A City of Smithville liquor by the drink referendum will be on the election ballot Tuesday, November 4
Registered city voters will decide the question.
The Consumption on the Premises Referendum asks city voters to either vote “for legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in Smithville” or “against legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in Smithville.”
Should the referendum be approved, eligible restaurants in the city of Smithville could apply to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission for an on premises license to sell liquor by the drink, but it would still be up to the Smithville Beer Board whether or not to grant a permit for those same businesses to sell beer (If they don’t already have a permit), according to Keith Bell, Director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
“If Smithville passes liquor by the drink, if a restaurant is properly permitted to sell liquor by the drink, then they would be “authorized”, and I emphasize the word “authorized”. They would be authorized by the Tennessee Code to also sell beer, but they would have to be permitted through the appropriate jurisdiction, which in this case would be the Smithville Beer Board. Let me repeat this so it’s completely understood. If Smithville voters pass the referendum to allow liquor by the drink in their restaurants and then a restaurant applies for a license to sell liquor by the drink with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, essentially if they’re licensed or permitted to sell liquor or wine for on premises consumption, pursuant to Chapter 4 of Title 57, they’re also allowed to sell beer at the establishment if they are properly authorized to sell liquor or wine, provided that the establishment lawfully obtains a beer permit from the Smithville Beer Board,” said Bell.
The city aldermen in December, 2012 changed the city’s beer ordinance to allow eligible restaurants to apply for an on-premises permit to sell beer with meals in their establishments
If restaurants in the city were licensed to sell liquor by the drink, they would have to abide by the designated serving hours, but could sell on Sunday, according to Bell. “No licensee shall permit alcoholic or malt beverages to be consumed on the licensed premises between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Monday through Saturday or between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, unless the local jurisdiction has opted out of the expanded hours. If such is the case, then the consumption and or sale of alcoholic beverages may begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday,” said Bell.

Twenty-seven-year-old Brandon Davis of Liberty has published his first novel, Cinder Fingers.
Cinder Fingers is a dark fantasy novel released just in time for Halloween. Davis is having his first signing for the novel at F. Z. Webb and Sons Gift Shop in Smithville on Friday, October the 24th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Anyone who likes to read and is a fan of the supernatural should pick up the first edition of this story for their collection. On this date, you can get a signed copy with a limited edition bookmark made available through F.Z. Webb and Sons Gift Shop.
Davis is the oldest son of Timothy Davis and JoAnn (Braswell) Davis of Pea Ridge. He graduated from DCHS in 2005 and worked at Kingston Timers for two years after graduation. In those two years he wrote out Cinder Fingers and edited it the years leading up to its release. Since then, he has graduated from Tennessee Technology Center and Motlow Community College of McMinnville. He currently attends Middle Tennessee State University where he studies Psychology and writes his stories on the side.

City voters will decide on November 4 whether they want liquor stores in the City of Smithville.
The Retail Package Store Referendum asks city voters to either vote “To permit retail package stores to sell beverages in Smithville” or “not to permit retail package stores to sell alcoholic beverages in Smithville”.
The City of Smithville has a beer board that issues permits to eligible applicants for the sale of beer within the city limits. While the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission has the authority over the issuance of liquor licenses, the City of Smithville would still have a role to play. According to officials of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, if the referendum were to be approved by the voters, the City of Smithville would have to adopt Certificate of Compliance regulations. The city also has the authority to limit the number of liquor stores. For example, Gallatin’s Municipal Code allows one liquor store for each 4,000 residents. Hendersonville currently allows one liquor store per 12,000 residents, one of the most restrictive in the state. State law prohibits governmental subdivisions from being unreasonably restrictive.
If the city approves an applicant’s certificate of compliance to operate a retail liquor store, then the process moves to the Tennessee ABC Commission for a final decision.
The Tennessee ABC Commission requires applicants to meet the following conditions:
*Fill out an application form
*Fill out a questionaire: Owners, partners, officers, managers and/or any person who owns five percent (5%) or more in the corporation or the business, should complete these forms
*Certificate of Compliance: The Certificate of Compliance may be obtained from the local municipality Mayor’s office. Please contact the local Mayor’s office in the jurisdiction in which the store will be located for additional information.
*Certificate of Occupancy: The Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the local municipality’s Codes Department. Please contact the local Codes Department in the jurisdiction in which the store will be located for additional information.
*Proof of Possession : A copy of the lease must be furnished to this office. Along with the lease, a copy of the Deed (registered with the Registrar of Deed’s Office) must be furnished also. If the application is for a change of ownership, a copy of the Bill of Sale or Purchase Agreement must be provided.
*Charter from the State of Tennessee: (This document is required only if the applicant is a corporation, a limited liability company (LLC) or a formal partnership). A copy of the Tennessee charter must be furnished to this office and it may be obtained from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office, 6th Floor, William Snodgrass Building, 7th Avenue North between Charlotte Avenue and Union Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee, telephone (615) 741-2286.
*List of Officers and or owners of corporations: A separate list of officers (with their titles) and owners with five percent (5%) or more of ownership, indicating amount of percentage of ownership, must be furnished with the application. Please use form AB-0099.
*Waiver of any right to an administrative hearing by applicant
*Tennessee Sales Tax Number
*Copy of Newspaper Notice and Sworn Statement Regarding the Publication: Prior to the Certificate of Compliance hearing date, a newspaper notice must be published in the local newspaper for three (3) consecutive issues. Further, an affidavit from the local newspaper should be provided verifying publication.
*An inspection will be conducted by a TABC agent after the application has been reviewed by the local TABC office.
*Financial Background Check of Applicant
*Credit Check from Banking/Lending Institution
*Employee Permits: All employees must obtain an employee permit card. See Retail Employee permit (blue card) information.

Early voting begins Wednesday (Oct. 15) for the Nov. 4 general election, and the DeKalb County Election Commission is encouraging voters to take advantage of that opportunity.
“If you go ahead and vote early, you will have that done and you won’t have to worry about potential lines on election day,” said Dennis Stanley, administrator of elections.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW SAMPLE BALLOT)
DekalbTN-G14-NewspaperInfinity.pdf (28.79 KB)
Voters can cast early ballots through Oct. 30 at the DeKalb County Courthouse on the square in Smithville. Early Voting will be available six days a week during the following hours: Mondays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays
9 am. until 1 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., Thursdays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. until noon.
Stanley urged local voters to educate themselves about the candidates, constitutional amendments on the ballot and the two City of Smithville liquor referendums before making their selections.
A sample ballot can be viewed at the election office, on the commission’s website at www.dekalbelections.com and at wjle.com.
Tennessee voters will elect a Governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressmen, State Representatives, and State Senators.
The General Election Ballot also includes four proposed Tennessee Constitutional amendments.
Amendment #1 inserts constitutional language empowering the legislature to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion.
Amendment #2 empowers the Governor to appoint judges subject to confirmation by the General Assembly
Amendment # 3 prohibits the legislature from levying or permitting any tax upon payroll or earned personal income
Amendment #4 empowers the legislature to permit lotteries for events that benefit 501 (c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations.
The City of Smithville has two referendums on the ballot on November 4.
The Retail Package Store Referendum asks city voters to either vote “To permit retail package stores to sell beverages in Smithville” or “not to permit retail package stores to sell alcoholic beverages in Smithville”.
The Consumption on the Premises Referendum asks city voters to either vote “for legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in Smithville” or “against legal sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in Smithville.”
Candidates on the Tennessee General Election Ballot are as follows:
Governor:
Bill Haslam-Republican
Charles V. “Charlie” Brown-Democratic
Shaun Crowell-Constitution
Isa Infante-Green
Steven Damon Coburn-Independent
John Jay Hooker-Independent
Daniel T. Lewis-Independent (pending)
United States Senate:
Lamar Alexander-Republican
Gordon Ball-Democratic
Joe Wilmoth-Constitution
Martin Pleasant-Green
Tom Emerson, Jr.-Independent
Edmund L. Gauthier-Independent
Joshua James-Independent
Danny Page-Independent
Bartholomew J. Phillips-Independent
C. Salekin-Independent
Eric Schechter-Independent
Rick Tyler-Independent
U.S. House of Representatives (District 6)
Diane Black-Republican
Amos Scott Powers-Democratic
Mike Winton-Independent
Tennessee Senate (District 17)
Mae Beavers- Republican
Tennessee House of Representatives (District 40)
Terri Lynn Weaver- Republican
Sarah Marie Smith-Democratic
Tennessee House of Representatives (District 46)
Mark A. Pody-Republican
Candace Reed-Democratic
The actual wording on the ballot concerning the proposed constitutional amendments is as follows:
Constitutional Amendment 1
Shall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:
Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.
□Yes
□No
Constitutional Amendment 2
Shall Article VI, Section 3 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the first and second sentences and by substituting instead the following:
Judges of the Supreme Court or any intermediate appellate court shall be appointed for a full term or to fill a vacancy by and at the discretion of the governor; shall be confirmed by the Legislature; and thereafter, shall be elected in a retention election by the qualified voters of the state. Confirmation by default occurs if the Legislature fails to reject an appointee within sixty calendar days of either the date of appointment, if made during the annual legislative session, or the convening date of the next annual legislative session, if made out of session. The Legislature is authorized to prescribe such provisions as may be necessary to carry out Sections two and three of this article.
□Yes
□No
Constitutional Amendment 3
Shall Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the final substantive paragraph within the section:
Notwithstanding the authority to tax privileges or any other authority set forth in this Constitution, the Legislature shall not levy, authorize or otherwise permit any state or local tax upon payroll or earned personal income or any state or local tax measured by payroll or earned personal income; however, nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting any tax in effect on January 1, 2011, or adjustment of the rate of such tax.
□Yes
□No
Constitutional Amendment 4
Shall Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the following language:
All other forms of lottery not authorized herein are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the general assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) organization located in this state, as defined by the 2000 United States Tax Code or as may be amended from time to time.
and by substituting instead the following language:
All other forms of lottery not authorized herein are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the general assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(19) organization, as defined by the 2000 United States Tax Code, located in this state.
□Yes
□No

A Manchester man is charged with the aggravated assault of his wife, step daughter and another man in an altercation in August.
46 year old Napoleon Wainwright is under a $30,000 bond and he will be in court on January 29. He was arrested on Wednesday, October 8. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Wainwright allegedly assaulted his wife by grabbing and shoving her into the wall, which caused her to fall on the floor. While she was on the floor, Wainwright allegedly grabbed and beat her head against the floor. He also allegedly tried to hit the woman with a hammer. The victim had physical markings on her face and arms and her face was bleeding due to the altercation. Wainwright is also accused of assaulting his step-daughter and another man by striking both of them with a vehicle, leaving physical markings on her leg. The male victim had physical markings on his legs and arms, which resulted in him having to be medically treated at DeKalb Community Hospital.
26 year old Christine Nicole Moore of Bloom Lane, Asheville North Carolina is charged in a sealed indictment with sale and delivery of a schedule III drug. The indictment was returned by the Grand Jury on September 16, 2013 as the result of a sheriff’s department investigation. Moore was arrested on Thursday, October 9. Her bond is $20,000 and she will be in court November 12.

Parents, children, and local businesses are invited to join the City of Smithville for the Police Department’s “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown” Friday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Beth Adcock, records clerk for the Smithville Police Department, organized the first “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown” three years ago and it turned out to be a great success. Hundreds of children have been served.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MAP)
Map_revised.pdf (39.27 KB)
According to Adcock, the event serves as a way for the Smithville Police Department and other businesses to give back to the community, to allow trick or treating in a safe environment, and to afford the police officers an opportunity to interact with the children and gain their trust. It also provides parents who may not be able to take their kids trick or treating on the night of Halloween, to do it during the day at downtown businesses and at offices in the courthouse and at city hall along with business on the side streets such as: Smithville Review, Meigs Eye Care, Probation Office, Love & Cantrell Funeral Home, Tangles, and MC Studios.
Participating businesses will have candy and special treats for the children. Look for the stores and offices with a picture of a pumpkin on their windows. Maps will be available at the police department, Justin Potter Library, Chamber of Commerce and other locations to show parents which businesses will be taking part in the event. WJLE will post the map at www.wjle.com. Last year, some of the clerks in the businesses and government offices joined in the fun by dressing up in Halloween costumes.
Adcock says a Halloween costume contest will be held again this year for children up to pre-school age at 10:00 am at the Evin’s Park open stage. Another costume contest for those up to age twelve will be at 4:00 p.m. Participants need to register by 9:45 am and 3:45 pm. In case of rain the contests will be held upstairs inside of City Hall.
For those planning to enter the contest, there will be winners in different categories. The categories will be scariest, funniest, most creative, and best overall.
There will also be a Chamber Costume Contest to the downtown business employee’s. Any business wishing to enter this contest will need to contact the Chamber of Commerce at 597-4163 and Suzanne Williams will visit each business throughout the day and take pictures of the participants and pick a winner.
Mayor Jimmy Poss encourages parents and children to join the city in “Trick or Treat Halloween Downtown” Friday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
For more information call Beth Adcock at the Smithville Police Department at 615-597-8210 or check out the police department’s face book page at https://www.facebook.com/SmithvillePoliceDepartment.

It’s again fire season in Tennessee, and the Division of Forestry is reminding everyone in DeKalb County that if they intend to do any outdoor burning they are required by state law to obtain a burning permit. The free permits are required October 15th through May 15th and can be obtained by telephone or on line. A poorly prepared or unattended burning debris pile can, under the conditions common in autumn, escape control and become a destructive wildfire. The Tennessee Division of Forestry asks everyone to be cautious when doing any outdoor burning.
Before doing any outdoor burning:
•First call the Division of Forestry for a burning permit at 597-4015 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday (call on Friday for the weekend) or obtain a permit on line at www.burnsafetn.org. If weather conditions permit you will be issued a burning permit. If the permit is obtained by phone they will also advise you of any weather conditions such as predicted wind, low humidity or other factors which might call for extra precaution.
•Establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil around brush piles or other piled debris to be burned. The larger the debris pile, the wider the control line needs to be to ensure that burning materials won’t be blown or roll off the pile into vegetation outside the line.
•Keep water, tools, and plenty of help ready in case your fire should attempt to spread.
•Stay with all outdoor fires until they are completely out.
•Be aware of where your smoke is going. Avoid burning when your smoke will be bothersome to neighbors or when near sensitive locations such as highways.
Remember, you as a homeowner have control over the most basic things that will make your house safer from wildfires and allow the local Fire Dept. and the Division of Forestry to protect your home. This includes:
•Clear away flammable brush and other materials at least 30 feet from your house.
•Don’t pile firewood or other flammable materials near your house or on your porch or deck.
•Keep your yard, roof, and gutters free of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
•Keep leaves, pine needles and other debris off of or from under decks.
The only materials for which a permit can be issued are brush, leaves, grass, or plant materials that are grown on the property or untreated and unpainted lumber. Anything else such as automobile tires, roofing shingles, household garbage, feed sacks or anything not grown on the property cannot be legally burned. Failure to obtain a permit or the burning of illegal materials could result in a citation to court and a fine. For more information on this or any other forestry related matter, call the Division of Forestry at the above phone number or visit the Division of Forestry’s wildfire safety web-site at www.burnsafetn.org. And remember, ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES!!

The 2014 Homecoming Queen at DeKalb County High School is Kamien Leshay Sparks.
A senior, Sparks is the 17 year old daughter of Jimmy and Tonyia Sparks of Smithville. Sparks is a member of the FBLA and Science Clubs and has been on the DCHS girls soccer team for three years. She has been an officer of FBLA for two years.
The Homecoming Attendants are:
Senior Attendant -Loren Jane Cripps, the 18 year old daughter of Scott and Gena Cripps of Smithville. She is on the DCHS girls basketball team and the Tigerette softball team. Cripps has earned the following honors and awards: Softball- 2nd Team District and District All Tournament Team; Basketball- District All Freshman Team, 3rd Team District (2 yrs.), completed 1,000+ points in junior year, Co- MVP, and All Upper Cumberland 3rd Team 2014. Cripps is also in the Beta Club. She is a member of the Smithville Church of Christ.
Senior Attendant- Brooke Danielle Roller, the 17 year old daughter of Richard and Rose Roller of Smithville. She is a member of the HOSA and Literature Club. Roller is also a two year member of the DCHS Golf and Soccer Teams. She was the Homecoming Junior Attendant last year.
Junior Attendant- Kaylene Marie Ferguson, 16 year old daughter of Rickey and Diane Hale of Smithville. Ferguson is a DCHS basketball cheerleader and football manager. She is a cheerleading STAR Award winner and is a member of the Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church Youth Group
Sophomore Attendant- Alexis Kay Bates, the 16 year old daughter of Todd and Kathy Bates of Smithville. Bates is a member of the Literature and Junior Beta Clubs. She is also a cheerleader and member of the DCHS Tigerette softball team. Bates was also the 8th grade Homecoming Queen in her 8th grade year and was a Freshman Class Favorite. She was an All American nominee in her 9th and 10th grade years and made the team in the 10th grade. She attends church at the Gathering.
Freshman Attendant- Amelia Patterson, the 15 year old daughter of Adrian Patterson and April Odom of Smithville. She is a basketball cheerleader and won the Freshman Award at the UCA Cheerleading Camp. She is a member of the Baptist Tabernacle
Spirit week activities will be held October 13-17 at DCHS. The Homecoming Parade will take place Friday afternoon, October 17 and the Tiger Homecoming Football game will be at 7:00 p.m. that night against Macon County. WJLE will have LIVE coverage of the game.
Homecoming 2014 Spirit Week Activities:
Monday- Camo/Hat Day
Tuesday-Patriotic/Super Hero Day
Wednesday-Twins/Neon/Flashback Day
Thursday-Sports T-Shirt or Jersey Day
**Bonfire at 7:00 p.m.
**Homecoming Dance at 7:30 p.m.
Friday- Black & Gold Day
Field Games
Parade and Downtown Pep Rally
Presentation of Queen & Attendants at 6:30 p.m.
Homecoming Game versus Macon County at 7:00 p.m.
*** Dress Code still applies and teachers are encouraged to participate
*** Cheerleaders will be selling items during lunch
*** Penny Wars- Classes will compete against each other all week to see who can collect the most pennies. Silver coins or dollars will cancel out pennies. The class with the most pennies at the end of the week will get to keep the money they raised.

The DeKalb County Board of Education claimed first place for “Best Chili” and “Best Decorated Booth” at the 11th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-Off and Bake Sale Friday at the county complex.
“We had a great turnout for the Chili Cook-off. All the teams did a great job with their chili, and the bake sale was also a huge success. Many thanks to all the teams and those who donated baked goods. Over $3,000 was raised for Habitat today, and we are thankful to the community for supporting this fun event,” said Tecia Puckett Pryor, Development Committee member. “Just last month, we completed our Fifth Habitat home in DeKalb County and are making plans for our sixth house to be built in 2015. The Chili Cook-off is an important fundraiser for Habitat and money raised will be used in our ongoing construction costs,” said Pryor.
Receiving second place for “Best Chili” and “Best Decorated Booth” was the “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials.
“Team MTNG – Cooking with Gas” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas and “The Bean Counters” from Tom Janney, CPA and Associates tied for third place in the “Best Chili” competition. MTNG also received third place for “Best Decorated Booth”.
Other participants included “Hot Checks Chili” from DeKalb Community Bank; “Just Chilin” from Center Hill Realty; “No Liability Chili” from the DeKalb County Bar Association; and a team from Cumberland Adaptive.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 615-215-8181.

The DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night authorized the Chairman and Director of Schools to do some research on the feasibility of a Time Management Study.
Time Management refers to managing time effectively so that the right time is allocated to the right activity. Board Chairman W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, who proposed the study, said the intent is not to get rid of personnel but to make the school system operate more efficiently. “In my experience in business and years ago in banking through LSU we did some time management studies. A lot of financial institutions do it and a lot of private businesses do it. It involves someone coming in and looking at different areas of the school system. It’s not in any way an implication that we’re trying to cut personnel. It’s to make sure that if someone has a work load that is too heavy then maybe there is someone who can assist in those ways. There are people who can come in from the outside and look at these kind of situations and tell you what you can do more efficient. That’s all it amounts to. It’s not someone coming in and saying you need to get rid of this person or that person. It’s someone coming in and saying here’s a way of doing this more efficiently. And if you can do it more efficiently then that opens up more opportunities and gives principals and everyone else more time all the way through the system to focus on three thousand kids. All I’m asking the board to do is to give me and Mr. Willoughby the authority to research this between now and the next meeting to see what potential costs there may be. I can assure you there will probably be enough savings somewhere to take care of that,” he said.
In other business, Director Mark Willoughby updated the school board on personnel moves since the September meeting.
Those employed are:
Nora Harvey, substitute nurse
Shea Colwell, substitute nurse
Ana Guzman, custodian at Smithville Elementary School
Cody Randolph, teacher at DeKalb Middle School
Transfers:
Sabrina Farler to Principal position at DeKalb West School
Joey Agee to Assistant Principal position at DeKalb West School
Resignations/Retirement
Danny Parkerson, Principal at DeKalb West School, retired
Brian Pack, custodian at Smithville Elementary School
Meanwhile, the DeKalb Middle School Computer Lab is being named in honor of long time educator Tom Hill while the DCHS Library will be named for Hill’s wife Marie and her mother, the late Nell McBride, who were both Librarians at DCHS.
The board approved the request as presented by Chairman Evins. “We can’t let things get out of hand to the point that we’re naming something after everyone but I think it’s very appropriate, and I have not talked to these people (Hill’s), but we’ve had two people who have retired. One of them is Tom Hill who was instrumental in the computer lab at the Middle School being what it is today. His wife, Marie Hill was the librarian at DCHS. She went above and beyond being a librarian and so did her mother, who preceded her. I would like for the board to consider naming the computer lab at DeKalb Middle School in honor of Mr. Tom Hill and the high school library in honor of Marie Hill and her mother, Mrs. Nell McBride with a plaque as we have done in other situations,” said Evins.
Sixth district board member Doug Stevens also paid tribute to former fourth district member Billy Miller, who resigned from the school board as of September 30. “He was instrumental in working with the county commission, school board, and the sheriff’s office so that we can have School Resource Officers (SROs) in each school. He laid the ground work and identified the land for the new soccer field that will be at Northside School. He had a big part in getting the soccer and cross country teams that we have now at the Middle School. I hope that when the county commission appoints somebody that they (appointee) will be as passionate about this position as Billy Miller was,” said Stevens.
“I am going to miss him as a board member. I just appreciate his service. I’ve been on here (school board) quite a while but I learned a lot from him. He was always straight forward in trying to do the right thing. We appreciate his service to the board,” added Chairman Evins.
Due to his having accepted a new job with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation which does not allow him to hold public office, Miller had to resign from the School Board. It’ll be up to the county commission to name his successor, who will serve as an appointee until the next regular election in August, 2016 to fill the unexpired term which ends in August 2018.
Meanwhile, as the board meeting got underway Thursday night, Chairman Evins called for a moment of silence in remembrance of former third district school board member Kenny Rhody, who died last month. He served on the board for twelve years from 2002 until his last term expired September 1, 2014.