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Library panel considers challenges

‘It’s Perfectly Normal’ will be retained in young adult section, by 2-1 vote


John Tue, who presented a challenge of the book, ‘It’s Perfectly Normal,’ to the Anderson County Library Board, looks through the publication during Sept. 12’s subcommittee meeting. - Ben Pounds
Unlike many recent public meetings concerning “controversial” books housed in Anderson County’s libraries, the library board subcommittee meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12, was very civil with all participants respectfully listening to opposing views.

The purpose of the meeting, held at Rocky Top Library, was to consider challenges to the book “It’s Perfectly Normal.”

Tuesday’s subcommittee meeting resulted in “good points” of the book outweighing the bad points.

The committee voted 2-1 to retain the book in the young adult section of the Clinton Library.

Christy Hibbler cast the lone dissenting vote. “To me there is nothing perfectly normal about this book,” she said.

The book had been challenged in February. At that time, the book, which is found at the Clinton Library, was moved from the juvenile to young adult section.

The juvenile section is for readers from 10-12 years of age. The young adult section is for those 13-17.

The book was challenged at the subcommittee meeting under the new rules recently adopted by the library board.

The new rules state that any challenges will be considered by a three-person subcommittee.

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Norris begins enforcing new sign law; removes Covenant Church sign


This sign for Covenant Life Church, previously posted along highway right-of-way on Andersonville Highway in Norris, was removed by the city of Norris last week (Sept. 12,2023).It was in violation of the city’s new sign ordinance, Norris officials said. - G Chambers Williams III
Norris officials have begun rigid enforcement of the city’s new sign ordinance, passed earlier this year, with one of the most-visible moves so far being the removal of the Covenant Life Church sign along Andersonville Highway.

Numerous other signs, including temporary banners, balloons and “waving arm” blow-ups, have been nixed, as well, especially along Andersonville Highway.

The city’s Public Works Department took the Covenant Life sign down on Tuesday, Sept. 12, after giving the church notice by certified mail that the sign was in violation of the ordinance and must be removed within seven days.

Covenant Life’s sign was in violation of the ordinance because it was on state highway right-of-way, rather than on church property, and the church did not have a permit for it, said Assistant City Manager Bailey Whited.

“Essentially, we’ve been taking down signs as we see them anywhere on right-of-way,” he said.

Although the new ordinance generally does not allow permanent signs on public right-of-way, businesses or other entities that already had such signs in place, and had earlier been granted city permits for them, are allowed to keep them for now.

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Tidal wave of concrete


Workers use a special crane-like device to pour concrete for the large paved lot at the new Tidal Wave Auto Spa carwash on North Charles G. Seivers Boulevard in Clinton.

2023 Anderson County High School Golf Team


Front row: Sydney May, Addison Bible, Coy Tomlinson; second row: Luke Simpson, Gavin Drake, Max Sickau, Peyton Warwick; back row: Patrick Leverton(Coach), Hoyt Chadwell, Craig Patterson, Kaden Chadwell, Dakota Williams, Preston Vance. - Dwayne Wilder