_{Charlie, one of seven canines that volunteer to help children to improve their reading skills at the Kingsport Public Library}

KINGSPORT — Seventy-five volunteers, including seven canines and their handlers, logged 2,133 hours at the Kingsport Public Library in 2010, an investment of time and energy valued at more than $44,000.

“It would be impossible to meet the needs of our customers without the support of our library volunteers,” Library Manager Helen Whittaker said Thursday. “We all work hard to stretch our budgets and provide the best possible services at the lowest possible cost. Without our Library volunteers, there is no way we could meet that mission and offer the variety of programming we currently offer.”

So, who are these volunteers and what did they do?

Volunteers at circulation are busy shelving materials, notifying patrons about overdue books, book availability and the arrival of requested books, and creating duplicate barcodes to put on the front of books to speed future checkout.

In particular, the Kingsport Public Library would like to commend June Presley, Cecil Frye, Mary Lou Townsend, Betty Casey, Dottie Shockley and Barbara Maston for their tireless effort in circulation.

Meanwhile, cataloging, a critical task to maintain a properly functioning library, featured the assistance of BreAnna Gordon, Gracie Rossie, and Jolly Hill, who also assists the Archives with sorting and filing.

“Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State for a reason, and no where is that more readily visible than here at the Kingsport Public Library,” Whittaker said.

Volunteers in reference participated in several special projects that may prove particularly lasting in benefit to the community.

One project involves inputting cemetery data from old catalog cards into Excel. The cemetery project started years ago by collecting information from tombstone inscriptions in Sullivan County cemeteries.

“By transferring the information into Excel, the public will be able to search this information online by cemetery name and family name,” Whittaker said. “This database often includes birth and death dates, family names and relationships as well as tombstone inscriptions. Having this data online will help immensely with those who are doing genealogy research.”

Meanwhile, a similar project is indexing newspaper obituaries from 1977 through 1986. Older newspaper obits are already indexed online in the Archives section of the library website, while more recent obituaries are available online at the Kingsport Times-News website. This project, which was started by Edward Elam, will serve those delving into their family roots for years by filling the gap.

Jo Anne Medlin, Patricia Ringley, Suzanne Burow, Sandra McAninch, Linda Odum and Susan Hoover, who also helps with computer classes, are all hard at work, donating their time to complete these two projects, which will soon be available online at www.kingsportlibrary.org.

Reference staff spends a lot of time helping the public with resumes, and their efforts are now bolstered by David Redd, who provides free, one-on-one help to patrons preparing resumes, job applications and cover letters, as well as those who are trying to develop job search strategies.

Since many federal forms are only available online and many people lack computer skills, volunteer Jack VandeVate assists in filling out those forms ‚¬ particularly online social services applications such as unemployment and disability.

The Library also features a homebound delivery program run entirely by volunteers, who provide more than 300 items per month to those who cant readily access the library.

Rita Perry and Katherine McDaniel pull the books weekly for delivery volunteers

And the 15 fifteen drivers who deliver materials each month include Lois Felix, Donna McMillan, Susie Mishkin, Linda Morawetz, Heather Nicely, Vince Nicely, Glenda ONeal, Leslie Owen, Barbara Hoskins, Sharon Siirola, Marjorie Sink, Lee Johnson, Phil Steadman, Sue Steadman, and Joyce Winstead.

Youth Services is a particularly fast growing area for the Kingsport Library, and 37 volunteers provide some of the most unique services in the region as the Library works to establish a lasting love of reading in youth. For their efforts in Youth Services, the Library would like to thank Teresa Brickey, Farrah Carter, David Foudy, Carl Gulley and Matthew Parker, Whittaker said.

Also volunteering under the Youth Services umbrella were six volunteers with seven certified therapy dogs. The free reading sessions are one-on-one with the dog and last 20 minutes, and are designed for independent readers in grades 1-5.

“Studies have shown that reading to dogs helps children improve reading skills and build self-confidence,” Whittaker said. “Its fun and the children do not feel judged by the dog. If the child misses a word, the dog just listens and wags his tail.”

Patiently listening to budding readers are Jamie Arrowsmith and Tuck; Sandy Hill and Marlow; Lisa Barnett and Dixie; Cameron Henri and Griet; Rhonda Johnson and Touche and Deacon; and Shannon Lumpkins and Jesse.

Many volunteers, including Catherine Anderson, Tyler Christian, Kaitlyn Clark, Bridget Courtney, Christopher Courtney, Kaitlyn McMillan, Scottie Garber, Courtney Griffin, Yhazmyne Hawkins, Agibail Hooker, Judy Hooker, Rachel Pope, Drew Romance, Judy Russell, Nishan Singh, Denise Johnson, Kelsey Luciano, Katy Mason, Roshan Srinath, worked during the hectic summer reading programs helping with the reading logs, handing out prizes and re-shelving the tons of books read.

And Matthew Parker helped immensely in running the G.A.M.E.R.Z. programs on Fridays.

“And last, but certainly not least, we offer our gratitude to the Friends of the Library volunteers who come in several times a week to empty the book donation bin, sort and price the donations in preparation for the biannual book sale,” Whittaker said. “Then, during the book sale, they work endless hours setting up, selling, and packing up.”

Proceeds from the sale are used as matching funds for grants to purchase public computers, laptops for free public computer classes, online databases, teen furniture, and video gaming equipment.

“For their tireless efforts in all these functions, we offer a hearty Kingsport Thank You to Reggie Martin, Helen Sirett, Gail Preslar, Marian Crowell and Jim Crowell,” Whittaker said.

All programs mentioned in this article are free of charge and can be scheduled by phoning 224-2539 or by visiting www.kingsportlibrary.org.

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KINGSPORT – KFD Station 7 won a Career Satellite Notable award from Fire Chief Magazine for architecture and design among fire departments in the United States.

We are very proud and honored to be recognized by the Fire Chief Magazine 2010 Station Style Design Awards as Career Notable. This station came about through a lot of work with our Board of Mayor and Alderman and City Manager, and the hard work of our Fire Department Staff, Chief Scott Boyd, Captain Shea Payne, Engineer J.W. Rogers and Engineer Joel Moore to identify the needs of department and our city. Kingsport Fire Chief Craig Dye said. We also want to thank Beeson, Lusk & Street Inc. for their design efforts to meet those needs.

The 7,374 square bart Station 7 was completed in October of 2009 and serves south Kingsport, Rock Springs and the I-26 & I-81 corridors providing not only fire and medical response but also houses KFDs Regional Haz-Mat Response Unit and a substation for the Kingsport Police Department.

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KINGSPORT¯»¿¯»¿¯»¿¯»¿¯»¿¯»¿¯»¿ ‚¬ The National League of Cities has awarded its Gold Award for Municipal Excellence in the less than 50,000 population category to the City of Kingsport for the citys Higher Education Initiative.

Two finalists in each population category were selected as winners of the 2010 Awards for Municipal Excellence, with winners announced this week during NLCs Congress of Cities and Exposition in Denver.

You cant help but sense the pride our community has that an organization such as the National League of Cities, representing 1,600 cities and towns across the United States, has recognized the success of our Higher Education Initiative in developing the skills of our local workforce, Mayor Dennis Phillips said Thursday. This award is the result of many, many people in our community who are working together to make Kingsport a great place to live and work. And it once again goes to show what can be accomplished when no one is worried about who gets the credit.

In just 24 months, Kingsport invested nearly $20 million in funding for higher education facilities including the Regional Center for Health Professions and Kingsport Center for Higher Education.

Meanwhile, a public-private partnership between local industry and the State of Tennessee also developed the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing within the Academic Village, providing tailor-made training for local industry and new businesses using state-of-the-art equipment. Up next is the future Pal Barger Automotive Technology Center funded by a private donation of $400,000.

Kingsports Higher Education Initiative also includes two years of free community college tuition for all high school graduates.

Census data indicates that Kingsport has added 1,000 people over the age of 25 with an associate degree since 1999, while the percentage of population over age 25 with a bachelors degree or higher has risen from 18 percent to 24 percent. The City has set a goal of 30 percent of the population with a four-year degree or greater.

In addition to the NLC award, the Higher Education Initiative has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with a Siemens Sustainable Community Award as well as an Innovations in Government Award from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
NLC received nominations from cities and towns in 40 states.‚  Finalists exhibited exceptional public-private partnerships, productive citizen and community collaborations, management of municipal resources, implementation of government policies, project implementation with tangible results and/or the ability to replicate the project in other cities, according to the organization.

More information about the Awards for Municipal Excellence can be found by clicking here.

The National League of Cities is the nations oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance.

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KINGSPORT ‚ One of Kingsports oldest communities has gained a new lease on life and a new neighborhood as a four-year, multi-million dollar redevelopment project comes to a close.

The city of Kingsport held a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony Monday morning for the Riverview Place neighborhood ‚ a 32-home development on the old Riverview Apartments site ‚ the final phase of the HOPE VI redevelopment project.

Four years ago Kingsport received an $11.9 million HOPE VI revitalization grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grant, along with additional monies from the city, went toward transforming the old run-down dwellings in Riverview and along Sherwood/Hiwassee with new, single-family houses for purchase and rent.

The first phase replaced 29 houses along Sherwood and Hiwassee with 24 new, affordable homes, while the second phase called for 32 rental houses and duplexes built on the old Riverview Apartments site and six additional houses built in the Riverview community.

“We thought there was no way a city the size of Kingsport would get this grant, and Im not sure that we really thought we were going to get it,” said Mayor Dennis Phillips. “If you have not stood outside and looked at the houses, it is probably the most amazing thing Ive seen in Kingsport in my life. I would be proud to live here.”

Armstrong Construction began work on the houses in Riverview in October 2009 and completed them earlier this month. The cost of the Riverview Place project, including demolition of the old Riverview Apartments site and new construction, came in around $8.4 million.

“I think we have something Armstrong and its employees can be very proud of. We have a project Im proud of, and hopefully it will be something Kingsport will be proud of for a long time,” said John Leonard, CEO of Armstrong.

For the complete story, please click here to visit the Kingsport Times-News.

Story reprinted courtesy of the Kingsport Times-News

Written by Matthew Lane

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KINGSPORT ‚¬ Residents and businesses have shown once again they embrace the needs of community agencies that are funded by the United Way of Greater Kingsport to enhance the quality of life in the greater Kingsport area.

The community connected the dots, this year’s United Way theme, by raising $3,549,101.25 to support 41 programs and United Way initiatives in the community. The campaign goal was $3.5 million, but the people of Kingsport didn’t stop when they achieved the mark.

Campaign leaders announced the final tally at a campaign celebration Thursday, Nov. 18, at Eastman Employee Center. Another campaign theme revolved around bartball, so Thursday’s event celebrated a Super Bowl victory for the successful campaign team ‚¬ Team United Way.

“This successful conclusion to the campaign is a touchdown for everyone in Kingsport,” said Pat Kane, 2010 campaign chairman. “I applaud the teamwork exhibited by my campaign cabinet members, who generated a remarkable result, but the real winners are the people who will be served by the programs and initiatives under the United Way umbrella.”

Community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport, the Kingsport Child Development Center, the Kingsport Lifesaving Crew, Link House and Mountain Region Speech & Hearing Center will continue to serve the community effectively thanks to United Way funding. So will Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, the Salvation Army and Contact Concern of Northeast Tennessee.

Around $1 million in donor designations to benefit 10 other United Ways and 10 Community Chests is included in the more than $3.5 million raised.

“Kingsport is very fortunate to be a regional employer and many folks want to designate back to their home community,” said Executive Director Danelle Glasscock.

Greg Boehling, president of United Way of Greater Kingsport, said the total raised in the campaign conveys a positive message about the community.

“Today’s announcement is exciting news for everyone who believes in a high quality of life in Kingsport,” Boehling said. “It is fantastic to see the residents and businesses of Kingsport rise to the challenge once again and raise the necessary funds for these vital community organizations and programs.”

In addition to announcing the tally at Thursday’s celebration, campaign officials gave special Super Bowl “rings” to Kane and campaign vice chairman Monty McLaurin. Kane also handed off the ceremonial United Way bartball to McLaurin, who will chair the 2011 campaign. A group of commentators resembling a sports network studio team offered special post-campaign analysis.

“As we celebrate the success of this year’s campaign, we need to be mindful that next year’s campaign is not far around the corner,” Kane said. “I’m confident that Kingsport will rise to the challenge and win that campaign and remain champions.”

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