All Shook Up!

October 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

All shook up!

A pressure wave from a blasting operation at the Rogers Group run rock quarry on Highway 53 in Liberty last week sent shock waves through the area as a few residents and businesses experienced some damage including broken windows.

According to the State Fire Marshall’s Office, the blasting by Austin Powder Shooting was a little over pressurized exceeding the state allowable level of 140db.

If you experienced damage from the incident, you may contact the blasting company’s insurance company at 216-310-4719. Others with concerns may contact Joe Baker at the State Fire Marshall Office at Joe.baker@tn.gov or call 615-478-2549.

October 10, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

City leaders didn’t have far to go to find a new financial advisor.

Zachary Benton (Ben) Guffey of Baxter has officially taken over from longtime Certified Municipal Finance Officer Janice Plemmons-Jackson who stepped down last month.

Guffey actually went to work for the City of Smithville in a limited role back in June but is now on the job as a full-time city employee.

He explained how he learned of this job opportunity.

“One of (City Administrator) Hunter Hendrixson’s good friends and I were having lunch and ran into Hunter. He mentioned that the city was looking for an accountant because Janice was planning to retire and I just so happened to be available,” said Guffey.

Born and raised in Baxter, Guffey still makes his home there with his wife of three years and their six-month-old son. He is a graduate of Upperman High School where he played football and basketball and then furthered his education at Tennessee Tech University beginning in 2016. Guffey earned his finance degree in 2019.

“From there I went straight into public accounting and some investments as well. I did that for about three and a half years and found my way here,” said Guffey.

While not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Guffey is currently working on becoming a Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO).

“You can be a CPA or get your CMFO license. I am doing the CMFO side. You have to take a course for that. Its eleven exams and I am currently in the process of doing that. You get two years to do it from your hire date so I should finish out in plenty of time,” he said.

“A CMFO oversees the entire financial operations of the city including all the money coming in and all the money going out,” explained Guffey. “We make sure things are being recorded and handled accurately, give advice to the mayor and city administrator on what we think is the right or wrong calls to make about certain expenditures or how spending may be increased or decreased here and there. I work with everybody (city hall) to make sure everything is moving and operating efficiently, and things are being taken care of on time. The main goal is really oversight of the entire financial operations of the city. A third party (John Poole of Hendersonville) comes in and audits our financials once a year,” he said.

Guffey said he loves the new job and looks forward to a long association with the City of Smithville.

During his spare time, Guffey said he enjoys hanging out with family and a game of golf now and then.

“I live a pretty simple life. I am not a complex person”.

October 10, 2023
By: Bill Conger

For the second year in a row the DeKalb County High School Fighting Tiger Marching Band has received an invite to the state championship. Band Director Don Whitt says the band will be performing first at the 42nd Annual Tennessee Division II State Marching Band Championship.

“We have a tremendous team of people that we work with,” Director Whitt said. “We will have to be on our A game regardless of when we go on. We are going up against some very talented bands. I am very humbled and honored to be able to not only work with such an amazing team of students but also to represent DeKalb County and its community. We have so many things to be proud of including our band boosters, teachers, and administration.

The state championship will take place November 4th at Stewarts Creek High School.