DeKalb Election Commission Reorganizes

April 20, 2021
By:

Long-time member Walteen Parker has again been elected to serve a 7th term as Chairman of the DeKalb County Election Commission

Parker, who has served on the commission for nearly 30 years, was unanimously re-elected during Monday night’s reorganizational meeting.

Kim Luton, who was just appointed to the commission earlier this year, was unanimously elected the secretary.

Parker thanked the commission for her appointment and reminded the five-member board of its’ duties while referencing the “Mission Statement” on the election commission website,
“Our duties are specific and focused on protecting and preserving the fidelity of the election process and procedures,” she said.

The commission also unanimously reappointed Dennis Stanley as Administrator.

Parker pointed out that during his 12-year tenure Stanley has attended and led many professional development/training seminars and workshops and has periodically served on the Legislative Committee for several years. In 2011 Stanley conducted a presentation at the annual training session for administrators that remains on the state’s Administrator’s Training Site.

“He has successfully, efficiently, and professionally maintained the DeKalb County Election Office,” Parker said. “He is well respected by our state officials and election offices throughout the state. Needless to say, he is also admired and respected by our citizens and our election offices of DeKalb County.”

County election members are appointed every two years by the Tennessee Election Commission. Following each appointment, commissions reorganize by electing a chairman and secretary. The chairman represents the majority party and the secretary represents the minority party. Local election commissions are composed of three Republicans and two Democrats.

In addition to Parker and Luton, the DeKalb County Election Commission is made up of Barbara Vanatta, Jim Dean, and Yvette Tubbs Carver.

April 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Beautiful ladies from across Tennessee including one from DeKalb County competed in the annual Ms. Tennessee Senior America pageant held Saturday , April 17 at the historic Palace Theatre in Crossville.

Susan Hinton of Smithville, the first ever contestant from DeKalb County in the pageant, captured the “People’s Choice Award “ and received a crown, flowers, and sash along with $100. She represented the DeKalb County Fair, Grandpa Fair of the South, in the contest.

Hinton was among sixteen contestants vying for the crown. The 2021 Ms. Tennessee Senior America is Regina Elliott of Knoxville. Elliott succeeds the retiring Ms Tennessee Senior America Susan England of Sparta.

The Ms. Senior America Pageant is the world’s first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women who have reached the “Age of Elegance.” It is a search for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. The Ms. Senior America philosophy is based upon the belief that seniors are the foundation of America, and our most valuable treasure. It is upon their knowledge, experience and resources that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society.

Contestants must be at least 60 years of age and a Tennessee resident. Prior entrance in other pageants is not required.

Judging is based on interview, philosophy of life, talent presentation and evening gown appearance.

“My philosophy of life platform was about literacy education and that you are never too old to learn because it is not where you start but where you finish that counts,” said Hinton, a longtime educator.

Hinton’s talent presentation was a classical piano performance.

The Ms Tennessee Senior America pageant serves as the preliminary to the Ms Senior America Pageant.

April 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The city is closer to naming a successor to Mike Carpenter as airport manager.

During a special called city council meeting Monday night, Mayor Josh Miller informed the aldermen that three people have applied but the city’s airport advisory board has not yet made a recommendation.

Although the airport manager position is part-time, two of the three applicants would like to serve in the role full time. The third applicant would work part-time.

The new airport manager is expected to be hired at the next regular city council meeting on May 3.

Carpenter, who has served as airport manager since August, 2019, recently announced his resignation but is still at the airport for a few more days.

Jimmy Lewis will continue to serve as the city golf course maintenance caretaker for the next three years.

The city advertised and received bids through April 15.

Lewis, who has been the caretaker of the golf course grounds for the last couple of years, submitted a bid of $33,000 for the year which is the same price the city paid him last year. Another company, Williams & Sons Lawn Care sent in a bid of $42,000.

Lewis added in his bid that if the city were willing to let him have the contract for three years he would keep the price at $33,000 per year. The aldermen Monday night voted to award Lewis the contract for three years at $33,000 per year.

The aldermen hired Phillip Young as a seasonal employee to mow and bushhog this spring and summer. Young previously spent 23 years doing the same kind of work for the state.

The aldermen also authorized city public works director Kevin Robinson to place an order for a new backhoe, a cost to the city at the state bid price of $98,589. It may be October before the city gets the new backhoe.

A new backhoe will replace a 2017 model which was recently damaged and totaled after it struck a manhole. The city filed an insurance claim and is expected to receive $80,000. But the city can also buy back the damaged backhoe and sell it through govdeals.com for possibly up to $10,000. The city plans to include almost $22,000 in the 2021-22 budget to put toward the purchase of the new backhoe.