The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department will soon have its first ever ladder truck, possibly within ninety days.
The aldermen Monday night, on a 4-0 vote, adopted a recommendation by Fire Chief Charlie Parker to accept a bid from EVS-Midsouth, Inc of Memphis in the amount of $746,705 for a Pierce Impel 75 foot Hal Quint aerial ladder truck with a 1,750 gallon per minute pump/500 gallon tank. This was the lowest of the two bids submitted. The other bid was from Cumberland International Trucks of Nashville for a 2012 Sutphen 75 Foot Pumper/Ladder with a Stainless Steel Rescue Style Body complete and delivered in the amount of $785,818.
Alderman Danny Washer made the motion to accept the bid from EVS-Midsouth to purchase the ladder truck. Alderman Shawn Jacobs offered a second to the motion. Aldermen Steve White and Cecil Burger joined Jacobs and Washer in voting in favor. Alderman Gayla Hendrix was absent.
(SEE VIDEO BELOW OF DEMO LADDER TRUCK SIMILAR TO TRUCK BEING PURCHASED BY THE CITY)

Chief Parker said EVS-Midsouth, Inc not only had the lowest bid but also met all the city’s bid specs.”The price on this is not just for the ladder truck itself. This is for all the equipment that goes on the truck, the air packs, the hose, the nozzles, everything to make it fully compliant and there’s also a few extra pieces of equipment in there to make sure it works with our current fleet. There are some adaptors, intakes, and other things to adapt the hose from the ladder truck to what we’ve got to make sure everything will match up to all three trucks. That equipment is in this price also,” he said.
Chief Parker said he and the officers of the city fire department met last week along with alderman and fire commissioner Shawn Jacobs and voted to recommend the bid from EVS-Midsouth. “Our officers met along with Mr. Jacobs on Tuesday night and we reviewed the specs. It was our recommendation to go with the cheaper one (bid) from EVS-Midsouth. I discussed with Alderman Jacobs about the financing. There had been some discussion about whether to do it outright or whether to finance it. I was going to leave that up to the board’s discretion and let the mayor and aldermen see the best option for that as far as paying for it. We do recommend going with this one (EVS-Midsouth). It does meet all of our specs and it does have all the equipment. It would have everything on it ready to go,” said Chief Parker.
City firefighters have already had some training in the use of a ladder truck, according to Chief Parker, with more training to come, “Yes, we have had training and we’re also setting up another class in the future to get everybody through it again so there is still more training to come on it. We have had some but there will be more training after the truck is delivered. We also have another sixteen hour class that I am trying to get scheduled. So there would be more extensive training to go on it yet,’ he said.
The bid from EVS-Midsouth, Inc contained options for financing the purchase from three to five years at interest rates of 2.45% or 2.55%. Cumberland International Trucks included financing options of from three to seven years at interest rates of 2.45% to 2.66%.
The aldermen, at the suggestion of Mayor Taft Hendrixson, chose to make the initial $250,000 down payment to EVS-Midsouth for the truck when ordered as called for in the bid, and to pay the rest off when the truck is delivered, which is expected to be within ninety days. Mayor Hendrixson said he saw no reason to pay interest when the city has the money in the bank to buy the truck. “My suggestion is on paying for it. If you do it on a three year deal it is going to cost you up to $28,000 interest. We’ve got the money to pay for it and I’ve never been one to pay interest if you’ve got the money. My suggestion is to pay the $250,000 now and when it’s delivered, pay the rest of it,” said Mayor Hendrixson.
All the money for the purchase will come out of the city’s general fund reserve. The down payment will be paid in this budget year. The remainder will be allocated in the 2012-13 budget year, which begins July 1st
In response to Mayor Hendrixson’s suggestion, Alderman Jacobs said “that makes sense to me and that still will not deplete our reserves by any means.”
Mayor Hendrixson responded “no but it will be about 20% of our general fund reserve. About a fifth of our reserve in the general fund,” he said.
“I want to assure everybody that we absolutely have no intention of running through the rest of that reserve in the near future unless there is some sort of catastrophe or something like that,” said Alderman Jacobs. “As a matter of fact, I believe we will be putting more money in that reserve at the end of this fiscal year if something doesn’t happen. I’ve been told we’re finishing about $200,000 to the good,” he said.
Mayor Hendrixson replied, “I hope more than that, but I don’t know,” he said.
“In other words we’re finishing the year under budget,” said Alderman Jacobs.
Mayor Hendrixson answered,”That’s what’s built our reserve up in the past. If you budget six million and spend five and a half million, you can put half a million dollars in reserve for things that you do need,” he said.
The city fire department will have a total of three trucks in the fleet with the addition of the new ladder truck including a 2001 and a 1992 model. Alderman Washer asked why not sell the 1992 model, while it still worth something. Chief Parker said the city needs all three trucks to maintain its Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating. “In keeping up our ISO rating, we still need the older truck. We can put it into a reserve status but to keep our pump capacity for our ISO rating, we would still need to keep the old truck. Its twenty years old now so we can run it as a reserve pumper, but in five years it could be considered an antique,” he said.
Chief Parker said he would prefer to replace the 1992 truck possibly within the next five years and establish a schedule for replacing the oldest trucks over time. “We’re going to have to do something with it within the next five years. Having a newer truck now gives us a little bit of cushion. We’ve got five years to start looking. But as far as getting rid of it at this point, it almost kind of defeats our purpose of adding the newer engine and getting our ISO ratings up. But I’ll definitively look at some numbers to see what a 20, 25, and a 30 year old truck would be at today’s prices and that will give us some kind of idea (what the 1992 truck would bring today versus five or ten years from now),” he said.
In other business, the aldermen voted 3 to 0 to set the wages of the lifeguards at the municipal swimming pool at minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for this season. Alderman Steve White “passed” citing a conflict since his daughter works as a lifeguard at the pool. Mayor Hendrixson asked the aldermen to fund a maximum of three lifeguards at fifty eight hours per week for thirteen weeks. The aldermen gave their approval. Mayor Hendrixson said the cost would be about $20,000 for lifeguards this season, a little more than last year.

DeKalb Middle School held the annual Awards Day Ceremony for 6th and 7th graders on Monday. Principal Randy Jennings opened up the ceremony and introduced Mrs. Lori Hendrix to give out the Jr. Beta Recognition certificates. Forty two 6th and 7th graders received a certificate for participating in the Jr. Beta Club this year.
Mrs. Lambert handed out awards for Gifted TIP Participation. These awards went to Jorge Blanco, Gentry Harpole, Rachel Fuson, and Eli Cross.
Mrs. Smitty gave out the TTU Math Competition Awards to Damian Walters and Bradley Miller.
Mrs. Kathy Bryant gave out the Computer Awards to Dailen Brown, Grace Godowns, Alexis Bates, and Kalli Petty.
She also handed out the Perfect Attendance awards to Ana Amaya, Courtney Ambrose, Faedra Burns, Ethan Keck, Haley Martin, Thomas Moore, Adam Ferrell, Ricky Gunter, Clay Hoyle, Justin Perricone, Calen Arnold, Kalli Petty, and Erica Birmingham.
Citizenship Awards were then given to 6th Graders- Cristobal Flores and Shauna Pedroza, and to 7th graders- Adam Ferrell and Cynthia May.
Mr. Josh Agee handed out the 6th Grade Subject Awards to Eleonore Atnip and Austin Johnson- English, Ana Amaya and Bradley Miller- Math, Abby Evans and Marshall Evins- Reading, Kyle Justice and Damien Walters- Science, and Grace Godowns and Allison Maynard- Social Studies.
Mr. Webb handed out the 7th Grade Subject Awards to Rachel Fuson and Allison Rogers- Reading, Eli Cross- English, Jayrah Trapp- Math, Lane Poss- Science, and Kalli Petty- Social Studies.
Highest GPA Plaques were given to 6th Graders- Bradley Miller, Olivia Fuson, and Thomas Webb, and 7th Graders- Jayrah Trapp and Allison Rogers.
Names were drawn from a box for TCAP Rewards and the winners received a Walmart gift card. The winners were 6th graders- Cody Merriman and 7th graders- Callie Cripps and Remington Tatrow.
(Bradley Miller and Cristobal Flores were not present for the ceremony.)
(TOP PHOTO: Highest 7th Grade GPA: Jayrah Trapp (99.3), Allison Rogers (98.5)
(SECOND PHOTO FROM TOP: Highest 6th Grade GPA: Thomas Webb, Olivia Fuson)
(THIRD PHOTO FROM TOP: 6th Grade Subject- Eleonore Atnip, Austin Johnson, Ana Amaya, Abby Evans, Marshall Evins, Kyle Justice, Damien Walters, Grace Godowns, Allison Maynard)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: 7th Grade Subject- Allison Rogers, Rachel Fuson, Kalli Petty, Lane Poss, Jayrah Trapp, and Eli Cross)

She may be retiring as a teacher from the DeKalb County School System after thirty six years, but don’t expect Judy Redmon to be inactive.
Although this long time educator will not be returning to the classroom next year, Redmon plans to stay busy in other ways. “People ask me if I’m looking forward to retirement. I’m looking forward to a change, but I’m always going to miss the kids. My husband Ronnie and I are really active in church. I’ve been to a college and put in an application to be a supervisor so we’ll see how that pans out. I can’t remain inactive when it comes to kids. I’ll do something,” she said.
Redmon’s teaching career began in 1976 at DeKalb Middle School. “I taught at the middle school for 32 years. I taught fifth grade social studies for two years and fifth grade math. In the middle of my sixth year, Jane Hobson moved to a school in Smyrna and I was moved up to seventh grade math. I also taught seventh grade geography and seventh grade English. Later I became assistant principal for six years,” said Redmon.
“I’ve also taught adult education, all subjects for fourteen years and I have done summer school at the high school for four years,” she added.
After her years at DeKalb Middle School, Redmon moved to Northside Elementary School where she has taught fourth grade math. Redmon was also one of the first local educators to attain career level III, status, an achievement only few have reached.
Redmon said it was her love for children that inspired her to become a teacher. “I come from a big family, fourteen kids. I’m one of fourteen. I was the first to go to college. I quit high school when I was a junior, beginning my junior year. I later got my GED and went on to college. My love of kids I guess is the drawing factor that got me into education,” she said.
As a teacher, Redmon has had the added pleasure of working with her own daughter and watching her grandchildren advance through the school system. ” It’s been a really good pleasure of mine to have taught with my daughter, Patty Hale for several years, the four years I’ve been here at Northside plus seven years at the middle school we’ve taught together and that’s been a real pleasure in my life,” said Redmon. Our youngest granddaughter is here at Northside. She is in the fifth grade and will be in the middle school next year. Our grandson is in the middle school now,” she said.
While she has enjoyed her years as an educator, Redmon said there were often challenges to overcome. “When I started at the middle school, we had no walls (in the classrooms), just little dividers. My (area) was probably only a 20 x 20 section down there. I had a set of lockers on one side and the rest of it was just open to the other classrooms. Mr (Ernest) Ray later came (as principal) and he got the walls put up. They have modified it a lot since then, putting up a lot of dividers and walls. It’s made it a lot better,” she said.
A major obstacle of teaching in a classroom without walls, according to Redmon, was holding the students’ attention, when they could be so easily distracted by what was happening in the adjoining class room. “It was terrible because you would be trying to teach and the other teachers were presenting their material and If my material wasn’t as interesting as the other teachers, then they would listen to that teacher more than me. So it was tough to hold their attention,’ she said.
Redmon, like other educators, has seen changes in curriculum and teaching standards over the years. ” The curriculum has really changed in the years that I have been a teacher. The material I once taught in fifth grade math, I am now teaching in fourth grade. I don’t always agree with what they are asking us to teach. Sometimes I think they’re requiring too much of our children, but they say you teach it, so I teach it. But it has made it more difficult for the students,” said Redmon.
As for mentors, Redmon said former DMS principal Ernest Ray is among those she admired most. “Mr Ray has probably been the biggest influence in my life because when he came to the middle school to be the principal, my husband and I had just had our third child and he was born with a physical disability. I was having to miss quite a bit of school to take care of my child and his physical disability. I ran out of sick days. Mr. Ray gave me some of his sick days. He was just a good influence on the kids. They respected him. The teachers respected him. He was fair and honest. He has just really been a good person in my life,” she said.
Redmon said she is grateful for the opportunity to have been a teacher and is proud of her service. “I’ve had a good thirty six years. It hasn’t always been the best, but its been a good thirty six years. I really appreciate all the people that I’ve worked with. I’ve worked with and under seven administrators. I am fortunate to have been able to stay in this profession as long as I have. I am proud of that,’ she said.
Redmon is also among those who help raise money for the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life. “That is a special place in my heart because my husband had cancer,” she said. This year’s Relay for Life is set for Friday, June 8 at Greenbrook Park.

A 21 year old man has been charged with the statutory rape of a fifteen year old and the girl’s parents have been arrested for child neglect, allowing their daughter to engage in sexual activity with this man, even providing them condoms.
Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger told WJLE Friday that Steven Michael Rogers, Jr. charged with statutory rape, will make an appearance on June 21 in DeKalb County General Sessions Court. His bond is $5,000.
45 year old Donna Smith and 33 year old Bryan Smith are each charged with child neglect. Bond for each is $1,500 and they will be in court on June 21.
The warrant against Rogers states that “on Friday, May 11 at a residence in Smithville, Rogers did have sexual intercourse with a fifteen year old female while living with her the past four months”.
The warrant against Donna Smith, the mother of the girl, states that she ” did knowingly approve of the daughter’s sexual intercourse with a 21 year old male, Michael Rogers. This has been happening for the past four months and on several occasions. Also the parents furnished condoms to the subjects and allowed them to live together”.
The warrant against Bryan Smith, the father of the girl, states that he “did knowingly approve of his daughter’s sexual intercourse with a 21 year old male, Michael Rogers. He has known of this going on for the past four months and on several occasions has furnished them with condoms and allowed them to live together knowing that this was going on in the residence.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Children Services and detectives and officers of the Smithville Police Department.
In other cases, 38 year old Darrell Gurley is charged with criminal impersonation. He will be in court on May 24. His bond is $1,500. Chief Caplinger said Gurley, who had active warrants against him, was found at a residence on Tommy Harrell street. When confronted by detectives, Gurley gave a false name and date of birth to identify himself. After confirming who he really is, Police asked him again and Gurley admitted his true identity.
37 year old Brian Lasser is charged with public intoxication. He will be in court on June 21. His bond is $1,000. An officer was dispatched to the soccer field at Northside Elementary School to investigate a complaint of an intoxicated man crawling on his hands and knees, causing a disturbance. The officer arrived on the scene and found that the man, Lasser, was very unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. He also appeared to have a white pill residue around his mouth. Lasser told police that he had taken two oxycodone and one xanax before he arrived at the soccer field to watch the children play ball.
49 year old Bobbie Lisa Andrews is cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Her court date is June 14. She was stopped for a traffic violation and during the investigation, the officer asked for and received consent to search. He noticed that she was adjusting her clothing. A female correctional officer was summoned to the scene. Andrews was searched and a needle was found hidden in her blouse.
37 year old Crystal Turner is cited for shoplifting. She will be in court on June 21. An officer was called to the Dollar General Store on Sunday, May 13. An employee noticed that Turner had concealed items in her purse while in the store. When confronted, Turner produced the items.

Runners, both young and older, participated in the fourth annual Relay for Life 5K and One Mile Fun Run Saturday starting from Greenbrook Park.
Money raised through the run will go to the American Cancer Society to help find a cure and for patient services.
Jeff Bandy was the overall winner in the 5K. He ran the course in 20:35.
Kristen VanVranken had the best time among women at 22:19.
The following are the winners for the Relay for Life 5K.
.
One mile fun run winners:
1st place Caden Close 7:58
2nd place Macy Hedge 8:13
3rd place Grayson Redmon 8:29
5 K winners
12 – 19 age group
Women:
1st place Loren Cripps 35:23
2nd place Alisha Hale 46:03
Men:
1st place Bailey Hayes 31:50
2nd place Jacob Washer 31:51
3rd place Noah Parsley 35:35
19-29 age group
Women:
1st place Tasha Maynard 27:57
2nd place Jessica Terrell 28:54
3rd place Kandi Moss 31:40
Men:
1st place Travis Hendrixson 21:43
2nd place Darren Oakley 26:23
3rd place Andy McCaleb 26:32
30 – 39 age group
Women:
1st place Kristen VanVranken 22:19
2nd place Diana Moon 24:00
3rd place Deana Ruth Colwell 27:40
Men:
1st place Dale Grissom 21:30
2nd place Josh Agee 22:19
3rd place Josh Miller 23:39
40- 49 age group
Women:
1st place Melissa Ruch 26:08
2nd place Beth Gill 33:41
3rd place Beth Stephens 34:00
Men:
1st place Jeff Bandy 20:35 (Overall Winner also)
50- 59 age group
Women:
1st place Kathy Hale 46:02
2nd place Barbara Wall 47:44
3rd place Vicky Terrell 47:46
Men:
1st place Jerry Adcock 24:52
2nd place Mark Miller 28:40
3rd place Tim Robinson 29:31
60 – 69 age group
Men:
1st place Phillip Cantrell 27:56
2nd place Mike Braswell 31:28
“These are the people who placed, but everyone was a winner because they participated in the event to raise money for cancer,” said spokesperson Judy Redmon. “A special thanks goes to Food Lion, who provided water and bananas; Bumpers, who provided free drink coupons; the Smithville Police Department; the Ambulance service; the Fiddler 5 K, for the loan of the clock; the City of Smithville employees, for the use of the barricades; and anyone else who volunteered or helped in any way with this most successful event.” she said.