Benchmarks 2022 | Section B | Government

SECTION B

Government

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition March 12, 2022

Page 2B

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

GreenevilleSun.com

Saturday, March 12, 2022

SUN FILE PHOTO

The former Takoma Hospital building was purchased by the Greene County Government in August 2021. It will serve as the new Greene County offices complex, and the former Greene County Annex will be closed and sold.

Greene County Purchased Takoma Hospital Building, Appointed New Commissioners

BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER The Greene County government made a big property purchase in the fall before appointing two new Greene County Commissioners due to a resignation and a death.

Greene County voted to purchase the former Takoma Hospital campus in August for $3 million from Ballad Health, before taking official control of the facility on Nov. 17.

The county also allotted about $3.5 million for renovations to the old hospital.

The 110,000-square-foot building, located off Asheville Highway, will be the new home for most Greene County offices. All offices that are currently in the Greene County Courthouse Annex, located at 204 N Cutler Street, will move to the former Takoma Hospital building.

Greene County will then look to sell the vacated Courthouse Annex building.

Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison sees the purchase of the building as an opportunity for the Greene County Government to solve issues with office space, and space in the Greene County Jail.

“This solves issues we have now, and solves issues that we may have in the future,” Morrison said in August.

“We can spend this $6 million now, and avoid having to pay possibly 10 times that much in five or six years to build a new jail,” County Commissioner Paul Burkey said at the Aug. meeting of the Greene County Commission.

Most of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department offices would move to the new building to allow for part of the current Sheriff’s Department to be converted to a minimum security prison.

Morrison and commissioners hope this will solve the issue of space at the jail for at least the next 10 or 20 years.

“This solves issues we have now, and solves issues that we may have in the future,” Morrison said. “They are extremely crowded at the Sheriff’s Department.”

The UT Agriculture Extension Office will move to the Takoma campus and into an old church building behind the former hospital building.

Ballad Health will pay the county $500,000 to rent the fourth floor of the building for the next three years. The Strong Futures program will be housed there until the conclusion of those three years, after which Ballad would cease renting the floor and vacate the building entirely.

SUN FILE PHOTO

Mike Musick was appointed to fill the remaining term of 7th District Commissioner April Lane, who resigned in December.

Lane had been appointed by the County Commission in February 2021 to finish the term of former County Commissioner Butch Patterson, who resigned due to moving out of the 7th District.

“We very much appreciate her contributions to Greene County’s very strong financial position and our very bright future in many aspects. We wish her the very best in wherever her journey leads,” Morrison said of Lane upon her resignation.

Bryant, who passed away in early December, had been elected in 2018 after running for County Commission unsuccessfully in 2014.

Bryant was a member of the Solid Waste, Road and Highway, Personnel Policies, Law Enforcement, Historical, and Building Code committees.

When the County Commission declared vacancies for Lane’s and Bryant’s seats at its December meeting, SUN FILE PHOTO a moment of silence was Jan Kiker was appointed and sworn in to fill out the term of deceased 3rd District Commisobserved as the meeting sioner Clifford Bryant in January. Bryant passed away in early December. began to honor the memory of Bryant. mission members were The County Commission County offices that already been removed. appointed to the board in filled the two vacant seats have sufficient space, such The Greene County early January this year after with new commissioners in as the Election Commisgovernment will also be January. sion office, Animal Control, replacing about 100 windows 3rd District Commissioner Clifford “Doc” Bryant passed Jan Kiker and Michael and Highway Department in the building. away in December and 7th Musick were chosen to fill will not move to the new The Greene County Purbuilding. chasing Committee approved District Commissioner April the two vacant seats, with Lane resigned in the same Kiker filling the 3rd District Renovations of the old the purchase of the new month. seat and Musick filling the hospital facility are already windows in February.

Lane resigned in early De- 7th District seat. underway. cember, about nine months Kiker was chosen out of At a committee meeting COMMISSIONERS after being appointed to seven applicants for the seat, in February, Morrison noted APPOINTED the seat, due to a conflict of while Musick was chosen that a lot of old hospital Two new County Cominterest. out of three. headboards and wiring had

Kiker previously served as a Greene County Commissioner from 2002 to 2014, and has been a teacher at North Greene High School since 1994.

Musick is a first time commissioner. He served in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 2021 and currently works for the Greene County Sheriff’s Department as court security as well as working for Axis Security Inc. and A Services Group.

The Greene County Commission also elected to remain a 21-member body after a resolution to shrink the commission from 21 members to 14 members was debated and voted on in September.

The resolution would have kept the same seven commission districts in the county, but would have changed the number of commissioners elected from those districts. If the resolution had passed, in future elections only two commissioners would have been elected from each district to serve on the County Commission instead of the current three.

However, the resolution failed, receiving three votes in favor of the change out of the 21-member county governing body.

Therefore, in the upcoming May 3 Greene County Primary and Aug. 4 General Election, voters will still select their top three candidate choices in their district to serve on the Greene County Commission.

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Greene County Purchased Takoma Hospital Building ........................................................ 2 Greeneville Began Depot Street Project, Fire Station Construction ................................... 3 Tusculum Marks Eventful Year In 2021 .............................................................................. 6 First Permanent Police Chief Took The Reigns In Mosheim ..............................................8 Baileyton Mayor Looks Forward To Prosperous 2022 ........................................................8

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The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 3B

SUN PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRELL

Work on the long-awaited Depot Street revitalization project began in October and will continue for at least another year.

Greeneville Began Depot Street Project, Fire Station Construction, Welcomed New Alderwoman

BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER After nearly a decade of debating plans, the Town of Greeneville began its Depot Street revitalization project in 2021.

In late July, the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a $7.7 million bid from contractor Summers-Taylor to complete the project.

Work on the project began in October. A groundbreaking with city officials was held in November.

The work being done is part of the city’s planned Downtown Redevelopment Project which includes, among other things, utility upgrades and streetscape improvements along a stretch of Depot Street from its intersection with Academy Street to near the railroad depot building. Those improvements include creating wider sidewalks and landscaping with a focus on the block of Depot Street between Main and Irish streets as a “festival” location.

After the measure

passed, Alderman Cal Doty expressed appreciation for business owners who have already been doing business on Depot Street and want to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Greeneville.

“I’d like to thank those who have come to this meeting in support of this project and who have already made an investment in Depot Street,” Doty said.

Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels expressed satisfaction with the board’s action on the project after

years of attempts and was optimistic about the future of downtown.

“This is the first time the board has been willing to put our money where our mouth is,” Daniels said “I’m looking forward to spending a lot more time on Depot Street.”

Vaughn & Melton Engineering is overseeing the project, and according to Engagement Specialist Zack Levine construction crews are trying to sidewalks open as much as possible in an effort to keep downtown businesses

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afloat.

Work-zones have shifted numerous times already during the project, and they will continue to do so as the project progresses.

The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023.

However, that was not the only project the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved in 2021.

The board also approved budgeting for the Crowfoot Alley parking lot project.

Once constructed, the new parking lot will have

103 available parking spots. The goal of project is to provide more parking for visitors to the downtown area.

The Town of Greeneville budgeted about $640,000 for the project.

The project is yet to begin as the town waits for the business P.T. Solutions to move to a new building so that its current building can be demolished as part of the project. However, P.T. Solutions’ future place of business is still under SEE DEPOT ON PAGE 4B

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Page 4B

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GreenevilleSun.com

Saturday, March 12, 2022

VAUGH & MELTON

A rendering shows what a portion of Depot Street will look like after the project is completed.

SUN FILE PHOTO

The Town of Greeneville’s new fire station has been taking shape. Construction on the station began in September.

SUN FILE PHOTO

Crews worked through the winter to dig up and replace utilities on Depot Street.

DEPOT

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3B

construction, and not yet ready to be occupied.

Therefore, the town is waiting for P.T. Solutions to move, as not to force them out and harm the business.

“We don’t want to put someone out of business to make business. We are doing this project to help bring businesses to downtown,” Daniels said.

Vaughn & Melton will manage the project once it begins in addition to the Depot Street project.

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In August the board approved a new hotel tax to be applied within the Town of Greeneville.

The measure instituted a 4% tax on accommodations for people staying in hotels or motels within the city limits.

Greene County has a 7% hotel/motel tax, but the state instituted a policy change that allowed municipalities to levy their own lodging tax on top of the county tax.

This means that the combined hotel/motel tax rate within the Town of Greeneville is now 11%.

A stipulation of the policy is that any tax dollars collected by the city through the hotel tax must be used to support and promote the tourism

industry.

“This money will be spent wisely and to promote our community,” Daniels said.

FIRE STATION, EQUIPMENT The board also approved the the construction of a new fire station on the property between Forest and Carson Streets.

The town will spend about $3.6 million on the new station’s construction.

The new station will replace the station that sits at the intersection of Vann Road and the Asheville Highway that is over 60 years old.

Work on the new fire station began in September.

“This fire station will not only meet the needs of today, but for years to come,” Greeneville Fire Chief Allen Shipley said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project.

When built, the new fire station will continue like its predecessor to serve the southwest side of Greeneville. It will have three equipment bays, similar to the existing one, but will have drive-through bays to help reduce maintenance and safety issues. The bays will comprise about 9,000 square feet, with space for a future expansion for an emergency operations center, as well as living quarters and an SEE DEPOT ON PAGE 5B

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Saturday, March 12, 2022

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Page 5B

SUN FILE PHOTO

Kristin Girton began serving on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in September. She captured a First Ward seat by one vote in the August Municipal Election. Cal Doty was reelected to his seat in the same election.

SUN FILE PHOTO

The culvert replacement near the intersection of Depot and College Streets has been a major part of the Depot Street project so far.

Hospital East and Plaza Towers cannot be 100% accessed with the current CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4B equipment. The new truck will be able to fully access office area. The station will these buildings. house a frontline engine, The new fire engine will a reserve engine and a be delivered in 16 to 24 fully equipped Haz-Mat months. response unit.

The board also authoIt is also designed to alrized the budgeted purlow for a quicker and safer chase of a new extrication response than the intertool for the Fire Departsection at Vann Road and ment, known informally as Asheville Highway allows, the “jaws of life.”

Shipley said.

The Greeneville Board ELECTIONS also approved the purThe Greeneville Board chase of a new fire truck of Mayor and Aldermen for about $1.4 million. welcomed a new board The new truck will member in early Septeminclude a 100-foot platber, as Alderwomen Krisform that will provide a tin Girton joined the board safe and stable area for firefighters to work and to as a representative of the First Ward. perform victim removal Girton replaced Buddy without the need for the victim to descend a ladder. Hawk who had served as a Currently, the Greeneville Greeneville Alderman for 12 years. Girton defeated Fire Department has no Hawk in Greeneville’s Aug. means of aerial rescue or operations beyond 75 feet. 5 Municipal Election by a single vote.

Greeneville Community

DEPOT

Alderman Cal Doty retained his seat on the board, being reelected with more votes than both Girton and Hawk.

Hawk was recognized by the board at his last meeting on Aug. 18 for his years of service to the Town of Greeneville, receiving a mayor’s coin and a standing ovation.

As Hawk left his last meeting as an alderman after 12 years on the board he expressed hope that the good work the Town of Greeneville has started will continue, and that the town has improved during his tenure.

“I think we have done some great things and started some great things here like the Depot Street project and the new fire station. I hope everything will continue on successfully,” Hawk said.

“Hopefully I’m leaving everything better than I found it.”

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Page 6B

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Saturday, March 12, 2022

SUN FILE PHOTO

The developed portion of the former Greene Valley Developmental Center may be used as home for a new regional office of the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. A Tennessee College of Applied Technology is also proposed for a portion of the property.

Tusculum Marks Eventful Year In 2021

BY KEN LITTLE STAFF WRITER As the COVID-19 pandemic continued into a second year in 2021, the City of Tusculum continued to provide services to its citizens in spite of challenges “thanks to our dedicated employees, volunteers, and elected officials,” Mayor Alan Corley said.

That remains the case today as pandemic numbers recede.

“Although we hoped that 2021 would be a better year with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, sadly that did not turn out to be the case in terms of numbers of cases and deaths,” Corley said.

One city service affected in 2021 by the pandemic was curbside pickup.

“The one exception to that is that we have not been able to provide curbside pickup of recycling for more than a year, due to the fact that the Jonesborough recycling center has not been in operation during that time period and we do not have a facility to haul the recyclables to,” Corley said in March.

“Once the recycling center re-opens, we will restart curbside recycling,” he said.

There are alternative ways to recycle, however; recycling bins for newspaper, plastic and cardboard are located at our city hall, and the Greene County Convenience Centers also accept

SUN FILE PHOTO

Traffic on Sam Doak Street pulling up to Erwin Highway passes a new City of Tusculum sign installed in 2021 with the Tusculum University campus in the background.

recyclable materials.

Tusculum City Hall is located at 145 Alexander St. A notable loss occurred in early 2022 with the passing of city Recorder John Lamb, who had served in the position since 2013.

“Our city was deeply saddened at the recent and unexpected death of our friend and City Recorder John Lamb. John had served as City Recorder for

more than nine years and was a valuable member of our team and our community,” Corley said.

Randy Harley, a Tusculum resident, was appointed city recorder in February “and is working hard to fill John’s shoes.”

“Barbara Tilson, our Certified Municipal Financial Officer, has been instrumental in helping the city to bridge the gap as Mr.

Harley settles into his new position,” Corley said.

Another personnel change in the city occurred in 2021 when longtime Tusculum Police Department Officer Dustin Jeffers resigned from the department to accept a position as chief of the Mosheim Police Department.

“We wish him much success in his new position. We are excited that Josh Kyker

has been hired as our new police officer,” Corley said.

Corley said “big strides” were made in late 2021 and early 2022 as plans for the former Greene Valley Developmental Center in Tusculum came into focus.

The state closed the developmental center in 2017.

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governments to serve as the entity to obtain, own, and develop the 336 acres of the property south of Edens Road, and that process is proceeding,” Corley said.

“Thanks to Gov. (Bill) Lee, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, state Rep. David Hawk, and state Sen. Steve SEE TUSCULUM ON PAGE 7B

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Page 7B

TUSCULUM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6B

Southerland, the property will be obtained by the IDB at little or no direct cost to the IDB. A nine-member board composed of three members each from Tusculum, Greeneville, and Greene County will oversee and guide the development of the property, Corley said.

“Another exciting announcement was recently made that Gov. Lee’s 2022-2023 budget contains funding for a Tennessee College of Applied Technology to be located in Greene County, and also funding for a new office building to house the regional offices of the Tennessee Department of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities,” Corley said.

“The budget has not yet passed (as of March), but we are optimistic that both these projects will remain in the state budget and will be built on the Greene Valley property. That would be a terrific kick-start to the development of the property,” he said.

The new offices for the Chuckey Utility District opened on the Tusculum Bypass in 2021, and Everhart’s Pioneer Miniature Golf Course was nearing completion on East Andrew Johnson Highway in March.

“We welcome both of them to Tusculum,” Corley said.

The City of Tusculum “once again received a ‘clean’ audit report for the 2019-2020 budget year, with no findings,” from city auditor Mickey Ellis, Corley said.

“Revenues exceeded expenses once again,” he said.

Tusculum was awarded a $62,500 Community Transportation Planning/Mobility Grant in 2021.

HNTB Partners, an infrastructure design firm, conducted a study relating to the grant “which was intended to offer expert suggestions and guidance on improving pedestrian and vehicular traffic in Tusculum, especially on and around the Tusculum University campus,” Corley said.

HNTB presented the results of the study in the fall of 2021.

“Their recommendations will be used as goals and a guide for future improvements as funding allows,” Corley said.

Some improvements were already underway. In early 2022, Tusculum University was install-

SUN FILE PHOTO

Traffic on Erwin Highway in the City of Tusculum is always steady. Adding sidewalks and other pedestrian and traffic safety improvements are among recommendations of a Tusculum Community Mobility Plan reviewed in 2021 by city officials.

ing sidewalks, “and the city is planning to improve some Shiloh Road crosswalks in the near future,” Corley said.

The City of Tusculum in 2021 was awarded a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of the Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department for about $300,000, plus about $46,000 in a city match, to replace a 25-year-old pumper truck with a used aerial ladder truck.

The used aerial truck “will allow them to better protect two-plus story structures in our area,” Corley said.

Fire Chief Marty Shelton and his truck committee were in the process in early 2022 of searching for the truck that best meets their

needs.

Tusculum has been the recipient of “significant additional funding” for the 2021-22 budget year, including a Governor’s Local Government Grant, an Opioid Settlement distribution, and American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“These funds will be used for several projects including providing employee bonuses for those who provided city services during the pandemic, purchasing police department radios, installing a backup generator for city hall, significant improvements to the playground at Tusculum City Park, crosswalk improvements on Shiloh Road, and construction of a new fire station necessitated by

the purchase of the ladder truck since it will not fit into any of our current buildings,” Corley said.

There will be an election in November 2022 for one Board of Mayor and Commissioners seat in Tusculum. Commissioner Mike Burns’ seat will be up for election to a four-year term.

Corley and Vice-Mayor Barbara Britton were elected to four-year Commissioner terms in November 2020.

Corley is happy with progress in the city.

“The City of Tusculum’s continued success is due to its citizens, its employees, and its volunteers,” he said. “I believe one sign of our success is that our population grew nearly 24% from the 2010 to the

2020 Census, from 2,663 to 3,298.”

Corley said the city’s two fulltime police officers, Chief Danny Greene and Officer Josh Kyker; its two full-time public works employees, Warren Cutshall and Roger Hipps; and part-time Recorder Randy Harley “work hard on behalf of our city.”

“Our volunteers, particularly the Tusculum Planning Commission under the leadership of Chairman Dale Landers and Vice-Chairman Mike Burns, our fire department, under the leadership of Chief Marty Shelton and Assistant Chief Scottie Crawford, and our six auxiliary police officers provide countless hours of service to our city and our citizens.

“We are blessed,” Corley said.

Page 8B

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GreenevilleSun.com

Saturday, March 12, 2022

First Permanent Police Chief Took The Reigns In Mosheim

BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER Dustin Jeffers was named the Town of Mosheim’s first permanent police chief in July of 2021, three years after the department was first established.

The Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously selected Jeffers to be the first permanent Mosheim chief of police at its July meeting at Mosheim Town Hall.

Jeffers was officially sworn in July 29.

The Mosheim Police Department was formed in 2018, under previous Mayor Tommy Gregg, with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s official approval in July that year. Officers with the department began their first patrols throughout the town in January 2019 with former Greene County Sheriff Steve Burns serving as its first temporary chief to help things get up and running.

Until the department was formed, Mosheim had been the only Greene County municipality without a police department.

Before becoming Mosheim’s chief of police, Jeffers was a member of the Tusculum Police Department for 17 years.

Jeffers said he was honored by the board’s decision to name him chief and excited to take on the role.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and I look forward to growing this department,” Jeffers said in July. “I’m looking forward to the new challenge of growing this new department and making a difference in the community.”

Jeffers said he understands the unique challenges the Town of Mosheim faces, and explained what his priorities will be as leader of the police department.

“There is a very high traffic count in Mosheim due to the 11-E and Old Knoxville Highway,” Jeffers said, “so road safety will be a big priority for us. I will also look to combat the very serious drug issues we have in the county.”

Jeffers said he was optimistic about the future of Mosheim and excited to get out into the community.

“The important thing is working with the community. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure,” Jeffers said. “This is the start of a new and good chapter.”

Jeffers was chosen from a numerous candidates, according to Mosheim Mayor David Meyers.

“We had three or four excellent candidates, but I believe Dustin Jeffers should be our next police chief,” Myers said before the board voted on the hire in July.

Jeffers wasted no time in asking the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for changes and additions to Mosheim Police Department policy in the months after he was

SUN FILE PHOTO

Dustin Jeffers was sworn in as the Mosheim chief of police during a ceremony in July.

hired.

The board passed an ordinance that established impound lot fees for impounded vehicles in Mosheim.

According to the ordinance, the fee for impounding a vehicle will be equal to the fee charged by the wrecker service that tows the vehicle. There is also a storage cost for any impounded vehicle of $25 a day.

According to Jeffers, this will help the town recoup the costs of having to impound a vehicle.

The board also passed a measure that allows the Mosheim Police Department to contract with a collection agency to collect unpaid fines, fees and court costs.

Under state law, a collection agency may be employed to collect fines that have not been collected within 60 days after they are due.

The Mosheim Police Department had $8,000 in unpaid fines and citations when Jeffers became chief of police in late July, and he said a collection agency would get some of that money owed to the town and its police department.

The board also approved a measure that increases court costs in the town.

The measure sets the court costs for the town at $147.50. Previously, the town’s court costs were $108.50.

Jeffers told the board in October that the measure will prevent the town from spending money it does not need to spend. According to Jeffers, the town must pay printing and postage to send notices to offenders who do not pay their citations. The increase in court costs will cover those costs.

Jeffers also had the Mosheim Police Department hold a drug take-back event for the first time in October.

Jeffers said Mosheim collected 29.6 pounds of medications in total on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a convenient and safe way for citizens to get rid of unused, expired or unwanted prescription medications from their homes. Prescription medications are often abused and can harm water supplies if flushed.

The Mosheim Police Department also began offering a driving school program in February after completing the National Safety Council Defensive Driving School Program.

Myers was optimistic about the future of Mosheim and the police department at Jeffers’ swearing in ceremony in July.

“This will be great for the department and for the town,” Myers said.

SUN FILE PHOTO

A Mosheim resident drops off some medication as a part of the Mosheim Police Department’s drug take-back event in October.

Baileyton Mayor Looks Forward To Prosperous 2022

BY KEN LITTLE STAFF WRITER Projects launched in 2021 in Baileyton will improve the town’s infrastructure and provide more activities in the community.

Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds secured

by Baileyton to provide aid related to the novel coronavirus pandemic will help with some of the improvements.

“That’s what we’re working on now that we’ve got our ducks in a row,” Mayor William K. Kerr said in March.

Town employees performed their duties throughout the pandemic, along with members of the United Volunteer Fire Department.

“We’ve got a great staff,” said Kerr, who was elected in 2020 to a four-year term as mayor.

Kerr said work is under-

way to upgrade the town’s sewer system, including pumps and pump stations.

Improvements were also made at Baileyton Park, including the installation of LED overhead lights.

Pending the award of a state grant, playground equipment would also be installed in the park.

Other grants to improve town infrastructure are in the application stage.

Several popular activi-

ties were held in Baileyton Park in 2021, Kerr said.

One was a “Trunk or Treat” event at Halloween held at the park for the second year in coordination with the United Volunteer Fire Department.

“We had Trunk or Treat in the park, which has never been done before. There was a big turnout. It was a big success for the last two years,” Kerr said.

“We were thinking of things to try and bring the

public together,” Kerr said.

The popular Baileyton Days celebration was held in September 2021 in the park. The event and others last year in the town provided residents of the close-knit community the opportunity to visit with each other after pandemic-related restrictions began to be lifted, Kerr said.

Baileyton also held a Christmas parade in 2021.

The parade included more

than 20 floats.

“We had a lot of people show up for that,” Kerr said.

Monthly car shows sponsored by area car clubs are planned in downtown Baileyton and should be popular with the public, Kerr said. The first was held on March 19.

“We’re going to try it and see how it does and if it does good we’ll have it SEE BAILEYTON ON PAGE 9B

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Page 9B

BAILEYTON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8B

once a month,” Kerr said.

Baileyton’s business community looks forward to a prosperous year ahead. In 2021, several new businesses opened in the town.

Public safety is a focus in Baileyton. Police Chief Joshua Ferguson has supervised the department since 2013, and United Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jay Wihlen leads a dedicated group of volunteers, the mayor said.

The town’s estimated population in 2022 is 461, according to the U.S. Census. That’s an increase over 431 in 2010.

The town’s median age is 33.8 years.

“Baileyton is a good place to live. It’s a good community,” Kerr said.

As the world emerges from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor is optimistic 2022 will be a better year for Baileyton.

“So far, so good. Everything’s looking up,” Kerr said. “The main thing with this Covid is people going back to work.”

SUN FILE PHOTO

Erik Estrada, the guest star of the 2021 Baileyton Days celebration, laughs with a fan who got his autograph.

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Commercial | Medicare | Retirement Life | Auto | Home

423.638.1422

1104 Tusculum Blvd., Suite 316, Greeneville, TN 37745 greatci.com communityinsurancetn.com

www.theyatesagency.com 2017

Trey Youngblood - LUTCF Agency Manager Greene-Greeneville Agency 1431 W. Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743 Phone: 639-7212 Fax: 639-7215 Trey.Youngblood@fbitn.com www.fbitn.com

Jake Ottinger, FIC Suite Sutie 33

111 Village Drive Greeneville, TN 37745 B 423-639-4691 C 423-329-0345 jacob.c.ottinger@ mwarep.org

Financial security - I can help you achieve it.

Let’s talk.

ACH0813

• Auto • Home • Commercial • Life • Health

Phyllis Shelton 615-590-0300 (O) 615-406-3908 (C) phyllis@gotltci.com

Bill Richards

423.638.1422 • 423.278.9022 1104 Tusculum Blvd. Suite 316, Greeneville, TN 37745

www.CommunityInsuranceTN.com

By allocating nothing for long-term care, you allocate everything

PEAKE INSURANCE AGENCY

For a no-obligation virtual consultation, visit www.GotLTCi.com

913 TUSCULUM BLVD. GREENEVILLE, TN 37745 423-639-0288 • Fax 423-639-3806 dbpeake@comcast.net • www.peakeinsurance.net

DAVID B. PEAKE, Owner / Agent Auto • Home • Business • Life

Page 10B

The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition

Saturday, March 12, 2022

GreenevilleSun.com

With progress there will be some inconvenience, but the end result will be worth it!

Good Things are Coming!!! www.gwctn.org