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Residents urge help finding new library space; community events and relief efforts outlined
Summary
Community speakers told the Soddy‑Daisy commission the local library has outgrown its space and requested help locating property or buildings; speakers also updated the board on a Fall Festival run, an Aug. 20 Community Elevation Celebration, an Eagle Scout flag‑retirement project and a Vietnam Veterans relief trip for Kentucky flood victims.
Several community items and requests were raised during the citizen participation portion of the Aug. 4 Soddy‑Daisy meeting.
Jim Stewart (Emerald Bay Drive) updated the board on the Fall Festival 5K & 1K run, saying more than 50 participants had registered and that multiple vendors planned to attend; he thanked the commission for support.
Curtis Cecil (9619 Dayton Pike) said their summer program fed more than 1,000 children this summer and thanked sponsors YMCA and Mobile Fit. Cecil announced a Community Elevation Celebration at Veterans Park on Aug. 20 that will include many local non‑profits and conclude with a screening of the movie "Jumanji" at 9:00 p.m. He asked the commission for assistance with that event.
Cecil also raised a separate facilities concern: the library is outgrowing its current location and needs help finding property or an existing building to relocate. He said he had approached the former owner of the Family Dollar site but recalled the city restricts non‑profits from locating in commercial districts; he said price and zoning constraints were barriers and that once property is found he will pursue grant funding. He added that the History Museum also needs a building and that the library runs 38 programs including baking, auto repair and gardening; he invited local officials to participate as instructors or speakers.
Vice‑Mayor Cothran described progress on an Eagle Scout flag‑retirement project with scout Seth Green, noting the location is set and the supplier reduced costs to just over $3,000 (the board had approved $4,000). Cothran also said he and the Vietnam Veterans group are planning a trip to assist families affected by recent Kentucky flooding; the group expects to help about six to seven families and will match up to $3,000 in donations and solicit supplies. Commissioner Everett offered use of an 8.5' x 20' enclosed trailer to transport donations.
Other community and operational concerns raised included Commissioner Coleman’s complaint that a mowing contractor for Simply Bank blew grass into the roadway, which he said is hazardous to motorcyclists, and his request that Kudzu overgrowth on Depot Street, Old Dayton Pike and several culverts be addressed. City Manager Johnson said he would contact Simply Bank regarding the mowing issue.
The meeting record does not specify follow‑up deadlines, what assistance the city will provide to help the library find space, or whether the Vietnam Veterans relief trip has set dates beyond a hoped timeframe of "within the next two weeks."
