T H U R S D A Y 161st YEAR • NO. 233 JANUARY 28, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 26 PAGES • 50¢ Council wants update on future of Whirlpool site By JOYANNA LOVE growth discussions, as the boundaries of Banks said it would be nice if plan for this area,” Casteel said. Community Center would be good for the Banner Senior Staff Writer the city will not be expanding as much Whirlpool would give the city the main She said the company had been in dis- city to acquire. as before the state law changed to elimi- building to be used as a convention cen- cussion with Doug Berry, vice president Councilman Bill Estes was in favor of The redevelopment of the former nate annexation by ordinance. ter for MainStreet Cleveland to hold large for Economic Development at the letting Whirlpool complete its plan with- Whirlpool plant near downtown is a focal Councilman Richard Banks said eco- events. Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of out interference. point for the Cleveland City Council as it nomic development efforts need to “It would be nice if we could meet Commerce. “I have been able to see what looks to future development. include the southern portion of the city downtown, rather than going out on “He might be able to give us an update Whirlpool did in Michigan … if we could During a recent meeting, councilmen redevelopment, particularly at the for- Urbane Road,” said City Manager Janice as to what facilities they might make have even half of what they had, I think stated they wanted a plan to move for- mer Whirlpool site. Casteel. available to us or … if they are not willing that would help,” Estes said. ward before the vacant buildings became “Come up with some innovative ideas Councilman Avery Johnson, a former to offer them to us, what they are asking The Whirlpool Foundation was a part a site for crime. and get started,” Banks said. Whirlpool employee, said the warehouse (to sell),” Casteel said. of the development project for Harbor Commercial development within the Councilman David May agreed. would be the best building option. Casteel said the building and parking city boundary has become important in “We need to be proactive,” he said “Whirlpool was working on a master lot closest to the South Cleveland See COUNCIL, Page 5 Inside Today Hotel/motel tax proposal gets first nod Lacrosse coming Legislative action to Lee University Lee University has announced it will add women’s lacrosse, faces opposition beginning in the spring of 2017. It is the first new sport for the uni- the costs of infrastructure for versity in 19 years. The Denver By BRIAN GRAVES Banner Staff Writer Spring Branch Industrial Park. Broncos feel they have learned The bill, co-sponsored by state from past Super Bowl letdowns. NASHVILLE — The private act Reps. Dan Howell and Kevin Phil Mickelson has mixed emo- to increase Bradley County’s Brooks, passed the Local tions about his Torrey Pines hotel/motel tax from 5 percent to Government Subcommittee and home course in San Diego. See 7 percent passed a state House will now move forward to the full Sports, Pages 11-13. Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES COMMISSION CHAIRMAN Louie Alford, subcommittee Wednesday as it House Local Government sub- right, in photo above, has a conversation with was presented as a “job-creating committee on Feb. 2. bill.” It had been on the state Senate Challenger still House Local Government subcommittee chair- But, the bill seems destined to man Dale Carr (R-Sevierville) after the affirma- consent agenda for a final consid- in our memories face strong opposition from lob- eration where it is being spon- tive vote on the private act was taken. At right, byists for the hotel industry. sored by state Sen. Todd America’s heart broke 30 years state Rep. Dan Howell (R-Georgetown) pre- County leaders feel so strongly Gardenhire; however, because of ago when her dreams of space pares his presentation in support of the Bradley about the importance of the bill, the Legislature’s protocol in han- exploration exploded into smoke County Commission’s request to increase the Commission Chairman Louie dling bills, Gardenhire said clouds of disheartenment with the hotel/motel tax rate by 2 percent during a hear- Alford, Finance committee chair- Senate leaders required the bill’s tragedy of the Challenger space ing in Nashville on Wednesday. man Milan Blake, and removal from Senate action until shuttle that took the lives of seven Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of it has completed the process in astronauts and mission specialists. Commerce President and CEO the House. Gary Farlow traveled to the state Howell, who serves on the Local The memories remain vivid three Capitol to lend their personal decades later. See the editorial on Government committees, made support for the bill’s passage. the presentation to his colleagues Page 14 of today’s edition, and a County leaders want to use the in supporting the bill. story on Page 10. extra revenue to pay the debt service on its $3 million portion of See PROPOSAL, Page 8 Courage The NIE Character Education focus for January is on Courage. Featured schools include Neighborhood Watch Mayfield Elementary and Bradley Central High School. The special section is included in today’s edi- continues local push tion. By ALLEN MINCEY Forecast Banner Staff Writer Neighborhood Watch programs have statistically led to reduction in crime, and locally, there are two such programs in effect with Banner photo, JOYANNA LOVE hopes of expanding each. FACULTY AND PARENTS join Bachman Academy students in a dance to celebrate National Both the Cleveland Police School Choice Week. Department and Bradley County Sheriff’s Office promote Neighborhood Watch programs, Today should be mostly sunny, which have residents of different Bachman celebrates school choice areas of the city and county being with a high near 51 ... Tonight’s tion, you have others who care Bachman serves students with learning dif- on the lookout for unusual activ- about your property and the forecast calls for partly cloudy By JOYANNA LOVE ity. Each department asks those Banner Senior Staff Writer ferences, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dys- neighborhood. skies, with a low around 32 ... who may have seen such activity Friday should be sunny, with a high graphia. “You then have not just your Bachman Academy is celebrating National “When they are here, they start enjoying to contact local law enforcement eyes watching out for suspicious near 51 ... Friday night should be School Choice Week. learning, they start being more confident in to check those areas. activities, but you have five sets clear, with a low around 32. The week is dedicated to raising awareness of themselves. They start being more confident in CPD Officer Jennifer Samples of eyes or 10 sets of eyes watch- the choices available to parents when choosing their futures,” Newberg said. said letting potential thieves and ing out for each other,” she others with ill intent know the Index a school for their child. It also seeks to make Newberg said rallies, essay contests and other added. more choices available and affordable through events are held around the country. program is in effect in certain Lt. Bob Hancock of the BCSO encouraging school choice legislation, and residential areas is a definite Classified................................15-17 Wednesday’s event kicked off with recognition heads up the program for the Bachman held an event supporting it of essay contest winner Ola Akanle and runner- deterrent to crime. Sheriff’s Office. He agrees with Comics...........................................6 Wednesday. up RT Gross. “It is communities looking out Samples on the validity of the Admissions Counselor Jamie Newberg said for each other, rather than just Editorials......................................14 Each student highlighted the important role Neighborhood Watch program. school choice has allowed students at Bachman that being able to choose where to attend school you looking out for yourself,” “The only sure way to keep Horoscope......................................6 to attend a school where they can learn in “a Samples said. “Instead of just neighborhoods safe and peaceful NASCAR......................................18 way that works for them right now.” See BACHMAN, Page 5 your set of eyes looking out, when you are at work or on vaca- See WATCH, Page 5 Obituaries.......................................2 Stocks............................................4 Sports......................................11-13 Commercial vehicle enforcement TV Schedule..................................7 Weather..........................................9 focused during training at BCSO Around Town By ALLEN MINCEY Vehicle Training/Motor Vehicle Watson. “I asked the Tennessee Emily Marr enjoying driving Banner Staff Writer Enforcement, and was held at the Highway Patrol to come and teach a lessons ... Tim Smalley “making north training room of the Bradley class on enforcement of commercial shoes new again” ... Claudia Commercial vehicles have specific County Jail. vehicles.” Gray planning a late birthday rules that are enforced by the Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson said this is the first time lunch with friends ... Jennifer Tennessee Highway Patrol, but many Watson has encouraged law enforce- this type of class has been held in Hartline enjoying a lunch date may not know there are rules other ment agencies to get more involved. Bradley County and surrounding with her daughter Reagan ... Erin agencies can enforce. That not only gave the reason for set- counties. Hale proud of her daughter Alli These local law enforcement agen- ting up the training session, but also The sheriff set up the public serv- for her recent accomplishments. cies learned more about what they explained the launch of a special ice unit in response to the fatal acci- Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY can, and should, do at a special division at the BCSO. dent on North Lee Highway in which LT.