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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2002
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McKenzie Council Approves Annexation on First Reading |
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In what the Holland family alleges was a "done deal"
the McKenzie City Council on Tuesday, November 14 passed
on first reading an ordinance to annex territory lying
within McKenzie's northwest boundaries. The action takes
in the entire 103-year old Holland Farm. A related zoning
ordinance, also passed on first reading, establishes R-1
zoning for the farm while strips of property alongside
each side of Highway 22 will be zoned commercially, if the
measures pass on second reading.
The approvals came following a public hearing at which
Nancy Holland, Jill Holland and Jack Holland voiced their
displeasure at the measure. Key to their protests are the
lack of an agricultural zone that would eliminate
additional taxes on their properties; misinformation they
assert was communicated to them regarding future
annexation to the north of town (which is prohibited by
regulation), and non-communication by city officials.
"No one will say a word to us," stated Mrs. Nancy Holland,
"This is America."
All three family members referred to provisions of Public
Chapter 1101, A Guide for Community Leaders, which they
feel were disregarded in considering the annexation.
In another matter, a public hearing was held regarding a
proposal to rezone the Webb property on South Main Street
from R-2 (medium density residential) to B-2 (highway
business.) With no dissension, the ordinance passed on
first reading. |
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Second Carroll County Tornado Victim Dies
Others Recuperating and Rebuilding |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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The son of woman found dead underneath her mobile home
after a tornado struck Cedar Grove community last week
died Tuesday night, November 12 at Jackson-Madison County
General Hospital of injuries he suffered in the same
storm. The Forsythe's home was located on Old Stage Road,
about six miles southwest of Huntingdon.
Neil Forsythe, 42, is the 17th victim of a deadly spate of
weekend storms that spawned at least 13 tornadoes and
injured at least 80 persons.
Forsythe had been in the intensive care unit since being
transferred to Jackson from Baptist Hospital in Huntingdon
Saturday, when the tornado destroyed the doublewide mobile
home he shared with his mother, Annette Forsythe, his
sister, Darlene Springer and his brother, Ricky Forsythe.
Mrs. Forsythe's granddaughter, Jennifer Bushart, 7, was
also seriously injured. Darlene and Ricky sustained less
serious injuries.
"They could never get his bleeding under control," said
Neil's aunt, Barbara Warren of McKenzie.
Neil had undergone surgery earlier Tuesday because he was
losing blood internally from two main arteries that were
damaged in the pelvic region. He also sustained severe
fractures to both hips and his upper legs. Doctors were
attempting to get him stabilized for transfer to The Med
in Memphis when he took a turn for the worse.
Gene Warren said Monday that his niece, Jennifer is
expected to be hospitalized at Jackson-Madison County
General Hospital for five or six more weeks. She recently
underwent surgery for an abscessed puncture wound on her
leg and must remain hospitalized while it heals. The
girl's mother, Helen Ann Bushart has also been
hospitalized at a different hospital. Her father, Bob
Bushart, is staying with his daughter at the Jackson
hospital.
The Bushart's two sons are staying with their paternal
grandmother in Crockett County.
The mobile home of Barry Forsythe, son and neighbor of
Annette Forsythe, is currently being repaired.
"People and businesses have been wonderful to donate
materials, lumber, and labor to repair Barry's trailer,"
said Mr. Warren.
The American Red Cross is temporarily providing housing
for Ricky and Darlene Forsythe at a Huntingdon motel. Both
have recuperated from their injuries, said Mr. Warren, who
noted the brother and sister plan to move in with Barry
once his mobile home is repaired.
Annette Forsythe's funeral was held Wednesday at Hall's
Funeral Home in Halls, TN. Neil's funeral was held Friday
at the same location.
Annette and Neil are the daughter and grandson of Helen
Burns of McKenzie. Ernestine Mattair of McKenzie is also
the sister and aunt of the deceased. Neil has another
brother, Jason Forsythe of Huntingdon. |
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McKenzie Welcome Center is Under Construction |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Soon a downtown building will serve visitors, new
residents, and curiosity seekers alike. The former
cinema is being converted to a welcome center. On the
brink of destruction in the late 1990s, the building was
saved from condemnation by the McKenzie Industrial Board
with hopes of creating an inviting welcome center - and
eventually a cinema - at the intersection of Main and
Cedar. The Industrial Board hopes to eventually move its
offices above the lobby.
Micah Beasley Construction Company of McKenzie was the
lowest of three bidders to transform the old theater
lobby into a welcome center complete with handicap
accessible restrooms. Beasley's bid was $66,900, which
will mostly be paid by a Tennessee Department of
Transportation grant. Beasley has 120 days to complete
construction. The Industrial Board will pay
approximately $6,900 of the costs.
"It's been aggravating, but it's been fun," said Billy
Barksdale, Executive Director of the McKenzie Industrial
Board. "I love messing with it."
The Banner toured the theater while the sounds of
sledgehammers and concrete saws pierced the air. James
Bentley and Anthony Gilmer were busy in the lobby
tearing out the old concrete flooring to make room for
new plumbing and electrical conduit.
For more than three years, Barksdale, board members, and
city officials have worked to obtain grants for the
building. The first grant was for a new roof and the
front marquee. The current grant is providing funding
for the restrooms, central heating and cooling,
flooring, lighting, and new wiring, which will be used
for the next phase of construction. Future grants will
hopefully be used to reconstruct the upstairs offices
and the actual theater in 1.5 to 2 years.
Although the interior is in shambles, merely entering
the facility elicits a rush of memories. Underneath the
dirt and grime of demolition is the familiar tile
flooring. In the offset to the side are the remnants of
the former Jewel Box store and Ted Coleman's State Farm
Insurance Agency. Peering upward from the ground floor
lobby, one can see the remains of the staircase, once
used by black patrons, who were relegated exclusively to
the balcony and unable to mix with the white patrons on
the lower floor. Segregated seating ended in the 1960s.
Another section of the upstairs and fronting Cedar
Avenue were former offices. The name J.W. Barnes still
is visible on one of the office doors. Accountant Harold
Crawford once had an office there.
Artifacts of bygone days at the movies still remain.
Barksdale unveiled the huge time clock that graced the
left side of the movie screen. The clock was sponsored
by the insurance and real estate company of Bryant and
Carroll. A "balcony closed" sign still remains as well
as old receipts, check registers, ticket counters,
cigarette butt cans, and the arc projector, which will
eventually be put on display. Two welding-style arcs
burned together to create the illumination for the
projector. The danger of fire required the projector
room to be fireproof with adequate exterior venting for
the projector.
Stacks of check registers are part of the days of old. A
check register from October 1959 revealed a check in the
amount of $14.30 to The McKenzie Banner for advertising
and $29.25 to Eddie Clericuzio, who managed the theater
for many years.
"I hope Eddie (Clericuzio) can run the first film," said
Barksdale, who has hopes of getting the theater
operational.
Of particular pride to Barksdale is the fact that his
late father, Willard Barksdale, helped hang the steel
for the superstructure. That was in the 1940s. |
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Huntingdon Council Elects Vice-Mayor, Approves Purchase
of Parking Lot |
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Following the November 5 election which returned two
members and added one, members of the Huntingdon Town
Council voted unanimously to elect Gary Hatch to serve
as vice-mayor for the next two years, a position he held
some 12 years ago as well. Hatch replaces previous
Vice-Mayor Steve Bunn who, Mayor Dale Kelley noted,
served with distinction during his tenure.
Mayor Kelley also announced appointments to standing
council committees for the November 2002 - November 2004
council term as follows:
- Finance and Administration: Gary Hatch, Chairperson;
Steve Bunn; Jeanie Newman; Tim Tucker; and Melissa
Powell.
- Public Works: Steve Bunn, Chairperson; Jeanie Newman;
Jeff Bailey; Melissa Powell; and John Sanders.
- Public Safety: Tim Tucker, Chairperson; Gary Hatch;
Jeff Bailey; and John Sanders.
- Adult-Oriented Establishment Massage Registration
Board: Steve Bunn; Melissa Powell; Gary Hatch; Jeff
Bailey; and Tim Tucker.
Council Representatives to Boards: Industrial
Development Board - Gary Hatch; Municipal Planning
Commission - Jeanie Newman; Recreation Advisory Council
- John Sanders; and Beautification Committee - Melissa
Powell.
In another matter, the Council approved the purchase of
a parking lot across the street from the old Hayes
Supermarket. The purchase price will serve as a portion
of matching funds required as a condition of a $120,000
LPRF (Local Parks and Recreation Fund) grant.
""The parking lot will be added to our downtown
renovation project," stated Mayor Kelley. "We'll fix the
lot up, make it very attractive... It ties in nicely
with what we're trying to accomplish."
In other business the Council:
- Authorized mayor Kelley to enter into an agreement
with Ritchie Smith Associates for architectural services
related to the $750,000 TEA-21 (Transportation Equity
Act for the 21st Century - Downtown Renovation Project)
Grant; and
- Approved a request from First Baptist Church to use
the Kelley Sports Complex for a flag football
tournament.
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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