Matt Adcock Receives DeKalb Fire Department’s Biggest Award

January 21, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The 2017 Wilson Bank & Trust DeKalb County Volunteer Firefighter of the Year is Matt Adcock, Station Commander of the Belk Station.

Adcock received the award Saturday night during the Department’s Annual Awards Banquet held at the DeKalb County Complex.

Meanwhile, Captain Brian Williams was named the Wilson Bank & Trust DeKalb County Fire Department’s 2017 Officer of the Year and Steve Repasy, Station Commander of the Johnsons Chapel Station and Blake Cantrell both have been named to receive the Department’s 2017 “Git R Done” award. Cantrell was absent during the banquet and will be presented his award later. The “Rookie” award went to Firefighter Luke Green of the Main Station.

Adcock was nominated and received the Firefighter of the Year Award taking into consideration his fire call response, training attendance, and community service participation. Captain Michael Lawrence, who presented the award, said Adcock has excelled in all considerations used to evaluate the worthiness of earning this award.

“Matt was nominated this year and the evaluation of his nomination considered his fire call response, training attendance, and community service participation. The fire calls and training attendance stand for themselves. He excelled in both of those areas as he is among the very top of our membership when considering percentage of response and participation in both fire calls and training events. As for his community service, Matt has demonstrated outstanding community service by assisting other stations in conducting extra hands-on drills throughout the year, responding to emergency medical calls in his community as an Emergency Medical Responder, working with new recruits to complete required on-line courses, assists the Training Officer with conducting recruit orientation classes, and has actively participated in fire prevention and safety education events at our local schools. DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive image of commitment and sacrifice to the department and our communities, and there’s absolutely no doubt that Matt has earned the honor of being named DeKalb County Fire Department’s 2017 “Firefighter of the Year”, said Captain Lawrence.

Captain Williams earned the “Officer of the Year Award” for his achievements in training attendance, incident response, and community service.

“As the Training Officer, he does a tremendous job planning, coordinating, and scheduling training for our members,” said Chief Donny Green in presenting the award. “ Brian is among the top when it comes to incident responses and training attendance. In 2017, he led the department to be recognized as the 2nd highest volunteer department in the state for training hours at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy. Our department was only 13 hours short of being in the # 1 spot! Among all 732 fire departments in Tennessee, both career and volunteer, DeKalb County Fire Department ranked # 17,” said Chief Green. In addition to these recognized hours, Capt. Williams coordinated and scheduled over 3,000 man hours of in-house training at the department. On top of his training officer responsibilities, he volunteers to launder firefighters’ turnout gear and re-fill SCBA cylinders. He is always active in participating in fire prevention and safety education in local schools and other organizations. Lastly, as a member of the DeKalb Emergency Services Association, he played a big role in helping plan, prepare, and deliver almost 300 meals to the needy last Thanksgiving,” said Chief Green.

The “Git R Done Award” goes to a firefighter who demonstrates exceptional sacrifices by going above and beyond responding to calls and attending training. Captain Jay Cantrell said this year there are two “Git R Done” winners.

“Station Commander Repasy continuously makes himself available for anything this department asks of him. He sacrifices his time to run errands for our officers and is always available and willing to use his mechanical skills to repair and construct whatever we need. He is always at trainings and calls and still does all these extra things that makes our department better prepared to serve and respond,” said Captain Cantrell. In addition, he is very active in the Smithville Lions Club and the local Red Cross chapter where he frequently donates his time and services to assist victims of disasters”.

“Blake Cantrell serves as the department’s Communication Officer and also as the President of the DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA). During 2017, Blake led the association in planning, organizing, and implementing the first annual DESA Thanksgiving Day meal delivery program. On Thanksgiving Day, DESA delivered just over 270 meals to needy and shut-in residents in DeKalb County. Blake’s leadership and sacrifice played a huge role in making this effort so very successful. Blake also planned and organized DESA’s participation and sponsorship of the 2017 Camp Phoenix, an annual week-long camp held at Indian Creek Youth Camp in May. “Blake always has the “can-do” attitude and he worked hard to find sponsors and volunteers to make this a fun event for some very special children,” said Captain Cantrell. With his excellent information technology skills, Blake has gone above and beyond by installing a video surveillance system at the Main Station, setting up the department’s new text messaging system, and always keeping our computers working. Both Steve and Blake demonstrate the model of a “Git-R-Done” firefighter,” said Captain Cantrell. Their commitment to sacrifice of personal time, both in our department in the community, while leading with a positive “Git R Done” attitude, clearly shows why the awards panel chose both to be recognized as our 2017 recipients of this award,” said Captain Cantrell.

The “Rookie of the Year” award is exclusively based on hours of training and goes to a firefighter who completed his or her basic recruit training during 2017. Captain/Training Officer Brian Williams presented the award to Luke Green.

“ The department feels that the most important thing we can do for our new recruits is to give them basic training and reinforce the importance of continuous training. Consequently, training is the sole criteria used in the “Rookie of the Year” selection. From January 2017 through December 2017, Luke had 169 hours of training, including completion of the 64 hour Basic Firefighter Training. In addition to his Basic Recruit training, he has completed a long list of extra training courses to improve his firefighting skills. “We certainly want to recognize recruits who demonstrate an outstanding level of commitment to training. Our department is fortunate to have an excellent group of recruits who have contributed to our department being recognized with elite training awards for 9 consecutive years. We are proud of all of them and we are honored to name Firefighter Luke Green as our “Rookie of the Year” for 2017,” said Captain Williams.

Four members have earned pins for length of service awards.

10 years of service: Donnie Johnson, Main Station, and Shawn Puckett, Midway Station. Johnson was absent but will receive his pin later.

20 years of service: Ronald Merriman, Keltonburg Station

40 years of service: Hugh Washer, Cookeville Hwy. Station. Washer was absent but will receive his pin later.

Training attendance awards were presented to the following members with 100% training attendance: Matt Adcock, Justin Bass, Asst. Chief Anthony Boyd, Bill Brown, Chief Donny Green, Steven Lawrence, Lt. Andy Pack, Calvin Tramel, and Captain Brian Williams. Members with 75% training attendance were: Capt. Jay Cantrell, Clint Cope, Kyle Devers, Donnie Johnson, Lt. Dusty Johnson, Jerry Wayne Johnson, Chris Mulford, Lt. Jeremy Neal, Shawn Puckett, Steve Repasy, and Robert Sartin.

Honorary Lifetime Membership Award were presented to Calvin Tramel and Lieutenant Dusty Johnson.

“Tramel joined the department in 2004 and has served as Station Commander since 2006. He first served as Station Commander at the Midway station and now serves as Station Commander at our newest station, the Four Seasons Station, that is scheduled to be in operation my mid-Summer. “With training be an important part of our department’s success, this firefighter has not missed a monthly training session during his entire 13 years on the department. Whatever we are doing, whether training, fire calls, fundraisers, or special work projects, he is always there. Not only is he always there, most of the time he brings his family with him to help with fundraisers and other special events. He has a genuine interest in serving his community and he has made outstanding contributions to the betterment of our department and we are honored to present Calvin with this recognition and award,” said Jeff Williams, an Honorary Lifetime member himself who presented this years awards.

“Lt. Johnson served on the department from 1998 through 2005. After a few years away, he joined the department again in 2010 and has been an active member for a total of 14 years. He has served as a Lieutenant for 6 years and has provided significant contributions to improve the department. “This member has donated countless hour of his time and use of his equipment to help maintain our parking lot and installation of the natural gas back-up generator at the Main Station. No matter what time, day or night, he is willing to use his skills and equipment to help whenever he can. He always does his part in supporting our fundraising events and work sessions. His service to our community can further be seen in his leadership of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad, where he has served as the Captain for several years. His sacrifice and commitment to our department has been outstanding and we are very happy to be able to present Lt. Dusty Johnson with his Honorary Lifetime Membership Award,” said Lt.Williams.

Chief Green was honored by the department’s officers with a “Leadership Award”. “The award represents exceptional leadership paired with courage and a vision for positive change. This person unselfishly gives much more time and effort than expected and demonstrates a loyal commitment to the department and the community. The recipient of this award goes to Fire Chief Donny Green,” said Captain Brian Williams.

Chief Green highlighted some of the department’s major achievements in 2017 that have resulted in huge milestones. In August, the Department was awarded a $49,815 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) award that was used to purchase portable generators, automatic external defibrillators (AED’s), and water supply equipment. Also in August, for the ninth consecutive year, DeKalb County Fire Department was recognized as one of Tennessee’s elite fire departments for 2017 outstanding training achievement. Of the 732 fire departments in Tennessee, both volunteer and paid, the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department ranked # 17 for 2016-17 training achievement by the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy. Considering the ranking among departments that operate with 100% volunteer staff in the state, the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department ranked # 2. In October, site preparation work began on the site for the new fire station, the department’s 12th station, in the Four Seasons Community. The goal is to have the station constructed and have the station in operation by mid-Summer. Also in October, the department had 12 students graduate it’s 7th Citizens’ Fire Academy class. In November, several of the department’s members participated in the DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA) Thanksgiving meal for needy and underserved DeKalb County residents.

The evening began with a meal and entertainment from Ventriloquist David Turner and Friends. David is a DeKalb County resident and created his first ventriloquist figure at the age of 10. He was chosen to perform for the Armed Services and entertained in more than 13 countries. David and Friends perform for churches, fairs, conventions, civic groups, and corporations.

January 20, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Mayor Tim Stribling is now officially in the race for re-election.

Stribling filed his qualifying petition with the DeKalb County Election Commission Friday and it has been verified.

Third District County Commissioner Bradley Hendrix will be running against Stribling in the DeKalb County Democratic Primary on May 1. Hendrix has already filed his petition with the election commission and it has been verified.

Former County Mayor Mike Foster recently picked up his petition but has not yet filed it with the commission but the qualifying deadline is not until February 15.

No Republicans or Independents have announced for County Mayor.

Meanwhile, Liberty Mayor Dwight Mathis picked up his petition Friday to seek re-election The Liberty Municipal Election is August 2. A mayor and all five aldermen seats will be filled in the election that day in Liberty.

Darrell Johnson recently picked up a petition to run for Mayor of Liberty while Derek Johnson and William H. Reynolds have obtained petitions for an Alderman seat in Liberty. Reynolds is an incumbent seeking re-election.

Jennifer Winfree, GOP State Executive Committeewoman, has picked up a petition to seek re-election to that position.

The Election Commission Office has released the entire list of persons who have either obtained qualifying petitions or who have filed them and been verified as a candidate to date:

ISSUED FOR AUGUST ELECTIONS: (*) MEANS RETURNED AND VERIFIED

JIMMY POSS—MAYOR OF SMITHVILLE (INCUMBENT)

JOSH MILLER—MAYOR OF SMITHVILLE

JASON MURPHY—SMITHVILLE ALDERMAN (INCUMBENT)

GAYLA HENDRIX—SMITHVILLE ALDERMAN (INCUMBENT)

DWIGHT MATHIS-LIBERTY MAYOR (INCUMBENT)

DARRELL JOHNSON—LIBERTY MAYOR

DEREK JOHNSON—LIBERTY ALDERMAN

WILLIAM H. REYNOLDS—LIBERTY ALDERMAN (INCUMBENT)

DANNY PARKERSON—SCHOOL BOARD 1ST (INCUMBENT)

JERRY WAYNE JOHNSON—SCHOOL BOARD 2ND (INCUMBENT)

ALAN HAYES—SCHOOL BOARD 2ND

C.D. (CARL) WEBB—SCHOOL BOARD 2ND

ORVIL HENDRIX—SCHOOL BOARD 2ND

JIM BESHEARSE—SCHOOL BOARD 3RD (INCUMBENT)

KATE MILLER—SCHOOL BOARD 4TH (INCUMBENT)

SHAUN TUBBS—SCHOOL BOARD—7TH (INCUMBENT)

PETITIONS FOR MAY 1 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

*JAMES (JIMMY) POSS—COUNTY COURT CLERK (INCUMBENT) PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

*BRADLEY HENDRIX—COUNTY MAYOR. PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

MIKE FOSTER—COUNTY MAYOR

*TIM STRIBLING—COUNTY MAYOR (INCUMBENT).PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

MICHAEL AGEE—SHERIFF

*JIMMY SPRAGUE—ROAD SUPERVISOR. PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

NICOLE WRIGHT—CIRCUIT COURT CLERK

*MARK MILAM—CIRCUIT COURT CLERK. PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

*JEFF MCMILLEN—REGISTER OF DEEDS (INCUMBENT).PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

JULIE YOUNG—COUNTY COMMISSION 1ST DISTRICT (INCUMBENT)

*NORA HARVEY—COUNTY COMMISSION 2ND DISTRICT. PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

JOE JOHNSON—COUNTY COMMISSION 2ND (INCUMBENT)

MYRON RHODY—COUNTY COMMISSION 2ND

JACK BARTON—COUNTY COMMISSION 3RD DISTRICT (INCUMBENT)

*BOBBY JOHNSON—COUNTY COMMISSION 3RD. PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

WAYNE CANTRELL—COUNTY COMMISSION 4TH (INCUMBENT)

SCOTT LITTLE—COUNTY COMMISSION 4TH DISTRICT

*BOBBY TAYLOR—COUNTY COMMISSION 4TH DISTRICT. PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

ANITA PUCKETT—COUNTY COMMISSION 5TH (INCUMBENT)

*BETTY ATNIP—COUNTY COMMISSION 6TH DISTRICT (INCUMBENT).
PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

*JEFF BARNES—COUNTY COMMISSION 6TH DISTRICT (INCUMBENT). PETITION RETURNED AND VERIFIED

KEVIN ROBINSON—COUNTY COMMISSION 7TH DISTRICT (INCUMBENT)

LARRY SUMMERS—COUNTY COMMISSION 7TH DISTRICT (INCUMBENT)

BETH PAFFORD—COUNTY COMMISSION 7TH

POTENTIAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR AUGUST 2, 2018

PATRICK RAY—SHERIFF (INCUMBENT)

SUSAN MARTIN—CIRCUIT COURT CLERK

SEAN DRIVER—TRUSTEE (INCUMBENT)

DANNY HALE—ROAD SUPERVISOR

REED EDGE—ROAD SUPERVISOR

TOM CHANDLER—COUNTY COMMISSION 1ST

SABRINA FARLER—COUNTY COMMISSION 2ND

GREG MATTHEWS—COUNTY COMMISION 4TH

JERRY ADCOCK—COUNTY COMMISSION 5TH (INCUMBENT)

MATT ADCOCK—COUNTY COMMISSION 6TH

BRUCE MALONE—COUNTY COMMISSION 7TH

The qualifying deadline is less than a month away for candidates planning to run for county wide offices or positions on the county commission in 2018.

The last day candidates may qualify to run is NOON February 15, 2018. That applies to Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.

DeKalb County Democrats will be nominating candidates in a primary set for May 1. Republicans will nominate candidates by caucus on Sunday, February 11. Nominees of both parties and any independents will run in the August General Election. Winners will take office September 1 and serve for four years.

Thursday, February 1 is the deadline for sheriff candidates to file an affidavit of qualification with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) and for county road superintendent candidates to file an affidavit of qualification with the Tennessee Highway Officials Certification Board.

The following county offices are up for election in 2018: Road Supervisor, County Mayor, Circuit Court Clerk, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, and Trustee and for the county commission in each of the seven districts (two per district for a total of 14).

The qualifying deadline for five school board seats, municipal elections in Smithville, Dowelltown, Liberty, and Alexandria, and for the August state primaries is noon April 5.

Up for election in August will be school board seats in Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7.

City seats up for grabs in August are: In Smithville the Mayor and two aldermen positions; in Dowelltown three aldermen seats; in Liberty the Mayor and five aldermen spots and in Alexandria the Mayor and four aldermen positions including one alderman to fill a two year unexpired term.

State primary races in August will include State Senator in District 17, State House in District 40 and 46, Sixth District Congressman, Governor, and US. Senator.

January 19, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Family members of the late Rosa Stokes attended a number retirement ceremony at DCHS Friday night for Rosa who wore #55 during her years as a Lady Tiger Basketball player from 1979-83. Rosa passed away in 2003 from a heart condition.

The ceremony was held between the boys and girls DCHS basketball games against Watertown.

As the family entered the gymnasium to begin the ceremony carrying the banner with Rosa’s name and number, they were greeted by cheers, applause and a standing ovation from the crowd in the stands including members of the DCHS Class of 1983 and Rosa’s former DCHS teammates.

Members of Rosa’s family participating in the tribute Friday night were Margaret Johnson (aunt), John Johnson, Thomas Stokes, and Robert Stokes (uncles), Kim Johnson (cousin), and Cheryl Whitfield, Sonya White, Estella Clark, Margaret Donnell, Amber Donnell, Latisha Donnell, Renita Robinson, and Marquis Donnell.

Raised in Alexandria, Rosa began playing basketball at DeKalb West School for the Lady Bulldogs under Coach Danny Parkerson in elementary school during the mid to late 1970s.

Her star shone even brighter at DCHS under Coach Mickey Bilyeu from 1979-83 where she scored over 1,500 points as a Lady Tiger (known as Tigerette at the time) and was named All District, All Upper Cumberland, All Mid-State and Honorable Mention All State.

VIEW VIDEO OF CEREMONY

After her playing days at DCHS, Rosa continued her basketball career as a member of the Cumberland University Lady Bulldogs in Lebanon where she made an indelible impact on the program becoming a prolific scorer and rebounder. As a Lady Bulldog, Rosa scored over 1,000 points and grabbed more than 1,000 rebounds. In 2009 she was posthumously inducted into the Cumberland University Hall of Fame.Cumberland plays a tournament in her name each December.

Stokes entered the coaching ranks after her collegiate career with assistant coaching stints at the University of Louisville, Murray State University, Tennessee Tech University, UT-Chattanooga, and Long Beach State University, where she served as associate head coach. In the summer of 2001, she was named head women’s coach at Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, Georgia and served in this capacity until 2003. Rosa passed away on August 7, 2003 from a heart related condition.

Although he could not attend the ceremony Friday night, Rosa’s high school coach Mickey Bilyeu issued a statement which was read during the program. “In my 24 years as a head basketball coach I had many players who were exceptional and Rosa was one of those you would call “special”. She didn’t always have the support system, extra motivators or advantages that many players of today have, but she was one of the most focused, coachable and extremely intense players that a coach could ever want. Her personality carried her a long way in life and she will never be forgotten. She always had that big smile”.

The banner bearing Rosa’s number 55 will be permanently hung in the DCHS gymnasium as a tribute to one of DeKalb County’s greatest athletes.