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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2003
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Five Honored at Annual Chamber Banquet |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Five Carroll Countians were honored Monday night at the
21st annual Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Membership
Banquet. The Chamber's highest honors went to Bob Prosser,
President of Bethel College, Billy Tines, President of
Carroll Bank and Trust, and Leon and Marge Tucker, former
owners of City Drug Company.
Leon and Marge Tucker of Huntingdon are the first couple
to ever receive the Carroll County Business Person of the
Year. The Tuckers have been married for 52 years and were
former owners of City Drug Company. They are active in
First Baptist Church-Huntingdon and have been involved in
civic affairs for many years.
Marge was the second woman to serve on the Huntingdon
School Board, a position she held during the construction
of the high school. She was also the president of the
Woman's Club and the Garden Club.
Leon is a graduate of the U.T. School of Pharmacy. He
joined Maurice and Edna Eldridge in the ownership of City
Drugs in 1965 and purchased the entire business in 1983.
The couple has three sons - Bob, Director of Carroll
Academy, and Tony and Tim, both doctors of pharmacy and
owners of City Drug Company. Leon and Marge have six
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Tucker served as spokesman of the family during the
event. She said she was humbled by the award and thanked
her children, grandchildren, and store staff for attending
the banquet.
From the beginning, Mr. Tucker wanted to work at a
pharmacy in Huntingdon, said Mrs. Tucker. No pharmacy
positions were available, so the two traveled to
Crossville to accept employment. But Marshall Darnell
phoned from Huntingdon and said one of his pharmacists had
quit and there was a job opening in Huntingdon, so the
family immediately returned. Mrs. Tucker said Huntingdon
has been "good to us" and she committed that the two will
remain in Huntingdon for the remainder of their lives.
Chamber board member Cliff Sturdivant introduced the
Tuckers.
Bob Prosser was honored as Carroll Countian of the Year.
He has served as president of Bethel College during a
period of phenomenal growth. During his tenure, the
college created the new Physicians Assistant program - one
of only two in the state of Tennessee; continued the
growth of the degree completion program known as Success -
the program now has more than 800 students at various
campuses including McKenzie, Memphis, and Nashville; broke
ground for a new residence hall named in honor of Mr. and
Mrs. Prosser; and now is preparing to add more masters
programs at the college. Prosser previously served as the
minister of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church (1971
to 1987) and as the Stated Clerk for the entire Cumberland
Presbyterian Church denomination (1987 to 1998), and
returned to Bethel as it interim president in 1998 before
being named president by the college's board of trustees.
Prosser and wife, Toni, who also works at Bethel College,
have two children - Steven Prosser of Nashville and
Cynthia Neinaber of McKenzie, and seven grandchildren.
In receiving the award, the Lebanon, Missouri native said
he has resided in Carroll County longer than any other
place. He first came to the county as a Bethel student in
1958 and had planned to retire in McKenzie when he
received a call asking him to be the interim president of
the college. Prosser said the church-affiliated college
asked him to serve to "stabilize" the college. Today,
Prosser says the college is moving ahead, it is paying
down its debts, and adding new programs and students. He
said he issued some bold initiatives for the college, but
noted that if those had failed, the situation could have
been disastrous.
The college president accepted the award on behalf of the
church family, people of the area, and the people who have
worked so hard at Bethel. "Humbly and gratefully" are the
words he used to describe his acceptance of the award.
Chamber board member Ruby Allen introduced Prosser.
Billy Tines of Huntingdon was the co-recipient of the
Business Person of the Year. Tines and the late Billy
Cary, along with Graham Funderburk, Jr. purchased the Bank
of McLemoresville in 1972. The bank later expanded to
Huntingdon and McKenzie and later changed its name to
Carroll Bank and Trust.
Billy served for 32 years as executive vice president and
in July 2002 became the institution's president and CEO.
He has been a member of both the Huntingdon Rotary Club
and the Huntingdon Lions Club. He is a former member of
the Tennessee National Guard, a member of the Huntingdon
Industrial Development Board, and is an avid golfer.
He was reared in Cedar Grove and presently resides in
Huntingdon with his wife, Jackie. They have two daughters,
Laca of Queens, New York and Karrah, who resides in
Crossville, Tenn.
Tines said the award is "an honor and privilege" and
described it as a "humbling" experience. He thanked the
Chamber board for selecting him as the co-businessperson
of the year.
"I feel very fortunate to have been born and raised in
Carroll County," said Tines. He noted his banking
experience began when Sam Barger introduced him to Mr.
Funderburk at the Bank of Huntingdon.
In looking back at the growth and progress of the county,
Tines said he is drawn to three items, which involve
construction: (1) the airport, (2) 4-lane highway 22, and
(3) West Carroll High School. The airport was debated for
many years before its construction, the four-lane highway
connects McKenzie, Huntingdon, Clarksburg, and Lexington,
and West Carroll was a school he didn't believe would ever
be built.
Tines said the county has some great traditions. "Although
much has been done, there is much to do," concluded Tines.
Amy Carter, who serves on the Chamber's board of
directors, introduced Tines.
Dave Cooley, deputy to Governor Phil Bredesen was the
guest speaker. Cooley married Melanie Kemp, a native of
Carroll County.
Cooley told of the progress the State of Tennessee has
made during the 10-month tenure of the Governor. For
instance, some 17,000 public school teachers received a
pay raise, the state operates with less money, the state
motor fleet has been reduced by 15 percent, a new ethics
policy has been implemented, and a children's cabinet has
been established to eliminate duplication of services by
various departments.
He said much still remains to be done including bringing
TennCare into line. That healthcare program consumes 23
percent of the state budget. The State must also recruit
and grow more industries and jobs. The recent
groundbreaking of Bodine Industries in Jackson should help
Carroll County, said Cooley.
"Tennessee is only successful if Carroll County is
successful," concluded Cooley.
Chamber Board Chairman Melissa Powell also honored Ruby
Allen. Mrs. Allen is completing her term on the board.
During her nine-year tenure, she served an extended time
as the chairman of the board.
The banquet was held at the Carroll County Civic Center. A
catered meal was provided by Mallard's Restaurant. |
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Separate Accidents near Huntingdon Claim Lives of Three;
One in Critical Condition |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Two Henry County men were killed and one was injured in
a one-vehicle wreck on Highway 77 in Carroll County on
Friday night while a Huntingdon nurse lost her life in a
Sunday afternoon accident on Highway 70A, seven miles
west of Huntingdon.
The Friday evening accident occurred six miles north of
Huntingdon, according to Investigating Trooper Paul
Moore.
Joseph Eric Harris, 18, 380 Nikki Lane, Paris was killed
in the accident, while brothers, Nathan D. Smith, 21,
and Matthew Stephen Smith, 22, were injured. Nathan died
at 12:23 p.m. Saturday at Jackson-Madison County General
Hospital, where he was airlifted following the accident,
said Carroll County Coroner Steve Cantrell, who assisted
in the investigation. At last report, Matthew Smith was
in critical condition at Vanderbilt Hospital in
Nashville. Smith was airlifted to that facility from the
scene of the wreck.
In a separate accident Sunday, Regina Pearson, 46, of
438 Jamison Drive, died within minutes of being involved
in a one-vehicle accident at 2:57 p.m. near the
intersection of Chase Lane, said Coroner Cantrell.
Ms. Pearson was a Registered Nurse who had been employed
at Huntingdon Health and Rehabilitation Center since
February, 1998.
“She will be sorely missed,” said Sandra Routon,
Director of Nursing at the Huntingdon facility. “There
are a lot of residents and employees who had become very
close to her. She was one to always open her heart and
her pocketbook for those who needed it.”
Trooper Moore said Monday he is still trying to
determine the driver of the 2000 Nissan Maxima involved
in the Friday evening wreck. Joseph Harris was listed as
owner of the vehicle, but it is believed that one of the
other men may have been the driver. He noted the vehicle
was traveling southbound toward Huntingdon when the
driver apparently lost control of the vehicle and
traveled east off the roadway. The vehicle struck a
ditch, described as broad and approximately six feet
deep, causing it to become airborne. The vehicle
continued to travel southeast until it struck a large
tree, the trooper said. Upon impact, the vehicle
separated into two pieces. The front sub-frame of the
car struck a nearby house at 24186 State Route 77 owned
by Lisa Fay Barnhill. Fortunately, Ms. Barnhill and her
children were out trick-or treating, so they were not at
home when the front of the car including the motor
struck an exterior wall of the house near the kitchen
area, causing considerable structural damage. The
remainder of the vehicle landed in the driveway. After
separating, that portion of the vehicle rolled and came
to rest on its driver’s side, said Trooper Moore. All
three occupants were ejected from the vehicle.
A nearby neighbor heard the accident and called 911, the
trooper said.
Joseph Harris was pronounced dead at the scene by
Coroner Cantrell. Dr. Paul Evans, who happened by the
accident and stopped to offer his assistance, assisted
the injured. Nathan Smith was transported by ambulance
and later airlifted to the Jackson hospital. Matthew
Smith, as stated earlier, was airlifted from the scene
to the Nashville facility.
Alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the
accident and criminal charges are pending, said Trooper
Moore.
Highway 77 was closed to traffic more than four hours
because of the wreck, said the Coroner. Six troopers
from the Tennessee Highway Patrol as well as six
officers from Carroll County Sheriff’s Office were on
the scene.
Trooper Moore said Ms. Pearson had reportedly been in
church services prior to Sunday afternoon accident and
was on her way to McLemoresville when the mishap
occurred. She was westbound on Highway 70 Alternate when
she lost control of her 2001 Ford Explorer as it
traveled into the eastbound lane and as she
overcorrected while attempting to negotiate her car back
into the westbound lane. The SUV began to travel in a
sideways fashion and traveled back across the center
line, before leaving the roadway and striking a ditch.
The area where the vehicle traveled had been clear cut
of timber and the vehicle then began to roll and struck
a tree south of the roadway, the trooper said. The
vehicle came to rest right side up.
Ms. Pearson was reportedly wearing her seatbelt at the
time of the accident. |
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Huntingdon Town Council
Residential Properties Rezoned for Business |
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Ten residential properties were rezoned for business at
the request of the property owners during the Tuesday,
October 28 meeting the Huntingdon Town Council Meeting.
Mayor Dale Kelley met with the property owners to
discuss the pros and cons of the rezoning and to answer
questions posed by the property owners after the group
presented a petition for rezoning to the Huntingdon
Municipal-Regional Planning Commission.
The ten adjoining properties are located from 155
through 395 Veterans Drive on the west side of the
Highway 22 Bypass across from Wal-Mart and adjacent to
construction currently taking place on the new shopping
center. Owners include Kate and Earl Rhodes, John and
Catherine Beamon, James Len O'Bryant, Cecil Woody, Betty
Dill, Randall and Glenda Rich, Ruth Springer, William
"Dub" Smith, Allen Espy, and Judy Baker.
Signatures were absent for Allen Espey and William Smith
although it was understood at the Tuesday meeting that
all property owners were in agreement with the measure.
"The property owners petition for rezoning has nothing
to do with continuing to use the properties as
residences and it doesn't affect taxes," stated Mayor
Kelley.
Dwellings located within a business district may
continue to be occupied as residential structures so
long as they do not remain vacant for a period of one
year. While improvements may be made on the homes, the
structures may not be enlarged. Additionally, residences
damaged in excess of 80 percent of replacement cost by
fire, tornado or other circumstances cannot be rebuilt
or repaired as a residential structure.
MAYOR PRAISES HUNTINGDON HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Mayor Kelley extolled the Huntingdon High School Band
after their winning performance at the State
Championship Band Competition in Murfreesboro over the
weekend.
"That was quite a feat," said the mayor, citing their
win against 18 other Tennessee bands. He stated the City
will be awarding the band the "Pinnacle of Excellence
Award" and will erect highway signs recognizes their
accomplishment.
In other matters the Council:
- Cancelled the November 11 Town Council meeting due
to the Veterans Day holiday with the understanding
that a called meeting will be held if necessary;
- Adopted amendments to the Town of Huntingdon's 457
Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private
sector 401 plan) in order to incorporate new IRS
regulations;
- Approved the payment of the Tennessee Municipal
League property insurance premium in the amount of
$17,914.00. The premium was $4,743.00 more than last
year's premium as a complete reappraisal by TML
reflected a $2 million increase in property values due
to some properties being underinsured, and due to a 3%
inflation guard increase and a slight deterioration of
experience; and,
- Were reminded by Mayor Kelley of the Thanksgiving
dinner for employees of Huntingdon to be held the
Wednesday before Thanksgiving at the First Baptist
Church in Huntingdon.
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These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
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- Body of Former McKenzian Recovered in Whiteville
Drowning
- Bruceton, Hollow Rock Officials Receive MTAS Report
- Telethon of Stars to benefit Local CDS
- County to Consider Additional Litigation Tax
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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