Three Newcomers, Two Incumbents Set To Serve On Cookeville City Council
Laurin Wheaton earned the most votes in the Cookeville City Council election, making her the prime candidate for the mayorship. Wheaton said that she was excited about the opportunity to take on the challenge. She said that Cookeville is in a great spot, and it’s not only because of her previous work on the council. […]
Cookeville City Council Candidates Weigh In On Community Issues
Growth, growing pains, diversity, police and fire coverage, the future of Cookeville Regional, and the need to elect the mayor individually…some of the issues discussed by the 11 candidates for Cookeville City Council Tuesday night. The 11 candidates participated in a 90-minute forum where residents had the chance to ask questions of concern. Candidate Dee […]
Mills Receives Nearly Perfect Evaluation; Five Percent Raise.
Cookeville City Manager James Mills received a 4.9 out of 5 on his annual evaluation by city council members. City Attorney Dan Rader compiled the numbers based on council member evaluations in six different categories. “This is one of the highest, if not the highest, evaluations I’ve ever received for a public official,” Rader said. […]
Cookeville City Council Weighs In On Future PotentialOf Ice Facility
Cookeville City Council members say that an ice facility is unfeasible now, but could happen down the road. Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton said that she thinks the city has other focuses before taking on another project. However, she said that through this feasibility study the city now has formed a relationship with the Nashville Predators […]
CRMC Board Accepts Retirement Repayment Plan
The Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the pension repayment plan outlined for the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. A second resolution also passed unanimously Thursday night to fix the payment in lieu of taxes at $700,000 until July 1, 2028. The City Of Cookeville drafted the resolution. Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton said […]
Cookeville Grass Clipping Ordinance Fails
Cookeville’s proposed ordinance concerning grass clippings on the road failed Thursday night. Council members Eric Walker and Laurin Wheaton recommended the city implement an educational campaign instead of an ordinance. Walker said such an ordinance would risk more lawsuits. “I’m an avid motorcyclist, I truly understand the hazards and one hundred percent get behind city […]
Council Votes To Move Forward With Outside Counsel
Cookeville City Council voted 4-0 Thursday night to have the city manager hire an outside counsel to provide information on the Ricky Shelton-CRMC hiring. “The public has questions and I believe it is our duty to find the answers,” Council Member Eric Walker said. “The city council (are) the representatives of the people and with […]
City Council Members Ask For Answers On Jail Expansion
Two Cookeville City Council members spoke against the expansion of the Putnam County Jail Monday night. Council members Mark Miller and Laurin Wheaton said the decision could cause irreversible effects on the downtown. The comments came some six months after commissioners first voted on moving forward with expansion. “We’re not going to get high-end development […]
Cookeville Will Not Pass Panhandling Ordinance
Saying state laws best protect local citizens, Cookeville City Council will not pass an ordinance concerning panhandling or other commerce on local right of ways. City Attorney Dan Rader said the ordinance appears to be too vague and not the best way to deal with the issue. “The ordinance, which was originally passed with very […]
