State Senator Mark Pody Visits with County Commission (VIEW VIDEO HERE)

January 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

State Senator Mark Pody paid a call on the county commission Thursday night.

The purpose of his visit was to hear from the commissioners on questions or concerns they have as the Tennessee General Assembly begins a new session.

M2U02882 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“I want to work with you. If there are private acts or things you want us to fight for I want to hear about it now. I also want to come back when we’re done to answer questions. I want to talk to you in person to explain why we did what we did good or bad. We want to hear it,” he said.

After handing the commissioners a statement showing what the state is spending and how much is coming back to the counties, Senator Pody talked about Governor Bill Lee’s first executive order focusing on addressing the needs of rural Tennessee.

“One of the governor’s priorities and that of the legislature is to get the things we need for our rural communities whether it be broadband, infrastructure, jobs, and economic growth. We also want to make sure schools have what they need here. That is going to be one of the priorities the governor plans to put forth and we try to back up to make sure we get things we need here for the county,” said Senator Pody.

“What specifically is in the executive order? Does it mean giving counties more money to take care of schools?” asked seventh district commissioner Bruce Malone.

“Yes. What the governor specifically wants to do is help the CTE program. The career and technical training. We have been focusing on trying to get people to go into college. The governor believes we should get more money into our high schools for specific training so if students go into trades the schools would have money to train them?” answered Pody.

“Does that include money for capital projects?” asked Malone.

“No. It would be for classes,” said Pody.

“What about teacher salaries and benefits?” asked Malone.

“Yes. I believe Tennessee has already increased teachers pay more as a percentage than anywhere in the nation. We have tried to put more money into teacher salaries in the last six years and this governor wants to do the same thing. The last time we did it we wanted every teacher to have almost a one thousand dollar raise. We gave it to the school boards but it was up to them to divide it out and make those decisions. I don’t remember how many millions of dollars it was but we voted on it to put that extra money toward teacher raises in the last budget. We put that money to the local school boards but we don’t want to tell the school boards how to spend it. We said here is the money and this is what we would like to see but the school boards make those decisions,” Pody explained.

January 24, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The Extended Arms Project is excited to announce its first annual “Labor of Love” Dinner and Concert.

The non-profit will host a dinner and concert on February 9, 2019, at the DeKalb County Complex located at 712 S. College Street Smithville, TN 37166.

The Extended Arm’s Project, a division of Young Harmony, Inc., is a non-profit organization with a mission of aiding the underprivileged with physical, emotional and inspirational needs. Extended Arms currently operates in Atlanta, GA., Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, TN., Smithville TN and Cincinnati and Lexington, KY reaching 20,000 people each year.

The dinner will be at 5 p.m. and will cost $15.00 per adult and $8.00 per child (6-12), children 5 and under eat free. The Concert will follow the dinner, starting at 6 p.m. and is free to everyone and for those who purchase a dinner ticket, they will receive preferred seating. A love offering will be collected.

The Concert will include The Nunley’s, The Agee Family and Johnathan Bond.

To purchase tickets for the dinner please contact Wanda Redmon at 615-351-1119.

All proceeds will benefit the Extended Arms Project, a non-profit outreach program, with a mission to help those in need. For more information on the Extended Arms Project visit, www.ExtendedArmsProject.com

January 24, 2019
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb West School paid honor to a longtime Bulldog supporter January 14 during the last home basketball game of the season.

DeKalb West School dedicated the basketball score table in memory of the late Jimmy Reasonover, who worked for over 30 years as the school’s official clock keeper. His widow, Jean, and sons, Larry and Robbie, also were given a plaque to thank them “for sharing him with this school and county’s youth.”

“During this time, Mr. Reasonover also kept the clock for the high school as well as helped coach several Little League teams as well as area football teams,” Principal Sabrina Farler told the crowd. “Mr. Jimmy always made sure kids got to practices as well as back home safely by loading the car and taking them with his own kids.”

“Mr. Reasonover loved DeKalb West School, although basketball was the sport that he enjoyed the most. The basketball program was second only to the love for his family and church. Uncle Jimmy would be at every game only missing for a church event or to go watch his grandkids play ball.”

“We lost Mr. Reasonover this year. He loved keeping the clock and watching the game. He did a great job, and we miss seeing him sitting alongside Mrs. Pat.”

“Although someone else will step in and do a wonderful job, we will always remember Mr. Jimmy, and he will be missed.”

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