Commissioner Jim Adams honors Caleb Starks for returning a value radio belonging to the Chattanooga Fire Department
photo by Gail Perry
Soddy Daisy was named number one of the top 10 safest and most peaceful places to live in Tennessee, according to the website ONLY INYOUR STATE. Commissioner Gene Shipley brought this tribute to the attention of the other commissioners at a meeting Thursday night. “This quirky city makes lists over and over for great schools, fantastic community and those safe streets,” says the page about Soddy Daisy.
Those facts were reflected in the six-month statistics from the police department compiled by Police Chief Philip Hamrick.
Those numbers show that of 469 total offenses, 369 cases have been cleared, which is 78.68 percent. The total number of arrests was 445 during that time. As examples, 15 of 15 aggravated assaults and 27 out of 27 simple assaults were cleared; six out of 8 burglaries, 11 out of 15 vandalism cases, and 80 out of 144 thefts were resolved. In crimes against society, 118 drug violations out of 123, and six out of six weapon law violations were cleared.
In the city manager’s report, Janice Cagle told the commissioners that the city must replace the recording device used by dispatchers in both the fire and police departments. It was destroyed when struck by lightning. The cost of the equipment is $12,443 and insurance will cover some of the expense but the amount is not yet known because the lost equipment will be depreciated. "Whatever the cost is, we have to have it," she said.
She also announced that paving is about to begin, all with money from the State Street Aid fund. The work will include paving Durham Street and patching Lake Carolyn Lane, Depot Street and Dallas Hollow Road. She noted that completely resurfacing Dallas Hollow will be done in the near future. Presently, the WWTA is inspecting its lines that run underneath these streets to make repairs before the city starts working on the roads. Director of Public Works Steve Grant said the cost would be around $90,000-$100,000 for all of the roadwork.
Mayor Rick Nunley asked about a problem area known locally as “hydroplane alley,” where many serious crashes have happened, including three in the last week. Accidents occur on both the north and southbound lanes of Highway 27, just north of the intersection with Hixson Pike. Ms. Cagle said that a state engineer has made inspections and done testing and still does not have an answer for what is wrong with the road. All agreed that if it cannot be fixed, a warning sign needs to be erected.
Commissioner Jim Adams presented a special award of thanks and appreciation on behalf of Chattanooga Fire Chief James C. Adams to Caleb Starks, a citizen of Soddy Daisy. Mr. Starks found a Chattanooga Fire Department radio valued at $3,500 and turned it in to the Soddy Daisy city hall. Officials in Soddy Daisy, in turn, contacted and returned it to the owner.