Chamber Announces New Leadership DeKalb Director

January 23, 2023
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber has announced that Leigh Fuson has accepted the position of Leadership DeKalb Director.

Fuson is a 2019 graduate of Leadership DeKalb. She valued learning the “ins and outs” of the county. Leigh grew up in neighboring White County and moved to Smithville in 2011 after marrying her husband Zach. She quickly fell in love with DeKalb County and the people. Leigh has always had a passion for volunteer work and soon got busy getting involved in her church, Indian Creek Baptist, DeKalb Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, the DeKalb County Fair, and the Smithville Jamboree. She also served on the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As a 4-H Extension Agent for over ten years, Leigh had the privilege of educating youth in grades 4 to 12. She now works with USDA’s Farm Service Agency helping local farmers and landowners. Her Ag education volunteer work continues by serving as a 4-H volunteer and as the school program “Farm Day” coordinator.

Leigh Fuson enjoys event planning and seeing things come together. She is excited to begin working with county leaders, local businesses and organizations, and program participants in the Leadership DeKalb program. It will be a team effort! She wants to see DeKalb County thrive, grow, and succeed. Zach and Leigh live on their family farm in Alexandria with their two children, Landon and Callie Ruth.

Leadership DeKalb and the Chamber thank Beth and Darrell Gill for their four years at the helm from 2016-2020. Jen Sherwood, former Leadership DeKalb Director, states, “They are true servant-leaders. We are so grateful for their efforts and leadership during those years.”

The Leadership DeKalb program is an adult training program consisting of nine sessions over as many months. It covers local and state current issues in government affairs and economic development, challenges in education and health care, and an exploration of resources and opportunities for DeKalb County and its citizens. Discussions with current local, regional and state leaders and leadership skill-building topics such as team-building, leadership styles, group dynamics, problem-solving, and community service are also fundamental training elements for the class. Leadership DeKalb participants must live or work in DeKalb County. The next class will begin in September of 2023. Applications for the Class of 2023-24 will be available soon. For more information, contact the Chamber at 615-597-4163.

January 23, 2023
By:

TVA started a community care fund during the pandemic to help provide much needed assistance for local nonprofit organizations that are helping their local community. TVA provides a matching grant to an organization that is chosen by the local power company. The Smithville Electric System Power Board chose God’s Food Pantry as the recipient of this fund.

God’s Food Pantry is located at 430 E Broad St. in Smithville Tn and provides many services to the community. They provide food, assistance with utility bills, rent, medication, clothing and much more. The pantry is funded locally by donations and is completely staffed with volunteers. The pantry currently provides food on a monthly basis to approximately 850 families.

A check for $8250.00, from the TVA community care fund, was presented to director Patricia Zornow, by SES manager Richie Knowles. “After speaking with Mrs. Zornow, I knew this was the correct place for the matching funds. Smithville Electric System’s power board agreed that God’s Food Pantry was a deserving organization and would provide the best possible aid to our community. Smithville Electric System has proudly served the citizens of Smithville since 1969. We are honored to partner with TVA in serving our community through God’s Food Pantry. The matching funds for the grant will be provided locally by a donation made to the pantry,” said Knowles.

Donations can be sent to God’s Food Pantry at PO Box 490, Smithville, Tn 37166

January 23, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A threepeat!

For the third consecutive year the Liberty Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded the FirstBank Station of the Year. This award presented Saturday night during the department’s annual awards banquet at the county complex auditorium was for the year 2022. Meanwhile, Bill Brown of the Liberty Station received the 2022 DeKalb Funeral Chapel “Git R Done” Award.

The headlining sponsor for the banquet was Wilson Bank & Trust and County Fire Chief Donny Green gave special recognition to the bank.

“We are honored to have Wilson Bank & Trust as our Headlining Sponsor for our 2022 DeKalb County Fire Department’s Annual Awards Banquet.

“Wilson Bank & Trust is an independent bank deeply connected to our communities taking a personal approach to business by providing customized banking needs while staying connected to serving our communities,” said Chief Green.

Lieutenant Matt Adcock presented the First Bank Station of the Year Award.

“This award is exclusively selected from all 12 stations of the DeKalb County Fire Department based upon the following criteria:

•Station work sessions that go above and beyond the normal expectations for station and equipment maintenance

•Community service the station completed as a group

“We certainly want to recognize all stations that have demonstrated pride in making the county-wide department accountable and ready to respond. However, we especially want to recognize a station that has outstanding achievement in meeting the criteria for this award,” said Lieutenant Adcock.

“The Liberty Station is the First Bank 2022 Station of the Year, and we congratulate all members of the Liberty Station for your commitment to pride and service to our department and your community,” Lt. Adcock continued.

“Specifically, the Liberty Station conducted numerous work sessions as a group to keep their station, apparatus, and equipment in good operating condition and status. It’s easy to look at their station and equipment and see they take great pride in their work and commitment to service for their community. The Liberty Station went above and beyond in helping staff the food booth at the 2022 Fair to help raise funds for the Department. Members of this station conduct their own station training each month, in addition to the Department’s monthly county-wide training sessions,” he said.

“As for community service group projects, the Liberty Station coordinated and delivered multiple community service projects in their service area. For example, they sponsored families for Christmas gift donations and donated their personal time and equipment to perform grounds maintenance at DeKalb West School and the tennis courts in Liberty. They also coordinated a Back-to-School Welcome for the first day of school at DeKalb West School. Several station members participated in the DeKalb Emergency Services Association’s (DESA) Thanksgiving and Christmas Meal Delivery Programs. During the May 2022 Smoke Alarm Blitz, members of the Liberty Station surveyed the community to determine households in need of smoke alarms, and later delivered and installed smoke alarms. The Liberty Station hosted a town Halloween Party and provided fellowship and treats for attendees”.

“It has been said “no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” It’s obvious the Liberty Station cares about their community and goes beyond emergency response to show it”.

“We are honored to recognize the Liberty Station of the DeKalb County Fire Department as the First Bank 2022 Station of the Year,” concluded Lieutenant Adcock.

Safety Officer Lieutenant Kristie Johnson, who presented the “Git R Done” Award, said Brown was selected for the honor based on a variety of factors.

“Nominations were evaluated and scored based on the following criteria:
•Community service;
•Special projects within the fire department, other than fire calls;
•Special events such as: Fundraisers, Halloween, and Christmas Parties; and
•Actions/accomplishments above and beyond normal to promote the success and image of the fire department.

The firefighter selected as this year’s GIT R Done Award is widely known for getting things done! He is dedicated and loyal to participating in training functions and incident responses. When we have been challenged in staffing our part-time position, this firefighter has always stepped up and filled the void. In addition to this, he exceeded expectations by doing a phenomenal job assisting in our county-wide Insurance Services Office evaluation last fall. He spent countless hours flow testing hydrants, visiting suction supply points, preparing hose and pump test records, and updating apparatus inventory records.
He always goes above and beyond in helping us make sure the Fair Food Booth is set up, operational, taken down, and cleaned. He even used his own truck and trailer to help transport the food booth. He always displays professionalism and positivity in his appearance and conduct. He holds others accountable, but never before holding himself accountable.

As for community service, you would be hard pressed to find an individual that does more for his community. In addition to his duties as our department’s Equipment Officer last year, he made himself available to numerous community outreach and educational events such as: DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA) Thanksgiving and Christmas meal delivery projects, Farm Day, Liberty Station Community Halloween Party, and Career Day. He is a very active leader in the local Boy Scouts Club and quietly and unselfishly gives of his time and means to deliver thoughtful gifts to partner agencies such as EMS, 911 Dispatch, and the Sheriff’s Department.

Although Bill Brown would never be motivated to do any of this for recognition, it’s members like him that make our department and community better! His service in our department and community most certainly promotes a positive image of our department.

Fittingly enough, we are honored to present Firefighter Bill Brown with the 2022 DeKalb Funeral Chapel “GIT R DONE” Award,” said Lieutenant Johnson.

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