DCHS Graduation: Director of Schools Mark Willoughby; Guest Speaker Randall Hutto, Wilson County Mayor; and Principal Patrick Cripps
Hunter Collins Receives White Rose Award from DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps at Graduation
MyKaela Duke Receives White Rose Award from DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps
Matt Boss Receives Citizenship Award from DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps at Graduation
Andrea Coleman, Fifth Grade DARE Essay winner at DeKalb West School. Pictured with Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Don Adamson
Karley Knowles, Fifth Grade DARE Essay winner at Northside Elementary School. Pictured with Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Don Adamson
New Sign Erected Outside of County Complex
Erin Cantrell-Pryor received over $212,500 in scholarships at DCHS Thursday, the largest total award presented to any student, including a $186,000 scholarship from Cornell University
Rawlin Vanatta, owner/operator of the White Possom Grille in Smithville, talked about jobs in the culinary arts during Career Day at DeKalb West School
DCHS Class of 2013 Scholarship Recipients at Awards Day
Singer/Songwriter Sam Mullins talked to 6th-8th grade students at DeKalb West School about careers in music at the annual Career Day, coordinated by School Counselor Bill Conger.
Junior DCHS Golfer Mallory Sullivan signs with Cumberland University to play golf after she graduates. Members of her family joined Mallory at the signing Thursday along with DCHS Coach Joe Pat Cope
School Board Votes 4-1 to make cuts in Tentative Budget for 2013-14. (OLDER PHOTO) (READ STORY UNDER LOCAL NEWS)
DCHS Principal Patrick Cripps, Valedictorian Taylor Leach, Salutatorian P.J. Carroll, State Rep Mark Pody, State Sen. Mae Beavers, State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, and Director of Schools Mark Willoughby
Smithville Crime Stoppers Board meets with D.A. Randy York: Officer Matt Farmer, Shawn Jacobs, Randy York, Gayla Hendrix, John Daniels, Karen Caplinger, Mayor Jimmy Poss, and Phillip (Fluty) Cantrell
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Key Women Educators welcome new members Mandy Dakas and Kathy Bryant into the Beta Theta Chapter. Pictured with long-time members, Louise Frazier and Jenelle Pugh.
Sheriff Patrick Ray, detectives, deputies, and TBI agent Billy Miller examine Chevy Blazer pulled from the lake where Putnam County woman died after the vehicle ran into the water. (See Videos)
Chevy Blazer Pulled from Center Hill Lake at Johnson Chapel Boat Ramp. Putnam County woman died after the vehicle submerged in the water. Two others escaped unharmed (See videos)
As you all know, The Remote Area Medical Clinic was in town this past weekend on November 12th and 13th. Patients began lining up around 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon and the line continued to grow as nightfall came. Patients stood out in the cold with blankets, heavy coats and whatever was needed to try and stay warm. They began handing out tickets for the first round of patients around 3:00 am on Saturday morning. As patients stood in line, they never expected the generosity that they received during their wait. Thanks to a local lady and the help of one local non-profit organization, the patients received free food, water and coffee. Elizabeth Napier, a local resident, worked with The Remote Area Medical Clinic back a few years ago when it was in DeKalb County. While volunteering then, she saw the need to provide patients with food services due to some illnesses brought on by going without food for several hours, waiting in long lines. She made up her mind right then and there, that if they were to ever return, she would make sure food was provided as long as The Lord would help provide.
Little did she realize that God would hold her to that thought. When Mrs. Napier learned that the Remote Area Medical (RAM) was coming back to town, she began to pray about it and God directed her to the help of none other than DeKalb County Children’s Service Council. Upon contact, they also saw the same need and set out to make this happen.
Mrs. Napier approached her family, the organization and from there it just snowballed and what a great success it was. On Saturday, they were able to feed well over 600 patients and on Sunday about 300. There were over 34 gallons of coffee made and served, over 700 snack cakes and cookies passed out and countless bottles of water were handed out.
Special thanks goes to all of the sponsors: Star Manufacturing, Bumpers, WJLE, Cash and Carry, Prichard’s Grocery, Bay's Southern Bread Co ( Sarah Lee), Mapco, Bumpers, Save-a-Lot, Wal-Mart, Howard Jr. and Frieda Reynolds, Doris Gilbert, Jim and Peggy Scott, Bill and Sue Dearman, Loretta Sharritts, Rebecca Tucker, Robert and Evelyn Tucker, David and Kaye Fedak, Berle and Mamie Billings, Marvin and Libbie Napier, Smithville Church of the Nazarene, Real Life Community Church, Chris Jolley, Kenneth Neal and The Cookeville Social Security office.
Special thanks to the volunteers who helped served. Libbie Napier, Kenneth Neal, Vonda Brown, Halea Brown, Caleb Haggard, Aaron Haggard, Daniel Haggard, Ashton Waggoner, Robert Davidson, Breanna Williams, Jodie Jones and Wanda Redmon.
The Smithville aldermen have yet to decide what to do about the Smithville Municipal Golf Course, which remains closed for now.
During Monday night's meeting, the aldermen voted to have a committee study to determine cost estimates and then have a workshop to discuss whether the city should hire someone to manage the operation or lease it.
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At the last meeting two weeks ago, the city set a Friday, November 12th deadline for anyone interesting in running the golf course to submit a proposal.
Tony Poss sent in a proposal with two options for the city to consider. The following is Poss's first proposal:
"I will honor any proposals already submitted to the City of Smithville. This is just another option I want the city to consider."
"I will pay the city $100 per year lease"
"The city will purchase a greens mower, golf carts, tractor and gang mower and any other equipment needed for the course that the city approves."
"If the city cannot purchase equipment necessary, I will consider furnishing the equipment needed".
"The city will pay all expenses associated with the pool including lifeguards wages."
"The city will provide insurance on all of the golf course and swimming pool property"
"The city will pay for any expenses on the equipment except fuel that the city purchases. If I purchase the equipment, I will pay for expenses on equipment that I purchase."
"I will hire the lifeguards and any other employees needed for the pool and the city will pay their wages"
"I would like a contract for 10 years and a 10 year extension in order to have time to rebuild the business."
The following is Poss's second proposal:
"I will honor any proposals already submitted to the City of Smithville. This is just another option I want the city to consider."
"I will pay the city $100 per month lease for 5 years and $150 per month for every month thereafter as long as I am the current tenant."
"The city will purchase a greens mower, golf carts, tractor and gang mower and any other equipment needed for the course that the city approves."
"The city will pay electric and water utilities during the months of April through October every year."
"The city will pay for any pool supplies needed and any repairs on the pool, golf course, and pro-shop."
"The city will provide insurance on all the golf course and swimming pool property."
"The city will pay for any expenses on the equipment except fuel."
"I will hire the lifeguards and any other employees needed for the pool and the city will pay their wages for 5 years. If after 5 years the golf course and pool is becoming profitable, I will pay for the lifeguards wages."
"I will return all money received from regular admission charges of the pool to the city during the first five years."
"I will retain all the revenues of the pro-shop and golf course"
"I would like a contract for 10 years and a 10 year extension in order to have time to rebuild the business."
"I would like to re-open the golf course as soon as possible to recruit new members and re-establish this business as a child-friendly, family oriented environment. The club house needs to be re-done and this will take a little time to make this transition. I will take care of the greens at no charge until the city can make all the legal paperwork official and award me the lease or managing position."
"I will give the city a 90 days notice of any intent to terminate a lease or managing position."
Mayor Taft Hendrixson said he found Poss's first proposal to be of some interest. But, Alderman Aaron Meeks said he wants to know what the city's costs would be before committing to any proposal. "I think we need some cost figures. I don't know how we can write a blank check without knowing what the amount on the check is going to be. One of these proposes that the city purchase the equipment. I don't know what the equipment costs. I have no idea. If the city is going to purchase it, I want to see figures on every single one of these items on what it's going to cost the city before I give it any consideration."
Poss said he would like for the aldermen to give him some indication of what they're going to do with the golf course. "I just need to know which direction or which proposal you're considering. Is it's Faron's or ours? We really don't have anything to start with."
Mayor Hendrixson responded, " My opinion may be different from the board's, but my opinion is that I would love to lease it to someone and they furnish their own equipment and I'd be willing (for the city) to maybe pay the pool expenses. But that's my opinion only."
Faron Hendrix of Smithville Golf Management, who recently terminated his golf course lease with the city for economic reasons, has also submitted proposals to manage the operation and possibly sell his golf course equipment to the city.
Speaking to the mayor and aldermen Monday night, Hendrix expressed his frustration with the city's indecision. "Steve (White), you asked for this (golf) course two years ago and how many times have you asked me for it since, for the city to run it? We don't know what you want. You tell us one thing and then you change your mind. Be honest. Be transparent. We still pay taxes in the city and we're tired of hearing it. You're not acting responsible at all. We've had a lot of people work over there for free to promote this course. We've been transparent and told you what the problem was but you're not reacting. We've given you proposals and you're not even reading them. The code says you can buy used equipment and we've offered it to you for hardly nothing to keep the thing going. A lot of people have worked hard and haven't made a dime over there and the course is in better shape than it's ever been and if you don't believe it, call Jim Alexander(former golf course manager). He knows what it was like when he left there. It was a dust bowl. We've got greens, t-boxes, and the fairways are decent. Had we gotten water (sprinkler system), you would have had something over there, but you don't have water on the fairways so you're dependent on the current conditions and climate. So what are you going to do? Are you going to close it? You have no answers for us. We're willing to help you. If you don't want us to have it, we're here to help you. We've offered everything to try and take care of it through April 1st. You didn't want to act on that. It's still my city. I pay taxes in this city and I work hard. I've given a lot of time over there. A lot more than any of you would ever give over there. We've tried to provide something for these kids and adults to do besides sit around and do nothing. It's a little bit of exercise."
Alderman Steve White said he has always preferred that the city assume control of the golf course and hire someone to manage it, while seeking grants to help improve it. Something, he said the city cannot do if it leases the golf course to some private individual or group as it has done in the past. "I still think the city needs to run it as I've always said. But I think that with these different proposals, some of them offer the opportunity for the city to run it and hire a manager. Some of them offer just like what you offered (Faron) for the city to take it over, get part of the proceeds so we can get grants, just like I've said from the beginning, and basically let the city sublease or subcontract the labor. I move that we either get a committee together to get some figures on what it would cost to purchase some used (golf course) equipment and to find out what expenses we're going to have and then maybe have a workshop on it in a few days."
The golf course committee, made up of Aldermen Steve White, W.J. (Dub) White, and Aaron Meeks are expected to meet soon at Steve White's suggestion to review the proposals and discuss potential costs to the city.
