CITY ASKING COUNTY TO ADOPT LAW REGULATING SALE OF METH INGREDIENTS

Crossville's new methamphetamine ordinance has been in effect for a month,
and Mayor J.H. Graham III and the City Council are still trying to control
the problem of manufacturing the destructive and highly addictive drug.

Crossville City Council members unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday
encouraging the Cumberland County Commission to also adopt legislation
regulating the sale, display and delivery of products containing ephedrine,
pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine.

While some Crossville merchants have complained about the ordinance and
others have stopped carrying the regulated products, Graham said members of
the public he has spoken with support the regulation.

Graham said that the meth cookers are trying to develop faster and stronger
recipes for the drug.

"We are seeking public support to fight the meth problem," explained
Graham. "We need to get all the components used for making meth off the
shelves."

Graham recommended that the council seek the help of the County Commission
to request that merchants voluntarily remove these items from their shelves.

Council approved first readings of several budget amendments, including two
grants. The grants included a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant
for rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes on Old Mail Rd. and a $1,350
grant from the Community Foundation for a community-wide reading program.
Budget amendments are needed because the grants were not in the original
2003-'04 city budget.

Another budget amendment approved will pay for the replacement of the
Crossville Fire Department's equipment used when a chemical truck
overturned at Fairfield Glade. While the trucking company's insurance will
reimburse the city for the costs, the equipment needed to be replaced
immediately and was purchased under emergency provisions. Council approved
all three budget amendments on first reading.

Council also approved the second reading of the ordinance first approved
last month requiring numbers to be posted on city properties. Graham said
the numbers will help emergency services, as well as visitors and newcomers
to the community who have had trouble finding businesses and homes.

Council approved the first reading of changes to the city's slum clearance
ordinances. The changes come from recently enacted changes by the Tennessee
General Assembly. One section reads that, "It shall be unlawful for any
owner of record to create, maintain or cause to be maintained in the city
structures which are unfit for human habitation or use due to dilapidation."

Graham recognized a young man who has been living in the community for
several months. Christoph Grober is an AFS exchange student from Stade,
Germany and has been staying with the family of Leonard and Patti
Robertson. Christoph is a senior at CCHS and member of the jazz band. He
will complete school and graduate in the spring, returning to Germany and
his family next July.