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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2002
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Family Loses Everything in Fire |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Firefighters battle flames at the front door of the
Nutting home. |
A family of six has lost everything after a fire gutted
their home at 157 Maple Street, McKenzie. Tracy and
Ladonna Nutting and their children- ages 17, 13, 13, and 8
are temporarily residing on Paris Avenue while they decide
what to do about a residence. The family is thankful for
the generosity of the community, who provided clothing and
other items.The fire was first spotted by a city street
department worker who reported the fire to McKenzie Fire
Department at 9:53 a.m. Friday. Heavy smoke and flames had
already broken through when firefighters arrived on the
scene. High winds, remnants of Tropical Storm Lili, fanned
the flames making it more difficult to battle the flames.
Fourteen McKenzie firefighters arrived on the scene and
received mutual aid (assistance) from Trezevant and
Macedonia rural brigades and Huntingdon Air One provided
support to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent
homes. A nearby tree quickly was ablaze, irrespective of
the heavy rains received during the previous evening. Wind
whipped smoke spread throughout the area, darkening the
skies over the downtown area.
Brian Tucker, Battalion Chief for the MFD, said the
remodeling on the home through the years hindered
firefighters' ability to get to the fire. "Attempts to
make interior attacks were hindered," said Tucker.
Firefighters remained on the scene until 1:34 p.m. and
later returned to the scene to extinguish spot fires.
Mrs. Nutting works at Methodist Healthcare-McKenzie
Hospital in the dietary department. Tracy was in Humboldt
attempting to apply for employment when the fire started. |
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Veterinarian Purchases Former Barbecue Eatery |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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The debate concerning the rezoning of property to convert
a church to a veterinary clinic has ended. David Lott, the
veterinarian interested in purchasing the church property
on State Route 22 has opted to purchase another piece of
property - just outside the city limits of McKenzie, but
still facing State Route 22.
"We're thrilled to death," said Elizabeth (Jones) Lott of
their recent purchase of the former Wood's Barbecue and
most recently the Smokehouse Restaurant, 40 Connie Allen
Road facing State Route 22. Elizabeth and husband, David,
will "close" on the real estate this week - the same time
as the real estate on their residential property is
expected to close. The family is relocating to McKenzie,
Elizabeth's hometown.
Dr. David Lott will establish his new veterinary clinic in
mid-December or by the first of January. The opening date
depends on the completion of remodeling at the new clinic,
said Elizabeth. In the meantime, Dr. Lott is using his
truck as a mobile clinic.
Mrs. Lott, the librarian at Huntingdon High School, said
that many people in McKenzie have been very "nice" to
their family during the difficult times of attempting to
get property rezoned and encouraging them in so many ways.
The clinic will be McKenzie's second veterinary clinic.
Dr. Charles Smith operates McKenzie Veterinary Clinic on
State Route 124 (Cedar Avenue) in McKenzie.
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Carroll County Property Reappraisal in Progress |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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All real estate in Carroll County is presently undergoing
reappraisal to determine the "fair market value." This is
the final year of a six-year reappraisal cycle mandated by
the State Board of Equalization.
Johnny Radford, Carroll County Property Assessor, said a
team of appraisers from the Division of Property
Assessments in Jackson is currently reviewing commercial,
residential and farm properties in the county. The
following specialists are conducting property appraisal:
Mark Volner -residential; Ricky Roe - commercial; and
David Gilliard - farm.
The last major reappraisal was conducted in 1997. The
State forced a value reappraisal in the 2000 when all
property appraisals increased by a fixed percentage.
Presently, the appraisal is being conducted for the year
2003.
"Our official ratio is now 92 percent," said Radford. The
ratio indicates that the current appraisals are
approximately eight percent below market value. After the
reappraisals, some property values will increase and some
will decrease, said the assessor. Some geographic
"pockets" of the county have realized an increase in their
property values, while other areas have sustained a
decline in value. Those values are reflected in the sales
price of recent real estate transfers. "We're constantly
gathering data," said Radford. "Certain pockets of the
county have decreased in market value. Others areas have
realized an increased. Reappraisals make it equal."
However, Radford noted, "It's not a perfect system."
Commercial property owners were recently mailed
questionnaires concerning the revenues and expenses
associated with their commercial property. Those forms
were to be returned by September 30. The form read in
part, "To assure that proper consideration is given to all
economic factors affecting income-producing properties,
please provide rental income and real estate related
expense data...By analyzing this and other pertinent
information, the appraiser can give proper consideration
to each property's net income earning ability."
After the reappraisals, the State will issue each local
taxing authority a "certified tax rate", said Radford. The
local taxing authority - i.e. the County of Carroll, the
eight municipalities, and the five special school
districts - can deviate from the respective certified tax
rate after public hearings.
Once the reassessments are complete, property owners will
be notified of the new assessments. Property owners can
attend an informal hearing with appraisers in April 2003
at the Huntingdon National Guard Armory or the Carroll
County Board of Equalization in June 2003. Once
established, the new appraisal and tax rate will be
established for Fiscal Year 2003-2004.
Listed below are tax rates for governmental entities in
Carroll County for FY2002-2003.
Municipalities - Huntingdon $1.34; McKenzie 86 cents;
Hollow Rock 76 cents; Bruceton $1.40; Trezevant 69 cents;
McLemoresville 77 cents; Atwood and Clarksburg do not have
a city tax.
Special School Districts - McKenzie $1.55; Huntingdon
$1.73; Hollow Rock-Bruceton $2.06; South Carroll $1.49;
and West Carroll $1.91. |
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Fund Shortage Threatens To Close Carroll County Red Cross |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Carroll County is in danger of losing its American Red
Cross office because of lack of funding.
The local Red Cross has been in existence in Carroll
County since 1917 and routinely provides emergency
assistance to families who experience house fires or other
catastrophes, as well as those who need help with rent,
food, and clothing. The organization also provides toys
for children at Christmas and assisted 385 children in
this effort last year. The office is located at 111 Church
Street in Huntingdon.
In the past, Carroll County Red Cross has received a major
portion of its funding from United Way. However, during
recent years, United Way has received a greater number of
requests for assistance resulting in the money it
distributes to each agency being stretched thin. Added to
that, is the fact that United Way contributions are down
considerably from what they were a few years ago.
Perry Bradfield, Director of Carroll County Red Cross,
requested $25,000 from United Way this year and received
$8,000.
"We need $25,000 to operate," stated Mrs. Bradfield. "One
house fire requires as much as $500 and the cost can be
$800 if it is a large family."
"United Way collected a total of $64,000 this year," said
Mrs. Bradberry. "At one time it was twice that much."
Added to the fact that UW is helping more and more
agencies and there just isn't enough funding to go around.
"Contrary to popular belief, the local Red Cross chapters
across the state do not receive funding from the federal
Red Cross agency," said Perry Bradfield, Director of
Carroll County Red Cross. "We are totally dependant on
charitable contributions to remain open. Each chapter has
a board of directors to see to fundraising and each
chapter is supposed to be self-sufficient."
Many individuals contributed to the Liberty Fund that was
set up to assist individuals and families following the
September 11 disasters. However none of that funding could
be used by local chapters, noted Mrs. Bradfield.
She said the local Red Cross organization conducts two
community and industrial mailings per year, requesting
donations. However, she said the organization has never
received more than $500 total funding from any one
mailing.
Mrs. Bradfield said she has personally raised some
additional money herself, but not nearly enough.
"It is hard to ask for more money when Carroll County has
the highest unemployment rate in the state," she said. "We
have tried everything we can do."
The Red Cross Director said they obtain canned goods each
year solely through fall festivals held at local schools.
"We usually have enough food to last from one fall to the
next, however necessary cash funding is just not
available."
Clothing is also accepted by the local Red Cross chapter.
Items must be clean, in good condition, and transported in
boxes, as opposed to bags.
"The people know we are here. I get calls every day from
people requesting assistance and I want to be able to
continue providing that assistance. However, my
projections are that by the end of the year or the middle
of January, our funds will be depleted and we will be
forced to close."
The problem with funding local Red Cross Chapters is
widespread. Carroll County is one of only three small
chapters left in West Tennessee.
Individuals or businesses wishing to assist the local
chapter may send cash contributions to: Carroll County Red
Cross, P.O. Box 365, Huntingdon, TN 38344.
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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