Three of DeKalb’s four municipalities may soon be paying their share of the cost of property reappraisals, an expense that the county could have charged for 28 years.
Although DeKalb County has never enforced it, a state law was passed in 1989 requiring municipalities that collect a city property tax to share in the county’s costs of real property reappraisals and audits of personal property, unless an agreement is reached to waive the charge.
Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell recently learned of the state law during a meeting of assessors and made County Mayor Tim Stribling aware of it. Cantrell also shared what he learned with members of the county budget committee, the city mayors, and the entire county commission at Stribling’s request.
It appears the county may now be prepared to require the cities to pay. The county commission discussed the issue but took no action during Monday night’s monthly meeting (May 22). However the county budget committee has recommended that projected revenue to be derived from the cities share be included in the 2017-18 budget which will be up for passage by the county commission later this summer.
“I was in a workshop at an assessors meeting in Cookeville when this subject came up. A question came up as to how many counties were doing it (charging cities). Several hands went up that were (doing it) and several hands didn’t go up. There were several new assessors there like myself. I didn’t have the answer. I didn’t know if we were doing it or not. Through the process of talking to the assessors and others, I was told it was my responsibility to gather this information and to present it to the county financial officer for the county. In our case it is our county mayor’s office. That is what I did. I gathered this information and presented it to Tim (Stribling). He wanted me to talk to the budget committee, which I did. I tried to explain it to them and then I met with the city mayors and tried to explain it to them. I did it as a favor to Tim to explain it the best I could,” Cantrell said in addressing the county commission Thursday night in an all-committees meeting.
“The law has been on the books for a lot of years. I guess its been lost through the cracks and wasn’t recognized that we should be doing it. This law was put in place because of the things the assessor’s office does that the cities are not having to such as the appeal work, the reviewing process, the adding of new construction, the taking away of blown down barns, burned houses, etc.,” the Assessor said. “All of that burden is on the assessor’s office. This law helps in having the cities pay a portion of that cost.”
Under state law, local costs of reappraisal of real properties within a city shall be paid one half by the county and one half by the city, unless there is an agreement between the city and county to waive the fees. Any city paying one half of local costs of reappraisal shall pay those costs directly to the county government with jurisdiction over the property being reappraised and shall pay those costs during the fiscal year in which the reappraisal is finalized. The cities of Smithville, Alexandria, and Liberty would be affected since they collect city property taxes. Dowelltown does not have a city property tax rate and would not be affected.
State law also requires cities to be responsible for sharing in the county’s costs of contracted personal property audits.
“We have a contract with Tax Management through the assessor’s office to do our audits. It is state mandated that you audit a certain percentage of personal property or businesses per year,” Cantrell said. “We don’t have the staff or experience to go in an audit Walker (Manufacturing) for example. We have to hire somebody to do that. That is common practice. We contracted with them in 2016 for $6400 to do our audits that have to be done. It’s the law that the cities pay a percentage of the audit costs and it is collected yearly.”
Based on 2016 numbers, Smithville’s portion would be $14,718 for real property parcels and $1,514 for its share of personal property auditing. Liberty’s costs would be $1,295 ( real property parcels) and $6.00 (personal property auditing). Alexandria’s share would be $2,814 (real property parcels) and $20.00 (personal property auditing).
“It looks like a big number for the City of Smithville and it is a big number but there is no way you (city) could hire an employee to go out and do the reviews, pick up new construction, personal property, the appeals, and all those things that go along with it for that money ($16,232). If you look at it from that perspective it’s a bargain,” said Cantrell.
According to Cantrell, the state has a formula the county must follow for calculating the cities’ share of real property reappraisals.
“Its pretty simple. You take the assessor’s budget and subtract what you pay out in audits ($6,400 for 2016) which leaves you with $199,565. Divide that number by the amount of real parcels for the entire county (18,682). That gives you $10.69 per parcel. Divide that in half and it comes to $5.35 per parcel for which the cities are responsible. The cities become accountable for their parcel count multiplied by the $5.35,” said Cantrell.
The cities’ reappraisal costs sharing based on 2016 numbers are as follows:
•City of Smithville: 2,751 Real Property Parcels multiplied by $5.35 per parcel equals $14,718
•City of Liberty: 242 Real Property Parcels multiplied by $5.35 per parcel equals $1,295
•City of Alexandria: 526 Real Property Parcels multiplied by $5.35 per parcel equals $2,814
Under state law, cities have the option of paying the real property reappraisal costs on a yearly basis or in a lump sum in the fifth year of the reappraisal cycle. “We’re on a five year cycle and the fifth year is when we finalize. Most people think reappraisal happens once every five years but the reality of it is we are in reappraisal the entirety of the five years. We just finalize it in the fifth year,” Cantrell continued.

A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers is being recognized in DeKalb County.
The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.
County Mayor Tim Stribling signed a proclamation Monday designating May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. EMS Director Hoyte Hale and Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss joined County Mayor Stribling for the occasion.
The proclamation is as follows:
“Whereas, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
Whereas, access to quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and
Whereas, the Emergency Medical Services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and
Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;
Now, Therefore, I Tim Stribling, County Mayor, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 21-27, 2017 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
With the theme, EMS: EVERY CALL COUNTS, I encourage the community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities”.
Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Director Hoyte Hale are:
A-SHIFT
Donna Melton-AEMT
Jonathan Rudd-EMT-P
Greta Stone-EMT-PCC/IC
Allen Mason-EMT-P
B-SHIFT
Kim Johnson-EMT-P
Joey Criddle-EMT-P
David Pitts-EMT-P
Misty Green-AEMT
C-SHIFT
Trent Phipps-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Tim Briggs- EMT-P
Matt Melton-AEMT
DAY TRUCK:
Jamie Parsley-AEMT
Tyler Stone- AEMT
Part Time Staff:
Cody Johnson-EMT-P
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
Jeff Cole-EMT-PCC
Stephanie Brown-EMT-P
John Hurd-EMT-P
Greg Moore-EMT-P
Bryan Locke-EMT-PCC
Michael Hollandsworth-AEMT
Becky Atnip-AEMT
Lonnie Laxton-AEMT
Wesley Slager-AEMT
Jennifer Phillips-AEMT
Jimmy Savage-AEMT
Rebecca Partridge-AEMT
Kevin Cripps-AEMT
Edward Brooks-AEMT
Daniel Webb-EMT-P
Houston Austin-EMT-PCC
Marie Turpin-EMT-PCC
Kristie Johnson-EMT-PCC/IC
Tyler Grandstaff-EMT-PCC
Jamie Vernon-EMT-P
John Poss-AEMT
Jason Rice-AEMT
Tyler Downs-AEMT
April Jakes-AEMT

The 2017 DCHS Tennessee Scholars were recognized during Monday night’s Annual Senior Awards Program at the high school
The Tennessee Scholars program encourages students to take a more rigorous and challenging course of study in high school. Students graduating as Tennessee Scholars have to maintain good academic, disciplinary, and attendance standards as well as volunteer in the community. Tennessee Scholars also choose to take rigorous courses beyond what is required to graduate. Janney & Associates CPAs generously provided the Tennessee Scholars Medals.
The following students have met all requirements for the Tennessee Scholars Program:
Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Adam Ferrell, Regan Foutch, Rachel Fuson, Maegan Harris, Caitlyn Lawrence, Grace Odom, Brandon Ortega, Kristen Parsley, Rosa Payne, Skylar Pease, Lane Poss, Bailey Redmon, Hunter Robinson, Allison Rogers, Alexis Roller, Taylor Spare, Casey Vickers, and Susan Webb.
The following seniors have volunteered their time for service at least 10 hours per year since starting high school:
Caitlin Beaty, Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Neely Evans, Rachel Fuson, Maegan Harris, Caitlyn Lawrence, Grace Odom, Rosa Payne, Hunter Robinson, Allison Rogers, Caleb Rowland, Maggie Turner, and Casey Vickers.

Steven Jennings and Eli Cross were the top scholarship award winners during Monday night’s Class of 2017 Awards Night program held at DCHS.
Jennings received the largest single award of $132,000 in a baseball scholarship from Ole Miss along with another $1,000 scholarship. Cross took home more than $124,000 in scholarships including a total of $114,000 from Lindsey Wilson College to further his education and football career.
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations made the presentations.
A perfect attendance award was presented to Clayton Hoyle who has never missed a day of school, left early, or been tardy during his entire four years of high school.
Scholarship recipients listed in alphabetical order according to last names and their award amounts and other honors are as follows:
*Nikolas Agee:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship- $1,000
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Matthew Thomas Alderman
U.S. Marine Corps Enlistment
*Myranda Bailiff:
Union University-$56,000
*Devin Bain:
Cumberland University-$32,000
*Alexis Bates:
Union University-$44,000
DeKalb School Board Members- $700
*Erica Birmingham:
Belmont University-$16,000
DeKalb School Board Members- $700
Tennessee Governor School for the Arts
*Jordan Bowman:
Mentors Association Scholarship-$5,000
*Alec Bryan:
MTSU True Blue-$12,000
*Madison Butler:
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga MOC- $12,000
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
*Kayley Caplinger:
Cumberland University-$64,000
*Elliott Cook:
White Possum Grille-$500
*Caelin Crips:
Trevecca Nazarene University-$34,000
DeKalb Retired Teachers-$750
*Callie Cripps:
DCHS Literature Club-$300
Girl Scouts Gold Award
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial- $1,000
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home-$500
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga MOC-$8,000
*Chloe Cripps:
Motlow State Community College-$4,000
DCHS Beta Scholarship-$500
Smithville Rotary Club-$750
*Eli Cross:
Lindsey Wilson College Academic- $96,000
Lindsey Wilson College Athletics-$18,000
American Legion Boys State-$350
Anthony Duane Trapp Memorial-$1,000
Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride-$500
David Wayne Alexander Memorial-$1,000
DeKalb School Board Members- $700
First Bank-$500
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Hannah Culwell:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
*Miranda Davis:
AmVets-$250
AmVets Ladies Auxiliary-$250
Elzie & Nell McBride Memorial-$500
*Maddie Dickens:
David Wayne Alexander Memorial-$1,000
*Megan Evans:
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Fourth Place-$50
*Neely Evans:
DCHS PTO-$250
Girl Scouts Gold Award
*Michael Ferrarrie:
U.S. Coast Guard Enlistment
*Regan Foutch
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Peyton Frazier:
DCHS Class of 1966-$500
*Rachel Fuson:
University of Tennessee at Knoxville Volunteer Scholarship-$24,000
Tennessee Tech University Scholarship
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
DCHS Literature Club-$500
DTC McAllen Foutch Memorial-$8,000
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$1,000
General Assembly Merit Scholarhip-$4,000
Girl Scouts Gold Award
Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee Agenia Clark Gold Award Scholarship-$2,500
Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Physicians-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Luke Green:
Tennessee Tech University-$4,000
American Legion Boys State-$350
Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award-$500
DeKalb County Firefighters-$500
FBLA Business Award-
Tennessee Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees-$500
*Katlyn Cox-Harn:
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Gentry Harpole:
Dailey & Vincent Helping Hands Scholarship-$1,000
*Maegan Harris:
Aubrey Turner, Jr. Memorial Scholarship-$1,000
DCHS Literature Club-$300
DeKalb County Firefighters-$500
MTSU True Blue- $12,000
*Peyton Hensley:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
*Jesse Houser:
U.S. Marine Corps Enlistment
*Steven Jennings:
University of Mississippi-$132,000
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial-$1,000
*Karen Johnson
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative- 2016 Essay Contest Second Place-$100
*Sahara Lafever:
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
Smithville Women’s Club-$500
*Caitlyn Lawrence:
Tusculum College-$48,000
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
DeKalb County 4-H Scholarship-$500
3.21 Run for Down Syndrome Awareness-$250
*Issac Martin:
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$500
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home-$500
*James Mathis:
Boy Scout Eagle Scout Rank
Daughters of the American Revolution-Good Citizen Award-$50
*Ariel Maxwell:
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Third Place-$75
*Cynthia May:
Tennessee Army National Guard Enlistment
*James Neubacher:
U.S. Army Enlistment
*Tayvian Nokes:
Lindsey Wilson College Academic-$40,000
Lindsey Wilson College Football-$30,000
Olivia Grace Odom:
Daily & Vincent Helping Hands Scholarship-$1,000
*Brandon Ortega:
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
MTSU International Merit-$32,000
*Hanah Panter:
Chattanooga State Community College-$15,000
Kyle & Kenny Robinson Memorial-$1,000
*Katherine Parsley:
Liberty State Bank-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Kristen Parsley:
University of Tennessee Martin Chancellors Award-$12,000
DCHS Beta Scholarship-$500
DCHS Literature Club-$500
Mentors Association Scholarship-$5,000
Southern Landscape and Supply-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Zack Parsley:
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
*Rosa Payne
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Skylar Pease:
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Alex Pedigo:
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Jason Perricone:
Chemistry Olympiad
*Baylee Phillips:
Tennessee Tech University Scholarship
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
Girl Scout Award
Smithville Business & Professional Women’s Club-$500
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Chase Phillips:
Smithville Rotary Vocational Award-$100
*Jayra Plattenburg:
Cumberland University Scholarship
*Lane Poss:
DeKalb County Soil Conservation District-$500
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
DCHS Honors English IV Award
*Bailey Redmon:
MTSU True Blue-$12,000
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$500
Motlow State Community College Associates Degree
Tennessee Governor’s School for Prospective Teachers
*Hunter Robinson:
University of Alabama Huntsville-$35,984
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
DCHS Beta Scholarship-$500
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
DCHS Honors English IV Award
Nissan Scholars Leadership-$15,000
Woodmen of the World U.S. History Award-$50
*Jose Rodriguez;
Music City Drum Core Selection
*Allison Rogers:
Tennessee Tech University-$20,000
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Eastern Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors-$500
Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors-$250
Brandon Elder/Jolly Angels Scholarship-$2,000
*Alexis Roller:
David Wayne Alexander Memorial-$1,000
*Caleb Rowland:
Lucille Stewart Memorial-$2,000
*Jacob Self:
Southern Landscape and Supply-$500
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home-$500
*Paige Snyder:
Tennessee Tech University-$6,000
*Taylor Spare:
Smithville Rotary Club-$750
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
*Casey Taylor:
W. Doyle and Melford Smith Scholarship-$2,000
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
DCHS FFA-$250
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Reagan Taylor:
Cumberland University TN Promise and Grant
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
*Jayrah Trapp:
Anthony Duane Trapp Memorial-$1,000
Belmont University-$32,000
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Regional Winner-$100
Caney Fork Electric Cooperative-2016 Essay Contest Washington Youth Tour Winner
General Assembly Merit Scholarship-$4,000
Smithville Rotary Club-$750
Smithville Rotary Club Math Award-$100
*Maggie Turner:
Girl Scouts Gold Award
*Jordan Vallem:
University of Tennessee at Knoxville-$43,856
*Casey Vickers:
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
Cattlemen’s Association-$500
Comcast
DCHS FCCLA-$250
DCHS FFA-$250
DCHS FFA Tennessee State Degree Recipient
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
DeKalb Retired Teachers-$750
Eddie Crips Memorial Scholarship-$500
Foundation for Rural Service-$2,500
National Society of High School Scholars
DeKalb County Scottish Rite-$1,000
Smithville Rotary/Brandon Elder Memorial-$1,000
DCHS Student Council-$250
Young Farmers & Ranchers-$500
*Emily Wallace:
Clyde Thomas Family Trust Scholarship-$1,000
Girl Scouts Gold Award
Jack Loeb Arts Scholarship-$1,000
Lucille Stewart Memorial-$2,000
*Susan Webb:
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State-$350
DCHS Student Council Stole Recipient
Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital-$500
*Laraden Wiggens:
Alan Hooper Memorial-$500
*Justin Winchester:
Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship-$1,000
Motlow students at DCHS who have already earned 12 hours of college credit through dual enrollment (equivalent to one semester of college work) include Alexis Bates, Rebekah Brandt, Kaylee Braswell, Madison Butler, Kayley Caplinger, Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Maddie Dickens, Rachel Fuson, Luke Green, Maegan Harris, Sahara Lafever, Caitlyn Lawrence, Olivia Grace Odom, Hanah Panter, Rosa Payne, Skylar Pease, Bailey Redmon, Allison Rogers, Alexis Roller, Jacob Self, Paige Snyder, Taylor Spare, Caitlin Spry, Casey Vickers, and Susan Webb.

Bailey Redmon, a senior at DeKalb County High School, doesn’t yet have her high school diploma, but she is already a college graduate having earned an Associate degree in History from Motlow State Community College.
“I walked the line at Motlow this month,” Redmon told WJLE. She will be walking the high school graduation line this Friday night.
Through Motlow College’s dual enrollment program , high school students like Redmon can earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Students can take classes on a Motlow College campus, online, or even at a partner high school.
Students who have completed their sophomore year and have met all requirements for taking the desired college courses may apply. Public, private and home-schooled students are all welcome to apply. The program gives students the chance to seamlessly transition from high school to college. The core curriculum credits transfer easily to Tennessee’s public colleges and universities while allowing students who are working on a four-year degree to save money on tuition.
“I started working toward my Associate degree in my sophomore year. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifice. I missed a lot of my brother’s baseball and football games but I had a goal and went for it. After high school graduation, I plan to attend MTSU to start my junior classes. I want to get my Bachelor’s degree and then go on to get my Masters degree and PhD from some other university,” said Redmon.
Her career goal is to become a college History professor.
Meanwhile other Motlow students at DCHS who have already earned 12 hours of college credit through dual enrollment (equivalent to one semester of college work) include Alexis Bates, Rebekah Brandt, Kaylee Braswell, Madison Butler, Kayley Caplinger, Callie Cripps, Chloe Cripps, Maddie Dickens, Rachel Fuson, Luke Green, Maegan Harris, Sahara Lafever, Caitlyn Lawrence, Olivia Grace Odom, Hanah Panter, Rosa Payne, Skylar Pease, Allison Rogers, Alexis Roller, Jacob Self, Paige Snyder, Taylor Spare, Caitlin Spry, Casey Vickers, and Susan Webb.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has nabbed another fugitive from justice.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 5/15/2017 Thru: 5/022/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_24.pdf (2.35 MB)
32 year old Michael Frederick Teachout of Students Home Road, Smithville is under a $75,000 bond and he will be in court June 8.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Friday, May 19 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Students Home Road due to a wanted person complaint.
Upon arrival the officer found Teachout there. A computer check through central dispatch revealed that Teachout was wanted in Dade County, Georgia for possession of cocaine, marijuana, and possession and use of drug related objects

DeKalb Road Supervisor Butch Agee has announced that a portion of Bright Hill Road between Dearman Street and Hooper Road will be closed Tuesday and possibly through Wednesday evening for a tile replacement project. Motorists who normally travel that road should take an alternate route to your destination. The work is to begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 23.

A Smithville man was airlifted after a motorcycle crash Sunday evening on Blue Springs Road.
Trooper Jason Cobble of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 34 year old Jeremy Loader was traveling east on Blue Springs Road heading toward Highway 56 on a Yamaha motorcycle when he lost control and crashed.
Loader was taken by DeKalb EMS to a helicopter landing zone set up in a field near the crash scene. He was airlifted by Life Force.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department were also on site.

Scholarships and other awards will be presented to members of the Class of 2017 at DeKalb County High School during the annual Senior Awards program Monday night, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the DCHS gymnasium.
WJLE will broadcast LIVE on AM 1480, FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com
Representatives of colleges, universities, branches of the armed services, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations will make the presentations.
Meanwhile, graduation for the DCHS Class of 2017 will be Friday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. on the high school football field.
(Click link below to view DCHS Class of 2017 Senior Formals)
http://wjle.com/graduation/2017/page1

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce presented a Community Spotlight Award to Mr. Mark Harrell.
After 45 years of service, Mr. Mark Harrell will be retiring from Hardee’s Corporation. Mark started his career in 1972 and worked his way up to Regional Ref Manager then General Manager. He has been responsible for opening new Hardee’s stores in Gallatin, Lafayette, and Sparta. He also worked with stores in Monterey, Livingston, and Smithville.
For 12 years, Mark has been serving as General Manager at the Smithville Hardee’s. During his stay in Smithville, he has made many friends and become a part of many people’s lives. Mark says he has loved his customers and the Hardee’s crew became part of his family.
Mark will be missed by many and as the Chamber Community Spotlight Award says, “Thank You, Mark, for Your Many Years of Great Customer Service, Dedication, and Hard Work. You have been an Important Part of Our Community!”