Robert Simpson Welcomed As New Red Bank Police Chief

  • Wednesday, September 6, 2017
  • Gail Perry
Police Chief Robert Simpson
Police Chief Robert Simpson

Red Bank’s new Chief of Police, Robert Simpson, was officially introduced to the city’s board of commissioners Tuesday night. City Manager Randall Smith said the transition to a new police chief had been seamless thanks to the job done by John Wright, who stepped into the position and served as the interim chief for three months, giving the city manager time to find the right person to permanently fill the job.

Chief Simpson previously was with the Chattanooga Police Department for 28 years and the South Pittsburgh Police Department for the past two years.

Authorization was given to purchase a 2017 Ford Explorer interceptor utility vehicle for $33,033.80. The new vehicle will be used by the police department.

A resolution gave approval for Red Bank to participate in the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) risk management pool safety partners “Driver Safety” matching grant program. The city will have to match the $2,500 grant that is received from TML. The money is planned for use in driver safety programs, as it has been used in the past.

A unanimous vote was in favor of reinstating an agreement between the city of Red Bank and the Trust for Public Land. The agreement that is now in place is due to expire at the end of September. The extension will allow the city to continue working on building the trail that will connect Stringer’s Ridge trail in Chattanooga to White Oak Park in Red Bank.

A public meeting was held to give citizens of Red Bank the opportunity to comment on a proposed zoning change. A resident who lives at 311 E. Midvale Ave. had proposed dividing his lot and rezoning it to RT/Z residential townhomes zero lot line and adding two houses to the property. Although the site zone requirements would be met, the proposed lot sizes would be too small for a garage or yard and would require on street parking.

The plan had previously gone to the Red Bank planning commission which had denied it. Four neighbors of the property came to the commission meeting to voice their opposition. All were in agreement that the proposed zero lot line homes did not fit in with the large lot sizes of the well established neighborhood and that it had the potential of setting a precident. Jon Baker who lives in the neighborhood and is also on the planning commission said the group and the commission has a responsibility to protect neighborhoods. He said, “Once given away, it doesn’t come back.”

The commission agreed with the planning commission’s recommendation and the neighbors and voted to deny the zoning change.

Commissioner Ed LeCompte announced that Alpine Crest Elementary School will have a festival on Sept. 29 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. During the event, the Red Bank Masonic Lodge will offer a child identification chip program. 

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