Recent editorials from Tennessee newspapers:
___
Feb. 17
The Johnson City Press on expanding Tennessee Highway 36:
Anyone who’s been stuck behind a crash on Interstate 26 between Johnson City and Kingsport probably has considered a detour onto the old Kingsport Highway, Tenn. Highway 36.
That certainly was the case Wednesday afternoon when a tractor-trailer mishap jammed up eastbound I-26 during rush hour. Scores of drivers rerouted onto the old highway, creating a second quagmire. Why the jam? About 6 miles of the old highway between the Interstate 81 junction in Colonial Heights and Bobby Hicks Highway in Gray remain just two lanes, save for a short three-lane stretch in Midway.
Drivers exiting from I-81 also found themselves caught on the offramp behind others in line to merge. The fact that the lanes reduce right at the exchange is a marvel of engineering forethought.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has a plan to address the mess by expanding the old highway to five lanes, just as it did with the portion from Johnson City to Gray a few years ago. Why that next 6-mile stretch was left out of that project is anyone’s guess - another marvel of forethought.
And it could be years yet before the details even reach paper. TDOT reports that funding to begin the preliminary design phase is in its next three-year plan up for consideration this year. That means sketches might not begin until 2024, and funding for the actual project would be even further down the proverbial road.
Given the increase in volume on I-26 - we’ve already advocated for expansion to six lanes between the cities - it’s no surprise that crashes are frequent. Paralysis is almost the norm. That’s why many commuters already avoid I-26 altogether in favor of the old highway, despite traffic lights and slower speed limits. Residential growth in Boones Creek and Gray also has increased traffic on Tenn. Highway 36, and many of those residents commute to Johnson City or Kingsport daily.
The Northeast Tennessee legislative delegation should see to it that widening the old highway receives instant priority. Design funding should arrive no later than 2021 with full construction following as soon as possible.
We recognize that every community in Tennessee has its share of infrastructure needs, including highway improvements, and that TDOT has a method for coping with that demand. But this is a clear and present concern. Tenn. Highway 36 already was a known problem when the Washington County portion was widened.
It’s time to finish the job.
Online: https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
___
Feb. 16
The Cookeville Herald-Citizen on a proposed bill that would allow workers in 26 various professions to be unlicensed:
We take a lot of things for granted in society today. One of those things is trust. We trust that someone who works as an accountant is certified. We trust funeral directors are licensed to embalm and bury our loved ones. We trust that the architects that design our houses, businesses and municipal buildings are licensed.
A bill up for debate in the General Assembly could change all that. HB1945 was filed at the end of January. The bill states that anyone wanting to work in any one of 26 professions doesn’t need to be licensed. They just need to get their customers to sign waivers stating they know the person isn’t licensed and if there’s a problem, they won’t sue.
We’ve been trying all week and we can’t think of a bill that would be a worse idea.
Many of the 26 professions covered under the bill directly impact the health and safety of the general public. Architects and engineers, those who service fire alarms and extinguishers, body piercing artists, home improvement contractors and inspectors and plumbers are all included.
What would it do to your home insurance if your architect, contractor and inspector weren’t licensed?
What if your low-budget accountant made a mistake with your taxes and you had no recourse because you’ve already signed the waiver?
Wouldn’t you rather entrust your loved ones’ remains to a funeral director and embalmer who is licensed?
Wouldn’t you like your manicurist to be licensed?
We know it takes a long time to be educated to perform these jobs. We acknowledge it’s expensive to be licensed to perform these jobs. But that’s part of what makes education worthwhile, being able to perform a job that you’ve worked long and hard to do. That license is the signal to your customers that you can do it.
It’s a basic function of government to set the basic minimum standards for jobs that can do harm if they’re not done right.
We urge our representatives to fight this ridiculous bill and make sure our consumers are kept safe.
Online: http://herald-citizen.com/
___
Feb. 14
The Kingsport TimesNews on preserving historic buildings:
When we tour a historic building, we are drawn to not just its past, but ours as well. We can’t help but think of those who walked those floors or sat in that chair before that fireplace. We think of the children who called it home or the author who wrote some important work in that room, or perhaps, the great history that was made there.
That’s among other reasons why it’s so important to preserve historic buildings. They are crucial to retaining our history and heritage. They reflect change over time and the culture of yesteryear. They provide a link with the past that we can experience, and in so doing, give us a sense of stability and, perhaps, keep us mindful not to repeat mistakes of the past.
And that’s why we enjoy presenting you stories about efforts to preserve important buildings, stories like Mark Hunt’s plans for Kingsport’s historic State Theater, and the four historic restoration projects now underway in Rogersville.
Hunt plans to put a new roof on the State Theater, along with finishing the interior work. His vision is for the theater to be a venue for live musical performances. Kingsport is roughly halfway between Knoxville and Asheville and would be a good stopping-off point for artists traveling through our area, Hunt said. “We’re going to get some live music to start with, but I’m open for just about anything.”
In Rogersville, plans are underway to quitclaim the old rail depot to the city. Last year, Hawkins County opted not to seek available grant funds to pay for needed repairs to the exterior, after which the city agreed to take ownership so it could take over the restoration.
The other three pending Rogersville historic restorations are the St. Marks Presbyterian Church, Rogers Tavern and Powel Law Office.
An independent restoration committee utilized a Rogersville grant to complete repairs last year to the exterior and replace broken stained glass at the 108-year-old church located at the corner of Kyle Street and Hasson Street. In 2015, the church was identified as one of the top-10 endangered historic properties in Tennessee. Now it has been saved.
Earlier this month, the Rogersville Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed to apply for a grant from the Tennessee Historical Commission to begin the first of three phases of restoration for the 1790s building on Washington Street near the Depot Street intersection, originally the law office of Congressman Samuel Powel, 1776-1841.
And the RHA is raising funds to restore the Rogers Tavern to its original 1790s appearance.
A community’s historical places help residents understand their culture and traditions while providing a sense of community, identity and continuity. Those working to preserve these important places deserve our congratulations, thanks and support.
Online: https://www.timesnews.net
Please read our comment policy before commenting.