Democratic Candidates Make Announcements During Mass Meeting

February 17, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Candidates for various public offices announced their intentions during the DeKalb County Democratic Party Mass Meeting Saturday at the high school cafeteria.

The May 1st DeKalb County Democratic Primary will feature two contested races for county offices including County Mayor and Circuit Court Clerk.

The candidates for County Mayor are first term incumbent Tim Stribling, former three term County Mayor Mike Foster, and Incumbent 3rd district County Commissioner Bradley Hendrix. The winner of the Primary will face Independent candidate Randy Paris in the August County General Election.

Incumbent Democratic Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack is not seeking re-election to a fifth term this year. The Democratic candidates for the office are Nicole Wright, an employee of the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, and Incumbent fifth district constable Mark Milam. The winner of the Primary will face Republican Susan Martin in the County General Election.

Ms. Pack was presented a special gift during the mass meeting. The presentation of a clock was made by Nicole Wright and Party Chairman Jordan Wilkins. Pack’s grandson Brayden Summers also gave her a bouquet of roses.

Incumbent County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss and Incumbent Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen will be unopposed in the Democratic Primary and in the County General Election on August 2nd. Poss will be re-elected to his second term. McMillen is on the way to winning his ninth term.

Also running unopposed in the Democratic Primary are Michael Agee for Sheriff and Jimmy Sprague for Road Supervisor. Both will face opposition in August. Agee will be trying to unseat three term Republican Incumbent Sheriff Patrick Ray. Sprague will face opposition from Republican Danny Hale. Both Sprague and Hale are hoping to succeed Incumbent Republican Road Supervisor Wallace (Butch) Agee who is not seeking a second term.

There is no Democratic or Independent candidate for Trustee. Republican Incumbent Sean Driver will be elected to his fourth term in August.

Democratic County Commission candidates making their intentions known in person Saturday included: Dennis Slager in the 1st district; Nora Harvey and Incumbent Joe Johnson in the 2nd district; Bobby Johnson and Incumbent Jack Barton in the 3rd district; Dr. Scott Little in the 4th district; Lloyd Emmons in the 5th district; and Incumbent Larry Summers in the 7th district.

Democratic County Commission candidates who were unable to attend the meeting Saturday but had others making announcements for them were Incumbent Julie Young in the 1st district, Myron Rhody in the 2nd district, Jenny Trapp in the 3rd district, Janice Fish-Stewart in the 4th district, Incumbent Anita Puckett in the 5th district, Incumbent Betty Atnip in the 6th district, and Beth Pafford and Incumbent Kevin Robinson in the 7th district.

Other Democratic County Commission candidates absent Saturday were Bobby Taylor and Incumbents Jonathan Norris and Wayne Cantrell in the 4th district and Incumbent Jeff Barnes in the 6th district.

A Republican candidate will also be on the ballot for the county commission in each of the seven districts on August 2.

Although the Smithville Municipal Election is non-partisan, Incumbent Mayor Jimmy Poss announced his bid for re-election in August and Incumbent Alderman Gayla Hendrix, who was unable to attend the meeting, made her re-election plans known through a spokesperson.

Prior to the local candidates, Mary Mancini, Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, delivered the keynote address to the party faithful followed by speeches from former Governor Phil Bredesen, former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, State House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, and State Senate candidate Mary Alice Carfi.

Bredesen is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in August hoping to capture the seat in November now held by Republican Senator Bob Corker. Dean and Fitzhugh are in the hunt for the Democratic nomination for Governor in August hoping to succeed Republican Governor Bill Haslam in November.

Carfi, who narrowly lost to Republican Mark Pody in the December special election for the State Senate in District 17 is seeking the Democratic nomination in August looking to unseat Pody in November.

More on their remarks in later stories.

February 16, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Former Governor Phil Bredesen, former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, and State House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh are among those expected to attend Saturday’s DeKalb County Democratic Party Mass Meeting at the DCHS Cafeteria. The event begins at 10 a.m.

Bredesen is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in August hoping to capture the seat in November now held by Republican Senator Bob Corker. Dean and Fitzhugh are in the hunt for the Democratic nomination for Governor in August in hopes of succeeding Republican Governor Bill Haslam in November.

Mary Alice Carfi, who narrowly lost to Republican Mark Pody in the December special election for the state senate in District 17, will also make an appearance at the mass meeting. She is seeking the Democratic nomination for the state senate in August hoping to unseat Pody in November.
The keynote speaker for the mass meeting will be Mary Mancini, Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

Local and state democratic candidates for public office will be recognized and given an opportunity to formally announce their candidacies to kick off the 2018 election year.

Meet the candidates for Governor, US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, State Representative, County Mayor, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Supervisor, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, County Commission, School Board, City Council.

The event will feature live music by Jake Hoot, coffee, donuts, and conversation

February 16, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Foutch Industries held an employee appreciation lunch Thursday to recognize employees for their years of service.

Tracy Foutch, the owner of the company, presented certificates to employees with one year or more including Rafael Garcia, who has served the longest at twenty years.

Plant Manager Rollin Kellog, Jr. was also recognized. Kellog has decided to retire after eight years of service and Foutch presented him with a plaque.

Foutch Industries currently has 130 employees working three shifts on multiple lines and continues to grow.

“We are looking at adding 75 to 80 people. We’ve acquired the old Texas Boot plant (on Miller Road). Right now we are warehousing in that but are looking at a new operation to go in there. We could go up to 100 people in that facility,” said Foutch.

Foutch Industries is involved in the manufacturing, powder coating, and painting business serving industries needing automotive services, appliances, and retail store fixtures.
“We do powder coating and painting for people like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, General Motors, Ford, Electrolux, and various other companies. We also manufacture gondola shelving for people like Dollar General and other retailers,” added Foutch.

For more information about Foutch Industries visit www.foutchindustries.com.