Phase One of Alexandria Downtown Project Complete
by: Dwayne PageMay 02, 2025
The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the completion of phase one of the Alexandria Downtown Project.
Three years ago, the Chamber applied to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for Alexandria to be accepted into the Tennessee Downtowns Program. Following the town’s acceptance into the program, a Downtown Alexandria Committee was formed, consisting of Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Ria Baker, Judy Sandlin, Pat Parkerson, and Phillip Holmes.
“The news of Alexandria’s acceptance into the program was incredibly exciting,” said Williams. “It marked the beginning of a journey to revitalize the downtown and attract new investment.”
Participation in the program required the steering committee to complete a year of specialized training before qualifying for a $15,000 grant to kickstart improvement efforts. The project’s primary goals were to launch renovations and generate renewed interest in Alexandria’s downtown to attract investors and businesses.
Completed Phase One Projects Include:
At Alexandria Medical Center, the entire building was power washed and all four exterior walls were painted.
At Junk n Jewels, a new front door and a new screen door were installed, and exterior painting and caulking were completed.
At the Tinsley Building, a new metal awning was installed.
At the Alexandria Masonic Lodge, the front brickwork was power washed; all exterior walls and rear doors were painted; the metal-framed windows were repaired, primed, and painted; broken and missing window glass was replaced; a new metal platform for the rear steps and landing was repaired and installed; the platform, steps, and landing were painted; two front plate glass windows were replaced; and the entry glass door was removed and replaced.
“With phase one complete, we’re preparing to apply for a $300,000 Downtown Improvement Grant this June,” Williams shared. “This funding will allow us to make major improvements to the remaining building exteriors.”
Committee member Ria Baker added, “These improvements are already making a visible difference, and we’re excited to see even more progress as we continue to move forward.”
Looking ahead, Williams announced that the committee moving forward into phase two will consist of Judy Sandlin, Pat Parkerson, Phillip Holmes, Dennis Slager, Suzanne Williams, Emily Bell, and Jamie Bates.
Williams also noted the growing interest from new investors in downtown Alexandria. “We’re excited about the momentum that’s building. Our state consultant, Bridgett Jones, has been instrumental in guiding us to make informed, impactful decisions.”
“We’re grateful to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for this opportunity to breathe new life into Alexandria’s downtown,” Williams added. “These improvements not only boost our local economy but also enhance our appeal as a tourism destination.”
For more information about the Alexandria Downtown Project, contact the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce at 615-597-4163.
DCHS Graduation Only Two Weeks Away! (View WJLE Class of 2025 Photo Gallery Here)
by: Dwayne PageMay 01, 2025
Graduation for the DCHS Class of 2025 is only two weeks away!
The commencement will be Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. on the DCHS football field.
WJLE and participating sponsors are presenting a photo gallery of the DCHS Class of 2025.
Click on the link below to view the senior formals.
Once you open the page, click each photo to view a larger image. The name of the senior you select is at the bottom of the photo.
There are 173 photos in the gallery divided up 48 photos to a page. After you view page 1 be sure to click the links for pages 2-4 (top or bottom of the page) to view the remaining photos.
WJLE thanks the sponsors for April as follows:
State Representative Michael Hale
DeKalb Funeral Chapel
Alexandria Auto Parts
DeKalb Prevention Coalition
FirstBank
Gill Automotive
Good Health Family Clinic
General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Brandon Cox
Register of Deeds Daniel Seber
County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss
County Mayor Matt Adcock
Road Supervisor Danny Hale
Smithville Church of Christ
Smithville FBC (First Baptist Church)
Josh & Melissa Miller Farmhouse Realty the Miller Team
Crossroads Medical Group-Smithville Office (Family Medical Center)
WJLE thanks the sponsors for May as follows:
State Representative Michael Hale
DeKalb Funeral Chapel
Liberty State Bank
DeKalb Prevention Coalition
FirstBank
Gill Automotive
General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Brandon Cox
Register of Deeds Daniel Seber
County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss
Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell
Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin
Smithville Church of God
Smithville Church of Christ
Smithville FBC (First Baptist Church)
Trustee Sean Driver
Bryan’s Auto Repair & Towing
Crossroads Medical Group-Smithville Office (Family Medical Center)
Josh & Melissa Miller Farmhouse Realty the Miller Team
A temporary pause in new spending!
by: Dwayne PageApr 30, 2025
A temporary pause!
Except for county employee step increases and the state mandated pay raises for county officials, the budget committee Tuesday night voted to put a temporary “freeze” on new (extra) spending requests for the 2025-26 fiscal year pending a resolution of the jail construction issue.
Budget committee member Tony Luna made the motion.
“The elephant in the room is this jail project that we have going on. I would like to make a motion to freeze all pay raises and freeze the budget on everything except the step raises and the mandatory raises until we get past this jail construction (issue). Once we get past this jail construction (issue) then we will know what real money we have to spend. Until then I just don’t see how we can go any further,” said Commissioner Luna.
Budget committee member Tony (Cully) Culwell seconded the motion, and it was approved on a voice vote. Members of the budget committee in attendance were Sabrina Farler, Glynn Merriman, Mathias Anderson, Daniel Cripps, Tony Luna, and Tony (Cully) Culwell. Chairman Jeff Barnes was absent.
The budget committee also voted to keep part time pay for the 2025-26 fiscal year at the current level of $12.00 per hour across the board for all county part time personnel on a motion made by Culwell.
During the meeting, the budget committee began the process as scheduled of approving revenues and expenditures in several departments and categories of the overall budget including for the county commission, board of equalization, beer board, county mayor, county attorney, register of deeds, planning, county buildings, other general administration, property assessor, county trustee, county clerk, circuit court clerk, general session court, and drug court. In some cases, action was taken to temporarily table budget requests where department heads had asked for additional staff or pay raises for part time employees. Action will be taken on other department requests in later budget meetings
After the meeting, Commissioner Luna further explained his intent behind the motion on the freeze in proposed new spending. “The reason is we just don’t know what our budget is. I think everybody deserves a raise but how can we divvy out raises to everyone when we don’t even know what our budget is until we get the jail situation taken care of. I really wanted to get past the jail and hopefully get everybody what they are asking for. Everybody deserves what they are asking for but we’ll have to cut back some I’m sure but we have to get past this jail situation, so we know what’s left,” said Luna.