Kingsport attorney Jim Williams was sworn in Thursday as Mount Carmel’s municipal judge after being unanimously approved in May.
Williams replaces former Judge Terry Risner, who lost his license to practice law in Tennessee in March.
Williams practices out of Jim Williams and Associates in Kingsport. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the areas of child custody and support, conservatorship, juvenile law and bankruptcy. He is also a Rule 31 civic mediator with knowledge in de-escalating tensions.
Mayor Pat Stilwell recommended Williams in May following an hourlong interview.
“I look forward to working with him,” Stilwell said.
Attorney Allen Coup noted that Williams has the characteristics wanted in a judge, including his expertise in working with people in a levelheaded manner.
Hawkins County Sessions Judge Todd Ross swore in Williams.
“You guys have made an excellent choice here. I’m proud to be here and proud to swear him in,” Ross said.
CITY HALL UPGRADES
In other business, the Mount Carmel Board of Mayor and Aldermen accepted a $104,000 bid to upgrade the façade of City Hall with a whitewash and black detailing around the doors and windows.
Clamon Construction of Church Hill submitted the low bid, and the project is expected to start before the end of summer.
The improvements are part of what City Manager Emily Wood described as a “buy-in” to the city. The BMA is hoping to inspire business development by showing its commitment to beautify Mount Carmel as a community-centered area.
Wood said City Hall will be sprayed with a paint that includes particles that will adhere to the brick to prolong the lifespan of the wash.
After the meeting, Alderman John Gibson said a mural was planned for the wall beside the post office but a final theme has not been decided.
“We’re going to do something fresh with it,” he said.
MONTHLY BMA STIPEND
The BMA also gave its first approval to Alderman Mindy Shugart’s proposal for a monthly stipend divided equally among BMA members.
Rather than pay based on how many meetings are attended each month, Shugart’s proposal would take the budgeted amount and divide it evenly across the seven BMA members in 12 equal payments.
The result would total about $166 per BMA member each month.
Stilwell voted against the motion and recommended that all BMA pay go into a fund for the Veterans Memorial at the City Park.
“If you take my pay away, then take your pay away and put it in with this trust fund,” Stilwell said.
Alderman Darby Patrick later noted that the new payment plan would not affect the current BMA. If the plan is approved on second and final reading, it won’t take effect until after the next municipal election.
FLOOD PLAIN ZONING
The BMA approved the state-required Flood Plain Zoning ordinance.
“In order to qualify for the federal program for flood insurance, you have to adopt the flood ordinance,” Coup noted.
The BMA listed areas such as Independence and Hammond Estates as flood plain areas where residents will be able to qualify for flood insurance.
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