Latest news with #Woodby
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Carter Co. EMA director appointed
CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A new director and deputy director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) have been hired, the county mayor announced on Tuesday. A news release from the office of Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby states that Cathy Umrichin has been appointed EMA director. Luke Gragg has also been appointed deputy director, according to Woodby. Carter County emergency management director fired Billy Harrell, the county's former EMA director, was fired in December 2024. Harrell later alleged that Woodby had created a hostile work environment and violated his First Amendment rights. Harrell threatened legal action and demanded $1 million, claiming through a letter from his lawyers that he would take the matter to federal court. Harrell told News Channel 11 on Tuesday that he has not filed a lawsuit against Woodby or the county. After Harrell was fired, deputy EMA director Shannon Winters served as the interim director until he resigned in February 2025. Gary Smith, who previously led the agency but retired in 2021, filled in as interim until Umrichin's appointment. The release states that Shaun Smith was also chosen as the new head of the Carter County Veterans Service Office. 'Cathy, Luke and Shaun bring an extensive amount of experience and dedication to their respective roles, strengthening vital services in the county,' Woodby said in the release. 'I have full confidence in their ability to serve our community with excellence.' Umrichin has more than 30 years of experience in crisis response and has led emergency responses with a multitude of agencies. According to the release, she coordinated with the New York Police Department and Port Authority during the 9/11 attacks. She also has experience managing staff and overseeing budget and public relations operations. Gragg also brings decades of experience in emergency management to the table. A former volunteer firefighter, Gragg later worked with Washington County-Johnson City Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and eventually became rescue lieutenant. Smith joins the county leadership team as a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer. He served as a radioman/information systems technician chief on numerous vessels over multiple deployments in the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Bahrain. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amendment limiting public comment fails to pass Carter Co. Commission, petition to oust Woodby unsuccessful
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — From multiple Hurricane Helene recovery resolutions to a petition to oust the county mayor, Tuesday's Carter County Commission meeting was packed with major items on the agenda and a lot of discussion. At the start of the meeting, an amendment to limit public comment to just items on the agenda failed to pass but still drew overwhelming discontent from the crowd for even being considered. 'For one, we Carter County are important and this sticking to the agenda, if y'all would answer your phone calls, your emails, text messages. We wouldn't have to get up here and stand and talk about whatever,' Melissa Street said during public comment. The county's attorney Josh Hardin addressed a petition submitted by James Byrd to oust Mayor Patty Woodby, which was presented at last month's meeting. After investigating, he said he could not find reasonable cause to remove Woodby from her position. Road through Erwin's Industrial Park to open soon 'I have provided a written report detailing my reasoning and that has been mailed to Mr. Byrd, the address he provided on his petition. The outcome of that is, I do not find that there is reasonable cause to initiate an ousting.' Mayor Woodby declined to comment after the meeting. Byrd said he plans to appeal the decision. Several Hurricane Helene budget-related items passed, including approving a $3 million HEAL loan for debris removal from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). The county also approved $300,000 for Schaus LLC, its disaster consultant, for ongoing services. Also approved were check requests for work being done on temporary bridges in Poga. Additionally, the commission decided to sign a new tourism contract with the Elizabethton-Carter County Chamber of Commerce for one year. The existing contract was set to end in March, and commissioners voted not to renew that initial three-year contract in December. 'We talked about the fact that they [Elizabethton-Carter County Chamber] had sent through their attorney response requesting some changes,' Hardin said. 'But since that time, they signed the proposal as is without any change. So they accepted it, just as you offered it.' The new tourism contract starts on March 9, 2025 and does not include an auto-renewal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayors return from Nashville as Helene relief bill passes
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)—Mayors from the region traveled to Nashville earlier this week for Governor Bill Lee's special session to advocate for East Tennesseeans. They returned home on Thursday feeling hopeful for their counties after the passage of the Hurricane Helene relief bill. One of them was Unicoi County Mayor Bubba Evely, who was emotional when speaking about the devastation his county had experienced. Tennessee General Assembly passes Helene recovery bill 'Just to the industrial park devastation, we've lost about 15% of our gross revenues,' Evely said. 'And until that's rebuilt, you know, we lose property tax. We lose personal property tax. Our sales tax will probably be lower. And so the governor's pledge that this wasn't the end of what the state would do in our meeting yesterday, I was really excited about that. He said he would continue to be here for the counties that were hit hardest.' Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby told News Channel 11 she was frustrated that it took so long for the session to be held and funds awarded, but she's focused on the future. 'There has been a level of frustration, and we've been saying what we said to the committee for several months now,' Woodby said. 'Whether it be at the local level, the state level and the federal level, all of the northeast, northeast Tennessee mayors have been preaching their concerns to every level of government that we could possibly get in touch with.' 'I cannot speak, and I still don't have an answer as to why it took four months to get us there. But what I can say is that we are truly grateful [for] the bill that passed last night. The main goal now is to not look at the past and what has happened. The main goal now is to see that this bill is passed and that we're accessing the funds to build our communities back.' Woodby said her priority is ensuring that the community, which has already endured a lot, does not bear the financial burden. 'Everything revolves around money,' Woodby said. 'And we're a small rural county with a small tax base, and our only stream of revenue is our taxpayers. And we do not, and I will not support putting that burden on our taxpayers. That's one reason why we're looking at every option to offset even having to discuss anything about a tax increase on our citizens. It's just not in the cards.' Evely and Woodby emphasized their gratitude for funding but agreed that this would not cover the total loss – expecting future bills and additional funding. 'I think this is a step forward to kind of give guidance on what's going to be needed and just get us some money moving into our communities,' Woodby said. 'But I do not for a minute think that this will be enough. They will have to look at passing future bills as they get into session next week for their full session, and myself and my colleagues, other mayors will continue to let them know the needs and concerns and the dollar amounts needed here.' The bills will now go to Gov. Lee's desk for him to sign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
