Cathy (Mrs. William David) Loftis, Soddy-Daisy parade coordinator, presented the judge's choice award to the Vietnam Veterans of America Soddy-Daisy Chapter 942 on Thursday. Mrs. Loftis said she received many great comments about the group and commended the unit for being chosen from the 137 groups in the parade.
Other honors:
Business - Aslinger Bonding Company.
School - Allen Elementary
Church - Christ Family Church
Organization - Purple Passions Red Hat Society.
Mrs. Loftis said the 137 entries is up from 103 last year. The parade lasted two hours and donations for the Fire Department Children's Christmas fund totaled $1,865.
Mayor Bob Privett commended Mrs.
Loftis for a job well done and encouraged her to continue serving in this role.
Also at the meeting, the commission voted to remove the prohibition of liquor by the drink sales in the city. City Manager Janice Cagle said this is a necessary action due to the result of the election on Nov. 7. City Attorney Sam Elliott told the board that the wording came "straight from MTAS."
Mayor Privett brought up issues concerning the current regulations on double wide mobile homes that are being used as rental property. Currently, only new double wides can be placed on a lot that will primarily be used as rental property, it was said.
Vice-Mayor Patti Skates and Commissioner Jim Adams said they feel confident that the current regulations are more than adequate. Both noted the years of research done to prepare the current laws. New Commissioner David Skiles and Commissioner Geno Shipley both said they wanted to study the wording further. Mayor Privett said he plans to bring up the issue in the new year.
The board postponed a request by public works director Bill Renfro to purchase a new John Deere tractor with side mower. The $50,000 machine is in the budget, but Mayor Privett wants to see what it will cost to "sub out" the mowing that such a machine would be used for.
On the web:
http://www.mtas.utk.edu
http://www.vvoachapters.org/Chapter942.htm