Unemployment in Carroll, Henry and Weakley counties declined slightly in April, according to latest statistics released by the Tennessee Department of Employment Security.

Carroll County's jobless rate dropped from 12.2 percent in March to 12.1 percent in April. From a labor force of 12,010, a total of 10,560 were employed, leaving 1,450 without jobs.

Henry and Weakley counties unemployment rates each remained in the single digit figures, with Henry reporting a rate of 6.0 percent for April, down from 6.8 percent in March, and Weakley reporting a rate of 5.4 percent for April, down from 5.8 percent for March.

In Henry County, there were 13,640 persons employed from an available work force of 14,510, leaving 870 unemployed.

In Weakley County, a total of 16,540 persons were employed from a labor force of 17,480, leaving 940 jobless.

The state unemployment rate for April was 5.3 percent, down from the March rate of 5.7 percent, said Michael E. Magill, Commissioner of Tennessee Labor and Workforce Development. The U.S. rate for April increased from 5.7 percent to 6.0 percent.

"Tennessee's rate continues a long stretch of being below or the same as the national rate," said Magill. "The service sector remains the state's strongest-performing sector. We're still experiencing declines in manufacturing, however; reduced manufacturing is also reflected in declines in wholesale trade and transportation."

>From April 2001 to April 2002, services added 19,100 jobs, for a growth rate of 2.5 percent. Manufacturing lost 15,700 jobs over the year, down 3.3 percent; transportation was down 5,300 jobs, a decline of 3.7 percent; and wholesale trade saw a net loss of 2,600 jobs, down 1.8 percent from a year ago.

The biggest jobs increases in the month-to-month figures were in amusement and recreation employment, up 3,100, and jobs in eating and drinking places, up 2,100.

March-to-April declines occurred in local government education, down 1,300; in construction, which lost 500; and in wholesale trade, declining 500.
 

• Voted unanimously to approve assuming the responsibility of the salary for the librarian for the McKenzie Memorial Library at $6.50 per hour and 30 hours per week. The librarian currently earns minimum wage for a 35-hour workweek. In agreement with the library committee, the salary will take the place of the annual donation made to the library, this year in the amount of $3000. Library Board representative Bob McDonald thanked the Council on behalf of the Board.
• Voted unanimously to solicit bids for repair of the tennis courts at the Como Street Recreational Park. The work will include digging out the existing site to a depth of at least four feet in order to establish a solid foundation. The extensive repair is expected to prevent the problem of recurring cracks over many years.
• Agreed to renew the maintenance contract currently in place for the upkeep of the old city landfill. Kenny Trevathan's previous three-year contract was expanded to five years for the new term.
• Approved the payment of bills as follows: Barge Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon - $549.18; Advanced Drainage Systems - $3200.23; B & E Electronics - $1089.32; BWI Companies - $665.11; Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, quarterly payment - $9,163.00; Galls, Inc. - $1539.93; McKenzie Auto Parts - $616.21; Super Drugs (hepatitis vaccine) - $1000.01; TBI Fiscal Services, quarterly payment - $1600.00; Weakley County Gas and Oil - $3,918.29; Farm Plan - $553.77; GT Distributors - $941.84; Marion Pepsi Cola (concession supplies) - $2,555.70; Riley Construction (final payment on Como Street Bridge Project) - $7,349.37.

Councilmember Darra Adkins provided the Fire and Rescue Department reported 14 calls during the month of April, and a total of 61 calls since January. One new officer, Richard Ross, has been added to the team.

Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731) 352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com