State Senator Mae Beavers and Representative Terri Lynn Weaver recently met to discuss the upcoming legislative session. In particular, the issue of easing the economic burden on small businesses and contractors during these hard economic times was at the top of their agenda.
“We cannot expect small businesses, particularly those sole proprietors and small contracting companies, to emerge from what has been a devastating few years in the economy and housing market if the state and federal governments continue to burden them with regulations and fees,” said Sen. Beavers. “Self-employed contractors are hurting enough as it is; the state doesn’t need to help put them out of business.”
The particular law addressed was a bill passed in 2008 that required all contractors and subcontractors – even those sole proprietorships whose owner is the only employee – to carry additional workers compensation insurance. The law will go into effect in 2010 after attempts to delay its implementation until the current economic crisis subsides was defeated in committee this year.
Rep. Weaver was not a member of the legislature when the bill passed, but nonetheless feels it is her responsibility to her district in these hard economic times to sponsor legislation that repeals this law. “Part of the reason I was elected was to help small businesses in my rural counties. The last thing these self-employed people need are more hurdles to clear when our economy is in need of a boost,” Weaver said.
Sen. Beavers was one of only five Senators who voted against the bill on the floor last session. “You have to be aware of the economic climate and what effects that state mandates will have when the legislature passes bills,” said Beavers. “And whereas I do think this issue should be discussed further in the coming years, I believe many legislators, including Republicans, were quite short-sighted when they passed this law.”
Rep. Weaver added, “Now is not the time to start putting yet another fee, regulation, or tax on self-employed businesses.”
Both Sen. Beavers and Rep. Weaver urge everyone to call their other legislators and ask them to support the bill they will be filing to repeal the 2008 law, in particular those who voted aye for the 2008 bill.

Lou Ann Zelenik has announced she has filed the necessary documents with the Federal Election Commission to formally enter the race for Congress in Tennessee’s Sixth District.
Zelenik, a small business owner for more than twenty years and current chairman of the Rutherford County Republican Party, will seek the party’s nomination to oppose Congressman Bart Gordon in November of 2010. She enters the race with a pledge to provide representation that reflects the growing conservative views of the Sixth District.
“In his twenty-five years in Congress, Bart Gordon has steadily moved away from the views of this district,” Zelenik said. “As Middle Tennessee has embraced a more conservative philosophy, he has become an increasingly reliable vote for the liberal leadership in Congress. Tennesseans have said we are looking for someone who stands with us. Congressman Gordon has shown he prefers to stand with Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.”
Zelenik co-founded L&N Construction in 1985 and closed the successful business in 2007. In announcing her bid, she emphasized her understanding of the impact government policy has on small business and job creation in a faltering economy. “I understand priorities. I understand that families and businesses must live within our means but Congress spends our money at an unprecedented rate. Bart Gordon’s ‘stimulus’ package was sold to the people as necessary to keep unemployment under eight percent. Today it stands near ten percent. His vote to force a ‘Cap and Trade’ energy tax on families in the Sixth District threatens to kill more jobs when government should be on the side of working Tennesseans. His decision to support government-run health care runs counter to the values of Tennesseans. Bart Gordon’s addictions to the perks and privilege of the Washington lifestyle have made him a loyal supporter of Nancy Pelosi and her leftist agenda.”
Zelenik pledged to return representation to the Sixth District that hears the voices of Tennesseans and stands up for their values. “We understand that lower taxes create more economic opportunity. We understand that government policy should be driven by the interests of the people, not the political action committees. I will work to put the government back on the side of working families and give Tennesseans a voice in Washington. I enter this race knowing it will be difficult. Bart Gordon will be well financed by special interests. He will have the backing of ACORN and liberal national groups who don’t care about Tennessee. But our children’s future is worth the fight and I am ready to get to work. I ask the voters of the Sixth District to join me in this cause.”
Zelenik is the mother of one daughter. She is a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering and attends World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Three people were arrested Saturday by the Sheriff’s Department..
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 35 year old Darrell Jerome Gurley of Parsley Road, Smithville is charged with criminal impersonation in addition to two warrants for violation of probation. 32 year old Michelle Lee Culwell of Parsley Road is charged with simple possession of a schedule III drug (Hydrocodone) and 29 year old Heather Perkins of Mountain View Drive, Smithville faces a charge of tampering with evidence.
According to Sheriff Ray, a deputy, while on patrol on Highway 56 north Saturday, spotted Gurley sitting with two females, Culwell and Perkins, in a vehicle at the parking lot of a local business. The officer had prior knowledge of two active violation of probation warrants on Gurley so he stopped to speak with him. Gurley initially identified himself as Paul Allen Sullivan and gave a date of birth and social security number. But after the officer confronted him about his identity, Gurley gave his real name. Gurley’s bond is $1,000 and he will appear in court on October 15th. After receiving consent to search from Gurley and the women, the officer found ten pink pills believed to be Hydrocodone in Culwell’s pocketbook. Culwell said she had no prescription for the pills. Her bond was set at $1,000 and she will appear in court on October 15th. While searching the vehicle, the officer also noticed that the other passenger, Perkins, was trying to conceal something in her pants. The officer asked Perkins to empty her pockets and she produced a small container that was missing the lid. He inquired about what was in the container and where it went and she replied that it was a Xanax and that she had swallowed it. Perkins added that she did not have a prescription for the drug and that she had purchased it from a friend. Her bond was set at $1,000 and she will appear in court on October 15th
Meanwhile, 50 year old Jack Christopher Adams of Petty Road, Smithville was arrested on September 28th after a deputy spotted him operating a motor vehicle on Highway 56 South. The officer had prior knowledge that Adams’ drivers license was revoked. After stopping Adams, the officer confirmed that his driver’s license was revoked for a conviction of driving under the influence on January 3rd, 2008. Adams also had eight separate prior charges of driving on a revoked driver’s license. Adams’ bond was set at $15,000 and he will appear in court on October 15th.
On Sunday, October 4th, deputies were dispatched to an auto accident on Highway 146. After speaking to the driver, the investigating officer arrested 31 year old Phillip Miranda of Cecil Hale Road Smithville for driving on a revoked driver’s license. Miranda’s license was revoked for a driving under the influence conviction on June 17th, 2008. Miranda’s bond was set at $1,000. He was also issued a citation for no insurance and failure to maintain his lane of travel on the roadway.

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce recently presented a Milestone Award to the New Bildad Primitive Baptist Church in celebration of the church’s Bicentennial.
Elder Ricky Arnold, pastor of the church, says the church has been in the Seven Springs-Keltonburg community for 200 years.” We want to take this opportunity to thank God for His amazing Grace. In 200 years, the church has probably touched the lives of a lot of people and families that are here in DeKalb County. We’d love for those folks to come back and visit us.”
“The church divided in 1854 and the church that became known as Old Bildad changed their original church covenant but the church that became known as New Bildad still holds the church covenant and the Articles of Faith from 1809 and we still practice and worship as they did 200 years ago. We have a rich history and we want to thank God for that.”
Pictured from left:
Debbie Arnold, Pastor Ricky Arnold, Deacon Ralph Arnold, Chamber Director
Suzanne Williams

A 33 year old Smithville woman was injured in a one vehicle accident Wednesday morning on Highway 70 in Alexandria near Highway 53.
Trooper Darrell Knowles of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says Lynda M. Neville was traveling west on Highway 70 in a 2006 Kia when she went off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, came back across the left side of the road, hit a road sign, a ditch, and a culvert.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Rescue team were summoned to the scene to extricate Neville from her vehicle. She was airlifted from nearby by a Life Force Helicopter Ambulance and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
Trooper Knowles says Neville’s injuries were not believed to have been life threatening.
Others on the scene were members of DeKalb EMS, the Alexandria Police Department, the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

The DeKalb County Tigers snapped a two game losing skid Friday night with an 18 to 15 win at York Institute.
The victory improves the Tigers record to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in District 8AA.
Neither team scored in the first quarter and points were precious in the second quarter.
York Institute’s first half score came on a four yard Matt Brown touchdown run with 7:37 left in the second period. The P.A.T. kick was good and the Dragons led 7-0.
The Tigers only points of the first half came on the leg of kicker Zach Taylor who connected on a 31 yard field goal with 3:35 left in the second quarter to trim the Dragon lead to 7-3. That was the half time score.
Taylor was called upon for another 31 yard field goal try with 10:04 left in the third period and again came through to pull the Tigers to within one at 7-6.
DeKalb County got their first touchdown of the night later in the third period on a 12 yard run by Tyler Weatherby. The two point conversion attempt failed but the Tigers led 12-7. That was the score at the end of the third period.
York Institute took the lead again with 10:34 left in the fourth period on a 45 yard punt return by Tyrel Asberry. The Dragons also scored on the two point conversion try and pulled ahead of the Tigers 15 to 12.
DeKalb County scored it’s next go ahead touchdown with 7:38 left in the fourth period on a five yard quarterback keeper by Hunter Poteete. Taylor’s P.A.T. attempt was no good but the Tigers led 18 to 15.
On their final drive, the Dragons were moving the ball on the ground against the Tigers and found themselves in scoring position with less than a minute and a half left in the game, but Abram Edwards picked off a pass by the Dragon quarterback to seal York Institute’s fate and preserve a DeKalb County lead and victory.

Smithville Police, investigating a reported child neglect case Thursday, found drugs and made five arrests at a residence on West Main Street.
Chief Richard Jennings says 52 year old Billy Joe Rigsby and 44 year old Marla A. Turner of 214 West Main Street are charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and simple possession. 19 year old Phyllis Danielle Lack of 214 West Main Street is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. 24 year old David Franklin Turner and 21 year old Toni Michelle Turner are charged with child abuse and neglect.
Officer Travis Bryant says he initially responded to a call of a child in the street and a subsequent investigation of a possible child neglect case was conducted by Detective Jerry Hutchins, who responded to the home of Billy Joe Rigsby and Marla Turner at 214 West Main Street along with Drema Edel of the Department of Children Services. Upon arrival Detective Hutchins and Edel spoke with both David and Toni Turner, the parents of the child. Danielle Lack,.Billy Joe Rigsby, Marla Turner were also at the residence. Rigsby and Marla Turner gave the officers consent to search the premises and Chief Jennings, Patrolman Matt Farmer, K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow and Patrolman Randy King joined Detective Hutchins at the scene.
The search revealed a bottle containing yellow pills believed to be K-4 Dilaudid. Several clean and dirty needles were also found through out the home along with several cut straws containing residue and a prescription belonging to someone who was not present.
Bond for Rigsby and Marla Turner was set at $30,000 each $5,000 each for David and Toni Turner. All five defendants are to appear in court October 22nd.
36 year old John Allan Judkins of 4762 Jefferson Road was arrested Thursday, October 1st for possession of drug paraphernalia. According to the report, on that day Officer Bradley Tatrow observed a vehicle driving erratically on West Broad Street near Stewart’s Auto. Upon activation of blue lights to signal the vehicle to stop, the automobile continued to travel for about ¾ miles before stopping. While behind the vehicle, Officer Tatrow saw the passenger of the vehicle reach into the back seat. Upon making contact with the driver, Dale Evans and passenger John Judkins, Officer Tatrow immediately executed a safety pat down of the men for weapons. Evans gave verbal consent to search his vehicle and one used hypodermic needle along with a cut off straw with powdery residue were recovered from the back seat area where Tatrow had observed Judkins reaching while the vehicle was in motion. Judkins was placed under arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia and transported to the Smithville Police Department. His bond was set at $1,000 and his court date is October 29th.
47 year old Dawn Elizabeth Beavers of 731 Webb Lane was arrested Friday, October 2nd for theft of property. Detective Jerry Hutchins arrested Beavers for allegedly taking $20 scratch off tickets from Kwik N Ezy, where she worked, and putting the tickets in her purse without paying for them. According to the report, Beavers has committed this act several times in the past. The total value of the stolen tickets amounts to more than $10,000. Beavers allegedly cashed in the winning tickets at other stores. Her bond is set at $10,000 and her court date is October 22nd.
28 year old Julian G Soto of 203 Bryant St was arrested September 25th for driving under the influence. According to the report, on that date Officer Bradley Tatrow observed a vehicle traveling 55 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone on Highway 146 North. Upon stopping the vehicle, Officer Tatrow made contact with Soto, the driver. Soto had an odor of an alcoholic beverage about his person and he was unsteady on his feet. Soto submitted to and performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was placed under arrest for DUI. Soto refused a chemical test to determine the alcohol/drug content of his blood and he was charged with a violation of the implied consent law. His bond was set at $1,000 and his court date is October 15th.
21 year old Pablo O. Valenciano was arrested on September 27th for violation of probation. Officer Randy King reports that he pulled over Valenciano for failing to yield to a stop sign at the corner of Miller Road and Anthony Avenue in Smithville. He did not have a license, insurance or registration. After issuing citations, Officer King was advised that Valenciano was wanted for violation of probation in Warren County. He was placed under arrest and transported to the police department.
Meanwhile, Chief Jennings says citizens and business operators need to be aware that counterfeit twenty (20) dollar bills are circulating in the city and county. If you receive one of these bills, please call Central Dispatch at 215-3000 and they will send an officer or deputy to make a report.

The DeKalb County Beer Board, following a hearing, voted five to nothing Thursday night to revoke the off premises permit of Nicoles Market at 7024 Short Mountain Highway.
The owner of the store, Areceli Soto has ten days to file an appeal to the Chancery Court through her attorney Frank Buck. Unless a court injunction or restraining order is sought to prevent the beer board from enforcing the revocation, no further beer sales will be permitted at Nicoles Market effective immediately.
Ms. Soto, who apparently speaks little or no English, answered questions from her attorney through her brother who served as an interpreter during the hearing. Her brother also apparently works in the store.
Ms Soto said she has spent about $5,000 upgrading the coolers in the store where the beer is kept and that she has about $5,000 worth of beer in inventory. That investment, she said, would be lost if her beer permit were revoked and she might even have to go out of business. Ms. Soto said she would like to have at least thirty days to dispose of her inventory.
Chairman Mack Harney asked County Attorney Hilton Conger whether the beer board could vote to revoke now and have it take effect November 1st. Conger said a revocation is immediate and the only way it could be postponed would be for the board to delay it’s action to revoke until another meeting.
In November 2008, the beer board granted the off premises permit for Nicole’s Market apparently not knowing the store is less than 2,000 feet from the Mount Pisgah Free Will Baptist Church, a violation of the county’s distance regulations
DeKalb County has a rule forbidding the sale, storage and manufacture of beer and like beverages within 2,000 feet (or some lesser distance) of schools, churches, and other places of public gathering.
In making his case for the revocation, Conger said the county commission, in 1939 adopted a resolution establishing the distance requirement and that Nicole’s Market is clearly in violation.”The quarterly court of DeKalb County that met in regular session in October 1939 adopted regulations for the guidance of the beer committee which states that no permit shall be issued for the sale, storage, or manufacture of beer at locations which are within 2,000 feet of any church, school, or other place of public gathering. And then we have a survey of Mr. Eugene O’Neil showing that Nicoles Market is 1,439 feet from building to building (to the church). That would be the proof that the county would offer for the revocation of this permit, that it is certainly within the 2,000 foot rule.”
Buck asked the board to consider the predicament in which this places Ms. Soto and her family.”Gentlemen, these people didn’t lie to anybody. They didn’t tell any lies here. The board should have probably checked it out (distance between the store and church). We should have probably checked it out. But certainly it’s not a circumstance where these people willfully tried to trick anybody. It would be my hope that the board would consider the possibility of permitting these folks to have sixty days to dispose of their inventory, thirty days, or forty five days. Had this been a fraud case, had this been somebody coming in here and not telling the truth, it would be a different matter. But that’s not what happened here.”
The board, apparently unwilling to wait any longer, voted to revoke the permit. Board member Harrell Tolbert made the motion, based on the proof presented by Conger. Board member Frank Thomas seconded the motion. Board members Harney, Jim Stagi, and Basil Dick Knowles joined Tolbert and Thomas in voting for the revocation. Board members Robert Rowe and Edward Frazier were absent.
Approximately twenty five people, mostly residents of the community, attended the meeting and looked on quietly during the hearing as the board delivered it’s decision.