Soddy Daisy cheerleaders
City Manager Janice Cagle announced at the commission meeting Thursday night, that the first day of the Soddy Daisy Farmer’s Market this year will take place Saturday, May 1. The markets will continue each Saturday through October. The city is hoping to have more vendors this summer than participated last year. Items offered for sale should be locally grown or handmade in the Tennessee Valley or Tri-state area, she said. The markets are held in Poe’s Tavern Historical Park and space is free but will be available on a first come, first served basis.
On May 23 from 8 a.m.-noon, the farmer’s market will be held in conjunction with the special event “Pioneer Day.” The parks and recreation board is working with Bud Ellis for getting people to demonstrate making various crafts.
There will also be music, games and hot dogs provided by the city. Vendors need not register for the regular Saturday markets but will need to contact the city to make arrangements for that one day.
This weekend, gates at the new park, Big Soddy Gulf, will be open for the first time for allowing cars to drive into the property. This is the way that Soddy Daisy is making the park accessible to the elderly and disabled that are not able to walk in. Gates will be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on this Saturday, and the third Saturday of each month through October.
The commissioners voted to approve the low bids received for the purchase of four trucks, two for the public works department and two for the fire department. These were budgeted items said Ms. Cagle.
Vice Mayor Patti Skates presented Mayor Rick Nunley and Commissioner Robert Cothran with certificates from the Tennessee Municipal League in recognition for completing the level one course from the Elected Officials Academy. She said when applying for grants, these certifications give the city an advantage.
Ms. Skates informed the board that revised flood maps have been completed. She said the good news was that there are no changes in the classifications for Soddy Daisy.
The veteran’s war memorial wall ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on May 2, said Commissioner Cothran. He also gave an update on the armored personnel carrier that has been obtained for Veterans Park. It is now ready to be painted but the ground will need to dry out before it can be installed.
A concerned citizen came to the meeting to get information and advice. His next door neighbor’s dog is allowed to roam despite the city having a leash law. That dog came into his yard and attacked his beagle puppy requiring four visits to the veterinarian. The neighbor has been informed yet continues to let him out unleashed. The owner of the puppy has called the Humane Society multiple times to get what he referred to as a vicious dog either confined or removed. The agency is partially funded by Soddy Daisy yet he told the commissioners that it is now going on 16 days and he has received no help or even a reply from the Humane Society. Ms. Cagle said that she would make contact on his behalf.
Mayor Nunley presented a certificate of achievement to the Soddy Daisy High School football cheerleaders and congratulated them on an outstanding season.