To celebrate the recent success of the Weight Loss Challenge between DeKalb and Cannon Counties, DeKalb Community Hospital and Stones River Hospital decided to donate 943 pounds of food for the Hungry Kids Backpack Program. The 943 pounds was in honor of the total weight lost by all participants of the Challenge. The food was divided and distributed to backpack programs across both counties and has been received with grateful appreciation.
When asked how this idea came about, Marketing Director Shan Burklow replied, “Our CEO (Sue Conley) and myself were on a local radio program (Chamber Chat) where one of the guests were talking about the backpack program and how so many kids go home to no dinner on the table or even go hungry throughout the entire weekend. As we listened, Sue turned to me and whispered, ‘We’re going to help with this!’ …later that afternoon, we decided to ask our hospital employees to help us reach our goal of nearly a thousand pounds of food. Hundreds of pounds were donated just over two weeks later.”
The hospital would like to personally thank the artists from the Off the Beaten Path Tour for being the inspiration behind this great effort, “We are grateful to Tim Hintz and the great artists that steered us in the right direction with their original support of the program. If these good people had not stepped up to raise money for these kids, Shan and I would have never known there was such a monumental need right here where we work and live.”
“We are so very grateful to the employees of DeKalb Community Hospital for their generosity and care for the Backpack Program,” said Backpack Program Assistant Director Cindy Childers, “I started to cry when I saw all of the food. This means so much to these kids (and to us) as we try to keep over 200 backpacks filled weekly. If anyone is interested in helping us throughout the school year, please call the Board of Education and let us know.”
For more information on how you, your church, or your business can participate in the Hungry Kids Backpack Program, contact Cindy Childers (615) 215-2161
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Pictured: Tim Hintz along with local artists from the Off the Beaten Path Tour accept over two hundred pounds of food from Director Shan Burklow, CEO Sue Conley and CNO Kim Frazier of DeKalb Community Hospital and Stones River Hospital. Not pictured: Linda Gagne of DeKalb Community Hospital.

Hoyte Barrett and Taft Hendrixson will join Jerry Taylor as a part time judicial or warrant commissioner for the county.
The county commissioners Monday night during their regular meeting voted to fill a vacant judicial commissioner post and to create another one.
The county has been operating for several years with just two judicial commissioners. Taylor holds one of the positions. Tammy Ashburn held the other but she recently resigned. Rod Higham fills in as an assistant judicial commissioner on a part time basis as needed and he will continue to do so.
Currently, each of the two judicial commissioners is expected to work for two weeks as needed and then officially be off for two weeks, However, even when they are off, the judicial commissioners are subject to being called in. The positions pay $884 per month.
Judicial Commissioners are responsible for the issuance of criminal arrest warrants upon finding probable cause. They are subject to call at all hours of the day and night.
During Thursday night’s “All-Committees” meeting, County Mayor Mike Foster said he wanted to create a third judicial commissioner position. “What I’m thinking is, we could have three on call. Rotate weekly. Each judicial commissioner could work a week and be off two weeks but still be on call in case one of the others got sick,” he said.
Since funds are not already budgeted for a third judicial commissioner, Foster said the county commission would have to adopt a budget amendment to pay for it. That action is expected to come during the September meeting.
Barrett and Hendrixson were among six applicants for the two new positions. The others were Mark Adams, Oscar Boyd, McClure Cantrell, and Richard Jennings. All were interviewed by members of the county commission Thursday night.
It took three roll call votes Monday night to fill the first available judicial commissioner position. Seven votes were needed to get the appointment.
On the first ballot, Barrett received five votes to four votes for Hendrixson. Mark Adams received two votes and Oscar Boyd got one vote.
Those voting for Barrett were Mason Carter, Jerry Scott, Jeff Barnes, Marshall Ferrell, and Jimmy Poss.
Bobby Joines, Jack Barton, Wayne Cantrell, and Larry Summers voted for Hendrixson.
Elmer Ellis, Jr. and Jerry Adcock voted for Adams and Bradley Hendrix cast his vote for Boyd.
The names of Richard Jennings, McClure Cantrell, and Oscar Boyd were dropped from consideration on the second ballot since they received little or no support on the first ballot.
During the second vote, Barrett received six votes, Hendrixson had four, and Adams got two votes.
This time Barrett got votes from Mason Carter, Jerry Scott, Jeff Barnes, Marshall Ferrell, Jimmy Poss, and Bradley Hendrix.
Bobby Joines, Jack Barton, Wayne Cantrell, and Larry Summers stuck with Hendrixson while Elmer Ellis, Jr. and Jerry Adcock stayed with Adams.
On the third ballot, Adams’ name was dropped leaving only the names of Barrett and Hendrixson.
During the third vote, Barrett got the seven votes he needed to secure the appointment.
Barrett received the support of Mason Carter, Elmer Ellis, Jr., Jerry Scott, Bradley Hendrix, Jerry Adcock, Jeff Barnes, and Marshall Ferrell.
Hendrixson received the support of Bobby Joines, Jack Barton, and Wayne Cantrell. Jimmy Poss and Larry Summers did not cast a vote on the third ballot. Voting ceased when Barrett reached the magic number of seven votes
Only one roll call vote was needed to fill the second available judicial commissioner position as Taft Hendrixson received the seven votes required for the appointment.
McClure Cantrell got four votes and Oscar Boyd had one vote for the second available judicial commissioner position.
Those voting for Hendrixson were Marshall Ferrell, Jerry Adcock, Wayne Cantrell, Jerry Scott, Bobby Joines, Elmer Ellis, Jr., and Mason Carter.
Cantrell received the support of Jimmy Poss, Larry Summers, Jeff Barnes, and Jack Barton.
Bradley Hendrix voted for Boyd.
County Mayor Foster said both Barrett and Hendrixson will be sworn in around the first of the month and will need to get some training.
Judicial commissioners serve for a year at a time at the pleasure of the county commission and will be up for reappointment next September.

While the first election in 2014 is months away, DeKalb County Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley said potential candidates have already begun to ask questions about various offices.
“We have had people already ask what they need to do to become a candidate,” Stanley said. “Even though it is a little bit early, certain issues could come into play now, depending on the circumstances.”
It is likely a primary election will be called by one of the local political parties for May 6, 2014. As a result, the qualifying deadline for all candidates will be Noon February 20th. Petitions will be available November 22, 2013.
“Since petitions are not available until November 22, 2013, potential candidates may wonder how they can declare or announce they are running before November,” Stanley said. “Individuals may be announced candidates and may begin soliciting campaign funds at any time before the election. That is a political strategy issue and each candidate must make that decision.”
“However, before a candidate raises or spends money, the candidate needs to file an “Appointment of Political Treasurer” with the Election Commission. This form is available at http://www.tennessee.gov/tref/forms/ss-1120.pdf or can be obtained at our office. You can print it out online and bring it to us. We must have the original, so a fax or email will not work.”
”You may file the Appointment of Political Treasurer at any time, but it must be filed before you raise or spend money,” Stanley continued. “The Registry of Election Finance has said that “incidental” expenses while you are thinking about running do not count. There are different regulations for judicial candidates, so please ask us before soliciting campaign funds.”
Once a candidate files an Appointment of Treasurer form, the candidate is required to file periodic disclosure reports. The reports are to be filed quarterly during the election year and semi-annually in either the year(s) before or after. Additionally, a report is due 10 days before any election. The report dates can be found at http://www.tennessee.gov/tref/cand/cand_filing.htm or you can obtain a copy at the local election office.
“The State Registry of Election Financial (615-741-7959) or http://www.tennessee.gov/tref/contact.htm has jurisdiction over election financial issues,” Stanley said. “The DeKalb County Election Commission merely files the reports and makes them available to the public. The state office can answer any question you have about financial reports or requirements.”
More information about the petition process, including additional deadlines for Road Superintendent and Sheriff candidates, can be obtained at the election commission office on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse or by logging on to www.dekalbelections.com.