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The Kingsport Neighborhood Commission recently held a cleanup event in the Chadwick neighborhood, which resulted in the removal of 1.4 tons of trash and more than 400 pounds of garbage.
The cleanup took place on April 28 with eight volunteers working 90 minutes picking up trash and garbage in the streets and yards around the apartments of Chadwick Drive.
“We knew we wanted to do something meaningful for one of our neighborhoods,” said Alanna Leonberg, chair of the Kingsport Neighborhood Commission. “Since other cleanups took place across town earlier this spring, we thought why not do one more for the Chadwick neighborhood. We were happy with the results and we hope the residents were too.”
The Kingsport Neighborhood Commission — formed at the end of 2017 — is a 12-person volunteer group that serves to strengthen the Model City’s neighborhoods by providing a communication channel between neighborhoods and the city, as well as providing guidance on neighborhood solutions.
The commission provides quarterly updates to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, maintains a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kptneighborhoods) and write a monthly column in the Kingsport Times News.
“Ultimately, the goal of the commission is to create a strong alliance between the city government and its neighborhoods,” Leonberg said.
In addition to organizing cleanups, the commission maintains five little libraries across town – in Preston Forest, Hammond Park, on Dale Street, in Borden Park and in Highland. Next month, the commission is planning to serve lunch at the Salvation Army.
The commission meets on the last Thursday of most months at 6 p.m. in the 3rd floor board room at City Hall, located at 415 Broad Street. The next meeting is scheduled for May 26.
“We encourage everyone who wants to be involved in the community to attend our meetings and learn more about what we do,” Leonberg said. “We’re always interested in feedback and information about your neighborhood. It’s worth pointing out, we may not know about an issue until people tell us.”
For more information about the Kingsport Neighborhood Commission visit www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “Your Neighborhood Commission” under the “Residents” tab at the top of the page.
Kingsport has 27 defined neighborhoods and about 90 general neighborhoods. To learn more about your neighborhood visit www.kingsportmaps.com.
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Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for Preston Forest Park on May 25 at 6 p.m.
The event is to celebrate all of the improvements made at the park in recent years through the use of a state grant, city funds and volunteer efforts. Preston Forest Park is located at 2665 Suffolk Street.
The Preston Forest Community Association conveyed the three-acre park to the City of Kingsport nearly a decade ago. At that time, the park included a basketball court, open green space, a picnic pavilion and a small playground.
In the years since, the City of Kingsport made improvements to the park through the use of a $250,000 Local Park and Recreation Fund grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The City of Kingsport matched this grant with $250,000 and used the funds to make improvements to Borden Park and Preston Forest Park.
Improvements to Preston Forest Park included a walking trail around the park, lighted parking lot, water fountain/refill station, picnic tables, trash receptacles, a kiosk, park grill, bike rack and additional playground equipment.
Kingsport also refurbished the basketball court, swing set and soccer area, landscaped the property and enhanced the electric service within the park.
In addition, the Preston Forest Homeowners Association refurbished the gazebo sign, helped with landscaping and provided a Christmas holiday event. Keep Kingsport Beautiful provided trees and the Kingsport Public Library provided a storybook walk. For more information visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
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Kingsport Police Department
DalePhipps, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Applications Being Accepted for the Position of Corrections Officer through June 5, 2022 | ||
| DATE: | May 23, 2022 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| The City of Kingsport Human Resources Department will be accepting applications for the position of Corrections Officer with the Kingsport Police Department through June 5, 2022. Individuals 18 years of age or older who are interested in a criminal justice career are encouraged to apply. Applicants are asked to only apply once, as weeding out duplicate applications hampers efficiency.
At least one position is available. As Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) regulations require an equal number of male and female Corrections Officers on staff, the current opening is only for a male Corrections Officer. All applications must be submitted online using the following link: https://www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/Kingsport The starting salary for a Kingsport Police Department Corrections Officer has recently been increased to $14.64 per hour or $30,455.00 annually. City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements, Mission Square 401 retirement; and optional Mission Square 457 retirement. For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding the Corrections Officer position, please call the K.P.D. Jail Administrator at 423-229-9424. |
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| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
| Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) ThomasMPatton |
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Kingsport Police Department
Dale Phipps, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | K.P.D. Announces Next Police Applicant Testing Session in Anticipation of Hiring Several Officers (Reminder) | ||
| DATE: | May 23, 2022 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| Reminder: In order for applicants for the position of Kingsport Police Officer to be able to participate in our next testing session, applications must be submitted by no later than this coming Sunday, May 29, 2022. Any applications received after that date will be held until the next testing session.
As previously released: The Kingsport Police Department has scheduled the next Police Applicant Testing Session for Tuesday, June 14, 2022 in anticipation of hiring several officers to fill any existing and upcoming vacancies. While K.P.D. now accepts applications year-round, in order to participate in this upcoming session, applications must be received by absolutely no later than Sunday May 29, 2022. Any applications received after that date will be held until the next testing session. Individuals who are interested in a rewarding career with a professional law enforcement agency are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must be a United States citizen and either already be at least 21 years of age or be turning 21 by no later than December 14, 2022. All applications must be submitted online using the following link: https://www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/Kingsport Following the May 29th deadline, all applicants will receive a confirmation email, as well as a letter by traditional mail, containing further instructions regarding the upcoming Police Applicant Testing procedures, as well as the exact date, time, and location that they are to report for testing. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A WRITTEN EXAMINATION AS PART OF THIS TESTING PROCESS. All applicants will begin the testing process with a physical agility evaluation. The physical agility evaluation will be administered on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. This session will be conducted at Domtar Park, located at 1414 Riverport Road in Kingsport. The physical agility evaluation will consist of a timed one-mile run and a timed roughly one-quarter-mile obstacle course designed to measure fitness, strength, agility, endurance, and perseverance as related to the duties of a Police Officer. Individuals must have an application on file and sign a waiver of liability in order to be eligible to participate. The applications of those candidates who successfully pass the physical agility evaluation will be reviewed for eligibility and suitability to move forward to the interview panel phase which will be conducted during the following week of June 20-24, 2022. General criteria to be considered for selection for an interview will be outlined in the confirmation email and letter each applicant will receive. Those applicants with the highest combined scores on the physical agility evaluation and interview panel will then be interviewed by the Chief of Police to determine the final selections. Those ultimately selected will also be subject to a medical examination, psychological evaluation, and a thorough background investigation prior to actual hiring. The current starting salary for Police Officer Trainee has recently been increased to $17.84 per hour or $37,107 annually, which is a nearly $1,800 per year increase over the previous entry level salary. Applicants who are already certified law enforcement officers may be eligible for additional salary adjustments to compensate for prior experience if certain criteria are met. Academy training and all essential equipment including uniforms, firearms, body armor, and duty gear are provided by the department. K.P.D. also issues take-home police cruisers to officers meeting specific response-time requirements. City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements, Mission Square 401 retirement; and optional Mission Square 457 retirement. For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding a law enforcement career at the Kingsport Police Department, please call the K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit at 423-229-9433. |
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| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
| Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) ThomasMPatton |
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City Attorney Mike Billingsley, who has given 28 years of service and dedication to the City of Kingsport, has announced his retirement effective May 31.
Billingsley came to the city in March 1994 and during his tenure as city attorney, he has worked under six mayors, five city managers and dozens of aldermen and alderwomen. Billingsley also stepped in as interim city manager twice during his career in Kingsport.
“I’ve loved every minute of my time in Kingsport, even the down times,” Billingsley said. “It’s a great community and I’ve enjoyed the people I’ve worked with. They’re great people.”
City Manager Chris McCartt recognized Billingsley for his years of service during a recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.
“I have worked with Mike for 25 years and if I could sum his career up in one word, it would be ‘dedicated,” McCartt said. “Mike has dedicated himself to the city for nearly 30 years and he has played a significant role in countless projects, often behind the scenes. I wish him all the best in retirement.”
Billingsley was born in Nashville, lived briefly in Knoxville and Ohio with his parents and then spent his formative years in Tullahoma, Tenn. He earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee and spent a number of years in private practice, almost always representing public agencies.
“A friend of mine told me there was an opening for city attorney in Kingsport. I didn’t have much interest in private practice, so I called up, made an appointment and got an interview,” Billingsley said. “I interviewed with (former City Manager) Pete Connett and (former public works director) Rusty Wilkerson; they took us around town and offered me the job.”
Billingsley and his wife Sheila have three children and three grandchildren and have no plans to move away from the Model City. After retirement, Billingsley said he will probably still do some legislative matters for the city, work more in his church (First Baptist) and travel – something he and his wife enjoy greatly. A return trip to Europe is likely and the couple have plans to visit friends in New Zealand.
“I love our country and I plan on seeing more of it. There’s plenty of places I’ve not been yet,” Billingsley said.
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