Editor's Note: With the death July 2nd of former Crossville City Manager Curtis Adams at age 86 we will take a look back at an article as Mr. Adams reflected on his first year in the position. Adams left the position about two months after this article was written due to medical issues and was unable to return to the position.
City manager Curtis Adams said while he likes Crossville's billing as the Golf Capital of Tennessee, he thinks Crossville should also be called the “Hospitality Capital” because of how friendly people of the community are.
“Crossville is a very friendly town and that's great,” said Adams; “They will always speak to you and remember your name.”
Curtis Adams handles a phone call in his Crossville
City Hall Office April 7, 2011, at the one year
mark in the position. (Photo by Jim Young)
Adams sat down to talk about completing his first year as Crossville's city manager and what he was working on for the future.
Adams had high praise for the city staff he oversees as manager, “We have165 of the best employees you'd find anywhere!” He added that the city also had great department heads.
Adams expressed his excitement over the purchase of the former bank building as the new city hall adding that it would allow the city to have everyone together back under one roof. He said the city also bought the area behind the building that can be used for open area or park.
Adams said he continues to be impressed with Crossville after moving to the community. “We have good schools and a good hospital here. We also have good houses for people to buy and some great neighborhoods. We have a big city feel for a smaller community,” explained Adams.
According to Adams all those good things and new people moving into the area is a great opportunity for new businesses and economic development. And economic development is one of his goals for the future, something he has some experience with from his years in the Hamilton County Commission.
“That's my big goal right now,” said Adams. “If we could get two or three companies to come in here with 200 to 300 employees we would be in the chips. Everybody I've talked to is hungry for new stuff coming in. That's my main thrust now,” added Adams.
Adams said he was proud of the new relationship between the city and the county, “We've got the city and county working well together.”
Adams explained that just as he has regular meetings with Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham he has been having regular meetings with county Mayor Kenneth Carey. “We are getting along very well and I enjoy working with him,” said Adams of Mayor Carey.
Adams said he was working with the county and had asked them to let the city take over the operation of the new amphitheater near the new Art Circle Library. Adams said he hoped that the city could finish up the area and then the Palace Theatre staff could handle scheduling for the venue and it would be a great addition to the community.
Adams hopes the plan would create additional interest in the area so that “One night you'd hear gospel music; one night you'd hear county music or school plays up there.” Adams pointed out that the city council recently approved funding to complete the caboose at the depot and there would be attractions all along Main Street, from the Palace to the amphitheater to the depot.
Adams added that one of the best things about this is that it won't require any additional personnel to do these things.
Adams said, “We've had a lot of good things since I've been here.”. Those things include the new beginnings breakfast that brought city and county officials together with the community and the more recent trip to Chattanooga with 22 community leaders to see the Volkswagen plant and Adams said he will be meeting with the President of Roane State Community College Dr. Gary Goff and visiting the business incubator in Chattanooga to see their operation as the Crossville incubator gets ready to begin operation.
Adams said Goff was excited about what is happening in Crossville and he would be a good partner in the area's growth.
Adams was asked about the joint operation of the of the dog pound following controversy recently over actions of a county animal control officer and he explained that the county mayor is in charge of the operation and the city and the county split the operational costs. “You can only have one boss,” explained Adams, “that is the deal we made.”
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