Cleveland-Hardwicks Clothing (Franklin, Signal Mountain, Louisville: tax lien, for sale, 2009)

[XinaMarie]

I am doing some research about the downtown/old town area of Cleveland and have come across a curious situation. I was wondering if Cleveland is an old money town like Signal Mountain and the likes. I am getting a feeling that it is. I am particularly curious about Hardwick's since I have been offered a job there before. I can't put my finger on something and I am trying to work it out. The clothing store has evidently been there quite awhile and the manufacturing company seems to be located nearby, are they related. Also, the gentleman who seems to be in charge also seems to be wearing a lot of different hats locally; landlord, funeral services, clothing store? Do I have that right? Are there any Cleveland locals that can help me figure this out. What I am trying to find out is if this is a trusted company (Hardwicks) and what their history is within the town. Anyone?

[ramblinmanz]

Hardwick's isn't going to pay you in anything but rubber checks, the story goes. Joe V. Williams, III owns it. He wears many hats, most famously what other areas of the country refer to as slumlord. (Cleveland elite consider that "business" and since most of the lawmakers are property owners it simply wouldn't do to let on that laws actually exist to protect tenants.) According to Franklin Chancey of Chancey, Konovos, Painter, and Love, "Tenants don't win in Tennessee."
Equally famously Mr. Williams and his company Louisville Land Property Management Cemetery Subdivision ect. fought the town for ten years for the right to let the cemetery remain untended as it cost too much to mow the lawn (despite the very real possiblity Mr. Williams owns at least one lawncare company.
See the Cleveland Daily Banner for stories about a judge calling Mr. Williams an 'animal,' for David Davis's editorial on Mr. Williams posting a for sale sign in front of a blind renters house and not letting her know, and go to the registrar of deeds and check out the tax liens on his properties from April 2009. So close to jail, but he never has to go.
In fact, speak to anyone in town. Stories will spew forth regarding the swindlesome activities of this lawyer wannabe (why? is the question.)
He's near about the oldest member of the rotary club and a reservist who feels he is able to pontificate regarding matters of national security. Heaven help us all should anyone take this person seriously.
It is said that Mr. Williams steals electricity, commits fraud and perjury, tosses families on the street should they request essential services be in working order, hires sex offenders and gives them keys to rented homes where they walk in with no notice and barely a knock.
According to codes officer Joel Prince, Mr. W. owns upwards of 400 properties in Cleveland alone.
Mr. Williams wears the hat of Century 21 Williams and Williams, formerly Williams and Lankford, formerly possibly Williams and Bennett. He's a broker and also is able to sell in Georgia, Atlanta.
One of the papers, the people's news, called him the "most despised man in Cleveland."
Rumors circulate regarding Mr. W's preference for chicken, but this was not a personally witnessed occurrance in my dealings with the elusive Mr. W.
Bradley county is "not a court of record" according to court clerk Gayla Miller, so apparently that means you can be whatever kind of rich criminal you like, and no record is kept by the court. Correct me if I'm wrong. The poor who fight Mr. Williams simply disappear.
God Bless America.