JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Commissioner Rusty Orick announced at the Campbell County Commission meeting on Monday night that the organizers of the free RAM medical clinic to be held Aug. 28-29 are in need of one or more ophthalmologists or optometrists to conduct eye exams at the clinic.

“One of the most critical needs of many patients is for eye exams and eyeglass prescriptions,” Orick pointed out. “The clinic, to be held at Caryville Elementary, still needs additional volunteers but one of the most critical needs is for optometrists or other vision specialists to conduct the eye exams. We need to get the word out.”

Orick’s son Garrett described the clinic at last month’s commission workshop, telling commissioners that at that time, the clinic already had 119 volunteers including four dentists and several general practitioners but needed vision specialists. The clinic will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 28-29 from 6 am to 6 pm. and people are expected to begin lining up long before daybreak each day.

The commission quickly ran through its agenda on Monday, unanimously approving a number of spending motions including a $3 million capital outlay note to provide funding for various road paving projects and other infrastructure needs.

The commission also approved a motion to spend $16,000 on a trash compactor for the Stoney Fork convenience center. It is more economical to haul refuse straight from Stoney Fork to the Scott County landfill than to haul it over the steep Caryville Mountain road to the county’s Towe String facility.

Ralph Davis introduced nine motions, all being unanimously approved in one motion. Among them the purchase of two properties in Jellico along with money for renovations. The building will house the Campbell County Ambulance Service Jellico station along with county clerical and Sheriff’s offices for the Jellico area.

Commissioners also approved a motion by Dewayne Baird to set a vendor fee for food truck vendors wishing to serve the Lonas Young Park at $75 and approved a $13,000 Covid response grant for the Campbell County Airport. In addition, the commission approved the changes in the county’s retiree insurance premium to align it with the amount provided by the State of Tennessee. Under the new guidelines retirees with 30 years or more of service with the county will have 80 percent of their premiums paid, up from 75 perecent. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/17/2021-6AM)