CROSSVILLE FLASHBACK: Ground Broken for new Meadow Park Lake water plant in 2000.

Groundbreaking for the new Meadow Park Lake water

treatment plant in September 2000.  Pictured L-R are

Crossville city council members Gene Turner, Wendell 

Kerley, Boyd Wyatt Sr, Former State Representative Shirley Duer, 

Mayor J. H. Graham, State Senator Lincoln Davis, 

unidentified, and engineer Lamar Dunn.

Original Meadow Park Lake water treatment plant at

the time construction of the new plant was started

(Editor's note: It has been 17 years since the groundbreaking for the new Meadow Park Lake water treatment plant to replace the one originally built in the late 1930's.  That building still exists and the city has been talking about tearing the old plant down.)

“Our community is the fastest growing rural community in Tennessee. It must have a more than adequate potable water supply.”

Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham III made those remarks at last Friday’s groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Meadow Park Lake water treatment plant. The current Meadow Park Lake water treatment plant produces just under 2 million gallons per day. The new plant is designed to produce 3.5 million gallons of drinking water per day almost twice the old plant’s capacity. The original Meadow Park water treatment plant was built 60 years ago.

Councilman Gene Turner gave an invocation prior to the ceremony and prefaced it saying he hopes the doors to Crossville are never closed to those who want to make Crossville their home. Turner praised the city’s past leaders who made the decision to build Meadow Park Lake and was proud that Crossville was in a position to move the facility to the next level.

“This is a great day for everyone in Cumberland County and the City of Crossville, A day we’ve all been waiting for,” commented Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr. Wyatt led those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Graham described the long road to the groundbreaking as, “months of planning, months of design, months of approvals and months and months and months of meetings.” The last comment received a laugh from the small crowd gathered for the ceremony.

Mayor Graham summed up his comments about the water project saying, “our community must have water for fire protection for residents and industry as well. The industries we have now must continue to grow and prosper so as to provide jobs and their security for our future and our children’s future. Our policy is, was and forever shall be, to provide for and protect our children’s future.”

Graham recognized several of the attendees for their contribution to the process necessary to get the new plant moving including State Senator Lincoln Davis and former State Representative Shirley Duer. Graham also congratulated the city’s water engineer Lamar Dunn whose firm put the city’s water master plan together and designed the plant and assisted with the state loan application.

Dunn praised the involvement of the State Department of Conservation and Environment for their approval of a very low-interest loan. Through the department, the city received a $7.5 million loan at 1.77 percent interest for 20 years. Crossville’s water plant is the largest single project funded by the revolving loan fund by almost four times. The largest previous amount funded was a $2 million project. Randy Anglin represented the Department of Conservation and Environment and was asked to pass the city’s thanks on to his department’s Commissioner Milton Hamilton.

Some of the other special guests who attended and were recognized including new school board member Gordon Davis; County Commissioner Dr. Don Ivey; Judge Steve Douglas and members of the Meadow Park Lake Commission Dick Brady, Clark West and Elmo Lewis.

The contractor chosen by the city for the project is Building Crafts, Inc. of Blountville Tennessee. The cost of the water treatment plant was bid at $5.3 million. The remaining funds from the $7.5 million loan will be used for associated water system improvements. Construction on the water treatment plant is expected to take between 18 and 24 months.

Crossville Memories: Old IGA Grocery Store on Highway 70E Rockwood Highway

This was the scene September 24, 2009, as the Old IGA Grocery Store on Highway 70-E Rockwood Highway came down.  The store was one of the last grocery stores on the east side of Crossville.  The lot remains empty at the current time.   Photos by Jim Young-all rights reserved.

                            

Looking for dependable Transporation that

you'll be proud to drive? Check out

PARK PLACE MOTORS!

CROSSVLLE FLASHBACK: Series of W. M. Cline Real Photo postcards of Crossville's Main Street in 1948

W. M. Cline was a prolific photographer and publisher of postcards and later PR material who was based in Chattanooga.  He shot numerous postcards mainly of the Southeast US and many old photos of Crossville were published by his company.  From the 30s through the early 50s most of his work was done in black and white as real photo postcards that are printed in a darkroom on photo paper and lab processed.  Later as color postcards became popular the cards were printed.

This series of photos all appear to be taken on the same day and the photographer moved down Main Street from the top of Watertank Hill.  In many cases, you can see the same vehicles and the banner that stretched across Main Street saying "Win WIth McCord" who was Governor of Tennessee from 1944 through early 1949.

Photo from the top of Watertank Hill that starts the series. 

The series was most likely taken on a Saturday because

of all the vehicles and people in Downtown Crossville and

it was the day many went to town to shop and socialize. 

At Main Street and Lantana Road with Highway 70

coming in from the right.  The various businesses

in the area include the Broadway Services station,

Hales Grocery, the Broadway Cafe.

All the Broadway names come from the original

name of the highway through Crossville that was known

as the Broadway of America. 

The DeGolia building on the left was later replaced

by the La Frances Building.  On the right is the

Luvernia Building, home to Smith's Rexall and

Dr. Lawson's offices.

The La Frances and Luvernia buildings were both

built by Lawson and named after the Doctor's daughters.

CROSSVILLE FLASHBACK 2007: Council planning work session on downtown improvements.

Downtown Crossville in 2007

CROSSVILLE FLASHBACK 2007: Ten Years Ago

Crossville City Council hears about downtown improvement suggestions

Crossville city council will schedule a work session in the near future with representatives of Downtown Crossville, Inc. to discuss several proposed downtown improvements.

Downtown Crossville Inc. (DCI) representative Frances Carson addressed the council at their regular August meeting. Carson displayed a number of pictures that showed the kind of improvements they wanted to see in the downtown area.

“This proposal is just a starting place,” explained Carson who talked about three areas of initial concern including parking, truck traffic and cruising.

On parking, Carson said they hoped to get public parking areas in downtown better marked so visitors could find them more easily and they also hoped to find additional locations for more parking as well.


In order to reduce the amount of truck traffic through downtown, DCI had been working with the city street department to provide better signs including signs that would indicate trucks coming from Homestead could easily get to I-40 using the Milo Lemmert Bypass rather then coming through the downtown area. They also wanted to have signs indicating the optional truck route further back from the intersections in order to give the trucks more warning that the alternate routes are available and they connect back to 127.

Carson said the group had been working with the police department on the issue of cruising. She stressed that the problem was not local kids but those who were from out of county and also older. Some of the problems reported by downtown property owners and businesses included cruisers staying later, litter and other unsanitary activities.

Carson said the group “was not opposed to local cruising” as the local residents generally went home earlier and were much less of a problem.

Carson explained that the group had done a lot of research and they had looked at several other cities that had improved their downtown areas. Some of the ideas DCI looked at seemed right for Crossville while others might be less successful.

According to Carson, the group is looking to expand it's partnerships. A number of Main Street property owners and business operators are already involved and the group has been working to keep the existing businesses on Main Street while trying to find more businesses to put in currently empty buildings.

“We'd like to ask for a work session with the council,: said Carson, “and we'll be requesting some funding but we want to explain what the funding will do.”

A work session will be scheduled in the near future. Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham asked that the meeting be in the evening so businesses owners could also attend.

CROSSVILLE FLASHBACK: Council works on Holiday Lake Dam problem

(Editor's note: This project came out of a state dam inspection that required work on the dam.  As the work moved forward the city ran into problems with the additional water in the lake and if that was a "taking" of land.  It was discovered that different deeds described the lake water line boundary in different ways and eventually the city left the dam at the level it was but with better control of the water levels. The project was finally completed in 2009)

Council works on its dam problem (July 2002)

The Crossville city council looked at options last Thursday for work required to bring the Holiday Hills Lake dam up to standards required by the Safe Dams Act while also improving the city’s control of the lake’s water level.

Council approved the option recommended by engineer Scott Christian of ECE Services at an estimated cost of $350,000 for work on the dam plus an additional cost for work on the bridge that crosses the dam’s spillway. Based on the council’s action, ECE will have a final report to present to the council at their regular meeting on August 13 with more detailed cost estimates on the project.

Once the final proposed plan is approved by the council in August it will be submitted to the state for their initial approval. When the full plans are prepared, the state must again approve the plan before the project can be put out for bids.

Engineer Scot Christian with ECE explains the plan

to the city council.

The plan chosen would widen the spillway over the dam from the current 32 feet to 150 feet and armor the dam using heavy riprap and rocks. The armor is to maintain the integrity of the dam should water ever flow over the top of it in the event of a super rain event. The spillway includes an upgraded weir system to control the actual water level in the lake. A weir is a gate like device that can be raised or lowered from the bottom.

One side benefit of the proposed dam improvement project is that it will raise the level of the lake by some 9 inches. This means the lake will hold more water increasing the capacity of the lake.

Just over a year ago the city received a notification from the state that the Holiday Lake dam was in apparent violation of the Safe Dams Act. At the time, the city was looking at making improvements to the Holiday Lake dam spillway and weir to better control the level of the lake for the city’s water plant intake.

That 2001 letter indicated that the Holiday Hills dam appeared to violate the Safe Dams Act based on a very unlikely Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) rainfall event of 29.85 inches of rain in a six-hour period. Based on calculations prepared by the state, such a PMP rain event would cause the water behind the Holiday Lake dam to rise more than two feet above the top of the dam and should the dam fail, it would threaten several houses and bridges below the dam.

During the council’s meeting in June of 2001, council approved amending ECE Services contract to include a study and report on improvements to bring the dam into compliance. ECE was already working on the spillway and weir project at the time.

At last week’s meeting, Christian explained to the council the reason for the state’s 2001 classification. He said that because the dam could be topped and potentially fail in such a PMP rain event that the ensuing flood would threaten 4 houses along with several bridges and roads downstream from the dam. Because loss of human life could result from such a dam failure is the reason for the states classification change in 2001.

The bridge across the spillway portion of the dam is currently is classified as one of the worst bridges in Cumberland County and is at the top of the list for state funds to improve it according to Christian. If the city receives funding form the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) 70 percent of the replacement bridge’s cost would be covered by state funds. The cost of a new longer bridge is estimated at $225,000. The city’s 30 percent share would be $67,500.

Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham III commented, “We have to look at both the dam and the bridge situation at the same time.”

Other potential options studied by ECE Services including substantially lowering the current spillway that would have had detrimental effects on the water plant intake. Also, an expensive series of smaller lakes above the dam could have held more water in the event of a large rainfall. Also studied was purchasing the downstream houses and demolishing them. Because of the bridge and roads involved though, human life could have still been threatened and the problem would not have been solved.

Crossville Flashback: 16 years ago Crossville Council looking at new lakes near Meadow Park Lake

Alternative lake location from 2001

Another alternative lake location from 2001

Visit our sponsor,

PARK PLACE MOTORS

CROSSVILLE FLASHBACK from June 2001

Council studies possible new lake locations.

The Crossville City Council continues working toward expansion of the city’s water production capability and approved Lamar Dunn & Associates to prepare a preliminary cost estimate on a detailed engineering study of a new lake on Meadow Creek.

Council reviewed some very preliminary maps and size estimates prepared by Tim Begley of the city’s planning office. The maps show two possible dam and lake locations with the areas that would be flooded. Begley prepared the maps based on topographic profile maps and he advised council some additional geologic issues need to be studied.

The maps compare the current Meadow Park Lake and two separate possible lakes down stream on Meadow Creek. In the first option, a single large dam is built below the current lake and the existing 266-acre lake plus the new impoundment totals 640 acres. The now existing lake becomes part of the new larger lake and increases the old lake’s depth by 2 feet. The total estimated volume of the proposed lake, including the increased level of the current lake raised 2 feet would be almost 4 billion gallons of water.

A second possible option is to go farther down stream where the creek gorge is deeper and build two dams that would create a 450-acre new lake. Under this option the current Meadow Park Lake would not be affected. The second proposed lake would be longer and narrower creating a 450-acre lake. The total volume of the new lake would be 3.6 billion gallons in addition to the current Meadow Park Lake.

Also mentioned was the possibility of raising the height of the dam and the water level of the second lake from the 1760 to 1800 elevation level that could create a lake holding some 20 billion gallons of water.

Councilman Wyatt praised Begly’s work and added, “The next question is, what will it cost?”

The meeting answered a few questions, but many of questions still remain, including the question of whether or not there is enough water in Meadow Creek to fill a lake of the size proposed.

Bob Burnett who lives in the area of Meadow Creek addressed the council and said that while he is not an engineer, “I don’t know where the water will come from to fill this lake.” Burnett said he has lived on the creek for 20 years and often there is no water at all in the creek during the dry days of summer.

While all the options are in the very early stages, Mayor Graham said water harvesting from other area rivers might be one possible solution.

The Mayor reminded the council members that such a lake project would be substantial. “We’ve spent 7 million for a water treatment plant, but this is the big one!” emphasized Graham. “This one will hurt.”

CROSSVILLE FLASHBACK: Autumn Leaf Special train visits Crossville in 1985

Pictures of the Autumn Leaf Special train from the fall of 1985.

The annual fall Autumn Leaf Special train trips were organized by the

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga starting in 1968.  

The popular trips came up the valley to Rockwood where the train swapped 

it's steam engine for a diesel for the trip up the plateau's escarpment through 

Crab Orchard and into Crossville to stop at the depot.  Crossville residents 

always turned out in big numbers and kids were known to put 

pennies on the track to be smashed by the train wheels. The trips took place

two weekends each fall until the company that owned the railroad tracks 

reduced the allowed speed for passenger trains making it impossible to make 

the round trip from Chattanooga in the time needed.

The Autumn Leaf Special was a big event for Crossville at the time and included

a craft sale run by the Business and Professional Women's Club along with

local organizations displaying along Main Street and on the Courthouse Lawn.

Sadly the trips stopped and eventually the tracks between Crab Orchard and

Crossville were removed.  The Crossville Depot is now owned by the 

City of Crossville became a shop/museum and meeting facility.

Crossville Flashback: Another piece of long gone Crossville history-the old Cumberland Truck Stop

The old Cumberland Truck Stop on Highway 70-E near Dorton has been gone for many years.  These photos were taken in 2001 before the shell of the old building was cleared away and while the old neon sign is still there it is pretty much unreadable any more.  There were a number of truck stops along Highway 70 before the Interstate was finished as the old highway was the main road between Knoxville and Nashville from the 1930's through the late 1960's.

At one time, bright neon lights would have guided travelers between Knoxville

and Nashville to the Cumberland Truck Stop. Photo by Jim Young

Now gone, the shell of the Cumberland Truck Stop building. 

Photo by Jim Young

CROSSVILLE FLASHBACK February 2000: Road Improvements to Elmore & near CCHS, Chamber promotes Golf

News from the Crossville city council meeting February 2000

Crossville city council approved moving forward with two road improvement projects that staff and city officials have been studying since last year.

The first project is to help the situation on Elmore Road between Main Street and West Avenue. The state will take the current four lanes, mill the asphalt surface and repave the road striped with five lanes including a center turn lane. The road itself will not be widened, but the lanes adjusted within the current road width. According to correspondence from the Tennessee department of transportation, the two outside lanes will be 11 feet wide while the three remaining lanes will each be 10 feet wide.

A state study of the number of wrecks put the road’s accident rate at almost three times the state average. The short one-third of a mile stretch has tallied 130 accidents in the last three years, 40 of those were rear-end type accidents.

The city’s piece of the project will be to replace the sensor loops in the road that operate the automatic traffic signals and adjust the signal heads as necessary. Public Works director Richard Campbell has estimated the cost to the city at around $5,000.

The other road improvement project approved by council was to make Stanley Street and Fourth Street three lanes in the area of Cumberland County High School. In addition to the road widening proposed, the city plans to build a one-lane drive from Stanley Street across the front lawn at CCHS as a quick student drop off or pick up area. The city has been studying the congestion problems caused by both the morning and afternoon school traffic rush for several months at the request of school officials.

The total estimated cost for the complete package is $75,000. The state will fund around $45,000 of the project leaving about $30,000 to be paid for out of the city’s budget. Council members discussed the fact that their intentions have been to use their portion of the additional sales tax revenue from last year’s sales tax increase referendum for road improvements. Sales tax collections from the holiday shopping season increased dramatically over previous years. October and December sales tax revenue increased over $100,000 with November almost that much.

Both road improvement projects were approved by a unanimous vote of the council.

Don Hinch updated the city council on tourism and different ways the Chamber of Commerce promotes the local area to potential visitors. In addition to a brochure promoting overall tourism, the chamber has started promoting a trademarked logo and slogan of Crossville as the golf vacation capital of Tennessee. According to Hinch an estimated 400,000 rounds of golf were played in Cumberland County last year.

The Chamber has developed a multi-page golf brochure, the 2000 Lifestyle magazine and placed ads in the state tourism and golf magazines. Currently, through a state tourism grant chamber employees man the two Cumberland County I-40 rest areas during daylight hours. An estimated 200,000 vehicles stop in at the rest areas while it is manned and visitors have a chance to ask questions and pick-up information on area attractions.

Council also passed a resolution in opposition to action considered by the state legislature that would balance the state budget by reducing the so-called state shared taxes returned to Crossville. Currently the city receives almost $1 million a year from the program and estimates city property taxes would have to raised by 60 cents per $100 of value to offset the loss of all that state funding. Currently city property taxes are 70 cents and the increase would nearly double property owners’ city tax bill. City taxpayers could also face an increase in their county property tax bill of nearly 44 cents per 100 value.

In other action, council:

• Commended public works director Richard Campbell for his “exemplary” service as interim city manger;
• Recognized Crossville Elementary third grader Barbara Brady as the student of the month. Teacher Glenn Linebaugh said Barbara was an excellent student with excellent behavior and helped others;
• Directed city attorney Lanny Colvard to send a letter to Highways, Inc. requesting payment for the estimated $7,000 to $10,000 still owed to the city.
• Increased city attorney Colvard’s hourly billing rate from $100 to $125 per hour.
• Deferred action on a request by the Art Circle Library for further study and deferred action on establishing Martin Luther King Day as a city holiday.

Crossville Flashback--Starlite Drive-In Theatre schedule from October 1972

For many years, Crossville Tennessee had a drive in Theater on Highway 70-E near Rock Quarry Road.  The Starlite Drive-In was very popular with local residents for watching movies and other social activities.  This calendar dates from October 1972, the final month of movies for that year.  A fascinating variety of movies are on the schedule from Sophia Loren in Lady Liberty to Macbeth. 

Crossville Flashback:19 Years ago Palace over budget, Fire and Police Department get new Tech.

 After bids on the Palace Theater restoration project came in higher than expected, City Council voted Tuesday night to put the project on hold until they are assured that the project can be completed within the available funds.

Council formally acted to reject all bids received at the January bid opening in which the low bid on the Palace restoration totaled some $300,000 over available funds. Councilman John Dooley said he felt the project was out of control, and made a motion that the project not be started unless a usable facility is possible within the budgeted funds available. According to Mr. Dooley, the definition of a usable facility should include stage equipment, lighting, sound equipment, seat renovation and installation.

City Manager Hugh Walker told council he sat in on the recent meeting of the Mayor’s Palace Committee and said, “The committee is working hard to bring the project in within the amount of money.”

Dooley’s motion passed with five yes votes.

The Crossville Fire Department will soon have a high tech piece of equipment that can help save lives and fight fires. The Karins Iris thermal imager allows a firefighter to find people or fire hot spots in zero visibility using infrared technology. The only drawback to the unit is its high cost, $25,000.

Representing the Noon Rotary Club, Crossville businessman Scott Shanks advised city council that over the last four months, the group had raised $12,500, or half the cost. Shanks asked the council to match Rotary’s donation and approve purchase of the unit for the fire department.

Councilman Boyd Wyatt, Sr. made a motion for the city take the money from unappropriated fund balance and purchase the equipment. The motion passed unanimously. Following the vote, Councilman Dooley said, “We’ve never had anything like this happen to us before.”

The Crossville Police Department will also soon go high tech with the purchase of a laser speed gun. Council approved the purchase of one laser speed measurement unit for the low bid of $2,994.

Police Chief David Beaty said the laser units are more accurate and can more easily target a specific vehicle by sighting through the device. Beaty added that the unit can also be used to accurately measure long distances for both accident and criminal investigations.

In other action:

* Council approved up to $20,000 for around 6 “Welcome to Crossville” signs. According to sign proponent and Crossville Chronicle Publisher Pauline Sherrer, the signs would allow civic clubs such as Rotary, Lions and Exchange to post their emblems and meeting times at the city limits. Sherrer said, “Sparta and Dayton have very nice welcome signs and it is time for Crossville to step out too.”

Councilman John Dooley moved to approve the proposal and have a budget amendment prepared. The motion passed unanimously.

* Council recognized Laura Swallows as Crossville Elementary’s student of the month. Swallows is the daughter of Dale and Judy Graham Swallows and is in the third grade.

* Council received a gift of two framed posters for display at City Hall from Professional Services Group (PSG) promoting the recycling of biosolids. According to Clark Anis, PSG’s local manager, 900 dry tons of biosolids were recycled last year. The fertilizer was applied to 1000 acres with an equivalent value of $26,000.

* Council appointed Patty Galan to the city’s Personnel Committee. Galan operates Tery Wayne, Inc. a local manufacturing company.

Crossville Flashback: Fifteen Years Ago--Crossville City Council reviews 2001/2002 goals

(Fifteen Years Ago the city council discussed accomplishments for 2001 and goals for the coming year of 2002.  Some interesting projects are discussed and several people who have made news recently are in this report.)

The Crossville city council reviewed last year’s goals for the city and looked at new ones for 2002 in their work session Tuesday night.

Crossville city manager Jack Miller started out by presenting a recap on how the city fared on accomplishing the goals council set for last year. Miller told the council the city had substantially completed their goals for 2001 and most of those not completed have been carried over to 2002. Miller said he felt “that on a scale of one to ten, last year was a nine and one half.” 

Then city manager Jack Miller addresses the January 16, 2002 Council meeting.

Councilman Boyd Wyatt agreed 2001 was a good year giving it a score of nine saying, “It was a trying year and we had a lot on our plate. But I feel like we’ve done well.”

Councilman Earl Dean agreed with Wyatt saying, “You couldn’t ask for more.”

Councilman Carl Duer, who has only been on the council a short time quipped, “The last three months have gone well.” Councilman Billy Loggins agreed with Duer.

Crossville Mayor J. H. Graham commented, “The city needs infrastructure in the right time frame to get jobs here. This council has started and plans to continue.”

Of the 2001 goals, Miller said more city streets were resurfaced than originally expected and more sidewalks were constructed than the goals outlined. The city staff is also continuing to study different ways to work with the non-profit entities that have been given donations by the city in the past. Miller said he would present an analysis of the matter to the council at a future meeting.

Some of the goals not reached last year will be moved into the 2002 goals. The city will continue working on reviewing the city charter to update it. The city is also continuing to work on street lighting in busy and congested areas. Some of the street lighting is under construction now in the industrial and recreation park area.

Some of the goals put on hold either temporarily or for good include the soccer complex. While this project is not dead, council is waiting on the soccer organizers to see if they have a better location for the facility then on O’Brien Drive. The soccer organizers told council last year the site was not big enough plus there was the expensive proposition of dealing with wetlands located on the proposed site.

Completely off the table for now is the Azalea Street extension from West Avenue to Elmo Drive. Residents in the area complained and while the project is designed, council stopped the project.

Goals for the New Year discussed include completing the process to become designated as a Governors Three Star Community. Mayor Graham said the Three Star program relates preserving existing jobs and helping create new family income as well as improving the quality of life by strong leadership. The city also plans to update the comprehensive and growth strategies plans.

Council also discussed continuing the implementation of the city’s economic development strategy to balance the perspectives between industrial and commercial development. Also mentioned was additional ways to increase business recruitment for the community.

The city also will implement new financial software system to streamline and secure the city’s financial operation. The process is already underway.

One of the biggest projects facing the council during the coming year is reform of the city solid waste collection and management system. The contract the city has with the private hauler expires this fall and currently efforts are underway to work on the changes needed. Council will meet in works session to discuss the matter Tuesday January 22 at 6 PM.

The city also plans an extension of low-pressure sewer lines along Highway 70-N to Inez Wren School and work with Mrs. Smiths (Flowers) Bakery to complete the sewer pre-treatment system proposed by the company. Mayor Graham said the project would allow additional production to take place at the bakery with possible additional jobs.

Goals for the fire department include requesting an ISO rating evaluation with the goal of receiving a class 2 rating and evaluate possible sites for a new fire station to serve the western parts of the city.

The city is also looking at having the police department evaluated for potential accreditation by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

For leisure and cultural resources, the city’s goals are to complete interior infrastructure for the Palace Theater and expand promotions and programming. Steve Hill told the council that the movie screen has been hung in the Palace and he hopes to start showing movies at the renovated theater in mid February. They are investigating whether the movie “If I were King” starring Ronald Coleman is available in 35 millimeter. It was the first move ever shown at the Palace when it originally opened in 1938.



Council also wants to do additional public relations on the impact that the Centennial recreation park has on the community especially the economic impact.

John Dooley's 1998 death lead to J. H. Graham's first term as mayor

(Editor's note: Originally written as a year end story from 1998, Dooley's death was one of the top ten stories from 18 years ago.)

Dooley's death quieted Crossville City politics 18 years ago

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

Dooley's death at age 72 closed a long and varied political career that included three two-year terms as Mayor of Crossville and an over 20 year tenure of service as a city council member. At the time of his death Mr. Dooley was gearing up for the final four week push in a campaign for a four-year term as Crossville's mayor.

Dooley's death was ruled to be of natural causes. He had had a history of heart problems including a previous heart bypass. The first officer on the scene found Mr. Dooley in the bedroom of his home, dead of apparent natural causes.

Dooley was one of only two candidates who qualified for 1998's Crossville Mayoral election. A campaign that was expected to be spirited and possibly contentious became suddenly quiet and uncontested.

With no challenger, the remaining candidate, then city council member J.H. Graham, III became Crossville's mayor following November balloting.

Graham commented in October on the passing of his political opponent and colleague saying, "I considered John Dooley one of Cumberland County's hardest working public servants."

At the time of Mr. Dooley's death, then Crossville Mayor Earl Dean commented, "It's such a shock." Dean added, "John had his own way of doing things, but he always had the best interest of Crossville at heart."

Shortly before his death, Mr. Dooley had buttons made that said "Act glad to see me." He wore and handed out the buttons to friends and acquaintances. Dooley also made constant use of fax machine to send out jokes, cartoons and his opinions. He was a one-man publicity department.

John Dooley's famous "Act Glad to See Me" button

At the close of his career, Mr. Dooley was still strongly sharing his opinion on issues including the Highway's, Inc. paving overcharges, the cost of water production and the price that should be charged to the utility districts to buy city produced water.

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 State Representative in the Tennessee General Assembly. In addition, Dooley made an unsuccessful run for the U. S. Congress.

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. Dooley was sometimes compared to Knoxville's well-known grocer/politician Cas Walker who died a few weeks before Mr. Dooley. Both men had a definite style that could often rub those who disagreed with them the wrong way. Dooley's Food Town closed when Mr. Dooley retired several years ago and the building torn down when 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 the Crossville American Legion post, serving as its treasurer at the time of his death.

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.

Crossville Flashback: Political Ads created council controversy 6 years ago. (Video included)

A discussion of political ads from the current mayor's election in Crossville led to raised voices, angry words and one council member walking out of the meeting.

There was a standing room only crowd for the Crossville city council's regular October meeting and the meeting was streamed live to the internet for those who wanted to watch from their homes. Item 8 on the agenda was billed as “Matters relative to political ads” and was the anticipated item that brought out a larger than usual crowd at the meeting.

When the item came up Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Earl Dean made a motion to remove the item from the agenda saying, “I don't believe politics should be on the agenda. When people sign up to run for a political seat they are on their own. When you bring politics to this council, it tears this council apart.”

Councilman Boyd Wyatt commented that he had placed the item on the agenda adding, “It is not meant to be a political debate on the mayor's race or councilman's race.” Wyatt went on to say that he had very strong feelings about what the ads placed by Councilman Jesse Kerley said about city employees and the council.

Dean's motion to remove the item from the agenda received a second by councilman Kerley after he said that none of his ads had statements directed at any city employees or other council members, “except for my challenger in the mayor's race.”

The motion failed with councilmen Dean and Kerley in favor, and Mayor J. H. Graham and councilmen Wyatt and Carl Duer opposed. Following the vote an unhappy councilman Dean excused himself and left the meeting.

Councilman Wyatt apologized to Dean adding, “He feels one way and I feel another.” Wyatt continued on with his agenda item.



Wyatt said that he felt the ad run by Mayoral candidate Jesse Kerley on October 1, 2010 and another date in the Crossville Chronicle “questions the professionalism, honesty, integrity and accuracy of the city employees and council in regard to recording documentation of council minutes. This ad would leave you to believe that there are employees that have not done their job properly and the city manager and council have stood by and let this happen. I want to assure you that this isn't the case and the ads are far from the truth.”

Wyatt said that he asked the city manager to investigate the claims in the ad and report back to the council his findings on this matter. Wyatt then went on to recap the accusations made in the ads and outline the information from the city records gathered by city staff.

Councilman Kerley started to make a response and was ruled out of order by the mayor.

Wyatt either read or requested to have read much of the summary of the data into the minutes of the meeting concerning rental of office space for the city's engineering department, PR work preformed by Don Napier, a proposed gun ordinance to prohibit guns from city buildings and the contract with the firm operating the wastewater treatment plant.

Following Wyatt's presentation, Kerley addressed the meeting, “My opinion is that this is the most unethical and unprofessional action I've witnessed yet on the part of Mayor Graham and Councilman Wyatt. By bringing this political item up you are only working for the benefit of yourselves and retain your status on this council. This meeting is intended to do the people's business in and this is far from the people's business. You have used city resources to respond back to issues in a political race.”

Kerley then went over information he brought with him claiming his data was more accurate than that presented by Wyatt and voices between the two men were occasionally raised. At one point Kerley claimed he had not been contacted about called meetings held when the gun ordinance was on the agenda.

One document Kerley had was described as a letter from former city manager Jack Miller with derogatory statements of about both Graham and Wyatt eliciting a comment from Wyatt how Miller was fired from his job as manager for misappropriation of funds.

Councilman Carl Duer added his thoughts on the issue. “This is what comes about from negative advertising. My wife (the late Representative Shirley Duer) was in the state legislature for 18 years and she never once ran a negative ad against anybody.” Duer added, If you just run on your own merits and what you can do and they can't do and tell the truth You'll do alright.”

Kerley then asked Wyatt and Duer if they were endorsing Graham's candidacy for Mayor and Duer said he had written a letter that voters should have received that day. He said he liked Jesse and didn't say a word in his letter about Jesse, but the job of mayor was a complicated thing and he was supporting Graham.

Wyatt said, “I want everyone to know that I endorse Mayor Graham for reelection. He is the best choice.

At the end of the meeting former city councilman Wendell Kerley who is also Jesse Kerley's grandfather complained about the political aspect of the meeting saying, “You boys have got as low as you can get tonight.”

The third candidate for mayor, Donna McDermott was at the meeting and tried to speak briefly at the end of the meeting asking that the whole matter be dropped.

Part 1

Part 2 

Crossville Flashback: From 18 years ago--City overcharged for paving work by Highways Inc.

City Attorney Lanny Colvard reported to Crossville City Council Tuesday night that state auditors' estimate the city overpaid Highways, Inc. $335,938.05 for paving service during the period of July 1997 through June 1998.

In addition, Colvard reported that Highways used their records to calculate overcharges for the period of July 1996 through June 1997 and give Colvard a check made out to the city for $68,200.17.

Colvard added that City Finance Director Lisa Brown worked from the same weigh tickets and invoices coming up with an overcharge figure of $70,433.23, a difference of $2,233.06. Several of the weigh tickets and invoices were unclear and hard to read, according to Colvard, so the city's number may not be exact.

"I'm in the process of negotiating repayment of the balances not paid," Colvard reported. "I hope to be in a position to ask for a work session shortly on these reports."

Councilman John Dooley said, "These numbers total over $400,000. There's no way this can be a series of mistakes. I want to know where the money went!"

Dooley moved that the city accept no money from Highways, Inc. at this time, adding that he wanted to know what the exact amount was before accepting any repayment. In addition to the check Colvard received, Highways previously gave a check to the city for $96,219.15, the company's figure for the overcharges on theSparta Drive project.

Colvard advised the council that he had discussed the matter with the District Attorney's office and the city's acceptance of the money was no problem and would not affect their decision on whether or not to prosecute.

After canceling the Highways, Inc. paving contract earlier this year, council approved new bids on asphalt and paving services, awarding the bid to Tennessee Asphalt. Highways, Inc. did not submit a bid.

Colvard also reported that Chancellor Leon Burns would be setting his court calendar September 17 and Colvard told council he will ask that the trial be set for the lawsuit with the Utility Districts in late December or early January. Colvard also reported the districts had hired a rate engineer and were requesting 32 pieces of information from the city. The requested information is being collected.

In other action, Council deferred action on two requests to purchase industrial property and set a work session on the matter for Thursday, September 10 at 5:00 PM. National Cylinder Requalification Corp. and National Cylinder Salvage Corp. has requested five acres expecting to employ 10 people after 3 years and Robert F. May wants to purchase one acre for his company to employ five.

Councilman Dooley said he felt two employees per acres is not adequate use of difficult to acquire industrial land. Dooley added not only must the city purchase the land, but also install roads and utilities. Crossville Realtor and council candidate Gene Turner suggested that council have industrial land appraised so prospective companies can see the actual value of the land against the purchase price given to entice them to locate their business here.

Council passed third and final reading of the Ordinance regulating sexually oriented businesses. One Crossville video store operator questioned specifics of the measure but was assured the ordinance was directed at businesses that carried mainly adult videos and the final reading passed unanimously.

Council recognized Tessa Whittenburg as the student of the month. Tessa is in Sue Hassler's First Grade class at Crossville Elementary and "works hard": according to her teacher.

Council also honored Portia Barnwell as the Junior Fairest of the Fair and Lindsey Hill as the Junior Miss Fairest of the Fair presenting each girl with a proclamation and a rose.

A little bit of Crossville history, memories of long gone stores.

Memories of old Crossville retail stores.  (Click the photos and they will enlarge.)

Graybeal and Sons key chain

Thurnam's Men's Store leather fingernail clipper holder

Florsheim Shoes logo on the front of the nail clipper holder

Like JimYoungReporter on Facebook for award winning local news!

You'll find interesting collectibles at the VORP Thrift Store

Crossville Flashback: Political robo Calls did not come from city hall according to 2012 press release.

Crossville flashback: This was the press release put out by the city of Crossville and signed by then city manager Bruce Wyatt following the first batch of robo calls that spoofed the phone number and appeared to have been made from Crossville city hall. The push poll targeted then incumbent city councilman Boyd Wyatt who was running for reelection in the 2012 race.  In the following year after an investigation by the District Attorney's office it was discovered that the calls were ordered and paid for by then candidate Jesse Kerley.  While then DA Randy York said the action violated state law, Mr. Kerley was not prosecuted.

City of Crossville

PRESS RELEASE
August 17, 2012

Recently, a series of politically motivated telephone calls, commonly known as “robo calls” or “push polls”, were made or initiated the evening of August 16th to residents of the City of Crossville. These calls appeared on caller i.d. as being from “City Hall” or 931-484-5113; some calls even stated, “This is City Hall”. Please be assured, these calls were NOT placed from City Hall, nor were they placed by City staff.


The City of Crossville does not and has not endorsed, promoted, or otherwise campaigned for or against any political candidate. We are committed to maintaining a professional approach to the upcoming political season and refuse to inject ourselves into any campaign. We hope there will be no more misuse or misappropriation of the City’s name and telephone numbers.

Bruce Wyatt
City Manager

Crossville Flashback: A fired city manager led to the resignation of Crossville's first city engineer in 1999

(In the everything old is new again department, a city employee quit because of interference by council members and the firing of a city manager--17 years ago.)

Engineer Gary Davis’ exit interview

Former City Engineer Gary Davis let city officials know exactly how he felt about his year and one month as the Crossville’s first engineer on an exit interview form he filled out on his last day as a city employee.

According to the written form in Davis’ city personnel file, Davis indicated he was dissatisfied with the city overall as a place to work. Davis checked very dissatisfied as his feelings about company policies.

In explanation, Davis wrote, “City council has hired very competent staff personnel and they will not let them provide their expertise to the city. Council is involved in areas where they have very limited knowledge. Council is changing policies that diminish work enjoyment, productivity and morale.”

The main reason Davis listed for leaving his job was “lack of support from city council.”

Davis goes on to describe his relationship with his supervisor, former city manager Hugh Walker, as excellent. He added that Walker had a progressive vision for the city. Davis added, “Walker was fired with no reasonable charge, this also was one of the primary reasons for my resignation.

Davis had harsh words for three members of the city council. While Davis does not mention any councilmen by name, three councilmen voted to abolish his department early this year. The three votes included Councilmen Boyd Wyatt, Ronny Hill and Wendell Kerley. Davis wrote they “haven’t a clue of the profession of engineer and surveying and are not suited for office.”

Davis continued by saying he would not recommend the city as a place to work because, “The city council is unprofessional and ruthless in its treatment of the city staff and employees. They represent special interests, take care of relatives employed by the city and appear to violate the sunshine law.”

Blast from the past... Photo of the Crossville City Council from 1986

 

This was the Crossville city council when I first started covering city politics back in 1985.

Pictured are, front row, left to right: John Dooley, Mayor Willis Cox, and Elmo Lewis.

Back Row Dave Warner left and Jim Turner right. 

This council was elected in December 1984 and again in December 1986 and served from January 1985 to December 1988.  In these days, the term was 2 years on the council and all candidates ran on a single ballot with the candidate receiving the most votes being elected mayor and the next four serving on the council.  

Photo from Crossville Then and Now Facebook page.