Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer today released TDOT’s annual three year transportation program (2017-19), featuring approximately $2 billion in infrastructure investments for 79 individual project phases in 42 counties including DeKalb, as well as 15 statewide programs.
Among the projects in Region 2 is the widening of Highway 56 from south of State Route 288 near Magness Road to East Bryant Street in Smithville (4.5 miles). Budgeted for construction in Fiscal Year 2017.
The Warren-DeKalb Highway 56 project from south of the Warren County line to near Magness Road is scheduled for a construction letting this summer. It was scheduled for the June 24 letting but may shift to the August 19 letting, according to TDOT.
The three-year program (2017-19) continues the state’s focus on providing a high quality state transportation network that is safe and reliable and supports Tennessee’s economic development efforts. New federal transportation funding through the FAST Act federal legislation includes a roughly two percent increase for FY 2017 over FY 2016’s funding. The FAST Act also provides some one-time flexibility that allows TDOT to tap into an additional $147 million in federal money.
These increases combined with the $100 million repayment to the highway fund in the Haslam administration’s proposed FY 16-17 budget will give the department a somewhat larger building program in the upcoming fiscal year – an estimated $965 million in FY 2017, compared to $660 million in FY 2016.
Despite the increase in revenue for FY 2017, the department still has a multi-billion dollar backlog of unfunded highway and bridge projects that have been approved by the General Assembly, but lack available funding to move forward.
“This program reflects our commitment to increasing safety and economic development opportunities, while also remaining debt free on our roads, and these one-time funding increases will allow TDOT to move forward with nearly a billion dollars in much needed road projects in communities across the state,” Haslam said.
In addition to the 2017 budgeted program, partial plans for 2018 and 2019 are included, along with funding for 15 transportation programs including Rockfall Mitigation, Spot Safety Improvement, and the statewide HELP Program. The program also provides funding for transit agencies in all 95 counties, as well as Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations.
Please see the attached list of highlighted projects in each of TDOT’s four regions. To view a complete list of projects and programs funded through the 2017-2019 three-year multimodal program, visit http://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/tdot/attachments/FY_17-19_3_year_progr…. For more information about transportation funding, please visit https://www.tdot.tn.gov/ProjectNeeds/.

The County Commission Monday night named Mason Carter to fill the remaining two year unexpired term of Elmer Ellis, Jr. on the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (911) Board of Directors.
Ellis resigned last month.
Carter also serves as a 1st district county commissioner.
The appointment was made upon the recommendation of the DeKalb County ECD Board. County Mayor Tim Stribling read the letter of recommendation Monday night sent to the county commission by Local ECD Director Bradley Mullinax on behalf of the 911 Board.
“During the March meeting of the DeKalb 911 ECD Board of Directors discussion was made of the appointment of a board member to the 911 board to serve in the position recently vacated by Elmer Ellis. The board unanimously recommended Mason Carter from the DeKalb County Commission to serve in this position to fill the unexpired term. We feel his background and experience will be invaluable to the success of our organization,” Mullinax wrote
Carter will serve out the existing four year term of Mr. Ellis ending August 31, 2018.

The annual Celebration of Spring at Edgar Evins State Park will be Saturday, April 9th.
It is an all day event for just about everyone … adults and families. Everything will be free except boat rides and anything you might want to buy from the food vendors. Bring a picnic lunch and stay for the day or come for while.
Registration will open in front of the Visitors Center at 8 a.m. Signing up for the $2 boat rides scheduled throughout the day will be on a first come first serve basis. (To ride on a boat children must be over age 3 years and accompanied by an adult.).
At 8:30 a.m. Randy Hedgepath, the Tennessee State naturalist, will take a group out on the 2 mile Highland Rim Nature Trail to enjoy the profusion of wild flowers, other flora and fauna. Ranger Mark Taylor will guide a later group.
Dancers from Cannon Arts Studio, Woodbury, will perform at 10:30 a.m., followed by the popular Bob Tarter and his animals from NHECM at 11:30 a.m., a friendly snake show, and a chance to get acquainted with Henry, the red tailed hawk on loan from Henry Horton State Park,
There will be old fashioned games for young and old, a chance to fly a kite and take one home, do a little crafts making, get faces, hands or arms painted, climb the observation tower, picnic on the grounds, hike other trails on your own and just enjoy a beautiful spring day outside in a beautiful park. A hay wagon and a passenger vehicle will transport visitors to and from other parts of the park from the Visitors Center. Free parking along the park’s main road only has to be done once.
For those who wish to make this an overnight or weekend event there are cabins and camp sites available at the park. These may be reserved on-line or by phoning the park office at (931) 858-2114 or 1-800-250-8619. The park is located at in DeKalb county at 1630 Edgar Evins Park Road, Silver Point 38582, on Center Hill Lake, between Smithville and Cookeville
This event is a joint project of the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park and park employees. More information about the volunteer group may be found on-line at www.friendsofeesp.alturl.com or on Facebook at friendsofeesp.

Democrats have chosen their nominee for the August 4th DeKalb County General Election to fill a vacancy on the county commission in the 1st district.
Julie Williams Young was nominated during a DeKalb Democratic Party County Convention held Tuesday evening at the courthouse.
Young will be running against Republican nominee Tom Chandler of Caplinger Hollow off Dale Ridge in the August election to fill the remaining two years of Elmer Ellis, Jr’s unexpired term. Ellis, a Democrat, resigned from the county commission last month. Chandler was nominated by the DeKalb County Republican Party during a Convention held on March 12.
Young and her husband Jeff Young reside in Alexandria.
She made brief remarks to the convention prior to her nomination.
“I was born and raised in the 1st district. My parents are Patsy Williams and Charles Williams. I come from a family who has always been in service of some kind. Mom and dad were huge members of the Jaycees for years and years. I grew up watching them in service to the community. They helped build a ballpark in Alexandria. They have always been involved in the community. I want to be a champion for the 1st district. I want to help the community. I want to help the county in any way I can. I want to work with the other commissioners. If you will help get me elected to this seat I will do whatever I can to help make DeKalb County Commissioners what we need to be for our community. I am very interested in education. I look forward to working with all the commissioners on the board. I come with no agenda. I want us to have a strong Democratic voice. I want to be a champion for the 1st district,” said Young.

A man and woman believed to be involved in the sale and delivery of illegal narcotics were arrested at their home on Charity Lane today (Tuesday) as the result of an investigation by the Smithville Police Department.
42 year old Steve Mabe, Jr. and 36 year old Martha Conger Hale are each charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (cocaine). Mabe, a convicted felon, is also charged with illegal possession of a firearm. Hale is further charged with violation of probation. Bond for Mabe is $30,000. Hale’s bond is $25,000
According to Police Chief Mark Collins, the evidence against the two was discovered during a recent probation search at the residence. “Hale was on probation from a DUI conviction but probation officers had taken warrants on her for probation violation after she failed a drug test. We (Smithville Police) accompanied the probation officers to Hale’s home on Wednesday, March 16 to execute a probation search on Martha. During that search we found illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, guns and a safe in their bedroom which they (Hale and Mabe) refused to open. Martha was arrested that day (March 16) on a charge of violation of probation. She later posted bond and was released,” he said.
Police seized the safe and later obtained a search warrant to open it. ” The search warrant on the safe was executed last Thursday, March 24. In that safe we found 16 grams of cocaine, a large sum of money, personal documents belonging to both Martha and Steve and other miscellaneous items including jewelry, coins, and things like that. Based on what we found in that safe we had reason to believe there was more evidence in their house so we obtained another search warrant which was executed today (Tuesday),” said Chief Collins.
According to Chief Collins the search Tuesday at the home of Mabe and Hale turned up more evidence and the case remains under investigation for possible additional charges against the two.

Reappraisal of property for tax purposes is required on a periodic basis to maintain appraisals at market value and to ensure equity of appraisals throughout the jurisdiction. Every county in Tennessee is on either a four, five, or six year cycle of reappraisal. For the last five years DeKalb County has been on a five year plan.
During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission adopted a resolution authorizing the continuous five year reappraisal cycle to continue for another five years through 2021.
The five year cycle consists of four years of comprehensive on-site review of every parcel of property in the county, followed by revaluation of all property in the fifth year. During each of those first four years, approximately 20% of the parcels in the county are inspected for changes to the land or buildings that would influence the value of the property. Quarterly progress reports are provided to the State of Tennessee’s Division of Property Assessments, whose personnel also periodically monitor the progress and results of the on-site review process.
After the first two years (the mid point of the cycle), an in-depth statistical analysis is performed comparing sales prices to appraisals. If the county’s overall level of appraisal has fallen to below 90% of fair market value, property values will be updated county-wide by what is known as a Current Value Update or CVU. In addition, even if the level of overall appraisal has not fallen below the 90% threshold, any subclass of properties (residential, farm, commercial, etc.) that is found to be more than 10% below the county’s overall ratio will have its values raised to reflect that overall county level.
In the fifth and final year of the cycle, a thorough analysis of the current real estate market is used to establish new land and building values. This is a process that sets the factors, tables, and base rates that will be used to value real property for the following five years. The changes in values are then applied to each property in the county and those property owners whose values have either increased or decreased as a result are notified as to the new appraisal of their properties. Also during this fifth year, the complete plan of reappraisal for the next five year period has to be developed and submitted for approval, to include budgetary considerations for personnel and equipment, and the territorial division of the county for the four years of field review. The cycle then begins all over again.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in DeKalb County on Saturday, May 14. Since the program’s inception in 1993, more than 322,000 households have properly disposed of more than 21 million pounds of material.
“Our household hazardous waste mobile collection service provides the people of Tennessee with a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other potentially hazardous wastes at no cost,” said Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. “This service travels across the state holding collection events in local communities, and we encourage all Tennesseans to take advantage of the opportunity to utilize it.”
On Saturday, May 14, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. any Tennessee resident may bring his or her household hazardous waste to the parking area between DeKalb Farmers Coop and the Smithville Church of God on West Broad Street.
HHW material is considered flammable, toxic, reactive and/or corrosive and should not be placed with regular garbage. Typical items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, fluorescent lamps, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals and paint thinner. Items not accepted include ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics, medical waste and any empty containers.
While household waste may be disposed for free, there is a cost for disposal of Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Waste (i.e. wastes from non-household sources such as businesses, schools, farms, churches, etc.). An appointment is also necessary. Call (615) 643-3170 to request a price quote and schedule an appointment.
Many counties and municipalities meet the needs of local residents by providing collection of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze and electronic scrap – or BOPAE as it is sometimes called. When handled correctly, these BOPAE materials are minimally hazardous, but inappropriate for collection at household hazardous waste events. Contact your local city or county solid waste department to find BOPAE collection sites in your area.
When transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper to prevent spills and cross-contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets. Materials should be kept in the original containers whenever possible. If not, place each waste in a separate plastic container with a secure lid and label its contents.
For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call 1-800-287-9013

The DeKalb County Beer Board has a new member.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Myron Rhody was appointed by the county commission as the new beer board member in the 2nd district. The vote was 13 to 0. Frank Thomas, who has served in that position for several years was not nominated for appointment.
Meanwhile Incumbent Beer Board members Robert Rowe in the 4th district and Leonard Dickens in the 6th district were appointed. Each term is for two years effective in April.
Names of each appointee were placed in nomination by county commissioners in their districts, 2nd, 4th, and 6th and then voted on by the entire county commission.
Last month the county commission voted to establish terms for members of the Beer Board. Up until now the seven members of the beer board had basically served for life or until they resigned. With this action, the county commission is not creating term limits. A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms an officeholder may serve in an office. Each beer board member may still serve as long as they wish as long as they are reappointed to new terms by the county commission.
Fifth District Commissioner Anita Puckett last month made a motion to have all seven members serve as appointees and that the terms be staggered with the 1st, 3rd, 5th, & 7th district positions being appointed in odd years. The 2nd, 4th, & 6th district seats will be filled in even years. Puckett also wants the beer board to re-organize (name officers) every twenty four months. Puckett’s motion was approved on a 9-4 vote.
Members of the Beer Board are Jim Stagi in the 1st District, Myron Rhody in the 2nd District, Edward Frazier in the 3rd District, Robert Rowe in the 4th District, Rhonda Caplinger in the 5th District, Leonard Dickens in the 6th District, and Johnny King in the 7th District.

Former Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings has been appointed as judicial commissioner by the county commission to fill a vacancy created by the recent resignation of Taft Hendrixson due to health reasons.
Jennings was among sixteen applicants for the position but he was the one recommended by the county’s judicial committee made up of the General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, County Mayor, and a representative of the District Attorney General’s Office.
County Mayor Tim Stribling presented the committee’s recommendation during Monday night’s monthly meeting of the county commission. All thirteen members voted for Jennings. The county has three judicial commissioners including Jennings, James Harvey Barnes, and Tammy Ashburn. Barnes , Ashburn, and former judicial commissioner Hendrixson were appointed by the county commission to the positions for a one year term last September as recommended by the judicial committee.
Others who had applied to fill the vacancy include Kelly Myers, Chelsie Bryant, James Newsom, Boyd Bruce Malone, Mark Violet, Kassy Kelly Swisher, Brian Reed, Timothy Perricone, Richard Mielke, III, Mark Steff, Joey Crabtree, Sandy Brown, Bennett Armstrong, Danny Cowan, and Kenneth Taylor.
The county re-advertised the opening last month after receiving only one application during the first filing period. The lone applicant was the spouse of a Smithville Police Officer and members of the judicial committee were concerned that this could be viewed as a conflict.
Judicial commissioners are responsible for the issuance of criminal arrest warrants upon finding probable cause. They are subject to call at all hours of the day and night. Judicial commissioners serve at the pleasure of the county commission and their terms of office can be one year to four years.

A Democrat will be in the race for State Representative in the 40th district this year.
Gayla Hendrix of Smithville has obtained a qualifying petition from the DeKalb County Election Commission. She plans to seek the Democratic nomination in August for the seat now held by Republican Incumbent Terri Lynn Weaver of Lancaster. Weaver is also seeking re-nomination by the GOP in August.
The qualifying deadline is April 7.
The race will be decided in the Tennessee General Election in November.
Hendrix currently serves as Alderman for the City of Smithville.
“I was born and raised in DeKalb County. I graduated from DCHS and went on to college at MTSU where I earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in education. From there I went to Tennessee Tech University where I earned an Education Specialist degree. I later earned a degree from the Nashville School of Law. I am an attorney and formerly served as an educator in the DeKalb County School System. I also owned my own small business right off of the courthouse square for a couple of years. My husband, Farron Hendrix and I have three children,” said Hendrix.
Hendrix’ first entry into politics came in 2008 when she sought the Democratic nomination for State Representative. Three years later Hendrix was elected alderman in Smithville. She served one term but returned to the Board of Aldermen in 2014.