1-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 www.TML1.org

6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 59, Number 13 July 28, 2008 Policy Day set for Sept. 11 VW chooses Chattanooga for new plant TML Legislative Policy committees are free to work their Committees will meet on Thurs- will and there is no guarantee a Volkswagen day, Sept. 11, beginning at 10 previous policy initiative will re- Group of America, a.m., in the TML building located ceive a favorable recommenda- Inc. announced plans at 226 Capitol Boulevard in Nash- tion this year. to build a U.S. auto- ville. This meeting will begin the Guidance for Submissions motive production fa- process by which TML’s legisla- There is no restriction on the cility in Chattanooga, tive priorities are established for number, type, or content of the where it will produce the first session of the 106th Gen- submissions. However, it might a car designed spe- eral Assembly that begins in Janu- be helpful to consider three broad cifically for the North ary 2009. categories: “Non-Controversial,” American consumer As in past years, there will be “Here and Now,” and “Over-the- and invest $1 billion four policy committees: Finance Horizon” when considering is- in the economy. The and General Administration; Pub- sues for consideration. announcement is an lic Safety; Utilities, Environment Only those initiatives spon- important element of and Transportation; and Eco- sored by a city/town and submit- the company’s over- nomic and Community Develop- ted, in writing, to TML by August all U.S. strategy of ment. The four policy committees 22 will be considered by the policy connecting with its will meet simultaneously. committees. A city may either customers, increas- Once all committees have send their policy initiative directly ing its competitive- concluded their work, all partici- to TML or submit their initiative ness and tripling its pants will come together for lunch to TML via their MTAS consult- U.S. customer base in and a program. TML will make ant. If submitting it through the next decade. Gov. Phil Bredesen and Commissioner Matt Kisber join Volkswagen executives to every effort to adjourn the meeting MTAS, no policy submissions “The U.S. mar- announce plans for a a new automotive production facility in Chattanooga. before the afternoon rush hour will be accepted after August 15. ket is an important commences. A detailed schedule Any proposals prepared after Au- part of our volume strategy and we sedan designed specifically for the Volkswagen and Chattanooga-area will be provided at a later date. gust 15 must be submitted directly are now very resolutely accessing North American market. Production organizations are partnering to dis- Previous Submittals to TML by the August 22 dead- that market,” said Prof. Martin is scheduled to begin in early 2011. tribute two saplings for every tree Any Board-approved TML line. Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen With the new plant, Volkswagen displaced by the project. The new policy initiatives that were pend- Each submission must in- AG. “Volkswagen will be extremely will bring about 2,000 direct jobs to trees will be planted by local school ing at the adjournment of the clude a summary of the problem, a active there. This plant represents a the area, and will add a significant children. 105th General Assembly in June description of the proposed rem- milestone in Volkswagen’s growth number of jobs in related sectors. With the new plant, will automatically carry over and edy, and a statement of the antici- strategy. We will be selling 800,000 “I’m enormously pleased by the Volkswagen will bring about 2,000 will be among the submissions pated benefits to municipalities of Volkswagens in the U.S. by 2018, announcement from Volkswagen direct jobs to the area, and will add a considered by the respective pursuing the proposed action. and this new site will play a key role. Group of America and grateful for significant number of jobs in related policy committees. However, the See POLICY on Page 4 This, along with our growth strat- the company’s investment in Chatta- sectors. It is expected that these jobs egy, is a prerequisite for the eco- nooga and in the people of Tennes- will come from the tri-state area, nomic success of the company in the see,” said Tennessee Gov. Phil pulling from the labor force of Ten- dollar region. We look forward to Bredesen. “I believe Volkswagen nessee as well as Georgia and Ala- establishing an important mainstay chose Tennessee because of our bama. for ourselves when we become the shared values, our commitment to Volkswagen of America re- biggest European carmaker there.” innovation and our strong respect for ceived an attractive, comprehensive The company will build the fa- the environment. This project will package of incentives for the new cility in the Enterprise South Indus- have a significant impact on the facility from Gov. Bredesen’s office trial Park, located 12 miles northeast economy of Tennessee and the re- and the Tennessee Department of of downtown Chattanooga. The gion for decades to come.” Economic and Community Devel- 1,350-acre site is 100 percent owned Environmental responsibility is opment. The statutory incentives are by the city of Chattanooga and a core value of the Volkswagen tied to job creation and capital in- Hamilton County and is certified as Group. The company’s focus on sus- vestment. Additional support in- an industrial megasite by the Ten- tainable mobility and environmen- cludes assistance for public infra- nessee Valley Authority. Enterprise tally responsible manufacturing are structure and job training, each de- South is adjacent to Interstate 75. right in line with Chattanooga’s signed to ensure the local economy Initial production capacity for the strong environmental commitment. best leverages Volkswagen’s invest- facility is anticipated to be 150,000 As an expression of this shared com- ment to benefit the local work force vehicles, including a new midsize mitment, the state of Tennessee, and ensure the facility’s success. TML spotlights new board members BY VICTORIA SOUTH TML Communication Coordinator

The Tennessee Municipal League’s recently elected 2008- 2009 board of directors is a diverse group comprised of urban mayors, The TML Legislative Policy Committee meetings will meet Sept. 11. eight district directors, and six at- to establish priorities for the 106th General Assembly. Deadline to large directors, past TML presi- submit city-sponsored initiatives is Aug. 22. dents, along with the chairmen of the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund and the TML Risk Management New safety requirements for Pool. The eight district directors rep- resenting their section of the state highway, emergency workers were nominated and elected during As a result of a 2006 rulemaking ited to, police, fire, EMS, utility, district caucuses. Betsy Crossley, Betsy Crossley Shirley Fox-Rogers (23 CFR 634) by the Federal High- media, and tow operators exposed to Brentwood Commissioner, joins the way Administration (FHWA), ef- risks of moving roadway traffic or TML Board for the first time as the fective Nov. 24, 2008, all workers construction equipment” must com- District 6 Director. Cindy Ogle, and most public safety officers ply with the rule. Gatlinburg City Manager, returns to working in the right-of-way of a fed- This means law enforcement the board to represent District 2. eral-aid highway will be required to will still be required to wear the The eight at-large directors wear certified high-visibility safety required level of reflective garment were nominated by a six-member apparel. when directing traffic, investigating committee composed of municipal The rule is intended to increase crashes, and handling lane closures, officials statewide and elected to a worker visibility and reduce worker obstructed roadways, and disasters. one-year term by a majority vote of fatalities due to traffic accidents. Concerns were raised during the the entire membership. Covington The high visibility clothing must comment period about the possibil- Mayor David Gordon was elected to meet ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class 2 ity of material that complied with the the board for his first full term. or 3 requirements to ensure both day requirements being hazardous if Shirley Fox Rogers, LaFollette and nighttime visibility. worn by firefighters working around Councilmember, and David May Jr., The rule does provide an excep- heat and flame. FHWA explained in Cleveland Councilmember, return David Gordon tion for police officers who are “en- their final rule that standards were to the board to serve another term as Kevin Helms gaged in law enforcement activities, being discussed between ANSI and an At-Large Director. Kevin Helms, such as traffic stops and pursuit and fire personnel, and therefore regula- newly elected president of the Ten- apprehension of suspects.” tions may be changed at a later date nessee City Management Associa- However, “all persons at a traf- for fire personnel. tion, also serves as a voting member fic incident scene or within a traffic To view the Final Rule, visit on the TML Board. control zone, including, but not lim- http://edocket.access. Having served eight years in public office, first as Planning Com- missioner, and now current City State gears up for third Commissioner and representative for the Brentwood Planning Com- mission, Betsy Crossley’s primary sales tax holiday Aug. 1 interests lie in economic and resi- Tennessee is preparing for its dential redevelopment along with third annual sales tax holiday that green space and historic preserva- begins August 1. The holiday tion. Crossley received her M.S. de- gives back-to-school shoppers the David May Cindy Cameron Ogle opportunity to buy certain cloth- gree in Microbiology and was later ing, school and art supplies, and awarded Teacher of the Year at Mt. toric Commission. With a Bachelor of Arts degree computers without paying Ten- Tabor High School. She is President Cindy Cameron Ogle has been in Human Services and masters in nessee tax. of the Advisory Board for the Martin in public office for 30 years. Having Public Administration, Ogle is a It begins at 12:01 a.m. on art supplies that are $100 or less Center and serves on the Board of previously served as Gatlinburg’s former board member with the In- Friday, Aug. 1, and ends on Sun- per item, and computers that are Directors for Fifty Forward. She assistant city manager, projects dear ternational City Management As- day, Aug. 3, at 11:59 p.m. Savings $1,500 or less. also serves on the Board for Youth to her heart include capitol projects, sociation and past president of the apply to select clothing that’s For more information visit Leadership, Brentwood, and is an ad economic development, budgetary Tennessee City Management As- $100 or less per item, school and www.tntaxholiday.com hoc member of the Brentwood His- issues and “going green.” See BOARD on Page 8 www.TML1.org 2-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 MURFREESBORO Chattanooga erasing graffiti A partnership among MTSU, the Tennessee Department of Correc- tion and the Great Books Founda- with unique youth program tion, enabled prisoners at three area BY TML STAFF REPORTS DYERSBURG lockups a chance to participate in a The Dyersburg Regional Airport has nine-week program titled “Great ALCOA been approved for a grant totaling Books in Middle Tennessee Pris- The Alcoa Service Center, located $455,000 from the Tennessee De- ons.” The program’s weekly book off Wright Road, opened for busi- partment of Transportation’s Aero- discussions, which began in late ness July 14. The new facility nautics Division to replace its navi- March, were conducted at houses the Public Works & Engi- gational lighting system. Dyersburg Riverbend Maximum Security Insti- neering Department, Electric De- Airport is one of 21 airports across tution; the Lois M. DeBerry Special partment, and Meter Division along the state to receive the funding. The Needs Facility and the Tennessee with the Alcoa Municipal Employ- 90-10 grant will be used to provide a Prison for Women. English faculty ees Credit Union. more up-to-date lighting system and volunteers guided the inmates replace the existing runway lighting, through readings by such authors as CHARLESTON estimated to be at least 30 years old. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Thanks to recent improvement The runway lights were struck by Whitman, Frederick Douglass, grants, citizens are enjoying a new lightning in February, knocking out Alexis de Tocqueville and Joseph 50 ft. by 90 ft. boat dock along with the entire system for over a month Conrad. recreation and picnic facilities. City and alerting airport officials to just officials are optimistic that future how fragile the current lighting sys- NASHVILLE grants will facilitate a greenway con- tem is. Some local officials want to install nector bordering Cleveland. global positioning systems on gov- Young people with Mayor Ron Littlefield’s Summer Youth Program ERWIN ernment cars. The GPS uses satellite paint over and clean up graffiti around the city. CHATTANOOGA A groundbreaking ceremony at the technology to tell a driver where they Chattanooga’s renewal and natural site of the proposed Governor’s are and how to get to their destina- BY VICTORIA SOUTH “When kids clean up the graffiti, amenities have earned the Scenic Bend Assisted Living Residence tion. Other cities are finding direc- Communications Coordinator it definitely makes them more hesi- City second place in Outside was held recently with guest tion and saving taxpayer dollars with tant to participate in it,” said Al magazine’s list of 20 Best Towns in speaker, Gov. Bredesen. Construc- GPS systems. “These devices liter- Behind a local business, a group Chapman, director. America. In 2001, the magazine tion of the facility is expected to ally pay for themselves in a matter of of young people cluster around a According to Chapman, the pro- named Chattanooga one of the begin this winter with a completion months if you use them correctly and graffiti laden wall. Surprisingly, gram has been recognized as a best nation’s top 10 towns in which to date in the spring of 2010. The $8 monitor them correctly,” said Metro scrub buckets and soap replace spray practices project by the U.S. Confer- live, work and play the outdoor type million, 45,000-square foot facility Councilman Charlie Tygard. paint and art tools as the youths work ence of Mayors. of life. This year, the magazine di- will be owned and operated by Free Tygard’s asked officials to study the diligently to clean up the area. “There are hundreds of kids em- vided the Top 20 list into two lists Will Baptist Family Ministries and cost of putting GPS systems in many The teens are part of a new and ployed by the city,” Chapman con- with 10 cities each, choosing the will consist of a 54-room assisted of Metro’s 3,500-car fleet innovative graffiti removal program tinues. “They’re working in depart- main 10 towns that best exemplified living residence featuring private called the “Chatt City Erasers,” ments such as parks and recreation turning things around for them- living units, a chapel, dining rooms, NASHVILLE made up of workers from Mayor Ron and public works. At least 1,000 kids selves, working towards progressive a beauty/barber salon, spa, wellness Nashville’s Board of Education Littlefield’s Summer Youth Pro- have participated in the basketball change. For the second part of its list, center and library, among other passed a controversial rezoning gram. enrichment program.” the magazine put together 10 amenities. plan, which some associate with “Graffiti has become a serious According to Chapman, many “Bright Ideas,” or “towns that are neighborhood schools, and others problem for property owners, resi- of the youths are referred to the pro- almost like the runners-up, that are GATLINBURG call resegregation. The plan dents and visitors,” said Mayor grams by school resource officers doing one thing in particular very June was the most popular month liminates non-contiguous zones, ar- Littlefield. “It detracts from the hoping to turn things around for at- well. for marriages in Tennessee in 2007 eas of Metro Nashville Public beauty of our city and leaves a nega- risk children. with 6,887 marriages, while July Schools in which students are bused tive impression. By utilizing our “The benefits have been ex- CHATTANOOGA was second with 6,826. The state to schools outside their neighbor- summer youth workers, we are able tremely positive,” Chapman added. Erlanger Medical Center is closing Department of Health says the hoods, and closes four schools, to make a noticeable difference.” Initially, the graffiti clean-up its regional burn unit, saying it was Sevier County towns of Gatlinburg, promising additional resources at a The Summer Youth Program program was limited to public prop- unable to recruit a replacement di- Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have total price tag of $4.6 million for provides employment opportunities erty but has been expanded to in- rector for its six-bed burn facility. led the state’s wedding market for schools in areas of concentrated and activities for teens and young clude private property. Private prop- Erlanger was the only burn injury decades. Last year, 16,573 mar- poverty and minority populations. It adults and is sponsored by the office erty owners are required to sign an specialty unit in East Tennessee, riages were recorded in Sevier will save the district and administra- of Faith-based and Community Part- agreement to indemnify and hold serving patients from throughout the County, 26.7 percent of all Tennes- tion an estimated total of $2.4 mil- nerships encouraging positive be- harmless before any work can be region and NASCAR events at see marriages in 2007. lion. The plan will not take effect havior through summer employment performed and local citizens can re- Bristol Motor Speedway. The unit until the 2009-2010 school year. and mentoring. port graffiti by calling 311. celebrated its 30th anniversary in MEMPHIS January. The Tennessee Air National Guard soon will open a new $235 million CLARKSVILLE base in Memphis that will handle the The Tennessee Department of largest cargo planes the Air Force Transportation dedicated the newly has. The base is scheduled to open in BY TML STAFF REPORTS year. Hargett, Collierville constructed bridge on 101st Airborne September, and it will accommodate who succeeds Fire Chief Jerry Division Parkway to the victims of the Galaxy C-5 cargo plane, which Nashville businessman John H. Eddie Roberson Crawford was the Gander plane crash, which oc- can carry up to 270,000 pounds of Noel III has been given the 2008 as chairman, elected President curred on Dec. 12, 1985. The disas- cargo. The 118-acre base, which has Governor’s Lifetime Conservation was nominated of the Tennessee ter claimed the lives of all 256 pas- been under construction since 2006, Achievement award for “exemplary by Lt. Gov. Ron Fire Chief’s As- sengers on board, the majority will be home for the 164th Airlift service” in environmental steward- Ramsey in De- sociation whom were members of the 101st Wing, now headquartered at an- ship. cember for a six- (TFCA), at its Airborne Division. In addition to the other, smaller site at Memphis Inter- year TRA Hargett Annual Confer- legislation adopted by the Tennes- national Airport. The new base, with Ronald director’s term. ence held in Crawford see General Assembly, the City of three huge hangers costing a total of “Hank” Th- He completed the remaining five Nashville July Clarksville and Montgomery $80 million, will house C-5s and ompson, 69, months of former Director Pat 12-15. Chief Crawford has served County also passed resolutions to other cargo planes available for mili- passed away Miller’s TRA term. Miller resigned on the TFCA Board of Directors for dedicate the Gander Memorial tary supply missions around the July 7, after a in December to head Gov. four years. He began his fire service Bridge. Both resolutions were world. battle with can- Bredesen’s lobbying team. The career in 1973. Over the past 35 drafted by a local teenager, Leora cer. Thompson, agency’s four directors each serve years he has worked in Somerville, Smith. The bridge is part of a $30 MT. PLEASANT a retired engi- Thompson revolving one-year terms as chair- Memphis, and was appointed Chief million project to widen 101st Air- The state agreed to provide a multi- neer with TVA, served as the mayor man. Hargett, 38, was House Repub- of the Collierville Fire Department borne Division Parkway (SR 374) million dollar loan to the city for its of Hendersonville for 10 years, and lican leader in the Tennessee Gen- in March 2004. eral Assembly from 2003 to 2005. and add a single point urban inter- ongoing wastewater lagoon project. since 2002 has served as the County Doug Bishop, 56, change at Wilma Rudolph Boule- The $3.1-million loan will be used Executive for Sumner County. He is city administrator vard. for Phase II of the lagoon system, the only person in Sumner County Bartlett Mayor of Sevierville which includes a spray and irrigation history to serve as mayor, county Keith since 2002, pas- CLEVELAND field and will give Mt. Pleasant the commissioner, and county execu- McDonald has sed away unex- Whirlpool Corporation announced capacity to treat 1.5-million gallons tive. He was a former member of the been named to pectedly on Satur- that 500 new jobs will be created at of sewage a day. Neal Westerman, a Tennessee Municipal League the Tennessee day July 19. the company’s Cleveland manufac- lagoon consulting engineer for the Board, a member of the Tennessee Advisory Com- Cause of death is turing facility. As Bradley County’s city, said he hopes to have lagoon Advisory Commission on Intergov- mission on Inter- currently un- largest employer, Whirlpool expects construction completed by February ernmental Relations, and member of govenmental Re- known. Prior to Bishop its Cleveland workforce - including or March. The total project will cost the U.S. Conference of Mayors. lations to serve a McDonald Sevierville, Bishop had been city manufacturing, engineering and call about $8 million, including sewer 4-year term. He replaces city mem- administrator in Springfield. While center employees - to grow to 1,650 pipe rehabilitation. The project had Tennessee Regulatory Authority di- ber Germantown Mayor Sharon in Springfield, he was honored as by 2009. been at a standstill until the loan was rectors elected Tre Hargett to head Goldsworthy, who has served on City Manager of the Year by Ten- approved. the agency for the coming fiscal TACIR for the past 12 years. nessee City Managers Association.

Discover ARCADIS . . . Total business solutions that add value to your bottom line

Infrastructure Facilities Environment Business Solutions „Transportation „Buildings „Site Investigation „Strategic Consulting „Water Resources „Operating Facilities „Remediation „GRiP® Remediation Management Program „Program Management/ „Risk and Associated Construction Services „Property Redevelopment Target Your Advertising Management — Guaranteed „Land Resources „Environmental Asset and Call Debbie Kluth Liability Management Knoxville 865.675.6700 Chattanooga 423.756.7193 615-255-6416 www.arcadis-us.com

Consulting • Design • Project Management JOEL B. SPAULDING TH&P & COMPANY, INC. Solutions for the Future 2402 WINFORD AVENUE NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217

3428 Bristol Highway PHONE (615) 255-7766 Johnson City, TN 37601 FAX (615) 255-7767

TYSINGER, HAMPTON & PARTNERS, INC. (423) 282.2687 P (423) 282.1621 F CONSULTING ENGINEERS [email protected] • www.tysinger-engineering.com

Your Professional Employee Benefit Company The Malone Company 124 North Main Avenue • P.O. Box 616 Fayetteville, TN 37334

Jim Malone Office: (931) 433-6907 President FAX: (931) 433-9714 Toll Free (888) 752-7126 Email: [email protected] 3-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 www.TML1.org Hosting the movie industry: cities’ starring role

BY VICTORIA SOUTH town business area. TML Communications Coordinator “Be careful about what you are committing to,” Gentner said. Columbia Mayor William “People’s livelihoods are at Gentner had never heard of Miley stake if customers and merchandis- Cyrus when Walt Disney executives ers can’t get into their businesses. It told him she would be starring in the can put a strain on the community new movie filming in his town. and become a real death knell for “I’m afraid I had a dull look on appointed officials.” my face,” Gentner recalls.… but, Gentner also advises cities to do that was before his wife brought their homework by checking the ref- home a DVD of the teen sensation’s erences of production companies sold out concert in Nashville. requesting to film in their communi- “When I saw the huge line of ties. fans wrapped around the Sommet “If a city is approached by a film Center, all I could say was, “Oh my company, it would be helpful for the God!” Gentner exclaimed. company to provide a list of cities More city officials across the they have worked in previously,” he state are getting a crash course in said. movie making as a result of incentive As for Columbia’s experience programs approved by the Tennes- with Disney, Gentner has nothing see General Assembly offering tax but praise. rebates; headquarter incentives and “They actually left the city grants to the film industry. cleaner and better off than they “These incentive programs will found it,” he said, describing the place Tennessee squarely among the three-day episode as “an entirely most production friendly locations unique experience” and the chosen in the U.S.,” predicted Tennessee business model for future produc- Film, Entertainment and Music tions in Columbia. Commission Executive Director, “They had production people Photo courtesy of The Watertown Gazette Perry Gibson in a 2007 release. The actually going up and down the An actress portrays Billy Graham’s mother during production of “ Billy:The Early Years” filmed recently in program is backed by $10 million in street asking citizens if everything Watertown. Many of the town’s residents played extras on the set, including Watertown Mayor Mike funding under the Visual Content was ok, Gentner said. “Everyone Jennings’ mother, Jean.

Photo courtesy of the Shelbyville Times Gazette Shelbyville audiences were treated to a Hollywood-style premiere of Our Very Own, a semi- Photo by Victoria South autobiographical film written and directed by Shelbyville native Cam Watson about the life Billy Ray Cyrus chats outside TML offices in Downtown Nashville while filming of local hometown girl and Hollywood actress, Sondra Locke. The movie, released on DVD, Hannah Montana:The Movie. Cyrus and daughter, Miley, spent the week filming was filmed entirely in Shelbyville. Arriving at the red carpet are the film’s co-stars Elizabeth scenes inside the historical Hermitage Hotel. Cole, Michael McKee, Jason Ritter and Autumn Reeser. Act of 2006. was compensated for their efforts “Billy Graham, The Early and showed how to handle things Years, (filmed recently in during filming. Watertown), is a testament to Ten- “The key is communication,” nessee talent,” said Bob Raines, Gentner continues. “It requires close Project Manager/Location Coordi- communication with businesses and nator, Tennessee Film, Entertain- someone out there every day keep- ment and Music Commission. ing people informed about what’s “Ninety-five percent of the crew happening and what is about to oc- was from Tennessee. Larry cur. Also, some things are better left Mortorff, the producer, couldn’t unsaid in order to not jeopardize the have done it anywhere else for that safety of an actress. We learned quality at such low cost.” about security measures when high While the benefits of making a profile people visit the community.” movie can be exciting and mutually Gentner noted that Disney’s beneficial for the community and the good neighbor techniques extended production company, it could also be to inquiring about the city’s infra- inconvenient and costly if not man- structure and helping qualify Co- aged professionally. lumbia for future improvement “Other cities might want to look grants. at our mistakes,” Gentner agreed, “They were interested in some referring to an earlier low budget earlier improvements we had made film venture Columbia participated to our downtown facades,” Gentner in during the early 90s. explained. “They picked a storefront “We got so excited; we agreed and showed us some easy techniques Photo courtesy of The Columba Daily Herald carte blanche to everything, which to change a facade. With new im- Business areas around Columbia’s downtown are closed during Walt Disney Productions filming of was a mistake and what other com- provements, other production com- Hannah Montana:The Movie. munities might do without a plan in panies might want to film in our place,” he said. city.” director might want to film in an- Writer, director, Cameron for the businesses.” The primary issues, according “We put our best foot forward to other locale and we would respond Watson wouldn’t have dreamed of Craig said the economic impact to Gentner, are those of security and make sure everything worked to immediately to help keep their costs shooting his film Our Very Own, for the city was great as well, with when movie companies ask to mo- their advantage,” Gentner contin- in line. They, in turn, will go back to anywhere else other than his home- the film company spending more nopolize municipal rights-of-way, ues. “There are so many aspects their peer groups to share their posi- town of Shelbyville. than $1 million there. particularly around a city’s down- about how a film is produced. The tive experiences in our city.” “I just knew we could never cap- “The biggest part is the pride we ture that sense of place anywhere have as a community that there is a else,” he said in an earlier interview. movie about our town,”said Craig. State’s incentives to attract the entertainment industry The award winning film, re- “We are known here as ‘movie leased on DVD by Walt Disney/ friendly’while some cities are not.” with an in-state production The Tennessee legislation allows Miramax, stars Keith Carradine and “We really owe thanks to our budget of $200,000. the state to support film and tele- Emmy Award winner Allison governor and state legislature for vision projects in the following Janney along with Jason Ritter, providing the tax credits and eco- • Film production companies ways: Hilarie Burton and Autumn Reeser nomic incentives,” Gentner said, re- that establish a permanent and is a “coming of age” story of five vealing that Columbia has already • Out-of-state production com- headquarters in Tennessee friends and their desire to connect been approached by another major panies filming projects in and incur a minimum of $1 with fellow hometown girl Sondra production company. Tennessee with a budget of million in qualified expenses Locke, former co-star of Clint “There was a great deal of com- at least $500,000 are eligible here may be eligible for a 15 Eastwood’s flims in the 70s. petition between us and Mississippi for rebates of 13 percent of percent refund of the ex- It has drawn national attention for Hannah Montana. If the incen- the production’s below-the- penses. If a production com- apply for a grant of up to to Shelbyville as the winner of three tives were not in place, I’m not sure line costs. pany doesn’t have a head- $40,000 for the develop- Prism Awards, the 2005 Bluegrass the movie would have been filmed If 25 percent of the quarters here, but spends at ment and completion of Independent Film Festival Grand here,” he said. production’s cast and crew least $1 million in qualified qualified film or digital pro- Prize for Best Feature Film and the “It was a very positive experi- are hired in Tennessee, an expenses, a company’s inves- ductions. Rome International Film Festival’s ence,” adds Watertown Mayor Mike additional 2 percent rebate is tor may receive the refund as Special Jury Prize. Jennings, regarding the film on available and another 2 per- long as the investor has head- Applications for the incentive “It went great,” said City Man- Graham’s life. Watertown has also cent if at least $20,000 in quarters in Tennessee. programs can be made to the post-production is spent on Tennessee Film, Entertain- ager Ed Craig, who played various been the site of several music videos. extra roles. “The key to success is “I hope the film industry will music created or recorded by • The Film, Entertainment and ment and Music Commission. information. Information concern- continue to consider Watertown in Tennesseeans. Music Commission establish- The address is: 312 8th Avenue ing street closings was provided to the future. We’d like for them to The same rebates are be- ing a competitive grant appli- North, Tennessee Tower 9th shop owners in advance, and we al- come to our community.” ing offered to Tennessee- cation system for Tennessee- Floor, Nashville, TN 37243. ways made every accommodation based production companies based filmmakers. They can E-mail [email protected] www.TML1.org 4-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008

On June 10, Google expanded cov- erage of its Street View feature in several locales, including Middle Tennessee, now peering down paths from Lebanon to Kingston Springs, BY TML STAFF REPORTS and Washington as the only states and roaming from Spring Hill to with such a law. Most follow a 1998 Portland. Pictures are posted to a A new state law requiring every federal law that allows the vehicles web site that includes photos of thou- person arrested for a violent crime to travel up to 25 mph. sands of Middle Tennessee streets to provide a DNA sample in hopes and the people who were on them that investigators can link sus- Insurance agents taking licensing when the camera-car drove by. The pects to other cases is already exams in Tennessee must now be feature has tickled the antennae of working, according to the Tennes- fingerprinted and have their privacy experts, and some local resi- see Bureau of Investigation. Investi- backgrounds checked by state and dents are put off that photos of their gators have been able to make arrests federal investigators. Before they homes were posted online without in three cases in a matter of months: are licensed to sell, agents or their their knowledge. Google began of- a homicide in Shelby County, a bur- companies must pay an additional fering views of Middle Tennessee glary in Middle Tennessee and a $50 for the services and wait for the three months ago. At that time, it sexual assault in East Tennessee. results of checks by the TBI and FBI. covered much of Metro Nashville Criminals are often repeat offenders, Tennessee Department of Insurance and about half of Hendersonville. which is why people arrested in vio- representatives say the move comes Privacy groups and consumer orga- lent crimes are required to give a as a rising number of felons have nizations in other states have criti- Lenoir City closes a $5 million loan with the Tennessee Municipal DNA sample. At least two samples applied for insurance licenses in the cized the site for not making it easy Bond Fund for a new city hall and upgrades for the fire department. are kept on file at the TBI for future past few years becoming important enough for viewers to get rid of pho- Pictured are: Mayor Matt Brookshire, City Recorder Maggie Hunt, reference. Forensic scientists ana- as consumers put faith in insurance tos they consider too invasive. City Administrator Dale Hurst and TMBF Representative Joe lyze the results and enter the infor- agents to help them make important Muscatello. mation into a statewide database. If a financial decisions. Tennessee lottery officials are person is found innocent, their DNA warning about a fraudulent e-mail Early Bird Registration will be deleted from the database. If There’s a new lottery-funded suggesting recipients are prize the law enforcement agency gets a scholarship for the first 375 eli- winners and asking for money to $500 for Members before September 30 hit, that gives them the authority to gible veterans who apply. The cover processing fees. The Tennes- Register online at www.NLCCongressofCities.org ask the individual for another “Helping Heroes Act,” a component see Lottery never requires fees to sample, which is used for evidence of a comprehensive lottery-scholar- claim a prize. Officials said anyone purposes. Since January, more than ship reform bill approved by the leg- who receives such an e-mail or letter 1,000 samples have been analyzed islature. It will award up to $1,000 should disregard it. The scam has and entered into the state’s database. per semester for Tennessee veterans been attempted nationwide. Still more than 5,000 kits are stacked of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that up and waiting for processing. attend eligible public and private in- As of July 1, it is illegal to sell or stitutions of higher education in the distribute novelty lighters in Ten- For motorists who encounter state, starting with the upcoming fall nessee. Novelty lighters resemble a trouble on the roadway, there is a semester. The grant is administered toy and according to the United service available to call the Ten- like other state-funded scholarships States Fire Administration, have nessee Highway Patrol immedi- by the Tennessee Student Assis- been responsible for a number of ately. All drivers can dial *THP - or tance Corp. The Helping Heroes accidents, injuries and deaths. *847 - to call for assistance or if they grant will be available each year on a suspect another driver is under the first-come, first-served basis. Stu- A new Tennessee law allows 16- influence or driving aggressively. dents have until Sept. 1 to process year-olds to donate blood with pa- Drivers can still dial 911 if they are in their applications for this fall. Total rental consent. The American Red an emergency situation. Motorists benefits are capped at $8,000 and Cross is hoping young people will can call from their cell phones and must be used within eight years of add to the nation’s blood banks. will be connected automatically to the end of military service. November 11-15, 2008 the closest dispatch office. Be ready Across the Tri-Cities, the State, to provide the highway patrol dis- A new Tennessee law requires and the nation, law enforcement Orlando, Florida patch with a location, a description that all state colleges and universi- officers say meth is re-emerging as of the other vehicle and details re- ties inform the parents of students the drug of choice. Through May Orlando World Center Marriott garding the incident. under 21 about violations of the 31, 2007, the Tennessee Metham- schools’ drug or alcohol policies. phetamine Task Force recorded 258 Advocacy groups are asking the State Sen. Roy Herron sponsored the meth lab busts statewide. Through EPA to rethink a proposed rule bill in hopes of curbing underage May 31, 2008, the agency reported that would affect how air quality drinking and stemming the violence 273. In June alone, investigators is recorded in the Great Smoky and injuries associated with drink- found 68 meth labs in the state, the Mountains and other national ing on college campuses. highest monthly total since March Some states are making it harder sector. Economists had expected parks. According to the National 2006. Although Tennessee has for illegal immigrants to attend jobs to decline by 20,000 in June. Parks Conservation Association, an The four-day work week is a changed its laws to make it more college by denying in-state tuition EPA proposal changing the way air company’s attempt to help ease their difficult for a person to buy the ingre- benefits or banning undocu- Businesses are bracing for a na- quality is measured, would also re- employee’s pain at the pump. Now dients needed to make meth, it ap- mented students. In the past two tional minimum-wage hike later lax pollution rules by only looking at some Tennessee state agencies are pears dealers and addicts still have years, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia this month, with some business annual averages rather than peaks. jumping on board. Every state the will and the way to get their fix. and Oklahoma have refused in-state owners saying they’ll have to raise The Association fears air quality in agency has the option to give an The Meth-Free Tennessee Act of tuition benefits to students who en- prices or reduce hiring to compen- the Great Smoky Mountains and employee a four-day work week. 2005 moved all products containing tered the USA illegally with their sate for the extra costs. The national other national parks will suffer un- Gas prices have hit their tipping pseudoephedrine behind the parents, but grew up and went to minimum wage increased to $6.55 der the rule due to an increased num- point for the Tennessee Board of counters at Tennessee pharmacies, school in the states. That represents an hour on July 24 — up from $5.85 ber of coal plants in use in the U.S. Probation and Parole. Recently the required customers to sign a log a reversal from earlier this decade, an hour, the second of a three-step board approved a four-day work whenever they bought drugs like when 10 states passed laws allowing increase that began last year. Next Until recently, state law limited a week. Supervisors will look at indi- Sudafed, and limited the number of in-state rates for such students. This year, the minimum wage will in- class of cars known as the neighbor- vidual units and employees, decid- boxes a person could buy within a summer, South Carolina became the crease again to $7.25 an hour. hood electric vehicle to 25 mph. ing if the shorter work week works month to just three. first state to bar undocumented stu- Thanks to a law that kicked in on for the employee and the taxpayer. dents from all public colleges and The nation is facing a massive July 1, medium-speed electric- or TDOT will begin inspecting 600 universities. North Carolina’s com- nursing shortage. Figures indicate gasoline-powered vehicles with Tennessee students are making highway signs across the state munity colleges in May ordered its a current shortfall of 200,000 nurses four wheels can travel up to 35 gains in reading at a young age but similar to the sign that fell onto the 58 campuses to stop enrolling un- nationwide, which will intensify mph, and can use roads where the aren’t graduating from college as interstate south of Nashville near documented students after the state through 2025, when the expected speed limit is 40. Golf carts are often as peers from other states, an exit leading to Cool Springs attorney general said admitting them shortfall reaches 500,000. excluded.Tennessee joins Montana according to a new study by the Mall. The sign that fell, and others may violate federal law. Southern Regional Education like it, are called cantilever signs Board. Students in the Volunteer because they are supported by only A new payroll report shows that Policy Day set for Sept. 11 State enroll in college at a higher rate one pole on one side. It was 15 years nearly 80,000 private-sector jobs POLICY from Page 1 that the sponsoring city was not than other graduates, but only 48 old. Department officials believe were lost across the country in The sponsoring city must attend present and proposal was not re- percent graduate within six years, prolonged exposure to wind created June. The National Employment the policy meeting to present an viewed, ranked or approved by the below the national average of 55 by tractor-trailers may have contrib- Report showed a loss of 76,000 jobs initiative to the committees, without policy committee. percent. The study examined stu- uted to the problem. TDOT said the among goods-producing busi- exception. If the sponsoring city is A Policy Committee Registra- dents in four-year public colleges signs don’t have to be inspected, but nesses, the 19th consecutive not present to explain the initiative, tion Form is available online and and universities. On the flip side, 44 the department periodically does so monthly decline. That number in- the committee will not consider the must be completed and returned for percent of fourth-graders from low- as part of its general work. Officials cluded 44,000 manufacturing posi- proposal. In such cases, the proposal those who wish to participate. Reg- income families scored at or above said there was no problem with the tions. The report also showed a de- will be forwarded to the TML Leg- istration to attend the policy day is the basic level on the National As- sign when they last inspected it in cline of 3,000 jobs in the services islative Committee with the note also online at www.TML1.org. sessment of Educational Progress. 2000.

Tom Spencer Territory Manager Target Your Advertising 570 Beechgrove Way Burns, TN 37029 USA Call Debbie Kluth T (615) 973-0367 [email protected] 615-255-6416 www.sensus.com

Memphis, TN (901) 372.0404 RIGGS & MALONEY Jackson, TN (731) 424.5450 G Engineers - Surveyors - Landscape Architects I N C O R P O R A T E D

ASKEW HARGRAVES HARCOURT AND ASSOCIATES P.O. Box 29268 • Murfreesboro, TN Engineering an enhanced quality of life for our clients and community. 37133-2968 www.a2h.com

www.ctienviron.com

CHATTANOOGA NASHVILLE Phone: 423/267-7613 Phone: 615/731-6003 Fax: 423/267-0603 Fax: 615/731-4149

KNOXVILLE Phone: 865/539-8209 Fax: 865/694-0848 5-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 www.TML1.org TML salutes new vendor attendance at the 2008 Annual Conference in Memphis The Tennessee Municipal League appreciates both new and returning vendors attending the 2008 Annual Conference. Thanks for making this year’s conference one of the best!

Aldis Alley & Associates Azavar Audit Solutions Inc.

City of Chattanooga Business Information Systems Central Services

Code Red County Record Services CRW Systems

docStar Dolinger & Associates, LLC Elliott Data Systems

Ennis Paint Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Johnson City

KI Government Furniture Solutions Landscape Support Services

Photos by Victoria South www.TML1.org 6-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008

Memphis Fire Department MidSouth Recreation OHM

Peterbilt of Memphis Petersen Industries Rare Element Government Services

ScourStop Security Benefit The Silver Trunk

Solutia TAS, Inc. Southeast Cement Southern Erosion Inc.

Sternberg Southern Parks & Playgrounds Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp.

Tennessee Housing Development Agency The Brick Industry URS Welcome new vendors and onward to Chattanooga in 2009!

Photos by Victoria South Williams Equipment 7-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 www.TML1.org

problems; direct work; counsel; discipline Graduation from an accredited, post second- The employee is under the general supervision and complete employee performance evalua- ary college or university, with a bachelor’s of the City Recorder and Mayor. Qualifica- tions; direct personnel, apparatus, equipment degree in Accounting or Finance is required. tions include: Graduation from an accredited and property of the department at emergency This is an entry level position requiring a high school or equivalent, preferably gradua- scenes, ensuring strict compliance with rules minimum of one year experience in the ac- tion from a college or university with major and regulations of the department, assist the counting field with a broad based knowledge Advertising: $9.25 per column inch. No charge to efits package. Commission/Manager form of course experience in police administration or TML members. Send advertising to: TT&C government with manager reporting to the chief in the development, implementations, of GL/AP/AR, purchasing and payroll. Can- related field. Must possess a valid Tennessee Classified Ads, Mona Lawrence, 226 Capitol mayor and board of commissioners. The city and monitoring of operational and adminis- didate must be well versed in financial ac- driver’s license. Must have five (5) years Blvd. Suite 710, Nashville TN 37219; e-mail: manager will lead and direct all departments trative procedures and policies; assist with the counting software. Reports to the City Re- experience in law enforcement administra- mlawrence@ TML1.org; or fax: 615-255 including administration, safety, planning preparation and presentation of annual bud- corder. Knowledge of governmental account tion. Must be POST certified. Salary DOQ 4752. and code enforcement, streets and public ser- getary evaluations and related analysis to ap- preferred. Salary range is $34,075-$47,705. plus excellent benefits. Application is a public vices. Requires BA/BS in public or business propriate individuals; review the financial For more information, contact Mary Lou Th- record. Send resumes, obtain application or ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER administration, political science, public operations of the department and make rec- ompson, Human Resources Manager or receive more information from:Town of PIGEON FORGE. The city is currently ac- policy or related field. Prefer some municipal ommendations on annual operating budget Karen Johnson, City Recorder at 615-325- Erwin, P.O. Box 59 211 North Main Ave., cepting resumes for the position of Assistant experience as manager or assistant manager in and capital improvements. Associate’s de- 6776. For applications, visit Erwin, TN. 37650. Phone: 423-743-623. City Manager. This position works and re- local government. Salary: DOQ/E. Position gree in Fire Science preferred, with a mini- www.cityofportlandtn.gov. Send resumes EOE ports directly to the City Manager. Respon- open until filled. The required city applica- mum of three years experience as Captain. and applications to Human Resources, City of sible for a wide variety of tasks associated tion is available from the assistant city man- Must have State of Tennessee or National Portland, 100 S. Russell Street, Portland, TN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR with assisting the City Manager in manage- ager. Application, with resume, cover letter, certification as a Firefighter II, Fire Instructor, 37148. Position open until filled. MT. PLEASANT. The city is seeking a quali- ment, administrative, and professional work references and salary history should be sub- Fire Officer I and II. Must possess a minimum fied candidate to serve as Public Works Direc- as it relates to the growth, economic develop- mitted to: City of Oak Hill, 5548 Franklin of medical First Responder’s certification HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR tor. Currently, the Water Dept. and the Sewer ment and planning for city development. Ex- Road, Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37220. The from a Department of Public Health. Gener- JOHNSON CITY. The city is seeking a pro- Dept. are separate operating entities. We are cellent leadership needed with strong supervi- assistant city manager may be contacted by ous benefit package; salary is $61,000.00. gressive and experienced human resources seeking an individual who can combine these sory skills. Qualifications include: High phone at 615-371-8291. EOE/M/F/V/D. Minorities are encouraged to director to lead and direct the services and two functions into one department and effec- School diploma, valid Tennessee Driver Li- apply. Job description on city web site: programs provided by the Human Resources tively address the issues in front of us. Inter- cense, Bachelor of Science degree from an COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT www.cityofjackson.net. Contact the City of Department. Minimum qualifications in- ested candidates should send a summary of accredited College or University with a de- DIRECTOR Jackson, Personnel Department, 127 E. Main clude the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in qualifications to: Richard Goode, City Man- gree in Business/Public Administration, Po- ATHENS.The city will accept applications Street, Suite 303, Jackson, TN 38301: Phone: business, management, or public administra- ager, 100 Public Square, Mt. Pleasant, TN litical Science, or closely related field is re- for the position of Community Development 731- 425-8252: Fax: 731-425-8673. tion with seven years of progressively respon- 38474. The position will remain open until quired. Requires five years experience in Director until filled. This position is respon- sible experience in human resources and filled. EOE municipal administration management and in sible for professional assistance in the city’s ENGINEERING ASSISTANT health insurance administration. Responsible supervising the work activities of department industrial, commercial and residential devel- PORTLAND. The City of Portland is search- for planning, organizing, directing and coor- TOWN MANAGER directors and supervisors in municipal gov- opment efforts including planning, zoning ing for a qualified Engineering Assistant. dinating the personnel activities of the City’s BLACK MOUNTAIN N.C. The city is seek- ernment and/or closely related field. Experi- and supervision of building inspections and This person will report to the City Engineer/ 890 FTE employee workforce, including or- ing applicants for the position of Town Man- ence in governmental work and public speak- codes enforcement. The director works under Public Works Director. The employee per- ganizational training. Looking for an enthu- ager. Council-Manager form of government ing is preferred. Personal computer skills the general supervision of the city manager. forms general work in the design, construc- siastic, responsive team-oriented individual with manager reporting to the mayor and 5- necessary. Submit resume’ to: City of Pigeon The position requires a bachelor’s degree in tion, inspection, and maintenance of a variety with good management and organization member board. The manager shall lead and Forge, Human Resource Department, P.O. city planning, public administration, business of public facilities and utilities. Graduation skills, self-starter. Excellent interpersonal direct all departments including administra- Box 1350, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868-1350. administration or closely related field and from an accredited college or university with and communication skills are required. The tion, fire, police, parks & recreation, planning Resume must include 3 personal references work related experience in management and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or hiring range is anticipated in the $60k - $75k and code enforcement, streets, and water. with contact information and must be post- planning for local and/or state governments. Civil Engineering Technology required. Sal- range, with a very competitive benefits pack- Requires BA/BS in public or business admin- marked by August 8, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. No Must possess and maintain a valid Tennessee ary range is $34,075-$47,705. For more infor- age. Visit the city’s website at www.johnson istration, political science, public policy or phone calls. The City of Pigeon Forge is an driver’s license. Salary range is $56,163- mation, contact Mary Lou Thompson, Human citytn.org for a more detailed description of related field. Prefer minimum 5 years experi- EOE and complies with EOE and Title VI. $84,244 (DOQ) plus full benefit package. Resources Manager, at 615-325-6776. For the position and how to apply. Open until ence as manager or assistant manager in local Applicant will be subject to the drug testing References are required and background applications, visit filled. EEO/AA government and/or MPA. Position open until provisions of the City of Pigeon Forge. checks will be conducted. Resumes will only www.cityofportlandtn.gov. Send resumes filled. Salary: DOQ/E. Excellent benefits be accepted with applications. Applications and applications to: Human Resources, City MUNICIPAL POLICE CHIEF package. Town application is required and CHIEF PLANNER are available through the Human Resource of Portland, 100 S. Russell St., Portland, TN ERWIN. The town is accepting applications available at www.townofblackmountain.org. COLLIERVILLE. The town is seeking appli- Department, City of Athens, PO Box 849, 815 37148. Position open until filled. for the position of Municipal Police Chief. Application, together with resume, cover let- cations for the position of Chief Planner. This North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37371- This employee is responsible for the planning, ter, and salary history should be submitted to: position performs responsible, complex pro- 0849. EOE. FINANCE ANALYST organizing and directing of all activities of the Town Clerk, Town of Black Mountain, 102 fessional work in a variety of current and long PORTLAND. The city is seeking applica- Police Department, overseeing 10 full-time Montreat Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711 range planning studies. It requires a Bachelors COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT tions for the position of Finance Analyst. police officers and one full-time investigator. degree in planning, landscape architecture or DIRECTOR a closely related field supplemented by six COLLIERVILLE. The town seeks applica- years previous experience in a planning office tions for the position of Community Develop- Municipal Administration Program at a professional level; or a Master’s Degree in ment Director. The director plans, organizes, Municipal Administration Program planning and five years experience; AICP directs, services of departments of engineer- certification may be substituted for one year ing, planning, and building codes services. May Schedule of professional experience, or any equivalent Requires strong, results-oriented manage- August Schedule combination of education, training and expe- ment qualifications, leadership and team rience. Must possess and maintain a valid building skills and engineering, planning, operator’s license. Salary range is communication and interpersonal relation- $46,437.000 - $72,115.00 (DOQ) plus full ship competencies. Needs track record dem- New Laws Affecting Cities – 2008 (4595) benefits package. Applications may be ob- onstrating consensus-building, knowledge of tained Mon-Fri.at the Human Resources De- community development, City functions, Each year, the General Assem- Jackson West Tennessee Center for partment, 500 Poplar View Parkway, project design and management, transporta- Collierville, Tennessee, 38017. Applicants tion systems and their funding sources, cus- bly passes into law several acts that Agricultural Research, Extension, must fill out the official Town of Collierville tomer service, employee relations, and inter- affect Tennessee municipalities. and Public Service, 605 Airways application to be considered for this position. governmental relations. Requires Bachelor’s This program will give you the Boulevard Applications and resumes are subject to dis- degree, 10 years experience in planning and opportunity to get an update from Johnson City Johnson City Public closure. This position will remain open until community development work. Master’s de- the Municipal Technical Advisory Library, 100 West Millard St. filled. EOE gree in planning, business administration or related field preferred. Salary $67,348 – Service (MTAS) legal staff who Dates and locations Knoxville University of Tennessee CITY ADMINISTRATOR $106,660 DOQ, plus benefits. Send resumes tracked the legislative process Aug. 13 Johnson City Conference Center, 600 Henley FRANKLIN. The city is seeking applicants by September 15, 2008 to John Maxwell, throughout the session. This course Aug. 14 Knoxville Street for the position of City Administrator. The Senior Vice President, Springsted Incorpo- will be highly interactive and will To register for this municipal city is governed by a Mayor and Board of rated: 109-A Wimbledon Square, Suite A, Aug. 15 Collegedale eight Aldermen. The Administrator is ap- Chesapeake VA 23320, fax: 757-422-6617 or give you an opportunity to ask ques- Aug. 18 Franklin administration program class, pointed upon the Mayor’s recommendation email [email protected]. EOE. tions about the new laws. Aug. 19 Jackson please visit the MTAS website at and Board’s approval. The ideal candidate Aug. 20 Bartlett www.mtas.tennessee.edu or contact will be a proven local government manager or DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF Instructor Elaine Morrisey at Elaine.morrisey assistant with experience in fast growing JACKSON. The city is accepting applications @ tennessee.edu or 865-974-0411. communities. Must have proven ability to for the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Will MTAS Legal Consultants. Training Facilities provide strategic visioning to the city as it serve as principal assistant to the chief in Who Should Attend Bartlett Bartlett Performing Arts For program information, con- continues to develop and progress. Requires organizing, directing, supervising, disciplin- All elected and appointed municipal and Conference Center, 3663 tact Kurt Frederick, MTAS Training a Bachelors degree and ten years of related ing and coordinating activities associated officials who are responsible for Appling Road Consultant, at 615.253.6385 or e- experience. Some private experience will be with the department, ensuring effective and mail [email protected]. considered. Competitive salary range with efficient daily operational practices, implementation and monitoring of Collegedale Collegedale City excellent benefits with beginning salary ne- firefighting techniques and procedures. Spe- state legislation. Hall,4910 Swinyar Drive Fees are $25 per person per class for gotiable DOQ. Visit the city’s web site @ cific job duties include: supervising, direct- Time Franklin Williamson County Expo- municipal employees and $55 per www.franklin-gov.com. This position will be ing, and evaluating fire prevention officers, Courses begin at 8:30 a.m. and con- sition Center, 4215 Long Lane person per class for all other partici- open until filled. EOE. To apply, please sub- training officers, and emergency medical ser- pants. mit resume and cover letter to: Robert E. vices officer; handle employee concerns and clude at 12:30 p.m. Slavin, President, Slavin Management Con- sultants, 3040 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite A-1, Norcross, Georgia 30071, phone: (770) 449-4656, Fax: (770) 416-0848, E-mail: [email protected]. or visit the web site at www.slavinweb.com.

CITY MANAGER EAST RIDGE. The city is accepting qualified applicants for the position of City Manager. Qualifications: At least five years city man- agement experience, plus leadership and team building skills. College degree required. Sal- ary range $85,000 - $95,000, plus benefits and automobile. Send resume to: Curtis D. Adams, Hamilton County Commissioner/ City Manager, City of East Ridge, 1517 Tombras Avenue, East Ridge, TN 37412. Phone: 423-622-3352. EOE. TN Drug Free Workplace.

CITY MANAGER OAK HILL.The city seeks applications for the position of City Manager. Excellent ben- Good Risk Management is just Good Management Municipal parks and playgrounds can contribute to a community’s overall quality of life. But they can also pose some safety hazards. Each year, emergency rooms treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and under for play- ground-related injuries.

Through a comprehensive training program offered by the TML Risk Management Pool, city leaders are taught hazard identification and risk management methods.

5100 Maryland Way • Brentwood, TN • 800-624-9698 Your Partner in Risk Management since 1979. www.TML1.org 8-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 Tennessee Municipal League 2007-2008 Officers and Directors TML spotlights 2008 board members PRESIDENT Tom Beehan BOARD from Page 1 serving in public office for seven development issues and served on Mayor, Oak Ridge VICE PRESIDENTS sociation. She was recognized in years, Shirley works with organiza- the first 911 Board, the EOC, the Royce Davenport 2002 as Gatlinburg City Manager of tions that serve “at-risk” children as Planning Commission, Habitat for Mayor, McMinnville the Year and received the Excel- well as with a family-owned insur- Humanity and Mainstreet Cleve- Dale Kelley ance company. Mayor, Huntingdon lence in Governing Award in 2007. land. May is a member of Keep Kay Senter As a doctor of veterinary medi- She is a member of the America Beautiful, the Historic TENNESSEE Vice Mayor, Morristown cine, Mayor David Gordon has Campbell County Planning Com- Neighborhood Association, and the DIRECTORS mission and serves on the Knoxville Alan Barker been in public office more than five Homebuilder’s Association. He FESTIVALS Mayor, Humboldt years, serving as Tipton County Public Television Board. Her also sponsors the 100 Black Men’s Linda Bennett commissioner with an interest in rev- awards include: the 2000 Tennessee Association toward the education of August 29 - 31: African Street Fes- Council Chair, Chattanooga (District 3) enue sources, industrial recruitment, Volunteer Commendation Award, young people. Betsy Crossley tival Commissioner, Brentwood (District 6) and education. Gordon was voted the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Kevin Helms has served as Jackson. Music artists, merchandise Shirley Fox Rogers Tipton County’s “Best of the Best” and Women Who Make a Differ- Fayetteville’s city administrator and food vendors; African arts and Council, LaFollette No.1 Politician in 2007 and is a ence. Rogers’ memberships include since March 2006. Prior to moving artifacts, health screenings, and chil- Karl Dean Mayor, Metro Nashville former member of the Rotary Club, the Rotary Club, the Eastern Star, the to Fayetteville, he served for nine dren activities. For more informa- Johnny Dodd, the TVMA, and SCVMA. He re- Red Hat Society, and the Campbell years as city manager of Clifton in tion, call 731-616-0814. Council , Jackson ceived the 2002 CP Boyd Leader- County Health Clinic. Wayne County. He earned a Eddy Ford, In public office for eight years, Mayor, Farragut ship Award. bachelor’s degree and master’s de- September 1: Hooray for David Gordon, In addition to economic devel- David May Jr. formerly served as gree in public administration, served Harriman Labor Day Festival Mayor, Covington opment, children’s issues are No. 1 Cleveland’s Fire Chief and is a state on the Tennergy Advisory Board Riverfront Park from 2-8 p.m. Bill Haslam licensed contractor. He is keenly in- and received the 1996 Outstanding Mayor, Knoxville to Shirley Fox Rogers. A graduate Children’s activities, crafts, conces- W.W. Herenton of Knoxville Business College and terested in planning and economic Young Men of America award. sions, and live entertainment. For Mayor, Memphis more information, call Amy Arriola Ron Littlefield at 865-882-9414. Mayor, Chattanooga Keith McDonald (District 8) Mayor, Bartlett September 1: City of Harrogate Kevin Helms Labor Day Celebration City Manager, Fayetteville (TCMA) Jane Myron, Labor Day celebration beginning at Vice Mayor, Johnson City (District 1) 3 p.m. with children’s games, live Tommy Pedigo bands, food, crafts and business Mayor, Sparta (District 4) Johnny Piper fair. Enjoy at dark a spectacular Mayor, Clarksville fireworks display. For more infor- David May mation, call City Hall at 423-869- Council, Cleveland Charles Rahm 0211. Council, Jackson (District 7) Helping government Charles “Bones” Seivers September 5-6: 27th Annual President-CEO, Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund Smoky Mountain Fiddlers Cindy Cameron Ogle City Manager, Gatlinburg (District 2) serve the people for Loudon. Fiddle/guitar/banjo & Ron Washington dance competitions, great music, Council, Murfreesboro arts & crafts, antiques show and sale. Ken Wilber Mayor, Portland ( District 5) For more information, call 865-458- more than a century. 7525 PAST PRESIDENTS Tommy Green (2007) Mayor, Alamo Tommy Bragg (2006) Mayor, Murfreesboro Bob Kirk (2004) Alderman, Dyersburg Tom Rowland (2002) Mayor, Cleveland Sam Tharpe (2001) Vice Mayor, Paris Dan Speer (1997) Mayor, Pulaski

TML AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS (Ex-Officio Directors) Delivering the strength and insight of America’s bank. Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Assn. Aug. 5-7: The Environmental Pro- Barbara Lapides, Millington A strong government requires both financial and intellectual capital Tennessee Municipal Judges Conference tection Agency Brownfields Grant Ewing Sellers, Murfreesboro Workshops. Free. Memphis, Aug. Tennessee Chapter, American Public Works to help communities thrive and grow. Our government banking 5, 1-5 p.m., Shelby Farms Visitor’s Richard Whaley, Maryville Center Board Room 500 North Pine Tennessee Government Finance Officers specialists are dedicated to understanding and serving your John Troyer, Knoxville Lake Drive; Nashville, Aug. 6, 1-5 Tenn. Assn. of Housing & Redevel. Auth. organization like no one else can. With over a century of commitment p.m., Downtown Public Library, Marilyn Medley, Morristown 615 Church St.; and Knoxville, Tennessee Building Officials Assn. Jim Brown, Bartlett to the public sector, Bank of America is a trusted banking leader to Aug. 7,1-5 p.m., Knoxville Cham- Tennessee Fire Chiefs Assn. ber of Commerce, 17 Market Richard Martin, Lenoir City Square, #17. For registeration, call Tennessee Assn. of Air Carrier Airports government entities nationwide. Call 615.749.3618 or visit Larry Cox, Memphis Paula Larson at 615-532-0926 or Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police bankofamerica.com/government to learn more. email [email protected]. Kim Wallace, Dover Tennessee Water Quality Management Assn. Jack Graham, Maryville Sept. 9: Disney Keys to Excellence Tennessee Recreation and Parks Assn. one-day business best practices Dennis Suiter, Martin workshop from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tennessee Chapter, American Planning Assn. Hosted by Middle Tennessee State Steven Neilson, Brentwood Tennesseee Personnel Management Assn. University at the Sheraton Down- Vicki Burton, Jackson town Nashville, 623 Union Street. Tenn. Assn. of Municipal Clerks & Recorders For registration information, visit Connie Kittrell, Gallatin Tennessee Assn. of Public Purchasing www.keysnashville.com. Email: Susan White, Jackson [email protected]. Phone: TN Section, Institute of Transportation GLOBAL COMMERCIAL BANKING 877.544.2384 Fax: 913.712.9247. Engineers For complete 2008 program sched- Greg Judy, Nashville Cash Management Financing Solutions Public Finance Investments Tennessee Public Transportation Association ule, visit www.keysUS.com. Tom Dugan, Chattanooga Tennessee Fire Safety Inspectors Tommy White, Sevierville Assn. of Independent and Municipal Schools Wayne Miller, LenoirCity Rain or shine,

TML ASSOCIATE PARTICIPANTS sleet or hail, DIAMOND LEVEL MEMBERSHIP Bank of America every day is perfect GOLD LEVEL MEMBERSHIP Does your city Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. ING Financial Advisers, LLC for a GovDeals sale! SILVER LEVEL MEMBERSHIP AT&T Redflex Traffic Systems Sensus Metering Systems need money for BRONZE LEVEL MEMBERSHIP Adenus Technologies Alexander Thompson Arnold, PLLC Charter Communications LaserCraft, Inc. Rare Element, Inc. Thompson Engineering capital projects? Vaughn & Melton Williams Equipment Online Government CORPORATE LEVEL MEMBERSHIP Alliance Water Resources Surplus Auctions—24/7 AMEC Earth & Environmental American Traffic Solutions If your pipes are calling, call the Tennessee Municipal Bond Askew Hargraves Harcourt & Associates, LLC Visit GovDeals.com today Barge, Waggoner, Sumner, & Cannon, Inc. Fund for all your financing needs. Bulli Ray or call 1-866-377-1494 Buxton Christopher Burke Engineering, LTD CMI Equipment Sales, Inc. Comcast Cable Communications TENNESSEE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE STAFF Concrete Paving Association of Tennessee We offer: Margaret Mahery, Executive Director DBS & Associates Engineering Chad Jenkins, Deputy Director Mark Barrett, Legislative Research Analyst Education Networks of America • low rates, Carole Graves, Communications Director & Employee Benefit Specialists, Inc. Editor, Tennessee Town & City Florence & Hutcheson, Inc. • lowest costs and Edna Holland, Government Relations, TML/RMP Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc. John Holloway, Government Relations Johnson Controls Debbie Kluth, Dir. Marketing & Member Services Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc. • best service. Mona Lawrence, Administrative Assistant J.R. Wauford & Co. Consulting Engineers, Inc. Denise Paige, Government Relations Local Govt. Corporation Victoria South, Communications Coordinator The Malone Company Sylvia Trice, Director of Conference Planning Mattern & Craig, Consulting Engineers, Inc. TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY McGill Associates, P.A. (ISSN. No. 0040-3415) Publication No. 539420 Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority — Official publication of the Tennessee Mu- Nashville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. nicipal League. Publisher: Margaret Mahery Phoenix Tank Services (mmahery@ TML1.org); Editor: Carole Graves Rush Truck Center, Nashville We’re making great cities even better. ([email protected]; Phone: 615-255-6416. Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. Advertising: Publisher reserves the right to re- SSR Ellers Inc. ject any advertising deemed unacceptable. Fax Stowers Machinery One loan at a time. classified ads to TT&C: Attention Mona Tennergy Corporation Lawrence at 615-255-4752, or e-mail Tennessee Cable Telecomunications Assn. [email protected]. Fax advertising copy to Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corporation (615) 255-1561 TT&C: Attention Debbie Kluth at 615-255-4752, Tennessee Fiber Optic Communities or e-mail to dkluth@ TML1.org. Opinions ex- Thompson & Litton, Inc. pressed non League officials or staff do not Thompson Machinery necessarily reflect policies of TML. Tennessee TLM Associates, Inc. Town & City is published, semi-monthly, 20 URS Corporation times per year at 226 Capitol Blvd., Suite 710, Utility Service Co., Inc. Nashville, TN 37219-1894. Periodicals postage Volkert & Associates paid at Nashville, TN. Subscription rates: $6 per Waste Management year to members, $15 to nonmembers, $1 a copy. Wiser Company, LLC Postmaster: Send changes of address to Ten- nessee Town & City, 226 Capitol Blvd., Suite 710, Nashville, TN 37219-1894. 9-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 www.TML1.org www.TML1.org 10-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/JULY 28, 2008 Larry Turner often a Lone Wolf when the House votes 98-1 BY GAEL STAHL a lot of legislation designed for that purpose. Larry Turner has represented I championed the abolition of south Memphis District 85 since the death penalty and carried the 1984. LatePresident in his first session of bills on the House side to extend 1985-87, he cast the only nay vote voting rights to convicted felons during a special session called to who have done their time. We lost oust Judge Ira Murphy. A member of that one the first year I carried the the House from 1969-1983, Murphy bill. In the second year, we won by was the first African-American com- five votes with 55 votes on the board, mittee chair (Judiciary Committee) because that was one of those diffi- in a modern Southern legislature. cult ones. But you know, the purpose Ned McWherter named him chair of government is doing for people for helping him get elected House what they cannot do for themselves. Speaker in 1972. After being elected I have tried to do that, especially a Shelby County General Sessions when the rights of people are en- judge in 1982, Murphy was con- croached. One day, a lady sitting in victed in 1986 for trying to help a the House balcony when 98 green lodge obtain a bingo parlor permit. votes and my one red vote went up When he didn’t resign his judgeship, said, “Why don’t you go down there the House voted to remove him. and tell him to change his vote. He Turner was the only one to vote nay, doesn’t understand what he’s do- signifying his character and phi- ing.” The lobbyist next to her said, losophy. “He understands.” Turner was born in West Mem- The death penalty is inhumane. phis, Ark., to a single mother, and It doesn’t deter and is 10 times more mostly raised by his grandmother. expensive than sentencing them to a He was always on good terms with life in prison. The United States is his father, Robert Lee Turner, who about the only industrialized nation Photo by Gael Stahl fathered 11 children. His mother that still has the death penalty. had two, Larry and his older sister. When it got too cold in rural Arkan- moved up, taught the gifted, became could feel something surging company. TT&C: What’s your take on those sas, their grandmother took the chil- a supervisor, and an administrator. through the audience. With all this Then, the Shelby County clerk who passed the “three strikes dren to Memphis where they had She retired to be director of NAACP. harassment and being stalked by died and I sought that position. I you’re out” legislation leaving us running water and gas heat. When Turner has experienced the various law enforcement made you missed the County Commission ap- to pay for growing numbers of Turner was nine, they moved to sting of arrest himself. In aboutDistrictwonder if maybe Directors he knew something pointment by one vote. That got me aged and sick prisoners in for Memphis for good. Coming from a 1986, he and 13 others in the Black was going to happen to him. The interested in the political end of three habitual but nonviolent two-room Arkansas school to a four- Caucus (Tennessee’s was the only next day, about 4 o’clock, my next things. I’d run Ira Murphy’s cam- crimes? story brick building was frightening. black caucus to go) went to Wash- door neighbor asked if I was going paign for the state legislature and LT: I thought it was disingenuous of He quickly realized how deficient he ington, DC, to demonstrate outside down to hear King, who was sup- worked in all of his efforts. I had also them to dramatically increase our was in reading, writing and arith- the South African Embassy against posed to appear again. I said, I didn’t managed Rufus Jones’ campaign for costs of incarceration unless they metic and he barely passed fourth apartheid policy and were arrested. know yet. A few minutes later, I the legislature. Both were success- passed the taxes to pay for the annual grade. Half of the 14 arrested were legisla- learned King had been shot. ful. I preferred helping other people $30,000 a year to house them. In those days, students could tors, including Rufus Jones, Harper get elected than running myself, I I voted against bills to lock ‘em stay out of school the first semester Brewer, Pete Drew, Alvin King, TT&C: What led to King’s being told people. up and throw away the key. I was one and get a passing grade by attending Roscoe Dixon, and Lois DeBerry. involved at all? of the 46 House members who voted the second semester. During fifth The Turners have one son. LT: About a week earlier, around TT&C: But, then, you did run? for the state income tax eight years and sixth grades, he delivered wood March 31, we’d planned a march [to LT: Well, two years earlier, at the ago. I carried a state income tax bill up to a mile and a half away pushing TT&C: How did you meet your support black garbage employees], beginning of the 1983-84 legislative that called for a graduated income a wagon barrow loaded with five wife? but the city would not give us a session, my state legislator, Dedrick tax. The one that got through to the bushels of wood. He earned a nickel LT: We met at junior college. I was permit to march. We said we’d Teddy Withers, went to Africa and floor was a flat tax. I believe the tax a basket. driving my old ’47 Plymouth from march without a permit. But on that missed the first year of the session system should be elastic, that people During the second semesters, he school one day when a woman day, 19 inches of snow fell. Mem- and, after he returned, most of the should be taxed fairly in accordance went to school and by the end of the flagged me down and asked for a phis had never experienced that next year, too. The papers wrote it with their ability to pay for people’s second semester of sixth grade he ride. She asked me to buy a ticket to much snow in history. We always up. I tried to contact him and didn’t safety, education, and medical was up to grade level and on the a dance. I said I would if she found wondered what if it hadn’t snowed. get a response, so I decided to run for needs. honor roll. He stayed on the honor me a date. At the dance she intro- How many people could have been his seat. Nine friends gave me $100 Sales tax collections are erratic roll for the rest of his school career. duced me to Johnnie Rodgers. We killed or wounded. The community each to kick off my campaign. and unfair with 50 percent of Ten- He had the highest grade average in dated for three years. I called her was very set on having a march. The incumbent underestimated nesseans living right across a border his class and came in second on a every single day we courted. We All of the garbage workers were my community experience and my from states with a lower or no sales statewide math test. On graduating married in 1965. black and were unable to get equity ability to campaign. He thought it tax on certain items. Our economy from Manassas High School in in salary and work practices on their was a big joke and spent a lot of time would be better by maybe a billion 1957, he received a full-tuition TT&C: How did you lose the job own. Some community leaders felt helping Ulysses Jones’s campaign dollars a year if we passed a fair tax scholarship to Morehouse College that meant you couldn’t reserve a they needed union help and King’s against incumbent Harper Brewer. such as an income tax and lowered in Atlanta. room at Morehouse? help. But even that might not have My wife, who was one of my chief the sales tax to correspond to other Having lost his drugstore job in LT: After working at a grocery been enough. The city hadn’t al- campaign advisors, belonged to a states. We’d attract businesses to his senior year, he didn’t have the store, I worked at a drugstore that lowed black garbage workers to sorority, and we both belonged to the Tennessee rather than see them $25 needed to reserve his room. was supposed to pay me $4 a week come in out of the rain. When one NAACP. We put as many as 50 leave the state to avoid increases in With everybody else going to col- more. My supervisor at the grocery black worker wanted to go into the people on the streets every Saturday property taxes year after year. Be- lege, he volunteered for the Air said I wouldn’t like working over office to get out of the rain, they told morning. Before he knew it, I had cause education is supported largely Force, passed every test with high there but I went. I called a pharma- him he couldn’t come in. He got in turned the corner on him two or three by property taxes at the local level. marks, and became an assessor I cist and a 16-year-old girl by their the back of a garbage truck and was weeks out from Election Day with early warning aircraft operator first names. They wanted me to add somehow crushed in it. That was one enough exposure to possibly win. By TT&C: What kinds of consumer scanning the radarscope for air Miss to her name and add a title to of the things. Salary, of course, was the time they got serious, it was too rights do you champion? craft invading their territory. A lot of the pharmacist. Sometimes they sent an issue, but other things had people late. I beat a 10-year incumbent on LT: I carried the anti-predatory his four years in the Air Force was me to get their lunch. I’d go through disturbed. They were getting no- my first try – by 110 votes. lending bill that passed two years spent in southern California at Bo- the front door. African Americans where, so the local leaders of the Normally, in that district, if you ago. These last two years I’ve spon- ron Air Force Base, a site rich in were supposed to go through the movement prevailed on King to won the primary, you had it made. He sored a bill to regulate the title-loan borax, in the middle of the Mojave back door. They called me on that, come to Memphis. He didn’t really filed as a write-in, independent can- industry that gives short-term loans Desert, 28 miles from Edwards Air but I refused. The black guy I’d want to get involved. didate to run against me in the gen- to people who put up a title. The Force Base, site of so many test replaced came back about three I was also active in the commu- eral election. He got about 700 votes current law allows them to charge 22 flights and NASA landings. months later. They said they didn’t nity in the late 1970s when we had in the general to my 13,000 or so. percent – per month! When you an- On completing his service, he need me anymore. He went through what we called Black Mondays. We Two years later, he filed against me nualize that and mix in their fees, it was accepted by the University of the back door. persuaded kids to not attend school in the primary, and I won by 180 comes to about 264 percent. Indiana, but he followed an uncle’s At the same time, my grand- on Mondays. We wanted the city to votes. I’ve heard horror stories where advice to attend Owen Junior Col- mother was earning a dollar a day. hire a black school superintendent. people borrowed $500 and put their lege (now Lemoyne-Owen) in Mem- She bought some furniture on credit. After the white superintendent they TT&C: What issues have occa- car title up and had to pay $3,000 to phis. He made the Dean’s list, A young man came to our door and hired from Boston resigned because sioned your single no votes? $4,000 on that $500 – highway rob- graduated in two years, transferred asked for her using her first name. I of the feelings in the black commu- LT: The issue they teased me most bery no matter how you look at it. to Memphis State University (now told him, “Nobody lives here by that nity, they finally hired a black super- about was a bill 20 years ago to take These companies tell how they have University of Memphis), and despite name.” Two hours later he returned intendent, Dr. Willie W. Herenton. the doors off of the viewing booths in to take in that much money to break an unfriendly climate – MSU had mad, and said, “You said Eva didn’t adult book stores. People rented even. Should we keep companies on integrated just three years earlier – live here.” I told him my grand- TT&C: When did your interest in adult tapes and took them into view- life support if they are victimizing earned a BS degree in real estate mother’s name was Miss Evie Bond. political service begin? ing booths. I was the only one to vote the people? I don’t think we should and accounting. “If I went to your house and asked LT: I’d worked for the National against taking the doors off the build in any kind of security for While attending school part- for your grandmother by her first Business League and was the trea- booths. I feel everybody has a right to people who victimize others. time, he worked various jobs – as an name, what would your reaction surer. I worked for the Greater Mem- privacy if they want to go to an adult The companies say there must Avon salesman and an insurance be?” He said, “Oh, that’s different.” phis Development Corporation that bookstore. And, many times, my no be a market for their services or they salesman, a job he left to visit his built the first black shopping center votes were about cases that the courts wouldn’t be in business. Well, the sister in Fort Wayne, Ind., the month TT&C: In April , a ceremony was in Memphis at Fourth and Crump. later ruled the same way I voted with people who go to them are desperate. before she died. He returned to his held in Memphis in memory of I worked 10 years for state gov- regard to individual rights. I was the We have the responsibility to make insurance job, then became Owen Martin Luther King Jr. who died ernment. That came about when the lone no vote when we voted to oust other financial sources available College’s business manager, 40 years ago. Where were you leadership in the legislature agreed, Judge Ira Murphy because he had without this usurious interest. worked and managed Victory Fu- working in 1968? after Ned McWherter was elected filed an appeal and my position was My bill addresses our responsi- neral Home for five years, and, LT: I was at the funeral home. The speaker, to appoint a black constitu- that he was innocent until proven bility to regulate these companies about 1973, began as manager of night before the assassination, my tional officer. That didn’t material- guilty. Later on he was exonerated on and lessen their victimizing by put- the Mutual Federal Savings and wife and I went to the Mason Temple ize, but Rep. Ira Murphy helped per- almost all charges. When he died last ting a cap on how much interest they Loan Association in Memphis be- to hear the last speech he made. It suade the Comptroller’s Office to January, I spoke at his funeral. can charge. It requires that after the fore working as a program special- was a stormy night raining buckets. hire me to work in a new program second rollover that 10 percent of the ist writing proposals for a non-profit The temple was filled. My wife and giving tax relief to senior citizens TT&C: Such votes must underlie a principle has to be paid each month that helped minorities wanting to go I finally found a seat in the balcony. and disabled citizens. They didn’t philosophy of politics and service. so people don’t just keep rolling the into business get financing from fi- Martin had decided he was too tired want me but I was finally hired as What is it? loan and accumulating interest and nancial institutions. and wouldn’t be coming to the regional coordinator for the prop- LT: My general philosophy is that never get the principle paid. Also, He was always involved in com- temple, but those who invited him erty tax relief program. Every six I’m elected to serve one session – the bill requires each company to get munity activities including civil prevailed on him to come on over. months for 10 years, I had to go to that I have two years to do what I a separate license for each business rights. His wife, Johnnie Turner, a When he entered, you felt some- Nashville to justify my having the think is right for people. Sometimes site and regulates the amount of the former teacher, now executive di- thing in the atmosphere – that some- job. I was suffering chest pains at the it may be politically expedient to fee they have to pay for a license. rector of the Memphis NAACP, was thing was pending. He talked first time and later found out they were vote a certain way, but I don’t do the The bill doesn’t put them out of arrested a number of times, and once about some recent misadventures, indeed probably due to job pressure. politically expedient thing if I don’t business but does regulate their convicted and sentenced to six like an incident where he had made The next time my supervisor asked think it adequately represents practices and requires the Depart- months in jail but served no time a remark about a sheriff that had me to come to Nashville for a rehir- people’s sense of their real needs. I ment of Financial Institutions to au- while on appeal and Gov. Clement’s been harassing him. When he got on ing interview, I said I wasn’t com- realize all legislators have a right to dit them. The bill didn’t pass in April pardon of the students two years the plane, the sheriff was right be- ing. My resignation was already in cast votes that they hope will get the but was sent by the subcommittee to later. She graduated second in her hind him. the mail. I’d worked in real estate people back home to re-elect them, a summer study committee to meet class at Owen but was denied em- He went on to make a very good while I was working for the funeral whether it is right or wrong. Like the in late July. We are mobilizing the ployment with Memphis City speech about the ascent to the home, the Savings and Loan Asso- votes to “lock people up and throw community as we speak asking them Schools for three years because they mountaintop, that he may not get ciation, and regional coordinator for away the key” and extend prison sen- to write, call, and email legislators, knew she’d tell students about vot- there with us, but that we as a people the state property tax relief program. tences way beyond what they per- and even to come up here to try to ing rights. Once she was hired, she would get to the mountaintop. You I retired to work at my real estate haps should be. I have voted against prevail on them.