EXCLUSIVE: City marketing director Billy Loggins questioned on emails, describes recent news reports as bad publicity for city

Even though his name was part of some of the recent bad news reports reflecting on the city, Crossville marketing director Billy Loggins said he felt that those news reports could have harmed the reputation of the City of Crossville.

Crossville Marketing Director Billy Loggins

Loggins made those comments Tuesday morning in an interview where he was asked about some unusual emails that were part of those requested in connection with the recent personnel complaint that included intercity instant messages and emails between some of the parties involved.

Personnel board story

In a review of the emails between former interim city manager Steve Hill and Mr. Loggins several troubling discoveries were made including an email from Hill to Loggins in July 2016 that had an image of Mayor James Mayberry with the wording underneath saying, “Mayor Methberry is he high or just incompetent or both.” According to Loggins the email came from a council member to Mr. Hill who forwarded it on to Mr. Loggins' city email. The email was not sent from Hill's city email but a personal Gmail account identified as Mr. Hill's.

Image attached to email from Steve Hill to Billy Loggins in July 2016

Similar to ugly signs put out after November city election

Link to photo of anonymous sign put up following city election. 

Loggins stated that at the time he verbally said that he thought the image could create bad publicity for the city. He added, “To be honest Jim, some of what you're doing is bad publicity for the city.” Loggins continued, “You know those emails were absolutely ridiculous. And if anybody thinks they can make some mileage over those, well good luck to them.”

Loggins also complained about the council meeting Monday that lead to the removal of Steve Hill as interim city manager saying, “Why didn't they just go to Steve privately and just say 'Steve, come on, why don't you just go on now.' Why just keep the circus in town? I don't get it.”

Loggins addressed the move of the Palace Theatre to marketing and that it was a big topic of discussion at the personnel board meeting, “but that's exactly where it needs to be. No questions about it.” Loggins was asked if he would feel unhappy if some of his responsibilities were removed from his control without ever speaking to him about it prior to such action and he agreed that he would.

Loggins added that if there had been a marketing department at the time the city took over the Palace that it should have gone there. In addition, Loggins stated that there was no additional money involved to him in the move and that he sponsors events at the Palace all the time.

One email that was from Loggins to Steve Hill included an attachment that appeared to be a proof of a proposed billboard created by Flynn Signs Co. The billboard only listed three of the 5 city council members stating that “City Council Members Jesse Kerley, Pamala Harris, Danny Wyatt Proudly supports FFG (Fairfield Glade) Community & state golf championships.”

Sign proof that includes only three memebers of city council

Loggins was asked why there were only three members listed on the sign and what was the plan to use the sign? He said one of the council members, and he said he couldn't remember who, wanted something put up after one of the votes concerning funding of golf tournaments and that council member planned to pay for it. “Nothing ever came out of it,” according to Loggins.

The third email in question set up a meeting between several people involved in recognizing the late Boyd Wyatt with an award in his name at the Crossville airport. During the airport fly-in in September 2016 when the award was presented, then candidate for council J. H. Graham III acted as the emcee for the program.

The email set up a meeting at a local coffee shop that included consultant Don Napier, interim city manager Steve Hill, airport manager Chris Bennett, councilman Danny Wyatt, Loggins and Graham.

Loggins was asked how that came about. He said “It was just decided between several people that nobody knew Boyd any better then J. H. as he had worked with him for years.” He also said that Mr. Wyatt's widow Camilla Wyatt had sort of requested that. In addition according to Loggins Mayor Mayberry was aware of the plans and the award.