Former State Representative Frank Buck has passed away

January 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County has lost a longtime attorney and former state representative.

Frank Buck, 80 of Dowelltown passed away on January 24, 2024, at NHC HealthCare in Smithville, Tennessee.

For 36 years, Buck represented the 40th district including DeKalb County in the Tennessee General Assembly. He was first elected to the position in 1972 and re-elected every two years thereafter for a total of 18 terms until his retirement in 2008.

Buck and his wife Lena for many years have practiced law from their downtown Smithville office firm of Buck & Buck Attorneys

Frank was born on September 26, 1943 in Trousdale County, Tennessee; the second son of the late John and Georgia Buck. He graduated from Lebanon High School, Tennessee Technological University, and the University of Tennessee College of Law. While at TTU, he married his wife, Lena Ann Graves Buck in 1962. After law school, Frank settled in DeKalb County, joining the law firm owned by McAllen Foutch. Eventually, Frank formed his own practice which would ultimately become Buck & Buck Attorneys when his wife, Lena, joined the practice as a partner in 1991.

In 1972, Frank ran for the Tennessee General Assembly representing DeKalb, Cannon, Smith, and part of Rutherford counties. He would go on to represent District 40 for the next thirty-six (36) years in the General Assembly. While in the House, he served as Chairman of the House Judiciary and Conservation and Environment Committees; and Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee. Frank introduced many bills which bettered the lives of Tennesseans, including but not limited to the Lemonade Stand Bill, precluding the Department of Health from requiring certificates of health from lemonade stands; the Cup of Coffee Bill, which restrained lobbyists from buying meals and paying for travel expenses for the General Assembly and forcing disclosure of such acts; and the Tennessee Interstate Logos bill, which allows businesses to post their logos on interstate signs for motorists. Reflecting on his retirement from the legislature, Frank said, “I’ve been here 33 years, and when I retire from this place and when I see my constituents on the street, I’d like to have their respect that I did a good job for them and that I was an honorable public servant.” The Tennessean, (April 25, 2005).

His many honors included being named in 2005 Tennessean of the Year by The Tennessean Newspaper for his work on ethics; Chairman of the Tennessee Judicial Council for four (4) years; elected a Fellow by the Tennessee Bar Foundation; and the Common Cause Award for his Cup of Coffee Bill.

Frank was revered for his sharp legal mind, lively personality, and plain speech. In later years, he enjoyed retelling many stories involving his family and pranks while in the legislature. Frank rarely abandoned his signature outfit: brown leather vest, khaki pants, and blue button-down shirt. He maintained a lifelong commitment to the legal community. He loved his family deeply and recounted his best memory as, “probably the children.”

Frank is survived by his wife of over sixty-one (61) years, Lena, and daughters, Kathryn Buck Pursell (Brice) of Dowelltown; Melinda Buck Brown (Chase) of Oak Ridge; Sara Buck Doude (John) of Milledgeville, Georgia; and Jennifer Buck of Dowelltown; six grandchildren, Frank Forrest Pursell (Taylor) of Crossville; Ann Pursell Williams (Timothy) of Liberty; William Pursell of Liberty; Emeline Brown Hébert (Luke) of Nashville; Ellie Brown of Nashville; and Lilah Brown of Oak Ridge; and two great grandchildren, Lena Pursell of Liberty and Caroline Pursell of Crossville.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. All services and visitation are scheduled at Love Cantrell Funeral Home, 100 East Church Street, Smithville, Tennessee 37166.

January 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County property taxpayers have a little over a month to pay their 2023 county property taxes.

2023 Property taxes are due and payable through February 29, 2024 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2024. Interest will accrue on March 1, 2024 @ 1.5% per month. If you choose to mail in your tax payment, it must be postmarked on or prior to February 29, 2024 to avoid any accrued interest.

As of Monday, Trustee Sean Driver said 52.8% has been collected of the $12.9 million in 2023 DeKalb County property taxes to be collected by February 29, 2024 which includes property, residential, commercial, personal, and public utility taxes.

In a report to the County Commission Monday night, Driver said collections as of January 22, 2024 are slightly above last year’s collections of 51.13% on the same date (January 22, 2023). Another difference is that the property tax rate is at $2.00 per $100 of assessed value now as opposed to $1.7308 per $100 of assessed value this time last year with the county having been responsible for collecting $11.2 million in the 2022 tax year.

Collections of 2022 taxes, according to Trustee Driver are at 98.48% and the remaining $172,000 in unpaid 2022 taxes may still be paid with interest and penalty through March 31, 2024 but after that date the Trustee will file for collection with the Clerk and Master’s Office of the Chancery Court.

The Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your 2023 property taxes:

1. Come in person to the office to pay

2. Mail in your payment

3. Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens – The Vendor BIS/I3 Verticals accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express – The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change using Credit/Debit Cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an E-CHECK payment of any amount. DeKalb County does not collect any online payment fees.

4. A QR (Quick Response Code) is also on your notice to access the website with your I-phone, smartphone, etc. @ www.tennesseetrustee.org

5 A Dropbox is located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours and/or weekends.

6. Partial Payments are accepted, and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is satisfied.

Eligibility for Property Tax Relief:

The State of Tennessee offers qualified property owners Tax Relief on property taxes. This program was implemented in 1973 and the program has a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 403 applicants on the program for 2023. So, as a property owner for 2023, you can qualify for Tax Relief if:

(A) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence,

(B) You are 65 years old (or older) on or before December 31, 2023, or

(C) You are under 65 years of age with a totally and permanently disability per SSA or another qualifying agency, and last

(D) Your 2022 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses that DID NOT exceed $33,460.00.

If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $104.00 for the 2023 tax year. You must pay your 2023 tax bill in full to start the application process. Applications are handled, executed, and sent to the State of Tennessee by the Trustee’s office.

The State of Tennessee also offers Tax Relief to Disabled Veterans and the Surviving Spouses of a Disabled Veteran. You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a total and permanent disability rating that was service connected. You and your spouse do NOT have to report any amount of income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow/er of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $589.00 for 2023.

Meanwhile, DeKalb County has implemented a “Tax Freeze” program authorized by the state and Trustee Driver explains the qualifications for that.

NEW 2023 PROGRAM: ‘TAX FREEZE’

• Established through voters in the State of Tennessee through a referendum passage in 2007

•The Program is only for ELDERLY – 65 years or older

•Income Limit (2022 Annual Income) is $33,460.00. All owners on the property

•Can only have Tax Freeze on your primary/principal residence

•The TAX AMOUNT is Frozen. The property value, assessment, and tax rate are Not Frozen.

•You can apply or have both Tax Relief and Tax Freeze.

•Applications are administered and executed by the Trustee’s office.

•There are acreage limits that can be frozen.

The Trustee’s office will accept applications for the Tax Relief & Tax Freeze Programs through April 5, 2024. If you would like to inquire more about a possible Tax Relief for property taxes or about the New Tax Freeze Program, come by the County Complex in the Trustee’s office @ 732 S. Congress Blvd – Room 103, Smithville, TN 37166 or call @ 615-597-5176.

January 24, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Volunteer Firefighter and Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale received the “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” Tuesday night during an appreciation dinner for city firefighters at Ace’s Steakhouse, Seafood, and Italian Restaurant downtown.

The award was presented to Hale by Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker. Hale earned this award named in honor of the late Robert Eller, who served the Smithville Fire Department as a member and assistant chief for 64 years until his death in 2009. Hale has won this award eight times since it was established.

Deputy Chief Hale, 39-year veteran of the department, responded to 161 incidents in 2023, the most of anyone during the year including trainings, incidents, and events. Others receiving honorable mention were veteran city firefighters Captain Donnie Cantrell with 129 incidents, Captain Danny Poss with 109 incidents, and Captain John Poss with 109 incidents.

Dylan Goodman, one of the department’s six rookie firefighters, received a Volunteer Training Award for logging the most training hours during 2023 at 188 hours. Chief Parker said Goodman dedicated himself to firefighter training while also attending EMT school to become a certified EMT basic. His 188 hours of training does not count the extra hours of classes and practicals  for him to complete his basic EMT license. City volunteer firefighter Jayden Mitchell earned honorable mention for 133 hours of training.

Another training award was presented to a strictly career city firefighter and Ryan Evans received the honor having put in 210 hours of training during the year 2023. Other career city firefighters earning honorable mention are Glenn Lattimore with 172 and Dalton Roberts with 123 hours.

Chief Parker singled out six new firefighters who joined the department in 2023 including Daine Powell, Max Lahoda, Jayden Mitchell, Eric Gaw, Ryan Evans (career firefighter), and Dylan Goodman.

“During their one-year period of time, they all completed their basic 64-hour class, a 20-hour LIVE Burn class, 16-hour Introduction class, and most of them completed Hazmat Awareness and Operations”, said Chief Parker.

The Smithville Fire Department is made up of four career (full time paid firefighters) including Chief Charlie Parker, Dalton Roberts, Glenn Lattimore, and Ryan Evans along with 27 volunteers.

Members of the department recognized and presented certificates for their years of service are as follows:

Daine Powell- 1 year, Max Lahoda- 1 year, Jayden Mitchell-1 year, Eric Gaw-1 year, Ryan Evans-1 year (career firefighter), Dylan Goodman-1 year, Tyler Cantrell-3 years, Mark Riggsbee (Auxiliary)- 3 years, Cole Wright- 3 years, Dakota Nokes-4 years, Kayla Johnson (Auxiliary)-5 years, Andrew Cooper-5 years, Seth Wright-8 years, Kim Johnson-8 years, Dalton Roberts-10 years (career firefighter), Bradley Johnson- 10 years, Shawn Jacobs (Auxiliary)-11 years, Becky Atnip- 11 years, Cory Killian-13 years, Glen Lattimore-16 years (career firefighter), Stephanee Tramel-18 years, James R. Hunt-19 years, Gary Johnson-19 years, William (Wink) Brown-26 years, Greg Bess (Photographer)-29 years, Captain John Poss-33 years, Assistant Chief Jeff Wright-38 years, Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale-39 years, Captain Donnie Cantrell-44 years, Captain Danny Poss-44 years, and Chief Charlie Parker-44 years including 32 years as Chief (career firefighter)

Chief Parker highlighted several fire department achievements during the year.

“This year we had a total of 234 incidents, the highest number we have ever had. That tells us we (city) are growing and hopefully we (city firefighters) are providing good service. I want to thank our training officer and Assistant Chief Jeff Wright. He offered 52 different training opportunities in 2023 including in-service and online classes, etc. and our firefighters logged in a combined total of 2,034 training hours and that’s also the largest number we have ever had. That’s almost 70 hours per person throughout the year. That shows the dedication of our firefighters,” said Chief Parker.

“This past year we had 19 firefighters’ complete incentive pay training offered by the state. These 19 firefighters put in at least 30 hours through this program, our most participation ever. Six firefighters are participating in a course through the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education to become certified as a professional firefighter in Tennessee”.

“I also want to thank the mayor and aldermen for voting to spend $115,000 to buy 25 multi-band portables for our department to move us forward in radio communication. I want to give special recognition to Alderman Beth Chandler for her work in helping us identify what we needed. We also plan to apply for a grant to fund mobile radios for our trucks in combination with the county and Alexandria Fire Departments and I was notified yesterday that we are receiving a Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office grant for $32,500 with no local match to buy turnout gear,” said Chief Parker.

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