Union City Rotary Club - Weekly Bulletin & News

Today, for the last few weeks, since he was scheduled to speak, Rotary members have been anxiously waiting, much as we did when we were kids and Christmas was right around the corner, for a great history lesson on the drama and un-folding saga of World War II.

Bill Tanner will share some of his war-time experiences and some of his personal life experiences during this very important time in the history of our Great Nation.

As most of you know, the last time he spoke, he apologized for going over his allotted time at the microphone, but all in attendance accepted his apology, kept their seat and asked him to continue as long as he wanted, as everyone’s attention was on the speaker and absorbing every word he spoke.

Bill was born Jan. 9, 1919, attended school at Houser Valley Academy, in a one room schoolhouse, with 7 grades, a pot-bellied stove and one teacher all in that one room. He attended Union City High School and then on to UT Knoxville, where he received his commission as a 2nd Lt. and right on to Fort Bragg North Carolina in the 9th Infantry Division. Here he met Doris, married her and after a short seven months, was shipped overseas and did not see her again for three years.

Next Week, South Eastern Conference official Mike Taylor will visit, and will enlighten us on how it feels, and what it takes to be an official in one of the most powerful conferences in the nation. He recently returned from SEC Media Day, and will be able to fill us in on some of the rule changes in the upcoming season.

Mike came to UT Martin in the fall of 1984, where he started as an offensive lineman under Coach Fred Pickard. After graduation, he began high school officiating in 1989 in the Northwest High School Football Officials Association under Jerry Carpenter. He started working in the NCAA Ohio Valley Conference in 1992 where he worked several playoff games and semi-finals. In 1999, he entered the Southeastern Conference. He has worked 9 post season games including the Orange Bowl twice, the Fiesta Bowl and the Alamo Bowl. In 2001, he worked with the SEC Championship Football game where LSU defeated Tennessee 31-20. In 2004, Mike worked the Orange Bowl National Championship game where USC defeated Oklahoma.

Mike is from Jackson Tennessee. He graduated from Jackson Northside in 1984, where he was an All-State lineman.

Last Week, Long time 77th District State Representative Phillip Pinion was on hand for his farewell speech to Union City Rotary in that capacity, as Phillip has elected not to run for that office for another term.

Phillip began by expressing his gratitude to members of Union City Rotary for their loyal support over the last twenty years and how much it meant to him. He said I am thankful to you for letting me live "The American Dream", coming from humble beginnings and then being able to travel and associate with some of the most powerful people in the world.

He touched on the budget for the up-coming year, commenting that the State of Tennessee, in the past year had gone from feast to famine, as far as dollars are concerned, saying that many budgets were going to have to be cut drastically, excluding cuts in education. He also said that it is not just a problem for Tennessee, but a lot of other states are going through the same short-falls, due to the state of the economy across the entire nation.

Phillip expressed satisfaction with changes made in the "Lottery Scholarships" from the state, lowering slightly the requirements of grade point averages for the first 2 years of a college students career, therefore keeping a larger portion of these students eligible for this money. The 105 Assembly also expanded home health care for the elderly, which Phillip was complimenting.

On the subject of politics in Nashville, he expressed disappointment in the direction the political process is headed, in that he was afraid that personal political decisions and bickering among the two parties was getting out-of-hand, and there definitely needed to be more unity between the Democrats and Republicans. He said "Deal-making" has always been there, but now it is getting too bitter and too personal.

Representative Pinion was very pleased with the progress finally being made, after years of political battles, on the Cates Landing project, the Spillway at Reelfoot Lake, the I-69 project, and the widening of highways in our area.

Coming Attractions

Aug. 1 - Mike Taylor, SEC Football Official

Aug. 8 - Lee Fry, Dixie Gun Works

Aug. 15 - Shawn Jackson, OCCHS Football Preview

Aug. 22 - Jason Simpson, UT Martin Head Football Coach

Aug. 29 - Darren Bowlin, UCHS Football Preview

Birthdays

July 25 - Al Creswell

July 25 - Matt Wohlfarth

July 26 - Jim Rippy, Jr.

July 29 - Bill Simrell

July 31 - Scott Gilliam

Anniversaries

July 25 - Al and Laura Oliver

July 29 - Bill and Linda Simrell

July 29 - Randy and Debbie Chism

July 31 - Bruce and Roma Culver

July 31 - Jimmy and Barbara Jones

Baseball Tonight

The Oewnsboro Oilers come to town to take on the Greyhounds, game time 7:05 PM

Saturday - Oilers & Greyhounds - 7:05 PM

Elam Stadium

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