A number of electrical code violations have been discovered at Kinser Park, according to discussion Tuesday at a meeting of the Kinser Park Commission.

According to a list provided to the commission members, the violations primarily involve wiring, connections, grounding, breakers and lights in several areas of the park, including bathhouses, pavilions, cabins, the waterslide and swimming pool, the golf clubhouse and shop, a concession stand, the pump house, the shed shop, the miniature golf course and the office.

The commission voted to seek bids for a contractor to fix the code violations.

In other business, the commissioners voted to ask Greeneville City Attorney Ron Woods to write a letter to Gary Ricker, manager of the golf course at Kinser Park, concerning what the commission sees as Ricker's failure to provide them with adequate financial information about golf course operations.

"He has broken the terms of his lease," Greeneville Mayor Laraine King said, referring to Ricker's alleged failure to do an adequate job of reporting golf course income. Mayor King is also a member of the commission.

The electrical violations were found in a recent inspection by Jerry Wilkerson, state deputy chief electrical inspector, according to Bob Schubel, the commission's chairman.

The inspection was recommended by officials with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which owns the Kinser Park property and leases it to the Greeneville and Greene County governments.

TVA officials inspected Kinser Park on July 17, looking for changes made in response to their previous recommendations on seasonal campsites and other issues.

They were pleased with the changes that had been made and had high praise for the condition of the park, according to Park Manager Johnny Gregg, but they recommended the electrical inspection.

Wilkerson made a list of code violations he found, which Gregg shared with the commission on Tuesday.

The vote to advertise for bids on the electrical work came after discussion about whether to take bids or just hire someone to do the work. Mayor King recommended the bidding process to assure fairness.

Gregg said he can handle the minor repairs, which account for 70 to 80 percent of the violations.

He estimated that the additional work will take 12 to 15 hours to complete.

"We're going to get it corrected," Gregg said.

Schubel said the TVA officials were concerned about electrical issues because someone had been electrocuted at another TVA park.

Gregg said TVA plans to conduct yearly inspections of all of its parks, "which is great. I welcome that."

At its June meeting, the commission voted to accept a letter from Ricker that said he plans to improve his bookkeeping by implementing a daily financial log to be submitted weekly.

Schubel said Tuesday that this schedule has not been followed.

Commissioner Tony Maggio read from the financial report that the park received $4,400 this year from miniature golf and only $1,100 from the golf course, which he said does not make sense.

Chairman Schubel said, "The fact is, Mr. Ricker has kept us in the dark."

In an interview this morning, Ricker said that he was continuing to work hard on getting the financial reports for the golf course up to date.

He said he expects to have the financial reports complete and turned in by Aug. 1.

Ricker said that usage of the golf course, and therefore the golf course revenue, had dropped significantly because of the severe economic recession here and throughout the nation. In response to the decline in the number of golfers, he added, the course has reduced its rates.

He also noted that, because of the impact of the recession, the golf course staff has been greatly reduced, with the result that he himself is currently handling duties that other staff members previously handled.

Gregg noted that the park's cabin rental payments are now up to date.

The commission also briefly discussed a recent survey to locate a small family cemetery located on park grounds.

The Cooter cemetery, estimated to contain five graves, is located near one edge of the seasonal campground, according to a recent survey by Azimuth Engineering.

The three corners of the triangular cemetery will be marked with stakes, and a drawing will be submitted to TVA, Schubel said.

It was announced that new Greeneville Alderman Keith Paxton had been appointed to the commission, while Nancy Monger was reappointed and will be serving as an at-large member and secretary.