The Alexandria mayor and aldermen have begun the process of changing the city charter regarding the municipal election, having it to run in conjunction with the County General Elections in August in order to save the city money. But the change is expected to extend the terms of the present board of mayor and aldermen by at least one year so their election cycles would be in even years rather than in odd years. Any change in the city’s charter will have to be approved by the Tennessee General Assembly.
During Tuesday night’s monthly meeting, the mayor and aldermen authorized city attorney Vester Parsley to have the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) prepare an amendment to the city charter regarding the city election. The proposed amendment will be presented for a public hearing and approval by the mayor and aldermen and then onto the Tennessee General Assembly for action.
The terms of Aldermen Kelly Pyburn, David Cripps, and John F. Suggs currently run through 2019 while the terms of Mayor Bennett Armstrong and Aldermen Pat Jackson, Danny Parkerson and Matt Boss are to expire in 2017. Future county general elections are in August 2016, 2018, 2020, etc.

Citations against three store clerks accused of illegally selling alcohol to a minor in a recent undercover investigation are set to be dismissed.
25 year old Langed Bassem Nabil Samir of the Alexandria Discount Beer and Tobacco store on Nashville Highway; 56 year old Allison Ferguson of Smithville, an employee of Mapco Express on East Broad Street, Smithville; and 42 year old Areceli Soto Godinez of Smithville, owner of Nicole’s Market on Short Mountain Highway appeared in DeKalb County General Sessions Court Thursday.
Under negotiated settlements with the District Attorney General’s Office, each case is to be dismissed provided the defendants pay their court costs and have no further incidents of this kind within a certain period of time. Ferguson’s case has already been dismissed. Citations are to be dismissed after 60 days for Samir and after six months in the Godinez case.
The case against 32 year old Jennifer Sims of McMinnville, an employee of the Discount Tobacco Store on West Broad Street, Smithville across from the Dairy Queen has been postponed until December 10 to give her time to hire an attorney.
The Alexandria Beer Board Tuesday night imposed a $500 fine against the owner of the Alexandria Discount Beer and Tobacco store for the violation of the town’s beer ordinance. Samir, the clerk who actually made the sale, was cited by the Alexandria Police Department after he illegally sold beer to an underage operative during an undercover investigation on September 22. Samir admitted to making the illegal sale of beer but claims he made a mistake in reading the birth date on the identification presented to him by the customer (undercover operative) who is 20 years old.
Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins said while he believes the store clerk may have made an honest mistake, the illegal sale of beer was made from the store. The same underage operative tried to buy beer at other stores in Alexandria on the same day but he was turned away.
The undercover investigation was conducted jointly by the Alexandria Police Department, Smithville Police Department, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department using the same underage operative.
The Smithville Beer Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, November 3 at 5:30 p.m. to take up the cases against Mapco Express and the Discount Tobacco Store . The beer board met on the issue October 13 but delayed action on possible punishment against the two stores after managers at both businesses claim the clerks who made the transactions mistakenly entered into their computers the wrong date of birth from the ID card given to them by the customer (underage operative). The managers said they could produce receipts and video evidence of the transactions to back up their claims. But the same underage operative tried to buy beer at other stores in Smithville on the same day and was turned away.
The Mapco manager said Ferguson had worked there since the 1990’s and had never been accused of this before. “Allison has done probably the best of anybody I have ever seen at controlling all sales,” he said.
Some board members also wanted to delay action until after the cases came up in court against the store clerks.

Former Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger has lost his case against the City of Smithville.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW CITY CHARTER)
Smithville.cht.pdf (83.06 KB)
He will neither get his job back or any back pay.
Circuit Court Judge Amy Hollars made attorneys in the case aware of her ruling today (Thursday), fifteen days after holding a hearing in the matter.
At the heart of the case is how many aldermen votes were required to fire the police chief. In May, the council voted by a 3-2 simple majority to uphold Mayor Jimmy Poss’ termination of Chief Caplinger based on Article III Section 3.08 of the city charter
Attorneys for Caplinger, Sarah Cripps and Brandon Cox insisted that the city charter called for a super majority (four votes) for such action based on Article III Section 3.01.
But Judge Hollars didn’t see it that way.
“Judge Hollars ruled today in favor of the city stating that the provision of the charter that requires only a simple majority, that being provision 3.08 is the provision in firing the police chief,” city attorney Vester Parsley told WJLE.
“The judge further ruled that the other provision, Section 3.01 (calling for a super majority) was only for the reorganization of the city government. Therefore the firing of Chief Caplinger was upheld,” Parsley continued.
“The Court held that the termination of Chief Caplinger by a simple majority vote of the Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen was proper pursuant to Section 3.08 of the Charter of the City of Smithville. Additionally, the Court held that Section 3.08 of the Charter is the controlling provision respecting the personnel actions of promotion, demotion, transfer, suspension, and removal of all employees of the City of Smithville. The Court further held that by voting to terminate Chief Caplinger, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen also voted to approve the less stringent and severe action of Mayor Poss’s suspension of Chief Caplinger on March 13, 2015,” wrote Cripps in a prepared statement to WJLE.
After a seven hour due process hearing Friday, May 8 the aldermen voted 3-2 to uphold Mayor Poss’ termination of Caplinger. Aldermen Gayla Hendrix, Danny Washer, and Jason Murphy voted in favor of the mayor’s action. Aldermen Shawn Jacobs and Josh Miller voted against it.
Cripps and Cox contended that the aldermen violated section 3.08 of the charter in that they failed to convene for a vote to ratify the mayor’s unilateral suspension of Caplinger prior to the May 8 due process hearing. This, they claim rendered the suspension of Chief Caplinger null and invalid.
Again, Judge Hollars saw it differently. “What she said there was because the city had a due process hearing it took care of that provision (Section 3.08),” added Parsley.
The attorneys for Caplinger said their client was not an “at will” employee as city officials claimed; that he could only be terminated for “just cause”; and that he could only be removed by the mayor with the approval of at least two thirds (not less than four members) majority vote of the council present and voting upon the removal according to the Smithville City Charter as called for in Section 3.01.
But during the May 8 hearing City Attorney Parsley cited Section 3.08 which calls for only ” a majority of the board” to approve removal of employees by the mayor. A majority of the aldermen followed Parsley’s recommendation in relying on this section of the charter in voting to uphold Mayor Poss’ firing of Caplinger.
Caplinger’s attorneys asked that he be allowed to “receive all accrued back pay from March 13, 2015 until the date of the hearing in this cause.
Judge Hollars denied the request.
“As a law enforcement official possessing thirty years of distinguished public service with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and five years of public service as Chief of the Smithville Police Department, Chief Caplinger has the utmost respect for our judicial process. While reasonable minds can differ and disagree as to the interpretation of the ambiguous and conflicting provisions of the Charter of the City of Smithville that were at issue in Chief Caplinger’s case, the Court’s ruling is carefully considered and well-reasoned. At this time, Chief Caplinger is weighing his options concerning how he wishes to move forward in this matter,” wrote Cripps.
“Chief Caplinger wishes to express his deep appreciation and gratitude to all of those in our community who have demonstrated their unwavering support for him during the past several months,” Cripps concluded.
City Attorney Parsley and Nashville lawyer Mark E. McGrady of Farrar & Bates, LLP represented the City of Smithville in this case.

Fall is in the air, pumpkins are on porches, and massive amounts of candy are calling! Halloween is Saturday.Several Halloween events are scheduled through October 31
Join the fun at the following locations:
*Justin Potter Library will have “Halloween at the Library” on Friday, October 30 at 5:00 p.m. The entertainment will be presented by Susan Hinton, Helga Thompson, and Jan Thomas. There will be scary stories, songs, and other hair raising activities. All little ghosts and goblins are invited to join them at the library for a night of fun. Costumes are optional.
*Parents, children, and local businesses are invited to join the City of Smithville and the Police Department’s “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown” Friday, October 30 from noon until 5:00 p.m. The DeKalb County Courthouse offices, Smithville Police Dept., Smithville City Hall, Justin Potter Library, Smithville Review, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Dr. Starla Meigs, & participating businesses on the Smithville Square will be handing out candy. Look for the stores and offices with a picture of an orange pumpkin on their windows. Maps will be available at the police department and Justin Potter Library to show parents which businesses will be taking part in the event. For more information call Beth Adcock at the Smithville Police Department at 615-597-8210 extension 1 or check out the police department’s face book page at https://www.facebook.com/SmithvillePoliceDepartment. WJLE has the map posted at the link below.
Map_2015.pdf (38.78 KB)
*The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber will be sponsoring the Best Costume Contest for our Downtown Smithville businesses/offices! So take a picture and email it to swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org or take a picture with your phone and send it to 615-464-7760 by 1 PM on Friday, October 30th. First and second place winners will be presented a “Halloween on the Square Best Costume” award, media recognition, and most important — “bragging rights!”
*Smithville Computer Repair on Miller Road will be hosting their 4th annual Great Candy Giveaway on Friday, October 30 starting at 6:00 p.m. until the candy is gone.
*The DeKalb Animal Coalition is presenting another fundraising event in time for Halloween. “Smithville’s Unquiet Dead” by Sarah Cripps is set for Friday, October 30 at 6:00 p.m., a walking tour through the City of Smithville where true stories will be told of some of the most gruesome and heinous murders that occurred here. Visit the scenes where the devilish deeds occurred. The tour will begin at the DeKalb Animal Coalition Benefit Store at 110 West Walnut Street. Admission is $10 which includes a hot dog, drink, and dessert. Funds raised will go toward building a new animal shelter for our community
*The Smithville Fire Department is having a Halloween Bash at the fire hall Saturday night, October 31 from 5pm to 7pm. Children are invited to come by and get a treat and see the fire hall and fire trucks. The AmVets Post 101 and the Woodmen of the World will also be helping with the event.
*NHC Smithville will be celebrating Halloween on Friday, October 30. Trick or treaters are welcome at 825 Fisher Ave starting at 6PM. For more information, call 615-597-4284.
*In Liberty, on Oct 31, from 4-6pm there will be a chili supper/costume contest fundraiser at the community center in Liberty. Trunk or treat outside. Prizes for kids 12 and younger. Cost is $5.00
*Local Churches in the Town of Alexandria will be having a trunk or treat on the square. October 31, 2015 (Halloween Night ) at dark-thirty. There will be no BOO BASH this year but children may go trick or treating in town the same night.
*The Old Fashion Freewill Baptist Church in Blue Springs will be having a Fall Fest October 31 at 4 & from 5 – 7:00 p.m. They will be participating in trunk or treat so bring your kids out for a safe and fun night everyone welcome.
*Covenant Baptist Church will be having Trunk or Treat, Saturday, October 31 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*The annual Harvest Fest at the New Life Connection Center will be October 31st from 5-7pm. Enjoy lots of activities for the children including games, trunk or treat and candy rain. Everyone is welcome.
*Dowelltown Baptist Church will be having the annual Trunk or Treat on October 31st in the parking lot in front of the Dowelltown Post Office and across from the Community Center from 4:30 – 7:30! Lots of candy and fun! Please bring your trick or treaters by and join in the fun.
*Smithville First Baptist Church Fall Festival, First Baptist Life Enrichment Center (corner of Church Street & College Street) Saturday, October 31st from 5:30-7:30PM. Food, Games & More. Come on out and have a GREAT time!!

In an effort to replace a 1981 fire truck and possibly improve the city’s ISO rating, the Town of Alexandria is planning to file an application for a Community Development Block Grant to purchase a new fire engine.
Alexandria Fire Chief Brian Partridge addressed the issue during the regular monthly meeting in September and the mayor and aldermen voted to proceed with the application.
The city’s grant writer for the project, Fay Leonard of Vantage Consulting Services, informed the mayor and aldermen during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night that a public hearing will be held Friday, October 30 at 2:30 p.m. at city hall to assess the community development needs of the town and to solicit comments from citizens regarding the possible filing of the CDBG grant application with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The hearing is open to all citizens of Alexandria.
“The town is eligible to apply for a grant called a Community Development Block Grant. They (application) are due by the end of February. The announcements (grant recipients) would not be made until the fall of 2016. In my opinion the fire department is in dire straits for a new vehicle and that is one thing we can apply for through this grant program,” said Leonard.
“There is one requirement we have to meet and that is a minimum of 51% of the people served by the fire department (including a five mile radius outside the city limits) have to be considered low to moderate income. In order to determine that we have to do a target area survey. That is going to be a fairly large undertaking but our volunteer firemen and others are going to volunteer to help do that survey,” Leonard continued.
“At the next meeting, November 17 I will have a formal resolution for you to adopt. We can’t do that tonight because the grant requirement is that you cannot pass your resolution until after you’ve had your public hearing.”
The total grant project would be for $331,580 including the city’s local matching obligation of $16,580 should the grant be approved.
Due to so many applicants competing for grant dollars, Leonard cautioned that approval for this project is not a certainty. “The fact that your fire truck is in such bad condition is going to be helpful to you in the scoring for the grant but it is so competitive. For example for the 2015 cycle, there were 131 of these grants submitted statewide and only 54 were approved because the money just goes so far. About 40% of what was submitted was able to be funded. I am hopeful about it but it is very competitive,” said Leonard.
Chief Partridge told WJLE in September that if the grant is approved, the city would have funds to purchase a new custom cab class 1 pumper, which would improve the department’s water flow capabilities in fighting fires. By having a new fire truck, Chief Partridge said the city’s ISO rating might even go from a 4 to a 3, which could mean lower commercial and homeowners insurance premiums. The city must keep two fire trucks in order to maintain its current ISO rating. Earlier this year, the city learned that the Insurance Services Office raised Alexandria’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating from a Class 7 to a Class 4.
The Alexandria Fire Department is staffed with twelve volunteers and two fire trucks. The oldest truck, a 1981 model, is on indefinite loan to the city from Wilson County, but would be returned if a new truck is purchased. The other fire truck is a 1997 model. Although the primary engine (1997 truck) is still in good condition and could be used as a backup, Chief Partridge said the 1981 engine has serious mechanical problems and brake system issues.
If the city were to be awarded a grant to purchase a new fire truck, Chief Partridge said no additional equipment would be needed. “We already have the equipment. All the equipment we received from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant four years ago,” he said.
It could take up to a year before the city learns if it will get the grant.

A Smithville woman lost her life in a pickup truck crash this morning (Wednesday) on the Old Blue Springs Road.
Dead is 31 year old Tacy Hendrixson.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Hendrixson was traveling north in a 1995 GMC Sierra pickup truck when she failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the left side of the road. The truck overturned and hit a tree before coming to rest upside down. Hendrixson was ejected and found underneath the bed of the truck.
She was taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department were also on the scene.

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 1, and while you are changing your clocks, the DeKalb County Fire Department wants to remind you to change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms also. Our message is simple and it’s easy to do! Please take a few minutes to make sure life-saving alarms have fresh batteries so you, your family, and your home are protected.
Lieutenant Brian Williams, DeKalb County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention and Safety Officer, reminds DeKalb County residents that after batteries are changed in alarms, take a few extra minutes to test your alarms and remind family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Not all smoke alarms have batteries that have to be replaced each year. Some newer model alarms have batteries that last up to 10 years. However, it is still very important to test and clean your alarms. You can clean and maintain them simply by using compressed air to remove dust residue that accumulates on alarms that can cause the alarm’s sensor to not operate properly.
If your home is not furnished with smoke alarms, or if your alarms are older than 10 years old, DeKalb County Fire Department will install new smoke alarms in your home free of charge. There’s simply no reason anyone should lay down to sleep at night without having a working smoke alarm in their home! All you have to do is contact Lt. Brian Williams at (615) 330-4066 and provide your name, address, and phone number to get your free alarms installed.
Eighty percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s a tragic statistic that can be prevented. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms, and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. “The vast majority of our house fires happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” said Lt. Williams. “Smoke alarm installation and maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”
A working smoke detector doubles your chance of surviving a home fire. So, why would you not want you and your family to have this protection? For more information about fire safety, visit the DeKalb County Fire Department’s FaceBook Group page or the department’s website at www.dekalbfire.com.

The Alexandria Police Department will soon have body-worn cameras for each of its three officers.
During the regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Alexandria Mayor and Board of Aldermen voted to purchase two additional cameras for the department at the request of Police Chief Mark Collins but the city will be reimbursed with grant funds. The department already has one body camera.
“Sergeant Chris Russell applied for a grant sometime back to 100% fund these body cameras and the board (aldermen) approved to forward us the money to buy these cameras but it will be a complete 100% reimbursement with grant money. We will be refunded,” said Chief Collins.
“These body cameras will be worn by each officer to protect them and the citizens they serve. It’s just a good tool that police officers need nowadays because in today’s time you need as much video (evidence) as you possibly can. It’s almost got to the point if people can’t see it they sometimes don’t believe it. I’m real fortunate that the board voted to do this for me and I am proud to have them,” Chief Collins said.
“These cameras will do video and audio and you can set a mode on them to where you can take still pictures,” he continued.
The aldermen have instructed Chief Collins to develop a departmental policy on how the cameras are to be used. “A policy will be implemented to require that these cameras be worn by officers on all calls. That way when they are on a call they have some means of protecting themselves (video evidence) and to protect the citizens from any “he said” “she said”.
The total cost to purchase the two cameras comes to $1,000. Chief Collins said he plans to order them Wednesday and they should arrive by the middle of November.