Shelbyville Times-Gazette: News : Shelbyville City Government

Shelbyville City Government

Stories related to Shelbyville city government.

Power system foots bill for board members' insurance (02/07/10)
Shelbyville's power board was again a topic of discussion for the city council -- this time over the fact that the five members get their insurance paid for by the power system. At the end of Tuesday night's study session, councilman Thomas Landers told members of the city council they had "opened a can of worms ... a big one" by bringing up the topic of term limits for the power board last month...

Council sifts through city manager applications (02/04/10)
Shelbyville's city council is apparently still going through the many applications for the vacant city manger slot. City recorder Betty Lamb said during Tuesday's evening's study session that she had sent copies of the applications for the job to the council and that she was waiting on their response...

Blighted structures may be coming down (02/03/10)
Shelbyville will be getting ready to tear down a number of blighted structures soon. Last August, the city council approved action to work out the prices and acquire these properties under the Neighborhood Stabilization Housing Grant that Shelbyville in 2009...

Zoning change urged for South Main land (02/02/10)
Shelbyville's planning commission recommended amending the city's land use plan Thursday to change an area from low to high density residential to reflect the actual current use in the region. Planners and engineers for the city recommended that an area between South Main and South Jefferson Streets, described as "a triangle shaped plot," be amended as high density residential...

Officials accused of routing calls to one operator (01/28/10)
Trial dates have been set for October in a federal lawsuit filed by a tow truck operator against the city and county. Oct. 5 will be the date a federal jury will begin to hear arguments involving the suit brought by the owner of Quality Collision and Towing, Robert L. Bushnell...

Sprinklers: Worth the expense? (01/24/10)
Shelbyville has adopted the 2009 International Building Codes, but specifically exempted itself from the section of that code which would require fire protection sprinkler systems on new one-family and two-family homes. Bedford County is on track to do exactly the same, based on a recommendation from Bedford County Planning Commission which will be considered next month by Bedford County Board of Commissioners...

Falling tax revenues impact Shelbyville (01/21/10)
City departments are continuing to keep expenses down, but a continuing drop in revenue is also still plaguing Shelbyville, according to the city's treasurer. Gary Cantrell says that while it is nice to be able to go to a large retailer that is not crowded, Shelbyville needs to keep parking lots full to keep tax dollars flowing...

'I'm home now,' says new city codes director (01/20/10)
Listening is what Ed Dodson, Shelbyville's new planning and codes director, intends to focus on in his first few months on the job. Dodson has returned home to Bedford County to fill the position left vacant by the resignation last fall of Kip Green...

City will pay Sanders far less than requested (01/15/10)
Shelbyville's city council voted to authorize payment to businessman Bobby Sanders for property on East Lane Street, but for only a fraction of the amount he was requesting. Sanders bought the property from Shelbyville in December 1995 only to later learn it was owned by Walking Horse and Eastern Railroad...

I-3 Zone approved by City Council (01/15/10)
Shelbyville's city council voted Thursday to re-enact the creation of a Special Impact Industrial District geared for specific facilities. A public hearing and final reading was held Thursday night for an ordinance that establishes an I-3, or Industrial Zone, in Shelbyville -- which has been at the center of a five-year lawsuit over a rock quarry...

Bowling alley owner denied city beer permit (01/15/10)
The new owner of the Shelbyville bowling alley was denied a beer permit for the second month in a row at the Wednesday night meeting of the Shelbyville Beer Board. According to board chairman Ricky Overcast, "one of the reasons" was because the owner, Kim Manley, admitted to selling beer without a license...

'Ugly' signs may be changed (01/12/10)
Shelbyville's council may take action later this year on the use of flashing yellow signs around the city, voting to require them to be made permanent. But the matter will have to go to the city's planning commission before anything can be done. Mayor Wallace Cartwright said that the council has spoken about the issue "more than once," but had not taken any action on it...

I-3 zoning hearing, final reading scheduled (01/10/10)
A public hearing and final reading is scheduled to be held Thursday for an ordinance that would re-enact the creation of an I-3, or Industrial Zone, in Shelbyville -- a topic that has been at the center of a five-year lawsuit over a rock quarry. One of the items on the Shelbyville city council agenda this week is an ordinance that clarifies which type of facilities that will be permitted as special exceptions inside an I-3 district, which the city previously adopted by ordinance in 2004...

Term limits proposed for Shelbyville power board (01/10/10)
A vote on term limits for the city's power board will be among items on Shelbyville City Council's agenda Thursday. Councilman Al Stephenson requested that the topic be placed on the council's agenda during their study session this past Tuesday. He said that members should serve a couple of three-year terms and then sit out one term before applying to serve on the board again...

Cunninghams overwhelmed by offers of help (01/08/10)
As Lee Roy and Elizabeth Cunningham rebuild their lives following a fire which destroyed their North Main Street home and floral business early Monday, they say one thing stands out: The generosity of their fellow Bedford Countians. "You know how many friends you've got when something like this happens," Lee Roy said. "People have offered everything we need. They're coming in constantly. We had a lot and we've still got more than we need...

Applicants from area to be favored for job (01/06/10)
Shelbyville's city council will soon begin the process of selecting a new city manager, focusing more on local folks rather than applicants from outside the area. With the deadline for the applications now past, a total of 33 have been received. According to city recorder Betty Lamb, 16 were from within Bedford County and another 17 applications were received from out of state...

Delay sought for tow truck lawsuit (12/30/09)
Attorneys on all sides of a federal lawsuit against the city and county by a tow truck operator have asked to extend court deadlines and to put off the trial date until next fall. Robert L. Bushnell, of Shelbyville, owner of Quality Collision and Towing, filed a federal lawsuit last year against Bedford County, the city of Shelbyville, its police department and a competing wrecker service, alleging that towing and repair jobs were steered toward one business...

Newly chosen codes director knows city well (12/22/09)
A Bedford County native will be returning home to fill the position of Director of Codes and Planning for Shelbyville. W. Edward Dodson, who currently lists his home address as Atlanta, has been selected for the job, following interviews with six applicants, according to city recorder Betty Lamb...

City quarry decision may await court ruling (12/17/09)
Shelbyville has yet to respond to a letter from a local business that has asked to have a 5-year-old application for a rock quarry heard. However, the city recorder said that the matter may have to wait until the Tennessee Supreme Court rules on an appeal requested last week by Shelbyville City Council...

Treasurer: Departments must keep costs down (12/16/09)
Despite falling revenue, Shelbyville's treasurer says that he anticipates a balanced budget by the end of the year if department heads continue to keep costs down. Hard economic times continue to impact the city's numbers, with revenue for the month ending Oct. 31 at $290,146 under what was budgeted...

Building sale proceeds may go to industrial park (12/16/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' courthouse and property committee gave its recommendation to a proposal that a building on North Main Street, jointly owned by Shelbyville and Bedford County, be sold and the proceeds applied towards the cost of developing an industrial park...

Decision near on planning/codes hire (12/16/09)
City officials could make their decision by Friday who will be heading up the city's planning and codes department. Interviews for the position were completed Monday morning and while the names of those who have applied have not been released, more than half of the applicants have local ties...

State to take over business tax collection (12/13/09)
Effective in 2010, the State of Tennessee is taking the collection of business taxes and the renewal of business licenses away from the local city and county governments, which had been performing that function. Entrepreneurs will still go to the appropriate city or county office to obtain a new business license, but from that point forward the state will handle license renewals and collection of the business tax. ...

Proposed spending freeze rejected (12/11/09)
A spending freeze that was proposed for the city of Shelbyville last week was voted down Thursday evening. In a vote of 4-2, the council rejected the freeze, which was requested last week by councilman Lee Roy Cunningham. Council member Kay Rose began the discussion on the proposal by commending the city's department heads for "putting a big chill on spending"...

City may appeal court decision (12/06/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote Thursday on whether to appeal a ruling to the Tennessee Supreme Court that involves a change in zoning laws. The city lost an appeal last month with Norma and Tommy Wright, Wright Paving Co. Inc. and Custom Stone LLC, who claimed the city did not give adequate notice of a change in zoning laws they say impacted their property...

Industrial park to be considered (12/03/09)
Forming a committee to examine the idea of an industrial park will be on the city council's agenda next week. The idea came before the Shelbyville council Tuesday evening after Walt Wood, chief executive officer of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, urged members to follow the advice recently given by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) representatives on how to attract industry and jobs to the region...

City spending freeze proposed (12/03/09)
A proposed spending freeze for the city of Shelbyville will be on next week's council agenda after a councilman's suggestion. At the closing of Shelbyville City Council's study session Tuesday, councilman Lee Roy Cunningham asked that a spending freeze be put on next week's agenda...

Planning meeting canceled after agenda vacated (12/01/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission has canceled the meeting that was set for Thursday after all items were pulled from the agenda. The commission had set the Dec. 3 meeting to cover business for both November and December, but the T-G was informed Monday that no meeting would be held...

Fire Academy holds graduation (11/22/09)
Pete Souphom of Shelbyville Fire Department was one of 22 graduates of the 22nd graduating class at Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy on Friday. The academy, operated by Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, is located on Unionville-Deason Road...

Ease of building, location important, leaders told (11/19/09)
A representative of Tennessee Valley Authority told city and Chamber of Commerce officials that a public-owned industrial park was a key to attracting industry, but must be carefully planned and designed in order to be of any use. Ensuring that utilities are available or can be made available quickly, and doing environmental studies in advance, are among the steps that differentiate between open farm land and a true industrial park, said Deborah Cameron, an economic development specialist with TVA.. ...

City council doesn't act on mayor's request (11/13/09)
The speed limit on U.S. 231 North will remain the same. Shelbyville's city council took no action on the idea Thursday after Mayor Wallace Cartwright brought up the topic of lowering the speed allowed to 55 mph last week. Cartwright said he would like to see the speed lowered due to the location of Heritage Medical Center and other establishments on the state highway...

Revenue drop hits city hard (11/12/09)
The sour economy is beginning to have an impact on Shelbyville's budget, specifically the city's revenue sources. However, the city treasurer said that the shortfall is only four percent for the first quarter of the fiscal year and that Shelbyville is doing better than most cities...

'Critical' employment ad up for council vote (11/08/09)
Advertising for a planning and codes director, as well as a new city manager, will be voted on Thursday by the Shelbyville City Council. City recorder Betty Lamb told council members during Tuesday's study session that "it is absolutely critical" that the city hire someone to fill the planning and codes position...

Club asks to share city gym (11/08/09)
Members of the Boys and Girls Club will need to speak to the county commission for permission to use Central Memorial Gym, known to many in the county as the old Harris Middle School or the old Central High School gym. Kelly Rollins and Dan Jernigan have been looking into the possibility of starting a chapter in Shelbyville and they asked the city council Tuesday if they could share the facility with the parks and recreation department...

City loses appeal of zoning lawsuit (11/06/09)
The city of Shelbyville has lost an appeal with a local paving company who claimed the city did not give adequate notice of a change in zoning laws they say impacted their property. But the impact of the court ruling may be moot since the city will likely pass an identical ordinance next week after the appeals court declared the old one invalid...

Tow truck favoritism alleged in lawsuit (11/05/09)
A tow operator who is suing the city of Shelbyville made more claims of favoritism Tuesday, calling for the firing of the police chief and his deputy. However, the city council made no comment about the allegations and the city recorder told council members they can not be speaking with Bushnell about the issue, nor should he have been permitted to address the council...

55 MPH speed limit discussed for 231 inside city limits (11/05/09)
Lowering the speed limit on U.S. 231 North to 55 mph inside the city limits will be considered next Thursday by the Shelbyville City Council. Mayor Wallace Cartwright said Tuesday he would like to see the speed lowered due to the location of Heritage Medical Center and other establishments on the state highway...

Clanton honored for flume work (11/04/09)

Renovated Harris gym still a work in progress (11/01/09)
A lot of work has been done with the old Harris Middle School gym on Elm Street, now called Central Memorial Gym, and the public is invited to see the progress. An open house will take place Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. so the public can take a look at what's been done and perhaps chip in with ideas of their own...

Department heads, Lamb keep city moving without manager (10/15/09)
So how has Shelbyville been managing without a manager? According to the city recorder, one day at a time. One week after city manager Ed Craig stepped down following a city council vote of 4-2 that asked for his resignation, work continues at City Hall with Shelbyville employees at their jobs serving the public...

CIty to hire human resource employee (10/11/09)
Aside from dismissing Shelbyville's city manager, the city council voted on a small number of other items Thursday night. Approval was given to a motion to take applications for a human resource position for the city in anticipation of the city recorder's impending retirement...

Firefighter kept job despite five prior arrests (10/09/09)
A Shelbyville fireman is no longer on the job after being fired by city manager Ed Craig Thursday morning. However, questions are being asked over how John Sullivan remained in a public service job following five previous arrests. Sullivan was charged Wednesday with aggravated domestic assault and vandalism and was released under $30,000 bond following his arrest by Bedford County deputy Kevin Holton...

UPDATED: Craig dismissed without explanation (10/09/09)
Shelbyville is without a city manager. In a 4-2 vote, the Shelbyville City Council voted to fire city manager Ed Craig Thursday evening. But the question remains: Why? Following 30 minutes of comment from the public about Craig and the job he has done as city manager, councilman Al Stephenson made a motion to "request that the City Manager's resignation to be made effective immediately..."

Firefighter accused of off-duty attack (10/08/09)
A Shelbyville fireman has been suspended from his job and was expected to be fired this morning following his arrest on Wednesday, city officials said. John Randall Sullivan, 35, of Tyler Drive was charged with aggravated domestic assault and vandalism and was released under $30,000 bond following his arrest by Bedford County deputy Kevin Holton...

Public can speak out on city manager issue (10/07/09)
Shelbyville residents will get a chance Thursday night to express their feelings about the city manager as Shelbyville City Council will vote whether to keep him or fire him. An item entitled "Public Comment Opportunity on disposition of City Manager Ed Craig" has been added to the agenda of Thursday's meeting, which will be followed by a motion on Craig's contract...

City cleanup planned (10/06/09)
Have you got junk piling up around the house, garage or shop and need to get rid of it? If so, you should set aside some time and get that stuff to the street for Shelbyville's fall clean-up, scheduled for Oct. 19-22. Trucks will be coming by on your regular garbage pick-up day to haul off just about anything you'd like to dispose of, with the exception of household hazardous waste...

Human resource manager position suggested to city council (10/01/09)
Shelbyville will begin to look at hiring a human resource manager in anticipation of the city recorder's impending retirement. Recorder Betty Lamb has worked for the city for over 23 years and with 170 city employees to keep track of, city manager Ed Craig said that her work "is critical and complicated."...

City manager's contract to be on council agenda (09/30/09)
The future of city manager Ed Craig will be discussed at Shelbyville's next City Council meeting. At the end of a brief and uneventful study session, councilman Al Stephenson asked that the matter of Craig's contract be put on next Thursday's agenda. The council meets at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at the Shelbyville Police Department...

Attempt to fire city manager violates Sunshine Law (09/29/09)
A letter from four Shelbyville council members told city manager Ed Craig he was fired Monday -- an action later determined to be a violation of the state's Sunshine Law. Instead, Craig's continued position with the city could be a topic of discussion at tonight's study session of the council, which meets at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at Shelbyville Police Department...

Design guidelines favored by planners (09/25/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission gave its approval Thursday night to new design guidelines. The guidelines are intended to be only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city and will have to be approved by the city council,...

Council backs fireworks sales on first reading (09/11/09)
Shelbyville is on its way to allow the sale of fireworks after the city council approved the first reading of an ordinance permitting it. The ordinance would add a chapter to the Shelbyville Municipal Code entitled "Fireworks." An ordinance had been passed by the council in 1953 that prohibited both the sale and use of fireworks. The city recorder could find no evidence of that document ever being changed...

Gun law signs posted at park (09/10/09)

Inspector gives all clear for buildings near demolition site (09/08/09)
Shelbyville's building inspector has found everything is all right on the east side of the square as far as structural integrity goes after a citizen expressed concern about the status of aging buildings. According to the city manager, officials hope to take a look at other structures on and around the public square to see how they are holding up...

Accident reports to cost less as city complies with open records law (09/04/09)
The cost of getting an accident report from Shelbyville police will drop considerably once the city passes a resolution to come into line with the state's open records laws. City manager Ed Craig explained during Tuesday's study session that the state's open records law was amended in 2008, creating the Office of Open Records Council...

Fireworks on city's agenda (09/03/09)
Shelbyville City Council will decide next week if the sale of fireworks inside the city will be allowed or banned. Two draft resolutions were presented to the city council Tuesday during its study session -- one that would permit and another that would prohibit sale of the items within the city limits...

Guns in parks law affects Wartrace, but not Shelbyville or Bell Buckle (09/01/09)
A new state law which takes effect today allows handguns to be carried in public parks, unless a municipality prohibits it. Shelbyville and Bell Buckle chose to ban guns in parks, while Wartrace has allowed the new law to take effect. The only park operated by Bedford County outside city limits is a small river access point, and the county has not considered the gun ban issue at its public meetings. ...

Planning commission approves Russell Plaza (08/28/09)
A number of items being dropped from the agenda led to a short meeting for the Shelbyville Planning Commission, with site plans for one medical building approved and the other tabled until next month. The commission quickly gave approval for Russell Plaza, a 30,000-square foot, two-story medical office building to be located on Frank Martin Road across from the Bedford County Emergency Medical Service offices...

City to consider changing open records policies (08/26/09)
One of the items Shelbyville's city council will take up during next week's study session would put the city in line with the state's open records laws. The item is a resolution that would establish a schedule of charges for documents covered under Tennessee's Public Records Act...

East Depot is two-way again (08/25/09)
East Depot Street is back to normal as of this week -- converted back to a two-way thoroughfare after months of wrangling by the city council. However, the street won't be open to regular traffic until Wednesday. Public works department employees were busy Monday morning putting the finishing touches on the two-block section, which had been converted to one-way in early March...

Sanders asks city for $120K or part of another lot (08/18/09)
A man who bought property from the City of Shelbyville only to learn it was owned by the railroad has specified to the city council what type of compensation he wants. Bobby Sanders hand-delivered a letter to council members last Thursday, following the August city council meeting, that requested reimbursement of the money he paid to the city "plus accrued interest and expenses."...

Depot Street will revert to two-lane (08/16/09)
Two blocks of Depot Street off of the public square will convert back to a two-way thoroughfare, Shelbyville's city council decided Thursday. Public Works director Mark Clanton said Friday that work will begin early Tuesday morning to convert the street back to its original condition...

Shelbyville bans guns in parks (08/14/09)
Shelbyville joined other cities around the state Thursday that have chosen to opt out of a new law that would allow citizen with handgun carry permits to possess their firearms in public parks. With little comment, the council unanimously voted to prohibit handguns from city parks and other areas of Shelbyvile...

Garbage plan trashed by city council (08/14/09)
Shelbyville's city council voted Thursday night against a motion to adopt a new solid waste collection program that would include a monthly fee. The council meeting attracted about 30 citizens attended the council meeting, which frequently has no visitors...

Council seeks attorney's advice on Sanders land (08/14/09)
Shelbyville's city council will wait for advice from the city's attorney before deciding how to compensate a man who bought property from the city, only to later learn it actually belonged to the railroad. In December 1995, Bobby Sanders purchased land from the city on East Lane Street. ...

City says no to guns, garbage fees (08/13/09)
Shelbyville's city council voted unanimously Thursday to "opt out" of the state's new guns in parks law. The newly passed Public Chapter No. 428 authorizes citizens in Tennessee with handgun carry permits to be able to lawfully possess a firearm in federal, state or local parks...

City plans guns-in-parks vote tonight (08/13/09)
How will the Shelbyville City Council vote tonight on the guns in parks issue? Citizens will find out at 6 p.m. at the Shelbyville Police Department's courtroom when the city council meets to vote on the issue. The newly passed Public Chapter No. 428 authorizes citizens in Tennessee with handgun carry permits to be able to lawfully possess a firearm in federal, state or local parks...

Guns, trash, traffic on council's agenda (08/11/09)
Shelbyville's city council will tackle several tough issues Thursday -- guns, garbage and which way Depot Street should flow. The council is set to meet beginning at 6 p.m. in the courtroom of the Shelbyville Police Department, when they will make a decision whether to allow citizens with valid carry permits to possess their firearms in federal, state or local parks...

Non-budgeted expenses disturb City Council member (08/09/09)
Final figures on Shelbyville budget performance for last year were given to members of the city council on Tuesday, but not before an outburst from one council member saying it's time for the city to stop spending money. "It's time to stop spending money that's not in the budget, period," council member Al Stephenson said, rasing his voice. "We can't afford to do it!"...

Shelbyville council member hits Rec Center costs hard (08/07/09)
The city is looking into ways to make Shelbyville's recreation center to pay for itself, after criticism from a council member over its operational expenses. On Tuesday, Councilman Lee Roy Cunningham called the recreation center a "white elephant" that doesn't pay for itself and said it needs to be run "so it doesn't lose so much money."...

Shelbyville may begin purchase of blighted homes (08/07/09)
The city of Shelbyville may soon be negotiating the purchases of homes and structures in order to put them in front of a wrecking ball at some point down the road. Among items the city council will vote on next Thursday will be approval for city manager Ed Craig and planning and codes director Kip Green to work out the prices and acquire blighted properties under the Neighborhood Stabilization Housing Grant that Shelbyville recently received...

Garbage plan could save city, cost residents (08/06/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote up or down next Thursday whether to implement a garbage collection fee to pay for a new collection system. The proposal, explained to the city council in June, could save Shelbyville as much as $700,000 a year -- but residents would also see an additional $9 tacked onto their monthly electric bills...

In pursuit of safer chases (08/06/09)
Shelbyville police officers simulated vehicle pursuits during a training session last week at the old Walmart parking lot on Madison Street. Most of the department's officers, who were joined by a police officer from Huntland, practiced on a "street course" marked off by plastic pylons spread across the lot...

Direction sought on Depot Street flow (08/02/09)
A final decision on the direction of Depot Street off the public square could be made during this month's Shelbyville City Council meeting. The topic arose at Tuesday's special called study session, with city manager Ed Craig pointing out that a decision to change the direction to inbound only traffic for 60 days was put on hold following a discussion after a study session, which led to a decision to "let it slide" until the next council meeting...

Shelbyville seeks payback for flume collapse costs (07/30/09)
Shelbyville officials will talk about getting reimbursement from the city's utility for the cost of a collapsed underground flume following the release of an engineer's report that identifies the cause of its failure. The flume topic will be discussed further at next Tuesday's regular study session, scheduled for 6 p.m...

Speakers at meeting back guns in parks (07/29/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote next week whether or not to "opt out" of Tennessee's new law that allows guns in city parks after hearing from concerned local residents. And while most of those who spoke about the issue of guns wanted to be able to carry a firearm to protect themselves, the majority of those speaking live outside of Shelbyville...

City building guidelines near planning commission vote (07/26/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission concluded its review of design guidelines Thursday and will vote on the document's final approval next month. The guidelines are intended to be only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city, and, if approved, the commission would also act as a design review commission, giving feedback to builders on site plans and taking a more active role in the process...

Shelbyville to consider banning guns in parks (07/22/09)
The controversial issue of guns in parks will be discussed next Tuesday during a special called study session of Shelbyville City Council. Citizens are invited to express their opinions on the matter starting at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at Shelbyville police headquarters...

Flume damage to cost city less than expected (07/14/09)
Costs for the repair of Shelbyville's underground storm water flume were lower than anticipated, according to the final figures from the city. Meanwhile, officials are still waiting for an engineering report that could point to the cause of the underground collapse...

Site requests show signs of city growth (07/12/09)
While the economy still appears to be struggling along, both Shelbyville and Bedford County are beginning to see the start of some commercial growth. The city's planning and codes director, Kip Green, said that recent planning commission meetings have been limited to rezoning requests and other similar items, but very few new site plans...

City accepts deed for flume area (07/10/09)
Shelbyville City Council voted Thursday to accept a quitclaim deed from Shelbyville Housing Authority for the city's underground flume, including the basin, levy and the pumps. Hershel Thrasher, executive director of the authority, told the council last week that it recently came to SHA's attention that the flume, also known as pressure tubes A, B and C, was still legally titled to the Housing Authority...

City to buy, destroy blighted buildings (07/09/09)
Shelbyville has been awarded a grant of over a quarter million dollars that will be used to get rid of blighted structures around town. According to city planning and codes director Kip Green, the $326,023 grant is from the National Stabilization Program (NSP), part of Phase I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, also known as the first "stimulus package" that was signed into law by former president George W. Bush...

'What A Horse' seeks city funding (07/08/09)
A supporter of the Celebration told Shelbyville City Council that the recent controversy surrounding soring and inspections of walking horses is having an enormous negative impact on the region's economy. And unless something is done, he said, this situation could get much worse for the county...

Insurance claim denial impacts East Depot actions (07/07/09)
Shelbyville officials may be running into legal snags with getting money from a property owner for the demolition of two buildings. City attorney Ginger Shofner told Shelbyville's city council that the insurance company for Alice Albrecht, the owner of 109 East Depot St., one of the unsafe buildings brought down last year, has denied her claim...

City may opt out of guns-in-parks law (07/02/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote next week on whether to opt out of a new state law that allows those with carry permits to lawfully possess handguns in city parks. The newly passed Public Chapter No. 428 would authorize citizens in Tennessee with handgun carry permits to be able to lawfully possess a firearm in federal, state or local parks...

Council to vote on correcting 1959 mistake (07/02/09)
Fifty years after signing an agreement with the city, the Shelbyville Housing Authority wants to give back property which contains Shelbyville's underground flume system. Hershel Thrasher, executive director, told the council that it recently came to SHA's attention that the flume, also known as pressure tubes A, B and C, was still legally titled to the Housing Authority...

North Main could re-open Thursday (07/01/09)
Engineers said it would take three months or more to finish it. But five weeks after digging began to repair Shelbyville's underground storm water flume, the work has been completed, and city officials hope to have traffic flowing by Thursday night...

Delay sought for city building guidelines (06/30/09)
A member of Shelbyville's planning commission wants to table design guidelines for two years, claiming that the recommendations would make builders think twice about doing business here. Henry Wilhoite told fellow commissioners that builders were "not happy" with the guidelines which are to be recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city. The design guidelines will give builders an idea of what is expected or favored by Shelbyville...

North Main could be re-opened in 2-3 weeks (06/24/09)
If work with Shelbyville's flume proceeds as planned and there are no snags, North Main Street could reopen within two to three weeks. That's the word from public works director Mark Clanton at the construction site Tuesday, but he cautioned against a firm estimate of when the work will be finished...

Flume repair is on schedule so far (06/17/09)
Work on Shelbyville's storm water flume is right on schedule, with the massive steel pipe in the ground and ready for a concrete base. Despite the threat of wet weather over the past two weeks, work has been running smoothly off of North Main Street, where crews have been busy piecing together the 200 feet of steel that make up the segment replaced after underground flooding apparently caused the flume to collapse in April...

Planners to address Belmont district (06/17/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission will look over several rezoning requests when it meets next Thursday, including one in a historic district that may provoke discussion. James Farrar is requesting that property at 507 Belmont Ave. be rezoned from R-3 (medium density residential) to R-4 (high density residential), which would be contrary to the region's current land use plan, according to comments by the city's planning and engineering staff...

City will help repair duck pond (06/16/09)
Shelbyville's public works department will be contributing equipment and labor to repair a leak in a dam at the "duck pond" on Fairfield Pike after the city council approved lending the landowners a hand. But some are afraid that giving this assistance may set a precedent and open up a legal can of worms for the city...

Tax rates the same in new city budget (06/16/09)
With two members voting "no," Shelbyville's city council passed the 2009-10 budget Thursday night. The proposed 2009-10 budget lists revenue of $12,041,519 and expenses of $12,093,178, with a deficit of $51,659. Without comment, councilmen Al Stephenson and Lee Roy Cunningham voted against the measure...

City to try different direction on Depot Street (06/14/09)
With the mayor breaking a tie vote, Depot Street will soon be running the other way -- towards the public square -- for a 60 trial period, after a discussion between Shelbyville city council members Thursday. However, the switchover is likely several weeks away as the public works department focuses on repairing Shelbyville's underground storm water flume first...

No tax increase in new city budget (06/10/09)
Shelbyville's city council is looking at passing a trimmed down budget with no tax hikes when members gather Thursday evening for their regular monthly meeting. This year's budget sports a much lower deficit than the previous year's numbers -- $51,659, compared to the budgeted deficit of fiscal year 2008-09 that totalled $565,827...

New theory on flume collapse; work to last 30 days (06/09/09)
An underground discovery made last Friday could possibly point to the cause behind the collapse of part of the city's stormwater drainage "flume," as digging continues at the site. Meanwhile, new sections of the flume are scheduled to be put in the ground this week...

Who pays for duck pond cleanup? (06/09/09)
Remains of a smelly, mucky mess fill a Shelbyville pond where, until recently, ducks swam and children played on its banks. Repairs, of a sort, are underway at what's known as the "duck pond" on Fairfield Pike at Hickory Drive. But behind the scene lurks the battle of who foots the bill...

Proposal would add $9 fee for garbage pickup (06/05/09)
If a proposal put forward by Shelbyville City Manager Ed Craig goes forward, the city could save as much as $700,000 a year -- but city residents would see an additional $9 tacked onto their monthly electric bills. "The question is -- where do we get new revenue?" Craig asked the city council at the budget meeting Thursday night. He went on to say that one thing Shelbyville does not do that "almost everybody else does" is charge for garbage collection...

New direction ahead for Depot Street? (06/03/09)
Shelbyville City Council, after hearing from merchants in the affected area, may try keeping the segment of Depot Street closest to the square as one-way but making it westbound rather than eastbound. The issue was discussed at a study session Tuesday night...

Flume work underway as businesses cope (05/29/09)
Workers started cutting into sections of North Main Street and Cannon Boulevard this morning to replace about 200 feet of the city's underground stormwater flume that collapsed -- for the second time in its history -- last month. Meanwhile, businesses in the impacted area are having to cope with the loss of traffic to their storefronts, and downtown Shelbyville traffic remains backed up along side roads...

Four Shelbyville firefighters graduate (05/26/09)
Friday's graduation ceremonies at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy had several Shelbyville connections. Not only did four Shelbyville Fire Department firefighters graduate from the 10-week Recruit/Firefighter I program, but the ceremony was opened with presentation of colors by a SFD color guard, and Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce presented the fire academy's first ever "challenge coins" to the entire graduating class...

Little Caesar's seeks approval for location (05/26/09)
Pizza maker Little Caesar's is planning a return to Shelbyville. The restaurant was previously located on Madison St. in the old Bi-Lo shopping center. A site approval plan for the chain is on the agenda for Thursday's meeting of the city's planning commission...

City digs into causes of flume collapse (05/21/09)
Digging could begin today on North Main Street to begin repairs to Shelbyville's underground storm water flume, and while the results of core drilling won't be known for a week or more, it may shed light into the reasons behind the collapse. Public Works director Mark Clanton said Wednesday that drill was finished Tuesday -- but the method will only enable them to tell what happened underground around the flume, not directly pinpoint the cause...

Urban Growth Boundary gains city approval (05/15/09)
Shelbyville's city council gave its OK to the city's new expanded Urban Growth Boundary during its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday. The new boundary is part of the comprehensive study and plan developed by Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon (BWSC), which was recommended to the council by the city's planning commission and calls for the city's UGB to be expanded northward...

Flume deal signed (05/13/09)
Core samples will soon be taken from North Main Street as soon as Friday to determine the cause and extent of the damage that has resulted from the collapse of one of Shelbyville's massive underground storm water flumes. On Tuesday, the city council met in an emergency meeting and approved entering into an agreement with Contech Construction Products, Inc., and Clanton Excavation to repair the damaged flume...

Fast action expected on flume (05/12/09)
Shelbyville's city council is meeting this afternoon in an emergency session to approve starting work to repair damage to the city's underground stormwater flume system before it gets any worse. Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over the cause of the collapse and some fingers are being pointed at recent work done for Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System...

City council calls emergency meeting (05/11/09)
Shelbyville City Council will meet 3 p.m. Tuesday in the courtroom at the City Council Annex (Police Department headquarters) to consider hiring firms to repair the damage to the city's flood control flume system.

Area growth gets closer look (05/10/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote this week on expanding the city's Urban Growth Boundary to the north and to create a new planning authority. City manager Ed Craig said county mayor Eugene Ray has asked that each of Bedford's municipalities submit a request to them to have their planning commissions become regional planning commissions...

Sign ordinance needs tweaking, council says (05/10/09)
"Lots of tweaking" will need to be done to Shelbyville's existing sign ordinance to bring it into line with the city council's wishes, and many businesses would be in violation the way it is currently written. Also, council members are hoping to reach out to Hispanic business owners about the appearance of their buildings...

Flume damage at 'worst case' level (05/08/09)
Public Works director Mark Clanton had bad news for city officials Thursday after he emerged from underneath Shelbyville following the inspection of a collapsed stormwater flume. "Our worst fears are realized," Clanton told Mayor Wallace Cartwright, city manager Ed Craig and others who gathered at the entrance to the flume Thursday morning...

Depot Street traffic concerns merchants (05/07/09)
Merchants from both on and off the public square told Shelbyville's city council Tuesday they would like take another look at traffic and parking patterns on East Depot Street. The street is now 60 days into a 90-day trial period to test the street as a one-way, outbound road from the public square...

City seeks to recover Depot Street demolition costs (05/07/09)
The city of Shelbyville will soon move to recover demolition costs from the owner of a Depot Street building. Total costs for last year's razing and restoration of the site where two buildings once stood off the public square comes to $225,215.24, according to information provided to the city council Tuesday...

Funds sought to repair flume (05/06/09)
Today's heavy rain will likely keep city officials from going beneath Shelbyville to learn how much damage there is in the area of an underground collapse this past weekend that could impact a massive flume. City officials are already calling on state and national representatives about acquiring federal stimulus money to pay for the needed repairs...

'Super' effort leaves Shelbyville much cleaner (05/03/09)
"Super" is how Shelbyville's public works director described last week's city-wide spring clean-up, with some residents beating workers to the curbside to pick up items they wanted. Director Mark Clanton said that in the four days the city held the clean-up, 133 loads of material were hauled away, as opposed to 86 loads during last year's event...

SHA officials say 'technicality' led to bad score (04/30/09)
Officials with the Shelbyville Housing Authority were surprised to learn that a recent article in USA TODAY identified SHA as one of 61 agencies across the country that was "faulted by auditors for mishandling government aid, but still receives federal stimulus money."...

Stimulus funds upgrade for South Maple Apartments (04/30/09)
Over three quarters of a million dollars in federal stimulus money is planned to be used for improvements to South Maple Apartments by the Shelbyville Housing Authority. It's part of $4 billion that is being used in an effort to create jobs by fixing up public housing projects across the nation. Shelbyville's cut of that money is $829,593...

Closer look at proposed design guidelines (04/26/09)
With just enough members to hold a meeting, the Shelbyville Planning Commission swiftly approved several items, while postponing examination of design guidelines until next month. The commission had planned to begin review of the 18 pages of guidelines, which are intended to be only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city...

Upgraded city pool to make a splash (04/23/09)
With fingers crossed, the sounds of splashing should be heard at the city's recreation center on May 4. That's when Shelbyville's pool is planned to reopen following two weeks of work that began Sunday, according to Pam Henry, aquatics director for Shelbyville Recreation Center...

City readies for spring cleanup (04/17/09)
If you've been wondering what to do with that piece of junk taking up space in your garage, shed or back yard, next week Shelbyville residents will be able to do something about it. The city's Spring Clean-up kicks off Monday and lasts until Thursday. During that week, residents can get rid of all that stuff that's been lying around...

Council defers request for city audit (04/10/09)
A request by a Shelbyville City Council member for a state audit of the city's books was deferred until next month for more discussion. Councilman Lee Roy Cunningham had put the item on the agenda, but council member Jo Ann Holland wanted to discuss the motion in more detail at next month's study session,...

City seeks federal funds to demolish eyesores (04/10/09)
The City of Shelbyville voted Thursday to apply for a grant for over a quarter million dollars that would go toward getting rid of blighted structures around town. The National Stabilization Program (NSP) grant would be for $326,023 and would be given under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, also known as the first stimulus package that was signed into law by former president George W. Bush...

City may defer senior tax freeze (04/05/09)
A tax freeze program for residents over 65 will be a topic of discussion for Shelbyville City Council next month. However, a review by an intern with the Tennessee Municipal League and Municipal Technical Advisory Service says it may be better if Shelbyville defers adopting this program...

City proposes guidelines for buildings, signs (04/03/09)
Shelbyville's city council will vote next week on an amendment to the city's sign ordinance that would address what some consider unsightly buildings occupied by Hispanic merchants. Mayor Wallace Cartwright said he has been hearing many concerns from residents and businesses about the appearance of local Hispanic establishments in Shelbyville and wants to alter the city's ordinance to say that signs can not be painted on buildings, among other changes...

Police request four officers from stimulus money (04/02/09)
Shelbyville police asked the City Council Tuesday for the opportunity to hire four additional officers with federal stimulus money. The funds, which would come from the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Hiring Recovery Program, via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, would provide 100 percent funding for three years for newly hired, full time officers...

Final costs expected soon on Depot Street project (04/02/09)
Final figures on the total costs of last year's demolition of buildings on East Depot Street should be ready next month so that the city will able to seek recovery costs through litigation. The building at 113 E. Depot was damaged last year during the demolition of 109 E. Depot, which was considered a dangerous structure, and contractors and engineers said at the time it would cost over $200,000 to repair it and bring up to code, so the council voted to tear it down as well...

Planning commission tries to avoid harsh terminology (03/29/09)
helbyville's planning commission will take time over the next three months to review design guidelines, with members debating how to word the document without driving new business away. Planning and codes director Kip Green told the commission that the 18 pages of guidelines are only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city...

CIty bids draw council discussion (03/15/09)
Members of Shelbyville's city council were looking for ways to save money and asking questions about the necessity of some bids for work during Thursday's meeting. Stewart Security Systems won the bid for the fire alarm system for Central Memorial Gym (formerly Harris Middle School gym) at a cost of $14,975, but councilman Lee Roy Cunningham said he had heard from a member of the school board that the current system in place might be repairable...

Council to settle Williams suit for $180K (03/13/09)
Shelbyville's city council has agreed to pay $180,000 plus legal fees to settle a lawsuit brought by a former building official for the city. Wayne Williams, a 12-year employee of the city, sued Shelbyville and city manager Ed Craig for breach of contract and wrongful termination in May 2007...

County, city get $70K in enforcement funds (03/11/09)
Bedford County and the city of Shelbyville will receive a total of nearly $70,000 in federal law enforcement funding, the White House announced Friday. The funding comes from $2 billion in Recovery Act 2009 funding allocations for state and local law enforcement assistance available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which includes over $50.3 million for the state of Tennessee...

Treasurer: city budget OK after tax payments (03/10/09)
Following the tally of property tax receipts for February, Shelbyville is currently on budget so far for this year, according to the city treasurer. Treasurer Gary Cantrell said Monday that collections for February "looked grim" until the end of the month, when suddenly, citizens came in at the last minute to turn in their money...

Fireworks costs flare up (03/08/09)
A number of items will be addressed next week by the Shelbyville city council when it meets on Thursday. The cost of fireworks for this year's Fourth of July celebration has gone up, according to city manager Ed Craig. The amount for the pyrotechnic display is now $9,500 -- $2,000 higher than last year. The county shares the expense with the city of the annual display and Shelbyville's cost will now be $4,750...

Depot Street segment is now one way (03/06/09)
Shelbyville's city council chose to test the concept of one-way traffic on East Depot Street for 90 days, despite hearing about some criticism of the idea from two local merchants. While he did not appear Tuesday night to address the council on the topic, city manager Ed Craig said that merchant Wayne Hix had objected to making East Depot Street one-way...

Bailey seeks North Main site for child care (03/05/09)
A local homeless advocate is asking the Shelbyville City Council Tuesday for the use of the old Child Development Center on North Main Street again -- this time, to use as a child care facility. But some council members want to sell the property in question and put it on the tax rolls...

Branch bank approved for North Main location (03/01/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission gave its recommendation for a site plan for a Traders Bank branch on North Main Street Thursday. The Tullahoma-based bank intends to construct a 3,400 square foot branch office to be located at the corner of North Main Street and Hickory Drive...

New service takes sting out of paying traffic tickets (02/22/09)
You've been caught speeding and now -- aside from the financial hit you are going to take -- you are also going to have to take time out of your busy schedule to go to court. A new addition to the city of Shelbyville's website, however, may take away some of the pain of paying for a traffic infraction by allowing you to pay your ticket online...

Rules committee views growth plan proposal (02/18/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee got its first look at proposed revisions to the county's growth plan on Tuesday night, along with a report by Charles Goforth of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon. In the late 1990s, a new state law, Public Chapter 1101, required every county in Tennessee to develop a 20-year growth plan. ...

Traders Bank seeks branch in Shelbyville (02/17/09)
Tullahoma-based Traders Bank is requesting approval of a site plan for a 3,400 square foot branch office to be addressed by the Shelbyville Planning Commission next week. Blueprints for the site show that the proposed building, which would be the bank's first location in the Bedford County market, would be located at the corner of North Main Street and Hickory Drive...

City chooses new names for Harris landmarks (02/16/09)
Shelbyville City Council voted Thursday for a name change to pieces of property still in use for sports practices. The council approved a recommendation by the city's park board to refer to the old Harris Middle School gym and the adjoining fields as the Elm Street Sports Complex and Central Memorial Gym...

Bypass project to heat up during spring, summer (02/15/09)
Bids for the long awaited Shelbyville bypass will be let in May with construction to begin in July, if all goes according to plan. City manager Ed Craig announced at Thursday's Shelbyville study session that city officials met this week for a review meeting with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), attended by Craig, Shelbyville mayor Wallace Cartwright and public works director Mark Clanton...

Baseball may strike out without lighting upgrade (02/09/09)
With 85 teams using the baseball fields at H.V. Griffin Park, upgraded lighting must be installed or there can be no night games this coming year, Shelbyville City Council was told during its study session last Tuesday. The council will vote this week on spending an estimated $64,500 to replace field lighting poles...

East Depot one-way route reconsidered (02/08/09)
If part of East Depot Street is to be made one way on a permanent basis, it should be outbound from the square, Shelbyville city council members were told Tuesday. Last October, the city council passed a measure that would turn East Depot into a one-way street for a 90-day period...

Retrofit may force closure of city pool (02/08/09)
Shelbyville's city council will have to approve bids to bring the city's swimming pools into compliance with a new federal law passed in December. And unless the outdoor pool at the Shelbyville Recreation Center is retrofitted with new equipment by May, the city will not be able to open it for the summer...

Jet travel firm may take flight (02/05/09)
An environmental study will be needed for land at the Shelbyville airport to attract a possible new industry specializing in jet travel. Walt Wood, CEO of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, told Shelbyville's city council Tuesday that a firm that manufactures small jet aircraft is looking at locating here, but for the site to be seriously considered, a Phase I environmental study will be required...

Sanford packaging expansion approved (01/26/09)
Shelbyville's planning commission gave its OK Thursday for a 155,000-square-foot addition to the Sanford Distribution Center. The addition to the plant is to be a new packaging center adjacent to the current facility on Railroad Avenue, which will employ more than 125 people. The center is scheduled to be open during the time period when the manufacturing facility in Shelbyville closes, resulting in a net loss of 175 jobs...

Remains of old building dumped illegally (01/18/09)
Material from a demolition site in downtown Shelbyville was illegally dumped on property on Warners Bridge Road and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has issued a Notice of Violation to the property owner. TDEC officials said Friday that a cleanup was underway at 1326 Warners Bridge Road, where the "illegal disposal of solid waste" had taken place...

City will return fluoride to water system (01/18/09)
Any local dentist could tell you -- Shelbyville children are being neglected. Luckily, the neglect wasn't intentional nor was it permanent, and the long-term effects may not be anything more than a cavity or two. For several months now, the water leaving the Shelbyville treatment plant has been leaving without fluoride, that secret ingredient of good dental health...

Cunningham, city manager square off (01/07/09)
The first study session of 2009 for the Shelbyville City Council erupted into a shouting match Monday between a councilman and the city manager. Councilman Lee Roy Cunningham verbally attacked planning and codes director Kip Green, accusing him of keeping business from coming to Shelbyville, while city manager Ed Craig said that Green was merely upholding the laws on the books...

Tow operator sues county, city (12/17/08)
A Shelbyville tow operator has filed a federal lawsuit against Bedford County, the city of Shelbyville, its police department and a competing wrecker service, alleging that towing and repair jobs were steered toward one business. Robert L. Bushnell, of Shelbyville, owner of Quality Collision and Towing, is asking for $300,000 in compensatory damages, plus an unknown amount of punitive damages, as well as a jury trial...

New council members sworn in (12/12/08)
Newly elected and selected members of the Shelbyville City Council took the oath of office Thursday night, with a series of committee appointments made as well. First business of the evening was Thomas Landers taking the oath of office to fill the seat of the late Fred Harrison...

Planners urge expansion of city growth boundary (12/07/08)
Shelbyville's planning commission gave a recommendation to the city council to expand the city's growth boundary and also recommended a 20-year growth plan Thursday night. The commission, however, voted to table new design guidelines so that the matter could be studied further. A public hearing was opened for the proposed growth plan for the city, but not a single citizen attended the meeting...

Firms line up to show traffic cams (12/03/08)
Three more companies are lining up to give presentations of their traffic camera systems to the city of Shelbyville. Meanwhile, a legal opinion by the Tennessee Attorney General says that citations based on the traffic control devices are constitutional...

Shelbyville council looks ahead to new appointments (12/02/08)
There was little on the Shelbyville city council's study session Monday, as several of the items on the agenda will wait for a new council to take office. Two new members will be sworn in next Thursday. New council members Thomas Landers and Jean Pruitt will take the oath of office, followed by returning members Kay Rose and Jo Ann Holland...

Property owners gain more time for demolition (11/25/08)
Shelbyville's codes department wants to work with the owners of dilapidated homes around the city to give them more time to comply with instructions to bring down the structures. Codes director Kip Green said the city wants to give more leeway to property owners who are cooperating and "are being more patient with our process" of starting demolition...

Another red light firm wants city's business (11/18/08)
A second red light camera company wants to give a demonstration of its system to Shelbyville city leaders, the council learned Thursday. City manager Ed Craig told the council that Gatso USA has asked to make a presentation to police and city officials. That presentation will be made Thursday, Dec. 11, at some point before that day's city council meeting, although a time has not been designated yet...

Committee proposed to study job losses (11/17/08)
The recent loss of jobs in Shelbyville has prompted a discussion about what can be done to preserve them in Bedford County. At the close of Thursday night's city council meeting, Councilman Lee Roy Cunningham said that the city and county should form a committee "in view of what's happened this week" to look at the county's employment situation...

City faces more Depot Street expenses (11/17/08)
An additional expense of $5,000 will be incurred by the city to shore up the roof and wall of That Book Shop to prevent problems when the old Grapevine building is brought down, the Shelbyville City Council learned Thursday. City manager Ed Craig passed out copies of photos taken inside of the attic of the Grapevine during an inspection by Lee Adcock, who will be performing the demolition of the vacant shop...

Airport improvements stem from grant funds (11/16/08)
Aeronautics grant funds totaling $99,000 have been approved for the Shelbyville Municipal Airport, it was announced this week. The grant funds, part of nearly $4 million given to 15 Tennessee airports, will be used for an airport layout plan and to install security cameras...

Landers named to City Council seat (11/14/08)
Thomas Landers was unanimously selected to fill the Shelbyville City Council seat of the late Fred Harrison Thursday night. Landers will take the oath of office at the next city council meeting on Dec. 11. Council members said that Landers was the first to ask to fill the seat. He was approved swiftly without opposition...

Council approves demolition of building (11/13/08)
Shelbyville City Council approved the demolition of a building on East Depot Street that once contained a popular antique store, but heard criticism over how the matter was handled from the firm that won the bid. Meanwhile, the owner of the lot where the building stands asked the council if he can buy back the lot for the possible use of a parking lot...

Shelbyville takes closer look at traffic cameras (11/12/08)
It's a concept that nearby Murfreesboro has used to cut down on accidents, and now its smaller neighbor -- Shelbyville -- will take a look at the idea. Shelbyville's city council will be examining the concept of an automated red light violation monitoring system that it is hoped will make the streets safer...

Shelbyville city spending may be deferred (11/10/08)
Spending for Shelbyville totaling some $375,000 could be deferred in an effort to save money, the city council was told Thursday night. However, city manager Ed Craig said the city "is on budget" and that while deficits are budgeted into the numbers, Shelbyville has never really had one...

Council argues over how to replace Harrison (11/09/08)
Voices were raised by Shelbyville city council members and accusations flew during a discussion Thursday night over picking a replacement for the late Fred Harrison. Harrison died Oct. 31 after a long illness. The council must now choose someone to fill his seat. However, one councilman made a suggestion that upset other members...

North Brittain closed as sewer line replaced (11/06/08)
Motorists who use North Brittain Street will have to look for another route for the next month or so as workers begin a replacement job. Engineer John Freeman of Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewer said that worker will begin re-laying a sewer line starting beside Dr. Charles Stimpson's veterinary clinic...

It's ladies first in city election (11/05/08)
Two Shelbyville city council incumbents retained their seats Tuesday while another was defeated by a previous member of that body. According to unofficial results, Ward 5 Councilman Randy Vernon was unseated by Jean Pruitt, who had previously served on the city council, by a vote of 349 to 198...

Civic leader Harrison dies at 78 (11/01/08)
A longtime fixture in Bedford County and Shelbyville politics has died. Fred Harrison, 78, died Friday at Bedford County Nursing Home following an illness. "Fred was a fine gentleman," said Circuit Court Clerk Thomas Smith Saturday morning. "I've known him a lot of years. He's probably the only person who served on county commission then turned right around and served on the city council. The last time he ran, he ran unopposed...

Grapevine demolition bids may be considered (10/28/08)
Bids may be taken before the Shelbyville City Council's next study session for the demolition of the former Grapevine on East Depot Street. The study session has been set for Thursday, Nov. 6, which was moved from Tuesday, Nov. 4, Election Day. A very brief special called meeting took place last Tuesday to address the matter of considering proposals for the demolition of 111 E. Depot St. Councilman Al Stephenson raised the issue that the city should take bids for the work, not just proposals...

Hotel, credit union gain planners' approval (10/24/08)
Shelbyville Planning Commission on Thursday approved site plans for a new four-story, 60-plus room Microtel hotel to be located at 1207 North Main St., and for the new Shelbyville branch for Ascend Federal Credit Union, which will be located at 1900 North Main St...

Hiring, spending freeze proposed for city (10/13/08)
A proposed spending and hiring freeze will be discussed at Shelbyville's next study session, after a city councilman attempted to have the item put on the agenda of Thursday's night's meeting. Lee Roy Cunningham made the proposal to add the item to the agenda at the beginning of Thursday's regular meeting, but other members of the council wanted more time to study the idea before taking any action...

Second Depot Street building to be demolished (10/10/08)
More discussion about the demolition on East Depot Street dominated Thursday's meeting of the Shelbyville City Council, with authorization given to tear down the building that formerly housed the Grapevine. The building at 111 and 113 E. Depot had been damaged during the demolition of 109 E. Depot and contractors and engineers have said it would cost over $200,000 to repair and bring up to code...

City residents to vote by wards this year (10/07/08)
To avoid confusion at the polls, city and county officials want to remind Shelbyville voters about an important change in the City Council election next month. Only city residents in Wards 1, 3 and 5 will be voting for council positions on Tuesday, Nov. 4...

Downtown Depot Street area may go one-way (10/06/08)
All but one of the businesses on East Depot Street support having the two blocks off the public square become a one way thoroughfare, members of the city council were told Tuesday. The issue will be on the council's agenda when they meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the city hall annex...

Depot Street building may come down (10/02/08)
Costs to repair an adjoining building damaged during the recent demolition on East Depot Street could exceed $200,000, Shelbyville city council members were told Tuesday, which may lead them to order its destruction as well next week. Meanwhile, one council member said the building at 109 E. Depot should have never come down, claiming that he entered the condemned building to inspect it himself, in what another council member said would have been violation of the law...

New vision in view for Shelbyville (09/29/08)
New goals and a strategy to implement Shelbyville's comprehensive growth plan are likely to be discussed over the next month by the city council and planning commission. On Thursday, Charles Goforth of the design firm Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC) gave planning commission members compact discs containing the final draft, which contains drawings of the city's proposed Urban Growth Area and land use...

Planning commission sees strategic plan draft (09/26/08)
Shelbyville's planning commission will take a look at the city's new strategic plan next month, as members were given draft copies of the plan Thursday. Charles Goforth, of the design firm Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC), gave commission members compact discs containing the final draft...

Depot Street reopened to traffic (09/24/08)
The 100 block of East Depot Street was reopened to traffic on Tuesday; it had been closed since the demolition of a condemned building on Monday. Meanwhile, a building damaged during the demolition of the condemned structure will be checked to see if it can be salvaged...

Depot Street building falls, damages nearby structure (09/23/08)
Bricks fell and dust flew Monday as crews got to work bringing down the building at 109 E. Depot St., which had been deemed dangerous by the city. However, a collapsing wall that struck a neighboring building means that the city will either have to pay for damages or buy the entire structure and destroy it as well...

East Depot building to tumble this week (09/16/08)
Traffic on East Depot Street could be flowing again by the end of the week as the demolition of a dangerous structure is tentatively scheduled to begin Wednesday morning. Last Thursday, the city council passed three emergency resolutions pertaining to the building at 109 E. Depot, which was condemned in March. One block of the street has been closed to traffic since last week due to safety concerns...

City will pay for sod in detention area (09/14/08)
In its regular monthly meeting Thursday evening, the Shelbyville City Council voted to authorize the city manager to execute payment to Dwayne Sullivan to reimburse expenditures for sod used in a detention area. Sullivan came to the council last week with questions about how to solve drainage problems after he learned that he might not be the true owner of the land where he is building apartment development he is building at Thompson Street and East Lane Street...

Building's demolition gains approval (09/12/08)
With Shelbyville facing a "huge expense," the city council voted Thursday to authorize the emergency demolition of the building of 109 E. Depot St. and, possibly, the building next door. The trick will be getting the owner of the building to pay for the demolition, which will likely require litigation, the city's manager and attorney both said...

City moves toward demolition (09/09/08)
Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright inspected the walls inside The Grapevine Monday, at 113 East Depot Street. "This could come down at any minute," he said of a wall inside The Grapevine that is shared by a building deemed unsafe for habitation by the city in March...

Railroad right-of-way issues cause problems (09/07/08)
A question about drainage and the true ownership of land arose before the Shelbyville City Council Tuesday. Dwanye Sullivan addressed the council about problems he encountered with an apartment development he owns, or thought he owned until he discovered that part of it was actually property of Walking Horse and Eastern Railroad...

City against proposed shelter location (09/05/08)
Shelbyville City Council members said Tuesday they were not in favor of a proposed homeless shelter and child care center on North Main Street. The council took issue with the location rather than the concept. Last month, Dr. Carl Bailey presented his vision for Community Religious Outreach Social Services (CROSS) to the council. ...

Restrictions urged on chemical storage near schools (09/04/08)
estricting the storage of potentially dangerous chemicals close to schools and other facilities was urged Tuesday by a group of concerned citizens and institutions. In response, the council could use zoning laws to address the issue, Shelbyville's city manager said...

City envisions Depot Street revitalization (09/03/08)
Turning East Depot Street into a one-way thoroughfare is one idea that is part of a revitalization project envisioned for a two block area off the public square, the Shelbyville City Council was told Tuesday. City manager Ed Craig said he had been approached by several merchants on E. Depot about making the street one way due to concerns over safety for the businesses there...

Store's availbility for industry questioned (08/31/08)
A question from a Shelbyville city councilman sparked speculation about a new business during the end of Shelbyville's planning commission meeting Thursday. Right before adjournment, councilman Al Stephenson asked planning and codes director Kip Green if the old Kroger building on Madison Street could be used for light industrial purposes, or I-1 zoning...

Colloredo-North Main intersection upgraded (08/18/08)
Just one more step remains to finish work on the widening of the intersection of Colloredo Boulevard and North Main Street, according to city officials. Paving at the intersection was completed Thursday night, according to city manager Ed Craig, and he said that the work on the roadway "should be complete."...

High grass mows down city's time (08/17/08)
There's a stack of papers on the desk of Shelbyville codes official David Langford that continues to grow. Which is ironic, since growth is the main topic of letters that have been going out to property owners -- the uncontrolled growth of grass. Langford's main responsibility in the planning and codes department is property maintenance, dealing with subjects like junked cars or rundown homes. But, this summer, he has spent most of his time making sure that people keep their lawns mowed...

Council signs off on sewer work bid (08/17/08)
It was a brief and routine meeting for Shelbyville City Council Thursday, with a variety of ordinances and resolutions passed. A resolution was passed to approve awarding a bid for Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewer on the northeast area sewer replacement project. The bid was awarded to Mayse Construction Co. of Chattanooga, which had the low bid of $1,079,053...

Homeless shelter, child care center proposed (08/13/08)
Shelbyville's city council is being asked for a zoning change and permission to use a building on North Main Street for a volunteer-run homeless shelter and child care center. Dr. Carl Bailey, who spearheads the county's Emergency Management Agency Avian Flu preparedness program and its shelter program, asked the council for the zoning change so that four trailers can be placed behind a house at 262 North Main St., which is owned jointly by the city and county...

Heavy traffic equals new business, council told (08/12/08)
Traffic flow is the key to bringing more retail businesses to Shelbyville, says the head of the city's and county's Chamber of Commerce. Walt Wood, CEO of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, briefed city council members last week about the continuing efforts to bring more store fronts to the community...

City needs more parks land, council told (08/11/08)
There's no room for growth at H.V. Griffin Park and expansion is needed for the city's Parks and Recreation Department, the Shelbyville City Council was told Tuesday. Athletic coordinator Jakob Stephens briefed council members about the department's needs, saying that the city has an inability to host larger tournaments and more fields are needed...

$50M lawsuit against city dismissed (08/10/08)
A federal judge has dismissed a $50 million dollar wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Shelbyville filed by the family of Fermin Estrada, who was shot by police in March 2006, according to court records. Eight claims against Shelbyville police officer James Wilkerson were also dismissed, but remaining matters involving him are to be resolved in an undisclosed settlement agreement within the next few weeks...

Harris gym roof needs repair 'soon' (08/10/08)
Shelbyville city leaders have been told that the gym roof at the old Harris Middle School on Elm Street is "beyond its life expectancy." A letter from Don Price of Professional Roofing Contractors of Shelbyville to City Manager Ed Craig said repairing the upper roof would give the city a few more years to include a complete replacement in the city budget, but the lower lobby roof "needs to be replaced as soon as possible."...

Industrial park funding discussed by council (08/07/08)
The city council agrees: Shelbyville needs an industrial park. The question: How to pay for it. That was a topic of discussion raised by city manager Ed Craig at the city council's study session Tuesday evening. His idea is to buy 300 acres of land that is currently available on Railroad Avenue and turn it into an industrial park as well as a location for a sports park...

Housing permits, construction increase in city (08/03/08)
The housing slowdown in Shelbyville seems to be reversing itself, with work beginning on several projects, according to the city's planning and codes director. Kip Green said in March that the nation's housing slowdown had an obvious impact on home construction in Shelbyville, with the building of new houses down 60 percent since that time last year...

Leaders mark city's future priorities (07/28/08)
Members of Shelbyville's city council and its planning commission listed their priorities Thursday to make the city a better place in the future. Taking adhesive green "dots," members marked items they thought should be priorities for the city on several large sheets that listed a series of city goals and objectives...

Engineers fear building will collapse (07/23/08)
Engineers are worried about the possibility of "immediate collapse" of a building off the public square on East Depot Street that has been deemed unsafe for human habitation by the City of Shelbyville. Part of the sidewalk at 109 E. Depot St. is blocked by barrels and yellow caution tape to keep pedestrians out of the area where bricks have already fallen from the facade of the building...

Tornado warning sirens to sound (07/14/08)
Emergency management officials are planning to place tornado warning sirens around Bedford County, and are already using two existing units inside Shelbyville. Scott Johnson, director of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, says there are plans to erect 20 of the devices around the county in coming years, once funding becomes available...

Spec building's pros, cons discussed (07/14/08)
Shelbyville's city council was briefed Thursday on the pros and cons of constructing a 48,000-square-foot speculative building at the Airport Business Park. It was announced in April that Duck River Electric Membership Corp. had been given a $300,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant to help build a spec building to attract an industry to Airport Business Park...

City bans parking lot pet sales (07/11/08)
The sale of animals in the city, a change in the charter and a new police substation were some of the items the Shelbyville City Council addressed Thursday. A resolution asking for a change in the city's charter passed. The charter change would alter the voting requirement to "a majority of those present and voting" from "a majority of those present" in regards to electing members of the Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewer Board...

Police to add Purdy Court substation (07/09/08)
A new police substation at Purdy Court could be ready for use within the next month, Shelbyville city officials say. The use of a three-bedroom unit at 900 Purdy Court has been offered by the Shelbyville Housing Authority and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a place where officers can fill out reports, and to relieve overcrowding at the main police station on Lane Parkway, city manager Ed Craig said...

Garbage route changes 'running smoothly' (07/09/08)
"So far, everything is going smoothly." That's what Shelbyville public works director Mark Clanton said about the first few days of the city's new garbage schedule, which began Monday. The department converted to a four-day, 10-hour work week in an effort to save money on fuel...

Police accused of favoring tow firm (07/07/08)
A Shelbyville wrecker operator made allegations Tuesday that police were directing business to a particular tow company instead of following a set rotation schedule. But Shelbyville City Council members seemed unconvinced and asked for more evidence concerning the charges...

Novelty lighter ban pleases fire official (07/07/08)
They look like any innocent item a parent might buy at a retail store for their child, or even resemble a toy included in a children's fast food meal. But they aren't toys. They are cigarette lighters and, as of July 1, it is illegal to sell or distribute the items in Tennessee...

Council faces final pet sale decision (07/07/08)
A number of items will be addressed by Shelbyville's city council when it meets for its regular meeting Thursday, including passing an ordinance pertaining to the sale of pets. The final reading of ordinance number 821 would make it illegal to sell or give away animals in public places in Shelbyville, unless the person in question is a dealer...

City not sure it wants gym (07/06/08)
Bedford County's mayor will soon be sending a lease agreement to the City of Shelbyville for the old Harris Middle School gym and other properties. However, council members are asking for an inspection of the property before leasing it from the county...

Goals for Shelbyville considered by council (07/02/08)
Jobs. Education. Appearance. Recreation. Retail. Safety. These are goals Shelbyville's city council will take a look at next month when they examine the city's new strategic plan. The council held a strategic planning session at Henry Horton State Park in May to come up with a vision statement and a list of six goals and objectives for the future...

City garbage routes to change next week (07/01/08)
Shelbyville's sanitation officer has been wearing out his shoe leather for the past couple of weeks to make sure residents know which day to cart their trash to the curb. Beginning Monday, the city's public works department will switch to a 4-day, 10-hour work week, meaning the Friday garbage route will be phased out and others will be changing...

City Council member collapses in Memphis (06/29/08)
Shelbyville City Council got a scare earlier this week when one of its members suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing. Council members were waiting for a bus in front of the downtown Memphis Marriott Monday evening when Fred Harrison suddenly lost consciousness and began to fall backwards into a fountain...

Planning commission approves requests (06/27/08)
Shelbyville's planning commission had a brief agenda Thursday, dealing with only three items. A rezoning request was approved for Joe M. Lambert and Bobby G. Sanders for a parcel on East Cedar Street, from C-3 (Neighborhood Service District) to R-4 (High Density Residential)...

City budget passes; pay raises granted (06/26/08)
Despite two "no" votes, Shelbyville City Council passed its budget for fiscal year 2008-09 following a discussion about pay raises. No comments were made in the public hearing for the budget before the special called meeting to approve it. But when the motion to pass the budget came before the council, councilman Al Stephenson proposed an amendment keeping employee pay raises at three percent across the board...

East Side drainage problems may be over (06/24/08)
Drainage problems near East Side School should be reduced with the completion of work on the storm sewer in that area. Workers dug a 20-foot-deep hole in a playground across from the elementary school last week to install manholes and obtain access to underground storm water pipes...

Garbage collection times change for some (06/23/08)
Starting the week of July 7, a number of Shelbyville residents will begin a new garbage pickup schedule. Workers will also soon go door to door to inform those impacted by the change. According to Mark Clanton, director of the city's public works department, workers will shift to a four-day, 10-hour work week on July 7 in an effort to save Shelbyville money. As a result, the Friday garbage route will be phased out...

Shelbyville adds online tax payments (06/19/08)
The City of Shelbyville's web site now has a new feature that will not only allow citizens to pay their property taxes online, but will also make it possible to look up tax information. The new service can be found on the upper left hand side of the city's web page at www.shelbyvilletn.org...

Shelbyville expands fire fleet (06/17/08)
Shelbyville's fire department will soon put a new pumper truck into service, expanding its fleet and possibly lowering insurance rates, the city's fire chief said. Fire Chief John Habel said the new pumper contains some of the latest firefighting innovations, such as extra capacity for foam used to extinguish newer mixtures of fuel containing alcohol...

Mayor breaks ties, backs budget cuts (06/13/08)
Shelbyville's mayor broke two tie votes dealing with budget cuts at Thursday evening's regular meeting of the city council. Two budget cutting measures were before the council: The elimination of paper paychecks, estimated to save $16,740; and requiring city employees to take a two-week vacation, which would put $32,859 back into the budget...

City budget deficit projected at $571K (06/12/08)
Members of Shelbyville City Council have settled on the amount of the city's deficit and will approve this coming year's budget at a special called meeting later this month. The proposed budget would make Friday garbage pickup a thing of the past. Shelbyville will have a budget deficit of approximately $571,000 -- a figure which the council decided, following a lengthy discussion, to leave as is...

'Kitten season' snarls local animal shelters (06/09/08)
An influx of stray cats and kittens this spring has filled Bedford County Animal Control and other agencies to capacity. "This is kitten season," said Michael Gregory of BCAC. "This last month we've had so many cats come in that have since had litters. We have about 15 to 17 cats that are adaptable and more who are feral. We are full."...

Shelbyville seeks to slice deficit (06/05/08)
The budget ax emerged at Tuesday's meeting of the Shelbyville City Council, but very few actual cuts were made as the group struggles to reduce a nearly $650,000 deficit projected in next year's numbers. Three measures were agreed upon -- eliminating the use of paper paychecks, estimated to save $16,740; eliminating one public works position at a savings of $12,801; and requiring city employees to take a two-week vacation, which would put $32,859 back into the budget. ...

Shelbyville is not alone in sewage problems (06/02/08)
Aging sewage systems statewide are causing water quality problems, and the problem hits home in Bedford County. Shelbyville is one of 68 municipally-owned sewer systems in Tennessee that are under some type of order to bring their systems up to standards, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports, based on data from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation...

More city street repair dollars urged (05/31/08)
Shelbyville City Council reviewed preliminary budget figures Thursday night as presented by City Manager Ed Craig, with council member Al Stephenson saying he would like to see more put into street repair than is shown by the working document. The new fiscal year will begin July 1...

New city budget to be revealed (05/24/08)
Shelbyville's city council will get its first look at the 2008-09 budget this week, according to city manager Ed Craig. A budget meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in the courtroom of the city police station. Craig and city treasurer Gary Cantrell will take a final look at the first draft of the budget before passing it along to the city council, Craig stated...

Stormwater discussed by city planners (05/23/08)
A public meeting will be held next month, probably June 19, to explain the City of Shelbyville's stormwater regulations, which were adopted in 2003 as a result of state and federal Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) requirements. City Manager Ed Craig announced the meeting during Thursday night's meeting of Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission...

The numbers are up: traffic lights get signage (05/22/08)
Shelbyville has a lot of visitors, and sooner or later, they all have one thing in common. They get "turned around" or just plain lost. This week, the city's public works department is doing something about that by numbering the traffic lights on Shelbyville's main arteries: Madison Street and North Main Street...

Newly-placed trees are the wrong kind (05/17/08)
Don't get too used to seeing those new trees on the square. They are soon to be removed and won't be replaced until fall. According to City Manager Ed Craig, D & L Associates of Nashville, the landscaping company hired to plant and maintain the foliage, installed the wrong types of trees on the square...

Lawmakers support fight against public service unions (05/16/08)
Shelbyville and 20 other towns in Tennessee now have two allies in their fight to stop forced union representation for police and fire departments: Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander. Corker has proposed an amendment to the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (H.R. 980), which would require states to have mandatory collective bargaining for public service employees, according to a press release from his office...

Tribute offered to fallen police officers (05/15/08)
Fallen officers were on the minds of a group of Shelbyville policemen as they raised a flag Tuesday in honor of their own during a commemoration of National Police Week. "You can't take anything for granted," Chief Austin Swing noted, pointing out prisoners who seem totally trustworthy are capable of suddenly becoming violent...

S. Brittain soccer field proposal scrapped (05/10/08)
The idea to use property behind homes on South Brittain Street for soccer fields was scrapped after residents of that neighborhood showed up in force at Thursday night's Shelbyville city council meeting. A motion had been placed on the agenda last week to authorize Mayor Wallace Cartwright to contact the Shelbyville Power System Board to determine if they would lease property south of the water plant to the city for use as a soccer complex...

City eyes public pet peddling (05/10/08)
The first reading of an ordinance that would make it illegal to sell or give away animals in public places in Shelbyville was passed Thursday. The ordinance would make it unlawful to display any animal in a public place with the purpose of giving them away or selling them, unless the person in question is a dealer...

Sudberry, Nelson elected to power board (05/09/08)
Despite a complicated process, the Shelbyville City Council voted in two Power Board members Thursday evening. Rayburn Sudberry was elected to replace Clarence Lamb and Clara Nelson was returned to her seat. Lamb and Nelson had filed applications to serve, as did Sudberry, Thomas Landers, Ashley Heard, James Darden, Robert Crowell, Lizzie Peoples and Jason "Rusty" Reed...

New trees planted on square (05/08/08)
Dirt was moved again Wednesday on the Shelbyville public square, only this time it was to finally plant the trees that have been the source of concern for both downtown merchants and city officials. Reaction to the new greenery depended on who was asked. Janet Cavna, who lives on the square and is a member of Main Street Shelbyville, said she was pleased with the result...

State study says airport site is best for soccer (05/07/08)
A state evaluation says that land near Shelbyville Municipal Airport is the best site for a proposed soccer/athletic complex, the city's park board learned Monday. The concept was a topic of discussion at last week's Shelbyville study session, with two council members, Lee Roy Cunningham and Al Stephenson, wanting to build a complex on land owned by the city's power, water and sewer utility located behind a residential area on South Brittain St...

Five-year sports facility plan outlined (05/07/08)
An outline for a five-year plan to construct a soccer/athletic complex was included in an evaluation submitted to Shelbyville by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Recreational and Educational Services. The report recommends using 42 acres of land located near the city's airport for the proposed facility, which could include eight soccer fields and four baseball/softball fields...

S. Brittain soccer fields proposed (05/02/08)
Shelbyville's city council will consider a proposal to use property off South Brittain Street owned by the city's power, water and sewer utility for soccer fields. But some council members want more study done on the concept before making a decision...

Charter may change over power board issue (05/02/08)
Shelbyville's city council will consider a change in the city's charter dealing with power board appointments after receiving an opinion from the state attorney general that says the mayor can veto the council's choice. Last June, the council sought the opinion of the attorney general after controversy arose over a controversial Power Board appointment they made in May 2007...

City wants to ban parking lot pet sales (05/01/08)
The practice of selling or giving away animals at places like Wal-Mart may soon be a thing of the past. Shelbyville's city council will consider an ordinance that would make it unlawful to display any animal in a public place with the purpose of giving them away or selling them, unless the person in question is a dealer...

Federal union bill concerns city officials (05/01/08)
Shelbyville may soon join forces with other Tennessee municipalities to lobby against a bill requiring union representation for public service employees. City manager Ed Craig explained that a bill has made its way through Congress and is now in the Senate that would require states to have mandatory collective bargaining for fire and police...

Fuel costs impact city budget (04/28/08)
Rising fuel costs are prompting the city of Shelbyville to change how it will figure gasoline expenses into the next year's fiscal budget. But the good news is that overall, this year's budget is on target. With the numbers at the pumps reaching the $3.50 mark, cities and counties across the nation must absorb the impact and Shelbyville is no exception...

Building's fate to be decided (04/26/08)
The fate of an East Depot Street building deemed unsafe for human habitation by the City of Shelbyville will be decided within the next month. Barrels and yellow caution tape mark the spot where bricks have fallen from the facade of 109 E. Depot. Codes official Scotty Farrar said the building was declared dangerous when its condition was brought to the city's attention at the request of owner Alice Albright, who was having "some issues" with a tenant...

Planners address church, cycles, waste treatment (04/25/08)
A new church building, a motorcycle dealership and an improved treatment plant for Tyson were some of the items addressed by the Shelbyville Planning Commission Thursday. A public hearing was held concerning Shelbyville's new subdivision regulations before the commission meeting began. No one spoke about the new rules and the commission approved the regulations after that...

Big trucks moved off the square (04/25/08)
The traffic situation on Shelbyville's public square will soon see some relief as 18-wheeled vehicles will be directed away from the crowded area. City manager Ed Craig said that Mayor Wallace Cartwright had requested that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reroute state highways off of the square. The city received word from TDOT Tuesday that the request was approved...

Large tree must go, city says (04/23/08)
Concern about the fate of a tree on East Depot Street led to a small public hearing Tuesday between some downtown business people and city officials. Jennifer Templeton of Templeton Insurance started a petition to save the large tree in front of the business that is slated to be replaced by a pair of single stem crepe myrtles...

Half of Shelbyville without water for 12 hours (04/21/08)
So far, 2008 has been an eventful year for Bedford County's water utilities. About 4,500 customers -- a little more than half -- of Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System were without water for 12 hours Saturday night and Sunday morning, after a water main break in a field near SPWSS headquarters...

North Main work begins Monday (04/19/08)
The long awaited beginning of the widening of North Main Street in Shelbyville kicks off Monday with the first phase: work on the intersection with Colloredo Boulevard / Fairfield Pike. Word was received late Wednesday from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) that work would soon be underway, according to public works director Mark Clanton...

Tyson seeks wastewater plant upgrade (04/18/08)
An addition to Tyson Foods' wastewater treatment facility for its Shelbyville Poultry Complex is one of the items on the city's planning commission agenda next week. The food giant is requesting site plan approval for combined additional coverage of 13,707 square feet for the treatment system upgrade at 901 West Jackson St...

Citywide cleanup is coming (04/18/08)
If you've had enough of looking at that musty old couch or need to finally get rid of that antiquated refrigerator, get ready to haul it out to the street. April 21-25 is Spring Cleanup Week in Shelbyville, which gives residents the opportunity to get rid of all that junk that's been pilling up...

Cunningham: 'No' to some city funding (04/12/08)
Some city departments may want to consider not asking for some items after a city council member stated Thursday he would begin voting "no" on various funding requests. Lee Roy Cunningham said that the city should stop spending money on items he feels Shelbyville does not need. He had questioned if the city really needed mobile staging that was purchased by the Parks and Recreation Department at a cost of $6,755...

City accepts tree bids for the square (04/05/08)
With two members voting no, the Shelbyville City Council accepted bids Tuesday for the planting of trees on the city square. Accepting the bids was the only item for a special called meeting of the council that occurred before its regular study session. A bid of $12,205 from D & L Associates of Nashville was accepted...

City discusses dog control (04/03/08)
Do you catch them humanely, or introduce them to Mr. Pow! Pow! Pow!? That was the question debated Tuesday as the topic of dogs was once again before Shelbyville City Council, with councilmen asking the city's animal control officer if shooting the wild animals was an option...

Draft of urban growth plan revealed (04/01/08)
A preliminary working draft of Shelbyville's comprehensive growth plan lays out a list of issues and opportunities, which helps identify the city's strengths and weaknesses. The draft plan was drawn up by the design firm of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC), which is also working on the county's growth plans. The plan calls for the city's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to be expanded northward where most, if not all, of the future growth is expected to take place...