i c f o r u m

editorial board:◆ Jana Thomasson, Publisher◆ Stan Voit, Editor◆ Bob Mayes, Managing Editor◆ Gail Crutchfield, Community News Editor

State legislators:◆ rep. richard montgomery

1-800-449-8366 Ext. 1-5981; 207 War Memorial Bldg., Nashville TN [email protected]

◆ rep. Joe mccord1-800-449-8366 Ext. 1-5481; 207 War Memorial Bldg., Nashville TN [email protected]

◆ Sen. doug overbey1-800-449-8366 Ext. 10981; 320 War Memorial Bldg., Nashville TN [email protected]

federal legislators:◆ u.S. Sen. bob corker

(202) 224-3344; 185 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., B40A, Washington, D.C. 20510

◆ u.S. Sen. lamar alexander(202) 224-4944; S/H 302, Washington, D.C. 20510

◆ u.S. rep. Phil roe(202) 225-6356; 419 Cannon House Office, Washington, D.C. 20515

◆ u.S. rep. John J. duncan Jr.(202) 225-5435; 2267 Rayburn Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515

letters to the editor policy and how to contact us:◆ We encourage our readers to send letters to the editor. Letters must contain no more than 500 words. No more than one letter per person will be published in a 30-day period. Letters must be neatly printed or typed and contain no libel, plagiarism or personal attacks. All letters are subject to editing for style, length and content. Statements of fact must be attributed to a source for verification. All letters must be signed and contain a phone number and address for verification purposes. No anonymous or unveri-fied letters will be printed. No letters endorsing candidates will be considered. The Mountain Press reserves the right to refuse publication of any letter. E-MAIL LETTERS TO: [email protected] or MAIL LETTERS TO: Editor, The Mountain Press, P.O. Box 4810, Sevierville, TN 37864. For questions, call (865) 428-0748, ext. 214. The Mountain Press and its publishers do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed in letters and columns on this page.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establish-ment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peacably to assemble and to petition

the government for a redress of grievances.”—united States constitution, amendment one

Questions about candidates forcounty offices need answersEditor:

With Sevier County elections looming, there is some information that should be available to all voters.

Since county commissioners are supposed to be answerable to the citizens they serve rather than their county bosses, we need to know which commissioners running for re-election work for the county and which have immediate family members working for the

county. We also need to know whether they and their relatives received their employment before or after they were elected.

We also need to know which commission candidates work for the county or have close relatives working for the county.

We also need to see some specific platforms from these candidates. We all know they are for God, motherhood, apple pie, better schools, better roads and no new taxes, but specifically why are they running for office and what do they hope to accomplish.

As a resident of Seymour, where all taxes

flow to the county and none to a city, I would like to know whether any Seymour com-mission candidates will push for sidewalks around the Seymour schools. It is uncon-scionable to see walking students dodging increasing traffic, mud, gullies and tall grass.

Ideally, the sidewalks should extend from at least Old Sevierville Pike to Chapman Highway and include a pedestrian overpass at the schools, but I’m sure that will happen when pigs fly.

Lois Thomas Seymour

There is a lot going on in Sevier County, with the new Titanic attrac-tion, Dollywood’s 25th season, pen-guins at the aquarium in Gatlinburg and all our theaters back in action. However, tonight you have a chance to welcome another attraction, one that deserves greater support and atten-dance than it sometimes gets.

The Tennessee Smokies open their home season with a game against Chattanooga, starting at 7:15. There will be opening ceremonies, a toss of the first pitch and the game itself. The Smokies are off to a great start, with only one loss so far. Under new man-ager Bill Dancy, the Double-A Smokies look to be strong and competitive.

The Smokies are Sevier County’s team. Since some local and area busi-ness people managed to steal the team away from Knoxville in 2000, moving into a beautiful ballpark built with a public-private partnership, the team has been a success. But local support of the Smokies could always be stron-

ger.Sometimes, with all of our enter-

tainment options, we forget we have professional baseball right here. Some of the players you see, both on the Smokies and on their opponents’ ros-ters, will make it to the Show, to be part of a major league ballclub. Many former Smokies are on big-league rosters, as are players on other teams who passed through here. The caliber of play is top-notch. All of the players want to be big-leaguers so their drive and spirit never wane.

The Smokies deserve the support of the Sevier County community, and the team shows its appreciation for the local residents with special promotions. Ticket prices are rea-sonable. Season tickets are $500 and come with many bonuses and added features. Adult field-level and bleacher-level seats cost $10 and $8, respectively. Field-level and bleach-er-level seating for children (12 and under) and seniors (55 and older)

are $9 and $7, respectively. Fans can take advantage of an advanced-sale discount of $1, if they order tickets at least four hours in advance of game time. The team has held the line on ticket prices.

The 2010 homestand begins with “Wacky Wednesdays” and an Ugly Sweater Night theme. Feel free to pull out the tackiest hand-knitted sweater you’ve got and dress to impress at tonight’s game. And for locals, Wednesday this year at Smokies Park is Sevier County Night, where all resi-dents and employees of Sevier County get $2 off their walk-up ticket purchase at the stadium.

Last year was special with Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg as man-ager, He’s moved up to AAA, and Bill Dancy, a former major league player, has taken over. The players are hungry for attention and acclaim, as they con-tinue their quest of a career in the big leagues. Help them with your atten-dance during the season.

Leaders canstand up togun lobby

Play ball!Support our Smokies with attendance at games during season

8 Sports Wed.

Sports■ The Mountain Press ■ A8 ■ Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Visit: The Mountain Press.comView/Purchase Sports & News Photos

SPORTS TODAY

Minor League BaseballRegular season■ Tennessee Smokies host Chattanooga Lookouts

Prep BaseballRegular season■ Gatlinburg-Pittman at Gibbs

Prep SoftballRegular season■ Sevier County at Jefferson County

First-place Smokies open home slate tonight

Batting leaders

Batting:Starlin Castro.364

Home Runs:

Ty Wright1

RBIs:Ty Wright

12

TonightTennessee

Smokies vs. Chattanooga

Lookouts7:15 p.m.

Smokies Park

By JASON DAVISSports Editor

SEVIERVILLE — The first-place Tennessee Smokies will open their 2010 home schedule tonight at 7:15 p.m. at Smokies Park against the visiting Chattanooga Lookouts, double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Smokies, behind manager Bill Dancy, opened the season in Mississippi toppled the Braves four games to one in their open-ing series.

Now the Smokies will bring their game home to Sevierville to face the Lookouts.

Chattanooga will bring the L.A. Dodgers’ top two prospects to Smokies Park.

Shortstop Dee Gordon is the Dodgers’ top minor leaguer according to

Baseball America, and he turned in an eye-popping sea-son last year in the Midwest League, hitting over .300 and stealing 73 bases.

The Dodgers’ top pitching prospect, Chris Withrow, is also on the Lookouts roster, and the 2007 first-round draft pick is scheduled to start for the team on the mound tonight.

So far this season for the Smokies, Starlin Castro has been the team’s top hitter, batting at a .364 clip.

Castro, who’s widely regarded as the Chicago Cubs’ no. 1 prospect, has played like it so far.

In addition to leading the team in hitting, Castro is tied for the team-high in total bases with 12 and

slugging percent-age at .545. He’s also swiped three bases and banged out two triples in the team’s first five games.

T e a m m a t e Ty Wright has the squad’s only

homer so far, and he’s hit-ting .318 coming into today with a team-high 12 RBIs. He’s also been Casto’s equal slugging at .545.

Outfielder Tony Campana, who’s among the fleetest of foot in the Cubs’ organization, is well on his way to equalling last year’s stolen base total of 55 at Daytona. He’s already stolen four bases in five games, and he’s getting on base nearly 53 percent of the time, an amazing stat.

In just 19 trips to the plate, Campana has reached 10

times, five by hits and five by way of a bases on balls.

On the mound the Smokies have gotten good outings from starters Craig Muschko, Hung-Wen Chen, Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Andrew Cashner.

Cashner, altough he received no decision, struck out 10 over 4 1/3 innings at Mississippi last week, including the first seven Braves hitters.

The bullpen has also performed well, as Marcos Mateo, David Cales, Marco Carrillo, Alex Maestri, Jake Muyco and Ryan Buchter have all turned in good per-formances on the mound.

Tickets for tonight’s game can be purchased at the Smokies box office or online at www.smokies-baseball.com.

[email protected]

Due to rainouts/cancellations, sched-

ules are subject to change without

notice.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE BASEBALL

Jenkins delivers walk off single for Eagles

Pigeon Forge baseball earns District 3-AA winPREP HARDBALL

PF Tigers tie Gibbs in 3-AA

soccer 1-1

PREP SOCCER PREP HARDBALL

By COBEY HITCHCOCKSports Writer

PIGEON FORGE — The Pigeon Forge Tigers base-ball team continued its solid play with a 10-1 win Tuesday night over visiting District 3-AA rival Carter Green Hornets.

Pigeon Forge senior pitcher Justin Carter picked up the win with six innings of solid three-hit work, allowing just one run in the top of the sec-ond inning. He struck out eight and walked four.

Tigers senior Trevor Matthews closed the affair in the top of the seventh, allowing one hit and no runs.

Pigeon Forge senior Hayden Whaley was 1-for-1 with four RBIs and a run scored.

Tigers freshman Wil Crowe was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a run.

Orange-and-Black fresh-man Colt Buchanan was 2-for-2 with a run, and Carter helped his pitching cause with a 1-for-1 night and three runs scored.

Cobey Hitchcock/The Mountain Press

Pigeon Forge senior Justin Carter (24) slides in safely to home plate after senior Hayden Whaley’s RBI SAC fly to right field Tuesday night against visiting District 3-AA rival Carter Green Hornets.


PIGEON FORGE — The Pigeon Forge Tigers soccer squad battled visiting dis-trict rival Gibbs Eagles to a frustrating 1-1 tie Tuesday evening.

The Tigers (6-1-1) drew first blood about 25 min-utes into the first half, when senior midfielder Oscar Martinez shaped a back-wards header past the Gibbs goal keep for a 1-0 Orange-and-Black lead.

The Eagles answered with a fluky free kick from midfield that took a per-fect bounce over the Pigeon Forge keeper and into the net with about 10 minutes remaining in the first half, making it the eventual final.

The Tigers next play Anderson County 6 p.m. Thursday at the SCHS Soccer Complex.


Tigers junior Jared Cantrell (4) fires off a cannon of a shot Tuesday night against visiting district rival Gibbs Eagles. Cantrell’s bullet was stopped at the goal, however, in the first half of the eventual 1-1 tie.

By JASON DAVISSports Editor

SEYMOUR — The Seymour Eagles com-pleted the regular season sweep of the Jefferson County Patriots Tuesday night at Don Doyle Field with a heart-pounding 4-3 walk-off victory.

Sophomore leadoff man Logan Jenkins delivered when it mattered most, stroking an 0-2 pitch just over second base to drive in the game winning run in the bottom of the sev-enth inning.

With the score tied 3-3, senior Corbin Weaver led off the inning with a four-pitch walk. With a pinch runner in for Weaver and the hit and run on, Tyler Crawford hit a high chop-per between second a short that confused the infield, and when the dust cleared, everyone was safe.

Playing for the win, coach Scott Norman made a strategic decision then, opting to have Zack Cook

lay down his second sac-rifice bunt of the game.

The bunt worked per-fectly, moving the runners to second and third and thus killing the chance for a rally-killing double play.

With the speedy Jenkins at the plate, Norman went into his bag of tricks again, as Jenkins went for the squeeze play on an 0-1 count. But the bunt sailed foul and the sopho-more was down 0-2.

That’s when he made an excellent adjustment, stretching to protect the plate and lining a soft shot over second to drive in the pinch runner for the winning run.

The victory improves Seymour to 7-2 in the IMAC Conference, which keeps them in the hunt for first place. Results from the Sevier County/Morristown West game, which also has a strong bearing on the race for first, were not available.

[email protected]

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 ◆ The Mountain Press Sports ◆ A9

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Your Tennessee Smokies kick off their 2010 home schedule tonight at Smokies Park!_______________________________________

TONIGHT @ 7:15 p.m.Our first “Wacky Wednesday” of the season is bringing you “Ugly Sweater Night,”

so dress appropriately! JAnd all Sevier County residents & employees get $2 off their ticket at our ticket window!_______________________________________

Thursday, April 15 @ 7:15 p.m.“Kids Eat Free” promo tomorrow!

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RACING WITH RICH

NCAA should learn from NASCAR

The NCAA Basketball Tournament is one of the great events in all of sports. It is one of the few things that is seemingly perfect. Each year 65 teams live out their hopes, dreams and disappointments right before the eyes of an enthralled college sports public.

However, if rumors are to be believed, the tournament is about to undergo a transforma-tion. Apparently, there are about to be 96 teams living out those hopes, dreams and disappoint-ments. Surely if the 65 team field is perfect then a 96 team field will be more perfect, right?

Before the NCAA makes the move to expand its tournament they might want to con-sider what happened when NASCAR decide to expand its reach and

change something that was working pretty well.

In the 1990s NASCAR began to leave tracks and locales that had been a part of the sport for many years in order to establish a niche in more glamorous and more populated areas. Like the NCAA, they wanted to include more people believing that doing so would create more inter-est and thus bring in more dollars.

It’s logical to think that by moving into a previously untapped market more people will be exposed to the sport and eventually more

people will be watching, right? Well, in NASCAR’s case that was wrong. Taking the sport to Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami at the expense of places like North Wilkesboro, Darlington and Rockingham did not suddenly bring in huge numbers of new fans. Now, in those new places NASCAR often stages races in front of more empty seats than filled ones.

And more, just like the scorned girlfriend who was left at the dance when the boy decided to try and dance with the prom queen, NASCAR’s old fan base has moved on to other things. Television ratings have been in a steady decline since the mid 2000s indicating many fans felt as though they were abandoned.

While the NCAA

Tournament situation may not be an exact par-allel, it is close enough that the comparison may well have some cred-ibility. Taking a product that is working well and trying to make it bigger and better can backfire.

NASCAR had a product that was working well when it stayed close to its roots. Now, they are reaping the harvest of a poorly sown crop.

In the fervor of last Monday’s exciting cham-pionship game and the improbable tournament run of an underdog, this may seem to be the opportune time to make a change. The NCAA may think it is logical that adding to something that is perfect will make it more perfect. That is not always the case.— Contact me by vis-iting my website at RacingWithRich.com.

WATTS BAR LAKE — The Sevier County Bass Anglers held their second tournament of the sea-son this past weekend on Watts Bar Lake.

First-place winners were the Rick Starling and Michael Cole team with 13.25 pounds. Second place went to the team of Billy Mosely and Jason Smith with 12.5 pounds. And a third-place finish went to the Gary Johnson and Rodney Hardin pair-ing with 12.45 pounds.

The Largemouth

Lunker winners were the Billy Mosely and Jason Smith team with 5.5 pounds. Mosely and

Smith made it a clean sweep by also earning the Smallmouth Lunker award with 5.15 pounds.

S UBSCRIBE T ODAY get the full story everyday! 865-428-0748 ext. 230

SC Bass Anglers at it againLOCAL FISHING


PIGEON FORGE - Just call him Dr. K.

Pigeon Forge Tigers senior pitcher Bret Gallihugh was dominant on the mound in a 3-0 win at District 3-AA rival Knoxville Carter on Monday night, striking out at least two batters every inning for a total of 16 Ks on the night.

Gallihugh picked up the win in the shutout, going the distance and allowing no runs, no walks and just three hits in seven innings of work against the homestanding

Green Hornets.Tigers senior Trevor

Matthews gave Pigeon Forge its first lead of the night with a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the fifth.

Pigeon Forge freshman Drake Byrd made it the eventual final with a two-run homer over left field fence on a 1-2 curve ball, driving in Colt Buchanan who doubled down the left field line to set the plate for Byrd.

Pigeon Forge next travels to Knoxville on Thursday for the Sports Belle tourney.

[email protected]

Gallihugh sits down 16 in 3-0 Tigers win

PREP HARDBALL

Cobey Hitchcock/the Mountain Press file

Bret Gallihugh pitches at the state baseball tournament last year in Murfreesboro.

You never know what you’ve got until it’s gone

NFL GRIDIRON

Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger, Goodell meet in NYNEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is weighing possible

disciplinary action against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who met with league commissioner Roger Goodell one day after learning he won’t be charged in the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student.

Roethlisberger described the Tuesday afternoon meet-ing in Manhattan as “very productive,” but gave no hint whether he expects to be suspended or fined for several off-field incidents that damaged his reputation and angered the franchise he’s led to two Super Bowl championships.

“It’s a very serious matter, one we take serious,” Roethlisberger told ESPN as he and his representatives left the meeting with Goodell.

While Roethlisberger faces no criminal charges after being accused of assaulting the 20-year-old student in a nightclub bathroom, in a separate case he also is being sued in civil court by a former Nevada hotel employee for an alleged sexual assault in 2008. No criminal charges were filed in that case.

The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, April 14, 2010A10 ◆ Sports

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PIGEON FORGE — The Pigeon Forge Tigers boys’ and girls’ tennis squads split a pair of matches against visiting Chuckey-Doak on Monday.

The Orange-and-Black boys came out on top 7-2 against the Black Knights, while the visiting Chuckey-Doak girls triumphed over the Lady Tigers by the same 7-2 margin.

The Pigeon Forge boys (4-1) had four individuals win matches, including Ben Cave, Tyler Helton, Brandon Rutledge and Gabe Camacho.

The Orange-and-Black boys also swept all three doubles contests, includ-ing the teams of Cave and Camacho, Rutledge and Jay Patel, and Evan Huskey and Caleb Ownby.

The Pigeon Forge girls (3-2) didn’t have such good fortunes, however, with just one individual

and one doubles victory.Lady Tiger Holly Woods

was the lone Pigeon Forge winner, while the doubles team of Olivia Frost and Michelle Kelly also picked up a win.

The Orange-and-Black squads next host county and District 3-AA rival Gatlinburg-Pittman noon Thursday.

S UBSCRIBE T ODAY

get the full story everyday!

865-428-0748 ext. 230Tigers tennis splits with Black KnightsPREP TENNIS

PIGEON FORGE — This years AAU youth wres-tling has been a great suc-cess for the Pigeon Forge Tigers. They were able to have over 75 boys and girls competing in all age groups starting with 1st graders all the way through middle school. The youth wrestling season started in January and finished in April with the MS National Duals in Iowa.

The boys and girls where able to compete at the local, regional, state and national levels.

The grade school wres-tlers where coached by Pigeon Forge HS coach Greg Foreman, Brian Whaley and other high school wrestlers.

The Middle school team was coached by Don Barnett, Keith Swaney, Derrick Metcalf and other high school wrestlers.

Pigeon Forge had five wrestlers compete at the Spring Youth Nationals which had 500 wrestlers competing from 20 differ-ent states.

These wrestlers not only competed at the nation level but also did outstand-ing in their weight classes and divisions. They were as follows:

• Riley Franklin — 2nd place, Tot Division, 55lb.Class

• Hunter Davison — 8th place, Midget Divison, 75lb Class

• Nate Croley — 4th place, School boy Division, 125lb Class

• Trevor Reed — 5th place, Scholl boy Divison, 140 lb. Class

• Sam Swaney — 5th place, Novice Division, 120lb Class

Swaney was also a TN Top 100 Belt Series Champion-ship Placer.

In addi-tion to placing at the Spring Youth Nationals, two wres-tlers from the Pigeon Forge Middle School wrestling team where chosen for a National Team com-petition by Team Tennessee. Nate Croley was cho-sen as an alternate at 125lb. class and Trevor Reed was chosen as a starter at the 135lb. class to represent Team Tennessee and compete at the MS National Duals

held in Des Monies, Iowa on April 18 and 19.

The MS National Duals have 32 teams of 25 wres-tlers each from all over the nation in competition.

Both boys have been competing in youth AAU wrestling for at least 4 years. Both have placed in the top three at state in previous years. This year both Trevor and Nate placed third at state only losing to the first place wrestler winner by 1 point. While Nate had a record of 32-5, Trevor had broken his arm just before season and was just getting back into competition at the end of the season with a 13-5 record.

Nate was able to com-pete in four matches while in Iowa and won two of them. He enjoyed seeing and competing at the high-est team competition level for AAU.

Trevor was able to com-pete in eight matches. After losing the first two matches, he decided not to worry about losing and really opened up his style and improved as a wrestler to finish strong going 3-2 in his last five matches.

His coach, Don Barnett, said he really enjoyed see-ing Trevor open up and wrestle hard. Also coach Barnett said that both boys will one day make the Pigeon Forge High School team and be known as tough competitors.

From submitted reports

Hunter Davidson

Nate Croley

Riley Franklin

Sam Swaney

Trevor Reed

PF AAU wrestlers do well from local to national competitions

PREP TENNIS


Pigeon Forge pitcher Lindsey Vaught had another impressive night from the mound, despite suffering a 4-2 loss to visiting District 3-AA rival Gibbs on Tuesday. Vaught gave up two earned runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking two in seven innings of work. PF senior Danielle Rauhuff had a two-RBI triple for the Lady Tigers, and junior Ashley “Wojo” Wojnowski had half of the Pigeon Forge hits with a double and single in the loss.

Lady Tigers look of intensity ...

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 ◆ The Mountain Press Sports ◆ A11

11 Wed.

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TodayMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL8 p.m.EspN2 — Houston at st. LouisNBA BASKETBALL8 p.m.EspN — Memphis at oklahoma City10:30 p.m.EspN — phoenix at UtahNHL HOCKEY7 p.m.vErsUs — playoffs, confer-ence quarterfinals, Game 1, ottawa at pittsburgh10 p.m.vErsUs — playoffs, confer-ence quarterfinals, Game 1, Detroit at phoenix12:30 a.m.vErsUs — playoffs, confer-ence quarterfinals, Game 1, Colorado at san Jose, joined in progressSOCCER2:55 p.m.EspN2 — premier League, tottenham vs. Arsenal, at London

LoCAL bowLiNG

Gatlinburg Bowling CenterLeague results through tuesday.Tuesday Night Men’s LeagueHigh game/series:Allen Cox, 237/615

pro HArDbALL

National LeagueEast Division

W L Pct GBphiladelphia 6 1 .857 —Florida 4 3 .571 2Atlanta 3 4 .429 3washington 3 4 .429 3New York 2 4 .333 3 1/2

Central Division W L Pct GBst. Louis 5 2 .714 —Cincinnati 4 3 .571 1Chicago 3 4 .429 2Milwaukee 3 4 .429 2pittsburgh 3 4 .429 2Houston 0 7 .000 5

West Division W L Pct GBsan Francisco 6 1 .857 —Arizona 4 2 .667 1 1/2Colorado 3 3 .500 2 1/2san Diego 3 4 .429 3Los Angeles 2 4 .333 3 1/2

———Monday’s GamesChicago Cubs 9, Milwaukee 5philadelphia 7, washington 4st. Louis 5, Houston 0san Diego 17, Atlanta 2Cincinnati 6, Florida 5, 10 inningssan Francisco 9, pittsburgh 3Tuesday’s GamesArizona at L.A. Dodgers, 4:10 p.m.Cincinnati at Florida, 7:10 p.m.N.Y. Mets at Colorado, 8:40 p.m.pittsburgh at san Francisco, 10:15 p.m.Wednesday’s GamesMilwaukee (bush 0-0) at Chicago Cubs (r.wells 1-0), 2:20 p.m.pittsburgh (Morton 0-1) at san Francisco (J.sanchez 0-0), 3:45 p.m.washington (stammen 0-0) at philadelphia (K.Kendrick 0-0), 7:05 p.m.Cincinnati (H.bailey 0-0) at Florida (volstad 0-1), 7:10 p.m.Houston (Myers 0-0) at st. Louis (penny 0-0), 8:15 p.m.N.Y. Mets (Niese 0-1) at Colorado (Cook 0-1), 8:40 p.m.Atlanta (Hanson 0-1) at san Diego (richard 0-1), 10:05 p.m.Arizona (r.Lopez 1-0) at L.A. Dodgers (billingsley 1-0), 10:10 p.m.Thursday’s GamesHouston at st. Louis, 1:40 p.m.Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.washington at philadelphia, 3:05 p.m.N.Y. Mets at Colorado, 3:10 p.m.Atlanta at san Diego, 6:35 p.m.Cincinnati at Florida, 7:10 p.m.Arizona at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

American LeagueEast Division

W L Pct GBtoronto 5 2 .714 —New York 4 2 .667 1/2tampa bay 4 3 .571 1boston 3 4 .429 2baltimore 1 6 .143 4

Central Division W L Pct GBMinnesota 6 2 .750 —Detroit 5 2 .714 1/2Chicago 3 4 .429 2 1/2Kansas City 3 4 .429 2 1/2Cleveland 2 5 .286 3 1/2

West Division W L Pct GBoakland 6 2 .750 —texas 4 3 .571 1 1/2Los Angeles 2 5 .286 3 1/2seattle 2 6 .250 4

———Monday’s GamesKansas City 10, Detroit 5texas 4, Cleveland 2, 10 inningsMinnesota 5, boston 2oakland 4, seattle 0tampa bay 5, baltimore 1Chicago white sox 8, toronto 7, 11 inningsTuesday’s GamesKansas City at Detroit, 1:05 p.m.L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.tampa bay at baltimore, 7:05 p.m.Chicago white sox at toronto, 7:07 p.m.oakland at seattle, 10:10 p.m.Wednesday’s GamesKansas City (Davies 0-0) at Detroit (porcello 1-0), 1:05 p.m.L.A. Angels (pineiro 0-1) at N.Y. Yankees (vazquez 0-1), 1:05 p.m.boston (Lackey 0-0) at Minnesota (slowey 1-0), 1:10 p.m.tampa bay (price 1-0) at baltimore (bergesen 0-0), 1:35 p.m.texas (C.wilson 0-0) at Cleveland (Masterson 0-0), 7:05 p.m.Chicago white sox (Danks 0-0) at toronto (Morrow 0-0), 7:07 p.m.oakland (G.Gonzalez 1-0) at seattle (J.vargas 0-1), 10:10 p.m.Thursday’s Gamestexas at Cleveland, 12:05 p.m.boston at Minnesota, 1:10 p.m.L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.Chicago white sox at toronto, 7:07 p.m.baltimore at oakland, 10:05 p.m.

Southern LeagueNorth Division

W L Pct. GBCarolina (reds) 4 1 .800 —Tennessee (Cubs) 4 1 .800 —Huntsville (brewers) 3 2 .600 1west tenn (Mariners) 3 2 .600 1Chattanooga (Dodgers) 2 3 .400 2

South Division W L Pct. GBMontgomery (rays) 3 2 .600 —Jacksonville (Marlins) 2 3 .400 1Mobile (Diamondbacks) 2 3 .400 1birmingham (white sox) 1 4 .200 2Mississippi (braves) 1 4 .200 2

———Monday’s GamesJacksonville 2, west tenn 1birmingham 7, Carolina 3Mississippi 5, tennessee 4, 10 inningsMontgomery 3, Mobile 2Huntsville 7, Chattanooga 4

Tuesday’s GamesNo games scheduledWednesday’s GamesJacksonville at Huntsville, 8 p.m.birmingham at Mobile, 8:05 p.m.Mississippi at west tenn, 8:05 p.m.Montgomery at Carolina, 7:15 p.m.Chattanooga at tennessee, 7:15 p.m.

N b A H o o p s

EASTERN CONFERENCEAtlantic Division

W L Pct GBy-boston 50 30 .625 —toronto 39 42 .481 11 1/2New York 29 52 .358 21 1/2philadelphia 27 54 .333 23 1/2New Jersey 12 69 .148 38 1/2

Southeast Division W L Pct GBy-orlando 58 23 .716 —x-Atlanta 52 29 .642 6x-Miami 46 35 .568 12x-Charlotte 44 37 .543 14washington 25 56 .309 33

Central Division W L Pct GBz-Cleveland 61 20 .753 —x-Milwaukee 45 36 .556 16Chicago 39 41 .488 21 1/2indiana 32 49 .395 29Detroit 26 55 .321 35WESTERN CONFERENCE

Southwest Division W L Pct GBy-Dallas 54 27 .667 —x-san Antonio 50 31 .617 4Houston 42 39 .519 12Memphis 40 41 .494 14New orleans 36 45 .444 18

Northwest Division W L Pct GBx-Denver 53 28 .654 —x-Utah 52 28 .650 1/2x-portland 50 31 .617 3x-oklahoma City 49 32 .605 4Minnesota 15 66 .185 38

Pacific Division W L Pct GBz-L.A. Lakers 56 24 .700 —x-phoenix 52 28 .650 4L.A. Clippers 28 53 .346 28 1/2Golden state 25 55 .313 31sacramento 25 56 .309 31 1/2

x-clinched playoff spoty-clinched divisionz-clinched conference

———Monday’s Gamesorlando 118, indiana 98Miami 107, philadelphia 105toronto 111, Detroit 97Charlotte 105, New Jersey 95New York 114, washington 103Atlanta 104, Milwaukee 96san Antonio 133, Minnesota 111Denver 123, Memphis 101Houston 117, sacramento 107portland 103, oklahoma City 95Dallas 117, L.A. Clippers 94Tuesday’s Gamesboston at Chicago, 8 p.m.Utah at Golden state, 10:30 p.m.sacramento at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.Denver at phoenix, 10:30 p.m.Wednesday’s Gamessan Antonio at Dallas, 8 p.m.New orleans at Houston, 8 p.m.Detroit at Minnesota, 8 p.m.Memphis at oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Cleveland at Atlanta, 8 p.m.Milwaukee at boston, 8 p.m.Chicago at Charlotte, 8 p.m.indiana at washington, 8 p.m.New York at toronto, 8 p.m.New Jersey at Miami, 8 p.m.philadelphia at orlando, 8 p.m.L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.Golden state at portland, 10:30 p.m.phoenix at Utah, 10:30 p.m.

Playoff GlanceFIRST ROUND(Best-of-7)(x-if necessary)EASTERN CONFERENCEWashington vs. Montrealthursday, April 15: Montreal at washington, 7 p.m.saturday, April 17: Montreal at washington, 7 p.m.Monday, April 19: washington at Montreal, 7 p.m.wednesday, April 21: washington at Montreal, 7 p.m.x-Friday, April 23: Montreal at washington, 7 p.m.x-Monday, April 26: washington at Montreal, 7 p.m.x-wednesday, April 28: Montreal at washington, tbDNew Jersey vs. Philadelphiawednesday, April 14: philadelphia at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.Friday, April 16: philadelphia at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.sunday, April 18: New Jersey at philadelphia, 6 p.m.tuesday, April 20: New Jersey at philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.x-thursday, April 22: philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m.x-sunday, April 25: New Jersey at philadelphia, tbDx-tuesday, April 27: philadelphia at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.Buffalo vs. Bostonthursday, April 15: boston at buffalo, 7 p.m.saturday, April 17: boston at buffalo, 1 p.m.Monday, April 19: buffalo at boston, 7 p.m.wednesday, April 21: buffalo at boston, 7 p.m.x-Friday, April 23: boston at buffalo, 7 p.m.x-Monday, April 26: buffalo at boston, 7 p.m.x-wednesday, April 28: boston at buffalo, 7 p.m.Pittsburgh vs. Ottawawednesday, April 14: ottawa at pittsburgh, 7 p.m.Friday, April 16: ottawa at pittsburgh, 7 p.m.sunday, April 18: pittsburgh at ottawa, 6:30 p.m.tuesday, April 20: pittsburgh at ottawa, 7 p.m.x-thursday, April 22: ottawa at pittsburgh, 7 p.m.x-saturday, April 24: pittsburgh at ottawa, 7 p.m.x-tuesday, April 27: ottawa at pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

N H L p U C K s

WESTERN CONFERENCESan Jose vs. Coloradowednesday, April 14: Colorado at san Jose, 10:30 p.m.Friday, April 16: Colorado at san Jose, 10:30 p.m.sunday, April 18: san Jose at Colorado, 9:30 p.m.tuesday, April 20: san Jose at Colorado, 10 p.m.x-thursday, April 22: Colorado at san Jose, 10:30 p.m.x-saturday, April 24: san Jose at Colorado, tbDx-Monday, April 26: Colorado at san Jose, tbDChicago vs. NashvilleFriday, April 16: Nashville at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.sunday, April 18: Nashville at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.tuesday, April 20: Chicago at Nashville, 9 p.m.thursday, April 22: Chicago at Nashville, 8:30 p.m.x-saturday, April 24: Nashville at Chicago, 3 p.m.x-Monday, April 26: Chicago at Nashville, tbDx-wednesday, April 28: Nashville at Chicago, tbDVancouver vs. Los Angelesthursday, April 15: Los Angeles at vancouver, 10 p.m.saturday, April 17: Los Angeles at vancouver, 10 p.m.Monday, April 19: vancouver at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.wednesday, April 21: vancouver at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.x-Friday, April 23: Los Angeles at vancouver, 10 p.m.x-sunday, April 25: vancouver at Los Angeles, tbDx-tuesday, April 27: Los Angeles at vancouver, tbDPhoenix vs. Detroitwednesday, April 14: Detroit at phoenix, 10 p.m.

Friday, April 16: Detroit at phoenix, 10 p.m.sunday, April 18: phoenix at Detroit, 3 p.m.tuesday, April 20: phoenix at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.x-Friday, April 23: Detroit at phoenix, 10 p.m.x-sunday, April 25: phoenix at Detroit, 2 p.m.x-tuesday, April 27: Detroit at phoenix, tbD

N A s C A r

NASCAR Sprint Cup LeadersPoints1, Jimmie Johnson, 1,073. 2, Matt Kenseth, 1,037. 3, Greg Biffle, 981. 4, Kevin Harvick, 961. 5, Jeff Gordon, 948. 6, Clint bowyer, 885. 7, Jeff burton, 873. 8, Carl Edwards, 873. 9, tony stewart, 869. 10, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 866.11, Joey Logano, 862. 12, Kyle busch, 855. 13, Mark Martin, 844. 14, Kurt busch, 834. 15, paul Menard, 811. 16, ryan Newman, 802. 17, brian vickers, 786. 18, Denny Hamlin, 783. 19, Martin truex Jr., 780. 20, Jamie McMurray, 745.Money1, Jamie McMurray, $2,274,457. 2, Jimmie Johnson, $1,777,935. 3, Dale Earnhardt Jr., $1,701,204. 4, Kevin Harvick, $1,642,559. 5, Greg Biffle, $1,455,154. 6, Jeff Gordon, $1,357,336. 7, Matt Kenseth, $1,330,936. 8, Clint bowyer, $1,256,445. 9, Kasey Kahne, $1,221,244. 10, David reutimann, $1,219,672.11, Kurt busch, $1,217,740. 12, Kyle busch, $1,195,721. 13, Jeff burton, $1,191,359. 14, Joey Logano, $1,189,785. 15, Juan pablo Montoya, $1,179,546. 16, tony stewart, $1,167,240. 17, Carl Edwards, $1,145,590. 18, ryan Newman, $1,143,382. 19, brian vickers, $1,094,940. 20, Mark Martin, $1,081,764.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 ◆ The Mountain Press Comics ◆ A13

13 Comics

Dear Annie: Ever since my son met his wife 12 years ago, he has allowed her and her family to insult me. For example, her family held a party for my grandson’s first birthday at their home and included the entire family, plus my ex-husband and his fifth wife. Because the fifth wife doesn’t like me, I wasn’t invited. They did, however, have a second, tiny party so I could bring my grandson a birthday present. My son went along with this insult.

They live 45 minutes away, and I am not per-mitted to stop by and visit. I must phone with a specific date and time, and my son will call back after he has checked to see whether it is OK with his wife. Every holiday is spent with her family. The grandkids have never been to my house on Christmas Day. They are with her parents and then at her aunt’s.

Two years ago, I had triple bypass surgery two days before Easter. My son and daughter-in-law stopped by the hospital to visit, and her parents called and said to hurry up because they were holding Easter dinner. Unbelievable.

They have Caller ID, and my daughter-in-law never picks up when I phone. I do, however, get calls from them when they want money. I recently posted a com-ment on Facebook that was directed at my son. Her aunt had the nerve to respond, so I wrote back that she should MYOB. Now my son says I am no longer allowed to see the grandchildren or come to their house. How do I deal with this? -- Devastated and Frustrated

Dear Devastated: We realize you don’t have a great relationship with

your daughter-in-law, and although much of that may be her fault, you are not blameless. No one should drop in on the kids without call-ing first. Any comment posted on Facebook is fair game, and telling her aunt to MYOB was asking for trouble. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Mom. Stop antagonizing your daugh-ter-in-law and looking for reasons to be angry. Instead, find something to like about this woman and focus on it. Apologize for upsetting her. Respect their privacy. Play nice even if it kills you. It’s the only route back into their lives.

Dear Annie: My father recently died of cancer. During the inter-ment, my husband’s uncle coincidentally was visiting a grave at the same cemetery. When he saw us, he walked over and interrupted my father’s service to argue with the funeral direc-tor. Why? Because my father was not from this state and “Uncle Buck” felt Dad was taking a space that should go to a resident. As the funeral director was guiding my mother to my father’s gravesite, Buck stepped right between them. Afterward, he stood watching us, glaring and shaking his head. I am terribly hurt and angry with this man. Am I wrong? -- Still Grieving Daughter

Dear Still: Uncle Buck was amazingly insensitive and rude. Even if the cemetery has a provision to give prefer-ential treatment to local

residents, he should have had the decency to dis-cuss it after the service. The man is a clod and a boor and doesn’t deserve another thought. Our condolences.

Dear Annie: I read the letter from “At My Wits’ End,” whose daugh-ter has bipolar disorder, but her husband “doesn’t believe it’s a true illness.” Please inform her that the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers family support groups, a free 12-week family-to-family educa-tion course and a free 6-week NAMI basics course (the latter for par-ents and other caregivers of children living with a mental illness). She and her husband could attend these programs, and if her husband cannot go, she should go anyway because the information and support are invalu-able.

To find out whether these programs are offered in her area, she can check nami.org and click on “Support and Programs.” -- Guy Beales, President, NAMI North Central Massachusetts, Board of Directors, NAMI Massachusetts

Dear Guy Beales: We have recommended NAMI numerous times in the past. Thanks for remind-ing our readers of this wonderful organization.

Annie’s Mailbox is writ-ten by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to [email protected], or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

A d v i c e

t o d Ay ’ s p u z z l e

Family Circus Close to Home

Zits

Blondie

Baby Blues

Beetle Bailey

Garfield

Barney Google and Snuffy Smith

For Better Or Worse

Tina’s Groove

Woman fed up with insults from her daughter-in-law

The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, April 14, 2010

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jurors on Tuesday found the Boy Scouts of America negligent and awarded $1.4 million to a former Portland man who was abused by an assistant Scoutmaster in the early 1980s, following a three-week trial in which secret Scout “perversion files” were used as evidence.

The jury also decided the Irving, Texas-based Scouts organization was liable for punitive dam-ages that will be decided in a separate phase of the trial. That would be in addition to the $1.4 million.

The Scouts denied allegations of negligence and said the files actu-ally helped them keep child molesters out of their ranks.

Lawyers for Kerry Lewis, the victim who filed the lawsuit, argued the Boy Scouts organi-zation was reckless for allowing former assis-tant Scoutmaster Timur Dykes to continue to associate with the vic-tim’s Scout troop after

Dykes acknowledged to a bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints early in 1983 that he had molested 17 Boy Scouts.

The church was the charter organization for an estimated third to one half of the Boy Scout troops in the nation in the 1980s.

The church settled its portion of the Portland case before trial, but the jury ordered it to pay 25

percent of the $1.4 mil-lion in noneconomic dam-ages, or $350,000. The Boy Scouts of America must pay 60 percent, or $840,000, while its Cascade Pacific Council must pay 15 percent, or $210,000.

Dykes was later convict-ed three times of various abuse charges involving boys and served time in prison. Shortly before trial, he admitted in a deposi-tion to abusing Lewis.

puters. We spent millions on a new three-story library when all we needed was more com-puters in our current library. With poor planning, no one foresaw the new library need-ing to close an extra day each week due to the extra staff needed to run the new library and coffee shop.

GREG BULLOCK: This will in time be one of our biggest challenges as a county that we will have to go through. Sometime cuts are inevitable. Cutting jobs is the last place I would look to save money. I would take tightening the belt and trimming the fat from the top down to the bottom. Take for instance Mr. Smelcer our road superintendent. Uses his vehicles and equipment for long periods of time to get the most service out of them. We as a county government can do that all across the board just for starters.

MAX WATSON: Good, but could be better by reducing waste and abuse. This county should implement central-ized accounting and purchas-ing departments. It has long been recommended by the state comptroller’s office. For instance we have $40,000 vehicles in service when $20,000 or less vehicles would have been just as good.

TOMMY WATTS: Were in bad shape we have a 14.10 per-cent unemployment rate and sales receipts are down all over the state with budget cuts on the horizon.

5. The county has no nepotism policy or a policy that limits county employees from holding office. Should there be a policy that addresses this issue?

JIM BISHOP: County employees serving on the commission should abstain from voting on their own pay raises and their own depart-ment’s budget. They never do. No commissioner should ever be personally enriched by his or her own vote. The News Sentinel reports that there are currently six commissioners who work for the county. And they have in fact voted for their own pay raises. I can tell you that Pigeon Forge doesn’t allow this and also does have a nepotism policy. As long as the voter’s don’t speak up against the current system it won’t change.

GREG BULLOCK: Absolutely! I think that guidelines should be set and enforced regarding county employees holding a public office where he or she will be in a sense their own boss and

be unbiased when making crucial decisions. For instance, a school teacher would not be allowed to run for school board. Why should a county employee be allowed to run for county commission and get two paychecks from the same employer?

MAX WATSON: This county should have a nepotism policy in place immediately. Too many wives, husbands, dads and children of elected offi-cials and department heads hold high-paying jobs in this county. The county should be run more like a business than big government. Quite frankly some of those high-paying jobs with furnished vehicles could be eliminated altogether.

TOMMY WATTS: I feel that jobs and offices should be open to the best-qualified person; no person should he discriminated against because of relation or occupation.

6. The county may be sued and have to spend thousands of dollars to defend the use of the Lord’s Prayer at meetings. Is there a way to avoid spending this money through compromise or change?

JIM BISHOP: When I attended the recent commis-sion meeting, just prior to the notice from “Americans United” to cease and desist the practice of praying out loud, I stood and joined in with the audience as we prayed the Lord’s Prayer. I personally was not offended by being asked to pray. I did have a voter in the First District, while not offend-ed, comment that the mayor should pay the legal fees out of his own pocket if he feels so strongly about the issue. Others who talked to me were in full support of the practice and the county mayor.

GREG BULLOCK: There is never a place for com-promise when it comes to issues regarding the Lord and prayer. That is the founda-tion we were built on long ago. As for money being spent there is a fund called The Alliance Defense Fund. This was founded by a group of lawyers trained specifically to defend such cases of separa-tion of church and state. They challenged the movement to remove such acts as “meet you at the pole” and Fellowship of Christian Athletes to be removed from our schools. They won the challenges. I understand they would be glad to support our Mayor and our Commission’s stand on keeping the prayer and Ten Commandments as they are. Backbone — that is what we need more of.

MAX WATSON: The people of the 1st District,

including myself, overwhelm-ingly support prayer before government meetings and the Ten Commandments. If there are ways to keep prayer before or during our government meetings and the Ten Commandments on our courthouse walls, other than lawsuits, I could support that. I personally pray and it would suit me if the Ten Commandments were posted on every building in the county.

TOMMY WATTS: I don’t see ether side backing down or any way to avoid doing the right thing for our community.

7. New rules on hillside development are about to come before the County Commission? What is your take on those rules, and should the county do more or less land-use regulation?

JIM BISHOP: We do not need another commissioner with a personal agenda, nor do we need another “yes man” for the county mayor. While I am much opposed to devel-opments like the one in my district on Legacy Mountain, I will vote according to the will of my constituents. If you vote in the primary, you will have a voice. If you do not vote in the primary, unless you have a very good reason, you will not have a voice and you will not be heard. As it is said, if you do not vote, you have no right to complain.

GREG BULLOCK: It’s not the issue of using the land it is the miss — using of the land and not putting back what has been stripped from it. For the lack of better words “causing an eyesore.” If you build in Sevier County, more than like-ly you will build on a hillside especially in my District 1.

MAX WATSON: The slow economy by itself solved some of our problems. The thought of telling people that they can’t have red roofs or shiny windows saddens me as an American. Less regulations, but sound sensible regulations seem the best way to go for me.

TOMMY WATTS: I would like to see the new rules and set regulations to be able to make a decision that will best serve my district, also be able to meet and discuss the rules with my district to be able to make a group decision on the issue.

quesTions3From Page A2

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Conservative groups preparing to fight President Barack Obama over his next Supreme Court nomination are trying to recruit tea party activists to their cause, hoping their enthusiasm will help them beat back any nominee that could be too lib-eral for their taste.

Bringing in the tea party movement — known for its high-energy rallies and protests calling for small government, lower taxes and less spending — would be a coup for conservatives, who were not able to stop the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor last year.

Obama promises to move quickly in naming a nominee to succeed Justice John Paul Stevens, who announced last week that he is retiring. In an important matter of political protocol, Obama is meeting on April 21 at the White House with senators who will help shape the

tone and timing of the confirmation review ahead.

The White House announced Tuesday that Obama will meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky; Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the top Republican on Judiciary.

Obama is considering about 10 can-didates for the court, including a new name, federal appeals court judge Sidney Thomas of Montana. Also in the mix are former Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, federal appeals court judges Diane Wood and Merrick Garland, Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Groups look for tea party support on court nomination

Boy Scouts found negligent in sex case

The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, April 14, 2010A18 ◆

18 Wed.

wednesday, april 14, 2010

Documents

county commission

county planning commission

high school academy

regulations committee

proposed rules

stricter regulations

new school

hillsides group