As members of the U.S. House and Senate return to Washington this week, Congressman Diane Black is hopeful that a deal can be reached on federal spending levels by Friday in order to avoid a government shutdown.
Congressman Black visited DeKalb County Friday to meet with constituents as well as local public officials and business and industry representatives.
In a brief interview with WJLE afterwards, Congressman Black talked about efforts in the U.S. House to get federal spending under control.
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The U.S. House has already taken action to cut $100 billion dollars from this year’s budget, a measure which has been sent to the Senate. However, since senators have been on recess and haven’t had a chance to consider it yet, Congressman Black said lawmakers will most likely adopt a continuing budget resolution in the meantime. “Last week we sent a bill over to the Senate that cut about $100 billion out of the current budget. It’s our job to give them what we think is reasonable, what we think is good for this country and we hope that they (Senate) will be reasonable people and go along with us so that we can balance this budget.”
“It may be that the Senate will not have time to fully take up our HR 1 which is the bill that we sent to them recently. They have been out on recess and they may not have time to fully take that up so what you may see is a short term continuing resolution, maybe for a two week period of time. But in that will also be cuts. That will give them more time to fully discuss the bill that we sent to them” said Congressman Black.
Congressman Black said members of the House do not want a government shutdown. Their only intent, she said is to get spending under control. “A government shut down is certainly not our intent. Our intent is to balance the budget and that’s the reason why we work so hard. We had ninety hours of debate on this last week. Debates that went until four thirty in the morning because we were serious about getting to the Senate what we consider to be a reasonable continuing resolution. Our job was to give them something we thought was reasonable. It is certainly, absolutely not our intent to close down the government. We want to do what the people are asking us to do and that is to be responsible.”
Congressman Black said controlling federal spending is what her constituents are most concerned about. “Probably the most important issue that everybody has on their minds is the amount of spending and the fact that we are out of balance. When you look at the $14.5 trillion dollars in debt that we currently have piled up, $1 billion dollars a day, it’s hard for most people who are just everyday people like myself and you to even think about $1 billion dollars. Yet, we’re continuing to spend that day after day. Whether people are democrats or republicans or independents, I’m hearing from folks saying, “hey, get this debt under control.” Our grandchildren and our children don’t need to pay for this down the road, we need to be responsible adults and do the thing we need to do right now to balance the budget.”
During her visit to DeKalb County on Friday, Congressman Black met with local elected officials as well as business and industry representatives to give them a chance to share their concerns with her. “I am here to listen to the elected officials, the business men and women in town, and constituents. I’m taking it very seriously that when we have this week off and can be back in the district that I am here, hearing from people. That’s important. As a representative, that’s my job. So I’m visiting as many counties as I can every time I’m back in the district, which is one week a month and we’ll continue to do this.”

The DeKalb County Trustee’s Office was a busy place Monday as last minute taxpayers hurried to beat the deadline for payment of 2010 property taxes without penalty.
For those who didn’t beat the deadline, a 1.5% per month penalty and interest will begin to accrue on 2010 taxes yet unpaid, starting March 1st.
Trustee Sean Driver said as of the close of business Monday, February 28th, collections were at 86.5%, which is almost as much as one year ago. “A lot of people came in today, even though it was a bad rainy day. We received a lot of mail today and I’m assuming more mail will come in the next two days, as far as postmarked mail and we’ll be able to add to our collection percentages. As of right now, (February 28th) I finished with 86.5% in collections. That’s about 1-1/2% off what it was this time last year but that can change with incoming mail tomorrow. From total tax rolls, which is $6.8 million, there’s still about $950,000 that’s still floating out there (yet to be collected). Of course a lot of people are out of work. We understand that. We wish we could do a whole lot more for them.”
Driver said taxes may still be paid in person, or by debit or credit card either by phone, in the trustee’s office or on-line at www.tennesseetrustee.com. ” We are offering credit and debit card processing through the Business Information Systems for the property owners of DeKalb County. You may pay your property taxes using a VISA, MASTERCARD, or DISCOVER card. It can be handled on-line, in the Trustee’s Office, or by phone.”
In addition to the monthly accrued penalty and interest, Driver explained that a 2.75% convenience fee will be added to your tax bill, if you take advantage of on-line payment. However that convenience fee is collected through Business Information Systems, not the county. “If you want to do those payments on line, it is fast, easy, and secure. On-line payments may be made at www.tennesseetrustee.com. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also pay your taxes with the accrued penalty and interest in our office at 1 public square, room 206 in the DeKalb County Courthouse. Our phone number is 615-597-5176. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.”
Driver said he is also looking into the possibility of implementing a plan in the future where taxpayers could make partial payments during the year until their entire tax bill is paid. “We are looking into accepting partial payments. We’re trying to work with the Clerk and Master on trying to get some kind of program up on that. We do need to get caught up further on prior year taxes.”
Meanwhile, property taxes from 2009 may be paid in the trustee’s office through Thursday, March 31st with the accrued interest and penalty. After that, unpaid 2009 taxes will be turned over to the clerk and master’s office and subject to additional fees.

The DeKalb County Commission Monday night paid tribute to Eagle Scout Michael Caldwell by adopting a resolution in his honor.
County Mayor Mike Foster read the resolution which states “Whereas, it is fitting that the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor should announce their pride, respect, and honor in the young people of our community who so capably fulfill their requirements and duties to reach lofty goals and levels of achievement.”
“Whereas, Michael Caldwell has performed the tasks to work his way to the highest honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America. Michael Caldwell has worked to a level achieved by a very select few and has earned the Eagle Award.”
“Whereas, the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor wish to thank Michael Caldwell, his family, other scouts who helped and his leaders for the honors they have brought to themselves and DeKalb County.”
“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the DeKalb County Commission that February 28th, 2011 be officially named “Eagle Scout, Michael Caldwell Day.”
Be it further resolved that this accomplishment be spread across the records of this meeting and preserved as a lasting part of our appreciation to Eagle Scout Michael Caldwell”
Caldwell is the son of Rose Brown and the late Jeremy Caldwell.

39 year old Tammy Denise Currie of East Main Street, Dowelltown is charged with public intoxication and criminal impersonation. Her bond totals $3,000 and her court date is set for March 3rd.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Monday, February 21st a deputy was called to check out a person on East Main Street in Dowelltown who may have been intoxicated
Upon arrival, the officer saw the woman walking down the street. She was very unsteady on her feet. She admitted to the officer that she had taken xanax and hydrocodone pills. When he asked for her identity, she told him her name was Stephanie Mooneyham. A further investigation revealed her name to be Tammy Currie. The deputy placed Currie under arrest to keep her from walking out in front of vehicles.
53 year old Donna Faye Hewell of Hawkins Drive, Smithville was issued a citation for two counts of simple possession including one for a schedule III and the other for a schedule IV controlled substance. She was also issued a citation for failing to maintain proper lane of travel. Hewell will appear in court on March 10th.
Sheriff Ray said that a deputy stopped her vehicle on Saturday, February 26th for failing to maintain proper lane of travel. Hewell gave the officer consent to search and he found, in her purse, three blue pills believed to be Loratab, which is a schedule III controlled substance. Four small blue bills were also found, believed to be xanax, which is a schedule IV controlled substance.

A fire Saturday night caused extensive damage to the home of Greta Higgins at 905 West Main Street in Kings Trailer Court, located behind the old Westgate (Piggly Wiggly) Shopping Center.
Central dispatch received the call at 7:57 p.m.
Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said that Ms Higgins was cooking when a grease spill sparked the blaze which spread throughout the kitchen and into the living room. City firefighters were able to contain the fire to those areas, although it did render significant damage. Heat and smoke spread throughout the rest of the trailer.
Ms. Higgins was able to escape unharmed.