The Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen Monday night will consider passage of a new ordinance governing access to public records.
The new ordinance basically sets fees for making copies of records requested by the public.
Questions have arisen concerning the legality of certain portions of the city’s existing ordinance. That ordinance is expected to be repealed, upon passage of a new ordinance.
Under the proposed new ordinance, “Copies of open records that are requested during regular business hours are required to be provided the requester, within a reasonable time at a cost of twenty five cents per page, unless otherwise excepted in the ordinance. Fees for items such as, but not limited to, cd roms, computer disks, and audio/video cassettes, will be charged at the rate paid for such items by the city. All fees and charges for records shall be due and payable at the time such costs are incurred. City staff may require pre-payment of fees and charges for copies where the fees and charges would exceed twenty dollars.”
“Removal of original open records, including personnel records, from the offices of the city is strictly prohibited.”
“If copies of personnel records of city employees are requested, the City Recorder, or other city staff authorized by the City Recorder, shall notify the employee, for whom the records are requested, which documents have been copied, and to whom they have been provided. The employee shall be notified that the information has been requested within 48 hours.”
“Accident Reports provided by the Smithville Police Department shall be provided to anyone requesting the reports at a cost of four dollars per report. The city has determined that this is a reasonable charge, inasmuch as it is the same amount that is charged for such reports by the Tennessee Department of Safety under state law, and other cities in Tennessee.”
“It shall be the policy of the City of Smithville to cooperate fully with any Tennessee resident requesting the right to inspect and/or receive copies of open records at a reasonable charge; however, the city staff is prohibited from undertaking research projects to place records requested in any other form than normally maintained by the city, unless the requester agrees to pay for changing the form.”
The proposed new ordinance states that “The law provides that the city may stipulate that requests be received during regular business hours, and the city staff shall have a reasonable time to comply with requests for information.”
“The City may not provide copies of public records that violate an individual’s right to privacy as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.”
“The City has the right to charge a reasonable charge for reproducing or copying records.”
“The City has the right to verify that the requester of information is in fact a Tennessee resident.”
If the ordinance is adopted on first reading, second and final reading passage will be scheduled at the July 16th city council meeting.

The DeKalb County Government has purchased three travel trailers from federal surplus for one thousand dollars each to be used by the Sheriff’s Department, the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department, and a county garbage collection convenience center.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says the travel trailers were originally obtained by the federal government for Hurricane Katrina victims but are no longer needed. “We gave one thousand dollars a piece for them. The estimated total value of all three of them new is $65,000. These trailers have heating and cooling capabilities, along with restroom facilities. We will remove the bed area from the trailer, install some radio equipment, and make it a critical response unit. We’ll use it in the events of tragedies, such as murders, drownings, missing persons, or any kind of rescues. That way we can do on the scene interviews with victims and witnesses. We’ll also use it for weather related disasters, such as flooding and tornadoes. That way we’ll have a place where all the emergency personnel can coordinate with the volunteers. We also want to use it for crime prevention and education for citizens and we’ll take it to the schools and let children walk through it so they can see what it looks like. We’ll also be sharing our trailer with the City of Smithville, the City of Alexandria, and any county department that needs any kind of help with anything, along with state agencies and surrounding counties for any command post or whatever they need.”
County Mayor Mike Foster says one of the trailers will be used at a local garbage collection convenience center. ” We’re going to use ours at one of our convenience centers. We’ve been buying these little portable buildings, and by the time we insulate them, put a commode in them, and all that, we’ve got about four thousand dollars in them. We’ll have a thousand dollars in this one and all we’ll have to do is take it there, level it, and hook it up. It’s got heating and cooling, it’s already wired, and it’s got plenty of space. We’ll take the bedroom out of it and use that for office space. If we can get two more of these trailers, we can use them at other convenience center locations where we have buildings that need replacing. This one will probably wind up serving the convenience center on the south side of town out on Highway 56 because we’ll soon have to move that location (because of the state highway improvement project) and that little building there now will probably never stand the move because it’s in pretty bad shape.”
County Fire Chief Donny Green says one of the trailers will be for the County Volunteer Fire Department. “We got this for the fire department but we’ll be sharing it with the 911 Communications Center. I’ve talked with the director and we’re going to install some backup equipment, such as radios and lines that we can hook up to the telephones in the event that there’s a catastrophe at the 911 center such as a fire or something that would prevent them from dispatching temporarily. This would then become a mobile type backup center that we would use for that. In addition, we also plan to do some prevention and education type activities out of it for the schools and senior citizens and offer more outreach in the communities, such as showing how smoke alarms work and the importance of having them installed in homes.”

The three Smithville Aldermen elected on June 19th were sworn into office to begin their two year terms Saturday during a special meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen at city hall.
General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook II administered the oath of office to Aldermen-elect Jerry Hutchins, Sr., Tonya Sullivan, and Willie Thomas.
After the swearing in ceremony, Mayor Taft Hendrixson appointed each of the alderman to oversee a city department.
The appointments are as follows: Steve White-Vice Mayor and Commissioner of the Water and Sewer Department; Jerry Hutchins, Sr.- Commissioner of Streets and Safety; Willie Thomas- Commissioner of the Finance and Taxation; Tonya Sullivan-Commissioner of Sanitation; and Cecil Burger – Commissioner of the Police and Fire Departments.

First he was in, then he was out, now he is back in again.
The DeKalb County Election Commission comfirms that James R. Walker, who had withdrawn his candidacy for Alderman in the Alexandria City Election September 6th, has now decided to get back in the race.
The other candidate who had withdrawn, Henry Walker, is still out of the race.
In a prepared news release, Administrator of Elections Lisa Peterson, writes “Yesterday, June 27th, Mr. James Walker and Mr. Henry Walker filed withdrawal notices indicating they did not wish to be a candidate in the September 6th Alexandria Municipal Election.”
“Today, June 28th, Mr. James R. Walker has filed a statement with the DeKalb County Election Commission requesting that his name be placed back on the Alexandria ballot.”
“Today (June 28th) at noon was the deadline for anyone to withdraw as a candidate for the Alexandria Election.”
“Those slated to be on the ballot are Derrick Baker, Shelia Clayborn, Maureen Tubbs, and James Walker.”
“The deadline for new registrations for those living in the city of Alexandria is August 8th.”
“The city charter allows property rights voting, which means if a person lives outside the city but owns property within the city limits, they may register and vote. Property rights voters are required to register at the election commission office and bring proof of ownership by the registration deadline of August 8th.”
“If anyone has any questions please call the Election Commission Office at 597-4146 or stop by the office. The Election Commission office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.”
Early voting begins August 17th and ends September 1st.
Anyone wishing to qualify as a write-in candidate must file a notice with the Election Commission Office no later than 50 days prior to election day. The last day to file as a write-in candidate is July 18th.
The Alexandria Mayor and Board of Aldermen is currently made up of Mayor David Cripps and Aldermen Charles Griffith, Sarah Walker, James Keys, Eddie Tubbs, Jimmy Mullinax, and Jim York.

The DeKalb County Board of Education Tuesday night adopted the tentative school budget for 2007-2008, subject to approval of the county commission.
The spending plan, with expenditures totaling $17.1 million dollars, is based on the same local property tax rate of 73 cents per $100 of assessed value for schools along with some money from the sinking fund (local option sales taxes). The school budget includes $3.8 million in local funding along with funds from state BEP reserves as well as other state and federal sources.
The budget includes a state salary increase for certified personnel of 3%; an increase for teachers based on their years of service as per state scale; an increase for those who have earned a degree advancement as per scale; and a local increase in the teacher salary as per scale. Teachers with six to ten years of service would get a local increase for the year of $150. Those with 11-15 years would get a local raise of $200. Teachers with 16-20 years can expect a $250 raise. Those with 21-25 years would get an increase of $300 and teachers with 26 years of service or more would get a local pay raise of $400. Elementary and Secondary Principals, Assistant Principals, and Supervisors would not get a local pay raise this year.
The budget includes a local 3% pay raise for support staff as well as a local step increase as per scale. One lead custodian per school would receive a 25 cent per hour increase and one lead maintenance worker would be paid based on the mechanics pay scale, giving him a pay raise. Support staff would be allowed to use two sick leave days per school year as personal days if needed. However, they would receive no additional days.
Golf and Tennis Coach positions at DCHS would receive an additional $1,000 in supplement pay.
Pay scales would be rounded, as presented.
Social Security and Medicare percentage rates will remain the same; the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System retirement percentage for certified staff will increase to 6.24%, with no increase in the retirement percentage for support staff.
Medical insurance costs are budgeted to increase by 10% and the cost to update the school web site would be $1,000.
The budget includes $80,000 for two additional teaching positions at DCHS for the freshman academy; $80,000 for two extra teaching positions if needed; $40,000 for one teaching position needed at Smithville Elementary School; $80,000 for two teaching positions needed at Northside Elementary School; and $20,000 to increase a half time English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching position to a full time position.
Under the special education program, the budget includes $40,000 for one additional teaching position at DCHS; one vision position retained in the budget; one speech language position retained in the budget; and additional costs have been included for anticipated Leave of Absences and possible degree advancements.
The budget includes $20,000 for one county wide Attendance Clerical position and an increase in benefits for a support staff position.
The spending plan includes a Coordinated School Health Grant of $90,000 for a coordinator, a clerical position, along with benefits and supplies.
An increase has been figured into the budget for increased utility costs, supplies, fuel, etc.

Thousands will be flocking to Smithville for the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival Friday and Saturday, July 6th & 7th.
The musical competition kicks off on Friday morning, July 6th at 9:00 a.m.
Preliminaries will be held in the following categories:
Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (solos and duets); Flat Top Guitar; Junior Clogging (ages 13-39); Junior Buck Dancing (ages 13-39); Dobro Guitar; Mountain Dulcimer; Hammer Dulcimer; Novelty Event; Old Time Fiddle Band; Autoharp; Gospel Singing (solos); Country Harmonica; Old Time Banjo; Gospel Singing (duets, trios, and quartets); and Mandolin.
The top three acts in each category will be called back for the finals on Friday night and a first, second, and third place will be awarded.
All first place winners get $125, except the Old Time Fiddle Band, which gets $525 for first place.
Second place winners get $100 and third place winners receive $75. The Old Time Fiddle Band second place winner gets $425 and $325 for third place.
On Saturday, July 7th, starting at 9:00 a.m., preliminaries will be held in the following categories:
Junior Fiddlers (ages 13-39); Junior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance (ages up to 39); Senior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance ( ages 40 and over); Senior Buckdancing (ages 40 and over); Senior Clogging (ages 40 and over); Bluegrass Banjo; Bluegrass Band; Senior Fiddlers (ages 40 and over); and Square Dancing.
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be called back Saturday night to compete for first, second, and third place.
Prize money in most categories is $125 for first place; $100 for second place; and $75 for third place.
Awards for Junior Fiddlers and Senior Fiddlers are $225 for first place; $175 for second place; and $150 for third place.
Prizes for Bluegrass Band are $525 for first place; $425 for second place; and $325 for third place.
Awards for Square Dancing are $400 for first place; $300 for second place; and $200 for third place.
The winners of the Junior and Senior Fiddling competition will square off for the Grand Champion Award, the Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the festival. The winner gets $300.
Meanwhile, the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners will be held Saturday afternoon, July 7th during the Jamboree featuring competitions for children, up to age twelve, in the categories of Buck Dancing, Clogging, Dobro Guitar, Mandolin, Five String Banjo, Flat Top Guitar, and Fiddle.
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be brought back to compete for first, second, and third place.
Prizes are $100 for first place, $75 for second place; and $50 for third place. One child will receive the Best Overall Instrumental Entertainer Trophy Award and $125 and the top fiddler will get the James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Trophy and $175.
In addition to the on-stage musical entertainment, the Fiddlers Jamboree will feature hundreds of crafts, plenty of delicious food; and lots of shade tree picking around the public square.
WJLE will broadcast most of the on-stage entertainment LIVE.

The DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria will be held this week, July 23 through July 28.
The following events are scheduled:
Monday, July 23: DeKalb Idol Preview at 5:45 p.m. at the Lion’s Club Pavilion; Cattle Show at 6:00 p.m. at the grandstands ; Junior Fair Princess Pageant at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Fairest of the Fair Pageant at the Lions Club Pavilion. $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Tuesday, July 24th: Snow Bird from Channel 4 will be at the fairgrounds from 5-7 p.m.; DeKalb Idol Preview at 5:45 p.m. and the Little Mr. and Miss Pageant at 6:00 p.m. followed by David Turner and Friends at the Lions Club Pavilion; Go-Cart Racing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; and a Horse Show at 7:00 p.m. at the Grandstand; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Wednesday, July 25th: DeKalb Idol Preview at 5:45 p.m.; Little Miss Princess Pageant at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Miss Sweetheart Pageant at the Lions Club Pavilion; Four Wheeler and Motorcycle Racing at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Thursday, July 26th: Senior Citizen Day activities at 9:00 a.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion; DeKalb Idol Preview at 5:45 p.m.; a Baby Show at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Vintage Fashion Show at the Lions Club Pavilion; a Junior Goat Show at 6:00 p.m. at the barn; and Lawn Mower Racing at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Friday, July 27th: DeKalb Idol Preview at 5:45 p.m.; Toddler Show at 6:00 p.m. followed by Gospel Singing at the Lions Club Pavilion; an Antique Tractor Pull at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena; and a Demolition Derby at 7:00 p.m. at the Grandstand; $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol winners at the Pavilion.
Saturday, July 28th: DCHS Band at 5:00 p.m.; DeKalb Idol Final Competition at 6:00 p.m.; a Horse Shoe Tournament at 3:00 p.m. at the barn; and a Super Tractor and Truck Pull at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilltop Arena: $1000 cash giveaway at 9:00 p.m. and announcement of DeKalb Idol daily winners at the Pavilion..
You must be present to win the cash. Any unclaimed money during the week will be given away on Saturday night.
Rides on the Midway will be provided by the Family Attractions Amusement Company. Unlimited rides will be available each night for $14.00.
The fair will feature lots of delicious foods and many commercial, agricultural, and women’s exhibits.
Admission to the fair is $3.00 per person. Children under age four will be admitted free! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Parking is Free!
For more information, call 529-FAIR or visit on-line at www.dekalbcountyfair.us or dekalbtn.com.