The Smithville Aldermen Monday night approved a request for a group to place a labyrinth in Greenbrook Park that the public may use for personal reflection and meditation.
A labyrinth provides a walking path which leads to the center of an intricate spiral design and back out again. The labyrinth is often used to facilitate prayer, meditation, and spiritual transformation.
Betsy Driver addressed the mayor and aldermen Monday night asking for approval to place the labyrinth in the park.. “A labyrinth is essentially a prayer circle. It’s a place where somebody can go to and take fifteen, thirty minutes, or an hour out of their day and seek an answer to maybe whatever it is they’re looking for. To take time out and walk a path. When you start in that path, it goes around a large circle and then it intertwines back and forth until you meet in the center and then from that point, you walk back out of it in the same direction you came in. When we begin this project, we intend to include groups from the county locally to help get this project off the ground. We hope that whether it’s the suicide awareness groups, people who would be from the cancer walk group, they could use it during their time there by placing candles perhaps in remembrance of those who have passed on.”
Mark Pafford, a local minister who also supports the project, said a labyrinth can also be therapeutic. “It would be large enough to have a walking path in that spiral pattern. I have worked with many groups who use a labyrinth in a therapeutic setting. As a chaplain resident at the V.A., I used it with the V.A. patients and substance abuse patients at the V.A. in Murfreesboro to great benefit as well as behavioral health patients and geriatric patients to assist them. It’s not only a therapeutic thing but it’s a prayer space. A place for reflection and a place to retreat. Greenbrook Park offers a wonderful setting and venue for this piece. I think it would be a wonderful addition to that public space there.”
Driver added that the city would not have to maintain it. “There will be no maintenance to it. We will be the ones to maintain it. Outside the actual labyrinth itself, we’ve given about seven feet of area that will be a garden that we’ll plant just a few trees, evergreens, and ornamental trees and that space would be very easy for our maintenance crew to literally circle around. They’ll not have to enter that space at all.”
Driver said the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club, who oversee activities in Greenbrook Park, has given it’s blessing for the labyrinth.
Again, the aldermen approved the request but city officials want some input on where it is to be located in the park.
In other business, the aldermen voted to dip into the general fund surplus again by increasing it’s annual contribution to the Chamber of Commerce.
The city annually budgets $5,000 for the chamber but Chamber Director Suzanne Williams says the chamber needs a little extra money to help them get by and asked for an additional $5,000 per year. “The Chamber struggles every year (financially). We’ve got a bare bones budget. We don’t have an extravagant amount of money we spend on anything. It’s mostly for utilities and rent. We don’t have high salaries. I have a part time secretary. This year has been particularly difficult because of the economic downturn and other things. At one point, I didn’t know how we were going to get through the end of October.”
” I spoke to the county commission to let them know our situation. As I told them outside of our fundraisers and our membership, we still need an extra $30,000 just to make our budget. The county commission voted to increase their annual funding from $10,000 to $20,000 and they asked that I come and speak to the city and see if you would increase yours from $5,000 to $10,000.’
“Out of the fourteen Upper Cumberland counties, we have the third highest tourism dollars. We bring in like $35 million in tourism dollars and we’re one of the lowest funded chambers in the region. We know that Smithville does benefit significantly from tourism dollars and I hope that you would see the many benefits the chamber brings and provides for the city. I think if you had to open your own welcome center, just hiring one employee would probably be $20,000 not to mention all the other things that’s involved with that. But I would ask that you consider amending your budget and adding an extra $5,000 to your annual contribution to the chamber.”
The budget year for the chamber of commerce runs from January to December and the fiscal year for the city is from July 1st , 2010 to June 30th, 2011. Alderman Steve White made a motion to amend the budget and add $2,500 to the line item for the chamber this budget year making their total appropriation $7,500 for the fiscal year through June 30th, 2011 and then budget a total of $10,000 in next year’s budget, which begins July 1st, 2011. The motion was adopted unanimously.
City employee Jimmy Taylor asked the mayor and aldermen if he could donate five of his sick days to a co-worker whose wife is in the hospital with a serious illness. Taylor says this employee has exhausted his own sick days and needs to be with his wife. The aldermen approved the request, provided it is legal for the city to do so. Officials will check with the city’s financial consultant Janice Plemmons-Jackson and possibly the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) to make sure.

A 30 year old woman, charged on August 23rd, 2009 in an early Sunday morning assault on her 95 year old landlord at the residence they shared at 309 West Main Street in Alexandria, received an eight year sentence in Criminal Court Friday.
Debralee Hardcastle pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated burglary. She received an eight year sentence to serve in the robbery case and three years to serve in the burglary. The two sentences are to run concurrently as one eight year term and concurrently with a Wilson County violation of probation against her.
Hardcastle was given jail credit for time served from August 23rd, 2009 to October 15th, 2010.
Chief Mark Collins of the Alexandria Police Department, on August 23rd, 2009, said Hardcastle was charged with especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated robbery, and especially aggravated assault in the attack on Lilae Belle Gilliam. Hardcastle was also charged at the time with theft under $500 in a separate case.
According to Chief Collins, Gilliam, who lived alone, rented a portion of her home to Hardcastle and another woman less than a month before this incident occurred. They apparently moved here from Wilson County. Both dwellings in the Gilliam home were under the same roof but had separate entrances.
Chief Collins said Hardcastle, in order to alter her appearance, dressed disguised as a man and then left her room around 3:15 a.m. He said she went outside, went around the house, and knocked on Mrs. Gilliam’s side door. When Mrs. Gilliam answered the door, Hardcastle, holding a 14 inch knife, forced her way inside and demanded the elderly woman’s medication. Mrs. Gilliam, who apparently did not recognize Hardcastle, resisted and tried to defend herself. Though she fought off the attack, Gilliam suffered lacerations and bruises from blows to her head and upper body.
After the assault, Hardcastle returned to her room, taking three bottles of medication from Gilliam’s residence. Mrs. Gilliam, bleeding from the attack, dropped to her hands and knees, crawled to the foyer near the door and began screaming for help.
Apparently in an attempt to avoid arousing suspicion as to her involvement, Hardcastle removed her disguise, changed her clothes, cleaned up and went back to assist Mrs. Gilliam and called 911.
Gilliam was transported by DeKalb EMS to UMC Medical Center in Lebanon where she was treated and released.
Chief Collins said after interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence at the scene, Hardcastle was identified as a suspect.. She was picked up for questioning, but she refused to cooperate or give a statement. She was subsequently charged in the case.
The case was investigated by the Alexandria Police Department in cooperation with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

A former bookkeeper at the DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, charged with theft of property over $1,000, appeared in Criminal Court Friday where she was granted pre-trial diversion under a memorandum of understanding.
Under terms of the agreement, Tonya D. Page will be on supervised probation by the Tennessee Board of Pardons and Parole for a period of two years and she must make restitution of $8,501 and pay court costs in the case within ninety days. At the end of the two years, if Page has complied with the conditions set out in this pre-trial diversion agreement, then the case is to be dismissed.
This memorandum of understanding, approved by Judge Leon Burns, Jr., was agreed to by and between the Assistant District Attorney General for DeKalb County, the defendant Page and her attorney Adam Parrish.
Page was charged in a grand jury sealed indictment in August, 2009.
The charge stemmed from a TBI investigation into a cash shortage of $8,501 in General Sessions Court funds, which was discovered during an annual state audit.
Page was initially hired as a clerk in the office four years ago and then as bookkeeper. She was later terminated from her employment there, after this incident arose.
The case against Page was presented to the Grand Jury by the TBI.

Smithville Police checking out a reported attempted break-in on Sunday, October 10th arrested two people on other charges
27 year old Elizabeth Rochelle Bradshaw and 34 year old Royce Duane McCrary both of Miller Road were picked up by Sergeant Randy King for vandalism, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Sergeant King and Officer James Cornelius responded to 530 Miller Road where someone was allegedly trying to break into a residence. Upon their arrival they made contact with Bradshaw and McCrary. Both were identified as the persons attempting to break in. Bradshaw appeared to be intoxicated and she began screaming at the victim causing alarm. While attempting to handcuff Bradshaw, she began resisting and trying to pull away. Bradshaw was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. After placing McCrary in the back of the patrol car, he began kicking the side rear window pushing it off the track. Bond for Bradshaw is $5,000. McCrary’s bond is $2,500. They will appear in court on October 21st.
33 year old Jason Lucio Galvan of Short Mountain Highway was cited by Officer James Cornelius on Saturday, October 9th for violation of the open container law. Galvan was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation. Galvan had an open beer in his possession. His court date is November 2nd.
21 year old Wesley Shane Garner of Thompson Station was arrested by Sergeant Randy King on Saturday, October 9th for a second offense of driving on a revoked license. Sergeant King stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and upon making contact with the driver, Garner, and asking for his license, Sergeant King found them to be revoked. Bond for Garner is $2000 and his court date is December 2nd.
Lieutenant Steven Leffew investigated an accident with injury on Saturday, October 9th. The mishap occurred on Highway 56 north and Church Street. 30 year old Robert L Sartin of Sparta was southbound on Highway 56 in a 1995 Nissan Quest van when the vehicle left the road and struck a utility pole. Sartin told police that he had worked the third shift and fell asleep while driving. Sartin was transported by EMS to the emergency room at DeKalb Community Hospital and was cited for driving on a suspended license and violation of the financial responsibility law.
56 year old Judy Faye Barrett of Christiana was arrested on Sunday, October 10th for DUI. Officer James Cornelius was dispatched to West Broad Street to check on a vehicle driven by a female who appeared to be very confused. Upon making contact with Barrett, Officer Cornelius observed that her speech was slurred and she was unsteady on her feet. Bond for Barrett is $1500 and her court date is November 18th.
41 year old John Michael Turner of AB Frasier Road was arrested on Monday, October 11th for public intoxication. K-9 Officer Brad Tatrow responded to West Broad Street on an upset customer complaint. Upon arrival he found Turner to have a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Bond for Turner is $1000 and his court date is October 28th.
28 year old Josue Alberto Torres of Blue Springs Road was arrested on Friday, October 15th for driving on a suspended driver license. Officer James Cornelius stopped a vehicle driven by Torres for failure to make a complete stop at a four way stop. Upon making contact with Torres, Officer Cornelius discovered through central dispatch that his license were suspended. Bond for Torres is $1000 and his court date is November 18th.
Any information received that will help the Smithville Police Department solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential
If you have information contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.

Water will soon start flowing again for customers of the DeKalb Utility District who have been without water for the last day or two.
DUD officials say work was completed late Friday night to a main line break which was discovered Thursday on Highway 70 at the top of Snow Hill across from DeKalb Market.
Service should be restored Saturday morning for customers in the area. It may also take a little while for water pressure to build back for some customers.
Officials say because the line was buried so deep in the ground, it was difficult to reach. Digging operations began shortly after the break was discovered Thursday. DUD workers and other local contractors worked late in the night Thursday and early Friday morning. More digging equipment and manpower were brought in Friday to join in the effort to locate the line.

A fire Thursday night caused extensive damage to the home of Reba Scott at 1004 Forrest Avenue, Smithville.
Central dispatch received the call at 7:42 p.m.
Captain Jeff Wright of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department says Ms. Scott left the house a few minutes before 7:00 p.m. and the fire was already in progress when she returned. A neighbor apparently reported it.
The blaze could be seen coming through the roof as firefighters worked to bring it under control.
Captain Wright says the fire appeared to have originated from the kitchen area of the home but the exact cause has not been determined. Most of the homes contents were either damaged or destroyed in the fire

The Smithville Beer Board has suspended the license of three businesses for violation of the city’s beer ordinance which prohibits the illegal sales of alcohol to a person under the age of 21.
The owners of Jewel’s Market on South Congress Boulevard, Village Market on North Congress Boulevard, and El Mariachi (BP Station) on West Broad Street are prohibited from selling beer for ninety days.
The beer board held a hearing Thursday evening at city hall.
Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger, in presenting his case against the stores to the beer board Thursday night, explained that a confidential underage informant was sent into all locations that sell beer in Smithville on Friday, August 27th. In each case, Chief Caplinger said the informant, who is 18 years of age, presented his ID and tried to buy beer. He was successful only at these three stores, Jewel’s Market, El Mariachi, and at Village Market. “At each stop, myself and detective (Matt) Holmes, positioned ourselves where we could actually see the operation. He (underage informant) would go in and pick up a six pack of beer out of the cooler, come to the counter, and set it down. We watched to see if he was asked for an ID or not. Some stores turned him down, some did not.”
In the case against El Mariachi, Chief Caplinger explained that “at this particular location, and we did not know it at the time, but the (clerk behind the counter working there) was a juvenile. We observed her sell him the beer and she did not ask for an ID or anything. He did have the ID out but they did not check it. He bought a six pack of Busch beer. We observed him pay for it, pick it up, and then he came out of the store and got back in the van with us (Caplinger and Holmes). We recorded everything and went to the next location.”
Chief Caplinger said the store clerk was still working behind the counter when police returned later to make the arrests. “That’s when we found out that she was only sixteen years old.”
The girl’s aunt, 33 year old Susana Jasmin Saldivar was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allowing a sixteen year old female store clerk to sell beer. The 16 year old was also charged in a juvenile petition with selling alcohol to a minor.
Since then Saldivar has appeared in General Sessions Court where she pled guilty to the charge. She was given a six month suspended sentence and fined $50 in the case.
Jim Judkins, the attorney for Ms. Saldivar, appealed to the beer board not to punish the aunt for the actions of her niece, who was not an employee of the store. “This was an afternoon where she (niece) came over to the store. What we would allege is that they (uncle and aunt) have allowed her to stand up near the bar (store counter) where the cash register is and do her homework. At this particular time, she (niece) was supposed to get Mr. Rodriguez (her uncle) to come over and do this (make the sale). He was on the very other side of the store checking out a shipment and got distracted. Ms Saldivar, the owner, was in the back in the ladies room. So our position is that the owners or none of their employees ever made or allowed any sale of beer to a minor under 21 years of age. Their niece, and I’m not saying she’s a bad girl because sometimes kids break the rules, but she didn’t do what she was supposed to and she went ahead and made the sale. Our argument is that my clients, the owners and their employees, no one who was authorized to sell beer that day did it. The niece did it.”
In response, city attorney Vester Parsley, Jr. said the city ordinance is clear. “It says “make or allow” and they were allowing her to run the cash register. The ordinance says “It shall be unlawful for any beer permit holder to make or allow any sale of beer to a minor under twenty one years of age.”
Judkins added that Saldivar entered a “best interest” guilty plea and accepted the sentence rather than spend another two weeks in jail.
In the case against Jewel’s Market, Chief Caplinger explained that the underage informant showed the store clerk, Kira G. Clouse, his ID but she ignored it and sold him the beer anyway. ” Our client went in and purchased a six pack of Natural Ice Beer. She did ask for an ID and he produced it, showed it, but she just looked down at it and handed him the beer and he walked out.”
The store manager of Jewel’s Market, Neil Patel, was present during Thursday night’s beer board hearing and admitted that the store was guilty of making the illegal beer sale. The store owner did not attend the meeting. Patel said the owner lives in Georgia. The court case against Ms. Clouse is still pending.
In the case against Village Market, Chief Caplinger said the buy went pretty much the same way as the others. “Our agent went in and picked up a six pack of Busch beer. He put it on the counter. No ID was checked there. He paid for it and received a receipt for it and he came out with the beer.”
The case against the store clerk who made the sale at Village Market, Hardik Pravinbhai Patel, is still pending in court.
The owner of Village Market addressed the beer board Thursday night. He too admitted that the store was guilty of making the illegal beer sale, but asked that he be allowed to pay a penalty fine in lieu of a 90 day suspension of his license. The owner said he would lose business and might have to lay off employees because of this.
Parsley said the city ordinance does not provide for the option of a fine.” The ordinance says upon the finding of any violation by any permit holder, the punishment for the first offense shall be a minimum suspension of the beer permit for a period of ninety days. Upon any permit holder committing a violation a second time, the punishment shall be the revocation of the beer license.”
The beer board, made up of Steve Hayes, Farron Hendrix, Annette Greek, and Alderman Cecil Burger, voted in each case to suspend the beer license of each establishment for ninety days. Beer board member Lloyd Black was absent Thursday night.
Parsley instructed each of the store owners and operators to stop selling beer immediately and warned of the consequences if they are caught selling beer to anyone during the 90 day suspension period.
Chief Caplinger is expected to pick up the license of each of the three stores by Friday.