T U E S D A Y 162nd YEAR • No. 135 oCToBER 4, 2016 CLEVELAND, TN 16 PAGES • 50¢ County OKs EMA request Commission delays vote to buy new digital system on radios for constables By BRIAN GRAVES had received $174,906 from the Federal By BRIAN GRAVES approved a motion by Commissioner Banner Staff Writer Emergency Management Agency for the Banner Staff Writer Milan Blake to table a resolution spon- work done involving the 2011 tornado sored by Commissioner Robert Rominger The Bradley County Commission gave outbreak. The Bradley County Commission has that would have provided new digital unanimous approval Monday night for Spence said the upgraded radio system put on hold a decision to purchase new radios to the seven constables at a cost of the county EMA to proceed with the pur- would add capacity and provide better radios for the county’s constables. $6,386. chase of a new digital communications penetration through building structures. The issue came up after some consta- The radios being purchased by the system. “Once we get it [operational], the state bles wanted new radios purchased from county EMA are priced at $800 each. The vote came at the recommendation will pay for all of the upgrades from that the TEMA reimbursements which will not The cost would be paid from the passed earlier that day by the Finance point on,” Spence said at the time. "This be used to purchase a new digital radio Commission’s line item in the county Committee, also on a unanimous vote. is state-of-the-art. It doesn't get any bet- system for county emergency agencies. budget. EMA Director Troy Spence first pre- ter.” County Attorney Crystal Freiberg has The resolution also called for the con- sented the proposal to the committee in The exact cost of the new system to the opined those funds would not be eligible stables to “be responsible” for the yearly August. for constable radios. At that time, Spence said the county See EMA, Page 14 Troy Spence By a 9-5 vote, the Commission See RADIOS, Page 14 Inside Today Election leaders return $11,483 to county Money unused in last budget By ALLEN MINCEY Banner Staff Writer Preparing for the upcoming Lady Mustangs presidential election, the Bradley County Election Commission move forward said Monday it is working on get- The Walker Valley Lady Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES ting together the needed precinct Mustangs eliminated the Bradley CommISSIoNERS Charlotte Peak and Howard Thompson expressed their displeasure over how they believe the Bradley County workers and adequately training Central Bearettes and moved on Road Department has been treating local businessman John Clifton concerning his barrier wall. those who are new to the to the second round of the District process. 5-3A volleyball tournament. Stone While doing that, the election Mountain took advantage of commission also expressed pride Bearettes miscues on the soccer Wall comes tumbling down in being able to return to the field to get a win. This week’s county some $11,483 from last “Cannon’s Corner” takes a look at year’s budget that was unspent. some offensive results in prep All members of the election football. See Sports, Pages 9-11. Businessman, commissioner to lead petition commission were present Monday at its monthly meeting, which is the next to last prior to Teach young drive to restore roads’ right-of-way distance the presidential election. That will depend on whether the group people to vote By BRIAN GRAVES decides to meet again at its next Banner Staff Writer For the coming election and “The road department is scheduled time, the first Monday of the month which would be more than ever, it’s critical to Local businessman John Clifton, along trying to drive him out of Nov. 7, the day before the elec- teach young people the impor- with Commissioner Howard Thompson, Bradley County. We need all the tion. tance of voting and why to take said Monday night they will begin the tax money we can get. He’s Leading up to that election, the process seriously. At least, process to collect signatures from resi- upset. I’m upset. And, a lot of workers at the polls will be that’s the assessment of one dents in the New Hope Road/Bates Pike people are upset at what writer who offers some examples area to return the right of way back to happened there.” in the guest “Viewpoint” on Page its former 30-foot distance. — Howard Thompson See ELECTION, Page 14 12 of today’s edition. Those signatures will be taken to the Bradley County Regional Planning Commission or be sent directly from the tained criticism at the road department’s Forecast road committee to the Commission for perceived heavy-handedness at enforcing Wacker plant consideration. the distance. Clifton has found himself in the middle Thompson referred to the most recent incident not of controversy after he was informed the Road committee meeting where the issue right of way was that distance and was discussed and some left thinking the placed what can be best described as a issue was put on hold until a resolution a local threat very low barrier (described in past news could be determined. “I guess he thought, and a lot of people By ALLEN MINCEY coverage as a small wall) to prevent traf- Banner Staff Writer fic from cutting through his business’ thought, this was a continuous thing parking lot at that intersection. until after we got this thing settled,” No one was injured and there Today looks to be mostly sunny, According to County Attorney Crystal Thompson said. “We had petitions made was no threat to the community with a high near 84 degrees. Freiberg, that is the beginning of the up for people to sign.” following a mechanical incident at Tonight’s forecast calls for mostly process to make the change from the 40- He noted the road department came the Charleston plant Monday, clear skies, with a low around 59. Banner photo, BRIAN GRAVES foot distance approved on a consent back to Clifton’s business last according to Wacker Chemical LoCAL BuSINESSmAN John Clifton agenda in January back to the 30-foot Wednesday “with a whole bunch of Corporation officials. Wednesday should be sunny, with trucks and people and five patrol cars.” a high near 85. Wednesday night holds a photograph showing what he asserts distance. The incident was reported around 7:16 a.m. Monday when should be clear, with a low around are examples of right-of-way violations in the The discussion during Monday’s county that are not his own. County Commission meeting also con- See WALL, Page 14 56. Thursday calls for mostly sunny See WACKER, Page 14 skies, with a high near 85. Thursday night should be mostly clear, with a low around 57. Index Former Nashville mayor targets 3 political pitches Classified......................................15 Comics...........................................6 Karl Dean gives Editorials......................................12 Horoscope......................................6 Heritage Dinner Obituaries.......................................2 keynote to Dems Sports........................................9-11 Stocks............................................4 By JOYANNA LOVE TV Schedule..................................7 Banner Senior Staff Writer Weather..........................................8 The Bradley County Democratic Party saw politics through the Around Town eyes of Karl Dean, former mayor of the consolidated Metropolitan Rebecca Duffy making a new Government of Nashville and friend ... Jean Lovingood excited Davidson County, during its that her grandson Riley Heritage Dinner on Monday. Lovingood of the Vols was Dean said his view of politics named SEC co-special teams was impacted by the fact that player of the week ... Armen races in Davidson County are Epperson discussing politics with nonpartisan under the metro form a friend. of government. “To me, running a city … what Banner photos, JoYANNA LoVE people want from political leaders AT ITS ANNuAL HERITAGE DINNER on Monday night, the Bradley County Democratic Party heard a keynote address by Karl Dean, is that you are practical, work second from left, former mayor of Metropolitan Nashville. Dean spoke on the need for working together in spite of political differences. From left are Carl Lansden, Democratic Party president who introduced the party’s candidates for the coming election; Dean; Oscar Kelley, who 6489076 75112 See HERITAGE, Page 14 opened the event with prayer; and Ron Moore, who served as emcee for the local event. 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Tuesday, October 4, 2016 www.clevelandbanner.com OBITUARIES (USPS 117-700) Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O. Box 3600, Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 www.fikefh.com.le Published at 1505 25th Street, NW (P.O. Box 3600) James ‘Harry’ Burch To submit an obituary, have the funeral home or cremation Fike Funeral Home is in in Cleveland, TN 37320-3600, daily except Saturday James “Harry” Burch, 82, a society in charge of arrangements e-mail the information to obitu- charge of arrangements. and Christmas day by Cleveland Newspapers, Inc. resident of Cleveland, passed [email protected] and fax to 423-614-6529, attention Phone (423) 472-5041. away Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, at Obits. the residence surrounded by his Stephen L. Crass Jim Bryant family. Editor & Publisher General Manager The family will receive friends and Kathrine Swafford of Athens, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, from 3 Karen King of Johnson City and Member of The Associated Press p.m. until 6 p.m. with a memorial Ed and Marie King of Athens; two The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for publication of all news dispatches aunts: Carla (JT) Monroe of credited to it or not otherwise credited in this newspaper, and also the local news of spontaneous or igin service at 6 p.m.