Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings says he has been given an ultimatum by city officials to give notice of his retirement by noon today (Monday) or the city council will most likely schedule a special meeting to fire him. That meeting could come as early as this week.
In a prepared statement released to WJLE Sunday night, Chief Jennings gives his account of how the decision to oust him unfolded last week. “On November 2nd, 2009 while in Secretary Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson’s office, I received a call from Police Commissioner Aaron Meeks. He told me he was going to place a motion before the Smithville mayor and board of aldermen at the council meeting that night, to fire me. He stated that he was going to make the motion to fire me if I didn’t retire. This took me completely by surprise so I did not comment, at that time, to Mr. Meeks. Later that day I called Mr. Meeks, prior to the council meeting. I informed Mr. Meeks I wanted to discuss the possibility of retirement and what his terms entailed. He stated that he would meet with me the following morning, November 3rd, and that he would not bring it up at the meeting that night. But, he stated, if we could not reach an agreement on retirement, he would present the motion at the next board meeting.”
“On November 3, 2009, I met with Mr. Meeks and Hunter Hendrixson at City Hall. Mr. Meeks said he had received a call from Mayor Hendrixson and he told him if I decided to retire I needed to write a letter of my retirement intent and turn it in to Hunter Hendrixson that day, November 3 before 5:00 p.m. Also, I needed to state in the letter I would retire November 30, 2009. I informed Mr. Meeks I had not planned to retire before a couple of years. I asked Mr. Meeks what kind of severance package was the city offering for my early retirement? Mr. Meeks asked me what did I want? I informed Mr. Meeks I would consider retiring December 31st, 2009,with a severance package of a full years’ salary, insurance and a 3% contribution to my retirement plan, for one year from the date of my retirement. Mr. Meeks asked that I put this in writing along with my retirement letter. I gave the retirement letter with my requests to Hunter Hendrixson November 3 at 5:00 p.m.”
“On November 5th, 2009, Mayor Hendrixson asked me to come to his office. Hunter Hendrixson was present. Mayor Hendrixson returned my letter and stated that the city would not give me any type of severance package to retire. He stated that if I chose to retire it must be by November 30th, 2009. Mayor Hendrixson stated he was not sure, and no one had told him, but he thought the majority of the board would vote to fire me. He also went on to say he would like to see me retire and walk out ‘ with my head held high and with the distinction of being the longest serving officer with the Smithville Police Department.’ He stated that he needed my decision by 12:00 (Noon) Monday, November 9th. He further stated that he had already been asked to schedule a special meeting for the board of aldermen if my decision was not to retire.”
In closing, Chief Jennings wrote, ” I appreciate Mayor Hendrixson’s advice about retiring but intimidation and threats have never swayed my decisions to do what’s right and I do not intend to let that happen now.”
“My answer to their ultimatum is…I will not retire.”
Six different men have held the position of Police Chief in Smithville since 1994. Jennings, who has been a member of the department for many years, took over from Tom Hopkins as Chief in 1994, after Hopkins resigned. Jennings served until November, 2003 when the city council demoted him to the rank of Lieutenant. Jennings was succeeded by Jim Baker as Chief, but Baker was demoted back to the rank of patrolman in July 2004. Sergeant Sam Dunbar followed Baker as Chief, but Dunbar resigned in January 2006 under a cloud of controversy after being accused of falsifying documents. Augustine (Gus) Clemente was hired to replace Dunbar in March, 2006 but he resigned five months later, accusing city officials of interferring in police operations and making racial slurs against him. Thomas J Stufano was named Chief in November, 2006 and resigned in September, 2007. In October, 2007, the city council gave Jennings his old job back, promoting him from Lieutenant to Chief.
In August 2007, only two months before he became Chief again, Jennings was fired from the department for alleged violations of police department policies and procedures as well as possible violations of state and federal law. He was accused of removing weapons, inventory files, ammunition, and other items from the police department, some of which were allegedly found in his personal possession. The case against him was presented to the city’s discipline hearing authority, which is made up of the mayor, police commissioner, and city secretary-treasurer and after hearing the evidence, the vote was 3 to 0 to terminate Jennings.
Later that month, by a vote of 3 to 2, the Board of Aldermen, following a lengthy hearing, overturned the termination of Jennings and returned him to work as Lieutenant. After the vote, Mayor Hendrixson considered casting a veto of the board’s reinstatement of Jennings but he chose not to which was met with applause from members of the audience.
In recent months, members of the city council have complained that the police department, even with a larger staff than in previous years, has not done enough to combat the problem of drugs and burglaries in the city. The mayor and aldermen held a workshop with Chief Jennings only a few weeks ago to register their concerns. Jennings says he has been hampered in those investigative efforts by the city administration’s decision to cut out overtime pay for officers who would have to undertake undercover drug operations mostly after hours.

It’ll soon be election time again in DeKalb County.
2010 will be a big year at the ballot box in DeKalb County and across the state beginning with the local Democratic Primary on May 4th.
Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections, says the DeKalb County Election Commission voted on Thursday, November 5th to approve a request from the local Democratic Party to hold a primary for seven county-wide offices, fourteen county commission seats, one Circuit Court Judge, and the District Attorney. Winners will take on any Independent or Republican candidates in the August General Election.
Offices eligible for the May ballot are County Mayor, County Court Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Trustee, Register of Deeds, Road Supervisor, and Sheriff, county commissioners in districts one through seven, 13th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Part 1 and District Attorney. The latter two are up for election due to previous resignations and those named to fill these seats were appointed until the next scheduled election.
Stanley says qualifying petitions may be picked up beginning November 20th and the qualifying deadline for the May 4th Primary is noon on Thursday, February 18th, 2010. Stanley adds that there is another important date for potential Sheriff and Road Supervisor candidates to remember, February 4th.
Sheriff candidates must file “affidavits of qualification” with the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission no later than February 4th, 2010. Road Supervisor candidates must file their affidavits of qualification with the Tennessee Highway Officials Certification Board no later than February 4th, 2010.
Stanley says Independent candidates have the same qualifying deadline, Noon, February 18th, 2010. The Republican Party, which usually selects its nominees by caucus, must certify its candidates by the same date and time.
“We’ve been working on a 2010 Candidate’s Guide and petition packages in recent days and we’ll be ready to issue petitions on the first day the law allows, November 20th,” Stanley said.
“Not only do we want to remind candidates about their particular deadlines, we also want to remind voters the last day to register to vote in person for the May 4th, DeKalb County Democratic Primary will be April 5th, ” he added.
In addition to the August County General Election on August 5th, 2010, nominees will be chosen for the State Representative seat currently held by Terri Lynn Weaver and the State Senate seat held by Mae Beavers, who has said she will not seek another term, but instead will run for County Mayor in Wilson County. The respective parties will also select their nominees for Governor.
The qualifying deadline for the August State Primaries is Noon, April 1, 2010 and nominating petitions can be issued as early as January 4th, 2010. State primary winners will square off in the November State General Election.
The following are other things candidates need to know:
Campaign Material- The state of Tennessee has a “Paid for By..” law which requires candidates and other parties to print on campaign items (including broadcast and print advertising) who paid for the items. Some people call this law the “Disclaimer Law”.
Exceptions include bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, novelties, and similar items that are too small to have the disclaimer conveniently printed on them. (TCA 2-19-120)
It is unlawful for any person to place or attach any type of show-card, poster, or advertising material or device, including election campaign literature, on any kind of poles, towers, or fixtures of any public utility company, whether privately or publicly owned unless legally authorized to do so. (TCA 2-19-144)
Placement and removal of campaign signs- You are responsible for removal of signs, posters, or placards advocating your candidacy that have been placed on highways, right of ways or other publicly owned property. The removal of such materials should be accomplished within a reasonable period following the election, not to exceed three weeks. A candidate in a primary election who will be a candidate in an upcoming general election is not required to remove campaign signs until after the general election (TCA 2-1-116)
Candidate bargaining for support- It is unlawful for any candidate to expend, pay, promise, or loan or become pecuniarily liable in any way for money or other thing of value, either directly or indirectly, or to agree to enter into any contract with any person to vote for or support any particular policy or measure, in consideration of the vote or support, moral or financial, of such person (TCA 2-19-121)
Demanding candidate make promise- It is unlawful for any person to demand that any candidate shall promise or agree in advance to support any particular individual, policy or measure, in consideration of the vote or support, financial or moral, of such person, in any election. (TCA 2-19-122)
As of early November, there were 12,887 registered voters in DeKalb County including 6,866 female and 6,019 male voters.
The following is the number of registered voters by precinct:
Alexandria- 1,198 (636 female, 562 male)
Temperance Hall-366 (179 female, 187 male)
Edgar Evins State Park-101 (52 female, 49 male)
Liberty-620 (317 female, 303 male)
Dowelltown-486 (282 female, 204 male)
Snow Hill- 689 (367 female, 322 male)
Middle School- 2004 (1,095 female, 909 male)
Cherry Hill- 128 (57 female, 71 male)
Rock Castle- 226 (111 female, 115 male)
Courthouse-1547 (823 female, 724 male)
Johnsons Chapel- 461 (235 female, 226 male)
Elementary School- 1438 (783 female, 655 male)
Belk- 429 (224 female, 205 male)
Keltonburg- 738 (384 female, 354 male)
Blue Springs- 737 (372 female, 365 male)
Church of Christ Annex- 1717 (949 female, 768 male)

The 2009 Fall Fest title goes to 15 year old Victoria Dawn Tatrow of Smithville, daughter of Vickie and Corey Funk and the late Shanna Tatrow.
She was crowned Saturday night at the conclusion of the annual pageant which featured nineteen contestants. It was held at the DeKalb County High School gym, sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Tatrow, who was also named Miss Congeniality of the pageant, succeeds the 2008 Fall Fest Queen, 18 year old Whitney LaRay Moss of Alexandria, daughter of Greg and Wendy Moss.
First runner-up in the pageant was 16 year old Kristen LaCole Smartt, daughter of Aaron and Paula Taylor of Dowelltown.
Laura Caroline Carter was second runner-up. She is the 17 year old daughter of John and Laura Carter of McMinnville
15 year old Katie Sue Haggard, daughter of David and Vickie Haggard of Smithville, was third runner-up.
15 year old Stephanie Carmen Rackley was the fourth runner-up. She is the daughter of William and Angie Meadows and Gordon and Jessica Rackley all of Smithville.
Others in the top ten were Zoe Elaine Whaley, 14 year old daughter of Celia and Scott Whaley of Smithville; 16 year old Cora Rhody, daughter of Kenny and Beth Rhody of Smithville; 16 year old Katelyn Louann Goodwin, daughter of Joey and Kathy Goodwin of Smithville; Ashlee Michelle Whitehead, 15 year old daughter of Kenneth and Tina Whitehead of Smithville; and 17 year old Breanna Hendrixson, daughter of Tim and Loretta Hendrixson of Smithville.
(Top Photo: Fall Fest Queen and Miss Congeniality Victoria Dawn Tatrow)
(Bottom Photo: Left to Right- 4th runner-up Stephanie Carmen Rackley, 1st runner-up Kristen LaCole Smartt, Queen Victoria Dawn Tatrow, 2nd runner-up Laura Caroline Carter, and 3rd runner-up Katie Sue Haggard)

Nine year old Macy Elizabeth Hedge is the 2009 Autumn Princess.
Hedge, daughter of David and Trina Hedge of Smithville, succeeds the retiring Autumn Princess, nine year old Brooklynn Storm Estes, daughter of Chris and Shanna Bogle of Dowelltown.
The pageant, featuring twenty four girls ages 7 to 10, was sponsored by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club and held Saturday night at the DCHS gym.
First runner-up in the pageant was Kyra Agee, the nine year old daughter of April Davis of Smithville.
Second runner-up was Anna Rachel Blair, the eight year old daughter of Keith and Amanda Blair of Smithville.
Julia Grace Curtis, the eight year old daughter of Bruce and Amy Curtis of Smithville was named third runner-up.
Mya Katherine Ruch was fourth runner-up. She is the seven year old daughter of Joe and Melissa Ruch of Smithville.
Rounding out the top ten were Sarah Anne Colwell, the nine year old daughter of Trent and Christie Colwell of Smithville; Katherine Anne Malone, the seven year old daughter of Kevin and Dana Malone of Smithville; Alannah Rose Musick-Morris, the eight year old daughter of Celena Musick and Grover Morris of Smithville; Kaitlyn Brianna Bain, the eight year old daughter of Wendy Thomas and Larry Bain of Smithville; and Destiny Danielle Franklin, the ten year old daughter of Charlie and Jennifer Ware of Smithville.
Nine year old Felicia Ribble was also named Miss Manners. She is the daughter of Bridgett and Mike Ribble of Smithville.
(Top Photo: 2009 Autumn Princess Macy Elizabeth Hedge)
(Middle Photo: Left to Right: 3rd runner-up Julia Grace Curtis, 1st runner-up Kyra Agee, Autumn Princess Macy Elizabeth Hedge, 2nd runner-up Anna Rachel Blair, and 4th runner-up Mya Katherine Ruch
Bottom Photo: Miss Manners Felicia Ribble (This photo provided by Loving Touch Portraits)

Smithville Police have charged a 19 year old man with domestic assault and aggravated arson for starting a fire in his mother’s home.
Detective Jerry Hutchins made the arrest of Michael J Lee of 114 Village Place on Thursday. According to the warrants, Lee set fire to the bed of his mother, Wyonna Lee, while she and a neighbor were in the home. Ms. Lee stated that her son had become very violent before the fire occurred and had destroyed furniture and other items. He also told her he was going to burn her alive and she stated she was afraid of her son. The Smithville Fire Department was called to the scene to put out the bed. His bond was set at $60,000 and his court date in General Session Court is November 19th.
Meanwhile, 21 year old Jessie Edward Randolph of 224 Sun Valley Road, Sparta and 21 year old Joey Dewayne Kirby of 391 Disneyland Road Sparta were arrested on Wednesday, November 4th for theft of property. According to the report, Officer Matt Holmes was at Wal-Mart issuing a citation for shoplifting when two Wal-Mart employees flagged down Holmes and Officer Bryant at the entrance to the store. There they pointed to two male subjects who had just left Wal-Mart. A security officer at the store said he saw the two men leave the building carrying stolen merchandise. Officer Holmes asked one of the suspects, Kirby, if he had taken any stolen merchandise from the store. Kirby replied that he had and then returned the stolen goods he had in his possession. But the store manager told Officer Holmes that while he saw the men steal two fish take filters, Kirby had only returned one of them. Holmes asked the other suspect, Randolph if he had taken any merchandise from the store to which he replied “no”. During a pat down search, Officer Holmes felt a box in Randolph’s jacket pocket that seemed to be like the box recovered off of Kirby. The manager then told Officer Holmes that the store only prosecuted for stolen merchandise valued at over $25.00 and these items taken were only valued at $12.37 each. Officer Holmes told Randolph that if he would return the merchandise to Wal-Mart there would be no prosecution. Randolph replied that he did not have any stolen merchandise on him. At that point, Officer Holmes placed Randolph under arrest for theft of property and retrieved the stolen merchandise from his right jacket pocket. All restitution was made at the store. The other suspect, Kirby was arrested on active warrants including two for failure to appear in Putnam County. He was also cited for theft under $500.00.
Also on Wednesday, 20 year old Clinton Lane Cope of 1294 Midway Road was cited by Detective Jerry Hutchins to appear in General Sessions Court on December 17th for shoplifting as he attempted to leave Wal-Mart with shoes that he had not paid for.
31 year old James Fredrick Summers of 457 Hodges Road was cited by Officer Matt Holmes on Wednesday to appear in General Sessions Court on November 9th for shoplifting as he attempted to leave Wal-Mart with five DVD’s that he had not paid for.
34 year old Karen Lynn Welsh of 136 Bobby Hayes Road, Dowelltown was cited by Officer Holmes on Wednesday to appear in General Sessions Court on November 9th for shoplifting as she was seen putting numerous items in her purse in an attempt to not pay for them.
42 year old Melissa Kay Walther of 854 Parkway Drive was arrested by Officer Scott Davis on Wednesday for a second offense of driving under the influence. According to the report, Officer Davis was dispatched to the Exxon in reference to a possible DUI. He made contact with the defendant’s vehicle at the intersection of Highway 56 & Highway 70. The defendant, Walther was observed by a witness backing over a curb in the parking lot of Exxon. The complainant stated that Walther’s speech was slurred and she appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Davis followed the vehicle until he made the traffic stop at North Side Elementary. Walther performed poorly on the field sobriety tasks. She had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath and her eyes were watery and bloodshot. She admitted to consuming a small shot of wine earlier in the day. Walther has a prior DUI conviction in Clay County. She was cited for refusing to submit to a breath test. Her bond was set at $3,000 and her court date in General Sessions Court is November 19th.
47 year old Tina K Stephens of 816 Parkway Drive was arrested Wednesday by Officer Scott Davis for Public Intoxication. According to the report, Stephens was a passenger of a Melissa Kay Walther’s vehicle which was stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence. She admitted to consuming several beers and was obviously under the influence. She was advised on several occasions to stay in the vehicle but she got out of the vehicle on two separate occasions. Stephens was placed under arrest for public intoxication. Her bond was set at $1,000 and her court date in General Sessions Court is November 19th
Also on Wednesday, 26 year old Jason Lynn Knowles of 846 Anthony Avenue was pulled over by Sergeant Joey Jones where it was discovered that Knowles’ driver license was suspended. His bond was set at $1,000 and his court date in City Court is November 18th..
Meanwhile, anyone having information on the following offenses should please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210
On Sunday October 25th at 520 Miller Road, a truck belonging to Eddie Royce Colwell was vandalized by someone using a sharp object to scratch the paint on every section of the vehicle
On Sunday October 26th, someone broke into Curtis Builders Supply. Nothing was taken in the break in but several hundreds of dollars of damage was done to the building.
On Monday October 27th, someone broke into Pamela Sosa’s vehicle and took her CD player while she was in Wal-Mart shopping.

The DeKalb County Tigers will advance to the second round of the TSSAA football play-offs next week after defeating the Greenbrier Bobcats 41-35 Friday night on the road.
The Tigers got on the board early after recovering a Greenbrier fumble at the Bobcat 40 yard line and a few plays later, Quarterback Hunter Poteete threw a touchdown pass to Sonni Young covering 32 yards for the score. The P.A.T. by Zach Taylor was good and DeKalb County led 7-0 with 8:47 left in the first period. That was the only score in the first period.
Greenbrier pulled to within one with 6:50 left in the second period on a five yard touchdown run by Trevor Thaxton. The P.A.T. kick by Tyler West was no good and the Tigers clung to a 7-6 lead..
DeKalb County extended the lead with 6:11 left in the second period on a 46 yard touchdown run by Quarterback Hunter Poteete. The P.A.T. by Zach Taylor was good and the Tigers led 14-6.
The Bobcats evened the score at 14-14 with 3:38 left in the second quarter on a 30 yard touchdown run by Aaron Shelton and a two point conversion run by Quarterback Mason Head. That was the half time score.
After recovering a Greenbrier fumble at the Bobcat five yard line, the Tigers jumped back out front early in the third period on a three yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Hunter Poteete to Kevin Kijanski. The P.A.T. by Zach Taylor was good and DeKalb County led 21-14.
Greenbrier Quarterback Mason Head rambled 38 yards for a touchdown later in the third period and after the P.A.T., the Bobcats tied the score at 21-21
After recovering a Tiger fumble, the Bobcats took their first lead of the game with 3:34 left in the third period on a seven yard touchdown run by Hunter Eden. The P.A.T. was good and Greenbrier led 28-21.
The Tigers scored on a 23 yard touchdown pass play from Quarterback Hunter Poteete to Abram Edwards with 27 seconds left in the third period. Kicker Zach Taylor was carted off the field with an injury in the third quarter so Hunter Poteete attempted the kick but failed to connect on the P.A.T and DeKalb County trailed 28-27 as the third period came to a close.
Greenbrier Quarterback Mason Head broke free on a 56 yard touchdown run with 10:06 left in the fourth quarter. The P.A.T. kick was good and the Bobcats led 35 to 27.
DeKalb County pulled to within two on a 77 yard touchdown pass play from Quarterback Poteete to Abram Edwards. The two point conversion pass attempt was incomplete and the Tigers trailed 35 to 33.
The Tigers struck again late in the fourth quarter on a 35 yard touchdown pass play from Quarterback Poteete to Abram Edwards. The two point conversion was good and DeKalb County took a 41 to 35 lead.
Greenbrier, threatening to score inside the Tiger 10 yard line, turned the ball over as Abram Edwards intercepted a pass with 18 seconds left in the game. From there, the Tigers ran out the clock for the 41-35 win.

Twenty-eight members of the student body at DeKalb West School were inducted officially into the Junior Beta Club Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Beta club is a service organization that is guided by the motto, “Let us Lead by Serving Others.” Students are selected based on their academic achievements and outstanding character.
8th grade students who earned several service points serving the community were eligible to run in the club’s election. Peers voted for Cassie Cain as President, McKenzie Poteete as Vice-President, Crystal Vickers as Secretary, Kayna Caplinger as Treasurer, and Austin Frazier as Chaplain. Selected to serve on a school member advisory board were Bailey Hayes, Dakoda Eaton, and Bruce Wilson from the 7th grade and Anna Malone, Morgan Vickers, and William Cain from the 6th grade.
Top Picture caption: Meet the new officers of the DWS Junior Beta Club for 2009-2010. Pictured left to right are Cassie Cain, President; McKenzie Poteete, Vice President; Crystal Vickers, Secretary; Kayna Caplinger, Treasurer; Austin Frazier, Chaplain; Bailey Hayes, Member Representative.
Bottom Picture caption: The newest members of the DeKalb West School Junior Beta Club were officially inducted Tuesday, Nov. 3. Pictured 1st row from left to right are Bailey Redmon, Jayra Plattenburg, Cheyenne Favaro, Destinie Edge, Tyra Owens, Tori Young, Paige Snyder, and Bryanna Watson. 2nd row from left to right are Nate Sherwood, Myranda Bailiff, Bailey Perry, Kaylee Braswell, Briana Mockoski, Caitlyn Lawrence, Alex King, Haleigh Bass, and Casey Vickers. 3rd row from left to right are Cole Perry, Ashley Grater, Peyton Frazier, Alex Foutch, Kayley Caplinger, Brooke Martin, and Reagan Taylor.