2013_Benchmarks-Government by Adams MultiMedia East

Section B

Government County Passes Property Tax Increase. 2 Deadly Intersection Gets Safety Upgrade. 15 Greeneville Launches ‘Vision 20/20’ Initiative. 10 Part Of Vast Rocky Fork Tract Proposed As New State Park. 13

The Greeneville Sun March 16, 2013

2013 Benchmarks

www.greenevillesun.com

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 16, 2013

County Passes 20-Cent Property Tax Increase In Divided Vote BY KRISTEN BUCKLES

$20,980,100 in expenditures and $20,159,500 in revenues. This left an $820,600 deficit that the budget committee proposed paying out of the fund balance. Doing so would have left an estimated $3.2 million remaining in the fund balance on June 30, 2013. This recommendation remained largely intact in the approved budget, except for adding revenue for providing raises to county employees, covering the school deficit, and providing some extra funding for the highway department.

STAFF WRITER

Property owners in Greene County are now paying another 20 cents per $100 of assessed value in taxes following a narrow vote in August 2012 in which members of the Greene County School System rallied in support of the action. The increase passed on a heavily divided 10-7 vote. County Commissioner Bill Moss proposed the increase based on the county school system’s $1.19 million deficit, and his desire to provide 2 percent raises for all county employees except school employees who were already getting a 2.5 percent raise. The increase also benefited the County Highway Department’s depleted fund balance. Public turnout for the August meeting was so heavy that deputies had to begin blocking individuals from entering the overf lowing courtroom because of fire regulations on room capacity. Those left in the foyer of the courtroom listened on speakers to hear what was occurring throughout the three-and-a-halfhour meeting. Early in the meeting, a vote on the 20-cent proposal failed, with nine commissioners voting for the increase and 8 voting against. The commission was legally able to reconsider the 20-cent increase, however, after Commissioner Tim White reintroduced it. This is because White was one of the nine commissioners who had voted against the increase, and therefore had been on the prevailing side of the earlier vote.

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

TAX LEVY With the revenue increase that passed, the new tax levy is $1.5137 per $100 of assessed value for those living inside the

Greene County Commissioner Tim White provided the “swing vote” needed to approve the 20-cent property tax increase.

county school system’s projected deficit, yielding approximately $1.7 million annually. Under state law, revenue for education must be split between the county and city school systems based on average daily attendance. The Greene County School System traditionally receives about 70 percent of local property tax revenue that is designated for education, with the Greeneville City Schools System receiving the remaining 30 percent. Therefore, if the increase in the tax rate had been 12.94 cents per $100 of assessed value, the $1.7 million would have provided approximately $1.2 million for the county school system and about $500,000 for the Greeneville school system. However, that vote WHITE’S PROPOSAL failed, 9-8, prompting White originally voted White to move to reconagainst Moss’ 20-cent sider Moss’s 20-cent tax proposal in order to intro- increase proposal. duce his own proposal for a 13-cent tax hike, with FOR AND AGAINST all the proceeds going In the final vote for the toward education. resurrected 20-cent tax Greene County Bud- increase proposal, the get Director Mary Shel- following commissionton had calculated that ers voted in the majora 12.94-cent property ity for the increase: Wade tax increase would be McAmis, Fred Malone, required to cover the Tim White, Robin Quil-

PLEASE SEE TAX | 7

len, M.C. Rollins, Hilton Seay, John Waddle, Bill Moss, Jan Kiker and Jimmy Sams. Voting against the increase were John Carter, Rennie Hopson, Ted Hensley, Robert Bird, Phil King, Margaret Greenway and Nathan Holt. By state law, Commissioner Anthony Sauceman could not legally vote on the budget because he was hired as a county employee after his election to the commission. The final vote came with exactly the number required to pass. Normally, voting on the budget would require an 11-vote majority, but with Sauceman unable to vote and Commissioner Brenda Grogan’s recent death, County Attorney Roger Woolsey confirmed that only 10 votes would be necessary for passage. PROPOSED BUDGET The Greene County Budget and Finance Committee ended its public hearing prior to the full commission meeting with a vote recommending paying all deficits, including the county school system’s, out of the appropriate fund balances, and leaving the propSUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY erty tax levy unchanged. The proposed General The vote board shows the final tally of 10-7 by the Greene County Commission to Fund budget included raise property taxes by 20 cents.

On The Cover FROM THE TOP, AND LEFT TO RIGHT: GREENEVILLE LAUNCHES ‘VISION 20/20’ INITIATIVE COUNTY PASSES 20-CENT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

County Commissioner Robin Quillen rises to support a 20-cent property tax increase during a Greene County Commission meeting in August. She noted the county’s dwindling fund balances, saying that something had to change. The proposal passed in a 10-7 vote. The increase covered a $1.19 million deficit of the Greene County Schools and also benefited the county’s Road Department. Sun photo by O.J. Early.

Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels speaks about strategies outlined in the Town’s “Vision 20/20” initiative. The project began with ideas presented at a strategic planning retreat in September. “Realizing Greeneville’s Potential” by the year 2020 is the goal of the long-term strategic plan. City Administrator Todd Smith is visible in the background. Sun photo by O.J. Early. PART OF VAST ROCKY FORK TRACT PROPOSED AS NEW STATE PARK

DEADLY INTERSECTION GETS SAFETY UPGRADE

From left, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, Gov. Bill Haslam and nature photographer David Ramsey display a photograph by Ramsey on Oct. 30, 2012, during a ceremony announcing Rocky Fork as the site of a new state park. About 4,000 acres of the 10,000-acre tract are in Greene County. Rocky Fork is located along the Appalachian Trail corridor and the Tennessee-North Carolina border in Greene and Unicoi counties. Part of the tract has been proposed as a new Tennessee state park. Sun photo by Ken Little.

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION

State Decertifies County’s Crowded Jail; Cites Human Rights BY KRISTEN BUCKLES STAFF WRITER

The Greene County Detention Center was decertified in 2012, leaving the Greene County Commission to face potential liability and struggle to finance a way to correct the problems that resulted in the decertification by the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI). Conditions related to overcrowding at the jail are inhibiting the facility from meeting the state’s minimum standards. The result is that the county’s legal liability is increased, a situation which threatens a subSUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY stantial portion of the county’s revenues, accord- From left to right, County Commissioners John Carter, Tim White and Wade McAmis and County Mayor Alan Broyles debate during a joint committee meeting to address crowded conditions at the Greene County Detening to a TCI official.

tion Center. Architect Caroline Miller is seated in back. INSPECTIONS Surprise inspections of each jail facility in the state are conducted annually by the TCI. On April 24, Greene County’s jail failed such an inspection. A period of 60 days was then provided before reinspection. During that time the county had the opportunity to form a plan of action to resolve the failed-inspection issues. The county managed appropriate measures within a plan of action to maintain certification at the Workhouse, an annex of the detention center. But the county government presented no plan of action for resolving the issues related to overcrowding at the detention center, also known as the jail. The TCI detention facilities specialist, Robert Kane, addressed the matter with the Greene County Jail Committee and the County Budget & Finance Committee in June, and addressed the entire County Commission in July. Kane, who had conducted the local jail inspections, explained that he would be recommending decertification of the jail during the TCI’s Board of Control meeting on Sept. 12. The key to regaining certification, Kane said, would be for the county to form a viable plan of action to solve the overcrowding issues. In hopes of avoiding decertification, the commission voted in July to join a County Corrections Partnership (CCP) Initiative that would aid the county in finding solutions, and to form a subcommittee for formulating a plan of action. That subcommittee never met, however, and no plan of action was ever formed. ‘DECERTIFIED’ In September, the TCI Board of Control met in Nashville and declared Greene County’s jail decertified when no plan of action was submitted, according to TCI Communications Director Christopher Garrett. Since that time, the jail has been a hot-button issue for the County Commission as members face the increased liability and financial threat that could come to the county as a result of the decertification. The standards set by TCI are the minimum and deal with “human rights and human needs,” according to Kane. There are 136 areas of compliance that must be met 100 percent, he explained. “If you’re not meeting our standards, which are minimal by nature, based on human rights and human needs, then ... you’re not meeting the bottom of the barrel,” he had said. TOO MANY INMATES Chief among the issues at the center is the overcrowding. According to Kane’s report, the daily average inmate count between Jan. 12 and April 20 was 264 — 67 percent above what is considered the jail’s proper capacity. In fact, capacity is 158 inmates in the jail, but

remove all state inmates from certain uncertified facilities, a move that takes with those prisoners a significant portion of funding for the jail and for the county, Kane said. The state could also choose to require that the county set aside a portion of such revenue for improving the situation at the detention center, he added.

SUN PHOTO BY KRISTEN BUCKLES

Officials with the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) encourage Greene County Commissioners to work together for the benefit of the community in addressing the overcrowding at the Greene County Detention Center. From left to right are TCI Jail Facilities Specialist Robert Kane, TCI County Corrections Program Coordinator Bob Bass, County Commissioner Phil King, Hodges Associates’ Mike Treadway, and Sheriff Steve Burns. he said the facility should only maintain about 90 percent of that number in order to properly allow for segregation of prisoners as needed. Such crowding means the officers cannot properly separate inmates that are violent from those that are not, he said. As a result, the crowded conditions can increase the county’s liability,

Kane added. “Decertification carries with it some penalties, mostly in the lack of being defensible in court,” he said in June. “Your liability is your greatest detriment for not being certified.” In the past year, several lawsuits have been filed against the county related to the detention center as a result of alleged beatings and

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overcrowded conditions. THE COST Increased liability could also cause the county to lose its insurance or experience increased costs for insurance, Kane said. In addition, the Tennessee Department of Corrections has been known to

IMPACT ON REVENUE This revenue for boarding state prisoners is a significant portion of the county’s General Fund budget, out of which most departments of county government operate. In July 2012, Sheriff Burns agreed to increase the figure for anticipated revenue from the boarding of state inmates by about $200,000 to help balance the county’s deficit. In 2011-2012, Burns said the boarding of state inmates brought in about $1.5 million. In response, the county increased this year’s anticipated revenue from $800,000 to $1.2 million. At the time, Burns made it clear to the county that bringing in thsi

amount would require him to board an average of 89 state inmates per day, in addition to 54 or 55 federal inmates and any county inmates. (The county is required to house all inmates arrested in Greene County “pre-trial” and is frequently left to house many of these post-trial due to overcrowding in the state and federal prisons. (The county does, however, receive payment for the housing of these prisoners.) In response, the County Commission’s Budget & Finance Committee agreed to increase the sheriff’s budget in line items such as overtime, maintenance, and gasoline and food supplies so that he can address concerns related to the overcrowding in the coming year. COMMITTEES UNITE Since that time, the Budget & Finance Committee has joined the Law Enforcement and the Courthouse / Workhouse committees in joint meetings to discuss possible solutions to the crowded conditions. The committees first met in late September to hear a leasing proposal on one-half of the former Magnavox Plant #3, located at the intersection of Kiser Boulevard and Industrial Road. However, the cost over time and the idea of only owning half the building (up to a firewall) and half the parking lot did not find favor with the committees. Meetings through October brought little progress but much debate over how the commission could possibly fund any project in light of the county’s being maxed-out on its bonds for the next several years, plus the public’s general objections to a property tax increase. PLEASE SEE JAIL |9

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THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 16, 2013

County Opens Its Own Asphalt Plant, Kicks Off Operations BY KRISTEN BUCKLES

to see the asphalt plant save money, improve the roads and provide the convenience of working on the department’s own schedule. The superintendent received praise during the ribbon-cutting ceremony from County Mayor Alan Broyles, state Sen. Steve Southerland, R-1st, of Morristown, and Rodney Carmical, executive director of the Tennessee County Highway Officials Association.

STAFF WRITER

Greene County’s asphalt plant is up and running, providing asphalt for the paving work of the Highway Department in place of the county purchasing hot-mix asphalt for paving the county roads. The large black and gold asphalt plant is located at the County Highway Department headquarters on Hal Henard Road. From June through December 2012, the plant produced about 51,000 tons of asphalt, with about $2.4 million going into that production, Road Superintendent David Weems said in a recent interview. Of that amount, $1.4 million was from a bond issued by the Greene County Commission to aid in the paving of roads. Another $1.6 million of that bond remains to be spent in 2013. Weems said that another $300,000 came from state funds for paving county roadways that connect with state highways, and another $240,000 was from the U.S. Forest Service. The remainder came from the Road Department’s budget, Weems said. SAVINGS NOTED The cost divided by the tonnage brought Weems to an average of $47 per ton cost, which is $25 per ton cheaper than the going commercial rate, he said. This savings, multiplied by tonnage, provides a

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

County Road Superintendent David Weems handles the ceremonial scissors during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in June at the new Greene County asphalt plant on Hal Henard Road. Joining Weems are, from left: County Commissioner Robin Quillen; Greene County Mayor Alan Broyles; Bill Snodgrass, representative of U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-1st, of Johnson City; County Commissioner Robert Bird; state Sen. Steve Southerland, R-1st, of Morristown; and County Commissioners Hilton Seay, Jan Kiker, Margaret Greenway and Nathan Holt. total savings of $1,275,000, he stated. With these savings, Greene County was able to pave 44 miles of road rather than the 29 miles that would have been possible if the department had been buying hot-mix asphalt at full cost, Weems noted. Greene County has approximately 1,200 miles of roads. Weems also reported that the total cost for the plant was about $970,000. “It’s more than paid for itself,” he said.

GOALS In the summer of 2012, Weems said that, over the next two years, he hopes to produce 60,000 tons of asphalt and pave about 60 miles of road. He said he planned to begin these efforts on main roadways and on some of the county’s rough chip-and-seal roads. Within the next three years, Weems said he would like to pave a total of 150 miles of Greene County’s roads. Long term, he said he would like to see all of the

county’s 580 miles of chipand-seal roads paved with hot-mix asphalt, which he said would have a longer life and make for better roads. The new plant is capable of producing more than 110 tons of asphalt an hour, Weems reported. RIBBON-CUTTING The department officially opened the plant in June with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring state and local officials. “We’re excited to be at this point after about a

year-and-a-half of studies and public hearings and the committee’s approval,” Weems said. State law required the county to go through an extensive approval process that culminated in an October 2011 final purchase approval by the County Commission in a vote of 14-7, the exact number needed to meet the state’s required twothirds vote. At the ceremony, Weems declared it an “historical moment” for the county and added that he hoped

LAW CHANGE WANTED While state law mandates that the county only use asphalt produced at the plant on county roads, local municipalities and the Greene County School System have expressed their interest in purchasing asphalt from the County Highway Department at cost. Under current law, it would be illegal for the Highway Department to sell asphalt to either local municipalities or the County School System. The Greene County Commission passed a resolution in late 2012 requesting that the state change the law to allow municipalities and government departments within the county where the plant is located to be able to purchase county-produced asphalt. State law currently allows county highway departments to conduct paving projects at cost for other government entities if the asphalt is purchased from a nongovernment source.

Commission Votes To Clear White Of Ethics Allegations BY KRISTEN BUCKLES STAFF WRITER

After months of scrutiny and debate, the Greene County Commission cleared Commissioner Tim White in November of violating the county’s Code of Ethics, following allegations surrounding work performed by his company for the Greene County School System. The commission debated the matter for more than an hour-and-a-half in November before voting on whether White violated either the County Code of Ethics or state law, or both, or neither, in connection with his work for the county schools and his related activity as a county commissioner. In February 2013, the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury released the 2011-2012 Greene County Audit, in which state auditors had a finding against the school system for the expenditures to White’s company, citing his role as a commissioner and noting it as a conf lict of interest. A&W Farms Hauling & Excavating, LLC, an excavation company of which White is a coowner, laid the sewer line for the new Chuckey-Doak High School fieldhouse project in early 2012. After his company made the successful bid for the work on Feb. 16, White voted as a member of the County Commission on Feb. 21 to authorize a transfer of funds from county school system savings to a county schools Capital Projects line item to pay for two parts of the CDHS project, including the one that his company performed. He did not give any indication at the County Commission meeting on Feb. 21 that he had a financial interest in the project. He m a i nt a i ne d through weeks of controversy that he did not see the situation as a conf lict-of-interest and was not guilty of any ethical violation. BREAKDOWN OF VOTE Those voting in agreement that there was no ethics violation were Commissioners Wade McAmis, Fred Malone, John Carter, Robin

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

County Commissioner Tim White, in foreground, told fellow Ethics Committee members, “I’d just like to say that if you know me — if you know Tim White — I believe that you know somebody that ain’t going to morally do something wrong.” County Mayor Alan Broyles is shown in the background. Quillen, Lloyd “Hoot” Bowers, Phil King, M.C. Rollins, John Waddle, Bill Moss, David Crum and Jan Kiker. Voting that there had been a violation of the County Code of Ethics were Commissioners Rennie Hopson, Ted Hensley, Robert Bird, Anthony Sauceman, Hilton Seay, Nathan Holt and Jimmy Sams. Commissioner Margaret Greenway was absent. White abstained from the vote, per the requirements of the county’s Code of Ethics. However, he expressed repeated concern that County Mayor Alan Broyles was serving as chairman of the commission and the meeting and, potentially, as tiebreaker. White based this concern on the fact that it was the mayor who officially referred the complaint to the County Commission’s Ethics Committee for consideration in October. Broyles, however, declined to step down at White’s request, noting that no charge against White had been made. The mayor conducted the meeting strictly, beginning by calling on Attorney Benjamin Lauderback, who served as county attorney for the matter after County

Attorney Roger Wool• potentially related sey declared a conf lict- state law. of-interest and recused Lauderback highlighthimself from involve- ed portions of two state ment in the case. statutes: • T.C.A. 12-4-101, the RELATED DOCUMENTS general conf lict of interLauderback presented est statute that prohibdocuments related to its “anyone who votes the case, including: for, lets out, or in any • White’s formal bid for manner supervises any A&W Farms, in which work or contract from he was determined at having a direct financial a bid opening to be the interest in that contract, low-bidder on the sewer purchase or work, and work at the Chuckey- it requires disclosure of Doak Fieldhouse by indirect financial internearly $10,000; ests by public acknowl• County Commis- edgment”; sion meeting minutes in • T.C.A. 5-14-114, which White voted as for counties under the a county commission- County Purchasing Law er to allow the Greene of 1957, which prohibits County School System “the purchasing agent, to transfer money from members of the purchasthe General Purpose ing commission, and all School Fund to the sys- county officials from tem’s Capital Projects having any financial Fund to cover the cost of or other personal bensite work and the sewer eficial interest in any work his company would contract or purchase of later complete, as well goods or services for any as County Commission department or agency of minutes from a later the county.” meeting to transfer T he Ten ne s s e e additional funds for the Supreme Court has actual fieldhouse con- found unconstitutional struction; subsection C of 5-14-114, • copies of three pay- which declares any violament warrants from the tion a criminal offense, school system’s Capi- the attorney noted. tal Projects Fund to A&W Farms, totaling LAUDERBACK’S $31,100; STATEMENTS • Broyles’ formal com“The purpose of my plaint to the Ethics being here right now is Committee; solely to guide you along • the Code of Ethics and answer questions for Greene County; and, you might have about

the ethics complaint,” Lauderback said. “Nothing further. There’s no criminal action pending; there will not be criminal action pending.” Lauderback noted that the vast majority of counties, including Greene County, adopted the 1957 Purchasing Act, which stated that “you cannot vote for yourself to receive funds.” He then called attention to the fact that White received the winning bid and A&W Farms was paid for the work, also suggesting that White’s involvement was, in his opinion, directly or at least indirectly involved in the matter. The attorney concluded by recommending that the commission discuss the situation and follow this by a vote on whether or not there had been an ethics violation. “If the vote is no, then [the issue] dies,” he said. “If the vote is yes, then we’ll have a different discussion and talk about [what action to take], if necessary.” WHITE’S DEFENSE After several attempts prior to and during Lauderback’s address to the commission, White was given permission to speak in his own defense. “I have some very passionate feelings about

this, as you all understand,” he told the commission. One of the first items that White raised was his concern with Lauderback guiding the commission through the ethics question. “The problem that I have with this is that we have a substitute county attorney that is representing the accuser. I am the accused. Broyles is the accuser,” he said. “Our substitute county attorney has done research, has had personal correspondence with my accuser,” White continued, noting documents obtained by Commissioner Quillen that detail Lauderback’s charges to the county and time spent on the alleged conf lict, including several instances of correspondence with Mayor Broyles. Another issue that White raised during his defense was noting that there has been very little case law concerning the noted state statutes on conf lict-of-interest, and that some of what is there is conf licting as to whether the law applies to school systems. The county school system, he also noted, is not under the 1957 Purchasing Act. Pointing to the wording of the law, he noted that he did not, in his opinion, “vote for,” “let out,” or “supervise” his own contract for the Chuckey-Doak work. What he did vote for, he said, was simply for the school system to be able to move funds from one line item to another. The school board, he said, voted for the contract, W&W Engineering let it out, and the school board superintended it. LAW AND TIMING Finally, White noted that the controversy over his actions could be summarized only as various attorneys’ differing opinions — emphasizing again that little to no case law actually exists on the matter. “The law also has to be clear enough that a man with reasonable intelligence could understand what he was doing wrong,” he said. “Obviously, I didn’t perceive PLEASE SEE WHITE | 7

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION

Renovations Upgrade Courthouse, Greeneville Police Dept. BY KEN LITTLE

message says.

STAFF WRITER

DIRECT OFFICER LINES Each officer also has a personal direct-dial number that allows citizens to leave messages, Crum said. “Many of them have put it on their business card, and it goes to voice mail, which in turn goes to their e-mail so they get the message,” Crum said. Another advantage of the new phone system, which also includes town offices, is its money-saving aspect. The Police Department averages about 800 calls per month, and town POLICE STATION offices receive about 1,100 Longstanding plumbcalls, Crum said. ing problems led to He said previous renovation work at monthly phone bills for the Greeneville Police the Police Department Department’s headquarand Town Hall totaled as ters, at 200 N. College much as $1,200. St. “Now, we’ve got it to The area where the disless than $700 combined,” patcher sits, along with Crum said. nearby sections where The phone system is office staff are locatadministered through ed and officers fill out CenturyLink. It uses reports, was completely a PRI — primary rate remodeled, and new interface — line that flooring was installed. enables standard phone “It’s a lot more funclines to carry voice, data tional and there’s a lot and video traffic. more storage space for The installation of new SUN PHOTO BY KEN LITTLE computer software at the files and reports. It’s a lot more usable,” Sgt. Deputy Pat Walton of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, at right, screens citizens entering the court- Police Department should David White said last house in June. The glass enclosure for deputies at right is part of a courthouse security renovation project. also be completed this month. year, Crum said. The renovation project “It should change the also freed up footage in the the police department’s equip- other departments],” he said. “It’s for when someone wants department. It should change area where the public inter- ment fund, Cannon said. “It’s allowed them to focus on to know what the roads are like everything,” he said. acts with officers. The project The total cost of the work the safety issues.” and we can transfer them to the makes the space more acces- was about $40,000. The system prompts the call- line and they can get the infor- COUNTY COURTHOUSE sible, Cannon said. er to hit a specific number mation,” Crum said. “When we Security-oriented renovations Work was completed in June TELEPHONE UPGRADE in the case of an emergency, have multiple calls at the same at the Greene County Court2012. Final touches on a new tele- and other numbers if they time, we can transfer them to house were completed in 2012. “We were having problems phone system at police head- want to contact records, the that line.” A metal detector and X-ray with the plumbing, so we put quarters was also completed detective division, administraUse of the information line machine were already in place, it in the budget. They had to in 2012. The system allows for tion, the technology division, will be expanded this year to but the work included an adjachisel out the floor,” Cannon more efficient communications property and evidence, and the include community events like cent area where deputies sit and said. “We bought some office between officers and in inter- Greeneville Parking Authority. Halloween Happenings and monitor the public. furniture to fix that up and actions with the public, Capt. One feature of the phone sys- activities during the holiday That area is now surrounded make it more efficient.” Mike Crum said. tem — a community informa- season, Crum said. by a glass-and-metal enclosure Leaky plumbing at the police The phone system also light- tion line — was used to provide The direct community infor- that better defines the space, station dated back decades, to ens the workload of dispatch- information during an ice storm mation line number is (423) Morelock said. when jail cells were in that ers, said Crum, who helped in January. 639-7106. “The new glass and the walls section of the building. coordinate its installation. The line is updated during Another useful feature of the have helped security. It has The renovations were paid “It has provided dispatchers weather events when new infor- new phone system is an anony- also helped as far as heating for with capital improvement the time to focus on the police mation is received from emer- mous tip line: (423) 783-2868. and cooling bills,” he said after funds budgeted by the Town of radio rather than answer the gency management officials, the “Please leave any informa- work was completed. Greeneville, and furniture was phone and transfer calls to National Weather Service and tion you think will help PLEASE SEE RENOVATION | 6 purchased with money from administration, records [and local schools. solve a crime,” a recorded The Greene County Courthouse and the Greeneville Police Department headquarters both received new looks in 2012. Police Chief Terry Cannon and sheriff ’s Sgt. Charles Morelock, supervisor of the courthouse detail, said after the work was completed that the renovations to the courthouse entrance and to the dispatch area of the police station are welcomed by both officers and the public.

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THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 16, 2013

Water, Sewer Rates Begin 5-Year Process Of Increases BY SARAH GREGORY STAFF WRITER

Greeneville Water Department customers both in town and outside the city limits experienced a water and sewer rate increase effective Sept. 1, 2012. Rates for water and sewer services will continue to increase over a five-year period as the Water Commission strives to avoid operating at a revenue loss. The increase was required because of a State of Tennessee mandate that local water commissions throughout the state get their finances “in the black” after consecutive years of operating in deficits. Greeneville Water Superintendent Laura White said last July and August that if an increase had not been approved locally, the state would have interceded and automatically imposed new — and likely higher — rates of the state’s own choosing.

SUN PHOTO BY KRISTEN BUCKLES

The Greeneville Water Commission approved rate increases for water and sewer services during their July 2012 meeting. Administration fees and usage rates will continue to increase over a five-year period as the utility makes an effort to get “in the black” after three consecutive years of deficits. Commissioner Joe Waggoner, at left, Board Chairman Brandon Hull, center, and ComDETAILS OF INCREASE The rate change established missioner Johnny Honeycutt, right, voted unanimously to approve the new rates. an “administration fee” for customers both inside and outside the Greeneville city limits. Customers in Greeneville now have an $8.25 per month charge. “Outside” customers — those served by water utility districts that purchase water from the Greeneville Water Department — have a $16.50 administration fee. A tiered structure determines what each customer is charged for the amount of water that customer uses. For in-Greeneville customers, rates are: • $1.20 per 100 cubic feet (ccf) of water used up to 1,000 ccf; • $1.15 per 100 ccf of water for additional usage up to 2,000 ccf; and, • $1.10 per 100 ccf of water used in any amount greater

than 2,000 ccf. The same structure applies to “outside” customers, but with higher rates of $2.40, $2.30, and $2.20, respectively. The rates are based upon cubic feet of water. One cubic foot equals approximately 7.5 gallons of water. HOW IT WORKS As an example, since 100 cu. ft. of water would equal 750 gallons (100 x 7.5 gal. per cu. ft.), the charge for a customer inside the city limits would be $1.20 for each 750 gallons used, up to 7,500 gallons, plus an $8.25 administration fee. Approximately 29 percent of Greeneville Water Commission customers use about 2,000 gallons of water per month. Currently, the water rate in effect through June 30, 2013

would result in a charge of $10.65 for 2,000 gallons for customers inside the city limits. The new rates and administration fees will continue to increase incrementally over a five-year period. By 2017, customers in Greeneville will have an administration fee of $8.50 per month and each tiered rate package will increase by 10 cents per cu. ft. Customers outside the city limits will, by 2017, have an administration fee of $17 per month with each tiered rate increased by 20 cents.

$1.77 per month to $7 per month for Greeneville customers, and $14 per month for customers outside the city limits. For sewer services, the older $2.55 per ccf (100 cu. ft.) rate for Greeneville customers was raised to $3.10. Outside-thecity-limits customers saw an increase from $5.10 per ccf to $6.20 ccf for sewer service. Sewer service fees will also continue to increase through 2017. By that time, rates for city customers will reach $3.24 per ccf with a $9.50 monthly administration fee. By 2017, customers outside the city limits will pay a $19 SEWER SYSTEM RATES administration fee and a usage Sewer system rates were also rate of $6.50 per ccf. increased. Administration charges for MUST BE SELF-SUPPORTING those services increased from “It’s painful, but we’re going

to have to do it,” said Commissioner Joe Waggoner when making a motion to approve the new rates during a July meeting of the Water Commission. The Greeneville Water Commission had a loss of $123,238 in 2009. In 2010, the deficit grew to $443,623. The utility’s deficit further increased in 2011 to $551,315. Tennessee law requires rates and charges to be established by ordinances. The law states that charges must be “respectively sufficient for the water system and the sanitary sewer system to pay all of its reasonable expenses of operation, repair, and maintenance, provide for a sinking fund for payment of principal and interest of bonds when due, and maintain an adequate depreciation account to the end that each system shall be self-supporting.” Because of this mandate, the Greeneville Water Commission had considered the rate increase for several months. Commissioners discussed the topic at various meetings and workshops and hired an outside company to conduct a study of rates. The results of that study by McGill Associates, of Knoxville, led to the adjustment approved by the Water Commission and later enacted by approval of an ordinance — as required by state law — by the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen. “If we don’t do it, they will step in and do it,” said Alderman Darrell Bryan, referring to the state mandate. The ordinance adopted by the Town ref lected the Water Commission’s determination that the new rates would allow the water and sewer systems to be self-supporting — and therefore, compliant with the state mandate.

Hawk Defeats Yokley In Hard-Fought Race For State House BY KRISTEN BUCKLES

Johnson received 1,170 votes to Mark Douthat’s 1,168. Gary Gass received 509 votes. Pam Morrell Venerable received 17,444 complimentary votes in the uncontested race for Circuit Court Clerk.

STAFF WRITER

In Greene County, 2012 was the year of the Republicans, with incumbents retaining their seats despite highly contested races that drew nearly 60 percent of Greene County’s registered voters to the polls. Republican incumbent state Rep. David Hawk is serving another term in the 5th District seat of the Tennessee House of Representatives after last November’s contest facing Democratic candidate Eddie Yokley, a former multi-term 11th District state representative. Yokley formerly lived in that district, which at the time included much of Greene County. But after legislative districts were reapportioned by the Republican-majority state legislature, Yokley’s residence was in the 5th House District. The Greene County Election Commission office tallied Hawk’s votes at 11,566 tto Yokley’s 8,292. Those numbers earned Hawk a comfortable 58.2 percent of the vote to Yokley’s 41.8 percent. Hawk has since returned to Nashville for his sixth term in office. A former Greeneville businessman, he has held the seat since 2002. All of the 5th District is in Greene County, including Greeneville itself. A few precincts along the Cocke County line remain in the 11th District, where Republican incumbent state Rep. Jeremy Faison, of Cosby, won over Democratic opponent Marjorie Ramsey, of Newport. Faison received 1,668 Greene County votes to Ramsey’s 636 votes. Most of the population in the 11th District is in other counties, especially Cocke County, where Fai-

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

State Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville, at left, exchanges a friendly handshake with former Democratic state Rep. Eddie Yokley, at right after Hawk’s re-election in November. Hawk’s brother, Daniel, looks on. son won by wide margins, allowing him to return for his second term in office. PHIL ROE The same trend for incumbent R epublicans held true for U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, who reclaimed his seat in the U.S House of Representatives. He has represented Tennessee’s 1st Cong ressiona l D istr ic t since 2009. Roe received 17,599 votes to Democratic challenger Alan Woodruff ’s 4,167. This translated to Roe receiving 78 percent of the votes, leaving Woodruff with only 18 percent. Roe said he was

Renovation Starts on Page 5 Deputies are separated from the public in the glassed-in security station next to the metal detector and X-ray machine. Sheriff Steve Burns said in

“overwhelmed” by the backing he received from voters in Greene County and across the 1st District, which includes 12 counties in East Tennessee. “Cer tainly, there’s no question it’s overwhelming to get a vote in the high 70s. It’s still very humbling to have that great a vote,” Roe said. In an interview following his re-election, he said he is duty-bound to reflect the values of those who re-elected him to another two-year term. Tennessee, Roe said, “is probably not the same as other areas of the country.” He expressed his disappointment, however, that Republican candidate

February that the work upgraded conditions for deputies who work there. “It improved security,” Burns said. HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM In another project completed in 2012, the heating and cooling system at the nearly-century-old courthouse at 101 S. Main St.

Mitt Romney, for whom he Primary ticket in August. campaigned extensively, In a non-partisan elecdid not win the presiden- tion, William “Bill” Dabbs, tial election. who formerly served two terms on the Greene FEDERAL, LOCAL ELECTIONS County Commission, won The large majority 955 votes for the 8th Dis(17,245) of those voting in trict County Commission the presidential election seat vacated by the death in Greene County voted of Brenda Grogan. for Republican candidate Other candidates includMitt Romney over Presi- ed Phil Gentry with 867 dent Barack Obama, who votes, Andrew Hillyer with received 6,225 local votes. 188, Eddie H. O’Brien with In the race for U.S. Sen- 154, and Russell Johnson, ate, incumbent Republican with 135. Bob Corker received 17,614 In the closest race of the votes, defeating Democrat 2012 elections, Deborah Mark E. Clayton, who had Johnson won the 6th Dis4,185 votes. trict seat for the Greene Actress and environmen- County Board of Educatal activist Park Overall, tion. a Greene County native The seat was vacated and resident, placed third in 2012 by the death of among the seven candi- Claude “Junior” Weems dates on the Democratic Jr.

was replaced. The courthouse renovation also included the addition of new entrance and exit doors which make the courthouse more accessible to the public, especially on days when court is in session. “It was like a bottleneck for a while, with people waiting to get out and standing in line to get in,” Morelock said. “Prior to that,

there was just the one door.” There is also a handicapped access door in the courthouse that can be used by individuals with pacemakers or surgical implants that may set off the metal detector. The new glass panel installed recently “divides up the people” and prevents crowding situations, Morelock said.

HAWK VS. YOKLEY Of all the local elections, however, the one that garnered the most attention was that of Hawk and Yokley. Hawk noted that the percentage of votes he received in the race brought him almost fullcircle back to his first contested race, when he said he won with just 55 percent of the vote. Nonetheless, the width of his margin in November came as a surprise to some of Yokley’s supporters after what had been a high-profile matchup that even Hawk admitted made for a campaign that was at times “rough” and “not pretty.” Tensions were often high during the race, with both the Tennessee Republican Party and, to a much lesser extent, the Tennessee Democratic Party sending out mailers attacking the opposing party’s candidate. Most of the Republican Party’s mailers made allegations against Yokley’s voting record during his terms in the 11th District. Those against Hawk focused on a still-pending domestic assault charge in connection with a March incident involving Hawk and his wife. (Please see related article on Page 12.) On election night, after the results were known, Yokley said that this was likely his last campaign for public office. “I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “I want to thank everyone that has helped me. I’ve enjoyed over 20 years of positive experience in politics.”

The courthouse project was funded by the county when money was set aside for the new heating and cooling system in the courthouse, Sheriff ’s Department headquarters and detention center next door. New fire sprinklers and an alarm system were also installed.

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Tax Starts on Page 2 Greeneville city limits. This does not include the county’s education debt service of $0.1932, which only applies to those living outside the city limits. The rate for those living outside the Greeneville city limits is now $1.7069 per $100 of assessed value. Residential property is assessed for tax purposes at only 25 percent of its appraised value. The property tax increase means an additional $25 in taxes per $50,000 of a property’s appraised value. WHEEL TAX FAILS This property tax increase followed a failed countywide referendum to adopt a $20 increase on the county’s existing $20 Motor Vehicle Tax. The referendum failed by a 58-to-42 percent margin in early August, prior to the mid-August property tax vote. The referendum produced a vote of 6,025 opposed, and 4,340 in favor. The tax, commonly called the wheel tax, was put to a referendum following a vote by the Greene County Commission in June. Commissioners Waddle and White sponsored the resolution as at least a partial solution to the projected deficit in the Greene County School System’s 2012-2013 proposed budget. In response to the referendum vote against the increase in the wheel tax, the Greene County Board of Education held a called meeting the very next morning in which members voted to delay the opening of schools pending further information on the budget. County Director of Schools Dr. Vicki Kirk said she was disappointed by the outcome and had been hopeful for more support from the community. “I guess we’ll look to the County Commission to see if we get any support there,” she said immediately following the failed referendum vote. Without increased local revenue, the county Board of Education was scheduled to consider a list of cuts provided by Kirk, the most controversial of which were closing Glenwood Elemen-

White Starts on Page 4 my actions as wrong.” He also noted that Woolsey, County Director of Schools Dr. Vicki Kirk, and County Road Superintendent David Weems were among the county officials who knew he was performing the work at the time it was ongoing and made no note of it to indicate that it might be wrong. White often pointed to his August “swing vote” on the 20-cent property tax increase (in which he first voted against it but later gave it the final vote needed to pass) as the motivation for the conf lict-of-interest allegations against him. Broyles, however, explained that the timing occurred because, during a recess break of that August commission meeting. he overheard for what he said was the first time an indication that White had performed work for the school system. The mayor later confirmed the work through warrants in County Trustee Dan Walker’s office. “I want you all to vote your conscience. I’m going to take it either way I can get it,” White concluded. “I’m either going to fight an ouster or I’m going to be done with this, because I’m tired of getting kicked. I promise you that I have not knowingly done anything morally or ethically wrong.” COMMISSION’S RESPONSE White’s passionate defense seemed to come as a surprise to Commissioner Hensley, who read from his own research on the matter, noting that case law makes no allowances for intent or even

Saturday, March 16, 2013

tary School and/or eliminating all school athletic supplements. Glenwood represented one of only a few precincts where more citizens voted for the referendum than against; of 335 voters at Glenwood, 186 voted for the tax and 148 voted against it. These cuts did not take place as a result of the property tax increase. COMMUNITY REACTION While the school system employees and students present at the time of the August commission meeting expressed their gratitude for the increase, many members of the community strongly opposed it. During the September commission meeting, those opposed to the increase spoke out, calling on the commission to rescind their vote. Several individuals spoke during the meeting, including Judith Sexton. Sexton directly asked the commission to rescind the vote, calling it a “self-serving process at the expense of most property-owners.” “Some day you will have to stand before God and give an account of your actions,” she said, prompting a short outburst from commissioners and members of the audience. Several commissioners defended their vote, including Robin Quillen, Fred Malone, Jan Kiker and Hilton Seay. Commissioner Ted Hensley, however, said that, “The majority of the taxpayers stood against this and are angry as all get-out.” PETITION A petition to rescind also circulated in the county before appearing before the commission with 1,500 signatures. While it was not a formal or binding demand, the petition asked that the commission reconsider and rescind its action. “The [requests] are: to back up, rescind this recent tax hike, and go back to their original tax rate and work within their means,” said organizer Randy Lintz. “It’s simple and short, because a lot of people are in strained financial condition now.” “Right now is not the time to be raising taxes. Everybody’s having to budget,” he added. “I expect my county to do the same.” savings to the county. “He stated that he did not do this willfully,” Hensley noted. “Well, his appearance here tonight doesn’t seem so humble to me. “If he now realizes that there was a conflict, I would suggest a different demeanor, rather than one that appears to be, even now, that he is above the law.” This statement prompted a momentary outbreak in the courtroom, both within the commission and throughout the larger-than-normal audience. ‘BETTER NOT THROW ROCKS’ White responded that he is merely confident he would not be ousted from office because no one yet knows the whole story. “If you live in a glass house, you’d better not throw rocks,” he said. “If this goes to an ouster suit, I’m going to be on this commission. “I can say that with arrogance — not because I’m above the law, but partly because Mr. Broyles didn’t handle this correctly.” Commissioners Bowers and Hopson then moved for the matter to go to a vote. Commissioner Seay objected, noting his confidence in White’s good intent but that “all indications” suggest that a violation had occurred. The matter had already been the subject of so many public meetings and so much news media coverage that Seay suggested White had already been “publicly censured”: one of the corrective actions provided for under the code if a violation occurs. He asked that the commissioners “put this thing to sleep.” Seay ’s plea was unsuccessful, however, and the matter ended soon thereafter with the 11-7 vote that White had not been guilty of an ethnical violation.

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THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 16, 2013

Greeneville Voters Return Daniels To Second Term As Mayor BY SARAH GREGORY STAFF WRITER

In an election that saw low voter turnout on June 5, 2012, Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels was re-elected to a second term, and incumbent 2nd Ward Aldermen Sarah E.T. Webster and Darrell Bryan were returned to office. Daniels, Webster, and Bryan were all re-elected to two-year terms. Greeneville City Board of Education members Jerry Anderson and Cindy Luttrell were also re-elected. Both ran unopposed. Voter turnout for the 2012 municipal election was a much lower percentage than in 2010. In 2010, the same offices — mayor and 2nd Ward aldermen — were on the ballot. Turnout for the June 2012 municipal election was 11.36 percent with only 1,044 out of 9,190 registered voters casting ballots. In the June 2010 municipal elections, 31.5 percent of Greeneville’s voters cast a ballot. “To be honest, I am a little bit disappointed that more people didn’t come out to exercise their right to vote,” Daniels said on election night. His challenger, Eddie H. O’Brien, a frequent candidate for local public office over the years, agreed. “The voters didn’t get out and cast their ballots today,” O’Brien said at the time. “Just remind yourselves. Get out and vote when you have a chance.” Webster, Bryan, and 2nd Ward alderman candidate Brian Bragdon also expressed disappointment in the low turnout numbers. “It’s a very expensive

of Education members Jerry Anderson and Cindy Luttrell were returned to the board after running unopposed in the municipal election. Anderson and Luttrell were re-elected to fouryear terms in the Board of Education’s 2nd Ward seats. Anderson received 346 complimentary votes. Luttrell received 376. Anderson has served on the Board of Education since 1997. Luttrell was first appointed to the board in 2003 to fill the unexpired term of the late Kathryn W. “Kay” Leonard. Luttrell was re-elected to the board — along with Anderson — in the 2008 municipal election. Both Anderson and Luttrell have attained the highest of five levels SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY of recognition — called Greeneville 2nd Ward Aldermen Sarah Webster, left, and Darrell Bryan, center, take the oath of office, admin- “Master School Board istered by Judge Kenneth Bailey Jr., at right. Greeneville 1st Ward Alderman Keith Paxton, seated, is also Member” — by the Tenvisible in the foreground. nessee School Boards Association (TSBA). operation when the town has to maintain and keep open seven precincts,” Webster noted. “I’m disappointed that many people didn’t come out to vote,” said Bragdon. “I don’t know why people don’t vote. You’d think people would be interested in getting out and voicing their opinion, whatever it is,” Bryan added. MAYORAL RACE In the election for mayor, Daniels was re-elected to a second two-year term when he defeated O’Brien by a margin of 664-to281. “I’m looking at [re-election] as an opportunity to fulfill my obligation as mayor of the Town of Greeneville,” Daniels said. He added that he wanted to continue work start-

ed during his first term and that he appreciated the support of voters who re-elected him to a second term. “We have work to do, and I’m looking forward to that,” Daniels said, surrounded by family after results came in to the Election Commission office.

term as alderman when he received the secondhighest vote total of 271. Challenger Bragdon received a total of 266 votes to come in just behind Webster and Bryan. He also placed third behind Webster and Bryan in 2010 in a race that had a total of five candidates. On election day itself, Bragdon actually received the most votes — 147 compared with 126 each for Webster and Bryan. However, he came up short when early and absentee ballots were counted. In early and absentee SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY ballots, Webster received 147, Bryan received 145, Greeneville Alderman Sarah Webster, left, and Mayor and Bragdon had 119 W.T. Daniels, center, talk with Brian Bragdon, right, while awaiting returns from the municipal election votes.

CLOSE RACE RETURNS WEBSTER, BRYAN The three 2nd Ward adermen candidates were separated by a margin of only seven votes, with the top two vote-getters — Webster and Bryan — being incumbents who were returned to office. Webster, who had served as alderman for 22 years — received the most votes at the Greene County Election Commission office in at 273. June. Bragdon finished a close third behind Webster Bryan, a former mayor, ANDERSON, LUTTREL was re-elected to a second Greeneville City Board and Darrell Bryan (not pictured) in the 2nd Ward

alderman race.

Greeneville Adopts Charter Changes; More In The Works BY SARAH GREGORY

• removing the officers-perpopulation requirement that limits the number of police officers the Town may hire.

STAFF WRITER

Some historic revisions to Greeneville’s charter that changed the structure of the Town’s government were made final in early 2012, and work on possible additional revisions is under way. The process of considering possible charter revisions will continue throughout 2013. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen first began work in 2011 to revise the charter to change Greeneville’s governing structure to provide for a Town Administrator. That became a 15-month process that included public meetings, work sessions by officials, and public workshops to study the potential changes and gain citizen input.

REFINING PROPOSALS During the 2013 calendar year, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen has worked to refine proposed changes. Three public workshops concerning the changes were held in February and March of 2013 to facilitate discussion, familiarize the public with the proposals, and gain input from Town department heads and citizens. At the time of publication, proposed changes remain only in the discussion phase. “The jury is still out,” said Mayor W.T Daniels at the last of three public workshops. SUN PHOTO BY SARAH GREGORY

City Administrator Todd Smith, standing at right, presents proposed changes to the Town’s charter to the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen during the first of three public workshops held to discuss the A LONG PROCESS Aldermen voted 3-to-1 in revisions. Seated, from left, are: 2nd Ward Aldermen Darrell Bryan and Sarah E.T. Webster, Mayor W.T. February 2012 to give final Daniels, 1st Ward Aldermen Buddy Hawk and Keith Paxton, and Town Recorder Carol Susong. Work to approval to the charter chang- revise the charter will continue through 2013. Whatever revisions are agreed upon are expected to be es establishing a new council/ submitted to the Tennessee General Assembly for consideration in the 2014 legislative session. To go administrator form of govern- into effect, any changes to the Town Charter would need to be approved first by the Board of Mayor and ment and replacing the for- Aldermen, then by the legislature and the governor, then again by the Board. mer strong mayor/weak mayor hybrid model of governmental structure that the Town had been operating under for more than a century. Keith Paxton, one of Greeneville’s First Ward aldermen, voted against the measure during the sometimes-heated February 2012 board meeting that included several verbal confrontations with the other First Ward alderman, Buddy Hawk, and with Mayor W.T. Daniels. Tennessee law requires any changes to a municipality’s charter to be approved by the Tennessee General Assembly. At the February 2012 meeting, Paxton asserted that having state Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville, a son of Alderman Buddy Hawk, introduce the proposed charter changes to the state House of Representatives was a conflict of interest. Other board members disagreed, however, noting that David Hawk is the sole state Representative for this area and thus the appropriate — and only qualified — party to carry the change to the state House. The state legislature approved the requested charter revisions in the 2012 legislative session. The legislation was also signed by Gov. Bill Haslam. After gaining the state’s approval, changes were officially put into effect by a May 2012 vote to approve them by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

MORE REVISIONS NEEDED The change to an administrator form of government necessitated further revisions to the charter to “legitimize” the city administrator’s position by granting authorities to carry out duties assigned in the administrator’s job description. Shortly after his hiring, Greeneville’s first City Administrator, Todd Smith, identified several other potential changes to the charter during one of the Town’s strategic planning sessions. Enacting those changes, he said, would increase efficiency, further recognize the City Administrator’s authority in day-to-day operations, and provide cost-savings to the Town. WAIT UNTIL 2013 As discussion evolved, however, aldermen decided in November 2012 to wait another year before submitting further revisions to the state legislature. “I don’t think we have time to do it thoroughly,” said Second Ward Alderman Sarah E.T. Webster in November. “I think time should be involved for explanation for the voting public,” she added. Aldermen decided to forego submitting changes for consideration in the state’s 2013 legislative session and take a year to thoroughly discuss proposed changes. It was determined that any

further changes desired be sub- been discussed in the public mitted to the state for the 2014 workshops include: legislative session. • removing justice of the peace and judge responsibilities from UPFRONT WITH PUBLIC the mayor and the recorder; The Mayor and Aldermen • removing references to Sabhave been active in sharing bath breaking; potential changes with the pub• removing restrictions that lic as they consider numerous will allow the Town to officially revisions to Greeneville’s 100- sponsor by making appropriaplus-year-old founding docu- tions to special events, such as ment. festivities and pageants; However, attempts to engage • allowing for the publishthe public in the process have ing of penal ordinances to the not been met with great suc- Town’s official Internet website cess, as public workshops to either in a newspaper of general discuss the changes have been circulation, as is required by lightly attended. the present charter, or on the In general, the workshops Town’s web site; have been attended primar• removing from the Town’s ily by Town department heads, Civil Service system the news media representatives, Recorder, the Recorder’s Office and citizens who serve on other staff, and chiefs and assistant governmental bodies, such as chiefs of the Greeneville Fire the Greeneville Civil Service and Police departments; Board or the Greene County • removing references to the Commission. salaries of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen from the charter, CHANGES DISCUSSED and letting their salaries be Some of the proposed changes handled in the budget process; are relatively minor, addressing • eliminating the present two only “clean-ups” in language to voting wards and letting all recognize the city administra- aldermen be elected town-wide, tor’s position or remove unnec- or setting redistricting requireessary references to no-longer- ments; active laws or ordinances. • changing the Town’s ElecOther proposed changes are tion Day to coincide with the quite significant and would County’s General Election date, change the functioning struc- as a cost-saving method; ture of the Town’s government, • lengthening the Board of how officials are elected, and Mayor and Aldermen terms the scope of their authority. from two years to four years; Proposed changes that have and,

PROCESS CONTINUES He added that he would like for the aldermen to continue discussions with Smith and that more work sessions may be scheduled in the future before a formal vote is taken. Board action is expected to be taken on the proposals later in 2013. After revisions are agreed upon by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, state Rep. Hawk will again be asked to carry the proposal to Nashville for consideration by the state house in the 2014 legislative session. If the changes are approved by the state legislature, they will then be sent to Gov. Haslam for a signature. Changes in the charter may be officially enacted after another vote by the Board of Mayor and Alderman that recognizes the state’s approval. Daniels and Smith hope any revisions agreed upon by the board will be settled by the beginning of December 2013. That will allow plenty of time to submit them for the 2014 legislative session that starts next January. Daniels has strongly urged citizen participation and input concerning the proposed changes — input either provided during the three prior workshops or provided after the workshops, through in-person contacts by citizens with him or with the aldermen. Commenting on the process of possibly bringing proposed changes to public workshops to increase public discussion and input from citizens, Smith said, “I think we’ve had a very good discussion about the concept of local government and how we govern here in Greeneville.”

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

Jail Starts on Page 3 Finally, in November, the committees voted to narrow their options to a downtown expansion of the current facility or the purchase of property on Hal Henard Road for an entirely new facility. STATE OFFICIALS The committees met again later that month to hear from state officials who came to aid the committees through the difficult process. Bob Bass, TCI’s CCP coordinator, joined Kane and Jim Hart, a jail management consultant with the University of Tennessee County Technical

Assistance Service (CTAS). The state officials emphasized, however, that they would not make decisions for the county and would only serve as guides through the process. During Bass’ presentation, he showed the commissioners pictures he had taken inside the jail, often showing inmates sleeping on mattresses on the floor for lack of bed space. “When you look at this picture, I want you to think about your son lying there, your father lying there,” he said. “This is your community.” Officials did, however, praise the cleanliness of the jail and the efforts of Sheriff Burns. Meeting facilities’ needs, they often noted, is by law the responsibility of the County Commission.

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION

costs — operational costs that would largely still be there even if the state inmates were not bringing in revenue to offset the expense, he said. Federal inmates bring with them more revenue than even state inmates, the officials noted. Thus, emptying the jail of federal inmates could come at a high financial cost and would not reduce the jail population enough to overcome the overcrowding situation, Bass said. He also noted that, of the 162 federal courthouses in the nation, Greene County’s ranks as 25th on the list for the most number of cases. In summary, Bass concluded that the overcrowding issues at the center are not “an issue of aggressively pulling in too many

STATE AND FEDERAL Cutting revenue by decreasing the number of state and federal prisoners to reduce the jail population may not necessarily be the best course for resolving the facilty’s issues, Bass also said. Hart and Bass both noted that the state has nearly 5,000 inmates across the state ready for transport into a state facility. However, these state facilities are all full and a new one is under construction, they noted. That facility will house approximately 1,450 inmates. It can take between three to four years of wait for the state to find the bed space for one of its inmates, Bass said. Meanwhile, those inmates stay in county jails and the state pays the county to help offset the

state and federal inmates.” NEXT STEP According to the step-by-step plan Bass presented in late November, the county should now do an in-depth analysis of the jail population to study all alternatives. Hart announced that he would have such a study complete by around mid-December. The committees have not met to hear such a report, however. During the February meeting of the Greene County Commission, Commissioner Robin Quillen questioned this delay. Mayor Alan Broyles explained that he requested this delay in order to prepare a proposal for a method to fund any improvements or new construction to address the overcrowding.

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Greeneville Adopts A Mission Statement, Revises Handbook BY SARAH GREGORY

be developed to address the revisions, with City Attorney Ron Woods being selected to provide legal assistance during review of ordinances.

STAFF WRITER

Crafting a mission statement, long-term financial planning, revisions to the employee handbook, enhancement of the downtown area and planning to revise ordinances were major initiatives undertaken by Greeneville during the past year. Officials held a strategic planning session in September 2012 to brainstorm a new mission statement and craft strategies designed to ensure a bright future for Greeneville. (Please see related article on Page ???) MISSION STATEMENT Greeneville’s leaders agreed that the Town’s mission statement should be “exceptional,” and as such, many different versions were discussed and proposed before a final version was adopted during a November meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The mission statement that was adopted by unanimous vote of the Town’s board states: “The mission of the Town of Greeneville is to enhance our vibrant community by delivering high quality public services and effective communication to citizens and visitors.” FINANCIAL PLANNING At the September strategic planning session, Town leadership determined long-term financial planning should be Greeneville’s top priority. “I think it is quite appropriate that something long-term financially is the biggest goal for us today,” said City Administrator Todd Smith at that time. Members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and several of the Town’s department heads conducted an analysis of Greeneville’s strengths, weakenesses, opportunities, and threats before creating a series of proposed goals and strategies. The group then took an informal vote to prioritize the goals. The resulting list was: • development of a long-range capital plan to address aging infrastructure; • development of a coordinated effort to enhance the downtown area; and,

SUN PHOTO BY LAUREN HENRY

Greeneville Alderman Darrell Bryan, at left, and Mayor W.T. Daniels were among Town officials and department heads who gathered in September during a planning session to develop a mission statement for the Town and to define long-term priorities. • revision of aging Town ordinances. Smith pointed out during the strategic planning session that, in the past, the Town had consistently operated with what he described as a short-sighted budget that covered day-to-day expenses but failed to adequately plan for long-range capital needs. Greeneville has some proposed capital expenditures up for consideration, including: • replacement of aging fire trucks for the Greeneville Fire Department; • upgrades to an aging and inadequate Fire Hall at 501 Asheville Hwy.; • replacing the EastView Pool facility, which is in need of repair and has been consistently losing money, and • other infrastructure updates such as street and sidewalk repairs. The goal is to create a sort of “pay-as-you-go” funding system through financial planning that will allow the projects to be paid for using operating revenues — a proposal suggested by Ashley McAnulty with Stephens Inc., an investment banking company that provides consultation

services to Greeneville. That proposal, called a fund balance policy, would seek to keep unassigned funds — money kept on reserve for use during years of economic downturns — within a set range, suggested at 25 to 35 percent of the Town’s annual budget, with additional revenue split between fund balance and capital funds. The capital funds would fluctuate as additional revenue becomes available and as money is used to address capital needs, such as new infrastructure, updates or repairs. The fund balance, on the other hand, would be kept stable at the preferred 25 to 35 percent. Once the balance reaches that preferred percentage, only funds necessary to maintain the preferred percentage would need to be added to it. DOWNTOWN AREA A coordinated effort to enhance retail, residential, and entrepreneurial opportunities downtown was also determined to be a key strategy to be undertaken by Greeneville’s leadership. But this goal, Town leaders determined, required public involvement and feedback in order to properly execute.

It was decided during strategic planning sessions that the Town government’s role in downtown revitalization would be to provide public resources necessary to get enhancements under way. Smith said at the September planning retreat that it was up to the Town’s government to make sure that infrastructure is not a roadblock to progress. “It will truly take a community effort to implement,” Smith said at the time, noting that coordination of private business, investors, the education community, the Greene County Partnership, and others would be required for substantial progress to occur. OUTDATED ORDINANCES Review and revision of outdated ordinances was also determined to be a priority, with the goal of streamlining functions of city government. Smith and Greeneville Director of Public Works Brad Peters pointed out that some of the Town’s ordinances simply are not relevant today while others hinder efficiency. Town leadership decided that a long-range plan would need to

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK In August, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen completed a process of making revisions to the Town’s employee handbook. Areas updated in the handbook included worker’s compensation and occupational disability, break periods, personal hygiene, harassment, weapons, conflicts of interest, and ethics. Smith oversaw revisions to the handbook, with many updates undertaken for the purpose of compliance with state and federal mandates. An update stating that workers compensation employees receive 100 percent compensation was included. Consistent with state and federal policy, tobacco use by Town employees is not banned in most areas — including vehicles. A “zero tolerance” harassment policy, like the state’s, is in the employee handbook, together with a section about prevention of and education about workplace violence. Prohibition of weapons on the job — with the obvious exception of the Greeneville Police Department — was also included. Conflicts of interest, ethics, and political activity — such as endorsement of candidates by employees during elections of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen — were also addressed in the employee manual revisions. ONGOING PROCESS The initiatives undertaken in 2012 are ongoing and were built upon long-range planning that began in September 2010 when officials began discussions about changing Greeneville’s government structure to the council/ administrator form that it has now. Mayor W.T. Daniels said that September 2010 date is when Greeneville began to really take its future seriously and be proactive in planning. “This is all new for the city, but it’s heading in the right direction,” he said, adding that he wants the public involved in the process of future planning. The citizens of Greeneville “need to know what’s going on,” Daniels said.

Greeneville Launches ‘Vision 20/20’ Long-Term Action Plan BY SARAH GREGORY STAFF WRITER

“Realizing Greeneville’s potential” by the year 2020 is the goal of a new effort officially undertaken by the Town of Greeneville in 2012. “Vision 20/20” is a longterm strategic plan and the first of its type for Greeneville. A strategic planning retreat held in September by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen was the impetus for its creation. (Please see related article above.) At that retreat, senior Town of Greeneville staff held a day-long discussion to develop a mission statement for Greeneville, identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and identify strategies for the future.

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

PARTICIPATION The initiative’s execution is heavily reliant upon input from citizens. “People can have a direct impact on local government here,” Smith said. Smith and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen called on Greeneville and Greene County residents to sign up to join their choice of five action groups tasked with identifying and planning strategies to meet each of the project’s five overall goals. At the first public workshop in November, 45 individuals signed up to participate in the five different action groups. Each of the five groups was also assigned a facilitator — individuals with related expertise — to provide leadership and guidance.

The first Downtown Revitalization Action Group meeting filled the Town Hall boardroom as participants brainstormed numerous ideas to revitalize the downtown area. Action Group facilitator Andy Daniels is seated at the left A NEW APPROACH Under the administra- end of the table, beside the U.S. flag. Greeneville City Administrator Todd Smith is seated at the right end. THE FACILITATORS tion of Mayor W.T. Daniels — and following the 2011 change in the Town’s government structure which culminated with the hiring of City Administrator Todd Smith — the Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided to take what Smith and Daniels have called a “pro-active” and more business-like approach to governance. A key aspect of that approach is long-term planning, both in financial matters and by developing a vision for the future that will help Greeneville be a v ibra nt c om mu n it y that will attract new businesses and industries. “This is a first for Greeneville,” Daniels said during a public workshop held in November to introduce Vision 20/20 to the public and plan its implementation. “If anyone has ideas, we have an open door policy at Town Hall,” Daniels said, adding, “people have great ideas, but they don’t know how

to make them become a GOALS AND STRATEGIES reality.” Vision 20/20 outlines five overall goals as a OVERALL VISION path to fully realized Daniels says Vision potential. Strategies to 20/20’s purpose is to achieve each goal are use resources already also outlined. found in Greeneville and The five goals and their Greene County to find related strategies are: ways to improve the com1) Downtown Revitalmunity without a need ization, with strategies for tax increases. to: “Are we going to • enhance retail, resiincrease taxes? Absolute- dential, and entreprely not,” Daniels said at neurial opportunities the November workshop downtown; hosted by the Board of • support the Walters Mayor and Aldermen at State Community College the General Morgan Inn. expansion project in the Vision 20/20, the downtown area; mayor said, is “basical• identify events that ly trying to utilize the bring customers downresources we have here in town on a periodic basis; Greeneville.” and That includes areas of • develop long-range Greene County outside land-use plans to maxiGreeneville’s city limits, mize the business, resiDaniels pointed out dur- dential and educational ing the public workshop potential downtown. in November. 2) Maximize OrganizaThe Town’s leadership tional Effectiveness, with has agreed that the suc- strategies to: cess of Vision 20/20 will • revise the Town’s be somewhat dependent ordinances and charter upon the breadth of its to allow for improved effiscope and overall vision. ciency; • ensure the Town

maintains an effective website and other communication tools; • develop budget strategies that anticipate future challenges and opportunities to include capital projects; • look at the structure of Town departments, joint ventures, and utility partners to strengthen service delivery and reduce costs; • focus on customer service to citizens; and, • identify a process to capture additional grant opportunities. 3) Promote A Healthy Greeneville, with strategies to: • complete a community health assessment; • work with healthcareproviders to maximize the delivery of health services and identify gaps in existing services provided in Greeneville; and, • develop a plan to enhance sports and outdoor activities in Greeneville. 4) Prepare Greeneville’s Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s Development,

with strategies to: • identify long-range capital infrastructure needs and develop the capital budget; • identify potential revenue options for capital improvements; • develop a replacement plan for existing utility infrastructure; and • create a plan to bridge technology infrastructure gaps. 5) Keep Greeneville’s Educational System at the Fore-Front, with strategies to: • secure a longrange facilities plan that includes funding options; and • identify industry needs for technical workforce skills, working closely with Walters State Community College, Tusculum College, and the Greene Technology Center (formerly known as GreenevilleGreene County Center For Technology) to meet local industry’s workforce needs.

Leading the groups are: • Andrea “Andy” Daniels, wife of Mayor Daniels, and former president of Main Street: Greeneville, Inc. — Downtown Revitalization Action Group; • Todd Smith, Greeneville’s City Administrator — Organizational Effectiveness Action Group; • Chuck Whitfield, Laughlin Memorial Hospital president and CEO, and Daniel Wolcott, Takoma Regional Hospital president and CEO — Healthy Greeneville Action Group; • Brad Peters, Public Works director for the Town of Greeneville — Prepared Infrastructure Action Group; and, • Dr. Linda B. Stroud, director of schools for the Greeneville City School System — Fore-Front Of Education Action Group. Smith met with the facilitators in early November prior to the public community workshop to discuss planning. PLEASE SEE VISION | 11

www.greenevillesun.com

Saturday, March 16, 2013

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION

Vision Starts on Page 10 At that meeting, facilitators were eager to find overlapping areas within the five overall goals and their strategies to create opportunities to pool resources and create partnerships. Facilitators also agreed that their work should extend beyond Greeneville’s corporate boundaries to benefit the entire community. MANY STEPS IN PROCESS Steps to implement the initiative were also outlined during the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s strategic planning retreat and the Vision 20/20 facilitator planning session and public workshop. After formation of the five action groups and selection of facilitators, the groups’ next steps were identified as: • development of action plans to implement each strategy over a period of two to four months; • quarterly reports to the community and Board of Mayor and Aldermen concerning updates; and, • an ongoing process of implementation of strategies, success measurement, and refining of goals.

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

Greeneville City Schools Director Dr. Linda B. Stroud, left, facilitates the first discussion of the Vision 20/20 Education Action Group. City Administrator Todd Smith, at right, listens. “When we start achieving those goals, that’s when this really becomes exciting,” Smith said at the Vision 20/20 public workshop in November.

MOVING FORWARD As 2013 began, the action groups were starting work by holding brainstorming sessions to create implementation plans

for their goals and strategies. The process will continue throughout the year — and in the coming years — as Greeneville strives toward a fully realized potential by the year 2020. So far, there have been two meetings of the Organizational Effectiveness Action Group, facilitated by Smith. That group has worked to revise their action plan to serve as a guide for implementation. It is expected to meet again after some of the strategies — such as probable revision of the Town’s charter in certain ways — begin to e implemented. The Downtown Revitalization Action Group, facilitated by Andy Daniels, has also met twice. The group has had no shortage of ideas in discussions about the “rebirth” of a thriving and vibrant downtown area. The Keeping Greeneville at the ForeFront Of Education Action Group held its inaugural meeting. The group discussed sensuring the safety of students and looming facility needs. The Healthy Greeneville Action Group, co-facilitated by Chuck Whitfield and Daniel Wolcott, has also held its inaugural meeting. The group discussed the most pressing health concerns in the community that they feel they can take actions to improve — tobacco use, obesity, and diabetes.

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THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 16, 2013

Hawk Re-Elected But Faces Legal Challenge Related To Incident BY KEN LITTLE STAFF WRITER

State Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, Greeneville, earned re-election in November to a General Assembly seat. But the six-term lawmaker still faces a legal challenge stemming from a domestic assaultrelated charge filed on March 18, 2012, after an incident involving his now-estranged wife, Greeneville lawyer Crystal Goan Hawk. David Hawk, 44, waived his Greene County Criminal Court arraignment in late November and is scheduled to appear May 29 in court. “I strongly maintain my innocence,” Hawk said following the November court appearance. It’s a message Hawk has repeated numerous times since charges were filed. Hawk weathered the election season with the case pending and handily defeated Democratic challenger Eddie Yokley. Hawk has represented the 5th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2002. He was indicted last fall by a Greene County Grand Jury on a felony count of reckless endangerment. The grand jury issued a no-true bill on a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault. The reckless endangerment indictment alleges that Hawk “unlawfully, feloniously and recklessly, did commit an assault [by] recklessly causing bodily injury to another, a domestic assault victim, his spouse, Crystal Goan Hawk.” The indictment alleges that the assault “resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim.” REPORT OF DEPUTIES The Sheriff’s Department report of the incident states that Goan told deputies the couple had been drinking on the night of March 17, 2012, and Hawk became angry about 1 a.m. March 18 after “looking through her cell phone.” “Throughout the course of the morning she stated they had been arguing,” the report said. She told sheriff’s deputies that the argument culminated in her being struck in the face about 8

a.m. that morning in the couple’s Tusculum home. Goan told deputies that Hawk struck her while she was holding their 11month-old daughter. The report said that Goan told deputies that after she was struck, Hawk “took the child from her and went to a neighbor’s house.” The report stated that Goan went to a friend’s house on Crockett Lane. Deputies spoke to her there. Hawk later returned home and was taken into custody there, the report said. WIFE’S TESTIMONY At a preliminary hearing for Hawk in September 2012, Goan testified that Hawk struck her in the face while she was sitting on a couch and holding their 11-monthold daughter, knocking her unconscious in the process. The baby and Hawk were not in the couple’s house when she regained consciousness, she testified. Goan said that Hawk had taken all the telephones in the house, so she drove to the house of an employee of her law firm and called an auxiliary sheriff’s deputy with whom she is acquainted. David and Crystal Hawk were married in 2009. Goan testified that Hawk was often jealous of her interactions with other men, and that she had been faithful to her husband throughout the marriage. During cross-examination, David Hawk’s lawyer, Tom Dillard, called Goan’s credibility into question. THE NIGHT BEFORE At the preliminary hearing, Goan told special prosecutor Joseph D. Baugh that Hawk became angry with her on the night of March 17, 2012, while they were attending a Greeneville Arts Council event. Goan testified she had two drinks at the event and David Hawk had three drinks. “He was irate,” she said. After leaving, the couple picked up their daughter at David Hawk’s parents’ house and went home. Goan testified she thought the couple had

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MADE ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

made up before she went to bed about 10:30 p.m. on March 17. About midnight on March 18, Goan testified that Hawk pulled her out of bed and the confrontation “escalated” with accusations about her actions at the event and being unfaithful. Goan said her husband hurt her arm when he pulled her out of bed, and may have caused her to cut her lip when she hit the floor. She testified that her husband then went to their daughter’s bedroom and locked the door. He wouldn’t let her in the room, and she said she fell asleep on the floor by the bedroom door. About 6 a.m. on March 18, Goan testified, she heard the baby begin to cry. She wanted to nurse her, she said, and Hawk let her in the room “and slammed the door,” she testified. Crystal Hawk said she was holding the baby with her left hand and feeding her with her right hand on a downstairs couch. “Did he hit you?” Baugh asked. “He hit me on my right cheek,” Goan testified. “He knocked me out.”

armed in any way. The Greene County Sheriff’s Department has made no determination that a gun was involved during the disagreement between Hawk and his wife, according to initial and followup reports.

ALLEGATION OF A GUN David Hawk said on March 19, 2012, that during the incident, “My wife had a gun and told me she was going to put a bullet in my head while I was holding my baby. At that time, I escaped to safety with my daughter.” At Hawk’s preliminary hearing, Goan said there was no gun in the house she shared with her husband, and denied being

GOAN FEDERAL CASE In a separate, federal case that was referenced at Hawk’s preliminary hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Mitchell Carter ruled in July 2012 in connection with a December 2011 civil trial in which Goan was the defendant and j. Roy Klumb, her former husband, was the plaintiff. The judge ruled that Goan violated both the federal Wiretap Act and the Tennessee Wiretap Act by installing spyware on the computers of her former husband, Klumb, without his knowledge, for the purpose of intercepting his e-mail. The ruling was based on evidence presented by the opposing parties in the December 2011 bench trial here. The civil case grew out of a lawsuit filed by Klumb, a former Greeneville businessman, against his former wife. In his 46-page judgment in the matter, Carter also found that Goan had falsified documents including a prenuptial agreement she had signed with Klumb before they were married in 2006. In October 2012, Carter denied Goan’s motion to amend a judgment awarding Klumb $10,000 in statutory damages and $10,000 in

JUDGE RECUSES HIMSELF After setting a return court date for Hawk at his November Criminal Court appearance, Judge John F. Dugger Jr. recused himself from the case. In her capacity as a lawyer, Goan represents clients in the 3rd Judicial District that Dugger serves. A criminal court judge from outside the area will be appointed through the state Administrative Office of the Courts to preside over the case. Hawk remains free on bond. Goan and Hawk are in the process of attorney mediation likely leading to a divorce, according to information conveyed in preliminary hearing testimony last year. Specially-appointed General Sessions Judge James Nidiffer, of Washington County, found at the conclusion of the September hearing that evidence was sufficient to forward the case to a grand jury for consideration. Hawk did not testify at the September preliminary hearing, which was held to determine whether probable cause exists to establish that domestic assault was committed. DEPUTY’S TESTIMONY At Hawk’s September preliminary hearing, Greene County sheriff’s Deputy Michael MacDonald testified that he responded to the Greeneville house of a friend of Goan, where she went after the alleged altercation. MacDonald said he noticed injuries to Goan’s face and arm. Baugh asked MacDonald if, in his opinion, he believed it was a domestic assault case. “Based on the facts explained to me, yes,” he said. Baugh asked if Hawk was the “primary aggressor.” “From everything I was able to ascertain during my investigation, yes,” MacDonald said. INITIAL RESPONSE MacDonald testified that on the morning of March 18, he went to the house shared by Hawk and his wife. After Hawk answered the door and came outside, MacDonald said he overheard Hawk tell a Goan

relative in the driveway, “It’s all her fault. She pulled a gun on me.” Hawk released a brief statement after his arrest that said, “I am innocent and did not do what has been alleged against me. I did not harm my wife.” HAWK ARREST After speaking to both parties on March 18, 2012, MacDonald took Hawk into custody. MacDonald’s affidavit of complaint said Hawk struck Goan in the face and knocked her to the ground, also “grabbing” her by the arm while she was holding their infant daughter in her arms. “Did he ever produce a gun?” Baugh asked at the preliminary hearing. “No,” MacDonald replied. VETERAN LEGISLATOR Hawk stepped down as chairman of the Conservation and Environment Committee in the Tennessee House of Representatives after he was charged last year in connection with the alleged domestic assault. He remains a member of three legislative committees: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Finance, Ways & Means, plus the Finance, Ways & Means subcommittee. The 5th District, which Hawk represents, was reapportioned in 2012 and now encompasses about 90 percent of Greene County, including all but a handful of precincts in the westernmost part of the county. OPPOSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE As a legislator, Hawk has spoken at several fundraising and awareness-raising events against domestic violence. In October 2011, he spoke at the opening of Charity Treasures, at 112 Austin St. The thrift store is part of the financial support of A Safe Harbor Home, Inc., a non-profit organization providing services to victims of domestic violence. “[David Hawk] addressed the legal side of the issue and the need to maintain and strengthen laws to protect and assist victims of domestic violence while providing proper punishment to the perpetrators of the crime,” according to a news release that followed the 2011 opening event.

GL&PS Hosts TVA Board, Opens New Mt. Pleasant Substation BY SARAH GREGORY

substation’s targeted start-up date by a few days when the new substation was energized during the first week of January 2013. Carroll said the substation had to “heat up” for a few days after being energized. It became load-bearing by the second week of January.

STAFF WRITER

Hosting a momentous meeting of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors in April 2012, bringing the new Mt. Pleasant substation on line, and continuing the successful “Operation Roundup” program were notable actions by the Greeneville Light & Power System (GL&PS) during the past year. Like other local utility systems in the TVA distribution network, GL&PS buys electrical power at wholesale rates from TVA and re-sells it on a retail basis to local commercial and residential power customers. The TVA Board of Directors rotates the location of its meetings throughout its seven-state service area. Only once before had the board met in Greeneville. That meeting was held in March 2005. At the April 2012 meeting — held at the General Morgan Inn — the TVA board voted to continue construction of a second generating unit at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. The action came after a “public listening” session in which 21 individuals — including three from Greeneville and Greene County — addressed the board. NUCLEAR POWER SUPPORT Speaking on behalf of the GL&PS Board of Directors, General Manager Bill Carroll expressed support for TVA’s expanded use of nuclear generation for electric power supply. “Reliable, affordable, and abundant power will be required to get and to keep this country running again so that every citizen has a chance to prosper,” Carroll said. He explained the setbacks the utility faces as federal regulations limit sources of power generation by pointing to the “demise” of coal.

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

The Greeneville Light & Power System’s new Mt. Pleasant Substation went on line in early January 2013. The substation is located on West Andrew Johnson Highway (U.S. 11E) near the Mt. Pleasant Industrial Park. Restrictions on coal mean 50 percent of TVA’s generating capacity must be replaced by another source. “So under the current wave of regulatory silliness, coal is being killed off, and natural gas may get the next environmental black eye. Renewables [like wind and solar] have problems with reality. Conservation opportunities are limited,” Carroll said. “Where do we turn? There is no perfect power supply option,” Carroll continued, stating that nuclear power is the best option when considering “math, science, economics, and reasonable environmental concerns. “TVA has long provided excellent support for prosperity in the [Tennessee] valley. Continued safe use of nuclear generation will help all of us continue to prosper. “Please stay the course,” Carroll said.

TVA expects Watts Bar Unit 2 “to be among the best operating and most economical nuclear generating facilities of the 21st century,” TVA President and CEO Tom Kilgore said at the meeting. Completion of a second generating unit at Watts Bar will help TVA deliver “a balanced mix of energy sources and increase our supply of emission-free electricity,” Kilgore added. The project is expected to cost an estimated $4.2 billion and be completed between September and December of 2015. MT. PLEASANT SUBSTATION GL&PS’ new substation near Mt. Pleasant Industrial Park was brought on line in early January 2013. The project was approved in a November 2011 meeting of the GL&PS Board of Directors. Permits for the project were secured by the end of January

2012. Site preparation began in February 2012, and construction work on the project was started in March 2012. Equipment for the new substation began to arrive in late August 2012, when a 65,000pound transformer was delivered to the site. Progress slowed, however, in late October 2012, when GL&PS crews were sent to the Northeast to assist hard-hit utility systems there in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy — a storm that became the second-costliest Atlantic weather event in American history. GL&PS crews returned to work on the Mt. Pleasant project after providing storm recovery assistance for three weeks. By the end of the year, the substation’s construction was complete. In spite of the interruption while crews were out of state, the utility only missed the new

OPERATION ROUNDUP The “Operation Roundup” program was given approval to be continued beyond its initial five-year partnership with the Greeneville Parks and Recreation Department. The voluntary program rounds GL&PS customers’ electricity bills up to the nearest dollar to fund improvements to lighting at athletic fields in Greeneville and Greene County. Customers who do not wish to participate may opt out. After the program ended its initial five-year period, Greeneville Parks and Recreation Director Butch Patterson requested that the Greene County Commission and Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approve its continuation. In October 2012, both the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Greene County Commission granted approval. Alderman Sarah Webster said the program “really has been a blessing to the schools that have been serviced.” Since the program began, Operation Roundup has supported lighting projects at North Greene High School, West Greene High School, Greeneville High School, Optimist Field at Hardin Park, Greeneville City Track, Greeneville-Greene County Sports Complex, and Dogwood Park Amphitheatre. Chuckey-Doak High School and South Greene High School are next on the program’s list of beneficiaries.

www.greenevillesun.com

Saturday, March 16, 2013

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION

Part Of Vast Rocky Fork Tract Proposed As New State Park BY KEN LITTLE

nessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, U.S. Forest Service, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Unicoi and Greene counties. The entire Rocky Fork wilderness area “provides a wide range of world-class recreational opportunities, including hiking the popular Appalachian Trail, fishing more than 16 miles of blue-ribbon trout streams, and hunting bear, turkey, deer and grouse. “The area is also home to both state and federally endangered species, including the Peregrine falcon,” Lockhart said. Bob Martineau, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation commissioner, said Haslam “has emphasized a healthier Tennessee as one of his top administration priorities, and a proposed state park at Rocky Fork will certainly play an important role in the SPECIAL TO THE SUN state’s ongoing efforts to The Rocky Fork property, which has been proposed as a new Tennessee state park, is located along the Ten- create healthier citizens.”

STAFF WRITER

Years of persistence paid off on Oct. 31, 2012, when Rocky Fork was formally proposed as Tennessee’s 55th state park. Everyone will benefit from the park’s creation, Gov. Bill Haslam told an enthusiastic gathering at the I-26 Welcome Center near Erwin. The property that will comprise the state park is in the 10,000-acre tract acquired by The Conservation Fund and the U.S. Forest Service in 2008. At the Erwin news conference in October, Haslam announced the future conveyance of 2,036 acres in Unicoi County to the state that will eventually become the park. U.S. Forest Service lands previously purchased from The Conservation Fund since 2008 total 7,677 acres. The 2,036 acres in Unicoi County will be conveyed to the state by spring of this year. About 4,000 acres of nessee-North Carolina border in Unicoi and Greene counties. It is visible on the right to drivers on State Rt. the 10,000-acre Rocky 107 (the Erwin Highway) when driving toward Erwin from Greeneville. Fork area are in Greene County, and the remainder of the acreage is in and the Tennessee-North local elected officials have GATEWAY TO TRAIL base,” Alexander said. Unicoi County. Carolina border, Rocky long advocated for the The park will not only “We have seen this hapFork is named after the beautiful wilderness area serve as a “gateway” to pen in Maryville, SevierA ‘MULTI-YEAR’ EFFORT cool, clear stream that to become a park. the Appalachian Trail. It ville and Asheville, and “Rocky Fork comes on runs down its center. “This is really kind of the will also draw people to there is no reason it can’t the heels of a multi-year The property is adja- culmination of decades of Unicoi and Greene coun- happen in Erwin.” effort led by a coalition of cent to more than 22,000 hard work by more groups ties, Haslam said. Federal funding for the both public and private acres of U.S. Forest Ser- and individuals than I can “This is a special place,” Rocky Fork land acquisipartners,” Haslam said vice-designated wilder- possibly name,” said David he said. “We have 54 tion and future developat the announcement. ness, including Sampson Ramsey, a nature photog- state parks in Tennessee, ment there was made pos“I want to extend my and Bald mountains. rapher whose family con- and it is my pleasure to sible through the efforts of congratulations to the Before Rocky Fork’s nections to Rocky Fork go announce it will be the Alexander and the Tennescitizens of Northeast acquisition by The Con- back several generations. 55th state park.” see congressional delegaTennessee who rallied in servation Fund and U.S. Ramsey said the park Sen. Alexander, who was tion. support to preserve this Forest Service, it was one will become a real- also at the October 2012 They secured support beautiful property and of the largest unprotect- ity because of an unlikely announcement, agreed, from the federal Land and to personally thank both ed tracts in the southern combination of public and congratulating Haslam, Water Conservation Fund, Sen. [Lamar] Alexander Appalachian Mountains. private groups working The Conservation Fund along with private contriand The Conservation “In Tennessee, we want together. and other state and local butions of more than $4 Fund for their ongoing to protect those things “It’s an important area,” officials “for their vision million, said Meg Lockefforts, passion and com- that make Tennessee Ramsey said. “I think the and leadership.” hart, spokeswoman for the mitment to conserve this special. This is an incred- real story here is how for “A Tennessee state park state Department of Enviremarkable 10,000-acre ible story of how things the last 16 or 17 years, in the Rocky Fork area will ronment and Conservation tract, a part of which will can and should work,” groups have come togeth- attract anyone who enjoys (TDEC). eventually be home to Haslam said. er and stood shoulder-to- the Great American OutTennessee’s newest state shoulder to get this land doors to come to beauti- KEY PARTNERS park.” ‘CULMINATION OF DECADES’ protected. Many times ful Unicoi County, have a Lockhart said other Located along the AppaConservationists, mem- anywhere else they were good time, and spend some key partners in addition lachian Trail corridor bers of the public and adversarial groups.” money to build up the tax to TDEC include the Ten-

ECONOMIC ‘CATALYST’ The 2,000 acres to be conveyed by The Conservation fund offer a lowimpact, financially feasible proposal for a new state park, which would also serve as a catalyst for economic activity in Unicoi County and surrounding areas, officials said. While discussions continue regarding the proposed park’s development, budgeting and appropriations will first need to be reviewed and approved by Haslam and Tennessee’s General Assembly. Preliminary plans for the “park in progress” include an access road, ranger station, primitive campground, picnic areas and trails, in addition to interpretive efforts to share the historic Revolutionary War-era battle site. For more information, visit the Tennessee State Parks’ website at www. tnstateparks.com

Appointments And Retirements Of Note During The Past Year BY O.J. EARLY

woman to be named to a federal judgeship in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Judge Parsons at one time served as a law clerk for a U.S. magistrate judge. She left the court in 1981 and practiced law in Chattanooga and Knoxville until 1990, when she was appointed Chapter 13 Trustee for the Northern and Northeastern Divisions of the Eastern District, a position she held until being appointed to the bench.

STAFF WRITER

A number of local officials earned recognition of various kinds over the last year, or retired from public office after a career of service. The following persons were among them. In Fall 2012, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marcia Phillips Parsons, of Greeneville, was named chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Parsons became the first woman in this district to hold the position of chief judge, a spokesman for the Eastern District said in October. In 1993, she marked a

In February of this year, Third Judicial Circuit RETIRED AS CIRCUIT COURT CLERK Chancery Judge Thomas CHIEF JUDGE, U.S. BANKRUPTCY NAMED TO COURT OF APPEALS R. “Skip” Frierson II COURT was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, similar milestone when newly-created bankruptcy With that appointment, Eastern Section. she was appointed to a judgeship in this district. she became the first The appointment was

MARCIA PHILLIPS PARSONS

THOMAS R. “SKIP” FRIERSON

GAIL DAVIS JEFFERS

made by Gov. Bill Haslam. “Skip Frierson has spent the last 23 years serving in public office in East Tennessee, and he brings a wealth of experience to the bench. We are fortunate to have someone in this role with his qualifications and expertise,” Gov. Haslam said in a news release. Frierson, a Morristown resident, had served since 1996 as chancellor in the Third Judicial District, which includes Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins and Hancock counties. Prior to serving as chancellor, he was elected Hamblen County General Sessions Court Judge in 1990.

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THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION Saturday, March 16, 2013

www.greenevillesun.com

NFS Awarded 2 Govt. Contracts; License Renewed For 25 Years BY KEN LITTLE STAFF WRITER

The past year has been an eventful one for Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS). Company officials are optimistic about the future of the Erwin facility. Meanwhile, vocal opponents continue to question the safety of the Unicoi County operation. In November 2012, NFS officials announced two new contracts from the U.S. Department of Energy, Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office, had been awarded. The first contract includes the manufacture and delivery of fuel, plus support activities, for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. NFS makes uranium fuel for the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships. NFS has been the sole manufacturer of nuclear fuel for the U.S. Navy’s fleet of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines since 1964, NFS spokeswoman Lauri Turpin said. The second contract provides for the development of material for future Naval Reactors programs. “NFS is pleased to continue our important work for the U.S. Department of Energy and the Naval Reactors program,” said Joe Henry, NFS president, after the contracts were awarded. “We are pleased that our work supports U.S. national defense programs, and we are excited to use our unique technical capabilities and expertise to develop the next generation of nuclear fuel,” Henry said. NFS also converts government stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium into nuclear reactor fuel for commercial clients. The company employs a full-time work force of about 1,000, including long-term contractors and security personnel. The NFS plant in Unicoi County is located near the Nolichucky River, 28 miles upstream from Greeneville. The river is the primary source of drinking water for Greene County. NFS STATEMENT Turpin noted in a March statement that NFS is working on contracts for fuel for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion program, and the downblending of high-enriched uranium into a form suitable for use in commercial power generation. “The company has completed a number of significant infrastructure improvements, including a state-of-the-art entrance building,” Turpin said. Also in 2012, NFS achieved a 25-year license renewal from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “NFS remains focused on safely and securely operating its Erwin facility, which makes the fuel for our nation’s fleet of U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers,” Turpin said. RECLICENSING The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) renewed the operating license of (NFS) for an additional 25 years in August 2012. The NRC action prompted a positive reaction from NFS officials and an angry response from longtime critics. NFS had been operating on a 10-year license that expired on July 31, 2009. The company submitted its renewal application in June 2009. NRC regulations permitted the company to continue operating past the expiration of the previous license while the NRC reviewed the renewal request. The approval “means that the [NRC] has concluded that no safety or environmental issues preclude renewal of the plant’s license,” Turpin said. Henry, NFS president, said in a statement after the Aug. 2 relicensing announcement that prior to granting the renewal, the NRC “conducted extremely rigor-

two sites, including one in Greene County, show no “demonstrated cause for concern to human health or the environment.” The TDEC findings are strongly disputed by Overall, the Greene County environmental activist. The testing was done at the request of Overall and other members of a local citizens group connected to the Erwin Citizens Awareness Network (ECAN) to see if contaminants from NFS can be linked to areas along the Nolichucky River. The locations of the TDEC samples taken were in Greeneville, in the backwater-tributary area near the intersection of the Asheville Highway and Victory Boulevard; and in Erwin in Unicoi County, at a backwaterSUN PHOTO BY JIM FELTMAN tributary area of the Barbara O’Neal, of the Erwin Citizens Awareness Network, asks a question during a 2012 public hearing held Nolichucky River at the with officials of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission during the relicensing process for the Nuclear Fuel Ser- linear trail crossing.

vices facility in Erwin. Seated at left in foreground is Trudy Wallack, of Greene County, who has also been very concerned about the health impact of NFS. SOIL, WATER SAMPLES ous reviews of safety and environmental practices, and the facility can safely operate for another 25 years.” ‘HIGHEST STANDARDS’ “We are proud of our work and will continue operating our facility committed to the highest standards in safety and security, protecting the public and the environment,” Henry said. The operation of the plant has not been without controversy, however. Opponents of the plant claim people who live downriver have suffered higher-than-average cancer rates. That allegation is vigorously denied by NFS officials. The NRC did its homework before granting NFS a 25-year license renewal, spokesman Roger Hannah said last year. “The NRC staff performed a detailed technical review and determined that the application demonstrated the company’s qualifications, training and experience to use the licensed material according to NRC regulations, and that the company’s equipment, facilities and procedures are adequate to protect health and minimize danger to life and property,” Hannah said. The NRC staff held several public meetings in Erwin to explain the license renewal review process, the environmental assessment, “and the resolution of certain items identified during the technical safety review,” Hannah said. 40-YEAR LICENSE SOUGHT NFS had first sought a 40-year renewal of the license. In September 2011, the company changed its license renewal request to 25 years, according to documents submitted to the NRC. NFS and its predecessors have been operating in Erwin since the 1950s. The nuclear fuel manufactured at NFS for the U.S. Navy has an operational lifespan of more than 30 years. Henry said the NRC’s operating license renewal “ensures our ability to continue providing fuel for the U.S. Navy, and secures jobs for our employees and contractors.” An NRC official said at a public meeting after the license was granted that the significance of environmental impacts from the license renewal would be minor and “not detectable.” OPPONENTS REACT Barbara O’Neal, an Erwin resident and a member of the Erwin Citizens Awareness Network, Inc., said last year that she was “shocked and appalled” that the NRC renewed the NFS license for another 25 years. O’Neal said that the State of Tennessee renewed the NFS National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit “for only three years.” “In the past, it has always been 10 years. If they can’t discharge into the air and water, then they can’t operate,” she said. O’Neal cited the age of the NFS plant — now 55 years — as another fac-

tor against its continued operation. The facility was “not intended for operation beyond 25 years,” O’Neal said. O’Neal also cited “two scathing safety assessments” within the last six years by the NRC’s Independent Safety Assessment Team, which “revealed a multitude of safety issues that would literally take years to correct.” O’Neal said NFS has “years of mixed hazardous waste,” both radiological and chemical, stored on site, which poses “a threat to the health and safety of the community, especially in the event of a natural disaster.” DIFFERING OPINIONS NFS officials, O’Neal said, “have been in chronic noncompliance with federal regulations for years, and the NRC knows it.” O’Neal believes the Navy played an “influencing factor” in the decision. Henry said NFS is good for Unicoi County and the entire country. “NFS is an important asset to our nation, but also to the local community. We hope to continue our contribution to the nation and community for many years to come,” he said. LAWSUIT DISMISSED A lawsuit was filed in 2011 by Greeneville lawyer John T. Milburn Rogers that claimed hundreds of people living as far as 95 miles downriver from the NFS plant in Erwin have suffered ill health effects or property damage. Two high-profile national law firms joined the plaintiffs’ legal team — Motley Rice, of Charleston, S.C., and Napoli Bern Ripka LLP, of New York City. U.S. District Judge J. Ronnie Greer dismissed the civil lawsuit in December. An appeal may be filed, Rogers said recently. The lawsuit had 143 plaintiffs and alleged that NFS and prior owners of the company had released or were releasing hazardous and radioactive substances into the environment, resulting in health problems and property damage. Of 11 claims made in the lawsuit, Greer dismissed 10 on the basis that state law is pre-empted by the federal Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act — a federal law that defines and addresses the liability of all U.S. nonmilitary nuclear facilities. “The Act limited the civil liability of nuclear plant operators and provided federal funds to help pay damages caused by nuclear accidents,” Greer’s Dec. 21 ruling states. The remaining claim was dismissed by Greer because plaintiffs failed to “prove a breach of the federal numerical dose lim-

its,” the judge wrote. ACTION WILL CONTINUE Greene County resident Park Overall said earlier this year that new lawyers will be hired to further the legal action. Information in the lawsuit dismissed by Greer indicates that there is radioactive pollution related to NFS up to 100 miles downriver from the Unicoi County facility, she said. “It’s highly-enriched uranium, and it’s been found all the way to the French Broad River,” Overall said. CANCER RISK STUDY Meanwhile, a second phase of a pilot study to determine cancer risk in the population surrounding the NFS plant in Erwin was given a goahead in October by the NRC. The NRC action followed up a recommendation by a National Academy of Sciences committee to determine cancer risk in populations surrounding the NFS plant and six commercial U.S. nuclear power plants in other states. The NRC approval means that studies will be conducted at all six sites. “The NRC is asking the Academy to carry out this effort, which will help the agency determine whether to extend the effort to the remaining U.S. reactors and certain fuel cycle sites,” an NRC news release said. 2 TYPES OF STUDIES The pilot effort “will examine each of the seven sites with two types of epidemiological studies,” the NRC said. The first will examine multiple cancer types in populations living near the facilities, and the second will be a case-controlled study of cancers in children born near the facilities. NRC officials said the agency will work with the Academy to begin the pilot study process by this year. NRC staff anticipate the study “will continue at least into 2014 and cost about $2 million,” a news release said. “NFS supports the decision of the NRC to sponsor the NAS study,” NFS spokeswoman Turpin said. SINKHOLE CONTROVERSY Another controversy surrounding NFS emerged in August when a 120-footdeep sinkhole opened on the grounds of nearby Love Chapel Elementary School in Erwin. Ultimately, the school was closed permanently earlier this year. Some citizens expressed concern about the potential environmental implications if similar sinkholes should appear on the property of NFS, less than one mile away from the school. NRC officials assured those present at a public meeting in Erwin last fall that testing done on the

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For comparison reasons, TDEC staff also collected radiological soil and water background samples on the Nolichucky River at the Chestoa Recreational Area, TDEC’s Lockhart said in an email response to questions. Five sample analytical results were reviewed, two of which were collected at locations under the citizens group’s direction, Lockhart said. “TDEC can report that none of these analytical results, nor other historical Nolichucky River water samples, indicate waste water discharge levels at or near regulatory legal limits or above regulatory guidance levels where regulatory limits have not been established,” Lockhart said. “ B e c au s e these results are below regulatory limits and guidance levels, there is not a demonstrated cause for concern to human health or the environment.” GROUNDWATER TESTING Overall said in JanuLast fall, at the request ary that the TDEC findof a local citizens group, ings are inaccurate. the Tennessee Department of Environmental NFS POSITION Conservation (TDEC) NFS has denied that its agreed to groundwater Erwin operation causes sampling at several sites any adverse health near NFS and in Greene affects to the surroundCounty, downriver from ing population. the plant. “We remain committed The actual sampling to operating safely and event took place on Oct. securely, protecting our 22, 2012, “and was con- employees, the public, ducted as a good-faith and the environment,” effort in response to the said Henry, the NFS group’s complaint,” said president, in a DecemLockhart, the TDEC ber news release in spokeswoman. response to the dismissLockhart said in Janu- al of the civil lawsuit by ary that testing done at Greer. NFS property indicates that the possibility of sinkholes appearing there is unlikely. The assurances didn’t do much to convince NFS critics that the sinkholes can’t happen at the facility, given the area’s topography. After the sinkhole appeared in August 2012 on the grounds of Love Chapel school, dye samples were placed in the groundwater collected at the bottom of the sinkhole. The groundwater, which lies uphill from NFS, migrated to a location along the Linear Trail in Erwin near the Nolichucky River and the NFS plant site. “We are concerned about sinkholes. We are also concerned about NFS’ groundwater contamination. People are concerned about the groundwater contamination that NFS has already caused,” Jonesborough resident Linda Cataldo Modica said.

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION

TDOT Begins Safety Improvements At Deadly Intersection BY KEN LITTLE STAFF WRITER

Slowly but surely, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is moving forward with plans to make additional safety improvements at the dangerous intersection of U.S. 11E and Bridge Burners Boulevard. Some work has already been done in the area of the intersection, which has seen two fatal wrecks and numerous less serious crashes in recent years. WARNING SIGNS IN PLACE Following a site visit in May 2012 by TDOT officials, eight advance truck-warning signs, four facing in each direction on 11E, were installed. Four signs face traffic approaching the intersection from Greeneville, and four other signs face vehicles coming from the direction of Bulls Gap and Interstate 81’s Exit 23. Currently, eastbound vehicles must slow down if a truck turning left toward Interstate 81 from Bridge Burners Boulevard is not using the acceleration lane on the westbound side of the four-lane divided highway. A Road Safety Audit Review (RSAR) was approved in December 2012 that details planned improvements to the intersection, where there have been two fatal wrecks since January 2011. The audit points out that more big trucks will be using the intersection with the opening of the nearby US Nitrogen plant, which is currently under construction and projected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2014. “[The] intersection will be re-evaluated for traffic signalization in the

SUN PHOTO BY O.J. EARLY

Thick fog conditions are common for morning commuters at the intersection of Bridge Burners Boulevard and U.S. 11E. A Walmart truck, in the foreground, prepares to turn right toward the company’s nearby distribution center. The large traffic sign and seven others like it near the intersection were installed in 2012. future after the opening of the new chemical plant,” the audit said. At that time, updated traffic counts will be done, along with the evaluation of other possible safety improvements, the audit states. Putting a traffic light or a flashing traffic signal at the intersection warning oncoming motorists of trucks pulling out onto 11E has been discussed in the past. RENOVATION TIMETABLE About $1.1 million in recommended improvements are included in TDOT plans for the intersection. “We are scheduling this project for a construction letting in July 2013,”

TDOT spokesman Mark Nagi said in February. TDOT officials indicated in 2012 that bids on the project would not be let until 2014. A Road Safety Audit Review (RSAR) was approved in December 2012 that details planned improvements to the intersection. IMPROVEMENTS DETAILED Anticipated improvements to the intersection include two flashing warning signs. Other planned improvements include additional acceleration and deceleration lanes on 11E and Bridge Burners Boulevard. Warning signs and reflective striping were

Year Starts on Page 13 Gail Davis Jeffers, Greene County’s Circuit Court clerk since 1994, retired in mid-2012, before completing her fifth term. Her retirement ended 18 years of elected service in Greene County. Jeffers, a Republican, won four straight terms. “Eighteen years seems to have passed so fast,” Jeffers said in an interview with The Greeneville Sun. “I’ve enjoyed my time as circuit court clerk.” Prior to being elected to the position on 1994, Jeffers was a deputy circuit court clerk in the office for five years before spending 11 years working as an administrative assistant in the

PAM VENERABLE

SCOTT NISWONGER

ELECTED CIRCUIT COURT CLERK

PRES./CHMN., HOMELAND SECURITY FDN.

Greeneville office of Third Judicial District Attorney General C. Berkeley Bell. “I was an employee in this office, and I had an interest, and when Ms. [Betty Carter] Justis decided to

retire in 1994, I decided it was the time to do that, if I wanted to do that,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.” Pam Venerable, longtime chief deputy clerk,

installed earlier this year. The safety project will also include median modifications to improve traffic flow, extension of the left-turn acceleration lane for traffic turning onto 11E from Bridge Burners Boulevard, and offsetting the left-turn lane on Bridge Burners Boulevard to improve sight lines. The pavement on Bridge Burners Boulevard approaching 11E will be widened and overlayed as part of the project. The improvements will be done to better guide motorists, especially during low light, or in the rain or fog, Nagi said. Federal funds will be used to pay for most of

the project, with some commitment of TDOT funds. No local funding match is required. Right-of-way acquisitions will also not be required, according to the RSAR.

succeeded Jeffers. After Jeffers announced her retirement, Venerable was appointed Interim Circuit Court Clerk in May by the Greene County Commission. The veteran circuit court employee served in that capacity until November, when she was elected to a two-year term to complete the unfinished four-year term to which Jeffers had been elected in 2010.

capacity, and I’m very honored to represent the citizens of Greeneville in this type of role,” Foulks said after the appointment. The Homeland Security Council, formed in 2003, is composed of 23 members representing state and municipal officials, law enforcement and other stakeholders.

In 2012, Greeneville Fire Chief Mark Foulks was appointed to the Tennessee Homeland Security Council by Gov. Bill Haslam. Foulks, Greeneville’s fire chief since 2006, served 17 years in various roles in the Knoxville Fire Department, including assistant chief, prior to coming to Greeneville. “I’m very honored to serve. I’m very honored to represent the Greeneville Fire Department in this

TRAFFIC VOLUME According to the audit released in December 2012, the annual average daily traffic volume on U.S. 11E at the intersection was 13,710 vehicles per day. An estimated 300 to 500 trucks daily enter and exit the nearby Walmart Distribution Center on Bridge Burners Boulevard and use the intersection, the audit states. That’s an average of

In February of this year, Greeneville businessman and philanthropist Scott Niswonger was named president/chairman of the newly-formed Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Foundation. The announcement was made by Bill Gibbons, commissioner of the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The department’s mission “is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with

9.5 vehicles per minute of every day, a minimum of one truck every 4.8 minutes daily and a maximum of one truck every 2.9 minutes each day. The audit also notes the two fatal crashes occurred at the intersection, on April 1, 2012 and on Jan. 18, 2011. In the April 1, 2012 wreck, two people died, including a 4-month-old infant. “Similar conditions caused the two fatal crashes in that a vehicle was headed east on U.S. 11E and collided with a tractor-trailer truck making a left turn from Bridge Burners Boulevard at the intersection,” the audit states. “Both of the fatal crashes occurred during adverse weather conditions, one during rainy and wet conditions and one during foggy conditions,” the audit adds. In addition to the two fatal wrecks, four other crashes happened at the intersection between Jan. 1, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2009. Two of the six total crashes occurred during foggy conditions, the audit said. The audit also stated a conclusion already well known to Mosheim residents and others who travel on 11E. “Fog conditions regularly occur in the vicinity of the study intersection,” the report said. LIGHT NOT RECOMMENDED Installing a traffic light at the intersection is not recommended by TDOT. A November 2011 inspection concluded that TDOT “would not typically recommend the installation of a traffic signal at this time,” Nagi said last year. TDOT officials said after the May 2012 meeting that traffic patterns need to be studied further before deciding on the most effective type of safety devices.

integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently,” Gibbons said in a news release. Former Greeneville Building Official Jim Snyder retired in May 2012, ending 18 years of service to the Town of Greeneville. “Jim Snyder is a good person,” Mayor W.T. Daniels said in May. “I think he has done a tremendous job for this community from day one.” Snyder had worked for Greeneville since 1994. He is certified by the state in building, plumbing, fire and as a plans examiner. He is also certified in wood-frame construction and inspection, seismic training and nonstructural plans review, in addition to being a licensed pilot.

Guide MOSHEIM 3-Star Center +++

Super Service Center 311 CCU Blvd., Greeneville Myers Street Service Center 1115 Myers St. Greeneville Mosheim Service Center 9175 W. A.J. Hwy., Mosheim Morristown Locations 4005 E. Morris Blvd. 4918 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy. Johnson City Service Center 1919 N. Roan St. Johnson City, TN 37601 Jefferson City 1075 N. Chucky Pike Call Our Central Number

423-639-6131

Town of Mosheim 1000 Main Street

422-4051

TENDER HEART DAY CARE

Pre-School Program Children 6 wks. thru 12 yrs. Open 5:30am - 5:15pm Mon-Fri Director/Owner - Kathy Holt Located across from West Greene High School 422-7344 Mosheim, TN

Follow the Road to the Town of Mosheim

THE GREENEVILLE SUN BENCHMARKS EDITION

www.greenevillesun.com

Saturday, March 16, 2013

I’m more than just another tall drink of water. IfIf only only our our tap tap water water could could talk talk to to us. ItIt might remind us us that that tap tapwater waterisis might remind more more than than just a healthy, refreshing refreshing drink.ItIt also also ﬁfights ghts ﬁ fires, supports supports our drink. our economy provides us with economy and and provides us with the the high quality of we life enjoy. we enjoy. high quality of life Our Our water water bills bills pay pay to to keep keep our our community community tap water water safe, safe, reliable reliable and without and there there for for us us — — 24 24 / 77 without fail. fail.For For more more information information about about what what your yourtap tapwater waterdelivers, delivers,visit visit www.greenevillewater.org/ [Insert utility Web address here].

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