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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2003
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March 31 Deadline Set for H.O.P.E. |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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A deadline of March 31 has been established for H.O.P.E.
Center's board of directors to develop a "sense of healing
and mutuality" while developing an appropriate financial
plan. Richard Kellogg, deputy commissioner of the
Tennessee Mental Health Services conducted a public
meeting at the Carroll County Office Complex on Monday for
interested parties of the H.O.P.E. Center.Approximately
50 persons attended the 1.5-hour meeting, which produced
comments from Kellogg, H.O.P.E. Center's board members,
current and former employees of H.O.P.E. and families of
clients served by the Center. Kellogg said he was "looking
for progress of significance" by March 31. Prior to the
meeting, the deputy commissioner met privately with
persons expressing their concerns about the operations of
H.O.P.E.
Marie Burzler, chairman of the board of H.O.P.E. Center
promised to convene a public meeting to listen to some of
the concerns prior to the stated deadline. "We are doing
the best we can," she noted of the volunteer board
members. At the beginning of the meeting, Ms. Burzler said
the board members would not debate the issues and asked
the audience to not ask questions of the board members.
Barbara Gray, H.O.P.E.'s executive director sat quietly in
the back of the room during the meeting and did not
participate in the discussions.
H.O.P.E. Center, based in Huntingdon, serves mentally
delayed adults through various programs including work
development skills, housing, transportation, etc. The
Center has been under scrutiny for its poor financial
management. Employees complain of bouncing payroll checks,
checks being issued late, payroll deductions that are not
forwarded to the appropriate benefits agents, unpaid
worker's compensation, and unpaid vendors who service the
H.O.P.E. Center.
For the remainder of this story, see the print edition
of The McKenzie Banner.
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Welding Accident Claims Life at Norandal USA Thursday |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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A 54-year-old construction worker from Lexington died
Thursday from severe burns following a welding accident at
Norandal USA in Huntingdon.
Joe Larry McDaniel, an employee of Jabezco Industrial
Group of Jackson, was reportedly doing contract work at
the Carroll County industrial plant when the accident
occurred.
"This was an unfortunate accident and our hearts and
prayers go out to the family," said Henry Smith, Director
of Human Services at Norandal USA.
According to a report from Huntingdon Police and Fire
Department, which responded to the scene at 2:04 p.m., Mr.
McDaniel was welding on piping when his clothing ignited.
The fire resulted in third degree burns over his body. The
accident reportedly occurred in the new addition at the
aluminum processing plant.
For the remainder of this story, see the print edition
of The McKenzie Banner. |
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Strep Throat, Stomach Virus and Influenza Bugs Puts Bite
On Tri-Countians |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Stomach viruses, strep throat and influenza bugs have
reared their ugly heads in McKenzie in recent weeks,
according to health and school officials.
Two types of viruses have been problematic for school-age
children. The first has symptoms including head and chest
congestion, sore throat and high fever and the second has
those symptoms combined with gastrointestinal symptoms,
commonly known as stomach virus.
“I don’t know the exact diagnosis, but it sure is raging,”
said one representative at McKenzie Medical Center. A
nurse there confirmed they are seeing approximately 50
cases per day.
Just as the viruses were causing moderate absenteeism at
McKenzie Elementary School and high absenteeism at Gleason
school last week, a winter snow storm closed Carroll and
Weakley County schools on Thursday, Friday and Monday,
hopefully giving a reprieve to the continued spread among
students.
Absenteeism at McKenzie Elementary was averaging
approximately 50 students per day last week before the
snow closed schools, said Secretary Derrinda Thomas. She
said students reportedly suffered from influenza, strep
throat and pink eye. Enrollment at the elementary is
approximately 550 and absenteeism usually averages in the
20’s.
McKenzie middle and high school principals Lynn Watkins
and Terry Howell reported only mild absenteeism at those
schools last week.
“We had a couple of days of high absenteeism in early
January, but since then our attendance has been pretty
good,” said Mr. Watkins.
Gleason School Principal Randy Frazier said 150 students
or 25 percent of the total enrollment of 600 were absent
there on the last day of school Wednesday. He said
absenteeism had increased from 100 students on Monday.
“We have had influenza, strep throat and stomach viruses,”
he said.
For the remainder of this story, see the print edition
of The McKenzie Banner. |
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McKenzie Middle School Teacher Resigns Amid Computer
Investigation |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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McKenzie Middle School teacher Michael Geurin
resigned his position Tuesday, February 4 following a
probe into his personal use of school computers. Geurin,
who resides in Paris, taught social studies. In his
fourth year with the McKenzie system, he had been placed
on tenure.
Donald Parish of Parish Law Office in Huntingdon is
representing Mr. Guerin, but would offer no details of
the case.
“I am not at liberty to discuss the matter,” said Mr.
Parish.
McKenzie Special School District Superintendent James
Ward would only confirm that the investigation centered
on Geurin’s personal use of the school technology. He
would release no specifics of the case, saying only that
“We have policies. We were concerned with issues
concerning compliance and effectiveness.”
Ward did state the incident had nothing to do with
pornography or online gambling. The school system uses a
filtering system that denies access to such sites for
students, teachers, and administrators.
For the remainder of this story, see the print
edition of The McKenzie Banner. |
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School Board Considers Housekeeping Contract |
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County Superintendents will meet on Friday, February 21
at 1:00 at the Carroll Bank and Trust building in
Huntingdon to discuss the expanded school calendar after
which a 2:30 p.m. presentation will offer school systems
the option of contracted housekeeping services rather
than school-employed janitorial services, Superintendent
Jim Ward announced at the February 4 meeting of the
McKenzie Special School District Board of Education.
Mr. Ward set out his bottom-line reason for promoting
the change in declaring, "My concern is two of our
heaviest populated facilities only have two supervisors
and I want to put their focus on academics instead of
worrying if the toilet stinks."
Mr. Ward indicated all current housekeeping personnel
would be offered employment with the contracting
company. Currently, 18 personnel would be affected in
the proposed transition including three fulltime
employees, five who work three hours per day and others
who work two hours per day. Mr. Ward indicated the
company would pay employees a comparable salary while
also providing uniforms, paid vacation time, and other
benefits in a year-round employment status. Employees
would also be trained regarding fluid-borne pathogens
and chemicals used in cleaning solvents, according to
Mr. Ward.
If the contracted services are employed, the school
system would no longer be responsible for purchasing or
storing supplies, rental services, and the like and
would be relieved of employee concerns such as
retirement benefits, workers compensation, insurance,
absenteeism and sick leave, said Mr. Ward, who further
advised the service would hire personnel to include a
day porter, a night supervisor, a floor technician, and
other personnel based on square footage of facilities
serviced.
For the remainder of this story, see the print edition
of The McKenzie Banner. |
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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