Crossville Police Department INCREASES DUI ENFORCEMENT OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Crossville Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to enhance drunk-driving enforcement from December 18 to January 3, surrounding the holiday season. The statewide Booze It and Lose It campaign is part of a national mobilization to prevent drunk driving.

“During the enforcement period Crossville Police Department officers will be out in force, looking to stop possible impaired drivers.  We will be patrolling the streets, conducting saturation areas, and sobriety check points throughout the city of Crossville in an effort to save a life”.  Stated by Captain Larry Qualls

Increased state and local messaging about the dangers of drunk driving, coupled with sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, aim to drastically reduce alcohol-impaired driving.

“This time last year, there were 223 lives lost to impaired-driving crashes across Tennessee,” said THSO Director Vic Donoho. “Our partnership with local law enforcement is vital to combat drunk driving this holiday season.”

A single DUI conviction can cost an individual $5,000 or more, in addition to jail time. An offender could also be required to attend drug and alcohol treatment or to install an ignition interlock device inside his/her vehicle. Any penalty imposed by law pales in comparison to the injury or death of a loved one.

The THSO provides grant funding to support Crossville Police Department efforts during the Booze It and Lose It holiday enforcement campaign. For more information about the THSO, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org or contact Arriale Tabson at Arriale.Tabson@TN.gov.

Crossville Christmas Parade Saturday at 4:30 PM. Dress Warm!

The Annual Crossville Christmas Parade will be held Saturday December 10.  The parade steps off at 4:30 PM from CCHS and will come up Stanley Street to Main Street.  The weather is calling for cold temperatures topping out at 38 so dress warmly.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the part of the Crossville Christmas Parade

all the kids and kids at heart wait for. 

You are encouraged to spend part of your day in Downtown Crossville as there will be shopping and more to occupy you.  The 31st Annual Crossville Breakfast Rotary Chili Cook Off will be at the Crossville Depot from 11:30 to 1:30.  Once the judging is done you can get all you can eat chili for $5 and drinks are $1.  Chili would be a good thing on a chilly Saturday.  

Busy work session follows swearing in of two new city council members.

The new Crossville city council went to work less then an hour after two new members were sworn in, taking part in a work session to discuss business coming up on the regular December agenda Thursday.

Crossville city council discusses business in work session.

One of the items discussed during the work session was the reinstatement of the monthly work sessions prior to the regular monthly meets as a way to better understand the subjects to be decided during the meetings. It appears that the work session will return based on the discussion during the meeting and the council will also consider returning the regular meetings to Tuesdays again.

Council spent a lot of time discussing the application to the state for a site development grant to help pay for a construction ready pad for a building up to 200,000 square feet. Council heard from the Chambers Brad Allamong and city engineer Tim Begley on the finer points of the project.

City engineer Tim Begley goes over the site plan for the proposed building pad.

The site proposed is a 20 acre space in the Interchange Business Park on the north side of the park. The property fits the needs well for a 200,000 square foot building with loading dock and necessary parking. A company employing some 300 would be expected to use the property. The grant application is due Friday December 9 the day after the council meeting to approve the application and some of the decisions may need to be made after the application is submitted.

The grant provides $500,000 of the cost toward the project with a minimum match of $214,000. The cost of the project is estimated at $914,000 and additional match gives more points in the grant competition. A geotechnical study will be part of the project to help determine if any issues with the site may change the cost estimates.

New councilman J. H. Graham suggested that a turn lane into the industrial park was needed and thought the city should begin the process of requesting such work from the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Graham also wanted to see the interest of the county in working with the city on the project that would benefit both governments.

The council spent time talking about the process to hire a new city manager and appeared split over a quick decision versus pushing out the decision into the new year and even seeking additional applicants. Mr. Graham called the decision one of the most important we will make for a couple of years,” but added that the holidays would be a busy time and make it difficult to spend the time necessary reviewing the applicants.

Councilman Scot Shanks said he felt the longer the city waited the more candidates they would lose to other jobs or lost interest.

A decision could come during the regular meeting.

Mr. Graham is proposing a special census of the city to increase the amount of revenue from so called state shared taxes that are paid based on population. The city has done several such special census over the last 20 years and they have been cost effective. Mr. Graham said that while such a census could cost $40,000 to $50,000 to have done, the city could gain $500,000 in additional revenue before the next census.

City staff will be studying several ways to try and determine how many new residents are in Crossville including water connections, voter registrations and building permits since the last census.

Councilman Graham is also wanting the city to look at the possiblity of a tax freeze ordianace as allowed under state law. The rule allows those who are 65 and older and who have income within the limits to freeze their tax bill at the time they apply even if tax rates and assessed values increase. The benefit must be applied for each year.

Councilman Danny Wyatt discussed the possibility of city provided health insurance for the city judge and city attorney. There are some possible issues with the proposal that may have to be worked out if possible.

City attorney Will Ridley briefly discussed changes to the city's sign ordinance. According to Ridley recent legal rulings have changed some of the things the city can do but the rulings have not given specific rules for the city to follow. A new sign ordinance will be worked on over the next couple of months.

Mr. Ridley also talked about a number of cases the city is involved in through the administrative hearing process. A number of buildings have been boarded up and secured by city codes staff and fines have been assessed. According to Ridley the process of cleaning up derelict and dilapidated properties is expensive and it sometimes difficult to recover the money the city uses.

Ridley said the council may have to decide how much funding they want to invest in cleaning up some city properties and other legal actions that may be needed to recover their costs.  

New Crossville city council members Scot Shanks and J. H. Graham sworn in

In a ceremony that featured two prayers for the new council, and brief comments by each member of he council, Scot Shanks and J. H. Graham were sworn in before a crowd of supporters and observers Monday night.

New city council L-R J. H. Graham, Danny Wyatt, Mayor James Mayberry, 

Pamala Harris and Scot Shanks

Shanks and Graham were presented with certificates of election by Cumberland Co. Election Administrator Jill Davis and Election Commission Secretary Lisa Phillips.

Incoming council members receive their certificates of election.

L-R J. H. Graham, Jill Davis, Lisa Phillips and Scot Shanks

The oath of office was administered to each new council member by Crossville city judge Ivy Gardener.

Incoming council member J. H. Graham III, right, is sworn in by 

city judge Ivy Gardner, left.

Scot Shanks, right takes the oath of office from city judge Ivy Gardener, left. 

Members of the council were given the chance to make brief remarks starting with councilman J. H. Graham who paraphrased the writers of the Declaration of Independence and said, "It is not only our responsibility, but our duty to make change and make life better."  Graham went on to thank his family and friends for their work "to help me and this council make Crossville a better place to live, work, plan and worship."

Councilman Shanks spoke next saying that he was happy to be serving the city of Crossville and working with the council. "I'm doing this for the city of Crossville.  I hope that when decisions that I make for the next four years, when I get away from doing things for the city of Crossville, I hope to hear from people to make sure to keep me inline."

Shanks said he was already hearing from people via email and he encouraged citizens to contact him that way adding, "You will hear back from me when you do email me."  Shanks can be reached at his city email address: scot.shanks@crossvilletn.gov 

Council member Pamala Harris said, "Everybody knows it's been a difficult couple of years, the experience I've had serving on the council, but I've learned a lot.  I've tried my very best to use wisdom and discretion in the decisions that I've made.  I'm very hopeful with this new council we're going to have a good working dynamic."  Harris concluded saying, "I can tell you that I love Crossville and I believe that the people sitting up her join me in saying that they love Crossville or they would not be willing to serve in this position."

Councilman Danny Wyatt Thanked Shanks for being willing to stick his neck out and added that he's know Scot all his life.  He shared the comment that former city manager Curtis Adams shared with Wyatt when he was first sworn in saying it was pretty true for Wyatt, "Enjoy tonight because you are the most popular you'll ever be."  

Wyatt also praised the work ethic of councilman Graham saying, "He'll work about 50 hours a week for you. He works hard for Crossville and loves Crossville.  I think we've got a good council." 

Mayor James Mayberry said he agreed with all the comments that had been made.  He added that he had learned a lot in the last two years.  I'd never gotten involved in politics," said Mayberry, "and really don't care much for politics."  Mayberry said that like Ms. Harris and the rest of the council, the welfare of the community got him involved in politics.

Mayberry said he felt there were to areas of work for the council, the mechanics of the job and city operations and there was the community development part for the good of the people.  "If we keep the betterment of the community involved, our children, working with the schools, it will all come together if we just keep a positive attitude."

Video of the swearing in ceremony

First meeting for new city council expected to restore work sessions and look toward new city manager

The first regular city council meeting after new members Scot Shanks and J. H. Graham are sworn in will be Thursday December 8 and may see the return to monthly work sessions and possibly a return to council meetings on Tuesdays.

In addition, council will elect a mayor pro-tem, and appoint a city judge.

The council's evening starts off at 5:00 PM with the monthly audit committee meeting and will be followed by a closed executive session with city attorney Will Ridley at 5:30 PM. The council meeting as the beer board is scheduled for 5:45 and a public hearing on annexation progress report for 103 Meadowview Ln will be held at 5:50.

The council's regular agenda starts at 6:00 PM. Under the consent agenda, council is expected to approve first reading on the removal of two sections of the city code. One section, 11-703 concerns the circulation of unsigned material that J. R. Blankenship was prosecuted under but the city has agreed to rescind the charges at the $1500 fine assessed by the city judge in the case. The second section 11-705 addresses “posting notices and the like” and is also proposed for removal.

Section 11-703 states:

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person, organization or corporation, or other entity, to circulate or cause to be circulated, or to aid in any way the circulation of, or to attempt to circulate in the city, any unsigned printed, typed, reproduced, mimeographed, written or other papers or materials containing print, type, reproduction, mimeographed, written or other reading matter, excepting for the circulation of the regular newspapers in their routine business in publishing and circulating their papers.

   (B)   All written or printed circulars, advertisements or other statements with reference to any person who is a candidate for any public office in the city or with reference to any election in the city for any purpose, shall be signed by the writer thereof, or, if the same purport to be issued by any committee, or organization or other similar associations, the same shall be signed with the names of the principal officer of the association.

   (C)  UNSIGNED means any papers or matters as are described in section one thereof which do not contain the genuine signature of the person, or the principal of any organization causing same to be produced or reproduced or having same produced or reproduced.

   (D)   The possession in the city of more than three of any unsigned printed, typed, reproduced, mimeographed, written or other paper or materials containing such as described in this section, excepting the circulation of a regular newspaper, will be prima facie evidence that there has been a circulation of such in violation of this section.

11-705 states:

No person shall fasten, in any way, any show-card, poster or other advertising device upon any public or private property unless legally authorized to do so.

Other items under the consent agenda include a contract with Larry Kidwell of Kidwell & Co. for financial consultations and a contract on the transfer of waterlines from South Cumberland Utility District to the city.

After over 5 years, the bids on construction of the sidewalks on Fourth Street and Myrtle Avenue have been approved and work has started on the project. The TDOT grant will fund nearly $403,000 of the work and the city will fund just over $146,500 of the total project. On the agenda is the first reading of a budget amendment for $250,000 necessary to fund the city's match and additional work to complete the project.

Council will consider approval of a TDEC grant for site preparation on a 20 acre site in the Interstate Business Park. The grant along with the city's matching funds will construct a pad ready for construction of an up to 200,000 square foot industrial building. The grant will be discussed during council's Monday work session.

Council will consider the possibility of a special census in the city limits, an activity that has be financially beneficial to the city in past years. Other items council will consider is health insurance for the city judge and city attorney as well as a property tax freeze for eligible senior citizens.

A discussion on the process for interviewing candidates for city manager is also up for discussion on the agenda and council will revisit the request from CCHS for assistance in renovation of the Jets football field. The project has a total estimated cost of $100,000 and CCHS has a commitment so far for $10,000.   

Friday at the Crossroads, the Holiday Version. Cool and Christmasy

The weather was cooler for the December version of Friday at the Crossroads but that only kept the crowds down a little.  There were Christmas lights and shopping into the evening along with Christmas Music, Santa and Mrs. Claus for the kids, great food and fun.

Friday at the Crossroads will take February off and the next downtown street party will be April 7, 2017.

A warm jacket helped as folks walked along Main Street for Friday at the Crossroads.

Some of the downtown visitors did a little window shopping

Nearly everyone there had a smile on their face.

Fourth and Main was the center of the action.

There was free hot chocolate by the Courthouse and free popcorn at the Palace Theatre.

Kids lined up to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and get their picture made.

Santa knew who was naughty and nice.

The Community Band shared Christmas music

A variety of our food trucks included Brrr-ista

and Bushwhackers

along with the Grillisious Bus too.

The Depot was decked out for the Holidays

The CHristmas Tree at the depot was lit the night before.

Folks enjoyed the evening. 

And the Palace Theatre, the Jewel of Main Street tried to

outshine the quarter moon. 

All legal actions dropped against J. R. Blankenship on fliers and restraining order.

In a quiet move, Crossville city attorney Will Ridley has signed off on an agreed order on behalf of the city of Crossville that vacates all charges against J. R. Blankenship over the distribution of “unsigned fliers” and removes the $1500 in fines assessed in city court by city judge Ivy Gardner.

The charges arose when some fliers (and no one seems to be able to determine exactly how many) were found posted on downtown Crossville businesses the morning following the March city council meeting offering “a reward” of up to $500 for photos of any city elected or appointed official doing something wrong. The flier promised anonymity for the informant and that the evidence would be published. The flier was signed “Sam at the Daily Bull” with a phone number.

Blankenship's flier

Following an investigation establishing Blankenship as a suspect, a single citation issued by the Crossville police on the charge of distribution of unsigned fliers was heard in city court by Judge Ivy Gardener. The number of charges was increased to 30 counts by Judge Gardner resulting in a total fine of $1500. The highest fine a municipal court can asses is $50 and the only way the fine could be higher is if the number of charges was increased.

Blankenship filed several actions through city court and eventually appealed the fine and charges to Chancery court. The initial filing was on his own and Blankenship eventually secured the services of Nashville attorney Joe Johnston.

Agreed order page 1

Agreed order page 2

The agreed order does away with all charges against Blankenship who garnered the attention of city councilman Jesse Kerley and members of his family including his father Jerry Kerley, director of water resources for the city who, along with another man, was charged with stealing signs posted by Blankenship in a yard on Mockingbird Drive. Both men charged in the sign theft, Jerry Kerley and William Harwell took pre-trial diversion in the sign theft case last month.

Blankenship is also known for signs displayed in his truck while parked outside Crossville city hall during council meetings. Blankenship's signs were targeting Jesse Kerley and his actions and garnered a request from Kerley to former interim police chief Rod Shoap to charge Blankenship for vehicle registration and insurance violations that turned out to be false.

J. R. Blankenship with political sign in front of city hall

The ordinance against distribution of unsigned fliers was originally approved by the city council sometime in the 1960's and Blankenship appears to be the first person ever cited under the ordinance. Crossville city council will consider abolishing that ordinance at their upcoming meeting as it appears to interfere with a citizen's free speech rights.

The agreed order on the flier charges states that “the judgment of the city court be vacated along with any fines or fees ordered by the city court.” The order further states that “the case is dismissed with prejudice.” That means that charges can not be refiled at anytime in the future. The order was entered in the record on November 17 and filed with the court clerks office that same day.

The agreed order also says that the city agrees to pay the costs on the case, if any.

In the course of the reaction to the case, Crossville city judge Ivy Gardner filed a request as an individual for a restraining order against Blankenship earlier this year in General Sessions court saying she felt threatened by him. A permanent restraining order was signed by General Sessions Judge Larry Warner on July 7 2016 after Blankenship did not appear for a hearing because his mother was hospitalized just before she passed away.

The restraining order action was also appealed by Blankenship to Chancery Court and Blankenship initially represented himself pro se. A list of interrogatory questions was submitted by Blankenship to be answered by Gardener that specifically asked, among other things, to “describe in detail each and every verbal and/or written threat, which you allege has been made against you by defendant James R. Blankenship.” Blankenship's interrogatories were submitted on July 25, 2016.

Interrogatory questions from Gardener to Blankenship were submitted on August 17, 2016. The questions included questions on any arrest and/or convictions as well as any involvement in any lawsuit. The following day, Nashville attorney Joe Johnston filed a notice of appearance in the Gardener case to represent Blankenship.

Blankenship's new attorney also filed a motion for continuance from the initially set court date of August 28. An answer to Gardener's complaint was filed with the court August 26 and the answer states that the defendant Blankenship denied ever having “said or done anything that would constitute a pattern to harass and unnecessarily alarm the plaintiff Ivy Gardener ans her complaint had stated.

The appeal hearing, scheduled to be heard November 29 by Judge Jonathan Young for November 29 was not held because the request for a restraining order was “non-suited” or withdrawn by Gardener according to documents filed in the court clerks office.

Non-suit motion 

Previous related stories:

Sign posted outside Council meeting 

Interview with J.R. Blankenship 

Blankenship cases to be heard November 29