The landfill is currently closed to the public while some work is being completed on a new cell site.
County Mayor Mike Foster, during a workshop with members of the county commission Thursday night, made the announcement but added that the garbage collection convenience sites across the county remain open.” The landfill is closed right now. We’re still collecting garbage like we normally do at all the sites but nobody can come to the landfill and dump right now because we are in the final stages of getting the new cell completed. The liner is in but we’ve got two huge ditches cut in through there that tie the liner in. Until those are closed and we gravel into the cell, which will probably be another four or five weeks, the landfill itself will be closed but we’ll still take the garbage at the dump sites.”

“We would like for people, if they have, like a barn or house or something that they’re going to tear down and bring to the landfill to put that off until we get the landfill open again. Household garbage from all of the convenience sites is being transported to either Carthage or to Sparta right now and we’re paying them to dump it there, but we’re not transporting any rough garbage, like a house destruction or demolition, because it’s time consuming and very expensive for us to haul it, plus we have to pay them to dump it.”
“We still have room at the landfill to dump, we just can’t get up there right now because of the ditches. As soon as they get that finished, we’ll continue to dump at the old site. We probably still have three more months of dump site remaining on the old site. On the new site, we can only put household garbage for the first two or three months until we get the liner covered.”
“If the weather holds, they will probably complete all the work, maybe within a week. Then we’ll take about two weeks to put the gravel on and as soon as the state inspects it, the site will be released to where we can go ahead and start dumping garbage.”
“A company out of Alabama got the contract to do the final work but we did a lot of the early excavations ourselves at the landfill which will hopefully save about $300,000 off the bid price. We put in some silt fence, drainage ditches, and some of the rip rap. It saved $300,000 off of the bid price, but it probably cost us $60,000 to do the work. We’ll still save $240,000 off of the initial bid price which was an estimated $1.3 million.”
Meanwhile, Foster says some repair work is being done on a leachate tank at the landfill. “The leachate tank had some little leaks in it. We’ve been working on it, putting sealer on it. It was a very small amount of water that was leaking out, but we’ve already got that stopped. We’re painting the whole tank with two new coats of this crystalline thing that you paint on and it actually grows into the concrete and seals that up. It’s very expensive, about $4,000, but it’s on a leachate tank that’s been there probably 25 years. By doing this we ought to get at least another ten years of service out of it. The water that seeps into the cell, instead of it going into the ground, we pump it up into this leachate tank, and then we can either dump it back into the cell or we can carry and have it treated and dumped.”

DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack is hosting a Passport Fair on Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to provide passport information concerning new travel regulations to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications.
The Passport Fair will be held in the clerk’s office at 1 Public Square, Room 303, Courthouse, downtown Smithville.
Ms. Pack is joining the Department of State in celebrating “Passport Day in the USA”, a national passport acceptance and outreach event.
On June 1st, U.S. citizens must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry.
Information on the cost and how to apply for a passport book and or a passport card is available at www.travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

A Remote Area Medical Expedition is scheduled for April 18th & 19th in Van Buren County but residents of DeKalb County may also take advantage of it.
County Mayor Mike Foster says a couple of vans will be available to transport people from DeKalb County who can’t make it on their own to this event in Spencer.
A similar event took place in DeKalb County at the high school in August, 2005

RAM is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that provides free medical care to people who cannot afford to pay – those who are uninsured, underinsured or unemployed. Services include eye exams and prescription glasses, dental care, including cleanings, fillings and extractions; hearing exams, bone density tests, blood work, cholesterol and diabetes screenings, pulmonary checks, pap smears, cancer screenings and medication assistance.

Eight candidates will be in the race for a seat on the city council in the Smithville Municipal Election this summer.
The qualifying deadline was noon today (Thursday), March 19th.
Three aldermen will be elected on Tuesday, June 16th, each to serve a two year term. Early voting will be held May 27th through June 11th. All voting will be conducted in the basement courtroom of the courthouse near the election commission office.
The three incumbent aldermen, Jerry Hutchins, Sr., Tonya Sullivan, and Willie Thomas, will all be seeking re-election. The challengers include Gary Durham, Shawn Jacobs, Aaron Meeks, Todd Van Dyne, and W.J. (Dub) White.
The deadline to register to vote in time for the election is May 18th.
The election commission also wants to remind you of the registration requirements.
In order to vote in the City of Smithville Elections, you must either reside inside the city limits or own property inside the city limits.
If you own property within the corporate limits of the City of Smithville but live outside the city, you may become a property rights voter as long as you reside in DeKalb County and own property at least 7,500 square feet in size inside the city.
This privilege is extended to no more than two persons per deed. If you meet these conditions you may register as a city voter with the DeKalb County Election Commission provided you show proof of property ownership and residency.
Officials say you must provide a certified copy of a deed and an affidavit that verifies that you still own the property. You must also provide a copy of your most recent DeKalb County property tax notice and proof of residence in DeKalb County by whatever proof is required by the Administrator of Elections.
Absentee Voting by Mail
To vote by mail, a registered voter must fall under one of the following categories:
The voter will be outside the county of registration during the early voting period and all day on election day;
The voter or the voter’s spouse is enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county of registration;
The voter’s licensed physician has filed a statement with the county election commission stating that, in the physician’s judgment, the voter is medically unable to vote in person. The statement must be filed not less than five (5) days before the election and signed under the penalty of perjury. The statement must be notarized;
The voter resides in a licensed facility providing relatively permanent domiciliary care, other than a penal institution, outside the voter’s county of residence;
The voter will be unable to vote in person due to service as a juror for a federal or state court;
The voter is sixty-five (65) years of age or older;
The voter has a physical disability and an inaccessible polling place;
The voter is hospitalized, ill, or physically disabled and because of such condition, cannot vote in person;
The voter is a caretaker of a person who is hospitalized, ill, or disabled;
The voter is a candidate for office in the election;
The voter serves as an election day official or as a member or employee of the election commission;
The voter’s observance of a religious holiday prevents him or her from voting in person during the early voting period and on election day;
The voter possesses a valid commercial driver license and certifies that he or she will be working outside the state or county of registration during the early voting period and all day on election day. The request should contain the CDL number;
The voter is a member of the military or is an overseas citizen.
Requesting a Ballot
A registered voter may request a by-mail ballot by sending a written request to the DeKalb County Election Commission. The request must have the voter’s signature. The request may be mailed or faxed to the county election commission office. Upon receipt of the request, the local election commission will mail an application for ballot to the voter. The application must be mailed back to the election commission and a ballot will be mailed to the voter.
However, if the voter wants to expedite the application process, the voter may place the following information in the request for ballot:
The name of the registered voter;
The address of the voter’s residence;
The voter’s social security number;
The address to mail the ballot outside the county (this applies only when the reason for voting by mail involves that the voter will be outside of the county during early voting and on election day);
The election the voter wishes to participate in. If the election involves a primary, the political party in which the voter wishes to participate;
The reason the voter wishes to vote absentee; and
The voter’s signature. (If the voter is unable to sign his/her name, contact the Election Commission office for details.)
A request that contains this information will be treated and processed as an application for ballot, and a ballot will be mailed to the voter.
A registered voter may request an application for by-mail ballot no earlier than ninety (90) days before the election and no later than seven (7) days before the election. To be processed for the next election, the application must be received by the election commission no later than five (5) days before the election.
In order to be counted the ballot must be received by election day. The ballot must be returned by mail and not hand delivered.
For more information call 597-4146 or go by the election commission office in the courthouse.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has added a valuable asset for law enforcement, rescue, and emergency management agencies in the Cookeville District of the THP.
A Bell Jet Ranger THP helicopter is now stationed in Crossville and available for service in the fifteen counties that encompass the Cookeville District, as well as calls for service in adjoining districts.
“We are very excited to have this valuable resource available within our district,” stated Captain David Allred, Commander of the THP Cookeville District. “This asset will greatly reduce our response time when the services of a helicopter are requested.”
Previously, the Bell Jet Ranger helicopter operated out of the Nashville District. The helicopter is equipped with an infrared system, as well as a fifteen million candlepower spotlight to assist in searches and rescue missions. The helicopter will also partner with ground units to conduct traffic enforcement during peak travel times, such as holidays.
The pilot of the helicopter is Trooper Greg Brown, who has served as a pilot for the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations unit since 2007. Trooper Brown began his career with the THP in 1997 as a road trooper in Bradley County. He transferred to Special Operations in 1999, working as a sniper, bomb tech, diver and Entry Team member. Prior to his employment with THP, Trooper Brown served in the U.S. Army from 1991-1996 as an Army Ranger in the Intelligence Division.
Trooper Brown introduced the helicopter recently at Cumberland Mountain State Park, along with Highway Patrol Command Staff, to various leaders of public safety agencies who might request the services of the Bell Jet Ranger Helicopter. The purpose of the presentation was to make local officials aware of the capabilities of the aircraft.
For more information, contact Special Programs Lieutenant R.C. Christian (931) 644-1980 or 931-526-6143.

Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker had some good news for the Mayor and Aldermen Monday night.
According to Chief Parker, the fire-protection services of the City of Smithville, as evaluated and rated by Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), has improved from Class 7 to Class 6, which will likely mean a savings on city homeowner’s insurance premiums. “A little over a week ago we received our new ISO rating. A representative from the ISO was here in November and did a survey which is what determines our rating for the city for our fire protection, which the insurance companies use to rate insurance premiums on homes and businesses inside the city.”
” I am proud to announce that we actually dropped down a class. We were at a class 7. The grade that we came back with is a 49.64 which puts us in a class 6 category so we did improve and drop down one class. We’re only about a half a point away from going down to a class 5 which is a big accomplishment. The lowering of one class will help on insurance rates. We still want to continue to try to lower it even more and get into a class 5. That will help (reduce) insurance rates inside the city even more for residential homes, businesses, and factories. It’s also a drawing card for other industries who start looking around and when they see the classification for the city, it is a bonus to them.”
“I would also like to see the fire department continue to improve even more. I would like to see if we could sit down in a workshop or a meeting with the mayor and board of aldermen and go over this review plan that we have and explain any questions that you may have on how we can improve it. There are areas we can improve in. It’s not just in the fire department, there’s water protection things we have to work on. We have a goal of at least going to a class 4. It’s well within our reach. We are very lucky to be at the class 6 where we are (compared to other cities). It would be even better to go to a class 5. It would be phenomenal if we could go to a class 4. There are some proposals we have, looking toward the future for personnel, equipment, and there are some grants that are available but we do need to have a commitment from the city on that (grants).”
“I would like to see if we could sit down and discuss it and see if we can move forward for all the citizens of Smithville.”
Although it was not specifically mentioned Monday night, Chief Parker has said previously that the department would like to have at least a few paid firefighters on staff and a ladder truck at some point in the future.
The mayor and aldermen have agreed to conduct a workshop with members of the fire department to discuss their plans.
In other business, concerned citizen and Smithville Alderman candidate Gary Durham came before the mayor and aldermen Monday night with questions about why the city’s water supply is not treated with flouride. “Has the flouride treatment at the water plant been out of service for sometime? Is it in service at present? If it has been out of service, how long has it been out? And what’s the date that you expect to put it back in service?
Mayor Taft Hendrixson responded, ” It is not in service. Flouride is not being added. I’m not sure how long it’s been. It’s not state mandated. We get letters in here from different people. Some say use it, some say don’t use it.”
Durham: ” I have statements here from the U.S. Surgeon General and from the American Dental Association and several others that totally recommend it and have recommended it for over 50 years. It’s basically for kids and mostly teenagers and younger for decay and plaque (prevention).”
Durham asked, “Why wasn’t it (information) given to the media so they could have at least addressed it so parents could have been told to buy toothpaste with floruide or given them some type of warning? Is there any reason?”
Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson: ” I talked to Mr. Johnny Walker who is over the water supply with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. It is not state mandated. The last time I talked to him, which was last week, he said that just three or four months ago, EPA put out a bulletin and they recommended not using flouride in water, especially warning women mixing baby formula to not use water with floruide.”
Durham: “If we put it (floruide) in this water, and I know it was there in 1984 and for at least 20 years, why did we stop? And if we did stop, why didn’t we notify the people? You notified them when it was going in (the water), I know. I think we should have at least notified the people if we were not going to put flouride in the water.”
Hunter Hendrixson: “I knew flouride wasn’t being put in there, but I had contacted the state.”
Durham: “It’s not a state issue. It’s a local issue.”
Mayor Hendrixson: ” I guess, Gary that’s a decision of this board, if they want it in there.”
Durham:” I think it ought to be brought up. I would like an answer to it for the public.”
Hunter Hendrixson: I’d like to get a statement from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Mr. Johnny Walker out of the Cookeville Office, and see what he has to say. I know many cities are getting away from flouride. I’ve had several people tell me that dentists are concerned about it but I’ve not had the first dentist contact me.”
Alderman Tonya Sullivan: ” I have had a dental hygienist report to me that she has a letter stating that Smithville does not have flouride in the water and that it is a problem for children.”
Durham: “I personally talked to a dentist in this town and that dentist particularly is very concerned along with other dentists, which I did not talk to but he has.”
The mayor and aldermen agreed to conduct a workshop to study the issue further and report back with their findings at another city council meeting.
Also Monday night, Mayor Hendrixson appointed Walter Burton to fill the unexpired term of the late John Bill Evins on the Smithville Electric System Board. He also appointed Tim Stribling as a member of the Smithville Industrial Development Board, to serve out the remaining term of his brother Leon Stribling, who recently resigned.
The aldermen voted 4 to 0 to approve the appointment of Stribling. However the board was split 2 to 2 on Burton’s appointment. Mayor Hendrixson cast the tie breaking vote in favor of Burton. Aldermen Steve White and Cecil Burger voted for Burton but Aldermen Tonya Sullivan and Jerry Hutchins, Sr. voted no. Alderman Willie Thomas was absent.
Alderman Sullivan complained that the appointments of Stribling and Burton were not included on the regular meeting agenda for Monday night, and that the mayor may have violated the city charter by not presenting his request in writing to the aldermen. “I’m just wondering why we can’t get this on the agenda so we could have time to talk. I have spoken to several people who are interested in that Smithville Electric position, but we (aldermen) haven’t discussed anything and I haven’t seen it in writing on the agenda, as to be able to talk to anyone from Smithville Electric to see what their thoughts are on who they want to work with. I’m not opposed to appointing someone but I would like to be a little more notified.”
Mayor Hendrixson responded, “It can be on the agenda, but it doesn’t have to be on the agenda.”
Alderman Sullivan: “I think in the (city) code and charter it says that you’re supposed to submit that to us in writing as to who you want to appoint.”
Mayor Hendrixson answered, “No ma’am I don’t think it says that. The code says I will lay before the board any business I deem necessary to come before the board. That’s what the charter says.”
Alderman Sullivan: “But I’m talking about specifically appointments to city boards. I think it says you’re supposed to do that in writing.’
Mayor Hendrixson: “I would like to appoint Walter Burton to the board of Smithville Electric.
Alderman Steve White: “I move that we appoint him.”
Alderman Sullivan: “Was this not already declined at a previous meeting?”
Mayor Hendrixson: “Yes ma’am it was”.
Alderman Sullivan: “So once we vote on it, we just keep voting on it until you get the answer you want? We’re not going to do this in writing?”
Mayor Hendrixson:”I may not get the answer I want. Are you going to decline it until you get the answer you want? Is that what you’re telling me too?”
Alderman Sullivan: “No sir, I would like for this to be on the agenda or in writing like the code and charter says and I would like to appeal to the secretary-treasurer that he check to see before we make that vote.”
Alderman Steve White: “There’s a motion on the table.”
Alderman Sullivan: “Okay. We’ve got a code and charter, I thought we were supposed to be following that.’
Mayor Hendrixson:”We do and to my knowledge we are following that.”
Alderman Sullivan: “We’re not following that.”
Mayor Hendrixson tried to appoint Burton to the Smithville Electric System Board during the February 2nd meeting, but the aldermen denied the appointment on a 3 to 2 vote with Aldermen Sullivan, Hutchins, and Thomas voting no and Aldermen White and Burger voting in favor of Burton.

With burglaries and thefts on the rise recently, Sheriff Patrick Ray is asking you to be more aware of your surroundings to guard against becoming a victim.
“If there are strange vehicles or people walking in your neighborhood who you don’t know, call us and we will come and check them out”, said Sheriff Ray. “Most thieves will case out houses to break into. Thieves will try to figure out a “day to day pattern” of victims to try and set a time to break into the victim’s residence.”
Sheriff Ray also urges you to keep your vehicle doors locked when they are parked and unattended. “Thieves have entered unlocked vehicles and broken out windows trying to steal items they have seen lying in the vehicle such as gifts, purses and bags. GPS devices are also a target. Make sure to take down your GPS device off the window including the suction cup. A GPS suction cup stuck to a window tells the thief that the GPS is probably in the glove box or under the seat. There have been vehicle thefts like this in the western part of the county around the Snows Hill area. If at anytime of the night you hear a noise such as a bang or glass breakage, we encourage you to call us immediately so a deputy can check it out.”
“We have also had theft reports in the Dale Ridge Road and the Temperance Hall areas where thieves have been stealing items such as lawn furniture, rocking chairs, hose pipes, gas grills, wooden benches, and power lawn tools such as leaf blowers. ”
“Motion lights are great tools to keep thieves away from your vehicle, home, and outbuildings. A motion light will activate if something or someone moves in front of the sensor alerting you something is out there. The motion light is inexpensive and easy to install.”
“If you notice any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, you may call the Central Dispatch Center at 215-3000 so an officer can assist or if you know of anyone selling items such as the ones listed above, you may call me at 597-4935 or the Crime Tip Line at 464-6400. All calls are kept confidential.”