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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2003
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McKenzie, McLemoresville to Celebrate July 4th |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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McKenzie and McLemoresville are gearing up for their
annual Fourth of July celebrations with fun events lasting
most of the day and night between the two towns.
McKenzie's Fourth of July fireworks display, held annually
at the McKenzie Recreational Park on Como Road, has been
expanded this year to include two local bands and
concessions beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Smooth Country will perform 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Cruise
Control, performing classic rock, at 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
McKenzie High School Lady Rebels softball team will
operate the concession stand.
McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester encourages citizens to
carpool since parking will be limited. Handicap parking
only will be allowed at the park with others parking along
Como Street and Liberty Lane. Spectators should bring
their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. The aerial
display of fireworks usually begins at 9:00 p.m.
In McLemoresville, festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with a
grand parade in the downtown area. Individuals and
businesses are invited to participate with floats,
decorated cars, marching troops, horses, bicycles, and
pets. Immediately after the parade, a cake walk will be
held followed by a street dance.
McLemoresville Fire Department will be serving hamburgers
and the Community Services Group will be serving ice
cream.
"Bring your whole family and come out and celebrate with
us," said Mayor Phil Williams, who asked spectators to
bring their own lawn chairs for their convenience.
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"Parents Supporting McKenzie Soccer" Address School Board
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Budget Approved with No Increase in Taxes |
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Approximately ten parents representing "Parents Supporting
McKenzie Soccer" attended the June 24 regular meeting of
the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education.
Mr. Ben Masullo spoke for the group in asking the board to
consider adding soccer to the sports curriculum of
McKenzie High School.
Mr. Masullo said the desire to have a high school soccer
program was "not a whim" but was the next logical step
after years of hard work by individuals such as John
Barham, who has been the mainstay of the city's soccer
program in McKenzie.
"Not all students desire to play traditional sports like
football and basketball," he said, emphasizing the sports
would give students an opportunity to "reap huge benefits
both physically and mentally."
He stated that during soccer season five soccer fields
will be filled with parents and children playing the
sport. During the spring season, he said, 260 children
participated in the city program with an even greater
number last fall.
"It's growing every year," he said. The sport is already a
part of the middle school sports offerings.
Mr. Masullo stated that a February 2003 survey of 180
students in grades 9-11 showed 70 (or 39%) would be
interested in participating in a high school program. Of
that number, 41 were male and 29 were female.
He cited scholarships at higher education institutions
like Bethel, Murray State and MTSU (which, he stated,
awards 12 full scholarships per year to soccer players) as
another incentive.
He further stated the costs of the program would be
minimal, estimating $2000 to $3000 would cover the costs
of uniforms, referees, coaching fees, and transportation,
with $3.00 admission fees and concessions funding much of
that amount. Mr. Masullo, who is General manager of
Cutting Specialists Inc. in McKenzie, also stated his
belief that business and industry might contribute to a
high school program.
Board member Joe Fortner stated he wanted to "go on
record" as a supporter of the proposed program, stating,
"I feel soccer will be a program that will be great for
McKenzie's future."
Chairman Ruth Carroll thanked Mr. Masullo for his
presentation and advised the presentation would be one
item considered in making a decision in the future. "This
is just the beginning of information that will be
gathered; we will not be making a decision tonight," said
Mrs. Carroll, who advised she had also received two phone
calls on the issue.
Mrs. Jeanie Reeves, whose property on Stonewall Street
borders Middle School property, complained that shrubbery
growing on the school side of the fence was never trimmed
and that trash accumulating between the fence and the
unkempt vegetation was never cleaned up.
"The fence is in horrible condition," said Mrs. Reeves,
who stated the previous administration had indicated
repairs would be made and were not made.
Mrs. Reeves further addressed the Board regarding a
personal matter.
2003-2004 Budget Passes With No Tax Increase
Following the unanimous approval of the 2003-2004 budget,
Superintendent James Ward stated, "The fiscal year 2004
budget is funded without an increase in the property tax
rate and includes a 5% raise for classified employees."
Certified employees will receive a salary increase of
about $1500 from salary equity funds and the balance of
the January 1, 2003 state raise, plus a $400 fiscal year
2003 year-end bonus for an average total of about $1900.
The local contribution to employee medical insurance for
certified staff was increased to 55%. Mr. Ward indicated,
"Health insurance is going to be an issue we struggle with
annually" as rates increase.
Additional teaching positions added in the new fiscal year
included a 7th grade reading teacher and an additional
position at the elementary level. "Each time we can add
certified staff we will do so," stated Mr. Ward.
Property tax rates were certified at $1.53 per $100
assessed value following a countywide reappraisal of real
estate. Last year's assessed value was $1.55.
Although the board could have voted to keep last year's
rate, Mr. Ward encouraged members to adopt the new rate,
stating, "I'm thinking this $1.53 will generate revenue
expected and I'd like to go with the $1.53 rate."
Total estimated revenue from local, state and federal
sources was $5,686,671 with estimated expenditures
totaling the same amount for a balanced budget.
Substitute Teacher Compensation Re-addressed
Board member Jill Holland asked again about the
possibility of raising the level of compensation of
certified substitute teachers. The issue has been
mentioned several times by Ms. Holland in previous board
meetings.
Mr. Ward stated the school district receives approximately
$40,000 through the state Basic Education Plan for
substitute teacher compensation while expending "close to
$48,000" in the current year.
"We've talked about this for a couple of years," said Ms.
Holland, who stated especially retired teachers should
receive more compensation. "They're so good, the students
don't miss a beat," she said.
"They miss a beat," Mr. Ward countered, "anytime their
regular teacher is out. They are good," he conceded,
regarding the substitute teachers skill levels.
The rate of compensation for certified substitutes in the
McKenzie School District is $45 per day while non-degreed
substitutes earn $39 per day. Mr. Ward cited the amount
paid in the Huntingdon School District is $50 and $40,
respectively.
"Can we go down on the non-certified (pay schedule)?"
asked Ms. Holland.
"If it would eliminate anyone from the list I sure
wouldn't do it," Mr. Ward replied.
New Promotion and Retention Policy for Elementary Grades
Retention will occur in Kindergarten and first grade when
a student has not achieved mastery of 75 percent of the
academic objectives in mathematics and reading. Retention
will occur in grades 2-4 when a student has not achieved
mastery of 75 percent of the academic objectives in math
or reading and one other academic subject. Retention of
students receiving special education shall be recommended
by the M-Team, a designated group of educators. When
necessary, the principal will meet with the teacher and
parents in a conference to convey that retention is in the
best interest of the child, since success at the next
grade level would be questionable.
Change in School Fees Prompts Discussion
A change in fees for a high school art class was passed
with one dissenting vote. Board member Clay Kirk
protested, "I hate fees. Is there no way in the world we
can fund these (classes) without fees?" Mr. Kirk stated he
was aware a supply list was a requirement besides the fee,
which was increased from $5.00 to $10.00 for the coming
year.
Mr. Ward stated the fees were charged due to the fact that
the students will be taking the products home with them in
the form of finished art projects.
Ms. Holland stated, "As a parent I've had a lot of fees to
pay and I really don't mind."
Mr. Ward alluded to the fact that qualifying families do
not have to pay the fees, however, Mr. Kirk stated, "I
don't think we should put the students or the parents in
that position to have to beg for fees to have their child
in class."
Mr. Ward agreed to study the fees incurred over the last
three years and present his findings in a future meeting.
Board Chairman Ruth Carroll stated she would prefer the
students pay a small fee and be able to do advanced art
than to absorb the costs and in a few years not be able to
continue the program.
National Food Service Summer Program Well Attended
Schools Dietician Deborah Chapman reported between 100 and
150 children per day take advantage of the free breakfast
and lunch offered to any child 18 years of age and under,
regardless of whether they are students or live within the
school's service area.
Adults can also eat breakfast and lunch for the nominal
fee of $1.00 for breakfast and $2.00 for lunch. Meals are
available at the Elementary School and three additional
sites: Gingerbread House, First Baptist Church, and the
McKenzie Housing Authority.
"Parents bring their kids by before and after swimming and
Vacation Bible School," stated Ms. Chapman.
"This is a service to our parents," said Curriculum
Supervisor Diana Crawford. The USDA reimburses the school
system for each meal served. |
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County Executive Becomes 'Mayor'
Other Laws Take Effect July 1 |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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 Tennessee no longer has any county executives. Effective
July 1, the title of county executive was changed to
county mayor.
Carroll County Mayor Kenny McBride said several county
executives in middle and east Tennessee precipitated the
change after an industrial prospect was more familiar with
the term "mayor" than "executive." Some counties, such as
Madison, already used the title of county mayor for the
chief executive officer of the county government. The
Tennessee Legislator sought to make the title uniform
across the state.
McBride said the Legislature granted permission for county
mayors to use the current supply of printed materials
bearing the title "executive." After those materials are
exhausted, the title "mayor" will replace executive. The
change of title will bear a minimal cost on the county,
said Mayor McBride.
Tennessee's Association of County Executives now becomes
the Tennessee Association of County Mayors, said McBride.
McBride was first elected executive in 1998 and again in
2002. The change in title ended his practice of saving
expensive campaign materials from one campaign to the
next. "I probably threw away 300 signs," said McBride. The
2006 campaign will bear all new signs with the title of
mayor.
The new title is not the first change for the county
government's C.E.O. position. Prior to 1982, the position
was known as county judge, changing in that year to county
executive. Pat Williams was the last county judge and
Wesley Beal, Jr. was the first county executive. McBride
was the last to bear the title of county executive.
Other Laws
A presumed level of intoxication for motorists changes to
.08 from .1. The law was established last year with a
effective date of July 1, 2003.
Motorcyclists can now proceed through a red signal light
after first stopping and assuring safe passage. The law
was approved because motorcycles do not have enough mass
to trip signal sensors embedded in the road.
All unsolicited facsimile advertisements are now regulated
by law. Persons sending unsolicited facsimiles shall
establish a toll-free telephone (fax) number that the
recipient of the unsolicited fax may use to notify the
sender by return fax. All unsolicited facsimile
advertisements shall include a valid return address, a
toll-free telephone number and a statement informing the
recipient how to be removed from the original sender's fax
list.
School bus drivers can no longer use a handheld mobile
telephone while operating a moving bus. A cell phone can
only be used in such conditions during a bona fide
emergency. The new law does not apply to two-way radios
connected to the school transportation's central office or
equivalent.
The Presidential preference primary was moved from early
March to the second Tuesday in February during
presidential election years.
Motorists will be required to present proof of liability
insurance when stopped for any reason. Fines can be up to
$100.
New specialty license plates were approved for Alpha Delta
Pi Sorority, Prince Hall Masons, Tennessee's nurses,
volunteer firefighters, breast cancer awareness, The
Hermitage, Girl Scouts of America, and Pro-life.
Motorist shall switch to a traffic lane away from an
emergency, recovery, maintenance or disabled vehicle. If
changing lanes is impossible or impractical, the motorist
shall proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the
vehicle. Violation of the law is a Class C misdemeanor. |
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Huntingdon Town Council
Budget Passes with No Tax Increase |
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Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelley on Tuesday June 24,
during a regular session of the Huntingdon Town Council,
reiterated the newly approved fiscal year 2003-2004
budget, which goes into effect July 1, will not increase
property taxes.
The property tax rate was adjusted from last year's
$1.34 per $100 of assessed value to $1.29 following a
countywide reappraisal of property.
The final reading on the certified property tax rate and
budget for the 2003-2004 year was approved unanimously
following public hearings on both issues at which no
citizenry were present.
A separate resolution was approved authorizing the
disbursement of funds pursuant to the approved budget
ordinance regarding the general fund, street aid fund,
drug control fund, debt service fund and utility fund
budgets.
$19,000 Slated for Non-Profit/Charitable
Organizations
The resolution specified 23 non-profit and/or charitable
organizations approved to receive a total of $19,000.00
in financial aid from the Town of Huntingdon. Recipients
of the assistance as approved in the FY 2004 budget are:
Carroll Arts Council - $250; Carroll County Athletic
Dept. - $500; Carroll County Chamber of Commerce -
$2,000; Carroll County Library - $3,000; Carroll County
Rescue Squad - $1,000; Carroll County Sports Hall of
Fame - $250; Carroll County Soccer League - $1,000;
Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center - $500; Huntingdon Ace
Club - $250; Huntingdon Boys Little League - $1,000;
Huntingdon ASA Softball League - $1,000; Huntingdon
Junior Babe Ruth - $500; Huntingdon Band Boosters -
$1,000; Huntingdon High School PTO - $500; Huntingdon
High School Point Guard Club - $250; Huntingdon Summer
Recreational Program - $2,000; Huntingdon Lady Diamond
Club - $250; Huntingdon Diamond Club - $250; Huntingdon
Ministerial Alliance - $500; Jackson Area Council on
Alcohol and Drug Abuse - $1,000; NWTHRA/RSVP - $250;
Relay for Life - $1,000; Southern Poison Center - $750. |
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Banner Wins Third Place in UT-TPA
Contest |
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 The
McKenzie Banner was honored again by the Tennessee Press
Association and the University of Tennessee during the
annual newspaper contests. The Banner won a third place
award in the category for Best News Story.
Linda Bolton, Associate Editor for the Banner, and
husband, Dwayne represented the Banner at the annual
awards luncheon held at the Music City Sheraton in
Nashville on Friday, June 28.
Competing in the larger of two circulation classes for
non-daily newspapers, the Banner earned third for Mrs.
Bolton's story about a murder-suicide involving the
deaths of a husband and wife. The judge from the Florida
Press Association rated the story 'excellent' in subject
matter, coverage, composition, and display.
"Interesting human interest story with tragic
consequences," wrote the judge in anonymity. "Well
displayed story and graphic photo; good sidebars with
explanatory information and background to the tragic
shootings; well written and an easy read..."
"It is always nice to be recognized for one's work,"
said Mrs. Bolton. "Our entire staff works very hard to
provide fair and accurate area news coverage each week."
"Mrs. Bolton works very hard to get the story accurate
and complete," said Joel Washburn, editor of the Banner.
"We are extremely pleased to have her as a team member."
Newspapers in middle and east Tennessee took home the
lion's share of this year's first place awards. |
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These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
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- McKenzie Teen Sustains Serious Eye Injury in
Fireworks Mishap
- Trezevant Hikes Tax Rate 4.5 Percent
- McKenzie to Refund $5,000 to Beer Selling
Establishments
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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