METHADONE FACILITY - COUNTY BOARD OPPOSES CLINIC

During its last meeting before the August election, members of the
Washington County Commission placed their support Monday behind opposition
to a proposed methadone clinic coming to Johnson City.

Commissioner Wendal Messimer, whose district seat incorporates parts of the
city, said he felt it was time for the board to let the people know where
it stands.

"The methadone clinic is scheduled to be opened in a building very close to
the Asbury Center and very close to the Johnson City Public Library,"
Messimer said.

The state Health Facilities Board voted in June to grant a certificate of
need to a facility that treats heroin and other opiate addicts by using an
alternative substance.

The commission then voted unanimously to create a resolution against the
clinic being located on the 200 W. Fairview Ave. location.

"It's not that we're so opposed to the methadone," Messimer said. "We're
just opposed to the location."

In other business, Washington County Budget Committee Chairman Pat Wolfe
said with the state's fiscal problems resolved for the time being, the
county hopes to soon complete its own budget.

"We will meet Aug. 5, and it is anticipated at this time that we will have
the factual information for what the schools will be getting and what the
county will be getting from the state," Wolfe said.

The committee has already heard all of the departments' requests except for
the county schools, which are expected to have a new element in their
requests this year: the city schools.

About 46 percent of the money Washington County earmarks goes to Johnson
City schools, with the rest being used for the county school system. The
city school system is facing a shortfall as Johnson City leaders struggle
with slowing revenues and jumping health insurance costs.

As scores of teachers showed up at City Commission meetings last month
demanding a funding increase, Commissioner Steve Darden told them to take
their concerns to other funding sources, including the county.

And that is just what Wolfe said he expects to happen.

"I anticipate the Johnson City folk are going to be more adamant in
pursuing school funds this year," he said, adding he is expecting city
teachers to show up at county budget meetings. "I think we'll see some
people there that we haven't seen in the past."

Washington County has until the end of September to complete its budget
process. Though the last budget year ended in June, the county is
functioning with a continuing budget.

"Basic operation is all we can do," Wolfe said of the continuing budget.