The citizens of McKenzie and the greater McKenzie area are being asked to assist the victims' families in the New York City terrorist attack. A new fund has been established to financially support those families in need.

Donald Tolbert, who initiated the concept said, "We have the spirit of our country in our heart, and the burden on our back...I see their hurt and I feel it." He noted that McKenzians have problems, but "sometimes you have to put those problems aside." The local businessman contributed the first $2,000 calling it a "contribution from his family."

McKenzie Mayor Patty Edwards presided over the Monday afternoon meeting in which members of the four financial institutions, McKenzie Industrial Board, Bethel College, and McKenzie Special School District attended.

McKenzians are being asked to unite to assist the victims in New York City. All area residents, businesses, schools, Bethel College, churches, and industries are being asked to bring their financial assistance to Carroll Bank and Trust, McKenzie Banking Company, Bank of Gleason, Union Planters Bank, or McKenzie Municipal Complex. Those persons making contributions are asked to also leave their signature to illustrate the number of caring persons who contribute to this cause.

The City of McKenzie will serve as the fiscal agent for the project. At the meeting, Councilman James Knolton recommended that the City donate $2,000. That recommendation will be considered at the next meeting of the Council.

"U.S. Senator Fred Thompson's office has assured us that the funds will go to the victims' families," said Tolbert. The Senator's office will provide the name of the appropriate agency to fund.
   

Six rural roads in Carroll County will not receive the promised upgrades because of a "freeze" on state-aid money. The Carroll County Highway Department has not received the $320,000 that the State of Tennessee provides in state-aid money - funds that come from the collection of gasoline taxes.

"The money comes from the gasoline tax," said District II Road Supervisor Dennis Parker, whose crew had prepared a 1.5-mile section of Hinkledale Road to be paved using $54,993.75 in state-aid funds. The remaining $18,331.35 will come from local funds. Carroll County Highway Department crews had cleared trees from the right of way and made some repairs to the existing roadbed in preparation for Tennessee Asphalt Company of Paris to pave the road from the Weakley County line. "This is one of the roughest roads in Carroll County," said Parker of Hinkledale Road. He indicated the construction may not be completed until next Spring, if at all. The County of Carroll maintains 690.1 miles of rural roads. Parker's district includes 155 miles of roads.

Five other rural roads are suffering a similar fate. Little Grove Road, McLemoresville Road, Terry Road, Roland Mill Road, and Westport Road are also awaiting state funding. The State match was supposed to be $216,160 on the six roads.

A new release from the Carroll County Highway Department reads, "The road supervisors of Carroll County wish to inform you, the public, of the disruption of our department as well as the inconvenience to the residents who live on the roads that have been set up with state-aid money to be paved. The monies to construct these roads has been appropriated in the Highway Department budget. Regretfully, with the "freeze" these services cannot be performed until the legislature has released the money. The projects are affected and halted....The presumed 2001 appropriation is $216,160. We think you see how, without these funds, it is not possible for the county to carry out these projects."

The Department is asking local citizens to call the three state legislators who represent Carroll County. The names and addresses are:
*Senator Bobby Carter, 114 Stonehaven Drive, Jackson, TN 38305, 731-668-1670;
*Representative Mark Maddox, 8250 Highway 22, Dresden, TN 38225, 731-364-2685.
*Representative Paul Phelan, 403 E. Eaton St., Trenton, TN 38382, 731-855-9662.