The Leader

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THE LEADER THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 8 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪

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Diversity, promotions questioned Citizen concerned about lowering standards for public servants By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com

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t Tuesday's meeting of Covington's Board of Mayor and Aldermen, resident Rob Witherington spoke out against lowering standards for the promotion of public servants. "I feel like lowering these standards is a detriment to our safety and security," he said. "I would hate to see damage to our fire department that we've seen at the police department." Witherington made the suggestion that policy changes allowed police officers to be promoted based on their race, not their qualifications.

In light of recent remarks made by Alderman Minnie Bommer regarding her belief that the fire department should be more diversified, Witherington said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But Mayor David Gordon said he's not aware of any policy changes that would put police officers or firefighters in positions they're not qualified to hold. Further discussion revealed Witherington believed either Bommer or the board's intentions were to lower qualifications to make the fire depart-

ment more diverse, a statement that angered both Bommer and Alderman John E. Edwards, the board's African-American aldermen. "It's disappointing to me that any time diversity comes up, lowering standards comes up," Edwards said. "We have whites who aren't qualified to be firefighters and we have blacks who aren't qualified to be firefighters. No race has the corner on the ability to be a firefighter or police officer." Witherington referenced a Feb. 14 story that appeared in The Leader as part of the evi-

dence to support his notion that Bommer was "prepared to get messy." Bommer defended herself, stating she didn't say that. (She did say, "Things with the fire department are going to get messy," in last month's interview.) She maintains her position with the fire department. "I think we need more diversity, I don't think that's too much to ask." Currently, of the near two dozen people employed by the Covington Fire Department, only two are African-American. SEE DIVERSITY, PAGE A3

Atoka, Munford agree on fire contract By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com After months of negotiations, Atoka and Munford have come to an agreement about the fire services contract. It started late last year when the three-year contract was presented. Atoka's city officials were not comfortable signing the three-year agreement with Munford. After a heated discussion on Dec. 4, 2012, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided to table the renewal of its fire services contract with Munford until an escape clause could be better defined. “If you want to maintain the status quo, this is adequate,” said town attorney Lyle Jones in December. “If you need an escape hatch, this needs to be tightened up.” An escape hatch is just what officials seemed to want, even going so far as to agree to explore creating an independent fire department. The town currently shares a fire department with Munford, and both cities contribute to its budget, but officials in Atoka are fed up with how little their fire station is actually manned. In February, Town Administrator Brian Koral told the board the creation of its own fire department would be feasible, it'd just take a year and a tax increase. The contract went back and forth between the cities for months before being agreed upon after a meeting of the joint fire committee two weeks ago. The board approved the contract, which now clarifies that either city can cancel the agreement if it is no longer in the best interests of the fire protection efforts of the cancelling city. The contract requires a 12-month notice of termination and, during that time, the cities will work out a mutual aid contract for services. SEE FIRE, PAGE A3

HAVING A LOOK With temperatures in the 70s, Saturday was a great day for a car show. Above, Donny Maxey checks out a 1950 Chevrolet at the fourth annual Brighton Fest and Car Show held at Brighton High School this weekend. Photo by Echo Day

Correctional facility expansion planned By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com Just how much and when the Tipton County Correctional Facility will be expanded remains to be seen. But the Tipton County Legislature took a step toward making jail expansion a reality during the body's monthly meeting on Monday by voting to begin negotiating with the architecture firm A2H. “Now we're going to get into the specifics,” said Tipton County Executive Jeff Huffman. Huffman said the plan is for A2H, which is basked in Lakeland, Tenn., and has been involved in local projects like the Munford Fire Station, Munford's Centennial Park and the Covington Square's renovation, to serve as the architect. Shannon Reed, the coun-

SPORTS The Lady Chargers fell in the Class AA quarterfinals against Macon County, A11 INSIDE: Ahmaad Galloway named new MHS football coach

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“This is one of the most (energy) inefficient buildings we have. I think this could save us a lot of money in the long run.” JEFF HUFFMAN TIPTON COUNTY EXECUTIVE

ty's public works director, and Donnie Wallace, who heads up the county school system's maintenance and construction projects, will also be utilized for the project. “Between those folks (Reed and Wallace) and A2H,” Huffman said, “we feel like we can do this for a lot less money.” Also during the meeting the commission voted to allow Huffman to apply for a Clean Tennessee Energy Grant. The $171,880 grant, which is administered by the Ten-

nessee Department of Environment and Conservation, would require an equal match by the county. Commissioners voted to transfer that amount from the general fund into the construction fund. Huffman said the money would be used to install more efficient heating and cooling systems in the Justice Center, something that hopefully could be implemented in conjunction with expansion. “This is one of the most (energy) inefficient buildings we have,” said Huff-

man, adding that utilities run about $200,000 a year. “I think this could save us a lot of money in the long run.” In other matters: • The commissioners approved the purchase of 1.4 acres of land occupied by the Charleston Fire Department for $10,000. • The commissioners approved the payment of $35,000 to settle a lawsuit involving an inmate from several years ago who incurred a medical bill of approximately $67,000. The Med treated the inmate, Huffman said, and the county did not receive a bill in a timely manner, meaning insurance would not cover the expense. • The Tipton County Sheriff's Office received approval to hire another deputy, who is scheduled to begin work June 1.

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Reader's Guide Opinion Obituaries Community Education Correspondents

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Brighton Middle names its students of the month A8

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