A new marquee sign was installed at the former Park Theatre in McKenzie last week. The sign features neon tubing to illuminate the "theater" with the marquee portion lighted by fluorescent lights.

McKenzie Industrial Board purchased the old cinema several years ago with hopes of some day restoring it to an operating movie house. A new roof was installed earlier this year along with a fresh paint job on the exterior. A Federal grant has been applied for to convert the entrance into a community welcome center complete with ADA-approved restrooms. If the grant application is successful, Industrial leaders hope to then restore the cinema.
 

By Deborah Turner


The McKenzie City Council met on Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at the McKenzie Municipal Building, with all members in attendance.

Before the board was a resolution to apply for a loan from the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund in an amount not to exceed one million, three hundred thousand dollars ($1,300,000), the purpose of which is to provide funding for public works projects including: (1) the renovation and improvement of park and recreational facilities, (2) street, road, bridge and sidewalk construction and improvement, (3) the acquisition, construction and equipping of a fire hall, and (4) the acquisition of all other property, both real and personal, connected with the projects as well as any associated costs.

The resolution was adopted unanimously, conditional upon acceptance by the community, with a petition containing the signatures of at least 10% of registered voters of the City of McKenzie required to be filed with the City Clerk within 20 days of the date of publication of the resolution in order to nullify the decision.

The Board approved the first of two required readings of the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2002 with the same property tax rates as last year. Those are 83 cents per $100 assessed value in Carroll County, 90 cents in Henry County, and 83 cents in Weakley County.

Of interest in the proposed budget, revenue from local beer tax is expected to increase from $80,000 in the current budget to $120,000 in the 2001/2002 budget, with beer permit fees increasing from the currently budgeted amount of $400 to $1000 in 2001/2002. However, beer permit fees collected year-to-date have already reached $1000, 250% more than the projected amount. Revenues from driving school are expected to rise to $47,000 over the currently budgeted $45,000.

In other business:

** Bids were read in connection with upcoming paving projects in which Tennessee Asphalt of Paris was approved as low bidder at $34.00 per ton over Martin Paving at $35.70 per ton. Said Tennessee Asphalt representatives in their bid, "All materials in this project will meet State of Tennessee specifications."

** Ms. Shannon Danner reported at length regarding the Park Cove - West Walnut Housing Redevelopment Program that was made possible by $500,000 in CDBG grant monies. Of the proposed 22 housing units targeted for action within the terms of the grant, 18 have been served or are in progress. Of the four remaining units, two individuals have refused to participate, one homeowner moved, with the dwelling being placed for sale and rented in the interim, and one unit became vacant, resulting in its disqualification from the program. Of the eighteen dwellings left in the program, three have been rehabilitated or are in the process of being rehabilitated, seven are new constructions, and two have been or will be demolished. One is a commercial building, 3 are now rental properties and two are over income to participate in the program.

The two homeowners who have previously withheld their consent to participate will be given another opportunity to take advantage of the cost-free enhancements.

$90,720.25 is left in the program budget, with $75,700 of that amount targeted for rehabilitation. A budget revision could move some or all of this amount to new construction costs.

At such time as the current project is closed out, with a projected date of September 2001, the city will become eligible to apply for a new housing redevelopment grant.
  

Cutting Specialists Incorporated (CSI) facility in McKenzie will be acquiring the operations of Beall Nixdorff, located in St. Louis, Missouri, according to an announcement by Beall Manufacturing of Alton, Illinois, the parent company of both manufacturing facilities.

CSI General Manager Ben Masullo stated that Beal Nixdorff will be shutting down its operations and relocating all products produced to the McKenzie facility. Beall Nixdorff and CSI produce similar and in some cases identical products, and the decision was made to combine production at one location.

The move was made to insure quality and service for customers being served by both divisions. CSI is a high quality producer of lawn mower blades, rotary cutter blades, flails, and various other cutting systems. The Nixdorff product line will add similar products such as disc mower blades, cup knives, sweeps, and other components that cater to the agricultural industry.

The product transfer will be a phased move, scheduled to be completed by September 15, 2001. It is estimated that the consolidation will initially add 12 to 15 new jobs to the McKenzie facility with further expansion planned in the future. CSI currently has approximately 50 employees at its McKenzie location, where it operates two shifts.
 

The city of McKenzie will celebrate Independence Day with a special aerial fireworks display at McKenzie Recreation Park on Wednesday, July 4, according to City Clerk Dana Deem.

Melrose South Pyrotech of Louisville, Kentucky has been contracted again this year to provide the fireworks display, which will feature an array of colorful flowers, comets, and sparkles for the enjoyment of all ages. Plenty of free parking will be available near the tennis courts, at the park entrance.

The fourth of July is celebrated as a commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
 

Everyone is invited to attend the Carroll-North Relay for Life event to be held Friday evening and Saturday morning, June 22-23 at the McKenzie Recreation Park, just off Como Road. Events will begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday with the introduction of honorary chairman Gene Anderson. Kim Bell is chairman of this year's Relay. Co-chairs Peggy Perritt and Tim McBride are assisting Ms. Bell.

Last year, Carroll County residents helped raise more than $35,000 for the American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life event in McKenzie.

Fun, food, games, entertainment, a survivor's walk, and a luminary ceremony will highlight the schedule of activities. A Silent Auction will also be a part of the fund-raising, as well as delicious foods offered as various team booths. Wayne Bannister and Trent Johnson will serve as emcees for the event.

Relay for Life is an overnight event, which has become the American Cancer Society's national signature event. The Relay is a non-athletic, family oriented team effort that celebrates cancer survivorship, health, teamwork, and the community.

The event also centers around the survivorship of cancer. Survivors are asked to arrive at 6:00 p.m. to register and participate in the special recognition service and survivor's lap following Mr. Anderson's remarks at 7 p.m. The calling of each survivor's name and their walk around the circle helps establish the purpose of the entire event. Following the survivor's lap, each of the participating teams will tell about their campsites and food that they have prepared to sell.

Corporate and community teams come together in friendly competition to see who can raise the most money through various fund-raising projects in the months leading up to Relay, as well as during the main event on June 22-23. Teams of 8 to 15 members are organized and led by a team captain. Through the night, teams will be competing in various contests for fun and notoriety. Walkers from various teams will also be on the walking track throughout the night.

This year's teams include: First United Methodist Church, Profile Metal Forming, Republic Builders, Brummitt Funeral Home/City Hall, New Generations Furniture - three teams, Rural King, Dana/Plumley Division, Kapeller's, Bethel Baptist Church, and Methodist Hospital - two teams.

All activities will pause at 9:30 p.m. when an impressive luminary ceremony will be held. Hundreds of candles will be lighted in honor or memory of persons. Luminaries can be purchased by contacting Oscar and Sara Owen at 352-3591.

Donations may be made at McKenzie Banking Company or The McKenzie Banner. Checks should be made payable to the American Cancer Society.