County Mayor proposes new committee to better plan for present and future needs

March 7, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Kicking the can down the road!

For years some in the community have argued that the county ought to identify present and future needs whether it be for infrastructure such as a new school, jail, or other concerns and then develop a long range plan for addressing them, rather than merely kicking the can down the road and taking a band aid approach when an immediate need arises.

County Mayor Matt Adcock believes that is a good idea and he wants to form a new committee to start the process of getting the county to think along those lines.

In the March County Commission meeting, Mayor Adcock said he will be proposing a new County Commission Committee, called the “Committee of Forethought and Preparation”. “I will ask that this committee be added to the policy and procedures of the County Commission and be a regular standing committee of our elected body,” said County Mayor Adcock.

“For too long DeKalb County’s negligence of planning has taken a toll on the community. DeKalb County has always been known for “kicking the can down the road.” We have also been known to only be reactive instead of proactive. Every time a major issue arises, we make hasty decisions to band aid our problems instead of making permanent long-lasting results,” County Mayor Adcock told WJLE.

“DeKalb County has made no future plans for a jail, schools, or any other long-term project that this community must have. We have identified this problem in the past but only have discussion without action. Today, we change those bad habits and develop a committee that holds accountability and prepares the community for tomorrow and the generations after,” he said.

“The truth is visible. We need a new school and a new jail. Honestly, there are many projects throughout the county that need consideration and a plan to make action on. The funding is constricted which makes it evident why this committee is so vitally important,” Mayor Adcock continued.

“I can anticipate that DeKalb County will have growing pains with hardships that have burdened us from previous elected bodies and administrations, however, I foresee that these challenges will be conquered. That all the decisions made of today will prosper the future and the planning of today will bring clarity for tomorrow and every day after,” he said.

“This standing committee will be composed of seven members, three that must be members of the budget committee. The members and officers of this committee will be appointed by the County Mayor and confirmed by the legislative body in September and will have one-year terms just as all the other standing committees,” explained County Mayor Adcock. “This committee will have a chairperson, vice chairperson, and a secretary. The committee’s aim will be to plan for the county’s larger projects whether an issue of expenditure or revenue. They should consider the recommendations of any elected or appointed official of DeKalb County, including the school system and highway department that could have business with this committee. The committee should develop future planning for DeKalb County’s capital improvement plan.
These plans could be for any number of years that seem reasonable to the committee. For example: 5-year plan, 10-year plan, 15-year plan, 20-year plan, 30 plan, etc. The projects could be of any capital improvement. For example: Public Safety Buildings, Schools, Jails, Courts, Community or Sport Complexes, County Maintenance Shops, Fueling Stations, etc. The committee should meet at least bi-annually if not more often to discuss and consider the forethought and preparation of the future success of DeKalb County. The committee will develop recommendations and present them to the full committee of the County Commission and/or budget committee to recommend the allocation of funding necessary for the fruition of the projects. This committee shall be perpetual and place emphasis on the importance of making measurable progress and holding self-accountability,” said County Mayor Adcock.

March 6, 2024
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb West School has named the Students of the Month for February. Selected for the accomplishment were Rylee Woodruff, PreK, Karson Davenport, Kindergarten, Aiden Checchi, 1st grade, Ty Combs, 2nd grade, Annabelle Ray, 3rd grade, Cammi Neal, 4th grade, Paisely Avera, 5th grade, Averie Winchester, 6th grade, Halia McDaniel, 7th grade, and Katie Beth Swearinger, 8th grade.

Longtime educator Jenny Cantrell, a 2nd grade teacher, was named Teacher of the Month, and Brandi Womack, the school’s bookkeeper, was named Employee of the Month.

March 6, 2024
By:

Local veteran and hometown hero Joe Stone, Senior Master Sergeant, USAF retired was recently honored with a “Quilt of Valor” presented to him.

A Quilt of Valor is a homemade quilt that is awarded to a service member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your sacrifice in serving our nation.”

Stone’s military career is recounted as follows:

On November 1, 1950, Joe was drafted into the Army where he served as a Squad Leader and Machine Gunner. After completion of various training programs, he was stationed in Nuremberg Germany, which is a long way from Liberty, TN. While in Germany he split his time between Grafenwoehr Army Base, Hohenfels Army Base, and the Czech border on patrol. “I was discharged from the Army in October 1952 and returned home and married Oleda “Tincy” Cook June 16, 1953,” said Stone.”I missed the military life so in October 1955 I was inducted into the United States Air Force.”

“I went to Lackland AFB, TX for processing and from there went to Frances E Warren AFB, WY,” Stone continued. “While there I attended Automotive Technical School where I graduated with honors. I then took a remote assignment for 1 year to Northeast Cape, AK. My next assignment took me to Charleston AFB, SC as a vehicle inspector in the Transportation Squadron. I attended Aircraft Maintenance Tech School at Sheppard AFB, TX which led me to Tyndall AFB, FL”.

“There I worked on B-57’s and RB-66 Bombers,” Stone explained. “I worked on C-130’s at Seward AFB, TN then went on to be a vehicle inspector. From July 1963-January 1966 I was stationed at Naha AFB, Okinawa, I returned to Walker AFB, NM until December 1966 then to Bergstrom AFB, TX. I attended 1HC Heavy Equipment School in Chicago, IL from June 1967-October 1967, I was assigned to Eglin AFB, FL to the 823rd CES Red Horse Squadron”.

“I departed December 1967 to Phan Rang Vietnam as a Red Horse. I worked on all types of heavy equipment, built roads, runways, buildings, and bridges. The Red Horse Squadron would take a piece of land and in no time would construct a fully functional base. I had been in Vietnam for about 3 weeks when the TET Offensive started. Every night at about midnight the rockets and mortars would start, that was a very scary time,” said Stone.

“Returning from Vietnam December 1968 I was stationed at England AFB, LA in charge of the refueling maintenance shop. In June 1971 I was assigned to Hanscom AFB, MA in charge of Vehicle Maintenance Squadron. I served as vehicle Maintenance Superintendent at Kirkland AFB, NM from August 1975-August 1976 at which time I was assigned to Elmendorf AFB, AK. Due to snow removal, Elmendorf had the largest number of vehicles in the Air Force. When my 3-year tour at Elmendorf was complete I decided it was time to retire. On August 1, 1979, I retired from the United States Air Force and settled back in Smithville,” Stone said.

“I am thankful Tincy was a supportive wife and mother to our daughters Lisa, Sheila, Joanna, and Laura as it was not easy to uproot your life and move so often,” added Stone.

“During my career I had the honor of serving with many outstanding soldiers,” Stone concluded.

Joe is proud of his military career and is honored to be a recipient of this Quilt of Valor.

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