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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2003
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Republic Builders Sale Possible |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Republic Builders Company of McKenzie is in the process of
being sold to a former owner. Magnatrax Corporation
announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell
the assets of Republic Builders Products Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary, to Desco Capital Partners for $12.5
million. The purchase price consists of $10.255 million in
cash and the assumption of certain liabilities estimated
to be approximately $2.3 million at closing. The agreement
with Desco is subject to higher and better offers and
bankruptcy court approval.
Magnatrax, parent company of Republic, filed for
protection of assets under the U.S. bankruptcy laws
earlier this year. Since the filing, employees of the
financially-strapped company expressed concern for the
future of the local company.
Mike Taylor, President of Republic Builders Products
Company said, "The consummation of this transaction and
the restored relationship with Desco, which previously
owned Republic between 1984 and 1999, will allow Republic
to continue to enhance its legacy of providing high
quality products and services to our customers."
"I feel very comfortable with Desco buying Republic," said
Billy Barksdale, Executive Director of the McKenzie
Industrial Development Corporation. "They know the market,
the people in the plant, and the overall
operation...Hopefully this will be a positive thing," said
Barksdale.
Brad Hurley, President of the Carroll County Chamber of
Commerce, said, "We're clearly pleased that the company is
no longer in bankruptcy. We look forward to working with
Republic Builders and its new owners to continue a long
and prosperous tenure in McKenzie."
Republic Builders produces steel doors and frames for
residential and commercial use. The company located in
McKenzie in 1975 in the north McKenzie Industrial Park at
the intersection of Como Road and State Route 22. It is
located in Henry County.
McKenzie has had its share of plants closing because of
bankruptcy. River Oaks Furniture of Mississippi filed
bankruptcy and closed their McKenzie operations known as
Gaines Manufacturing on U.S. 79. American Lantern filed
bankruptcy and closed its McKenzie operations on State
Route 22. Both buildings are still vacant, although the
local industrial board is working with one company to
locate in the former Gaines building. |
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Woman Killed in Mowing Accident near McKenzie |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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A mowing accident claimed the life of a 21-year-old
Camden woman early Wednesday evening just off Dr. Holmes
Road near Hinkledale Community, just outside McKenzie.
Carroll County Coroner Steve Cantrell said Jami Crowe
was killed instantly when she apparently fell from a
tractor on which she was a passenger after apparently
being struck by a tree limb.
Miss Crowe was riding on a tractor driven by James
Crockett Smith, 27, of McKenzie. Smith was bush hogging
along the edge of a wooded area and Miss Crowe was
riding on the right fender of the tractor, said
Cantrell. After falling from the tractor, the young
woman was struck by the mowing equipment.
Following the accident, a distraught Mr. Smith sought
help by driving his truck to the home of Ray Crocker on
Hinkledale Road. A 911 call was placed to Carroll County
Sheriff's Department at 7:15 p.m., said Sheriff Bendell
Bartholomew. However, the initial call was that a
pedestrian had been run over, the sheriff noted.
According to Coroner Cantrell, Mr. Smith was doing the
farm work for Jami's mother and step-father, "Sonny" and
Gertie Baskin, with whom he resided at 2095 Blackburn
Road. The pastureland that was being mowed was the Dr.
J.T. Holmes farm, which was rented by Mr. Baskin. The
tractor and bush hog was owned by Mr. Baskin. Ms. Crowe
lived with her father, Jeff Crowe at 325 Utley Road,
Camden.
Responding to the scene along with Sheriff Bartholomew
and Coroner Cantrell were CCSO Chief Deputy Terry
Dickey, Sgt. Doug Pate, Deputy Mike Verner, Deputy Ricky
Wade, TBI Agent Brian Byrd, and McKenzie Regional
Ambulance personnel.
Miss Crowe was a 2000 graduate of Camden High School and
had graduated from nursing school at the Tennessee
Technology Center at Paris.
"They were like brother and sister," said Mr. Cantrell
in talking about Mr. Smith and Miss Crowe. "She called
him "bubba" and he called her "sissy."
Both Ms. Crowe and Mr. Smith were scheduled to enter the
military in a few weeks, said Cantrell. |
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$162,250 FEMA Grant Highlights McLemoresville Cotton
Festival |
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McLemoresville Fire Chief
Bobby Younger (center) and Mayor Phil Williams (right)
beam with excitement as Brad Thompson, representative
for Congressman John Tanner, congratulates them on the
FEMA Grant Award of $162,250 that will purchase a new
fire truck. Thompson made the presentation during
McLemoresville's Cotton Festival last weekend.
McLemoresville Mayor Phil Williams shouted for joy
during Saturday evening's "The Real Pretenders" show
that was a part of the town's annual Cotton Festival.
The opening act was a $162, 250 FEMA Firefighters Grant
presented to Mayor Williams and Fire Chief Bobby Younger
by Brad Thompson of U.S. Congressman John Tanner's
staff. The grant will purchase a new fire truck for the
town.
Mayor Williams lauded Lex Suite, principal of West
Carroll High School, and his wife Lana for writing the
grant application that made the award possible.
"This is so exciting," he said. "This will be the first
time we haven't had to jump off or push the fire truck
to get to a fire."
He praised those in attendance for their efforts that
made it possible for the Town of McLemoresville to have
the 20 percent matching funds for the grant.
"That's money you can feel like you really helped raise
and part of it today," he said. |
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Charlie Beal is New City Clerk |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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 Charlie Beal of McKenzie was named the new city clerk
during a special called meeting of the McKenzie Mayor
and Council on Thursday, October 2. Beal, branch manager
of Union Planters Bank in McKenzie, will assume the new
office on October 13 with hourly pay of $19.23.
Beal was selected from a field of 10 applicants, of
which three finalists were interviewed. The finalists
included Beal, Carla Flynn, and Jeff Thomas of
Russellville, Kentucky.
Councilman Willie Huffman said the ad hoc search
committee was interested in an applicant with
accounting, managerial, and computer experience.
Mayor Walter Winchester said the expense of the salary
will be split between the city general fund and the
water department.
Beal is a graduate of McKenzie High School and the
University of Tennessee at Martin, where he attained a
degree in Commercial and Financial Management. He has
served as vice president and branch manager at McKenzie
Banking Company and Union Planters Bank. He has
twenty-four years experience in banking. Beal is a
graduate of the Tennessee School of Banking at
Vanderbilt University and a graduate of Mid-South School
of Banking at University of Memphis. He is a graduate of
Leadership Carroll County and former chairman of the
board of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.
Beal and wife, Kay have two daughters, Ashley and
Lindsay. His parents are Wesley Beal, Sr. and the late
Johnnie Beal. |
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These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
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- CDS Works to Establish Trust, Support in Carroll
County
- Champion Homes of Henry Celebrates 35 Years
- New Eye Surgery Procedure First in Tennessee
- Two County Motels Become Best Western
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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