Monday, November 9th

Times Free Press- CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Cleveland City Council is expected to continue today its comprehensive review and revision of the city’s personnel policies. The council’s agenda includes consideration of a technology policy by Councilman Richard Banks and a proposal to decide whether to have a process for employees to appeal disciplinary actions. “With these updated policies, we want to run the city more like a business,” City Manager Janice Casteel said in a recent discussion with City Council members. In September, a proposed amendment to the personnel manual called for eliminating the employee appeal process. Until two months ago, employee disciplinary appeals were heard by the city manager, who also administered disciplinary actions. The City Council recently amended the policy to have a third-party attorney hear appeals — at least for the time being. The move follows legal challenges to the old appeals process by former and current city employees who were disciplined or fired. In a lawsuit by former firefighter Josh Keller, a recent Chancery Court ruling basically said the city manager cannot serve both as disciplinarian and appellate officer. Local News- A statement has been issued by our friends at First Baptist Cleveland after Pastor Allan Lockerman became ill during his sermon during the 830 service on Sunday. Bro. Allan froze while reading the Bible. He began to fall, was caught and tended to by medical people on stage. He was transported to Memorial Hospital. He was breathing and the EKG was good.” Brother Lockerman is said to be in good spirits and was joking with family members. He will undergo tests today to determine the problem. Channel 3- Several automotive websites are reporting that Volkswagen is expected to announce a pre-paid gift card campaign today to owners of Volkswagen diesels affected by the recent emissions scandal. The program was outlined to Volkswagen dealers Thursday according to the Truth About Cars website. Volkswagen has not confirmed details but has told the New York Times that it’s planning to make the announcement on Monday. Called the “TDI Goodwill Program,” two gift cards will be offered to TDI owners, apparently regardless of whether the vehicle was bought new or used. The first will be a card for $500 that can be used anywhere, without restrictions. The second card said to be valued between $500 and $750, will be for use at Volkswagen dealerships. VW TDI owners will need to qualify for the gift cards at Volkswagen dealers with proof of ownership. Volkswagen has also created an online tool to allow users to determine of their vehicles are affected. VIN numbers entered by customers will determine the eligibility and allow registration for future updates. The Cleveland Daily Banner- Cleveland State Community College has been selected to be part of a new project led by the American Association of Community Colleges to help students find the “pathways”?they need to succeed. The college was one of only 30 in the United States and the only one in Tennessee to be selected for the AACC’s Pathways Project. “We regard this as a significant honor for Cleveland State,” President Dr. Bill Seymour said. “We are very excited about it.”? The schools chosen for the Pathways Project will be part of a partnership of colleges striving to implement a new “pathways approach” giving students extra guidance and helping to reach their college completion goals. Over the next two and a half years, representatives from the 30 colleges will take part in a series of six Pathways Project institutes, working with other professionals to learn new student support strategies and share ideas. The project is funded through a $5.2 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Cleveland State will receive $50,000 to be used for travel to the institutes. The institutes are being designed by several partnering organizations, including:?Achieving the Dream, Inc., the Aspen Institute, the Center for Community College Student Engagement, the Community College Research Center, Jobs for the Future, the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement and Public Agenda. While this is a new opportunity, Seymour said this does not represent the college just now beginning to focus on priorities like student retention.