Section B Government

• New Faces In County Government. 2 • County Budget Arrives Late. 8 • Tusculum Sees Projects Completed. 11

The Greeneville Sun March 14, 2015 Benchmarks 2015 2 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com Many New Faces Take Key Positions In County Government

BY EMILY R. WEST NEW COUNTY CLERK STAFF WRITER Republican Lori Byrant was elected to a four-year Several county offices term as Greene County transitioned to new faces Clerk. in fall 2014 after residents By large margins, Bryant voiced a desire for change defeated both Democratic through the election of new challenger Jennifer Gen- representation. try Bible and Independent Republicans Lori Bryant candidate Becky Thomp- and David Crum nabbed son, wife of former Greene some of the top spots as County Clerk David county clerk and mayor, Thompson. respectively, after several In May 2014, she had of their opponents were defeated 10 Republican defeated during the May opponents for the GOP primary and August gen- nomination. eral elections. Bryant then won the Democrat Pat Hankins County Clerk’s office with also defeated long-time for- 7,068 votes, or nearly 52 mer Sheriff Steve Burns for percent of ballots cast in the position, despite voters that race. otherwise chosing mostly Her vote total surpassed Republican officeholders. that of her two challengers County Trustee Nathan combined. Holt also won his uncon- Bible earned 5,388 of tested race. votes cast, or just over 39 The County Commission percent, while Thompson also saw a makeover, with picked up 1,267, or just 16 new commissioners rep- over 9 percent. Bible faced resenting the citizens of no opposition in the May Greene County. 2014 Democratic Primary. Bryant served as deputy COUNTY MAYOR county clerk for 23 years Formerly a Greeneville under former County Police Department detec- SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY Clerk Freddie Shaw, now tive, David Crum now Surrounded by supporters, Pat Hankins shakes hands with a voter at Greene County Democratic Party Head- deceased, and has worked serves as mayor after beat- quarters after early vote totals were announced on election night in August. Hankins, a Democrat, defeated for Greene County for 30 ing Democratic opponent incumbent Sheriff Steve Burns, a Republican. years. Eddie Yokley. Crum had She made an unsuccess- 7,588 votes with Yokley at ful bid for the clerk’s posi- 5,543. tion in 2006. Crum won by a wide “I am so excited,” Bryant margin in the Republican said after the results were Primary for the GOP nom- tabulated and her victory ination for mayor in May was clear. She said citizens 2014. of Greene County should Crum received 42 per- expect “honesty and integ- cent of the vote in the Pri- rity, and to know that when mary. Second-place fin- I tell them something, that isher Brett Purgason took it’s the truth.” only 24 percent. As far as priorities for the The final, official total office, Bryant planned to from the Greene County research for new technol- Election Commission ogy that would make the Office put him at 4,421 office run more efficiently. votes over Purgason’s “I want to be on the win- 2,526. dow,” she said. “I want to be Crum received his high- a face in front of the window est vote totals in DeBusk, and not behind a door, and I the county’s largest pre- want an open-door policy.” cinct, within the Town of During her time in office, Greeneville and in Tus- she has dealt with the culum. county’s hotel/motel audit “Obviously, we’re excit- to see what some agencies ed,” Crum said after being could potentially owe back elected. “First, thank the to the county. The results Lord and Savior Jesus of that audit have not been Christ. Thank the people completed. that prayed for us, helped sustain us during this. COUNTY TRUSTEE Thank my family. Nathan Holt picked up “I came out a long time 10,480 complimentary ago because I believed that votes in his uncontested this was the election I was SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY bid for Greene County to run for County Mayor. Lori Bryant, center, celebrates after learning that she won the GOP nomination for county clerk. Trustee. This vote has helped to He defeated two other confirm that.” ty’s top law enforcement Republicans, Allen Jones He said he believed he office. and F. Tom Hopson, for was the best of the can- “I want to thank the citi- the nomination in the May didates because of his 26 zens for their trust, for giv- Republican Primary. years of experience at the ing me the opportunity to He made an unsuc- Greeneville Police Depart- be sheriff,” Hankins said cessful bid for the office ment. after the election. “We’re in 2006 before serving a “I like to get all the going to all work together term on the Greene Coun- information to make the to make this a better place ty Commission. best decision, and that’s to raise our kids and to After expressing thanks what I’ll do,” he added. live.” for the complimentary He pointed to the coun- Hankins, a detective lieu- votes, Holt said he appreci- ty’s debt, overcrowding at tenant with the Greeneville ated the work and service the Greene Count Deten- Police Department, mount- of longtime Trustee Dan tion Center and job reten- ed his campaign against Walker, who did not seek tion and growth as the top Burns last October and re-election, and added that three issues for the next concluded on election night he was excited to work in four years. with 54 percent of the vote the office. “We’ve got plenty of at 7,608. “I really look forward to opportunities,” he said. “I Burns served 37 years working with the staff. All believe I can work with with the Sheriff’s Depart- of them are great employ- people. We can move for- ment and 16 years as sher- ees,” he said. “I expect to ward. Hopefully, in four iff, strongly defeating any be fully involved, hands- years people will say our competition during those on, with all aspects of the county is better off for four terms, although he office.” David Crum being mayor.” lost his first race in 1994 SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY Holt said he also wanted against Democratic chal- Nathan Holt, elected county trustee in 2014, is sworn in. an open-door policy, and NEW SHERIFF lenger Terry Jones. he plans to work the front In a major upset during Since that time, Burns During his time in office, centrate on other improve- down there,” Hankins said. just like any other employ- an otherwise-dominant has comfortably held his Hankins has accomplished ments, he said, particularly Hankins spoke enthusias- ee. election for the Greene position. a few items that he wanted, when it comes to revamping tically about rehabilitation “It’s all about customer County Republican Party, “He’s been a great sher- one of which was gaining the department’s computer efforts and ankle bracelets service. We work for the Democratic candidate Pat iff,” Hankins said. “It was a recertification for the jail in system. as means to decrease the public, and they’re our Hankins defeated Sheriff great race and a clean race. late December. This move “I’m working with a great Greene County Detention boss,” he said. Steve Burns for the coun- He’s been a great friend.” has allowed him to con- group of men and women Center’s overcrowding. On The Cover

From Top of Page to Bottom, Left to Right: Crum Takes County Mayor Seat New Judicial Officials Take Their Posts David Crum, now Greene County mayor, talks with Dan Armstrong, left, is sworn in on Sept. 2, 2014, as Jail Re-Certified; Overcrowding Eased Brett Purgason, who finished second in the race for the 3rd Judicial District’s new district attorney general. Greene County Sheriff Pat Hankins appeared before the Republican nomination for that office. Sun file Judge John F. Dugger Jr. swears him in. Armstrong’s the Tennessee Corrections Institute Board of Control photo by O.J. Early. wife, Kay, holds a Bible. Sun file photo by O.J. Early. in December. The board voted to re-certify both the Greene County Detention Center and Greene County EMS Faces Budget Challenges Outgoing Greene Workhouse.Sun file photo by Emily R. West. County-Greeneville EMS Director Robert Sayne stands before the County Commission to explain cuts to the EMS budget earlier this year. Sun photo by Emily R. West. Advertiser’s Index Automotive Guide...... 9 Heating and Air Guide...... 15 Bulls Gap Guide...... 13 Insurance Guide...... 5 Greeneville Light & Power System.....3 Mosheim Guide...... 11 Greeneville Water Commission...... 16 Town of Mosheim...... 7 www.greenevillesun.com Saturday, March 14, 2015 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION 3 New Judges And District Attorney Take Seats

BY KEN LITTLE Woolsey, who was licensed STAFF WRITER to practice law in Tennessee in 1979, is a partner at the Some new individuals are Woolsey & Woolsey law firm in serving in local judicial posi- Greeneville. She also serves as tions. municipal judge for Greeneville, A new top prosecutor in Baileyton and Tusculum. the 3rd Judicial District was also elected in 2014. ARMSTRONG NEW DA New judges sworn in dur- For the first time in 32 years, ing 2014 include 3rd Judicial voters chose a new chief pros- District Circuit Court Judge ecutor the 3rd Judicial District Alex Pearson and Chancel- last August. lor Douglas T. Jenkins. Dan E. Armstrong, who In an August 2014 ceremo- served for 28 years as an assis- ny in downtown Bulls Gap, tant district attorney general Gary R. Wade, chief justice under long-time District Attor- of the Tennessee Supreme ney General C. Berkeley Bell, Court, administered the officially became district attor- oaths of office to Criminal ney general on Sept. 1, 2014. Court Judge John F. Dug- “I’m thankful for the oppor- ger Jr., Circuit Court Judge tunity. People may not agree Mike Faulk, Jenkins, Pear- with every decision I make, but son and Circuit Court Judge I hope they know I am making Tom Wright. them based on the facts and Presiding Judge John the law,” Armstrong said last Dugger and Wright were August. re-elected to new eight-year Armstrong was the Repub- terms. lican Party candidate for the Chancellor Jenkins and position. Faulk, both appointed to “I have over 28 years of pros- their judgeships in 2013 by ecutorial experience. I know I Haslam, were elected in can make a positive difference August 2014 to their first in leading the office over the full eight-year terms. next eight years in prosecut- Faulk, 61, died Nov. 11, ing cases without regard to 2014, after battling cancer. politics or personalities,” Arm- The 3rd Judicial District strong said during the cam- includes Greene, Hamblen, paign. Hancock and Hawkins coun- He defeated fellow Assistant ties. District Attorney General SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY Cecil Mills Jr., the Democratic NEWEST MEMBER OF JUDICIARY GOP nominee Dan Armstrong, left, shakes hands with Democratic nominee Cecil Mills at the Greene County Party candidate, in the gen- Pearson, of Rogersville, is Election Commission Office following the primary races last May. eral election. the newest member of the Mills, a criminal prosecu- judiciary in the 3rd Judicial district,” Pearson said after ment. I appreciate his will- Haslam for the 3rd Judicial February 2014, the Governor’s tor with 30 years’ experience District. He was elected to being sworn in by Wade. ingness to serve, and I know District Circuit Court judge Council for Judicial Appli- who handles many of Greene an eight-year term to fill the Jenkins was appointed he will do an excellent job on position created by the death cants chose Bailey, Woolsey County’s major criminal position vacated by retired in July 2013 by Haslam as the bench,” Haslam said in a last November of Faulk. and Morristown lawyer Beth cases, decided to stay on as Judge John K. Wilson. chancellor in the 3rd Judicial news release after his 2013 The candidates are Gen- Boniface as nominees for the Armstrong’s senior assistant Pearson previously served District, replacing Thomas appointment. eral Sessions and Juvenile judicial position. district attorney general. as senior assistant district R. “Skip” Frierson, who was Jenkins is the son of former Court Judge Kenneth Bai- Bailey has been Greene Armstrong and Mills are attorney general for 3rd Judi- named to the Tennessee 1st Congressional District ley Jr., and Greeneville law- County General Sessions and friends outside the office and cial District in the Hawkins Court of Appeals in February U.S. Rep. William L. “Bill” yer Linda Thomas Woolsey, Juvenile Court judge since share a deep faith in God. County office. 2013. Jenkins. who also serves as Municipal 2006. Prior to becoming a Mills is pastor of Green- “It’s a great honor to know Jenkins had practiced law Court judge for the town of judge, Bailey was a practicing eville’s Friendship Baptist all the people who supported in Rogersville since 1997. CIRCUIT COURT CANDIDATES Greeneville and the cities of attorney with Rogers, Laugh- Church. Armstrong is a dea- me are here, and I’m looking “Doug has a depth of Two other Greene County Mosheim and Tusculum. lin, Nunnally, Hood and Crum con and Sunday School teach- forward to doing a good job experience in law, and I am natives are currently under After interviewing seven in Greeneville between 1995 er at Mohawk-based Fairview for the people of this judicial pleased to make this appoint- consideration by Gov. Bill candidates in Greeneville in and 2006. Baptist Church. GOP Wins Almost All 21 Seats In Newly Elected County Commission BY EMILY R. WEST Nathan Holt won the posi- all the best of luck and the STAFF WRITER tion of County Trustee. greatest of success.” Commissioners Phil Commissioner Waddle A landslide election for King (R-4th) and Anthony cited his run as an Inde- the Republican Party Sauceman (R-5th) each pendent candidate instead in August created a new lost in the Republican pri- of as a Democrat as among political makeup for the maries in their respective the factors that contrib- Greene County Commis- districts during their bids uted to his initial loss in sion this year with 16 new for re-election to the com- August. members. mission. He ran for re-election to All of the elected com- the County Commission as missioners in August were NOT RE-ELECTED an Independent because he Republicans except Com- Only eight incumbent was also running in May for missioner Tim White, who commissioners stood a the Charter Commission, ran as an Independent chance to return to the which state law requires to after serving three terms commission in the 2014 be a non-partisan body. as a Democrat. General Election. Waddle was elected to the White, of the 1st Com- Three of those, all known Charter Commission. missioner District, barely Democrats, lost their bids eked out enough votes to for re-election: Fred Malone BATTLES SINCE ELECTION land in the third-place (1st), William “Bill” Dabbs In the months since position, managing to pull (4th) and John Waddle Jr. they began their terms in ahead of Johnny Brown, a (6th), although Waddle was September 2014, the new Republican, with 558 votes re-elected to the 6th Dis- commissioners have felt the to Brown’s 549. trict in November after the strain and fiscal struggle White was one of only passing of Republican com- that had also been felt by five of the previous 21 missioner-elect Earl Fletch- those who served before county commissioners to be er Jr. in mid-August. them. re-elected. The others are Malone served two terms Much of their time has Wade McAmis, Ted Hens- on the County Commission been consumed with the ley, Robin Quillen and Hil- and said he is unlikely to county’s finances. New com- ton Seay, all Republicans. make any further bid. missioners had to pass the The make-up of the new “I feel like I’ve done the county’s budget after the commission is younger best job for the county that previous commission failed than the previous com- I could possibly do and to meet the original July 1 mission, and, there are maintain our [jail] certifi- deadline. only three female commis- cation,” he said, in reference The new commission sioners: Quillen, Sharron to his role as chairman of finally passed a budget at Malone Collins and Pamela the Courthouse/Workhouse the end of September, right Carpenter. Committee. before an Oct. 1 deadline Coming out of the 2010 The committee spent sev- that they had to meet in election, there were four eral months prior to the order for the school system Keep your family women on the county leg- election addressing over- to receive its state funding. islative body: Quillen, Jan crowding at the Greene Part of the budget included Kiker, Brenda Grogan (who County Detention Center. $650,000 in cuts, which comfortable. died during her term) and “I’m sorry that some folks mostly amounted to a reduc- Margaret Greenway. took it that I was really tion in the hours conve- Greenway was among pushing for the [new] jail,” nience centers are open and several commissioners who he said. “In the near future, the firing of 16 part-time chose not to run for re-elec- I think we will be ordered Solid Waste employees. Whatever the weather brings, you’ll be ready. tion. Kiker was defeated in to do that very thing. I “If there’s a stone that’s May in a primary race for think we need to have a not been uncovered, I Make your home the best it can be. Visit e.Score.com the Republican nomination plan ready to go when that don’t know where it’s at, for County Clerk. day comes. because we’ve tried to look to find out how energy efficient your home is and Other commissioners who “But that’s fine,” he at every line item in this chose not to run for re-elec- added. “I’m relieved that budget,” said Brad Peters, what you can do to improve it. With a high eScore tion included John Carter, I don’t have another four 2nd District commissioner. Rennie Hopson, Robert years on there, really.” “We didn’t come here say- you can afford to live comfortably. Bird, M.C. Rollins, Jimmy Commissioner Dabbs ing, ‘Hey, this is a perfect Sams and Bill Moss. attributed his loss to redis- budget.’ What this budget Commissioner Lloyd tricting, which took place allows us to do is have some “Hoot” Bowers, who repre- in 2010 and resulted in breathing room.” sented the 4th District, lost the eight Greene County But that breathing room in the Republican primary Commission districts being didn’t last long as the com- for mayor to then-Commis- realigned into only seven mission has since faced sioner David Crum, who districts. consequences of a projected defeated Eddie Yokley (D) Dabbs served the 8th $1.2 million deficit in that and Kenneth Lane (I) for District but had to run for budget, dwindling savings the mayoral seat. re-election in the 4th. that required borrowing Former County Mayor “I had my time, and I money to pay the bills, and Greeneville Light & Power System Alan Broyles served as enjoyed it. I wish the Coun- heavy debates surround- 423-636-6210 • TTD Equipped chairman of the commis- ty Commission the best of ing a proposed wheel tax sion, but chose not to run luck,” he said. “I wish the increase. www.glps.net for re-election. new mayor, the new sheriff, Then-Commissioner the new county clerk and 4 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com Utility District Employees Charged; Commissioners Hold Their Seats BY KRISTEN BUCKLES capacity of the river at ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR the time was sufficient to allow approval of only one Chuckey and Cross of the two requests.” Anchor utility districts’ The lawsuit alleges commissioners remain in that Carter had a per- their respective positions sonal interest in seeing following a decision by US Nitrogen succeed, the Tennessee Comptrol- although the suit never ler’s Utility Management defines that personal Review Board in Febru- interest. ary. As a result, Carter The state board allegedly “adopted a reviewed an ongoing saga strategy of making false that has lasted for more representations about the than a year regarding plaintiffs for the purpose allegations of theft and of convincing the boards mismanagement at the of the two utility districts utility districts. to fire Mrs. Jennings as The state review board general manager.” determined that commis- “Nearly all of these alle- sioners did not act in a gations [against the four manner that benefited former employees] are themselves during the completely false,” the law- mismanagement, allow- suit states. “The remain- ing them to maintain ing allegations are based their positions. on half-truths and distor- However, there have tions to such an extent been many changes over that those allegations the past year as a result gave a false impression.” of investigations by the The lawsuit goes on to comptroller, Tennessee detail 14 of those allega- Bureau of Investigation tions that Collins and and others. Jennings’ attorney, Jef- In November, workers frey Greene, of Franklin, from the Chuckey Util- Tenn., said were contained ity District moved into a in wthe letter Ellis sent to new office space, which is the Tennessee Comptroller directly across the West of the Treasury following Andrew Johnson High- SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY his preliminary findings. way from their former Chuckey Utility District President John Carter addresses the district’s board concerning details of the district’s On several allegations, location. split from Cross Anchor Utility District. the Collins’ and Jennings’ Chuckey decided to rebuttal is that they, in split ways with Cross resulted in the Chuckey their job descriptions and Anchor and move out of Utility District paying duties, did not even handle their joint location at the nearly $22,000 in back certain issues involved in board’s October meeting. pay to employees. some of the allegations Chuckey’s new address The TBI investigation — be it insurance or the is 415 Banks St., Suite 1. began Jan. 30, 2014, return of cosumer depos- Cross Anchor remains at according to TBI spokes- its. 800 W. Andrew Johnson man Josh Devine. As for the alleged pur- Highway. All charges for Collins chase of items on dis- Former general manag- and Jennings stem from trict credit cards that ers of both the Chuckey actions in 2012 and 2013 were reportedly not seen and Cross Anchor utility that took place without in the office, the lawsuit districts were arraigned the approval of either dis- notes all credit card cash in Greene County Crimi- trict’s boards, according receipts were “submitted nal Court in December. to the indictments. to the district’s controller Shirley Kidwell Collins, and subject to audit by 63, and her daughter, INDICTMENTS [Carter].” Kandie Collins Jennings, Jennings faces four The contract between 40, face multiple felony counts of official mis- Chuckey Utility District charges of official mis- conduct, two counts of and Shirley Collins is also conduct and theft. theft over $10,000 and among the detailed allega- The indictments allege two counts of theft over tions. that, combined, the two $1,000. “In fact, after being women stole approxi- According to the indict- approved by the [Chuckey mately $250,000 from ments, the official miscon- Utility District Board], the districts. duct charges stem from the contract was signed by Jennings is charged Jennings taking “advan- SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY the defendant Mr. Carter with four counts of offi- tage” of her capacity by: Cross Anchor Utility District President Lloyd Dawson advises the board to split from himself ... a fact which cial misconduct, two • giving Collins ben- their joint ventures with Chuckey Utility District, which the board later voted to do. he intentionally withheld counts of theft over efits totaling just under Also pictured are Kevin Morrison, left, and Office Manager Beth Fletcher, right. when publishing the alle- $10,000 and two counts $16,000 in district funds; gations to the boards of of theft over $1,000. • receiving about $3,000 computer for personal by Ellis in January 2014 ees responded in Octo- the utility districts and Collins is charged with in district funds “for vaca- use; and, included unauthorized ber with a lawsuit filed the Comptroller of the five counts of official tion time alleged to have • receiving an approxi- bonuses, unreliable or in Greene County Circuit Treasury.” misconduct, two counts been unused when the mately-valued $180,000 incomplete meeting min- Court against the Chuck- Another allegation of theft over $10,000, vacation time had been consulting contract from utes, unauthorized fuel ey Utility District, Carter addressed in the lawsuit and two counts of theft used”; Chuckey Utility District. purchases, missing records and Ellis. deals with the accuracy over $1,000. • allowing the purchase The indictments allege and unauthorized loans. Civil consipiracy, defa- and detail of the boards’ “During the course of with district funds of a that the theft charges After a lengthy audit, the mation, intentional inflic- minutes, which members the investigation, TBI computer for personal against Collins stem from comptroller also released tion of emotional distress, of both boards have indi- agents developed infor- use; and obtaining about $8,000, a number of findings in negligent infliction of cated may have been lack- mation that, while serv- • assisting her mother nearly $16,000 and about August. The summary of emotional distress, inva- ing at times. ing as managers of the in receiving an approxi- $45,000 in benefits from those findings included sion of privacy (false “The boards of the utili- utility, Jennings and mately-valued $180,000 Chuckey Utility District the following: light), breach of contract, ties have always known, Collins misused their consulting contract from and knowingly exercis- “Comptroller investiga- interference with contract and directed,” the lawsuit authority as employees Chuckey Utility District. ing control over the Apple tors found that Shirley and interference with at- states, “that the minutes of the districts and mis- The indictments allege MacBook. Collins received $25,056 will employment are all do not reflect all conver- managed funds,” accord- the theft charges against in bonuses that had not among the lawsuit’s alle- sations of the meetings, ing to a TBI release. Jennings stem from AUDIT FINDINGS been approved by the gations. which often include dis- Judge F. Dugger Jr. set knowingly assisting her Both utility district boards of commission- In the lawsuit, the Col- cussions of irrelevant and a Sept. 14, 2015, court mother with obtaining boards dismissed acting ers. In December 2012, linses and Jennings con- personal matters ... and, date for Collins and Jen- nearly $16,000 and about manager Kandie Jen- Kandie Jennings directed tend that the allegations for many years, most, if not nings. He set a deadline $45,000 in benefits from nings, her father, Willie performance bonuses and against them were the all, of the board minutes for Collins and Jennings Chuckey Utility District; Collins, and her husband, longevity bonuses be paid result of a “smear cam- from ... Chuckey Utility of Sept. 1 to decide if they obtaining about $3,000 Bill Jennings, after Cer- to her mother. Individu- paign” mounted by Carter District have been signed will accept a plea agree- worth of benefits from the tified Public Accountant al board members told in an attempt to see Kan- by ... Carter himself.” ment or go to trial. district for herself; and, David “Mickey” Ellis’ pre- investigators they did die Jennings fired as gen- The lawsuit goes on TBI special agents had knowingly exercising con- liminary audit findings not approve and were not eral manager because she to contend that the Col- arrested the former gen- trol over the computer, an released in October 2013 aware of the bonuses. was “pursuing an agenda linses and Jennings were eral managers of the util- Apple MacBook. indicated “questionable “Investigators also which was good for the informed of the findings ity districts in November Indictments against practices by the manage- discovered that former utility districts, but was on Oct. 2, 2013, and not following indictments Collins include five counts ment.” general manager Kandie in conflict with other given an opportunity to passed down by the of official misconduct, Chuckey Utility District Jennings spent $2,064 business interest of Mr. respond before Ellis sent Greene County Grand two counts of theft over also stopped payments on of district funds to pur- Carter unrelated to the the letter to the Comptrol- Jury. $10,000, and two counts a consulting contract with chase an Apple MacBook utility districts.” ler on Oct. 3, 2013. Both were booked and of theft over $1,000. Collins, who served as Pro and accessories for The lawsuit goes on The suit also claims released from the Greene According to the indict- manager of the two util- her personal benefit. to describe those “inter- that Carter’s “scheme was County Detention Cen- ments, the official miscon- ity districts from 1986 to “There are additional ests” as dealing with US to destroy the plaintiffs’ ter after each posted a duct charges stem from 2012. concerns surrounding a Nitrogen’s plan to with- reputations through the $50,000 bond, accord- Collins taking “advan- Board members said $182,334 consulting con- draw water from the Noli- publication of false allega- ing to a release from the tage” of her capacity by: that they were unaware tract between the Chuck- chuckey River. tions. TBI. • receiving nearly of the consulting contract, ey Utility District and According to the law- “The adverse public- Former 3rd Judicial $16,000 in district funds; which contained Board retired general manager suit, Jennings was “sup- itiy was also calculated District Attorney Gener- • receiving about $8,000 President John Carter’s Shirley Collins. Investi- porting and advancing a to destroy the plaintiffs’ al Berkeley Bell request- for vacation time “that signature but not the gators found inconsisten- water withdrawal appli- credibility and standing ed the TBI investigation, had yet to accrue”; board secretary’s. Board cies with the authoriza- cation on behalf of the in the community, making which took place in con- • receiving regular pay members said they had tion, interpretation and utility district, which, if it difficult, if not impos- junction with the comp- checks from the districts only agreed to pay Shirley initiation date of the con- granted, would have pre- sible for the plaintiffs troller’s investigation. when she did not report Collins’ health insurance tract.” vented ... US Nitrogen, to respond effectively to Another investigation, regularly to work; for a set period after her from being successful on the false allegations,” the by the Tennessee Depart- • allowing the purchase retirement. LAWSUIT its own competing appli- lawsuit states. ment of Labor (DOL), with district funds of a Final audit findings The four former employ- cation ... because the

G’ville BMA Loses Longtime Public Official, Gains New Member BY SARAH R. GREGORY June 2014 Greeneville Jones and write-in candi- tion Commission Office Alderman positions were a total of 407 complimen- STAFF WRITER Municipal Election. date Joseph “Hillbilly Joe” reported a total of 9,159 eli- not up for election, hav- tary votes from the town’s Brian N.F. Bragdon was Aldridge. gible voters in the 1st and ing been decided in 2013. two wards. For the first time in four elected to the 2nd Ward 2nd wards at the time. Those seats, currently held Dr. Craig Shepherd was years, Greeneville saw the alderman seat previously ONLY CONTESTED RACE In the 2nd Ward, Brag- by Buddy Hawk and Keith elected to an at-large seat election of a new member held by Bryan. Sarah E.T. The 2014 Greeneville don was the top vote-get- Paxton, will be on the bal- on the Greeneville City to the Board of Mayor and Webster was re-elected to Municipal Election had ter, earning 241 votes out lot in August, as the town’s Board of Education. Aldermen in 2014. the other 2nd Ward seat, only one contested race on of a total of 368 ballots cast elections were moved to Shepherd ran unopposed Darrell Bryan, who which she has held con- the ballot. in that ward. coincide with the Greene to fill a seat previously held served two two-year terms tinuously since 1990. Turnout was notably In the same ward, Web- County General Election. by Mike Hollowell, who did as a 2nd Ward alderman Bragdon and Webster low. ster received 191 votes. In the 2014 town elec- not seek re-election. and, previously, three two- were the top two vote-get- In all, only 566 ballots Jones finished with 169 tion, Greeneville Mayor Shepherd, who is a local year terms as the town’s ters on a ballot that includ- were cast in the town’s two votes. Four write-in votes W.T. Daniels was unop- mayor, did not seek re-elec- ed former Greene County wards. were tabulated. posed in his bid for a third PLEASE SEE OFFICIALS | 6 tion to the board in the Road Superintendent J.C. The Greene County Elec- The board’s two 1st Ward two-year term. He received www.greenevillesun.com Saturday, March 14, 2015 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION 5

GUIDE

Tennessee Farmers Choose these fi ne professionals Insurance Companies 195 Tusculum By-Pass for all your insurance needs! Greeneville, TN 37745 423.639.2305 • mobile 423.620.0184 Fax 423.639.8303 • www.fbitn.com

DEBBIE SHAW Wayne Hughes, LUTCF [email protected] INSURANCE AGENT Agent SHAW INSURANCE AGENCY [email protected] F: (423) 588-5249 1000 SNAPPS FERRY ROAD GREENEVILLE, TN 37745 OFFICE: 423.639.1522 FAX: 423.639.4122 AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BUSINESS ShelterInsurance.com/CMitchel Email: [email protected] McInturff, Milligan & Brooks, Inc. Lori A Call INSURANCE • BONDS • RISK MANAGE Personal Financial Representative SINCE 1910 Allstate Financial Services, LLC Providing Insurance and Financial Services Vice President 1141 Tusculum Blvd. Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Ben Brooks, Greeneville, TN 37745 Tommy G. Haun, Agent TOWNE SQUARE CENTER Office 423-787-1069 Licensed and Trained Staff P.O. BOX 1600 Fax 423-787-0784 1137 Tusculum Blvd., Greeneville, TN 37745 GREENEVILLE, TN 37744 Office Hours: 8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday [email protected] Business (423) 639-5721; Fax (423) 639-3373 OFFICE: (423) 639-5171 Securities offered through Allstate Financial Services, LLC (LSA Securities in LA and PA). FAX: Registered Broker - Dealer. Member FINRA, SIPC Like A Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There. (423) 639-7129 [email protected]

Doug Henard Agency Manager Greene County Farmers Mutual Greene County/Mosheim 2045 Main St. • Fire • Wind • Lightning • Hail 423-422-4530 Offi ce Liability Insurance for Your : 423-422-4946 Fax www.fbitn.com • Farm Machinery • Barn GREAT COVERAGE ✦ GREAT VALUE Doug Henard, LUTCF, CLU • Residence • Modular Home ChFC Community Insurance [email protected] 110 S. Main St. 638-3652 Auto • Home • Commercial • Life • Health

Jaron Snoeyenbos, Agent 1319 Tusculum Blvd. Suite 1 PEAKE INSURANCE AGENCY Greeneville, TN 37745-4236 DAVID B. PEAKE, Agent Bill Richards Carlene Stanton Bus. 423 787 0353 423-278-9022 423-278-9027 Auto • Home • Business • Life 913 TUSCULUM BLVD. GREENEVILLE, TN 37745 [email protected] agentjaron.com 423.638.1422 423-639-0288 • Fax 423-639-3806 NMLS MLO #919067, NMLS #139716, MLO License #SF-113420 1423B Tusculum Blvd., Greeneville, TN 37745 [email protected] • www.peakeinsurance.net Providing Insurance and Financial Services. www.greatci.com

West Greene Insurance & Tax Service Inc. Auto • Home • Life Our Service Is

Trey Youngblood - LUTCF The Difference! Agency Manager Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Greene-Greeneville Agency FOR ALL YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS 1431 W. Main Street Call Us for Fast Friendly Quotes! Greeneville, TN 37743-4523 2815 Newport Hwy Phone: 423-639-7212 Greeneville, TN 37743 Fax: 423-639-7215 www.westgreeneinsurance.com 423-638-2925 6 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com Officials Former Deputy Clerk Files $3.5M Lawsuit Alleging Harassment Starts on Page 4 Greene County, was not consensual” with coerced her into a sexual LAWSUIT CLAIMS the county’s response Thompson and that those relationship, discriminat- Burke never received states. dentist, received 463 Former Clerk deputy clerks “allege that ed against her and retali- an employee handbook Some emails exchanged complimentary votes. they were subjected to ated against her on the and did not have access between Burke and David Thompson unwelcomed conduct of a basis of her gender. to a sexual harassment Thompson were “unsolic- BRYAN OUT sexual nature in return The EEOC chose to policy and “was subject- ited” by Thompson, and Months before the Are Defendants for keeping their posi- dismiss the complaint in ed to unwelcome sexual the relationship contin- June election, Bryan tion.” September 2014, stating harassment which began ued after Burke’s employ- announced he would BY KRISTEN BUCKLES in mid-to-late 2008,” her ment with the county not seek a third term as ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR complaint alleges. ended, the response 2nd Ward Alderman. According to the suit, states. In a February 2014 One year after David Thompson’s sexual Regarding the testi- interview, he cited fam- Thompson resigned from demands took place in monies of the unnamed ily considerations as the his position as Greene his office, where he had three deputy clerks who basis for his decision. County Clerk, a $3.5 mil- allegedly installed cam- said their sexual rela- Bryan explained that lion lawsuit is pending eras to see the activity in tionships with Thomp- none of his children in U.S. District Court hallways and outside his son were not consensual, and grandchildren live against both Thompson doorway to prevent being the response states that in Greene County, and and Greene County. caught, or over Burke’s “Greene County has been that he and his wife Former Deputy Clerk home webcam while she provided evidence that sought to spend addi- Michelle Burke filed the was at lunch. refutes that assertion tional time traveling to suit alleging that Thomp- As a single mother, as to each of the three see them. son subjected her to a Burke needed the income females.” Upon his departure “steady stream of unwel- and benefits provided by It does not offer any from the board, offi- come, uninvited, illegal, her job and was unable to details on where or how cials at Greeneville unlawful and egregious find another equivalent the county would have Town Hall credited sexual harassment, job due to the high unem- uncovered such evidence. him with ushering in over years during [her] ployment rate in Greene a number of financial employment, designed County, according to the STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS improvements within to intentionally inflict suit. Additionally, Woolsey the town. emotional distress upon Burke “was forced to says that all claims are Bryan served as [her].” resign or constructively barred by the applicable chairman of the town’s The lawsuit alleges that and/or wrongfully dis- statutes of limitations Budget and Finance Burke suffered “unlaw- charged” on Aug. 24, and that the amount sued Committee, and per- ful employment discrimi- 2012, the lawsuit says. for “far exceeds the statu- sonally reviewed all nation, ‘quid pro quo’ Earlier that month, tory cap.” payments made from harassment and sexual Burke attempted to meet Thompson “may be the Town Recorder’s harassment, [a] hostile SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY with Woolsey to “relate liable” for Burke’s com- office. work environment, sex Former County Clerk David Thompson agreed to leave ... what David Thompson plaints, according to Prior to his three discrimination, inten- office following an ouster suit in 2014. had been doing to her in the suit, which further mayoral terms, from tional infliction of emo- exchange for her keep- claims that the Greene 2002 to 2008, and two tional distress and retal- ing her job,” but Wool- County government is terms as alderman, iatory discharge.” sey “never responded “vicariously liable” for all from 2010 to 2014, Thompson “may be “This is just another chapter — and hope- to” or set up a meeting the complaints. Bryan was already a liable” for Burke’s com- with Burke, the lawsuit well-known public fig- plaints, according to fully the final chapter — in the saga in alleges. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY ure. the suit, which further Along with the $3.5 Burke, 40, was He previously owned claims that Greene Coun- which I can finally prove that I did not sexu- million in damages, the employed as a Greene and managed local ty government is “vicari- suit asks Greene County County deputy clerk from radio station WSMG, ously liable” for all the ally harass Ms. Burke.” to develop a comprehen- February 2005 to August and served as a direc- complaints. sive handbook and train 2012. Thompson served tor of the Niswonger The lawsuit was filed David Thompson supervisors and employ- as county clerk from Sep- Performing Arts Cen- Dec. 22, 2014. Former County Clerk ees regarding its con- tember 2006 until he ter. “I have no comment tent. resigned from the office At one time, he other than to say that In the county’s response that the agency was not Burke further seeks in the middle of running served as president of we’ve known about this Woolsey denies that able to conclude that the all wages, front and back for re-election in March the Greeneville-Greene since it was filed on Dec. Burke is entitled to any law had been violated. pay, benefits and other 2014 to avoid an ouster County Area Chamber 22,” Thompson said in an relief, saying that her But EEOC documents compensation or to be suit. of Commerce and was interview. “This is just complaint “fails to state included a clause saying reinstated as a county His wife, Becky Thomp- a member of numerous another chapter — and a claim upon which relief the dismissal does not employee. son, ran as an Indepen- local boards, includ- hopefully the final chap- can be granted against certify that the law had dent candidate for the ing the Greene County ter — in the saga in Greene County” under not been violated. EVIDENCE ALLEGED office, but was unsuc- YMCA, Boys & Girls which I can finally prove federal or state common That dismissal also In the county’s cessful in her bid against Club of Greeneville that I did not sexually law. declared that Burke had response, Woolsey refers Republican candidate & Greene County harass Ms. Burke.” “In order for Ms. Burke a right to sue, setting to the relationship as Lori Bryant. and Main Street: Attorney Thomas J. to be a victim of sexual deadlines under which “improper.” He says it That ouster suit was Greeneville Inc. Garland Jr., of Milligan harassment, there must she should do so depen- was also consensual, filed by attorney Suzanne In an interview & Coleman PLLP, and be evidence that she was dent on the type of suit. based on evidence that Cook, who was acting before his last meet- County Attorney Roger subjected to a hostile Burke’s attorney, San- he says includes emails as county attorney after ing with the Board of Woolsey are both repre- work environment that dra Lee Stanbery-Foster, and videos allegedly sent Woolsey recused himself Mayor and Aldermen senting the county and was ‘unwelcome,’” the of Greeneville, expressed by Burke to Thompson in from the case. in June 2014, Bryan Thompson. response states. “The evi- her disappointment with which Burke was engaged The ouster suit alleged said he had not com- Nearly a month after dence provided to Greene the EEOC. in sex acts. theft, misconduct, sexual pletely ruled out a the lawsuit’s filing, Wool- County shows that Ms. “I regret that it’s taken Other evidence, the relationships with employ- future return to poli- sey answered, contend- Burke welcomed her rela- so long to get to federal county’s response states, ees, falsified timesheets tics. ing that the alleged rela- tionship with Mr. Thomp- court,” she said. “I had includes alleged conver- and the existence of an tionship between former son.” asked for a right-to-sue sations between Burke unaccounted-for fund of BRAGDON IN Deputy County Clerk letter, but the EEOC had and other employees of taxpayer money. In June 2014, Brag- Michelle Miller Burke EEOC assured Mr. Woolsey and the office concerning par- Burke, whose name was don was successful in and former County Clerk Burke originally filed I both that they were ticipation in a website to Michelle Miller during his third bid for a 2nd David Thompson was a complaint with the fed- coming to Greeneville to find partners for “casual her time as deputy clerk, Ward Alderman seat. consensual. eral Equal Employment do a full investigation. sex.” ran for the office against He finished a close The response acknowl- Opportunity Commission “That never occurred,” “The relationship start- Thompson in 2006. She third in vying for one edges that “three deputy in the summer of 2013 she added. “The EEOC ed by Ms. Burke showing was defeated in the Dem- of two seats in both clerks have testified that alleg ing many of the same did not live up to their Mr. Thompson photos of ocratic Party primary by the 2010 and 2012 they had a relationship complaints, including a word to either of us.” herself on her phone — Tim Armstrong. Greeneville Municipal of a sexual nature that claim that Thompson had naked and scantily clad,” elections. After finishing in 2014 as the top vote- getter, Bragdon, then 51, became the first Greene County Detention Center Celebrates Re-Certification openly-gay mem- ber to serve on the Greeneville Board of BY EMILY R. WEST certification in 2013 under paid it out of my own got, and we are there.” tion, the jail received Mayor and Alderman. STAFF WRITER a “plan of action” with pocket,” said Roger Wil- A TCI re-inspection comments about the fre- He cited his previous the TCI that required lett, jail administrator. of the detention center quency of fire drills, visi- two defeats as learn- Renovations at the the County Commission Willett, who had previ- showed the inmate popu- bility of evacuation plans ing opportunities that Greene County Work- Workhouse Committee ously been a corrections lation at 176 people on and certain paperwork. propelled him to his house have made for a to send monthly reports officer with the rank of Sept. 26. The average A number of comments 2014 win. more permanent arrange- to the state indicating lieutenant at the deten- daily population prior to from the summer inspec- He is the longtime ment for both male and progress in resolving the tion center, became jail that date was 236. tion noted areas that general transportation female inmates as the overcrowding. administrator when Han- The TCI’s annual sur- needed more extensive manager for Wal-Mart primary solution to over- “When I went into kins took office Sept. 1. prise inspection on July cleaning. The inspection Logistics in Midway. crowding issues at the office Sept. 1, we had a “It’s been a big help in 30 had showed that day’s report also recommend- Prior to his election, Greene County Detention problem, a big problem,” controlling any flow of population to be 223, ed a “shakedown of the Bragdon was already Center. Hankins said before the contraband we once had,” with a daily average of facility to remove excess active locally, having With freshly painted TCI board in December. Willett said. 227 up to that point. The contraband, strings and served on boards for walls and new bath- “At that time changes In addition to the glass, certified capacity is 158 trash. While completing the Greene County room utilities, life in the started, and it was like the project allowed the inmates. the shakedown, a deep Partnership, Laughlin county’s detention center a rollercoaster. We have workhouse to become The only overcrowding cleaning needs to be Healthcare Founda- evolved throughout the made big effort, and with more sound proof, which issues the re-inspection done as well, with special tion and others. year. the help of this board, we has created a calmer report mentioned were for attention to the ceiling Bragdon is an honor In 2014 the Tennes- have made the changes.” environment, according female inmates. Female vents and returns.” graduate of Greeneville see Corrections Insti- Starting in 2015, the to Willett. inmates numbered 65 on The inspector also High School, and tute voted unanimously Workhouse Committee “You have to under- July 30 and 52 on Sept. made comments about earned his Bachelor to reinstate the deten- has no longer had to send stand you are surrounded 26. the security of prisoners, of Science degree in tion center’s certifica- monthly reports. by 180 inmates right now, The TCI report said 158 calling for more frequent Industrial Engineer- tion after newly elected Hankins said all the and you hardly hear any- male prisoners were in checks. ing, with honors, from Sheriff Pat Hankins was administration has to do thing,” Willett said. “You the jail on July 30. That “Security checks in the University of Ten- able to make changes to now is keep the deten- let chaos run, and it’s number dropped to 124 the male pod areas were nessee. reduce overcrowding. tion center and work- hard to get it back under by the Sept. 26 report. up to 12 hours between He completed a four- The Tennessee Cor- house certified, which control. We are holding Hankins and Willett also checks,” the report stat- y e a r U . S . A r m y R e s e r v e rections Institute deter- they hope will be easier them to a high standard, shifted 36 male inmates ed. “The security checks Officer Training Corps mines whether a local jail now that the workhouse and we are going to keep to the workhouse. in the female pod areas scholarship and was a will become “certified,” has more space for female this place clean.” The workhouse inmate varied from 4 to 17 hours distinguished military which means meeting the inmates. population stood at 140 between checks. Suicide graduate. minimum standards for The Greene County SHIFTING AROUND on the July 30 inspec- watch logs are not in He also served five human rights. Sheriff’s Department Hankins doesn’t think tion, with a daily average compliance with facility years as captain in the In 2011, the detention went under budget with everything would have of 157. policy and procedure or U.S. Army Ordnance center received that year’s its $8,000 renovation turned out so well if the On Sept. 26 the work- medical protocol.” Corps. certification under proba- project, using inmate county commission had house population jumped The inspection of the During the cam- tionary terms because of labor and no outside decided to build a new to 176, with an average workhouse was similar paign and in an elec- its overcrowding. help, Hankins said. New jail, which he was ada- of 148. in regard to comments tion-night interview, In 2012, after the situa- tinted windows enclose mant about not want- The certified capacity related to maintenance Bragdon emphasized tion had not changed, the the inmate pods, so law ing during his election of the workhouse is 276. of paperwork, sanitation the town’s budget as state pulled the center’s enforcement can see in, campaign. He said living and security checks. being a primary issue, certification for the year. but prisoners can no lon- conditions have improved OTHER ISSUES RESOLVED All those problems have and said he sought to As a result, the county ger see out. The tinted since moving inmates The TCI re-inspection been fixed, the new TCI find more opportuni- faced several lawsuits glass ended up costing around and renovating on Sept. 26 noted that inspector reported in ties for open, public from inmates who alleged the department around the existing infrastruc- the Sheriff’s Department September. meetings and town that the conditions inside $700. ture at the workhouse. had changed several hall-style forums. the facility violated their “If I had known this “We didn’t want a new other findings from the rights. would have been this jail,” Hankins said. “We July 30 inspection. PLEASE SEE JAIL | 7 The county regained affective, I would have wanted to run what we In the earlier inspec- www.greenevillesun.com Saturday, March 14, 2015 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION 7 Safety Concerns Renewed About Bridge Burners Jail State Legislators Starts on Page 6 Have Met With OTHER IMPROVEMENTS Two military-grade TDOT Officials freezers now sit behind the workhouse, About Further creating more space for storing vegetables Safety Upgrades from the inmate gar- den. “We ran out of plac- BY O.J. EARLY es to store them this STAFF WRITER year,” Hankins said. “Every freezer was One of the county’s most full of veggies, and we dangerous intersections want to keep enough remained in the news in to feed the inmates 2014. year-round, which we A couple of Greene haven’t been able to County’s legislators took do.” notice of renewed safety The two freez- concerns at the intersec- ers were delivered tion of Bridge Burners in January with the Boulevard and U.S. 11E, help of G&W Hauling a site in western Greene and Rigging, which County not far from transported them Interstate 81. from Gulfport, Miss. State Rep. David Hawk, Wesley Holt, a depart- R-5th, of Greeneville, and ment lieutenant, said state Sen. Steve South- he hunts for free mili- erland, R-1st, of Mor- tary equipment that ristown, met with Ten- the county could use nessee Department of on a daily basis. Transportation officials “The military is in mid-January about always giving away more safety upgrades at surplus equipment it the site. SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY won’t use,” Holt said. The two lawmakers Emergency personnel surround the scene of a December crash at Bridge Burners Boulevard and U.S. Highway 11E. “We’ve been looking joined Town of Mosheim The yellow markers in the foreground were put in place in 2014 as part of a wide range of safety upgrades at the for refrigerated con- officials in re-establish- deadly intersection. tainers for the work- ing their concerns about house. So these came the intersection after “At this point, the for additional innovative major access point from nears completion. It is available at the naval three crashes at the loca- response from [TDOT] safety ideas to continue U.S. 11E and Interstate currently scheduled to go yard. I put in for them, tion since TDOT imple- is that they will look at Tennessee’s downward 81 for several industries, into operation by spring and we got them.” mented a number of more safety improve- trend of reducing fatali- including the Wal-Mart of this year. The freezers cost the upgrades in July 2014. ments at the intersec- ties statewide,” Nagi Regional Distribution “We are concerned,” county $1,650 to trans- A December crash was tion,” Hawk said. “There said. Center. Southerland told the port to Greeneville. serious — a Tennessee is nothing definitive at Among the improve- An estimated 300 to newspaper. “We will lis- “Now, I just hope Highway Patrol report this time.” ments completed by the 500 trucks daily enter ten to all ideas and try that we can raise said that the driver of In early 2015, TDOT state in 2014: The instal- and exit at the inter- to come up with a good enough food from one a tractor-trailer pulled spokesman Mark Nagi lation of eight advance section, according to a solution.” growing season to the out in front of a car. The gave the newspaper no truck-warning signs, recent TDOT study. Three people, includ- next,” Hankins said. driver of the car suffered specifics about future reflective striping and Those figures will like- ing an infant, have died “I am glad we have a broken neck, and the potential safety upgrades two flashing advanced ly increase as the US in vehicle accidents at the place to better passenger a detached at the intersection. warning signs. Nitrogen plant, located the intersection since store it.” retina. “We are always looking The intersection is a on Pottertown Road, 2011. Local Law Enforcement Faces Considerable Shake-Up In 2014

BY KEN LITTLE supervisory positions at the county courthouse rections Institute voted problem, a big problem,” Roger Willett, a vet- STAFF WRITER the police department, were all issued Tasers in unanimously to rein- Hankins said before the eran corrections officer but he said there were January. state the certification TCI board in December. who was a lieutenant The Greene County enough qualified officers Taser is a brand name of the county jail and “At that time changes at the Greene Coun- Sheriff’s Department and to fill the open positions. for a stun gun-like device workhouse. (Please see started, and it was like ty Detention Center, the Greeneville Police The fact that Crum and that uses propelled wires related article, Page a rollercoaster. We have became jail administra- Department experienced Hankins were elected to or direct contact to elec- 6.) made big effort, and with tor when Hankins took major command struc- important leadership trically stun and tempo- “When I went into the help of this board, we office. ture changes in 2014. positions in the county rarily incapacitate a per- office Sept. 1, we had a have made the changes.” The sheriff’s depart- speaks to the talent with- son. ment is now led by two for- in the department, Can- It’s been used fre- mer veteran Greeneville non said. quently in situations Police Department detec- “They’ll both do great with unruly individuals tives. at their jobs. I think it by the Greeneville Police Mosheim Welcomes Pat Hankins defeated just shows the caliber of Department. As a GPD longtime incumbent coun- our people in the police detective before being ty Sheriff Steve Burns in department,” Cannon elected county sheriff the August 2014 general said. “The only thing last year, Hankins saw election. Hankins named about it is, it creates holes first-hand the benefits Business & Industry Ray Allen Jr. as chief over here." provided to officers. deputy soon after taking But, Cannon added, Issuing Tasers to depu- office for a four-year term “We have people we are ties was one of Hankins’ as sheriff. confident can step into first stated goals upon In Mosheim we’re ready to assist, develop and grow with David Crum, who their shoes.” becoming sheriff. served as detective cap- Timothy Davis, a “We’ve just had fantas- Greeneville, Greene County and our industrial prospects tain at the Greeneville Greeneville police offi- tic results out of them,” and their projects. Infrastructure is readily available and Police Department, was cer who was previously he said in January. elected last August to the supervisor of the 3rd Deputies agree, saying includes water, sewer, gas, and electrical. Mosheim is a Greene County mayor Judicial District Drug Tasers offer a less lethal position following the Task Force, was named option to subdue poten- progressive community that is growing and a desirable retirement of Alan Bro- detective captain of tially violent individuals. location for families and new industries to locate. yles. the Greeneville Police Hankins has also taken Department in August steps to bring extra rev- QUALIFIED OFFICERS 2014. Other recently enue into county coffers Come out! Look us over! Chief Terry Cannon appointed Greeneville by selling off surplus and Assistant Chief Craig police detectives include or seized vehicles, and Fillers remain in place Stacey Hobbs, Jeffrey stepping up enforcement at the Greeneville Police Sowers and David White. of traffic laws, such as Join us in our future growth and progress. Department, but the loss “They stepped right in speeding and the seat of Crum, Hankins and and hit the ground run- belt law. Allen created openings in ning. They’re doing a The latter action also the GPD Detective Divi- great job,” Fillers said in has a public safety com- sion that have gradually February. ponent. been filled from the ranks About 10 new offi- of qualified officers in the cers have joined the JAIL POLICIES department. Greeneville Police Hankins has also Crum became Detec- Department in the last revised policies at the tive Division captain ear- two years. Greene County Work- lier in 2014 following the house at the Greene retirement of Capt. Beth SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT County Detention Center, Thomas L. Gregg, Jr. Tom Carpenter David Myers Dave Long Harold Smith Dyke. He formally became As county sheriff, Han- and reduced overcrowd- MAYOR ALDERMAN ALDERMAN ALDERMAN ALDERMAN county mayor on Sept. 1, kins had a vision for the ing. the same day Hankins department. Both male and female took over the reins at the There have been vari- inmates now have space More and more people and Greene County Sheriff’s ous changes in policies in the workhouse, part of Department. since Hankins became which was remodeled. A businesses are choosing to Cannon said after the sheriff. measure of the improve- county elections last Road deputies, correc- ments made by Hankins locate in Mosheim. August that there would tions officers and depu- came in December 2014, be some new faces in ties working security at when the Tennessee Cor-

Town of Mosheim 8 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com Greene County- Greeneville EMS Flounders After Budget Cuts

BY EMILY R. WEST — likely as many as STAFF WRITER four or five. For some of those Greene County- who had voted for Greeneville Emergency and encouraged a tax Medical Services has increase instead of the been under levels of cut, it became an ‘I told distress this past year you so’ moment. with a mix of budget County Commis- cuts and turmoil over sioner Robin Quillen the loss of revenue that repeatedly questioned has yet to reach a con- if the funding could be clusion. restored. A battle to reinstate Long-time commis- services ensued once sioner Hilton Seay said the commission cut he has never heard SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY around $200,000 from complaints about EMS. County Mayor David Crum, right, calls on the Greene County Commission to vote on a budget recommenda- the EMS budget for He was straightforward tion. County Commissioners Zak Neas, left, and Ted Hensley listen. this fiscal year, caus- in saying that the com- ing six employees to mission should have quit and the service voted for a tax increase to reduce the number instead of taking those Greene County Budget Arrives of ambulances on the funds. road. The County Com- “Why the devil didn’t mission had requested we fund it, folks?” Seay that EMS cut their asked. expenses to help the Others were just as Late; Host Of Problems Follow county save money straightforward. instead of raising taxes “If you’d raised the BY EMILY R. WEST 1 deadline, the new Coun- county’s fund balance this for the county and will to balance the 2014-15 taxes, you wouldn’t have STAFF WRITER ty Commission passed a year was made worse in be divided four differ- fiscal budget. this problem. You ain’t budget 14-6 that included November, when the Bud- ent ways: $340,000 will The Greene County- got nobody to blame but The Greene County $1.2 million more in bud- get & Finance Committee go to debt service pay- Greeneville Emergency yourselves,” Commis- Commission that served geted expenditures than in had to borrow $1 million ments, along with around Medical Services Board sioner James “Buddy” from 2010-14 struggled anticipated revenues. just to be able to make $200,000 to the volunteer also decided to reduce Randalph said. well past its original dead- The final form of the payroll. fire departments. Capi- hours for the only EMS A heated debate con- line to pass a budget for budget, which included no The money has to be tal funding would receive first responder in the tinued. the 2014-15 fiscal year, but tax increases, came as a paid back by end of the fis- around $136,000 in new South Greene portion During the debate, that struggle ended with- recommendation from the cal year to Capital Bank, allocations. The remain- of the county. EMS employees also out success. Budget & Finance Com- which loaned the county ing $1.02 million would go According to Robert said that they had been A commission full of new mittee. the money at less than 2 to the General Fund. Sayne, the now-retired told not to come to pub- faces, elected in August To help bring the new percent interest. EMS director, the South lic county commission to serve for the next four budget into balance, as Nathan Holt, county DEBT SERVICE Greene first respond- and committee meet- years, was therefore left to required by state law, the trustee, informed the Greene County’s finan- er unit went into ser- ings. set the new budget after committee formulated County Commission in cial adviser spoke with the vice in the community Sayne said that for- a majority of members of $650,000 in cuts. February that he thought Budget & Finance Com- around 2000 because of mer County Mayor Alan the outgoing commission Cuts included a reduc- it would be best to retire mittee during a meeting previous long response Broyles told him to tell couldn’t nail down a bal- tion in the hours that con- the note sooner rather than at the beginning of this times. Unlike other his employees they anced budget before leav- venience centers are open, later. year concerning the coun- parts of the county, should not attend, or if ing office Aug. 31, 2014. which also resulted in ty’s approximately $35 South Greene doesn’t they did, they should The new commission- the county’s terminating REGENERATING THE FUND million debt. have a municipality in not be in uniform. ers had to adopt a budget 16 part-time Solid Waste BALANCE All of the debt the coun- the community, which “The mayor is my by Sept. 30, or the county employees, according to In order to replentish the ty carries will be retired diverts more of the boss,” Sayne said. schools could have been Interim Solid Waste Direc- fund balance, the County in 2026 after all payments operating expense on “What the mayor tells delayed in receiving cru- tor Tim Armstrong. Commission sought a solu- on bonds are made and if the EMS budget to pay me to do is what I’m cial state school funding. Many additional cuts tion. To do that, a wheel no additional bonds are for the service. going to do.” Property tax notices also came from new employees tax increase was heav- added. “We just had to do Finally, the commis- needed to be ready for taking smaller insurance ily debated and discussed According to Richard something because the sion voted 16-3 against mailing on Oct. 15. policies than their prede- among the commissioners, Dulaney, of Nashville, the county commission changing the person- The delay in setting the cessors and from eliminat- along with a new $12.50 adviser from Raymond needs the cut,” Sayne nel policy, bouncing the budget, including the tax ing some open positions. litigation tax. James, the county’s debt is said. “When the county decision back to Sayne rate, delayed the necessary Commissioners had to In a December County comparable with the debt got short of money, I to find the necessary preparation for those mail- vote on two one-year-only Commission meeting, com- of neighboring counties did what I felt I needed cuts elsewhere, which ings. budget cuts as separate missioners battled over such as Cocke and Unicoi. to do to help the county in the end happened Even after the budget resolutions. what the amount of a wheel Dulaney said that most balance the budget as to be services to South was set in late September, The cuts included tax increase should be if of the county’s bonds are much as possible. I don’t Greene. the county experienced $141,000 from the Sher- one was to be adopted. for road construction, feel like EMS should cash flow problems and iff’s Department and a The first wheel tax reso- energy conservation and be punished because RESTORING FUNDING? had to borrow $1 million to planned $31,000 transfer lution discussed proposed the school system, dealing the county commission The county commis- meet payroll. from anticipated proceeds an increase of $50 per with bus purchases and failed to make their sion has yet to reinstate In August and Septem- of the hotel/motel tax that vehicle, which would have construction. budget.” the $200,000 cut despite ber these challenges were would have normally ben- raised the tax to $70. All of the interest rates efforts to get the money heavy on the mind of new efited the Education Debt Including state fees for are fixed, which means OUTCOME FOR EMPLOYEES back for the EMS bud- Greene County Mayor Service Fund, out of which tags and registering a vehi- none of them can change Originally, Sayne pre- get. As a result, Sayne David Crum, who had sev- the county pays education- cle, car owners would have throughout the course of sented a $220,000 cut and the board said they eral meetings with outgo- related debt. paid $96 per vehicle to reg- payment. to the EMS budget in had to cut services. ing Mayor Alan Broyles ister their car in the county “The county’s inter- fall 2014, but such a In February, a resolu- to prepare for taking the COUNTY SAVINGS ACCOUNT under that proposal. est rates are very low,” cut would have changed tion sponsored by Com- office. Based on the new budget, According to County Dulaney said. “It’s a good employees’ benefits, missioners John Waddle Crum also met with by June 30, 2015, the coun- Clerk Lori Bryant, the program as far as the debt reducing the rate at and Gerald Miller would numerous county depart- ty could have as little as county currently has service goes.” which they earn vaca- have allowed for the ment heads. $2.1 million left in savings. around 68,000 registered tion and eliminating funding to go back into “Paul talked about [in And, unless revenue col- vehicles. CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE overtime earnings dur- the EMS budget. the New Testament] run- lections improve this year, “It’s a leap,” Crum said. But some commissioners ing vacation. Waddle argued during ning the race and striving the deficit will remain at “We need to get the Gener- on the committee were con- County Attorney a special-called meeting to the end,” Crum said at least the same, about $1.4 al Fund into a more sound cerned with what would Roger Woolsey advised of the EMS board in Feb- the time. million. financial condition. We happen if the county was the commission that it ruary that EMS was the “That’s what this is. We’ve Crum explained these can’t keep balancing our to ever borrow money in must also approve the only service that made got to get some things done troubles in a letter he sent budget out of savings.” the future. change to the person- its revenues back, even quickly. We’ve got to get the county’s delegation to But the $50 tax increase The county’s credit rat- nel policy in the depart- though it is one of the a budget. But then we’ve the Tennessee General amount was too much for ing sits at A1, which is ment’s employee policy largest funded budgets got to look at the next four Assembly when he was many of the commission- not a bad rating, Dulaney manual. for the county. He said years to improve and move lobbying them to sponsor ers. said, but it’s not a rating of However, more than other fee offices don’t forward for the county.” a private act for a proposed A wheel tax increase of AAA, which is the best. a dozen off-duty EMS make nearly the money Greene County wheel tax $35 was, however, approved Butch Patterson, 7th employees attended back that the county ROUNDS OF VOTES increase. by the commission by District commissioner, the county commission gives them to operate Normally, the 21-member Two of the three leg- the required two-thirds’ said that the county has to meeting during which and provide services. County Commission elect- islators have, however, majority on first reading in look into the future since the personnel policy Several members ed to serve from 2010-2014 declined to sponsor such December and on second it is struggling financially was under consideration argued for and against would have set a budget by a private act, thus closing reading in January. and has a lagging cash in order to object to the reallocating the money July 1, 2014, the beginning the door to the possibility The measure passed flow problem. change. Speaking as with no clear conclu- of the new fiscal year. of enacting the proposed 17-3, with Commissioners He noted that the bulk the group’s representa- sion reached. Commis- However, the Budget & wheel tax increase through Eddie Jennings, Ted Hens- of the county’s infrastruc- tive, Paramedic Nathan sioners Butch Patterson Finance Committee of that legislation. ley and Tim Shelton voting ture is old, and questioned Smith, who has worked and Robin Quillen said commission said that rev- Crum’s letter explained against it. what would happen if for the department for a that there shouldn’t be a enue estimates and year- the financial dilemma he Some Greene County cit- the county needed a new decade, pleaded with the price tag on saving resi- end closings were not yet sees the county facing. izens, however, have pro- building. commission to restore dents in the county. clear enough to formulate “The Comptroller sug- tested the idea of raising “We’ve only built one the vacation hours in “To me, EMS is just their recommendation. gested that the county the wheel tax. school in 40 years,” Patter- October. like the sheriff’s or fire Broyles therefore can- needed $4,000,000 in Around 200 pages of son said. “And by taking “The amount we department,” Patter- celed the commission’s reserves at the end of the signatures were filed with that approach, the perfect were asked to give up son said. “It’s an emer- scheduled July meeting, fiscal year,” Crum stated the Greene County Elec- storm will keep coming, was much more than gency service, and our but urged commissioners in his letter. “For the fis- tion Commission in Feb- because sooner or later, we has been expressed,” citizens deserve it. We to appear at the August cal year ending June 2015, ruary calling for a peti- have to fix it and all of he said, describing the keep talking about get- meeting prepared to set a we will have an estimated tion to take the proposed those other buildings. vacation policy as one ting revenue back on the budget. $2,100,000.” increase to a countywide “We couldn’t fix it now of the only benefits ambulance service. But The commission began To heap on even more referendum. unless those other revenue that help weigh against we don’t get the revenue that meeting with a Bud- troubles, the Debt Service As of presstime for this streams are determined.” lower wages than those back from the depart- get and Finance Commit- Fund, out of which the section, it was still unde- Dulaney acknowledged offered at other area ments that protect our tee recommendation of a county pays on all non- termined if the number of that the county would EMS agencies. homes.” different set of cuts paired education debts, could be signatures gathered would find it potentially difficult The commission faced with an 11-cent property about $360,000 out of bal- be sufficient to take the to borrow money in the a decision: approve the AUDIT FINDINGS tax increase. ance next year as well. issue to a referendum. future. He suggested ways policy change and risk Greene County called But no budget was It would take nearly a 15- “I don’t think anyone is it could raise its credit rat- seeing employees quit, in an outside agency to adopted, and the incum- cent property tax increase happy,” Crum said. “But ing. or refuse to approve the study how Greeneville bent commission came to to cover budget shortfalls, if I want services, who “One way to get it up change and leave Sayne and the county conduct the end of its term on Aug. which would equal another do I expect to pay for it? would be a higher fund to find somewhere else emergency medical ser- 31 with no 2014-15 budget $37.50 in property taxes Myself. The purpose of balance,” Dulaney said. to make the $220,000 vices during a meeting in place. for a property appraised at government is to share “You could also use higher in cuts. in mid-October. $100,000 and assessed at the cost.” interest rates in the future The EMS director Greene County Mayor A PASSED BUDGET $25,000. If the wheel tax increase and pay the money you told the commission David Crum asked the At the end of September, The problem of having stays in place, it should borrow back at a quicker that he would be forced four days before the Oct. relatively little left in the generate $1.7 million rate.” to lay off employees to make up the difference PLEASE SEE EMS | 10 www.greenevillesun.com Saturday, March 14, 2015 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION 9

ary commission meeting Collins and Quillen, said that he was uncertain that there is value in hav- EMS when they would receive ing expert opinions. Starts on Page 8 anything. They, along with Crum, He said he received an asked that Hensley email from CTAS asking delay such action until County Technical Assis- for more information, but CTAS has returned their tance Service, an exten- that’s some of the only report. sion of the University of contact he’s had with the As a result, Hensley Tennessee that offers agency since the original withdrew his resolution. consulting services to request. local governments, to con- THE ACHING CONCERN duct an audit of Greene ATTEMPTS TO STRIP EMS The real problem for County-Greeneville EMS, BOARD OF RIGHTS the bulk of the commis- including management, A resolution by Com- sion revolved around not employees, regulation and missioner Ted Hensley in knowing enough of the oversight. October tried to rescind facts about the county’s The Greene County the EMS board’s author- finances in regard to Commission was torn on ity to make final decisions EMS. the topic, with commis- about service operations. Commissioner Neas sioners either berating His resolution emerged brought up in the Febru- or defending the depart- after the EMS Board took ary commission meeting ment. action to bar other ambu- that none of the commis- A large issue revolved lance services from oper- sion has evaluated how around employee hours, ating in the county with- much surplus money benefits and pay, and con- out direct approval from EMS has made since six fidence in Sayne, along Sayne for each call the employees quit and fuel with the EMS Board. outside service runs. prices went down. Commissioner Eddie While the EMS Board “It disturbs me to death Jennings urged a vote may not make final deci- that we haven’t looked by the commission that sions regarding expendi- at the books,” Neas said. would call for Sayne’s res- tures, the county commis- “When we have problems, ignation. sion in the early 1990s we need to fix those prob- Although Commissioner gave the board authority lems right now. But we let SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY Zak Neas seconded the to oversee ambulance ser- it go on and build up. Who Now-retired Greene County-Greeneville Emergency Medical Services Director motion, no votes were ever vices in the county and knows where we are at? Robert Sayne addresses the Greene County Commission last fall about proposed cast. Instead, after a long oversight of Greene Coun- You couldn’t run a busi- budget cuts. debate in which near- ty-Greeneville EMS. ness acting the way we ly every commissioner Both the Greeneville are.” that we were going to quick decision of County “What I’ve learned in weighed in, Commissioner and Greene County may- While the commission wait on CTAS,” Commis- Mayor David Crum and life is that stuff like this Dale Tucker finally called ors serve on the board, wants those services back sioner Brad Peters said. Greeneville Mayor W.T. don’t come around often,” to table the motion. as do an alderman and in South Greene, most “So that’s what I will keep Daniels to choose Tommy Sayne said. “You have That passed overwhelm- county commissioners, don’t want to make the voting to do when resolu- Crowder as the interim to jump at opportunities ingly, 16-2, with only Jen- administrators from local decision without concrete tions for more money to go director at the beginning whenever they come. I nings and Commissioner hospitals, the director of numbers showing that it’s back in their budget keep of March. didn’t blink an eye when Lyle Parton opposed. the Health Department possible to maintain. And happening.” Sayne served as direc- I moved to Greene Coun- The commission and and the EMS director. without the study from tor for 15 years, and said ty or when I came direc- EMS have waited for Hensley wanted the CTAS, most feel uncom- SAYNE RETIRES that it was time for him tor, because I knew these months to see the results board’s authority revoked, fortable with giving them Sayne, who retired Feb. jump at another opportu- opportunities might never of the audit. But Crum but others, including any money back. 28, left the director’s spot nity in Washington, D.C. come again.” announced in the Febru- Commissioners Sharon “We’ve said all along vacant, which prompted a with a consulting firm. Grim Projections For G’ville’s 2015-16 Budget Prompt Tax Talks BY SARAH R. GREGORY the Greeneville Board town officials are looking sidered, but Mayor W.T. — a project that would ing the Greeneville Water STAFF WRITER of Mayor and Aldermen at a variety of solutions, Daniels has described the come with significant Commission itself an have acknowledged that including new fees for town as operating on a costs. appointed board, rather Even before Green- balancing the town’s existing household gar- “bare bones” budget, with Town officials’ discus- than one elected by the eville’s current 2014-15 2015-16 budget will be a bage collection services, little that can be cut other sion of the sewer issue public, or making the util- budget was finalized difficult task. a property tax increase than personnel, programs during their fall 2014 ity a part of the town last June, town officials The new budget year, and urging the Greene and services. retreat prompted them government, rather than began looking ahead to which begins July 1, will County government to pay Other administrative to look at the possibil- a standalone entity. significant challenges in bring with it a significant Greeneville’s solid waste challenges loom over ity of structural changes the coming 2015-16 fiscal spike in the town’s expen- tipping fees, as it does for the town as well, includ- at the Greeneville Water DEBT SERVICE INCREASES year. ditures as debt service Baileyton, Mosheim and ing finding a solution Department. Town officials have long For more than a year, payments will increase by Tusculum. for expanding the city’s Smith’s proposals for City Administrator Todd approximately $700,000. Significant cuts in sewer system into areas the Greeneville Water Smith and members of To make ends meet, sp end i n g c ou ld a l so b e c on- annexed in recent years Department include mak- PLEASE SEE BUDGET | 10

Your Locally Owned Tire Store providing quality workmanship and the AUTOMOTIVE same lower labor costs since 1995! • Exhaust Systems • Axles • Brakes • AC/Heater Quick-Lube • 2-4 Wheel Alignment Rusty Ottinger, • Clutches David Hughes, of Greeneville Owner • Turn Drums & Rotors Service Manager • Hydraulic Hoses & Fittings 635 East Andrew Johnson Hwy. • Custom Made Brake Hoses • Engine Diagnostics Guide Greeneville, TN 37745 • Farm Tractor Tires (423) 636-1244 1044 W. Summer St. | Greeneville | 639-7447 Oil Express GARY’S PAINT of Greeneville & BODY SHOP • Oil Service & Change • Tire Rotation • Radiator Service • Fuel System Cleaning and • Transmission Filter Service and/or Flush 1201 Tusculum Blvd. Available: Original Equipment Oil Filters Greeneville, TN 37745 Th e Mechanix Shop Most Major Brands of Oil (423) 525-5147 @ Gary’s Paint & Body Shop 816 West Church St., Greeneville, TN 787-6094 Dale Kyker

Thank You for Choosing Lynn Hope Towing As Best Towing Service • Light to Heavy Duty Towing • Roll Back Service Available M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Gary Hoese B.J. Ellerman • Lockout Service 2015 (Owner) (Mechanic) • Fully Insured (423) 639-7151 (423) 620-8418 24 HR EMERGENCY SERVICE 3496 Asheville Hwy. Greeneville, TN 37743 www.aaadynamicauto.com 639-6671 10 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com

may also be considered Budget to cover the increase in the town’s debt service Starts on Page 8 payments. A 22-cent raise would generate approximate- known that the coming ly $900,000 annually, 2015-16 budget year will according to Smith. bring with it a significant Currently, the town’s increase to scheduled debt property tax rate is $2.05 payments. per $100 of assessed In 2010, Greeneville value. refinanced its debt from The current rate a variable interest rate to is lower than in years a fixed rate. The arrange- past. ment also pushed back In 2001, the town’s the payoff schedule from property tax rate 2025 to 2028 and allowed was $2.56 per $100 of for significantly reduced assessed value. A state payments for the first four reassessment process budget cycles. dropped the rate due to The schedule of reduced property values having payments ends after the increased. current 2014-15 fiscal This , Smith said, year. Payments in 2015-16 means that revenue col- will increase by approxi- lections remained level. mately $700,000. As of June 30, 2014, OTHER CHALLENGES the principal of the town’s Budgetary woes aren’t debts totaled $23.6 mil- the only challenges town lion, while projected inter- officials face in the com- est on the notes and bonds ing months. totaled $7.7 million. During the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s ‘PERMANENT FIX’ NEEDED fall 2014 retreat, offi- SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY In January, Smith cials discussed concerns Charter Commission Chairman Jeff Cobble speaks at a meeting of the commission. Dr. Ed Claiborne, a com- explained that the about the lack of sewer mission member, is at left. majority of that debt access at some proper- was incurred for capital ties annexed into town improvements for the limits in recent years. Greeneville City Schools Currently, 68 parcels system, including renova- in town are not connect- Proposed Charter Nears Completion; tion and construction of ed to the Greeneville Greeneville High School. Water Department’s Smith described the sewer system. Of them, Will Undergo Final Legal Review improvements as “very 28 are completely inside good investments for our town limits, and locat- BY EMILY R. WEST system into the fold. ‘You can’t take it away Informing the voters is community” that were ed off Whirlwind Road. STAFF WRITER “Other counties have because I am an elected the better option, not pro- “not fully funded.” Another 40 parcels with- central accounting, cen- official’ type deal.” hibiting voters from the In 1999 and 2001, out sewer connections lie After working since tral budgeting, central ability to elect whomever the Board of Mayor and along the West Andrew June 2014, the Greene payroll,” said Claiborne. TAXATION they please, he argued. Aldermen approved 18- Johnson Highway and County Charter Com- If the county commis- “It’s an artificial solu- cent and 16-cent property only partially fall within mission plans to have sion were to want to tion to a very real prob- tax increases to fund the city limits. a completed document “The only objective is generate more funds, it lem,” Cobble said. “The bond payments. Water Superintendent that would change how would have to do so by real problem is voter However, those increas- Laura White explained Greene Count govern- to return and put as a two-thirds majority ignorance and apathy. es generated only about that the cost of running ment functions ready for vote for both wheel and No matter what you do $860,000 in additional sewer lines on the prop- a full vetting before the much power as pos- property tax increases, to change the rules, if revenue, while the debt erties along the West end of March. according to the proposed the citizens don’t get payments totaled approx- Andrew Johnson High- The charter commis- sible in the hands of charter. Commissioners informed and involved, it imately $2.1 million, way totaled more than sioners, seven men who would also have to vote won’t fix the problem.” Smith said. $4 million. The lines were sworn in in early the county commis- on the matter with two While Cobble vehe- Each year, the short- would serve only two summer, have met per- consecutive readings. mently spoke against fall was taken from the customers, she added. sistently to draw up a sion along with the “That’s one of the main term limits, others said town’s reserves, depleting Additionally, some charter that they believe reasons I got involved,” very little, only noting it by more than $4 million customers on annexed will create a better gov- citizens.” said Davenport. “When that term limits was one between 2001 and 2009- properties in the Whirl- ernment for Greene they raised the property topic on which the idea 12, he added. wind Road area were not County. Walter Johnson taxes a few years ago, of a new county charter The refinancing interested in sewer ser- In December the Charter Commissioner they only raised it with was based. reduced the town’s fees vices. Greene County Commis- 10 votes. But taken into by about $5 million, while Still, town officials are sion allotted the com- Purchasing for the effect in the charter, more CONFLICTS OF INTEREST the deferred payments concerned that a lack mission nine additional school system would be votes are required.” Cobble, a local attor- allowed the fund balance of sewer access in those months beyond the origi- placed under the county Right now, the commis- ney, said that he does not to be rebuilt to more than areas will mean devel- nal, state-set deadline so government’s authority, sion can raise property believe the charter could $7 million as of January. opers will look to build that charter commission- and Claiborne empha- taxes with a majority limit conflicts of inter- somewhere else. ers will have the time to sized that this is in line vote and only one read- est beyond limiting the NEW TRASH FEES? make any needed correc- with recommendations ing. manner in which such Smith suggested the WATER UTILITY CHANGES? tions. made by the Tennessee “We’ve made it easier individuals could vote. Board of Mayor and Alder- Those concerns led to The charter commis- Comptroller of the Trea- to raise a wheel tax, but The charter, he said, men find a “permanent discussions that showed sioners want the state’s sury. harder to raise a prop- couldn’t prevent county fix” for increased debt the Board of Mayor and attorney general, along Greene County’s state erty tax,” said Timothy employees from running payments, and offered Aldermen may have some with the University of audit recommends that Houser, 5th District com- for office, or serving in three proposals: new fees interest in restructuring Tennessee’s County the county move to a missioner. office if elected, without for residential curbside the Greeneville Water Technical Assistance centralized accounting those restrictions later trash collection, request Department, including Service, to provide a system, something that TERM LIMITS being nullified in court. that the county govern- its commission. legal review of the pro- auditors have suggested To avoid seeing the He said that, in his ment pay the town’s solid After the 2014 retreat, posed document. since 1981. same faces in any pub- opinion, “A person with waste tipping fees or raise the board formed a “The only objective is to All budgets would then lic office, the charter integrity [and a conflict the town’s property tax “Water/Sewer Work return and put as much go to the commission’s commission wrote into of interest] would not rate. Group,” comprised of power as possible in the budget and finance com- its document that there vote.” Smith’s proposal for a Smith, White, Alder- hands of the county com- mittee, where members would no longer be any The commissioners monthly solid waste col- man Brian Bragdon and mission along with the approve all budgets individual elected into decided that members lection fee first arose pub- Water Commissioner citizens,” said Walter before they go before the public office who can of the county govern- licly in the Board of Mayor Johnny Honeycutt to Johnson, 2nd District whole county commis- serve more than eight ment voting on an item and Aldermen’s fall 2014 study the issues and cre- charter commissioner. sion, which is identical consecutive years. that affects them or retreat. ate recommendations. “We want to empower to the current process. The commission voted their family must recuse No action has been That group has met on the county commission However, under the 6-1 to set term limits themselves from the vote taken on the proposal, but an almost-monthly basis as much as we can.” charter’s proposal, the for county commission- completely — leaving the Smith has recommended since November 2014. The high points of county mayor, bud- ers and other elected room to be out of earshot a user fee to make the In January, Smith their charter include get director and seven officials. The term limits during the discussion solid waste program self outlined a series of rec- maintaining term lim- members of the county would require that elect- and the vote. sustaining. ommendations that he its, addressing conflicts commission would make ed officials could only “The discussion can be If a $10-$15 monthly intends to present to of interest, requiring a up the committee. Each serve two consecutive more complete with them fee were placed on each the Board of Mayor and two-thirds majority vote commissioner would rep- terms. They would then out of the room because houshold container the Aldermen: improve com- for both wheel and prop- resent a different district have to be out of their it might not be made oth- town’s Public Works munications between erty tax increases and to have the whole county elected seats at least one erwise,” Claiborne said. Department collects, the town and the water implementing zero-based represented. After one term before running for “If we feel like that can the Board of Mayor and utility, share resourc- budgeting. year, they would rotate it again. withstand challenge, we Aldermen could use about es and manpower, or The charter commis- off and one of the other Cobble, who has served should go ahead and put $1.1 million in funds his- fully restructure the sioners were elected in two representatives from as chairman, opposed it in there. Now what is torically allocated to solid Greeneville Water Com- May and include one rep- their respective districts setting those kinds of the likelihood of [chal- waste collection for debt mission and integrate resentative from each of would take their places. limits, saying it is voter lenging] that? This payments instead. the utility into a town- the seven districts: Ron Charter commission- ignorance that results in would add a whole lot of run department. Davenport-1st, Walter ers have also proposed a an unqualified individu- credibility.” COUNTY PAYS TIPPING FEES? However, no failures Johnson-2nd, Jeff Cob- maximum 5 percent cut al remaining in office. Board members indi- have been identified ble-3rd, Ed Claiborne- per year for any depart- cated that they first want- within the water depart- 4th, Tim Houser-5th, ment that has to have ed to request that the ment or its commission, John Waddle-6th and cuts. While Johnson said Greene County govern- and no specific concerns Bob Wood-7th. he doesn’t want to shock ment pay the town’s solid or incidents have been A draft charter will the county budget, he waste tipping fees, since it cited as primary factors go on the August 2016 does want there to be pays those for Baileyton, motivating potential ballot for referendum. If a reasonable amount of Mosheim and Tusculum changes. the charter passes, the room for the county com- residents. White has said the changes would go into mission to cut. “Greeneville residents uncertainty is affecting effect in 2018. “The county commis- are basically paying twice morale of the water utili- sion would have to do for solid waste services,” ty’s workers, and agreed THE BUDGET PROCESS what the rest of us do,” Smith said, explaining with Smith on the need Throughout the writ- Johnson said. “Everyone that property taxes that to find a resolution as ing process, the charter should share equally. It’s city residents pay to the quickly as possible. commission has picked like one of the rules in county are, in turn, used Smith, White, Bragdon some major points of the business management. If for the county’s expenses, and Honeycutt all agreed document that they think you treat everyone equal- including payment of the that, through the meet- will make a difference in ly bad, the complaining other municipalities’ tip- ings of the “Water/Sewer how the county will oper- will be the same.” ping fees. Work Group,” the first ate. The commissioners As it’s written in the At the board’s direc- option of improved com- based their charter off of charter, a department tion, Smith will discuss munications is already one from Lincoln County head is more than wel- the issue with Greene happening. that failed to pass in an come to argue against County government offi- White expressed sup- August 2014 election. budget cuts and try cials, and ask them to port for further enhanc- According to Johnson, to negotiate with the pay the town’s estimated ing the relationship of the purpose of zero- finance committee. If $600,000 annual tipping the water utility and the based budgeting would the two parties fail to fees, or carve that amount town by sharing resourc- mean all departments reach an agreement, the out of the the property tax es and manpower. start each fiscal year budget will come before rates town residents pay However, the water with a budget set at the county commission to the county. superintendent has not zero and have to justify for deliberation. expressed any support every expense. As John- “It’s a give-and-take PROPERTY TAX HIKE? for a town takeover of son explained, commis- issue,” said Waddle, 6th The third option, a rate the utility. sioners also want to see District county and char- increase paid on proper- centralized accounting ter commissioner. “But ties within city limits, and include the school sometimes it’s the whole, www.greenevillesun.com Saturday, March 14, 2015 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION 11 New Leadership Takes The Helm At Tusculum Town Hall

BY KEN LITTLE STAFF WRITER

Alan Corley became mayor of the city of Tus- culum in November 2014 following the retirement of longtime Mayor John Foster. Corley, who has served in a number of positions over the years in city government and with the Tusuclum Volun- teer Fire Department, was most recently vice- mayor. After Foster stepped down, Corley was sworn SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY in as mayor. Renovation work on a 650-foot section of Ball Road in Tusculum was completed in the fall of 2014. The Tennessee Barbara Britton was ALAN CORLEY Department of Transportation oversaw the project, which had been advocated for years by Tusculum officials. chosen by fellow com- TUSCULUM MAYOR missioners as vice- mayor, and recently ed slightly under bud- elected Commissioner get, Corley said. Mike Burns was sworn Tusculum Sees Projects in as a board member. PURSUING BUSINESS Corley is owner of “We are also pursu- Corley’s Pharmacy. He ing businesses about has more than three the connections,” Corley decades of service to the said. community, including Commercial or resi- Completed In 2014 serving as vice-mayor dential customers along under Foster. East Andrew Johnson seeking commercial cus- Zinc is located nearby on the road each day, city offi- Corley joined the Tus- Highway in Tusculum BY KEN LITTLE tomers. the town of Greeneville cials said. culum Volunteer Fire are able to hook in to the STAFF WRITER “Hopefully, it will attract section of Ball Road. “There is a lot of heavy Department in 1982 self-contained wastewa- some retail and commer- The reconstruction of traffic here. The banks and has served as fire ter treatment system. A project that was years cial customers,” Corley Ball Road was completed are just too steep. They chief. He was elected as Corley and Foster were in the making is now com- said. last September. just weren’t stable enough a city commissioner in strong backers of the plete. The project includes a A safety-based project to hold the road with that 2003 and is also a cur- project, which they hope The John D. Foster sewer trunk line that was on Edens Road at Erwin traffic,” Foster said last rent member of the city will bring revenue into Waste Water Treatment installed starting at the Highway, also known as year. Planning Commission. city coffers via sales tax Plant, named in honor Tusculum city line near Tennessee Route 107, was “Now, it’s a nice wide Corley and Foster returned from new busi- of the former longtime the Consumer Credit also finished in Septem- area on both sides of the worked together on nesses that locate along mayor who was its biggest Union bank and ending ber 2014. road, and they put a new many projects and share Tusculum’s commercial advocate, went online in at the intersection of U.S. Tusculum officials, guardrail up and (rein- a similar vision for Tus- corridor. December. 11E and Afton Road/Rip- including Corley and Fos- forced) the banks,” Foster culum. “Hopefully it will On Dec. 3, 2014, a “cer- ley Island Road. ter, have long advocated said. “I appreciate your con- attract some retail and tificate of substantial The treatment plant is for the state to undertake In 2012, city officials fidence in me,” Corley commercial customers,” completion” for the project located on a 2-acre site both projects. signed a contract with said after being sworn Corley said. was signed, Mayor Alan west of Andrew John- TDOT for repairs on the in as mayor. Corley told the Tusculum son Highway on property BALL ROAD section of Ball Road. “I’m just hoping I can A LONG CAREER Board of Mayor and Com- purchased by the city in Contractor Whaley & The work cost about $1 keep up the good work Foster, a Tusculum missioners. 2013. Sons Inc., began work in million. The city’s only with a full-time busi- native has been involved “The system is ready for The wastewater treat- May 2014 on a section of financial obligation was to ness,” he added. in local government connections and is ready ment facility is partially Ball Road that is about split costs with TDOT for almost since the city was to treat wastewater, and funded by a $485,000 650 feet long. The sec- the relocation of utilities. ‘GOOD FOLKS’ incorporated in 1959. that’s an exciting thing,” matching grant from the tion of roadway had been Up to $109,000 was bud- Corley said many peo- All that work on behalf Corley said. “We’ve been Tennessee Department of unstable for decades, and geted by the city in 2012 ple in the community of citizens hasn’t cost waiting on this a long Environment and Conser- has been repaired numer- for that purpose. are committed to help- Tusculum taxpayers a time.” vation. ous times by the city of Jarden Zinc announced ing Tusculum grow. dime. The facility cost about $1 The city is responsible Tusculum since it was in 2014 it is purchasing “We’ve got good folks “It’s been 21 years of million. It came in slightly for remaining expenses built more than 40 years new equipment and hir- here and a lot of volun- [consecutive] service and under budget projections, associated with the work, ago. ing more employees. That teers. I’m sure we will that includes 11 years as Corley said. or about half the total “It really looks good, and announcement likely fac- continue (and) we will mayor,” Foster said in a “We are also pursuing cost. they did a good job on it,” tored into TDOT’s deci- certainly continue to November interview. He businesses about the con- As mayor, Foster sup- Foster said last year. “It sion to prioritize the job, address issues as they also served a four-year nections,” he told commis- ported attracting new should take care of the Foster said. come up. I don’t antici- term as a county com- sioners. businesses that pay sales problem for a long time.” “It really was a problem pate any radical chang- missioner in the 1990s. taxes to the state. A Work done included for Tusculum. That kind es in the way we oper- Before that, he held COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL portion of sales tax rev- resurfacing the road, of work would have been ate,” Corley said. other positions in Tus- CUSTOMERS enue from businesses is along with the installa- more than we can handle,” Corley is committed culum city government, Commercial and residen- returned to the city. tion of shoulders and new he said. “Anything with to attracting new busi- including recorder. He’s tial customers along the guardrails. The banks economic development, nesses to the communi- also been a current Tusculum stretch of East ROAD IMPROVEMENT were also stabilized. they’re assisting with ty as a means of bring- member of the Tusculum Andrew Johnson Highway PROJECTS The contractor built up infrastructure projects.” ing in more sales tax Planning Commission. are able to hook in to the Two road improve- graded rock fill on the revenue. Foster first served self-contained wastewater ment projects in Tuscu- sides of Ball Road, and ERWIN HIGHWAY WORK A project he and Fos- as a city commissioner treatment system. lum that have also been then continued with the The project at State ter advocated for years between 1976 and 1980. Corley and other officials under discussion in recent placement of soil fill “on Route 107 and Edens Road is now a reality. Foster believes he like Foster, who retired years were also finished top of a graded rock but- was more of a safety-ori- The wastewater treat- has made a difference last November after 11 in 2014. tress on the western side of ented job for TDOT, Foster ment plant in Tuscu- in improving his home- years as mayor and many The Tennessee Depart- Ball Road,” TDOT spokes- said. lum, part of a sewer town. years of service in other ment of Transportation man Mark Nagi said last Contractor Stansell project along the stretch “I really enjoyed it. It capacities with the city, oversaw renovation work year. Electric Company Inc., of East Andrew Johnson takes a lot of time being were strong advocates of on a section of Ball Road finished work in late Sep- Highway in the city, was mayor and I felt I’ve con- the project. in the city. PRIMARY JARDEN ROUTE tember 2014. declared ready to open tributed, particularly in The goal is to provide Grading and other work The two-lane road is a The work included the in late 2014. the financial end of it,” revenue to the city through was done to improve the main route for trucks com- installation of flashing On Dec. 3, 2014, a he said just before leav- sales tax returned from stability of Ball Road, ing and going from nearby signals on poles, guardrail “certificate of substan- ing office. “I’m getting new businesses that locate the main transportation Jarden Zinc Products and improvements and new tial completion” for the old. I basically have to along Tusculum’s commer- artery used by trucks the Greeneville-Greene project was signed. give this up. I’ll miss a cial corridor. going to and from Jarden County landfill. More PLEASE SEE PROJECTS | 12 The job cost about $1 lot of it and a lot of it I Officials are actively Zinc Products. Jarden than 85 heavy trucks use million. It was complet- won’t miss.” MOSHEIM Guide

Tender Heart Day Care Pre-School Program Children 6 weeks thru 12 years. Town Open 5:30 am - 5:15 pm Mon. - Fri. Director/Owner - Kathy Holt 310 West Greene Dr. (Located across from of West Greene High School) 3-Star Center (423) 422-7344 Mosheim, TN 10 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO BETTER SERVE YOU!

SUPER SERVICE CENTER JOHNSON CITY SERVICE CENTER Mosheim 3634 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy, Greeneville 1919 North Roan Street Doug Henard Agency Manager MYERS STREET SERVICE CENTER JEFFERSON CITY Greene County/Mosheim 1115 Myers St., Greeneville 1075 N. Chucky Pike 2045 Main St. MOSHEIM SERVICE CENTER KNOXVILLE 1000 Main Street 423-422-4530 Offi ce 9175 W. A.J. Hwy., Mosheim 702 19th St. 423-422-4946 Fax MORRISTOWN 10238 Kingston Pike 422-4051 www.fbitn.com 4005 E. Morris Blvd. 9352 Parkwest Blvd. Doug Henard, LUTCF, CLU 4918 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy. ChFC [email protected] 423.639.6131 12 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com

lights,” Foster said last year. Road attempting to cross the TDOT paid for the work, ments were made. Projects Edens Road is used on week- four-lane road. which cost about $175,000. “TDOT monitors traffic acci- day mornings by traffic going “It’s not a site distance prob- dents all over the state, and Starts on Page 11 to Chuckey-Doak High School lem, and it’s not a speed limit CRASH STATS this finally floated to the top as and Middle School and the problem. When TDOT began compil- a project to work on,” he said. signs, Nagi said. Greene Valley Developmental You just have to be careful ing accident statistics, the state “The state is pretty good with “I think they did all they Center, and by other commut- if crossing (because) there is took notice of the intersection. safety projects.” could to the intersection. ers who live nearby. no divider, so if you go across, Foster said the city was turned The city must maintain the According to the TDOT study, There is no median on Erwin you better put your foot to the down once by TDOT after roads and replace signal lights it just didn’t justify signal Highway for cars on Edens metal and go,” Foster said. requests for safety improve- in the future, city officials said.

Public Input, Oversight To Continue Annually At NFS Facility BY KEN LITTLE cox Company that oper- The 1990 study had STAFF WRITER ates NFS took over cor- found no increased risk of porate oversight of the cancer mortality related The Nuclear Regulato- complex and is oversee- to the proximity of an ry Commission pledged in ing improvements at the individual to the nuclear 2014 to continue annual facility. facilities. public outreach meetings “The things that NFS The new study is being concerning operations at is doing are all in the conducted by the Nation- Nuclear Fuel Services. right vein — not just al Academy of Sciences. The Erwin facil- improving the problems, Dr. Ourania Kosti, ity, which makes high- but improving the way study director, said at enriched uranium fuel for workers think,” said the October 2014 meet- the U.S. Navy’s nuclear Charles Stancil, the NRC ing that the results of fleet, also brought in new senior resident inspector the NAS pilot planning top leadership last year. at NFS. phase of the study should A public meeting held A licensee performance be available this year. last September fulfilled review will continue to The study, which the commitment made be conducted every two received funding in 2013 to the public earlier in years. from the NRC, isn’t 2014 by NRC Region II meant to determine can- Regional Administrator MANAGEMENT CHANGE cer rates around U.S. Victor McCree. In June 2014, Joel W. nuclear facilities, but is The meeting, along Duling was named as geared more toward risk with similar ones in the president of NFS. analysis, Kosti said. future, will be held “to Duling succeeded The NAS committee provide the local commu- Joseph G. Henry, who overseeing the study will nity with insights into was promoted to chief not interview area resi- NRC’s inspection and operating officer of Bab- dents as part of the pilot oversight activities at the cock & Wilcox Nuclear study. Nuclear Fuel Services Operations Group Inc. “This report will not facility,” according to an (B&W NOG), a subsid- have concrete numbers NRC news release. iary of The Babcock & associated with any one Wilcox Company. particular facility,” a PUBLIC HEARINGS Duling was promoted NAS spokeswoman said NRC officials said in to NFS president from in July. April 2014 that NFS per- his former position as SUN FILE PHOTO BY KEN LITTLE formance review public director of operations. Park Overall, an environmental activist from Greene County, speaks at a 2014 2-PHASE STUDY hearings, previously held “Joel has a strong track public hearing in Erwin about Nuclear Fuel Services operations. The NRC and NAS every year at a location in record in the nuclear agreed to carry out the Erwin, would be shifted industry and has done “demonstrated the attri- intended safety function,” “delayed reportability.” two-phase study. to every other year. Since a great job of leading butes and behaviors of a the NRS report said. The NRC inspector Phase 1 involved a a hearing was held in our operations at NFS. healthy safety culture.” The operator was seen determined that NFS “scoping study to iden- the spring of 2013, the He knows NFS and the NFS periodically per- removing the wrenches as “effectively established, tify scientifically sound next such meeting would importance of safety in forms recovery opera- a supervisor and another implemented and main- approaches for carry- not have been scheduled everything we do. We tions where it reprocesses operator approached the tained” adequate mea- ing out the cancer-risk until this year. look forward to continued scrap metal “reintroduced process area. sures by management to assessment.” That phase But the NRC reconsid- success under his leader- into the manufacturing The licensee removed assure reliability of the was completed in May ered the policy shift and ship,” Henry said in a process,” the NRC report the operator from shift valves. NFS concluded 2012. announced it would hold news release. said. operation duties, placed that the incident was Phase 2 includes a a public meeting in 2014 Duling has nearly 30 Two spring return associated processes in a caused by the operator’s “cancer risk assessment in Erwin. years of leadership expe- valves in the process area safe condition, performed “failure to follow the stan- informed by Phase 1 “The public meeting rience in the manufac- are engineered to pre- valve line-ups and test- dard operating procedure results.” fulfills a commitment turing sector, including vent an accident from the ing of safety components controlling operation of Documents and we made to local resi- nuclear facility opera- overflow of pure ammo- and reviewed other recent the IROFS valves,” the archives have been used dents. The NRC is open tions. nium hydroxide from activities by the worker. report said. to collect source informa- and transparent in our Prior to joining NFS bulk tanks to the floor. The operator is no lon- tion for the study, NRC regulatory activities and in August 2013, he was The valves are designed NRC NOTIFIED ger employed by NFS. officials said. we want the residents of vice president of produc- to be held open by hand The NRC was informed The material includes the Erwin area to always tion at the Y-12 National and self-closed by spring of the incident last June CANCER RISK STUDY archives of NFS and its be fully informed of our Security Complex in Oak action once released. 18. The agency began A study of potential predecessors dating back inspection and over- Ridge. The two spring return a special inspection “to cancer risks near certain to 1957. sight activities at NFS,” Duling’s prior experi- valves are referred to assess the facts and cir- nuclear facilities, which The archives “will be McCree said in a news ence also includes man- by the NRC as “an item cumstances” surround- includes NFS, is proceed- shared with the Nation- release. agement positions at the relied on for safety,” or ing the event. ing. al Academies and made “Public participation is Idaho National Laborato- IROFS. There was no spill of The study is sponsored public,” Terry Brock, proj- actively sought for this ry, Naval Reactors Facil- “The chemical safety ammonium hydroxide, by the NRC and conduct- ect manager of the NRC’s meeting to fully engage ity and Fernald Envi- function is to isolate the but the NRC noted poten- ed by the National Acad- Office of Nuclear Regula- the public in a discus- ronmental Management column to prevent over- tial health and safety con- emy of Sciences. tory Research, said at the sion of regulatory issues,” Project. flow and a chemical expo- sequences to the operator In October at a public October 2014 meeting. according to an NRC Henry is now respon- sure hazard to personnel, could have included “an meeting in Erwin, NAS Kosti said information meeting announcement. sible for overseeing the which was determined acute chemical exposure” officials provided an will be gathered about The Greeneville Water operations of B&W NOG to be a high consequence had one occurred. update on the progress cancer deaths in a 30-mile Department intake point and its subsidiaries, event,” the report said. Because of the way the of the “Analysis of Can- radius of NFS, which has is about 28 miles down- including NFS. The valves serve as vales were wedged open, cer Risks in Populations operated on the banks stream from the NFS “the only IROFS for the “the likelihood of a poten- Near Nuclear Facilities” of the Nolichucky River plant in Unicoi County. NRC OVERSIGHT high consequence safety tial chemical accident study. with different owners The water department NFS has had some oper- function.” sequence increased,” and The cancer risk study is since the 1950s, includ- intake is the source of ational issues in recent Last June 17, an NFS the change in risk “indi- in the Phase 2 pilot plan- ing the Babcock &Wilcox drinking water for most of years as identified by the operator was seen incor- cated a potential failure” ning stage, and is depen- Company. Greene County, including NRC, but 2014 was rela- rectly operating the to meet performance dent upon further NRC The study also includes the town of Greeneville. tively trouble-free. valves. requirements. funding in order to move areas surrounding cur- In addition to uranium A Nuclear Regula- “The valves were The NFS response to forward. rent and former nuclear fuel, NFS also recovers tory Commission special observed to be inap- the situation was “com- The NRC commissioned power plants in Illinois, and purifies low-enriched inspection report spurred propriately operated by prehensive and effective,” the independent study Connecticut, New Jersey, and high-enriched ura- by a June 17, 2014, inci- using a box end wrench the report said, although of cancer risks of peo- Michigan and California. nium from scrap generat- dent at NFS concluded wedged into the system NFS did not meet a one- ple living near NFS and For more information ed internally or at other that the company should structure on each valve, hour NRC notification six commercial nuclear about NFS, visit the com- facilities. have notified the NRC thus rendering the valves regulation resulting in plants in order to update pany website at www. The Babcock & Wil- sooner, but its response unable to perform their a non-cited violation for a 1990 study. nuclearfuelservices.com.

Private Managers Take Over Day-To-Day Of Kinser Park BY SARAH R. GREGORY years prior to the new man- Carter and Malone. The third- allow the mayors to terminate DEFICIT, REVENUE SHARING STAFF WRITER agement agreement. party operators were not pub- the contract in the event its Under terms of the new The change to private man- licly named until March 2014, terms were breached. management agreement, the After almost a year of plan- agement ended decades of as both local governments pre- Greeneville and Greene County ning and negotiations that budgetary appropriations made pared to finalize and approve a FINALIZED IN 2014 governments ended appropria- began in 2013, Kinser Park to the park by both local gov- contractual agreement. Following the local govern- tions to Kinser Park. opened under new, private ernments. It also ended over- In the months leading up to ments’ actions, which were Historically, the two local gov- management in 2014. sight by the Kinser Park Com- the new agreement, during finalized in mid-March 2014, erning bodies provided approxi- The park sits on land fed- mission, whose members were meetings of the Kinser Park Carter and Malone began work mately $20,000 each to operate erally-owned by the Tennes- appointed by the Greeneville Commission, questions persist- as the park’s new management the park. see Valley Authority and was Board of Mayor and Aldermen ed about how the change would team. Under the 2014 agreement, operated for decades as a joint- and the Greene County Com- affect seasonal campers and Kinser Park opened on the the two governments approved venture of the Greeneville and mission. park finances. last Saturday in March 2014 as one-time commitments of Greene County governments. This year, the town and coun- However, Shari Oster, the originally planned. $5,000 each toward improve- It is now being run by third- ty will begin receiving a share park’s previous manager, who Seasonal camping rates for ment of park infrastructure, party managers Anthony of the park’s revenues. operated the facility under the the season were increased from particularly issues related to Carter and Jimmy Malone, The governments’ share will Kinser Park Commission’s over- $800 to $1,000, plus tax, and aging water lines, which had but remains under the over- increase each year through 2018 sight, was instructed to prepare sites already reserved were been discussed in earlier meet- sight of the offices of the — the duration of their contract the park for a regular opening required to pay the difference. ings of the Kinser Park Com- Greene County mayor and with Carter and Malone. date in March 2014. Camping fees for overnight mission. Greeneville city administra- In February 2014, the Greene and tent camping remained at Prior to the private partner- tor. PROCESS BEGAN IN 2013 County Commission authorized previous levels of $25 and $23 ship agreement, Kinser Park Kinser Park’s amenities In May 2013, citing budget- then-Greene County Mayor per night, respectively. was operating at a deficit, which include seasonal campsites, ary constraints, the Town of Alan Broyles to enter a contract Greeneville City Administra- the Greeneville and Greene picnic pavilions, a swimming Greeneville and Greene County with the new private party tor Todd Smith said recently County governments continue pool and water slide, a min- governments began advertising managers. that the Carter-Malone part- to work to address. iature golf course, ball fields, a request for proposals for a In March 2014, the Greeneville nership successfully completed At the time of publication, batting cages and a boat ramp third-party manager to handle Board of Mayor and Alder- their first year of operations. the Town of Greeneville, which on the Nolichucky River. park operations. men followed suit, authorizing “They have made some chang- serves as the park’s fiscal A golf course and pro shop Two sealed proposals were Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels es and improvements to the park were once operated on park received, and the town and to enter the contract as well. to make it more sustainable for PLEASE SEE PARK | 13 grounds, but closed several county began negotiations with Provisions were included to the long term,” Smith said. www.greenevillesun.com Saturday, March 14, 2015 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION 13 Park Medical Clinic Creates Stir In Baileyton Starts on Page 12 agent, reported the Town’s Insurer deficit as approximate- ly $11,000, which will Settled With Facility be split between the two governments. In Order This year, after the park opens in April, To Avoid Lawsuit the local governments will begin receiving BY O.J. EARLY and splitting a 5 per- STAFF WRITER cent share of the park’s monthly revenues. A medical clinic, ulti- In 2016, Carter mately ordered to close and Malone will pay by the Town of Baileyton, a monthly 7.5 percent stirred controversy in a commission. northern Greene County The local govern- municipality in 2014. ments’ share increases Emmaus Medical and to 10 percent in 2017. Counseling, operated The monthly com- by Dr. Charles Backus, mission paid to the opened in early 2014. In town and county gov- response, about 100 town ernments tops out at residents packed into the 15 percent in 2018, the town’s March 2014 meet- final year of Carter ing of the Board of Mayor and Malone’s operat- and Aldermen. ing contract. The group of mostly Bai- leyton residents alleged that the new facility would bring a high volume of drug-addicted people to Baileyton, making the community less safe. Following a heated string SUN FILE PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY of debates that lasted for Dozens of people pack into Baileyton Town Hall in March 2014, alleging that Emmaus Medical and Counseling more than two months, would generate an unsafe environment in the community. The Rev. James Roberts, of First Baptist Church of the clinic was ordered to Baileyton, at far left, spoke against the new facility. close after town officials learned that the facility restrictions on where such lips said the substance- pliance with the zoning agement Pool made the was violating a town zon- venues could locate. abuse treatment facility ordinance.” settlement, an unspecified ing ordinance. According to town zon- was positioned in a district Following the town amount, in 2014. ing ordinances, pain man- zoned B-3, but should be action, a committee was In doing so, a potential LEGAL REGULATIONS agement clinics cannot be located in an M-1 district. formed to study both park- lawsuit with the town was The clinic’s opening in located within 1,000 feet He recommended taking ing and traffic-related avoided, although insur- Baileyton generated plen- of any school, park or place “whatever legal measures issues in the town. ance for town employees ty of legal questions for of worship. to stop the business.” may rise in the future. most involved. “By law, we can’t say “I know there has LAWSUIT AVOIDED In the insurance claim, As to regulations in that they can’t have one,” been some confusion as The town’s insurance Emmaus Medical and Baileyton, town officials Mayor Tommy Casteel to what’s required and provider eventually settled Counseling sought reim- had worked to see that no said in 2013. “There’s no what’s allowed,” Phil- a claim with the former bursements for various such facility could operate place in Baileyton they lips said. “This is really medical center. expenses after it was there. could put one.” a pretty straightforward The Tennessee Munici- ordered to close. The claim In 2013, leaders placed Town Planner Ross Phil- case. They are not in com- pal League Risk Man- was filed in May 2014.

Mosheim Library Expansion Receives Significant Funding BY LISA WARREN STAFF WRITER

MOSHEIM — Work is expected to begin soon on a $221,000 expansion to the Mosheim Public Library, town officials say. The new construction is expected to add an addi- tional 2,000-square-feet to the library, doubling its existing size. Plans for the project were developed by local architect Dave Wright. Construction on the expansion is expected to begin this spring, accord- ing to Mosheim Mayor Tommy Gregg. The addition will pro- vide enough space for the library to create an archive room, a dedicat- ed children’s area, more space for books and a larger area for comput- ers, Gregg said. SUN PHOTO BY LISA WARREN During the past year, Presenting a USDA grant for the Mosheim Public Library, from left, are: Caroline Miller, a representative with the library project architect Dave Wright; Joe Woody, area director for USDA’s Rural Development; R.L. “Tom” Carpenter, Mosheim received a major finan- alderman and library board director; Amanda Derryberry, area Rural Development office student intern; Lana cial boost thanks to state Moore, field representative for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander; Mosheim Mayor Tommy Gregg; Mosheim Public Library Director Cindy Fink; Bill Snodgrass, district director for U.S. Rep. Phil Roe; Rural Development State PLEASE SEE MOSHEIM| 15 Director Bobby Goode; and Rural Development area specialist Louis Trivette. Bulls Gap Guide Town of Bulls Gap Home of Archie Campbell 139 S. Main St. Bulls Gap, TN 37711 Great Values with Fast & Friendly Service 423-235-5216 Gifts and Greeting Cards • Photocopier & Fax Service • Kodak Photo Kiosk • Key Making Call for CARRY CLASS DATES • Flex Cards and Most Insurance Accepted Gun Cleaning Services Insurance Appraisals • Family Owned & Operated HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY, 9 am-5 pm YODER’S COUNTRY MARKET 9:00-6:00 M-F Closed Sat. & Sun. Glock • Smith & Wesson • Ruger • Colt • Remington • Henry & Others Phone 235-6263 PISTOLS • RIFLES • SHOTGUNS • AMMUNITION Public Fax 235-4792 Country Ham Sugar Free Products RELOADING • SHOOTING ACCESSORIES Deli Meats & Cheeses Baking Supplies Pharmacist/Owner - Bradford S. Campbell Beef Jerky Dried Fruit 272 Hwy. 11-E, Bulls Gap, TN (423) 235-1022 Homemade Breads Mon., Tues., Wed. & Sat. 7272 St. Clair Road • Whitesburg, TN (423) 235-9400 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 15275 West AJ Hwy. Thurs. - Fri www.mandmfi rearms.com Bulls Gap, TN 37711 9:00 am - 6:00 pm www.facebook.com/pages/M-M-Firearms 14 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com Many Notable 2014 Achievements For Those In Local Community

BY STAFF ments with local farm- A number of area indi- ers to provide access for viduals received notable dove hunters and con- honors, awards and new ducts a youth dove hunt positions over the past in cooperation with the year. University of Tennessee Most recently, Chero- AgResearch and Educa- kee National Forest tion Center. Supervisor JaSal Mor- In the news release, ris announced in Janu- McAfee said, “While I ary the arrival of Les- may not write as many lie Morgan as the new tickets as some officers Unaka District U.S. do, I feel like educating Forest Service Ranger the public on the biology in Greeneville. and background behind Morga n i s c om i n g f r om the laws is important. the national forests in Sometimes, a little Mississippi, where she education is all that served as District Rang- is needed to solve the er for the Delta Ranger problem.” District. McAfee also received “Leslie Morgan’s the National Wild Tur- familiarity with East key Federation (NWF) Tennessee and her Region 4 Wildlife Offi- understanding of Rang- cer of the Year Award. er District operations Each year, the NWTF will be a great asset to recognizes a TWRA offi- us,” Morris said. cer from each region for “She has demonstrat- outstanding efforts in ed her understanding law enforcement and for of natural resources, continued restoration of leadership qualities, wild turkey. and interpersonal skills While working as a time and again. Leslie wildlife technician will be a great addi- in 1994, McAfee was tion to the Cherokee responsible for trapping National Forest leader- and relocating wild tur- ship team.” SUN FILE PHOTO BY EMILY R. WEST keys to Greene County. Morgan has 21 years Jim Small worked for the National Park Service for more than 30 years. He retired in 2014. The Tennessee Wild- of federal service with life Officer’s Associa- the National Park Ser- tion (TWOA) also hon- vice and the U.S. Forest ored McAfee with the Service. Outstanding Service She received a bach- Award. elor’s degree in Agri- The TWOA Board of culture from Middle Directors chose McAfee Tennessee State Uni- for outstanding achieve- versity in 1993 and is ment or service in the currently pursuing a field of Wildlife Law master’s degree in Nat- Enforcement. ural Resources from TWOA President Virginia Tech. Joe Campbell stated, She has worked in “There’s not another a variety of positions, wildlife officer in the including law enforce- state with as much pas- ment, wildland/pre- sion, enthusiasm and scribed fire, recreation dedication to the job and interpretation. than James McAfee. Morgan is a native of We are truly proud to Townsend and served present him with this six years as Recreation award.” Program Manager for the Tellico Ranger Dis- STATESMAN OF THE YEAR trict in Tellico Plains. The Tennessee Repub- She is married to lican Party named Brad Bernardy, who is Greene County Com- also with the U.S. For- missioner Hilton Seay est Service. Statesman of the Year “I am happy to be back for the 1st Congressio- home in East Tennes- nal District. see,” Morgan said. Seay received a trophy “I am excited to have and special recognition, the opportunity to work including a video pre- on the Cherokee Nation- sentation of his life in al Forest again. I know summary, during the the Unaka Ranger Dis- Tennessee Republican trict is a good place to Party’s 2014 States- be, and I look forward men’s Dinner. to working with some There are nine states- great people while fac- FILE PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN men named each year, ing new challenges National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Three Rivers Longbeards chapter member Kevin Rouse presents one from each district. together.” Greene County Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Officer James McAfee with the NWTF Region 4 Wildlife The dinner took place Officer of the Year Award. May 30 in the grand RANGER RETIRES ballroom of the Music National Park Ser- and installation of the Ayers has been a mem- flashing blue light that state.” City Center in Nash- vice Ranger Jim Small interpretive exhibits ber of the Greeneville was reported to have ville. retired in December and film at the visitor Emergency & Rescue been tailgating other JAMES MCAFEE New Jersey Gov. Chris 2014 after 35 years ded- center, Squad for 16 years and vehicles. The Tennessee Wild- Christie was keynote icated to the National • the restoration of has held several officer Appleba attempted to life Resources Agency speaker for the event, Park Service. the Andrew Johnson positions, including cap- initiate a traffic stop on (TWRA), the National which also featured He is now helping his Homestead, tain and second lieuten- the suspected vehicle, Wild Turkey Federa- a number of leaders wife, Kristin, with her • serving as the co- ant. He currently serves and a pursuit began. tion and the Tennes- within the Republican travel agency. leader for the 200th as Rescue Squad cap- Greene immediately see Wildlife Officer’s party. More than 1,700 The Smalls have a bicentennial celebration tain. requested assistance Association presented Republicans were in grown son, Alexander, a in 2007-08, and In TARS, Ayers had from other law enforce- TWRA Greene County attendance at the event, graduate of the United • acting as part of the held the office of Region ment agencies, THP Wildlife Officer James according to Seay. States Military Acad- management team that 1 vice president for four spokeswoman Jennifer McAfee with awards in “To be able to come in emy who is now serving redesigned the national years and state vice Donnals said in a news March 2014, according contact with as many as a U.S. Army officer. cemetery where 1,000 president for two years. release. to a news release. dignitaries as I did Small grew up streets new graves were added This year is Ayers’ sec- “The suspect vehicle McAfee’s colleagues is something I’m very away from the Gettys- to the design. ond term as TARS state eventually exited the within the TWRA grateful for,” Seay said. burg National Military Under his direction, president. Interstate and crashed. selected him as District “It was a big-dog show.” Park in Pennsylvania, the park received a 100 He has also assisted in Then the driver began 42 Wildlife Officer of U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, where he would later percent visitor satisfac- training with the TARS firing shots at Trooper the Year. R-1st, of Johnson City, work during the sum- tion rating for the past Rescue College for about Appleba and his patrol The annual award sponsored Seay as a mers. That seasonal job five years, a record in nine years. unit. Dispatcher Greene recognizes an officer Statesman candidate. evolved into decades the NPS, she said. “It is an honor to be re- continued to communi- for outstanding efforts “Hilton Seay is a dear with the National Park Among his achieve- elected to the president cate with the trooper and in teamwork, public friend and has dedi- Service. ments, he received position and to be able other agencies, while outreach, excellence cated himself to public He worked in several performance awards, to serve the organiza- remaining calm and and innovation, atti- service as both an edu- national parks, includ- two national achieve- tion as a whole, espe- professional throughout tude, leadership and cator and a county com- ing Fort Sumter in ment awards, a Supe- cially giving that recog- the stressful incident,” for achievements and missioner,” Roe said. “I Charleston, S.C., where rior Achievement award nition to the Greeneville the release said. accomplishments, the know he worked hard the Civil War started in and a Freeman Tilden Emergency & Rescue Nearby law enforce- news release says. for the honor of the 2014 1861, and Andersonville Award for outstanding Squad for having three ment agencies quickly McAfee annually coor- Statesmen’s Award for National Historic Site interpretation and visi- TARS state officers arrived on the scene, dinates lease agree- the First District.” in Andersonville, Ga., tor service. from Greeneville,” Ayers and the suspects were site of the Confederacy’s “Jim’s energy, his said. arrested. most notorious prison- institutional knowledge “This response brought er-of-war camp. and leadership will be DISPATCHER OF THE YEAR a potentially deadly situ- His job took him on missed at the park,” The Tennessee High- ation to a quick end with a few adventures, too, Watts said. way Patrol (THP) named no serious injuries. Dis- including fighting for- Fall Branch Dispatcher patcher Greene’s calm est fires in Yellowstone RESCUE SQUAD Anna Marie Greene the and confident demean- National Park in 1988 ASSOCIATION 2013 Dispatcher of the or was reassuring and and helping deal with Kevin “Bucky” Ayers, Year at a special awards helped lead Trooper the huge BP oil spill in current captain of the ceremony held in Nash- Appleba back home to the Gulf of Mexico in Greeneville Emergency ville in March. his family at the end 2010. & Rescue Squad, was Trooper Vincent Turo- of the day,” the release Most of his time was re-elected president of cy received the 2013 said. spent at the Andrew the Tennessee Associa- Trooper of the Year Bill Gibbons, state Johnson National Ceme- tion of Rescue Squads award. Safety and Homeland tery. The Smalls arrived (TARS) at the associ- Greene, of the THP Security commissioner, in Greene County in ation’s 59th annual Fall Branch District, said at the time: 1990. convention in October was named Dispatcher “Both of the individu- Lizzie Watts, superin- 2014. of the Year after han- als honored this evening tendent of the Andrew The convention was dling a shooting inci- represent the Volunteer Johnson National His- held Oct. 1-4 at the dent involving Trooper State’s proud tradition toric Site, issued a Music Road Hotel in Jeff Appleba. of service. They showed statement on Small’s Pigeon Forge. Members Greene lives in Wash- bravery and heroism in retirement, noting four also went into a busi- ington County. extraordinary circum- major “legacy” projects ness meeting, and an During the early stances and deserve our he worked on during his election for TARS offi- morning hours of Jan. 3, thanks for their com- tenure: cers for the 2014-15 2013, Appleba was look- mitment to protecting • the development year was held. ing for a vehicle with a the citizens of this great www.greenevillesun.com Saturday, March 14, 2015 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION 15

able by the state, Hargett the Mosheim Library project Phil Roe, and Lana Moore, Public libraries have Mosheim said during the presenta- was also awarded a $43,000 field representative for U.S. evolved greatly in recent tion. federal grant from the U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander. years, from solely being Starts on Page 13 Each year, Tennessee pro- Department of Agriculture’s “Public libraries are more places to obtain books and vides $300,000 for the secre- Office of Rural Development. than a place to check out DVDs to also now providing and federal grants. tary of state to distribute in This money will be used to a book,” Goode said dur- access to the Internet and In October, Tennessee Sec- grants, Hargett explained. purchase furnishings for the ing the presentation. “They other technology, he said. retary of State Tre Hargett The Mosheim Public library, Gregg said. are anchors of a community For many citizens, their presented $100,000 in state Library has a large level of USDA Rural Development where citizens may come to local library is the only place grant funds in support of the local support that helps it be State Director Bobby Goode stay informed, hunt for a that they can access online project. successful, Hargett said. was at the Mosheim Public job or be connected to the information, which is vital Hargett was joined dur- “It’s remarkable that you Library in October to present world. in today’s world, he said. ing the presentation at the have issued more library a check to Mosheim officials. “This is an important proj- The Mosheim Public library by local legislators cards than Mosheim has citi- Also on hand for the check ect made possible by combin- Library is located at 730 State Rep. David Hawk, R- zens,” he said. presentation were: USDA ing federal, state and local Main St., in Mosheim. Hours 5th, of Greeneville, State In addition to the Mosheim Rural Development repre- resources to improve eco- are Monday-Thursday, noon Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-11th, Public Library, libraries in sentatives Joe Woody, area nomic opportunity and qual- to 6 p.m. and Fridays, noon of Cosby, and State Sen. Shelbyville and Giles Coun- director, and Louis Trivette, ity of life of the citizens of to 5 p.m. Steve Southerland, R-1st, of ty also received state grant area specialist; Caroline Mosheim,” Goode added. For more information about Morristown. funds last year, Hargett Miller, a representative for “Libraries are so impor- the library and its services, The $100,000 grant award added. Dave Wright; Bill Snodgrass, tant to a community,” Goode call 422-7937 or go online to is the maximum made avail- Along with the state grant, district director for U.S. Rep. continued. mosheimlib.org.

Air Pro Heating & Cooling

Made in the USA! Mason Street • Greeneville • 423-639-5557

BIRD’S ELECTRIC HEATING & COOLING Installation & Repair of All Major Brands Lamb’s Over 48 Years Heating & Air of Experience “Greeneville’s Factory Authorized Carrier Dealer” 501 E. McKee St. DENNIS BIRD Universal Technician RSES and ARI Certifi ed Greeneville, TN 37743 (423) 639-5979 3010 Fairlawn Drive Robert Bailey HVAC License # 00038449 Greeneville, TN 37743 Sales • Service • Installation Owner (423) 636-8409 Cellular 552-4327 TVA approved, ACCA and NATE Certifi ed Electric Partons Heating 798-9559 Air Conditioning COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL Air Conditioners Sales • Service • Installation Heat Pumps NOLICHUCKEY All Major Brands • Licensed & Insured Furnaces • Gas Units TVA Approved 100% Financing W.A.C. Gas Logs • Fireplaces HEAT & AIR “Serving East Tennessee since 1970” Electrical & Sheetmetal work

® Michael Roberts 10181 107 Cutoff • Greeneville LICENSED, BONDED, New Location! INSURED 639-8538 Cell (423) 329-5620 • Home (423) 638-1073 • Shop (423) 639-0033

Serv-Tech • Air Conditioning • Geothermal • Heat Pump • Electrical We Service All Brands 423-636-8610

YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC POWER PROVIDER SINCE 1945 Expect more from GREENEVILLE LIGHT & POWER SYSTEM

FREE Westmorland Locally Estimates operated HEAT PUMP FINANCING PROGRAM over 35 years experience GLPS has a program to help you get a new energy ef cient heat pump installed in your home. This program has a low interest nancing and a FREE inspection to make certain the work meets program standards. Sales • Service • Installation Call 636-6210 to nd out more about this and other money saving ideas. The following heat pump dealers have installed over 450 units through WESTMORLAND the program since 2010. Electric, Heating & Cooling BAILEY HGT & A/C, JERRY’S HGT & A/C, LAFAYETTE A/C OF E.T, Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm ~ 1221 George Malone Rd. LAMB’S HEAT & A/C, PARTONS HGT & A/C, SERV-TECH HGT & A/C and [email protected] LOCAL SHEET METAL 423-638-9521 16 THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 14, 2015 www.greenevillesun.com I’m more than just another tall drink of water.

IfIf onlyonly ourour taptap waterwater couldcould talktalk toto us.us. ItIt mightmight remind usus thatthat taptap waterwater is is moremore thanthan justjust aa healthy,healthy, refreshingrefreshing drink.drink. It It alsoalso fifi ghtsghts fifi res,res, supportssupports our economyour economy and andprovides provides us with us with the highthe high quality quality of life of welife enjoy.we enjoy.

OurOur waterwater billsbills paypay toto keepkeep ourour communitycommunity taptap waterwater safe,safe, reliablereliable andand therethere forfor usus —— 2424 / 77 withoutwithout fail.fail. ForFor moremore informationinformation aboutabout whatwhat youryour tap tap water water delivers, delivers, visit visit www.greenevillewater.org/[Insert utility Web address here].

Place Logo HereGWC

Greeneville Water Commission 516Presented N. Main in cooperation Street • Gree withneville, TN 423.638.3148 www.greenevillewater.org Presented in cooperation with