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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2001
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New Generations Raises over $21,000 for Prevention
of Child Abuse |
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New Generations Furniture Company associates will be
presenting a check totaling over $21,000 this Sunday
to the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of
Child Abuse. Up to six associates of the furniture
manufacturing company will present the check during
the annual telethon on WBBJ-TV.
The associates of the furniture manufacturing
company have worked all year raising money, said Kay
Wood, Human Resources Manager. They have held
breakfasts at the factory, cookouts at E.W. James
Supermarket, and held road blocks. The fund raising
concluded with the annual carnival Saturday held at
the Sewing Plant on Highland Drive. Although rain
threatened all day, the event was very successful.
The carnival featured face painting, flea market,
dunking booth, music, bingo, clowns, and displays by
the McKenzie Fire Department.
Winners of various raffles included: Alice Stanfield
- TV; Leslie Cooper - Shotgun; Adam Vermillion -
Go-cart; Wanda Kirksey - Silverware; Karen Moore -
Cultivator; William Mann - DVD Player.
This is the second year New Generations Furniture
has held fund raisers for the Carl Perkins Center.
Last year, the associates raised approximately
$10,000.
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McKenzie School Board, MEA Negotiations Complete |
By Deborah Turner
Teachers attending the August 7, 2001 negotiations
meeting between the McKenzie School Board and the
McKenzie Education Association were audibly
disappointed when board chairman, Ruth Carroll,
announced the board's unyielding offer of a three
percent raise on the local portion of teachers'
salaries.
"The board does not want to increase taxes this
year," she explained. "When we got a budget worked
out and could do this amount of raise we were
overjoyed."
The board was concerned that a raise in taxes in the
same year that a new superintendent was brought on
board would create misunderstanding in the public
eye.
"Of course he wouldn't come in and do that alone but
it is the first thing the public would see and we
decided we wouldn't do that if there was anyway to
avoid it," said the chairman.
Following a recess, spokesman for the MEA, Coach
Richard Chappell, expressed strong dissatisfaction
with the measure, saying: "We're extremely
dissatisfied. We asked for 5% and we got 3% and we
will be back." The teachers' organization had
originally asked for a 6% raise. Coach Chappell
indicated that the MEA would press to raise taxes
next year in order to effect a higher raise for
teachers.
Superintendent James Ward suggested that the MEA
consider a multi-year proposal next year with a
graduated salary increase over a period of years.
"That helps both sides in making long range plans,"
he advised.
In another matter under negotiation, elementary
teachers were granted a minimum of 50 minutes per
day of preparation time during which no other duties
will be assigned. This time will be in addition to
their normal lunch period.
Both sides expressed appreciation to the other and
concluded the meeting with a handshake of agreement.
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Trezevant Approves Roof For Fire Station, Reward
Offered for Fire Hydrant Vandals |
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
Much of Trezevant City Council's business on
Thursday, August 10 involved the city's fire
department. Items included a new roof on the "new"
fire station, a need for a second fire station, and
the prosecution of vandals who opened and damaged
numerous fire hydrants throughout the city.
The Council accepted the lone bid for roof
replacement on the fire station. Diversified
Contractors of McKenzie bid $8,132 to replace the
metal roof. The City will get the present roof's
metal, which Councilman Joe Butler said could be
sold. Diversified also quoted $1,500 to $2,000 to
repair the existing roof, but offered no guarantee.
The Board unanimously voted to replace the roof.
Mayor Gilliam authorized Councilman Jim Moore to
contact Diversified and initiate construction.
Trezevant will soon be receiving a county-owned fire
truck to be located in the city. The City may use
the truck for any structure fire in the city and
must respond with the truck to fires in the county
within an assigned geographic district or when other
county rural fire brigade seeks mutual aid. One
stipulation to receiving the truck is that it be
placed in a heated space. Presently, Trezevant
doesn't have room for the truck.
Mayor James Gilliam said he wants to construct a
temporary place for the truck at the Street
Department building, however, he does not want to
have to borrow money for the structure. "You don't
get out of debt by borrowing money," said the Mayor,
who indicated he wanted to retire some of the city's
indebtedness. The City will meet its obligation to
house the new fire truck, said Gilliam. He said he
eventually would like to see a new fire station on
the east side of the railroad track to complement
the one on the west side.
The City presently owns an older pumper, which is
housed at the City Hall. Jim Moore suggested selling
the older pumper and uses the proceeds to help build
a new fire station. Fire Chief Danny Curtis said the
pumper water capacity was beneficial to the city's
overall fire suppression rating through ISO. It was
estimated that the old pumper would only sell for
approximately $500. Councilman Tommy Long said the
old truck is a GMC, not a collectable item such as a
LaFranc. Curtis also stated that the city would have
two county-owned trucks, which are subject to call
anywhere in the county. If that occurs, the old
truck can be used for in-town fires.
The Board voted unanimously to seek bids for a one-
and two-bay station to be attached to the Street
Department building.
"I want something that we can be proud of," said
Gilliam of the structure. He said he hopes the
building can be paid in installments over three
months to avoid having to borrow money.
The City had 14 persons apply for three part-time
positions. Ten persons applied for the school
crossing guard position, eight for the street
department assistant position, and nine for the
animal control and health officer. Mayor Gilliam
said he would review the applications and attempt to
hire someone. The positions can be combined to make
a full-time position.
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McKenzie City Council Honors Hollis Hopper |
By Deborah Turner
Mr. Hollis Hooper was the guest of honor at the
August 10 City Council meeting in McKenzie where he
was presented with a plaque recognizing his many
years of service to the community. The plaque will
become a permanent fixture at McKenzie's City Park
as both a tribute to Mr. Hopper and as an
inspiration for future generations of leaders.
Mr. Hopper worked for 14 years as Superintendent of
Streets in McKenzie before becoming a police
officer, a position he held for nine years before
retiring in 1986. Following his retirement, he
continued to provide security at baseball, softball,
basketball and football games and has been a
well-recognized and much-loved figure at the games.
Said Mayor Patty Edwards in presenting the award,
"Untold numbers of children have looked to him when
they needed help or just a friend. Mr. Hollis, as
many of our young people call him, was always
willing to listen. He always had time for the
children no matter how busy he might have been."
In addition to his work for the city, Mr. Hopper was
a volunteer fireman for over 30 years and served on
the board for the Carroll County Fair for nearly the
same amount of time, as well as being a
past-director of the fair.
Upon accepting the award, Mr. Hopper said, to the
delight of the audience, "I put in a many hours for
that."
School Traffic Restructured
The Council approved a measure that will temporarily
restructure the flow of traffic along streets near
the elementary school between the hours of 7:15 to
8:15 a.m. and 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. The new plan calls
for one-way traffic along Tennessee Street moving
toward the school and exiting on Stonewall, and
one-way traffic entering Bell Street from Stonewall
Street, in essence making a one-way circle for
school traffic entering Bell Street from Stonewall,
then following the path along Tennessee Street to
the school, then leaving the school to exit on
Stonewall. The trial period for the traffic pattern
is from Labor Day until the semester break at
Christmas after which time the effectiveness of the
change will be reviewed.
Said School Resource Officer Jackie Sykes, "If it
doesn't work I'll be one of the first to come back
and eat the crow."
City Council member Dara Adkins reported a similar
problem with traffic along Dotson Street, saying
that two cars cannot safely pass on the road. The
situation along this road will be monitored to
determine the best course of action and will be
brought to the board at a later date.
In other business, the Council:
* Passed a resolution for the reapplication of a
loan from the Municipal Bond Fund. The application,
which was previously made by prior resolution of the
Council, was delayed due to a discrepancy in public
notice to citizens of McKenzie, with the required
10-day notice cut by one day in previous
publication. Barring opposition by at least 20% of
registered voters, the $1.3 million loan will
provide for the enhancements to the park and
recreation facilities; streets, roads, ridges, and
sidewalks, a new firehall, and related legal and
administrative costs of the projects.
* Approved the letting of bids for carpet and tiles
work in the main entrance to the City Hall and the
general government office. Said Council member
Willie Huffman, budget restrictions limited
replacement of flooring last year to the training
room and dispatchers office.
* Discussed the need for a measure restricting the
number of dogs kept outside in subdivisions due to
problems with odors and other concerns, especially
in areas of close proximity. Council member Arthur
stated, "Most of the time when dogs are penned up
like that they're not taken care of anyway; it don't
make sense. This has been coming up for one and a
half to two years and it's time something was done."
* Gave permission to the Bethel Soccer Team to
conduct a roadblock to seek donations for the soccer
team on Saturday, August 18, between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
* Gave permission to Ms. Jill Holland with the
McKenzie Tackle Football League to hold a roadblock
in order to raise funds for uniforms and equipment
for the league, in its first year of existence, on
Saturday, August 25 between the hours of 9:00 a.m.
and 1:00 p.m.
In closing remarks, council member Gene Hale advised
of hazardous conditions of the sidewalk at the end
of Forest Avenue, suggesting that the collapsed
sidewalk be either blocked off or repaired.
Council member Wade reported a problem with traffic
exiting Walnut Street due to the obstruction of
vision caused by cars parked on the car lot at the
corner of Walnut and Main Streets. He suggested that
the owner of the lot be advised to move the cars
back in order to provide a better view of traffic
coming up the hill on Main Street from E.W. James.
City Attorney Kent Jones responded to questions
posed outside the meeting regarding the possibility
of forgiving back taxes in order to attract new
business. He advised that taxes cannot be forgiven
on a building, but that certain other incentives can
be applied to attract industry. If attempts were
made to forgive taxes, "it would open up Pandora's
box" for taxes to be forgiven in other situations,
according to Jones.
Council member James Knolton mentioned that
investigation is still underway regarding the
possibility of a skating park in McKenzie.
Members expressed pleasure in welcoming Police Chief
Gene Owen back after an extended illness. Chief Owen
expects to return to work on Monday, August 13.
Members expressed appreciation for the "fine job"
done by Assistant Chief Harry Cooper in Chief Owens'
absence.
Council member Gene Hale voiced the sentiments of
many, saying, "I personally want to thank the Drug
Task Force for what they do, and I think we are
tremendously lucky. I want to express my thanks and
gratitude - they put themselves on the line every
day and we appreciate it."
Bills approved for payment were:
Office Products - $1966.73; Jackson Metal (work done
on dog pound) - $822.12; Concrete Doctors (tennis
courts repair) - $500.00; Craig's Firearm Supply
(officer's weapon; reimbursable by officer) -
$588.53; TBI (quarterly payment on computer system)
- $1600.00; Barker Brother's Waste - $16,266.61;
Raco Industries (equipment for police department) -
$1821.36; G.T. Distributors - $537.25; Barge,
Waggoner, Summner and Cannon - $724.50; Petroleum
Traders (fuel) - $6579.31; and, Galls, Inc -
$6190.28($4250 of which is reimbursable under a
grant). Total bills paid amounted to $37,596.69.
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or
Fax (731) 352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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