Bradley Commissioners Hear Concerns About Alleged Blackmail And Threats From Constables; Exit 20 Project May Be Finished Near End Of The Year

  • Monday, October 10, 2016
  • Gail Perry

Discussion of providing 800 MHz digital radios for seven of the city’s constables took place at the meeting of the Bradley County Commission on Monday leading to other issues concerning the constables. According to the oath that they take, the constables operate at no cost to Bradley County. Their function is to provide additional law enforcement and assist the sheriff’s department, said Commissioner Charlotte Peak.

 

Sheriff Eric Watson told the commissioners that the constables do not work for him - they are elected.

But they are trained by the sheriff’s department and are asked to abide by that department’s policies and issues. One primary job they do is serving warrants about small issues that the sheriff’s personnel do not have time to do.

 

They do a great service, said Commissioner Dan Rawls. They also are allowed to solicit business independently from the county’s law enforcement departments at places such as law firms. There is plenty of work for a person who works hard as a constable, said Bradley County Circuit Court Clerk Gayla Miller.

 

The county has never provided radios for the constables, but some are asking for that to happen. Others have already bought their own, along with other equipment such as their own uniforms. They are encouraged to register with the county and sign paperwork, which allows them access to the sheriff’s systems, 24-7. The real concern that the commissioners had was safety. They were assured, however,  that any information needed by the constables will still be available on the analog radios that they all do have, and there are no plans for the county to abandon that system.

 

A threat has been made from Constable Dewayne Hicks of the Sixth District to Commissioner Bobby Goins that he would withhold negative information in exchange for a vote to buy the radios, it was stated. Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber told the board that when you tell an official that you are going to expose “dirt” on them that he takes it personally. He said that the matter was over getting behind on payment of bills. Mr. Yarber said “that makes us a common man.” He termed the threat as blackmail and uncalled for. Commissioner Rawls said the same person has attempted intimidation in the past. He added “Your cowardice shows. If you’re going to threaten elected officials, expect repercussions.”

 

Ms. Miller said that the constables have always been a great asset, but recently she has been bullied by one or more of the constables about sending work their way. She said she does not influence a person’s choice of which constable to use. A list of names is given and that person must sign an affidavit stating that they do not choose to use a particular constable. Commissioner Peak apologized to Ms. Miller on behalf of the commission for the constables that have been bullying or been disrespectful. She said that they do not have any direct supervision. 

 

More discussion and a vote on the matter of the radios will take place at the next commission meeting.

 

The council was given an update on the Exit 20 project by developer Larry Armour. Progress has been made because of cooperation with Cleveland concerning Stone Lake Road, which dissected the planned development. The city agreed to abandon the road so the property can be graded altogether. The development planned for the area is for “destination shopping.” It was originally projected that APD-40 would be finished at the end of this month. Now it is expected to be delayed until closer to the end of the year. Environmental permitting is now being done before construction can start on the roads inside the development.

 

The economic impact, Mr. Armour told the commissioners, is expected to be providing 2,200 jobs that will create $18 million in spending of those employees, leading to a half million in city and county sales tax plus property taxes from those employees and $1.5 million in property taxes from the site itself.

 

Officials of Tennessee Recovery and Monitoring presented a sales pitch for their services. It would provide electronic monitoring, interlocking in cars to prevent drunken driving, drug monitoring and testifying in court. The effort is an alternative to over-crowded jails. The representative said his services would cost the county $10 per day versus the average of $50 if done by the county itself. The proposal will need to be reviewed by the district attorney and the public defender, said Vice Chairman Yarber. Commissioner Rawls said that all companies that provide the services should be considered by issuing a request for proposal (RFP). It was also noted that Tennessee Recovery and Monitoring owns four bail bonding companies.

 

A report on the Drug Task Force was also heard because a new memorandum of understanding is being created. When established, the task force was made up of local law enforcement personnel. It now has some of its own employees. The changes from 1988 when it began are that the new agreement allows the DTF to own property and it will be allowed to operate with self-hired agents. This proposal will be presented to the local law enforcement agencies, which will give the commission a recommendation.

 

Discussion is ongoing about the responsibility for the right-of-way along New Hope Road where the road department tore down a newly built wall saying it was on county property. Research has failed to turn up a document to show that the county ever paid homeowners for the right-of-way in front of their homes in 1950, it was stated. Because it was never bought, there is no problem with abandoning it, said Commissioner Howard Thompson. Commissioner Rawls said if it was taken, not bought, the county should reimburse the owners now. Commissioner Peak suggested just abandoning the corner where the wall used to be, instead of the length of the whole road.

 

The yearly process of renewing insurance for county employees is in the works and the current proposal would increase the deductible from $500 to $750 in order to have premiums increase by 1.79 percent versus where the negotiations started at eight percent. At the next meeting, options will be presented using deductibles of $600 or $650.

 

Commissioner Peak commended the Bradley County judges after visiting courtrooms. She said they are compassionate and sympathetic and try to help people who appear before them. She said that she gives them accolades for a tremendous job.

 

Commissioner Milan Blake asked that the commission send a letter to the Bradley County School Board asking if it is planning to continue with the liquor by the drink lawsuit. It will be discussed at next week’s meeting.The school board was meeting with attorney Jimmy Logan on the issue at the end of the  school board meeting on Oct. 20.

 

 

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