Farmers Market Leaders Ask County to Fund Digital Sign

April 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Leaders of the DeKalb County Farmers Market are seeking funding from the county for a new outdoor digital sign to promote events there and at the county complex.

Farmers Market President Eddie Ray and Treasurer Connie Tjarks addressed the county budget committee Tuesday night.

Last summer the budget committee had recommended appropriating $40,000 from the capital projects fund of the budget for a new outdoor LED sign for the county complex and Farmers Market to advertise events there but it was stripped out of the budget by the county commission.

The Farmers Market is located on East Bryant Street right beside DeKalb Ace Hardware and the county complex Building but Tjarks said many people can’t find it because it’s not visible from South Congress Boulevard.

“There are several reasons we need it. One is we are here almost every Saturday from April to November and when people discover us many say they didn’t know we were there. We are really hidden behind ACE Hardware. You can’t see us from the highway. About the only way is if you are going down the side street (East Bryant Street). The sign would be great for us. We could advertise what were are offering on a given Saturday such as tomatoes, onions, or whatever. We have ten vendors who are there every week and twenty who come and go according to whatever produce they have. It would also be good for the county complex to advertise events inside like the Women’s Expo (which was held last weekend) or whatever happens to be going on at the complex at the time. It’s a dual purpose thing,” said Tjarks.

“You could advertise the Jamboree and the DeKalb County Fair (on the sign). There’s a lot of stuff that could go on that (sign) to really benefit this community and the county. We are a non-profit. We just pay our utilities and keep up insurance so we’re at your mercy so if you could help us with a sign we sure would appreciate it,” said Ray.

No action has yet been taken.

April 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he was making four nominations for the TVA Board.

They include DeKalb County native and former Alexandria resident Beth Prichard Geer. The others are Robert P. “Bobby” Klein, Kimberly Lewis and Michelle Moore.

According to the White House, Beth Prichard Geer is Chief of Staff to former Vice President Al Gore and serves as a member of Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. Geer has extensive policy and outreach experience on issues including climate change, environmental justice, and regenerative agriculture. She has served in senior roles in the Clinton-Gore White House, Department of Labor, and United States Senate. As a native of rural Tennessee, she graduated with honors from Middle Tennessee State University and earned the Public Leadership Executive Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Managers in Government program. She resides in Brentwood, Tennessee with her husband, Dr. John Geer.

Geer is the daughter of Marlene Prichard of Alexandria and the late Thomas Earl Prichard.

April 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Almost every year at least one senior at DCHS completes the credits necessary to earn an associate’s degree from Motlow State Community College just as he or she is finishing up high school studies in preparation for graduation.

Such is the case this year for Keri Winchester, member of the DCHS Class of 2021 who has been working for the last two years toward an Associates of Science degree from Motlow State Community College. Normally Winchester would be walking the line in a Motlow commencement ceremony but this year’s event will be virtual on May 9, five days before her high school graduation on May 14.

In fact, Winchester herself has been a remote learning student this year as she told WJLE Monday.

“Since a lot of my college classes count for high school classes I just chose to stay remote this year. I have been able to see my friends outside of school but its been a little weird not being able to be in school sitting there with them,” said Winchester.

Through Motlow College’s dual enrollment program, high school students like Winchester can earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Students can take classes on a Motlow College campus, online, or even at a partner high school like DCHS.

After she earns her Associates degree, Winchester will further her education at Tennessee Tech where she plans to obtain a degree in nursing.

During her high school years, Winchester has participated in such organizations as HOSA, BETA, FBLA, and Science Clubs along with the Climate Crew. She has also been a member of the DCHS ACT 21+ club.

Winchester is the daughter of Jason and Jennifer Winchester.