By Karen Hall

Editor

By the time you read this, Lewisburg's Public Works department will have taken delivery of a new bulldozer.

When the City Council met Tuesday, City Manager Randall Dunn asked members to consider approval of the purchase.

"The one they have now is a '74 model," he explained. "We've done everything we can with it, and it's not worth putting another nickel into. We've been looking for a used one, and we found one today -- a 2006 Caterpillar D3 for $46,000."

Public Works Director Kenny Ring confirmed this was a good price, especially since a new D3 costs $110,000 or more.

When asked how the city could afford to buy a bulldozer, Dunn replied that they had sold $129,000 worth of equipment (two garbage trucks) and had another sale pending.

"It will serve us well for many years," Dunn said about the new 'dozer.

Councilmen unanimously approved the purchase.

"I thank you very much," exclaimed Ring.

"I have to complement Kenny," said Mayor Jim Bingham, explaining that even with the old bulldozer Ring had been able to put in an access road for Meiwa "in an expeditious manner." (Tennessee Department of Transportation work on Veterans Drive at the I-65 Commerce Park had temporarily cut off Meiwa's access to their building.) Meiwa's grand opening is scheduled for April 10, and the company has asked Bingham for recommendations of event coordinators.

Industrial Development Director Greg Lowe pointed out the new bulldozer would come in handy for clearing trees at the I-65 Commerce Park.

He also noted that inquiries from industries thinking of moving to Lewisburg had not tailed off as they usually do during the holidays. Right now, Lowe said, he has three projects at the RFP (request for proposal) stage.

Continuing the news of "Christmas presents" for the City of Lewisburg, Lowe announced the city had won a Tennessee Valley Authority InvestPrep grant for $380,000 which will be used to make a pad-ready site in the I-65 Commerce Park. The site could be ready to market as soon as September.

Lowe also talked about the TVA Silver Level Sustainable Community award recently won by the city.

"It's good for marketing, and something we should be proud of," Lowe said. "A lot of companies and potential residents are looking for communities that practice sustainability. We will re-submit every year, and perhaps we will move up; we were already doing everything we needed for the silver level."

"We're running with the big dogs," exclaimed Bingham. "I want to complement you, Greg, and we appreciate all city employees -- they all do a good job."

"The things we get recognized for are things we are doing as a city," said Lowe. "For a rural city our size we are fairly progressive. TVA has been my best friend this year."

"If you could get news like this every December, I'd say Santa had come," said Councilman Steve Thomas, as the meeting adjourned with warm wishes for a Merry Christmas.