[Masthead] Overcast ~ 36°F  
High: 47°F
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012
Shelbyville City Government

Stories related to Shelbyville city government.

N. Main building sticks around (02/08/12)
It appears that the city and county will be hanging on to a piece of property on North Main Street a little while longer. For nearly four years, both governments have sought a buyer for a lot and home at 732 N. Main St., which once served as the Child Development Center and that is jointly owned by the two entities, but neither have had any results...
Public can speak on city council wards (02/07/12)
Shelbyville residents will have their chance to speak their mind about the city's new wards during a public hearing set for Thursday. The hearing will start at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at Shelbyville police headquarters. Since November, the city council has been examining the layout of Shelbyville's council representation, which must be reviewed and adjusted every 10 years if necessary based on population growth...
City starts issuing quarterly reports (02/05/12)
Shelbyville's council will begin receiving quarterly reports on the city's budget, hearing the first report of the year during this week's study session. City treasurer Jamey Owen briefed council members on what funds were coming in to the city, what was being spent and how the taxpayers' money was used...
July 4 show may return (02/03/12)
Fireworks for the 4th may be returning this year and will be up for a vote next week before the Shelbyville city council. A motion will be before the council next Thursday to conduct a fireworks display at H.V. Griffin Park on July 4, and will also ask for authority to approach the county to split the costs of any contract they enter into...
State grants $52K for airport work (02/03/12)
Tennessee Department of Transportation on Thursday announced a grant of $52,200 towards $58,000 in engineering services to study taxiway repairs at Shelbyville Municipal Airport. City government will have to furnish only 10 percent of the budget, or $5,800...
City to consider raising court costs (02/03/12)
Costs for those who appear in city court may be going up by $15. Shelbyville's city council will consider an ordinance next Thursday to increase the amount of court costs, when paid as cash, to $105 instead of the $90 currently paid. The proposed hike is to cover the required amount to be sent directly to the state as litigation tax...
Horse show rep asks council to donate $10K (02/02/12)
Shelbyville's city council will decide next week how much funding they will donate to an upcoming horse show. The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) has made a request for funding help for their Spring Showcase set for March 15-17 at Calsonic Arena...
Police answer over 12,800 calls in 2011 (02/01/12)
2011 was a busy year for the Shelbyville's fire and police departments, according to statistics released this week. The city council received annual reports Tuesday from Police Chief Austin Swing and Fire Chief Ricky McConnell, detailing the numbers and types of calls they've made over the past year...
Questions arise over de-annexation request (01/27/12)
Shelbyville's planning commission deferred action on a de-annexation request until next month Thursday night so that research could be conducted to see if the piece of land is actually within the city limits. The de-annexation request was for a 25.66 acre parcel on U.S. 41A North between Grand Station Boulevard and Poplar Ridge Road currently zoned C-2 (commercial) and owned by Don Bruce...
New shows seek support (01/25/12)
There are a couple of new horse shows coming to Shelbyville, and organizers are looking for support from both the city and county. The Foundation for the Advancement and Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse (FAST) will hold a Spring Showcase from March 15-17 at Calsonic Arena...
'Brainstorming' on minds of Shelbyville council (01/22/12)
Shelbyville council members will meet Tuesday for a workshop described as a "brainstorming session" to plan for the coming year. The council will gather at 4 p.m. at Shelbyville Recreation Center for the informal meeting, which will be broken into two parts, with dinner served during a 30-minute break. The meeting is slated to last some three and a half hours, concluding around 7:30 p.m...
Another step forward for hospital light (01/13/12)
Shelbyville's city council accepted bids Thursday night for a long-awaited traffic signal to be placed in front of Heritage Medical Center. Low bidder was Stansell Electric Co. of Nashville at a price of $58,498, which was under engineers' estimates of $79,000...
Officials don't particularly 'like' Facebook, Twitter (01/11/12)
A major update to Shelbyville's proposed personnel manual includes a fixture of 21st century life -- computer use and social media. City manager Jay Johnson told the council that Shelbyville's policy dealing with e-mail and computer use dates from 2001, and while there was an update in 2005, "for whatever reason, it was never adopted."...
City's 'old ways' bite the dust (01/11/12)
Shelbyville city employees will soon have a "whole new set of rules and regulations" as leaders are working on a new personnel manual. City manager Jay Johnson told the city council last week that the 180-page document is just a draft and is not a finished product, also adding there was no "time line" on this, saying they want to "do it right" and not rush it through the council...
Stormwater flow to get close look by city (01/08/12)
FIFTH IN A SERIES New federal guidelines related to stormwater issues will be part of the focus of Shelbyville's public works department this year. Public Works director Mark Clanton has submitted his goals for 2012 to city manager Jay Johnson, who recently asked department heads to give him their ideas for what they hope to accomplish...
Employees' insurance plan on city manager's mind (01/06/12)
Shelbyville's city council will be thinking about its options regarding the city's employee's insurance policy over the next few months. City manager Jay Johnson told the council he is trying to look ahead to next year's city budget, and one of its largest single items is the health insurance plan...
Better-looking city is '12 goal (01/06/12)
Working to make Shelbyville look better is the main goal of the city's planning and codes office for 2012. City department heads have submitted their ideas for what they would like to get done in the coming year following a request for the goals from city manger Jay Johnson...
Sales tax revenue up; so are expenses (01/05/12)
Shelbyville's sales tax numbers are improving, but the city council was told that expenses are also rising in tandem with the increased revenue. City Manager Jay Johnson asked treasurer Jamey Owen to program a chart detailing Shelbyville's local option sales tax collections...
Serious look at city's play (01/05/12)
Shelbyville's parks and recreation department will be looking at its programs this year to see which ones will stay and which will go. City manager Jay Johnson recently asked department heads to submit their goals for 2012 and parks and recreation director Sylvia Pinson has drawn up a list...
FLEX/COP may hit city's streets (01/04/12)
Protecting the public is the job of Shelbyville's police and fire departments, and both groups have laid out what they hope to accomplish in 2012. The city's department heads were asked by city manager Jay Johnson to draw up a list of their goals for this year. City council members received a booklet containing those ideas last week...
Local, state road officials say they're ready for winter weather (01/04/12)
Bedford County Highway Superintendent Stanley Smotherman and Shelbyville Public Works Director Mark Clanton each say their departments are in good shape as the likelihood of severe winter weather approaches. Last winter, December snow caught Shelbyville before its salt delivery had arrived, and a heavy winter season had state and local officials worried by late January that their supplies would run out...
New outlook for Shelbyville (01/03/12)
While many of us have made New Year's resolutions, Shelbyville's leaders are doing the same, laying out their goals for the coming year. For 2012, city manager Jay Johnson said he wants Shelbyville to look at what they're doing, how it's done and if there are things that can be done better or changed...
Signs, signs ... but they're no longer everywhere (12/29/11)
Shelbyville codes officials have ramped up their enforcement of the city's signs ordinance, clearing the clutter away from street corners and informing businesses about the law. The most noticeable location that has been purged is a corner lot at the intersection of North Main Street and Colloredo Boulevard, which was once covered with small signs from a variety of businesses...
Rock quarry suit delayed again (12/28/11)
A federal judge has ordered another delay in an ongoing lawsuit over a proposed rock quarry, canceling a June 2012 trial date. Last October, Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc., and Custom Stone LLC filed a suit in federal court for $10 million against the city of Shelbyville, its board of zoning appeals, planning commission, and codes and planning director Ed Dodson "in his official capacity and individually," accusing them of violating due process, inverse condemnation, unconstitutional taking, negligence and creating an unconstitutional "floating" zone.. ...
Manager, garbage occupy city leaders (12/27/11)
Shelbyville city government occupies both the seventh and eighth places on the Times-Gazette's annual countdown of the year's top stories, as determined by a poll of the newspaper staff. First, a recap of the stories already revealed: 10) Bedford Cheese (29 points)...
Council rewards Remy in retirement (12/11/11)
It's not often that a dog receives the keys to the city, but that was the case Thursday as the Shelbyville city council gave a fond farewell to the police's department's K-9 officer Remy. Officer Tracey Nelson, Remy's partner, will be taking the drug dog home for his golden years. Remy is retiring after 12 years on the force...
New jobs may result from tax reductions (12/08/11)
The city's Industrial Development Board approved two tax abatement requests for expansions to existing Shelbyville businesses that may result in new jobs. Last week, Chamber of Commerce head Walt Wood told the city council that he had been working with two existing companies that were in the process of planning expansions, but stressed their plans are not yet complete...
Studies start on city work (12/04/11)
Environmental studies have already begun for two surface transportation projects inside Shelbyville. City manager Jay Johnson briefed the council on the progress of the endeavors, which will involve a traffic signal at the intersection of Learning Way and Tremont Drive, as well as paving on Blue Ribbon Parkway from Evans Street to Horse Mountain Road, East Lane Street from Madison Street to Eaton Drive and Stanley Boulevard from Madison Street to Railroad Avenue...
Trash trucks to use traditional system (12/04/11)
The city council will be voting on bids next week for two new garbage trucks, but will not be going to an automated "one-arm" system to collect trash anytime soon. Shelbyville's bid committee received seven submissions from three vendors for the rear loading refuse body and chassis, with the committee recommending the bid from Municipal Equipment, Inc. of Knoxville for two 2010 International 7400 models with a 20 cubic yard capacity at a cost of $140,975 each, for a total of $281,950...
New jobs in city's future (12/01/11)
There's possibly good economic news on the horizon for Shelbyville, as two local businesses are looking at expansion. Chamber of Commerce head Walt Wood gave the city council his annual briefing about economic development in Shelbyville and Bedford County, giving them a heads up about future prospects...
City offered free electric car chargers (11/30/11)
The city council will decide next week whether to sign off on a municipal license agreement to bring two charging stations to Shelbyville for electric vehicles. The best part of the deal is that it won't cost the city a penny. Last September, the council agreed to sign a letter of intent with ECOtality North America to participate in the EV Project, which has been touted as "the largest deployment of electric vehicles and charge infrastructure in history."...
Bushnell wants Supreme Court to hear wrecker case (11/27/11)
Even though a federal suit against the city and county was dismissed 18 months ago, a local wrecker operator is still fighting to win his case, appealing it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2008, Robert L. Bushnell, owner of Quality Collision and Towing, filed a federal lawsuit against the county, Shelbyville and its police department, and Ray Brown of Ray's Paint and Body, alleging that towing and repair jobs were steered toward one business...
Farrar drops suit vs. city over arrest (11/22/11)
A Shelbyville man has said he will be dropping his lawsuit against the city over an alleged wrongful arrest. James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. filed a motion in federal court Monday asking that his suit be dismissed without prejudice. Farrar had been suing the Shelbyville Police Department, Mayor Wallace Cartwright, Police Chief Austin Swing and officers Tory Moore and Jose Garza, claiming his rights were violated when officers arrested him in April 2009 for public intoxication...
Offices, agencies take holiday vacations (11/22/11)
A number of businesses and organizations will close this weekend to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are some holiday schedules of broad interest: l Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System l Argie Cooper Public Library l U.S. Post Offices...
Bushnell ordered to back claims (11/20/11)
A local wrecker operator has been ordered by a federal judge to show why his lawsuit against the city and county should not be dismissed. In May, Robert L. Bushnell refiled a suit against Bedford County and the city of Shelbyville -- the same suit he filed in 2008 that alleges the county and city have steered towing and repair jobs to one business...
Action urged on Farrar suit (11/18/11)
A federal judge has ordered that a suit over an alleged wrongful arrest in Shelbyville either be dismissed or move to trial next year as scheduled. U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice Jr. issued an order Thursday that lifted a discovery stay on the suit filed by James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr...
City will ask for help in airport repair (11/11/11)
Shelbyville's city council approved a request Thursday night for financial help to repair the taxiway at the city's airport. A motion was passed that would authorize Mayor Wallace Cartwright to write a letter asking for $150,000 in assistance from the State Department of Transportation for an engineering consultant to give information on how best to repair the parallel taxiway...
Darker side of bright fall leaves: Where they go (11/10/11)
Those bright colors that everyone loves to see in the trees are starting to hit the ground, meaning that it's time to break out the lawn tools. But getting rid of all of that foliage falls to the public works department, which is trying to find better and cheaper ways of getting rid of Shelbyville's leaves...
Settling in (11/09/11)
Shelbyville's new treasurer, Jamey Owen, had her first day on the job Monday, and has been busy getting acclimated to her duties as well as meeting her new City Hall co-workers. Owen was unanimously selected by the city council for the job last month. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)
Right of way marked for North Main widening project (11/04/11)
Brighly colored stakes in the ground along the east side of North Main Street show where the right-of-way is to be for widening anticipated to begin sometime during fiscal year 2013-2014. The right-of-way consists of 8 to 10 feet of property and impacts 48 tracts. A center turn lane will be added from Madison Street to north of Rolling Road at Lowe's, where an existing turn lane begins. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)
Airport upgrades in city's future (11/04/11)
Shelbyville's airport could be seeing a number of state transportation projects in the future to help maintain the busy facility. Two years ago, the city received notice from the state there was enough funding to resurface the taxiway at Shelbyville Municipal Airport...
Unwanted home is in prime spot (11/03/11)
What to do with a home and lot jointly owned by the county and Shelbyville that no one wants to buy was a topic of discussion for the city council, with suggestions that removing the structure would help to make it more attractive. Both governments have sought a buyer for several years for property at 732 N. Main St., which once served as the Child Development Center, but neither has had any results...
Council takes first view of proposed new wards (11/02/11)
Shelbyville council members got their first look Tuesday at proposed changes to the city's wards. Every 10 years, following new U.S. Census figures, the wards for council representation are reviewed and adjusted if necessary based on population growth. This stems from the famous 1964 Supreme Court case that established the "one man, one vote" rule...
Suit vs. city may be dismissed: Lawyers (11/02/11)
Attorneys for Shelbyville say that a federal suit over an alleged wrongful arrest is "ripe for dismissal" after the Tennessee Supreme Court recently denied an appeal in the case. James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. has been suing the police department, Mayor Wallace Cartwright, Police Chief Austin Swing and officers Tory Moore and Jose Garza, claiming his rights were violated when officers arrested him in 2009 for public intoxication...
City earns excellent bond rate (10/23/11)
Moody's Investors Services has assigned a rating of "Aa3" to the city of Shelbyville's $3.2 million in refunding bonds for the city's power, water and sewer system. City manager Jay Johnson termed it as a "solid, middle of the road rating for a city of our size."...
Owen is choice for treasurer (10/14/11)
Jamey Owen of Shelbyville was selected as the city's new treasurer Thursday evening. By a unanimous vote Shelbyville City Council chose Owen, who was recommended by city manager Jay Johnson. Johnson said after interviewing four applicants and narrowing the field to two that Owen was his pick due to experience, education and other factors...
Fall clean-up time across Shelbyville (10/11/11)
Winter is coming, and that means it's time to put on your work gloves and haul off all the junk that's been piling up during next week's annual Fall Clean-up. From Oct. 17 to 20 -- on your regular garbage day -- Shelbyville's public works department will be giving you a hand to help you get rid of all that stuff that's accumulated over the summer months...
Rec officials want facility naming policy (10/09/11)
Shelbyville's city council will address a number of items when they hold their regular meeting this coming Thursday, such as how to name park facilities. Parks and Recreation director Sylvia Pinson had requested a policy statement on naming guidelines for facilities in Shelbyville parks...
City takes closer look at safety (10/06/11)
The city of Shelbyville is intending to "step up safety" following two critical state audits that have resulted in the reactivation of its employee safety committee. In May, the city received an inspection from the Tennessee Municipal League's Risk Management Pool, followed by a state Occupational Safety and Health Administration check in August, with both groups citing several relatively minor issues...
City adds nearly $70K of rail work (10/06/11)
The city got "very good news" in regards to an ongoing rail spur project, resulting in nearly $70,000 worth of additional needed work at no cost to Shelbyville. Last February, the council applied for a grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for funding a part of the costs of the construction of a rail spur line to the former DESA Industries building on Eagle Boulevard, which is now occupied by Gold River Feed...
Council to study utility bond deal (10/04/11)
Shelbyville's city council will examine a lot of numbers tonight as they consider refinancing $3.2 million in revenue bonds for the city's power, water and sewer system. City manager Jay Johnson explained that while the utility is an independent subsidiary of Shelbyville, the bonds are structured so that the city pledges its full faith and credit if the utility is unable to pay its debt with system revenues...
Getting tax notices ready (09/25/11)
Acting city treasurer Amanda Scott has been busy this week preparing property tax notices for Shelbyville residents. She said that the cards would be ready to be mailed by the end of this coming week. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)
Power flickers out briefly for many (09/15/11)
Shelbyville residents experienced a very brief city-wide power outage Wednesday morning, or "flicker" as one utility employee described it, after a power pole near Deery Eakin Elementary School was knocked into a tree by a bush-hogging tractor. One transformer was knocked out, causing a longer outage for customers in the area of Lee Lane and Mead Drive. Utility workers were busy for most of the day replacing the pole. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)
Purdy Court residents to gather (09/14/11)
Residents and neighbors of Purdy Court Park will gather Thursday to strategize and build a base of ideas to transform the recreational area. It's the first step in a new city initiative, When Everyone Cares About Residential Environment (WE CARE), to develop residential environments that promote safety for children and families, beautiful landscapes and build community pride...
City pension plan still in good shape (09/14/11)
In many cities and towns across the county, the ballooning cost of pension benefits for municipal employees have become unsustainable. But that isn't the case in Shelbyville, thanks to a change made six years ago to the retirement plan for the city's newer employees...
231N light design plan gains funds (09/09/11)
Shelbyville's council gave the go-ahead Thursday evening to have an engineering firm design flashing warning lights to be installed in front of Heritage Medical Center. The hospital had placed $97,780 in escrow with the city's planning office for a full-fledged traffic signal in 2007, but the Tennessee Department of Transportation told the city in May that the area did not meet the requirements for the signal...
North Main work gets council nod (09/06/11)
The widening of North Main Street will move one step closer to reality Thursday as the city council is slated to approve a set of plans for the project. Plans showing the right-of-way and construction details of the project were recently received by the city and have been placed on the agenda for the council's approval...
City faces $10K radio upgrade (09/06/11)
An unfunded mandate from the federal government means that Shelbyville will be spending nearly $10,000 to upgrade the city's radio communications. The city council was informed by manager Jay Johnson that to meet new Federal Communication Commission standards, police, fire, the codes department, public works and city administration must adhere to new public safety spectrum regulations...
City to join county's anti-disaster plan (09/06/11)
The city of Shelbyville intends to sign on to the county's plan to prevent natural and man-made disasters when the City Council meets Thursday evening. City manager Jay Johnson told the council that the city, as well as Wartrace and Bell Buckle, should adopt the county-wide Hazard Mitigation Plan, since it is required as a condition of future grant funding for mitigation projects and also makes Shelbyville eligible for higher rates of reimbursement in the event of a disaster...
Changes will ease drive at 'duck pond' intersection (09/04/11)
Work on a number of safety improvements to the intersection at Fairfield Pike and Tulip Tree Road is scheduled to be completed next spring. Public Works Director Mark Clanton has informed city manager Jay Johnson that bids for the project are to be let on Oct. 28, according to Mike Updike of the Tennessee Department of Transportation...
City urged to neuter, release feral cats (09/04/11)
Local animal activists are asking for the city to revise their ordinances so that feral cats would be neutered and set free instead of being put to sleep. However, the Shelbyville city council gave no indication how they felt about the idea. Shannon Duncan of the Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic spoke at length, urging the council to delete the words "or cats" from the city's animal control ordinance and replace it with "domesticated cats" to differentiate them from cats with no owners, or "feral" cats.. ...
Caution lights may be placed near hospital (09/02/11)
Heritage Medical Center may be getting a traffic signal on U.S. 231 North after all, but it won't be the type they were originally asking for. City Manager Jay Johnson told the city council that Shelbyville received authorization to place flashing caution beacons at the intersection of Industrial Park Drive and Highway 231 North...
Ten apply for city treasurer position (09/01/11)
Ten applications for the vacant slot of city treasurer have been received and Shelbyville's city council will be looking over who they want for the job next month. Last month, Gary Cantrell was dismissed after it was revealed that for the past seven years the city had not complied with the Internal Control of Compliance manual for Tennessee municipalities...
City looks closely at bypass future (08/31/11)
Now that the new Shelbyville bypass is completed, will the city annex it? City manager Jay Johnson told the city council Tuesday night many have asked what kind of development the city will see in that area now that State Highway 437 is completed. Opened to the public two weeks ago, the new highway runs from the overpass at U.S. 231 North to U.S. 41A South toward Tullahoma...
Deery lots zoned commercial (08/26/11)
Shelbyville's planning commission amended the city's land use plan to rezone an area off Madison Street to reflect its actual current use. The commission had a single action item Thursday -- a rezoning request made by David Orr for two lots located at 604 and 608 Deery St., making about 1.3 acres. Orr wanted to change the zoning from R-3 (medium density residential) to C-2 (commercial)...
State spending cuts may affect city (08/25/11)
Federal spending cuts called for under the recent debt ceiling agreement could have an trickle-down impact on Shelbyville and its residents in the long term. Last week, Tennessee Finance Commissioner Mark Emkes told state agency heads to come up with a plan for how they would deal with losing up to 30 percent of their federal funding as a result of congressional spending cuts...
Retirement is new start for firefighter (08/25/11)
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- In 1961, Charlie Armstrong, along with his elementary school classmates, visited the Shelbyville Fire Department. That experience left a distinct impression on Armstrong, an AEDC Fire Department firefighter crew chief who is retiring from Arnold after nearly 38 years in the profession...
Sewer tests up in smoke (08/24/11)
Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System has begun the process of smoke testing sewer lines -- a normal and necessary process, but one which can sometimes result in the alarming sight of smoke rising from homes in your neighborhood. "It can be a scary thing," said Bill Morrow of SPWSS...
City seeks dismissal of quarry suit (08/21/11)
The city of Shelbyville is trying once again to have an ongoing federal lawsuit over a proposed rock quarry dismissed. Last October, Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc., and Custom Stone LLC filed a suit in federal court for $10 million against the city, the board of zoning appeals, the planning commission, and codes and planning director Ed Dodson "in his official capacity and individually," accusing them of violating due process, inverse condemnation, unconstitutional taking, negligence and creating an unconstitutional "floating" zone.. ...
Banners hung (08/16/11)
Crews from Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System installed banners welcoming Celebration visitors on North Main Street this morning. The banners were a topic of discussion earlier this summer; Shelbyville City Council granted permission for them to be placed, but declined to contribute anything toward creating them, and debated about the wording.
Council not told of audit findings (08/16/11)
Shelbyville's mayor and council were apparently unaware of problems with previous audits of the city's books, including a letter from the state comptroller's office that took issue with how the city books were managed. Last Thursday, Gary Cantrell was dismissed as city treasurer after it was revealed that for the past seven years Shelbyville had not complied with the Internal Control of Compliance manual for Tennessee municipalities...
City moves forward with property-rights voting ordinance (08/12/11)
Shelbyville took the first move Thursday evening to make sure that nonresident property owners have the right to vote. The council passed first reading of an ordinance that would allow people who own property in Shelbyville, but do not live within the city limits, to be able to vote by absentee ballot...
Council dismisses city treasurer Cantrell (08/12/11)
Balancing the city's books like a business instead of a municipality has cost Gary Cantrell his job as city treasurer. With no comment, the city council voted unanimously Thursday evening to remove Cantrell from his position following a recommendation from city manager Jay Johnson...
Judge orders stay in lawsuit; Farrar case to be heard in fall (08/11/11)
A federal judge has ordered a continued stay until fall regarding a lawsuit against the Shelbyville Police Department over an alleged wrongful arrest until the outcome of an appeal in the case is known. U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice Jr. ruled that a stay in the discovery in the suit filed by James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. will remain in effect until Oct. 28, by which time he expects a joint status report on the case...
City manager recommends dismissal of treasurer (08/09/11)
Shelbyville's city council will vote Thursday whether or not to replace city treasurer Gary Cantrell following a recommendation by the new city manager. City Manager Jay Johnson told the T-G late Monday that he had two meetings with Cantrell last week, and as a result of that, Johnson is recommending that there be a change in the city treasurer's position...
Paving firm requests stay in suit pending another appeal (08/09/11)
A paving company that has been in a suit with the city of Shelbyville for the past six years over a proposed rock quarry is now asking for a stay in the case until the outcome of another state court appeal is known. Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. ...
Property rights voters gain (08/07/11)
Citizens who own property in Shelbyville, but do not live within the city limits, would be able to vote by absentee ballot if a proposed ordinance is approved by the city council. Bedford County Election Commission Administrator Summer Leverette addressed the city council over the issue Tuesday night, telling members that the move would only apply to voters who live outside the Shelbyville city limits, but own property within the city and have registered with Leverette's office under that address. ...
Old CDC home to be sold (08/07/11)
Shelbyville's city council will accept proposals once again in September for a piece of property on North Main Street the city jointly owns with Bedford County. The old Child Development Center building at 732 N. Main had an estimated market value in 2010 of $325,000. The building is 4,628 square feet on a 0.9 acre lot, and is next to the location of the future Waffle House...
Farrar won't drop suit against city (08/05/11)
Despite a recent court ruling against him, a man suing the city over an alleged wrongful arrest intends to continue with his litigation. James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. is suing the police department, Mayor Wallace Cartwright, Police Chief Austin Swing and officers Tory Moore and Jose Garza, claiming his rights were violated when officers arrested him in 2009 for public intoxication...
Council considers city debt policy (08/05/11)
"Debt" has been a word heard frequently in the news recently, and Shelbyville's city council will be looking at passing a resolution dealing with that very topic. City manager Jay Johnson told the council that due to the financial upheaval that has taken place over the past few years, as well as some of the difficulties that some cities have had, the state comptroller's office has mandated that counties and municipalities in Tennessee adopt a debt policy statement by the end of the year...
City's budget looking better (08/04/11)
City manager Jay Johnson reported to Shelbyville's council this week that the city's budget situation has improved slightly. Johnson said that because of the difficult decisions the council made over the past year in relation to budget cuts, such as holding the line on expenses and making personnel cuts, as well as better than expected sales tax revenue, "we ended the year in a good position."...
City-county meeting sought (08/03/11)
Members of Shelbyville City Council want to set up a joint study meeting with county commissioners in the near future. At next week's regular meeting of Shelbyville's council, a motion will be considered to approach the county mayor and commissioners about setting up the meeting...
Main squeeze: Repairs slow N. Main traffic to crawl (08/02/11)
Traffic on North Main Street was backed up for a good part of the day Monday as crews from Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewer worked to fill a hole caused by a broken water main. But while repairs were well underway, it will be later in the week before the busy thoroughfare returns to normal...
Planning commission receives copies of suit (07/29/11)
It was a short meeting for the Shelbyville planning commission Thursday evening, with some of the members being served with copies of a lawsuit. Before the meeting began, a process server delivered thick copies of an amended complaint related to an ongoing $10 million federal lawsuit filed by a local paving company over a proposed rock quarry that was denied approval in 2005...
Appeals court backs wrecker decision (07/28/11)
The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a decision by a federal judge in Chattanooga who "dismissed with prejudice" a suit against a local wrecker service filed by a competing tow operator. Robert L. Bushnell, owner of Quality Collision and Towing, filed a federal lawsuit in 2008 against Bedford County, the City of Shelbyville, its police department and Ray Brown of Ray's Paint and Body, alleging that towing and repair jobs were steered toward one business...
SHA to add six additional housing units (07/24/11)
Two grants totalling $562,328 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have been awarded to the Shelbyville Housing Authority to be used to build apartments for the elderly. SHA executive director Herschel Thrasher stated Thursday that the money is to be used to construct the six elderly-only apartments at the corner of South Jefferson and Dunnaway streets, next to the East Side apartment complex...
Police drive for safer streets (07/22/11)
Motorists convicted of traffic offenses in Shelbyville -- or who just want to improve their skills behind the wheel -- now have a new choice for court-ordered traffic school. Shelbyville police have begun offering a traffic school, Chief Austin Swing said...
Funding requests accepted by state (07/21/11)
A state agency is now accepting applications for transition funding from over 200 Tennessee communities that were recently left without local planning services. In late May, the state announced that it was doing away with state planning services provided under contract to local government and the city lost the service of state planner Art Brown, while Bedford County lost Bryan Collins...
Banners yes, funds no: Council (07/21/11)
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration received permission from Shelbyville's city council to display banners to promote the annual event, but no city funds will be going toward the effort. The CEO of the Celebration lamented the lack of support from the city for the annual event, while the council focused on the wording of the banners, a major sticking point that one member called "a mountain out of a molehill."...
Retiring city recorder looks back at career (07/17/11)
After 24 years serving the citizens of Shelbyville, a familiar face at city hall will finally be kicking back and taking it easy. Monday is city recorder Betty Lamb's final day on the job, and co-workers will be giving her a big sendoff at City Hall at a retirement reception from 1-3 p.m...
Fond farewell, warm welcomes at council meeting (07/15/11)
Shelbyville's city council welcomed a new city manager and gave a warm farewell to a long-serving city recorder at Thursday night's meeting. Recorder Betty Lamb was given a key to the city with the meeting dedicated to her and a proclamation read in her honor. Lamb is retiring effective Monday...
No buildings planned yet for North Main building site (07/15/11)
With the economy in its current state there are not a lot of construction projects going on in Shelbyville so when one starts up, people take notice. Crews have been busy cutting a road and doing grading work off North Main Street just past Walmart for a mixed use project that's been in the works for the past three years...
New man at the top (07/13/11)
Shelbyville's new city manager wasted no time in getting to work on his first day Tuesday, calling city department heads together for their first meeting and "just listening." Jay Johnson already had an outline of notes ready for his first day as city manager and meeting with the people who head up Shelbyville's police, fire, codes, public works and recreation departments, among others...
Rubbermaid road project free to city (07/12/11)
The city is signing on the dotted line this week with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to begin the second phase of expanding an industrial access road serving Newell-Rubbermaid. And the best part is that Shelbyville won't have to shell out a cent of the estimated $770,400 to build it...
Moreland Ave. resident upset by speeders (07/10/11)
A concerned resident of Robinson Addition expressed his concerns to the city council this week about speeding motorists in his neighborhood. Wesley Asherbranner, Ph.D., asked Shelbyville's council for a speed limit reduction on Moreland Avenue, which is across from Walmart on North Main Street...
New faces take over at city hall (07/10/11)
When the Shelbyville city council meets next Thursday, several of the items they will be acting on deal with two new faces at city hall. The council will act on a motion to appoint Vickie Haskins as Shelbyville's new city recorder. They will also vote to add the city's new manager, Jay Johnson, and Haskins to the city's bank accounts...
City asked to help purchase banners (07/08/11)
A representative of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is asking the city for financial help to purchase banners they hope to place throughout Shelbyville. Harold Segroves addressed the council, saying that he is chairing a committee at the Celebration to raise awareness in the community of the importance of the annual walking horse show to the local economy and to welcome visitors...
Park to beautify square (07/07/11)
The empty lot between Pope's Cafe and the Norton Law Office on Shelbyville's public square will soon undergo a transformation into a picnic area and park. The city council held a brief called meeting Tuesday to address a single item -- a land use agreement between the city and Uptown Shelbyville, a non-profit corporation...
State funding for planning cut (07/06/11)
The South Central Tennessee Development District could be providing planning services for Shelbyville and Bedford County following the elimination of state planners for small communities. In late May, the state announced that it was doing away with state planning services provided under contract to local government. Local governments paid a fee for those planning services, although it reportedly wasn't enough to cover the full cost of the service...
Appeals court changes ruling, backs local judge in Farrar case (07/03/11)
In a split decision, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has reversed itself and upheld a local judge's ruling against a man who claimed he was a victim of a wrongful arrest. That decision could have a major impact on a federal lawsuit against Shelbyville's police department and others that was filed by James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. in January...
Shelbyville council chooses new city manager (06/29/11)
A former city manager of Franklin will be taking the same job in Shelbyville starting next month. James R. "Jay" Johnson was selected Tuesday by the Shelbyville city council during a special called meeting. Johnson will begin his duties July 12 at a salary of $80,000...
City property tax rises with no response (06/29/11)
With no comment from the public or the city council, Shelbyville's property tax rate was raised 22 cents Tuesday evening -- to $1.65 per $100. A public hearing was held, but only five citizens attended the meeting, and none of them offered comments...
City zoning board added to Wright suit (06/28/11)
Members of Shelbyville's board of zoning appeals have been added to an ongoing $10 million federal lawsuit filed by a local paving company concerning a proposed rock quarry. Meanwhile, the city recently won a decision in state court related to litigation filed in 2005 after the city turned the controversial project down for approval...
City budget, manager decisions face council (06/28/11)
Tonight's the night that Shelbyville's council will make two decisions -- signing off on next year's budget and choosing a new city manager. A public hearing will precede tonight's city council's vote on the 2011-2012 budget, which is expected to contain a 22-cent property tax increase. The council meets in the courtroom at Shelbyville Police Department beginning at 6 p.m...
Signs of the times (06/26/11)
Tennessee's senators have drafted legislation in an attempt to stop a federal "unfunded mandate" requiring local governments to replace road signs to provide better visibility. But Shelbyville has been replacing them since 2008 at a cost of $65,000, and the city's public works director wonders if they can recoup the funds already spent...
Tax hike less than expected (06/24/11)
Shelbyville's city council will meet next Tuesday to sign off on the budget for this coming fiscal year, and perhaps select a new city manager. Late Tuesday, county property assessor Ronda Clanton reported that the new certified tax rate has gone up slightly for the city - $1.43 for Shelbyville, but was unchanged at $2.27 for Bedford County...
City manager hopefuls talk with council (06/17/11)
Interviews of city manager candidates have been completed, and now Shelbyville's council must decide who will get the job. However, no date has been set by the council for when they will make that choice. City recorder Betty Lamb said that all of the applicants had good experience and all gave "really good interviews."...
Tall grass rises around foreclosed homes (06/16/11)
For city codes enforcer David Langford, this is the time of year when he is up to his neck dealing with high grass. But coping with a growing number of foreclosed homes in Shelbyville is becoming an issue, and it is slowing down how quickly the department can deal with the city-wide problem...
'Bullies' roam park (06/12/11)
More security is needed in Shelbyville's parks, the city council was told Tuesday, with parents reporting that a gang of teens had taken over a children's play area. During the city's council budget meeting Tuesday night, parks and recreation director Sylvia Pinson told them that budget cuts over the past year have resulted in a drastic reduction of park security...
City police finally get money to replace aging patrol cars (06/12/11)
Shelbyville's city council approved the purchase of six new police cars Thursday, replacing vehicles that had been in the fleet for well over a decade. Police Chief Austin Swing explained to the council that the six cars had been listed in the current fiscal year 2011 replacement fund and had been approved by the council last year when they signed off on that budget...
City manager interviews set (06/10/11)
Interviews are scheduled next week for five applicants for the job of Shelbyville city manager. City recorder Betty Lamb told city council members this week she has set up two interview sessions for Tuesday and Thursday of next week, starting at 6 p.m.. in the courtroom of the city's police department...
Rec center to cool off soon (06/10/11)
It's scorching hot, and Shelbyville's city council took action Thursday evening to relieve the heat in two city buildings. The council will seek bids for major repairs to the Desert Air system at the Shelbyville Recreation Center at a cost of about $45,000...
Farrar vs. city case awaits court's ruling (06/09/11)
While a federal judge has scheduled a trial date in a suit against the city over an alleged wrongful arrest, action in the case has been stayed pending a decision in the matter from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice Jr. has set Nov. 13, 2012 in federal court in Winchester as the date that a jury will hear the case of James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr...
City tax hike proposed (06/08/11)
With members calling it the simplest and smoothest budget meeting they ever had, Shelbyville city council was presented with the first draft of a budget containing a 26-cent property tax increase. But the actual amount of the hike won't be known until later this month, after a new certified tax rate is determined. The new rate will help fund a $12.4 million budget...
Hook, line, sinker ... and fun (06/08/11)
The annual "Take A Kid Fishing on the Duck" event will be held Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at Riverwalk Park. The park is located along the Duck River behind Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System on South Main St. This is the third year for the event, according to Jennifer Swann of Shelbyville Parks and Recreation. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the parks department organize the event with the support of numerous community sponsors...
Nonprofits could be cut by city (06/01/11)
Shelbyville City Council members discussed the dilemma of how to support local nonprofit groups during a study session Tuesday night. Council member Jo Ann Holland said some of the nonprofits which receive city funding would have a hard time surviving without it. Mayor Wallace Cartwright said that some cases, city funding, even in modest amounts, is necessary for the agencies to qualify for grant funding from other sources...
Water Safety Day is fun yet serious (06/01/11)
The third annual Water Safety Day, planned for Saturday at Shelbyville Recreation Center, aims to make information fun for both children and parents, according to Pam Henry, aquatics director for the rec center. It covers water safety for all sorts of venues -- home and public pools and natural bodies of water...
State planners called essential to local governments (05/29/11)
The elimination of state planners for smaller communities may result in a reduction of the speed in which Shelbyville and Bedford County deal with the complicated issues involving codes and zoning. On Thursday, state planner Art Brown informed the city's planning commission that his job at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development had been phased out...
Officer present at 'crack house' fired by police (05/27/11)
A Shelbyville police officer Metro investigators said was at the home of an alleged drug dealer in Nashville has been dismissed from the force. Waymond Boyd is "no longer a member of our department," Assistant Chief Mike Rogers said. Boyd, a member of the force since March 2006, has not been charged with a crime or arrested, Rogers emphasized. He was suspended April 28...
State denies traffic light near hospital (05/22/11)
The city has contacted the CEO of Heritage Medical Center to ask him to request in writing the return of some $100,000 in escrow after a Tennessee Department of Transportation study determined that the area in front of the hospital does not meet the requirements for a traffic light...
Pizza outlet cooks up local plans (05/22/11)
Shelbyville may be seeing a new pizza outlet go into business sometime in the future, with the planned addition of Little Caesar's to the city's dining options. Owner Pat McMillian has submitted a request for site plan approval to the city's planning commission for the restaurant at 1205 -1207 North Main St., taking up 0.47 acres for the 5,075-foot building and parking area...
Funding cuts hit hard (05/19/11)
Cuts in funding are causing financial woes for some local non-profit organizations, Shelbyville City Council was told. The council heard requests for funding from both community organizations and charitable agencies, although 10 of the 23 groups listed did not send a representative to appear before the council Tuesday night...
'Duck pond' intersection to receive upgrades (05/17/11)
Shelbyville City Council has executed a contract with Tennessee Department of Transportation for safety improvements for the "duck pond" intersection at Fairfield Pike and Hickory Drive. TDOT will install a number of safety improvements to the intersection at Fairfield and nearby Tulip Tree Drive, including doing away with the northern fork of Hickory Drive, which runs between the two duck ponds at the site...
Dill under fire again (05/13/11)
Another attempt was made to oust city manager Michael Dill from office Thursday night -- an effort halted with a tie breaking vote from Shelbyville's mayor. Council member Jo Ann Holland added an item to Thursday's agenda that asked Dill to vacate his office immediately without pay. The motion was seconded by member Jean Pruitt...
Work on city hall (05/12/11)
Ronnie Majors and Brian Ransom of the Bedford County Workhouse were busy Wednesday remodeling the downstairs entrance to the codes department at Shelbyville City Hall. A piece of plywood will be replaced with glass to cover a spot that once held an ATM machine when the building was a bank, according to Ed Dodson, planning and codes director. Dodson said the best part about the project is the free labor, with the glass costing around $1,100....
City may ask state for Railroad Avenue funding (05/10/11)
Shelbyville's city council may be asking the Tennessee Department of Transportation for assistance later this week in completing an industrial access highway for Newell Rubbermaid. City manager Michael Dill said that he attended a recent meeting with TDOT, Bedford Railroad Authority, State Sen. Jim Tracy and Jim Cunningham of Newell Rubbermaid at TDOT headquarters in Nashville to discuss improvements to Railroad Avenue from the plant to the new bypass scheduled for completion in July...
City recycling committee to become official (05/08/11)
Shelbyville's mayor will officially form the city's new recycling committee at this week's regular meeting. Members of the new committee will be councilman Jamie Williams, Kathy Harwell, Kathy Overstreet, Renee Gordon, David Lindsey, Elisabeth Anderson and Debbie Corvino...
Wrecker operator refiles suit over city, county calls (05/08/11)
A federal lawsuit against the city and county has been refiled by a local wrecker operator to preserve the statute of limitations a year after the litigation was dismissed. Robert L. Bushnell filed a complaint for injunctive relief and damages this week in the same case he filed in 2008 against Bedford County, the city of Shelbyville, its police department and a competing wrecker service, Ray's Paint and Body...
'Duck pond' work nears (05/06/11)
The city is one step closer to the start of work at a intersection that's been considered dangerous. Shelbyville's city council will vote next Thursday to sign a contract with Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to install a number of safety improvements to the intersection at Fairfield Pike and Tulip Tree Drive...
9 apply to be Shelbyville city manager (05/05/11)
A total of nine applications for Shelbyville city manager position have been submitted, with three "really good candidates" to be looked into. City recorder Betty Lamb told city council members Tuesday night during their May study session that Ron Darden, consultant for the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), is currently reviewing applications for the job, noting that some have come from out of state...
Wider N. Main, new 130 bridge in state's plans (04/29/11)
Shelbyville motorists will be able to say goodbye to traffic headaches after TDOT announced the widening of North Main Street is scheduled to start during fiscal year 2013-2014. TDOT released the state's three-year transportation program on Thursday, which also included the replacement of the Duck River bridge on State Route 130 (Old Tullahoma Highway) in the upcoming 2011-2012 fiscal year...
New era nears for recorder's office (04/27/11)
Vickie Haskins got off to a good start Tuesday training for her new job as recorder for the city of Shelbyville. Retiring recorder Betty Lamb was showing Haskins the ropes and will continue to do so until she leaves office on July 18, at which time Haskins will take over the job...
Police want suit ended (04/26/11)
Two Shelbyville police officers are asking that a federal suit against them be dismissed, pointing out that the matter that brought about the litigation has been sent back to a criminal appeals court. James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. filed a federal lawsuit in January against Mayor Wallace Cartwright, Police Chief Austin Swing, officers Tory Moore, Jose Garza and the Shelbyville Police Department, claiming his rights were violated when officers arrested him in April 2009 for public intoxication...
Planning layoffs may hit area hard (04/22/11)
Layoffs at the state Department of Economic and Community Development will affect Bedford County's ability to study the impact of proposed subdivisions and other developments, according to Bedford County director of planning and zoning Chris White. Gov. Bill Haslam announced Wednesday that 60 employees would be laid off at ECD as part of an overhaul of the agency's mission...
City wants suit dismissed (04/21/11)
Another motion has been filed by the city to dismiss a $10 million dollar federal lawsuit over a controversial proposed rock quarry. Meanwhile, it appears there will be no mediation in the case that began in 2005. Last October, Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc., and Custom Stone LLC filed suit in federal court in Winchester against the city, the board of zoning appeals, the planning commission, and codes and planning director Ed Dodson "in his official capacity and individually."...
SWA ready to talk recycling with council (04/19/11)
The county's solid waste authority says they will be happy to discuss recycling with Shelbyville, following comments by city council members about the topic. In two recent study sessions, members of the Shelbyville city council have spoken about becoming more efficient at reducing costs by utilizing recycling...
New fire chief vows tradition of excellence will continue (04/17/11)
Ricky McConnell has some big boots to fill and is looking forward to settling into his new job as Shelbyville fire chief. He was promoted to chief Tuesday by city manager Michael Dill after chief John Habel announced earlier this month he was retiring effective May 23 after 36 years with the department...
City agrees to 1 ISWA region seat (04/15/11)
The council passed a resolution to allow a person selected by the county mayor to jointly represent both the city and county on the newly reconfigured Municipal Solid Waste Planning Region Board. On Wednesday night, the county commission approved resolutions to enter the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority...
Haskins chosen as recorder (04/15/11)
Shelbyville's new city recorder has been selected. Vickie Haskins will take Betty Lamb's job effective July 26, training at first, then officially taking the job. She currently works in the real estate office of Bobo, Hunt, White & Nance, where she has been employed since 2003 and is a certified legal secretary...
Area agency will oversee county waste (04/14/11)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved resolutions Tuesday night for the county to enter the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority. If ISWA, as expected, approves Bedford County for membership, and the state approves the change, Bedford County Solid Waste Authority will cease to exist and ISWA will have authority over the county's waste disposal and recycling programs...
Longtime deputy chief promoted (04/13/11)
Ricky McConnell was promoted to chief of the Shelbyville Fire Department on Tuesday. The former Deputy Chief was informed of the promotion by city manager Michael Dill, who said McConnell had "proven yourself with your hard work and dedication to the fire department and the citizens of Shelbyville over the past years."...
Gas costs fuel budget plans (04/13/11)
Shelbyville's treasurer is starting to examine the numbers for the city's next budget -- saying that gas prices will be the one figure he will be paying the most attention to. Since last week, treasurer Gary Cantrell has been sitting down with department heads about the upcoming process, already meeting with the fire department, animal control and public works...
Shelbyville park fees to increase (04/10/11)
Rental fees for the city's parks and recreation center will be going up and a local business is volunteering work to spruce up existing areas. Director Sylvia Pinson informed the city council last Tuesday that the Parks and Recreation Board unanimously voted last month to increase rental fees $2 across the board. The city council will have the price hike before them when they meet Thursday for the April regular meeting...
Need for more city industrial land emphasized (04/07/11)
There's currently no land available for a new industrial park, Shelbyville's city council was told Tuesday, and as a result, the county is falling behind with its neighbors in attracting businesses. Meanwhile, both the county and city are being asked to add $20,000 to their budget for the next fiscal year for possible studies to establish a park...
Recycling urged for city trash (04/07/11)
While the subject of trash may have been put on the back burner for the city council, recycling is an idea that has stuck around. Councilman Jamie Williams said Tuesday he would like to set up a committee of private individuals to look at recycling and make recommendations to the council...
Scout to place nesting boxes (04/07/11)
County expected to name ISWA member (04/06/11)
Shelbyville's city council was asked Tuesday to allow the county to appoint a single representative to the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority's Regional Planning Board by giving up their seat. Lynn Wampler spoke to the council about the complicated issues involved with the ISWA and said it was vital that Shelbyville allow the county to represent the city on the regional planning board...
Police contest Farrar lawsuit (04/06/11)
An attorney for Shelbyville's mayor, police chief and two officers is asking that a federal lawsuit be dismissed, denying the claims of a man who said he served over a year in jail for a crime he did not commit. In documents filed in federal court last week, attorney Heather C. Stewart of Nashville answered allegations made by James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr,, who claims his rights were violated when officers arrested him in April 2009 for public intoxication...
Blazing success: Habel announces retirement (04/05/11)
His career began with a generous job offer following a layoff, and nearly 36 years later, Fire Chief John Habel is getting ready for retirement. Habel's last day with the department is May 23. He said he had spoken already to city recorder Betty Lamb about putting in for his retirement some time back, but added that he wants to stay on during this year's budget process...
City manager to be chosen by reality TV (04/01/11)
Representatives of NBCUniversal and Shelbyville City Council are close to signing an agreement to have Shelbyville's next city manager chosen by means of a televised reality show competition, according to unnamed sources....
Metro worthy of study, but may not be a cure-all (03/27/11)
The city's garbage crisis appears to have passed, for now, but while it was making news, several commenters at the Times-Gazette web site expressed the opinion that metropolitan city-county government would be a good answer to the city's financial woes...
Home real estate offices requested (03/25/11)
Shelbyville's planning commission voted Thursday to ask the city council to amend the zoning ordinance to allow real estate offices as a home occupation. Last month, Bobby Parker Jr. asked the commission to amend the city's zoning ordinance to allow the offices as a home occupation...
No applications yet for city manager (03/23/11)
The city has yet to receive any applications for the job of city manager, and an MTAS consultant is offering to assist with the selection process. The council met briefly Monday evening for a special called meeting to vote on authorizing advertising for the manager position, which will soon be vacant following Michael Dill tendering his resignation earlier this month...
State backs slower 231 (03/20/11)
The state has given Shelbyville approval to lower the speed limit on a section of U.S. 231 North, but the city is still awaiting word about a traffic light at Heritage Medical Center. According to a letter from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, they have performed a speed limit study in the area of 231 and Airport Business Park Drive, and are recommending that it be lowered to 55 mph through a nearly four-mile section of road that includes Shelbyville Municipal Airport and Heritage Medical Center.. ...
Extension granted for response to suit (03/17/11)
Targets of a federal lawsuit have been given until the end of the month to respond to claims made by a Shelbyville man who says he served over a year in jail for a crime he did not commit. U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Carter has granted an extension of time, until March 31, so that attorneys representing Mayor Wallace Cartwright, Police Chief Austin Swing, officers Tory Moore, Jose Garza and the Shelbyville Police Department can answer allegations made by James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr...
Grease is main enemy for sewer systems (03/15/11)
How many times have you heard about how fats -- the bad fats -- can clog your arteries and lead to system failure in your body? The same holds true for the sewer system, only there are no good fats here. "Grease is a sewer killer," said Bryan Smith, supervisor of the Wartrace water and sewer departments. "At least 95 percent of our problems are due to grease."...
Sewage solutions: Down the drain, and then... (03/13/11)
The old expression "Out of sight, out of mind," is never truer than when it is applied to wastewater. Once the kitchen drain is opened or the commode flushed, most people don't give a second thought to what just got washed away. "Everybody thinks about drinking water," said Jenny Hunt, the chairwoman of Bell Buckle's Water Department. She would know, since the town has been suffering outbreaks of brown water since its changeover to BCUD, then back to Wartrace for its drinking water...
Budget cuts keep Shelbyville trash pickup intact (03/13/11)
Drastic cuts to the city's departments have resulted in about a 10 percent drop in its employees, and there should be enough funding to take care of garbage pickup for the rest of the year, Shelbyville's treasurer says. The city council has decided not to suspend garbage service as they had proposed and is planning to look at raising property taxes instead when budget time comes around in June...
Divided council disagrees on Dill (03/11/11)
City manager Michael Dill's resignation came close to becoming an immediate one after a divided city council attempted to oust him from office Thursday night. Instead, Mayor Wallace Cartwright broke a tie vote to keep Dill in office until a replacement can be found...
Recycling may help trash woes (03/06/11)
A newly elected city councilman made several suggestions Tuesday on how Shelbyville could deal with its trash problem and become more efficient at saving money, one of which involves more recycling. However, one local man who is already in the business said the last thing he needed was competition from the city...
No fireworks on 4th (03/03/11)
A tight budget year for both the city and county will mean no fireworks display this July 4. Shelbyville and Bedford County have pooled their efforts in the past to sponsor a fireworks display at H.V. Griffin Park for Independence Day festivities. But that won't be happening this year after the city council decided that $4,750 for their half of the contribution for the pyrotechnics is too much of an expense in this tight fiscal year...
Driving school could cut police costs (03/03/11)
Shelbyville's police department is asking for approval to start a driving school to work in conjunction with city court as a way to cut back on officer overtime. In efforts to try to reduce spending in the police department, Lt. Trey Clanton asked the council Tuesday to look at the idea, which would educate the public and perhaps keep a light docket for the city's court...
Trash pickup stays, city taxes may rise (03/02/11)
In another about-face, Shelbyville's city council is now considering a property tax hike instead of doing away with garbage service. But how much that tax hike would be will not be known until the budget is drawn up in June. The ordinance to eliminate garbage pickup was scheduled for second reading next Thursday, but it has now been scrapped...
Dill resigns as city manager (03/02/11)
Shelbyville has 90 days to find a new city manager after Michael Dill announced his resignation Tuesday evening. Before business began at last night's study session, Dill passed out his resignation letter....
Treasurer on hot seat over city finances (02/27/11)
With tempers hot over Shelbyville's budget and the possible elimination of garbage pickup, critics have been pointing fingers at city treasurer Gary Cantrell. But he says that keeping the books for the city is all that he does, aside from following the directions of the city council...
Waste haulers offer to handle city trash (02/25/11)
City council members heard from two private waste hauling firms Thursday about the types of services they could offer residents. The meeting was for information purposes only, and the council held no discussion on the matter but will likely bring it up during next Tuesday's study session...
Blasts, delays and progress (02/24/11)
Motorists travelling down West Jackson Street in Shelbyville can expect slight delays as blasting and digging work for the city's new $18 million sewer plant continues. Work began in December, according to Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage system manager David Crowell, and workers with contractor Judy Construction have a lot of work ahead of them, with the plant not expected to be ready for operation until 2013...
LED traffic lights installed (02/23/11)
Letters to the Editor, Feb. 20 (02/20/11)
To the Editor: I attended last night's (Thursday, Feb.17) City Council meeting. After speaking and listening, I would like to suggest a plan I feel would work. Pass the monthly fee temporariy along with a tax hike. Once a budget is passed and tax money available, remove monthly fee. That way people could deduct taxes on income tax. If the spring/fall clean-up costs so much, do away with it...
Garbage standoff (02/18/11)
Answering no questions but getting an earful, Shelbyville's city council heard from residents upset over the possible elimination of garbage service. The two dozen speakers included two former council members defeated in last November's election, one of which who admitted to a possible Sunshine Law violation...
City firefighters may respond to medical calls (02/17/11)
An agreement formalizing the use of Shelbyville firefighters as first responders in certain medical emergencies was placed on Bedford County Board of Commissioners' March agenda by the commission's rules and legislative committee, which met Tuesday night...
Higher county costs could cause tax hike (02/13/11)
Bedford County's cost for solid waste disposal could become second only to the county's education budget if Shelbyville does away with garbage pickup, the solid waste authority was warned Thursday. And the county mayor warned that the increased costs could mean increased taxes...
City council won't meet commission (02/13/11)
Shelbyville's city council is refusing to hold a meeting with the county commission because members are afraid the topic of trash may come up, the county mayor said Thursday. City officials say the council is not yet prepared to meet on the issue at this time...
Trash bid reaches 1st base (02/11/11)
With one member calling it "the lesser of three evils," Shelbyville's city council passed the first reading of the ordinance that would do away with trash pickup in the city. Citizens will get to express their opinions about the topic next Thursday at a public hearing in the courtroom of the city's police department beginning at 6 p.m...
First vote on trash cut tonight (02/10/11)
What will the council do tonight? That might be the question on many citizens' minds as Shelbyville's leaders will consider the first reading of an ordinance to do away with municipal garbage service. The meeting is set to begin at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at the city's police department...
Cracking to pieces: Winter leaves its mark on city streets (02/09/11)
It's been a rough winter for Shelbyville's roads, as ice, salt and constant scraping have turned some streets into pothole-filled obstacle courses. But the city's public works director said Tuesday that a temporary shortage of patching material is the culprit and that all the gaps should be fixed next week...
City trash debate has been building for nearly 2 years (02/06/11)
The topic of a monthly trash fee, which has now turned into an ordinance to do away with garbage services completely, has been before the Shelbyville city council for over a year and a half now. While city managers changed and new council members took office, the issue continued to escalate....
Police cars take hit in city budget (02/04/11)
Shelbyville Police Department hasn't been hit hard by the city's budget crunch, Chief Austin Swing says -- except in one area. But that area -- patrol cars and related equipment -- is the driving force behind the department. "We will not be receiving any new police cars this year," Swing said. "As a police officer your car is your No. 1 tool."...
Swim club floats offer of giving indoor pool scoreboard to city (02/03/11)
Aside from the first reading on a controversial ordinance to eliminate trash pick-up in Shelbyville, several other items with be before the city council when they meet next Thursday. The Shelbyville Swim Club is asking the council to acquire a six-lane scoreboard for the indoor pool at the city's recreation center at no cost...
Council wavers on trash cut (02/02/11)
Claiming they have been "misled," members of the Shelbyville City Council asked Tuesday at a study session to reexamine the details of options presented previously on how to deal with paying for garbage pick-up. But the first reading of an ordinance to do away with sanitation services is still set to be on the council's agenda for next week's meeting...
First reading of trash decree delayed a week (02/01/11)
The first reading of an ordinance which would do away with the city's sanitation services has been delayed for another week. The council had initially planned to hold the first reading during tonight's study session, however city recorder Betty Lamb told the T-G Monday that the document needed to be reviewed by Shelbyville's attorney, Ginger Shofner, and is now scheduled for a first reading on Thursday, Feb. 10...
Farrar files civil rights suit vs. city (01/27/11)
A promised federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed against Shelbyville Police Department, two officers and the mayor over an arrest that caused a man to serve over a year in jail for a crime he claims he did not commit. James Edward "Blue" Farrar Jr. alleges that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when officers arrested him in April 2009 for public intoxication. Farrar was sentenced to serve 14 months for violating his probation...
Added city trash to hit county hard (01/27/11)
If the City of Shelbyville drops residential garbage pickup as expected, it could have a $700,000 impact on Bedford County's waste disposal costs the first year, Highway Superintendent Stanley Smotherman told the county's Financial Management Committee on Tuesday night...
People's voices will be heard before final city garbage cut (01/25/11)
Action to do away with the city's sanitation department will move forward quickly in February, with citizens being given a chance to express their feelings at an upcoming public hearing. Meanwhile, private trash collectors have already been making inquiries about setting up business in town to fill the void after the service is done away with...
Dumping dilemma may face Shelbyville residents (01/16/11)
Shelbyville residents will have to look for their own solutions to get rid of their garbage if the city council approves an ordinance doing away with municipal sanitation service. The council voted unanimously Thursday to direct city recorder Betty Lamb to draw up an ordinance that would do away with Shelbyville's garbage service...
City to end trash pickup (01/14/11)
In an unexpected about-face, Shelbyville's city council voted Thursday to have the city recorder to draw up an ordinance to discontinue trash pickup for residents. Last week, the council voted in a study session to fast track an ordinance imposing a $11 monthly trash fee, plus an unspecified hike in the city's property tax...
Home smash costly to city (01/14/11)
Shelbyville's city council voted Thursday to spend nearly $20,000 that was not budgeted to pay for the demolition of a home that was once believed to be covered by a federal grant. The council approved a motion to spend $19,664.42 for disposal fees for the demolition of 606 Belmont Ave., a burned out home that had stood vacant for some time...
Wright suit against city scheduled for trial in 2012 (01/14/11)
A federal judge has set a trial date for the summer of 2012 for a $10 million suit filed by a local paving company against the city. United States District Judge Harry S. Mattice, Jr. has set a date of June 19, 2012, in federal court in Winchester for a jury trial in the suit against Shelbyville filed last October by Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc., and Custom Stone LLC over a proposed rock quarry on L. Fisher Road...
Shovel ready (01/13/11)
Trash fee goes on fast track (01/06/11)
City council members could be passing the first reading of an ordinance imposing an $11 monthly trash fee as soon as next week if all goes according to plan. Shelbyville's city council decided Tuesday in a special study session to move ahead with a plan to implement the fee, plus a property tax increase that has yet to be determined in an effort to balance the city's books...
Tax hike may join trash fee (01/05/11)
According to discussion at a study session Tuesday night, Shelbyville's city council is ready to implement an $11 monthly trash fee as well as a property tax increase to balance the city's books. A number of special called study sessions, which have yet to be set, will take place so that the council can pore over the details, such as how much the property tax hike might be...
Adoption draws world's gaze (01/02/11)
An international adoption gone bad, which brought world media attention to Shelbyville, has been voted the top story of 2010 by a poll of Times-Gazette staff members. Coming in at number two was an ongoing dispute about how to pay for city garbage collection...
Shelter zoning talks detailed (12/23/10)
Zoning issues and the objections of neighbors are the reasons that a homeless shelter won't be allowed in a Shelbyville neighborhood, according to the city's planning director. Dr. Carl Bailey, president and chairman of the board of CROSS Shelter Project Inc., had claimed in a column published on Dec. ...
Trash fee going to council (12/17/10)
The trash fee will be on Shelbyville's city council agenda when the council meets for the first time in 2011. And while the council heard Thursday about how city departments are saving money by making cuts and by possibly merging duties of some workers, some members want to talk about raising revenue...
Road salt's ready to go (12/15/10)
Shelbyville now has all the salt it needs to cope with any other winter weather that comes our way this season. Motorists faced a mess Monday morning after a shortage of road salt forced the public works department to limit the distribution of the material to main thoroughfares only, leaving side streets and subdivision to cope with the slick stuff...
City "good to go" after salt delivery (12/14/10)
The city "should be good to go" now that two loads of salt were delivered early this morning to help keep Shelbyville streets clear. A shortage of road salt had the city's public works director urging everyone to stay off the roads on Monday....
Council reaches agreement on sewer plant work (12/10/10)
Work can begin soon on Shelbyville's new waste water facility now that the City Council has executed an agreement with the power system. Construction on the $18 million sewer plant was halted before it even began after concerns were raised about workers excavating part of the same underground storm water flume system that collapsed last year...
New council takes city's reins (12/10/10)
New Shelbyville council members took their seats last night after being sworn in for their four-year terms. And everyone agreed that they had a lot of hard work ahead of them. Outgoing councilman Al Stephenson thanked the citizens of Shelbyville for allowing him to serve three and a half years on the city council...
Homeless shelter zoning in city to be studied (12/03/10)
Shelbyville's planning commission will be looking over zoning requirements for homeless shelters over the next few months. Codes and planning director Ed Dodson said that the commission needed to discuss in what type of zone a homeless shelter would be placed...
Waste plant kickoff awaits final approval (12/03/10)
Work on the city's new waste water facility could get underway soon after Shelbyville's city council signs off on an agreement with the power system. The $18 million sewer plant project was halted before it even began after concerns were raised about workers excavating part of the same underground storm water flume system that collapsed last year...
City considers historic markers as Civil War's 150th approaches (12/03/10)
Shelbyville's city council will consider applying for a grant next week to place historic markers in town for the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War. City manager Michael Dill told the council that there is going to be a lot of tourism in Tennessee over the next several years due to the sesquicentennial of the conflict, and Shelbyville needs to participate...
State agency says water service can't be cut over trash fee (12/02/10)
Another legal opinion from the state's Municipal Technical Advisory Service states that Shelbyville residents who refuse to pay a proposed $11 monthly trash fee would not have their water service cut off after all. And this news has caused city council members to ask for "all the facts" before presenting the topic to the public again...
City may let county use transfer station (12/02/10)
Shelbyville and Bedford County may be joining forces soon to combat the problem of where to dump rural trash. The county learned last week that Cedar Ridge Landfill in neighboring Marshall County is closing temporarily due to a delay in its appeal to the state for permission to expand, but also because space is running out for more garbage at the site...
Christmas lights up (11/30/10)
Time for a holiday break (11/23/10)
A variety of local offices and facilities will close for the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are some closings of broad interest: Bedford County Courthouse, Bedford County Courthouse Annex and Bedford County Office Complex will close Thursday, Friday and (where applicable) Saturday...
New council will take on old issues (11/21/10)
When the two newest members of Shelbyville's city council take their seats next month, they will be facing the same problems that has dominated their discussions over the past year -- the budget. The general election earlier this month saw council incumbents Lee Roy Cunningham and Al Stephenson defeated by James "Jamie" Williams and Sam Meek...
City backs codes director in answer to Wright suit (11/21/10)
The city has filed a brief amended answer to a $10 million lawsuit over a proposed rock quarry, mainly to state that claims against Shelbyville's planning and codes director should be barred. Earlier this week, Shelbyville responded to the federal suit filed by Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc., and Custom Stone LLC, denying their claims and asking that the suit be dismissed...
City trash fee delayed (11/18/10)
The controversial ordinance that would enact a monthly $11 trash fee for Shelbyville residents will have to be completely rewritten and would likely not be passed until next spring. Meanwhile, the city is trying to save money by not filling vacant job positions throughout Shelbyville's various departments...
Eyesore no more (11/17/10)
City seeks dismissal of quarry suit (11/17/10)
The city of Shelbyville has responded to a $10 million dollar federal lawsuit over a controversial proposed rock quarry, asking that the suit be dismissed. Last month, Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc., and Custom Stone LLC filed suit in federal court in Winchester against the city, the board of zoning appeals, the planning commission, and codes and planning director Ed Dodson "in his official capacity and individually."...
Sewer work awaits city OK (11/12/10)
A special called meeting of the city council may have to be held so that work can begin on a new waste water treatment plant. Work on the project was halted before it even began after concerns were raised about workers excavating part of the same underground storm water flume system that collapsed last year...
Council approves N. Main land buys (11/11/10)
Shelbyville's city council gave its approval to state right-of-way acquisition for the widening of North Main Street. The city was informed last week that the Tennessee Department of Transportation was ready to begin the taking of property and needed council approval to do so...
Ignore trash fee, lose city water (11/09/10)
A legal opinion from the state's Municipal Technical Advisory Service says that residents who refuse to pay a proposed $11 monthly trash fee could have their water service cut off. Shelbyville's city council put off the third and final reading of the controversial fee last week after they were told there were "too many unanswered questions" about the ordinance...
State plans N. Main land buys (11/07/10)
Shelbyville's city council will vote Tuesday on whether to give the OK to the final step in widening North Main Street -- namely right-of-way acquisition for the project. But according to a state spokesperson, the project is not yet funded for construction...
'Duck Pond' intersection to be rebuilt (11/07/10)
The intersection at Fairfield Pike and Tulip Tree Drive in Shelbyville will become safer once a state road project is completed, which will also close a street that has been deemed hazardous. Shelbyville public works director Mark Clanton told the city council that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has done a study on accidents that have occurred at the popular intersection near H.V. ...
Storm water projects ahead for 2 streets (11/07/10)
Two storm water projects will be undertaken by Shelbyville's public works department to prevent a road collapse and help with potential flooding issues. Shelbyville's public works director Mark Clanton told council members during Monday's study session that his department has been doing storm water inventory at several sites around town and pointed out the curve on Amos Smith Road "was falling in."...
City sewer work hits legal snag (11/04/10)
Construction on the city's new sewer plant will be delayed until Shelbyville's council receives assurances that the city will be legally protected after they discovered that workers will be digging under part of a storm water flume. Public works director Mark Clanton briefed the council Monday about discussions late last week he had with utility members about the new facility, where work was scheduled to begin Nov. 8...
Marsh rides GOP wave to re-election; Gallagher, Stephenson, Cunningham lose to challengers (11/03/10)
State Rep. Pat Marsh, Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright and Normandy Mayor Larry Nee were handily re-elected Tuesday, but Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher lost to challenger Ron Stacy, and Shelbyville city council members Al Stephenson and Lee Roy Cunningham lost to challengers as well...
Trash fee delayed (11/02/10)
"Too many unanswered questions" has delayed the final reading and public hearing for the city's controversial $11 monthly trash fee that was set for next Tuesday. City recorder Betty Lamb told the city council during last night's study session that Shelbyville's new sanitation ordinance was "not ready to be adopted at all."...
Eateries, hotel gain planners' approval (10/29/10)
Shelbyville planners gave their approval to two new restaurants and a hotel Thursday night. Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission approved site plans for a new Waffle House restaurant at 730 N. Main St. and a new Microtel Hotel at 1207 N. Main St., while Shelbyville Board of Zoning Appeals granted Dr. Will Alcorn a setback variance to expand a pre-existing building at 116 Sunlite Road which he said would be used for a restaurant employing 25 people...
City given $450K for sewer work (10/21/10)
A Community Development Block Grant of $450,000 has been approved to help with the rehabilitation of the city's sewer system. The awarding of the grant was announced Wednesday afternoon by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development...
Voting starts strongly (10/20/10)
A total of 1,432 votes were cast in the first week of early voting for the Nov. 2 general election, which began Oct. 13. "It's more than we expected," said deputy administrator of elections Andrew Robertson this morning. "We kind of expected it to be slow for a November election, but we've been surprised."...
Council backs letter of intent for business (10/15/10)
Shelbyville city council members voted Thursday to have the mayor write a letter of intent regarding a possible new business. But members expressed concern about possible costs to the city and if the letter would be binding. Chamber of Commerce director Walt Wood asked the council for the letter last week, saying that a business prospect is looking at bringing a "major commercial investment" to the city that could bring as many as 70 new jobs...
Yard filled with junk? It's Fall Clean-Up time (10/13/10)
It's fall once again, and that means it's time to get rid of all the junk that's been piling up around your property and garage. Next week, the city's public works department will be lending a hand to help you haul away all that stuff when they hold their annual Fall Clean-up...
Early voting period begins Wednesday (10/12/10)
Early voting will begin Wednesday for the Nov. 2 general election, including the race for Tennessee governor, an amendment to the Tennessee constitution to protect the right to hunt and fish, and other state and local contests. Early voting will run Oct. 13-28 in the basement of the county courthouse. Hours are 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Mondays, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays...
SHA to build new units for elderly (10/10/10)
The Shelbyville Housing Authority will be utilizing leftover funds from a grant intended to tear down blighted structures around the city to build a new complex for the elderly. The authority will build six new units at the corner of Dunaway and South Jefferson streets next to the East Side apartment complex, according to Herschel Thrasher, SHA executive director...
City to look into building, equipment at cemetery (10/08/10)
Shelbyville's attorney will be looking into an issue over a building on the grounds of Willow Mount Cemetery and how it got there in the first place. Rhea Foster asked the council to discuss having Doak Grave Digging Service remove stored equipment from Willow Mount, stating that "Mr. Doak is a resident of Tullahoma Tennessee and should not be allowed to store his equipment and run his business off city property."...
Council members square off (10/07/10)
Tuesday's study session of the Shelbyville City Council turned into a shouting match with one council member accusing another of being dishonest with the public. Kay Rose blasted Lee Roy Cunningham over a number of past and present issues that had been before the council, including the current controversy over this year's budget and the city's new trash fee...
Celebration plea for waste pickup denied by council (10/07/10)
Shelbyville's city council said Tuesday they would be opening a can of worms if they began providing Dumpster service at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Public works director Mark Clanton told the council that The Celebration contacted him several weeks ago asking if the city could provide garbage pickup since they had withdrawn from their contract with the firm Waste Management...
Developer asks city for street (10/06/10)
The city of Shelbyville will draft a letter of intent in the hopes of attracting a new business. Chamber of Commerce director Walt Wood told the council Tuesday that a prospect is looking at bringing a "major commercial investment" to the city that could bring as many as 70 new jobs...
Wrights file federal lawsuit against Shelbyville (10/03/10)
An ongoing lawsuit against Shelbyville over a proposed rock quarry has now entered the federal court arena, with the plaintiffs demanding no less than $10 million. Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc., and Custom Stone LLC filed suit in United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee in Winchester against the city, the board of zoning appeals, the planning commission, and codes and planning director Ed Dodson "in his official capacity and individually."...
New park to enhance Purdy Court (10/01/10)
Shelbyville will be getting a new one-acre park after the city's recreation department received a $10,000 matching state grant for playground equipment at Purdy Court. And an invitation is going out to community groups to help get the project completed and looking good...
Cunningham vies for re-election to council (09/29/10)
Lee Roy Cunningham has announced his candidacy for re-election to a 4th Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. "I have tried and [am] still trying to do you the people a good job," said Cunningham. "I have not forgotten who I work for. If you have any kind of a problem with the city, I will do my best to get it fixed...
Star of the state: Rec center honored (09/28/10)
The city's recreation center has won two Four Star Awards from the Tennessee Parks and Recreation Association for its exercise program for the younger set and for being a little spooky. Shelbyville's "Healthy Beginnings" Initiative, an exercise program for toddlers, and Goblin's Groove Dance and Haunted Woods both were recognized with Four Star Awards...
Big map helps police (09/26/10)
Major bank remodeling receives approval (09/24/10)
Shelbyville's planning commission approved a plan for extensive renovations to First Community Bank of Bedford County that will include five drive-through teller lanes. Only 372 square feet of space is to be added to the existing facility -- an outbuilding for drive-through tellers -- but the rest of the work will involve landscaping, a change in parking and an inside renovation...
Stephenson seeks 2nd city council term (09/24/10)
Al Stephenson has announced his candidacy for a 2nd Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. Stephenson served as mayor from 1995 to 1999 and is now completing his first term on the council. He has served seven years on Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission and on the Bedford Railroad Authority board. ...
231 traffic study approved (09/23/10)
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) told the city Wednesday they will conduct a traffic study at the intersection of U.S. 231 North and Airport Business Park Drive. Two weeks ago, Shelbyville's city council voted to lower the speed limit on U.S. 231 to 45 mph near Heritage Medical Center so a traffic signal can be installed if the state chooses to do so...
Landers announces for City Council seat (09/23/10)
Thomas Landers has announced his candidacy for a 6th Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. Landers, 52, was appointed to the 6th Ward seat in 2008. He is a life-long resident of Shelbyville. Landers is married to the former Vicki Yoes; they have two children. He is the son of Lillie and the late Elbert Landers...
Davis seeks election as Shelbyville mayor (09/17/10)
Alton Davis has announced his write-in candidacy for mayor of Shelbyville in the Nov. 2 general election. Davis has been a licensed general contractor "most of my life," he said. He was assistant commissioner for Tennessee Department of Human Services and was director of the Department of Motor Vehicles for Tennessee Department of Revenue. He was director for the Section 504 program for the disabled, representing the state in a six-county area including Bedford...
Sand in his hands (09/17/10)
Traffic signal dollars can't be diverted -- Cantrell (09/15/10)
Shelbyville's treasurer says that money which was placed in escrow for a traffic signal on U.S. 231 North can not be used for any other purpose. Treasurer Gary Cantrell told the T-G he wished to respond to statements made by a blogger and readers on this newspaper's website about nearly $100,000 in funds from Heritage Medical Center that were placed in escrow for a red light they desired...
Lower 231 limit awaits state's okay (09/14/10)
The city is awaiting advice from the state before posting the new 45 mph speed limit on U.S. 231 North, Shelbyville officials say. Shelbyville had initially planned to erect the new signs on Monday, after the council voted last Thursday to lower the speed on the highway inside the city limits to 45 mph between Harts Chapel Road and Frank Martin Road...
City must pay quarry suit costs (09/14/10)
The city of Shelbyville will now have to pay the legal costs of a 5-year-old lawsuit over a proposed rock quarry, according to the Tennessee Municipal League (TML). Last month, Wright Paving Company Inc., Norma and Tommy Wright and Custom Stone LLC filed a petition for writ of certiorari in Bedford County Chancery Court, asking for a judge to overturn a decision made by the Board of Zoning Appeals in June...
Trash fee passes 1st hurdle (09/12/10)
With no comment, Shelbyville City Council on Thursday night approved the first reading of an ordinance setting up the rules for an $11 monthly garbage fee. The council passed the ordinance by a vote of 4-2, with Lee Roy Cunningham and Al Stephenson voting no...
Council lowers Hwy. 231 speed limit (09/10/10)
Shelbyville's city council voted Thursday to lower the speed limit on U.S. 231 to 45 mph near Heritage Medical Center so that a traffic signal can be installed. However, it will be up to the state whether or not a light will be installed or not....
City councilmen face opposition (09/09/10)
Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright and Normandy Mayor Larry Nee will be unopposed for re-election on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, as will Normandy alderman Evelyn Hittson, but there will be contested races for Wartrace mayor, three Shelbyville city council seats and two Wartrace alderman seats...
City continues suit over East Depot demolition (09/09/10)
Despite foreclosure on a piece of property on East Depot Street where the city demolished a building two years ago, Shelbyville will continue to pursue a lawsuit against its owner to recover costs. City attorney Ginger Shofner stated that there would be no change in the suit against Alice Albrecht, the owner of 109 East Depot St., who owned one of two buildings brought down in late 2008...
Cartwright seeks 2nd Shelbyville mayoral term (09/08/10)
Wallace Cartwright has announced his candidacy for re-election as mayor of Shelbyville in the Nov. 2 general election. Cartwright is completing his first term, which will be only three years and four months due to a shift in the city's election schedule. City officials moved city elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years so that they could be held in conjunction with the state general election, saving the city the cost of paying for a stand-alone election...
Alley at center of dispute (09/07/10)
Surveying work is to be completed behind several buildings on East Depot Street to determine ownership of an alley following the city being brought into a lawsuit between downtown property owners. William P. Cooper, James H.S. Cooper and John N.P. Cooper have filed suit in Bedford County Chancery Court against the city and property owners Harry Woosley III, Elizabeth Rodgers and Edward Woosley, doing business as DHC Properties LP, R&B Rental, and Ronald R. and Donald R. Stacey...