VORP Thrift Store

VORP Thrift Store
Click the photo to visit the VORP Store on Facebook.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Only Days left to Early Vote in Presidential, state and local races. November 3 last day.

With lines for much of the early voting period so far and record turnouts, only a short time remains for any registered voters who want to early vote before the election day on November 8.

In addition to the US Presidential Race voters can pick their State Representative and US Congressional Representative.  Residents of Crossville, Crab Orchard and Pleasant Hill also have choices to make.  Sample ballots are below.

Early voting takes place at the Cumberland County Election Commission offices located in the Milo Lemert building across Main Street from the Courthouse and voting is each day from 8 AM to 5 PM. A photo ID is required to vote.

While the lines move pretty quickly voters have often lined up 
out the door while waiting.

Sample Presidential ballot

Municipal sample ballots

Congressional and state sample ballot



Saturday, October 29, 2016

World Class Storytellers at 8th Cumberland Mtn. Storytelling Festival. Free Admission.

Nearly a full day of fascinating stories and story tellers are coming to Crossville's historic Palace Theatre Saturday November 5th and admission is free!  Complete schedule shown below.

Come see the two very special guest storytellers along with members of the Cumberland Mountain Storytelling Guild and a special selection of youth storytellers too.

Highly recognized and awarded storyteller Elizabeth Ellis will be telling in the afternoon and the evening. Elizabeth is a recipient of both the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network. She is a frequent favorite at the National Storytelling Festival and the Teller-In-Residence Program of the International Storytelling Center.


Leonard Anderson is another headlining storyteller. Leonard Anderson from Jamestown grew up next to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. He is well-known artist who tells his stories about many of the local residents through his music. Leonard has been featured on the WBIR-TV: "Heartland Series" and at "Jammin at Hippie Jacks" in Crawford, TN.

Other tellers and members of the Cumberland Mtn. Storytellers Guild appearing include The EduTellers, Tim Mangan, Ann Looney Cook, Sandy Lewis, Peggy Woods, Teresa Crowley, Jim Everitt and MC Jim Young.
The festival schedule


Friday, October 28, 2016

Cumberland Homestead Tower Association dedicates flag pole

What started as a request for something to use as a flag pole at the historic Homesteads Tower turned into a community effort that secured a new flag pole and local organisations that cooperated to help get the pole installed.

Group gathered for the flag pole dedication.

The new flag pole was dedicated Friday October 28 and a group of Cumberland Homestead Tower Association (CHTA) board members, supporters and community members turned out to dedicate the pole and two new flags.

Left to right, Levonn Hubbard,  State Rep. Cameron Sexton and 
Vicky Vaden display the US Flag.

The ceremony opened with an accepella rendition of the National Anthem by Rob Baker and an invocation by CHTA board member Charles Tollett.

Board member Levonn Hubbard recognized several local businesses and community organizations that helped make the project possible.  Hubbard said that city engineer Tim Begley had helped in his spare time to oversee the installation and Volunteer Energy Coop had brought equipment needed to dig the hole for the installation of the pole.
New flag pole from the tower

The pole was supplied by the Woodmen of the World and with the assistance of Flynn's Signs bucket truck the pole was installed.  An American and Tennessee flag was presented to the CHTA by State Representative Cameron Sexton.  

With the help of Hubbard and Baker, Tim Begley raised the two flags on the new pole and the Pledge of Allegiance as well as the salute tot he Tennessee flag were recited by those gathered.
Raising the flags.

The group now hopes to get a flag pole for the Homestead house museum as well.  For more information about the Tower and Homestead house museums, like them on Facebook or visit their webpage.

Homestead Tower

Beautiful fall view from the top of the tower looking 
toward the Cumberland Mountain State Park.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Early voting lines much of the day as record turn out continues.

Cumberland County election coordinator Jill Davis says they are almost constantly busy and lines to early vote continue during much of the day as locals want to get their votes cast.

According to Davis, as of 10 AM on Wednesday October 26 almost 9000 ballots have been cast and that number includes some 662 absentee ballots.  City voters are also turning out with 1293 votes cast by voters inside the city limits meaning a big turn out will decide the city council race as well.

Lines to early vote aren't always out the front door of the Milo Lemert building 
but a record number of votes continue to be cast. 

City of Crossville has "No Comment" on employee charged with theft of signs and the connection to the Crossville airport.

A request for an official statement by the city of Crossville on city employee Jerry Kerley being summonsed to court on theft charges in connection with missing political signs from a house on Mockingbird Drive, part of which was caught on video, the connection to the Crossville airport shown by city security cameras there and the confirmation by the district attorney that the signs were recovered on the airport property was "no comment."


An email was sent to the city's marketing and PR director Bill Loggins over the weekend and with no response by the end of the day Monday, we stopped by city hall Tuesday and spoke with interim city manager Steve Hill.  Hill explained that the email had been forwarded to him by Loggins and he had forwarded it to Crossville city attorney Will Ridley who, according to Hill, advised that the city should not make a comment.





Crossville water resources director Jerry Kerley and Crossville airport employee William Harwell will face theft charges in general session court on Thursday November 10.  According to the clerks office both men are represented by attorney Jimmy Smith.

Neighbor's cell phone video image

The alleged theft took place on the morning of September 30 and a neighbor captured video of two men leaving the Mockingbird Drive property after removing a number of political charged signs critical of Crossville city councilman Jesse Kerley who is the son of suspect Jerry Kerley.

First story on sign theft with exclusive video captured by neighbor.

Charges filed against Kerley and Harwell in sign theft

A freedom of information request was filed requesting security camera videos from the Crossville airport for the morning of the incident and they revealed the truck owned by Jerry Kerley and the suspects Kerley and Harwell met at the airport, left there just prior to the alleged theft then returned to the airport.
Crossville airport security camera image

Jesse Kerley has previously stated at several council meeting that he and airport manager and fixed base operator Chris Bennett are friends.

Airport security videos raise questions about sign theft incident.


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

POLICE RAID NETS FIREARM, MONEY AND DRUGS

Press Release:
October 25, 2016

On Friday October 21st, 2016, Crossville Narcotics Detective’s long term investigation culminated with the execution of a search warrant and the seizure of cash, a firearm and illicit narcotics in Crossville, TN. Following an in-depth investigation and undercover operations, this action is the latest example of the Crossville Police Department’s resolve to eliminate dangerous and illegal narcotics in our community.
Christian Alexander Mena Lopez



With this effort, drugs, cash and a firearm were seized during the search warrant service. A local resident, Christian Alexander Mena Lopez, 59 Sparta Drive, was the subject of an ongoing investigation the sale of illicit narcotics. The investigation, when completed, will be presented to the Cumberland County Grand Jury, seeking indictments for prosecution.

Participating in the operation were the Crossville Police Department, 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the HIDTA / TBI Drug Task Force.

UNDERCOVER OPERATION LEADS TO SEIZURE OF MONEY, DRUGS, MULTIPLE GUNS AND VEHICLES












Press Release:
October 25, 2016

On Monday October 24th, 2016, Crossville Narcotics Detective’s long term investigation culminated with the execution of a search warrant and the seizure of $3,580.00 in cash, firearms, vehicles and prescription narcotics in Crossville, TN. Following an in-depth investigation and undercover operations, this action is the latest example of the Crossville Police Department’s resolve to eliminate dangerous and illegal narcotics in our community.

Denny Demetro

With this most recent effort, drugs, $3,580 in cash, 25 firearms, 5 hunting bows and 9 vehicles were seized during the search warrant service. A local resident, 50 year old Denny J. Demetro, 437 Wild Plum Drive, was the subject of an ongoing investigation involving prescription narcotics diversion. The investigation, when completed, will be presented to the Cumberland County Grand Jury, seeking indictments for prosecution.

Some of the contraband seized

Participating in the operation were the Crossville Police Department, 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the HIDTA / TBI Drug Task Force.

With new ER open, what next for CMC?



After opening the new Emergency Department what is next for Cumberland Medical Center.

UCBJ article on new Emergency Room at CMC

Sunrise Dairy offers local fresh milk from Cumberland County cows!

This was a fun story to do and they have great milk too.

At Sunrise Dairy, the whol family pitches in when its time to bottle


Link to story on the Mayland Sun Rise Dairy story in the UCBJ

The dairy is located off of 70N on Bud Tanner Rd. where you can stop by the farm store. 

Man who said he was tired of election facing charges for damaging Courthouse lawn political signs.

While many people are tired of the election and the political signs put up everywhere, not many people go to the lengths a young man did in Crossville Tuesday morning.

Everyday for early voting, supporters and candidates put signs up on the courthouse lawn hoping to catch the eyes of early voters heading to the election commission office across the street to vote.  This morning a young man who told police he was tied of the election allegedly came through the courthouse lawn and kicked all the signs down that had been set up just before 8 AM.

The man taken into custody was identified as David Mackie and he was placed under $2500 bond.

Crossville police hold a suspect while investigating vandalism of political signs 
on the courthouse lawn

One candidate who was putting up signs after the incident told this reporter that he had been eating breakfast at McDonalds that morning and had seen the young man kicking down signs along 127-N as well.  The young man was taken into custody by Crossville police and is expected to face vandalism related charges.

25th District State Representative and candidate for reelection Cameron Sexton, front, 
checks the damage to his political signs

Some of the dozens of Political signs damaged in the incident.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Crossville Flashback 1998: City Councilman and Mayor candidate John Dooley found dead in his home.

Long-time Crossville politician and City Councilman John Dooley was found dead in his home Friday, October 2, 1998, after city staff had been unable to contact him for two days.

Dooley, age 72, had served three two-year terms as Mayor of Crossville and was campaigning again for the job in the upcoming November 3 election. Dooley's death has been initially ruled of natural causes after a preliminary police investigation of the scene at Dooley's Greenbriar subdivision residence.
John Dooley from his headstone

City staff had tried unsuccessfully to reach Mr. Dooley and requested that city police make a welfare check at his residence around lunchtime on Friday. The first officer on the scene found Mr. Dooley in the bedroom, dead of apparent natural causes. The exact time and date of his death are unclear.

Dooley was one of only two candidates who qualified for the upcoming November 3rd election for the Mayor of Crossville. A campaign that was expected to be spirited now becomes both quiet and uncontested.

With no challenger, city council member J.H. Graham, III will serve the next four years as Crossville's mayor. Graham will vacate his council term with two years remaining and the new council that takes office November 18 will appoint someone to fill the remaining time.

Councilman Graham commented on the passing of his political opponent and colleague, "I considered John Dooley one of Cumberland County's hardest working public servants. He will be sadly missed by all of us."

Mr. Graham said he last saw Mr. Dooley in a meeting Tuesday at the Cumberland County Courthouse. That afternoon meeting concerned the Army Corps of Engineers' study on future water supplies for the county. The county's future water needs were a deep concern of Mr. Dooley's.

Retiring Crossville Mayor Earl Dean said, "It's such a shock." The mayor added, "John had his own way of doing things, but he always had the best interest of Crossville at heart. One thing that always impressed me was how John worked tirelessly for kids. I remember one time he came and picked me up to take me to the Youth Center. He wanted me to see the crowd of kids and the adults that worked with them. John just beamed. It was a side of John that some people didn't see. He will be missed."

During his 25 years of service to the city of Crossville, Dooley served three terms as Mayor, 1965-66, 1973-74 and 1979-80. He was first elected to city office as Water Commissioner in 1959. Dooley also served 12 years on the Cumberland County Commission and one term as a representative in the State Legislature. In addition, Dooley made an unsuccessful run for the U. S. Congress.
John Dooley had a sense of humor
and gave out these buttons he had
made.

For over 40 years, Dooley worked in and operated a Crossville retail grocery store, Dooley's Food Town Supermarket that he inherited from his father. The store closed when Mr. Dooley retired several years ago and the Fourth Street property was sold to TAP Publications for their most recent building expansion.

Dooley served 35 years as a volunteer fireman, organized the City of Crossville's auxiliary police department and served as an auxiliary police officer for 14 years. In addition, Dooley helped organize and served as the first board chairman for both the local Boy's and Girl's club organizations. Dooley was also active in Crossville American Legion post, currently serving as treasurer.

Court date in sign theft case for Jerry Kerley and William Harwell moved to Nov. 10. NEW-Video of Harwell at June council meeting.

The original court date of October 31 for theft charges connected to removal of political signs located at 279 Mockingbird Drive has been moved out to November 10 in General Sessions court.

Still from Crossville airport security video

Image from neighbor's video of Mockingbird Drive. 

The two men, Jerry Kerley, director of water resources for the city of Crossville and William Harwell of the Crossville airport were charged following an investigation by the District Attorney's office.  A neighbor of the Mockingbird Drive house caught part of the incident on video and got the truck's license number. The truck was registered to Jerry Kerley who is the father of Crossville city councilman Jesse Kerley.

Security video from the Crossville airport shows the two men leaving from there prior to the time of the alleged incident and then returning to the airport a short time later. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway confirmed that the stolen signs were recovered on the airport property.  

According to court records, both men are represented by attorney Jimmy Smith.

Ironically, Harwell had spoken out against political signs at the June city council meeting including specifically the signs at Mockingbird Drive. Video of those comments are below. 

Previous Stories:



Public comments by Bill Harwell at the June 2016 Crossville city council meeting
complaining about the recall signs and the signs at Mockingbird Drive.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

The Chamber of Commerce sent questionnaires to each city council candidate. Responses here.

The Crossville/ Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce has been involved in the Crossville city council election race.  They invited each candidate to a private briefing about the chamber with volunteers and staff, sponsored the council candidate forum held at the Playhouse (link to videos) and sent a survey to all the candidates requesting answers to a series of questions, some in reference to future chamber funding by the city council.

Chamber sponsored candidate forum at the Playhouse

The candidate questionnaires were sent to all members of the chamber and answers can be viewed at this link

Early voting is now underway and you can find sample ballots here.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Crossville police National Night Out event fun and educational.

The Crossville police department's national night out was both fun and educational with free food and exhibits and activities.  The department hadned out info to help identify counterfeit money and showed off their drone.  The drone crew is waiting on final FAA approval to be able to used the important law enforcement tool.

In addition to seeing a demonstration by one of the department's K-9 police dogs, citizens got to try out the Shoot-Don't Shoot laser training event.

K-9 police dog demonstration.  
(Note the dog does have his muzzle on at this point.)

The program was well attended and enjoyed by those who attended.

Some of the crowd that attended the CPD National Night Out event.

The police department's drone equipment

Many enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs and fixings.

K-9 dog jumps the fence

Heading toward the "perp."

K-9 acrobatics.
Shoot-Don't Shoot training.

The CPD SWAT team showed off some of thier equipment.

Many police vehicles were on display.

Volunteers in Policing vehicle.






Friday, October 21, 2016

Horizon Initiative launches new website.

The Crossville Cumberland County Horizon Initiative has launched a newly designed website that includes lots of local information about the the work of the group, the community and attractions here.

The Horizon Initiative is a collaborative effort between the City of Crossville, the City of Pleasant Hill, the City of Crab Orchard, Cumberland County, Crossville-Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, and educational and other entities in Cumberland County, Tennessee.

he Horizon Initiative came from a series of 19 visioning meetings held across the county with citizens giving their input on what the community needed and what the problems they face were. Horizon now is all of Cumberland County working cooperatively on the dreams of our residents

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Councilman Souza calls for closed executive session on city's liability in light of allegations against city employee.

In an email addressed to the interim city manager, city attorney and city clerk, councilman Pete Souza calls requests advice concerning possible liability against the city for a number of recent actions that he says are coordinated by councilman Jesse Kerley.


               Councilman Pete Souza

Souza's email in it's entirety.

      Background, facts on the morning of Sept 30, 2016 in chronological order
(1) Councilman Kerley, Interim City Manager Hill, Jerry Kerley Water Treatment Manager
(Department head), and City Fixed Base Operator ( Crossville Aero, Sole Proprietorship ), and
Airport Manager Chris Bennett are having breakfast together at Edgewood Restaurant
approximately between 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM on this date. (Source multiple
witnesses) Now is the time to dispute this if any one cares to or if I am in error.
(2) At about 8:45 AM Jerry Kerley and Chris Bennett enter the Airport. Mr Bennett
gos to the vicinity of the Storage area Hanger and returns with a airport employee
William Harwell wherein Jerry Kerley and he leaves together going East on hwy 70
towards town and the site of reported stolen property. Source airport security video.
(3) Jerry Kerley and a unidentified person is caught on video with a eye witness
scaling the roof of a building about fifteen minutes later. Source citizen video.
(4) Jerry Kerley and person identified as William Harwell airport employee return
and go through the secondary security gate that is left open to the vicinity of our
new Million dollar hanger ( that is cost of construction and engineering ), and then
leaves. Source airport security camera.
(5) On 30 September Jerry Kerley's time card signed by Joe Kerley reflects he
was on city time (source time card). While I am sure Jerry Kerley puts a lot
of time in for the city and does a admiral job in the treatment facilities that
has no bearing that he was on city time at the time of the thefts.
(6) The stolen property was recovered at the city airport by the District Attorneys
Office the following Monday.

Now Mr Ridley I am going to haul this right out in the open and by open I
mean transparent open. I come to think of the events of Septmber 30 th
as BLACK SEPTEMBER for the city of Crossville. The events of this date
culminates in a long list of events that can be argued the city of Crossvile through
the entities of its municipal functions have participated through city officials
to cause harm to a citizen of our community.

Where am I going with this ? I am going to ask you for a closed executive
section for your recommendations to council. Why ? Because there is no
doubt the events since Mr Rutherford's dismissal has spiraled out of control.
The black train is coming down the path and all the rhetoric in the world
and denials is not going to get the city out of the mess it is in. When the
new council comes aboard they are going to want answers. I believe when
the EEOC investigation on the city and members of the officials takes place
there will be a appreciation for accountability. I also believe there is going
to be a series of law suits against the city and officials of the city.
Some of the events that have taken place would be funny if they were not
so serious. It's as though people have set around and decided what is the
most stupid thing we can do today, or let's get on a video and audition
for the nations dumbest criminal. But what has really transpired is persons
involved have discredited the city, left the city liable, and has brought in
local law enforcement and judicial entities to deal with stupid. A local
attorney Earl Patton best said what we have here on a sign, "You can not
fix stupid but you can document it " or words to that effect. Unfortunately
what we have here is the city officials doing or as the case might be allowing
this to go on for far to long (Complacent).

On June 1st I sent a letter to council outlining Councilman Kerley being
out of control, and targeting people. On June 2nd the assault took place and no
that issue is not over. Since then we have had councilman Kerley order people
arrested, he has established a pattern. This pattern has transpired with
arguably the knowledge of the council. Lies, shear fabrication, conspiracy
theory, really, tell that to a civil jury because boys and girls it's coming and
the cost to the tax payers is going to be the subject for years.

Let's talk about the pattern; (1) Councilman Kerley's Complaint about the fliers
he is acting on stems allegedly from complaints of businessmen (never established). He
Pushed a misdemeanor complaint to the limit, using a zealous personal motive that
transpired a series of events that are still being impacted on the city. No
one had ever been cited but he pursued this going directly to the chief and
some of his officers. To this day like violations are going on with no enforcement.
Constitutionally where is that equitable under the law (does the council not
remember that part of their oath required them to uphold the constitution ).
Councilman Kerley used the law enforcement entity of the city for his own agenda.
The judicial entity comes into play when a fine of $1,500 dollars is levied for
one violation. That will be determined by Judge Jonathan Young. If the
appeal falls in favor Randy Blankenship or the appeal of the issues with the
restraining order are not in the favor of the city judge the city may have issues. Does
any one on council,think that a noted constitutional lawyer came up out
of Nashville because he didn't have something to do. Article VIII of the
constitution "excessive fines imposed", germane.

Then we have councilman Kerley getting involved with Chief Shoap over Judge
Ivy Gardners restraining order. That was none of Councilman Kerley's business.
Protection was the chiefs responsibility, extenuating legal business is the city attorneys.
Then Councilman Kerley verbally assaults Chief Shoap on his duties in
reference to the restraining order on June 3rd in front of a city employee and
the city manager who allows this to happen. Now you have the judicial
and chief city administrator involved, yet another city entity. The legislative
side, the law enforcement side, the judicial side, and the city administrator
all involved in one misdemeanor.

We don't want to stop there lets let Councilman Kerley continue with his reckless
disregard and continue to pursue his avenging personal agenda taking with him
collateral damage to the city and other city employees. Councilman Kerley then
interferes with a investigation on Mr Blankenship's mother a elderly woman on
oxygen and wants her arrested for "filing a false police report you all have seen
the correspondence. Why? To get to Mr Blankenship.

Midnight raids on their house occurs. ?????

Councilman Kerley with witnesses tells the Chief to arrest Mr Blankenship at a council
meeting because he has insurance and registration violations. Then he changes that to
Tell Shoap to have sheriff deputies arrest Mr Blankenship when he leaves city hall. Really like
the chief has operational control over sheriff deputies. Why not tell the sheriff what to
do, he tells the city police what to do or tries. (Any one want to guess why the chief left )
All this time Councilman Kerley's buddy the city manager Steve Hill is allowing this.
Prove it, I will let the Federal Investigator prove it and the Mr Blankenship's attorney.
If my memory is correct Rod Shoap turned into the DA's office a statement earlier on all
of this. By the way the vehicle was properly registered and insured.

Now we come to BLACK SEPTEMBER. Question how is it Jerry Kerley drives right into
the airport and picks up Mr Harwell escorted by Chris Bennett ? Maybe it was
just a coincidence. Was the Breakfast just another of the friends and family plan?
When did the realization of the raid on Mr Blankenship occur? Or did we now
move to the part where the city airport and contract employees were used to
facilitate a theft on councilman Kerley political and personal enemy. Now we
have involved the entity of the city airport. Well criminal acts have to be proven
beyond a reasonable doubt, civil just needs a preponderance of evidence. What
is BLACK SEPTEMBER going to cost the tax payers?

Allegations of theft of Mr Kerley's signs, really. He got the city police, the sheriffs
office, the DAs office all running around for what turned out to be not even his signs.
Well he named all of his political enemies including me, Jim Young, Rod Shoap
as suspects detective Jessie Luke Kerley also named Blankenship. Councilman
Kerley is out of control because once again his wild reckless disregard continued
To target Mr Blankenship expanding his attempt to use law enforcement and the
DA's office to cause harm.

Now we go,to Mr Hill who is enabling his friend Jessie Kerley and Jerry Kerley
to fall under the protection of the city managers office. Jerry Kerley
claims he is under a hostile environment. Would that be because the city
employees see that city conduct standards,are enforcement differently
for Mr Hills buddy? Really he participates in stalking and a assault. Jerry
Kerley tells the Mayor he's going to whip Souza over Blankenship's signs.
Jerry Kerley is charged with stealing during working hours and takes stolen
property to city property. Any employee but a Kerley would have been
suspended? The number one question I get asked by employees is how
come Jerry Kerley can get away with this and he wonders why other workers are
resentful. Double standards will do that. Truth is Mr Hill is Jesse Kerley's agent
that was proven when he brought the Kerley's down to the IT department
on 3 June and interfered with a police investigation and allowed Jesse Kerley
to bully Rod Shoap! The city manager had no business interfering with a
police investigation period. At that point the city manager should have
been suspended. Now the question is the city manager protected as well.
I think I'll let the federal investigator determine that.

So now I am asking for Executive Session to determine Crossville's Potential
liability for Councilman Kerley's actions. Also I want you to please
advise the council on the roles and responsibility of the city manager and
what actions is the city manager supposed to do relative and specifically
On these theft charges and the threat on me that was told to the mayor.
Also I would like you to,advise the council about the non compliance
to the open records act I will the city clerk discuss that with you.
Thank you,
Pete

Sally please give a copy to each council member, the chief of police,

the Sheriff, and the DA

Councilman Souza calls for closed executive session on city's liability in light of allegations against city employee.

In an email addressed to the interim city manager, city attorney and city clerk, councilman Pete Souza calls requests advice concerning possible liability against the city for a number of recent actions that he says are coordinated by councilman Jesse Kerley.

Councilman Pete Souza

Souza's email in it's entirety.

      Background, facts on the morning of Sept 30, 2016 in chronological order
(1) Councilman Kerley, Interim City Manager Hill, Jerry Kerley Water Treatment Manager
(Department head), and City Fixed Base Operator ( Crossville Aero, Sole Proprietorship ), and
Airport Manager Chris Bennett are having breakfast together at Edgewood Restaurant
approximately between 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM on this date. (Source multiple
witnesses) Now is the time to dispute this if any one cares to or if I am in error.
(2) At about 8:45 AM Jerry Kerley and Chris Bennett enter the Airport. Mr Bennett
gos to the vicinity of the Storage area Hanger and returns with a airport employee
William Harwell wherein Jerry Kerley and he leaves together going East on hwy 70
towards town and the site of reported stolen property. Source airport security video.
(3) Jerry Kerley and a unidentified person is caught on video with a eye witness
scaling the roof of a building about fifteen minutes later. Source citizen video.
(4) Jerry Kerley and person identified as William Harwell airport employee return
and go through the secondary security gate that is left open to the vicinity of our
new Million dollar hanger ( that is cost of construction and engineering ), and then
leaves. Source airport security camera.
(5) On 30 September Jerry Kerley's time card signed by Joe Kerley reflects he
was on city time (source time card). While I am sure Jerry Kerley puts a lot
of time in for the city and does a admiral job in the treatment facilities that
has no bearing that he was on city time at the time of the thefts.
(6) The stolen property was recovered at the city airport by the District Attorneys
Office the following Monday.

Now Mr Ridley I am going to haul this right out in the open and by open I
mean transparent open. I come to think of the events of Septmber 30 th
as BLACK SEPTEMBER for the city of Crossville. The events of this date
culminates in a long list of events that can be argued the city of Crossvile through
the entities of its municipal functions have participated through city officials
to cause harm to a citizen of our community.

Where am I going with this ? I am going to ask you for a closed executive
section for your recommendations to council. Why ? Because there is no
doubt the events since Mr Rutherford's dismissal has spiraled out of control.
The black train is coming down the path and all the rhetoric in the world
and denials is not going to get the city out of the mess it is in. When the
new council comes aboard they are going to want answers. I believe when
the EEOC investigation on the city and members of the officials takes place
there will be a appreciation for accountability. I also believe there is going
to be a series of law suits against the city and officials of the city.
Some of the events that have taken place would be funny if they were not
so serious. It's as though people have set around and decided what is the
most stupid thing we can do today, or let's get on a video and audition
for the nations dumbest criminal. But what has really transpired is persons
involved have discredited the city, left the city liable, and has brought in
local law enforcement and judicial entities to deal with stupid. A local
attorney Earl Patton best said what we have here on a sign, "You can not
fix stupid but you can document it " or words to that effect. Unfortunately
what we have here is the city officials doing or as the case might be allowing
this to go on for far to long (Complacent).

On June 1st I sent a letter to council outlining Councilman Kerley being
out of control, and targeting people. On June 2nd the assault took place and no
that issue is not over. Since then we have had councilman Kerley order people
arrested, he has established a pattern. This pattern has transpired with
arguably the knowledge of the council. Lies, shear fabrication, conspiracy
theory, really, tell that to a civil jury because boys and girls it's coming and
the cost to the tax payers is going to be the subject for years.

Let's talk about the pattern; (1) Councilman Kerley's Complaint about the fliers
he is acting on stems allegedly from complaints of businessmen (never established). He
Pushed a misdemeanor complaint to the limit, using a zealous personal motive that
transpired a series of events that are still being impacted on the city. No
one had ever been cited but he pursued this going directly to the chief and
some of his officers. To this day like violations are going on with no enforcement.
Constitutionally where is that equitable under the law (does the council not
remember that part of their oath required them to uphold the constitution ).
Councilman Kerley used the law enforcement entity of the city for his own agenda.
The judicial entity comes into play when a fine of $1,500 dollars is levied for
one violation. That will be determined by Judge Jonathan Young. If the
appeal falls in favor Randy Blankenship or the appeal of the issues with the
restraining order are not in the favor of the city judge the city may have issues. Does
any one on council,think that a noted constitutional lawyer came up out
of Nashville because he didn't have something to do. Article VIII of the
constitution "excessive fines imposed", germane.

Then we have councilman Kerley getting involved with Chief Shoap over Judge
Ivy Gardners restraining order. That was none of Councilman Kerley's business.
Protection was the chiefs responsibility, extenuating legal business is the city attorneys.
Then Councilman Kerley verbally assaults Chief Shoap on his duties in
reference to the restraining order on June 3rd in front of a city employee and
the city manager who allows this to happen. Now you have the judicial
and chief city administrator involved, yet another city entity. The legislative
side, the law enforcement side, the judicial side, and the city administrator
all involved in one misdemeanor.

We don't want to stop there lets let Councilman Kerley continue with his reckless
disregard and continue to pursue his avenging personal agenda taking with him
collateral damage to the city and other city employees. Councilman Kerley then
interferes with a investigation on Mr Blankenship's mother a elderly woman on
oxygen and wants her arrested for "filing a false police report you all have seen
the correspondence. Why? To get to Mr Blankenship.

Midnight raids on their house occurs. ?????

Councilman Kerley with witnesses tells the Chief to arrest Mr Blankenship at a council
meeting because he has insurance and registration violations. Then he changes that to
Tell Shoap to have sheriff deputies arrest Mr Blankenship when he leaves city hall. Really like
the chief has operational control over sheriff deputies. Why not tell the sheriff what to
do, he tells the city police what to do or tries. (Any one want to guess why the chief left )
All this time Councilman Kerley's buddy the city manager Steve Hill is allowing this.
Prove it, I will let the Federal Investigator prove it and the Mr Blankenship's attorney.
If my memory is correct Rod Shoap turned into the DA's office a statement earlier on all
of this. By the way the vehicle was properly registered and insured.

Now we come to BLACK SEPTEMBER. Question how is it Jerry Kerley drives right into
the airport and picks up Mr Harwell escorted by Chris Bennett ? Maybe it was
just a coincidence. Was the Breakfast just another of the friends and family plan?
When did the realization of the raid on Mr Blankenship occur? Or did we now
move to the part where the city airport and contract employees were used to
facilitate a theft on councilman Kerley political and personal enemy. Now we
have involved the entity of the city airport. Well criminal acts have to be proven
beyond a reasonable doubt, civil just needs a preponderance of evidence. What
is BLACK SEPTEMBER going to cost the tax payers?

Allegations of theft of Mr Kerley's signs, really. He got the city police, the sheriffs
office, the DAs office all running around for what turned out to be not even his signs.
Well he named all of his political enemies including me, Jim Young, Rod Shoap
as suspects detective Jessie Luke Kerley also named Blankenship. Councilman
Kerley is out of control because once again his wild reckless disregard continued
To target Mr Blankenship expanding his attempt to use law enforcement and the
DA's office to cause harm.

Now we go,to Mr Hill who is enabling his friend Jessie Kerley and Jerry Kerley
to fall under the protection of the city managers office. Jerry Kerley
claims he is under a hostile environment. Would that be because the city
employees see that city conduct standards,are enforcement differently
for Mr Hills buddy? Really he participates in stalking and a assault. Jerry
Kerley tells the Mayor he's going to whip Souza over Blankenship's signs.
Jerry Kerley is charged with stealing during working hours and takes stolen
property to city property. Any employee but a Kerley would have been
suspended? The number one question I get asked by employees is how
come Jerry Kerley can get away with this and he wonders why other workers are
resentful. Double standards will do that. Truth is Mr Hill is Jesse Kerley's agent
that was proven when he brought the Kerley's down to the IT department
on 3 June and interfered with a police investigation and allowed Jesse Kerley
to bully Rod Shoap! The city manager had no business interfering with a
police investigation period. At that point the city manager should have
been suspended. Now the question is the city manager protected as well.
I think I'll let the federal investigator determine that.

So now I am asking for Executive Session to determine Crossville's Potential
liability for Councilman Kerley's actions. Also I want you to please
advise the council on the roles and responsibility of the city manager and
what actions is the city manager supposed to do relative and specifically
On these theft charges and the threat on me that was told to the mayor.
Also I would like you to,advise the council about the non compliance
to the open records act I will the city clerk discuss that with you.
Thank you,
Pete

Sally please give a copy to each council member, the chief of police,

the Sheriff, and the DA

Councilman Souza calls for closed exeuctive session on city's liability in light of allegations against city employee

In an email addressed to the interim city manager, city attorney and city clerk, councilman Pete Souza calls requests advice concerning possible liability against the city for a number of recent actions that he says are coordinated by councilman Jesse Kerley.



Souza's email in it's entirety.

      Background, facts on the morning of Sept 30, 2016 in chronological order
(1) Councilman Kerley, Interim City Manager Hill, Jerry Kerley Water Treatment Manager
(Department head), and City Fixed Base Operator ( Crossville Aero, Sole Proprietorship ), and
Airport Manager Chris Bennett are having breakfast together at Edgewood Restaurant
approximately between 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM on this date. (Source multiple
witnesses) Now is the time to dispute this if any one cares to or if I am in error.
(2) At about 8:45 AM Jerry Kerley and Chris Bennett enter the Airport. Mr Bennett
gos to the vicinity of the Storage area Hanger and returns with a airport employee
William Harwell wherein Jerry Kerley and he leaves together going East on hwy 70
towards town and the site of reported stolen property. Source airport security video.
(3) Jerry Kerley and a unidentified person is caught on video with a eye witness
scaling the roof of a building about fifteen minutes later. Source citizen video.
(4) Jerry Kerley and person identified as William Harwell airport employee return
and go through the secondary security gate that is left open to the vicinity of our
new Million dollar hanger ( that is cost of construction and engineering ), and then
leaves. Source airport security camera.
(5) On 30 September Jerry Kerley's time card signed by Joe Kerley reflects he
was on city time (source time card). While I am sure Jerry Kerley puts a lot
of time in for the city and does a admiral job in the treatment facilities that
has no bearing that he was on city time at the time of the thefts.
(6) The stolen property was recovered at the city airport by the District Attorneys
Office the following Monday.

Now Mr Ridley I am going to haul this right out in the open and by open I
mean transparent open. I come to think of the events of Septmber 30 th
as BLACK SEPTEMBER for the city of Crossville. The events of this date
culminates in a long list of events that can be argued the city of Crossvile through
the entities of its municipal functions have participated through city officials
to cause harm to a citizen of our community.

Where am I going with this ? I am going to ask you for a closed executive
section for your recommendations to council. Why ? Because there is no
doubt the events since Mr Rutherford's dismissal has spiraled out of control.
The black train is coming down the path and all the rhetoric in the world
and denials is not going to get the city out of the mess it is in. When the
new council comes aboard they are going to want answers. I believe when
the EEOC investigation on the city and members of the officials takes place
there will be a appreciation for accountability. I also believe there is going
to be a series of law suits against the city and officials of the city.
Some of the events that have taken place would be funny if they were not
so serious. It's as though people have set around and decided what is the
most stupid thing we can do today, or let's get on a video and audition
for the nations dumbest criminal. But what has really transpired is persons
involved have discredited the city, left the city liable, and has brought in
local law enforcement and judicial entities to deal with stupid. A local
attorney Earl Patton best said what we have here on a sign, "You can not
fix stupid but you can document it " or words to that effect. Unfortunately
what we have here is the city officials doing or as the case might be allowing
this to go on for far to long (Complacent).

On June 1st I sent a letter to council outlining Councilman Kerley being
out of control, and targeting people. On June 2nd the assault took place and no
that issue is not over. Since then we have had councilman Kerley order people
arrested, he has established a pattern. This pattern has transpired with
arguably the knowledge of the council. Lies, shear fabrication, conspiracy
theory, really, tell that to a civil jury because boys and girls it's coming and
the cost to the tax payers is going to be the subject for years.

Let's talk about the pattern; (1) Councilman Kerley's Complaint about the fliers
he is acting on stems allegedly from complaints of businessmen (never established). He
Pushed a misdemeanor complaint to the limit, using a zealous personal motive that
transpired a series of events that are still being impacted on the city. No
one had ever been cited but he pursued this going directly to the chief and
some of his officers. To this day like violations are going on with no enforcement.
Constitutionally where is that equitable under the law (does the council not
remember that part of their oath required them to uphold the constitution ).
Councilman Kerley used the law enforcement entity of the city for his own agenda.
The judicial entity comes into play when a fine of $1,500 dollars is levied for
one violation. That will be determined by Judge Jonathan Young. If the
appeal falls in favor Randy Blankenship or the appeal of the issues with the
restraining order are not in the favor of the city judge the city may have issues. Does
any one on council,think that a noted constitutional lawyer came up out
of Nashville because he didn't have something to do. Article VIII of the
constitution "excessive fines imposed", germane.

Then we have councilman Kerley getting involved with Chief Shoap over Judge
Ivy Gardners restraining order. That was none of Councilman Kerley's business.
Protection was the chiefs responsibility, extenuating legal business is the city attorneys.
Then Councilman Kerley verbally assaults Chief Shoap on his duties in
reference to the restraining order on June 3rd in front of a city employee and
the city manager who allows this to happen. Now you have the judicial
and chief city administrator involved, yet another city entity. The legislative
side, the law enforcement side, the judicial side, and the city administrator
all involved in one misdemeanor.

We don't want to stop there lets let Councilman Kerley continue with his reckless
disregard and continue to pursue his avenging personal agenda taking with him
collateral damage to the city and other city employees. Councilman Kerley then
interferes with a investigation on Mr Blankenship's mother a elderly woman on
oxygen and wants her arrested for "filing a false police report you all have seen
the correspondence. Why? To get to Mr Blankenship.

Midnight raids on their house occurs. ?????

Councilman Kerley with witnesses tells the Chief to arrest Mr Blankenship at a council
meeting because he has insurance and registration violations. Then he changes that to
Tell Shoap to have sheriff deputies arrest Mr Blankenship when he leaves city hall. Really like
the chief has operational control over sheriff deputies. Why not tell the sheriff what to
do, he tells the city police what to do or tries. (Any one want to guess why the chief left )
All this time Councilman Kerley's buddy the city manager Steve Hill is allowing this.
Prove it, I will let the Federal Investigator prove it and the Mr Blankenship's attorney.
If my memory is correct Rod Shoap turned into the DA's office a statement earlier on all
of this. By the way the vehicle was properly registered and insured.

Now we come to BLACK SEPTEMBER. Question how is it Jerry Kerley drives right into
the airport and picks up Mr Harwell escorted by Chris Bennett ? Maybe it was
just a coincidence. Was the Breakfast just another of the friends and family plan?
When did the realization of the raid on Mr Blankenship occur? Or did we now
move to the part where the city airport and contract employees were used to
facilitate a theft on councilman Kerley political and personal enemy. Now we
have involved the entity of the city airport. Well criminal acts have to be proven
beyond a reasonable doubt, civil just needs a preponderance of evidence. What
is BLACK SEPTEMBER going to cost the tax payers?

Allegations of theft of Mr Kerley's signs, really. He got the city police, the sheriffs
office, the DAs office all running around for what turned out to be not even his signs.
Well he named all of his political enemies including me, Jim Young, Rod Shoap
as suspects detective Jessie Luke Kerley also named Blankenship. Councilman
Kerley is out of control because once again his wild reckless disregard continued
To target Mr Blankenship expanding his attempt to use law enforcement and the
DA's office to cause harm.

Now we go,to Mr Hill who is enabling his friend Jessie Kerley and Jerry Kerley
to fall under the protection of the city managers office. Jerry Kerley
claims he is under a hostile environment. Would that be because the city
employees see that city conduct standards,are enforcement differently
for Mr Hills buddy? Really he participates in stalking and a assault. Jerry
Kerley tells the Mayor he's going to whip Souza over Blankenship's signs.
Jerry Kerley is charged with stealing during working hours and takes stolen
property to city property. Any employee but a Kerley would have been
suspended? The number one question I get asked by employees is how
come Jerry Kerley can get away with this and he wonders why other workers are
resentful. Double standards will do that. Truth is Mr Hill is Jesse Kerley's agent
that was proven when he brought the Kerley's down to the IT department
on 3 June and interfered with a police investigation and allowed Jesse Kerley
to bully Rod Shoap! The city manager had no business interfering with a
police investigation period. At that point the city manager should have
been suspended. Now the question is the city manager protected as well.
I think I'll let the federal investigator determine that.

So now I am asking for Executive Session to determine Crossville's Potential
liability for Councilman Kerley's actions. Also I want you to please
advise the council on the roles and responsibility of the city manager and
what actions is the city manager supposed to do relative and specifically
On these theft charges and the threat on me that was told to the mayor.
Also I would like you to,advise the council about the non compliance
to the open records act I will the city clerk discuss that with you.
Thank you,
Pete

Sally please give a copy to each council member, the chief of police,

the Sheriff, and the DA