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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2004
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Danny Truett to Retire
Search to begin for Huntingdon Director of Schools |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Huntingdon Special School District will begin its search
for a new director of schools. Danny Truett, age 59,
surprised the board of education when he announced he
would retire on June 30. Prior to the March 18
announcement, only Truett's family was aware of the
decision.
An emotional Truett said he was proud of the progress
the school system has made during his leadership. After
38 years in the field of education, 16 of which have
been in administration at Huntingdon, Truett said, "I
want to do some things." Truett listed some items such
as watching his son, Justin play ball at Cumberland
University, attending more horse shows, and visiting
other family members.
Truett's career includes four years in Trenton, two in
Dickson, 16 in Union City, and 16 years at Huntingdon.
He was hired by former Huntingdon Superintendent Paul
Ward as high school principal with strong disciplinary
skills and then was elected superintendent upon Ward's
retirement 13 years ago.
The retiring director said the school has retired the
financing bonds on the high school, refinanced other
bonds to save some $263,000, constructed a new middle
school, significantly upgraded the primary school,
constructed a new central office, purchased additional
land around the middle school to serve as a buffer area
between the school and the adjacent residential area,
placed guidance counselors in all four school buildings,
maintained a low pupil-teacher ratio and a healthy fund
balance. The school system is sound in every aspect,
noted Truett.
Serving as principal and director of schools often
subjected he and his family to criticism, said Truett,
who compared public service to living in a glass house.
He noted the positive aspects of his tenure certainly
outweigh the negative.
Truett said his satisfaction lies in knowing he has
helped students throughout his career. He recalled items
such as a little boy saying "thanks for coaching me" or
transporting students to colleges on the weekend to
tryout for scholarships. While he didn't coach at
Huntingdon, he was very appreciative of the staff and
the school board. He praised the board for having
confidence in him and for offering progressive thinking
to accomplish many things.
Truett suffered through a tough period several years ago
with a kidney disease, which is in remission, but not
cured. But Truett strongly states that's not the reason
he is retiring. |
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Husband of Former McKenzian Survives Blizzard, Crash in
Asia |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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A White Bluff father and son with ties to Carroll
County had no idea when they left the United States
February 26 for a two-week hunting trip to Asia that
they would be in a "fight for their lives."
William "Spook" Spann, 41 and his father Dennie Spann,
65, were stranded for several days in a deadly blizzard
on a mountain range in central Asia near the boarder of
Kyrgyzstan and China during the second week of March.
The hunting party was relieved when a rescue helicopter
was sent to the mountain, however once the Spanns were
on board, the helicopter crashed to the ground shortly
after takeoff.
The crash killed two members of the hunting party and
left both Spanns with serious injuries.
Spook, nicknamed such because his birthday falls on
Halloween, is the son-in-law of Larry and Pat Fisher of
McLemoresville and former McKenzian Jamie Fisher of
White Bluff.
Spook attended Bethel College for one year in 1982 and
was a member of the Wildcats basketball team. He is
married to the former Marty Fisher of McKenzie, who is a
1983 graduate of MHS and is a former Miss McKenzie.
Marty is the sister of former McKenzian Christy Fisher
of Nashville.
The couple now resides in Dickson County, where Spook is
a real estate developer. He also has several real estate
holdings including Applebee's Restaurant,and the Roxie
eight-screen theatre in Dickson.
Marty is a guidance counselor at Discovery School in
Dickson. Dennie Spann owns Spann Brothers Lumber Company
in White Bluff.
Larry Fisher told the Banner this week that Spook
sustained a fractured shoulder, fractured ribs and a
head injury in the helicopter crash. Dennie suffered
fractured ribs and a broken leg in the ordeal.
Larry said the two men, who are avid hunters and world
travelers, left home more than three weeks ago. They
flew to Frankfort, Germany and then to Moscow, Russia,
followed by a four-and-one-half hour flight to the
capital of Kyrgyzstan, a former member of the U.S.S.R.
but now an independent country.
>From the capital, Bishkek, they traveled about 30 hours
by land vehicle to the mountain range where they would
hunt the much-desired Marco Polo sheep known for their
large curling horns.
Just as the two-week hunt was ending, a blizzard
suddenly struck and added more than 7 feet of snow to
what was already described as "knee-deep" by the
hunters.
Spook, who had been keeping in daily contact with Marty
via satellite telephone, told her that their departure
off the mountain would be delayed because of the
weather.
They stayed at the camp, where it was by now 30 degrees
below zero, until they ran out of food.
"She talked with them Thursday night," said Larry. She
didn't hear from them again for three days. In the
meantime, there had been an attempt to rescue the
stranded hunters by a Russian built MI-8 helicopter, but
the big chopper had crashed shortly after picking them
up, going down in the mountains.
Larry said he learned of the crash on Monday morning.
The Minister of Emergencies in Kyrgyzstan called to
report that Spook and Dennie had gone down with 13 other
hunters and a crew of four in the crash. Their location
was not known at the time.
"We feared the worst," said Larry, who noted that Marty
kept the news of their father and grandfather's
disappearance from the couple's two children, Cassie,
age 10 and Coleman, age 9.
Late Monday night, another message was received
indicating the downed craft had been located. There had
been several injuries and at least two were dead. Spook
and Dennie were alive. All of the family gathered in
White Bluff on Tuesday to await further word.
Shortly after noon, the call came. It was Spook, calling
by satellite phone and assuring everyone he was alright
and so was Dennie.
The helicopter, which lifted off in heavy snow and fog,
crashed only a few minutes after leaving the rescue site
at roughly 12,000 feet, said Larry. The accident
occurred Sunday night, March 14 U.S. time, which was
March 15 in Asia, Larry said.
"It hit the ground, bounced, and then rolled three or
four times," Larry said the family was later told. While
rolling, the aircraft started to skid causing an unknown
object to hit Spook in the face, rendering him
unconscious. The impact took the lives of two
Kyrgyzstani men one of which was seated next to Spook,
said Larry. Two others were critically injured, while
five reportedly had serious injuries.
Spook told Marty that when he regained consciousness, he
had been removed from the wreckage.
A hunter from British Columbia and close friend of the
Spanns lost sight in one eye during the collision, but
is otherwise reported to be O.K. The wreck victims lay
in the snow all night, before making radio contact by
satellite phone. However, the hunter was only able to
say, "helicopter down" before transmission was
interrupted.
Using the transmission and latest satellite technology,
rescuers were able to pinpoint the area of the crash,
Larry said.
He noted that luckily, an American was in that area of
the country for the purpose of training Kyrgyzstanians
in the method of rescuing persons using snow mobiles. He
was chosen by the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan to lead a
team of rescuers more than 100 miles through snow over
mountain terrain to reach the crash site.
Known only as Clay, the Canadian who had lost sight in
one eye during the crash hiked part of the way down the
mountain despite his injuries to meet the rescue team
and guide them to the site.
Marty heard Spook's voice for the first time since the
accident on Tuesday (U.S. time) while he was still on
the mountain. Although he could not be given pain
medication and was slightly disoriented because of the
concussion he sustained in the crash, Larry said he told
Marty over and over "I'm alright, I'm alright." He also
spoke for a moment with daughter Cassie.
Dennie had been administered pain medication and was
unable to speak to family members until late Tuesday
afternoon.
The Spanns and the Canadian hunter were transported down
the mountain by snowmobile to a hospital in Naryn, which
has an altitude of 6,500 ft and population of 40,000,
for medical treatment. The American trainer stayed on
the mountain with the other injured hunters until they
were rescued the following day.
Following initial treatment, the American Embassy had
the Spanns moved from the hospital to a nearby hotel.
The following day an attempt was made to transport the
injured men by land to Bishkek, the capital of
Kyrgyzstan. However, as fate would have it, they were
halted by an avalanche and had to return to the hotel in
Naryn. Because of continuing inclement weather, if was
not possible to airlift the injured to Bishkek. An
officer at the American Embassy has stayed with them
throughout the ordeal, Larry said.
The family learned over the weekend that the injured had
finally made their arrival in Bishkek, after hiring a
man with a bulldozer to tow their vehicle across the
terrain where the avalanche had occurred. The trip took
place in the dead of night, Larry said the family was
told.
Larry noted that prior to their trip, the Spanns had
purchased insurance through Med Jet out of Birmingham,
Alabama that would provide a jet for medical transport
to anywhere in the world if they were injured.
After waiting 16 hours with no word, the family received
good news Monday morning when they received a bulletin
via email that the men were aboard the Med Jet on their
way to Hong Kong. After receiving medical treatment
there, they will be flown back to Nashville.
"They (Med Jet) have been great," said Larry. "They have
stayed in contact with the family and are making all the
necessary arrangements."
Family members are deeply worried about their loved
ones, but at the same time are thrilled that they
survived the blizzard and crash. They are anxiously
awaiting the men's safe return to the U.S.
Ironically, a similar helicopter crash occurred four
years earlier in the same general area of Kyrgyzstan and
on the exact same date as the crash that injured the
Spanns. That crash, the last in the region until this
year's tragedy, claimed the lives of all on board.
This was also the date of The Ides of March, when Julius
Caesar was assassinated, said Larry. The soothsayers
warning to Julius Caesar, "Beware the Ides of March,"
has forever imbued that date with a sense of foreboding.
While on the trip, Spook claimed one of the prized Marco
Polo sheep. The family isn't sure yet if the trophy will
make its way back to Spook in the U.S. Right now, the
concentration is on their well-being.
Earlier hunting trips have taken the Spanns to British
Columbia, Alaska, Mexico and all across the United
States. They were aspiring to go to Africa next.
"I think we'll be talking to them about staying home for
awhile," said Larry. |
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Council Sets Agenda
City Escort of Funeral Processions Could Cease |
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Funeral processions may cease to be escorted by the
McKenzie Police Department following the caution of the
city's insurance carrier, Tennessee Municipal League
Risk Management Pool.
The warning came following a lawsuit in which
Chattanooga was found liable after being sued by
occupants of a vehicle traveling in a funeral procession
that was being escorted by one officer who left one
intersection in order to stop traffic at the next
intersection.
Police Chief Harry Cooper, in an informal session of the
McKenzie City Council, advised the city could act in one
of three ways to the pronouncement by TML that there is
neither statutory requirement or specific authority
under Tennessee law for police officers to provide
funeral escort services and that the provision of such
can create "a significant liability."
"We can stop doing it," stated Cooper, adding that he
hated to stop since the city had been providing the
service for 30 years. Other options he cited were to
block all intersections and let the funeral home staff
lead their own processions, or to hire more personnel to
provide adequate security.
The TML Risk Management Pool, in a written guide
concerning escorting funeral processions, recommended
that cities not provide the services, and that if a city
desires to provide the services under extraordinary
circumstances, the decision should not be made as a
matter of routine policy, but should be discretionary
based upon those extraordinary circumstances. The guide
stated further that the decision should be based upon
factors including the availability of city resources,
the number of vehicles expected in the procession, the
route to be traveled, weather conditions, traffic
volume, and the number and type of intersections along
that route. Finally, it advised police officers or other
city employees should not escort funeral processions
beyond the city's jurisdiction.
A copy of Tennessee law provided by Cooper outlines
proper funeral procession protocol and indicates a
"properly identified" funeral procession "must be
indicated by a flashing amber light and an auditory
signaling device mounted on the lead vehicle or by other
properly identified escort (with a) flag or other
appropriate marking device on each vehicle."
Council members agreed to place the issue on the agenda
for their regular meeting, scheduled for Thursday, March
25, at City Hall.
SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM POLICY
Also placed on the agenda was a proposed policy and
procedure manual for the Police Department's Special
Response Team (SRT).
The Special Response Team acts beyond the scope of the
patrol division of the police department using a team of
officers specially trained and equipped for deployment
into high risk situations, using special weapons and
tactics for use in "unusual situations" beyond the scope
of the patrol division. Team members include: team
commander/team leader: Rick Sawyers; assistant team
leader: Cpl. Nick Lowe; and team members: Cpl. Ryan
White, Ptlm. John Andrews, and Ptlm. Andy Weaver.
The proposed policy states the objective of the Special
Response Team is to provide specialized, supportive and
tactical solutions and options to include, but not
limited to: resolving barricaded suspect encounters,
combating sniper actions, counteract hostage situations,
expediting high risk arrests, V.I.P. protection, search
and rescue operations, tactical narcotics enforcement,
surveillance, provide support to other law enforcement
agencies, and any other actions where the team's
training and equipment can be used to provide
assistance.
It also defines positions and duty descriptions,
selection process, call-out procedures, training and
testing, weapons and equipment, use of chemical agents,
use of less than lethal options, distraction devices,
compromised authority/use of preemptive force, tactical
clothing, special equipment, mission planning, mutual
aid, hostage/barricaded subject response, and high risk
warrant service.
The policy would dictate that SRT officers must be
volunteers in good standing within the department, score
90% on the range with handgun, shotgun and rifle, be in
good physical condition, and display a willingness to
work as team members and have personalities that mesh
well with the team concept.
JUNK CARS AND UNKEMPT YARDS COULD BE REMEDIED WITH $50
PER DAY FINES.
Codes Enforcement Officer Ray Berryman stated the city
has had difficulty in enforcing city codes regarding
unkempt yards and junk cars over the past ten years, but
suggested putting "teeth" into the ordinance could make
a difference.
"We've got some good ordinances; they're just not being
enforced," he said, advocating that the City Council and
attorney consider the issue of fines and court costs in
enforcing the measures.
He advised the fine, while limited by statute to $50,
could be charged on a daily basis for each day the
resident remains out of compliance with the ordinance.
A sample ordinance, provided by Jackson, gives residents
10 days to have junked cars in operation or moved,
unless they can be stored in an enclosed building.
Berryman further advocated the adopting of an
international building code, which he stated has been
approved by the state.
MANDATORY BODY ARMOR FOR POLICE OFFICERS
Protective Body Armor: TML also advised that when
protective body armor is available, police officers
should wear the equipment when working "on the street."
"If we do that we'll probably have to buy new body
armor," suggested Cooper, who estimated the cost at $650
per man.
"That's nothing for a life," stated Councilmember Jerry
Arthur.
The department currently has access to $600 from a grant
that must be matched in kind. Councilmember Willie
Huffman suggested using additional monies from the drug
fund upon which Vice-mayor Hale stated he was "almost
positive" drug fund monies could be used.
PARKS & REC GRANT TO BE EXPLORED
Mayor Walter Winchester advised the Parks And Recreation
Department was eligible to apply for a grant which could
bring in between $10,000 and $100,000, to be matched
dollar for dollar by city assets.
He advised Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ricky
French wanted to renew all playground equipment at the
Como Street park and that additional work was need in
parking lots and lighting standards.
Deadline for applying for the grant is May 7. Assistance
in writing the grant could be provided by the Northwest
Tennessee Developmental District.(more in print
edition) |
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Camden Woman Wins $50,000 in Lottery |
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Shirley Martin of Camden found big bucks when she
decided to play one of the newer lottery games called
"Jumbo Bucks" at Tiger Mart in Bruceton Sunday, March
21. She began scratching the card and knew 17 was one of
two numbers that would produce a winner. As she
continued to scratch, she discovered another 17 and
thought she had won a ticket or some small prize.
However, this 17 was good for $50,000.
Mrs. Martin arrived at Tiger Mart to purchase tickets
and a pack of cigarettes. She took the tickets back to a
booth, lit a cigarette and began to scratch the cards.
She noted that playing the lottery is a form of
entertainment for her; she just enjoys scratching those
cards. "I don't use any household money, just my playing
around money," she noted.
She has also been one of the more fortunate players,
stating she has never failed to have a winner a day,
even if it was just a ticket. She has won several cash
prizes as well since the games were first introduced and
said she was ahead overall without the latest prize.
On Sunday however, as she began to scratch the tickets
and found herself with the biggest prize available on
Jumbo Bucks, she was so excited she apparently left the
business without the pack of cigarettes she had
purchased so she stopped in Camden to purchase another,
bought several more tickets and found she had won an
additional $50 prize.
Mrs. Martin plans to share her good fortune with clerk
Teresa Mayhew, the clerk who sold her the winning ticket
and the American Cancer Society will also receive a nice
donation. She said her mother had died of cancer, but if
she was still living, most of the prize would be hers.
"I've got everything I need," she stated.
Mrs. Martin became an instant celebrity in Bruceton
where she lived for 23 years prior to moving to Camden.
She is also a former employee of Tiger Mart and said she
was glad the winning ticket had been purchased there. |
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Jim Bryant Honored at Barn Dance |
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Band leader Donald Higdon
presents Mr. Jim Bryant with a plaque in appreciation of
57 years of providing entertainment in the area.
Donald Higdon and members of the country western dance
band "Right Combination" threw a down-home shindig
Tuesday, March 16 at "The Barn" in Trezevant in honor of
Mr. Jim Bryant, who has been supplying local Texas
two-steppers with a place to shake a leg since 1947. At
that time, the Saturday evening events were held at the
old schoolhouse in the town that has long since been
torn down.
"They wouldn't let me put my cows in the schoolhouse,"
laughs Mr. Jim with a little jab as he delivers the one
sentence joke and punch line in explanation of why, in
1974, he built the barn that now houses the functions.
"I built this building by myself," says Mr. Jim, "I'm
the first one that ever started this around here; it's
the best dance barn in West Tennessee and that's not me,
that's what they're saying."
Now past 86 years old, he says he's missed only 18
Saturday nights since the first dance was held. He
turned the operation of the establishment over to Donald
Higdon about ten years ago. "He runs it and I keep the
order, both of us together," he nods, adding, "They call
this the Recreation Center."
As Right Combination geared up for an evening of
toe-tapping music, Higdon, who plays drums for the band,
presented Mr. Jim with a plaque in appreciation of 57
years of providing entertainment to the people of this
area.
"This is appreciation night; everybody's here to
appreciate you and honor you; this is Jim Bryant night,"
he said to a full house, inviting guests to make
statements of appreciation on stage throughout the
evening.
 "Say
something good or bad it won't make me mad," quipped Mr.
Jim, demonstrating his ready wit at every exchange.
"Have you ever seen me mad? You don't want to."
He continues, more seriously, at least in the beginning,
"I appreciate everybody, all the help you give... and it
will continue whether I'm here or not; Donald's here and
he's big enough to take care of it."
"There's been lots of bands play here," Higdon said,
recalling his band had played at the barn off and on for
about 20 years, their most recent hitch beginning 12
years ago when they had planned to play "just through
the winter."
"It seems like just a little while," he said wistfully.
"We do appreciate you, Jim, and we wish you many, many
more."
Other members of Right Combination are Larry Townes on
steel guitar, Gerald Warren on bass, Jamie Christian on
lead guitar, Jack Lovelady on keyboard, and Jerry Powell
playing saxophone.
Although only recently recovered from a bout of
pneumonia and stomach ulcers, Mr. Jim didn't disappoint
the ladies and was the most sought after dance partner
for awhile Tuesday evening.
Thinking back over the years, he ticks off the jobs he's
had: ginning cotton, working in a sawmill and
blacksmithing.
"I hadn't done nothing but hard work," he declares,
advising he took one vacation to Lansing, Michigan and
ended up working the whole time he was there.
Mr. Jim and long-time friend Polly
Caruthers. |
In fact, Willie Smith Jr. of Leach recalls the first
time he attended a dance at the barn about a year ago,
Mr. Jim had a blacksmith shop set up in the corner.
He was also a county road commissioner for two years and
spent five years in the Army during World War II,
beginning June 20, 1940. Stationed at a shipyard in
Norfolk Virginia, he nevertheless traveled to "every
state in the Union except Rhode Island" aboard a flat
car on the railroad, hauling guns and equipment for the
Army.
Mr. Jim's son, William Bryant, was running sound for the
band Tuesday evening, while William's wife, Angela,
helped out nearby.
"My father-in-law is undoubtedly the most phenomenal
person," she said with a big smile, her eyes glowing
with affection and emotion. "He's 86 and rides a tractor
everyday, bales hay, and takes care of three horses.
She recalled one day when he advised that her flowerbeds
were "silly".
She explained they were a part of her history; her
mother and grandmother had always planted flowerbeds.
"Well, I'll tell you," she said, recalling his response,
"the thing about history is it's a thing of the past."
"All I could say was, "Yes, sir I guess it is.
"He believes in living every day for that day. He says,
'You can't reach for the future if you're hanging on to
the past... He's wonderful."
Jimmy Martin of McKenzie said he has so much fun,
doorkeeper Smitty Carter threatens to make him pay
double.
Billy Dabbs agreed: "I enjoy every bit of it."
"It's a great place to come and get away," said Sylvia
Dabbs, "We enjoy being here and seeing him."
"I want to thank all the people for the last 58 years
I've been in this," Mr. Jim said sincerely, "I hope I
hadn't made no enemies; I tried not to." |
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These stories and more exclusively
in the print edition: |
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- Search to Begin for Huntingdon Director of Schools
- Huntingdon to Continue Block Scheduling
- Camden Woman Wins $50,000 in Lottery
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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