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Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Comptroller confirms property assessor errors; county mayor calls for resignation
The state will correct Rutherford Property Assessor Rob Mitchell's inacurate appraisals because he "was unable or unwilling to comply" with Tennessee law, a state June 2 letter said. The letter came from Bryan Kinsey, the director of Division of Property Assessments for the Tennessee Comptroller's Office. Kinsey's letter sent to Mitchell and other Rutherford County officials follows the State Board of Equalization decision March 4 giving Mitchell 60 days to correct the appraisal records. "The board required the county to review a total of 22,180 properties with suspected errors," Kinsley's letter to Mitchell said. "The Division's 10% sample contained 2,223 properties. At the conclusion of the review on May 29, 2025, the division determined that the county erred in its determinations and corrective action for 251 properties, culminating in an 11.3% error rate." Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr suggested that Mitchell should resign over recent state findings of inaccurate appraisals. "I am committed to ensuring that our county's property taxpayers are treated fairly and equitably," Carr said in a June 4 press release sent to The Daily News Journal. "I would not think it strange if Mr. Mitchell wanted to submit his resignation." Government accountability: State board gives Rutherford property assessor 60 days to comply with law to correct appraisals Mitchell emailed a press release to The Daily News Journal June 5 in response to the mayor suggesting that he consider resigning. "I want to be clear about the structure and independence of the assessor's office," Mitchell's release said. "As an independently-elected constitutional officer, the assessor's office does not take directives from the county mayor. The Tennessee Constitution establishes the assessor as an independent office, elected directly by the people of Rutherford County to serve their interests in property assessment matters. "This matter is not something that should be litigated in the court of public opinion. Complex legal and administrative issues require proper channels and due process, not public spectacle or political theater. "I have full faith and trust in our judiciary and administrative officials at both the state and local levels. I am happy to follow any directives that the appropriate state offices provide through proper legal channels. The citizens of Rutherford County deserve to have these matters handled professionally and according to established legal procedures. "I remain committed to serving the taxpayers of Rutherford County with integrity and will continue to fulfill the duties of the office to which I was elected." 2024 election results: Property Assessor Rob Mitchell captures GOP primary for reelection over opponent Mitchell through his attorney Bud Carman, a former director of the comptroller's division of property assessments, filed a legal challenge to the board of equalization's decision on correcting property appraisals. "Mayor Joe Carr has used half-truth to convict an honorable man without due process," Carman said in a statement emailed June 5 to The Daily News Journal. "Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, a half-truth is often the biggest lie of all.' The effect of a 'half-truth public statement' by a county mayor with a political agenda, is at issue as to an ethical consideration." Carman on behalf of Mitchell filed the legal challenge to the comptroller's office's actions in Davidson County Chancery Court. "The finding of non-compliance by the State Board of Equalization by law is subject to a petition for judicial review," Carman said. Comptroller's spokesman John Dunn said his office has no comment about the legal challenge. "We have been advised to not answer any questions," Dunn said. "The (Tennessee) Attorney General's Office is representing us in that matter." Regulating the government: TN Comptroller chastises Rutherford Property Assessor about improper appraisal practices Rutherford Mayor Carr responded to a request for comment from The Daily News Journal through a June 4 press release from the county government spokeswoman Lisa Kaye about the issue with Mitchell's office. Carr was notified by whistleblowers in the summer of 2023 of "possible malfeasance and irregularities" in the property assessor's office. Due to the mayor's legal obligation in state law, Tenn. Code Annotated 8-4-503(a), Carr was required to report the whistleblower concerns to the comptroller's office, according to the press release. Whistle blower issue: Complaint filed against property assessor raises 'ethical, moral and legal concerns' "It is frustrating that it has taken so long to move forward, but an issue of this magnitude must be undertaken carefully," Carr said in the press release. "The assessor's office staff are more than competent; some really good people are there. This is a dereliction of duty and a failure of Rob Mitchell's leadership. For a number of years, he has violated the basic equity application of the law regarding the assessment of property values in this county." The press release from the mayor's office suggested the inaccurate property appraisals violates public trust for a community that deserves better. Another whistleblower: 2nd complaint outlines 'conflict of interest' in Rutherford Co. Property Assessor Office Based on the error rate of 11.3% and the fact that there are over 130,000 parcels in Rutherford County, there could be over 15,000 parcels that are incorrectly assessed, and should be addressed and rectified immediately, the press release from the mayor's office said. "My office has been cooperating with the comptroller's office and will continue to do so," Carr said in the press release. The press release also said the mayor thanks the officials with the comptroller's division of property assessments officials and commends them and Mitchell's employees for their diligence "in trying to uncover the wrongs, so that confidence can be restored to the Rutherford County Property Assessor's Office." Response to ethics complaint: Ethics Committee asks DA, TN Comptroller to investigate Rutherford Property Assessor Rob Mitchell The error rate of property appraisal records exceeded the 5% rate established by the board of equalization in directing the comptroller's staff to take steps to bring Rutherford into compliance of state law, according to the letter from Kinsey, the director of the division of property assessments. "The division will promptly notify the assessor of the error rate and begin making corrections in accordance with the law," the letter said. "Furthermore, the division will maintain records of the costs incurred pursuant to this action and invoice thecounty at the conclusion of the compliance effort." Dunn, the comptroller's spokesman, said the division of property assessments is unsure how long the corrections will take or what the estimated costs will be to Rutherford. "Our office will work to ensure we make the necessary corrections in the most efficient and responsible way possible," Dunn said. This is a developing story. More government accountability: TN official accuses property assessor of assessments that are 'contrary to state law' Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: TN Comptroller: Rutherford property assessor has unlawful appraisals
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Death of 6-month-old baby ties to immigration, emergency service concerns in La Vergne
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews suspects deportation fears might have contributed to a delay in emergency calls related to the death of a 6-month-old baby around Easter. Moews learned about the death of the child April 12 and planned a town hall meeting for May 21 at Community Church in La Vergne to communicate with the city's Hispanic population about emergency services. "Nobody wants another dead 6-month-old baby," said Moews, a second-year chief. "We're here to help people." The child's death and planning for the town hall happened about three weeks prior to reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs agents had arrived in Rutherford County to apprehend people for possible deportation, Moews said. The baby's death remains under investigation and involved a male caretaker who noticed the child was not breathing and didn't call 911 for help. The caretaker's girlfriend arrived and did call 911, Moews said. The male caretaker "was in the country illegally," Moews said. Immigration issues: ICE says nearly 200 immigrants arrested in Nashville during recent operations Moews urged residents during the recent town hall to not be fearful to call 911 if faced with an emergency no matter their immigration status. "We are trying to encourage people to call the police and not be afraid," Moews told The Daily News Journal May 27. About 30 people attended the town hall at Community Church on Old Nashville Highway in La Vergne, Moews said. The church sign touts worship services in English, Creole, Spanish, Nigerian and Arabic. The chief said the turnout might have been stronger had there not been recent reports about ICE agents being in Rutherford County. New law enforcement leadership: La Vergne offers police chief job to Milwaukee police Capt. Christopher Moews Among those who attended the town hall for people concerned with ICE operations is Rutherford County Commissioner Hope Oliver, D-La Vergne. "It's sad," Oliver told The Daily News Journal May 27. "That's what's going on under the current administration. I think it's just domestic terrorism." Oliver represents District 1 in north La Vergne and is one of two elected Democrats on the 21-member county commission that also includes 16 Republicans and three independents. 2022 election results: 21-member Rutherford County Commission will see new faces with 9 elected officials Tennessee Department of Correction spokeswoman Sarah Gallagher confirmed to The Daily News Journal May 8 that ICE agents apprehended people in Rutherford. "In a coordinated effort to increase public safety, 14 individuals were detained by ICE agents at TDOC's Probation/Parole Office in Murfreesboro this week," Gallagher said. "TDOC will continue to uphold the law, and partner with state and federal agencies to support ICE operations as needed." The town hall event in La Vergne also followed ICE operations conducted May 2-10 in Nashville that resulted in nearly 200 arrests during a joint operation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE. ICE officials have not confirmed if any of those arrested during the May THP stops come from cities outside of Nashville. May 7 report on raids: Nashville ICE agency says 84 arrested since May 3 in operation with THP In a May 9 social media post, the La Vergne Police Department said it did not participate with law enforcement on immigration enforcement. "While we did become aware today that other agencies have been conducting enforcement operations within city limits, we have not been contacted or included in those efforts," the department said in a statement on Facebook. "We remain committed to transparency, community trust, and serving all residents of La Vergne with fairness and professionalism. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out." ICE operation in Nashville: Traffic stops with THP lead to arrests. Here's what to know Moews told the town hall audience that the city's police force is not partnering with ICE on apprehending people unlawfully present. The La Vergne police force, however, will follow Tennessee law and notify ICE if officers learn about any immigrants in the city without legal status to be in the country, Moews said. "We're stuck in the middle," Moews said. "We have to provide service to the whole community, but we have to abide in the law." Officers making traffic stops for speeding do not typically ask for immigration status, said Moews, who has served in law enforcement since 1994 in Wisconsin for most of his career before accepting his chief position in La Vergne in August 2023. "I have personally done thousands of traffic stops, and I can't recall a single one where I asked about someone's immigration status," Moews said. UPDATE: Detectives seek witness of shooting death of man in car on I-24 near Waldron Road La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole also attended the town hall. "You had people there who were concerned about themselves or their neighbors, and you had people there who were actually trying to find out what the actual letter of the law is," Cole told The Daily News Journal May 27. "Chief Moews put it simply. We enforce the law." Cole promised to attend the town hall provided that his flight home would arrive on time after promoting his city to businesses at the International Council of Shopping Centers event at the Las Vegas Convention Center May 18-20. "I'm supportive of listening to our residents and responding appropriately," Cole said. "The residents of La Vergne put me and the rest of the (La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen in elected office) to listen to them. To not listen or respond accordingly, would be a betrayal of their trust." Mayor Cole also said he's never been asked about his status as a lawful citizen whenever he's been pulled over by police. Election 2018: La Vergne Alderman Jason Cole tops incumbent Dennis Waldron in mayor's race Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@ and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: La Vergne community fears baby's death lead to immigration concerns
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Demonstrate for Democracy plans 'People's Filibuster' against Trump admin in Murfreesboro
Demonstrate for Democracy organizers will hold a 25-hour "People's Filibuster" to protest President Donald Trump's administration in Murfreesboro May 1. The event will start at 7 a.m. May 1 and end by 8 a.m. May 2 on the public sidewalk along Medical Center Parkway, organizer Lora Hortert of Murfreesboro said. The demonstrators will be near the Murfreesboro office of Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais located in the Fountains at Gateway office, residential, restaurant and retail development, Hortert said. "We strongly feel this president is violating the U.S. Constitution," Hortert said. 'I think it's asinine': Federal job cuts concern VA Murfreesboro patient, park service visitor at Stones River National Battlefield and cemetery The demonstrators have concerns about the constitutionality of deportations of immigrants who are "entitled to due process," Hortert said. Courts should determine if immigrants can be lawfully removed or permitted to stay legally in the United States of America, suggested Hortert, who has worked as a 17-year paralegal and earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Previous demonstration: Protesters of Trump plan Murfreesboro 'Stop the Coup March for Democracy' April 5 The demonstrators also want DesJarlais, serving District 4 including Rutherford County, and other members of Congress to use their separation of powers authority to challenge the president. "They have the power to check him," Hortert said. The Daily News Journal reached out to DeJarlais office's spokesman Alex Swisher Monday for comment. DesJarlais offered a recent comment to The Daily News Journal pertaining to the Trump administration decision to revoke visas of six MTSU international students. 'President Trump is fulfilling his promise to fix our broken immigration system," DesJarlais said. "There are a myriad of reasons why a student visa may be canceled, and the American people hired President Trump to enforce the law − something the previous administration did not do.' Immigration issues: MTSU student body president, US Rep. DesJarlais speak out about 6 student visas being revoked Participants of the People's Filibuster will start with a couple of short speeches, Hortert said, before reading out loud the nation's founding documents. Readings will include the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution, the oath of office of Congress members, and the Federalist Papers that are essays written by three of the leaders who joined others in crafting the Constitution: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. The idea for the People's Filibuster came from the recent 25-hour filibuster of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, in protest of Trump's administration, Hortert said. MTSU Constitution Day: Former VP Mike Pence defends certifying Biden's victory in 2020 Hortert has about 30 participants committed to read in the People's Filibuster so far. "We're hoping to get up to 50," Hortert said. Those interested can email demonstratedemocracy@ or call Hortert at 615-995-9845. She and her 22-year-old daughter, Rachel Hortert, are the main organizers of the People's Filibuster. The organizers also have a Demonstrate for Democracy Facebook page for more information. This is a developing story. Free speech scholar Nadine Strossen: Rutherford County school board violates law by removing Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "Beloved,' and other books Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Demonstrators plan 'People's Filibuster' against Trump in Murfreesboro
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Demonstrate for Democracy plans 'People's Filibuster' against Trump admin in Murfreesboro
Demonstrate for Democracy organizers will hold a 25-hour "People's Filibuster" to protest President Donald Trump's administration in Murfreesboro May 1. The event will start at 7 a.m. May 1 and end by 8 a.m. May 2 on the public sidewalk along Medical Center Parkway, organizer Lora Hortert of Murfreesboro said. The demonstrators will be near the Murfreesboro office of Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais located in the Fountains at Gateway office, residential, restaurant and retail development, Hortert said. "We strongly feel this president is violating the U.S. Constitution," Hortert said. 'I think it's asinine': Federal job cuts concern VA Murfreesboro patient, park service visitor at Stones River National Battlefield and cemetery The demonstrators have concerns about the constitutionality of deportations of immigrants who are "entitled to due process," Hortert said. Courts should determine if immigrants can be lawfully removed or permitted to stay legally in the United States of America, suggested Hortert, who has worked as a 17-year paralegal and earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Previous demonstration: Protesters of Trump plan Murfreesboro 'Stop the Coup March for Democracy' April 5 The demonstrators also want DesJarlais, serving District 4 including Rutherford County, and other members of Congress to use their separation of powers authority to challenge the president. "They have the power to check him," Hortert said. The Daily News Journal reached out to DeJarlais office's spokesman Alex Swisher Monday for comment. DesJarlais offered a recent comment to The Daily News Journal pertaining to the Trump administration decision to revoke visas of six MTSU international students. 'President Trump is fulfilling his promise to fix our broken immigration system," DesJarlais said. "There are a myriad of reasons why a student visa may be canceled, and the American people hired President Trump to enforce the law − something the previous administration did not do.' Immigration issues: MTSU student body president, US Rep. DesJarlais speak out about 6 student visas being revoked Participants of the People's Filibuster will start with a couple of short speeches, Hortert said, before reading out loud the nation's founding documents. Readings will include the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution, the oath of office of Congress members, and the Federalist Papers that are essays written by three of the leaders who joined others in crafting the Constitution: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. The idea for the People's Filibuster came from the recent 25-hour filibuster of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, in protest of Trump's administration, Hortert said. MTSU Constitution Day: Former VP Mike Pence defends certifying Biden's victory in 2020 Hortert has about 30 participants committed to read in the People's Filibuster so far. "We're hoping to get up to 50," Hortert said. Those interested can email demonstratedemocracy@ or call Hortert at 615-995-9845. She and her 22-year-old daughter, Rachel Hortert, are the main organizers of the People's Filibuster. The organizers also have a Demonstrate for Democracy Facebook page for more information. This is a developing story. Free speech scholar Nadine Strossen: Rutherford County school board violates law by removing Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "Beloved,' and other books Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Demonstrators plan 'People's Filibuster' against Trump in Murfreesboro
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New TN law to help growing governments save money on special census
Fast-growing Rutherford County and its cities should gain state shared revenues thanks to new law to update populations. State Rep. Robert Stevens, R-Smyrna, and Sen. Shane Reeves, R-Murfreesboro, sponsored the legislation that won Tennessee General Assembly approval Monday. Stevens said the new state law will mean local cities such as Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne would be able to skip pursuit of any costly special census. This is because the state would be able to obtain data from the University of Tennessee Boyd Center of Business and Economic Research. Local governments have sought new population estimates to prove growth from the U.S. Census Bureau official counts in 2020 to increase state shared revenues expected by the 2026-27 fiscal year. "This legislation is a major win for Rutherford County and our municipalities," Stevens said in an email to The Daily News Journal. "With the rapid growth in our community, we will begin to receive an increased amount of state shared revenue annually instead of waiting for the federal census every 10 years or incurring the expense of a special census in the interim.' Stevens said the UT Boyd Center has the software and expertise to provide the Tennessee Department of Revenue with updated population estimates for all the state's local governments, Stevens said. Crafting legislation: See how your TN House lawmakers' bills could impact budget and schools in Rutherford County Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland told The Daily News Journal that the city recently cancelled a special census because of the expected passage of the law from House Bill 780 and Senate Bill 875. "Every time you do a special census, it gets tougher and tougher to get people to respond," McFarland said. The Murfreesboro in-house special census efforts included using on-duty firefighters during non-emergency situations to gather information from residents, McFarland said. "It's a very time consuming and an expensive process," said McFarland, who praised the work of Rep. Stevens to get the law passed. Stevens said the idea for the bill came from Smyrna Town Manager David Santucci, a former city manager with Deerfield Beach, Florida. Santucci's former state used a similar process to update local government populations for Florida shared revenues. The email from Stevens to The Daily News Journal provided the following additional comments: 'The significant additional funds received by our local governments will help them offset the cost of growth while continuing to provide necessary services to our residents," Stevens said. 'Simply put, over time the legislation we passed will bring in millions of additional dollars to our county and municipalities while also saving them the costs and efforts required to do a special census. This truly is a substantial reform that will benefit our residents." Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr said he's pleased with the legislation from the sponsoring lawmakers. "We are grateful for their efforts," said Carr, who's a former state representative for District 48. 'The Revenue Sharing Bill, HB780, has the great potential of being a game changer for the county getting its fair share of state revenue apportioned by population. A huge thanks to Rep. Robert Stevens, Sen. Shane Reeves and our county lobbyist Will Denami for their work in getting this bill passed into law. It is this kind of cooperative work between state and local governments that will continue to allow Rutherford County to meet the growing demands of growth. The county is grateful for their leadership.' The email to The Daily News Journal from Stevens included comments from Sen. Reeves. "The bill passed overwhelmingly in the House and the Senate," Reeves said. "Cities and counties are having to pay unnecessarily for special census efforts when the data is already available, which seems wasteful. This will save cities and counties that currently do special census projects millions of dollars." Reeves said the reapportionment of state shared revenues will be more equitable each year based on where people reside throughout the state. "No one's taxes go up," Reeves said. "No new taxes are imposed. It just reapportions the pool of shared funds based on current population data." The Smyrna government provided the following comment from Mayor Mary Esther Reed about the legislation: "This legislation is a significant advancement for Tennessee's municipalities,' Reed said. 'I want to thank our Town Manager David Santucci for bringing this idea to Representative Stevens, and I appreciate Representative Stevens for getting this bill passed in just one session. "By allowing the use of existing data to estimate population growth, we can allocate resources more effectively and continue to provide essential services to our residents. The benefits of the bill extend beyond individual cities; by streamlining the process of updating population figures, the legislation promotes an equitable distribution of state funds across Tennessee, ensuring that all communities have the resources they need to thrive.' Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: New TN law to help growing governments save money on special census
