City using political angle to compete with church in property purchase
Tri-City Christian School is the owner of the old Lynn View Middle School that they acquired from Sullivan County, TN and has now closed the school and wants to sell the property.
When the county sold the school to Tri-Cities Christian Schools (TCCS), both sides signed a contract that gives Sullivan County “first right of refusal” if the private school system decides to sell the property.
The sale of the Tri-City Christian School has gotten messy with different players getting involved. Read the links below for more background.
Sullivan County Commission divided on Lynn View
BLOUNTVILLE — Sullivan County could have less than a month to invoke a buy-back option on the former Lynn View Middle School before that option expires.
The price could be $0.
And Kingsport officials are interested in leasing or buying the property from the county for use as a community park and recreation center.
So far, however, none of that has lit much of a fire under county commissioners.
A proposal to take the first step — to say the county wants to exercise the buy-back option — failed last week to gain support from any of the Sullivan County Commission’s three primary committees.
One wonders what is really going on with this property. Read the comment by Pastor Boyd Holder. Jr. and the concerns that he has with Commissioner Wayne McConnell.
But, it appears that the City of Kingsport is the main problem that the church has in purchasing this property.
Kingsport, Sullivan County close to pact on acquiring old Lynn View Middle School
Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips and City Manager John Campbell met last month with McConnell and others to discuss the future of the facility.
On Monday, McConnell came before the entire Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen to further discuss acquiring the property.
The property in question consists of two pieces — the school building on the north side (6 acres) and the ball fields on the south side (10 acres). A day-care center is located in the facility, and the Optimist Club operates its youth sports programs for about 900 children each year on the fields. The BMA would like to see both of these operations continue if Kingsport acquires the property.
Since the City of Kingsport appears to want the property, I would like to suggest that Pastor Boyd Holder take his entire congregation to the next BMA meeting. Then on TV explain to the BMA why you want the property. The congregation should feel comfortable in the courtroom where the BMA meeting is held because the seats look just like church pews.
Who do you think should purchase the school?