Voters to Decide State Races Today

November 6, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Election Day has arrived.

Voting at all 15 precincts in DeKalb County will be today from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Voters will elect a Governor, U.S. Senator, Congressman in the 6th District, State Senator in District 17, and State Representatives in Districts 40 & 46.

Candidates for Governor are Republican Bill Lee and Democrat Karl Dean. Twenty six independents are also in the race for Governor.

U.S. Senate candidates are Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Phil Bredesen. Six independents are also running for the U.S. Senate.

Republican John Rose and Democrat Dawn Barlow are in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 6th Congressional District along with two independents.

Candidates for the State Senate in District 17 are Republican Mark Pody and Democrat Mary Alice Carfi. There are no independents

Republican Terri Lynn Weaver is unopposed for State Representative in District 40

In District 46, Republican Clark Boyd and Democrat Mark Cagle are in the race for State Representative. There are no independents.

Be sure to tune to WJLE for LIVE election return coverage Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com

1,378,840 Tennesseans voted in person or absentee during the two-week early voting period which ended Thursday, November 1, 2018. In DeKalb County, 3114 voted early.

Voters can download the GoVoteTN app, available in the App Store or Google Play, to view voter-specific information. Voters can find polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more. The platform is also available at GoVoteTN.com.

Tennesseans voting should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security as well as photo IDs issued by Tennessee state government or the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.

More information about what types of ID are acceptable is available by calling toll free 1-877-850-4959.

State law requires polling locations and the area within a 100-foot boundary surrounding each entrance remain campaign-free zones. Tennessee law prohibits the display or distribution of campaign materials and the solicitation of votes for or against any person, party or question on the ballot in these areas.

Frail, physically disabled or visibly pregnant voters should tell their polling officials if they are unable to wait in line to vote. The law allows them to move through the process faster.

People with questions or concerns about the voting process can go to GoVoteTN.com or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959. The DeKalb County Election Commission phone number is 615-597-4146.

November 6, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is closer to securing grant funding to build a parallel taxiway at the Airport.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the Mayor and Aldermen voted to apply for a $150,000 grant to pay most of the engineering costs in conducting a 30% design of the taxiway project. If approved, the grant would be funded 90% by federal funds, 5% by the state, and a 5% local match or $7,500.

Airport Manager Joe Johnson said this engineering project must be underway before the city can qualify for another grant of up to $4.6 million to actually construct the taxiway. The city has already applied for that 100% federally funded grant and should know by February if it is awarded. Should the $4.6 million grant be approved, then the city will proceed with the remaining 70% of the taxiway design at a 5% grant match.

Johnson will appear before the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission November 15 to present the city’s plans for the taxiway project.

If the grants are approved it will likely be 2020 before construction begins on the taxiway.

Johnson also praised the Mayor and Aldermen and City Attorney Vester Parsley for supporting him in reaching a settlement with a landowner in the city’s efforts to acquire property for the development of the parallel taxiway.

Meanwhile, a committee has been named, which will select a consulting engineer for the project.

Johnson said the city’s five year contract with the consulting firm of CHA expires this month. Members of that committee in addition to Johnson are Aldermen Shawn Jacobs and Brandon Cox, and other members Roth Terrell and Ron Hurd.

November 6, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville has contracted with Rogers hydrant service to flush fire hydrants. The project began Monday, November 5th and will continue for the next two weeks from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

“Although the water is safe to use, consumers are urged to run cold water taps in their homes or businesses for a few minutes before drinking or doing laundry to clear any discoloration in the water while this hydrant flushing operation is underway,” said Kevin Robinson, City Public Works Director during Monday night’s meeting of the Mayor and Aldermen.

The annual flushing of water mains via fire hydrants is a standard maintenance process that improves water quality at the tap by removing accumulated minerals, sediment and tuberculation in the lines (a buildup common in iron pipes that reduces its ability to transmit water). This also helps identify hydrants in need of repair.

The flushing process can cause low water pressure and frequently disturbs the accumulated minerals and sediment in the water mains. The quick release of water from a hydrant causes them to dissolve and temporarily discolor the water delivered to homes and businesses.

The fire hydrant flushing only affects the City of Smithville and its water customers.

Meanwhile Robinson said a metal cover has been placed over a water main on Broad Street at the intersection with Mountain Street. “That’s where we repaired a water main and I am trying to negotiate with the state as to how they want to repair it. The way they want to repair it is not feasible for the city. I have talked with the state and they are trying to come up with another solution,” said Robinson.

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