Early Voting dates and times are set for the February 5th DeKalb County Democratic Primary and Tennessee Presidential Preference Primary.
Early voting will be held January 16th through January 31st from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Meanwhile the last date to register to vote in time for the primary is January 7th.
DeKalb County voters will select Democratic nominees for Constable and Assessor of Property on February 5th.
The candidates are Incumbent Timothy (Fud) Banks and challengers Roy Merriman and Willie Thomas. The winner will face Republican nominee John David Foutch and Independent candidate Sandy C. Brown in the DeKalb County General Election on August 7th.
Democratic candidates for constable are Incumbent Wayne Vanderpool in the third district, Paul Cantrell in the fourth district, Incumbent Mark Milam in the fifth district, Cantrell Jones in the sixth district and Mary Ann Thomason and Johnny King in the seventh district.
The nominees for constable chosen on February 5th will be unopposed in the August 7th General Election. No candidate from either party qualified to run for constable in the first district and Second District Republican Incumbent Reed Edge will be unopposed in August.
Voters will also be voting for their favorite candidates for President in the Tennessee Democratic and Republican Presidential Preference Primaries on February 5th. The Presidential Election will be in November.
Voters must declare in which primary they will be voting, either Democratic or Republican. You cannot vote in both.
The candidates for President in the Democratic Primary are Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson.
Candidates for President in the Republican Primary are Rudy Giuliana, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Alan Keyes, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Tom Tancredo, and Fred Thompson. Tancredo has already dropped out of the race.

The Smithville Police Department helped two needy families have a merrier Christmas last week and two members of the department have been commended for their efforts.
Officers Brad C. Tatrow and Callie M. Matthews have been presented commendations signed by Mayor Taft Hendrixson, Police Commissioner Cecil Burger, Police Chief Richard Jennings, and Lieutenant Steven Leffew.
The commendations state that “On behalf of the City of Smithville Police Department, I would like to commend you for your recent efforts in your capacity as a Smithville Police Officer. Due to your determination, the Smithville Police Department recently was able to assist two families this Christmas Holiday.”
“As a result of your determination, the Smithville Police Department was able to assist two needy families, consisting of eight children this Christmas Holiday with food and gifts for the children with the assistance of local businesses.”
“It’s initiatives like this that will distinguish Smithville Police officers as friends and protectors and will take our Police Department to a higher level of excellence. For your outstanding performance, you are hereby formally recognized and commended with a copy of this commendation becoming a part of your permanent personnel record.”
“Congratulations and keep up the great work!”

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Smithville and Alexandria Police Department conducted recent road blocks to keep travel as safe as possible to start 2008.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says a total 293 vehicles were stopped during the road blocks including 72 vehicles on Highway 56 south; 53 on Highway 70 east; 47 on Highway 53 in Alexandria; 62 on Highway 70 west in Alexandria; and 59 automobiles were stopped on Highway 146
During the roadblocks, sheriff’s department deputies made three arrests.
31 year old Ramon Hernandez of College Street, Smithville was arrested for no drivers license. His bond was set at $1,500 and his court date is January 9th..
51 Year old Danny Certain of Blue Springs Road, Smithville was arrested for a second offense of driving under the influence and was issued a citation for violation of the open container law. Bond for Certain was set at $3,000 and his court date is January 31st.
22 year old Thomas Thompson of Manners Road, Lebanon was arrested for a first offense of driving under the influence. His bond is set at $1,500 and his court date is January 31st.
The Smithville Police Department arrested 30 year old Alfredo Bazaldua of Atnip Street, Smithville. He was charged with a first offense of driving under the influence. His bond was set at $1,500 and his court date is January 31st.
The Smithville Police Department also issued two citations to one person for driving without a driver’s license and littering, after the individual threw a bottle out of his vehicle.