Lookout Mountain, Tn., Police reported recent encounters with gang members on the mountain. There has also been graffiti spraying near Point Park and Sunset Rock.
Police Chief Chuck Wells said narcotics have been found when cars or people are stopped for other violations. As examples, one car he said was occupied by five gang members was at a stop in the middle of West Brow Road.
When police investigated, they found narcotics. A few days later the same thing occurred when police were checking out an unregistered car at Sunset Rock. Seven mountain non-residents were charged with narcotics violations.
Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley said Sunset Rock is becoming a bigger problem than just parking. He said there has been an attempt to get the National Park Service involved with parking, but police have received no help. "They don’t care about parking," said Chief Wells, "but when the Ochs Museum at Point Park was 'tagged' recently, the gang activity got their attention. Spray painting has also been found below Sunset Rock. The Lookout Mountain Police are not walking the trails, but are catching the offenders when they return to their cars, said the chief. Activity like this and offensive behavior toward mountain residents will not be tolerated, he said.
Chief Wells said for the month of April there were 262 calls to police, 4,616 miles patrolled, response was made to 14 burglar alarms (all false) and assistance was given to five citizens. There were 24 calls made to 911 and three auto accidents without injuries. Police made 88 traffic stops, gave 53 parking citations. During April there were nine medical calls in Tennessee and two assists in Georgia. There were three fire alarms that were all false.
Chief Wells received approval from the commissioners to purchase 12 new sets of fire gear for the department. The life span of this gear is 10 years and the department now has some suits that are 17 years old. In addition to the age, the old gear was one size fits all and does not fit the men wearing it. The new suits, each costing $2,400, will be made to fit each person. The cost to replace the old gear is in the neighborhood of $30,000. Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett said that is a small price for what the firefighters do. Money to buy the new firefighting gear will come from the fire engine fund.
The Parks and Playgrounds department in Lookout Mountain, Tn. has seen a lot of activity in the past month. Commissioner Brooke Pippenger said that the opening day of baseball on the mountain, which started with the parade and dedication of the tee ball field to Scott Shell and ended with a barbeque, was a great success, with many people showing up to express gratitude for all that the former director of parks and playgrounds has done for the community. Baseball is now in full swing, said Assistant Director Brandon Adams. There has been a large turnout this year. Soccer registration will be available online in a few days.
Eight people were inducted into the Lookout Mountain Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday. The ceremony was held in the Lookout Mountain School Gym, right where it all started for each of them.
The commissioner said that signs will be posted on the tennis courts which prohibit the courts' use by any device with wheels in order to protect the surfaces. Also prohibited is the use of alcohol and tobacco. Drainage problems on the courts and lower parking lots are again being addressed. Ms. Pippenger is getting quotes to upgrade surfacing at the playground. This project will be in next year’s budget.
The pollinator festival organized by Bee City U.S.A. is scheduled for May 20 in the LMS gym from 1-4 p.m. There will be exhibits and activities of interest for all ages, she said. Movie night at The Commons will be Friday evening. The movie is Wreck-It Ralph. Food trucks will be available.
The dates for Commons Camp and Kiddie Camp are from June 4-July 20. Commons Camp for children ages six and up will be every day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost for the entire summer is $200 per child. Kiddie Camp for four- and five-year-olds will be on Tuesday and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Drivers are warned to watch for pedestrians in the coming week when many people will be out walking because of the movie night on Friday, the King of the Mountain Road Race, a baseball game and a block party that will be held on Mitchell Road - all this coming Saturday.
A retirement lunch next Monday at noon will honor three long time Lookout Mountain police - former Assistant Chief David McGuffee, Captain Mike Sartin and Captain Kyle Day.
“This week is teacher appreciation week,” Commissioner Stinnett told the commissioners, “but we appreciate our teachers all the time.” Upcoming important events for the school are Field Day on May 21 and graduation for fifth graders on May 23 at 8:30 a.m. The last day of school will be May 24 and report cards can be picked up on May 25. There will be a summer library program at the school, and Camp Invention from July 16-30 will be headed by Stacey Reynolds, who will be replacing Bryan Mann who is moving to a different school.
The two-part financial report including the monthly April report and the end-of-year budget amendment was presented by Town Consultant Dwight Montague. He told the commissioners that car decal sales are lower now compared to the same time last year, but the amount of sales are up because the price is higher. The price is $10 until June 1 when it will increase to $15. A gift of $5,000 was made to the police department in appreciation for response to a medical call. A new police vehicle was purchased. Parks and Playgrounds had another water line break and repairs of over $3,000 during the month. Most of the expenses were for repairs and maintenance, said Mr. Montague.
The 2017-2018 budget was amended in order to match some unexpected revenue and expenses that occurred during the year. One source of revenue that was received over the budgeted amount came from the new parking kiosks that took in $206,000 - triple the amount from the previous year. Some of the Hall Tax due the town went to Hamilton County or to Chattanooga instead. When that was discovered the town received the amount of $120,000 back from the state. Slightly more than had been budgeted was received from the mixed drink tax.
Expenses that were higher than anticipated included an increase of $10,000 in legal fees, interior and exterior repairs to the town hall building caused by water problems and the replacement of some AC units. There was $5,000 spent for materials and supplies to take care of some deferred maintenance issues, and another $5,000 for public safety equipment. Miscellaneous expenses were up $20,000 because donations were made for retiring Chief Randy Bowden. This money “flowed through” the town’s budget but was no cost to the taxpayer, said Mr. Montague.
The public works department is cutting back brush that obstructs sight on the town’s roadways, said Commissioner of Public Works Walker Jones. He also wanted to remind people to place brush piles on the high side of drainage ditches. He said he is waiting to get back some bids for paving that will be done this summer. The roads will not be totally resurfaced but a new and better method to fix potholes and make repairs will be used this year. It is first come, first serve with regards to the dumpster that will continue to be on the mountain on the first Saturday of every month.
The town’s new website is up and running. The address is www.lookoutmtn.us.
Mayor Carol Mutter announced that the June commission meeting will be moved from June 12 to June 26.