DeKalb Democratic Party Chairman Responds to County Clerk’s Decision to Join GOP

October 9, 2020
By:

The DeKalb County Democratic Party Chairman is responding to County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss’ decision to join the Republican Party.

Poss, who is in his second term as County Clerk, ran both times as a Democrat but announced this week that he is switching his party affiliation to the GOP based on differences he has with the national Democratic Party leadership. Poss said he plans to seek re-election in 2022 as a Republican

Local Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Wilkins issued the following statement Friday morning on behalf of the party.

“By choosing to make his announcement three weeks before the Presidential election and two years
before he is up for re-election, and by stating that he is doing so because he does not agree with the leadership of the national Democratic Party, Mr. Poss has implicitly endorsed the leadership of the national Republican Party which represents the ugliest part of recent political history. This leadership is known for his lies, separating children from families and locking them in cages, openly and publicly mocking the disabled, calling veterans and soldiers losers and suckers, sexism and lack of respect for women as evidenced in public comments, trying to get rid of Social Security (enacted during the Roosevelt (D) Administration and Medicare enacted during the Johnson (D) Administration, promoted self-interest at the expense of the public interest and using the White House for personal gain contrary to the Constitution, refused to denounce white supremacy groups which initiate violent acts against citizens and more recently solicited a white supremacy group to “stand back and standby”, ordered the military to attack American citizens who were exercising their Constitutional right to free speech”.

“The national Democratic Party supports law, order and justice for everyone. We especially support the motto of the mission to “protect and serve”. Contrary to Republican claims, the national leadership of the Democratic Party, Mr. Biden, publicly supports providing more money for the police and does not support “defunding” the police while Trump’s budget cut money for the police”.

“Another point in Mr. Poss’s statement has to do with religion. The U. S. Constitution asks for separation of church and state. Public officials are elected to serve the common interest and the public good not to impose their individual version of God. The Republicans do not have a lock on God. Christ’s teachings and practices of feeding the poor, healing the sick, and welcoming strangers in Luke and Matthew provide a model for social responsibility for all of our fellow human beings. The leadership of the national Democratic Party, Mr. Biden, has been a life-long Christian in practice and belief not for convenience and rhetoric but for soul and spirit”.

“While the local Democratic Party has lost one person, Forbes Magazine (September 2020) published
a long list of Republicans who have served in government, the military, politicians, and business
leaders and former CEOs who are actively supporting the national leadership of the national
Democratic Party. These include former President George W. Bush and the widow of former Senator and Presidential candidate, Mr. John McCain, who was a prisoner of war while serving his country.
Trump mocked McCain’s heroism”.

“And, we can’t leave unsaid that the current national leadership of the Republican Party dismantled the office for disaster and pandemics based on issues raised by President George W. Bush (R) as early as 2005 and continued and was formalized under President Barack Obama (D). By doing so, the current leadership of the Republican Party did away with a government infrastructure office that would have helped to manage the Covid 19/Coronavirus in January 2020. His denial and refusal to listen to people in the medical profession and to scientists have no doubt caused premature deaths of many people and also led to a worsening economy. After all is said and done, this is what Mr. Poss has chosen to align himself with”.

“We are puzzled by the timing and the reasoning of Mr. Poss’s announcement to switch Party affiliation. The platform and perspective of the national Democratic Party has not changed during the time Mr. Poss has twice been a candidate for office and was elected as a Democrat. Mr. Poss’s decision has been a shock to everyone who worked with him in the local Democratic Party on several issues. I certainly enjoyed working with him,” said Wilkins.

October 9, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers will step outside the region tonight (Friday) to face the Smith County Owls at Carthage.

The Tigers enter the game at 4-3 while the Owls are 2-4. Both teams are coming off wins last week.

DeKalb County defeated Livingston Academy 38 to 14 for homecoming while the Owls beat Sequatchie County 24 to 16.

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said he was pleased overall with his team’s performance last week against the Wildcats.

“That was a nice win for our guys. I really liked how we performed all week during practice. I think the preparation we put in Monday through Thursday was definitely visible Friday night. That was a big win for us. It keeps us where we want to be in the region standings. What we taught our guys all week is ultimately last week’s game will get verified with how we perform this week. We want to continue executing well and playing good football. We don’t want to ride a roller coaster and dip back down. We’re really excited to get back out here and have another opportunity to perform,” said Coach Trapp.

As for tonight’s opponent, Smith County. “Those guys play hard. They had a lot of guys who graduated last year that were heavy producers for them so there are some young guys on their squad this year but they are gritty. They have an offensive scheme very similar to what we do as far as formations, etc. We have been able to recreate that. It’s a lot different than trying to create wing-t. Defensively, it’s not a defense we haven’t seen before so its our job to make sure that the preparation we put in this week is seen out there on the field tonight,” added Coach Trapp.

Smith County has defeated York Institute 7-0 and Sequatchie County 24-16. The Owls’ losses have been to Macon County 43-7, Gordonsville 28-0, Upperman 42-14, and Livingston Academy 35-0.

DeKalb County has beaten Stone Memorial 31-30, Grundy County 32-0, Cannon County 49-7, and Livingston Academy 38-14. The Tigers’ losses have been to Warren County 30-24, Upperman 27-21, and to Watertown 21-14.

Class 4A Region 3 standings and team records:
*DeKalb County: 4-3 (2-0)
*Macon County: 6-1 (2-0)
*Livingston Academy: 5-2 (2-1)
*Stone Memorial: 3-5 (1-3)
*Cumberland County: 0-8 (0-3)

Kick-off will be tonight at 7 p.m.

WJLE’s pre-game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5 p.m. featuring former coaches Doug Matthews, Dave McGinnis, and broadcaster Larry Stone.

“Murphy’s Matchups” airs at 6 p.m. featuring the Guru of Tennessee High School Football Murphy Fair.

“Tiger Talk” begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring DCHS Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger Football Players Caven Ponder, Silas Cross, and Aidan Curtis. John Pryor, the Voice of the Tigers, is the host of the program.

WJLE’s “LIVE” play by play coverage starts at 7 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.

LISTEN LIVE ON WJLE AM 1480/ FM 101.7 and LIVE STREAMING at www.wjle.com.

October 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary School has announced the Students of the Month for September. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for September are:

Pre-K: Waymon Walker & Adlee Evans

Kindergarten: Arian Wiggins & Jordyn Cantrell

1st grade: Kylah Rogers & Andrea Kate Estes

2nd grade: Addison Curtis & Carson Strickland

Smithville Elementary has also announced its Teacher of the Month and Staff Member of the Month for September. The teacher of the month is Mrs. Leah Magness, who teaches 1st grade. The Staff Member of the Month is Mrs. Darlene Evans, who is a paraprofessional. These awards are sponsored by the PTO, and the recipients are voted on by the faculty and staff at Smithville Elementary.