Sparta Aldermen Approve Three-Way Stop On Golden Mountain Road
Sparta aldermen approved the establishment of a three-way stop at the T-intersection of Golden Mountain Road and Hale Street Thursday. Mayor Jerry Lowery said he has spoken with several people in the area and no one has said that the intersection should remain unchanged. Alderman Jim Floyd said he received the same feedback from the […]
Sparta Begins Negotiations For 120-Acres Riverside
Sparta officials will begin the negotiation process to purchase a 120-acre lot in the city bordering Winding Lane. Aldermen agreed to beginning negotiations. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city intends to turn the land into a park with over 3,700 feet of riverfront access. Lowery said he hopes the property will be purchased within one […]
Bockman Way Building Emergency Case, Sparta To Take Bids
Sparta Aldermen declared the crumbling building at 33 West Bockman Way an emergency case, clearing the way for the demolition of the building. Codes Officer Mike O’Neal said the city has given the building owner two weeks over the sixty days to take action required by city ordinance. O’Neal said neither the city nor T-DOT […]
Lowery Asking For Vote On Riverside Park Project
Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery has secured a state pledge to help fund the purchase of 120 acres of riverfront property for a new public park. Next, Lowery wants Aldermen to consider the $1.8 million purchase. Lowery said an opportunity to strike a deal like this inside Sparta city limits is unheard of. “This will be […]
Sparta To Raise Water Rates For First Time In Five Years
Sparta Aldermen voted Thursday night to raise water and utility rates for the first time in five years. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the state rejected the city’s water budget last year. She said for several years now, Sparta utilities have been barely breaking even or losing money every month. She said instead of the […]
Sparta Updates HR Policy For New GPS Vehicle System
Sparta Board of Aldermen amended the city’s human resources policy Thursday night to include the new GPS system being rolled out in city vehicles. The system will help the city manage its vehicle fleet, more so than keeping tabs on where vehicles and employees are. Still, City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the city will not […]
Sparta Officials Interested In Modular Nuclear Reactor To Create Energy
The idea of a modular nuclear reactor to provide electricity to the City of Sparta captured the imagination of Aldermen Thursday night. Alderman Brian Jones said there are not any reactors of this kind being used in the country yet. “It’s amazing,” Jones said. “They’re saying when they’re in production it’ll take about twelve months […]
Applications Coming In, Sparta Searching For New Senior Center Manager
Sparta has begun the process of searching for applicants with event-planning backgrounds and sociable dispositions to manage its Senior Center. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said a new Senior Center Board will be appointed on January 1, and will immediately begin sifting through applications. Lowery said there is no timeline for the new hire, but the […]
Sparta Police Department Working To Address Low Number Of Officers
Sparta Police Chief Nick Dunn told Aldermen during a Thursday night work session the lack of officers and new certified applicants are hurting the department. Dunn said the city’s low pay compared to nearby areas continues to impact the city. He said he also lacks the ability to give new applicants higher starting wages based […]
Sparta Considering Security For Caboose; Vandalism Reported
As Sparta gets closer to finishing the restoration of its train caboose, city officials concerned about security around the new addition. During the aldermen’s Thursday meeting, City Administrator Tonya Tindle said one of the windows of the caboose was recently broken in an act of vandalism. Mayor Jerry Lowery said he wanted to take inspiration […]
