Gayla Hendrix Resigns Alderman Position After Being Appointed Municipal Judge (View video here)

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Local attorney Gayla Hendrix has been appointed by the Smithville Aldermen to succeed retiring Municipal Judge Hilton Conger. The term is for two years.

The appointment came during a meeting of the Mayor and Aldermen Friday evening at city hall. Aldermen Danny Washer, Jessica Higgins, and Shawn Jacobs voted in favor of Hendrix. Alderman Brandon Cox voted no. Alderman Jacobs could not attend but participated in the meeting via conference call.

Hendrix, an Aldermen herself at the time, had to abstain from voting on her own appointment. At the end of the meeting, Hendrix announced her resignation as Alderman. The only other candidate for the city judge position was local attorney Mingy Bryant-Ball. Both Hendrix and Ball had submitted resumes expressing an interest in the judgeship.

Retiring Smithville Municipal Judge Hilton Conger swears in his successor Gayla Hendrix from dwayne page on Vimeo.

After Mayor Josh Miller brought up the matter for discussion, Alderman Cox expressed concerns.

“We’re being asked, the sitting members of this board, to vote for or against a sitting member of the board for a position which that person may or may not be on the board anymore. Personally I don’t have anything against Ms Hendrix or Ms. Ball. I think both of them are great individuals and great attorneys and would do great in this position. I am really concerned about the appearance of fairness in this matter. The situation I just said out loud is not the hallmark of fairness. I understand we are working and proceeding under some advice on whether that is a conflict of interest or not. The response we got from that does not quell my concern about a conflict. I believe whether it be me or any other member of this board for a position like this that the most fair thing to do would be to resign before the vote or at the time of making the application. This has nothing to do with Ms. Hendrix. I respect her and I think she would do a great job and Ms Ball would do a great job. I just want to make sure my position is clear on what this is like. Personally its not a terribly comfortable position to be in when you are voting for or against a sitting member of this board,” said Alderman Cox.

After Cox’s comments, Alderman Washer moved that Hendrix be appointed City Judge. Alderman Higgins offered a second to the motion. During the roll call vote, Alderman Jacobs commented on his decision to vote for Hendrix.

“I just want everybody to know that I am personally and I think the board in general is taking this issue very seriously. It certainly is a very awkward position to be in. I feel both candidates are certainly qualified. I have known Gayla all my life. I graduated with her brother. I don’t know Mingy quite as well but her in-laws are as close to me as family almost. I am certainly very torn between these individuals and its extremely difficult for me to make a decision. This may be one of the two toughest decisions I have ever made as alderman so I want that to be clear. I also want it to be clear that this is a non partisan vote. It has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican and parties. Just as the city council is non partisan so is the city judge position. The one issue that bothers me and we have gotten a legal opinion on this from both MTAS (Municipal Technical Advisory Service) and our city attorney is that if we appointed Mrs. Ball that due to the fact that her stepson Lane Ball is a police officer she would have to recuse herself anytime he prosecuted a case before her. That is a major factor in my decision. It does not make my decision any easier. As a result of that legal opinion from both MTAS and our city attorney, I vote for Ms Hendrix,” said Alderman Jacobs.

In a previous interview with WJLE, Hendrix gave her background.

“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,” she said.

Hendrix was first elected alderman in 2011. She served one term but returned to the Board of Aldermen in 2014.

Her vacancy on the Board of Aldermen will soon by filled by appointment of Mayor Miller.

Meanwhile, Mayor Miller presented Judge Conger a plaque for his 29 years of service to the city.

“It has certainly been an honor to serve in the capacity of city judge. I would like to thank the Boards of Mayor and Aldermen who have supported me. I served with four different mayors and several police chiefs and I couldn’t ask for better support from the police we have had. We are so blessed to live in a community where we don’t have to worry about things we see on TV happening here. I am thankful for the support we have had and I appreciate the opportunity,” said Judge Conger.

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Aldermen-elect Jessica Higgins and Danny Washer were sworn into office during Friday evening’s city council meeting at city hall.

Smithville Alderman Elect Jessica Higgins takes oath of office from City Attorney Vester Parsley from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Alderman Shawn Jacobs, who was unable to attend in person, participated in the meeting via conference call, but he will be sworn in at a later meeting. City Attorney Vester Parsley administered the oath to both Higgins and Washer separately.

Smithville Alderman Elect Danny Washer Takes Oath of Office from City Attorney Vester Parsley from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Higgins is beginning her first term as Alderman. She has never held elective office before. Washer was first elected Alderman in 2011. Jacobs has served as Alderman since 2009.

The terms are for four years.

The aldermen then confirmed the appointments of Mayor Josh Miller to various city boards. The vote was 4 to 1. Alderman Danny Washer voted no.

The appointments are as follows:

Vice Mayor and Commissioner of the Water and Sewer Department: Alderman Danny Washer

Commissioner of the Streets and Safety Department: Alderman Brandon Cox

Commissioner of the Police and Fire Departments: Alderman Shawn Jacobs

Commissioner of the Sanitation Department: Alderman Jessica Higgins

Commissioner of Finance: Alderman Gayla Hendrix. (Note- this appointment was made before Hendrix resigned as Aldermen after being appointed city judge)

Smithville Planning Commission: Citizen members Brandon Miller and Glen Nichols, Jr.

Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals: Dwayne Snow and Janie Knowles

Smithville Electric System Board: Hilton Conger reappointed to 4 year term.

In other business, the aldermen voted on second and final reading to adopt an ordinance to change the zoning classification of the Mark Wallace property on Miller Road from R-1 low density residential to C-1 local commercial.

The property, formerly known as Mark’s Body Shop, is located adjacent to City owned property where the water tower is located. Although Wallace ran a business for several years on his property, it was not zoned commercial, but residential. The property has now been sold and will be used for other commercial purposes.

Mayor Miller said the Smithville Planning Commission recently voted to recommend that the alderman change the zoning from R-1 to C-1.
 

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Although it will not be quite like the traditional Grandpa Fair of the South, the DeKalb County Fair Association has announced that a one day event is planned for Saturday, October 31 on the fairgrounds with several activities including pageants, exhibits, and fun things for kids. But there will be no carnival rides or hilltop events as in the past such as a rodeo, demolition derby, and motorcycle racing, etc.

Johnny Barnes, a member of the Fair Board, told WJLE Friday that board members voted Thursday night to move forward with plans for the event to coincide with Halloween.

Like so many other fairs and summer events, the DeKalb County Fair, originally scheduled for July 13-18, was postponed this year due to COVID-19 in accordance with guidelines pertaining to attractions and large venues by the Tennessee Economic Recovery Group. But in that announcement made on June 1, the Fair Board said plans were to have an event later in the year if possible.

“We voted to proceed with a one day fair and fair activities on October 31. We are going to try to have some of our traditional entries and fair activities during the day. We plan on having some pageants and some entries for our crops, canning, and crafts and all those things that usually take place in the women’s building. We also have plans for doing numerous activities for kids throughout the day. We plan on doing a pet show, some Halloween costume contests, kiddie tractor pull, and a few other events we are still working on. We would also like to do an antique car and tractor show for other interested parties to come to during the day. We hope to get as many community partners as possible involved to help us pass out candy in a trunk or treat activity that evening for all the kids who want to come out and trick or treat,” said Barnes.

According to Barnes the committee will meet again next week and try to finalize all the festivities for the day. “When we get more details we will release a full schedule for the day and deadline for all entries to be turned in,” said Barnes.

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