The auditorium at Lookout Mountain Elementary School has been totally renovated by the PTA. All of the seats and carpet have been replaced and new curtains have been hung on the stage. Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett applauded the PTA for the restoration. It was completed in time for the Holiday Music Programs that were held last Thursday and Friday. This project follows the recent renovations of the gym also done by the PTA. “There is a lot of pride up here in the school,” said Commissioner Stinnett.
Benchmark testing will be done before Christmas. School is out for Winter Break/Christmas beginning on Dec. 18 when classes will be held a half day. Students return to classes on Jan. 6. The spelling bee is on Jan. 14.
Basketball practice has started, said Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brooke Pippenger. The town is now looking for two referees for the games when they begin. The commissioner also encourages participation in wrestling for boys in third, fourth and fifth grades. In recent years she said sign-ups have been low and wrestling will not be held this year if there is not enough interest. Registration begins in January on the website www.leagues.bluesombrero.com/lmrb.
Statistics from the police and fire departments from November include 246 calls to the police and 3,604 miles patrolled. There were 14 burglar alarms, all false, and 39 calls to 911. During the month officers made 93 traffic stops and gave 42 parking citations. There were two auto accidents - one with injuries and one without. Three arrests were made - one for a narcotics violation and the other for an outstanding warrant for another agency. During the month 15 vehicles or persons were checked for suspicious activity. There were eight medical calls during November - seven in Tennessee and one in Georgia, and three false fire alarms.
The public works department is focusing on leaves, said Commissioner of Public Works Frank Schriner. Brush removal will resume in a few weeks, he said. The public works employees are pretty much on schedule.
Assistant Treasurer Samantha Van Alstyne’s told the commissioners that property taxes are continuing to come in. They must be paid by Feb. 28. The first contribution from the PTA, in the amount of $105,000, to benefit the school has been received.
Paul Johnson, CPA with Johnson, Murphey and Wright, presented the yearly audit report for 2019. His report shows that both revenues and expenditures as well as profits were up in 2019. Assets acquired during the year include a new roof for city hall, and new turnout gear for the firefighters and tasers for police. A new Tahoe and a RAM truck were bought, all things needed to replace old equipment and keep the various departments updated. Revenue from property and sales taxes covered most of the costs of the purchases. Mr. Johnson said the town received an unmodified opinion which is what the state of Tennessee is looking for. The audit found no significant deficiencies in internal controls and no incidents of non-compliance, he said. He praised Ms. Van Alstyne and her assistant, Belinda Allen.
Mayor Walker Jones said that the yearly town breakfast for employees is one way they are shown how much they are appreciated. He asks for residents to continue giving for the event that includes raffles and giveaways along with the presentation of checks to the valued employees. The mayor also suggested buying a dedication plaque for seats in the school auditorium, through the “take a seat” program. A plaque for the new theater seats, engraved with a name, can be purchased for $250. Each marker raises money for the school.
The next meeting of the Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission will be Jan. 14, 2020 at 5 p.m.