T U E S D A Y 161st YEAR • NO. 196 DECEMBER 15, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ Council OKs contract County hears request for more 911 funding for new 911 contract would require from the county and By JOYANNA LOVE next meeting By BRIAN GRAVES This agreement will remain in Banner Staff Writer the city of Cleveland an amount not Banner Senior Staff Writer in excess of $550,000 each, for the place for four years. It will be up for Paying for 911 communications The Cleveland City Council has renewal at that time. fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016, approved a revised contract with the services was on both city and county and shall not exceed $650,000 each, “The total amount required from tables Monday as the director of Bradley County 911 Center to the county and the city of Cleveland for the fiscal year beginning July 1, increase funding. those services explained the needs of 2017. shall not exceed $550,000 each, for the agency. Passage was contingent on word- the fiscal year beginning July 1, The total amount required from 911 Director Joe Wilson addressed ing of a revision to the section on lia- 2016, and shall not exceed $650,000 the city of Charleston would not the Bradley County Commission bility insurance being worked out. each, for the fiscal year beginning exceed $11,090 for the fiscal year 911 board chairman Danny July 1, 2017; and further, the total with the reasoning behind a new beginning July 1, 2016, and would Lawson said the liability insurance amount required from the city of contract that would increase funding not exceed $13,090 for the fiscal year was the only concern, but this is Charleston shall not exceed $11,090 from both entities by $200,000 with- beginning July 1, 2017. being addressed. for the fiscal year beginning July 1, in two years. It would also add one dispatcher in “It needs to be voted on at this 2016, and shall not exceed $13,090 The current funding formula Fiscal Year 2018-19 and an addition- meeting to change this,” said City for the fiscal year beginning July 1, requires both the city and county to al dispatcher the next year. Manager Janice Casteel. Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES pay 49.5 percent ($450,000 each) The new agreement would be in 2017,” according to the proposed COUNTY 911 DIRECTOR JOE WILSON spoke The current agreement ends Dec. agreement. with the city of Charleston paying 1 effect through June 30, 2020, and 31. This agreement has an additional to County commissioners about the proposed percent. would automatically renew for four- The Bradley County Commission new contract for emergency communications If approved by all parties, the con- is set to vote on the measure at its See CONTRACT, Page 5 services. tract proposed by the 911 Board See REQUEST, Page 13 Inside Today Casteel to retire as city manager in May Revised personnel policy is approved By JOYANNA LOVE Banner Senior Staff Writer Janice Casteel will retire from her position as city manager on Banner photo, HOWARD PIERCE May 31, 2016. Butch gets a boost RIBBON-CUTTING ceremonies were held late this morning for the long-awaited opening of the entire Interstate 75 Exit 20 inter- Casteel made the announce- change, which has been completely redesigned and revamped over the past two years. Completion of the project should bring some ment during a Cleveland City Butch Jones got an early much-needed relief to area motorists who regularly use the busy intersection and ramps. Council meeting Monday. Christmas gift from the University “We have a grandson who is of Tennessee, when athletics losing his vision, so it is impor- director Dave Hart announced a tant that we spend time with him. $500,000 raise for the Family is the Volunteers’ head football coach. main reason I The Titans may get the No. 1 Clear sailing ... finally! am retiring,” draft pick in the NFL after Casteel said. “I Sunday’s loss to the New York also want to Jets. The Atlanta Falcons are retire while I am struggling to break a losing City, county, state officials cut ribbon young enough to streak that now stands at six enjoy the other games. See Sports, Pages 9-11. things that I on I-75’s newly revamped Exit 20 love, which are Casteel family, camping Forecast By BRIAN GRAVES diate impact” on local economic develop- and my church.” Banner Staff Writer ment. Casteel attends Maple Street “For many years this has been “Businesses and industries who locate Baptist Church. The angst of maneuvering Exit 20 on just off this exit will broaden the local tax a much-needed improvement to She has served the city in vari- Interstate 75 will officially come to an end base and create jobs,” Howell said. today when a ribbon cutting is held to the gateway of Cleveland, which ous roles and jobs for the past 42 Bell and Howell were two of many men- years. Casteel will be retiring just mark the completion of its modification. is also the gateway to the Smoky tioned by state Rep. Kevin Brooks, who said Tennessee Department of Mountains.” shy of her nine-year anniversary the project has been “on the front burner of as city manager. Transportation Commissioner John — State Rep. Kevin Brooks our entire delegation” since 2006. Schroer and other officials were expected “When I met with the Council “In fact, discussions for Exit 20 began members in August for my evalu- at the exit ramps at 11 a.m. to conduct prior to my service in Nashville,” Brooks the ceremony. signal system. ation I mentioned to them then said. “For many years this has been a that at the end of the fiscal year I The project has been more than a “With the Christmas driving season in much-needed improvement to the gateway decade in the making. full swing, I'm thankful this long-overdue would like to retire,” Casteel said. Today looks to be sunny, with a of Cleveland, which is also the gateway to “I very much approved of their high near 65. Tonight’s forecast Bids were eventually opened on the project is completed,” said state Sen. Mike the Smoky Mountains.” project in May 2013 with Cleveland con- Bell. “I appreciate TDOT and the gover- evaluation process, and it really calls for mostly clear skies, with a He acknowledged the work and support should have been going on all tractor Simpson Construction Company nor's administration realizing the need of Bell, Howell, state Sen. Todd low around 37. Wednesday should getting the nod to do the 1.4 miles of work and committing the money to fix what has along.” Gardenhire and former state Rep. Eric The evaluation was Casteel’s be mostly sunny, with a high near at a cost of $12.9 million. been a horrible traffic problem at Exit 20.” Watson in getting the project pushed 67. On Wednesday night increasing With its completion, the project replaced State Rep. Dan Howell said the comple- first as city manager. As a part of through. the process, she met with each of clouds and showers are expected, the narrow two-lane bridge at the inter- tion of the Exit 20 project will be good for Brooks related a story as to how far along with a low around 52. The change with a new six-lane overpass the local economy. the councilmen individually things went to convince the state agency before they filled out a scoresheet chance of rain is 90 percent. bridge. “It seemed like this day would never to move forward with the project. The bridge has two lanes in each direc- come,” Howell said. “But, it’s finally here and written comments. “It all began with my name tag at the “There needs to be a time when tion with a double-center turn lane. thanks to the cooperative efforts of city, introduction and reception for Index The project also brings improved county and state leaders.” they sit down with their manager and talk about anything that can entrance and exit ramps and a new traffic He said it would have “an almost imme- See EXIT 20, Page 13 Classified......................................15 improve the relationship between Comics...........................................6 See CASTEEL, Page 5 Editorials......................................12 Horoscope......................................6 Obituaries.......................................2 Commission debates Sports........................................9-11 Jordan Smith gets Stocks............................................4 issues of broadband, TV Schedule..................................7 favorable reviews Weather..........................................8 eyes state legislation By BRIAN GRAVES with final 3 songs Banner Staff Writer Around Town By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG Bradley County commissioners discussed a reso- Banner Staff Writer Little Jack Kesley taking a nice lution Monday that would support a move in the winter’s nap in a dog bed ... state Legislature to remove the statutory barriers Lee University student Jordan Smith Mendy Gilliland and Kevin preventing a possible partnership between showed he is a man with a dream during his Randolph decorating for Santa Cleveland Utilities and EPB to offer broadband performance on “The Voice” Monday night. Claus ... Debbie Williams saying Internet service in Bradley County. It was the last chance the Harlan, Ky., “Merry Christmas” no less than The issue has been long brewing as residents native had to impress viewers of the televised 200 times in one hour ... Larry from rural areas have been vocal about their inabil- music competition, which concludes tonight. Johnston’s black sports car being ity to get the service. Each of the final four artists performed three songs — a song of his or her choosing, a big hit in the Christmas parade.