[0:01] like to welcome everyone to the meeting of the Sman County Commission August

[0:04] 20th 2026. I invite you all to remain standing to

[0:08] the end of the pledge by Sheriff Cassidy. But first, it is a privilege to

[0:13] recognize Commissioner Cheryl Hardy for our invocation.

[0:18] Thank you, Commissioner. >> Thank you. Let us pray.

[0:23] Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness. It is with extraordinary

[0:29] gratitude that we come before you this evening lifting up our beautiful Selen

[0:34] County, Tennessee. Lord, we pray for your Holy Spirit to be

[0:38] present here tonight to guide us with your wisdom and to speak your truth. We

[0:44] pray for a spirit of cooperation and unity that we will listen well to one

[0:49] another and we will speak with kindness. And Lord, we pray for comfort, strength,

[0:54] and peace to those in the Milicanin University community and the many

[0:58] grieving families who have suffered such a great loss this week. We also pray for

[1:03] those who are currently in the hospital in need of physical healing and your

[1:07] supernatural touch. Thank you, Father God, for helping us

[1:12] now to work together in harmony and purpose. And may you receive all of the

[1:18] honor and glory. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[1:21] » Amen. Thank you, Commissioner Harvey.

[1:24] [clears throat]

[1:27] » To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it

[1:33] stands, one nation under God, indivisible,

[1:37] » with liberty and justice for all.

[1:42] » When the board opens, please record your presence.

[1:47] And if uh you wish to address the commission during public comment, we

[1:52] have two we have two sign in sign up sheets on

[1:58] this round table over here of the gentleman with the camera is there's

[2:03] two sheets. Agenda related public comment and non-aggenda related public

[2:07] comment. Everyone here is welcome to sign up for for either one of them or

[2:13] both. Has

[2:34] every member recorded her presence?

[2:41] Madam cler

[2:46] 21 present, three absent. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk.

[2:53] We have a the necessary quorum. Board of Commissioners order business

[2:58] August August 20th, 2026. Come to order.

[3:04] Our first order is approval of notaries public. Madam clerk, do we have a list

[3:08] of notaries?

[3:11] May we have I might have you read it twice if it's

[3:15] that long.

[3:20] » Amber A. Alheiser, Jessica Anderson, Rebecca Artrick, Lori Ashley, Patrick C.

[3:28] Brigel, Teresa May Brown, Bob Brown, Rebecca Leanne Bird, Jerry R. Campbell,

[3:36] Melinda Hall Castle, Stacy Lynn Dorman, Christopher Adam Dye, Aaron Ebar, Trina

[3:45] Ellis, Lisa G. Guy, Hessle, Michael D. Hamlin, April R, [clears throat]

[3:53] Kimberly Anne Hart, Joshua Aaron Hayes, Ian Hennessy, Janet Gail Hernandez,

[4:00] Jennifer Huffman, Brenda L. Cole, Amber Herd, Marcus Aaron, Jesse, Angela L.

[4:08] Marshall, Christian Scott Masters, K. Carol Mat, Kirsten Elizabeth Maxwell,

[4:17] Andrew O. Meducas, Mary Neville Mitchum, Debbie

[4:23] S. Monk, Christine Morgan, Robin Renee Bolins, Lindsay B. Mutter, Sherry L.

[4:31] Myers, Tracy Yubon, No Cheyenne No Whiskey, Pamela Aren, Mudra Patel,

[4:40] Bert Pow, Powell III, Brenda L. Riffle, Kimberly Rigsby,

[4:48] D. Lee Robinette, William Joseph Robinette, Jonathan D. Russell, Amelia

[4:55] Claire Rust, William S. Ry Jr., Tiffany Lynn Grimes Fox

[5:05] Wendy an Sauls Hillary Ruth Smith Rebecca A Smith Gregory A Taylor Angela

[5:14] Taylor Shelby Homson Tina Trivet Laura Dorothy Anne Vance

[5:22] Thomas Matthew Warren Roy Daniel Wade Natalie J Wells Joanne Williams, Brian

[5:31] Williams, Kristen Wer. [clears throat]

[5:36] » Is that all? >> That's all.

[5:41] » You've heard the list of notaries as presented. Is there any discussion on

[5:45] the list of notaries as presented? >> Motion to approve.

[5:48] » Motion to approve by Commissioner Cole, second by Commissioner Cross. Any

[5:51] further discussion? Without objection, when the board opens, please cast your

[5:55] vote on the list of notaries requiring 13 votes for passage.

[6:13] » Has every member voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?

[6:20] Madam clerk, >> 22 yes, two absent.

[6:25] » Thank you, Madam Clerk. Having received the necessary majority of the votes

[6:28] cast, the notaries are approved. Next order, approval of minutes of board

[6:34] of commissioners, Svin County's July 9th, 2026 resoning hearing. July 16th,

[6:39] 2026 monthly meeting and July 30th, 2026 special call meeting.

[6:47] Anyone seek recognition?

[6:50] » Motion to approve. >> Have a motion to approve by Commissioner

[6:53] Cole, second by Commissioner STDM. Any further discussion on the approval

[6:58] of minutes? Without objection, when the board opens,

[7:02] please cast your vote on the approval of minutes requiring 13 votes for passage.

[7:14] Has

[7:19] every member voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Madam clerk,

[7:25] » 22 yes, two absent. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Having received

[7:29] the necessary majority of the votes cast, minutes are approved.

[7:34] Without objection, our next order, appointments, presentations, and

[7:38] recognitions. [clears throat]

[7:52] I'll do the I'll do the uh the appointment utility director utility

[7:57] district commissioner first. Whereas the Blunk Utility District Board of

[8:00] Commissioners does hereby certify to the Sman County Mayor pursuant to TCA 782307

[8:07] that a vacancy has occurred upon said utility board by virtue of the

[8:11] expiration of a term on September 1st, 2026.

[8:16] Whereas the Blunt District Board of Commissioners further

[8:20] certifies that the nominee Wayne Feathers is qualified and has agreed to

[8:24] serve on the board. Now therefore be it ordained a judge and decreed by Sullivan

[8:28] County Mayor Richard Bimble pursuant to TCA 782307

[8:33] that nominee Wayne Feathers shall be appointed to Blumble Utility District

[8:37] Board of Commissioners.

[8:45] Is it

[8:48] does anyone seek recognition on the appointment?

[9:05] Okay. Anyone seek recognition on the approval of Mr. Feathers?

[9:16] » We need a motion. >> All right. [laughter]

[9:22] Commissioner Cole will make the motion to approve Mr. Feather's appointment and

[9:26] second by Commissioner Acres. >> See how dependent we've become on

[9:30] technology

[9:34] without and [clears throat] we're having a computer having a computer problem.

[9:37] What we're going to do, we're going to do it the old fashioned way. We're going

[9:39] to do a roll call with So, uh, requires 13 votes for passage. Ma'am, whenever

[9:44] you're ready.

[9:49] A yes vote approves. >> Aker,

[9:54] » yes. >> Calton,

[9:56] » yes. >> Carr,

[9:59] » yes. >> Cole,

[10:01] » yes. >> Crawford,

[10:02] » yes. >> Cross,

[10:04] » yes. >> Cross,

[10:06] » yes. >> Gardner,

[10:08] » yes. >> Glover,

[10:10] » yes. >> Harvey,

[10:12] » yes. >> Hayes,

[10:14] » yes. Hopper.

[10:17] » Yes. >> Horn.

[10:23] » Oh, sorry. Horn's absent. >> I

[10:28] » Jones absent. King, >> yes.

[10:32] » Leonard, >> yes.

[10:34] » Lock. >> Yep.

[10:36] » McMurray. >> Yes.

[10:38] » Means. >> Yes.

[10:40] » Pierce. >> Yes.

[10:42] » Sidum. >> Yes.

[10:44] » Van Over. >> Yes. and four.

[10:47] » Yes, ma'am. >> Would anyone like to change their vote?

[10:53] » 22 yes, two absent. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Having received

[10:59] the necessary majority of the votes cast,

[11:02] Mr. Feathers is appointed to the Blumble Utility District Board of Directors.

[11:07] Thank you. All right.

[11:12] He wrote Without objection. Next order. Appointment to

[11:18] appoint the following individuals to serve in the official in the office of

[11:21] judicial commissioner magistrate for Solen County. Term to expire August

[11:26] 31st, 2028.

[11:32] Both cities are together. This is all one resolution. Good deal. from the

[11:37] Bristol Courts, Eric Center of Bristol, Tennessee, and Bruce Bulis of

[11:41] Bluntville, Tennessee. Kingsport Courts, Loel Butch Atkins of Kingsport,

[11:46] Tennessee, and John Blessing of Kingsport, Tennessee.

[11:51] Does anyone seek recognition on the appointments?

[11:55] » I have a motion to approve by Commissioner Acres, second by

[11:57] Commissioner Cton. Any further discussion on the appointment?

[12:04] Seeing none without objection, when the board opens, please cast your vote on

[12:07] the appointments to the Bristol and Kingsport Courts requiring 13 votes for

[12:12] passage.

[12:32] Has

[12:36] every member voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?

[12:41] » Madam clerk, >> 22 yes to absent.

[12:45] [cough and clears throat]

[12:48] » Thank you, madam clerk. Having received the necessary majority of the votes

[12:52] cast, appointments are approved.

[12:59] Next order, appointment of Zayn Vanover to the Tri Cities Airport Authority.

[13:04] [snorts] Pursuant

[13:08] Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annitated and the authority vested in me as mayor of

[13:12] Svin County, I hereby appoint Commissioner Zayn Vanover to the Tri

[13:15] Cities Airport Authority to serve the term allocated to the mayor's

[13:19] appointment authority. Please enter the appointment in the official record on

[13:22] the authority and proceed as required by law respectfully signed by Sen County

[13:27] Mayor Richard S. Viddle.

[13:34] It's just

[13:38] » we don't need

[13:43] » appointment.

[13:49] And when the board opens, please cast your vote on the appointment of Zay Van

[13:54] over to the Tri Cities Airport,

[13:59] » requiring 13 votes for passage. Has

[14:10] [clears throat]

[14:17] every member voted?

[14:21] » Has every member voted? >> Does any member wish to change her vote?

[14:27] » Madam clerk. >> 22 yes, two absent.

[14:31] » Thank you, Madam Clerk. Having received the necessary majority of the votes

[14:34] received the necessary majority of the votes cast, Zayn Vanover is appointed to

[14:39] the Tri Cities Airport Authority.

[14:44] » Without objection, next order is reappoints of Jeff Cassy, Jim Bean, and

[14:49] Darlene Countton to Sullivan County Emergency Communications District Board.

[14:58] » Motion to approve. We have a motion to approve by Commissioner Cole, second by

[15:01] Commissioner Akre. Any further discussion?

[15:06] Without objection, when the board opens, please cast your vote

[15:10] on the on the reappoint.

[15:16] [clears throat]

[15:52] clerk, we're going to do voice vote again.

[15:55] 13 votes for passage. Yes. Yes. Roll call. Excuse me.

[16:06] Roll

[16:09] » yes >> yes

[16:13] » car >> yes

[16:15] » Cole >> yes

[16:16] » Crawford >> yes

[16:17] » cross >> yes

[16:19] » crossbot >> yes

[16:20] » gardener >> yes

[16:22] » yes >> Harvey

[16:24] » yes >> yes

[16:27] » yes >> horn absent

[16:31] Yes. >> Jones. Absent. King.

[16:35] » Yes. >> Leonard.

[16:37] » Yes. >> Lock.

[16:39] » Yes. >> McMurray.

[16:41] » Yes. >> Means.

[16:42] » Yes. >> Pierce.

[16:44] » Yes. >> Sidum.

[16:46] » Yes. >> Fiver.

[16:47] » Yes. >> Yes.

[16:50] » Would anyone like to change their vote? >> 22 yes. Two absent.

[16:57] » Thank you, madam clerk. Having received the necessary majority of the votes

[17:01] cast, appointments are approved.

[17:08] Without objection, next order presentation.

[17:13] Families Free Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition

[17:17] and Restoration Recovery Agency represents to provide update on their

[17:22] use of the opioid abatement fund. [clears throat]

[17:31] Thank you. Thanks for being here. >> Okay. Thank you for having me. Um it's

[17:35] great to see everybody again. And I do have a little refresher handout if it's

[17:40] okay if Melody passes those around. >> Absolutely.

[17:44] » Thank you very much. >> Great. Um Family Free has been so

[17:49] grateful to have the funds that were approved last time in Sullivan County.

[17:54] We've been doing some really great things. Some of that has happened or the

[17:59] majority of that has happened at our treatment location down on Clay Street.

[18:05] So, we're able to provide alcohol and drug treatment, parenting education,

[18:10] case management for men and women involved with Judge Goodwin's recovery

[18:16] court. Melody also sits on Judge Nelson and Judge Vance's mental health court as

[18:23] an addiction specialist. She's also a licensed therapist that can be there to

[18:28] provide support for that team and we have been able to expand a lot of the

[18:34] work that we're doing in Svin County with families involved with Department

[18:38] [clears throat] of Children Services. I'm sure that many of you all are aware

[18:43] of the statistics. Um, Michael Gilly happened to be here the last or I think

[18:48] the last time I was here and share about the very very high numbers of children

[18:56] coming into custody and families involved with Department of Children's

[19:00] Services and the primary reason for that is drug abuse. So, Families Free has

[19:06] been able to get an extended contract with Department of Children's Services

[19:11] to do even more intensive inhome work. And what happens when we go into a lot

[19:16] of these homes, they have an unbelievable amount of need. The

[19:20] poverty, the barriers, the things that these

[19:24] children and families need because of the money the abatement council gave to

[19:28] Families Free. We're able to bring those resources not only to the individuals

[19:35] who come to treatment at Clay Street, but also in many of the homes and the

[19:39] families that we're in in the community. We also provide several classes a week

[19:45] um in the Sullivan County Jail where we're able to work with people very

[19:50] intensely when they reenter. That's been a big opportunity as well as to be able

[19:57] to interface at different points in the community like the health department,

[20:01] other kinds of places where women who are vulnerable who are experiencing

[20:07] these challenges often with children show up. So that was that was one thing

[20:12] of the funds that you all gave. Um, as you know, we talked about several

[20:16] locations. We talked about houses. We talked about other buildings and

[20:20] properties and um the property that was the front runner for us to have housing

[20:28] that would be free of charge. This will be the only housing in Sullivan County

[20:34] that women and children can live free of charge connected with licensed alcohol

[20:41] and drug treatment as well as mental health treatment with an agency that's

[20:46] also credentialed by Department of Children's Services. So I guess the hunt

[20:51] for a property is still on. Um the latest building that we presented to the

[20:56] opioid abatement council uh we had requested 75,000

[21:02] and that would have allowed us or would allow us to do the necessary renovations

[21:08] and secure that lease and the operating expenses for almost three years. Um, if

[21:15] the commission chooses to to grant those funds, that would be a path that we

[21:21] would look at pursuing. But we also have another property that we're looking at

[21:27] in Colonial Heights that would really just be a turnkey move in and be able to

[21:34] still house up to eight women and children. So I think that that the new

[21:40] request that we brought before the abatement council and shared about it's

[21:45] really the direction that that council and the commission would like to go. If

[21:50] it's a higher amount of funds, like the 175,000, that would be renovating a

[21:56] former church in Bluntfield very very close to here. It'd be a great property.

[22:03] Um Joyce and I have met with the owner. Um it could be a great project.

[22:10] The the other route would be leasing a house in another location in Colonial

[22:16] Heights. either would work for the purposes that we have for a really

[22:21] long-term path for the county. The property in

[22:26] Bluntful would be a great option, but I know that there are a lot of very worthy

[22:31] causes that are seeking this money and you know, you all are are making some

[22:35] really wise decisions with it. So um the the programming with the courts, with

[22:42] the jails, with department of children services, with other community agencies

[22:46] has been very robust and will continue on. And the housing um you know, I fully

[22:53] expect to happen in the next few months at at one of the two locations I

[22:58] described.

[23:03] » Thank you very much. Does anyone seek recognition?

[23:12] two is you wish to address the commission as

[23:15] well? >> No.

[23:17] » Any anyone seek recognition? Any questions, comments?

[23:23] » Thank you again for being here. Thank you a lot. Always welcome.

[23:33] » Good evening. I'm Alice McCaffrey, the director of Salt County Anti-Drug

[23:37] Coalition, and we'd like to just quickly let you know since the last time we were

[23:42] here, we appreciate the funds that you had given us. We'd like you to know what

[23:46] we've done with them quickly and how we partner with our judges to make this

[23:53] program happen and then why we think your support is a good investment.

[23:59] And this is the entire staff for this program.

[24:03] Good evening. My name is Scott Spedola. I'm a certified peer recovery

[24:07] specialist. And the biggest thing that uh we would

[24:12] like to thank you for is that last year we had asked for some some assistance.

[24:18] We did not ask for as much as we did last year. We've asked for $175,000

[24:23] this year and we received $175,000 last year. Our program in 2025 alone

[24:33] saved the county $182,700

[24:38] that incorporated 4,350 days of incarceration

[24:43] that was spent with individuals on a furlow. They were not in the jail. And

[24:48] that figure is multiplied by $42 a day which was given to us by the sheriff's

[24:54] department. So, we've been able to save the the

[24:58] county that kind of money and that is each year. And if you were to put that

[25:03] in terms of how many individuals contributed to that $4,350

[25:09] days, that was only 38 people. That saved the county 182,700.

[25:20] Good evening, everyone. My name is Jeff Noah. I'm the recovery team leader for

[25:23] SCAD. uh I oversee uh our intervention programs. And just in case uh everyone's

[25:29] not familiar, I I'd just like to take just a moment just to give you a brief

[25:33] description on how this program actually works. Um I would consider us more like

[25:39] a hub uh in an airport or an air traffic controller where all of these

[25:44] individuals come into a hub and then we help direct the traffic on where they

[25:49] need to go to get started on this path of recovery. Um they'll come into us

[25:54] three different ways. Usually the jail kiosk, we have an application that every

[25:59] inmate in Sullivan County Jail, regardless of their gender, age, can

[26:04] send an application for free that comes directly to us. Last year, we received a

[26:08] total of 265 uh applications from the inmates

[26:12] themselves. That tells me that there's a desire to at least sit [clears throat]

[26:17] down and talk about what recovery might look like. In addition to that, um,

[26:22] we've been able to develop a really good trustworthy relationship with our

[26:26] especially the sessions court judges. We're available for the circuit court

[26:30] judges as well, but they have typically their own programs that they can use and

[26:34] it's the same type of support that we offer. Um, last year we received a total

[26:38] of 206 judge referrals from the sessions court judges. And I would just quote a

[26:45] couple of them. Uh, Judge Conan um was quoted as saying, "The presence of SCAD

[26:50] representative in my court cuts down on delays in getting treatment assistance

[26:54] to the defendants. It can truly be a lifeline." And then also I have a a

[26:59] short quote from Judge Terresa Nelson who says, "We rely heavily on SCAD, an

[27:05] integral part of our ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction in our uh

[27:09] community." So we have the kiosk, we have the judges

[27:13] or the court referrals and then we also have our other partnering agencies or

[27:17] area attorneys. And so when they all come to us, we go in and sit down with

[27:21] them with Sheriff Cassidy has been phenomenal about giving us access to

[27:26] private uh meetings in the jail. We can go in and sit down and do an assessment.

[27:31] Uh from that point, we decide uh an area of treatment. Is it going to be

[27:35] inatient? We work with Frontier Health. We work with Creekide. We work with CCS

[27:40] down in Fall Branch. Uh we work with Buffalo Valley down in the middle part

[27:44] of the state. So what type of treatment and what's the best place for them? In

[27:48] addition to treatment, we also look at after treatment and we try to find a

[27:53] stable recovery housing program for them. Uh one of our best partners is

[27:57] recovery resources and also bridge to shore. But there are several options in

[28:01] our community now. That area is growing and and we're blessed to have that. So

[28:06] we look at treatment, we look at housing, and we also look at connection

[28:10] to their recovery support groups. So we try to connect them with the best 12step

[28:14] program that's going to be for them, and that comes out of that assessment. And

[28:19] so we try to get them either connected to the 12step or the faith-based,

[28:22] whichever is going to be best for them. And then we also help them with

[28:26] employment opportunities. We are in constantly developing more and more

[28:30] partners that are willing to hire people with criminal records, depending upon

[28:34] what those are. uh but the second chance carrying workplaces all of those we all

[28:39] work together in trying to develop that and then ongoing it's not just getting

[28:43] them out of jail and getting them to treatment and getting them into a

[28:46] recovery house but we have certified peer recovery specialists certified by

[28:50] the state of Tennessee that provide this ongoing support for we we currently have

[28:56] clients that we have on our book for three years so it's not just holding

[29:01] their hands immediately at the beginning but continuing that journey with them on

[29:05] until they get totally back on their feet.

[29:11] » My name is Whitney Turner. Um I'm a certified peer recovery specialist. With

[29:16] the 175,000 that we are asking for, a portion of that will go to the staff. Um

[29:26] pay also 10% of that would go to the administration for bookkeeping, etc.

[29:33] things like that. But the majority of that goes to client needs. Um so what

[29:38] that would look like is emergency housing. Um a lot of the time people are

[29:43] coming out of jail and they need somewhere to go immediately. Um

[29:47] treatment admission. Sometimes there's fees when we send them to treatment. Um

[29:52] documentation, we help them get birth certificates, IDs, different things like

[29:56] that. The biggest one is transportation. Um probably our most costly thing. Um,

[30:03] we make sure they get to all their probation appointments, court dates, um,

[30:08] pre-trial appointments, anything court related. [clears throat]

[30:12] Um, thank you guys. >> Thank you.

[30:16] » So, our target when we got the first um, grant from y'all was to keep recidivism

[30:23] below 10%. For folks that sign up and stay with us for a year, it's four it's

[30:31] under 4%. So we feel like it is a successful program but there were other

[30:36] successes we found along the way that we weren't expecting. So if the clients are

[30:42] with us for six months 64 of them 64% of them have continuous

[30:49] sobriety during that time and only 8% experienced a relapse. Um, one of the

[30:56] places where we are hoping is a growing edge for us and we're hoping for

[31:01] improvement is the employment. The employment for six months or more

[31:07] or we don't count it until they have been employed continuously for six

[31:12] months. It's at 30%. So, we have um written another grant hoping to be able

[31:20] to work on getting people trained for better jobs. Some of our employees, of

[31:28] the 30%, nine of them have gotten promotions. We'd like to see that get

[31:34] better and we think it can only get better if they're better trained. So um

[31:39] the grant that we have applied for requires this money because we have to

[31:45] do a 100% match and this money would be about a third of that match for us and

[31:51] then we are anticipating about 585 referrals in a year and that

[31:59] is based on real numbers that we have had between the court referrals, the

[32:04] self referrals and the agency referrals and we would not all of them will stay

[32:10] with us but a lot of them do and then they know that we exist next time. So um

[32:19] I would like to say one of the main things that I'm so proud of is our peer

[32:25] recovery specialists. I think that makes the difference because they have the

[32:31] experience to connect almost immediately to the folks that they're trying to help

[32:36] and then they definitely know how to navigate them.

[32:40] » Thank you. You've heard the presentations. Anyone seek recognition?

[32:44] Any questions or comments for our guest?

[32:51] Mr. Ward. Scott, is there a friend here?

[32:56] » Yes, sir. There is.

[33:00] » Would you like to speak now or? >> Well, I hate to put it on the spot.

[33:03] » Okay. >> So nervous.

[33:06] » Welcome. >> Take your time.

[33:07] » You're welcome. >> Okay. Hey, I'm Caitlyn. I'm here to

[33:11] speak for the approval of the requested grant for the Sultan County Anti-Drug

[33:14] Coalition. I've been clean for two years and four

[33:17] months. I was in acquisition for seven years and due to my addiction, I didn't

[33:21] have a relationship with my family or daughter. I was at rock bottom and

[33:25] honestly didn't think I was going to make it out. I was in and out of jail

[33:28] went to treatment three times. The last time I went to jail, I was pregnant and

[33:32] didn't know what was going to happen to me or my baby.

[33:36] But Judge Nelson Scott went with Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition and

[33:40] pre-trial gave me the opportunity to turn my life around. I completed a

[33:44] 28-day rehab and from there I went to a mommy house at British Shore. I was

[33:49] there for a little over a year and completed and graduated all the phases.

[33:53] They helped me to live a normal life after addiction. In [cough] that

[33:56] program, I learned um accountability, how to build a support network, and how

[34:01] to be financially responsible.

[34:05] While there, I also completed pre-trial and got my license back. Since

[34:08] completing that program, I've continued to work full-time. I completed probation

[34:13] and I'm a full-time mom. I know I have done the work to get where I'm at today,

[34:17] but without these programs and the amazing people in these programs or

[34:20] guidance,

[34:23] sorry.

[34:29] Okay, without these people and support and guidance, I wouldn't be where I'm at

[34:32] today. I hope this program continues to give other addicts the opportunity that

[34:36] I was given. They all sent me at my lowest and believe me and supported me

[34:40] and helped me save my life. to give addicts the support and hope to

[34:44] turn their lives around. This program is vital to helping make productive members

[34:47] of society. Without Sen County Anti-Drug Coalition, I would have just served

[34:51] another jail sentence and I wouldn't be able to be the mom, sister, daughter, or

[34:54] person I am today.

[34:58] [applause]

[35:07] Questions?

[35:11] Thank Thank y'all very much. >> Mr. Forester.

[35:15] » Hey, good evening y'all. My name is Craig Forster. I am a treasurer for

[35:19] Sullivan County Recovery Restoration. Uh Judge Goodwin's not be able to here here

[35:23] tonight. He's uh he's currently on vacation. Um the folks that we serve are

[35:28] on the felony recovery court in Judge Goodwin's court. So we get the u the

[35:33] hardest nuts to crack, the tough the toughest ones. Uh they have to assess

[35:38] high risk, high need. They uh most of them are mult multi-to felons who don't

[35:45] have a lot of the support some of the other folks have. Uh we've hired a CPRS

[35:50] thanks to you all funding our project last year who uh runs those folks

[35:54] everywhere, gets them everything they need from um you know when the drug when

[35:59] they have to drug screen up here at the board of probation and parole three to

[36:02] four times a week. He makes sure they're there. He gets them to their dental

[36:06] appointments, their eye doctor appointments, their doctor appointments.

[36:09] Uh Wednesdays when we have court up here in Judge Goodman's court, he does a

[36:13] fantastic job with that. Um I'm going to take that hat off. I'm going to put on

[36:18] another hat. Um I I'm a founder and director of recovery resources. You guys

[36:23] have funded us for two years in a row. And I just wanted to tell you all thank

[36:27] you. Um I'm a Solivan County guy. I grew up here. Uh I love Svin County. And uh

[36:34] I'm a felon in this in this county. I am um

[36:40] I'm a victim of the uh the opioid epidemic. Like it like through and

[36:44] through. Like I I I'm the reason we have funds here. And I can't thank you all

[36:50] enough [clears throat] for the way that y'all delegated those funds, the way

[36:54] you've supported programs in our community that do great work. Uh, I

[36:58] can't speak to the amount of good work that the folks at Scad and Families Free

[37:02] do. Um, so thank you all for everything you do and I appreciate you very, very

[37:08] much. >> Thank you for everything you do, sir.

[37:10] Thank you. Anyone have any questions, comments? Mr. Forester.

[37:15] » Thank you. Thank you for always. Thank you for being here as always.

[37:20] [applause]

[37:24] » Were you seeking recognition, George? You didn't hit your button.

[37:29] » Thank all of them. But on your desk, you will find just exactly how much we have

[37:34] spent out the Opio development fund. [clears throat] 3,183

[37:41] 254 cents. I am so proud of this committee. And if I may, I'd like to

[37:45] read their names because it's been rough meetings because there's so many that

[37:50] need help. But uh Jim Goodwin, Jeff Cassidy, Travis Ward, Jessica Beans,

[37:59] Joe Carr, Larry Crawford, Archie Pierce, Darling, and Zane. And

[38:08] they have they have really worked hard to make sure this money [clears throat]

[38:12] goes to the right place to the right place and hopefully we'll have some more

[38:16] to come. But thank all of you. >> Thank you. [applause]

[38:22] Our

[38:27] next order, I'm going to ask Mayor Elect Zane Vanover to go to the front and I'd

[38:33] like to invite Mayor Richard Venel to the front.

[38:42] [applause]

[38:54] Just want to say that I'm very proud to be the man that gets to stand right here

[38:58] and honor this man. If I can be half the man he's been and

[39:04] have to get good a job this man's done, then I'll be very, very proud of myself.

[39:08] So, it's truly an honor to do this for

[39:11] myself. It's a proclamation and honor and recognition of Richard S. Vable.

[39:16] Whereas Solen County Mayor Richard S. Venal has been an important and

[39:21] respected presence in Sen County for decades, including the 16 years of

[39:26] distinguished service as county mayor, an illustrious chapter in a broader

[39:30] public service career that will regretfully conclude on August 31st,

[39:35] 2026. Whereas

[39:39] in serving the people of Sullivan County with the highest degree of integrity,

[39:44] dedication, and professionalism, Mayor Venal has consistently embraced the

[39:48] mantle of civic responsibility and public stewardship. And whereas Mayor

[39:55] Venal is a generous and compassionate member of the community who has made

[40:00] significant contributions to numerous civic, religious, and charitable

[40:05] organizations. And whereas Mayor Benal leaves a legacy of trust and cooperation

[40:11] among the citizens of Sullivan County that transcends geographically,

[40:16] politically, and social boundaries. and he will long be remembered as an

[40:20] advocate for responsible government and the interest of working people. And

[40:25] whereas Richard Asbenville has been a steadfast and influential leader among

[40:30] the decision makers of our time, a gentleman whose talent, wisdom, and

[40:34] energy will selt be equaled and whose presence and public service will be

[40:40] greatly missed. And whereas it is fitting and proper that the friends,

[40:44] colleagues, and citizens of Sullivan County honor this outstanding public

[40:49] servant, and recognize his many accomplishments and contributions to our

[40:54] county. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of commissioners of

[40:58] Sullivan County, Tennessee, consisting of the 24 members serving during the

[41:03] 2022 2026 term of office, hereby expresses

[41:08] its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Mayor Richard S. Venal for his

[41:13] countless services to our citizens and communities and honors him for his

[41:18] distinguished career in public service. Be it further resolved that the board

[41:23] extends to Mayor Venible and his family its sincere best wishes for continued

[41:28] success, happiness, and fulfillment in all future endeavors. Be it further

[41:34] declared that August 28th, 2026 shall be known and celebrated throughout Solen

[41:40] County as Richard S. been able day and all citizens are encouraged to join in

[41:45] recognition and celebration in celebrating his exceptional legacy of

[41:51] service. [applause]

[42:02] [applause]

[42:12] I'm not going to keep you because they got a heavy load tonight and I'm aware

[42:18] of that. But first of all, Commissioner, it's been a pleasure serving with you.

[42:24] Thank you for all the work you did. Thank you for being here. I know it's

[42:29] not easy to get here, but you've disting distinguished yourself

[42:34] this year. And to those that are remaining,

[42:40] be prepared to put your note to the ground stone. Again, to those that are

[42:44] leaving, thank you. And I know you'll find another way to serve your

[42:48] community.

[42:53] Thank you all for giving me the opportunity

[42:56] to serve you. Um, it's been the greatest joy of my life

[43:02] and I shall miss this. But uh again, I wouldn't miss it for the

[43:08] world. Thank you. [applause]

[43:28] » I'll take 48. Now, Mayor Bill, if we could, Mayor

[43:33] Bill, if we could get a little more work out of you, we've got some proclamations

[43:36] we'd actually like for you to present. >> He thought you thought you were off.

[43:47] » I'm not sure what order you have them, but they're all there.

[43:50] » I'm too choked up to talk, be honest.

[44:04] Scotty Murray, are you here? Scotty

[44:10] Scotty was probably out fixing your roads.

[44:14] But we will deliver this proclamation to Scotty.

[44:20] Whereas Scott Mary has served the residents of Svin County

[44:25] with distinction, integrity, and unwavering dedication through more

[44:29] than 45 years of exemplary service with the Southern County Highway

[44:35] Department. [clears throat] Whereas throughout his career, Scotty has worked

[44:39] tirelessly through challenging weather conditions, maintenance operations, and

[44:44] infrastructure demands to help ensure the safety, accessibility, and

[44:48] connectivity of Southern County roadways and communities.

[44:55] And we're asked since assuming the role of highway commissioner in 2018,

[44:59] Gotti has led continuous improvements in the highway department delivery of

[45:03] public service emphasizing road improvements, paving projects and prompt

[45:09] responses to hazardous weather events and removal of dangerous debris.

[45:15] Whereas Scotty's cooperative service and commitment partnership have strengthened

[45:20] the highway department collaborative efforts with other local governments,

[45:24] agencies, and county departments, resulting in numerous successful

[45:28] projects that have benefited the citizens of Sen County.

[45:33] And whereas Scotty has been a val valued member of the Salt Lake County Financial

[45:38] Management Committee, contributing his knowledge, his

[45:42] experience, and sound judgment to the county's financial stewardship.

[45:47] And whereas Scotty's steadfast work ethic, positive

[45:52] attitude, and professional expertise has earned him the respect and admiration of

[45:58] colleagues, public officials, and citizens alike.

[46:03] leaving a lasting and positive impact on Southern County and all those fortunate

[46:08] enough to have worked with him. Now therefore, be it resolved that the

[46:13] Salt County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim August 31st, 2026 as

[46:19] Scotty Scotty Mary Day on behalf of the citizens of Sullivan County expresses

[46:26] its deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation for his remarkable career,

[46:31] public service, leadership, and dedication

[46:36] to the people of Southern County. And with this here I here under second

[46:43] my hand that caused the seal of southern Canada to be affixed on in blunt on the

[46:48] 20th day of August 2026. Zane Vanover mayor elect

[47:00] [applause]

[47:05] make sure that that's delivered to Scotty. He's been a wonderful public

[47:09] service uh servant.

[47:16] Council Street, would you join me up here?

[47:23] [applause]

[47:28] This is a particular pleasure of mine because I've always

[47:35] a great friend. Proclamation honoring and recognizing

[47:40] Daniel Fe street for outstanding public service. Whereas Daniel F Street has

[47:45] served with distinction as county attorney for Sullivan County, Tennessee

[47:50] for 32 years, earning the trust and overwhelming support of the citizens of

[47:55] Southern County through repeated elections. Whereas through his tenure,

[48:00] Mr. Street has provided exceptional legal counsel,

[48:05] guided Sel County through complex legal matters, and safeguarded public interest

[48:10] with unwavering integrity, professionalism, and dedication.

[48:16] Whereas his steadfast commitment to the rule of law and his support of county

[48:21] government operations have profoundly benefited southern citizens of Seldon

[48:27] County and strengthening the effective administration of local government.

[48:34] Whereas Mr. Street is deserving a special recognition for his tireless

[48:38] work ethic, ethic, sound judgment, vi counsel, and enduring commitment to

[48:45] justice. All of which have set the standard of

[48:49] excellence in public service. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the

[48:54] board of commissioners of Sullivan County, Tennessee, hereby honors and

[48:58] recognizes Daniel P. Street for his outstanding

[49:02] service, dedication, and contributions to the citizens and communities of Selma

[49:07] County. Be it further proclaim that this county

[49:12] commission, which Mr. M Mr. Street has so faithfully and skillfully advised

[49:17] through eight four-year terms extends its sincere gratitude and best

[49:24] wishes for him and his family for continued happiness, success, and

[49:30] fulfillment of all their endeavors. Be it further declared that August 21st,

[49:36] 2021 shall be observed and celebrated throughout Sullivan County as Daniel P.

[49:42] three days in recognition of his exemplary public

[49:47] service and lasting leg legacy and the witness wherefore I want here to set my

[49:54] hand and cause Silvin County Tennessee to be a fixed in

[50:01] on this 20th day of August 2026 signed by Zane Van

[50:08] mayor elect Dan I u I can't find the word to tell you how much you have

[50:15] guided me and guided this commission over the years. And uh I know your

[50:23] family's proud of you and we are equally proud of you. We wish you the best.

[50:27] You've got a lot life before you and and we we wish you the best in doing that.

[50:34] » Well, thank you. [applause]

[50:45] » [applause]

[50:49] » Well, it's truly been an honor. I you know, who would have ever figured

[50:54] anybody would say that about me? [laughter]

[50:58] Uh, you know, I don't know what to say, but I will say this. Solomon County is a

[51:03] great county, a beautiful county, and the people I've worked with are great

[51:08] people. Um, I really have a lot of pride in this county, and I am so fortunate to

[51:14] been able to do this. Thank you. [applause]

[51:29] » [laughter]

[51:38] » We have one more and it's a very important one.

[51:44] Uh, is Jim McGomery here? Jim faithfully comes most times. He

[51:51] might have found out we were doing this, but uh if he's not, I hope I will

[51:57] deliver this personally to him. Uh he's such a great guy. Proclamation honoring

[52:03] and recognizing James Jim McGomery. Whereas James McGomery has served the

[52:09] residents of Sullivan County with distinction,

[52:12] integrity, and unwavering dedication through more than 46 years of exemplary

[52:19] service with Sen Highway Department. and whereas since beginning his career

[52:26] on January 2nd, 1980, last millennium,

[52:31] Jim has worked tirelessly through challenging weather conditions,

[52:34] maintenance operations, and infrastructure demands to help ensure

[52:38] the safety, accessibility, and connectivity

[52:42] of Southern County roadways and communities.

[52:46] Whereas steadfast work ethic, positive attitude, and professional expertise

[52:51] have earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues

[52:56] and the citizens he has faithfully served,

[52:59] leaving a lasting and positive impact on our county.

[53:04] And whereas his commitment to public services

[53:08] by high standards of dedication and professionalism

[53:13] and has contributed significantly to the quality of life enjoyed by the resident

[53:18] soul county. Now therefore be it resolved that the Sen County Board of

[53:24] Commissioners do August 31st, 2026

[53:30] as Jim McGomery Day and on behalf of the citizens of S County expresses a deepest

[53:37] gratitude and sincere appreciation for his remarkable career of public

[53:44] service and dedication to the people of this county

[53:48] and witness Miss by your honor set my hand seal of Sen County, Tennessee to be

[53:56] a fixed emble on this 20th day of August 2026.

[54:01] Zane Venover Solen County mayor elect. So I will pass on your thanks to Jim

[54:11] uh a wonderful man who uh sacrificed much and came to work when it wasn't

[54:17] easy. 42 years of service. Uh we will miss

[54:23] Jim, we'll miss Scotty, and certainly miss Dan Street. But uh fortunately,

[54:29] here in S County, we have people who will step up and

[54:34] reflect your values and your ambitions and your goals for

[54:40] Southern County. And again, thank you for letting me

[54:44] serve you. and uh I'll never forget your kindness

[54:49] to me. Thank you. [applause]

[54:55] And mayor, Mayor Vimble,

[55:00] » I can't go. >> Not yet. [laughter]

[55:07] Unless you're off the clock. [laughter] >> While you were speaking, I went and got

[55:12] that box on the table. Our ne our next our next item is the recognition of

[55:17] outgoing members and we have plaques for you to present there.

[55:23] » Those can be work. [laughter]

[55:28] » Would you like me to just pass them out? >> Oh, you can call their name off. They

[55:32] can get a picture if they like. >> You have a photographer.

[55:37] » I'll do I'll take pictures. You want to do this?

[55:46] First up, Commissioner Barry Holland. There he is. [applause]

[55:57] And Barry has stepped in. >> This is the second time.

[56:01] » Second time. Yes. >> To fill a seat. And he has done it with

[56:05] distinction and good humor and gave me a clock one time so we could time public

[56:10] service. >> Exactly.

[56:12] Sir, it's been a pleasure to participate.

[56:17] Citizens of this community, anytime you have an opportunity to be a part of the

[56:24] decision making in the community, a chance to uh be with people like our

[56:31] outgoing mayor and our new mayor. It would be a great pleasure and honor for

[56:37] you to do so. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause]

[56:46] » I'm walking on too.

[56:56] » Joe Mer.

[57:07] » Okay. Hear me better?

[57:17] » [clears throat]

[57:23] » Commissioner Tony. Tony. [applause]

[57:47] Mr. Daniel Haw Daniel here.

[57:54] » I will say that Daniel has given greatly to the commission when

[58:00] he could. Great young man. I wish him well.

[58:09] We will deliver this.

[58:15] [applause]

[58:21] We're going to [clears throat] a bigger venue, but not want to thank

[58:26] more of you. I have a new house.

[58:36] » [applause]

[58:44] » Miss Darlene Kerton

[58:49] [applause]

[58:55] Darlene. I've known you for 30 years and mispronounce your name.

[58:59] » You're right. You got Cooper with you. >> Thank you, dear, for your service to

[59:05] Svin County. We've loved having you and we know you'll do something.

[59:16] [applause]

[59:23] Cooper was actually the commission mascot. Unofficial.

[59:29] Mayor Zayn Vanov, [applause]

[59:37] as you make your way up here, I can say that I can leave Sullivan County because

[59:43] of you and leave it in good hand. >> You sure you don't want to change your

[59:47] mind? >> No. [laughter]

[59:57] » [applause]

[1:00:01] » Jo, I'll put you down here somewhere. >> Oh, okay. Well, let me get my picture

[1:00:05] taken.

[1:00:09] » Won't do you any good in the next campaign.

[1:00:13] » So, thank you for your service and dedication to Svin County and uh and

[1:00:18] your dedication to community. Thank you. >> Thank you. THANK YOU. [applause]

[1:00:34] COMMISSIONER Jessica means [applause]

[1:00:42] that seat was empty and I thought you got 11.

[1:00:46] Congratulations.

[1:00:54] » [applause]

[1:01:01] » Mr. Hersel Glover [applause]

[1:01:09] make his way up here. I want to also thank him for being the one and only

[1:01:13] chairman of our financial management committee that we established as a

[1:01:18] result of our private act.

[1:01:22] Thank you. Appreciate you. [applause]

[1:01:35] » Mr. David Hayes short trip, DAVID. >> [applause]

[1:01:42] » HAS DONE A wonderful job for us and has started his own business and we wish him

[1:01:47] well in that appreciate your service.

[1:01:54] [applause]

[1:02:05] Archie Pierce [applause]

[1:02:12] has the distinction of having been here twice and he's a couple of days my

[1:02:18] senior but can't thank him enough for coming back and running to serve the

[1:02:24] people of Southern County. Uh Archie many many years of service and thank

[1:02:28] you. >> [applause]

[1:02:34] » We want our picture with me and Hunter got him in this racket. So we're going

[1:02:38] to get

[1:02:54] [applause]

[1:02:59] Miss Cheryl Harvey, [applause]

[1:03:06] she makes her way up here. I want to thank her for moving back to her

[1:03:10] hometown when you could live anywhere. Thank you, Cheryl. Thank you. Appreciate

[1:03:21] » [applause]

[1:03:26] » believe that's all and we will get Daniels to him. Um John, you got

[1:03:32] anything else for me to do? I can tap Daniel

[1:03:37] and I should have given you these as you came up, but I'll leave them here and

[1:03:42] for to get your flags on safe and sound. So, this is me SIGNING OFF.

[1:03:51] » [applause]

[1:03:59] » I ACTUALLY CALLED MAYOR TODAY AND I offered him a as a uh appreciation and

[1:04:04] respect offered him the opportunity to chair this meeting his last meeting as

[1:04:09] mayor and I won't tell you what he said to me. [laughter]

[1:04:14] And also uh u on the outgoing commissioner's desk there's another

[1:04:19] plaque distributed by uh by Mark Torbett. So I hope you enjoy those as

[1:04:23] well.

[1:04:27] » Our next order is public comment on agenda and non-aggenda related items. Is

[1:04:33] there anyone here that didn't get the opportunity to sign up for public

[1:04:36] comment that would like to?

[1:04:43] While we're getting that squared away, I'm going to go ahead and read our rules

[1:04:47] of public comment pursuit to our local rule. Rule four,

[1:04:54] we'll recess for 30 minutes for the purpose of hearing from the public.

[1:05:00] Each speaker is requested to state their name and address for the clerk's

[1:05:04] electronic record. Though this is not question answer, clarifying questions

[1:05:09] may be permitted. No speaker can transfer or yield time to another

[1:05:14] speaker. Thank you very much. Each speaker will be allotted three

[1:05:18] minutes uninterrupted and is asked to direct all comments to the chair of the

[1:05:23] body and not the members. At the end of the three minutes, I will

[1:05:28] let you know and I'll ask that you make your final statements

[1:05:49] and I'll begin with agenda related Gary instead of

[1:06:02] » Oh, I thought she was going to the whale, sir. Excuse me.

[1:06:05] » Go ahead, sir. Now, Mr. Chairman, I'll just do this from my desk. Uh, tonight

[1:06:09] I'm speaking about item 12, surveillance cameras or better known as block

[1:06:14] cameras. One thing I want to point out about this, this had nothing to do with

[1:06:18] the sheriff's department. Our sheriff's department and our sheriff are topnotch.

[1:06:23] Most professional organization you're going to find anywhere.

[1:06:28] The sheriff has decided to go ahead and dis uh disable those cameras. They're

[1:06:32] not being used anymore. No one else can use those cameras or the feed from them.

[1:06:37] So, at this time, we're going to withdraw this resolution.

[1:06:41] The uh other question was about whether this could be put on a referendum. Uh

[1:06:48] and it can. And one of the reasons why in a constitutional local government,

[1:06:52] which Solen County has, the only referendums that can be held according

[1:06:57] to state law are for sales tax. I even hate even saying this one in this room,

[1:07:03] a will tax, annexation by cities, general obligation bonds, liquor by the

[1:07:09] drink, wine sales, and grocery stores. So tonight, there'll be no discussion on

[1:07:14] this. It'll basically when it comes up, it'll be just withdrawn and move on.

[1:07:19] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Commissioner St.

[1:07:25] Caitlyn. Forgive me if I mispronounce your name.

[1:07:29] I mispronounced eight out of 10. Caitlyn Coulson.

[1:07:35] » Sir, that was uh Caitlyn that spoke earlier with

[1:07:38] » Oh, okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. Craig Forester, you wish to

[1:07:42] address the commission again? No sir. Thank you,

[1:07:47] » Pam Eert.

[1:07:53] » Welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I appreciate the

[1:07:57] opportunity to speak tonight. I am Pam Heert and I live at 212 Exit Lane,

[1:08:03] Blumble. And uh I serve on the board of the Sullivan County Historical

[1:08:09] Preservation Association. It's a long one and I've been on that board for 25

[1:08:14] years. Currently, I serve as treasurer. And I'm not here asking for money for

[1:08:20] the historical association. I'm here to remind everyone here that when the plan

[1:08:27] was developed for the hotel motel tax and it was initiated in 2020, it was to

[1:08:34] promote tourism by helping the county fund the historic buildings that it owns

[1:08:38] in downtown Lumpul. I want you to think of what our town would look like without

[1:08:43] Anderson Townhouse and Blizzard Museum and the Rutage House and Community

[1:08:48] Center, the Sheriff's Home and Jail. And that was designed almost 20 years ago to

[1:08:55] be a welcome center and the jewel of our downtown Blumble, the Dairy Inn and all

[1:09:01] the dependent buildings out back in the park on the property. These historic

[1:09:06] buildings are what make Blumb unique. is what's bringing tourists into our town.

[1:09:12] We can actually show people what history looks like instead of them reading it

[1:09:16] out of a book. For those who have not seen the inn lately, you're missing out.

[1:09:22] It's beautiful. A small group of volunteers has been responsible for

[1:09:27] furnishing the buildings and opening them for tours. But the county is

[1:09:31] responsible for maintaining them. and doing that with 200 plus year old

[1:09:36] buildings is a that need a lot of care is a tough thing to do.

[1:09:43] What I don't understand is why the tourism money collected in Sullivan

[1:09:48] County is not used for that purpose. When property taxes and sales taxes are

[1:09:53] collected, do we send that money out to other counties for them to use for their

[1:09:58] budgets? I don't think so. When every county has the ability to collect the

[1:10:03] same taxes that we do, why are we giving our resources to four other counties? I

[1:10:10] don't have a problem with contributing to NETA, but if it appears to me at this

[1:10:14] time that we are funding them. I think the fact that Kingsport and Bristol have

[1:10:19] their own hotel motto motel tax at a higher rate than what the county is and

[1:10:26] that's where all the hotels are that you are doing the citizens of Sullivan

[1:10:30] County a major injustice by not using these tax dollars for Sullivan County.

[1:10:36] What I really want to know is and hope someone can tell me where the more than

[1:10:41] $1 million that's been collected in the last three years has gone. And I

[1:10:46] appreciate that tonight Joyce is here trying to help us with this issue and I

[1:10:51] hope you will support her. Thank you. >> Thank you very much.

[1:10:56] [applause]

[1:11:00] » Allison Kathy, >> welcome. Thank you.

[1:11:05] » My name is Allison Kathy. I live at 501 Hill Road, uh, Kingsport 37

[1:11:12] 664. Sorry. Um, I would like to ask a clarifying question from uh uh

[1:11:18] Commissioner STDM. You said that the cameras would be disabled. What exactly

[1:11:24] does that mean? I'm a little concerned uh because I know in some cities those

[1:11:28] cameras have been disabled but not taken down and after the Nancy Guthrie issue

[1:11:36] where a lot of questions were raised as to why they were still able to access

[1:11:41] data uh new data even though she was no longer signed up for Nest cameras they

[1:11:49] were still able I'm just wondering are the you know what does disabling really

[1:11:53] entail handle. >> The uh cables have been disconnected so

[1:11:57] that there's no feed off of the cameras. >> Okay.

[1:12:00] » So, they're totally disabled. >> Okay. I was I was coming to to voice my

[1:12:05] concern about the plot cameras, but y'all seem to have taken care of it. And

[1:12:08] thank you very much for doing that. >> Thank you for being here, man.

[1:12:11] [applause]

[1:12:14] » Mark Blizzard.

[1:12:19] » Welcome, sir. >> Thank you.

[1:12:22] » Thank you for being here. Let me [clears throat] Mark Blizzard 334

[1:12:26] Red Bud Laneville. Um, first let me thank the commission

[1:12:32] and and the staff because I know this is a tough job and it's often a thankless

[1:12:38] job and uh [clears throat] I want to thank you all for doing what you do

[1:12:43] because it's not easy. I have a little bit I experience to draw on. I was

[1:12:49] chairman of the Southern County Planning Commission about 40 years ago.

[1:12:53] And uh I was here when they uh first enacted zoning in so

[1:13:01] uh that was quite an interesting period. You want to hear about those nightmares?

[1:13:08] I can share that with you someday. But uh I I got a taste of what it must be

[1:13:12] like to do what you do. So just want to thank you. Uh I'm [clears throat] here

[1:13:17] in support of uh the resolution to uh use some of the lodging tax money to

[1:13:24] fund the historic building repairs. Uh we uh I'm here as president of the

[1:13:31] Ralph Lizard Traditional Music Association.

[1:13:34] We're located in the Henderson Townhouse.

[1:13:38] » [clears throat] >> We've been holding open free the public

[1:13:43] jams over there for over three decades now. And so we've got the staying power

[1:13:49] and we've got the draw and we've got a museum. We've had it for five years. Uh

[1:13:55] we had we have people from all over the country coming in there. Uh foreign

[1:14:00] countries just the last few months, Argentina and France.

[1:14:05] Um, our Facebook page gets over a million and a half views a year. Uh,

[1:14:12] 500,000 of those are outside of this area and [clears throat] about 75,000

[1:14:18] are outside the country. So, we have a tourism draw potential and all that's

[1:14:25] really with no promotional effort. Uh, so it's it would be a good use of the

[1:14:32] tourism money to do some of the work that needs to be done on the Anderson

[1:14:37] townhouse to kind of keep us in business. I give you an example. We

[1:14:42] we've been trying to get some funds to improve the heating and ventilation

[1:14:48] and air conditioning for years and we haven't been able to. And um people in

[1:14:55] our jam started having to leave early because they were getting respiratory

[1:15:01] problems, sore throats, and so they come play an hour or two and they leave

[1:15:07] because of those problems. Well, now we found out that there's mold in the

[1:15:13] Anderson townhouse. So it has been closed and the mold is there because we

[1:15:20] never got the heating and ventilation and air conditioning

[1:15:24] corrected. So by not funding along the way, we basically additional problems.

[1:15:32] So now we have mold remediation to build this. So anyway, that's just one

[1:15:38] example. [clears throat] and these buildings. Um,

[1:15:43] nobody else has these. We're the it's one of a kind. There's no one else.

[1:15:50] And one of these days, you know, there's going to be people, you know, our

[1:15:53] children, our grandchildren are going to want to be able to visit these places

[1:15:59] and we've got people from outside the area, tourists want to come in to visit

[1:16:03] and we need to keep them in a condition that they can be utilized.

[1:16:07] Uh in addition to the uh tourism draw, uh we also um uh helped start a youth

[1:16:17] music instruction program at Sullivan Central Middle School. It's called

[1:16:22] Junior. It's Junior Appalache Musicians. It's its own nonprofit [clears throat]

[1:16:27] and it provides lowc cost music instruction and traditional music and

[1:16:33] streamed instruments at a very low cost after school grades 4

[1:16:37] through 12. Let everybody know that program exists because there's a lot of

[1:16:42] people not taking advantage of it. Uh it's a great program. They've got over

[1:16:47] 60 of these programs in seven southern states and uh [clears throat] which is

[1:16:53] highly rated and the youth element is a big part of our community outreach and

[1:16:59] we actually um just recently received some uh grant funding from Tensy Arts

[1:17:06] Commission. Uh [clears throat] and part of it be used to add another program if

[1:17:11] you can take advantage of in the townhouse.

[1:17:15] Uh but um we'll continue to work on that. [clears throat] We also have an

[1:17:21] event from that uh commission of that grant money uh partially funding uh an

[1:17:28] event for for that organization and we're working with Birthplace Country

[1:17:32] Music to plan that event for next spring.

[1:17:36] Uh we started a welcome center jam session once a month at the uh

[1:17:42] Interstate 81 Tennessee welcome center. People coming in off the road just love

[1:17:48] to come in and they get experience exposed to that live music which

[1:17:53] Tennessee is a music state. So, uh, that's another tourism outreach that we

[1:17:59] do and hopefully we'll be able to provide some [clears throat] students

[1:18:03] from we work ETSU the, uh, Oldtown Bluegrass and Roots music program. We

[1:18:09] bring them. We actually um received some funding from the archives of tourism

[1:18:15] last year and we took some of those students to a couple of the elementary

[1:18:18] schools in Sen County and they played for the assembly of the kids. The kids

[1:18:24] love it. They just absolutely love it. So Mr. Blizzard, you can wrap it up.

[1:18:28] » So there's a lot of good things that we can we can do and we can continue to do

[1:18:32] that. It's good for tourism and for the community and appreciate it if you help

[1:18:37] fund the building restoration. >> Thank Thank you, Mark.

[1:18:40] » Next up is Victoria HS.

[1:18:52] » Welcome. >> Hello. After last time, y'all never know

[1:18:56] what I'm going to look like when I come in here. My name is Victoria Hun. I live

[1:19:00] at 4257 Rockold Road. My question is, if you can withdraw item 12, how can you

[1:19:10] vote for item 10? The argument last week was this is

[1:19:17] tracking us. We don't need block cameras.

[1:19:23] But when you get these, the first screen that pops up, brand new phone, what is

[1:19:28] it? terms of service and agreement if you read that contract. If you don't

[1:19:34] read that contract, that's on you. But you are agreeing to what they can follow

[1:19:38] on you. And as far as that is confirmed for item

[1:19:43] 12. Just because I agreed to those items on

[1:19:49] that contract does not mean I give the federal government and Som County

[1:19:55] Sheriff's Department the authorization to get into my phone. I've read over

[1:20:01] item 10. It's very vague. It doesn't tell me what warrants them to get my

[1:20:07] information. Is it a warrant? Is it because I'm arrested? What is it?

[1:20:14] It doesn't tell me what information they can obtain.

[1:20:19] Is it just pictures? Is it text messages? Also, I don't know. So, before

[1:20:24] you vote on item number 10, you also need to be more specific.

[1:20:32] On a personal note, to all of you that are leaving,

[1:20:37] I wish you the best on all your endeavors.

[1:20:41] Many of you will be missed. And I I'm sorry. I'm going to start

[1:20:46] blowing your phone up more now. >> Thank you.

[1:20:51] » Thank you. [applause]

[1:20:55] » Without objection, that brings us to the end of agenda related items and next

[1:20:59] order is non-aggenda related items. Invite Christy Burke.

[1:21:08] » Welcome. [clears throat] Welcome.

[1:21:09] » Hi, good evening. My name is Christy Burke and I live at 1135 Pit Loop and I

[1:21:14] am running to represent Tennessee's first congressional district in the US

[1:21:18] House of Representatives which includes Sullivan County. In February of this

[1:21:22] year, I watched citizens pack this room asking this board to reject cooperation

[1:21:27] with ICE. And then I watched you shut down public comments and approve an

[1:21:30] agreement with the federal government. Anyway, there is a sickness in American

[1:21:34] politics right now, causing elected officials at every level to forget who

[1:21:39] put them in these positions of influence. It is time for us all to

[1:21:42] remember that lobbyists and powerful families do not call the shots around

[1:21:46] here. The people, these people are your boss and the people are paying attention

[1:21:51] to what is happening in Sullivan County. This year, one man put thousands of

[1:21:56] dollars into multiple local races while running for a seat himself. That same

[1:22:00] man previously served four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to

[1:22:04] pharmaceutical fraud and then he received a presidential pardon. Soon he

[1:22:09] will be seated on this commission. Understand that the people are watching.

[1:22:14] They are watching the money. They are watching the votes and they are watching

[1:22:18] who listens to them and who does not. It's easy to make headlines by

[1:22:22] suggesting that the CEO of a surveillance company should be publicly

[1:22:26] executed. as one of your members did recently. But

[1:22:30] where was this outreach six months ago? Having courage means standing up to

[1:22:34] power when it actually costs you something. So tonight and every day

[1:22:39] forward, honor the voices of the Sullivan County residents. If they want

[1:22:43] you to reject block, continue to reject block and reject any government

[1:22:48] sanctioned violations of Americans fourth amendment rights to privacy. Do

[1:22:53] whatever it takes to break this county's ties to the company and to these

[1:22:56] cameras. And one last thing about powerful families here in Sullivan

[1:23:01] County. Congresswoman Diana Harshburgger is my opponent this coming November.

[1:23:06] Sullivan is her home county. Diana and I are now asking these people for the same

[1:23:11] job and they deserve to hear from both of us. No more hiding from the people

[1:23:16] that you were elected to serve. It is time for a debate right here in Sullivan

[1:23:21] County. Anytime, any place. Let's put our records and our visions of East

[1:23:26] Tennessee in front of the people and let them decide. Earlier this week in Carter

[1:23:30] County, Diana told a group of women that she couldn't remember my name. I believe

[1:23:34] that she lied about that and I think she knows my name very well. But just in

[1:23:38] case, I'd like to remind her. My name is Christy Burke and on November 3rd, I am

[1:23:42] coming for her seat because I believe that our neighbors in

[1:23:47] Sullivan County and all across the Congressional District have had enough.

[1:23:51] But Diana, if you forget my name again after November 3rd, you can just call me

[1:23:55] Congresswoman. Thank you. [applause]

[1:24:02] » Jay Bowolf.

[1:24:17] » Good evening, sir. >> Good evening. Jay Ela, 449 Lakeshore

[1:24:21] Road. Uh, wow. [clears throat] Following that one, um, about a year ago, uh, your

[1:24:27] commission, uh, led a coalition of, uh, county and cities to, uh, bring an

[1:24:34] airline into, um, Tri Cities Airport. Um, that was Breeze Airways. And it was

[1:24:43] determined that you needed to subsidize Breeze Airways. And the subsidy that you

[1:24:48] guys did was $10,000 a month from Sullivan County. [cough] And together

[1:24:54] with the other seven counties and cities, uh you subsidize them to the

[1:25:00] tune of a million dollars a year for two years. Uh they basically had two routes,

[1:25:07] one to Washington DC and one to Orlando, Florida. They recently announced that

[1:25:12] they are going to be terminating their um Washington DC route on November 30th.

[1:25:19] So it did not last a year. Um I Googled stuff and saw that because of the

[1:25:25] agreement and the way it was signed that the um Washington route does not have to

[1:25:31] be paid for next year. So you can get the money back. Um, what I would like to

[1:25:37] see is John Rose, who is the CEO of Bridge, brought in here and explain what

[1:25:44] he plans to do with the money next year because I think Breeze Airways has

[1:25:49] violated their agreement by cancing this and that Salt County and the other

[1:25:55] counties and cities should basically not have to commit to pay Airways next year

[1:26:01] because they're not living up to their commitment.

[1:26:04] in Tri Cities's airport. Um, and I want to personally applaud you for the fact

[1:26:12] that you're trying to uh do economic growth to this community and to the

[1:26:19] airport, but economic growth is a double-edged sword. You have to be very

[1:26:25] careful on what you're wishing for. Um, when I first moved to Orange County,

[1:26:32] California in 1987, we had three airports and I did a lot of

[1:26:38] business travel for the company I worked for, McDonald. We had LAX, which was a

[1:26:43] nightmare, and we had Orange County and Burbank, which were small airports.

[1:26:49] Because of population growth and everything else that's happened, those

[1:26:53] airports are now monster airports with 20 to 30 gates and they're difficult to

[1:26:59] park at. They're difficult to get into. They've got luggage concerns and

[1:27:04] everything else. Tri Cities is a very nice small airport. When I first came

[1:27:10] here in 2019, I landed, I got my luggage and I was in

[1:27:16] my rental car in a half an hour. I have flown all over this country and

[1:27:22] parts of the world. I have never been in my rental car in less than an hour and a

[1:27:28] half to two hours. >> Mr. B, that's your your three minutes.

[1:27:31] You can make the closing statement. >> Okay. We

[1:27:35] have to be careful on what you wish for and you don't know how good you have it

[1:27:40] here with a small airport that's very easy to get in and out of. Thank you.

[1:27:45] » Thank you, sir. >> That completes the list. Is there anyone

[1:27:49] that wishes to address the commission?

[1:27:54] » You'll be held to the public comment rules of uh I'll give you three minutes.

[1:27:57] Commissioner Car. >> Commissioner Car, if you'll introduce

[1:28:01] yourself. I don't think I need any introduction

[1:28:04] after last week. >> Oh, just for the clerk's electronic

[1:28:07] record. >> My name is uh Joe Carr Sullivan County

[1:28:10] Commissioner District 9. I live at 408 Berkeley Road, Kingsport, Tennessee. Uh

[1:28:15] on a side note there, the the woman the Democratic nominee for Congress. I've

[1:28:20] already forgotten her name, but it seems like she's upset that I get more

[1:28:22] headlines than she does. Uh anyways, uh I would like to thank Sheriff Jeff

[1:28:28] Cassidy, our wonderful sheriff, for his bold and outstanding leadership in

[1:28:34] getting rid of these cameras. I would also like to thank future state

[1:28:37] representative Gary STDM for bringing the resolution forward. It has been an

[1:28:42] honor serving with you the past four years, sir. Over the past week, my

[1:28:45] comments have been viewed by millions of people all across the country, and the

[1:28:49] verdict by the American people is quite clear. They are tired of being spied on

[1:28:54] by their government. Our county and our state are leading the country on this

[1:28:59] issue. That is why next month I will be proposing the first ever trigger law

[1:29:04] regarding all ALP cameras here in Sullivan County. That means that the

[1:29:08] moment that we are legally allowed to do so by either the state legislature or

[1:29:12] Congress, Sullivan County will ban all ALPRs, preventing any public or private

[1:29:16] entity from using them. Thank you all for this attention to this matter. Thank

[1:29:21] you, Commissioner Carr. Does anyone else from the audience wish to seek the wish

[1:29:26] to address the commission? You'll be held to the 3minut rule, sir.

[1:29:29] » Yes, sir. >> Any anyone else before we get too far

[1:29:32] along?

[1:29:38] [clears throat] >> Just now recognized you.

[1:29:39] » Sorry. [laughter] I'm Ken Austin, 2978 Island Road,

[1:29:44] Bonville, Tennessee. Um, I just wanted to uh congratulate the winners of the

[1:29:50] last election and commend those that served and those that participated. And

[1:29:56] uh but uh a bit of good news that I had.

[1:30:00] Well, one thing about the uh election, we had a couple of scary incidents.

[1:30:04] There's one over here in Blurb

[1:30:08] and drove between the tents and went straight in and loaded. But nothing

[1:30:12] going to stop her from voting. She did. do a good job. Uh but the scariest thing

[1:30:17] was we were all talking to each other and coming to find out a lot of us are

[1:30:21] gross [clears throat] kind of scary for us. Um but I have some

[1:30:26] good news. Uh I belong to Pipers Local 5308 in Johnson City. We're part of the

[1:30:31] UA which has 410,000 members in the US and Canada and over 2100 signatory

[1:30:36] businesses. We recruited a business to the area to set up a fabrication shop.

[1:30:42] Couldn't find anything in S County large enough to accommodate them, but we found

[1:30:47] one in Rogersville was 200,000 square feet manufacturing room. They ordered 80

[1:30:54] welding machines. Uh and starting in October, once they get the building

[1:30:58] acclimated to what they want to do, they have uh

[1:31:02] plans for between 100 and 150 pipe fitters and welders. Uh these are pretty

[1:31:08] good jobs. Uh if you work 40 hours a week there, you grows uh just under

[1:31:14] $90,000 a year plus your benefits on top of it. The company will pay for your

[1:31:19] health insurance for you and your family and for you and contribute to the

[1:31:24] national defined benefit pension. If they work the schedule schedule with 610

[1:31:28] and an eighth at the end of the year they work that

[1:31:32] for a year that be uh be close to 180,000 a year. That's pretty good for

[1:31:38] around here. We try to get it in soul county. We're still going to constantly

[1:31:43] uh recruit our signatory businesses to get them in here. To us, this is how you

[1:31:49] expand your tax base. Good jobs. They come back and spend the

[1:31:54] money in the area and your businesses and pay taxes. But anyway, I just wanted

[1:32:00] to thank everybody for being good to us during the campaign. Uh we appreciate it

[1:32:06] and uh God bless you all and God bless all the county.

[1:32:09] » Thank you, Mr. Osborne. Always always love him here, sir. [applause]

[1:32:13] Before I close it out, anyone else? Before I close it out, is there anyone

[1:32:17] else? >> Yeah, I got some.

[1:32:23] » You will introduce yourself. Uh, name and address. Thank you, sir.

[1:32:27] » Yes, sir. My name is David Barnes on 310 Road. I've uh read across social media

[1:32:33] where Halloween is going to be the day where flock cameras are going to be

[1:32:37] taken down. I was just letting y'all know because there's rumors of of them

[1:32:44] going to be doing that and I just wanted to know um

[1:32:47] they're going to be left up I'm sure. >> Is there anyone that can address that

[1:32:54] » cuz third party can tap into them? >> Yeah,

[1:33:00] » Mr. there there will be no tapping into them

[1:33:05] because they are completely taken offline.

[1:33:08] » Okay. >> I'm sure the company will be coming to

[1:33:11] pick them up sooner or later. Uh and any anybody going out to damage something

[1:33:18] else that doesn't belong to them. That's vandalism.

[1:33:23] » Yeah. >> What's up on social media? The rumors

[1:33:28] going around. I just give you all a heads up. Thank you. Thank you very

[1:33:32] much. That brings us to the end of the list.

[1:33:37] There's no objection. Public comment portion of the agenda is closed.

[1:33:43] Our next order of business is consent calendar.

[1:33:47] Items on the consent calendar are 4 5 6 7 8 10 13 15 16 and 17. Consent calendar

[1:34:00] requires unanimous consent. Are there any items anyone wishes to bump off or

[1:34:06] are there any items anyone wishes to add to

[1:34:15] » Mr. Crossw. >> Thank you, Chairman.

[1:34:20] I've got 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. These are all from the

[1:34:31] school department. They are either um budget transfers or grants that have no

[1:34:37] matching money or reimbursements. I'd like to put this on, this is the

[1:34:42] first time we've seen it. I'd like to put this on the consent calendar unless

[1:34:45] you all want to hear it all. None of them are new money or matching funds.

[1:34:49] They're all >> reimbursements as well.

[1:34:53] » Matching funds for reimbursements.

[1:34:56] » Is there any objection to adding these items to the consent calendar

[1:35:02] » for the for the uh course electronic records? If we could read those one more

[1:35:06] time. >> The numbers again. 19 20 21 22 23

[1:35:17] 24 25 26 27 and 28.

[1:35:26] » Is there any objection?

[1:35:30] Objection. 19 through 28 are at. Does anyone else seek recognition?

[1:35:34] » 2930. Commissioner Lock moves 29 and 30 to the

[1:35:39] consent calendar. What are those, sir? >> That's a transfer from school board

[1:35:45] sheriff's office and uh it's a budget transfer

[1:35:53] to grant no new match funding. >> So those are

[1:35:58] » so those are one's a transfer and one's a grant. There's no demand.

[1:36:05] Anyone object to 29 and 30 being added to the consent calendar

[1:36:14] got this entertain

[1:36:20] uh 31 grand money

[1:36:29] ran low on uh this year and we're having $65,550

[1:36:36] transition transfer >> transferring from one line to the other.

[1:36:39] Anyone have any objection to item 31? 31 being added to the consent calendar.

[1:36:50] I've got one more number.

[1:37:09] » You can read those, Madam Clerks, and we can make sure we got them on.

[1:37:15] Consent agenda items four, five, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22,

[1:37:30] 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 30.

[1:37:43] Is there entertain a motion for the consent calendar?

[1:37:46] » Motion to approve consent calendar by Commissioner Acre, second by

[1:37:50] Commissioner Countton. Any further discussion on consent calendar requiring

[1:37:54] unanimous consent? When the board opens, please cast your vote.

[1:38:09] requiring unanimous consent.

[1:38:16] » Has every member voted? Has any member wish to change the [laughter] vote?

[1:38:20] Madam clerk, >> 22 yes, two absent.

[1:38:24] » Thank you, madam clerk. Having received the necessary majority of the votes

[1:38:27] cast, the consent calendar is approved.

[1:38:34] Next order, review of resolutions under old business.

[1:38:38] Uh, Mr. Ward.

[1:38:43] Never mind. Take your old business first.

[1:38:49] If you'll hit if you'll hit your button again, Mr.

[1:38:52] » Mr. Stum, item number one. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, this resolution is

[1:38:58] going to be wrote into September and the new sponsor of it will be Joe Carr.

[1:39:04] » Thank you, Commissioner St. Sponsor. defers item number one to the September

[1:39:11] calendar.

[1:39:16] » All right. >> Okay.

[1:39:19] » All right. Fell, >> which one's next?

[1:39:24] » Is item two? >> Recognize Commissioner Crosswide on item

[1:39:28] number two. >> All those on the consent. It's been hard

[1:39:30] to keep up with. Commissioner Crosswide. >> Thank you, Chairman.

[1:39:35] like put this on consent, too, because this is not any taxpayer money.

[1:39:40] » We've already approved the consent calendar.

[1:39:41] » I tried I tried, guys. Okay. Uh this money, this $100,000 I wait everyone

[1:39:49] had this list that wrong list. It'sund and

[1:39:57] overund 30 something,000.

[1:40:01] We did have Steve Wilson come in. He's an architect.

[1:40:07] He did a professional assessment here. But it's going to take $130,000

[1:40:14] just to fix the things that aren't really covered in the Anderson outside.

[1:40:19] Thank Mr.

[1:40:26] Wizard. Thank you. We've had to shut that building down

[1:40:30] because it has in it. That's going to cost $75,000.

[1:40:35] So, there is a grant coming up. I think it is open sand. We're going to need

[1:40:39] every bit of that. So,

[1:40:44] we need the full 130. And I would appreciate your vote. Let's

[1:40:50] keep these buildings. Let's keep them for our future for our

[1:40:54] children.

[1:40:57] This is on waiver.

[1:41:01] » You heard the explanation of item number two. The floor is open for discussion.

[1:41:04] Recognize Commissioner Means. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, is Mr. Mark

[1:41:09] Blizzard still here? Do you know >> he had spoke about another youth

[1:41:14] program? I just didn't know. Do you happen to know what he's talking about

[1:41:18] that they apply for?

[1:41:23] » I know that one. One of my one of my sons was involved in that one. I just

[1:41:28] didn't know he had mentioned another type of program and I just thought I'd

[1:41:32] ask if he knew a grant through the commission of arts.

[1:41:36] » Yes.

[1:41:45] » Okay. Um, well, my only issue is the the process and obviously it's not going to

[1:41:53] get cleared up tonight. I think I've been very clear about me being a big

[1:41:57] advocate and cheerleader of this downtown. And so, um, I just I needed to

[1:42:03] make that statement that I believe we need to try to to clear up a process in

[1:42:08] the future because we've got lots of historical buildings within Sullivan

[1:42:12] County. and I got an email from a constituent asking about Netherland and

[1:42:19] » yeah so um you I think this is a good first step but um I also would like to

[1:42:26] just I don't know if this is in the works you might know this or some of the

[1:42:30] folks you've been involved in thank you for what you've been doing Pam and all

[1:42:34] the things y'all been doing over the years but um I really love what they're

[1:42:39] doing at the exchange place and uh I just just as a citizen, I would just

[1:42:45] love to see something similar to that come into this area to ex to truly

[1:42:51] expound on that. So, we need to take care of all our historical

[1:42:57] buildings. We are rich in this area. We truly rich, but Kingsport, they have

[1:43:02] funds. This is this will be coming out of local funds. Kingsport has funds and

[1:43:07] Bristol has funds. So, this will be strictly local and I'll be more glad to

[1:43:11] work with Kingsport in Bristol too to make sure they can or one of the

[1:43:16] Kingsport commissioners can ask for money from their we need to take care of

[1:43:20] this. We're setting on we're setting on a wealth of history here.

[1:43:26] » Yes. >> And we need to take care of it.

[1:43:28] » So that was what I was kind of circling back to that question is I was wondering

[1:43:32] if that new um application that program that he was speaking about if it was any

[1:43:38] relation to something similar to what Exchange Place does. Does anybody know

[1:43:41] that qu the answer to that? No. Okay. All right. Thank you.

[1:43:49] » Commissioner,

[1:43:52] » did you cut your mic off? Commissioner still.

[1:43:54] » Yes, Mr. Chair. >> Commissioner Cross. I think I didn't cut

[1:43:59] it off. >> Thank you, Chair. This is just a point

[1:44:01] of order. This is on old business. It's not waver. So, that should mean Is am I

[1:44:06] correct in saying this has been read once?

[1:44:10] So it's 13 votes for passage, not w >> I'm sorry.

[1:44:14] » You introduced this the first time a month ago, correct? So it's this is on

[1:44:19] it's not Weber roads. >> Okay.

[1:44:21] » I just appreciate all of you vote for this.

[1:44:24] » Thank you. >> Commissioner I just want to say that uh

[1:44:28] I was on that board three years ago. The same list actually less of the list

[1:44:34] that's that we're given tonight was $95,000

[1:44:38] I think. Now we're at $139,000 for less of the same thing. So the longer we kick

[1:44:43] this can the the longer I mean I'm not I'm not opposed to what we're doing. It

[1:44:48] should bring tourism in but we just need to take care of snow.

[1:44:51] » We need to go ahead and fix it before it gets more expensive and we got to save

[1:44:57] these buildings. Let's just start. Let's just start.

[1:45:03] [clears throat] >> You heard anyone else seek recognition?

[1:45:06] Commissioner Crosslight renews her motion for passage of item number two.

[1:45:10] When the board opens, please cast your vote on item number two, requiring 13

[1:45:13] votes for passage.

[1:45:22] Has every member voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Madam clerk,

[1:45:29] » 22 yes, two absent. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Having received

[1:45:34] the necessary majority of the votes cast, item number two is adopted.

[1:45:39] Next order, recognize Commissioner Harvey. Item number three.

[1:45:46] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When I ran for this commission seat four years ago, I

[1:45:52] knocked on hundreds of doors and at each one of those doors, I introduced myself

[1:45:56] as a Christian. I believe this one word told them what my core values and

[1:46:01] principles were and how my decisions and my votes as a Selma County Commissioner

[1:46:06] should align with those core values. This resolution to help feed our Solomon

[1:46:12] County school children who have been identified as food insecure and

[1:46:17] chronically hungry comes down to two words, God's love. Love overcomes

[1:46:23] division and unites people in purpose and mission. The depth and width of our

[1:46:30] love for others simply comes from God's love in us. I hope that our vote tonight

[1:46:35] to support this resolution to assist in feeding hungry children in Selwin County

[1:46:40] will be a witness of God's love. [clears throat] Thank you.

[1:46:47] » Heard explanation on item number three. Four is open for discussion on item

[1:46:50] number three and one seek recognition.

[1:46:55] Commissioner Cal. >> Thank you, Chair. I would like to be

[1:46:58] added as a co-sponsor. >> Anyone else seek recognition?

[1:47:07] » Commissioner Harvey. Everyone voting in the affirmative be all right to add them

[1:47:10] as a co-sponsor. Everyone voting in the affirmative added as a co-sponsor. Thank

[1:47:15] you. Anyone else seek recognition?

[1:47:23] Without objection, when the board opens, please cast your vote on item number

[1:47:27] three, requiring 13 votes for passage.

[1:47:40] Has every member voted? Does any member wish to change their

[1:47:44] vote? Madam clerk,

[1:47:48] » 20 yes, two no, two absent. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Having received

[1:47:54] the necessary majority of the votes cast, item number three is adopted.

[1:48:05] That brings us to the end of our old business. Under new business, we

[1:48:08] recognize Commissioner Cole on item number nine.

[1:48:18] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This resolution is to appropriate $100,000 for the

[1:48:21] operation, maintenance, staffing, and improvement of the Blunt Athletics

[1:48:26] Facility. I thought Mr. Bailis gave us a great presentation last week.

[1:48:32] So, I would like to ask waver rules for this and just thank you all. Let's

[1:48:38] provide opportunities for our children's families and keep them on the field.

[1:48:44] » You've heard the explanation of item number nine

[1:48:46] » and everyone voting in the affirmative be added as a co-sponsor.

[1:48:50] » Thank you, sir. You've heard the explanation for item number nine. The

[1:48:52] floor is open for discussion. Sponsor moves waiver of rules requiring 16 votes

[1:48:57] for passage. Recognize Commissioner Irish.

[1:48:59] » Michael had a person ask me a day question I

[1:49:03] couldn't answer so I got asked tonight to make sure where we're at on it. the

[1:49:07] funding of this didn't make it in the budget. We talked about that and TJ was

[1:49:11] here, I believe, I believe it was TJ was his name, was here last week talking

[1:49:15] about what he's going to do and his ideas. Um, is this TJ's budget and one

[1:49:20] additional or is this an additional person beyond TJ's budget? And I mean,

[1:49:25] » this will be in his budget. It will fall under him, his longtime employee.

[1:49:32] So, we're going to have TJ and a full-timer and a part-timer. Or is the

[1:49:36] full-timer TJ? >> Fulltime TJ, fulltime, part time.

[1:49:41] » Okay. So, I guess my concern, we showed a couple

[1:49:47] things about money and what we're going to be making of things. Uh, we knew when

[1:49:52] we did the fields that were going to have needed scheduling. We did an online

[1:49:56] program for that. We got a lot of that stuff going on.

[1:50:00] Um, if TJ's not in this, then we're probably north of $160,000

[1:50:06] of employee cost for that, about $3,000 a week. I'm kind of concerned that

[1:50:14] it seems like a pretty big step. I mean, I understand that TJ says are very busy

[1:50:17] and I understand that and I want to make sure we do everything we can for our

[1:50:20] citizens here, but um I'm trying to wrap my head around adding two ball fields

[1:50:26] and a gym and pickle ball courts is two and a half people.

[1:50:30] » I don't know if this will help or answer the question is what Mr. Bailey gave me

[1:50:33] when he said this would work. >> No, no, I understand. I'm not I'm not

[1:50:38] trying to because I know you're scary. I I get that. But but two and a half

[1:50:42] people to do a couple of ball fields that aren't used full-time weekend

[1:50:49] coverage mostly. And I'm just concerned about that. It seems like a significant

[1:50:55] amount because I knew when we went in that we first started talking about the

[1:50:58] park and all the expansion we're going to do at the park, we knew we were going

[1:51:01] to have to hire somebody. That was a given. We were going to hire somebody

[1:51:05] » and we hired TJ. So hiring another person and a half,

[1:51:12] it just seems like a lot a lot of employee cost for

[1:51:16] of ball fields and pickle ball court. So just just concerned about that because

[1:51:20] that's this is not saying onetime money onetime money now, but it won't roll

[1:51:23] into the budget next year. >> So

[1:51:27] that's rejuring cost. Yeah. >> Yeah.

[1:51:30] » I'm concerned about that. That's pretty high. I mean, even even the numbers that

[1:51:34] he showed us, this one tournament got $4,200. Well, that's barely going to

[1:51:38] cover a normal week for what we're gonna pay for.

[1:51:41] » But he's just getting started, though. So, I think you can make it work. I

[1:51:45] really do if we get him to help. If not, can we revisit it? And

[1:51:53] let's revisit it. want to make that compliment

[1:52:00] recognize Commissioner Vanover and Commissioner Crossw.

[1:52:03] » Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll try to answer try to help answer some of those

[1:52:07] questions. U Mr. Baylor's salary comes out of the building maintenance budget.

[1:52:12] So, that's not on top of that. So, his salary comes from a different budget.

[1:52:19] I'm sorry. And the reason that we didn't put this in the budget was because it's

[1:52:23] hopefully it's a one-time expenditure and we don't like to put onetime

[1:52:28] expenditures in the budget. Hopefully when the next budget cycle rolls around

[1:52:33] that it'll be self- sustaining and we won't need to put this in the budget and

[1:52:36] it can be a one-time expenditure. So I hope that answers some of those

[1:52:39] questions.

[1:52:42] » Mr. Crossw. >> Thank you chairman. Sitting through

[1:52:46] these meetings one person cannot do this. We we talked about ball fields.

[1:52:50] Ball fields. Well, there's gyms. Those gyms [clears throat] they have to

[1:52:54] take care of. Those ball fields have to be just mowed a certain way. Um it's not

[1:53:01] like when we play, you know, you just got hit in the face of a rock there. But

[1:53:07] I don't think this is unreasonable. And like Mayor Manover said, $100,000 and

[1:53:13] that just don't make it a budget item. Just give it to him now.

[1:53:18] But I also think this is a a part-time and then a seasonal also a

[1:53:24] seasonal worker full one full time and one seasonal worker and been over there.

[1:53:31] It's a lot to take care of. So I think we're on track one time but it's needed.

[1:53:38] I truly believe it's needed. Thank you. >> Commissioner Glover and Commissioner

[1:53:44] King. >> Thank you Mr.

[1:53:46] just voted on the resolution before to give $50,000 onetime funding to an

[1:53:51] organization that's nonprofit that's got 30ome million dollars laying there and

[1:53:56] we're here worrying about giving the kids that plays baseball and wants to

[1:54:00] play ball on this campus not the same opportunity. Okay.

[1:54:06] I think u I think it's a good idea to invest those kids have been through hell

[1:54:11] the last year. You took their ball field away from them up there. They didn't

[1:54:14] have no work to play and parents had to scatter them all over the county. Now

[1:54:18] they got an opportunity to come back and grow and make a a positive impact on

[1:54:23] Bluntville and investing what Michael was asking

[1:54:27] for in those kids that's going to affect hundreds and hundreds of kids and

[1:54:33] families. It's it's it's not even an option. I'm in 100% of it. I think it's

[1:54:39] needed. uh uh Michael and and his group there. The reason it came in like it did

[1:54:45] was just didn't have time to get all the stuff together beforehand and I think

[1:54:50] it's a a well worthwhile effort to help those kids. Like I said, the the Blumble

[1:54:57] ball team, they didn't ask for their ball field to be tore down and they

[1:55:01] didn't ask for all that. But this fell here is like you said, he was there one

[1:55:05] night till 1:30 in the morning and another night he was there till 12:30,

[1:55:09] 1:00. So to make a go that over, he's going to have to ask and I'm 100% in

[1:55:14] support of it. >> Mr. King,

[1:55:18] thanks chairman. Um I agree with what Hersville says. Being involved with our

[1:55:23] a center, I know what it takes to to do this stuff. And when you've got uh

[1:55:28] programs at night, programs during the day, you can't be there

[1:55:34] 20 hours, you know, a day. And you got to have somebody there looking after it,

[1:55:40] making sure that, you know, there's no vandalism going on, the programs are

[1:55:44] working, you know, and then you got to do your contracts when people come in

[1:55:50] there to rent the place to do stuff. Then, you know, hopefully we can get the

[1:55:54] gym fixed and we're working on that to get the bathrooms and get the gym or the

[1:56:01] cafeteria, I'm sorry, the cafeteria fixed so we can rent it out. And that

[1:56:06] will be another uh avenue of revenue coming in. And also in in those gyms,

[1:56:13] you know, um I don't think we're getting a whole lot of money out of gyms right

[1:56:17] now, but that can change if we've got somebody that will be there and see

[1:56:23] who's there, who's coming in, and set up a program to where we're getting paid

[1:56:28] for the lights and utilities and everything. We You got to do that. If

[1:56:33] you're going to keep these buildings and keep these uh uh facilities up, you've

[1:56:38] got to do it. If you don't, they'll going downhill and then, you know, we

[1:56:43] wasted all this money. So, I'm in total 100% of this. I knew we was going to

[1:56:48] have to do it at some time. And now that we've got all these ball games going on

[1:56:53] there in the afternoons and then at night, too, we going to have to have

[1:56:57] somebody there fulltime in the in the daytime and at night time when those

[1:57:03] programs are going on. I'm in favor of

[1:57:07] » Commissioner Hopper. >> Just uh if I did I understand that this

[1:57:11] was a one time expense this $100,000? >> Yes.

[1:57:16] » Well, and you expect that income off this is going to supplement over the

[1:57:21] year for the $100,000 plus. Now, are we including in this um utility cost,

[1:57:30] electricity, water, etc. That that's supposed to be with

[1:57:35] hopefully what we can generate >> off what you can generate.

[1:57:38] » Yes. The tournaments brought in. You remember last week, Mr. Bis?

[1:57:43] » Well, you're going to try to start a business basically and most businesses

[1:57:48] don't start out unless you get enough funding and resources, they don't do so

[1:57:53] well. So, my concern is, have you budgeted enough for what you anticipate

[1:58:00] doing? We'll revisit.

[1:58:05] » So next year you'll come back for more. >> Nothing.

[1:58:09] » Okay.

[1:58:14] » Mr. >> Thank you, Chairman. Um, no,

[1:58:20] Commissioner Iris is asking good questions and the public should ask

[1:58:22] these questions and I kind of relate it to observation park. I was I was the

[1:58:28] cheerleader to get rid of that place four or five years ago. But we got the

[1:58:32] right person in there and now it's completely turned itself around. And

[1:58:36] that's what I look at this kind of opportunity. I think TJ, Mr. Bis is

[1:58:41] seems to be the right person uh to be there and um and yeah, it's not going to

[1:58:47] turn a profit like Commissioner Hopper said the first year probably, but we got

[1:58:51] to get the right tool, give him the tools to succeed. And so u that's why I

[1:58:56] think as Commissioner King and Glover said, it's it's the right thing to do.

[1:59:00] And I'm excited to see what we can do there because we had a lot of meetings

[1:59:04] over there this past spring and that place has been very wellreceived and so

[1:59:10] it's been a great investment in the Bl community and excited to go forward.

[1:59:16] » Commissioner Ms. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I'm so

[1:59:20] excited about it. As you know, I I believe we should be doing everything we

[1:59:24] can for the kids in this town, but I do want to when this was presented years

[1:59:30] ago, the conversation was that costs were going

[1:59:35] to remain low for the lower income um families also. Um is that still

[1:59:45] a goal of this county for this property? because we talk about a profit and

[1:59:50] obviously we need to have some funds to cover that but that's still a goal here.

[1:59:55] » I'm sure Mr. Bis will work with >> All right. Thank you.

[2:00:00] » And like I said, not to get off topic of the resolution, but hopefully we'll have

[2:00:04] a farmer or venue venue as Commissioner King said last week, we can have a venue

[2:00:09] in the near future. Thank you.

[2:00:14] » Anyone else? Commissioner Cole recognizing for a

[2:00:18] final motion on item number nine. >> I just appreciate your support.

[2:00:21] [clears throat] Anybody voting will be added.

[2:00:24] » Waiver waiver of rules on >> waiver of rules please. Yes.

[2:00:28] » Sponsor moves renews his motion for waiver of rules on item number nine

[2:00:34] requiring 16 votes for passage. When the board opens, please cast your vote on

[2:00:38] item number nine, waiver of rules.

[2:00:53] Has every member voted? Does any member wish to change their

[2:00:58] vote? Madam clerk,

[2:01:02] » 22 yes. 20%. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Having received

[2:01:06] the necessary majority of the votes cast, item number nine is adopted.

[2:01:11] Without objection, recognize Commissioner Ward on item number 11.

[2:01:15] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank while I'm reading this, I want to

[2:01:20] bring a couple people up that's been here waiting on us. Couple folks in

[2:01:23] Battle Health, Brook Graham and Matt Harper.

[2:01:27] [clears throat] Jill, you might as well come on up here,

[2:01:30] too. I'll hide back here in the corner. And two of our sessions court judges,

[2:01:34] Judge Nelson and Judge Vance. Uh, this resolution approving acceptance of a

[2:01:39] $4,500 grant to create a reset room to aid in positive mental health and stress

[2:01:45] reduction for participants for the court proceedings. Um,

[2:01:50] Ballot has generously donated uh proceeds for this room with only two

[2:01:58] stipulations really or two exceptions is one that S County display a plaque

[2:02:03] outside the room uh that it was donated and provided by Ballot Hill and that the

[2:02:08] county which I think the city judges will take care of um a number of room

[2:02:14] uses per month and a number of uses in that month where the user expresses

[2:02:19] feelings of improvement, benefit from using [clears throat] this room. Uh,

[2:02:24] Judge Nelson, you talk a little bit about this room and what it's going to

[2:02:27] do. [clears throat] >> Good evening. I'm Teresa Nelson. I'm one

[2:02:32] of the Bristol General Sessions judges, but I'm also a juvenile court judge

[2:02:35] along with Judge Doug Vance. And one of the things that we face routinely are

[2:02:42] children that have been removed from their homes as a result of dependency

[2:02:47] and neglect. And what that means is that through no fault of the child, their

[2:02:52] home environment is no longer safe for them. And so they are placed in the

[2:02:57] department's custody or they're placed in a relative's custody. And so they've

[2:03:01] been removed from their home. So part of what happens is that regularly they come

[2:03:06] to court and they see myself or judge bands and right now what we have is a

[2:03:13] conference room and so the children come and they sit and there's no stimulation.

[2:03:21] Um they're often there for a couple hours. Sometimes they're called as

[2:03:26] witnesses to testify which is very traumatic for them. It's it's an

[2:03:31] uncomfortable situation. Sometimes the parents are not receptive. Sometimes the

[2:03:38] parents aren't willing for them to come home. And so these children feel

[2:03:42] feelings of abandonment. Um they're scared, they're nervous, they're in an

[2:03:46] unfamiliar setting. And so um many of you are familiar with the Isaiah House

[2:03:52] and that is a home that is provided on the day of removal. But what we face in

[2:03:57] the courts um on a weekly basis is seeing children in an environment that

[2:04:03] is um very sterile um I wouldn't say unfriendly but to them it's it's not a

[2:04:09] welcoming place and so Ballot has graciously um extended this to our

[2:04:14] county and we are so grateful and anxious to put this into place very

[2:04:20] quickly. Um Judge Mance can also talk about other uses.

[2:04:25] Yeah, I'll be brief. Um, we we've spoke to the judges in in Washington County. I

[2:04:31] believe they they have a reset room courthouse calming room. Uh, really

[2:04:36] excited about about using this for the juvenile for the juvenile uh court, but

[2:04:42] also uh I do the domestic violence court in Bristol and that [clears throat] it

[2:04:46] can be uh for these for the domestic violence victims uh coming to court. You

[2:04:52] know, one problem we have is getting them there

[2:04:57] for multiple reasons, but uh but they can be very anxious when when they when

[2:05:02] they get the courthouse. This would be a resource we could use to to help them

[2:05:06] out, help them try to help them not be as anxious so they can make it through

[2:05:12] this difficult time in their life where they've been a victim of domestic

[2:05:16] violence. And so, anything we can do uh to

[2:05:20] to make it easier on them is a great appreciate Val stepping up and and

[2:05:29] donating this these funds and we look forward to

[2:05:34] putting it together >> and this is at no cost at all to the

[2:05:38] county. This is 100% donation um that we will utilize and can explain a little

[2:05:44] more about what it's going to look like when it's finished.

[2:05:51] » Good evening. My name is Broo Graham. This is Matt Hoffer. We both work for

[2:05:55] Valley's Behavioral Health Division. Uh he and I both have responsibility of our

[2:05:58] outpatient services program. And you've got a little bit of collateral in front

[2:06:01] of you that I thought would just be beneficial as you kind of orient

[2:06:05] yourself to what we've been doing. We stepped into the schoolbased realm in

[2:06:09] 23. You might kind of correlate that with the time frame of postcoid because

[2:06:15] students were needing support. And we have found fruitful uh results from our

[2:06:20] relationships with the school systems. We're now in 39 schools across the

[2:06:24] Appalachian Highlands region. Uh we are in Sullivan County schools.

[2:06:27] Superintendent Carter was just here and we've been working with him in Sullivan

[2:06:30] County Middle and a couple of additional elementary schools. Um as Judge Nelson

[2:06:35] and Judge Vance said, we're in two courthouse calling rooms already. That's

[2:06:39] Washington County, Tennessee and Greenville, Tennessee, and this will be

[2:06:42] the third one. Um 50 visits to date since November of 24 Washington County

[2:06:48] um and Green County have used. And you may say that's a very small number, but

[2:06:51] at the end of the day, as you heard her speak and him speak. Um, if it's

[2:06:56] successful pathway forward for that family, then that's beneficial to

[2:06:59] everyone involved. So really, our justification is the fact to create

[2:07:03] access points. And so we've committed not only to providing this service, but

[2:07:07] also providing additional resources for mental health across the spectrum. Um,

[2:07:12] because the intention is to create access

[2:07:19] So, just in summary, what what this will look like um once it's finished is that

[2:07:24] the room instead of being a um bare room with a table and chairs, um Ballad will

[2:07:30] donate the funds for us to furnish um with things like um drawing boards and

[2:07:37] dry erase markers. And I know one of the rooms has a massage chair and bean bags

[2:07:42] and um sensory toys and so it can be geared towards our needs and what we see

[2:07:49] as the room progresses um what kids are responding to. And so when they come

[2:07:54] there, instead of seeing a stranger, um they'll have that room and then when I

[2:07:59] go in, because I speak with these children, so when I go into the room

[2:08:03] with them, they're already calm and it will hopefully be a more pleasant

[2:08:07] experience for them um and calm the nerves and make court be less scary. Um

[2:08:14] and that's that's the purpose of the room. And so again, we're very excited

[2:08:18] and grateful for this opportunity. wanted to share with you what ballot is

[2:08:22] doing and how it's going to help our county.

[2:08:28] » Anyone seek recognition and recognize Commissioner Hopper?

[2:08:34] » Very quickly, this is kind of the same question I had uh last week. Your

[2:08:38] staffing is going to be incredibly important in this in that there need to

[2:08:42] be uh individuals with background in child management, psychology,

[2:08:48] etc., etc. And it was noted that last week it would be staffed by volunteers.

[2:08:54] » So that >> actually the way that will work is that

[2:08:58] on the days the children are there, they're always accompanied by their DCS

[2:09:02] case manager and so they will never be unattended in those rooms, we won't need

[2:09:06] volunteers because we already have the staff there with the children. Sometimes

[2:09:12] um foster parents will bring them. Sometimes the DCS case manager will

[2:09:17] bring them and one or the other or both individuals will be in the room with the

[2:09:21] children at all times. So they'll never be unsupervised.

[2:09:24] » Well, I didn't mean unsupervised, but with supervisors who have are capable in

[2:09:31] and understanding the situation. >> Do you mean for um to assist them with

[2:09:36] their with their anxiety? >> Yeah, sure. We typically in those

[2:09:41] situations, those needs will be addressed precourt. And so if there's

[2:09:46] something that the children need on a regular basis, they're going to already

[2:09:50] be receiving that. And for dates specific that they come to court, for

[2:09:54] example, if they're going to be testifying, they will have already

[2:09:57] spoken with somebody. They'll have a therapist or somebody there to meet

[2:10:01] those needs. But if it's a just a day that they will see the court, myself or

[2:10:05] Judge Vance, um the case manager or the foster parent will be there with them.

[2:10:10] » They're allowed to testify at what age? >> If they're competent to testify, in

[2:10:16] other words, they understand the oath. In other words, to tell the truth and

[2:10:19] not tell the lie, then the court can deem them competent to testify. When I

[2:10:24] was a prosecutor, I had a child as young as six years old testify.

[2:10:29] » Wow. You did a great job at Rotary the other day.

[2:10:32] » Well, thank you. >> Very nice. Mr. Cross,

[2:10:37] » if I may also add just a second there. Um, our team is also willing and has for

[2:10:42] our other courthouse common rooms and all also our school systems um provided

[2:10:46] evidence-based training. So, we can provide that level of support to the

[2:10:49] team um PRN so to speak as needed. Um but initially policy procedure will be

[2:10:55] developed in our guidance and and they're already doing that and so we

[2:10:58] need to provide that level of training moving forward.

[2:11:02] And then with using it with domestic victims I know that General Stal has

[2:11:08] victim witness coordinators that that prosecutors they'll be a big asset

[2:11:14] helping

[2:11:17] Commissioner Cross. >> Thank you Mr. Speaker.

[2:11:24] Thank you all for this. Thank you, Commissioner Ward, for bringing this as

[2:11:29] a teacher and a husband of a social worker who is constantly in the court

[2:11:35] system on the Virginia side, but in the court system. Thank you. And I would

[2:11:39] very much advocate for doing this commission. It

[2:11:45] is very much needed. And I will tell you, I would I would very much like to

[2:11:48] be had as a co-sponsor of this. >> Absolutely.

[2:11:50] » Thank you. Anyone

[2:11:53] else seek recognition,

[2:11:59] » Mr. W? Absolutely. Everybody vote in affirmatively added. Uh,

[2:12:11] you know, I just I get sometimes. Judge Medson and Judge Vance, the things

[2:12:19] that that we sat in that office and talk about

[2:12:24] tri

[2:12:27] blow your mind. So

[2:12:32] I'm I'm just the presenter. Those folks right there do all the homework. Thank

[2:12:36] you valley for what you've done for all the kids in this neighborhood. Thank you

[2:12:40] judge suggesting us for what you guys do.

[2:12:45] » [clears throat] >> sponsor

[2:12:49] motion on waiver of rules. Thank you all for being here.

[2:12:52] » Thank you. Thank you. [clears throat] Sponsor renews his motion on item number

[2:12:57] 11 for waiver of rules requiring 16 votes for passage. Without objection,

[2:13:03] when the board opens, please cast your vote on item number 11 requiring 16

[2:13:07] votes for passage.

[2:13:11] Has

[2:13:19] every member voted? >> Does any member wish to change their

[2:13:24] vote?

[2:13:27] » Madam cler >> 21, three absent.

[2:13:33] » Having received the necessary majority of the votes cast, item number 11 is

[2:13:37] approved. Without objection, recognize

[2:13:47] Mr. St number 12. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We're withdrawing this

[2:13:52] resolution. Sponsor moves withdraw item number 12

[2:13:59] without objection. Do you want to speak that?

[2:14:04] » Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

[2:14:09] Commissioner Glo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[2:14:12] [clears throat] Gary, last week, Attorney Street brought up a good point.

[2:14:17] » Uh, county commission voted on this and put it in law and the contract runs out

[2:14:24] in January. Correct. >> Yes.

[2:14:27] » Okay. Even though that the sheriff's department is unhooked from the cameras,

[2:14:32] are we notifying Block that we're withdrawing from the contract? If we do

[2:14:37] that, we have to either resend that old resolution that

[2:14:42] we did or they have to be a new one formed because we're under contract till

[2:14:46] January and we're the only ones that can renew it or or or not.

[2:14:52] » We can send a letter stating we're not uh renewing.

[2:14:56] » I know that, but the county commission still has to vote on the contract.

[2:15:01] » We could put it back on for uh back on the vote on it. that would drill or just

[2:15:07] withdraw it and move forward. You guys have to January next month and put one

[2:15:12] on the floor. >> I don't think we should. That's the

[2:15:15] problem I've got. We're passing everything on to the next commission.

[2:15:18] And that ain't right. It ain't right for us to have 12 people in here responsible

[2:15:23] for something that they didn't have anything to do with. And that's happened

[2:15:26] in here a lot. And I think that we need to either make a motion to

[2:15:34] uh resend the old resolution that was done two years ago and opt out of the

[2:15:39] contract completely or bring yours back on board and put some

[2:15:44] type of amendment into street. Am I correct or not?

[2:15:52] » It needs to be clarified. It renews, as I said, it renews um

[2:15:59] sometime here real soon. I felt like it was going to renew here in August, but

[2:16:04] they said it was going to renew when the cameras came online. But but I think the

[2:16:09] point is well made that, you know, just unhooking them doesn't necessarily

[2:16:14] cancel the contract. So, u if you want to cancel the contract, I think you need

[2:16:20] to be clear about it. But to be also to be clear, Commissioner

[2:16:24] Stidom has moved to withdraw item 12. And that and that's where we're at.

[2:16:28] That's where we're at right now. Commissioner Stidum has moved to

[2:16:31] withdraw item number 12. >> Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion

[2:16:38] to uh go ahead and opt out of this contract, send the uh block company a

[2:16:44] letter that we're not going to resign with them. in in l in lie of

[2:16:50] » what sir >> in lie of bringing this back on the

[2:16:52] floor >> um turn street we would need to do that

[2:16:56] in the form of a separate motion away from item 12 am I am I correct

[2:17:02] » because we're not >> the motion says now therefore be it

[2:17:05] resolved s county go on record that s county will not renew a contract for

[2:17:09] continued service now I mean that seems pretty straightforward of course there

[2:17:13] are three or four lines that follow that but for a period I mean, you could amend

[2:17:18] this resolution to just

[2:17:23] what?

[2:17:27] » Do you wish, Commissioner? I'm I'm just trying to clean it up. Uh, Commissioner

[2:17:31] Sim, do you would you wish to uh withdraw your motion to withdraw and

[2:17:36] then amend your resolution and then we can vote on it?

[2:17:40] » That we could go ahead and change it from withdrawal. will go ahead and amend

[2:17:43] the resolution just not to renew the contract and strike out everything below

[2:17:48] that. >> Okay.

[2:17:51] Recognize [clears throat] Mr. Ward.

[2:17:57] » I was gone last week on vacation. I missed a lot.

[2:18:02] Disappointed in you, Joe. We'll talk about that later, but I get you to write

[2:18:05] the So, we're we're amending an amendment to an amendment to an

[2:18:09] amendment is what we're doing here. >> No. No. Um he he's withdrawing.

[2:18:14] » So my question >> my question is are we just going after S

[2:18:19] County Sheriff's Department of Flock cameras? Cuz there's [clears throat]

[2:18:22] other flock cameras. Let me finish. There's other flock cameras in Sullivan

[2:18:26] County. We got uh Kingsport City. Probably got some Johnson City. Not sure

[2:18:30] what Bristol uses. Uh I'm pretty sure Lowe's has block cameras. I know Walmart

[2:18:36] does. I I could Man, we could do this for 20 minutes.

[2:18:40] » All cameras. Well, just the ones that we put in, we we'd have no control over the

[2:18:45] city of Bristol or Kingsport when it comes to plot cameras. All we have

[2:18:50] control over is Southern County and Sheriff's Department. You know, it

[2:18:54] disappoints me how this was handled. You know, I think this could have been

[2:18:57] handled a different way instead of lights and camera. I think this could

[2:19:01] have been handled a whole lot cleaner, so to speak. But ban them just from the

[2:19:07] sheriff's department. It's not going to solve anything.

[2:19:12] So, uh, I mean, if we're going to do it, let's do it right.

[2:19:19] I'm disappointed in the attack and the slander pretty much that you did against

[2:19:24] our sheriff and what they've done over there. I think you're getting rid of a

[2:19:28] great tool. I think there's some guard rails in place. [clears throat] I don't

[2:19:32] think you did your homework on this resolution.

[2:19:36] Uh, I think it could have been modified a little bit before we did all the

[2:19:41] lights and cameras. So maybe next time maybe sit down. He's always got an open

[2:19:47] door policy. Go over and talk to him about it. That's probably the best way

[2:19:51] to handle that. At no time did we say anything negative about the sheriff's

[2:19:55] department. In fact, my first statement about this was nothing negative about

[2:20:00] the sheriff's department. We have a professional sheriff. We have a

[2:20:03] professionally run sheriff's department. It was just about the cameras. It's

[2:20:07] about the tool, not the sheriff's department. That was the only thing that

[2:20:11] was the issue. I disagree on that. I think you're taking a valuable tool away

[2:20:15] from some very high-profile cases in in this

[2:20:21] area that have used those cameras to put criminals in jail,

[2:20:28] child molesters, kidnappers, murderers. So, I think you're you're missing the

[2:20:34] boat here. >> Commissioner Hopper,

[2:20:38] » this afternoon I had a very enlightening conversation with Lieutenant Jagger who

[2:20:45] is in charge of the flock cameras for Sullivan County.

[2:20:50] Um, and [clears throat] also received an interesting

[2:20:55] unknown uh voicemail

[2:20:59] describing what a rat I would be if I did not vote against this and that uh I

[2:21:07] should get off the county commission, which I'm about to do. So, I'm going to

[2:21:11] speak my mind and I hope the person that sent that nasty uh note out not only to

[2:21:17] me but some other people is here tonight because I'd like to meet you. Now, from

[2:21:23] what I understand is that from Lieutenant Joerger, this this technology

[2:21:28] is can be very limited. It can be designed within the city within the

[2:21:34] Sullivan County. And without going to a lot of detail,

[2:21:38] I'd like for you all to think about inviting him to a subsequent commission

[2:21:42] meeting and let him enlighten us about his the um ins and out and how this

[2:21:49] technology works. Now, if you really want to get away from

[2:21:54] uh the web and all that other stuff is I would suggest that you throw away your

[2:21:58] cell phone and that you throw away your computer and you get a landline and you

[2:22:04] do all your correspondence by mail and you take your check and you cash it and

[2:22:09] you spend everything. Uh don't use a credit card. Um the first one of you all

[2:22:15] in this commission and and in the audience should have happen to have your

[2:22:21] car stolen um be hit and run. Uh a variety of other

[2:22:27] uh incidences that's liable to happen to somebody in this room

[2:22:33] and somebody says, "Well, we couldn't trace them down cuz we don't have a

[2:22:35] flock camera. [clears throat] If we had one, we could

[2:22:39] have caught them." He said, 'Well, yeah, I know, but it would have been an

[2:22:43] invasion of my privacy. So, I'm going to get off this commission and leaving this

[2:22:49] unresolved, which is kind of scary because that same

[2:22:53] person that sent me that nasty note, um, is maybe the same kind of person

[2:22:59] that would hit and run me. I don't know. But y'all think about it. We've got a

[2:23:06] lot to consider. Guard rails could be an asset. the whole technique uh could be

[2:23:12] designed to be not intrusive into our reality. Now Joe, don't you send a Guido

[2:23:20] after me to and put a contract out on me, okay?

[2:23:24] [laughter]

[2:23:29] » Commissioner Ward and Commissioner Carr.

[2:23:35] Barry, I probably the same guy that called me today and said he knew where I

[2:23:40] lived and told him I'd be waiting in the driveway, but that's probably never

[2:23:44] going to happen.

[2:23:48] It's a valuable tool tool. It can be used. There's guard rails that can be

[2:23:53] put in place. There's limitations. I I put this right up with the

[2:24:00] the group [clears throat] that was anti ice that was

[2:24:05] taking all the uh criminals, foreign criminals out of

[2:24:12] our country. And we almost jumped on board, but we didn't. But man, everybody

[2:24:17] went full-blown on board with this. Um my question is, what's next?

[2:24:25] Are we are we going to get rid of body cameras? What about the incar cameras?

[2:24:30] I mean, man, if you don't think you're being

[2:24:34] tracked right now, you're a fool right here.

[2:24:40] » I guarantee I start getting scrolling right now and it say fool, Gary Stumm,

[2:24:44] and me and everybody else in this room, county commission, and

[2:24:51] so just something to think about. We could have just sat down and said, "Hey,

[2:24:55] let's fix this right here, right now before we did the big grand standing."

[2:25:00] So hopefully you get to Nashville, Gary. You can do some good things down there.

[2:25:05] But

[2:25:09] » Mr. Carr, >> thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I'd like to

[2:25:13] again reiterate that neither I nor Gary have said anything negative about our

[2:25:18] sheriff. We've always [clears throat] supported him. we've always believed and

[2:25:22] continue to believe that he is a good sheriff. He does a great job. Um, you

[2:25:26] know, second week in a row we've had the cell phones, you know, spying on you

[2:25:31] brought up and that's true, but you know, two wrongs don't make a right.

[2:25:35] It's that in of itself is a fourth amendment violation. That's, you know,

[2:25:40] it's been in place October of this year will be 25 years since the Patriot Act

[2:25:45] was enacted and that was got that was what got the ball rolling on all of this

[2:25:49] all of this. That was what started the slow erosion of our civil liberties. Um,

[2:25:54] I just want to quote for a a brief moment from article 1, section 7 of the

[2:25:58] Tennessee State Constitution. General warrants whereby an officer may be

[2:26:03] commanded to search suspected places without evidence of the fact committed

[2:26:07] or to seize any person or persons not named whose offenses are not

[2:26:11] particularly described and supported by evidence are dangerous to liberty and

[2:26:15] ought not to be granted. So the constitution, the state constitution of

[2:26:19] Tennessee actually goes a lot further than the fourth amendment of our country

[2:26:24] [clears throat] does. And the bottom line is that these cameras are

[2:26:28] unconstitutional to our state constitution because it says right there

[2:26:31] in black and white in our state constitution that frivolous warrants

[2:26:36] are, you know, unconstitutional. So if you're doing this type of search without

[2:26:42] a warrant, it's definitely unconstitutional.

[2:26:44] and getting rid of these cameras is is kind of a duty because the longer we

[2:26:49] keep these up, the the longer the chances of us getting hit with a big

[2:26:52] lawsuit over them are. So, you know, I respect the sheriff's department. I

[2:26:55] respect your opinion, but I think this is something we need to take care of.

[2:26:59] » Thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Ward then Commissioner I.

[2:27:04] You know the way I look at that if I drive it down the road and I go buy a

[2:27:07] Flock camera. The worst thing they're going to get me

[2:27:11] for is cuz I've got my windows down and I've got my George Jones player and I

[2:27:15] mean if you're not doing anything wrong, what do you worry about? You know when I

[2:27:19] go to Lowe's there's

[2:27:55] trying the blues because we didn't have no flop cameras and somebody's grandkid

[2:28:00] got kidnapped or killed and we're looking for them and we can't find them.

[2:28:04] Well, we use your flock cameras. Well, we had to get rid of those.

[2:28:09] Boy, I heaven forbid I hope that never happens in this county. I really do.

[2:28:14] Okay,

[2:28:17] » Commissioner I last week, we all received a email by

[2:28:23] the sheriff. He says he's not using them. They're disabled.

[2:28:30] I think that the decision's already been made. And at this point, we're sitting

[2:28:35] back saying, are we going to renew a contract or not? Well, if we have

[2:28:38] cameras that aren't being used and aren't plugged in, then we should

[2:28:41] definitely end the contract so we have to keep paying for them. I I agree with

[2:28:44] Commissioner Glover. That being said, I would offer a

[2:28:48] amendment to the resolution for Mr. Stutm that in the resolution body it

[2:28:53] says devices in Sullivan County. Period. Where it says pending equipment either

[2:28:58] statewide local guard railroads. Just remove that. Period. And in the now

[2:29:03] therefore the exact same thing when it says remove operation of surveillance

[2:29:06] cameras in Solen County. Period. And remove everything after that in the body

[2:29:10] of the resolution. that I believe does exactly what we've talked about. It

[2:29:15] sends a letter of non-renewal to the flock cameras and since they're not

[2:29:20] being used, they've already been disabled, we need to go and do that

[2:29:23] instead of bail on money for something that's still disabled.

[2:29:26] » You heard [clears throat] proposed amendment, Commissioner Stum,

[2:29:31] what is what's your desire? >> We'll accept that.

[2:29:34] » Okay, we uh the sponsor accepts the proposed amendment.

[2:29:39] need a restated.

[2:29:49] » So we'll be voting on it as as amended and again commissioner still accepts

[2:29:55] that amendment.

[2:29:59] » Recognize Commissioner Lock. You know we're a fun body

[2:30:05] and that's about it. When the sheriff come up here and requested these clock

[2:30:09] cameras to be uh approved with funding so they could get them in, that's what

[2:30:15] we did. He didn't come back up here while gone.

[2:30:22] Gary did

[2:30:26] and we can talk about Bristol and Kingsport and you know all these cities

[2:30:32] within this county.

[2:30:36] They're still going to be utilized. They've been utilized.

[2:30:42] And the sheriff's a constitutional office holder

[2:30:47] and his men and women that work for him. [clears throat]

[2:30:52] They have a policy to follow. We haven't had any problems in Sullivan County with

[2:30:57] these cameras. If anything, we've had good outcomes, positives,

[2:31:03] unlike the rest of the United States [clears throat]

[2:31:08] and different areas up north of people abusing the system. We've we've had

[2:31:13] none, zero. And you know, all this discussion

[2:31:20] about flock. They've been at Lowe's for five and six

[2:31:25] years and retail establishment stores,

[2:31:31] you know,

[2:31:35] they were an issue, he would have probably come back to this commission

[2:31:39] and said, "Let's not uh let's void the contract and get them out of here." He

[2:31:45] did, but the but the skull butt and the talk started in Nashville. So, I think

[2:31:51] we table this resolution, let you deal with it when you get down to Nashville

[2:31:55] as a state rep. Y'all are trying to pass a law right now. It's going to be in

[2:31:59] next session anyway. You might as well go ahead and go down

[2:32:03] there and fix it. But we're a funding body. We don't give

[2:32:08] money to departments only to come back months later and take

[2:32:13] it back away from them. If Scott Murray wants to buy

[2:32:16] a stripe truck to stripe these roads and I drive

[2:32:22] down the road and don't see that stripe truck and say, "I don't like the way it

[2:32:25] striped that pavement. I want to end the contract with that company or that truck

[2:32:31] and let's sell it." We don't do that. We don't micromanage these departments and

[2:32:36] these constitutional office holders.

[2:32:41] So table it and go to Nashville and fix it down there the way it should be.

[2:32:47] » Commissioner Lock, before you uh before you cut it off,

[2:32:51] » are you offering are you use the word table? Are you offering that as are you

[2:32:56] making a motion to table? >> I said table it.

[2:32:59] » So you're making a motion to table it. >> I need a second.

[2:33:02] » I'll second. >> Have a have a Okay, we have a motion

[2:33:07] tabled by Commissioner Lock, a second by Commissioner Ward. Uh that proper motion

[2:33:12] properly second. Let me explain to y'all how that works.

[2:33:18] That cuts off all debate but with the exception of

[2:33:23] commission at this point commissioner lock commissioner stiffen the person

[2:33:26] that made the tableing motion and the sponsor sponsor of the resolution.

[2:33:30] [clears throat and cough] and then we will vote on the tableing

[2:33:33] motion and that will that will in essence uh kill the

[2:33:40] resolution if if if we get that requires 13 votes for passage.

[2:33:45] If it doesn't, we're back on we're back on the floor with it. And at the end of

[2:33:50] the meeting, if it get does get tabled, at the end of the meeting, we would

[2:33:54] require a if if you wanted to bring it back, it would have to be someone from

[2:33:59] the prevailing party to offer a motion to reconsider, in this

[2:34:04] case, item number 12 for reconsideration of item number 12 to bring it to bring

[2:34:10] it back. Are we are we are we clear about where we are in the process? But

[2:34:13] right now, debate has been cut off with the exception of lock and stum.

[2:34:20] I recognize Commissioner STDM on the tableabling on the tableling motion

[2:34:27] » by withdrawing it. That basically was the process of tableabling it to put it

[2:34:32] out. Mr. Glover brought up a good point and I do agree with him. That would just

[2:34:37] put it to the next commission to deal with it and take care of a resolution,

[2:34:41] send a letter out. >> There is a difference in tableabling and

[2:34:46] deferring. So either either way it goes. If it we

[2:34:52] vote for this thing tonight, we do it. We send the letter out. It's done. If

[2:34:58] not, if we table it, then you guys will be dealing with it next month when it

[2:35:02] comes back in September. >> So I would prefer just deal with it

[2:35:07] tonight as Mr. Glover says, not pass it off. Make a decision tonight and move

[2:35:12] on. >> Okay. Commissioner Lock, you you renew

[2:35:15] your motion to table item number 12? >> No.

[2:35:18] » Excuse. >> No.

[2:35:20] » So, you withdraw? >> Yes. I mean yes.

[2:35:22] » Commissioner Lock renews his motion to table item number 12.

[2:35:27] When the board opens, we're going to be voting simply on the tableing motion.

[2:35:30] Everybody understand [clears throat] where we are?

[2:35:34] » Yes, sir. You vote yes. You're voting to table the motion. When the board opens,

[2:35:41] please cast your vote on the tableing motion of item number 12.

[2:35:46] Requires 13 votes for passage.

[2:35:52] » Make sure

[2:35:59] we're waiting on Sarah voting on table. We'll wait. We'll wait.

[2:36:10] We we can do a roll call vote. And again, we're not voting on the

[2:36:16] resolution. We're voting on the table motion.

[2:36:19] And I know it sound like a broken record, but that that gets confusing

[2:36:22] sometimes. [clears throat] At least it at least it would at least it does for

[2:36:26] me.

[2:36:36] She has it on the board if you want to do that.

[2:36:41] » Do you mean >> Okay. Do we want to do we want to take a

[2:36:47] vote on whether or not we put it on the board or roll?

[2:36:51] » Let's just let's put it on the board for the

[2:36:54] clerk's electronic record. And that's not disrespectfully. Sarah worked hard

[2:36:59] to get that get that up there.

[2:37:07] We're voting on the tableling motion

[2:37:11] requires [cough] 13 votes per passage.

[2:37:30] Has every member voted? Does any member wish to change their

[2:37:34] vote?

[2:37:40] » Madam clerk, >> 10 yes, 11 no, three absent.

[2:37:46] » Having failed to receive the necessary majority of the votes cast, the tableing

[2:37:50] motion fails. We're back on the resolution as amended. Commissioner

[2:37:54] Stum, uh, you accepted Commissioner I's amendment, correct?

[2:37:59] » Yes, Mr. Chairman. >> Are we still there?

[2:38:01] » We are still there. >> Okay.

[2:38:04] » You sure have.

[2:38:09] » Commissioner I. >> Yes, sir.

[2:38:11] » Would it be correct to say that your amendment

[2:38:15] will put a period at the end of Sullivan County in the heading of the resolution

[2:38:20] and strike everything down to This resolution shall take effect.

[2:38:28] The last word will be saf.

[2:38:33] [clears throat]

[2:38:38] » Okay. Would

[2:38:46] you mind to restate the motion for so that so that I just like for everybody

[2:38:50] know what they're voting on >> in the in the body? It says now

[2:38:54] therefore be resolved the board of county commission Sen County goes on

[2:38:57] record now that Sullivan County shall not renew a contract for continued

[2:39:01] service of or provision technology and or equipment for the operation of visual

[2:39:05] surveillance cameras in Solen County. Period.

[2:39:08] » Period. >> And then until all that's flying out

[2:39:15] and actually in the same thing in the

[2:39:18] resolution f the actual title of it, the resolution after

[2:39:27] Mr. Ward.

[2:39:31] » So we even go down to the next line where it says currently operates visual

[2:39:35] surveillance cameras under it. I mean, are we talking about body cameras? We're

[2:39:39] talking about incar cameras. This is law enforcement we're talking

[2:39:43] about. This ain't kindergarten stuff we're talking about here.

[2:39:49] » Everything law enforcement does is reported.

[2:39:58] I I don't I'm not even sure I see the word

[2:40:02] I'm not sure I can say it. block. I mean, since we've all received nasty

[2:40:09] phone calls and death threats, I don't even see the word block cameras in this

[2:40:12] resolution.

[2:40:16] I mean, can we not say that that we we can amend that where it says visual

[2:40:20] surveillance devices and put in flock cameras in Sullivan County in between

[2:40:26] devices.

[2:40:30] And actually that's a good point on that for the technical side of that.

[2:40:34] » Absolutely.

[2:40:38] » I have an amendment I'd like to ask. You're recogniz I'd ask that we ban all

[2:40:47] Apple phones in Southern counties. >> Commissioner Ward, I don't I don't think

[2:40:52] that's a that's a recording device,

[2:40:57] [clears throat] tracking device.

[2:41:01] That that's a a personal choice. >> All we're doing right here, Gary, all

[2:41:05] we're doing right here is handcuffing the Solen County Sheriff's Department.

[2:41:09] All you're doing, all these other cameras will be up and running and we

[2:41:14] have not created anything. All you have done is handcuff the Solomon County

[2:41:18] Sheriff's Department. [cough and clears throat]

[2:41:20] I would not quit my day job cuz you'll not be a national law. And uh for for

[2:41:24] the record, uh Commissioner Commissioner Ward, that was that was not a legit

[2:41:29] legitimate amendment. That was

[2:41:35] » correct.

[2:41:38] I'm going to answer yes or no. I mean, it's probably the most tracking device

[2:41:43] in the history of the world right now. [cough and clears throat]

[2:41:48] » And I agree with you, but the answer is no on that. If people choose to do that,

[2:41:54] we can turn them off and leave them at home.

[2:41:56] » People choose to drive on state and county highways, too.

[2:41:59] » Recognize Commissioner Crosswise. >> Thank you, Chairman.

[2:42:03] I've gotten emails. I've gotten phone calls. I've only had one person say,

[2:42:08] "Take those cameras down. If you're not guilty, then why you worry about them

[2:42:13] saying I went to downtown Bristol?" All that yesterday. Don't tell anybody. But

[2:42:20] I'm sure I was tracked from the time I got out my car to store in there.

[2:42:26] I agree with Mr. Ward. I mean, if Kingsport's keeping letters and

[2:42:30] Bristol's keeping letters, you're not guilty. What are you worried about?

[2:42:34] We're all being tracked.

[2:42:41] » Commissioner St. I give you final word. I recognize Commissioner Harvey first.

[2:42:46] Commissioner Harvey, go ahead. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, is the sheriff

[2:42:52] here? Sheriff Cassidy, is he here? >> He was here earlier. He left too late.

[2:42:59] » Okay. I really would would before we vote on anything. And the reason I want

[2:43:03] the table is I I feel like he needed to come and and speak to to us in regard to

[2:43:08] the note that he sent out, have a little more explanation.

[2:43:12] I just feel like there's a lot of information that we don't have that that

[2:43:15] we need to discuss more thoroughly. And so

[2:43:20] here, >> Commissioner Ward,

[2:43:24] totally agree with Commissioner Harvey. It's what we should have done to begin

[2:43:27] with. >> Should have some conversations with the

[2:43:31] sheriff before you ever brought this part of a resolution out here.

[2:43:41] » Mr. property. >> I would probably like to rethink my

[2:43:47] position as tableabling it because from what I can see in this and what

[2:43:53] we've discussed here tonight, there's really some confusion as to what what

[2:43:58] the resolution is going to be. uh it probably needs to be rewritten and

[2:44:03] redefined, put in a state that it's readable, legible, and understandable

[2:44:10] um for the next generation. So, I'd like to draw my my uh negative

[2:44:18] for the table if I can. >> Uh you you can't uh change your vote.

[2:44:23] » Well, I I know I really I knew that, but I just

[2:44:26] » You can you can express >> I can express my regret. Okay,

[2:44:35] » Commissioner Cole. >> Um,

[2:44:38] so with all the amendments that we've done and so will this what you have

[2:44:43] right now, will this end in the contract? That's all of them.

[2:44:46] » Yes. >> Okay.

[2:44:54] Commissioner Ward,

[2:44:58] bad as I hate to I don't want to throw him under the bus, but

[2:45:04] I'd like for Dan Street to comment on this. I mean, if we're about to

[2:45:06] terminate a contract, [cough] I know Gary didn't go to law school, so I know

[2:45:11] he's not an attorney, but I respect Dan Street very highly. If he tells me to

[2:45:15] shut up, we'll terminate his contract, I'll shut up. Attorney Street,

[2:45:19] » but I think we need to terminate this contract in a proper way if that's going

[2:45:23] to happen. >> Attorney Street.

[2:45:26] » Well, I'm not sure I understand the question, but I think it's pretty clear

[2:45:30] that this motion, this resolution as it currently exists is to terminate the

[2:45:35] contract. I mean, and that's what is before you. You

[2:45:40] either vote to terminate it or you vote or or you don't. Um, I think it's pretty

[2:45:47] clear. Is that what you were asking there

[2:45:51] words? >> And also if we could we could draw some

[2:45:56] clarity between uh and forgive me for chiming in

[2:46:00] if we could draw some clarity between two and 12 because uh with withdrawing

[2:46:05] two why do we need 12?

[2:46:09] We withdrew two. Why do we need 12? Just some I was hoping someone would ask it.

[2:46:16] Not not not to you're writing not opt to your your first your first resolution

[2:46:22] commissioner did. >> Yes.

[2:46:24] » The the the resolution you withdrew earlier. Forgive me for saying two. The

[2:46:29] resolution we withdrew earlier. You know the flock representative Alex was here

[2:46:33] last week and he said you can terminate it any time. There's no penalty or

[2:46:38] anything for that. So this it still does what it does. You know we went through

[2:46:44] it. Mr. Mr. Glover wanted it taken care of tonight. I respected Mr. Glover's

[2:46:49] opinion on that. We've accepted the amendments to take everything out and

[2:46:53] make sure that it only said slot cameras. No other surveillance cameras

[2:46:58] are affected. Again, it does not affect Kingsport. We're not the funding body

[2:47:03] for the police department nor Bristol or any other county in the area. This is

[2:47:08] just for us. So that's that's where we're at on this.

[2:47:15] » Commissioner Akre. >> Thank you, Chairman. [clears throat]

[2:47:20] And I I agreed with Hershel with his question.

[2:47:25] And I'm thinking, are we really we're overthinking this maybe a little bit? We

[2:47:29] had to approve the original contract. And if the sheriff has said he is and

[2:47:34] and Dan, you may have to chime in. The contract is going to renew

[2:47:37] [clears throat] automatically. But if the sheriff says he's Does he not have

Sullivan County Commission Meeting - 08/20/26

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