FRIDAY 161st YEAR • NO. 133 OCTOBER 2, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 22 PAGES • 50¢ City Council hires appeals hearing officer By JOYANNA LOVE appeal yet, but this is just a measure in would be too long. Bradley County Chancery Court “plaintiff had to appeal his termination Banner Senior Staff Writer case some of our (terminated) employees Casteel confirmed Thursday that Chancellor Jerri Bryant. to the same decision maker who was do,” said Janice Casteel, city manager. Travis has been able to make himself “We were unable to move forward with involved in and made the initial decision The Cleveland City Council has hired Officers Carl Walls, Chad Nave and available sooner. any disciplinary actions until someone to terminate his employment.” attorney Mark Travis to serve as appeals Edwin Millan were terminated earlier The Council also appointed attorney was appointed to be the hearing officer Bryant also addressed the at-will lan- hearing officer in anticipation of poten- this week, and have until today to Gregory Grisham to represent the city in or the appeals process (was) removed guage of the personnel policy. tial appeals by any of three Cleveland appeal. hearings. from the policies,” Casteel said. “I very “The court clarifies it made no finding Police Department officers who were Council members had wanted to “Grisham will work with the depart- much appreciate the actions of the that the handbook creates a contract, fired Wednesday. select Travis to hear appeals at its meet- ment head in order to prepare for the Council.” but outlines the procedure for appeal by The vote was unanimous, though ing Monday, but were told he would be appeal hearing,” Casteel said. In an order filed on Sept. 17, Bryant employees who are terminated by the Councilman Bill Estes was absent. unavailable until mid-to-late October. Council recently amended the appeals stated, “The procedure used by the city “We haven’t had anyone apply for an At that meeting, councilmen said that process to comply with an order from of Cleveland was unlawful” because the See OFFICER, Page 5 Inside Today Board honors its AP Scholars Recognition goes to 6 CHS students By LARRY C. BOWERS Banner Staff Writer Cleveland High School Principal Autumn O’Bryan intro- Mustangs ‘King’ duced the school’s 2015 Advanced Placement Scholar of the gridiron Award Winners to the Board of Education Thursday afternoon. Walker Valley running back The board meeting at the Alex King galloped his way to 180 Central Office was held earlier yards rushing to lead the than usual, due to Thursday Mustangs to a shutout of the evening’s football game with Cleveland Blue Raiders on a rain- Walker Valley. soaked football field Thursday. O’Bryan told the board two of The Bradley Central Bearettes Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY the AP Scholars (Ryan Ledford celebrated Senior Night with a 3-0 GREG BAUMAN displays some welding techniques to Bradley Central High School students during their tour of the Cleveland and Meredith Sheeks) are from volleyball win over McMinn Whirlpool plant Thursday. the class of 2015, while four County. See Sports, Pages 13-15. (Sarah Barnette, Alexis Engelvin- Grezes, Julia Goncalves and Manufacturing Suzanna Liner) are from the class honored today of 2016. The Cleveland principal A ‘Whirlpool’ way of life emphasized the six are the first As America observes National CHS AP Scholars since 2002. Manufacturing Day today, it is an “Cleveland High is thrilled to excellent reminder of the critical recognize the accomplishments of role played by industries both big these high-achieving students,” and small in today’s economy BCHS students get a good look O’Bryan said. “We have recently and employment base. For one introduced several new AP cours- person’s perspective, see the es and allowed freshmen and guest “Viewpoint” on Page 16 of at BEST manufacturing partners sophomores to take AP exams.” today’s edition. “We believe this early exposure to a rigorous curriculum has set “There is an increasing demand for Forecast By ALLEN MINCEY the foundation for these types of Banner Staff Writer highly skilled professionals in the manu- honors for our students, and will “We know it wasn’t the best day facturing sector who can design, program Around 60 Bradley Central High School weather-wise, but even so, we are ultimately assist our students in and operate technology,” said Cindy Slater, college.” students spent Thursday morning touring so pleased to show these young human resources lead for the Cleveland The College Board’s Advanced the Whirlpool Cleveland Operations plant women and men what we do, and Whirlpool site. “The average age of a man- as part of National Manufacturing Day Placement Program provides stu- hope they consider ufacturing employee is 56, and between dents the opportunity to take rig- 2015. manufacturing jobs as now and 2020 there will be an unprece- Whirlpool hosted the students on orous college-level course while possibilities for their careers.” dented shortage of skilled workers who will still in high school, and to earn Thursday, though today is actually — Dicky Walters need to be replaced.” National Manufacturing Day. Whirlpool college credit. Guides for the tour were in their 20s Cleveland High’s principal said works four 10-hour shifts, so the plant is and 30s, leading the students to see that not in operation on Fridays. outstanding opportunities a career in AP courses give students access young men and women are being hired at to intensive college-level work. Today’s outlook is for an 80 per- The event is designed to change people’s manufacturing can provide. With 1,500 the plant. perceptions about today’s manufacturing employees at the local plant, there is often “Research consistently shows cent chance of more showers and environment, and draw attention to the opportunity for employment at Whirlpool. See WHIRLPOOL, Page 6 possibly a thunderstorm, with a See SCHOLARS, Page 6 high near 64 degrees. Tonight’s forecast calls for cloudy skies and a 60 percent chance of rain, with a New traffic low around 57. Saturday calls for Habitat ReStores jump-start cloudy skies and a 70 percent chance of rain, with a high near 63. Christmas at both locations plan starts Saturday night calls for a 50 per- cent chance of showers, with a low By LARRY C. BOWERS that she gets the trees and lights prepared, around 56. Banner Staff Writer but she does none of the hands-on deco- Oct. 13 for rating. She said each tree is the vision and It’s still a few weeks until Halloween, creation of its individual decorator. Index and Thanksgiving will not arrive until David Gray, Habitat’s ReStore manager, Ross, Yates nearly a month after that. But, believe it or said the volunteers are what the annual By LARRY C. BOWERS Church........................................8-9 not, in some quarters the Christmas sea- holiday project is all about, as it is with Banner Staff Writer Classified................................20-21 son has already begun. most of the organization’s projects. Comics.........................................17 The season for giving began Tuesday for “Without our volunteers, we would not It was announced at Thursday Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland. The be able to do what we do,” Gray said. evening’s Cleveland Board of Editorials......................................16 Education meeting the new traffic- Horoscope....................................17 Christmas tree decorating team of volun- Gray, South Store Manager Michelle teers was busy at work at the South Haas, and Volunteer Services Manager flow plan for the Ross Elementary- Movies..........................................18 ReStore. Yates Primary campus is expected Obituaries.......................................2 LaManda Bowers, joined Flower and her Coordinator Deborah Flower, who is a volunteers. to begin Tuesday, Oct. 13. Stocks............................................4 Habitat Hero along with her husband, Flower said the pre-Christmas sale Maintenance and Sports......................................13-15 Dave, gathered with a group of her regular Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS Transportation Supervisor Hal has begun, and pointed out that early HABITAT’S SOUTH ReStore Manager Michelle TV Schedule...........................18-19 volunteers to decorate Christmas trees. customers get their choice of the deco- Taylor reported paving for the new Weather........................................11 The group decorates a select number of rated trees. “When these trees are gone, Haas, right, and Christmas tree decorating coordi- Ross Elementary flow-through trees each year for purchase by Habitat nator Deborah Flower, left, are shown with the virtu- Around Town supporters. Flower emphasized Tuesday See CHRISTMAS, Page 6 al forest of trees available for purchase. See TRAFFIC, Page 5 T.J. Tate enjoying Baby Bookworms story time at the library ... Ruby Watson learning how to use a new microwave, Empty Stocking Fund registration next week having replaced her old one after 25 years ... Michelle Mayton Special to the Banner Thursday, Friday or Saturday (Oct. 8-10) Then, on Saturday, Dec. 19, the zations, founders all agreed it would allow excited to be coming back to at the Ocoee Middle School gymnasium. Christmas Party for Children, for ages 5 for a better family-oriented Christmas With the merging this year of the Cleveland for the birth of her first Parents and/or guardians will register to 12, will be held in the OMS gymnasi- where the true meaning of the season can grandchild ... Mark Grissom get- Creating Christmas Memories be embraced. Foundation, the Empty Stocking Fund their childrens’ wish lists on Thursday um. While children are involved in games, ting everything ready for his and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or on music, prizes and fun, parents and/or Founders of the three initiatives upcoming marathon radio show. and the Community Christmas Party for announced their merger earlier this year. Children, area families will be registering Saturday from 8 a.m.