West Main Downtown Smithville May Soon Become a One Way Street

November 4, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Should a portion of West Main be made a one way street for diagonal parking in the downtown business district?

Mayor Josh Miller and some business owners on that street seem to think so.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Mayor Miller asked the aldermen to consider the move after the planning commission takes a look at it in order to create more customer parking spaces for downtown businesses. If approved the portion of West Main Street from the public square to the intersection of South College Street at the flashing traffic light would become one way (westbound only). Two other downtown streets are already one way including West Walnut Street (westbound) and West Market Street (eastbound).

Mayor Miller said downtown Smithville is growing with more businesses moving in and the city needs to help them.

“I was approached by some business owners on that street about this and when someone brings something to me I think its our obligation to look into these things. I definitely think there is a problem with (enough) parking around the square in general. We have a lot of businesses on West Main Street and we have two more businesses moving in within the next couple of weeks,” said Mayor Miller.

“The proposal I would like to see happen is to make West Main a one way street with diagonal parking on one side. Public works went out last week and measured the road. We were hoping to be able to put diagonal parking on both sides of the road but after doing a lot of measuring it wouldn’t work. But we could probably add twelve parking spaces on West Main if we made it a one way street,” Mayor Miller continued.

Although they are more narrow than West Main, Mayor Miller said diagonal parking might also be considered for both Walnut and Market Streets. “Someone asked if we could be make diagonal parking on Walnut and Market Streets. I don’t know why we couldn’t. I think any more parking is just going to be a plus. I think we need to try and take care of these business owners,” added Mayor Miller.

Although he backs the move and so do most business owners who would be affected, Mayor Miller said support for it is not unanimous. “I am 100% for this and so are the majority of business owners on West Main but not everyone. Those who are for it want to know when we can get started,” said the mayor.

Miller said the city’s planner has advised taking the issue before the planning commission before moving forward. “I spoke with our planner Tommy Lee today (Monday). I wanted to make sure everybody was on the same page. He told me that we probably at least needed to run this by the planning commission”.

Alderman Brandon Cox said he also thinks the aldermen should do a little more thinking on this before taking action

“It’s a big change. I have had discussions with some people who have concerns about making West Main outbound from the square one way because if you are coming toward the square on West Main Street and you come to the flashing light then the only way you can enter the square is to take a right at the light and then left onto Market Street unless you go left and come down by Gayla’s (Hendrix) law office. I think it needs more of a look before we say let’s do it,” said Alderman Cox.

The planning commission’s role is to consider issues and make non-binding recommendations either for or against to the city council but the mayor and aldermen have the final say.

Meanwhile Mayor Miller said the city needs to better mark other downtown streets. “We need to mark the streets better. I sit in my office and see people go around the courthouse the wrong way. Downtown needs to be concern of ours,” he said.

November 4, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A Liberty man who allegedly broke into the Smithville City Garage and Public Works Building before stealing a truck is facing several felony charges

38 year old David Nathan Conaway of Cottage Home Road is charged with three counts of burglary and one count of property theft over $1,000. He is also charged with four counts of forgery in a separate investigation and failure to appear. His bond totals $85,000.

According to the arrest warrants, Conaway entered the gated area of the Smithville City Garage at around 3:00 a.m. on September 14. Once inside he entered a green Chevrolet truck and took a set of keys found in the truck which gave him access to the public works building and the lock to the front gate. Conaway then entered the public works building where he ate a sausage and biscuit and then took a box of breakfast bars and a tub of protein powder from the building. After helping himself there, Conaway then stole a white 2007 Ford 150 and drove away. The truck and most of its contents were recovered the next day.

Earlier in the month, Conaway allegedly passed forged checks bearing the name of his victim a total of four times at three local businesses.

The first of the forgeries occurred on September 6 at Food Lion for $177.26. The second offense on September 8 at Food Lion was for $318.46. He then passed forged checks on September 9 at Tractor Supply Company for $606.29 and at Rite Aid Pharmacy for $216.86.

November 4, 2019
By:

Attorneys Stephanie Johnson, Bruce MacLeod, and Victor Gernt have an accumulated 20 years’ experience serving and protecting the Upper Cumberland region as Assistant District Attorneys and are now privileged to use that experience to provide for its legal needs.

“We would like to thank District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway for the opportunity to serve the people of the 13^th Judicial District,” said the attorneys in a joint statement. “Our work as Assistant District Attorneys has been an honor and we look forward to bringing that same dedication to our clients in White, DeKalb and the surrounding counties.”

During their time in the prosecutor’s office, Johnson, MacLeod, & Gernt argued over 45 jury trials and handled cases ranging from simple possessions and DUI’s to homicides.

Johnson handled domestic violence, aggravated assault, stalking, harassment, and order of protection matters before being assigned lead Assistant District Attorney in DeKalb County where she managed all criminal offenses charged in DeKalb County.

MacLeod exclusively prosecuted DUI cases for two years including 10 DUI trials and the negotiation of over 1,000 DUI cases before his promotion to lead prosecutor in White County five years ago. In that role, he handled all criminal offenses charged in White County from homicide to traffic offenses. MacLeod was also Honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corp.

Gernt most recently served in a specialized role prosecuting child sexual abuse cases and has successfully handled countless cases ranging from theft to homicide, winning 15 jury trials. Gernt also serves as an adjunct professor for Vol State Community College, teaching the fundamentals of constitutional law in the legal process.

Johnson, MacLeod, and Gernt have all handled criminal cases in Putnam, White, Cumberland and DeKalb Counties.

“Being a prosecutor is a prestigious calling, a calling to help people and we are driven to continue to do just that,” said the attorneys.

JMG, PLLC is a full-service law firm offering legal services including but not limited to criminal law, family law, and real estate. Located at 27 N. Main Street Sparta, Tennessee.

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