Majority of Crossville city council turn down Dunn Ave. sidewalk proposal.

Crossville city council once again turned down a request to build a sidewalk along Dunn Avenue near Walmart and between Interstate Drive and Matherly Drive.

Property owners in the area have offered to pay half the cost of materials to build the sidewalk with the city funding the other half and the construction labor using city crews. This proposal had been originally made two years ago by the property owners and had been discussed at least twice before. At one point previous city manager David Rutherford had recommended that the property owners pay the full material cost and the project be ranked along with other sidewalk projects in the city.

As the item was put back on the November agenda, councilman Danny Wyatt took the lead on discussion and reviewed the history of the proposal. Wyatt moved to approve the project under the original proposal that the property owners pay 50 percent. Councilman Jesse Kerley supported the motion.

Councilwoman Pamala Harris described the matter as a valid request, but she added, “There are many, many other places in Crossville that need sidewalks.” Harris mentioned the lack of sidewalks along part of Webb Avenue from the Methodist Church to the Library as a place she would like to see fixed. She said that she wanted to look at all the sidewalk projects to be ranked and planned.

Councilman Pete Souza pointed out that the proposal was one that had been previously turned down by the council. According to his estimates, Souza believes that the property owners paying half the material would mean they only pay about one-fourth of the total cost. Souza added that he felt the property owners could do better and pay about half the cost.

The motion failed with council members Wyatt and Kerley in favor and members Harris, Souza and Mayor James Mayberry opposed.   

Crossville city council meeting adjourns early after heated discussion of Souza's ethics complaints.

In what was likely the final attempt by outgoing Crossville city councilman Pete Souza to try and expose the corruption he sees in the city of Crossville's operation, it ended with two council members walking out of the meeting during the discussion followed by Mayor James Mayberry adjourning the meeting before the agenda was completed.

The council chambers were mostly full of observers including councilman elect Scot Shanks who also got up and left as the discussion on Souza's ethics complaints started to go badly. At one point, Mayor Mayberry said about the audience, “Half the people here are probably looking for a fight and the other half are hoping this would all go away.”

Final regular council meeting for council members Pete Souza, left, 

and Jesse Kerley, right. 

This is the first time in the history of Crossville that an ethics complainant has been filed under the city's charter and in addition to the charter its self, city attorney Will Ridley had requested an opinion from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service to help guide the process.

Mayberry began by explaining the process saying that the council could decide if the complaint did or did not have merit or if it had merit and warranted additional investigation. Since the city attorney could not investigate one member of the council as he represents the council as a whole, an outside person would have to be called in according to Mayberry and that could be very expensive.

Mayberry then put forth a motion that stated that the complaints were determined to have merit but added, “I do not want to spend taxpayer's money on a long extended investigation on these items.”

Councilman Souza asked city attorney Will Ridely about what would happen next and he said that the remedy for finding the complaint has merit is public censure by the council. Souza continued saying that he saw a problem with lumping all the 13 complaints together since there were different scales of action. Ridley responded that it was the council's prerogative on how to handle the ethics complaints.

Outgoing Councilman Pete Souza

After several comments including councilman Danny Wyatt asking how the items got on the agenda and Mr. Souza saying he put them on the agenda and Souza questioning the putting forth of a germane motion before he was able to make his first motion, Mayor Mayberry then withdrew his motion that had not received a second.

Souza said he had a motion but first requested clarification from Mr. Ridley about the Charter requirement that the council hear the ethics charges but the standing rules that limited discussion to three minutes that was not adequate time to present. Souza said he felt it was not lawful for the standing rules to block the charter.

Ridley stated that the council could suspend the rules temporarily but otherwise the rules were put on the council by itself and was lawful. Souza then moved to suspend the standing rules for the discussion of the items but no second was received. Souza then attempted to speak on the topic without a motion and councilman Wyatt called point of order. Mayberry ruled in favor of Wyatt and he moved to table the matter to a special called meeting and a second was given by councilwoman Pamala Harris.

Harris then read from an email by Mayor Mayberry dated October 18 concerning the cancelling of the called meeting in October saying a meeting in the current political climate could do more harm then good. Mayberry proposed to hold the meeting after the election. Harris then added it didn't make sense to her that the accuser and the accusee were both members of the ethics board and that it would make more sense to her to wait until the new council members are seated. Souza then said, “Oh shit.”  

Council members Harris, Wyatt and Jesse Kerley objected to the language.

Souza took the floor and said the proposal to delay the matter was “hogwash.” He continued saying that an EEOC complaint had been filed against the city. Souza said, You can laugh Jerry Kerley, but you will be subpoenaed before it is over.” Souza was interrupted again by Mr. Wyatt and Jesse Kerley.

Jesse Kelrey said to Mayor Mayberry, “You've got a councilman attacking a city employee in a public meeting Mayor, and you're allowing it to happen.” Souza responded, “and it's your dad, right?”

Outgoing Councilman Jesse Kerley

“Please! Let's bring this meeting to order,” said Ms. Harris, “and please conduct yourself like good citizens.

Souza continued saying that the council would see at least three lawsuits and began to talk about a letter sent to the council on June 1 about the serious problems. As Souza was talking, councilwoman Harris gathered her papers and got up to leave. Councilman Wyatt followed her out.

Council member Pam Harris leaves the meeting early,

and followed shortly by council member Wyatt. 

One member of the audience shouted out that the next meeting would be the new council members and a cheer went up from part of the audience.

The motion on the floor was restated and the clerk said there was still a quorum present. Mr. Souza said it was a non-functional quorum because one of the members was deeply involved and it involves his father and his best friend, referring to Jesse Kerley and Steve Hill.

Councilman Kerley took the floor and thanked the citizens of Crossville for giving him the opportunity to serve and then began to attck Mr. Souza.

With that Mayor Mayberry said, I think we've heard from both sides, “This meeting is adjourned.”

A number of items were left on the agenda including the city attorney's and city manager's report as well as time for public comments.

Souza's closing comment was, “I'll see you all in court.”  

Jerry Kerley and Bill Harwell face sign theft charges in court Thursday November 10.

Jerry Lee Kerley and William Frank Harwell are both on the docket for General Session Court on Thursday November 10.

Both men face a single count of theft up to $500 each for the incident that occurred on September 30, 2016. The charges stem from the report of a theft of political signs from a house on Mockingbird Drive where a neighbor captured video of the two men leaving the house and then followed them long enough to get a license tag showing the truck involved was registered to Jesse Kerley's father Jerry, the city's director of water resources.

Still from the neighbor's video of the alleged theft. 

The signs were part of an ongoing feud between councilman Kerley and J. R. Blankenship. Some of the signs accused Councilman Jesse Kerley of lying and abuse of office.

Political signs are Mockingbird Drive location before theft.

The charges were filed by District Attorney investigator Randal Slayton. The missing signs were recovered at the Crossville airport according to District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway. Airport security video showed the two men leaving the airport just prior to the incident and then returning a short time after and immediately driving out of camera range.

Both men are represented by attorney Jimmy Smith.  

Previous Story on sign theft incident.

Airport Security Video Story. 

City of Crossville has "no comment" on theft charge involving employee and airport.

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.

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

Tale of the Tape II. Security video from the city hall IT department the morning of June 3, 2016.

About 12 hours after the incident between councilmen Pete Souza and Jesse Kerley and Kerley's father Jerry Kerley, director of water resources following a budget work session the evening of June 2, 2016, the two Kerleys and interim city manager Steve Hill were in the city's IT department to review the security tape of the incident early the next morning.

Through a freedom of information request, video from the security camera inside the IT department was legally obtained and it shows a flurry of activity on Friday morning June 3 from 7:28 AM through 8:11 AM on the morning following the incident in the city hall doorway that eventually led to an assault charge against councilman Kerley that was dismissed following a hearing in General Session Court.

Councilman Jesse Kerley, right enters the city hall IT office

followed by interim city manager Steve Hill and 

his father Jerry Kerley, director of water resources.

The two Kerleys and Hill arrived at city hall and entered the IT department offices at 7:28.  The video is time stamped as 6:28, but for some reason the time did not adjust to daylight savings time.  There is only a single camera in the IT department and it only shows the door and some of the lobby area just outside of IT, but what it shows is much discussion between the men, and the arrival a bit later on of city attorney Will Ridley then interim police chief Rod Shoap who was the last to arrive at about 7:52 AM.

Shoap wrote about his recollection of that morning meeting that left him frustrated.

At about 7:45 am my phone rang and it was interim city manager Hill asking when I was coming (to city hall). I said I was ready to leave and just waiting for Kyle to get to work. Hill said Kyle was already there and said he was going to Kyle’s office to ask him to begin finding the video.

I was at Kyle’s office in less than five minutes and I saw Councilman Kerley, Jerry Kerley and Hill already in the office with Kyle. Kyle had already found the video, made copies and gave everyone a copy.

As I walked in, Councilman Kerley said, “See, the video shows it just like I said it was and I want him charged.” Kyle had the video on his computer already running so I saw a portion in the vestibule but it looked like the Kerleys assaulted Sousa. Kyle handed me a disc and said, “this is a full length version.” I didn’t know what that meant and I’m still not certain today.

Then Councilman Kerley began asking questions about Judge Gardner’s case against (J.R.) Blankenship* about was I writing a report, was I handling it or was the Sheriff, and acting in a very ugly tone. I became frustrated and left.

I went to the finance department to conduct my business and when I walked in, Leah Crockett, the Human Resource Administrator, and Sue Blaylock, an accountant, were in. Immediately Leah asked if I were okay as they noticed how frustrated I was.

Hill now came in and asked me to follow him to his office. I went with him and it was his way of helping to settle me down as they all knew how upset I was at Kerley’s interference and disturbing talk.

I informed Steve Hill that I would go to my office, write my report and bring it back for his approval. I did that and returned around 3:00pm. Hill looked at my report and approved it. 

The following Monday, Chief Shoap forwarded the report and all his information including the video of the interaction between the Kerley and Mr. Souza to the district attorney's office who took over the investigation from there into the June 2 matter.

Security camera video from Crossville city hall IT department 

on the morning of June 3, 2016 

(Sections of this video that show no activity 

have been edited out to shorten the length)

TIMELINE FROM VIDEO: (time has been adjusted by one hour from the time stamp)

7:28 AM Jesse and Jerry Kerley and Steve Hill arrive at the city hall IT department.

7:30 AM Jesse Kerley is on the phone

7:36 AM Jesse Kerley goes out side of city hall to talk to someone.  That person wearing an orange shirt comes into the lobby and they continue to talk.  Councilman Kerley is very animated and making body movements including a shoulder throw at one point.

7:38 AM Man in orange shirt leaves.

7:40 AM Jesse Kerley  talks on the phone in the lobby outside the IT office.

7:41 AM Jesse returns inside IT office 

7:42 AM Steve Hill goes out of IT office

7:45 AM Hill returns.

7:50 AM Hill goes out to lobby then goes to outside door to let city attorney Will Ridley in.  Hill tries to get back in IT office but is locked out.  Jesse Kerley lets them in.

7:51 AM All participants are out of camera range.

7:52 AM Jerry Kerley and Steve Hill go to lobby to talk.

7:52 AM Interim police chief Rod Shoap arrives and speaks briefly with Jerry Kerley and Hill.

7:53 AM Shoap enters IT office while Kerley and Hill continue talking in lobby.

7:55 AM Jerry Kerley and Steve Hill reenter IT office.

7:57 AM Jesse Kerley on phone and goes out to lobby.

8:02 AM Kerley returns in IT office.

8:09 AM Shoap quickly exits IT office and goes into the finance office.

8:10 AM Shoap returns to lobby and goes into the IT office quickly as Jesse Kerley, Attorney Ridley and Hill go out to lobby.  Shoap then exits IT and returns to finance department area.  

8:11 AM Council Kerley and attorney Ridley go outside the building while Hill and Jerry Kerley continue to talk in the lobby.  Jerry Kerley then goes left and Hill goes right to the finance department, the direction Shoap went.

Video of the June 2 incident following a council budget work session that was reviewed 

and copies distributed the following morning by the Kerley's 

and interim city manager Steve Hill.

*Gardner vs Blankenship:  City judge Ivy Gardner filed a request for a restraining order against Blankenship claiming in a court filing that he “has engaged in a pattern of conduct to harass and unnecessarily alarm” Ms. Gardner. The restraining order request comes from the sign that had been in Blankenship's yard on Mockingbird Drive that says, “Twerley Trash=Quid Pro Quo 107 143 68” The numbers correspond to house numbers of property owned by councilman Jesse Kerley, his brother Joseph Kerley and a house owned by Joe B. Gardner, Jr.

Interim city manager Steve Hill survives attempt to dismiss him. Kerley a no show at meeting

During the Crossville city council meeting an item came before the council put on the agenda by Councilman Pete Souza for “discussion and action on removal and replacement of interim city manager.”

Councilman Souza moved to terminate Hill as of midnight October 13, day of the meeting.  The motion received a second from Mayor James Mayberry.

Interim city manager Steve Hill, left, listens to councilman Pete Souza discuss 

Souza's motion to dismiss Hill as the manager.  

“Everybody is tired of the trash,” began Souza, “tired of the trash in the city and tired of the trash in the national election. I have a long list of reasons why, but I don't see a point in going over everything. I will if this council so desires. But I don't see the point in going over everything. I believe that when each council member came here to this meeting tonight, they'd already made up their minds on what they are going to do on this agenda item. This is an important agenda item and I can't imagine that any member of this council having not considered it before they came.”

Souza continued, “The trust of the individuals out there in our community towards the government and the city is essential to the growth of this city. I don't believe Mr. Hill has demonstrated sound leadership traits, administrative skills and executive skills.”

Councilwoman Pam Harris spoke on the matter. She had originally requested a similar item be placed on the agenda but removed her item after finding out Mr. Souza had placed his item on the agenda. Said Harris, “I really considered this greatly. I've even talked to Mr. Hill as to whether he would even be interested in transitioning out.

Harris continued, “I have some heartburn about this because there's a right way and wrong way to do things and we're so close to the election. And after the election we're probably within a couple of months of hiring a permanent city manager and hopefully entering into a time of healing for the community and our city. I'm not so sure that this is really going to help matters.”

Mayor Mayberry called for a roll call vote that ended in a tie vote with Souza and Mayberry in favor and Wyatt and Harris opposed. The motion failed.

While councilman Jesse Kerley did not attend the meeting to cast a vote at least two witnesses reported seeing his vehicle parked across the street from city hall prior to and after the meeting.

Hill had attempted to keep the item concerning his position off of the council's agenda but was unable to do so.  Hill does not control the council's agenda

Exclusive Video of Crossville city council discussing fate of

interim city manager Steve Hill

In a long line of political sign stories, this could be the strangest. "Stolen" signs returned to candidate.

After the Cumberland County sheriff's department confiscated some political signs that had the name of city council candidate J. J. Brownstead, on them, those signs have now been returned to the candidate.

City council candidate J. J. Brownstead proudly leaves the justice center 

with signs that councilman Jesse Kerley had called and reported stolen

 from him.  Brownstead said he feels vindicated after Kerley wrongly 

accused him of theft. 

Last week, Mr. Brownstead attempted to report the theft of some of his political signs from the where they had been placed in the city and when he reported them to law enforcement he was told the signs had already been reported missing.  Mr. Brownstead said that really confused him since he had no idea who would have reported them stolen but him.

According to the sheriff's department report, the signs were reported stolen by Crossville city councilman Jesse Kerley.  The report said that SO corporal Sean Mullikin was contacted by CPD Sergeant Jonathan O.Neal after he received a call from councilman Kerley claiming the signs were stolen from a shed on Vandever Road, property of Kerley Father Jerry Kerley.  Kerley reported that 3 political signs and 50 posts were missing from the shed and Kerley had emailed a list of suspects to Sgt. O'Neal.  

Mullikin's report continues, "Kerley then stated that he had seen the three signs in town and that they were defaced.  The signs had been painted black and the words "Vote J. J. Brownstead."

The signs were recovered and taken up to the Sheriffs office along with six of the posts holding up the signs."

Political sign showing disclaimer and proof of ownership.

The signs have the disclaimer at the bottom saying "Paid for by Citizens for Sustainable Freedom," a registered political action committee with the local election commission.  The signs were originally used 2 years ago in the council/Mayor's race at the time and opposed to the reelection of council members Danny Wyatt, George Marlow and Mayor J. H. Graham.  According to the group's treasurer Steve Frank, councilmen Kerley and Souza had donated the signs to the organization, but the signs belonged to the PAC and not individual donors.

Frank also said that the signs that his group had given to Mr. Brownstead were never at the Vanderver Road location but instead stored in the garage of councilman Pete Souza who also was a previous donor to the PAC.

Mr. Brownstead said he and Mr. Frank had spoken with DA Bryant Dunaway and after hearing the story advised them no charges would be filed against them and he would let the sheriff's office know they could return the signs to Mr. Brownstead. 

Mr. Brownstead stated that following last night's city council meeting when interim city manager Steve Hill saw him showing one of the returned signs to another person Hill came over and called Brownstead a "sign thief."  Brownstead said he responded to Hill and thanked him for letting Brownstead know that Hill knew about the sign report and Brownstead told Hill that seemed to him that Hill was involved in the political dirty trick involving the signs. 

Brownstead also related a story about trying to talk to Kerley following the September council meeting when the council voted to delay hiring the new city manager until after the election.  Brownstead attempted to thank Kerley for his vote on the matter.  During that conversation, Kerley allegedly threatened Brownstead's signs.

Brownstead described the interaction, "I went to shake his hand as I did all the council members for voting to hold off on the hiring of a new city manager. He looked at me and said he would not shake my hand because I was a friend of J.R. Blankenship and was putting him up to making those signs that he did in his truck. Which I have nothing to do with any of that which I told to Kerley. He called me a liar and said he saw me standing outside talking to Blankenship when he came in. I had not talked to Blankenship at all. I came in with Candidate Terri Manning and we sat in the council chamber discussing our views on the future of our city. When I told Mr. Kerley this he called me a liar again,and I told him whatever, but that myself and Mrs. Manning watched he and his father Jerry Kerley walk into the building from our seats in the chamber. Then Mr. Kerley stated he hoped I got elected because he would make signs about me like Blankenship has done to him. Then proceeded to say that if he saw my signs they would be destroyed. I just left the room."

 

Video of the interaction between councilman Jesse Kerley and candidate 

J. J. Brownstead after the September council meeting he described above.