Stooksbury concludes successful career as mayor

Thursday marked the final meeting as mayor of Caryville for Bobby Stooksbury after a 16-year run

Caryville Mayor Bobby Stooksbury at his final meeting as mayor on Thursday evening.

CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF)- After 16 years, Caryville Mayor Bobby Stooksbury is calling it a career. Stooksbury told the board last night that its “bittersweet to a point”, he thanked his wife, Carol, the board (past and present), employees and citizens of Caryville for their support. Stooksbury closed the meeting by saying “always leave it better than you found it”.

TOP PHOTO: This is Caryville Mayor Bobby Stooksbury at the December groundbreaking of United Rare Earths.

Aldermen Eric Jones would like to see the new park decorated for the holidays. Jones presented the board with a quote from Allen Sign Co. for a 25 foot flagpole that would be placed at the corner of School Road, the price tag for the pole and installation is $2,830. The board approved the purchase. The flagpole will serve double duty by being a lit Christmas Tree for the holidays. The town will also purchase a Merry Christmas sign and Santa for the park, the approved setting aside $3,000 for decorations.

Three ordinances were approved beginning with Ordinance 2024-10 amending the annual operating budget for paving Mountain and Tram Road, next was Ordinance 2024-11 adopting the 2018 editions of the International Commercial, Residential, Energy, Mechanical and Plumbing Building Code and finally Ordinance 2024-12 amending the zoning map by changing zoning for property on Dogwood Rd at Lakeview Rd from R-1 to C-2, the property is located behind Hampton Inn.

Two contracts were approved for the second phase of the Caryville Cares Playground, the first contract is with the East Tennessee Development District and the second contract was for engineering services.

Resolution 2024-02 allowing the town to apply for the Driver Safety Grant was approved. The board also approved applying for the Tennessee Volunteer Fire and Equipment Training Grant, the grant is for $3,495 and will be used to buy a turn out gear dryer.

Jacob Furguson was hired as a full-time police officer.

The board approved the purchase of four dugout benches for Asbury Park costing $5,658.

Caryville will elect a new mayor on November 5th. David Chambers is running unopposed for the post. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/11/2024-6AM)