Micro-grants boost downtown
Connect Downtown has awarded more than $30,000 in its very first round of downtown micro-grants. Out of 41 applications, 13 local businesses were selected to receive funding for projects like storefront improvements, renovations, events, and marketing. Grants ranged from $500 to $4,000, helping entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses while boosting the downtown district as a whole.
“This program is about investing in our downtown
entrepreneurs and giving them the tools to continue shaping downtown Johnson City into a prosperous community,” said Main Street Director Lindsey Jones
“I am excited to see how each business will use the grant money, and how their investment will benefit the downtown district .”
Change in Police leadership
The City of Johnson City soon will see a change in leadership within the Police Department as Chief Billy Church retires on Nov. 3 after more than 30 years of service.
Chief Church, who was appointed in 2023, has left a lasting mark on the Department. During his tenure, he modernized operations, expanded officer training, introduced bodyworn cameras, and created a Special Victims Unit. His leadership also contributed to a significant reduction in interstate crashes and strengthened community outreach. Chief Church is recognized for fostering a culture of accountability
and dependability that will continue to shape the Department for years to come. We thank Chief Church for his outstanding service and wish him all the best in retirement.
Succeeding him is Maj. Eric Dougherty, who will become Johnson City’s next Police chief effective Nov. 4. Dougherty brings more than 30 years of service with the Department, most recently as operations major. Known for his humble nature and strong work ethic, he is well prepared to build on the Department’s progress and lead its next chapter. We congratulate Maj. Dougherty on his promotion and look forward to his continued leadership.
Human Resources Update
TCRS and Empower representatives will be in the large media room at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St., Friday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Human Resources Update
The Employee Health Clinic is scheduling annual wellness visits into October. These appointments are available for you and/or your spouse covered on the health insurance plan. These visits generally take an hour and cannot be booked online.
To schedule an appointment, call 423-431-7340.
Witherspoon to retire, Lane named director
The City soon will bid farewell to one of its longest-serving leaders as Water and Sewer Services (WSS) Director Tom Witherspoon retires on Nov. 6 after more than 44 years of service.
Since becoming director in 1987, Tom has overseen major system improvements, led the Department to nearly 190 state and national awards, and ensured reliable service to more than 130,000 people across four counties. His contributions cannot be overstated — his leadership has set a standard for reliability and
sustainability that will benefit the community for decades to come. We thank Tom for his remarkable service and congratulate him on a wellearned retirement.
On Nov. 7, Assistant Director Jon Lane will step into the role of WSS director. Lane brings nearly 11 years of experience with the Department, first as a civil engineer and then as assistant director for the past six years. A licensed Professional Engineer in Tennessee and a certified Project Management Professional, Lane has overseen major capital projects including the new WSS Complex on Eddie Williams Road, large-scale sewer line replacements, and water and sewer upgrades in the West Walnut Street Corridor Redevelopment Plan.
City Manager Cathy Ball praised Jon’s leadership and technical expertise, while Jon expressed gratitude for the opportunity to build on Tom’s legacy. Tom expressed confidence in Jon’s ability to lead the Department in the
years ahead.
As director, Jon will oversee a team of nearly 190 employees responsible for maintaining two water treatment plants, three wastewater treatment plants, 16 water storage tanks, more than 950 miles of waterlines, and more than 750 miles of sewer lines across a four-county service area.
We congratulate Jon on his appointment and look forward to his leadership in guiding the Department into its next chapter.
Wall of Fame ceremony recognizes Bradley
Joe Bradley became the newest member to be inducted into the Wall of Fame as Parks and Recreation held its prestigious annual awards ceremony at the Langston Centre.
This year marked the 42nd annual induction ceremony, a tradition established by the Department to recognize outstanding volunteers. The nominating committee presented its recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which approved Joe Bradley for induction.
“The Wall of Fame ceremony is always a special night where we honor and celebrate individuals who have made meaningful contributions to our city and Department,” said Parks and Recreation Director April Norris. “We are proud to recognize Joe Bradley for all of his dedication and efforts. This is such a well-deserved honor.”
Bradley, a graduate of Science Hill High School who attended East Tennessee State University on a baseball scholarship, worked for 41 years at Eastman Chemical Company. Throughout his
career, Bradley has remained committed to giving back to the community. He served as the vice chair and chair of the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, completed two terms on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and also served as Chair of Umoja. He is also an active member of the Security Team and Trustee Board at Friendship Baptist Church.
Bradley, owner of Jump and Slide Inflatable Rentals, has donated services to Carver Recreation Center, local churches, and numerous non-profit organizations that support our area youth. He is also the co-owner of B&B 360 Video Booth, which was showcased at this year’s Parks and Recreation Daddy/
Daughter Dance.
In 2023, Bradley was inducted into the Science Hill High School Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding athletic career, which included accomplishments in football, basketball, and baseball.
Along with Bradley’s induction into the Wall of Fame, Parks and Recreation recognized several other individuals and groups for their volunteer efforts.
“We’re very grateful for our volunteers who generously give their time to help our community flourish,” said Norris. “Their support is the backbone of everything we do.”
Photo Recap: Annual September 11 Stair Climb
WSS smoke testing to continue throughout fall
Johnson City Water and Sewer Services crews began smoke testing sanitary sewer lines as part of routine maintenance. Testing will continue through the end of the year in areas including Bristol Highway, Carroll Creek, Cherokee Road, Lone Oak Road, Gray Station Road, and others.
The white smoke used is safe, odorless, and nontoxic. It helps identify where rainwater may be entering the system and can also alert homeowners to plumbing issues. If smoke does enter your home, it may indicate a plumbing problem. For information, call 423-4611645.
ETSU interns complete WSS summer program
Water and Sewer Services proudly congratulates the summer 2025 interns for successfully completing the program. Eight students from ETSU joined WSS this summer, gaining handson experience in water distribution, wastewater collection management, and environmental health.
Through fieldwork with staff, interns learned how WSS infrastructure is designed, maintained, and operated to protect public health and ensure reliable service for the community. Interns worked in teams on a variety of tasks including water flushing program, flushing hydrants, testing for hydrogen sulfide, and using sounding tools to quickly determine whether
a section of sewer pipe has restrictions.
This year’s interns were:
• Rubaiya Hashem, Environmental Health
• Matthew Smith, Environmental Health
• Makenzie Brown, Environmental Health
• Allen Pan, Engineering
• Caleb Keen, Environmental Science
• Carolina McMurray, Environmental Health
• Elizabeth Quagraine, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Sciences
• Ozioma Ikwuka, Environmental Health
Each of these students shared that the program was both
educational and rewarding, offering valuable insights into WSS systems and the importance of collaboration, safety, and preventative measures. Many noted how the skills gained during their internship will directly apply to their future studies and careers.
We congratulate Rubaiya, Matthew, Makenzie, Allen, Caleb, Carolina, Elizabeth, and Ozioma on the successful completion of their internships and thank them for their contributions to Johnson City this summer.
State certifications strengthen department
Congratulations
Congratulations are in order for several members of our Water and Sewer Services team who recently achieved important state operator certifications. These accomplishments reflect their hard work in maintaining the highest standards of service for our community.
• Jeramy Isbel, Collections Grade II and Wastewater Collection II
• David Grubb, Water Distribution II
• Dustin Wolf, Water Distribution II
• Brian Stinson, Water Distribution II
• Adam Reece, Water Distribution II
• Gabe Curde, Backflow Prevention
These certifications strengthen the Department’s expertise in water distribution, wastewater collection, and system safety.
Please join us in congratulating Jeramy, David, Dustin, Brian, Adam, and Gabe on their achievements!
September 2025
September 2025
SHOUTOUT: Police acknowledged for service
Dawn Rowe, a downtown visitor, shared her appreciation for Officer Kevin Collette, who she witnessed removing graffiti from a downtown building after dinner one evening. While not part of his formal duties, Officer Collette took the initiative to improve the appearance of our city and demonstrate community pride.
Dawn wrote, “His willingness to address such an issue on his own initiative demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication. He is a role model for both citizens and fellow officers.”
Thank you, Officer Collette, for embodying the highest values of service and setting such a positive example.
While on dayshift recently, Officer Gage Reno stopped to help a community member stranded on State of Franklin with a flat tire. Despite multiple attempts, neither the citizen nor others who stopped could get the lugs off. Officer Reno called a service truck to assist, ensured the spare was installed, and even placed the flat tire in the trunk. When the service worker finished, Officer Reno paid the bill himself, refusing to let the citizen cover the cost. The man expressed his gratitude, saying he was astounded by Officer Reno’s generosity and professionalism. Thank you, Officer Reno, for going above and beyond in service to our community!
Chief Billy Church shared a commendation recognizing Officer Robert Hall for his professionalism during a difficult situation at Franklin Woods Community Hospital on Aug. 25. The hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer wrote that when called to assist with a volatile family situation, Officer Hall’s calm demeanor quickly de-escalated tensions and brought the situation under control. Hospital staff described his response as “phenomenal” and were so impressed they requested his name to personally thank him.
Chief Church summed it up best: “Thanks, Robert, for doing such an outstanding job.”
Congratulations new hires, promotions, retirements
New Hires - July
Frankie Delgado - Police
Garrett Jennings - Police
Christian Simerly - Police
Christopher Dykes - Water and Sewer Services
Julius Anderson - Water and Sewer Services
Terry Kilgore - Transit
Jared Lady - Water and Sewer Services
Sandra Foster-Anderson - Senior Center
Israel Terrazas - Transit
Promotions - July
Campbell Smith - Parks and Recreation
Andrew Carden - Water and Sewer Services
Kristy Fenner - Finance
Alexis Vance - Administration
Jason Hebert - Building Services Department
Korena Thornton - Transit
Lisa Carrier-Nidiffer - Transit
Retirements - July
New Hires - August
Cody Polen - Public Works
Annie Surratt - Parks and Recreation
Rebecca Thornberry - Parks and Recreation
Matthew Foshie - Fire
Peter Davis - Fire
Cody Mullins - Fire
Roselee Peters - Transit
Luz Gonzalez Alicea - Transit
Corey Caplinger - Public Works
Michael Gillen - Fleet Management
Trevor Waycaster - Public Works
Austin Johnson - Water and Sewer Services
Luke Mcintosh - Water and Sewer Services
Jacob Thompson - Water and Sewer Services
Jesse Rice - Fire
Promotions - August
Lewis - Water and Sewer Services
Retirements - August
Matthew Guy (16) - Water and Sewer Services
Alex
Beverly McKinney (14) - Police
September 2025
FLU SHOT SCHEDULE 2025
FREE
SEASONAL FLU SHOTS
For ALL Employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal) & their Spouses
*NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY* Registration will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of each clinic.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Water / Sewer Complex (Drive-Thru Clinic)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Transit (Transit Training Room) Please enter through W. Main Street entrance of building
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Street Department
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025_
6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – City Hall (Commission Chambers)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION, PATIENCE & COOPERATION!
Unfortunately, this year we are NOT able to extend this offer to other dependent family members or retirees. The City’s health plan through BlueCross/BlueShield usually covers Flu Shots. Most physicians’ offices are providing “clinics” to administer the vaccine without an office visit co-pay. Check with your physician’s office for details and verification of coverage. Flu vaccines are also available at the Employee Health Clinic.
***PLEASE NOTE***
There will be no make-up dates so please try to attend one of these clinic dates. Contact for additional information: Department of Risk Management 434-6006
***PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY SO YOU CAN ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE FOR THE SHOT***
Please Post On All Department Bulletin Boards
