Dear Editor,

We have read several of Rocky King’s announcements that he was seeking the position of sheriff of Polk County. He talks about all the grants he has received and how much training and schooling he has got for the Benton Police Department.

We doubt that Rocky ever filled out the paper work for a grant by himself.

We wonder how much schooling it takes for a police officer to read numbers that are printed out on a radar screen. We thought most of us learned that in a few days in grade school. The only police work we see being done with 90% of the policeman are sitting in a car running radar, as our fathers used to say fee grabbing.

We think our sheriff’s officer’s need to do what they are doing under Sheriff Davis and not be put in a parked car running radar 24/7.

When Senator Bob Corker had his town hall forum at Black Bear Cove in November, which was almost entirely Republicans and the question was asked how many Democrats were at the meeting only 3 raised their hand and Rocky King and his puppets handler were not one of them. We just wonder if they are closet Democrats and only claim to be one when trying to get elected by the good Democrats.

Think long and hard before you vote, do not go backward; always go forward, for the better re-elect Sheriff Bill Davis as our Democrat candidate. Let the want to be Democrats run as an independent. If it is not broken don’t fix it or change it.

All of the above is no reflection on the police officers who work for and have to do what their chief and puppet handler tells them to do.

Stay tuned for more. Read your paper & letters to the editor.
Bob Peeler, Billy Rogers, Ed Peplowski, Dean Carver, Harold Carver

To the Edifor:

I want to take this opportunity to thank the following elected officials who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend the Hwy 64/ Corridor K Meeting for all elected officials last week: Mayor James Talley and City Commissioner Doug Collins from the city of Ducktown; Mayor Cecil Arp from the city of Copperhill; Polk County Mayor Mike Stinnett; Polk County Road Superintendent Harold Hood; and Murphy City Commissioner Jonathan Dickey.

With the recent rockslides in our area, the daunting task of trying to stabilize the mountain at both slide locations, and the fact that there are 40 other high hazard rockfall sights along the route stretching from Boyd Mtn to Parksville Lake, it has become very apparent that we are in need of a new, safer,  east-west alternate route through our county. TDOT is presently using maintainence funds to do all they can in working on some of the other problem areas along the route, but funds are limited and there is only so much they can do in regards to that issue plus the amount of time that the road is closed.

To bring the existing route up to federal standards for highways, the improvements would take 4-8 years to complete (forcing closure of the road for the duration of the project) at a price tag in the hundreds of millions of dollars, not to mention that a great number of environmental concerns lie along the bluffs on the existing route. So from that information we can all see that updating the existing road isn't a very good option.

If nothing is done then we are basically waiting with our fingers crossed, hoping this never happens again. We have to be realistic. Our best option is to try to push for an alternate route. Meetings such as the one listed above have become very important in the quest to make the dream of a new route a reality. The next set of public meetings concerning this project will be held Tuesday, Feb 16 from 5-8pm at Polk County High School; and Wednesday, Feb 17 from 5-8pm at Copper Basin High School.

These meetings are being held to let the public know where the project stands at this point, to show the different routes and the alternatives being considered, and to give each and every citizen a chance to comment and make suggestions about the project. You can even type up your comments and opinions ahead of time and bring them to the meeting if that is easier and you so choose.

In talking with some of the officials from TDOT, they have assured me that public response and turnout to these meetings is vital in what happens with this project. In the past, opponents of the project have swarmed to these meetings and voiced their opinions, formed groups, wrote letters and made phone calls to state lawmakers and in doing so have actually stopped the project from moving forward for many years. 

Are we tired of the outsiders who like to dictate what they feel we need or don't need? Do we want a better road for our children and grandchildren? Are we willing to stand up and speak and let the people in power know that we, the residents of the Tri-State Region have been direly affected by the recent rockslides, and with the high probability of more slides in the years to come as well as the current route not meeting federal highway standards, that we need a better east- west route than what we currently have?

We need to let our voice be heard this time! We're taxpayers and we deserve better! And please don't have the mentality that nothing you say or do will do any good! If our forefathers who fought long and hard for our independence would've had that attitude, we would still be under English rule today! Our independence was not gained overnight and this project cannot become a reality overnight, but if we come together, stand up, speak out, and be willing to do so for just a few short years, it can and will happen!

Again I want to thank the elected officials listed above for attending that meeting and I want to give a special thank you to Ducktown Mayor James Talley, Tn. Sen. Dewayne Bunch, State Rep. Eric Watson, and State Rep. Mike Bell for meeting with Gov. Bredesen about trying to get help for our residents and small businesses. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed! Now it's time for the rest of us to do our part!

Keith Dilbeck

Ducktown

To the Editor:

I am writing about the article that you wrote about Clayton Pike.  I am his daughter, Amy Parker  and I do feel sorry for Mrs. Gargala.  The whole situation should have never happened.  That was not like my father, but you should also show respect for the Pike family.

I have a 4-year old-daughter and all she knows about her papaw is that she only sees him on a t.v.  Yes yes poor Gargala family, but we have lost someone too.  No, he is not dead, but he may as well be in a prison all the way in Nashville.  Gargala has moved on, getting married again, but you want to make Clayton Pike look like a complete monster so his grandchildren can read later what he done.  I think I need you to explain this to my daughter. Maybe you can draw it out for her so she can understand why her papaw will never hug her and why everyone wants to make him out so bad in the media.

Next time you write an article maybe you should be more respectful of both sides.  Like I said, my condolences to Mrs. Gargala.  I told her that face to face, but you all at the Polk county paper held no respect for the Pike family and what we are all going through.  You were very selfish.  He has a father, a wife, a son, a daughter and three stepdaughters, along with four grandchildren, the youngest being mine.  So please next time when you make judgement consider the other family too.

Like I said my daddy is not a monster. What happened that night could have and should have been avoided.  It was a mistake and we all, both families, have to suffer the consequences.  So please give all of us a little respect.

Thank you,

Amy Pike Parker

Dear Editor,

Save Haven Animal Rescue-We wish you all the best in 2010. Friends, if you believe in caring and doing for animals in need please join SHARP. We need you.

Here are some stories about many who have contributed their efforts to animals in need in 2009. Helen Johnson rescued 15 animals. All were spayed and neutered and adopted. Jacqueline Russell recently rescued a Great Dane called Daisy-also adopted.

Kathy Beaton rescued a Bouvier Desflandres on Ladd Springs road. She was in poor shape and has tumors. She was adopted in Maryland and is now in a research program for mammary tumors. Judy Iborra rescued a Pitt Bull and the happy dog was adopted to a forever home.

Kim Niven has rescued so many she has lost count. She thinks close to 60. All were adopted and spay-neutered. John and Betty Baker have been doing rescue for years. They have been known to have more than 30 animals at any time.

A big thanks to goes to Michele Novotny who spends many hours organizing the spay and neuter at Burgess Feed.

Last but not least please join SHARP in thanking all the wonderful people who donated food, doghouses and money for the rescue.

If you have a story to tell about a rescue and adoption in Polk County please call Sue at (423) 650-8264.

Sue Navratil

Safe Haven Animal Rescue Program