At Monday afternoon’s workshop, the LaFollette Council discussed some upcoming Christmas events.    The first event will be the lighting of the Christmas tree, at the Fleet Building and Tabatha Smith’s office, at 6 pm on Friday, Nov. 30. Members of the LaFollette United Methodist Church Choir will be singing Christmas carols at the lighting. On Saturday morning, Dec. 1, the 5K Santa Trot will be at 9am beginning at City Hall. The annual Christmas parade starts later at 6 pm on Saturday evening. Anyone participating should be at LaFollette Elementary School by 4 pm for line up.

Mayor Mike Stanfield announced that the city is hosting a Christmas light decoration contest for homes and businesses. To enter, participants should call city hall at 423-562-4961. Prizes will be awarded for first place, $200, second place, $100 and third place, $50 for residential participants. The winning business will be given a plaque. The Christmas committee will be judging the contest.

At next week’s regular monthly meeting, the council will have a new face, Mark Hoskins. Hoskins along with Ann Thompson will be sworn in on Saturday, Dec 1. at 11:30 am at City Hall.  Hoskins was elected while Thompson was re-elected in the November election.  Council will be appointing a beer board chairman and vice mayor, outgoing Councilman Joe Bolinger holds these positions.

The council had another citizen to approach them at last night’s workshop about a letter they received from City Codes. Tracy Lobertini with Alco Builders and Realty said they had received a letter stating they had 15 days to clean up the property.  The letter referenced the old Lyons Building property on West Central Avenue at South 13th Street. Lobertini said they had been working on clearing away rubbish from behind the parking lot to build a retaining wall. Incoming Councilman Mark Hoskins told Lobertini to write a letter to the city informing them that this is an ongoing project to address the issue. During the discussion, it was brought out that Rogers Group has been using a property on West Ash Street that belongs to Alco Builders. The group has parked its equipment on the lot, dumped old asphalt and left behind garbage (pizza boxes, bottles, etc.) without asking permission. Stanfield said that he had been notified of another property in the city where Rogers Group had done the same thing. Stanfield said he had spoken with TDOT before the Thanksgiving holiday and requested they clean it up. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/27/2018-6AM)