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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2003
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HOPE Center's Contract Terminated...
CDS, Easter Seals to Assume
Operations |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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HOPE Center has had a change in
administration. Barbara Gray, administrator, resigned
following a decision by the State of Tennessee to
terminate the contract of services with the local
corporation that provides services for mentally challenged
adults. Tennessee Department of Health, Mental Retardation
Services announced Tuesday, April 15 that it would end the
contract with HOPE, Inc. effective April 30. The
announcement came after the HOPE Center's phone service
was temporarily terminated on Monday and Mrs. Gray's
announcement to employees that the semi-monthly paycheck,
scheduled for April 15, would be delayed until May 1.
"Services will continue without interruption," assured
Sharon Perry, West Tennessee Regional Director of the
Division of Mental Health Services. "The number one
priority is the clients." She anticipates a "seamless"
transition to the new providers, both of whom have high
quality ratings and strong financial statements.
Two representatives of the Department of Mental Health are
working day-to-day at the Huntingdon facility. Jean Myers
and Karen Woulfe, both registered nurses, are assisting in
the transition of the facility until Community
Developmental Services of Martin assumes the day program,
and Easter Seals-Tennessee of Lexington assumes the
residential programs on May 1. Meanwhile, Ms. Myers and
Ms. Woulfe are working with Marie Burzler, HOPE's board
chairman, to continue operations until the end of the
month. All questions and concerns about HOPE's previous
operations will be directed to Mrs. Burzler.
HOPE, Inc. owns the facilities on Paris Street in
Huntingdon and group homes in Huntingdon and McKenzie. Ms.
Perry said the lawyers and accountants would have to
determine the details for CDS, Easter Seals, and
Cornerstone to use those facilities. Ms. Perry said the
HOPE board is cooperating in the transition. "There are
always legal and fiscal questions," said Perry, who noted
that none of the new agencies would inherit HOPE's debts.
Employees of HOPE had the chance to participate in a job
fair on Thursday afternoon. Representatives of the three
providers answered employees' questions and provided
applications for each of HOPE's employees to apply for
work with the new companies. Ms. Perry anticipated that
most former employees of HOPE would be hired by the new
providers.
The State is working to assure that all employees receive
their overdue compensation. Perry said she is hopeful
there is a mechanism to pay all the employees. As for the
pay scales of the new agencies, she assumed the new
agencies would provide a similar pay scale as HOPE. "The
employees are anxious to get on and work with the new
providers," said Ms. Perry. She described the employees as
heroes and extremely dedicated.
For months the employees' checks have bounced, their
benefits have been threatened for nonpayment to the
vendor, and their employer's image had continued to
degrade because of the numerous news stories about
financial woes of the center including a report that the
Center owed the federal government $403,457 in unpaid
payroll taxes, penalties, and interest. All the while, the
employees continued to provide excellent services to the
clientele of mentally challenged adults.
Clients and their parents met with the agencies on
Thursday evening. Ms. Perry and representatives from the
new agencies assured the clients that operations -
including the day program, transportation, and residential
care will continue. Few seemed to have any major concerns
about the new operators, selected by the Department of
Mental Retardation Services. Clients and their guardians
can choose who they want as their individual residential
service provider.
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DECA Students Get Set for Orlando |
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Winning McKenzie High
School DECA competitors leave Friday for the
International Career Development Conference in Orlando,
Florida. Pictured are: Thomas Clark, Mark Anderson,
Marketing Instructor Scott Jewel, Jasmine McMackins and
Ryan Lacey. Also attending the conference is Jeff Bunn
(not pictured).
Five McKenzie High School DECA Club members will be
heading to Florida this Friday for national competitions
taking place at the annual International Career
Development Conference, to be held this year in Orlando.
Accompanying the award-winning students will be
Marketing Instructor Scott Jewell.
Some thirty MHS DECA Club members competed in the
regional competition held at The University of Tennessee
at Martin. Three teams from McKenzie (Jeff Bunn and
Brian Winston; Ryan Lacey and Jasmine McMackins; and
Thomas Clark and Mark Anderson) continued to the state
competitions held during DECA's state conference held in
Nashville.
Ryan, Jasmine, Thomas and Mark were selected to compete
in the national competition in Orlando next week. Ryan
and Jasmine won fourth place with their hospitality
services, team management presentation while Thomas and
Mark were first in the state with their e-commerce team
management concept. Alone at the national competition,
Jeff Bunn illustrated the concepts of his and Brian's
e-commerce dissertation with a Power Point presentation.
Jeff was invited to attend the Florida convention in
recognition of his outstanding efforts. All of this
year's MHS finalists are seniors.
Around 14,000 students, advisors, business professionals
and others from across the United States are expected to
gather for the Florida conference, most of whom will
compete along with the McKenzie team members for
national recognition. DECA "helps students develop
skills and competence for marketing careers, build
self-esteem, experience leadership and practice
community service" while promoting marketing education
and the growth of business and education partnerships.
Students worked to raise much of the $5000 cost of the
trip, participating in fund raisers such as selling
concessions at the school play, candy bar sales, t-shirt
sales, hosting a dance for middle school students, fruit
sale and MHS Bookstore sales. Community sponsors include
Kevin Flippen, Michael Epperson; James Ownby; Jeff and
Jodi Johnson; Ben Gaines and New Generation Furniture;
Dunn, Creswell, Sparks, Smith, Horne and Downing PLLC
CPAs; Bouldin Real Estate; Wal-Mart; Kiwania Club;
Arnolds; CSI, Inc.; Profile Metals and McKenzie Medical
Center. Students were $1300 away from their financial
goal last week. |
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McKenzie Woman Fatally Injured In
One-Car Accident |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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A Monday accident on Highway 79
North approximately three miles from
McKenzie claimed the life of a
44-year-old woman.
Sherry Bomar of McKenzie was enroute
to Paris to visit her daughter when
the accident occurred, according to
her brother, Terry Day of Bruceton.
Trooper Mike Smothers of the
Tennessee Highway Patrol stated the
driver veered off the right side of
highway and overcorrected her to the
left. Her 1994 Nissan Pathfinder
then crossed both northbound lanes
and ran into the median, where she
struck the edge of the paved
crossover area and began to
overturn. While overturning, she was
ejected from the vehicle. Both she
and the vehicle came to rest in the
paved median crossover.
She was transported by ambulance to
Henry County Medical Center and
later air flighted to Vanderbilt
Hospital in Nashville, where she
never regained consciousness. She
died from her injuries at 2:43 a.m.
Tuesday morning.
Ms. Bomar had just recently moved to
1575 Cedar Street in McKenzie,
according to Mr. Day.
Funeral services were incomplete
Tuesday morning. A Paris funeral
home is in charge of arrangements. |
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Huntingdon Schools Awards
Construction Management Contract |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Lashlee-Rich of Humboldt was
selected as construction managers for the anticipated
renovation and expansion of Huntingdon High School.
Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education
made the decision Thursday, April 17 after reviewing
bids from the Humboldt firm and Barger Construction of
Huntingdon. Both offered comparable services. Both are
extremely reputable companies, however, Lashlee-Rich
quoted a lower price - 3.25 percent compared to Barger's
4.5 percent - saving the school system an estimated
$17,000 on the high school project. Barger quoted a
price of 4.0 percent if the system decides to
additionally build a gymnasium at Huntingdon Primary
School. The system has not yet decided to build the
gymnasium, however, the architectural firm of TLM
Associates is drawing plans for the primary gymnasium in
the event the school has financial resources to
construct the facility. Barger may still bid to perform
the actual construction work under the management of
Lashlee-Rich.
Danny Truett, director of schools, said the construction
manager and school system will have more control over
the project and quality as compared to a single "hard
bid" from a lone contractor to do the whole project.
Previously, the system has contracted with a lone
bidder, which has resulted in some work being performed
by subcontractors in other states, who are often slow to
respond to problems with the construction. Truett said
the school system and Lashlee-Rich will have the option
of choosing subcontractors, who they feel will offer the
best price and services. Truett gave the example of air
conditioning and roofing problems at some of the other
schools' buildings that were installed by contractors
outside of the region.
Lashlee-Rich will oversee all aspects of the project,
which includes the addition of a new cafeteria, new
administrative offices, an all purpose room for the
chorus, cheerleaders, and band auxiliary, and conversion
of the present administrative offices into classrooms
and offices.
Custodial services were contracted to Southern Building
Services of Nashville at a price of $204,636 annually or
$17,053 monthly. Southern Management Services at
$216,000 was the other bidder. All janitorial services
related to school events will be covered by the
contract. The current 12 custodial employees may apply
for similar work positions with Southern Building
Services. Truett indicated the total contract price may
be lower if another area school also contracts with the
company.
Three teachers tenured their resignations. Bettie Hill,
Helen Whitaker, and Gaye Gooch have a combined 97 years
of experience. Truett said all three are good teachers,
good people, and devoted. |
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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