Mayor’s Row…..by Ned Mitchell
We hope you had a very relaxing 4th of July and that you were able to spend time with family and friends doing things you like to do. It is hard to imagine that July is already here and Labor Day is just around the corner. My how time does get away from us anymore!
Our roadside safety check during this holiday period was Friday night and was held in conjunction with other police departments from throughout the state. Our officers set up their check point just south of the fire station from 8:00 pm until 2:00 am. First, we want to thank our officers for coming in off duty and doing this public service, it does help keep our roads safer and cuts down on the accidents. Our officers did not find any drunk drivers and no drugs. We only had a couple of revoked drivers and several not wearing a seat belt. Couple that lack of activity and the very mild Sesser Homecoming perhaps we are turning the corner in Sesser on criminal activity. We did not have any police calls during homecoming. Hopefully folks are getting the message that if you are up to no good, by that I mean dealing in drugs, stealing, driving impaired or other criminal activity, Sesser is simply not the place to do it. Once again, we are not trying to be difficult or tough on anyone, but take it somewhere else because if you come here and do it, we’ll impound your vehicle and try to sell it after 30 days, plus take you to the pokey for an overnight stay. We aim for Sesser to be a safe and quiet community and if you can’t live by the rules, we’re going to meet up eventually and it won’t be good for the bad guys!
A very seldom discussed subject came up in my life recently, one that just does not get talked about and one that I was extremely in doubt about. Colonoscopy! Wow, I had never discussed the subject much less had one, but upon the insistence of my doctor I was convinced that to be on the safe side I would have to go through with it. I dreaded the thought and conjured up all kinds of bad news concerning this simple test. Two days prior to the test I was on Jello, popsicles, and clear liquid and that was all. The day before was a complete fasting along with medication to flush out the system and finally the day arrived for the test. I arrived at Franklin Hospital at 6:30 am and the very kind and able staff prepared me for the test. Doctor Miller arrived on time did the test and I was on my way home in about 2 hours. The test results were fine and I had nothing to worry about even though I did. I’m still uncomfortable talking about the test, much less writing about it and only do so in hopes that it might relieve someone’s fears who is facing this test or needs to have one scheduled. As it turns out, about everyone who attends our tea party or coffee group every day has been through this before, its just that we did not discuss it. It was a very simple thing and I had the best of care at Franklin Hospital by a very good doctor and staff.
Valente’s Terrace on main street in Sesser is sponsoring a huge show this weekend as the Brat Pack will appear live on stage in the outdoor pavilion on Saturday July 9th. Tickets are available but what I am hearing is this group will pack the house so if you want tickets better get them ordered. You can call Jack and Nancy Valente at 625-6066 and make your reservations now.
Other upcoming events in Sesser that we are working on are the huge Billy Grammer tribute to be held also at Valente’s Terrace on August 27th. This promises to be a fun evening with dinner included in the ticket price of $15.00. All of us know Billy and Ruth Grammer and we here at the city hall and chamber wanted to recognize the contributions they have made in the country music field. Billy will also be having a birthday that weekend so it will give us a great time to celebrate his life and accomplishments. As far I as I know he is the only Grand Ole Opry member for miles around these parts and we are extremely proud to know him and Ruth. We hope you will attend the dinner or during the day drop by and look over Billy’s awards and memorabilia that will be on display at Valente’s Terrace. Call us at 625-3611 or 625-5322 for info!
Also the same weekend the fabulous Pyramid Players stage group will be performing the play “Arsenic and Old Lace” at the historic Sesser Opera House. The play will be Friday and Saturday, August 26th and 27th and will be the first time the Pyramid Players have performed at the Opera House. We are very excited about this performance as it will see our Opera House used as it was originally intended and that is for live theater performances. If you need information call us at 625-3611 or 625-5322.
Street department workers spent a day last week watering the newly planted trees at Maple Hill Cemetery. They were beginning to show signs of stress so we injected 1,200 gallons of water around the base of the trees and will do so again this week if it does not rain. We had some great volunteer help one evening on this project too as Sesser resident Pat Petro brought several sections of garden hose to the cemetery and spent several hours watering trees. It is great to know that people are driving around looking our town over and if they see something that we need help on they simply jump in and help. Another great reason I’m glad that I live in Sesser! We do appreciate those who come forward and volunteer to help us out!
Mark Miller of Sesser’s First Baptist Church reported last week that the young people making up the World Changers group were in town and fixed up and repaired some homes of our residents. These young people were from the southern states this year I believe and have been here before making a difference and sharing their witness with others who are in need. We hope this project continues because every project helps in the overall big picture in how Sesser looks. We appreciate their hard work and volunteer labor.
It has been pointed out to me that one of my rants was not clear. Imagine that! Sometimes I know what I mean to say but it does not come out that way and gets lost in the shuffle. Concerning the real estate property issue in Franklin County some took my comments as meaning the Supervisor of Assessments employees were not diligent in their work. Nothing could be further from the truth. They do a very good job in that office and as far as township tax assessors, ours, Larry Pavletich, is the best in the county in my opinion. Where the rub here is some folks who own property are not on the tax roles. It is up to each individual township tax assessor to make sure all property is listed. We don’t have a problem over this way but apparently some townships have big problems. That takes money away from schools and local government. Then we have the county board who once they realized a scandal in the making, ran advertisements in the local newspaper advising folks back taxes would be collected and penalty added on if your were caught. The county board needs to follow through with that promise. So for the record, Cindy Humm and her staff take their jobs seriously and do good work. They cannot do the local tax assessors work for them however. It is up to us to make sure those we elect to these positions are doing their jobs so if you are in doubt about your township, find out who your assessor is and give them a call. If you don’t get satisfaction there turn up the heat a notch and discuss it with your county board member.
If you have comments or suggestions for us give us a call at 625-3611, 625-5322, 625-5788 or email nedmitchell@verizon.net or www.sesser.org . Our regular city council meeting is Thursday, July 7th at 7:00 pm. We welcome any who want to come!
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