Jim Young Reporter

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Council Majority Supports proposed Crossville Roane State Expansion but Funding Request turned down

While the Crossville City Council turned down the request by the Roane State Foundation for a donation of $500,000 several council members expressed support for the project but felt the timing of the request was poor.

RSCC President Chris Whaley, standing left, and

Crossville campus director Holly Hanson, right, discuss

the proposed expansion at the earlier December

City Council work session.

Councilman J. H. Graham moved to make the request donation for the project and councilman Scot Shanks gave a second “for the purpose of discussion.” Graham pointed out that 700 students are currently attending and it was the 20^th anniversary of the schools Crossville campus.

Mayor James Mayberry said he a little problem with the request as the city had given $750,000 for the initial construction of the center and an additional $100,000 for the business incubator. Mayberry added that the biggest support of the city budget was from sales tax and that half of the sales tax collected in the city goes to education as funding for the Cumberland County schools.

(Editor's note: the city gave $250,000 in funding toward the Business Incubator in 2009.)

Mayberry said he felt it was a bit much to ask of the city near the start of their budget. He also commented that Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) was also expanding.

“I just can't support this,” concluded Mayberry.

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“I'm for this project and I'd like to see it happen,” said Councilman Scot Shanks. Shanks added that he was concerned about the fact that there was no state money earmarked for the project. He said he understood that Roane State cannot ask the state for money but he wondered if the city could make a request for state help for the project.

Councilman Art Gernt said he felt the request should come through the regular budgeting process and that the donation would be a strain on the city budget at the current time. Said Gernt, “I'd like to see it happen as well, but I'd like to see us wait and go through the state.”

“I'd like to see it go through the regular budget process as well, added councilman Rob Harrison. “I'm all for the project and I certainly want to help Roane State as it's a crown jewel,” concluded Harrison.

The vote on Graham's motion included a yes vote from Graham but no votes from the rest of the council.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Art Gernt named Crossville Mayor Pro-Tem and Crossville City Judge Gardner reappointed

The Crossville City Council elected Art Gernt as Mayor Pro-Tem to take the place of the Mayor when he is unavailable. Mayor James Mayberry made the motion saying that he was proposing that the candidate who got the most votes in the election be made Mayor Pro-Tem.

Gernt was unanimously elected.

Mayor Pro-Tem Art Gernt

City Judge Ivy Gardner was also reappointed to an additional 2-year term on the motion of Mayor Mayberry. She was also approved unanimously. Following the vote, Gardner was sworn in by Mayor Mayberry.

Mayor James Mayberry administers the oath of office

to Ivy Gardner for her third term as

Crossville City Judge

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Overton County Woman Indicted, Charged in 2017 Murder

TBI Release by Josh DeVine

COOKEVILLE - Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have obtained an indictment for an Overton County woman in connection to a 2017 homicide case.

Brandi Angela McDougle

At the request of 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI Agents began investigating the death of Timothy Melton on December 22, 2017, shortly after authorities found the body of the 41-year-old man in his Highland Mountain Road home. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information leading to Brandi Angela McDougle (DOB 8-15-77) as the individual responsible for the crime.

On December 4th, the Overton County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging McDougle with one count of First Degree Murder. On Thursday, Agents served her with the charge at the Overton County Jail, where she was being held on an unrelated violation of probation.

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Monday, December 10, 2018

December Crossville City Council meeting to consider Roane State funding request

The new version of the Crossville City Council will meet for their first official meeting Tuesday, December 11 and items on the agenda include a request for funding from Roane State as well as appointing a mayor pro-tem and city judge.

The council's evening starts off with the audit committee meeting at 5:15 PM followed by the solicitation board meeting at 5:55 PM. The regular council agenda starts at 6:00 PM

The Roane State Foundation is seeking funding for the construction of new science labs and classrooms at the Cumberland Co. campus on Cook Road. RSCC President Chris Whaley and Cumberland County campus director Holly Hanson explained the need for the facilities.

RSCC President Chris Whaley, standing left, and

Crossville campus director Holly Hanson, right, discuss

the proposed expansion

They explained that the current lab did not have a hood needed for some the necessary chemistry experiments and that the limited lab facility meant that local students often had to travel to other campuses to take the classes since only a small number of sections could be offered at Crossville.

The total cost of the additional labs and classrooms is expected to cost around $1.3 million and the Foundation is seeking $500,000 from the city and the county. The remainder of the funds would come from other donors.

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With two new council members sworn in earlier this month, the first regular meeting is when the council elects from its members a mayor pro-tem to cat in the absence of the mayor. In addition, the council will decide on the appointment of the city judge.

In other items, the council will consider a request for sewer to the Chestnut Hill landfill/industrial property on Albert Frye Road, a request for sewer service outside the city limits, and discussion on 250 Old Mail Road, a structure that was previously condemned.

The Monday Morning snowfall turned Crossville into a winter wonderland

Crossville finally got a little bit of snow Monday morning December 10. The snow was very photogenic, especially around Downtown Crossville. Enjoy!

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Snow covered holly in front of the

Courthouse. You can see Christmas

lights in the background.

Military Memorial Park

Crossville Depot and city Christmas Tree

City Meeting Schedule includes Council Meeting, Annual Open House, and Council Retreat

Schedule of Upcoming Events:

December 10, 2018 Crossville Tree Board 3:00 p.m.

December 11, 2018 Audit Committee Meeting 5:15 p.m.
December 11, 2018 Solicitation Board 5:55 p.m.
December 11, 2018 Crossville City Council 6:00 p.m.

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December 13, 2018 Sports Council (CCCSEC) 3:00 p.m.
December 13, 2018 City Hall Open House 4:00 p.m.

December 17, 2018 City Council Retreat 8:00 a.m. (Clyde York 4-H Center)

December 20, 2018 Crossville Regional Planning Commission 12:00 p.m.-CANCELLED

December 21, 2018 Catoosa Advisory Board 11:00 a.m.