Six in the Race for Smithville Alderman

The three Smithville aldermen up for re-election will be challenged in this summer's municipal election

Aldermen Shawn Jacobs, Aaron Meeks, and W.J. (Dub) White are seeking a new two year term in the city balloting on Tuesday, June 21st. All three were elected two years ago. Jacobs is completing his first term. Meeks served as alderman from 2003 to 2007 when he lost a bid for re-election. He ran again in 2009 and was elected. White served as alderman from 1993 to 2001. He served as alderman again from 2003 to 2007 when he lost a re-election bid. White ran again and was elected in 2009.

Others hoping to win a seat on the city council as aldermen this summer are Smithville attorney and former educator Gayla Hendrix and local businessmen Cordell Walker and Danny Washer.

All three are familiar faces on the political scene. Walker is a former Smithville alderman. Washer made a run for alderman in 2008 and Hendrix ran for state representative three years ago.

All six, Jacobs, Meeks, White, Hendrix, Walker, and Washer have qualified by petition with the DeKalb County Election Commission.

Three aldermen will be elected on Tuesday, June 21st. Each term is for two years. The terms of office for those elected will begin on July 1st.

Early voting for the Smithville Municipal Election will be June 1st through June 16th. Meanwhile, May 23rd is the voter registration deadline for the Smithville City Election.

Voters who don't live in Smithville but own property in the city may vote in the municipal election under certain conditions.

The Smithville Charter allows Property Rights Voting. The property must be a minimum of
7500 square feet and the person owning the property must reside in DeKalb County. Proof of ownership and residence must be shown by the following means: (1) A certified copy of the deed and the execution of an affidavit that the person still owns this property and (2) A copy of the most recent DeKalb County real property tax notice, and (3) Proof of residence in DeKalb County. Property rights registrants are entitled to vote but not to hold any municipal office or serve on any municipal board or commission. Proof of ownership and registration form must be provided to the Election Commission office by the May 23rd registration deadline.

Meanwhile, Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley reminds voters who have moved since registering to vote that the election commission office needs your current address on file.

"While checking the names of registered voters on some of the petitions returned recently, we noticed some voters have moved but have not informed the election commission office of their change of address," Stanley said. "Updating the record is a simple process. All the voter needs to do is fill out a change of address form, which is available at the election commission office. To see if you need to update your record, simply check the address on your voter registration card. If it is different than your current address, you need to update the information with the election commission."

"Updating the address will make your voting experience go much easier and quicker." Stanley said," and will not slow down the line at the polling place during early voting or election day."

For more information, you may contact the DeKalb County Election Commission Office which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The phone number is 615-597-4146.

DeKalb Man Charged in Cannon County Burglary

A DeKalb County man has been arrested in connection with a recent Cannon County burglary in which over $10,000 worth of items were stolen.

Cannon County Sheriff's Investigator Anthony Young said the burglary occurred on January 6th year at a home on Basham Ridge Road in Woodbury, according to a report on the Cannon Courier website.

Investigator Young arrested Matthew Allen Baker, 1022 Pine Grove Road, Smithville, on March 10.

"I received information in relation to the theft, and after a thorough investigation, determined Baker was allegedly one of the persons involved in the taking of the items," Investigator Young said.

The case remains under investigation and an additional arrest is expected, Young said.

Among the items taken were gold jewelry, guns, knives, a 42-inch flat screen TV, tools, video games and a laptop computer.

In addition to charges of aggravated burglary, theft over $10,000 and criminal trespass, Baker incurred additional charges while he was being booked at the Cannon County Jail. Baker was arrested by DeKalb County Sheriff's deputies and transported to Cannon County.

During that process, Corrections Officer Albert Summers discovered within Baker's personal property a black flashlight. Upon opening the flashlight, Summers observed that the batteries had been removed and replaced with a small plastic baggie. Inside of the baggie was a substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.

Additional charges of possession of a Schedule II drug and introducing contraband into a penal institution were levied against Baker.

Total bond was set at $30,000. Initial court date is May 3.