Parking in the area of Sunset Rock is an on-going problem, said Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley. The signs and flashing lights have not prevented cars from parking illegally in the street and private driveways, blocking access to homes and blocking streets so that emergency vehicles could not pass through. Additionally, drivers looking at cell phones and circling around looking for a parking spot have been posing a danger to walkers and children.
The issue of safety, brought nearby homeowners to the commission meeting Tuesday night, asking for help.
The problem has gotten worse with Internet sites directing people to outdoor destinations and Sunset Rock has become a “go-to-place,” said Chief Chuck Wells, adding that police will do everything that can be done legally. Don Stinnett, commissioner of schools, made a suggestion of using a shuttle or UBER to move people around the mountain.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Bentley has instructed police to give tickets. “We’re not going to babysit Sunset Rock this summer,” he said. Vehicles will be booted or towed when parked illegally. If there is an emergency, cars will be moved and the owners might not like how it is done, he said. There is parking for 12 cars in the lot behind the painted white line and signs send the overflow to Point Park or the ball fields, but the signs are largely ignored, said the commissioner.
Police are also giving citations for speeding, and that is working to slow down cars, said Commissioner Bentley. He gave a reminder that slow-moving vehicles must be operated by a licensed driver. Children driving them will be stopped. Citizens are also being warned about a scam where a call is received stating there is an outstanding warrant for someone. "We would not do that with a phone call," said Commissioner Bentley. "We would knock on a door."
Two members of the police and fire department, who are retiring, were recognized for their long time service to the town of Lookout Mountain, Tn. David McGuffey, who has served as assistant chief, is retiring after working at the town for 27 years and Captain Mike Sartin will be leaving after 35 years.
Promotions were given for two other officers. Carey Taylor started working for Lookout Mountain, Tn. in 2010 and has been a police officer, firefighter, a fire engineer and investigator. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Eddie Wade, who has worked in the department since 1985, moved through the ranks and has been promoted to captain.
Statistics for the department from March show that police answered 300 calls, patrolled 5,649 miles, answered 22 burglar alarms, all false, 26 calls to 911 and assisted 14 citizens. There were three auto accidents without injuries, 111 traffic stops, 10 parking citations given, and two arrests. There were 10 medical calls in Tennessee and eight assist citizens in Georgia. Response was made to one fire alarm that was false and two smoke investigations.
“The baseball parade is the big news of the week,” said Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brooke Pippenger. Assistant Recreation Director Brandon Adams said the fields have been worked on in preparation. The parade will gather in Fairyland on Saturday at 8:30 a.m., leave at 9 and arrive at The Commons around 9:30. A large crowd is expected for the ceremony that will dedicate the T-Ball field complex in honor of Rick Dockery, longtime director of parks and recreation and PE teacher at LMS, who is retiring this year. Lee Dyer, who has been a member of the baseball board for years, will also be honored that day. That evening a BBQ dinner, by invitation, will be held. If there are problems caused by the weather, changes to the events will be posted on Recreation Director Scott Shell’s Facebook page.
Graduation day is May 23 at Lookout Mountain School, said Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett. Brian Salter, associate pastor at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, will be the speaker at graduation this year. Pre-registration for kindergarten is April 11 and a welcoming breakfast for parents of incoming kindergarteners will be the next day. TCAP testing for grades 3-5 will take place on April 16. Fourth grade teacher Tammy Johnson has been named a Fund for Teachers and Public Education Foundation 2018 Fellow. She will receive financial funding to research marine and water conservation efforts in national marine sanctuaries in California and Florida this summer. The goal of the program is to encourage students to become conservation problem solvers.
“It’s business as usual,” said Commissioner of Public Works Walker Jones. He asks that residents place brush on the low side of any drain. He said this year pothole repairs will be made a different and better way than has been used in the past. Paving in some targeted areas may be done, but he said paving has been put off to prevent cuts into new roads while WWTA continues to work on sewer repairs.
Ochs Highway and Ochs Extension are both in terrible condition, it was stated. Those roads are owned by the city of Chattanooga so a suggestion was made to call 311 in Chattanooga or go to Chattanooga’s website to request repairs, striping and adding reflectors. Mayor Carol Mutter has been in contact with Chattanooga officials concerning those roads and has been told not to expect for them to be repaved, but filling potholes has been started.
Representatives from the WWTA made a presentation at the meeting to show the commissioners what to expect regarding the extensive sewer rehab work that is getting ready to start on Lookout Mountain. The repairs are necessary to prevent extraneous water from entering the sewer system during periods of heavy rain. Pumping stations will be replaced on Ft. Stevenson and West Brow Road. Gravity sewer repairs will also be done where previous testing has discovered problems. “Trenchless” options will be used where possible by inserting new pipes into old ones or lining them, instead of digging up the old pipes to replace them. There will be some places that can only be repaired with open cuts, however. Manholes will be lined with a polymer and loose or broken covers will be replaced. Repairs to the lateral lines that run from a house to the street will also be made if needed, where WWTA has been given a right-of-way.
Anna Lee Mutter, representing Laurelwood Garden Club, received permission to plant a tree in honor of Mallory Baldshun who lost her life in a deadly crash on Ochs Highway in February. The town and garden club together will find a good location at The Commons for a pretty tree that has a long life.
Mayor Mutter said that the Tennessee legislature is again considering how to handle airbnbs. She said there is a lot of opposition for a “one-size-fits-all” approach because zoning should be a local matter and that the ordinance adopted by the town last year is still operational.
The mayor asks residents of the mountain to patronize the businesses that are here when possible. She said, “We need them and they need us.”
The next meeting of the Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission will be May 8 at 5 p.m.