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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.

  • 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.
  • A second reading passed unanimously October 13 after a public hearing.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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:

  • 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.
  • The city spent $519,000 less than budgeted.
  • 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:

  • Increasing investigators from two to four. An investigator will be on duty and on patrol between 8 a.m. and midnight.
  • 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.
  • The personnel changes mean there will be at least five officers on patrol at all times.
  • 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.

  • The city fire department will get a $250,000 first response truck and a 1,000 gallon pumper truck estimated to cost $185,000.
  • Two portable generators at a cost of just over $46,000.
  • 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.


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