C’ville AD says thanks to doctors

On behalf of the Clarksville Community School Corp., I would like to thank Dr. Bhanu Thaker and Dr. Vipul Brahmbhatt for administering school physicals to students at Clarksville High School and Clarksville Middle School on June 2.

We had well over 80 students attend and the doctors were kind enough to donate the fees collected back to the Clarksville athletic department to purchase athletic supplies for the next school year.

I would also like to thank Kent Chapman of STAR Physical Therapy for coordination of the physicals by contacting the doctors and support staff. Others that helped and deserve a thank you are Stephanie Cooley, Willie Henson, and Kristen Maloney of STAR Physical Therapy; and Dianne Edelen, Bobby Liter, Scott Gardner, Mary Burke, Kevin Ferree and Jack Badgett from Clarksville schools.

— Troy Mitchell, director of athletics at Clarksville High School



A differing viewpoint on Utica cleanup

In response to Mr. David Evanzyk’s letter on June 4 in The Evening News, let me say that the only problem I see in Utica is a succession of town councils who somehow manage to mistake the whims of the vocal minority — mostly self-important busy bodies — for majority opinion and legislate accordingly.

And what is truly disappointing is to have only one or two councilmen who refuse to tell us how to live. Is it the council’s job to represent us, guide us or bully us into submission? I’d like to know which of Mr. Evanzyk’s rights are being infringed — the “right” to profit from the sweat of others? When special interests dictate the use and appearance of my property, aren’t they my rights that are being infringed?

If he’s offended by some folks’ idea of yard art and decorative style, I figure that’s his problem, not mine. People shouldn’t be so easily offended. And maybe it’s unfathomable to Mr. Evanzyk and others like him, but some folks aren’t so concerned with increasing their property value.

Some actually prefer a simpler, low-stress lifestyle. I don’t have to keep up with the Joneses, and I sure don’t have to keep up for the Joneses. All Mr. Evanzyk’s ideas will get me and many others is higher property taxes.

Folks who tinker with cars and small engines are gonna have an extra car or mower sittin’ around, just as the woodworker will normally have some lumber on hand. Who are they hurtin’?

And some here heat their homes with wood stoves, so Mr. Evanzyk should get over his aversion to the sight of firewood. Although not in his letter, past comments suggest he believes all mobile homes should be removed from town limits, too.

But, it’s kinda ironic that he would complain about boats in a river town, especially since he owns a boat-building business. Truth be told, his boatyard is the worst eyesore in town, with it’s rusty hulks of steel and crane booms against the skyline. But, he’s a zoned “business,” so he’s exempt from the cleanup ultimatum he wants enforced. Pretty convenient for him, huh?

And maybe I’m just a dumb ol’ country boy who just don’t know enough to wanna “improve” my life, accordin’ to Mr. Evanzyk’s sterling standards of acceptability. But, I guess my environment was plenty good enough for him to move here in the first place.

We take great pride in the fact that Utica is unlike any other community in the area. The town has survived just fine for over two centuries by doin’ things the Utica way and not necessarily like other communities in the county.

Families have traditionally relocated here specifically to escape the endless rules and regulations of larger communities. The individuality and richness of character among our residents is the glue that holds us together and makes us who we are. Nothing should be allowed to change that. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

If there is to be progress in Utica, let it be smart progress. Change simply for the sake of change, or for the benefit of a few individuals, is not just dumb, it’s unacceptable.

— Kenneth Hall, Utica