Center Hill Lake’s Ragland Bottom Day Use Beach reopens

August 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces that Ragland Bottom Day Use Beach at Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tenn., is reopened as water conditions have returned to acceptable levels.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers at Center Hill Lake closed the beach abruptly Aug. 2, 2019 due to elevated levels of Escherichia coli (E. Coli.). The two other designated swimming areas at Floating Mill Recreation Area tested in the normal range and remained open.

Droppings from non-migrating geese are suspected to be the culprit of the high bacteria levels at Ragland Bottom and measures are being taken to prevent future occurrences. Visitors are encouraged not to feed geese around designated swimming beaches and are asked to report any health related illness to local county health departments.

The Nashville District routinely tests water quality throughout the recreation season at its designated beaches and swimming areas at all 10 lakes in the Cumberland River Basin. For more information about water quality in Tennessee, please visit https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/water-quality.html. For more information about water quality in Kentucky, please visit https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/Pages/default.aspx.

August 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen plan to have a workshop soon to address a couple of complaints which were raised by citizens during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

During the public comment period John Daniels asked that the city take action to prohibit or limit the firing of fireworks in the city, particularly at night in residential neighborhoods.

Another citizen, Joann Hargrave has called for the city to replace at least one attendant at Green Brook Park claiming that she and her child have been the victims of verbal harassment by that city park employee.

On the fireworks issue, Daniels said they were fired off so often in his neighborhood around and even after the 4^th of July that it kept him awake at night and disturbed his pet dog. Daniels said it amounts to disturbing the peace.

“Places I have lived in the past you could not do that in the city. If you want to go out on the farm and do it that’s your business, but not in the city. Apparently here you can. I don’t think its right. Look at this and see if something can be done,” said Daniels.

While there are no city codes or ordinances in place to restrict the firing of fireworks except in the central business district, public complaints could be addressed under the city’s ordinance  regulating excessive noise but typically discharging fireworks  is expected nightly up until around 10 or 10:30 p.m. within the 4^th of July holiday time period.

As for the complaints about Green Brook Park, Hargrave said park rules are so strictly enforced by these park attendants that kids aren’t allowed to run, get loud, and have fun. Hargrave claims she and her friends have also been told that they can’t sit at the gazebo or shelters unless they make a donation.

“Green Brook Park is a beautiful place for our kids to play and its not right for them to be treated like that. We need new park employees,” she said.

Hargrave said the park seems to be more for the elderly than kids in that no bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades are allowed. She also said that the park attendants should not be allowed to drive in and park their personal vehicles by the shelters because that could pose a safety hazard.

“After you called me I contacted the public works director and he has addressed the situation with the park employees. Since then two of them, on the night shift and weekend shift, have resigned but not the day shift employee,” said Mayor Josh Miller.

August 5, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville has a new manager at the airport.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the aldermen voted to hire Mike Carpenter to succeed Joe Johnson who announced his resignation last month.

Carpenter’s hiring came upon a favorable recommendation from the Smithville Airport Advisory Board.

“I want to thank you for your confidence. I look forward to increasing the scope of the airport and the community awareness of the airport. I also want to give accolades to Joe (Johnson). He has worked tirelessly in increasing the infrastructure of the airport. He has been a good friend. We also have a great community of guys at the airport and I am proud to be part of that,” said Carpenter in addressing the mayor and aldermen.

“I will be trying to expand our services and bring in different types of flight utilization including ultra lights and drone piloting for young people. The FAA approved Amazon for drone usage and a lot of young people need to understand that and learn about drones and the basics of aeronautics . I look forward to things like that. I’d also like to have movie nights for the community. Maybe once a month have a movie and popcorn and show some good old fashioned movies and do something that brings the community to the airport. I am excited and looking forward to it,” added Carpenter.

In other business, the aldermen reappointed Walter Burton to another term as a member of the Smithville Electric System Board of Directors.

Burton, who is chairman of the SES board, serves with fellow members Jason Murphy, Hilton Conger, Sandra Wall, and Mayor Josh Miller.