Mayor and Aldermen Getting Serious About Tornado Warning Sirens for City

April 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Tornado warning sirens were on the minds of the Smithville mayor and aldermen during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

Mayor Josh Miller raised the issue during a work session last month with the aldermen and Smithville Fire Chief and DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker.

Automated tornado sirens strategically placed across the city could be set up to activate when tornado warnings are issued for this area. When the sirens are activated, they would sound alerting the public to seek shelter immediately.

Currently the city’s only outdoor warning alert is an antiquated siren atop the city hall building.

Since the work session last month Parker has contacted a company which conducted a survey of the town and made a recommendation on a system for the City of Smithville. In the package, Parker said the city would get two sirens, placed near either the hospital or high school, and at the airport. The projected costs for the sirens and automated software system to trigger it would be about $73,000. While the survey showed that two sirens would be sufficient to cover the city limits, Parker said the system would have the capability of adding more sirens if needed.

The mayor and aldermen will consider including funding for tornado sirens for the 2020-21 fiscal year during budget preparation meetings which are expected to begin soon.

April 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night paused to pay tribute to a former mayor and alderman who passed away last week.

Mayor Josh Miller recognized the longtime community service of 94 year old Edward Frazier, who served a Smithville alderman and mayor during the 1970s. Frazier was also a World War II veteran and a successful businessman.

“The City of Smithville and our community lost a great friend and supporter when Mr. Edward Frazier passed away at his residence on Friday, April 3, 2020.”

“Mr. Frazier lived a full and interesting life. He was born to Robert Lee Frazier and Hassie Hubbard Frazier on March 13, 1926 on a farm in the Dry Creek community of DeKalb County.”

“Mr. Frazier was drafted into the U.S. Army as soon as he got out of high school in 1944. He took basic training at Camp Forrest, TN and advanced infantry training at Camp Blanding, Florida. After his training, he was shipped to England where he joined the 99th Infantry Division. His division crossed the English Channel and was on duty in the Ardennes region of Belgium when the German army invaded in the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Frazier was a combat infantryman who fought the enemy in Belgium, crossed the Rhine River on the Remagen Bridge and fought in southern Germany until he war ended with Germany’s surrender. For his exemplary combat service, Mr. Frazier was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.”

“After the war, Mr. Frazier went into the nursery business in Smithville as owner and president of Frazier Brothers Nursery Company. He married Frances Fuston and to them were born Susan (Hinton) and Edward, Jr.”

“Mr. Frazier served the Smithville community by his service on the city council for many years and as mayor two terms. He was an active leader in many civic organizations, including the American Legion where he served as commander of Smithville POST 122. Mr. Frazier for many years was the community leader for the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day remembrance events at the courthouse.”

“Mr. Frazier was a tireless promoter of Smithville. During his service on the city council and in the mayor’s office, many infrastructure improvements were made to the city’s streets, parks, water system, and airport, and new municipal buildings were constructed: the city hall, the library, and the post office. The legacy of Edward Frazier’s service to our community can be seen all over town.

“Edward Frazier was a good and honorable man who loved his family and his community. The City of Smithville is a better place because of Edward Frazier, and we are grateful for his life and his service to our nation and city,” said Mayor Miller.

April 7, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A Blood Assurance drive is set for Friday, April 10th.

The blood drive will be from 8 a.m. until 12 noon outside in the parking lot of the Family Medical Center in the bloodmobile.

You may schedule an appointment at www.bloodassurance.org/familymedctr. You may also contact Michiko Martin concerning the blood drive at 615-597-4395 or mmartin@dtccom.net.

Remember to eat a good meal, drink additional water, and avoid energy drinks and bring a photo ID.

Donors can now download the BA App and answer their health questions prior to coming to the bus. Just download “bloodassurancequickscreen” and answer the questions to the end hit DONE day of the blood drive. This will save you 10 minutes on the bus.

All donors will be given a “Happy Camper Southern Blood Donor” t-shirt.

Blood Assurance is the sole blood provider for the local hospitals and your donation is needed for an adequate supply.