Davis Named City Administrator

Hendersonville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Tuesday night to appoint Carmen Davis as City Administrator. Here’s more from the Hendersonville Standard:

A former county administrator who also spent a decade as a city planner in Detroit, Mich., has been picked to be Hendersonville’s first city administrator.

Carmen Davis, who served for nearly 10 years as the county administrator in Hinds County, Miss., until a new Board of Supervisors voted her out earlier this year, was appointed to the newly created position by a 9 to 4 vote on Tuesday.

The appointment by the city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen via Zoom followed a nearly two-hour discussion about the problems the city is having with Waste Pro, the company responsible for trash pick-up.

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 https://www.hendersonvillestandard.com/news/davis-chosen-to-be-hendersonvilles-first-city-administrator/article_9f27c176-d1cf-11ea-82cd-e365c7875fe4.html

Hiring a City Administrator

Hendersonville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) will take another step toward hiring a City Administrator next week, reports the Hendersonville Standard:

After meeting the final two candidates in person last week and interviewing them via Zoom this week, the Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen is expected to appoint the city’s first city administrator at a meeting on July 28.  

Carmen Davis, a former Hines County, Miss., county administrator and David Strahl, an interim village manager from Schiller Park, Ill., were interviewed for about an hour each on Tuesday. Gary Jaeckel, an advisor with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), who also sat on the steering committee that vetted the candidates, moderated the interviews.

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https://www.hendersonvillestandard.com/news/vote-to-choose-first-city-administrator-expected-tuesday/article_66d20a0a-ccd6-11ea-88fc-ebaf83a616b2.html

Bizarre Political Stunts

That’s how one reader describes Mayor Jamie Clary’s time in office in a recent letter to the Hendersonville Standard:

We appreciate you all, and it's beyond evident via the recent multiple 12-1 votes, you all have come together for the good of the people of Hendersonville. Just my personal opinion, but I believe it would be well worth Mayor Clary to consider resigning his position since he's more interested in conducting bizarre political stunts, blocking members of BOMA from his social media sites and making totally unrealistic demands on the very process he's to oversee.

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 https://www.hendersonvillestandard.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/resident-not-a-fan-mayor-s-leadership/article_c28d80fe-cbaf-11ea-9f5a-23a8174a50c7.html?fbclid=IwAR1kirTmAjx8K79cGEqJLc0h_qDjykZkr45EM2iwzfcOtEBsuWiKxuPl494#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

As If

It's like some Hendersonville Alderpersons don't even LIVE in Hendersonville. I mean, read this from the Tennessean about the potential for Black Lives Matter protests here:

A disagreement over whose responsibility is it to call for a curfew in Hendersonville recently devolved into an hours-long, back-and-forth email thread, in which an alderman suggested the mayor resign.

 

Since then, city leaders have held multiple meetings to get “on the same page” and prepare for any potential protests that might occur in Hendersonville amid ongoing civil unrest about police brutality and racial injustice, but they've declined to divulge too many details out of concern for public safety.

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A "Bare Bones" Budget

The Hendersonville Standard has the story of the city's initial budget proposal for FY21:

Hendersonville leaders on Tuesday voted 12 to 1 on first reading for a “bare-bones” 2020-2021 fiscal year budget that does not require a property tax increase, spends more than $4 million than it takes in, and leaves a projected end fund balance of $118,000.

Still, at a time when revenue is uncertain due to the impact of COVID-19, most of the city’s aldermen expressed relief at not having to ask for a tax increase as well as not having to lay off any of the city’s more than 300 employees.

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How to Get Blocked on FB by Mayor Clary

Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary took to Facebook to explain the activities that cause people to be blocked on his personal Facebook page. Here goes:

I have been asked what behavior has caused some people to be blocked from items on my personal Facebook page. Without pointing any fingers, here is that list:

Stalking my kids during trick-or-treating to take their picture.

Publishing my home address and threatening me on Facebook.

Falsely accusing me of breaking the law.

Hacking my personal and work email.

Repeatedly writing false statements on my personal Facebook page.

Harassing business owners because they praised my work as mayor.

Badgering non-profit leaders to un-invite me from their fund-raisers.

Gaining access to my mother’s house under false pretenses.

Republishing pictures of my kids on social media.

Stealing from my office.

Calling the city’s insurance carrier claiming to be my wife.

Filing false police reports.

Stealing prescription drugs.

Threatening to punch me in the throat.

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Transparency, Clary Style

Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary has something to say about transparency, and in typical Clary fashion, he's taken to Facebook to say it:

These are my eye glasses. If I don't have them at a restaurant, I have to order by pictures. If I don't have them in the morning, I cannot tell the time.

They have a certain style to them, but their main role is to help me get information.

We need more than just glasses, though. We need the information to be made available. When it comes to government, we need transparency.

In response to public requests, I have set up a new Facebook page for me to communicate city information directly with residents. It is "Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary."
By contrast, the "Hendersonville City Hall" page on Facebook will continue to be controlled by staff, as it has been for several months.
Recently some members of the public complained about the City Hall page's lack of information. Since I don't have access to post to that page, I am creating the new page, allowing me to communicate directly with residents.
The complaints about the City Hall page had merit. I appreciate the people who brought them to our attention. They recognized that city staff has withheld information about Covid-19, SBA loans, and the processes for businesses to re-open.
We have had similar problems with other city media: Channel Three, the city's YouTube channel, and the city web site. Many recent items that I submitted for publication were altered, delayed, and ignored by staff.
Transparency has been important to me since I came into office. I have answered 7,200 emails from residents, sent 42 monthly newsletters to more than 4,400 people, and taken 650 phone calls from taxpayers.
I have met with thousands of residents at their homes, giving them the opportunity to ask questions about city operations. Frequently, I speak to church and civic groups.
This new Facebook page, “Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary”, is another step in city transparency. I hope you find it helpful.

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Clary Talks COVID

In a Facebook post on his personal page, Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary posted about the "reopening" of Hendersonville pursuant to Gov. Bill Lee's stated plans. Here's what he had to say:

Davidson County is NOT included in the governor’s plan to re-open businesses in Tennessee. We do not follow Davidson County. We cannot follow Davidson County.

Sumner County, including Hendersonville, IS included in the Governor’s Plan because we have a state-operated health department. As mayor, I have to follow the governor’s plan.

When Governor Lee announced Phase One of his plan, he stated, “Tennessee restaurants are able to reopen Monday (April 27) at 50 percent occupancy. Additionally, Tennessee retailers are able to reopen on Wednesday (April 29) at 50 percent occupancy. He included several restrictions on these businesses. I have listed those restrictions below.

The governor’s office will be providing guidance this week regarding churches, gyms, and medical procedures. Close contact services including salons and barber shops will not re-open until Phase Two. The governor will address those businesses later this week, and I will distribute the information as soon as I receive it.

Thank you for your patience.

Protecting restaurant employees:
•Wear face coverings and gloves
•Report any symptoms of illness to supervisor
•Follow daily sanitation protocols

Protecting restaurant customers:
•Limit occupancy to 50% of seating capacity
•Space tables 6 feet apart
•Limit seating to 6 per table
•Use social distancing standards in waiting areas
•Keep bar areas closed
•No live music
•Screen customers with basic questions about COVID-19 symptoms

Protecting restaurant business operations:
•Sanitize all front-of-house contact surfaces every two hours
•Use disposable menus or sanitize menus between each use
•Use rolled silverware/napkins stored in sealed bins
•Sanitize chairs and all tabletop items after each table turn
•Do not offer self-serve buffets, shared condiments, or beverage station re-use
•Provide ServSafeCOVID-19 training for all food handlers

Protecting retail employees:
•Wear dedicated cloth face coverings, gloves, and other personal protection items as recommended by the CDC
•Report any symptoms of illness to supervisor
•Provide training on personal protective equipment based on CDC guidelines
•Sanitize hands with soap and/or hand sanitizer
•Stagger shifts, breaks, and meals to maintain social distancing

Protecting retail customers:
•Limit customer occupancy to 50% of store capacity
•Customers should wear face coverings inside stores
•Consider shopping hours for the elderly, medically vulnerable, and health care workers
•Establish one-way aisles and traffic patterns for social distancing
•Increase curbside, pickup, and delivery service options
•Prompt customers regarding the importance of social distancing

Protecting retail business operations:
•Establish enhanced cleaning protocols that follow CDC guidelines
•Designate separate entrances and exits
•Use plastic shields or barriers at checkout between the customer and clerk
•Adjust store hours to allow time for enhanced cleaning
•Prohibit the use of reusable bags
•Suspend “self-service” food stations and dining areas
•Suspend the sampling of food and personal hygiene products
•Management-level employees should monitor compliance
•Add social distancing “reminder” signage and announcements

He didn't mention that Sumner County has the third highest number of cases in TN and the second highest number of deaths.

Of course, some residents are preparing to "shoot the virus."

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Payne Blows Past Clary in Fundraising

Former Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Payne more than doubled current Mayor Jamie Clary's fundraising haul during the most recent reporting period, according to the Hendersonville Standard:

Documents show Payne raised $61,156 in the most recent reporting period. That includes $6,435 in contributions of $100 or less and $54,721 in itemized contributions of more than $100. 

 

Documents show Clary raised $24,175 for the same reporting period. The donations included $14,800 in itemized contributions of more than $100, and $9,375 in contributions of $100 or less. 

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Mayor Clary's Trash Talk

In response to sketchy service from new trash vendor WastePro, Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary posted the following letter:

A letter to Waste Pro representatives from Mayor Jamie Clary

This week many customers are receiving fliers that hang on their trash cans. These fliers appear to be placed there by WastePro employees. I appreciate the communication but disagree with items #1 and #4. I recall some committee conversations about these two issues, but I need to remind you that the operational expectations are guided by the contract and bid that were approved by the city’s board of mayor and aldermen.

The first item seems to claim that a 96-gallon trash can is too large to be serviced at the back door. Neither the contract nor the attachments supported this restriction. They do address height. Exhibit A, under “Containers larger than 42 inches in height”, states that containers taller than 42 inches must be placed at the curb. It does not address 96-gallon containers below that height.

Many residents in Hendersonville have 96-gallon containers that measure less than 42 inches. Those cans should be serviced at the back door. From the ground to the top of the cover on the front, those cans are 40 inches tall. The back of the trash can, from the ground to the top of the cover, is 41 inches tall. These cans should be serviced by WastePro per the contract with the City of Hendersonville.

Regarding item #4, many times I have said that WastePro employees must “find the can.” I have said that in several meetings that included WastePro representatives. If a homeowner has set a large item at the curb, WastePro employees still need to “find the can”. If the can is not visible from the road or one side of the house, WastePro crews need to “find the can”. I have said this many, many times. So, item #4 is not acceptable. Nor is it consistent with the contract. The trash containers do not have to be visible from the driveway side of homes.

I look forward to WastePro correcting these two items and abiding by the contract it signed with the City of Hendersonville.

The previous hauler did not have a problem with these items and did not seek to make these changes. Had the city board known of these changes prior to signing the current contract, I venture that the board would not have chosen WastePro.

If WastePro does not comply with the contractual obligations, as you know, the City has the opportunity to penalize the company.

City waste service is now only one day per week and there is still no plan on the table to offer citywide recycling.

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LeMarbre to Become Interim City Administrator

Alderman Russ Edwards with an update on BOMA business from last night's meeting:

Our meeting last night (Nov. 26th) lasted until almost midnight. A substantial majority of our time was dedicated to discussion of appointment of an interim city administrator. That was approved by a vote of 10-3.

Dave LaMarbe, Hendersonville’s former parks director, was named the interim CA. He is very well respected and will able to help us transition to a permanent CA. One of the stipulations in the resolution is that he will NOT be named the permanent CA. Al

so, this position is only for 6 months.

This was an incredibly difficult decision for me, one that I really struggled over. I voted in favor of it along with Darryl Woodcock and Eddie Roberson, and all three of us consistently voted against having a CA. One of the reasons for my vote is that I did not want any more accusations that the hiring process for the permanent CA was be obstructed in any way. The interim CA will oversee the advertising process of the permanent CA. While I did not want a CA, out of respect for BOMA’s decision to hire one by a majority of its members, we need to move forward with hiring a permanent CA as expeditiously as possible.

I really wish we we did not have to make the decision to hire an interim CA, and I’m not blaming anyone for it. I feel, though, that the correct decision by BOMA was made last night under the very difficult circumstances that are presented.

As I said in the meeting last night, this to me is similar to having an unplanned child. Having a CA was not in my plan, but now that it’s here we need to embrace it and try to find the best person to fill that role. I want the CA to succeed in making Hendersonville an even better place to live, work, and raise our families.

On a lighter note, I wish everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

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Can't You Read?

Tempers flared at a recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting as Aldermen looked to appoint an interim City Administrator to remove management duties from current Mayor Jamie Clary. The Hendersonville Standard has more:

Cunningham, who is a co-sponsor of the resolution, said the move is necessary because Clary has instructed Human Resources Manager Peter Voss to not advertise the city administrator position. 

“The end result was our mayor unfortunately was violating our law,” she said. “Not only did he violate our law, he violated his oath of office which put us in dire straits. That more or less was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.” 

When asked why he instructed Voss to not fill the position, Clary said that it was his understanding that the board had not passed the salary, job description and qualifications of the city administrator along with the ordinance in May. 

Several aldermen as well as Jaeckel disputed his claim. 

“It’s part of the ordinance, mayor,” said Cunningham. “Can’t you read?”

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Doesn't Pay the Trash Bill

A story in the Hendersonville Standard indicates Mayor Jamie Clary is disputing a trash bill from former waste services provider Republic Services, and that the refusal could cause problems for the city:

Mayor Jamie Clary’s refusal to pay an overdue bill from Republic Services, the city’s former trash collection provider, ignited a heated - and confusing - discussion during a recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. 

According to Finance Director Robert Manning, the city paid Republic $175,416.94 on Sept. 20, leaving a balance of $215,492.

“I’m stunned after what we were just advised in executive session to come out and hear this,” Ward 1 Alderman Peg Petrelli said during the meeting. “The lack of leadership is absolutely stunning to me at this point… This is a prime example of one of the reasons why I voted to move up the selection of a city administrator this evening – because of situations like this.”

MORE on the trash controversy

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Payne Announces Mayoral Bid

Former Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Payne has formally announced her candidacy for Mayor of Hendersonville. The Tennessean has more:

Brenda Payne has announced she will run for mayor of Hendersonville. She will kick off her campaign with a fundraiser event Oct. 17.

Payne has more than 45 years of experience in management, fundraising and relationship building, according to her campaign announcement. Her professional roles include growing the endowment fund at Volunteer State Community College, establishing and managing the regional claims operation for a large insurance company and holding the president and CEO position of the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce from 2008 through 2015, according to her LinkedIn profile. 

Payne will concentrate on economic and workforce development for new business and industry and will support public safety and improve infrastructure, her announcement states.

Payne will take on incumbent Mayor Jamie Clary. So far, there is no indication that any other serious candidates will be in the race. Admittedly, referring to Clary as a serious candidate is generous, but he is the incumbent Mayor, so...

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Toward a City Administrator?

It appears the City of Hendersonville is moving forward with plans to hire a City Administrator, reports the Hendersonville Standard:

Members of the city’s General Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to recommend the city move forward with hiring a city administrator.

The full Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 7 to 6 on May 28 to establish the position of a city administrator – a controversial vote preceded by nearly three years of discussion as well as the formation of a special committee to explore the issue.

Those who opposed the new position have argued it would take away many of the responsibilities performed by an elected mayor and put more control in the hands of the full Board of Mayor and Aldermen. A city administrator will report to the full board, and not just the mayor.  

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On Tires, Sprouse and Clary Agree

Mayor Jamie Clary and Alderman Scott Sprouse, two city leaders who are often odds, found a point of agreement recently: Rezoning related to a tire store.

The Hendersonville Standard reports that at a recent meeting, the Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Alderman denied a proposed rezoning of land near Lowe's that would have allowed for a new Firestone tire store.

The story concludes with a note about the final vote -- 2 in favor of the rezoning, 11 opposed:

The request to rezone the property failed 2 to 11 with Mayor Jamie Clary and Ward 2 Alderman Scott Sprouse voting for the zoning change.

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Out on a Limb

The latest from Hendersonville City Hall via Facebook:

From the Public Works Roads Department:

Express Limb Collection Service is no longer available.

Hmmmmm…...

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Pot of Gold for the Band of Gold

Former Alderman Matt Stamper weighs-in on the Mayor's use of economic development funds for Hendersonville High School's Band of Gold. Here are his thoughts from Facebook:

As much as I would like to stay out of the local political fray, I feel like I'm unable when I see the things I see going on. The latest dustup is the Mayor spending $10,000 of budgeted money that is eamarked for economic development and giving it to the HHS Band of Gold to help pay for their trip to London. I feel I must speak out.

There is no such thing as objectivity, I understand that. And I understand fully my experience with Jamie, he has me blocked on facebook so we can't have this discussion here, has not been the smoothest over the years and I am suspect of most of the things he does in his role as Mayor. I believe from my own experiences I am justified in that presupposition. So I recognize my own bias. But I would urge you to look at this as objectively as you can.

The budget year ended June 30. Apparently there was at least 10,000 dollars unspent in the econmic development budget line item. Here is what our city website says about ECD:

economic and community development of Hendersonville is extremely active in the recruitment and retention of retail, office, and industrial clients. The City is currently experiencing unprecedented growth in retail and office development, with over $1 billion in new development approved for construction.

How in the world giving $10,000 of taxpayer money for a high school band trip to London can be justified as economic development is beyond me. This is just my opinion obviously and of course who can be upset about kids getting to go on such an exciting trip. I'm not trying to rain on the parade of HHS Band of Gold. If anyone knows me they know my family has supported the Band of Gold for over a generation. My son marched for five years with the band. If there was an issue raising money I'd have been the first to buy fruit or whatever they were selling. I have no issues with anyone giving to the cause, but the problem I have is those specific dollars, earmarked for something completely unrelated to charitable giving, being used as such with the justification that it....I can't imagine what connection Jamie tried to make to economic development.

Is the very presence of our band in a foreign country going to help bring businesses to our city? I don't see it. It's beyond a stretch to me. So here's where objectivity is lost on anyone with a dog in the hunt. What it looks like is currying favor with a substantial number of voters while in campaign mode by finding money that in no way should ever have been used for that to get a bunch of thank yous from the Band of Gold. If anything this expenditure should have been discussed by the full board, but of course Jamie knows anyone in their right mind would not have supported the use of those particular funds for that particular expenditure, not because they don't want to see the kids get to go to London, but as stewards of taxpayer dollars it is the job of the Board to approve expenses in the categories they were designed for and this is not a proper Economic Development expense. It's just not

What are your thoughts? Was Mayor Clary justified in using these funds for the Band of Gold? Should the school system cover these costs? Should local fundraising or private donors be responsible?

email us: newshendersonville@gmail.com

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Coming Soon: City Administrator

More on Hendersonville's move to a City Administrator:

Hendersonville will begin the search for a city administrator next year, after the board of mayor and aldermen voted Tuesday on an ordinance to create the position.

After an amendment suggested by Alderwoman Arlene Cunningham, the board will fund the position and begin the search on July 1, 2020. The position would then fall under the 2020-21 fiscal year's budget.

Mayor Jamie Clary noted he's not thrilled with the idea, but he'll accept it should he be re-elected in 2020.

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The Case for a City Administrator

Hendersonville's late audit may be a good example of why Aldermen voted recently to hire a City Administrator.

Here's more on the audit situation:

Municipal audits are due within six months of the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30. On Tuesday, Kraft auditors explained why Hendersonville’s 2018 fiscal year audit was turned into the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office four months passed the Dec. 30, 2018 deadline.

Auditors attributed the problem to an extended vacancy in the assistant finance director position from late August, 2018 through March of 2019.

“The financial statements were unable to be issued timely to allow the users to assess the financial position of the City,” according to the audit.

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