6/23/09

Is DeKalb out in the cold on bridge projects?
By Chris Tramel

While large metropolitan areas like Nashville and Knoxville are reaping the benefits from Federal Stimulus funding with large road projects announced, it seems that politics may be leaving DeKalb County out in the cold when it comes to much needed roadwork. Last week, the State of Tennessee House and Senate approved a state budget that places a vital bridge project under bonds.
Through an amendment to the budget, the amount of the authorized bonds was reduced from $701,100,000 to $438,600,000 by reducing the amount of bonds authorized for road projects from $350,000,000 to $87,500,000 in fiscal year 2009-2010. Equal funding will be allocated through four years, or four phases.
Under the amendment:
(1) Phase I, fiscal year 2009-2010, will include high priority projects that benefit infrastructure needs in each grand division of the state as determined by the commissioner of transportation.
(2) Phase II, fiscal year 2010-2011, will include priority projects that benefit infrastructure needs in each grand division of the state as determined by the commissioner of transportation.
(3) Phase III, fiscal year 2011-2012, will include projects determined by the commissioner of transportation.
(4) Phase IV, fiscal year 2012-2013, will include all projects listed in this amendment.
The proceeds of the bonds authorized for implementation of the Tennessee transportation infrastructure improvement bond program will be expended for the repair, replacement or rehabilitation of the specified bridges as soon as practicable. The amendment details the bridges to which priority will be given. The question seems to be when at least one vital bridge project will be funded and to what extent?
Two local bridge projects are included on the list of priority projects to be funded; SR-26 (Sligo Bridge) over the Caney Fork River; and SR-56 Cookeville Highway (Hurricane Bridge) over the Caney Fork River. While the Hurricane Bridge project is due to be a resurfacing project, the Sligo Bridge will either be replaced or shut down for an overhaul of the existing structure. Sligo Bridge is the only way across the Caney Fork and Center Hill Lake for several miles in either direction, and the shut down of the structure would essentially cut off the Johnson's Chapel area from the rest of the county. Further complicating the scenario is the location of the County's landfill, near the White County line. School buses, commuters to and from Sparta, and county vehicles would have to travel nearly an hour in either direction to cross the river. According to TDOT officials in May of 2008, Sligo Bridge could be maintained safely until 2010 before major repairs would be needed.
Initially, the Sligo Bridge project was to be funded through Federal Stimulus funds, but politics soon found it placed in a much debated bond issue. Through a news release, State Representative Terri Lynn Weavers talked about Sligo and another bridge project in Smith County. "Concerning the two bridge projects, Sligo and Cordell Hull, I worked hard to ensure they both be placed in the budget, of which they are. However, the Governor [Bredesen] instead chose to put our most important bridges on the Bonding Bill. Last I looked, both were top priority bridges for 2010." Both Weavers and State Senator Mae Beavers voted against the bonding issue.
County Mayor Mike Foster says he is taking a wait and see attitude. "I certainly hope they will put it [Sligo] as a top priority. It would be really detrimental to so many people, not only here, but also in White County, if they had to close the bridge."
Foster says not only are local bridge projects in question, but also local road widening projects. Plans have been made for the widening of a portion of Highway 56 South toward McMinnville, as well as the third and final phase of the Highway 70 West project to the Wilson County line. Officials say that the construction easements for the Highway 70 project will expire this year if construction isn't started. Officials say they have no timeline as to when either project will begin.
According to the budget bill, the commissioner will report projects included in Phase I to the Speaker of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee and Office of Legislative Budget Analysis by October 1, 2009. They will report projects included in subsequent phases by October 1 in each subsequent year through October 1, 2012.

Clean sweep in Smithville Election
By Chris Tramel

Smithville voters elected three new City Council members last Tuesday, replacing three incumbents. Shawn Jacobs, W.J. (Dub) White, and Aaron Meeks beat out incumbents Jerry Hutchins, Sr., Tonya Sullivan, and Willie Thomas.
In what was considered a light turnout, newcomer Jacobs came in with the most votes, with 403 votes or 19.30 percent of the ballot. Former Aldermen White and Meeks came in second and third with White receiving 364 (17.43 percent) and Meeks 303 votes (14.51 percent).
Sullivan came in with 289 votes (13.84 percent), with Hutchins bringing in 237 (11.35 percent), and Thomas taking 227 (10.8 percent). Candidates Gary Durham and Todd Van Dyne rounded off the ballot with Durham receiving 224 votes (10.73 percent), and Van Dyne taking 40 (1.92 percent). According to Dennis Stanley with the DeKalb County Election Commission, there were a total of 811 people that voted during the election, with 590 absentee or early votes and 221 voting on Election Day.
All three newly elected Aldermen will begin their two year term on July 1, and will join Cecil Burger, and Stephen White on the Board, along with Mayor Taft Hendrixson.
Election Day results are as follows:
Gary Durham - Early/Absentee Voting - 166, Election Day - 58, Total - 224
Jerry Hutchins, Sr. - Early/Absentee Voting - 174, Election Day - 63, Total - 237
Shawn Jacobs - Early/Absentee Voting - 287, Election Day - 116, Total - 403
Aaron Meeks - Early/Absentee Voting - 218, Election Day - 85, Total - 303
Tonya Sullivan - Early/Absentee Voting - 205, Election Day - 84, Total - 289
Willie Thomas - Early/Absentee Voting - 172, Election Day - 55, Total - 227
Todd Van Dyne - Early/Absentee Voting - 30, Election Day - 10, Total - 40
W.J. (Dub) White - Early/Absentee Voting - 264, Election Day - 100, Total - 364

In other Election news, the voter registration deadline for the Liberty Municipal Election, to be held August 6, 2009, is on July 8. Persons living within the City limits and who desire to register to vote may do so at the Election Commission Office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Forms are also available in the hallway outside the Election Commission Office at the Courthouse.
Qualified candidates for the election are incumbent J. Edward Hale, Jr. for Mayor, and incumbents Jarrett Pistole and William H. Reynolds, Jr. for Aldermen.
Only two candidates have qualified for the Alexandria Municipal Election. The election will be held September 3, 2009, with the Mayor and three (3) Aldermen seats to be filled. The positions are currently held by Mayor Maria (Ria) Baker, and Aldermen Charles Griffin, Tony Tarpley and Don Edward Tubbs. The qualifying deadline is noon, Thursday, June 18, 2009.
Qualified candidates for the Alexandria Election are Ria Baker for re-election for Mayor, and Tony Tarpley for re-election for Alderman. Persons interested in a write-in candidacy must notify the DeKalb County Election Commission no later than 50 days before the election. The last day to register to vote in the Alexandria Election is August 5, 2009.

Warrant leads to drug charges
By Chris Tramel

On Thursday June 16, a woman was arrested on drug charges after authorities attempted to serve a warrant. Sheriff Ray says that a deputy was trying to serve a violation warrant on 29-year-old Felicia Ann Murphy of West Main Street, Smithville, at her residence. Authorities say that when Murphy spotted the deputy, she began to walk off, trying to exit the room to avoid being seen. The deputy also noticed Murphy holding an object close to her.
Murphy was told to stop but she did not. The deputy was able to apprehend the woman and found, on the floor where she was standing, a used cut straw and hypodermic needle. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and was given a $1,500 bond. She will appear in court on July 23. A "no bond" was issued on the violation of probation and she will appear in court on those charges on June 26.
On Wednesday, June 17, 25-year-old Brandon Lynn Tallent of West Broad Street, Smithville, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia after a deputy spotted him sitting in a vehicle on Herman Road. The deputy allegedly found three used hypodermic needles and four cut straws in the waistband of Tallent's pants.
Tallent was arrested and was given a $1,000 bond. He will appear in court on July 16.
On Thursday, Sheriff Ray says a County deputy spotted a vehicle on the side of the roadway on Highway 70. The deputy talked with the driver, who, according to authorities, appeared to be intoxicated.
Arrested was 37-year-old Sandro Naun Valladores of Wade Street, Smithville. Valladores was unsteady on his feet and had a smell of alcohol on his person. Valladores also stepped into the oncoming traffic lane repeatedly. He was charged with public intoxication and is under a $1,000 bond. He is due to appear in court on July 2.
On Saturday, a County deputy spotted 35-year-old David Edward George of West Main Street, Smithville, in a store parking lot on Highway 56 South. Sheriff Ray says the deputy had prior knowledge of an active warrant on George.
During the investigation, George gave the deputy consent to search his vehicle, where authorities found hemostats, a razor blade, ink pen barrel, and a piece of tile, all containing drug residue. Also found on George's person was 11 pills believed to be Oxycodone.
George was charged with possession of a schedule II drug (Oxycodone) for sale and delivery, and possession of drug paraphernalia. George was given a $7,500 bond and will appear in court on July 23.
Also on Saturday, 22-year-old Lazaro Romo Garcia of Cecil Hale Road, Smithville, was charged with 4th offense driving under the influence and 2nd offense driving on a revoked license after deputies received a complaint about a vehicle sitting in the roadway on Cecil Hale Road. Sheriff Ray says Garcia was unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol on his person. He also failed field sobriety tasks which were performed on him.
Garcia did admit to drinking beer. Garcia's license was also checked and was found to be revoked for a 3rd offense of driving under the influence. Garcia was given a $6,500 bond and will appear in court on July 23.

Leadership DeKalb holds graduation

Leadership DeKalb Class of 2009 graduation was held on Thursday, June 18th at the 303 North Public Square Building, Smithville. After a welcome from Chamber President, Robin Driver, the invocation was given by Rev. Ben Chapman, Director of Lighthouse Christian Camp and recipient of the Leadership DeKalb Alumni Association 2008 Legacy Award. Leadership Alumni 2008 Community Leader of the Year, Charlie Parker, was the night's guest speaker and spoke on the topic "Serving Our Community." An overview of the year's sessions was assembled in power point presentation by class president Brandon Miller. It was introduced by class member Tom Miller and narrated by Amy Lockhart and Leah Cantrell. Leadership Director Jen Sherwood, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, and Leadership Alumni President Aaron Meeks presented the graduating class with plaques.
Leadership DeKalb is a 10-month program designed to bring together individuals who desire increased leadership responsibility in improving the quality of life in DeKalb County, and train these citizens with knowledge, skills and an increased awareness of opportunities so that they are involved, effective and active leaders. Each summer, applications are accepted for the next year's class. Participation is open to any who lives or works in DeKalb County and who has a desire to contribute to positive change in DeKalb County. For more information, contact Jen Sherwood at 597-4851 or the chamber office at 597-4163.