The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen are considering making changes to the city charter including having the terms of office go from two to four years and holding regular meetings only once per month.
Mayor Jimmy Poss and Aldermen Jason Murphy, Tim Stribling, Shawn Jacobs, Gayla Hendrix, Danny Washer, and Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson met in a workshop at city hall Saturday morning to review the charter and to suggest changes. No action could be taken since it was neither a regular or special meeting.
Under consideration is a measure to change the charter so that city elections could be held every two years, on the first Thursday in August to coincide with the county general election and state primaries. Terms of office for the mayor and aldermen would go from two to four years. Aldermen say the city could save money by not having to hold an election every year. By having the city election to run with the county general elections in August, it would most likely draw more city voters to the polls, according to the aldermen. City elections are currently held on the third Tuesday in June and the mayor and aldermen races are the only offices on the ballot.
The terms of office for the mayor and aldermen are staggered. For example, three aldermen are to be elected this year (2013) and a mayor and two aldermen are to be elected next year (2014). Currently the terms of office are for two years. The office holders are elected on the third Tuesday in June and their terms of office begin on July 1.
Under consideration is a measure to extend the terms of the three aldermen up for election this year by two months until after an election in August. The three aldermen elected this year would then serve for a three year term until after an election in August 2016. From then on three aldermen would be elected to serve four year terms. The terms would most likely begin on September 1.
Next year under the proposal, the terms of the mayor and two aldermen up for election in 2014 would be extended by two months until after an election in August. Those elected would serve for four years.
The aldermen are also considering changing regular city council meetings from twice to once per month and to have special meetings as needed. Under the proposal, the mayor and aldermen would meet on the first Monday night of the month, as they do now, but the time would change to 6:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. If the meeting date should fall on a holiday, the mayor and aldermen would meet on the following Monday night. The second regular meeting night of each month, now on the third Monday night, would no longer be held. Special meetings could be called by either the mayor or any two aldermen, giving at least 48 hours notice.
The aldermen also propose to make the charter more concise and less confusing and to drop language outdated or obsolete.
City officials are to review the proposed changes with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) before taking action. A proposed resolution with the changes will then be presented to the aldermen for approval. In order for the charter to be changed it must be approved a second time by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of the board after the resolution is approved by the General Assembly.
City officials plan to check this week with State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Mark Pody to make sure its not too late to get the resolution submitted to the legislature for approval this year.

The DeKalb County Board of Education conducted an annual performance evaluation of the Director of Schools and a School Board self evaluation Monday night at the Board of Education Building.
The evaluations are performed annually in January in accordance with board policy and Director Mark Willoughby’s contract. The board has used the same basic instruments for making the evaluations and itself for several years.
Willoughby’s contract states that the evaluation of the Director shall occur no later than January 31 each calendar year during the term of the contract. The board will review the Director’s performance, progress toward established goals, and the working relationship between the two parties.
During the workshop at 6:00 p.m. Monday night, the school board members evaluated Director Willoughby on his relationship with the board, community relationships, staff and personnel relationships, educational leadership, business and finance, and strategic planning skills. Board members were to make a check mark on the four page evaluation form in each of 52 areas, if they thought expectations had been met. Spaces were also provided on the form for board members to write comments.
Fourth district member Billy Miller said he found some of the questions difficult on which to render a judgment, because he doesn’t have first hand knowledge on all matters such as Willoughby’s relationships with staff and personnel.
Board members were said to have found that overall Willoughby met board expectations on most, if not all areas in the evaluation.
Willoughby’s current contract with the board is scheduled to expire June 30th, 2014. He has served as Director of Schools since July 1st, 2006.
In the self evaluation during a special meeting Monday night at 7:00 p.m., each board member was asked to rate the board’s performance on a scale from one to six in team building, decision making, governance, school improvement, community, planning, communications, motivation, influence, and policy. A score of “one” is the lowest and a score of “6” is the highest. They were to rate themselves on how much is being done now in each of 46 areas and how important those issues are to them.
Board Chairman Johnny Lattimore said he felt like the board should do more long range planning.
Second district member Charles Robinson said the board should commit itself to once again becoming a “Board of Distinction” with the state. “I think we’ve got a pretty good school board compared to some of the other ones that you run into throughout the state. I would like to set as a goal that this board become a “Board of Distinction”. I think it sends a message to the community that we want to be better than just a regular board. I think the community would like to see that. But it takes a little effort among board members. I would like to see more of the board members attend workshops when it comes to learning about being a school board member,” said Robinson.
The DeKalb County Board of Education first completed the necessary steps to become a “Board of Distinction” in 2008.
The award, presented by the Tennessee School Boards Association, recognizes outstanding performance by school boards as a whole.
Tennessee school boards that seek this designation must meet specified requirements in four key areas: planning, policy, promotion and board development. Board of Distinction status is for two years, after which time the board may reapply for continued status.
(Pictured above: School board members Charles Robinson, W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, Kenny Rhody, John David Foutch, Chairman Johnny Lattimore, Billy Miller, Doug Stephens, and Director Mark Willoughby)

DeKalb County School buses have passed state inspection.
State Trooper Darryl Winningham, inspector for this district, told WJLE Monday that he has completed his weeklong evaluation of the thirty three buses in the fleet along with the seven substitute buses and all passed inspection. “We do annual inspections on all buses but we also do spot checks through the year if we have a reason. Every bus we’ve run through has passed inspection. Right now we’re at 100% here. We work to ensure that everything is properly working on a bus before it gets back on the highway. I go from (checking) the tires all the way to the top of the buses. I check belts, fluid levels, brake pads, brake drums, brake lines, air lines, etc. Everything is checked on those buses for safety from the lights inside to the seats being secured in them. We check windshield wiper blades, the horn. We check every alarm and buzzer for all doors and emergency exits. Here at the (school bus garage) where we do all the inspections, the (local) crew is outstanding to work with. They go above and beyond to make sure that every bus is safe for every child. If there’s a bulb out (on a bus) they replace it right away. They fix every single thing on it before it moves. We haven’t had any (buses) out of service. Of course, they have a maintenance schedule here and they really stay on top of the buses. The drivers here are very aware of what they have to do in reporting if there are any issues with their buses and its obvious that they do report and have them (buses) repaired daily or as needed, if there is a deficiency on their buses. I’ve been here for seven days and every day the drivers come in and out and if there is an issue they address each issue daily and that’s why these buses stay in as good a shape as they are in right now. The drivers have a lot to do with the success of an annual inspection. I would like to ask the people of DeKalb County to be aware of the buses on the highways and to pay attention to the children on the roadways in the morning and evenings while they’re going back and forth to work. Its up to us to ensure that all these children get to school safely and get home safely,” said Winningham.
Jimmy Sprague, Transportation Supervisor for the School System, gives credit to the mechanics and drivers for keeping the buses in good condition. “This inspection reflects the job that my mechanics do out here on the floor. It reflects the job that my drivers do by keeping a check on their buses and reporting any deficiencies to us. We can repair them right then and right there and put the bus back in service and get these children home and to get them to school safely. I can’t emphasize enough how much pride and professionalism my mechanics take to their job. It reflects in Mr. Winningham’s inspection. He has inspected the forty buses that we have. There are thirty three buses on routes and the seven remaining are sub buses. Everything checked out wonderfully,” said Sprague.
(Pictured above: School Transportation Supervisor Jimmy Sprague, THP Trooper State Bus Inspector Darryl Winningham, and Mechanic Orlando Guzman)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District has scheduled a public meeting Thursday, January 17 to allow the public to respond to the pending implementation plans to tighten restrictions around locks and dams on the Cumberland River and its adjoining tributaries, including Center Hill Dam.
The public information meeting is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Upperman High School Auditorium located at 6950 Nashville Highway in Baxter.
Nashville District Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jim DeLapp said the Corps, because of safety issues, will install physical barriers, most likely buoys tied to cables above the water, within 500-700 feet of dam tail waters to prevent boat access to that area. Barriers will also be placed above the dams. The restrictions will be effective on a project by project basis as they are phased in. Fishing from the bank will still be allowed but all forms of water access will be prohibited in the restricted area, including boating, swimming and wading. The restrictions are being put in place to bring the Nashville District into compliance with other U.S. Corps of Engineers properties nationwide.
“We understand the tightened restricted areas in the Nashville District may be unpopular, but it is necessary for the district to enforce a more restrictive policy that complies more effectively with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ER 1130-2-520, Chapter 10,” said Freddie Bell, chief of the Natural Resource Management Branch. “The increased restriction will also provide the highest level of public safety and address physical security issues.”
Since 2009, three fatalities, one serious injury and 10 near misses/rescues have occurred in the hazardous waters immediately downstream of dams on the Cumberland River and its adjoining tributaries. Life jacket wear has been ineffective in these areas, since all of the victims who drowned were wearing a life jacket.
The immediate hazardous water areas above and below dams in the Nashville District are best described as industrial areas that pose a high level of risk for the public because of the hydroelectric, spilling, sluicing and lock operations that are often present or begin with little or no notice. Such water releases can change a dry riverbed or calm waters into a life-threatening situation within seconds that can swamp, capsize and trap boats and people in turbulent waters.
“We want the public to understand safety is the Agency’s highest priority,” said Bell. “The tailwater directly below a dam is a high risk area and fishing in this area is a high risk activity. As we comply with Corps regulations by restricting these areas, we are also keeping the public safe.”
DeLapp said the barriers will cost around $2 million for all 10 projects and that they will be phased in beginning in February and running through April.
For more information on “Restricted Areas Around Dams” please go to:
http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/About/Organization/Operations/RestrictedAr…

Representative Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) has been named Vice-Chairman of the influential Consumer and Human Resources Committee for the 108th Tennessee General Assembly. Representative Pody was also appointed to the House Business and Utilities Committee, as well as the House Consumer and Human Resources Subcommittee.
“I am honored to be named Vice-Chairman of the House Consumer and Human Resources Committee,” said Rep. Pody. “As promised when I was first elected, I am committed to making our state government more lean and efficient and this committee will enable me to continue working towards that very goal.”
The House Consumer and Human Resources Committee reviews legislation dealing with consumer protection laws, and all human resource and labor law regulations.
Pody continued, “I am also looking forward to joining my colleagues on the House Business and Utilities Committee and am eager to continue the fight of helping make Tennessee an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”
The Business and Utilities Committee considers bills relating to utilities, communications, and legislation impacting trade. The committee also reviews the rules and regulations for all licensed professionals, businesses, and organizations.
Mark Pody is serving his second term in the Tennessee state legislature. He lives in Lebanon and represents District 46, which includes all of Cannon and a portion of Wilson and DeKalb Counties.

The DeKalb County Fire Department has compiled its 2012 Incident Response Summary.
Overall, 2012 fire incident responses in the county were down by 116 calls from 2011. In 2011, the department responded to a total of 446 fire incidents. The department responded to 330 fire incident responses in 2012. This count does not include the 362 rural medical first responder calls that county fire department personnel responded to. One fire death occurred in DeKalb County in 2012.
With DeKalb County’s rural population growing at rates higher than the cities’ population growth within DeKalb County, the department continues to strive to prevent fires and fire related incidents by using prevention and educational measures. DeKalb County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention and Safety Officer, Lt. James Pennington, says that preventing incidents is much more economical than responding to them.
Below provides a breakdown of each type of fire incident response that the department responded to in 2012:
Incident Type:
Structure: 55 (year 2011), 52 (year 2012)
Wildland/Grass/Debris: 49 (2011), 42 (2012)
Auto Wrecks: 128: (2011), 100 (2012)
Vehicle Fires: 25 (2011), 11 (2012)
Landing Zones: 36 (2011), 53 (2012)
Extrication/Entrapment: 22 (2011), 18 (2012)
Hazmat: 0 (2011), 0 (2012)
Alarms: 85 (2011), 37 (2012)
Miscellaneous: 46 (2011), 17 (2012)
TOTAL: 446 (2011), 330 (2012)

Tennessee Tech University is pleased to announce that approximately 3,000 of its more than 11,000 students have met the academic requirements to be included on the fall 2012 Dean’s List.
To be included on the list, a student must earn at least a 3.1 grade point average on the 4.0 scale with a full course load.
Governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, TTU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees and about 20 graduate programs, including the doctoral degree in engineering, environmental sciences and education.
TTU students from DeKalb County who earned Dean’s List honors are:
Emilee B.Anderson, Joseph L. Angaran, Jessica D. Antoniak, Rosemary N. Apple, Michael C. Arms, Christian J. Atnip,
Jessica D. Ball, Wesley M. Blair, Whitney LaRay Brelje, Nicole Clara Burger, Gabrielle B. Byford,
Michael W. Caldwell, Britney M. Campbell, Talisa Marie Cantrell, Stephan Gerhard Charles, Andrew Brent Collier, Tiffany M. Cowart, Casey W. Curtis,
Erica Brooke Dickens, Ethan B. Duke, Tyler A. Dunaway, Ronnie Jamie Dunn,
Whitney N. England,
Macy Celeste Felts, Brittany Autumn Ferguson, Kendra E. Foutch,
Jessica Brooke Garrison,
Kara K. Hackett, John E. Hale, Jessica Lynn Harney, Leland T. Hasty, Abigail E. Hendrix
Zachary Stephen Holden,
Chantal Kiana Leihualani Joaquin-Starrett,
Kayla N. Judkins,
Abigail C. Laprad, Cameron N. Lester, Justin Michael Lewis, Brooklyn A. Looney, Kristen M. Lynch,
Laura E. Martinez, Alexandria B. Meadows, Samuel Max Meketon, Tia R. Menix, Lorrie Michelle Merriman
Shanea M. Nixon, Kayla Ariana Nunley,
Megan A. Osborne,
Brooke E. Pack, Laura S. Pafford, Krysta Lynn Pedigo, Frank Forest Pursell,
Amy Rebecca Ritchie, Lauren Nicole Rogers, Breanna Jo Russell,
Haley Marie Snyder, Caleb Lee Spencer, Kesha M. Staley, Jessie Y. Strickland,
Jonathan Hunter Tramel,
Martha Alan Webb,
Alyssa A. Young, Nikita C. Young, Kara E. Young, and Christopher Riley Young