by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Feb. 17 working session, the Monteagle City Council reviewed a letter from city attorney Sarah Bible Willis with Bible and Bible, P.C., recommending terminating the employment of Monteagle Fire Chief Mike Holmes. The letter cited “Holmes recent conviction for criminally negligent homicide,” stating “We find it problematic to allow him to remain in the fire chief position.” The law firm proposed suspension with pay until Holmes’ April sentencing.

Holmes was present for the subsequent discussion.

“We would prefer to pay you up until sentencing,” said Vice Mayor Tony Gilliam.

“Then what?” asked Holmes. Holmes said he was appealing the conviction and pointed out another felon worked for the city.

“He’s not in a supervisory position,” Gilliam said. “He served his time and probation.”

Alderwoman Jessica Blalock objected to suspending Holmes.

Assistant Fire Chief Jeremy Blalock asked who would serve as chief.

“We want to talk with you about that,” Gilliam said. Gilliam explained the city could not pay him because his wife, Jessica Blalock, served on the council. Jeremy Blalock is a volunteer fire fighter.

“You tried to get me to resign,” Holmes said. “I already have an attorney hired.”

“If we don’t do what the city attorney tells us to do, we need to resign,” Gilliam said. “We don’t want any of the fire fighters to resign.”

Holmes and assistant chief Blalock walked out during the discussion. The council did not vote on Holmes’ suspension or termination.

According to city recorder Debbie Taylor, one of the volunteer fire fighters turned in his equipment the next day and most of the city fire fighters have resigned, but because they are volunteers, their official status is unclear. Taylor is contacting them to verify their status. Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Doug Cameron said SVFD would respond to Monteagle area calls if necessary.

In other business, Mountain Goat Trail Alliance Board President Nate Wilson presented the council with options for extending the trail along the section paralleling the Highway 41 South from the junction with Main Street to Ingman Road. The MGTA has a grant to complete the trail to Tracy City, Wilson said, and must spend a portion of the money each year. Construction will begin in April on the section from Summerfield Market to Cumberland Bible Chapel. Plans call for the section from Nickajack Trail/Scenic Road to Summerfield Market to follow Dubose Street, which runs parallel to Highway 41 South and use part of the street for the trail.

An individual holds a deed giving him ownership of Dubose Street, Wilson said. According to Gilliam, the county maintains the street. The MGTA offered the deed holder $3,000 an acre for the land, 1.46 acres, and the owner countered with an $80,000 price. Wilson said the property could be acquired with a Quiet Title since it was a public street.

“The city can’t pay for trail maintenance,” alderwoman Blalock said. Alderwoman Rebecca Byers concurred. “We can’t put any more on the city,” Byers said.

Wilson pointed out the city would own the section of trail beyond Summerfield Market to Ingman Road as well as the section of trail in town, and there would be “a disconnect” if the city did not own the Dubose section. “The trail will bring in a half-million dollars revenue annually to the town,” Wilson said. “You’re not interested in owning the street?”

The general agreement voiced by the council was, “no.”

The council also discussed ending the contract with E-911 and moving police dispatch to police headquarters as a cost savings measure. Mayor David Sampley explained the city was incurring excessive expense for E-911 operators’ overtime.

“Eighty-five to ninety percent of the calls are EMS,” said E-911 Director Wanda McDaniel.

“We’re running an ambulance service and not getting paid for it,” said Gilliam. “The police don’t have a dispatcher.” McDaniels will investigate the cost of radios, a generator, and security for operating dispatch from the police department.