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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2003
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Bethel College Expands to Nashville |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Bethel's new Nashville office received an
offical opening with a ribbon cutting on June 12. (l to r)
Bethel President Bob Prosser, Ginger Wolski, Enrollemnt
Director for the Nashville region; Judge Ben H. Cantrell,
a Bethel trustee; Dr. Maribeth McGuire, Academic Dean; and
Dr. Nassar Nassar, Director of the Success Program.Bethel College is spelling "Success" in Nashville. The
four-year liberal arts college based in McKenzie held a
grand opening - ribbon cutting ceremony at its new West
End Avenue suite of offices on Thursday, June 12.
The excitement was almost contagious as Bethel faculty,
staff, and administrators talked of the interest in the
degree completion program's startup at Palmer Plaza in
Nashville.
"We believe in our program. We believe Bethel College
offers the best program out there," said Dr. Nassar Nassar,
director of the college's Success program. Nassar is an
alumnus of Bethel and a native of Jordan.
In a short few weeks, the Nashville campus has already
attracted 42 students working toward the completion of
their college undergraduate degree. The target enrollment
is 100 students by December.
Thursday, prospective students were visiting the Nashville
campus interested in participating in the Success program.
New cohort-style classes begin each month.
Bethel's Nashville marketing efforts have taken various
forms including roadside billboards, newspaper, radio and
T.V. ads, and free Bethel-imprinted Frisbees and popcorn
at the weekly gathering known as "Wednesday Night in the
Park."
"We're very popular," said Maribeth McGuire, academic
dean, concerning the free items offered by Bethel. The
program has helped to quickly build name recognition for
the college.
Success presently has an estimated 750-800 students at its
18 remote sites including classrooms at schools, churches,
and industries. Nashville is the first of four satellite
campuses planned for Memphis, Nashville, Jackson and
Clarksville. Other sites include: Dickson, Dyersburg,
Milan, Paris, Parsons, Savannah, and Union City. A campus
in Kentucky is also planned, once all the requirements are
met to move beyond Tennessee's border.
"The growth is driving Shirley Martin crazy," joked
President Prosser of the constant changes in enrollment
and how it affects the job of Ms. Martin, college
registrar. The satellite campus has allowed Bethel to
"move" the campus without physically moving, said the
President.
The aggressive plans demand a dedicated Success staff,
said Dr. Nassar, who praised the team of staffers who have
worked long hours developing the program and extending its
reach into other areas. Two of the staffers, Kelly Kelley
and Ginger (Kelley) Wolski were particularly praised for
helping establish the Nashville campus. Ginger and
husband, Bryan, recently relocated to Nashville from
McKenzie. Ginger is serving as the Director of Enrollment
for the Nashville Region. Anetta Bevil is moving from
Abilene Texas to serve as the Administrative Assistant in
Nashville and the college has hired additional
facilitators to conduct the cohort classes. Dr. Nassar was
interviewing one prospective facilitator during the open
house event.
Nassar's plans advance beyond the undergraduate program. A
master's degree program in organizational management is in
the works. Plans call for the advanced program to begin
within a year.
Bethel has expanded its offerings in recent years to
include a Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in
Teaching, Master of Science in Physician Assistant
Studies, and the degree-completion program.
The Nashville office is located at 1801 West End Avenue in
the shadow of the music industry and Vanderbilt
University. Bethel's phone number is (615) 329-9391.
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Pluses Reflected in Tight McKenzie Budget
Property Taxes Even Out Across the Tri-Counties |
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Members of the McKenzie City Council on Thursday, June 12
approved the Fiscal Year 2004 budget on second reading
with pared-down expenditures increasing the gap from first
reading figures between General Fund revenues and
expenditures. Expected revenues of $2,972,200 were offset
by revised expenditures of $2,864,674 for a difference of
$107, 526 as compared to first reading expenditures of
$2,970,274.00, for a slim difference of $1,926.00.
The General Fund will be funded by property taxes of 80
cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation cents in
Carroll, Weakley and Henry County properties in McKenzie
during the coming fiscal year. Carroll County's assessed
rate was 86 cents last year while Henry and Weakley
Counties' rates were 79 cents per 100 dollars of assessed
value.
The Drug Fund projected both available funds and expenses
of $16,000.00; The Water and Sewer Fund projects available
funds of $1,451,600.00 and expenditures of $1,246,114.00;
The D.A.R.E. Fund anticipates available funds of $5,200.00
with expenses of $2,500.00; the Bond and Interest Fund
projects available funds of $229,408.00 and expenses of
$111,408.00; and the Water Debt Fund anticipates available
funds at $254,600.00 with expected expenses totaling
$81,600.00.
The Council also approved the Water Department's budget
which has suffered since the loss of Murray Outdoor
Products. "We have used some of the reserve funds already
this year," stated Mayor Winchester, "We may have to use
some next year."
The overall budget provides for extensive street repairs
on Forrest Avenue, including the replacement of the
culvert near the road's intersection with Highway 79, the
purchase of a new knuckleboom truck for the Street
Department and the median cut on the Highway 22 bypass
near the high school. The median cut is expected to serve
future development of the five-acre site donated by Mr.
Ray Morris.
"It is a balanced budget," stated Mayor Walter Winchester.
"The budget is very strict and we will be holding to the
budget without variation unless there is (city council
approval of a deviation.) This is a budget we can live
with."
Bid Review Committees Named
Council members James Knolton, Jerry Arthur and Darra
Adkins along with Parks and Recreation Department
Superintendent Ricky French were appointed to study nine
lawn mower bids submitted by four companies varying in
price from $6,647 to $11, 240. Jeff's Lawnmower Service,
C&S Outdoor Power Equipment , McKenzie Feed and Grain, and
54 lawn and Garden submitted bids for the purchase.
Another committee consisting of Council members Gene Hale,
Jerry Arthur, and Street Department Superintendent Joe
Curtis was appointed to study bids for a knuckleboom
truck. Four companies - Kenworth of Tennessee, Barloworld
Freightliner, General Truck Sales and Volunteer
International - submitted bids ranging from $44,062 to
$80,728 with trade-in values from $15,000 to $30,000, when
mentioned. |
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Norandal USA Donates $250,000 to
Dixie Carter Center |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Mayor Dale Kelley (right) holds a wooden replica of the
proposed Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center, which Hal
Holbrook is serving as a technical consultant. Norandal
officials (l to r) Gerald Kirksey, Scott Croft, and Ed
Darnell announced Norandal's monetary contribution to
the project.
Norandal USA contributed $250,000 toward the development
of the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center in downtown
Huntingdon. The announcement was made Tuesday at 10:00
a.m. when Norandal officials Gerald Kirksey, Scott
Croft, and Ed Darnell appeared along with Mayor Dale
Kelley at a press conference at City Hall.
Mayor Kelley said the plans for the performing arts
center will unveiled in December 1999 with plans to
renovate four historic building on the east side of the
Court Square while preserving the historic outside
appearance.
"Over the years, Norandal has demonstrated a commitment
to contributing to the overall quality of life in
Huntingdon. Economic development reaches far beyond
industry and business," said Mayor Kelley. He noted that
Norandal (then RJR Aluminum) shipped its first products
from the Huntingdon plant on June 9, 1967. On June 10,
1998, Norandal announced the $240 million Quantum Leap
project, which added approximately 200 jobs.
Gerald Kirksey of Norandal, said that education now goes
beyond the three "R's". It now includes humanity,
technology, and performing arts. The Huntingdon native
said Huntingdon and Carroll County would need to add
quality of living amenities to continue to attract a
quality workforce. "I'll be really disappointed if all
of Carroll County doesn't support this project," said
Kirksey.
The Town of Huntingdon has approximately $1.5 million in
commitments to the $2.5 million project.
The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center will provide a
facility for visiting artists, local schools and groups
to hold concerts and theatrical productions.
Kelley said the Center will "play a major role in
boosting economic development and enhancing the quality
of life in Huntingdon and Carroll County. It will
provide enrichment opportunities to the citizens of the
area, attract tourists from far and near, and impact the
economy in unprecedented ways. |
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Mayor Kelley Outlines 2004 Budget |
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Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelley cited several new obstacles
faced by Tennessee cities in his Fiscal Year 2004 Budget
remarks on Tuesday, June 10. Following the mayor's
remarks, the Council voted unanimously (with Dr. Tim
Tucker absent) to approve the budget for the coming
fiscal year.
"For the last three years state legislators have toyed
with the idea of cuts of the state-shared tax to help
solve the state's budget crisis," Mayor Kelley stated,
"The cuts have become a reality and cities and counties
across our state must now determine how to provide
services without these revenues."
The Town of Huntingdon expects to lose around $32,000
due to the 6.4% cut of state-shared revenues for FY
2004.
Despite widespread economic difficulties, Mayor Kelley
cited continued economic growth and development in
Huntingdon, such as the construction of the Wal-Mart
Super Center which broadened the property tax base and
increased sales tax revenues.
Based on a county-wide reappraisal of property based
upon a 2003 reassessment of all properties in Carroll
County, Mayor Kelley reported the State has calculated
the certified rate of $1.29 per one-hundred dollar
assessed value for the Town of Huntingdon. The 2002 rate
was $1.34.
Raises for town employees were included in the new
budget, including a 15 cent hourly increase for all
employees effective July 1 and a 15 cent per hour
increase effective on the anniversary of the employee's
date of hire.
Major projects that will continue, above and beyond
normal operations for town activities include: increased
financial support of the Carroll County Economic
Partnership; the High Street extension project; the
third-year payment toward the purchase of the 107-acre
South Industrial park; continuation of the Dixie Carter
Performing Arts project through the $1 million LPRF
grant; revitalization of the downtown area funded by the
TEA-21 grant; completing Phase III of the LPRF grant at
Kelley Sports Complex; a $455,000 street resurfacing
project funded by a nine-year capital outlay note; and
the purchase of a used dump truck for the Public Works
Department, plus approximately $6,500 of equipment for
the Parks and Cemeteries Department.
Revenues and Expenses
General Fund revenues of $4,507,400 are expected to
exceed expenditures by about $8,850.00. Drug fund
revenues and expenses are estimated at $5,000 each. The
Solid Water Collection Fund budget provides for payment
to Waste Management and transfer of $70,000 to the
General Fund for retirement of a note used for the
purchase of equipment. The $1,229,350 Utility Fund
budget includes the purchase of a sewer camera and a new
truck. Revenues in the Utility Fund budget exceed
expenditures by $8,795 after funding reserves for system
depreciation as required by law. The $131,100 Public
Improvement Fund provides for lease collections, payment
of insurance and the retirement of the debt for the new
post office.
Mayor Kelley credited the leadership of the current and
previous Town Councils, the dedication and talent of
employees and the cooperative support of the community
for the strides made since he assumed office in 1992.
See the Town of Huntingdon Website at
www.huntingdontn.com to read Mayor Kelley's statement in
its entirety.
Parking Space, Maneuvering Requirements Reduced
The Council approved a recommendation by the Planning
Commission whereby the Huntingdon Zoning Ordinance was
amended to reduce the minimum size of parking spaces 10'
x 20' to 9' x 18', which, Mayor Kelley stated, "is
pretty standard". Space allowed for maneuvering was
proportionately changed from 300 square feet to 252
square feet.
Pursuant to a second recommendation from the Planning
Commission, the Zoning Ordinance was amended for
clarification as to Section 14-221 (1). The new wording
specifies the three entities which have review authority
to be the Codes Enforcement Officer, the Planning
Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
In other matters the Council:
* approved the issuance, sale and payment of a Tennessee
Municipal League interest-bearing capital outlay note
not to exceed $455.000 at 3.14% interest for the Street
Resurfacing project approved at last meeting;
* approved the request of the Huntingdon High School
Tennis Team to use the tennis courts at Veterans Park
for the Jamie Conger Tennis Tournament on June 10 - 12;
and,
* heard Councilmember Melissa Powell express
appreciation for having the opportunity to attend the
'Evening with Carroll Arts' event last Saturday evening.
"It was a very enjoyable evening; there is a great deal
of talent in Carroll County... It's nice to see it on
display," she reported as she delivered to the Mayor and
Council the sponsorship award that was bestowed upon the
Town that evening.
"It's awfully nice of them to recognize the Town of
Huntingdon as a silver patron," said Mayor Kelley, "They
perform a very worthwhile service (to the community.) |
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These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
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- New Era at McKenzie Regional Hospital
- Gas, Electric Rate Hike Expected
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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