The Plainview election has buzzed with anticipation as a record 171 votes were cast in the early voting. For the first time in recent memory, two candidates, current Mayor Gary D. Chandler and Commissioner Lynn Beeler, ran for Mayor of Plainview. Three candidates, Keith Brantley, Gordon Bright and Rebecca Lock challenged for two seats. On election day, 206 voted.

Mike Chesney, Maynardville City Manager, treated UCBPA to more than a taste of the upcoming Maynardville projects at the May meeting of the Union County Business and Professional Association.
Chesney began with a splash from the new water park, which the pandemic has delayed to 2022 with maybe a quick bite at the end of this summer. The new guardrail on SR 33 will help provide a safer experience when the park opens.

Mike Chesney, incoming Maynardville City Manager, aspired as a child to become a person who would help others and make a positive difference in their lives. The very young see heroes in firefighters and policemen, then as they grow up realize there are a lot of other people helping communities run and flourish.

I recently spoke to Jack Rhyne to learn his story and it is a fascinating one! Like most little boys growing up in a Roy Rogers world, Rhyne hoped to grow up to be a cowboy. That didn’t quite work out, but he has lived an adventurous life. Rhyne grew up in Anderson County, enlisted in the Army as a young man, and married Marie Merritt from Grainger County, who served as Rutledge’s City Recorder.

When Jack Rhyne, current Maynardville City Manager decided to retire, Maynardville had not completed its search for a replacement. In the October called meeting, the Board of Commissioners accepted Rhyne's retirement and sought the advice of their attorney regarding the next step. According to state law, Maynardville would need to declare the position vacant and then proceed to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy was filled by a current employee other than the recorder then the person would be an acting city manager, not an interim city manager.

Maynardville Mayor Ty Blakely can be described as the city’s website describes the town: friendly, with an eye on the future.
He had an unusual habit for a small boy — he enjoyed reading the daily newspaper! As a child, he looked up to his grandfather who was a math teacher and coach at Powell High School. He wanted to be like his grandfather and expected to follow in his footsteps in the teaching profession, but life presented other opportunities.

The Maynardville Public Library is launching a new reading incentive program for Union County elementary school-aged children. Through this program, the library offers kids incentives for reading and a buddy sloth to read to every day.
What’s more, this year-round program is completely free. The idea is adapted from Kim Todd’s “Read to a Pal” program at Luttrell Public Library, in which children can choose from a variety of stuffed animals to adopt and read books to.

Theatrics and performing arts will soon take the stage in Maynardville. A local Union County native, Michael Bailey, brings his passion of the arts along with years of experience to the county with the introduction of Thunder Road Theatre.
Bailey, age 22, has many theater productions under his belt with several major fundraisers, such as last year’s T1D: Zombie Edition at Wilson Park for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He began in theater as early as elementary school and it soon became something he loved dearly.

Everyone enjoys capturing milestones and memories in photographs so that the joy can be relived through the generations.
Here in Union County, KH Equine Event Rentals focuses on the happiness of clients and the take-home factor for moments like these. The creative business offers photo shoot setups and themed shoots as well as the very popular unicorn interaction at shoots and parties.

Janet’s Hair Salon is a remedy to style, beauty, and friendship within the Maynardville community. For nineteen years, folks have been visiting the salon for their beauty needs as well as laughter amongst friends. Janet Holloway, owner and operator of the salon, bought the shop in 1990, and business has been growing ever since.