Bradley County Commissioner Jeff Yarber on Monday asked that the Fire Board look into the county’s policy with regard to the Mutual Aid and Emergency and Disaster Assistance Agreement of 2004. Mr. Yarber questioned why the city of Cleveland’s Fire Department was not summoned to assist the Bradley County Fire Department in last week's fire at Thompson Springs Baptist Church on Bates Pike.

He referred to the location of the city’s station on APD 40 and its proximity to the burning church.

Assistance was requested from Highway 58, Tri-Community (made up of Collegedale, Apison, Ooltewah and East Brainerd), and West Polk County fire departments.

Commissioner Howard Thompson recognized several members of Thompson Springs, including Donald Stevens in attendance at the commission meeting. These men thanked the county and praised the fire departments who fought the blaze to save the new building under construction, only a few feet from the burning 1932 sanctuary that could not be salvaged.

Also discussed at length was the request for an additional $200,000 to come out of the fund balance to pay for a new Bradley County fire engine, just days from being delivered. The total cost of the engine is $350,000.

Commissioner Ed Elkins, chairman of the Finance Committee, stated that he has been trying for several days to get information about the purchase order number and bid process associated with the purchase. Apparently, the original purchase order was canceled.

All the commissioners agreed on the need for the engine, but said there are questions as to how it was ordered. Commissioner Yarber also questioned why, since it was approved in the spring of 2009, it was not in this year’s budget.

Commissioner Lisa Stanbery asked, “How did we write a P.O. for a line item where there is no money?”

Mr. Thompson stated that “this went through a bid process.”

County Mayor Gary Davis said that with an amendment the engine can be paid for with cash. However, “if you don’t want to do that, send the truck back.”

Prior to the meeting, Commissioner Stanbery, who is running for county mayor, issued this statement:

"We find out today, Nov. 9, 2009, in Bradley County that Mayor Gary Davis has bought a $350,000 fire truck without anyone’s consent. There is no Purchase Order, no signed contract, and most importantly, there are no funds in our budget to pay for it. He’s also kept it a secret from this commission.

"There’s only one problem, we have a picture of the truck, in Florida, with our name on it, waiting to be delivered.

"Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not against new trucks for our firefighters. They certainly deserve them. But I am against a double standard.

"We, the commission and all of the county employees have been told through an emergency memo issued from the county mayor’s office to stop spending immediately. So then why, Mayor, have you bought a fire truck?

"We know the order for the fire truck was made in May. The purchase order was canceled when you found out there was no money in the budget to buy it. But the contract was not canceled.

"We also know there is no other elected official that could issue a purchase order without the funds available in their line item. The mayor's office controls the processing of all purchase orders.

"This is, yet, another $200,000 example of 'do as I say, not what I do.'

"So I say again, Mayor Davis, what is going on here? Are you using the taxpayer as your personal checkbook?"

The Tasso Road Fire Station is currently using a borrowed engine.
Local resident Diana Stanich addressed the commission and asked the commissioners to all read “The Late Great USA: The Coming Merger with Mexico and Canada” by Dr. Jerome Corsi. Mrs. Stanich said if anyone is concerned "about this great country of ours it is a must read.”

In other business, Joe Ayers of Cumberland Securities presented the commission with an option to transfer or assign some 2001 interest rate swaps from a company that has seen their rating drop from AAA to CCC.

According to Mr. Ayers, if this company bankrupts, it could cause problems. The Tennessee Comptroller has approved the assigning of these swaps to more stable companies until Dec. 31, 2009, it was stated. This action would not cost Bradley County anything, the commission was told. The commission will vote on this item at next Monday’s meeting at 10 a.m.