MONDAY 161st YEAR • NO. 195 DECEMBER 14, 2015 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ Partial payment tax deadline ends; 2nd coming By RICK NORTON cies — instead of the conventional once- two additional tax-relief programs contin- n Tax Relief: This is a state of property taxes of elderly applicants, age Associate Editor a-year lump sum — is completing its fifth ues to grow. As of this morning, the Tax Tennessee project that allows elderly and 65 and older, at the current amount owed year and has already far exceeded original Relief program had registered 1,507 disabled residents with a combined when the applicant is initially approved. One deadline passed Friday as the expectations. Bradley County taxpayers, and 1,257 had income of less than $28,690 to receive a The applicant must apply annually to Bradley County Trustee’s Office signed Although the paperwork dust has now enrolled for the Tax Freeze program, discount ranging from $101 to $124 off retain the frozen amount. To qualify for up parcel No. 1,050 — a record-setting settled on the first enrollment period for Smith said. their tax bill. Veterans classified as per- the freeze program, all property owners number — for the innovative partial pay- partial payments for 2016 property taxes, Deadline for registering for the Tax manently and totally disabled can also and the applicant’s spousal income can- ment tax plan. a second opportunity will begin Monday, Relief and Tax Freeze plans is April 5, apply. For new disabled veteran appli- not exceed $31,590. The installment option, which allows Jan. 4, and will continue through Friday, 2016. cants, the maximum income is $60,000. Although Bradley County taxpayers county home and property owners to pay Feb. 5, according to Mike Smith, county A description of these programs, both n Tax Freeze: This is a local program will have another chance to sign up for their taxes in monthly, quarterly or twice trustee. of which continue to grow in popularity in approved by the Bradley County annually amounts, or in other frequen- Likewise, the number of enrollees in Bradley County, is explained by Smith. Commission in 2007 that will freeze the See DEADLINE, Page 4 Reminder Utility Ribbon cutting ‘Builder of the Year’ honored slated Tuesday service for new Exit 20 From Staff Reports John Schroer, commissioner kiosks of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, will visit Cleveland on Tuesday to par- ticipate in ribbon-cutting cere- coming monies marking the completion of the newly redesigned inter- change at Interstate 75 Exit 20. The ceremony is scheduled to PSC to start at 11 a.m. and many Cleveland, Bradley County and Tennessee officials will attend. Prepay option is Area motorists traveling through the area are advised to part of CU future drive cautiously during the peri- od of the ceremony because of By RICK NORTON expected congestion. Associate Editor The ceremony is expected to Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES Technology is coming to town take about 30 minutes. OUTGOING ORBA President John Proffitt, right, shares a laugh with his succes- — though it won’t be home for Charlotte Peak sor, Lake Mantooth. Christmas — for Cleveland Utilities customers who like the Inside Today idea of paying their monthly bills at any time day or night, and any ‘We may not always win, but we will day of the week. An added bow to the package is the increased flexibility in pay- ment methods it will offer from a always be leading the charge’: Peak single site: cash, personal checks, debit cards and credit By BRIAN GRAVES Proffitt also presented the President’s cards. Banner Staff Writer Service Award to Habitat for Humanity. Marshall Stinnett, CU chief “I said in 2010 the coming “This organization has been active in this financial officer, reported during It seemed appropriate a group of years would be the ‘new community for 25 years. They have built a recent gathering of the builders would get together during the sea- economy.’ I said to be optimistic over 100 houses. They have put people in Cleveland Board of Public son when much of the world prepares to and keep building.” housing that probably would not be in Utilities that CU has signed a celebrate the birth of a carpenter. — Charlotte Peak housing,” Proffitt said. “We have been a big contract with U.S. Payments The Ocoee Regional Builders Association supporter of this group for many years.” Transaction Management gathered at Elks Lodge in Cleveland Shonna Ellis was presented with the Systems for a kiosk through the recession, but here we are,” Saturday night to recognize successes and Associate of the Year award. to be set up in the Peak said in accepting the award. “I said observe the passing of the leadership’s “I don’t think anyone would disagree foyer of the local in 2010 the coming years would be the baton. that anytime you need something, this utility’s Power ‘new economy.’ I said to be optimistic and Titans hammered ORBA President John Proffitt person is there to help deliver,” Proffitt Service Center. keep building.” announced that the newest Builder of the said. “She has been active for many years The kiosk, which She said the organization has many in the Empire State Year honoree is Charlotte Peak. and on our board. She does it with a smile will be accessible Peak, who operates Kace Construction issues on the agenda, “and we are going to Tennessee Titans quarterback on her face and love in her heart.” to CU customers and Developments, said the two words aggressively meet these issues head-on.” Marcus Mariota was the lone The officers for the new year were given 24/7 once it is that best describe the association are “We may not always win, but we will highlight Sunday against the their oaths by state Rep. Dan Howell. installed in early Webb “resilient” and “strong.” always be leading the charge to ensure that home-standing New York Jets, 2016, will serve as “Some said ORBA would not make it our industry is not hindered,” Peak said. with a touchdown catch in yet See PEAK, Page 4 an added conven- another losing effort. The Atlanta ience for utility Falcons continued to struggle in a users who already shutout loss to the now 13-0 take advantage of Carolina Panthers. The Middle several payment Tennessee women fell to Red Clay’s event options — namely, Kentucky on the basketball court. personal visits to See Sports, Pages 9-11. CU, the drive- depicts Christmas through window, Stinnett Forecast online, telephone or by conventional mail. Rainy conditions should transi- by the Cherokee Stinnett said the whole idea tion to partly cloudy skies by mid- behind the kiosk — whose rental By CHET GUTHRIE costs will be absorbed by afternoon, with a high near 66. Banner Intern Cleveland Utilities — is to further South winds of 15 mph could gust advance the company’s commit- as high as 25 mph. Tonight calls for Three-hundred-fifty candles lit the way on the trailhead at Red Clay Historic State Park during ment to become even more cus- partly cloudy skies, with a low Christmas at Red Clay. tomer-oriented by providing around 45. Tuesday should be Sunday night was filled with the sound of thun- more payment options. sunny, with a high near 67. derous traditional Cherokee drumming by “What [this] will allow our cus- Tuesday night should be mostly Cherokee Nation musician Jamie Russell. tomers to do is to be able to clear, with a low around 40. The event was a walk back in time to the era make payments any time and when the land was still wild and the Native any way they’d like,” Stinnett Index Americans and colonists were settling boundaries said. “They can [already] make with each other. Banner photo, CHET GUTHRIE them online now or they can “Up on the Little Tennessee River that was under- JOSHUA KIRBY of Fort Loudoun State Park told Red Clay State Park visitors of the make them at the office.” Classified......................................15 Stinnett stressed the kiosk’s Comics...........................................6 relations between the Cherokee and the white people at the time Fort Loudoun was built. Editorials......................................12 See CHRISTMAS, Page 8 See UTILITY, Page 4 Horoscope......................................6 MINI Page......................................5 Obituaries.......................................2 Sports........................................9-11 Patten passionate about special needs TV Schedule..................................7 Weather..........................................8 By JOYANNA LOVE special needs. Banner Senior Staff Writer ERSONALITY “I helped a friend of mine move to New P York, and decided to look for a camp up Around Town A passion for helping others has present- north to be kind of close to her, and I love ed to Catherine Patten many opportunities. PROFILE the city,” Patten said. James Weaver receiving get- Patten was born and raised in Bradley well wishes ... Danny Brock What she found was a camp in New County. “Working with people like that … you sheepishly admitting to going to Jersey run by New York Service for the Her first paying job came at the age of just find your passion,” Patten said. Handicapped. She applied for and was one fast-food restaurant but 15 working at Sara’s Hallmark. ordering an item off another Patten graduated from Cleveland High offered a job at as a camp counselor at At 16, her passion for working with School and Cleveland State Community Camp Oakhurst. She enjoyed the experi- chain’s menu ... Theresa Gilbert those with disabilities began to develop. seeing an old friend ... Betti College. ence so much that she wanted to continue “When I was in high school, I worked as working at the camp.