Sparta Aldermen Appoint Local Attorney As New City Judge
The Sparta Board of Aldermen appointed a new city judge Thursday night, as Macey Gurley resigned from the position. Mayor Jerry Lowery and the board appointed Brandon Griffin, a Sparta-based attorney, as the new city judge. “He had put in before when we’d hired the other judge,” Lowery said. “And he does a great job […]
Sparta Police Ask City Council For More Officers And Higher Pay
Sparta Police asked the City Council Thursday night to help with increased pay and the hiring of more officers. Sparta Police Chief Nick Dunn and Assistant Chief Brent Copeland addressed the Council. This after Dunn and another officer responded to a disturbance Saturday night where shots were fired. Dunn said that made him realize the […]
Sparta Aldermen Vote To Install An Emergency Generator In YMCA
Sparta Aldermen voted Thursday night to authorize bids for the installation of a backup generator at the YMCA building. The full-building backup has been purchased. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the generator will allow the YMCA to maintain power and operate as a makeshift emergency shelter if needed. “We hope we never have to use it,” […]
Sparta Senior Center Needs Emergency Sewage Repairs; Council Wants Agreement
The Sparta Senior Center needs emergency sewage repairs, but there are questions as to how it is going to get paid for. The Sparta City Council discussed the sewage issue during a Thursday meeting. The repairs will cost between $28,000 and $33,112. City Administrator Tonya Tindle said the situation needs to be addressed as soon […]
Sparta Rules Against Grinder Pumps Citing Concern About TDEC Oversight
Grinder pumps will not be allowed in connection to the Sparta sewer system after the Board of Aldermen passed a second reading of an updated ordinance. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city needs to do everything it can to continue its progress with the state in terms of the sewer system. Sparta continues under a […]
Sparta Mayor Starts Conversation With TVA On Second Substation
What would it take to get a second substation in Sparta? That is what Mayor Jerry Lowery asked TVA in a meeting last week. Lowery said the city needs to explore a long term plan to create a second power source. “I asked TVA and said what do we have to do,” Lowery said. “They […]
Sparta Reschedules Veterans Day Program To This Sunday
Sparta’s Veterans Day celebration rescheduled for Sunday after being cancelled due to inclement weather last week. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the Salute the Troops event begins at 1:00 p.m. at Metcalf Park. “The veterans they fought. Many died for our freedoms,” Lowery said. “The Veterans Day program is very dear to my heart, and I […]
Sparta City Administrator Brad Hennessee Resigns
Sparta City Administrator Brad Hennessee has resigned from his position. Mayor Jerry Lowery said Hennessee emailed a resignation letter Thursday night. Lowery said he accepted the resignation Friday morning. “There’s just been a lot going on, and I was not expecting that email,” Lowery said. “But, it is what it is. We are going to […]
Sparta Mayor Says Sewer Moratorium Could Be Lifted In About A Year
Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city’s sewer moratorium could be lifted in about a years time if the city persists in repairing its problem areas. TDEC issued a consent order that the past administration signed in August that limits new sewer connections. Lowery said he met with state officials to gauge a time frame. […]
Sparta Alderman Wants To Explore Paying Volunteer Firefighters
A Sparta Alderman Robert Officer wants to explore the possibility of paying volunteer firefighters to relieve overtime hours. Mayor Jerry Lowery said he would like to see the option explored. “I think that is a good thing to look at,” Lowery said. “If we’re paying X number of dollars in overtime, why not look at […]
