Tom Duggin To Seek Office of DeKalb County Property Assessor

October 15, 2019
By:

Lifelong DeKalb County resident, Tom Duggin, has announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination for the office of Property Assessor in the March 3, 2020, Democratic Primary. Duggin picked up an application from the Election Commission Office Tuesday afternoon, October 15.

A native of Dowelltown, Duggin is the son of Tommy and Dorothy Duggin. He has two sisters, Kathy Malone of Dowelltown and Lisa Crary of Denver, Colorado, and one brother, Jack Walker of Denver. He is engaged to Lisa Santiago, formerly of Bruceton, Tennessee.

A 1993 graduate of DeKalb County High School, Duggin has spent most of his professional career working in local media. He served as an on-air personality, Program and Sports Director for WJLE Radio from 1992-2009. Duggin also worked as Sports Editor for the Smithville Review from 2005-09. In 2009, he was promoted to General Manager and Editor of the Review. He later worked as Publisher and Editor for the DeKalbCounty Times newspaper before going to work for DTC Communications full time in 2012. Duggin currently serves as a Video Production and Public Relations Specialist for the local telephone cooperative, while also serving as the play-by-play voice for football and basketball telecasts on DTC Sports.

“I have always taken a great deal of pride in serving my county,” said Duggin. “When this opportunity presented itself, I spent many, many hours talking to friends, family and most importantly, God, before I made my decision. I wanted to feel that I was making a 100-percent right decision to seek this office. My goal has always been to serve the people in DeKalb County to the best of my ability. I am proud to call DeKalb County home and have done so my entire life. Regardless of the outcome of next year’s election, I will always give my heart and soul to the people of this great county.”

While having never sought a county office, Duggin is not a complete stranger to public office. He served as a city councilman for one term in the town of Dowelltown, back in the mid-2000s. He became the third generation of his family to serve in that capacity.

“I was always taught that serving your community was extremely important,” Duggin said. “Whether you are a public official or just part of your community, I’ve always believed it’s important to help, any time you can.”

“If I am elected, I plan to hit the groud running on Day One, and I want anyone who has any questions or concerns to contact me. My door and my phone will always be available to anyone who wants to talk to me.”

October 14, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A 10 year old Smithville boy with a desire to be a dirt bike racing champion has made his wish come true.

Jacob Stewart won the 2019 Kentucky State Motocross Championship in the 65 cc class Sunday beating out over 80 of the fastest bikers in the country on his 2019 Husqvarna 65 as part of the two day Kentuckiana MX Championship series held at Echo Valley MX Park in Sebree, Kentucky.

Stewart qualified for the race’s main event by placing 2^nd in the preliminaries on Saturday and he won Sunday’s race to take the overall championship in his class.

“Jacob has competed in an American Motocross Association (AMA) race for the last four years always hoping to bring home a state and national championship and he finally got it done this time,” said his proud father D.J. Stewart

October 14, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The Election Commission has already issued three qualifying petitions for the March 3 DeKalb County Democratic Primary.

Administrator Dennis Stanley confirms that Waylon Kyle in the 1^st district, Mark Milam in the 5^th district, and Johnny King in the 7^th district picked up petitions Monday for the office of Constable. Milam and King are incumbent constables planning to seek re-election.

Today (Monday) is the first day potential candidates running for Constable and Assessor of Property next March may obtain a petition.

Local primaries will be held in conjunction with the Presidential Preference Primary on March 3.

“The DeKalb County Democratic Party will hold a primary for the office of Assessor of Property and Constable in all seven districts,” said Stanley. “The Republican Party will select their nominees for those offices by caucus.” In addition, both local parties will hold a primary for the office of Criminal Court Judge Part II in the 13^th Judicial District.

“I understand it can be a little confusing to the voters and candidates,” Stanley said, “but in simple terms Democratic candidates for Assessor of Property, Constable and Circuit Court Judge must qualify by petition and they are now available. Republican candidates for Circuit Court Judge only must qualify by petition. The other offices are chosen by another party method.”

He also reminded potential Independent candidates that they must qualify by the petition process and can obtain a petition beginning at the same time, even though they would not appear on the ballot until August.

Here are the key dates for the March 3, 2020 election:

First day to pick up petitions—October 14

Qualifying deadline—Noon December 12

Voter registration deadline—February 3, 2020

Early Voting period—Feb. 12 through February 25, 2020