YEAR IN REVIEW Part 2: In local politics, 2016 was the year of the sign...

Continued from PART 1

With the upcoming city election, a number of candidates began to qualify for the race and the city continued to take applications for the position of city manager. Councilman Pete Souza announced he would not seek reelection to the council. One popular place for political signs turned out to be the property across the street from city hall that belongs to Wendell Kerley, a former councilman and father to Jerry Kerley and grandfather to councilman Jesse Kerley. Following the August county general election, a sign popped up concerning Mr. Souza's run for tax assessor.

Tax Assessor sign story 

Many of the 2016 city election political signs were the kind you would expect at the link here.

As the campaign continued, signs in favor of J. H. Graham appeared in the yard across from city hall belonging to Wendell Kerley. They were substantially different from the signs at the same location only 2 years before when Graham was defeated in election for mayor of Crossville.

Kerley property signs in July 2014

"Some things are meant for extinction"

Kerley property signs supporting Graham

Kerley property signs  

Then, at the end of September, an incident occurred that included the theft of political signs at the Mockingbird Drive property. As the theft took place, a neighbor caught part of the incident on video and was able to get a tag number of the pickup truck involved.

Sign theft incident under investigation

Video capture of Mockingbird Dr. sign theft

The district attorney took over the investigation and suspects were established that included Jerry Kerley, the director of water resources for the city of Crossville and father of councilman Jesse Kerley. The second man involved was identified as William Harwell who works at the Crossville airport. Investigation by this reporter discovered security video from the airport showed just before and just after the sign theft incident that the truck in question left from the airport and then returned to the airport. District attorney Bryant Dunaway confirmed that the stolen signs were recovered at the city owned airport.

Airport security videos shed light on alleged sign theft incident

In mid October, possibly the strangest sign story of the year came about when city council candidate J. J. Brownstead discovered several of his large political signs were missing and when he reported them stolen he was very surprised to be told someone else had reported them stolen. That person turned out to be councilman Jesse Kerley who tried to claim that the signs had come from his father's property off of Vanderver Road.

It turned out that the Cumberland Co. Sheriff's department had picked up the signs until the matter could be straightened out. This was surprising to Brownstead who knew that the signs had been repainted after they came from councilman Pete Souza's garage. Councilman Kerley had also submitted a list of “suspects” who he suspected of stealing the signs that included Mr. Brownstead, councilman Souza and this reporter among others.

It took 3 days, but the signs were then returned to Mr. Brownstead who put them back up.

Political signs reported stolen by two different people?

Just over a week before the November election as early voting was coming to a close, an incident occurred in Crossville on the courthouse lawn when a man who said he was tired of the politics walked through the signs that had been posted kicking them and knocking them down. The man was taken into custody and charged with damage to the signs.

State Rep Cameron Sexton inspects sign damage

Man angry at politics takes it out on signs.

Then, just few days after the election, the political signs got very ugly. Two signs were set up, one on Lantana Rd, and the other in front of Kroger.

And after the election again, the case against Jerry Kerley and William Harwell made it to court and both men took pre-trial diversion on the charges and agreed to serve 6 months probation, pay fees and court costs.

Men accused in political sign theft accept pre-trial diversion. 

In early December it was revealed that the city had agreed to drop all charges against J. R. Blankenship for his “unsigned fliers” and the removal of the section of the city ordinances he was charged under was unanimously approved by the new city council. The charges can not be brought back up and the $1500 fine assessed against Blankenship was set aside.

All charges dropped agaisnt J.R. Blankenship.

We may yet here more news about signs in the new year. Stay tuned.

If you missed part 1 of this story you can find it here. 

YEAR IN REVIEW Part 1: In local politics, 2016 was the year of the sign...

(Editor's note: 2016 was one of the strangest years politically in this reporters over 30 years of covering Crossville. A popular city manager was removed, a popular police chief resigned, two council members were caught on video in an altercation leading to charges that were eventually dismissed. In addition, a city department head was charged with theft of property while reportedly on city time and the stolen items recovered from the city airport. This city employee reportedly received no reprimand for his action. While new members of city council may make the council meetings less volatile, there are leftovers from 2016 that the city will have to deal with into 2017.)

In Crossville, 2016 will go down as the year of the sign. This was especially true in the matters of city politics. Political signs made news numerous times during the year and lead to anger and even criminal charges and threatened criminal charges.

Signs promoting the recall efforts against Crossville city council members Danny Wyatt and Pamala Harris began to pop up along city streets in late April and early May. Some of those signs contained caricatures of both Wyatt and Harris being given the hook as they danced on a stage. In April, Harris described the signs as disturbing to see at first, but after looking at them she had to laugh as the signs really seemed pretty silly.

Signs posted by those seeking recall of city council members Wyatt and Harris

A new set of signs began to show up at the May regular city council meeting when a local resident named J. R. Blankenship set up a sign in the back of his pickup truck concerning actions by councilman Jesse Kerley. Blankenship was unhappy at what he felt was an effort by councilman Kerley against him personally that led to charges for distributing “unsigned fliers” in Crossville and Kerley efforts to have him arrested for other charges.  After Blankenship appealed the fine on the fliers the charges and fines were dropped.  More details on that in The Year in Review Part 2.

Mockingbird signs story 

A different sign showed up at council meetings for a number of months. In addition, a series of signs were put up in front of the house on Mockingbird Drive where Blankenship and his mother lived. The political signs ultimately led to more problems including eventual theft charges against Jesse Kerley's father Jerry Kerley and William Harwell who spoke up at one council meeting against the political signs including the ones on Mocking bird land. Both Jerry Kerley and Harwell took pre-trial diversion on the charges and were to serve 6 months probation.

Are recall signs political? (includes Harwell comments) 

One of the biggest stories of 2016 apparently had its roots in political signs. The alleged altercation between two council members following a work session meeting that was caught on tape included references to councilman Souza's alleged work on Blankenship's signs. Both Souza and Blankenship said they did not collaborate on the signs and that the signs were entirely done by Mr. Blankenship.

Story on Souza and Kerley altercation including the security video of the incident. 

Eventually the assault charges filed against Mr. Kerley by Mr. Souza from the incident went to trial and the charges were dismissed in general session court.

In mid June the recall efforts against council members Wyatt and Harris were withdrawn.

Recall effort ended story link 

There were a few positive signs during the year including the one posted in late July by a local church indicating they were praying for the Mayor and the city of Crossville.

Church posts sign offering prayer for the city. 

See part 2 of the 2016 Year in Review here.

Jerry Kerley and William Harwell agree to pre-trial diversion in sign theft case

In the case involving theft charges related to signs taken from a Mockingbird Drive property on September 30, the 2 defendants, Crossville water resources director Jerry Kerley and William Harwell both took pre-trial diversion on the misdemeanor theft charges. 

Both men will serve 6 months on probation.

According to the state of Tennessee's website, "Pretrial Diversion is governed by TCA 40-15-105 and is also referred to as a suspended prosecution. It is important to note that the individual has not pled guilty or been found guilty yet. A person may be granted Pretrial Diversion if the requirements as stated in the statute are met. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by the District Attorney and the Defendant. The Defendant must meet the terms of the MOU. If the terms are not met, the prosecution is no longer suspended and the District Attorney is allowed to proceed with the case. If the Defendant chooses to, there can be a trial. When the diversion period is successfully completed, the Defendant asks the court to submit an Order of Expungement to TBI marked Suspension of Prosecution TCA 40-15-105."

Still image from neighbor's video

Mockingbird Drive yard signs

Previous stories:

Charges filed in sign theft case.

Airport Videos raise questions about September 30 incident.

Pre-trial diversion initially refused, case moved to Nov. 17

Souza email comments on numerous issues including phone harassment and ugly political sign incident.

(Editor's note: This email was sent to the city this morning from councilman Pete Souza.  It is a public record.)

Before I begin I would like to remind the council that there is a EEOC complaint among other things listing a violation of the whistle blower act. That being persons reporting violations are protected from acts of retaliation, I am sure Mr Ridley can clarify that.

For some time now a person or persons has been harassing citizens of the city and county with phone calls who list other people's numbers as the source. This similar to the 2012 Robo Calls erroneously listing the city phone number as the source. Last Thursday this harassment level increased significantly. Phone numbers erroneously listed were mine, Rodney Shoap, and others. In the past this action was reported To the CPD and the DA. That's fine this child like behavior can be expected,
but the people being harassed can of course seek civil action which well may be the case. Where I am concerned Sally in your capacity as city clerk I am informing you that my phone number will be discontinued this date and will be unlisted as result of this abuse.

You are all aware of last weeks signs commonly referred to as the Methberry signs. On the signs it states the mayor as corrupt, incompetent, can not Pass a drug test is Pete Souzas Bitch, ect... That's fine but here is some thing to think about. Shortly the person responsible will be identified and let it be known that person caused harm to innocent people.

Normal procedure for sign complaints is Vulgar or unlawful signs are picked up by the street department to be recovered by the owner. Signage Is governed by a city ordinance.

Here is what happened in this case, reports of the sign was called into the city (Sally Oglesby) who in turn called Chief Rosser. Chief Rosser called the city manager Steve Hill. Steve alleges he called the city attorney Will Ridley who told him to tape over the sign portion with the word bitch and leave it up. I spoke with Chief Rosser who confirmed this story yesterday. Once again I remind all parties of the whistle blower Act..

I'll let Mr Ridley make what ever comments he may on this since it is Steve Hills assertion that he was following instructions from the city attorney.  Although it is a given the city attorney only has the power to advise so I would be skeptical to the authentication of the facts. I am not skeptical
of the honesty of Chief Rosser who works directly for Steve Hill.

It was also reported that early that morning in Billy Loggins' office the city manager and Mr Loggins' and the city manager were having a good laugh about the signs.

I wonder what recourse is going to come to the originator of the sign, Mr Hill who's primary responsibility is to enforce city ordinances and safeguard the city from wrongful litigation. The parties injured were children and I assure you the parents are taking this serious.

By the way Mr Hill all city employees have to take a drug test. The last time I checked you were the only city employee not in compliance.

Ms Oglesby please insure that the council elects and Chief Rosser gets a copy of this E Mail.

Pete Souza

Editorial: Kerley threats made against this reporter completely inappropriate.

In 30 years of covering local news and politics, I have occasionally sparked the ire of those I have written about. Sometimes it is been about things people would prefer the public not know, sometimes things hidden in the public records or actions that someone took and later regretted.

Usually those have been irate phone calls but rarely are they the kind of phone calls like the one I received from Crossville councilman Jesse Kerley on November 9. The phone call came in and Mr. Kerley said, “You've sure got some gall telling people a bunch of lies on me.”

He preceded to complain about comments I had made on the radio the evening of the election. I had been asked about Kerley's non-attendance at the October city council meeting and I commented that while Kerley did not attend the meeting, I'd had two eyewitnesses tell me they had seen his GMC-SUV that he drives for Swisher, the company he works for, in the parking lot of the law office across from city hall. One witness also reported that Kerley was in the vehicle.

Mr. Kerley said that I needed to get my 'damn eyes checked” because he claimed he was in Indiana all that week.

Then the conversation soon took a darker tone and Kerley made comments that I considered threatening.  After a short time I simply hung up on Mr. Kerley.

In addition to the phone call, there was the outrageous accusation that Kerley had made against me in an email to Crossville police on October 5 concerning the allegations of sign theft related to signs put up by council candidate J. J. Brownstead.

Story on J. J. Brownstead signs 

The story at the link mentions that Kerley had emailed a list of “suspects” to Crossville police officer O'Neal even though the alleged theft occurred in the county. I will not share other names on the list at this time, but one of the “suspects and known accomplices” in Kerley's email was listed as “Jim Young Reporter.”  At the time I wrote the story at the link above I had not seen the list of "suspects."  Kerley's email also states that the theft was done to provoke him and the signs posted in public to "boast."

Of course the signs were returned to Mr. Brownstead after proof was presented that the signs were never Mr. Kerley's property nor did the signs in question come from his father's shed as he falsely claimed. 

The point of this editorial is to shine the light into the backroom of local politics and hopefully citizens can see that there are issues that still need to be addressed in a way that takes the city forward in a professional direction and not continue to make it a laughing stock.

In addition, I wanted to let readers know that I do not bow to intimidation and will continue to report the news as I always have, truthfully. 

Court date on sign theft charges against Jerry Kerley and William Harwell moved to November 17

Though it appeared the case would be settled through pre-trial diversion, that offer turned into a request for a hearing by the defendants and to give time for preparation, the case was moved out an additional week.

Kerely and Harwell were in court for a while this morning and returned later in the afternoon where the continuance was agreed to by the DA's office and thier attorney Jimmy Smith.

Signs at the Mockingbird Drive property before the theft

Still from neighbor's video shot of the suspects preparing to 

leave the driveway of the property.

Charges filed in sign theft.

Airport videos appear related to sign theft.

City of Crossville has no comment on employee charged with sign theft.

Political signs only get uglier after the election is over.

This sign was photographed Thursday morning in front of Kroger. Reports of at least one additional sign on Lantana Rd. has been reported.

Even though the election is over, the politics apparently are not.

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.

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

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

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

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

Crossville police hold a suspect while investigating vandalism of political signs 

on the courthouse lawn

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

25th District State Representative and candidate for reelection Cameron Sexton, front, 

checks the damage to his political signs

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

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