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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2003
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County Approves Budget and Tax Rate |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Carroll County's budget will require no tax increase for
FY2003-2004. Carroll is one of the few counties in
Tennessee holding the line on taxes this year after the
State reduced its revenue-sharing funds by as much as nine
percent.
Commissioners offered their praise to County Mayor Kenny
McBride, budget committee members, and department
supervisors for developing the budget. Commissioner Larry
Spencer praised Mayor McBride for being able to say "no"
when managing the county's funds. The commissioner from
Bruceton said many counties are facing large tax
increases, including Benton County, which is faced with
the possibility of a 33 percent tax increase. McBride said
the neighboring county is considering several options,
including a tax increase of 97 cents per $100 assessed
value. McBride was quick to praise Carroll County's
elected officials, department heads, and budget committee
members.
A tax rate of $1.06 per $100 assessed value was approved
unanimously. The new rate of $1.06 is equal to the
certified rate approved by the State of Tennessee
following a recent reappraisal. Previously, the rate was
$1.10. Commissioner Frank Burns said the new tax rate will
generate "no more revenue" than the previous rate. McBride
said the county will actually realize less tax revenue
because of the lower assessments on public utilities and
the reduction from the state-shared funds.
Non-profit organizations approved to receive funding were
as follows: Atwood Senior Citizens $200; Carl Perkins
Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse $1,000; Carroll
County Museum $400; Carroll County Rescue Squad $6,000;
Gordon Browning Museum $4,000; Huntingdon Museum and
Historical $400; McKenzie Memorial Library $7,000;
McKenzie Senior Citizens $200; and West Tennessee Hearing
and Speech $2,000.
Commissioner Roger Hollowell questioned why the Carroll
County Chamber of Commerce did not appear on the list of
funding for nonprofit organizations. McBride said the
Chamber's funding is considered "dues" not a donation. It
is now listed under a different line item at the request
of the auditors, noted McBride.
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce receives $17,000 as the
regular donation and $10,000 to assist in industrial
development - a plan developed during a public referendum
to raise the local option sales tax.
The County of Carroll will now be part of the Tennessee
School Boards Risk Management Trust. Mayor McBride said
the change will allow the county to participate in the
Next Generation worker's compensation plan along with 34
other Tennessee counties. The move is expected to save the
county $39,000 annual in worker's compensation insurance
premiums.
In other business, the commissioner:
- honored Pete Clark, a 15-year employee with the Carroll
County Highway Department. Clark was presented a
wristwatch and resolution honoring him on his retirement.
- appointed Margaret Bumpus and Nancy Rush to the Carroll
County Library Board with a term ending June 2006.
- approved John Mann to the Carroll County Electrical Board
with a term ending July 2007.
- approved as notaries public Sandra W. McCaleb, Rita K.
Jones, Rachel N. Wilkes, Patricia Turner, LaRenda
Scarbrough, and Judy M. Baker.
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Donations Needed For Benefit to Assist 16-Year-Old Lavinia
Burn Victim |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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 A camping trip for several Lavinia teenagers turned tragic
in late June when one of the 16-year-olds sustained severe
burns over forty percent of his body.
Jon McGowan, a standout baseball pitcher at West Carroll
High School where he will be a junior this fall, and three
of his friends had constructed a bonfire approximately
one-half mile from his parents' home where they were
camping for the night.
According to relative Daryl Ridgely, Jon noticed a
gasoline can had rolled near the fire and went to move the
can out of the way. When he kicked the can with his foot,
it exploded, setting him on fire. He ran to a nearby
one-acre pond on the property to extinguish the flames.
Jon's parents, Mike and Debbie McGowan rushed him by
private vehicle to Milan Hospital, where he it was
determined he had second and third degree burns, primarily
on both legs and his left hand and arm. He was stabilized
and airlifted to The Medical Center in Memphis, where he
currently remains hospitalized.
Mike McGowan said his son has undergone two skin graft
surgeries so far, with additional touch-up grafts a
possibility in the future.
He received second and third degree burns to both legs and
his left arm received third degree burns from his
fingertips to above the elbow, said his father. His right
arm received less severe burns from the wrist to the
elbow.
Skin from his chest and back has been removed to complete
the skin grafts, he added.
Jon required 10 units of blood during surgery Wednesday,
July 11 and has received blood on an almost daily basis
during his recovery.
Jon's father, Mike, is a rural mail carrier at Lavinia and
his mother, Debbie, is employed in the cafeteria at West
Carroll High School. Debbie is reportedly staying around
the clock at the hospital and Mike and Jon's 15-year-old
sister, Sara, is spending many of their days there as
well.
The family was first told that Jon could expect to be
hospitalized for as much as two to four months. However,
barring any complications that might arise, he has since
been told that he might be able to return home sometime in
August, said Mike. The recovery period for the skin grafts
is expected to be a long one, however, he added.
"The doctors and nurses have told us that he is doing
extremely well so far," said Mike. "He is anxious to begin
physical therapy Monday."
He explained that physical therapy is necessary to keep
his muscles flexible and to promote healing of the skin
grafts.
"There have been a lot of prayers for him," said Mike. "We
would like to thank everyone for the prayers and support
we have received and we want everyone to continue praying
for him."
Friends in the West Carroll area are planning a special
fund-raising benefit to help the McGowan family on Friday,
August 1 at the West Carroll Regional Complex, located
between McLemoresville and Atwood at the former West
Carroll High School site.
The family is incurring medical and personal expenses
above what insurance will pay and friends and co-workers
want to help with those needs.
Donations, both monetary and merchandise to be auctioned
are being accepted. Barbecue and hamburgers with side
orders will be sold during the event. Music and food
serving will begin at 6:00 p.m. An auction of donated
items is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. with more
entertainment to follow.
Special entertainment during the event will be Singer Brad
Palmer, a finalist in West Tennessee Idol on 106.9.
"Brad is a must see," said Wanda Tidwell, one of the
organizers of the event. "He is a great singer and
performer."
Also, a bloodmobile from The Med will be on hand during
the event. The McGowan family will reportedly receive
$10.00 off the cost of each of Jon's blood transfusions
for each blood donation that is made.
Please help this young man and his family by providing
monetary donation, items to be auctioned, or bring the
family out for the barbecue and musical entertainment. For
more information, contact Daryl Ridgely at 662-4467 and
Wanda Tidwell at 987-2245.
Funds for the family may also be mailed to: Jon McGowan
Fund, c/o West Carroll Regional Complex, 1595 Highway 77,
Atwood, TN 38220. |
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Paris Guard Unit Returns to a Hero's Welcome |
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Friends, relatives and neighbors lined the streets of
Paris to welcome home 124 local heroes of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Riding charter busses, the soldiers from Charlie
Company, 46th Engineers rolled into Paris on Friday, July
11 at 6:30 p.m.
Streets in Paris were lined with people waving flags,
cheering, and watching as the promenade of patrol cars
escorted the big white buses to the armory, where only
family members and the media were allowed to greet the
returning soldiers.
One of this soldiers was Leslie Evans of Big Sandy, who
was greeted at the drive by his aunts Dana Jacobs, Terri
Turner and uncle, Mike Owen - all of Paris. The trio
watched the unit depart eight months ago and have awaited
his return. When he saw his family, Evans jumped from his
pickup truck and gave a long embrace to his family
members.
"We going to have a big ole fish fry at my house," said
Terri, who explained that Mike has been fishing for the
occasion.
Charlie Company returned to the United States from Kuwait
during the Independence Day holiday. They arrived at Fort
Polk, LA on July 4, and moved through Fort Campbell,
Kentucky before arriving in Paris on Friday. They were
originally mobilized on October 4, 2002 and moved to
Kuwait in October to perform construction missions well
before the war started.
"We are extremely proud to have these units back in the
states," said Major General Gus Hargett. "They
demonstrated the true spirit of the Volunteer State by
carrying on the great tradition of generations of
Tennessee soldiers." |
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South Carroll Relay for Life Nets Over $135,000 |
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Cancer survivors of from less than a year to 42 years listen as
honorary co-chairs Billy Crum, Lucille Cursey and Sharon
Moore take turns sharing their encouraging stories of
hope, faith, friends and family.Carroll County's continuing dedication in the fight
against cancer, symbolized by the new Relay for Life
Monument located at the entrance to the Relay Quadrangle
at Veterans Memorial Park in Huntingdon, was underscored
dramatically Friday evening when hundreds of residents
from the local area poured into the park to savor the
upbeat carnival atmosphere while remaining aware of the
pain imposed upon one and all by the ravages of cancer.
During opening ceremonies, which were highlighted by the
matchless performance of the Huntingdon High School Chorus
under the direction of Jeanie Newman, three honorary
co-chairs instilled into listeners a message of hope
grounded in family, friends and faith and guided by the
medical advances made possible by research dollars raised
in part by Relay for Life events in communities across the
country.
The matchless sound of the Huntingdon High School Chorus
under the direction of Jeanie Newman greeted guests for
the opening ceremonies of Relay for Life 2003 in
Huntingdon.
Billy Crum was introduced by Relay Co-Chairman Dr. Tim
Tucker as an icon in the Carroll County education system.
In a speech that was alternately stirring and humorous,
Mr. Crum stated, "Ladies, for the next couple of minutes
I'm going to talk about the prostate gland; I know you
don't have one. I don't have one either."
Because of research, he said, the surgery he had in 1989
to remove his prostate is no longer necessary in many
instances today.
He gave thanks for the support of his wife of 51 years,
Annie Lee, to his daughters Susan and Kendra, and to God
for his last PSA test that registered perfectly normal. "I
thank God every day; I know I need God every day," he
said. "I certainly talk to him more now."
Now vigilant in preventive health care, Mr. Crum was
surprised when three cancerous polyps were found and
removed from his colon after his last checkup. "I am now
firmly convinced that early detection prompt action play a
major role in survivor," he said.
Lucille Cursey, a Huntingdon Middle School teacher, shared
her history as a victim of inflammatory breast cancer,
which recurred after chemotherapy and surgery. After a
change in medication and six additional cycles of
chemotherapy, Ms. Cursey is currently cancer-free.
Holding candles during the memorial service for those who
have lost the fight were (l to r) last year's honorary
co-chairs Rhonda Powell and Jesse Knott, inaugural
co-chair Tara Spain, and current co-chair Lucille Cursey. |
She breezed through her medical history in order to devote
more time to "her story" which began with a quote from
Psalms 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble."
"He does indeed dwell here in Huntingdon, Tennessee," she
declared, expressing as well a "heartfelt thank you" to
her family, church family, co-workers, friends and
neighbors who, she says, "all combined to carry my
burden."
Sharon Moore was diagnosed with a brain tumor after
experiencing severe headaches and blurred vision. When
only 95-98 percent of the tumor could be removed
initially, a second surgery was scheduled to tackle the
still-growing tumor. On the day of the surgery, however,
her doctor informed her the surgery had been postponed. "I
know brains, I don't know babies," he said by way of
informing Ms. Moore of her pregnancy.
As she spoke, she cradled the miracle of her daughter,
Josie. Her son Tyler placed her relay medal around her
neck prior to her speech.
"I know without a strong support system and faith in God I
wouldn't be here today," she said.
Agnes Cooper, an eight-year cancer survivor, and Jack
Coleman, a two-year survivor, both from Huntingdon, smile
as they take their victory lap. "I'm just thankful to be
alive; thankful to be cancer free," said Agnes. Jack
touted early detection and new developments thanks to
research as keys in survival. |
The victory lap, always triumphant, brimmed with hope for
those who continue the fight.
Among those missing this year was Stanley Cole of Hollow
Rock who took the victory lap in Relay for Life 2002 after
an ongoing 20 year fight with cancer that finally claimed
him in October last year at the age of 73. His constant
faith and unwavering strength of character in the face of
adversity was an inspiration for those who follow him.
Twenty-five dedicated teams demonstrated their creativity
this year in lively and often humorous themes with each
campsite a light-hearted but firm reminder of the reason
for the occasion.
David Thomas of Huntingdon carries the flame of hope onto
the stage after passing through the crowd below. Behind
David are co-chairmen Dr. Lee Carter and Dr. Tim Tucker. |
"We have proven once again that we truly are a community
that cares," declared Dr. Tim Tucker, who shares with Dr.
Lee Carter the leadership of the wildly successful Carroll
South event which includes the towns of Huntingdon, Hollow
Rock, Bruceton, and Clarksburg.
For more information about how you can become involved in
Relay for Life or to include your business, church,
workplace or family team in next year's events, contact
Dr. Tim Tucker at 986-7921 or Dr. Lee Carter at 986-5417
in Huntingdon for South Carroll cities or in for North
Carroll County Ms. Karen McCaleb at 352-5961 or Mona Cude
at 352-9360 in McKenzie.
Grand Champions for Best Campsite was The First Methodist
Church of Huntingdon's "Follow the Yellow Brick Road for a
Cure." From left to right, the Scarecrow was portrayed by
Brett Blakeman, the Cowardly Lion was Evan Edwards,
Dorothy and Toto were played by Morgan Taylor and her
little dog Izzy, and the Tin Man was played by John
Wheatley. The team also placed second for most money
raised and second in bow sales.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE RELAY FOR LIFE PHOTOS |
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Dilday's Soggy Bottom Outlaws - Oh Cure Where Art Thou,
placed third for best campsite, second for most money
raised, and was awarded the prize for Most Team Spirit.
Pictured are (l-r) Patsy Jesse and Jill Baker.
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Leading the Relay for Life memorial lap is Mr. James Black
of Savannah, followed by a group of youngsters.
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These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
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- Vacant Industrial Building May Soon Have Occupant
- Air Ambulance Service to Expand to Martin
- National Guard Soldier Killed in Iraq
- Red Painted ladies Disrupt Franklin
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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