From the Hill: Bill in committee would strengthen states sexual offender laws
By State Rep. Matthew Hill
A bill some say would strengthen the states sexual offender laws and ensure Tennessee is …
Op Ed
Make a final decision on the Five Points intersection
The latest news out of the Town of Jonesborough regarding the possible construction of either a traffic circle or traffic …
Is town big enough to be bypassed?
The North Jonesborough Historic Parkway is a proposed solution to traffic congestion in Tennessees Oldest Town. Jonesborough officials are considering …
When in doubt, ask the skunk cabbage
A 19th century writer, Alexandre Dumas was asked whence came the drive and energy for his prolific literary output. I …
From the Hill: State leaders work to shrink budget shortfall, save major money
By State Rep. Matt Hill
The Extraordinary Session that lasted nearly a month is one step closer to paying off …
Depot deal shows value of TIF
Use of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) by the City of Johnson City to assist in the renovation of a downtown …
Cleaning up the air – the wrong way
In a certain town in a certain southeastern state, a strange plan for clearing up the air has been hatched. …
From the Hill: State leaders work to shrink budget shortfall, save major money
By State Rep. Matt Hill
Lawmakers continued their examination of the budget last week, amid reports that revenues continue to …
Chamber should include county, Jonesborough in the adventure
Once again, it is time to renew our Chamber of Commerce membership, something the Herald & Tribune has done for …
Help eradicate invasive weeds from our Park
In his book, The Diversity of Life, Harvard professor E.O. Wilson describes what happened when British colonists introduced, as a …
From the Hill: State bill could invite public to submit ways to streamline budget
By State Rep. Matthew Hill
The second session of the 106th General Assembly is picking up steam, as bills from …
What are the plans for the Jonesborough courthouse?
With the November 2009 opening of the George P. Jaynes Justice Center, all court services moved to the new facility …
Taxpayer bailout of big industry – again?
A chapter on the economics of nuclear power, in a 1979 book by Ralph Nader, reads like an oracle for …
From the Hill: Lawmakers hear update on Race to the Top funds application
By State Rep. Matt Hill
I want to start out this weeks column by saying thank you to everyone who …
County teachers face too much test pressure
Washington County teachers apparently will have to take another one for the team when the new educational mandates go into …
Legislation to end savage arts of shark finning
On October 3, 1793 in a small town in Pennsylvania, the Northumberland Gazette published a letter from a reader called …
Legislators receive 612-page budget, begin deliberations
COMMENTARY FROM STATE REP. MATTHEW HILL
The 106th General Assembly was presented with the proposed 2010-2011 state budget, as the …
What is the county going to do with the white elephant?
Sale of the Downtown Centre Courthouse in Johnson City is high on the to-do list for Washington County Mayor George …
Courthouse development, tourist zone could help Jonesborough
A Courthouse Revitalization and Tourist Development Zone for the downtown historic district in Jonesborough is a great idea.
Residents of …
Remembering Nobel prize winner Albert Camus
Another literature Nobel prize recipient — Albert Camus — was remembered in January who died, tragically, in an automobile accident …