Cocke County jobless rate drops 2.3 percent in April

Source: The Newport Plain Talk
 

NASHVILLE-Cocke County's unemployment rate dropped 2.3 percent in April to 13.4 percent.

Out of a workforce of 16,350, 2,190 were without jobs.

In the region, Sevier County had the lowest rate at 10.4 percent, down from 14.1 percent in March. Hamblen County was at 11.4 percent, Jefferson County was 13 percent and Greene County had the highest level at 14 percent.

Tennessee's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April 2010 was 10.5 percent, down from the March rate of 10.6 percent.  The United States unemployment rate for the month of April was 9.9 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for April 2010, released today, show that the rate decreased in 89 counties, increased in three counties and remained the same in three counties.

Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 7.1 percent, down from 7.4 percent in March.  Scott County had the state's highest unemployment rate at 20.3 percent, up from 19.8 in March, followed by Marshall County at 17.3 percent, down from 18.4 percent in March.

Knox County had the state's lowest major metropolitan rate of 8.2 percent, unchanged from March.  Davidson County was 9.0 percent, down from 9.1 in March.  Hamilton County was at 9.0 percent, down from 9.4 in March, and Shelby County was 10.3 percent, down from 10.5 in March.

Eddie Yokley working with area legislators who are fighting to save jobs in Greene County

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Source: The Greeneville Sun

They Vow To Fight 'Several Proposals' In Nashville That Show Reductions

BY TOM YANCEY

STAFF WRITER

The possible loss of jobs at Greene Valley Developmental Center was the first question -- and the last -- at the Greene County Partnership's annual legislative luncheon.

The event, held at the Comfort Inn and sponsored by Summers Taylor Inc., attracted about 70 people.

Greene County's legislators -- state Sen. Steve Southerland, R-1st, of Morristown; and state representatives David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville and Eddie Yokley, D-11th, of Greene County, each spoke briefly and then answered questions.

Greene County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Ken Bailey Jr. served as moderator.

Judge Bailey, while waiting for the first question, noted that Greene County's unemployment rate, released on Thursday, is 16.6 percent, "so the loss of 300 jobs at Greene Valley would significantly hurt."

Rep. Hawk, in his opening remarks, quickly noted that the state's budget for fiscal 2010-11 will be smaller than last year's because revenues are down, as is federal funding.

But Hawk wasted no time before saying that, "Right now, we're in fight mode to protect the jobs at Greene Valley Developmental Center (GVDC)."

Hawk noted that he was told at a presentation by the Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities some time ago that GVDC is to be "the last remaining facility for residential clients in that division."

The Arlington Developmental Center in West Tennessee has been closed, and the Clover Bottom Developmental Center in metro Nashville "is going to close," Hawk said, but legislators in Middle Tennessee want to give "a soft landing" to Clover Bottom employees who are facing the loss of their jobs.

He said one way to do that would be to keep Clover Bottom open as long as possible, even though its closing is a condition of the terms of a court order ending a federal lawsuit.

If Clover Bottom does not close in a timely manner, Hawk said, "My fear is that will work to the detriment of Greene Valley."

Hawk said budget documents have been "floated" in the legislature, and "several proposals show reductions in staff at GVDC. I'm opposing that."

Hawk emphasized documents that GVDC employees may have seen calling for staff reductions of 300 or more jobs are only proposals at this point.

Hawk added, "I assure you, we're working as a team," to oppose cuts at GVDC.

REP. YOKLEY COMMENTS

When Rep. Yokley agreed, saying, "I assure you, this Greene Valley issue is the top thing on our target."

Yokley pointed out that, in a year when the state is looking for ways to operate with $1 billion less revenue, Greene Valley makes financial sense, because it costs $1,250 per day to care for one client at Clover Bottom, compared to $750 per day at GVDC.

After the meeting, Yokley told the Sun that it currently costs about $850 per day to care for a client at GVDC, but the lower figure is to be required in the new budget.

Sen. Southerland also began his remarks by talking about Greene Valley Developmental Center, noting that a panel appointed by the governor determined some time ago that it would be best for the state to close Clover Bottom and bring patients there to GVDC.

But Southerland pointed out that Clover Bottom and its employees are also represented by legislators, and those legislators will be doing all they can to preserve Clover Bottom jobs.

As Yokley had pointed out, Southerland said, "It only makes sense -- common, financial sense," to close Clover Bottom.

Southerland said Greene County's three legislators will work as a team to make that case, and protect jobs at Greene Valley.

The last question of the hour asked what citizens in Greeneville and Greene County can do to prevent job cuts at GVDC.

Hawk said GVDC employees "have already done a lot by working their tails off" to provide the high level of care that ultimately allowed GVDC to be removed from the federal lawsuit that triggered the changes.

"The employees have spoken volumes" by continuing to provide a high level of care for GVDC clients, Hawk said.

But he also encouraged employees and citizens to continue to call his office and the offices of the other legislators.

"Forgive us if we don't always call you back personally, but know it's getting noticed," Hawk said.

Hawk also pointed out that Greene County and East Tennessee is fortunate to have Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, the speaker of the Senate, living just an hour away in Blountville.

Ramsey "has considerable influence," Hawk said, and concerned persons can call the lieutenant governor.

Hawk also noted that House Speaker Kent Williams lives in Elizabethton, and encouraged those concerned also to call him.

Rep. Yokley said one of the conditions of the court order that settled issues involving the Arlington Developmental Centers in West Tennessee called for construction of "million-dollar houses to take care of four people each. I have a problem with that," he said.

Most of those houses are "in $100,000 neighborhoods," Yokley said.

Yokley, who is a member of the legislature's fiscal review committee, which oversees all contracts, said he is in the process of investigating to see if money can be saved on the houses that are still to be built.

Copyright © 2010, The Greeneville Sun
http://greenevillesun.com

Representative Eddie Yokley is respected for his integrity and hard work. Eddie fights to protect the lives of the unborn, to uphold the sanctity of marriage, to support our right to bear arms and to stop Illegal immigration. He Honors the Role of God in the founding of our country and believes in the strength of the families of his community.

Eddie has fought to crack down on meth and other illegal drugs and keep sex offenders away from our children. He also brought more Pre-Kindergarten classes to his district. Eddie supported increasing the minimum wage, fought to make health care affordable and supported tax relief for Tennesseans. To find out more please visit our issues page.

Please look around the site to find out more about Eddie. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, we want to hear from you!

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Eddie Yokley--Standing Tall For Our East Tennessee Values 

Nashville, TN – Governor Phil Bredesen and Representative Eddie Yokley today
announced $380,000 in grants for schools in Cocke County and Greene counties to continue Coordinated School Health Partnerships.

Cocke County Schools will receive $100,000 and Newport City Schools will receive $75,000. Schools in Greene County will receive $205,000 in grants for to continue Coordinated School Health Partnerships. Greene County Schools will receive $105,000 and Greeneville City Schools $100,000.


“I am pleased to know that we can continue to support local school students with
funding that will provide them the resources necessary to protect the physical, mental and emotional health of Tennessee’s students,” Gov. Bredesen said. “A student’s health can support or hinder academic success and it is our responsibility to ensure a stronger generation through partnerships like the Coordinated School Health initiative and CoverKids.”


Since piloting 10 partnerships in 2002, Tennessee has dedicated a steady stream of
funding that has in turn resulted in an additional $4 million gain at the district level as the result of partnerships developed by local CSH Coordinators. Through these
partnerships, families, community members and schools are brought together to focus on health awareness, physical activity, healthy nutrition and counseling services.


“Having a healthy school environment is essential to having healthy and productive
students,” Rep. Yokley said. “We are wise to encourage more partnerships like we’ve
seen in the past that benefit not only our children, but our communities as a whole.”

Each year school systems can reapply for the grant that provides for or continues
support of a full time CSH Coordinator, assistants if needed, basic office supplies or
travel expenses. Assembled teams at the local level build relationships with local
agencies, write grant applications and collect data to better enhance the school
atmosphere focused around healthy students.