"I want to take this opportunity to compliment you and HR Director Sue Teague on the new police chief," said Bob Kirk, who moved to affirm Heun's appointment during aldermen reports. "I think you've done a good job in the process."
Lewis Norman added a second and Shannon Walker requested a roll call vote.
"As I understand it, we are not voting up or down on the police chief," said Bart Williams. "Just that we agree on the process."
"That's right," said Holden.
Huen was unanimously affirmed by the board with a 9-0 vote. All members were present at the meeting.
Board members also listened to a presentation from Allen Hester and David Taylor of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce concerning the renewal of its Tourism and Economic Development Commission Contract. Kirk moved to accept the agreement with the Chamber, with Charles McCright adding a second. The motion passed unanimously.
Hester and Taylor also requested renaming Abe Hawatt to a three-year term to the TED Commission and asked for approval of the TED budget.
Kirk moved to approve Hawatt, with Dennis Moody adding a second. The motion passed unanimously.
Norman moved to approve the budget, with Kirk adding a second. The motion passed unanimously.
In Unfinished Business, Shannon Walker asked to read a message he said he requested to be read at a recent called meeting of the board he was unable to attend concerning airport management.
Walker's statement urged the board to consider their actions and questioned whether the city wants to get into the business of managing an airport. Members of the board voted not to renew its current contract with Dyersburg Air Service as fixed-base operator and airport manager at the called meeting.
In aldermen reports, Walker also complimented interim DPD Chief Roger Dudley on his service to the city and predicted a good working relationship between Dudley and Heun. He also brought up a concern about recently purchased uniforms for city employees featuring Holden's name as well as the city of Dyersburg insignia.
"I don't believe a certain name is appropriate on city uniforms," said Walker.
"I believe that name is Mayor John Holden," said Holden. "And it appears on literature for the city of Dyersburg and the checks we sign for payroll. And I'd like to clarify that those uniforms were paid for by a $2,500 grant from TML. No taxpayer money was used on the shirts."
"And the fans we passed out on Saturday?" asked Walker.
"They were left over from the city's booth at the fair," said Holden.
Also in aldermen reports, Lewis Norman reminded the board of the law passed recently by the state legislature allowing guns in city and state parks throughout the state.
"I want us to be timely," said Norman. "I think there is a time for us to refuse that."
"I think we can opt out by Sept. 1," said Holden.
Holden reminded aldermen and residents of the "Call Before You Dig" seminar on Thursday evening at the Chamber of Commerce.
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I have to agree with Mr.Walker about the shirts.It sounds like someone has a "GOD" complex going on.The article did not say which city employees would be wearing these shirts,but I bet it won't be the sanitation department.It will be those who work in office's so Holden can see his name all day.I think that $2500 grant money could have been used in a better way.Such as feeding the hungry,helping the homeless,and aiding the elderly.
I have to agree Harleylady, that money was completely wasted. They have a shelf life as long as Holden is in office. It really doesn't matter where the money came from it is still money that could have been used elsewhere.
As first impressions go, I hear that the new police chief is a better choice than previously thought. Hopefully he is ready to dig in and straighten up the department then work on our streets. Good luck Mr. Heun, you have your work cut out for you.
There was once a Tennessee sheriff who painted the words "High Sheriff" on the front fenders of his car. He, as does our mayor, obviously took pride in his job. I think this is a positive sign and when Mr. Holden is no longer mayor we can donate the shirts to the homeless.
All public works employees received the safety t-shirts including the sanitation department. My cousin works for the city and they told me that employees in city hall did not receive them. The money was from a "safety grant" received last fall from an insurance company that was to be utilized for promoting safety in the workplace, not for homeless, not for the elderly, not for feeding the hungry. The money could not be used elsewhere. Give me a break, its a shirt, be thankful that your tax money didn't have to pay for these and who ever got the grant for the city , I am thankful.
We need a new mayor and SOME new alderman!
Thank you, Shannon Walker,for standing up for the City of Dyersburg we need more folks like you! Have you thought about running for mayor?? You would make a great one
Congrats Mayor Holden on your selection of the new police chief. I met him yesterday and he made a VERY good first impression. I am also hearing from some of the officers who met him have also been VERY impressed. As far as those t-shirts go, well Jeff Holt has his name on everything, as does Diane Moore, Jeff Jones, and others. I still have some stuff from when Bill Revell was mayor. I got a big ole magnet with a city seal, Bill's portrait, and a list of important phone numbers.
Don't really understand why some have their panties in a wad over something so trival. Maybe they are not really complaining about t-shirts?
In response to "tristate" as I have done a little digging.The TML is not an insurance company, The safety grant was asked for and even if it could not be used for the homeless,hungry or elderly. I still think it could have been used in a better way.If the safety grant was for safety are the letters JOHN HOLDEN in hunter orange? But enough of my sarcasm if your cousin feels safer with this shirt on I'm happy for you both!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I to have heard great things about the the new chief. Met him yesterday at the P.D. and really liked what I heard and saw. Looking forward to his leadership and working to get this department back on track.
About the shirt thing, if Mr. Walker would focus his time and efforts on real issues that affect this city instead of trying to make the Mayor look bad, he had the potential to be a good alderman, as it stands now I have no respect for him and his antics. I believe this to be the sentiments of a majority of my friends as well that work for the city.
Better dig a little more. If you go the the TML website you will find the following statement "The TML Risk Management Pool is a non-profit insurance cooperative of Tennessee cities that provides comprehensive insurance services to the majority of Tennessee municipalities and their agencies"
The shirts are safety yellow in color, the mayors name is about two inches in length and about the size of these letters. And yes, my cousin does feel safer.
Softball player sounds like Mark Grant.
No, i am a lot skinner than Mark Grant , ain't that right Big Daddy ?
hang in there john get you a nice licence plate for your car that says MAYOR 1
It is amazing how some people can'nt read.I dug deep enough to know you did not.Per the TML website it clearly says "The TML Pool was created to provide insurance coverage to local governments;however,it is not an insurance company.A pool is a cooperative risk sharing arrangement that works in many ways like a traditional insurer.Participating members pay a premium,recieve coverage,and make claims against that coverage."And I still think the money could have been put to better use.The web address is http://www.tnlrmp.org/GetContentc6b9.htm...
Sounds like an insurance company to me.
Softwball player hit the nail on the head.
Wrong again motorcycle momma, website address is www.TML1.org
I guess when somefolks hand is called they do what they are capable of.Call other folks names HUH!!!!!!!!!The name is Harleylady