Before the fight that took place between Bruceton’s Chief of Police and a resident, a heated discussion over a proposed ordinance regulating scrap and salvage yards dominated Bruceton’s regular town meeting Tuesday, November 11.
Resident John Pardue addressed the board during citizens’ comments, saying he was frustrated by what he called ongoing harassment and selective enforcement connected to complaints from Alderwoman Renee Ward about materials kept on his property.
“I have done what I was asked to do,” Pardue said. “I keep it contained behind a fence like I was asked, and I’m tired of being harassed.”
In October, an ordinance to regulate scrap yards was introduced, and the board passed discussion on to November’s meeting.
Mayor Robert T. Keeton, III said that the new ordinance is designed to clarify existing rules.
“Our current ordinance says no junkyards,” Keeton said. “We’re just trying to better define what that means and handle everything fairly.”
The proposed revision to Ordinance 25-06 would require all scrap materials to be kept off the ground and behind a privacy fence, hidden from view of public streets or neighboring properties.
Alderman Jack Blocker presented a petition signed by more than 100 residents opposing the measure.
“They feel strongly this is government overreach,” Blocker said. “We’re telling people how to conduct their yards, what they do on their own property. That’s their right.”
He also pointed to what he viewed as inconsistency in enforcement.
“We have equipment sitting out behind the town shop,” Blocker said, as he presented photos to the Mayor.
“That’s not a scrap yard,” Keeton snapped back. “That’s where we store our equipment—pipes, hydrants, things we use on a regular basis. The board hasn’t wanted to spend the money to build buildings for it.”
Blocker explained that the Mayor had just made his point.
“If we’re not willing to spend money to fence that in, we shouldn’t be telling someone else to fence their property,” Blocker said.
Alderman Cliff Sturdivant agreed with Blocker’s remarks.
He said the new rules would place an unfair financial burden on residents.
“We’re asking people to spend thousands of dollars putting up a fence,” Sturdivant said.
He gestured toward the crowd.
“I think these two gentlemen have been targeted,” Sturdivant said. “There are other properties in this community that look worse. We’re always being reactive instead of proactive.”
Michael Wilson, another resident who collects scrap materials from time to time, agreed with Blocker’s and Sturdivant’s arguments, saying the cost would be prohibitive.
“It’d cost half a million to $2 million to fence my property,” Wilson said.
Mayor Keeton responded, “This ordinance would not require you to fence the entire property.”
“You’re not gonna tell me how much of my property I have to fence and how much I don’t,” Wilson replied. “It’s all or none.”
Alderman Doug Fisher suggested removing subjective language from the proposal.
“What’s an eyesore to one person might not be to another,” Fisher said. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
As discussion continued, Blocker and Sturdivant both said they could not support the measure with the fencing requirement included.
“As long as it requires people to spend money they don’t have, I can’t support it,” Sturdivant said.
In the end, the board voted to table the ordinance, leaving the existing zoning rules in place for now.
Dog Attack Complaint
Resident Brian Barnhart addressed the board during citizens’ comments after Pardue.
He said two dogs attacked his daughter’s cat on October 3, leading to $185 in vet bills and the cat’s death.
Barnhart explained that he went to Bruceton Police Department about the incident.
“They just told me it’s a civil matter,” Barnhart said. “Shouldn’t a police report have been made?”
Mayor Keeton said a report should have been filed if a bite was involved.
Barnhart said he and his daughter went to City Hall after the incident but were unable to get anyone from the police department to come out.
He also raised concerns about how animal control records were kept.
Keeton responded that new employees had failed to properly document the dog owners’ names but said the issue had been recognized and addressed.
Barnhart also asked what residents should do when calling police after hours.
Keeton said to call the Sheriff’s Office directly or call 911 if it’s an emergency.
Other Business
The board approved Ordinance 25-07, prohibiting unauthorized occupancy, camping, or squatting on private or public property within town limits.
Mayor Keeton said that U.S. Congressman David Kustoff’s office issued the town a certificate recognizing Bruceton on its Centennial and for its contributions to Carroll County and the State of Tennessee.
At the very end of the meeting, Mayor Keeton mentioned that leaf pickup would begin soon and Christmas decorations would be going up in town.
Bruceton’s next regular meeting takes place Tuesday, December 9 inside Bruceton City Hall at 5 p.m.
