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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2004
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Brittany Martin Chosen To DARE Youth Advisory Board |
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By Pat Cole
pcole@mckenziebanner.com |
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McKenzie freshman Brittany Martin has received a great
honor, being chosen as the lone Tennessee
representative to the national 50-student DARE Youth
Advisory Board. Board members are chosen in either
their freshman or sophomore year and then serve
through their senior year of high school. They are
selected through a series of criteria. Certified DARE
officer Jackie Sykes recommended Brittany for this
honor. She then wrote an essay, including her
biographical information and achievements throughout
her school career. She also had to have participated
in the DARE program previously. Essays and
biographical information was then verified by
Tennessee Highway Patrol officers, Officer Sykes and
teachers. Brittany was the winner from the three
finalists in the state.
She will be attending the National Dare Conference in
Nashville this July to meet the young lady she will be
replacing, Julie McFarland of Westmoreland. She must
also attend a conference in Quantico, Virginia in
October to receive training and share experiences with
other state representatives.
Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt. Leonard Moudy stated,
"We are thrilled to death Brittany wants to do this.
This is a good, positive program and we need all the
young people we can get."
Pictured are Sgt. Leonard Moudy, Trooper John
Marvin, McKenzie DARE Officer Jackie Sykes, MHS
Principal Terry Howell and Brittany Martin (center,
front).
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McKenzie Youth Injured When Log Penetrates Leg |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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A 14-year-old McKenzie Middle School youth is
recuperating at home this week after being injured in
a freak accident Thursday evening.
Clint Kee, son of Tina and Steve Kee, and his cousin,
Drew Brown were attending a Little League ballgame at
the McKenzie Recreation Park, when they ventured down
the hill to Shomaker Lumber Company to an area where
piles of mulch are located.
While running, Clint suddenly turned his ankle, fell
and struck a wooden log that impaled his right leg at
the knee. The injury left Clint incapacitated and Drew
ran back to the ballpark for help. The mishap occurred
at approximately 8 p.m.
Personnel from McKenzie Regional Emergency Medical
Service arrived on the scene to administer treatment
before transporting the youth to the hospital. Also on
the scene to offer assistance were officers of
McKenzie Police Department, McKenzie Fire and Rescue
Team, and ball parents. Rescuers sawed off some of the
log and transported the youth with a portion of the
log still intact.
"It was the scariest time of my life," said Tina. "But
everyone involved in helping Clint was great."
She commended EMT's Ricky Stafford and Brinnen Murray
for assisting Clint at the scene, along with other
medical personnel.
Once at the hospital, the injured youth required 42
sutures to close the injury after the log was removed.
Medical personnel also inserted a drainage tube after
cleaning the area, said the youth's mother.
"Dr. Robert Pomphrey (E.R. physician on duty) was so
calm and patient with Clint," said Tina. "He joked
with him and reassured him."
"He and Registered Nurse Bonnie Pate were excellent,"
she added.
Tina also commended ball parent Debbie Broadbent, who
"got down in the mud with Clint and let him lean on
her to try to get more comfortable while receiving
medical assistance at the scene."
She noted that fortunately, the log did not fracture
the bone as it penetrated the leg; however the leg
muscle was exposed.
After treatment, Clint was allowed to return home that
same night. The following day, he was instructed to
visit an orthopedic surgeon in Paris for further
treatment.
The first 7 to 10 days is the most critical to
infection, Clint's parents were told. If no further
complications develop, he is expected to return to
school on Monday, May 10.
Clint is the grandson of Kenneth and Ruth Ann Kee of
McKenzie and Marie Hatcher of McKenzie.
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Dale Kelley Appointed to TDOT Steering Committee |
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 Dale R. Kelley, Mayor of Huntingdon since November
1992 has been appointed to the Tennessee Department of
Transportation (TDOT) Statewide Steering Committee. In a
recent letter, Gerald F. Nicely, Commissioner of
Transportation for the State of Tennessee stated, "TDOT
has undertaken a new initiative that is intended to
create a clear vision for providing transportation and
mobility in Tennessee. This effort is the development of
a statewide long range multi-modal plan, which will
allow the department to continually evaluate and
prioritize transportation goals and develop a
needs-based transportation program for the state."
The steering committee is comprised of 50 members
representing various groups and organizations across the
state. Commissioner Neely commented, "This committee
will provide an open forum for discussion among the
participants, which will supply TDOT with a wide range
of comments and opinions from various statewide
perspectives."
Mayor Kelley was nominated by Margaret Mahery, executive
director of the Tennessee Municipal League. Kelley is a
TML board member and a former Commissioner of
Transportation for the State of Tennessee. |
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Citizens Question Fairness of Public Hearing |
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New Parks and Recreation Board member Henry
Carter, during a public hearing held Thursday, April 29,
sought unity in what he called “a growing town” in which
he has seen many (positive) changes in the six or seven
years he has lived in the community.
“We’ve got to learn to be open and love one another most
of all and don’t start this separation stuff; let’s get
it together,” he said at the conclusion of the hearing
in which diverse needs were communicated by some eight
members of the community, most of whom were newly
appointed Parks and Recreation Board members, including
Carter, Tracy Thomas, and Debbie Broadbent.
Also in attendance were Park and Recreation Board
Chairman Glenn Jones, and citizens Larry Webb, George
Nolan, and Aaron and Rose Dudley.
The hearing was held relative to the application for
grant monies to benefit McKenzie parks. Mayor Walter
Winchester first notified council members the grant was
available during informal session on March 18. Council
members approved the application during their March 25
regular session, with the dollar amount as yet
uncertain. The council approved at that time to replace
playground equipment, repair fences, and upgrade
backstops and lighting. At their April 8 meeting, the
council agreed to apply for $100,000, 50 percent of
which would be assumed by the city.
During the grant application process, undertaken with
the assistance of the Northwest Tennessee Development
District, it was discovered a public hearing was
required and that an intact Parks and Recreation Board
was needed.
At the April 15 informal meeting, the public hearing was
scheduled for April 29 and notices were posted in public
places concerning the meeting date and time.
Several in attendance at the hearing questioned the
purpose of the meeting, stating the decision had already
been made, without public input, on how the monies would
be spent.
George Nolan, who regularly attends council meetings,
stated, “It’s good we’re having a hearing, but we’re
really not having a hearing because everything’s already
been set. It’s alright with me - I mean I want to go on
and get a grant - but it’s no sense in having a hearing
when you done made up your mind what you going to do.”
“Point taken,” stated Winchester, “It was a short notice
thing. I’m sorry we didn’t have the opportunity to get
it to you sooner; we’ll try to do better in the future.”
Nolan stated the walking trail at Mulberry Park could be
expanded and improved, with
Thomas adding the track was sometimes inaccessible due
to people parking on it, and requested a remedy, such as
fencing, be implemented.
Vice-mayor Gene Hale recommended no parking signs, while
Councilmember Darra Adkins suggested that track
improvement be included in recommendations by the paving
committee in its upcoming report. Street Department
liaison Jerry Arthur, with Winchester’s consent,
confirmed the committee would incorporate the issue in
their plans. Winchester advised he would speak with
Police Chief Harry Cooper regarding the parking issue.
Councilmember James Knolton and Broadbent, who said she
has three children playing ball this year, focused on
lighting at the parks, saying “We need better lighting,
we need better facilities, we need to upkeep the park
and take care of things. We haven’t been able to do that
with just the funds we raise with volunteers. This is
where we need the big money to take care of all the
things that we’ve had in the works for a long time.”
She went on to declare the groups have been seeking
improvement in electricity and lighting “for years.”
Jones stated maintenance had been performed year before
last without upgrade, an endeavor that Councilmember
Jerry Arthur later clarified was accomplished at a cost
of $60,000 after Nolan questioned the wisdom of spending
$60,000 for the projected modular playground and $25,000
on lighting in the current project.
“Which is more important – the lighting or the
playground equipment,” Nolan asked, “We’re saying if
somebody get hurt they can sue us, but then we’re going
to put $60,000 just to play in the daytime or night?”
Hale stated the playground equipment would have to be
replaced “or not have it” due to the state’s safety
inspection report.
Jones advised people participating in league sports are
insured while children on the playground equipment are
not insured.
“That is a liability,” he said.
Winchester expounded that, in addition to the small
playground at City Park being too near the ball field
and sharp edges on some of the equipment, state
officials “told us it would be better to remove that to
eliminate that safety factor and also to group it over
in the other area by the trees to put everything in one
spot so parents can have easier watch over their
children at play.”
Regarding the obsolete playground equipment at City
Park, Rose Dudley questioned, “Y’all are going to move
what’s already there to another area – right? - at
Mulberry.”
Assured the equipment was not to be reused, she
continued, “I want to know about Mulberry playground
equipment, because the children go there to play too…
Some of the parents cannot get way out there to the city
park for their children to play and where Mulberry Park
is, is in walking distance… that’s what needs to be
updated, too.”
Thomas agreed, asking, “Can we make a recommendation
that someone go out and review the playground equipment
at Mulberry and possibly that be added into this grant
if possible?”
Winchester advised officials would look at Mulberry Park
and the possibility of downsizing the equipment planned
for City Park.
Councilmember Willie Huffman stated, “We have an active
board that’s going to meet monthly or quarterly. We’ll
already have a list of what’s needed and we won’t be in
a situation like this. That’s why we brought you in and
I know you’re not going to disappoint us. In the future
we’ll be looking at you to come up with suggestions and
ideas and plans ands prioritize. We feel we did the best
we could with the time frame we had to work with.” |
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Area High School Baccalaureate Ceremonies, Graduations
Set |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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This month will mark the end of a 13-year era for 347
seniors in Carroll County, who are scheduled to
receive their diplomas during upcoming commencement
exercises. Graduates at the five school systems
include 112 at Huntingdon, 89 at West Carroll, 77 at
McKenzie, 46 at Hollow Rock-Bruceton, and 23 at
Clarksburg.
In neighboring Weakley County, 40 seniors are slated
to receive diplomas at Gleason High School.
Baccalaureate and Graduation ceremonies are as
follows:
Clarksburg - Baccalaureate Sunday, May 9 at 8 p.m. at
A.D. Jarrett (high school) gymnasium. The speaker will
be Rev. Wayne Holmes, Huntingdon United Methodist
Circuit. Graduation will be Friday, May 14 at 8 p.m.
at A.D. Jarrett gymnasium.
Gleason - Graduation will be held Friday, May 14 at
7:00 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. There will be
no baccalaureate service at Gleason.
Hollow Rock - Bruceton - Baccalaureate Sunday, May 9
at 7:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. The speaker
will be Rev. Steve Whitworth of First United Methodist
Church in Bruceton. Graduation will be Friday, May 14
at 7:30 p.m. at the high school football field,
weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather,
commencement will be held in the high school
gymnasium.
Huntingdon - Baccalaureate will be Sunday, May 16 at
7:30 p.m. in the high school gym. The speaker was not
available at press time. Graduation will be Monday,
May 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.
McKenzie - Baccalaureate will be Sunday, May 9 at 8:00
p.m. at Bouldin Auditorium, Bethel College. Rev. Alvin
Summers of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in
Martin will deliver the Baccalaureate sermon.
Baccalaureate services are under the direction of
McKenzie Ministerial Association. For more
information, contact Anne Hames at 352-4066.
Graduation will be Friday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. in the
high school gymnasium.
West Carroll - Baccalaureate will be Sunday, May 9 at
7:00 p.m. Bro. Mark Howell, Atwood Church of Christ,
will deliver the Baccalaureate address and Mrs. Jeruna
Cozart will sing. Graduation will be held Thursday,
May 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. |
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These stories and more exclusively
in the print edition: |
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- County to Vote on 5-Year Solid Waste Contract
- Two Candidates Vie for Huntingdon Superintendent
- Bright Skies Highlight Bethel Graduation
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McKenzie Planning Commission
GIS Maps Nears Completion, Farmers' Market Suggested |
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City officials will have access to paper and
electronic versions of the GIS city map being produced
by Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon by next week,
Mayor Walter Winchester advised in the Tuesday, May 4
meeting of the McKenzie Regional Planning Commission.
Still unfinished were the water/sewer and voting ward
sections of the overlay, digital maps that illustrate
many aspects of the city, from topography to water and
sewer lines, population densities, boundaries, zoning
and voting districts.
The mayor distributed paper copies to commissioners
anxious to review urban growth boundaries and land use
plans.
Codes Officer Ray Berryman explained the city has
jurisdiction for planning purposes five miles outside
the city limits, regardless of growth boundary
designations. The 20-year urban growth boundaries were
approved by the state in October, 1999.
The subject of urban growth boundaries, suggested as a
topic of discussion by Warren, will be discussed
further in the June meeting of the commission as
Warren was unable to be present at the current
session.
On the motion of Webb, seconded by Robb, commissioners
were charged with reading the subdivision ordinance
prior to the June 1 meeting, at which time the subject
will be discussed in a training session facilitated by
Berryman.
FARMERS' MARKET DISCUSSED
Commissioners discussed their desire to recommend to
the City Council that a Farmers' Market be established
at a suitable location along the city's thoroughfare,
with the area in Front of Fred's Department Store or
across the street from the Dairy Queen suggested.
The commission stopped short of a formal
recommendation although Winchester agreed to bring up
the subject at the City Council's informal session on
Thursday, May 6.
The suggestion was brought as a way to attract
customers to McKenzie in anticipation they would visit
other retail establishments while in town and as a
method of possibly limiting sales in the Farmers'
Market area to produce.
At issue was whether to limit the proposed market to
locally grown produce or whether marketers might be
allowed to sell imported produce. Turner stated she
believed citizens would welcome out-of-season produce.
Webb stated a number of McKenzie residents frequent
similar markets in Paris and Huntingdon.
When advised E.W. James Grocery owners might be upset
by the establishment of such a market, Robb stated, "I
would complain, too, if I had the market controlled."
Only owners of locally grown producers could operate free of
permit fees. City officials are in the process of
re-working ordinances regulating transient vendors, an
issue that is not applicable to local producers.
TERMS SET
Citing the need for staggered terms in an effort to
maintain experienced personnel on the commission at
all times, Winchester set the initial term for long
term commissioner, Virginia Claire Edwards, with her
approval, at one year from the date of the meeting
while Chairman Mark Warren's term would expire in two
years. City Councilmember Wade Allen's term would
continue commensurate with his elected membership on
the council. The remaining three members of the
commission will serve their terms according to the
dates they were sworn in: the terms of Deborah Turner
and Larry Webb will expire April 1, 2006 and Dean
Robb's will expire October 7, 2006. The mayor retains
the right of reappointment or may appoint another
citizen to the position.
Commissioners will meet the morning of May 19 for
training in Jackson.
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McKenzie School Board Announces New Coach, Rehires,
Retirements |
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McKenzie School Superintendent James Ward Tuesday, May
4, announced the re-employment of personnel for the
2004-2005 school year as well as the resignation of
Middle School food service employee Gina Harper.
Retiring at the end of the school year were high
school math teacher Linda Smith and Evelyn Wilson,
head custodian at the McKenzie Middle School, both of
whom were in attendance at the meeting. Ward presented
gifts to the women on behalf of the board.
“Both of these ladies contributed a great deal to our
school program and we’re better for having them; we’ll
miss them,” said Ward. Both women expressed their
appreciation of the school system.
Replacing Smith is Joan Albury who, in addition to
teaching high school math, will assume the position of
head girls’ basketball coach, a position recently
vacated by Coach Dan Ridley. Albury is a graduate of
Union College in Kentucky with a master’s degree from
Morehead State University who has coached at the high
school and college level.
In another personnel matter, Ward advised he chose to
extend medical leave for Mrs. Patricia Sawyers for the
2004-2005 school year. He said he explained the
extension exceeds some of the guarantees that
accompany shorter time frames.
TOBACCO BAN UNDER CONSIDERATION
The board postponed approval of a Tobacco Products Ban
policy in order that designated smoking areas may be
spelled out in the policy, which, Ward joked, might be
“the corner of Stonewall and Woodrow” following
Chairman Ruth Carroll’s recollection of wading through
smoke to enter school functions and board member Jill
Holland’s assertion, “I like this but I don’t want to
say, ‘We have this in writing,’ and leave it at that.”
Board member Joe Fortner made the motion, seconded by
Holland, to assign designated smoking areas within the
policy.
Outdoor events, such as attendance at sports
activities, are included in the policy which reads in
the original version: “The use of tobacco products is
prohibited in or on any property owned by the McKenzie
Special School District. School principals shall
devise a plan for adults to use tobacco products in a
designated outdoor area when public events are
scheduled on school property.”
In other matters the board:
– Approved on second and final reading policy
amendments regarding private vehicles, the grading
system, and procedure for granting tenure. The private
vehicle policy was amended to required increased
insurance liability limits, by school employees
transporting students in personal vehicles, from
$50,000/100,000/50,000 to $250,000/600,000/85,000. The
grading system policy was amended to include language
regarding the provision to incoming freshmen
information regarding college courses required for
lottery scholarships and required grade point average,
ACT/SAT scores, etc. that must be met to receive a
scholarship, as well as procedures for applying for
the funds. Added in the policy outlining the procedure
for granting tenure is a clause stating only teachers
“determined by state guidelines to be considered a
‘highly qualified’ teacher or those making appropriate
progress toward achieving that status” may be granted
tenure. It also strikes superfluous words and a clause
that required a majority vote to the board for
re-employment of a tenured teacher who had enjoyed
good standing prior to his or her resignation;
– Approved the low bid of $14,000 by Floor Service
Company in Jackson to refinish and add art work to the
McKenzie High School gymnasium floor. Covington
Flooring Co. bid the job at $18,184 while a bid by
another company did not meet specifications as
published;
– Approved the low bid of $6,955.22 by The Color Shop
in Martin to install commercial tile and cove base in
five elementary classrooms and hallway. Other bids
were: Chris Arnold: $7,771,60 and Arnold’s Hardware:
$7,392.50.
– Approved the McKenzie Special School District 200
Day Accountability Report (school calendar) for
2004-2005;
– Approved the 2005 Local Consolidated Plan for Title
I, II, II, IV, V, and VI under ESEA, as amended by the
No Child Left Behind Act with Ward authorized to file
the project application and any related documents and
with Diana Crawford as the contact person.
– Heard Ward report the county-wide Future Problem
Solving Team placed first in state competition and
will compete on the national level June 4-6 at
Lexington, Ky. Team members include McKenzie High
School students Lee Barham, Kate Hames, and Caleb
Owen; Jessica Tucker of Huntingdon High School; and
Kristin Brooks from Hollow Rock-Bruceton High School.
– Heard Ward advise of the extension of an agreement
with T.A.C. Energy Solutions, a company that
guarantees its energy savings programs to “make
buildings comfortable, safe and energy efficient.”
Ward advised the agreement is “paying for itself” in
reduced energy costs. “Utilities are an expensive part
of our maintenance and utility costs; if we can do a
little better it will help,” he said.
– Approved a request to change the date of the June 1
meeting to June 29 in order to facilitate approval of
the 2004-2005 school budget. A budget workshop will be
held June 17 at which time budget amendments and the
new budget will be discussed. Ward stressed the need
for budget amendments in order to purchase text books
with funds from the current budget.
Personnel re-hired for the 2004-2005 school year are
as follows:
McKENZIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Beckie Smith
Melissa Bartley
Amber Compton
Kim Creasy
Lynne Lannom
Malissa Anderson
Marian Mebane-Graves
Courtney Kee
Marcia Webb
Tammy Gordon
Beth Wilcoxson
Martha Putman
Beth Sisson
Beverly Bennett
Amy Wilkes
Amanda Mason
Betsy Brinkley
Amy Cooper
Denise Pyburn
Brandy Turman
Charlotte Verner
Betsy Campbell
Patricia Witty
Patricia Forgy
Ann Conquest
Rhonda Chandler
Marlene Kreuter
Gina Pate
Lorrie Brown
Tonya Brown
Carol Nanney
Tenia King
Suzanne Howell
Tiffany Smith
Suzanne Smith
Jill Warren
Sarah Freeman
Peggy Chappell
Christina French
McKENZIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF
Derrinda Thomas
Sylvia Hodge
Dorothy Clements
Margie Delaney
Bertha Barlow
Michele Gunter
Sherry Smith
Katherine Anderson
Misty Glissen
Renee Douglas
Cathy Edlin
Cindy Rainey
Faye Gaskins
McKENZIE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Sheila Ridley
Donna Walker
Pam Seymour
Lorey Basford
Traci Lunn
Sally Shymkiw
Jennifer Ognibene
Veda Haney
Susan Davis
Kim Smith
Roxie Walker
Betty Toombs
Jill Renfro
William Hardy
Tim Mason
Catherine Argo
Donna Lacey
Keith Breeden (1/2 position)
Sherrie Austin
Melody McClain
Bert Snow
Betty Highfil
Josh Kee
Carol Barker
Brad Chappell
Grant Elinor
David Cox
McKENZIE MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF
Ronnie Connor
Kathy Summers
Teresa Hall
Vickie Bennett
Mary Pruitt
Jennifer Travis
Kimberly Twyman
Jan Travis
McKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL
David Duncan
Glynda Corbin
Anthony Campbell
Jo Ann Elam
JoAnn Young
Jackie Carr
Jennifer Yates
Jennifer Champion
Ladona Herrin
Scott Jewell
Keith Breeden (1/2 position)
Dan Ridley
Paula Doster
Richard Chappell
Randy Thomas
Larry Joe Smith
Dianne Anderson
Jeannine Lowe
Nan Stapleton
Zia McKennie
Christie Plunk
Wade Comer
Kevin Gallimore
McKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF
Sandra Johnson
Sarah Troglin
Nell Chandler
Melissa Chandler
Charlotte Jones
June Flippin
Mary Walker
Stacy Beasley
MAINTENANCE STAFF
Kenny Graves, Supervisor
Clay Lewis
CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF
Dana Deem, Finance Director
Rita Brandon, Food Service Supervisor
Mary Owen, Technology Coordinator
Paula Watkins
FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Jean Adams
Victoria Blenis
Vernette Hacker
Laura Martin
Mary Pate
Jennifer Warren
Susan Baker
Dot Foster
Marie Hatcher
Ann Maxwell
Cherry Rittenberry
Kathy Barcroft
Rosemary Fowler
Peggy Lindley
Anita Montgomery
Lisa Roberts
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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