The ‘poor farm’
Leo York speaks about the Anderson County Poor Farm before unveiling a historical marker. - Ben Pounds
For decades in the 19th and 20th centuries, poor people with disabilities such as blindness, deafness and mental health issues lived as “inmates” at Anderson County’s Poor Farm. The Poor Farm site in Claxton got a Tennessee Historical Commission sign thanks to the efforts of Anderson County historical researcher Leo York. York unwrapped the marker at an event at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18. The marker is on Nature Lane near the intersection of Old Emory Road and Blockhouse Road. More than 20 people attended the event including Anderson County Commissioners Catherine Denenberg and Anthony Allen. “I don’t want this history to go away,” York said at the event. “It needs to be talked about now. That’s why we’re putting this up.” The sign explains some details of the site’s history. The county established this poor farm on March 7, 1895, although it was not the first one for the county and opened after the first one closed. The Poor Farm provided clothing, food and health care, the sign stated, to the county’s poor. York said the farm’s revenue as a working farm covered these costs, sparing county taxpayers. York explained at the event that the poor people were sent there by the county government.
Read MoreA big step for the new home of Anderson County American Legion Post 172
A crew with CCT Inc., Raccoon Valley Road, puts down 70-plus yards of concrete for the new home of Anderson County American Legion Post 172 on Spring Street in Clinton. - Ken Leinart
A new home for Anderson County American Legion Post 172 is a step closer. The concrete is down and the next step, the building, will be in place in about a month. Ground was broken for the post’s new building in December 2021, and while a lot has been accomplished there is still a long way to go. There are still fundraising efforts underway. “We have to finish the inside of the building and we’ll need to finish the parking lot,” Anderson County Veterans Service Director and Post 172 officer Leon Jaquet said. Tuesday morning, CCT Inc., Raccoon Valley Road, put down 70-plus yards of concrete for the new facility. The new Post 172 home will be some 2,400 square feet. While this work is being done, the post is still meeting at Clinton Community Center until the new home is completed, and is still serving the community. Donations are always welcome — for the new facility or for any of the numerous services Post 172 provides.
Read More$10K transferred by commission for tourism building ‘mold remediation’
Mold remediation in the county tourism building was the big topic at Monday night’s meeting of the Anderson County Commission, which gave $10,000 for the work. From the minutes of the March 1 Tourism Council meeting, commissioners learned of a report on the mold condition at the log building that houses the Tourism Council, with recommendations to alleviate the problem. Recommendations included repairs to the roof, replacing damaged ceiling tiles, use of filtration devices, use of a dehumidifier, vacuuming of mold and installation of containment barriers. As a result the commission voted to transfer funds that had been set aside for rental payments for temporary quarters for the Tourism Council to another fund to pay for mold remediation. Commissioners also learned that the Tourism Council voted to ask the executive director to explore options for relocating the council. This new location would need to have at a minimum three or four office spaces, a conference room, storage, a lobby and restrooms.
Read MoreRocky Top has ‘six-month window’ to find city manager
Rocky Top has a “six-month window” to find a permanent city manager since Mayor Kerry Templin was authorized earlier this month to hire an interim manager for that period, Templin said during last week’s regular council meeting. When asked by Councilman Zack Green whether there had been “any progress on finding a permanent city manager,” Templin said, “The goal is to have someone within the next six months.” Green has suggested that the city begin working on an advertisement to seek applications for the job in the wake of the resignation of Michael Foster, who announced during the February council meeting that he would be leaving the position effective March 31. Foster, who has served in the position since 2016 when the city charter was changed to a city manager form of municipal government, had been working under increasing negativity from the new mayor and council majority since they took office in December. Templin and the council approved a “severance agreement” with Foster during the February meeting that will ensure that Foster gets paid “a lump sum equal to four months aggregate salary, accrued leave, and benefits,” including the $500-a-month car allowance that his employment contract dictates.
Read More
News
The ‘poor farm’ Read More
$10K transferred by commission for tourism building ‘mold remediation’ Read More
Rocky Top has ‘six-month window’ to find city manager Read More
Norris council approves zoning for boat storage, sales, service facility Read More
Opinion
Love cares enough to try Read More
An open letter from the Anderson County GOP Read More
Dynamic leaders make the greatest decade Read More
Sports
Dragons win home opener Read More
After 0-3 start, Mavs break into win column against Campbell Read More
Lady Mavs even record at 1-1 Read More
Lady Dragons come up short Read More
Weather postpones Lady Wildcats’ softball season Read More
Soccercats have a good tourney trip to Gatlinburg Read More
Oak Ridge baseball off to hot start for 2022-23 campaign Read More
Harriman Ridge Classic champs Read More
Raiders’ comeback falls short Read More
Community
A big step for the new home of Anderson County American Legion Post 172 Read More
Forum to discuss books is March 27 Read More
Everyone is invited to this event Read More
Photo Galleries
Anderson County High School Homecoming View
Faces at the Fair View
Scenes from: 2021 Victor Ashe Park Cross Country Classic View
Public Notices
Current Public Notices View
233 N Hicks St • Clinton, TN 37716 • (865) 457-2515
Copyright © 2018 Clinton Courier News, LLC.
| Subscription Rates | 1 Year |
|---|---|
| Local (Anderson County) | $35.00 |
| Local Seniors (Anderson County) | $30.00 |
| Surrounding Counties(Knox, Union, Campbell, Scott, Morgan, Roane, and Loundon) | $48.00 |
| All Other Locations | $60.00 |