City officials are admonishing property owners to keep their lots maintained free of junk and clutter and to remove any dilapidated and unsafe structures.
During Monday night’s city council meeting, Alderman Danny Washer said there are clear violations of the city’s property maintenance ordinance across town.
“It’s ridiculous. We’ve got to do something about it. I don’t want to look out my front door and see it and I know of lot of others don’t. It’s bringing down property values. On one street there’s a couch, mattress, and TV laying out in the yard and has been for months. That’s just one example. It’s getting out of hand. We have got to start enforcing this ordinance,” said Alderman Washer.
“We (city sanitation department) don’t pick up couches, mattresses or things like that. We have sent them (violators) letters but they are not keeping their property up,” said Mayor Jimmy Poss.
“We have an ordinance it just may need to be updated. I’m just afraid the fines we have in place now are archaic,” added City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson.
“We have building codes we have to go by. How can anyone put up a carport or garage out of tin with a plastic roof over it or different colors of tin,” asked Alderman Washer?. “And there are yards that need to be cut. When the weeds start getting up high enough that you can’t see the trash then that’s bad,” added Washer.
“I’ll send you (aldermen) a copy of our current ordinance and by the time we meet again (June 5) if we need to amend it to put more (enforcement) teeth in it we can,” said City Administrator Hendrixson.
The city’s “Minimum Property Maintenance Requirements” states that “no person owning, leasing, renting, occupying, including vacant lots, shall maintain or allow to be maintained on such property, except as may be permitted by any other city ordinance, any of the following conditions visible from any public street or alley:
Junk, litter and trash;
Outdoor nuisances dangerous to children, including but not limited to abandoned, broken or neglected equipment, machinery, or any appliance with a latching door;
Shopping carts in any front yard, side yard, rear yard or vacant lot of any property;
Dead, decayed, diseased or hazardous trees, or any other vegetation a majority of which (excluding vegetation located in flowerbeds, or trees, or shrubbery or existing hayfields) exceeds twelve (12) inches in height, or which is dangerous to public health, safety, and welfare, located in any front yard, side yard, rear yard, or upon any vacant lot”.
The city’s property maintenance ordinance provides for enforcement stating that “It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector of the City of Smithville to serve notice upon the property owner of record in violation. The property owner shall be notified in writing specifying the nature of the violation, specifying the corrective measures to be taken, and require compliance within not more than 30 days. The notice may be served upon the owners of the premises where the violation is located by:
Posting notice in plain view on the property in violation, or sending notice by mail.
The date the notice is posted or received by the offender shall serve as the beginning of the specified time period allowing for corrective action.”
The ordinance further states that “Failure by the property owner to take corrective action to bring the property within compliance shall constitute a violation and be a civil offense.”
“Any person violating this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of $50 for each separate violation of this chapter. Each day the violation of this chapter continues shall be considered a separate violation,” according to the ordinance.

As summer kicks off and families hit the road for vacation, Smithville Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to remind motorists to “Click It or Ticket.” From May 22 to June 4, participating agencies across the state will increase seat belt enforcement as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) nationwide mobilization.
According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), 349 people killed in Tennessee traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seat belt. This represents approximately 34 percent of the state’s total traffic fatalities in 2016.
Although the state’s average seat belt usage rate increased from 86.2 percent in 2015 to 88.95 percent in 2016, Tennessee is still nationally classified as a “low use” state. In 2017, the THSO strives to change this by achieving 90 percent or higher.
“Our goal is to prevent fatalities and keep the roadways safe,” said Vic Donoho, Director of the THSO. “We ask every Tennessean to buckle up, every trip, every time.”
According to the NHTSA, nearly half of the 22,441 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2015 was unrestrained. At night from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., that number soared to 57 percent of those killed. Therefore, the primary focus of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign is nighttime enforcement. Participating agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement. In Tennessee, the maximum penalty for a seat belt violation is $50.00.
For more information about seat belt safety or the THSO, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.

The proposed 2017-18 fiscal year budget for the DeKalb County School system is one step away from final approval.
The county budget committee convened Tuesday night at the courthouse and voted to recommend the spending plan for approval by the county commission later this summer.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps met with the committee to explain details of the proposed school budget which includes a pay raise for teachers and a one time bonus for support staff
As previously reported by WJLE when the Board of Education adopted it last month, Cripps calls this a fair budget with no proposed local property tax increase for schools and not a lot of extras.
Although the school system is bracing for a cut in federal funding by 18% or $150,000 the state is sending about one million dollars more Basic Education Program (BEP) funds next year totaling $15,962,000.
In addition to pay raises and the scheduled step increases , the board of education plans to add another teacher at DeKalb West School because the average class size is over 20 students in kindergarten to third grade. A new kindergarten teaching position in the school system could also be created as needed next year. An application has been made for a state competitive grant through the Early Childhood Education program to fund pre-kindergarten next year. The school system received a $486,167 grant for the program this past year. The board also plans to spend more money on technology to bring one to one computer devices into the 6th to 8th grade classrooms. “The state sent us $144,000 this year for teacher raises. That comes to about $600 per teacher. We have added a $250 one time bonus for non certified staff. We put in technology for grades 6-8 for one to one devices about $200,000,” Director Cripps told WJLE.
One to one computers are electronic devices that allow students to access the Internet, digital course materials and digital textbooks. By providing students their own notebook computer or tablet, schools make it possible for students to find information instantly to produce rich multimedia content.
“There is going to be a demand for more technology in the schools. The state is sending money for us to put more money for technology and they are tracking it to make sure the funds are going toward technology,” said Director Cripps.
“The state is going to all testing online. At the high school it will be online next year with 3-8 grades the following year. These one to one devices are needed not only for testing but because of the way kids are learning and the way teachers are presenting the material to the kids today. It is totally different from the way that we learned and what the state is asking from our kids today. They are not being taught or expected to learn like we did. They (state) wants them to gather information, not just to give an answer, but a thought process on how they are arriving at an answer and how they are to use that in the real world,” Director Cripps continued.
The new budget also includes $20,000 for a school building feasibility study. “We put in $20,000 for an architect to come in and do a study. It is my hope that with an architect study we will be able to get a break down of different school sizes (options) and what it would cost to build those schools,” he said.
The general purpose school budget for 2017-18 totals just over $22 million dollars. Anticipated revenues are budgeted at $ 20.7 million. More than $1.2 million of the school’s reserves may be needed to balance the budget on paper but that is less than last year’s projection. “We are trying to go less and less into our reserves and we have done that this year,” said Director Cripps.

A 29 year old man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting his mother and vandalizing her home and automobile.
Justin Matthew Cripps of Evins Mill Road, Smithville is charged with domestic assault and three counts of vandalism. His bond totals $12,500 and his court date is May 11.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 4/24/2017 Thru: 5/01/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_21.pdf (3.77 MB)
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on April 27 a deputy responded to Short Mountain Highway for a possible domestic assault and vandalism. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a woman who reported that her son, Cripps smacked her several times in the face with his hands. He also allegedly head-butted her several times in the forehead. She further claimed that Cripps grabbed her arm, twisted it backward, and told her he was going to break her arm. Cripps is accused of vandalism for allegedly taking his mother’s walking cane and punching it through the wall and for using a hammer to break out the back passenger glass in the door of her vehicle.
Two days later on April 29 while in jail, Cripps vandalized a monitor after using a phone in the booking area. While hanging up the phone (slamming it down), he hit and broke the monitor.
34 year old Michael Eugene Lattimore of Pine Orchard Road, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation. His bond is $3,500 and his court date is May 11. Sheriff Ray said that on April 26 a deputy was patrolling on Magness Road when he saw a vehicle on fire at a residence. The automobile was near a woodline. The officer also spotted a man walking down the road. He stopped and spoke to the man who said his name was Joseph Anthony Herman. The man did not provide his date of birth or any other personal information. A computer check failed to confirm his stated identity. After a further investigation, the officer learned that the man could be Michael Eugene Lattimore and confirmed it through central dispatch and a photo identification. Lattimore was subsequently arrested for criminal impersonation.
51 year old Edward Dale Caldwell of Cookeville Highway, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is May 11. Sheriff Ray said that on April 29 an officer was dispatched to Fishlipz Bar & Grill on Jefferson Road due to an intoxicated man on the premises. Upon arrival the officer found the man, Caldwell lying in the grass near the parking lot. Caldwell had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. His eyes were bloodshot and watery. His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Caldwell initially submitted to field sobriety tasks but refused to take any more after the first task. He was placed in custody for his safety and that of the public.
40 year old Shannon Dawn Stanick of Lefever Street, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Sheriff Ray said that on April 29 a deputy was dispatched to a possible intoxicated driver in-bound from Cookeville Highway. After receiving a description, the officer spotted the vehicle at Village Market and a woman slumped over behind the steering wheel. He spoke with the driver, Stanick and noticed that her speech was very slurred and she did not know where she was. Stanick submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. She also submitted to a blood alcohol test. According to Sheriff Ray, Stanick admitted to having taken valium.

Fireworks sales inside the City limits of Smithville may be permitted in time for Independence Day celebrations
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night took the first step toward lifting the ban which has been in effect since 1982.
Under the proposed ordinance, which was adopted on first reading, a vendor may apply for a permit good for 12 months at a fee of $500 but sales would only be permitted from June 20 through July 9 and from December 21 through January 5 covering the time periods of Independence Day and New Year’s Day.
Applicants must also adhere to state laws applicable to the sales of fireworks as well as other regulations outlined in the city ordinance.
Second and final reading passage is planned at the next meeting of the mayor and aldermen on June 5

The Chairman of the DeKalb County Democratic Party is taking issue with State Senator Mae Beavers over a measure she has tried to get passed in the General Assembly that would keep Lisa Peterson from serving as a member of the local election commission.
Peterson, a former Administrator of Elections in DeKalb County, mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge after she lost her position when Republicans took control of the election commission in 2009.
Wilkins recently recommended Peterson for a term on the local election commission to replace Richard Hearon Puckett, who resigned. The Tennessee Election Commission, which has the final say, approved Peterson’s appointment.
Senator Beavers has sought legislation this year to bar anyone from serving on a county election commission if he or she has ever been in litigation against that particular election commission and lost the case.
The amendment to Senate Bill 0925 states that “no person may serve as a member of a county election commission if the person has been a plaintiff in litigation against the county election commission on which the person seeks to serve and the court ruled in favor of the county election commission”.
Wilkins is accusing Beavers of targeting one person, Peterson, in seeking such action.
“Senator Mae Beavers has committed an egregious act of pettiness and vindictiveness by proposing an amendment that violates a number of provisions in State and Federal Constitutions,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins further alleged that Senator Beavers is also abusing her power as a State Senator.
“The proposed amendment (Senate Amendment 0223) to Senate Bill 0925/House Bill 0671 targets a particular individual, Lisa Peterson of DeKalb County, who was recommended by the DeKalb County Democratic Party to fill one of two seats on the local Election Commission,” Wilkins explained. “Since the Democrats are the minority party, the Republicans are allowed to select three and the Democrats to select two Commissioners.”
According to Wilkins, both candidates recommended by the DeKalb County Democratic Party were approved by the State Election Commission on April 3, 2017. Later that same day, Sen. Beavers proposed SA0223 to a bill that had already passed the House. Wilkins said the purpose of the amendment is to deny Mrs. Peterson the right to serve as a Commissioner on the DeKalb County Election Commission.
“The position put forth by Sen. Beavers is that since Mrs. Peterson had sued the DeKalb County Election Commission this should render her ineligible to serve as Commissioner,” he explained. “Sen. Beavers’ proposed amendment is intended to use the law retroactively to remove Mrs. Peterson from the DeKalb County Election Commission. Mrs. Peterson has been sworn in by the State and has been elected by unanimous consent by the DeKalb Election Commission to serve as its secretary for the next two years.”
Wilkins went on to state that not only does Sen. Beavers’ proposed amendment violate the principles of the two-party system guaranteeing each political party the right to select their choice of commissioners to represent their respective interests on the commission, it is an abuse of power.
According to the legal opinions sought by Wilkins and others, Sen. Beavers’ proposed amendment, on its face, is unconstitutional, based on the following:
1.Sen. Beavers’ proposed amendment violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution by prohibiting a person who has sued an entity or persons serving in that entity from serving in a public office, thus violating the guaranteed constitutional right “to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
“Citizens are guaranteed the right to file suit in our court system and not be punished or denied an opportunity to be of service to the public because they have availed themselves of their constitutional right to do so,” Wilkins said.
2.The proposed amendment is a violation of the United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 10, which states that no state shall … pass any bill of attainder or Ex Post Facto law. “A bill of attainder was a legislative act that singled out one or more persons and imposed punishment on them” (Justice William H. Rehnquist).
“SB0925 was amended with SA0223 to single out one commissioner that the State Election Commission unanimously approved to serve on the DeKalb County Election Commission,” Wilkins explained.
3.SA0223 is a violation of Ex Post Facto Law. Article 1, Section 10 of the United States
Constitution states that “no state shall pass any bill of attainder, Ex Post Facto Law,”
and Article 1, Section 11 of the State Constitution states that principle of law: a state
cannot pass a retroactive law.
“Therefore, a retroactive law is unconstitutional,” he said. “It violates both Federal and State Constitutions.”
“We should expect more from Senator Beavers than her unconstitutional targeting of an individual willing to provide public service,” Wilkins said. “Shouldn’t Senator Beavers, for example, be more concerned about healthcare, education, job opportunities and improved infrastructure for the citizens of our state?”

A 46 year old Sparta woman has been charged with public intoxication and assault after committing a disturbance at the Ragland Bottom Day Use Area and sticking her tongue in the mouth of a six month old child.
Vickie Lenae Alvis of North Carter Street, Sparta is under a $3,000 bond and her court date is May 18.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on April 29 a deputy responded to the Ragland Bottom Day Use Area where someone was causing a disturbance. Upon arrival the officer spoke to Alvis who was very unsteady on her feet. She had a strong odor of alcohol on her person and her speech was slurred. She was placed under arrest for her safety and that of the public. Through that investigation, the officer learned of another complaint on Alvis while she was at the day use area. A detective was assigned to the case and learned that Alvis allegedly assaulted a six month old child by putting her tongue in the child’s mouth. The child’s mother witnessed the assault.