• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

T U E S D A Y 162nd YEAR • No. 211 JANUARY 3, 2017 cLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ Joe Fivas excited about future of Cleveland By LARRY C. BOWERS He said he is also surprised by the Fivas said they also want feedback Banner Staff Writer number of people (local residents) who from downtown businesses, council YEAR-IN-REVIEW want to provide input to city officials. members, civic organizations, and other City Manager Joe Fivas, on the job for Fivas added that this is why he and Cleveland stakeholders. “We need feed- five months, says there have been no SECOND OF 2 PARTS the city’s staff are presently conducting back from all these groups,” he said. disappointments in his move to a communitywide survey, to collect He added that they want to compile a Cleveland. He is also excited about the input on what Cleveland residents want upgrades in other communities. three-year plan for the city, and deter- future. from city government. Staff members Fivas, who earlier worked in Owosso, mine what exact steps to take. Fivas was selected from among 63 have already collected more than 250 Mich., and Indian Trail, N.C., has spent “When we have the results from the applicants for the position to replace surveys, with the project to continue survey, we will put together a document longtime City Manager and city employ- much of his early time in Cleveland get- into the New Year. There will be commu- ting to know his co-workers, Cleveland’s with all the raw data,” Fivas added. ee Janice Casteel. nity meetings scheduled in each of When asked about his anticipations, council members, and the community in In a recent interview on his first few Cleveland’s five districts, and staff mem- Fivas said, “I think we will reserve judg- general. “Everyone works hard and tries months and prospects for Cleveland’s bers hope to have well over 500 surveys ment until we get all the feedback. We to bring the best value possible to the future, Fivas praised the quality of the to review. need all this information, so we can put city’s staff and city council members city,” he said. Information anticipated from the sur- it together in the right way. We have no while discussing some ambitious and He has also visited most of the com- veys includes the city’s infrastructure, pre-conceived ideas.” aggressive plans for city government in munity’s civic and business organiza- traffic congestion, revitalization (espe- Although Fivas wouldn’t go out on a the coming months. Among those plans tions, city committees and groups. Fivas cially in the old Whirlpool plant area), limb in discussing what he believes will is the anticipation of revitalization of the said he is impressed with the genuine schools and education, community safe- happen in the future, he did touch on South Cleveland area around the old hospitality and the reception he and his ty (police and fire), and other services Whirlpool facilities, and additional family have received in the community. and assistance. See FIVAS, Page 13 Joe Fivas Inside Today Funeral Thursday A McDONALD TREASURE for county, civic leader Bill Creech Served 16 years on Commission By LARRY C. BOWERS Lee squads split Banner Staff Writer Lee University’s basketball Bradley County community teams split with the University of leader William “Bill” Creech, a West Alabama on Monday former county commissioner and evening. The Oklahoma Sooners longtime supporter of the Boys & defeated the Auburn Tigers in the Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region, Sugar Bowl. In a change of plans, died Sunday morning. Lane Kiffin will not serve as Creech and his family moved to Alabama’s offensive coordinator Cleveland more than 50 years for the NCAA title game. See ago, and he Sports, Pages 9-12. was an agent with Allstate Insurance for What’s expected approximately 40 years. He in political world? earned a num- ber of awards Now that a new year is under- during his way, it’s a common practice by i n s u r a n c e many — especially newspaper career, being a columnists — to make forecasts creech “Top Producer” about what to expect in the political consistently. Photo by GEORGE NORKUS and government arenas for the next He began his insurance career BOB REMPHER goes to work making an ostrich feather duster in his shop. 12 months. For one person’s per- here with Interstate Life spective, check out the guest Insurance. “Viewpoint” on Page 12 of today’s The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday Beckner Feather Duster edition. evening at First Baptist Church. The funeral service is scheduled for noon Thursday, with visitation a 103-year-old company Forecast for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Sunset By SARALYN NORKUS Banner Staff Writer Today looks to be mostly cloudy, Memorial Gardens. with a 30 percent chance of rain Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland You might not have known it, but tucked away in the com- showers and a high near 67 said this morning, “Bill was a munity of McDonald is a piece of American entrepreneurial degrees. There should also be a great personal friend, and a history. southwesterly wind of about 10 friend of the community. He was The Beckner Feather Duster Company, a 103-year-old fam- mph. Tonight’s forecast calls for also a great commissioner. ily-owned business, was the first ostrich feather duster com- Sandra and I had many good mostly cloudy skies and a slight pany formed in the United States. Started in 1913, it has times with Bill and Carol, and he been active ever since, making it the only one to survive in chance of rain, with a low around will be greatly missed. He never the U.S. 43. Wednesday should be partly missed a patriotic gathering in It was during his time as a Seventh-day Adventist mission- sunny and cooler, with a high near the community.” ary in South Africa that Harry Beckner first came up with 48. Wednesday night calls for “He was a great commissioner, the idea of using ostrich feathers in cleaning. In 1913, Harry mostly cloudy skies and a low of and a great guy,” said Bradley and his brother George created the Beckner Feather Duster around 29. County Mayor D. Gary Davis, who Company. served with Creech on the county “He brought back the idea of making a feather broom and body. “I first got to know him it didn’t go over, so my grandfather came up with the idea of Index when his kids were students at a feather duster,” detailed Howard Fish, grandson of George. North Lee Elementary School.” Following the passing of George in 1956, daughter Leota Classified................................14-15 Creech is survived by daugh- Beckner Fish took over the company. Comics...........................................6 ters Debbie Creech Webb (Joel), “The day my grandfather died, my mother was in the shop Editorials......................................12 and Kim Creech; his son, Scott completing an order for him — he had been concerned about Creech (Debbie); seven grandchil- getting the order done,” Howard continued. Horoscope......................................6 Photo by GEORGE NORKUS Obituaries.......................................2 dren; and two great-grandchil- The company moved to Bradley County in the early 1970s dren. He was preceded in death GRANDSONS OF GEORGE BEcKNER, Howard Fish, left, with a portion of the family. Following Leota’s death in 1998, Sports........................................9-11 by his wife, Carol. and Jonathan Fish, right, discuss the family’s history and how the TV Schedule..................................7 Beckner Feather Duster Company came to be. See TREASURE, Page 4 Weather..........................................8 See CREECH, Page 13 Around Town Rita Haynie enjoying time off County schools’ energy program progressing with her daughter Samantha ... Gary and Donna Runyan enjoy- By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG The project, which is set to cost some schools as well as the school system's Fox Elementary, Charleston Elementary, ing spending time with their Banner Staff Writer $16.2 million, involves renovations at central office; Hopewell Elementary, Lake Forest grandbabies over the holidays ... every county school and the school sys- — Occupancy sensor installations to Middle, Michigan Avenue Elementary, Gary Rymer being crafty with his While students have been out of school tem’s central office building. help save energy with the new lighting in North Lee Elementary, Prospect Christmas presents ... Nola Beth for the holidays, workers have been busy The renovations being done as part of all school buildings and the central office; Elementary, Taylor Elementary and and Ben Greene excited about making improvements to several Bradley the project include: — Water conservation measures which Valley View Elementary; and new four-wheelers ... Bud County Schools. — Replacement of the HVAC system in could include things like replacing sinks — A major HVAC installation at Kinches ready to say goodbye to They began checking items off a the cafeteria building at Lake Forest or toilets, at the central office and all Prospect Elementary. 2016 ... Suzy Arntz Campbell lengthy list of energy upgrades in the Middle School; schools except for Prospect Elementary; So far, workers have completed the happy to receive good news, and county schools following a kickoff event — Multiple rooftop HVAC unit replace- — Utility control upgrades at all installation of an energy management ready for 2017. this past September. The first long break ments at each of the following schools: schools and the central office; system at each of the schools, said Cash. since then gave them the chance to make Black Fox Elementary, Hopewell — Miscellaneous kitchen equipment Workers have also replaced weather more changes without disrupting classes.

Load more

  16

Copy Link