|
| | Wednesday, December 11, 2019
|
Newport council contemplates re-naming River Street Members of the Newport City Council meeting Tuesday delayed action on a name change for River Street until more feedback from residents of the street can be gathered. Paul and Kim Gregg who own 10 of the parcels on the street have begun a campaign to re-name the thoroughfare, Watersedge Street. The couple argue that the area has a negative reputation and a name change would assist in rehabilitating the reputation. But Alderman Mike Hansel suggested a name change would not rid the area of the negative stigma. He suggested that the residents work with the Community Development Department to address the issues that have led to the community having a negative reputation. Alderwoman Louanna Ottinger called for more information on the sentiment of the residents in the area who would be faced with a street name change. She proposed that a petition with signatures of all the residents would provide the council with a better picture of the support for a name change. Parks and Recreation Director Tim Dockery reported that efforts continue to construct a greenway between River Street and the Pigeon River, in an effort to make the area more attractive. Mayor Roland "Trey" Dykes said he believes more information should be provided to the council. "The council would have increased comfort level if everyone who will be affected, would approve of the name change, which is the way it has been handled in the past. It is a big step because there are alot of things that have to happen when a street name changes." City Manager James Finchum gave the council an update on the status of the city audit. He reported the city and Newport Grammar School audits have been completed and there were no findings. "But the state comptroller is conducting an internal audit of Newport Utilities, and we were informed by our auditors, that that will delay our audit being completed. They have to combine all three audits into one complete audit." He said there is no timeline for the completion of the NU audit, but it is the fourth consecutive year that the city has had a clean audit. Community Development Manager Gary carver reported there have been water leaks at the rear of the Tanner Building, and so additional work will be required to address that issue. Still, he said he expects the renovation of the building to be completed by late Winter or early Spring. The council passed an ordinance on final reading, to impose a penalty on those who allow mown grass to remain in the street. There are concerns that the grass poses a threat to motorists and also contributes to clogging up wastewater pipes. The council delayed an ordinance addressing speed zones around playgrounds and school zones, until the document can be re-written to make the speed limit consistent in all areas of the city.
|
Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
|
|
|