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ISSUE 22 VOLUME 28

FARRAGUT, TENNESSEE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

EDC passes $585k FBA funding package ■

TAMMY CHEEK tcheek@farragutpress.com

Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen is expected to decide whether or not to enter into a contract with Farragut Business Alliance to and increase its funding. FBA’s funding proposal is on the agenda for the Board’s meeting Thursday, Feb. 11, in Town Hall. The Board will have a workshop on the issue at 6 p.m. before the Board meeting. The contract, or memorandum of understanding, would increase FBA’s funding from the Town from $23,000 a year to $585,000 a year over three years to implement the Town’s branding efforts and expand the Shop Farragut program year round. Farragut Economic Development Committee members voted 3-1, with four abstentions, to recommend the Board approve the Memorandum of Understanding during EDC’s meeting Wednesday, Feb. 3, in Town Hall. “The motion did indeed pass according to ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’ and the EDC bylaws,” David Smoak, Town administrator, said. Of the eight voting Committee members present, Drew Carson, Brandon Hackett and Knick

Myers voted in favor of Carson’s motion to recommend approval while Committee member Naoko Blue cast the dissenting vote. Chairman Phil Dangel and Committee members William Britt, Jim Holladay and Alderman Ron Pinchok abstain-ed from the vote. Committee member Pamela Milliken was absent. Blue said she voted against recommending the MOU with FBA because she thought FBA did not present enough data. “If the Town is investing [$600,000], then I would like to see what we are getting for that [$600,000],” she said. For example, she said she wants to see the economic impact of the Shop Farragut campaign. Holladay said he abstained because he didn’t have enough time to go over the information presented. “I felt, as chairman, I should abstain,” Dangel, who also is an FBA Board member, said. “We have a lot of new members, and I felt the chairman would sway their vote.” While FBA has gone on record and taken stands on issues, Pinchok said, “I don’t think you should do that.” “I agree with Ron Pinchok. I’m not so sure the FBA should be involved in political issues,”

Tammy Cheek

Farragut Economic Development Committee members heard David Purvis, Farragut Business Alliance president, center, present a Memorandum of Understanding between town of Farragut and FBA during the EDC meeting Wednesday, Feb. 3. The memorandum would provide $585,000 in funding from the town to FBA over three years.

Dangel said. Pinchok said he also abstained because he wanted to see FBA’s mission statement revised before he would vote. “I don’t think that’s something we need to rush,” FBA executive director Allison Sousa said at the meeting. Pinchok asked if the Town could reduce funding at a later date if FBA could get more sponsors.

“I think we all need to see how effective it is,” Purvis said. “David [Smoak] will monitor our progress then the Board can decide.” Robert Hill, a former Farragut Municipal Planning Commission chairman, and Mike Mitchell, cofounder of Farragut Citizens for Responsible Growth, both opposed the Memorandum of Understanding. “I don’t want FBA to get the

money,” Hill said. “I believe strongly, since I was a youth, that businesses ought to stand on their own, pay their own expenses and not get government handouts, and this [Memorandum] is what that is. Don’t do that.” “I strongly object to the FBA’s request for $200,000 to do economic development for the town of Farragut because none of the See EDC on Page 4A

FHS inducts 2016 Hall of Fame Class ■

Tammy Cheek

FHS alumni and keynote speaker Bill Bates returned to Farragut High School to speak during the annual Farragut High School Hall of Fame banquet Saturday, Jan. 30, in FHS Commons.

KEN LAY Correspondent

Farragut High School inducted the Class of 2016 into its sports Hall of Fame Saturday night at a banquet in the FHS Commons. The class included Tonya Ambler (a three-sport athlete who lettered in volleyball, softball and basketball. She graduated in 1992); Pam Cioffi Ritchie (a tennis player, who graduated in 1989); Christina Elliott Campbell (a 1994 graduate who lettered in basketball and track); Bobby Gaylor, who graduated in 1982 and played baseball, tennis and track); Chuck Johnson (who played basketball for two seasons and graduated in 1982); Chris Groer (a 1992 alumnus, who was inducted for his play on the tennis court but also played golf for the Admirals); Jimmy Johnston ( a golfer at FHS who graduated in 1988); Laura Lauter Smith (a

1997 graduate who played soccer); Nick Reveiz (who lettered in football and wrestling and graduated in 2006) and Kim Simmons Bragg (a track star at FHS who graduated in 2000). Football coach Buddy Fisher, who roamed the sideline from 19871995 for the Admirals, was one of two coaches to be inducted in this year’s class. Natalie L. Sisk, a 1978 Farragut graduate, was inducted as a basketball player as well as a basketball and soccer coach. The 2016 Service Award was given to Lamar Orr for his work with the basketball and boys soccer programs at the school. Former Admiral, Tennessee Volunteer and Dallas Cowboy Bill Bates was the featured speaker. Bates was a member of the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2013. Saturday represented a special night for the athletes and coaches at Farragut and it was also a time for the inductees to re-kindle

some long-standing friendships. “Farragut is about the four F’s,” said Campbell, who is now a lawyer in Atlanta and was a member of four State Champ-ionship track teams at FHS. “Those F’s are Farragut, family, friends and forever.” Bragg, who now resides in Clarksville and works for the Tennessee State Department of Corrections, also relished her return home and her induction into the Hall of Fame. “This is very special to me,” said Bragg, who was a State Champion in the 300-meter hurdles and pentathlon and went on to compete in track and cross country at East Tennessee State University. “As a high school student, I struggled academically; so it’s nice to come back and be honored for something that I did well.” All of the inductees had pleasSee HALL on Page 2A

Horne receives DAR award for flag at farragutpress ■

TAMMY CHEEK tcheek@farragutpress.com

Farragut resident and businessman Doug Horne has received recognition from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Gen. William Lenoir Chapter for the way he displays the flag at farragutpress. DAR chapter representatives

presented Horne, president of Horne Properties Inc. and owner of Republic Newspapers Inc., parent company of farragutpress, with the honor Monday, Feb. 1, in the farragutpress office at 11863 Kingston Pike. “The flag of the United States of America is our national emblem and symbol of freedom,” Jan Gibson, DAR Gen. William Lenoir chapter regent, said. “It stands for

dignity, honor and protection of all who love liberty and equality and who claim the sheltering protection it has always given, said the father of our country, George Washington. “These colors are honored by the Gen. William Lenoir Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution with thankful tribute to Mr. Douglas A. Horne in commemoration of the proper use,

correct display and patriotic presentation of the flag of the United States of America.” Gibson said the display of the flag at the farragutpress sets the tone for the entire community. “I love the fact it is on a major thoroughfare,” she said. “I always feel very patriotic, humbled and honored to fly the American flag,” Horne said. “We have been flying the American

flag for over 30 years here at this property. First, it was for Horne Properties and then Horne Properties moved to Cedar Bluff and then it was farragutpress for over 20 years. “What the flag stands for is freedom, liberty and American values,” he said. “It always reminds me that without the United States See HORNE on Page 2A