There are 12 potential candidates to fill one empty seat on the Manchester Board of Mayor and Alderman.

Currently, the board intends to appoint one person to fill the seat vacated by Marilyn Howard, who was an alderman before she was appointed to Manchester Mayor. Howard’s mayoral appointment leaves one open seat on the six-person board.

According to information obtained by Thunder Radio News, those who returned applications to Manchester City Hall for consideration include: David Bradley, Eric Burch, Joe Pat Cope, Tammie Fuller, Terrence Hillsman, Joey Hobbs, Holly Jones, Eli Kidder, Elva Yvonne McCoin, Morgan Moser, Roxanne Patton and Daniel Stillings. One other person returned an application but does not qualify because she is a county resident.

The board intends to vote in a 6:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday at Manchester City Hall to fill the seat. Whoever is appointed will hold the seat for the remainder of Howard’s term, which is through August of 2022.

Meanwhile, Donny Parsley, who was an alderman candidate in the most recent race in August but failed to win a seat, has filed a temporary restraining order attempting to stop the appointment and have himself put into the open seat. Parsley’s suit claims that he has the right to the seat as the candidate with the most votes who did not win a seat in the August election.

Parsley’s litigation states that “Parsley should be sworn in immediately to fill the vacant position on the board, as other methods prescribed by the charter for filling a vacant alderman term should only apply in the event there is no remaining qualified ‘highest vote getter’ from the previous election.”

This year 37,014 students representing 262 schools cast their votes for President and U.S. Senate in the 2020 Student Mock Election.

“We hope students and teachers both enjoyed participating in this year’s student mock election. Our goal is to get students in the habit of voting and being civically engaged,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

Secretary Hargett announced the results of the 2020 Student Mock Election at West Valley Middle School in Knoxville, Tenn. State Senator Becky Massey and State Representative Jason Zachary attended the event.

“Being involved in the democratic process is essential for our nation, and mock elections are an important learning tool that provides Tennessee students with a real world experience in voting,” said Sen. Massey. “I hope that these students use this experience to become more involved in their community and to develop the habit of becoming lifelong voters.”

“Our students had tremendous excitement and energy as they cast their ballot and let their voices be heard,” said Rep. Zachary. “These types of events are critical because they drive home the importance of election participation for Tennessee’s next generation of leaders. Congratulations to Secretary Hargett and West Valley Middle School on a great event; I appreciated the invitation to attend.”

Before the statewide results announcement, Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas gave remarks and West Valley Principal David Claxton announced the school’s election results. Karen Peterman, an eighth-grade teacher at West Valley, led a Q&A with Secretary Hargett, where he answered students’ questions about the importance of voting and civic engagement.

“This voter education program is a great opportunity for our students to learn about democracy and the importance of voting,” Principal David Claxton said. “We are grateful for Secretary Hargett for coming to West Valley Middle School and being with our students to announce the statewide results of this mock election.”

Student Mock Election Presidential Totals Across the State

Donald J. Trump Republican 19,365 52.3%
Joseph R. Biden Democrat 12,115 32.7%
Kanye West Independent 3,806 10.2%
Alyson Kennedy Independent 365 >1%
Jo Jorgensen Independent 361 >1%
Howie Hawkins Independent 287 >1%
Gloria La Riva Independent 261 >1%
Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente Independent 256 >1%
Don Blankenship Independent 198 >1%

Student Mock Election Senate Totals Across the State
Bill Hagerty Republican 19,545 62%
Marquita Bradshaw Democrat 11,892 38%

Students in Pre-K through high school from public, private and home school associations in Tennessee participated in the Student Mock Election. Participants received I Voted stickers and could take pictures with an I Voted sign provided by the Secretary of State’s office.

To help teachers incorporate civic engagement and citizenship into their curriculum leading up to the Student Mock Election, the Secretary of State offered free lesson plans and resources created by Tennessee teachers on their website sos.tn.gov/civics/lessonplans.

The Secretary of State’s office first introduced the Student Mock Election during the 2016 presidential election.
For more information about the 2020 Student Mock Election and the Secretary of State’s other civic engagement initiatives, visit sos.tn.gov/civics.

As we reported to you earlier this year, Manchester Police Department announced the hiring of Justin Bryan as a patrol officer for the department.

Last week, Bryan officially graduated from the police academy.

“We are excited to support Officer Bryan for the start of a great career,” MPD said in a statement.

Join us at Thunder Radio News in saying congratulations to Officer Bryan. 

Pictured below: From left, Manchester Police Department Chief Mark Yother, assistant chief Mark Yother, Bryan and officer Dale Robertson. 

Thunder Radio News first reported to you last week that the Manchester Board of Mayor and Alderman planned to take a vote on Tuesday (Nov. 2) to assume full responsibility of the operating losses of the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center.

Following that article, newly-appointed Manchester Mayor Marilyn Howard reached out to Thunder Radio News with the following statement.

“I don’t know that this is the best deal for the city taxpayers of Manchester as it is currently structured,” said Manchester Mayor Marilyn Howard “I was not involved in any of these discussions. I have expressed my desire to the board to go back to the county and work out an agreement that would be better suited for the taxpayers of this city. As the new mayor, I feel like that is what I’m called to do in this situation. The citizens of Manchester are the people we serve and represent and they deserve our very best effort. I feel like this is being rushed.”

Currently, the Manchester City and Coffee County governments split the operating losses of the center. Last year, the city paid approximately $195,000 in losses at the center to cover its half, while the county also paid the same amount.

Members of the Manchester Finance Committee have said they intend to allocate the funding by using money saved from paying on the note for the building. Manchester’s final payment for the building – about $204,000 – is due this year.

See the full original story by Thunder Radio here:

Manchester’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) will soon vote on a proposal to take full responsibility for the operating deficit of the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center.

In a special called finance meeting Wednesday (Oct. 28), the Manchester Finance Committee decided to recommend an ordinance to the full BOMA that would include the city being responsible for any operating losses that come with the conference center (located on Hospitality Blvd.). Currently, those operating losses are split evenly between the Coffee County government and taxpayers and the Manchester City government and taxpayers.

The proposal will need to pass the full BOMA – a vote that could take place as soon as next regular meeting, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, and would also need approval of the full Coffee County Commission.

“Basically, the only options we have is to take this [conference center] over or shut it down or sell it,” explained Manchester alderman Mark Messick, who is also on the Manchester Finance Committee. “I think shutting it down would be a great giant step backward for the city, and for the county for that matter.”

The center has long been contentious on the local political scene for its yearly operating losses that have been split between the county and city governments. Advocates often argue the financial impact of the center goes much further than operating losses when accounting for hotel/motel tax and other local expenditures related to the building.

According to the Manchester budget, the city paid out $195,668.99 to cover operating losses to the center for the fiscal year 2019-2020 (these numbers have yet to be audited). That means the county also paid an identical amount, bringing operating losses to approximately $391,337.98 for the year. If the full BOMA were to approve the city taking over the center, the city would be on the hook for all of that loss.

Manchester Mayor Marilyn Howard is not happy with the current agreement and would like negotiations to continue.

“I don’t know that this is the best deal for the city taxpayers of Manchester as it is currently structured,” said Manchester Mayor Marilyn Howard “I was not involved in any of these discussions. I have expressed my desire to the board to go back to the county and work out an agreement that would be better suited for the taxpayers of this city. As the new mayor, I eel like that is what I’m called to do in this situation. The citizens of Manchester are the people we serve and represent and they deserve our very best effort. I feel like this is being rushed.”

Alderman Bob Bellamy said the city can cover that amount without increasing taxes or dipping into reserves because the debt service payments on the building end this year.

“We make our last payment on the debt of the building this upcoming June,” explained Bellamy. “We can take that money that was going to debt service every year and use it to cover the other part of those operating losses at the current level.”

According to Manchester Chief Financial Officer Bridget Anderson, the debt payment the city is due to pay this year is approximately $204,000. This will be the final payment for the building.

“Once it’s paid off, the current partnership or agreement we have (with the county) is basically over or dissolved,” said Messick. “So something new has to be worked out.”

It is widely understood that the county government is not interested in continuing with the operations of the center. Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell said the full commission would need to approve these changes and he anticipates that will happen.

“The full commission will have to agree with that,” explained Cordell “It’s important to understand that this is not an attempt by the county to close the doors of the conference center. We hope the city of Manchester can continue to manage the center and have success. But it’s time for the county to move on.”

If approved by both governments, the county will maintain half-equity ownership in the building. Should the city decide to cease operations of the center and sell the building, the county would be allocated half of the profits earned from the sell. If the city board does not pass this ordinance, the two sides will need to work for an alternate resolution.

The next regular meeting of the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2 at City Hall.

Manchester’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) will soon vote on a proposal to take full responsibility for the operating deficit of the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center.

In a special called finance meeting Wednesday (Oct. 28), the Manchester Finance Committee decided to recommend an ordinance to the full BOMA that would include the city being responsible for any operating losses that come with the conference center (located on Hospitality Blvd.). Currently, those operating losses are split evenly between the Coffee County government and taxpayers and the Manchester City government and taxpayers.

The proposal will need to pass the full BOMA – a vote that could take place as soon as next regular meeting, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, and would also need approval of the full Coffee County Commission.

“Basically, the only options we have is to take this [conference center] over or shut it down or sell it,” explained Manchester alderman Mark Messick, who is also on the Manchester Finance Committee. “I think shutting it down would be a great giant step backward for the city, and for the county for that matter.”

The center has long been contentious on the local political scene for its yearly operating losses that have been split between the county and city governments. Advocates often argue the financial impact of the center goes much further than operating losses when accounting for hotel/motel tax and other local expenditures related to the building.

According to the Manchester budget, the city paid out $195,668.99 to cover operating losses to the center for the fiscal year 2019-2020 (these numbers have yet to be audited). That means the county also paid an identical amount, bringing operating losses to approximately $391,337.98 for the year. If the full BOMA were to approve the city taking over the center, the city would be on the hook for all of that loss.

Manchester Mayor Marilyn Howard is not happy with the current agreement and would like negotiations to continue.

“I don’t know that this is the best deal for the city taxpayers of Manchester as it is currently structured,” said Manchester Mayor Marilyn Howard “I  was not involved in any of these discussions. I have expressed my desire to the board to go back to the county and work out an agreement that would be better suited for the taxpayers of this city. As the new mayor, I eel like that is what I’m called to do in this situation. The citizens of Manchester are the people we serve and represent and they deserve our very best effort. I feel like this is being rushed.”

Alderman Bob Bellamy said the city can cover that amount without increasing taxes or dipping into reserves because the debt service payments on the building end this year.

“We make our last payment on the debt of the building this upcoming June,” explained Bellamy. “We can take that money that was going to debt service every year and use it to cover the other part of those operating losses at the current level.”

According to Manchester Chief Financial Officer Bridget Anderson, the debt payment the city is due to pay this year is approximately $204,000. This will be the final payment for the building.

“Once it’s paid off, the current partnership or agreement we have (with the county) is basically over or dissolved,” said Messick. “So something new has to be worked out.”

It is widely understood that the county government is not interested in continuing with the operations of the center. Coffee County Mayor Gary Cordell said the full commission would need to approve these changes and he anticipates that will happen.

“The full commission will have to agree with that,” explained Cordell “It’s important to understand that this is not an attempt by the county to close the doors of the conference center. We hope the city of Manchester can continue to manage the center and have success. But it’s time for the county to move on.”

If approved by both governments, the county will maintain half-equity ownership in the building. Should the city decide to cease operations of the center and sell the building, the county would be allocated half of the profits earned from the sell. If the city board does not pass this ordinance, the two sides will need to work for an alternate resolution.

The next regular meeting of the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2 at City Hall.

Coffee County District Attorney General Craig Northcott has released a statement with clarifications and information regarding the shooting and carjacking incidents that took place in Coffee County on Sunday, Sept. 13. The statement in its entirety is below:

“Dear Citizens of Coffee County and Others Concerned:

In conducting and concluding my investigation of the horrible events which occurred on September 13, 2020, I met with Aileen Stevens, her family and the family of Jordan Stevens. To a person, they each showed remarkable grace, dignity, strength and faith. I was overwhelmed by their ability to rely on the Lord’s peace in the most tragic of situations. They requested that I assist them in a few things, which I will now try to do.

First, they want to thank everyone near and far for their kind and comforting words and actions. They thank everyone for the prayers for their peace and recovery. I can testify that those prayers and acts of kindness and compassion have had their desired effect to the greatest extent possible given the circumstances.

Second, they asked me to clarify a few facts that have been misconstrued or misreported over the past month. Specifically, it is important for them to clarify that Jordan was killed in a field in Coffee County. He was not killed in the vehicle and dumped on the side of the road. He died by sacrificing himself upon the promise that no harm would come to his wife and their unborn child. In short, he died a hero.

While clarifying facts, in my initial statement, I indicated that the evildoer exited the vehicle after wrecking it and then shot himself. This was incorrect. He never left the vehicle before shooting himself. I apologize for my mistake.

Third, the family is beyond words to express their gratitude for the number of people who have given money and gifts for Jordan and Aileen’s child. The generosity shown will assist greatly in the life of this precious child who will be born in a few short months. It proves that there is still good in the world and that this community and Country still come together to help each other when most needed.

In conclusion, I want to join the family in expressing my appreciation for each of you as well. I would also ask that you continue to pray for this family and the other victims of these events as the healing is a lifetime process. I would further ask that you continue to respect their privacy as they move forward.”

Many Tennesseans currently receiving unemployment benefits through programs funded by the CARES Act could be nearing the end of their weekly payments. The last day to claim benefits through these federal programs is December 26, 2020. According to federal program rules, many claimants could see their benefits stop before that date if they reach the maximum number of allowable weeks.

The state of Tennessee currently provides unemployment benefits through four separate programs, two of which are new federal programs receive created under the CARES Act.
* Tennessee Unemployment Compensation (TUC) – This state program provides benefits to eligible claimants having the required amount of wages earned from a covered Tennessee employer in the applicable base period. Employers pay the premiums that fund the program and individuals earn eligibility through a wage-earning work history. This program provides a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits during the claimant’s benefit year.

* Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – This CARES Act program provides benefits to eligible claimants not having wages earned from a covered Tennessee employer and who are not working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PUA is available to workers not traditionally covered by unemployment insurance, including self-employed individuals, contract workers, and gig workers. An individual out of work due to a covered COVID-19 qualifying event could also be eligible for PUA. This program lasts for up to a maximum of 39 weeks and PUA claimants are not eligible for any extended benefits programs. Per current federal law, this program ends December 26, 2020.

* Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – This CARES Act program provides eligible claimants up to an additional 13 weeks of unemployment after exhausting benefits in the TUC program. Per current federal law, this program ends December 26, 2020.
* Extended Benefits (EB) – This federal program provides eligible claimants up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment after exhausting benefits in both the TUC and PEUC programs. The U.S. Dept. of Labor (USDOL) can end Tennessee’s EB program with little notice to the state or claimants.

Under the CARES Act, claimants who began receiving benefits through the PUA program early in its inception will begin reaching the maximum 39 weeks of payments in the coming weeks. All PUA claimants will receive benefits only through December 26, 2020. The state encourages claimants to continue searching for work so they can secure employment before their benefits end. Once a claimant exhausts benefits on the PUA program, they are not eligible for any other unemployment program.

If the Department determines the eligibility of a claim after Dec. 26, if approved, the claimant will retroactively receive applicable payments for all weeks with a completed certification through the program’s ending date.

Claimants receiving extended benefits through PEUC need to keep in mind this program will stop after the week ending Dec. 26, 2020.

The EB program will end whenever USDOL determines Tennessee’s economic recovery has reached a threshold where the program is no longer needed. This has already taken place in several states.

The Reemploy Tennessee initiative makes many resources available to job seekers to help them make the transition back into the state’s workforce.

Jobs4TN.gov integrates Tennessee’s unemployment system with its workforce development system to streamline the process of finding work. The site’s database has over 200,000 current job openings and provides help with resume writing, job interview techniques, and other skills that will guide individuals through reemployment.

For one-on-one assistance, career specialists at Tennessee’s more than 80 American Job Centers can work with claimants to provide customized job searches, information on virtual job fairs, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments, and assistance determining if job training assistance is available

The state offers these services at no cost to the job seeker.

Story by Susan Campbell, Thunder Radio

Many residents of Manchester know Bill Nickels as a city alderman, former vice mayor and business owner. But many may not know that Nickels is also an accomplished painter and sculptor, with shows in area galleries.

In November, Nickels’ work will be the centerpiece of a Manchester Arts Center (MAC) fundraiser entitled “Bill Nickels in the Black Box.” The event is set for 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the lobby of the MAC, located at 104 E. Main St. in downtown Manchester.

The wine and cheese event will be the culmination of a major telephone campaign to solicit donations to MAC to help keep the doors open during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Board President Doug Spangler. Local actors and other volunteers will be contacting local businesses and patrons over the next few weeks in hopes of raising $10,000. Donors will then be invited to the art show.

Nickels, a Manchester native, creates photobooks, drawings and sculpture, much of which is stored in his downtown office. His work is also on semi-permanent display at the MAC, and recently he held a show at the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center.

According to Nickels, several of the paintings depict one landscape originally created in 1993.

“Instead of figuring out a style that I had and going out to find different landscapes to paint, I tried to use the same landscape and do it differently each time,” he said. “I’ve made hundreds of them and been successful five times.”

Nickels said he works on his art every day, engages with other artists and tries to keep up with what’s going on in the art work. He was also instrumental in the introducing the work of Manchester artist Willard Hill to art galleries around the world. Hill’s mixed media sculptures have been featured in galleries such as the Good Luck Gallery in Los Angeles.
Nickels grew up on West Poplar Street in Manchester, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from ETSU in 1986. He is the owner Bill Nickels Insurance LLC at 107 E. McLean St. Growing up on West Poplar Street is even the subject of one of his landscapes.

“One painting has the story of being from West Poplar Street on it,” he said. “This one I painted and let the rain fall on it and then painted on it some more and wrote the story on top of it.”

In conjunction with the fundraiser, Nickels had a print made of a drawing and will raffle it off to everyone who donates $20 to the art center. MAC is experiencing a $20,000 shortfall this year.

For more information on the telethon, the art show or upcoming shows, visit the website at www.manchesterartscenter.com.

The Manchester Arts Center is preparing for an exhibit of the work of local artist Bill Nickels, set for 7-9 p.m. Nov. 20. The wine and cheese event will be the culmination of a fundraising telethon in which the board hopes to raise $10,000 to offset the center’s 2020 deficit due to Covid-19.

Local artist Bill Nickels created “Still Life with Stick In it” by drawing on 48 sheets of medium-density fiberboard, cutting it out with a jigsaw and then painting it.

Coffee County School System has announced that Coffee County Central High School, Raider Academy will stop in-person learning through Nov. 6 due to COVID-19 increase.

Those schools will move to a virtual learning only from Oct. 29 through Nov. 6. All other schools will remain on their 4-1 schedule: four days in class and Friday as a virtual day. 

“This week the recent increase in community spread of COVID-19 in our community has started to have a more significant impact on our school district. Due to an increase in positive cases among the staff and students at Coffee County Central High School and Coffee County Raider Academy, these two schools will be distance-learning/virtual only from October 29 through November 6,” said Dr. Charles Lawson, director of Coffee County Schools.

All other schools in the district will be on their regular schedule of in-person instruction Monday through Thursday. Coffee County Schools will remain distance-learning only throughout the district on Fridays. The teacher in-service day that was scheduled for November 3 due to the election is still in place. No in-person or virtual classes will meet on November 3.

“The district regrets that this places additional burdens on our family and community. This decision was made in order to keep our students as safe as possible during this time,” added Lawson

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