The DeKalb County Election Commission has chosen its officers for the next two years.
The commission met in regular monthly session Wednesday afternoon at the courthouse to reorganize and to conduct other business.
Walteen Parker was named to her third term as chairman of the commission. Harry Lasser was re-elected as the secretary.
In other business, the commission reappointed Dennis Stanley as administrator of elections for the next two years. All five members voted in favor of Stanley’s reappointment.
The DeKalb County Election Commission members include Republicans Walteen Parker, Barbara Vanatta, and Jim Dean. Democratic members are Richard Hearon Puckett and Harry Lasser.
In other business, the election commission set the dates for early voting for the Smithville Municipal Election. Three aldermen are to be elected.
Voting will be May 29 through June 13 on the following days and hours:
Mondays: Noon until 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Fridays: 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. until Noon
Election day is Tuesday June 18. All voting will be done on the first floor of the courthouse.

On Monday, April 1, 2013, twelve members of Boy Scout Troop 347 spent the day in Nashville on Capitol Hill. The boys toured Legislative Plaza, including Senator Mae Beaver’s office. Rep Terri Lynn Weaver spent several minutes visiting with the troop before they toured the State Capitol building led by Assistant Scoutmaster, Jen Sherwood. Nine members of the troop served as Honorary Pages in the legislature. In the Senate, Tyree Cripps, Ian Mahan, Wyatt Martin, Will Stephens, and Thomas Webb sat nearby their sponsor, Sen. Mae Beavers. James Barrientos, Jonathan Birmingham, Wes Carpenter, and Grant Curtis served in the House thanks to Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver and Rep. Mark Pody. Their paging duties included delivering messages and running errands during the sessions as instructed by the members of the legislature.
The boys saw our state government in action, an opportunity they will not soon forget. This experience has inspired them to continue to be involved citizens and, maybe one day, run for office.
Indoor picture:
Back row L-R: James Barrientos, Grant Curtis, Jonathan Birmingham, Jim Sherwood, Nate Sherwood, Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Rep Mark Pody
Front row L-R: Tyree Cripps, Ian Mahan, Thomas Webb, Will Stephens, Wes Carpenter, James Mathis

The DCHS senior Beta Club members attended the state convention that was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel on April 1-3.
Thirty-eight students from DeKalb County competed with others from across the state in academic and non-academic areas. Students that competed were; Banner: Grace Webb, Ashley Medlin, Emily Webb, Chelsea Lewis, Callie Gash, Taylor Monette, Elizabeth Lasser,and Anneika Norton. English: Savannah Dexter. Spelling: Kayley Green. Art: Courtney Rice, pen and pencil; Dylan Young, color pencil. Oratory: Matt Boss. Creative Writing: Erika Brown. Math: Bindiya Patel. Science: Erin Cantrell-Pryor. Spanish: Jessica Acuna. Social Studies: Will Graham. Quiz Bowl: Zach Martin, Taylor Leach, Mallory Sullivan, Alex Hayes, Ashlee Gunter, and Caleb Cantrell. Talent: Kelsey Evins, Hunter Collins, Mykaela Duke, Justin Wiser, Jacob Parsley, and Lauren Craig. Voting Delegates: Cecelia Maciel, Cassie Lester, Ashley Barnes, Danielle Tyson, and Jordan Wilkins. Others attending were, Kaylee Cantrell, Ethan Shaw, and Katie Haggard.
The club was pleased to have 2 wins; Spanish, second place- Jessica Acuna and Talent, second place-Kelsey Evins, Hunter Collins, Mykaela Duke, Justin Wiser, Jacob Parsley, and Lauren Craig.

Hello, fellow Folks of the Fortieth! Session has adjourned for the week, and most members have headed home for the weekend. The hallways are quiet; while here in 105, I pause to collect my thoughts for this week’s update on the Hill. A book titled “Ancient Wisdom” sits on the shelf above me. How timely the text for today speaks: If you want to be wise, catch yourself from thinking or saying, “Who cares?” or “What does it matter?” Instead consider why you momentarily want to shut down. Pray immediately that God would keep your heart and head in the game.
Honestly, when Thursday rolls around, it is very easy to embrace a “Who cares?” attitude. But there is something about spending yourself in hard work that produces energy and passion in your heart and soul. I believe we are wired not to run away from reality, but to transform it. Pressing forward, and working together to make Tennessee even better is the mission statement from this Rep, and also from many of my colleagues, as well.
In the House, we continue the trend of cutting taxes: sales tax on food from 5.25 to a flat 5%; raise the Hall Tax Exemption for seniors from $16,200 to $26,200 for single filers, and $27,000 to $37,000 for joint filers; HB64 exempts Tennessee businesses from paying a portion of their annual excise tax, allowing businesses to use that money for expansion or other necessary costs.
Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 2013 will create a system that is more fair and efficient, and will provide better outcomes for employers and employees, and it continues gaining support from both employers and employees across the state. The current state workers’ compensation system was created in 1919–very much in need of an overhaul! Tennessee is currently one of only two states that adjudicate workers’ claims in trial courts, which results in some of the highest medical costs related to workers’ comp in the nation. Debate on the chamber floor is scheduled for April 11.
Transportation Sub and Full are closed, as are many other committees. The House Chamber will shortly be set for long days as we work toward completion of this session by April 20. . .or soon thereafter.
In My Bag of Bills, HB119 will be heard in Finance Full before it goes into one last committee called Calendar and Rules. HB119 places the strictest possible limitations on the use of EBT cards, plus penalizes those establishments and welfare recipients who abuse them. HB68, also in Finance Full next week, protects children in cases where mental health history is on record when considering child custody cases. HB1295 will be in Criminal Justice Full on Tuesday. This bill is paramount in order to protect children inside the womb and outside the womb. Yes, the week was a whirlwind, and next week promises to be a repeat.
Coffee and Conversations happen every Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, along with yours truly, will be presenting the Trousdale County Senior Center with the first ever Innovative Grant Award on April 5, at the Senior Center in Hartsville. “High five” to the Trousdale Seniors who submitted the best concept designed to encourage more senior participation in their community. FYI, they won 5,000 bucks! Oh, and their proposal? Change a portion of the Center into a coffee and juice bar, complete with a library and internet connection hot spot, to make their Center more appealing to the baby boomer population! You rock!
Saturday is a full day, as well, as Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder will come to Trousdale to greet our area veterans and visit the Trousdale Medical Center as we continue to bring better ways to serve our veterans closer to home.
Please do not hesitate to call my office, 615-741-2192, for any questions or assistance. Hey, have a great week–and may the good Lord take a likein’ to you!
Blessings,
Terri Lynn

The 4th Annual Celebration of Spring will be Saturday, April 13th at Edgar Evins State Park, Silver Point, between Smithville and Cookeville on Center Hill Lake. This will be a FREE day of outdoor recreation and entertainment for families and individuals, sponsored by the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park and park employees.
The day’s activities will begin at 8 a.m. at the Visitors Center with registration for all and sign-ups for the events that have a maximum number of participants. The activities that have limits are the popular nature hikes led by Ranger Mark Taylor, Holly Taylor and Danny L. Bryan, Assistant Professor of Biology at Cumberland University, as well as the approximately 45 minutes long pontoon boat rides for adults and children over 3 years accompanied by an adult.
Some new features this year include a chance to decorate a cookie or cupcake, sponsored by Peggy and Scotty Richardson of the Pure Bread Baking Company, and a Native Animals presentation by the popular NHECM. (http://www.nhecm.com/) The wildlife “stars” of the program will include a young bobcat, possum and raccoon. In addition David Haggard, West Tennessee Interpretive Specialist for TN State Parks will bring his Birds of Prey program.
Live on-stage performances throughout the day will also include a Minnie Pearl impersonator and country/pop singer, Patricia Jackson from Nashville, and the Flat Broke Blue Grass Band. The young dancers from Cannon Arts Dance Studio will dance around the Maypole and perform several colorful ballet numbers.
Other offerings will include kite flying, face painting, 3-legged and sack races, living history demonstrations, and Holly’s friendly snakes.
Boy Scouts of Troop 875 will show how to cook in a Dutch Oven over a camp fire. Girl Scouts of Troop 1146 will assist anyone interested in making honeysuckle baskets or corn shuck dolls and some new crafts options.
Many offerings will overlap so there will be something going on most of the day for various ages and interests. In addition there are approximately 11 miles of trails waiting to be hiked by those who prefer to explore on their own.
Count the number of candies in a jar at registration for a chance to win a days rental of a kayak or canoe and a sack lunch for two from Caney Fork Outdoors and Big Rock Market.
Participants are encouraged to pack a picnic or sack lunch and plan to stay for a fun day in the park. Those who wish to make it an overnight or weekend outing may phone the park office (1-800-250-8619 or 931-858-2114) to inquire about camping and cabins.
The websites for the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park may be visited at http://foeesp.ne1.net and http://www.facebook.com/friendsofeesp
The park address is 1630 Edgar Evins Park Road, Silver Point, TN 38582

The 2013 Chamber Annual Membership Banquet is set for Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the DeKalb County Complex, 732 South Congress Blvd., Smithville. “We are excited to again host this enjoyable and informative event. This is a special milestone year for the Chamber as we are celebrating our 50th year. We invite you to share in this fun-filled night of dining, entertainment, and the latest updates from the Chamber including the introduction of our new Board, recognition of our retiring board members, and 2013 Officers,” says Chamber Executive Director Suzanne Williams. In addition, Leadership Director, Jen Sherwood, will present winners for “Community Leader of the Year” and “Legacy” awards.
The special evening begins at 5:30 PM with a “Silent Auction.” The dinner and program start at 6:00 PM. Dinner music will be performed by Tomomi McDowell. State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver will sing the National Anthem as Boy Scout Troop #347 presents the flags. The musical entertainment for the evening will be by local singing talent, Josh Melton. The delicious meal will be prepared by Chef Jason Evans of The Inn at Evins Mill. The Leadership DeKalb Class of 2013 will serve the meal.
The keynote speaker for the evening will be Ralph Vaughn, probably best remembered as the manager of WJLE for 15 years and 21 years as the Program Director and MC of the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival. Ralph was president of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce in Murfreesboro for 12 years and the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce in Madison, Georgia for 3 years. A native of DeKalb County, he recently retired from Barrett Firearms Manufacturing in Murfreesboro where he served as the Special Projects Coordinator. Ralph is currently serving as the President of the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
Please contact the Chamber office at 597-4163 for more information. Banquet ticket prices are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling the Chamber or from the Chamber Board of Directors.

Beef and forage producers from across Tennessee will gather at the White County Fairgrounds on Thursday, April 11 for Cumberland Beef Day, an educational event hosted by University of Tennessee Extension and the White/Van Buren Cattlemen’s Association. This will be the 15th edition of Cumberland Beef Day and will once again give farmers an opportunity to learn better management practices, talk with agriculture product vendors, and see hands on demonstrations.
The theme for Cumberland Beef Day this year will be “Improving the Health of the TN Beef Herd.” Battling diseases is an ongoing fight for cattle producers. Knowing the signs to look for, precautions to take, and steps for treatment is critical to maintaining profitability. Some of the top animal health experts in the state will be on hand to help producers become more knowledgeable about cattle health and learn to develop their own health management plan.
During our educational sessions, we will follow cow-calf production from before the calf is conceived, until the time comes for it to be marketed. Since it is impossible to produce healthy calves without first maintaining healthy cows, Justin Rhinehart, UT Extension Beef Specialist, will present “Managing the Health of Your Calf Herd”.
We will then look at how to treat calves once they are born as Dr. Brian Whitlock, UT Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine discusses “Live Calf to Weaned Calf.” His presentation will include information on vaccination protocols and diseases in TN to look out for.
In the afternoon, there will be a hands-on demonstration on diagnosing diseases by Dr. David Anderson, UT Professor & Dept. Head in the College of Veterinary Medicine. His discussion will not only help producers learn to catch diseases early, but will also focus on what feedlots are looking for in cattle coming from TN.
In addition to the discussion of beef cattle health, Cumberland Beef Day will feature an update on the new Beef and Forage Center Initiative from the University of Tennessee by its director, Dr. Gary Bates. Dr. Andrew Griffith, UT Assistant Professor of Ag Economics will also be on hand to present “The Beef Cattle Market Outlook.”
As well as the speakers and demonstrations, Cumberland Beef Day will also feature an extensive trade show, lots of door prizes, a silent auction to benefit the 4-H livestock project, and bulls for sale at private treaty. This event is free to anyone interested in beef and forage production, and lunch will be provided. The 2013 Cumberland Beef Day kicks off with the trade show at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 2:00 p.m. Please call the UT Extension office at 615-597-4945 if you would like more information on Cumberland Beef Day.

School districts across the nation collect and maintain many forms of educational data. Standardized test scores and average daily attendance figures are just two regular points of data collected.
In April each DeKalb County School will be displaying a new DATA WALL. This will provide our community, parents, teachers, and students with an image of past and present data, as well as, projected goals for future data that will be collected. Much research and evidence now exist indicating why school leaders must become familiar with and use existing school data to make sound educational decisions about teaching and learning.
These walls will help each school analyze and identify gaps in performance while producing rich data discussions. This will allow DeKalb County to be proactive rather than reactive in our school improvement efforts. Administrators and teachers are monitoring student progress to ensure that all students are successful in attaining state and district goals. We regularly ask: Where are our students? What does our test data tell us? How do we plan to accomplish our goals?
As you visit the schools please observe these DATA WALLS located near each office area. We hope this gives stakeholders an opportunity to understand our challenges and recognize our areas of accomplishment.

Six construction companies have bid on the new Sligo bridge project
The Tennessee Department of Transportation opened bids today (Friday)
Contractors submitting bids are as follows:
Massman Construction Company: $38,903,917
OCCI, INC: $39,337,790
Charles Blalock & Sons, INC.: $39,587,579
C.J. Mahan Construction Company, LLC.: $40,064,372
Bell & Associates Construction, L.P.: $53,376,504
Wright Brothers Construction Company, INC.: $57,499,874
The bid has not yet been awarded. According to Jennifer A. Flynn, TDOT Regional Community Relations Officer it takes a while to go through the entire letting. “Although we know who has the low bid on this contract, it will not be officially awarded for at least two weeks, said Flynn in an email to WJLE. ” Headquarters goes over the low bids to make sure everything is okay before they officially award contracts, and they have a month to do this. It usually doesn’t take that long, but in the case of the complicated Sligo Bridge project, they may need the entire time,” said Flynn.
Meanwhile, two companies have bid on a flashing beacon for U.S. 70 and State Route 83 near Kilgore’s Restaurant.
Contractors submitting bids are:
Stansell Electric Company, INC: $33,174
S & W Contracting Company, INC: $33,320
TDOT has not yet awarded the bid