Cookeville City Council Gathering Info To Prioritize Capital Projects For Long-Term
Cookeville City Council members are gathering information as they begin to prioritize capital projects and create a long-term plan. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the council would like to have a work session to discuss these plans in more detail. She said they plan to use input from department heads, city officials and community wants to […]
Cookeville To Help Biz Foundry Through Economic Development Funds
Next week the Cookeville City Council is expected to pass its budget on final vote. This includes a new expenditure line from the economic development fund to put towards the Biz Foundry. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the council decided to change the Biz Foundry’s designation from a non-profit after learning just how much of an […]
Cookeville City Council Members Debate Fireworks Show Funding
Council Member Eric Walker said he remains concerned about Better Cookeville receiving city funding for the 2024 July 4th fireworks. Walker said the non-profit has a healthy fund balance and does not need city funding right now. Further, he said he believes it is wrong that one week the organization’s Facebook page will promote the […]
New State Legislation Makes Requirements For City Council Meetings
Some changes could be coming to the way the Cookeville City Council conducts its business. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said this comes as a result of two state legislation changes. She said one of those has to do with public comments during meetings, which they already allow at the end of the meeting or during public […]
Council Wants Safeguards On Former Mayor Fireworks Spending
Several Cookeville City Council members want better accountability of the money provided for the Fourth Of July Fireworks. Better Cookeville, started by former Mayor Ricky Shelton, produces the fireworks show. City Manager James Mills said Better Cookeville has asked to increase funding to $20,000 in the new fiscal year. Council Member Eric Walker said the […]
Wheaton: Communication Between Hospital And City Council Should Continue Expanding
The CRMC Medical Team spent time with Cookeville City Council Monday, something Mayor Laurin Wheaton said she wants to continue. Wheaton said communication is an integral part of the relationship between the council and the medical facility. She said while it is a city-owned hospital, the council does not actually control the day-t0-day. “But we […]
Cookeville Dedicates New Dogwood Park Sculpture Remember The 2020 Tornado
An emotional ceremony Friday afternoon as the community dedicated a new Dogwood Park sculpture remembering the 2020 Tornado. “And it will forever serve as a reminder of how Cookeville and Putnam County came together in a time of tragedy to support, and comfort, and to assist one another,” Wheaton said. “The beautiful sculpture will remember […]
Cookeville Residents Voice Distress Over Drag Shows
A Sunday drag brunch on Cookeville’s West End filled the council chamber Thursday. Local pastors and residents complained about what they consider the adult nature of the show, its proximity to places where families can gather, and the interpreted inappropriateness of the show. Cookeville First Baptist Pastor Scott McKinney said he, along with other local […]
Cookeville Swears In Next City Council, Wheaton Officially Second Female Mayor
A packed house celebrated the swearing-in of the members of the next Cookeville City Council Thursday night. Former Vice-Mayor Laurin Wheaton was the highest vote-getter in the August 4th election. Wheaton was officially voted into the role Thursday night, making her the second-ever female Mayor of Cookeville. The only other female mayor was Jean Davis, […]
Vote From Next Cookeville City Council Would Finalize Wheaton As Mayor
Laurin Wheaton was the top vote-getter in the Cookeville City Council elections, making her the prospective mayor. However, that does not make it official. Attorney Lane Moore said the top vote-earner becoming mayor is simply tradition. “That’s the way it’s been for a long time, but it’s not necessarily written into law that tradition,” Moore […]
