SPORTS: LOCAL NEWS: Ammar Altaie Blue Raiders claim Speakers plea District 5-AAA not to punish crown: Page 11 refugees: Page 6 162nd YEAR • No. 253 26 PAGES • 50¢ CLEVELAND, TN 37311 THE CITY WITH SPIRIT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2017 DesJarlais dispels ACA repeal worries By BRIAN GRAVES years. He is a physician and under- $4,000. The deductibles are unafford- Banner Staff Writer FIRST OF 2 PARTS stands medicine and things about able. which other people might not have the He added, “Yes, there are some peo- U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais said ago. Whether I was talking about same perspective.” ple who were able to get health care Tuesday he expects the repeal of the repealing Obamacare or getting gov- “We’re ready to go to work next that did not have it before. Then, there Affordable Care Act (popularly known ernment out of the way by getting rid week,” he added. was a great expansion of Medicaid as “Obamacare”) to happen as early as of regulations, growing the economy, DesJarlais acknowledged there are which added about 10 million of the April or May of this year, but says securing the border — all those are some people who have been helped by people that you hear about those benefiting from the program things I ran on when I left medicine to the Obamacare insurance plan, as Obamacare benefitting. So, it wasn’t need not worry about losing any cov- go to Washington. Now, I think there’s well as their fears the rug will be so much the Affordable Care Act that erage as a transition is made to a dif- going to be an opportunity to live out pulled out from under them. came to the rescue, it was a broad ferent system. these objectives. Every morning when “That’s simply not going to happen,” expansion of that system. That makes The congressman made those com- I get up and go to work, I’m pretty he said. “I hear people say you can’t it unaffordable and unsustainable.” ments during an interview with the excited.” end Obamacare and you can’t end The congressman said whether any Cleveland Daily Banner while on a DesJarlais called the new secretary Medicaid. I’ve heard we are abolishing action is taken or not, Obamacare is visit to Bradley County, where he of Health and Human Services, Dr. Medicaid. None of that is true. on a path to failure. toured the Wacker and Duracell Tom Price, a medical doctor and for- “What people need to realize is all “We now see that in Tennessee plants. mer congressman from Georgia, “a the promises that were Obamacare where premiums have gone up 63 per- DesJarlais said he felt the first two great friend.” have been proven false,” DesJarlais cent — the second highest in the months under the new Trump admin- “I think he will do a great job,” he said. “You don’t get to keep your doc- nation,” he said. “And now, Humana istration have gone well. said. “He knows the health care issue tor if you like them. If you liked your has pulled out and Blue Cross [Blue “I think it’s been really exciting,” inside and out, and has written a lot plan, you didn’t get to keep it. Health Shield] has pulled out from most of DesJarlais said. “I basically ran for of the proposed Obamacare replace- care premiums did not drop by Scott DesJarlais office on this same platform six years ment legislation over the last several $2,500. In most cases they went up to See DESJARLAIS, Page 6 New industry to set up shop in area: VAIROG By BRIAN GRAVES “Many of us live in this Banner Staff Writer community and are from this area and are excited A new industry is set to to participate in a venture plant its roots in the Hiwassee here whereby we can con- River Industrial Park. tribute both to the com- By a unanimous vote, the munity and the industry.” Bradley/Cleveland Industrial — Daniel Salazar Development Board voted to sell a 13.08 acre parcel in the struction on a property here in park to Lauderdale Properties, the United States to produce LLC/VAIROG U.S., LLC at a ammunition components serv- cost of $654,000. ing predominantly the brass “We have a request to pur- need that [ammunition] cas- chase the remaining parcel in ings need in our market here the Hiwassee River Industrial in the U.S. and throughout Park at Lauderdale Memorial Europe,” Salazar said. “We are Photo courtesy Lee University Highway,” Chamber of looking forward to doing so WILLIAM LAMB, director of the Leonard Center at Lee University, serves as chaplain for several emergency response organizations. Commerce Vice President of here in this community. Many Economic Development Doug of us live in this community Berry reported to the board. and are from this area and are “It’s an offer that has been excited to participate in a ven- made at our asking price.” ture here whereby we can con- ES chaplains: More than just a calling Berry explained VAIROG tribute both to the community would be the end user of the and the industry.” By ALLEN MINCEY have big ears and big shoulders.” facility as well as being a part Berry detailed the company Banner Staff Writer William Lamb, who ministers through owner. is intending to develop a man- HIDDEN the Leonard Center at Lee University, says Daniel Salazar, president of ufacturing plant in a series of There are many professions men and it means “so much” to him to be able to VAIROG, addressed the board phase that would “ultimately women become involved in because they help these families. He serves as chaplain about his plans for the site. say it is a calling. CLEVELAND for both Bradley County Fire-Rescue and “We are excited to begin con- See VAIROG, Page 6 In the case of chaplains for local law the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. enforcement and other emergency servic- “My parents raised me to serve. It is my es, it is more than a calling — it is a min- occurred, they first have to treat them as nature,” Lamb said. “In fact, it is my pro- istry. crime scenes,” said Earl Farris, pastor at fession. Each of the local fire departments and Georgetown Baptist Church and chaplain “So when your job is in a service indus- ‘Freedom Week’ slated the sheriff’s office and police department for the Cleveland Police Department. “So try such as the Leonard Center and serv- utilize chaplains, especially following trag- we have to deal with the family, keep ice-learning, I think it is still important to ic events. them calm and encourage them. serve in the community where you live,” “The police department often has the “They are under a lot of stress, both he continued. “So, in my case, being a to start again Monday duty of investigating times when deaths these families and the officers, and they occur, and whether they know why they just need an ear to talk to,” Farris said. “I See CHAPLAINS, Page 6 By ALLEN MINCEY to work and resolve their Banner Staff Writer cases. Rich Kienlen, director of the The Bradley County Misdemeanor Office, said pub- Misdemeanor Probations Office lication of more than 2,000 is planning “Freedom Week” for names is being planned for the Commission tables vote on gas tax increase violators of the probation pro- Banner for Sunday. gram, and those who may not “Freedom Week,” which some By ALLEN MINCEY cents per gallon of regular gas, and 12 funds for the state. The local financial be aware they have warrants know as “Amnesty Week,” has Banner Staff Writer cents per gallon of diesel gas. Car registra- expert said that those increases would be issued for their arrest. tion would increase by $5 for the average $24 per tag, $11 per title, $5 lien increase been successful in helping alle- County Commissioners decided to table “Freedom Week” begins passenger vehicle registered in the state. per vehicle, and that $5 would be what he viate a backlog of cases. a resolution which would have opposed Monday and lasts through “There are also people in Several in the audience voiced their called “the Haslam tax.” Benton is the Friday. Gov. Bill Haslam’s “Improve Act,” increas- treasurer for the 911 board. Bradley County with warrants ing the state’s fuel taxes. opposition to the act, carrying signs that For a number of years now, issued on them that may not mentioned their feelings against the The resolution presented by The move came despite a consensus Commissioner Dan Rawls had come to the the office has worked to clear know it, and the Cleveland “Improve Act.” misdemeanor violations and among the group against any tax increases. table Monday after some commissioners David Benton mentioned how much the allow offenders in the program According to the “Improve Tax” legisla- See FREEDOM WEEK, Page 6 tion, there would be a tax increase of 7 “Improve Act” would add in additional See GAS TAX, Page 4 AROUND TOWN WEATHER INDEX Today looks to be cloudy, after Classified.....................19-21 Obituaries.............................2 Duel Hale attending a meeting ... some morning rain, with a high near Hersh and Himanshu Patel having 70. Tonight calls for mostly cloudy Comics...............................24 Stocks...................................4 some laughs with “the Banner guy” skies, with a low around 53. Thursday Editorials............................ ... Terry Graham seeing some old 14 Sports......................... 11-13 6489076 75112 buddies in blue. should be mostly cloudy, with a high Horoscope.........................24 TV Schedule......................25 near 73.