News
2010 run-off election is officially dead
February 10, 2010
There will be no run-off election this year. The
Brownsville City Board unanimously voted to repeal
last year’s decision to amend the city’s charter so
that a majority of voters elect aldermen and the
mayor in Brownsville.
During this week’s meeting, Mayor Webb Banks
mentioned a new measure that would change the
charter before the next election in 2012, but he did
not present a formal proposal.
Here’s a review of actions by the board.
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The original ordinance was
presented for the first reading September 9,
2009 and passed unanimously. The ordinance
required a change in the city charter, which
must be approved by the legislature. The change
would require a run-off election if elected
officials were not elected by a majority of the
voters.
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A second reading passed
unanimously October 13 after a public hearing.
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Late last year, Mayor Banks said
he began taking a more detailed look at the new
rules. The mayor says that a run-off election,
held so late in the year (August), created
unacceptable problems for newly elected
officials.
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In January, when Banks reported
the complications, Alderman Leon King made a
motion not to send the Ordinance to the State
Legislature for the Charter change. Alderman
John Simmons seconded the motion. The board
agreed unanimously.
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City attorney Michael Banks later
reported that the action required a second
reading. The second reading passed unanimously
February 9, 2010.
Water and sewer rates to increase slightly
February 10, 2010
Brownsville Utility Department Manager Regie
Castellaw says he needs to hike water and sewer
rates to fund added expenses. The city board of
mayor and aldermen approved the request.
Castellaw says the current water rate for the
average residential customer will increase from
$15.09 to $17.37 ($2.28 increase) while the current
sewer rate will increase from $14.73 to $16.94
($2.21 increase). Together that means residential
water and sewer rates will go up about $4.50 a month
— that’s a 15% increase.
New
expenses include painting the water tank located in
the industrial park. The water tank paint job could
cost up to $250,000.
City clerk presents General Fund budget report for
2008-2009
February 10, 2010
City Clerk Jerry Taylor briefed the city board on
Brownsville’s fiscal condition for the year ending
June 2009. The audit report for that year has just
been completed.
Highlights include:
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Income from taxes and other
sources fell short of estimates by $282,000.
Sales tax income was $61,000 less than budgeted,
beer tax income fell short of estimates by
$74,000 and property tax collections were down
$84,000.
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The city spent $519,000 less than
budgeted.
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The net effect is the city ended
the budget year with a surplus of $237,000.
Local physician wants to build therapy center
February 10, 2010
Local physician, Dr. Jack Pettigrew, plans to build
an Aqua Therapy Center.
The
center would be located on 7.8 acres of land on
North Washington adjacent to Dr. Pettigrew's medical
practice. The estimated cost is $2 million, and its
expected to treat patients in a 30 to 40 mile
radius.
Pettigrew says he will ask the Brownsville
Industrial Board to provide the same incentives
offered industry. A payment in lieu of tax program
(PILOT) and other incentives will be included in his
request.
Mayor recommends committee membership changes
February 10, 2010
Mayor Webb Banks has made two new committee
appointments.
Banks tapped County Commissioner Becky Booth for the
West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center Advisory Board.
Booth replaces Sonia Outlaw Clark who recently won
the job as the center’s new director.
Marvin Deberry is Mayor Banks’ choice for the
industrial board. Deberry replaces Walter Battle who
is stepping down.
Board votes to purchase three new police cars.
Aldermen approved the purchase of three new police
cars and a four-wheel drive truck.
Police cars are replaced as they become expensive to
maintain. Each new police car will cost taxpayers
$23,000.
The public works department will use the four-wheel
drive truck. It’s expected to cost $21,600.
Change in March meeting
February 10, 2010
The next schedule meeting of the Brownsville Board
of Mayor and Alderman is March 2, 2010 in city hall
at 5:30 p.m. The board will be meeting on the first
Tuesday rather than the second Tuesday in March. The
board will resume its regular schedule (second
Tuesday) in April.
City in special session — new
political rules adopted
January 20, 2010
Brownsville’s aldermen voted on second reading to
pass ordinance allowing city employees to run for
select political offices. The city board met in
special session Tuesday night at 7:15.
The
new rules passed the first test a week ago.
The
old rule prohibited city employees from running for
any political office. The new rules allow them to do
it on a selective basis. The ordinance allows a city
worker to run for mayor while continuing employment
with city government. But a city worker may not run
for a part time aldermanic position.
City workers may, however, run for political
positions in other governments.
Charter change likely delayed until 2012
January 20, 2010
Aldermen and the mayor are considering delaying
their earlier plan to change the city’s charter
requiring Brownsville’s elected representatives to
be elected by a majority of voters.
Mayor Webb Banks says he wants to also wants to move
the election day to earlier in the year so that, in
case a run-off is required, the new representatives
won’t take office so late in the year and long past
the end of the city’s fiscal year.
Banks’ proposal won’t change the charter until 2012.
Mayor Banks made the proposal at this week’s special
meeting of the city board but did not ask aldermen
to vote on it.
It is expected the issue will likely be discussed at
the February meeting.
Wheel tax going to a public vote
January 20, 2010
The Haywood County Commission’s proposed increase in
the wheel tax is going to the voters.
The increase in the tax, ordered by the county
commission last fall but stopped by a petition
drive, will be a question for voters to decide and
will appear on the ballot within sixty days.
The
tax was adopted to help pay for the $15 million
criminal justice complex debt and to fund the
$100,000 stipend the county voted to provide the air
ambulance service. But community protestors managed
to get enough signatures on a petition to stop it.
County Mayor Franklin Smith says the petition
requires the special election.
The
election commission forecasts the special election
to cost $13,000. The exact date hasn’t been set but
we the election is likely sometime in March.
County officials say county bills will have to be
paid one way or the other. If the wheel tax fails,
then it is likely commissioners will be required to
again hike the property tax.
Education committee wants a bigger school
board
January 20, 2010
Could the Haywood County School Board double in
size? It could if the county commission’s education
committee gets its way.
At this week’s county commission meeting the
education committee recommended the school board
grow from five to ten members. County commissioners
talked about the idea but didn’t take any action
except to suggest the committee continue to study
the idea.
Commissioners may appoint temporary school
board member
January 20, 2010
National Guardsman Daniel Thornton has been deployed
to the Middle East. Thornton, who is a member of the
school board, will be gone for about a year and
county commissioners are considering placing
somebody in his seat — at least until he returns
home. Thornton represents district two and six.
When commissioners met this week they didn’t take
action, but have asked County Attorney Michael Banks
to research the issue and report.
With Thornton absent from the five-member body,
there is no tie-breaking vote.
More debt approved
January 20, 2010
The county commission has adopted a resolution
authorizing the issuance of 5,575,000 in general
obligation bonds.
The
bonds are a part of the $15 million financing
previously approved for the project. The most recent
bond issue includes Build America Bonds. They
include special financial incentives for bondholders
and taxpayers. The incentives are tied to the
national stimulus program.
County committees unchanged
January 20, 2010
The county’s standing committees won’t see changes
this year. Mayor Franklin Smith re-appointed,
without changes, committee assignments this week.
The
committees, which include the powerful budget group,
are made up exclusively of county commissioners.
(Committee assignments may also be seen at
brownsvilllehaywoodcounty.com)
“Greenway” could be paid by grant
January 20, 2010
Development of the new industrial park may include
scenic trails and plots known as “greenways.”
Haywood County government will submit an application
to the Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation to help pay for the project. The
$107,658 grant will be used to construct
approximately 1,900 linear feet of greenway in the
new industrial park. The grant includes a request of
$80,000 from the Recreational Trail Program. Local
taxpayers will ante up a match of $27,658.
County now owns part of the megasite
January 20, 2010
The Haywood County Commission has voted to purchase
3.5 acres of land at the megasite for $37,100.
Taxpayers paid $10,600 per acre. Mayor Smith said
the acreage was considered in the original purchase
but the owners would not agree to sell —only
recently changing their position. The tract will
belong to the county unless it is purchased by the
state.
County recycling program wins top state award
The
Tennessee Recycling Coalition (TRC) has announced
that the solid waste department of Haywood County
has been named Government Recycler of the Year.
The
award will be presented at the TRC Conference
February 10.
"Clinton Neal has certainly led the department to
the next level in providing, promoting, and
encouraging recycling and waste minimization
throughout the county, “ County Mayor Franklin Smith
said.
Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks administers the oath of
office to Hunter Bryant.
Bryant, 10, is recovering from a form of leukemia.
Brownsville Police Chief Chris Lea and Mayor Banks
granted Hunter's wish
to make him a police officer. In fact, Chief Lea stepped
aside
December 29 to make Hunter chief for the day.
Large crowd interested in solar farm
November 20, 2009
A 20-acre field located at the southwest edge of Haywood
County may have captured the attention and interest of
more people here than any other subject in recent
history. At a “scoping” session last night, the
courthouse courtroom was overflowing with people trying
to learn more and commenting on the proposed solar farm.
The $30 million solar installation will cover about 20
acres and provide power to an estimated 700 homes. A
nearby visitor’s center will allow the public to learn
more about the sun’s renewable and clean energy. All
will be located within sight of I-40.
Presenters at the meeting included representatives from
the US Department of Energy, Tennessee Department of
Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Community
Development.
Comments came from a wide range of participants
including the Sierra Club and local residents.
Preliminary studies don’t indicate any environmental
issues according to Ryan Gooch, Tennessee Department of
Economic and Community Development’s director of energy.
Officials provided details of the proposed solar farm
at a meeting held November 20, 2009
The solar farm “scoping” session attracted a large
crowd.
The courtroom overflowed with people interested in the
$30 million installation
Stanton Mayor Allen Sterbinsky, Jackson Mayor Jerry
Gist, Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks, Jackson Chamber of
Commerce board member Kathy Watts, Haywood County Mayor
Franklin Smith and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Wallace
were among dignitaries touring the Haywood County
Megasite November 18.
Chris Lea named new police chief
November 2, 2009
Haywood Countians have known Chris Lea by many titles
— police officer, sheriff’s deputy, EMT, state trooper
and even fire chief. Today, the Brownsville Board of
Mayor and Aldermen gave him a new title; Chris Lea is
the new police chief in Brownsville.
At a specially called noon meeting of the city board,
Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks suggested to aldermen that
Lea be the next police chief — and he got the nod.
Lea will replace Gill Kendrick who announced last
week he was leaving to take the top spot at the Jackson
Police Department.
Lea started his career as a Brownsville police
officer in 1987. He worked as a sheriff’s deputy under
Sheriff Raymond Russell and later for the Haywood County
Ambulance Authority. Mayor Webb Banks eventually
appointed him fire chief but he left that job to become
a state trooper.
Lea is also a county commissioner and he chairs the
county’s jail committee currently overseeing the
construction of the new criminal justice complex.
Lea plans to be on the job as Brownsville’s top cop
by November 16.
In addition to his emergency service experience, Lea
holds a number of certifications — all current. He’s an
IV trained emergency medial technician, POST certified
police officer, a law enforcement instructor and a
certified fire inspector.
Chamber holds annual Banquet
Brownsville Mayor Webb
Banks (left) presents to Haywood County Mayor
Franklin Smith the Outstanding Progress Award for his
work in the community and on the Megasite.)
It was a night of celebration and recognition at the
Brownsville Country Club Thursday, October 22 as the
Brownsville Haywood County Chamber of Commerce held it
annual Membership Banquet and Awards Ceremony.
For Chamber Executive Director Joe Ing, the banquet not
only served as a night for the organization to recognize
its own members, but to also thank the community.
“There is no chamber without the people,” Ing said to
the crowd. “We always appreciate it. We appreciate you
more than you know and it is a pleasure to work for you
everyday.”
Ing noted that it had certainly been a “crazy year” for
Haywood County, with its share of ups and downs.
One of the major downs touched upon by Ing that evening
was the closing of Cub Cadet.
Originally built inside the Brownsville Industrial Park
in 1980, the plant closed in July, which eliminated 480
jobs, 200 of which were full-time with the rest of the
job loss hitting 280 seasonal workers.
A business that dealt with lawn and garden products
sales, it was the downturn in the nation’s housing
market that fired the deadly unemployment bullet to the
plant.
Still, while facing imminent shutdown, Ing noted that
employees didn’t really take the situation without a
spark.
“They exceeded their quotas to the day that they shut
their doors,” Ing said. “That speaks volumes of people
of Haywood County.”
Of course the major up that hit Haywood County - the
West Tennessee Megasite - was talked about at the
banquet, and also led to a special thanks and
recognition award for Haywood County Mayor Franklin
Smith.
“I want to assure you that if it hadn’t been for
Franklin Smith, we wouldn’t have the Megasite,”
Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks said before awarding Smith.
While accepting the Outstanding Progress Award, Smith
touched on a few items himself, specifically his love
for Haywood County.
“People ask me what is so special about Haywood County,”
Smith said. “It’s the people in Haywood County that make
it special.”
“The people that are elected to run Haywood County give
you 100 percent 24/7,” Smith continued. “Never in my
life have I seen so many elected officials work for the
people like they do.”
“Work for the people” seemed to be the theme to remember
that night as several well-known residents in the county
were also awarded.
Carolyn Flagg was awarded Volunteer of the year for her
work in numerous organizations and events, most known
among them perhaps being Relay For Life.
Albert Campbell, who is also the current Chamber
president-elect, received the award for Ambassador of
the Year.
The award for Educator of the Year went to Toni Eubanks,
who was described as a “person who serves with a loving
heart.”
CEO David Rasmussen accepted the award for
Business/Industry of the Year for Haywood Park Community
Hospital.
The Woman of the Year award went to Cynthia Rawls-Bond,
who was noted for her long list of service and work with
a plethora of organizations throughout Haywood County.
“This is really something else,’’ Rawls-Bond said after
receiving the award. “I’ve always been an ambassador for
Brownsville and Haywood County. It has always been and
is a wonderful place.”
And the Man of the Year award went Attorney Michael
Banks, who some noted as not only doing a lot of work
for the city and county, but also being instrumental in
bringing the Megasite to the County.
“It’s more than an honor to receive this award,” Banks
said. “It honestly takes an entire community for things
to turn out well. I hope I’m a reflection of the good
that comes out of Haywood County.”
Chamber announces outstanding citizens and
business at banquet
At the 2009 Annual Brownsville-Haywood County
Chamber of Commerce Banquet on October 22, five
individuals and one business were honored for their
service to the community. Albert Campbell (from left)
was named the Ambassador of the Year, Cynthia Rawls Bond
was named Woman of the Year, Haywood Park Community
Hospital was selected as Business/Industry of the Year
(accepting was David Rasmussen, CEO), Carolyn Flagg was
named Volunteer of the Year, Toni Eubanks was selected
as Educator of the Year, and Michael Banks was named Man
of the Year.
September 30, 2009
Megasite passes final state vote
Joe Ing’s text message sent to the local media was
simple. It stated, “We win”.
Enough said, really.
Ing, Executive Director of the Brownsville/Haywood
County Chamber of Commerce, was one of many attendees at
Tuesday’s meeting of the executive subcommittee of the
state building commission. The commission, after
delaying their vote twice, voted to approve the megasite
plan.
Tuesday’s vote means some Haywood County landowners
will likely start receiving their part of $40 million
the state legislature appropriated for the purchase of
nearly 4000 acres. The purchase options on the land
expire at the end of October. The sales are likely to be
closed quickly.
The vote was snarled in red tape delaying it twice
but the commission voted unanimously to approve the
site.
County Mayor Franklin Smith, Brownsville Mayor Webb
Banks, Stanton Mayor Allen Sterbinsky and dozens of
others were on hand to speak for the project.
The megasite is located near Exit 42 on I-40. The
super sized industrial site will be home, proponent’s
hope to an industry hiring thousands of workers.
Tennessee has already filled two megasite, one in
Chattanooga where Volkswagen will build cars and another
near Clarksville where Hemlock Semiconductor will
produce high-tech parts.
A 22,000 panel solar farm has already been approved
and will be located near the megasite. Federal funds
made the $30 million solar far possible.
See additional stories this page.
September 16, 2009
Solar Farm wins federal approval
When Brownsville/Haywood
County Chamber of Commerce Director Joe Ing attended
yesterday’s annual economic conference in Nashville the
keynote speaker had a welcome surprise. In an unexpected
announcement, Governor Phil Bredesen said the U.S.
Department of Energy had approved the solar farm to be
located near the Haywood County industrial megasite.
Bredesen announced plans for the park,
which is to be funded in part by a $62 million stimulus
grant months ago, but the plan had been snarled in
questions that seemed to threaten the program. The
problem has been that Tennessee’s ideas are far
different from other states’ more conventional plans.
The forward-thinking ideas forced the energy department
to ask questions.
The governor said environmental impact
questions still must be answered but he believes the
project will go forward and may even be operating before
he leaves office early in 2011. The solar farm will be
near but separate from the megasite. Yesterday the
governor also said he believes the megasite will be
approved shortly and called questions being raised by
some in Nashville “legitimate.”
The solar farm will occupy 20 acres and
include a visitors and education center. More than
22,000 solar panels are expected to generate about 500
megawatts of power — enough —some say — to power 700
homes. The governor hopes the solar farm will attract
more so-called green businesses to the 1700-acre
megasite.
Haywood County selected for high-tech solar farm
May 14, 2009
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced this week
that state government would build Tennessee’s largest
solar power farm in Haywood County. Bredesen surprised
even local officials with the announcement at 10 a.m. on
Wednesday.
According to the governor’s office, the $30-million-plus
solar power installation will be built at the megasite
and will cover about 20 acres. Though it is unclear
exactly where the power production facility will be
located at the site, Bredesen said it would be visible
from I-40. The megasite tracts are all located near Exit
42.
Capable of producing 5 megawatts of power, the facility
will produce enough electricity to power 700 homes.
Tennessee is home to a number of new industries that
produce components used in producing solar power. TVA
has agreed to buy the electricity the plant generates,
and Bredesen says profits will be plowed back into
growing the infrastructure at the power plant.
Leaders say the plant is also likely to attract
additional green power industry to Tennessee and make
the megasite even more attractive to prospects.
The governor did not say when he thought construction
might begin but did say the project must be approved by
the Department of Energy and the state legislature.
Funding for the project comes from federal stimulus
legislation earmarked for Tennessee and green energy
production.
Additional local news stories
New Director named for West Tennessee Delta
Heritage Center
Sonia Outlaw-Clark
Brownsville Mayor Webb Banks recently announced a
new director has been appointed to the West
Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.
The
new appointee is Sonia Outlaw-Clark. Clark is a
native Haywood Countian who has years of service in
community projects.
“Sonia was selected,” the Mayor said, “due to her
journalism experience, management skills, and her
proven ability to work with people in organizing
successful projects.”
Clark was employed for approximately eight years
with the Brownsville States-Graphic and has served
six years as office administrator for First
Presbyterian Church in Brownsville.
She
is a graduate of Leadership Haywood County and the
recipient of many community service awards. Clark
has been a member of the Hatchie Fall Festival since
it inception about six years ago and served two
years as chairperson. She is currently serving as
president of the Brownsville Business Association.
“The Heritage Center offers a very unique
opportunity for promoting our region,” says Clark,
“and I’m looking forward to helping the counties
showcase themselves to the millions of visitors who
travel Interstate 40 each year.”
Clark assumed her duties as the new director at the
Delta Heritage Center January 1, 2010.
The
West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located at
121 Sunny Hill Cove, just off I-40 at Exit 56, in
Brownsville, Tenn. The center features the music
museum, a cotton museum, the Hatchie River museum
and two rotating exhibits including the photography
of Joe Guinn and information boards highlighting
counties throughout West Tennessee. Current museum
hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday. For more information, call the center at
731-779-9000. Group tours are welcome.
Lea making sweeping changes in BPD
December 9, 2009
Chris Lea has been on the job less than a month, but
already he’s won approval from the Brownsville City
Board for significant changes at the Brownsville
Police Department. Lea was named police chief just
last month, replacing Gill Kendrick who took a job
as chief in Jackson.
Highlights of personnel changes include:
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Increasing
investigators from two to four. An investigator
will be on duty and on patrol between 8 a.m. and
midnight.
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Promotions that
include three new lieutenants and four new
sergeants. Promoted to lieutenant are Sgt. Kim
Williams, Sgt. Jason Singleton and Sgt. Jason
Haynes. New sergeants include Chad Jackson,
Mitchell Turner, Shaun Ribble and Brad Davis.
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The personnel
changes mean there will be at least five
officers on patrol at all times.
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Lea’s personnel
program will add $2796 in additional expense to
the BPD’s personnel budget but overtime is
expected to be virtually eliminated.
Aldermen and the mayor also granted permission for
Lea to upgrade the police department’s computer
software. Chief Lea told the city board the software
was last updated in 1991 and the annual software
maintenance agreement cost $10,000.
The
new software will cost $44,546 but won’t include an
expensive annual maintenance fee. The computer
upgrade will eliminate several steps in paperwork
and will link to other law enforcement software
including the jail, central dispatch and the
sheriff’s office. Lea believes the upgrade will
reduce administrative time and allow more time for
patrols.
New money
December 11, 2009
Police Chief Chris Lea easily justified his new
expenditures, but news that the city has received
some unexpected income made pulling the trigger on
the costs easier for aldermen.
City Clerk Jerry Taylor told aldermen and the mayor
government has received $269,273 from TVA. TVA pays
local governments so-called impact fees because of
the work they’re doing on their Lagoon Creek Power
Plant. The city also received $27,573 from an
insurance claim, and just over $1,000 from a
tax/equity payment from the Brownsville Housing
Authority.
City plans emergency equipment and
other purchases with disaster funds
November 11, 2009
A federal disaster declaration, the result of storms
that occurred in 2008, has made Brownsville, Haywood
County and Stanton eligible for more than $2 million
in assistance.
The
Brownsville City Board has applied for a $750,000
grant under the program. The money requires no local
match and doesn’t have to be repaid.
At
this week’s city board meeting aldermen learned the
money, if granted, would be used for a number of
items.
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The city fire
department will get a $250,000 first response
truck and a 1,000 gallon pumper truck estimated
to cost $185,000.
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Two portable
generators at a cost of just over $46,000.
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Two private homes
will be relocated and will cost $160,000.
-
$86,250 will go
for rental housing rehabilitation.
Hatcher sells new police cars
November 11, 2009
Three new police cars will soon be delivered to the
city. Hatcher Chevrolet will sell the cars to the
city after placing a low bid of $23,036 per car.
City to hold auction
November 11, 2009
Seventeen surplus and seized vehicles now owned by
the city of Brownsville will go on sale in early
December. The city board authorized City Clerk Jerry
Taylor to conduct an auction.
The
auction will be conducted December 5 at 8am at the
city shop located on East College Street.