A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit on the trial court level against the DeKalb County Election Commission and several others in Tennessee brought by former administrators of elections in 2009 who claim they did not get to keep their jobs for political reasons.
The order for entry of final judgment in the case was filed by U.S. District Judge Kevin H. Sharp.
Nashville Attorney John Harris, III, who represents the DeKalb County Election Commission in this case, said while this is good news for the election commission, the plaintiffs could still file an appeal to overturn the federal court’s ruling that the position of Administrator of Elections is subject to political patronage.
“Last week the federal district judge entered an order dismissing the entire case in favor of the election commissioners. The consequence of that dismissal is that the plaintiff now has a period of time within which to appeal the case to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The issue that would be appealed if that is done is whether the court’s prior ruling that the position of administrator of elections is a job under Tennessee law that has sufficient political significance that the individuals holding that position can be selected or deselected or fired based upon their party affiliation. Everybody was in agreement that the trial court’s ruling on that issue really was so significant that it resolved all the issues in the case and not just part of them (issues),” said Harris in an interview with WJLE Friday.
Harris said since the trial court has entered a final judgment, any appeal would have to be heard by the appellate court. “This appeal process could easily take one to two years depending upon how fast the appellate court wants to move with it. Part of that is because they have a lot of cases on their docket. We would just sort of have to stand in line to be heard. There is an initial period of time where the parties have to order the record and then write their briefs and submit the briefs to the court and that will take several months to accomplish. We’re making progress toward getting the issue resolved one way or the other,” said Harris.
Former DeKalb County Election Administrator Lisa Peterson and other former administrators filed the lawsuit in July 2009 against the defendant county election commissions, claiming that their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated when they were removed from their jobs because of their actual, or perceived, political party association. The former administrators asked the court to order their reinstatement, or in the alternative, order that they receive front pay for a reasonable amount of time. They wanted full back pay and a judgment for compensatory damages and punitive damages and an award for reasonable attorneys fees. Locally, the lawsuit named as defendants the three Republicans on the DeKalb County Election Commission James Dean, Walteen Parker, and Barbara Vanatta.

A preliminary autopsy report from the state medical examiner reveals that the two people found dead in Center Hill Lake earlier this week drowned.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and TWRA Officers believe 71 year old Robert W. Tramel and his niece 49 year old Barbara Beach both of Smithville were the victims of a boating accident. No foul play is suspected.
“At this point we haven’t recovered the boat but we do feel like their vessel overturned and the result was that both of them actually drowned. They did not have life jackets in the boat,” said TWRA Officer Tony Cross.
According to Officer Cross, Tramel and Beach boarded a small flat bottom John boat Wednesday at the launch ramp for the former location of Hidden Harbor Marina at Holmes Creek near an area known as Redneck Beech
There were apparently no witnesses to the accident.
Beach’s body was found by a fisherman late Wednesday afternoon. “A call was made Wednesday at 5:14 pm by a fisherman who said he found a body in the water. Through an investigation, we learned that the two (Tramel and Beach) had gone fishing earlier in the day around the Holmes Creek Boat Ramp off of Holmes Creek Road,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray.
“Her body was in about 12-14 feet of water,” added TWRA Officer Cross.
Tramel’s body was found early Thursday morning by the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad. “His body was found in the lake around 4:28 a.m. Thursday morning after the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad, using their sonar system, spotted an image of interest. The TWRA then used a submersible sonar, equipped with a camera and grab hook, to retrieve the body,” said Sheriff Ray.
“His body was recovered approximately 400-500 yards from the boat ramp, about 200 yards from Beach’s body. He was in about 25 feet of water,” said Officer Cross.
Although the water is not very deep in the area where the bodies were located, Officer Cross said it has been difficult to pinpoint the location of the boat. “There’s a lot of stuff under the water, poured concrete weights which were once used to anchor the marina, and other things. It’s not a smooth bottom. We plan to go back again next week and use sonar equipment to try and find the boat,” said Officer Cross.
Along with the Rescue Squad, the Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency were assisted in the investigation by the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency.

Two people were involved in a traffic accident late Thursday afternoon on Highway 70 at the intersection of Hurricane Ridge Road.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 55 year old Darlene Caplinger of Smithville, driving a 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix, turned left on Highway 70 from Hurricane Ridge Road and crossed into the path of a 2003 Kia Spectra, driven by 39 year old Misty Walden of Dowelltown, who was west on Highway 70.
Walden was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.

The flu combined with other health problems claimed the life of a local minister last weekend.
55 year old Matt Long, pastor of the Dowelltown, Pisgah, and Fullers Chapel United Methodist Churches in the Dowelltown Charge, died on Saturday night at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
According to family members, Long, a diabetic, became sick with the flu on Thursday and he was taken to Smith County General Hospital after his sugar began to spike that afternoon. He was airlifted Friday night by helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and died on Saturday in a diabetic coma.
A resident of Brush Creek, Long is survived by: wife, Angela Long; children, Johnathon (Hoss) Long of Lebanon, Brandi Ann Hays and husband Ryan of Gordonsville, Josh Gregory and wife Michelle of Gordonsville, Casey Rainey of New Middleton, Jacob Gregory of New Middleton; father and mother-in-law, Eddie and Rita Montgomery of Pleasant Shade; wife’s grandparents, Johnny and Wilma Montgomery of Watertown; siblings, Kevin Long of Lebanon, Sherell White and husband Ray of New Middleton, Mary Roberts of Carthage, Carrie Long of Kentucky, Rene’ Johnson of Lebanon; 7 grandchildren.
The funeral was held Wednesday, February 19 at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Brush Creek Cemetery.

Governor Bill Haslam will be in Smithville next week to speak at the DeKalb County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Dinner.
The fund raising dinner will be Thursday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the county complex.
Haslam, former Mayor of Knoxville, is in his first term as Governor, having been elected in 2010.
Born in Knoxville, Haslam is a graduate of Emory University. He began his career in business, joining his father, Jim Haslam, who was the founder of Pilot Corporation. Haslam rose to the rank of President of Pilot Corp in the 1990s after his brother Jimmy became the company’s CEO. Haslam then left Pilot and from 1999 to 2001 was the CEO of the E-Commerce and Cataloging division at the high-end department store chain Saks Fifth Avenue. He then became a consultant at Saks, served on the board of directors at Harold’s Stores, Inc. and still remains a co-owner of the minor league baseball team the Tennessee Smokies.
Entering a career in politics, Haslam was elected to serve as Mayor of Knoxville in 2003 and was then elected to a second term in 2007. After Governor Phil Bredesen was term-limited and prevented from running for reelection, Haslam declared his candidacy for Governor in January 2009. He defeated Representative Zach Wamp and Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey in the Republican primary and went on to defeat Democratic businessman Mike McWherter in the general election.
Having celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in 2013, Bill and his wife, Crissy, have also been blessed with three children, a daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law and a new grandson. For 28 years, Bill and Crissy have been members of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Knoxville and for 22 of those years Bill has served as an Elder.
Haslam is expected to seek a second term as Governor this year.
Tickets to the dinner are $30.00 per person or $250.00 for a table of six. For ticket information email loveboatlovefish@yahoo.com.

The DeKalb County Democratic Primary on May 6th will feature four contested county wide and five district county commission races. Today (Thursday) at noon was the qualifying deadline.
County Mayor Mike Foster will be seeking his fourth term but will be challenged in the primary by Smithville Alderman Tim Stribling. The winner will face Republican nominee Chris Smithson and Independent Chris Bratcher, II in the August 7th County General Election.
Three term incumbent County Clerk Mike Clayborn will be looking for his fourth term. He faces a challenge from James L. (Jimmy) Poss. The winner will face Independent Candidate Daniel Critser in August.
Incumbent General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Hale “Butch” Cook, II is running for his third-eight year term. His primary opponent is local attorney Margie Rigsby Miller. The winner will meet Republican challenger Mingy Colwell Bryant in August. She is also a Smithville attorney.
In the race for Sheriff, Michael J. Agee and Larry Flair, Sr. will face off for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face two term Republican Incumbent Sheriff Patrick Ray in August
James D. (Jimmy) Sprague is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Road Supervisor but he will face Republican nominee Wallace M. (Butch) Agee in the August General Election. The winner will succeed six term incumbent Kenny Edge, who is not seeking re-election.
Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack and Register of Deeds Jeffrey McMillen, both incumbents, will be unopposed in the May Democratic Primary as well as in the August General Election. Pack is seeking her fourth term. McMillen is looking for his eighth term.
Democrats will not have a candidate for Trustee. Republican incumbent Sean Driver will be unopposed for this third term in the August General Election.
County commission Democratic Primary races on May 6th will be contested in the second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh districts.
The candidates for the county commission in each district are as follows (Two will be Nominated/Elected from each District)
FIRST DISTRICT:
Bennett Armstrong and Elmer Ellis, Jr. are unopposed in the Democratic Primary. They will be the Democratic Nominees in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Mason Carter (TWO TO BE ELECTED).
SECOND DISTRICT:
Jerry Hutchins, Jr., Clarence Trapp , Joe N. Johnson, and Frank D.Thomas are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two Democratic nominees will run in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Bobby Joines and Independent Candidate James “Jimmy” E. Midgett. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
THIRD DISTRICT:
Bradley Scott Hendrix, Jerry D. Scott, and Jack E. Barton are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be running in August along with Independent Candidate Wesley Nokes. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
FOURTH DISTRICT:
Wayne Cantrell, David McDowell, Bobby R. Taylor, Jonathan Norris, and Anthony “Tony” Poss are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be unopposed in August (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
FIFTH DISTRICT:
Anita Puckett and Rick Cantrell are unopposed in the Democratic Primary. They will be the Democratic Nominees in the August General Election along with Republican Nominee Jerry D. Adcock (TWO TO BE ELECTED).
SIXTH DISTRICT:
Betty Jean Atnip, Jeff Barnes, and Marshall Ferrell are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be running in August along with Independent Candidate Danny McGinnis (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
SEVENTH DISTRICT:
Larry A. Summers, Kevin Robinson, and David Agee are seeking the Democratic Nomination. The two nominees will be unopposed in August. (TWO TO BE ELECTED)
CONSTABLE (TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS)
FIRST DISTRICT:
Chad Curtis will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He will face the Republican nominee Lee Plummer in the August General Election
SECOND DISTRICT:
There is no Democratic candidate for constable in the second district. In August, Republican Chris Tramel will face Independents Tony D. Lawson and Jonathan Low
THIRD DISTRICT:
There is no Democratic candidate for constable in the third district. In August, Independent candidates Travis Bryant and Lou Ann Sanders will be in competition for the position.

GOP primary races will be contested in the 13th Judicial District on May 6th for the offices of District Attorney General, District Public Defender, and Circuit Court Judge, Part I. The 13th Judicial District is made up of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.
Noon today (Thursday) was the qualifying deadline.
Republicans Shawn Fry and Bryant Dunaway, both of Cookeville will be vying for the GOP nomination on May 6th for District Attorney General. The winner will face Tony Craighead of Cookeville in the August General Election. Craighead will be unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
In the race for Criminal Court Judge, Part I, Republicans Wesley Bray and Gary McKenzie, both of Cookeville will be seeking the GOP nomination on May 6th. The winner will take on William Fred Roberson, Jr. of Cookeville in August. Roberson is unopposed for the Democratic nomination on May 6th.
Craig P. Fickling and Edwin G. Sadler, both of Cookeville, and John Meadows of Sparta are in the race for the Republican nomination for District Public Defender on May 6th. The winner will try to unseat Democratic incumbent David N. Brady of Cookeville in August. Brady is unopposed in the primary on May 6th.
Others who are unopposed in their respective primaries on May 6th are as follows.
Circuit Court Judge, Part I:
Amy Hollars of Livingston, Democratic Incumbent
Circuit Court Judge, Part II:
Randy York of Crossville, Democrat
Jonathan Young of Cookeville, Republican
Criminal Court Judge, Part II
David A. Patterson of Cookeville, Republican Incumbent
Chancellor:
Ronald Thurman of Cookeville, Democratic Incumbent
J. Lee Burgess of Cookeville, Republican
Winners of each primary will face off in the August General Election.

The bodies of two persons, a man and a woman, were found in Center Hill Lake overnight, the apparent victims of a boating accident.
Names of the victims have not yet been released.
“A call was made Wednesday at 5:14 pm by a fisherman who said he found a body in the water. Through an investigation, we learned that two people had gone fishing earlier in the day around the Holmes Creek Boat Ramp off of Holmes Creek Road in Smithville,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray in a statement to WJLE.
“A second body was found in the lake around 4:28 a.m. this morning (Thursday) after the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad, using their sonar system, spotted an image of interest. The TWRA then used a submersible sonar, equipped with a camera and grab hook, to retrieve the body,” said Sheriff Ray.
Along with the Rescue Squad, the Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency were assisted in the investigation by the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency.

The DeKalb County High School Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America competed February 13 in Region competition. We would like to congratulate the following students on placing in their competitive event at FBLA Regionals. They will be advancing to state competition in April.
1st place:
Bailey Redmon, FBLA principles and Procedures
2nd place:
Kelsey Hedge: Healthcare Administration
Julia Little: Public Speaking II
Crystal Vickers: Agribusiness
Hannah Walker: Spreadsheet Applications
3rd Place:
Casey Vickers: Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure
Carlee White: Spreadsheet Applications
4th Place:
Bailey Hayes: Public Speaking II
Nic Linder: Agribusiness

The Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans a $1 billion project to improve hydroelectric generators at dams in the region.
The Tennessean reported work could begin this year at the Center Hill Dam where plans call for three aging generators to be renovated.
Jamie James, a program manager for the district, says the refurbished generators will mean that more low-cost energy is on the market.
“More efficient generation equates to lower costs,” James said.
After work on the generators at Center Hill Dam is completed, crews will begin renovating generators at the Old Hickory Dam near Nashville.
The generators are being worked on one at a time so that there won’t be a big effect in its ability to supply energy to the power grid. The entire project is expected to take about 20 years.
“The goal of what we do — and even the pace that we’re doing these — is to maintain the low cost of the electricity and avoid anything that’s going to contribute to a rate increase,” James said.
Most of the dams were built more than five decades ago. James said the generators are designed to have a useful life of about 35 years.
“Even with the best care, electrical equipment gets old,” James said. “We are well past the design life of these units.”
The project should give the generators 30 to 40 more years of life.
Hydroelectric power is the cheapest source of energy compared with sources such as coal, nuclear and natural gas. The Army Corps sells its power to an intermediary and some of it is purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which provides energy for much of Middle Tennessee.
David Mistakovich, the district’s chief of hydropower, says the work will also allow the generators to provide more aeration to the water, which will reduce the environmental impact.