Carroll County Watershed Authority has received state approval to construct a 977-acre watershed lake in the Leech Community. The Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Pollution Control issued the ruling April 10. This is one of the final permits required prior to receiving the final 404 permit from the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

"This is really good news that the permit has been issued," said Dale Kelley, secretary of the Watershed Authority. He estimated the 404 permit would be issued in 45 to 90 days. "All state and federal regulatory agencies have been involved in the entire process."

The proposed lake will be designed for recreational use with water-skiing, boating, swimming, and fishing allowed on one end of the lake. Another section of the lake will be restricted to fishing only.

Carroll County voters approved an increase of $10 in the local wheel tax to fund the local share of the costs of the $10 million project. That tax will begin after the 404 permit is issued.

As a provision to constructing the lake, the Authority will have restore 300 acres of prior converted wetlands and the preservation of 81 acres in the Crooked Creek watershed. Approximately 2.0 miles of Crooked Creek and an unnamed tributary shall be restored to its original channel.
 

The McKenzie City Council addressed three areas of long-standing debate outside the evening's agenda in their regular session held Thursday, April 11.

Mayor Patty Edwards asked the Council to approve the letting of bids for the repair of lighting at Mulberry Park and for the complete overhaul of tennis courts at the City Recreational Park on Como Road.

"We need to get this started as soon as possible," the Mayor said, regarding ball field lighting. Specifications for the lighting job were drawn up after consultation with Hubble Lighting officials while specifications on the tennis courts project were being developed. Bids on both jobs are expected to be opened at the next council meeting scheduled for April 25.

Councilmember Darra Adkins arrived at the meeting prepared to discuss the issue of roadblocks after determining policies in nine surrounding communities in Carroll, Henry, Weakley and Gibson Counties.

"I am of the opinion that we are more desperate now than ever" to put in place regulations regarding roadblocks in McKenzie," Ms. Adkins stated. "We're having an awful lots of requests and I know all of them are for good reasons."

Issues of concern include safety and the frustration of citizens who detour from main thoroughfares to avoid roadblocks that are often conducted at successive intersections throughout the city.

Mayor Edwards appointed Ms. Adkins head of a committee to study the issue and report at the next meeting of the Council. Other members of the committee include Councilmember Jerry Arthur, City Clerk Dana Deem, and Police Chief Harry Cooper.

In the meantime, the Council approved three requests for roadblocks by citizens in attendance at the meeting. The VFW will conduct their annual poppy sales roadblock on May 18 in conjunction with the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Proceeds from the sale will benefit handicapped veterans.

New Generations Relay for Life team will conduct a roadblock on May 31 or a date prior to that date as approved by the McKenzie Police Department.

Ms. Sherry Webb and Ms. Debbie Broadbent, parents of the winners of the Little Mr. And Miss McKenzie Pageant, also received permission to hold a roadblock in order to raise monies for entry fees and floats for the Fish Fry, Strawberry Festival and Iris Festival parades. The women indicated their children won the contest only for them to discover they needed to raise $2,000.00 in three weeks to finance entries in the parades.

"We've raised about half the funds needed, we're a little desperate," stated one of the women. The pair also requested a donation from the City, an item that was deferred for placement on the agenda for the next council meeting.

Stated Councilmember Adkins, previous requests for assistance for parade entries have not been accommodated by both roadblocks and donations from the City. Winners of other contests have reduced parade entry expenses by opting to display winners in cars rather than preparing more elaborate floats. The roadblock was approved for April 13 or the following weekend in case of rain.

MADD MOTHER ADDRESSES COUNCIL

Mothers Against Drunk Driving representative, Ms. Alice Keats, addressed the Council concerning a youth program sponsored by the group entitled "MADD Youth in Action". She hopes to involve ten area teenagers in the program that is designed to partner youths with adults "to create an atmosphere that does not condone underage drinking."

"We are trying to change the norm that underage drinking is a rite of passage," said Ms. Keatts, who stressed the sometimes deadly consequences of underage drinking.

As a representative of YIA, teens are given the opportunity to meet with state senators and members of congress as well as gaining media and travel opportunities while working toward "earning the Presidential Community Service award which helps on college applications."

In another matter, the Council approved a public donation of $100.00 for Carroll Arts. "This is something we started last year that we would like to continue," stated Councilmember Adkins. 

Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731) 352-3322
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