T U E S D A Y 161st YEAR • NO. 130 SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 18 PAGES • 50¢ Gibson, department heads may get more authority By JOYANNA LOVE before it could be voted on, according to city “I think it’s a bigger issue than just hire and Banner Senior Staff Writer attorney John Kimball. fire (authority) for the police chief,” Estes said. “Chief Gibson ought to be able to hire and “I think all department heads should be able Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson, and other fire,” City Councilman Richard Banks said dur- to handle that,” May said. “We need to change city department heads, could be given the ing Monday’s proceedings. that.” authority to hire and fire employees without “Are you talking about just Chief Gibson, or Police consultant Larry Wallace also stated in requiring approval by the city manager in the the department heads as a whole?” Councilman a recent report that the police chief needs more near future. David May asked. authority in disciplinary matters. The Cleveland City Council was ready to give “That’s my position as to all of them,” Banks “It is important to note that Chief Gibson is a that authority Monday. However, Council policy said. consummate professional with unquestioned requires that such a change would need to be May and Councilman Bill Estes said all Estes Banks Casteel reviewed by the human resources committee departments need to be treated the same. See AUTHORITY Page 9 Inside Today Gibson takes police chief oath Bearettes dump Rhea Eagles Council pledges The Bradley Central Bearettes its full support had an easy time on the volley- ball court against Rhea County. By JOYANNA LOVE The Tennessee Volunteers are Banner Senior Staff Writer looking to salvage the rest of the Support was evident for Mark football season. Former UT Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES Gibson as he took the oath of office men’s basketball coach Donnie CLEVELAND CHIEF of Police Mark Gibson takes the oath of office from Mayor Tom Rowland, right, at Monday’s City Council meeting. as Cleveland Police Department Tyndall is now associate athletics Gibson’s wife, Jerri, left, watches along with other family members and friends of the new chief. chief on Monday surrounded by director at Tennessee Wesleyan. family and friends. See Sports, Pages 11-13. Several officers from the depart- ment were also in attendance. “I want to say as we do this, that I think we have a winner. He is a Taking stress out man of maturity and wisdom, love and compassion for the Cleveland of the classroom Police Department and the city of Almost two months into the Cleveland,” Mayor Tom Rowland new school season, area class- said. “I want you (Gibson) to know rooms are preparing for a fall that myself and every member of break which will help to re-ener- this Council support you 100 per- gize teachers and students while cent.” taking the edge off some of the Gibson thanked his family and classroom stress. For some friends who were present for their ideas on how teachers can take support in the journey to this away some of the stress for the point. remainder of the school year, see “The men and women of our the guest “Viewpoint” on Page 14 department, I am proud of them,” of today’s edition. Gibson said. “I know they do extraordinary things every day. Unfortunately, that’s not brought to light all the time. I hope that Forecast together we will be able to accom- plish some great things.” Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES Gibson received a standing ova- CPD CONSULTANT Larry Wallace gives his Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES tion at the end of the short cere- final recommendations on the department to the CHIEF MARK GIBSON, left, shares a conversation with City Councilman Richard mony. Cleveland City Council during Monday’s meeting. Banks during a reception for Gibson following his oath of office. “He’s one fine person. I have enjoyed working with him,” Police Consultant Larry Wallace said of Gibson. Sunset, Hilcrest owner files response Several other members of the department were also honored By LARRY C. BOWERS the Lawrence Group in August, along with a At the time of the Consent Order by the during the meeting, including Jody Showers and possibly a thunder- Banner Staff Writer $5,000 fine. state, the office of Tennessee’s 10th Judicial Musselwhite for Medal of Honor, The Consent Order claims a state inspec- District Attorney General Stephen Crump Nick Lorenzano and Mark Darnell storm are likely today, along with a A Georgia cemetery firm has answered high near 78 degrees. Tonight’s tor, in random visits to Sunset Memorial filed a petition for contempt in Chancery for Life Saving Award, Mark charges from Tennessee state and regional Gardens this summer, reported the leakage forecast calls for cloudy skies and a Court, based on the January 2015 Consent Darnell for Good Conduct Award authorities which claim the company has of body fluids, stained carpet and noxious and Matt Landolt, Mike Ricker and 60 percent chance of rain, with a Order which required the company to main- failed to maintain the condition of facilities odors in the main mausoleum, and a gener- tain a complaint system and address those Brian Montgomery for Letter of low around 68. Wednesday calls for and grounds at two Cleveland cemeteries. al lack of maintenance of the cemetery and complaints. Commendation. mostly cloudy skies and a 50 per- The Cecil Lawrence Group of Douglasville, grounds. Both the Consent Order, and the petition, Three new officers were also cent rain chance, with a high near Ga., owns Sunset Memorial Gardens on The cemetery has paid the $5,000 fine, gave the Georgia company 30 days to sworn in Monday. 77. Wednesday night should be North Lee Highway and Hilcrest Memorial along with a previous $500 fine, and the respond, after they were filed in late August. Wallace presented a report on mostly cloudy, with a low around Gardens in South Cleveland. state reports the Lawrence Group has been Chattanooga attorney William G. Colvin, his recommendations for the 62. Tennessee’s Department of Commerce assessed with more than $150,000 in Sunset: 7:28 p.m. and Insurance filed a Consent Order against penalties in recent years. See RESPONSE, Page 5 See GIBSON, Page 9 Sunrise: 7:35 a.m. Animals get Index Bill Talley’s book Classified................................16-17 Commission Comics...........................................6 signing draws 500 Editorials......................................14 focus again Horoscope......................................6 By JOE CANNON Obituaries.......................................2 Banner Assistant Sports Editor By BRIAN GRAVES Banner Staff Writer Sports......................................11-13 Bill Talley said he didn’t know what all the fuss was about, Stocks............................................4 but the hundreds of people who lined up for hours to see him The debate continues with TV Schedule..................................7 Monday evening gave testimony to the reason for the celebra- Bradley County commissioners Weather..........................................8 tion. over the issue of animal control. “I don’t see myself as somebody special,” the inspirational During a Monday work session, coaching legend declared. “I do the same things others do, but I the talk turned to the two options Around Town just do them a little differently sometimes.” placed on the table by the ad hoc Despite being born with both arms only going to the elbow, animal control committee. Keith Hayes making sure his with “nubs” instead of hands, plus his right leg stopping below Option 1 would give the SPCA wife, Sally, has an exceptionally the knee, eight inches shorter than the left, along with hips that full responsibility for pickup and clean car ... Trenton Gray spend- aren’t fully developed, the 4-foot, 10-inch giant of a man has shelter, at a cost in the $220,000 ing time with his “Nannie” and never let his physical shortcomings slow him down. range. “Paw” Truelove ... Martha Bartolo “He (Talley) refuses to accept his handicap. He said, ‘I’ve Option 2 would not require sharing her favorite Scripture ... always considered myself normal,’” remarked local award-win- Banner photo, JOE CANNON extra funding for the 2015-16 fis- Sarah Johnson looking beautiful ning journalist George Starr, who has been able to fulfill a life- GETTING TO SHARE some good memories, Mary Katherine cal year; continue the SPCA serv- in her boots and lace ... Jim long dream by writing a book about Talley’s life. Ledford, left, talks with longtime coach Bill Talley, seated, and ices as they are now; fund the Strickland picking up a “special George Starr during Monday evening’s book signing at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office at bear” stuffed animal for his See TALLEY, Page 3 Museum Center at Five Points. granddaughter. See COMMISSION Page 5 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Tuesday, September 29, 2015 www.clevelandbanner.com Study examines effectiveness OBITUARIES (USPS 117-700) Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office of Tennessee’s pre-K program POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O. Box 3600, Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Published at 1505 25th Street, NW (P.O. Box 3600) NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill at these data and have a lot of to economically disadvantaged Newell M. Cagle in Cleveland, TN 37320-3600, daily except Saturday Newell M. Cagle, 81, of and Christmas day by Cleveland Newspapers, Inc. Haslam said Monday that he’s questions about what might be children. It expanded in 2005 to Phone (423) 472-5041. still supportive of Tennessee’s going on in the later grades that serve 18,000 Tennessee children Rockwood, died this morning, pre-kindergarten program doesn’t seem to be maintaining, in 935 classrooms across all 95 Tuesday, Sept.