Alderman Greg Fish Named Interim Dowelltown Mayor

August 9, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Although there were no names on the ballot in the Dowelltown Municipal election last Thursday it doesn’t mean the town is not represented.

A mayor and two aldermen were to have been elected there on August 1 but there were no qualified candidates, either on the ballot or write-ins.

The town government is made up of a mayor and five aldermen. The terms, which are staggered, are for four years.

Four years ago, Pam Redmon was elected mayor and Phillip D. Byford and Chris Walker were elected without opposition as alderman. Byford no longer serves. Two years ago, two aldermen were to have been elected but only one person ran, Alderman Greg Fish who was re-elected at that time.

The current makeup of the Dowelltown Board of Aldermen is Donnie Braswell, Chris Walker, Tisha Hendrixson, and Eric Snow. With the departure of Mayor Redmon, who did not seek re-election, the town council has chosen Alderman Greg Fish as the interim mayor. Fish’s alderman seat is now vacant and will apparently have to be filled by appointment of the remaining board of aldermen.

August 9, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Should the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen update the city’s beer ordinance to make it easier for businesses including eateries in the downtown business district to sell the beverage?

The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen have scheduled a workshop to discuss the issue on Tuesday, August 20 at 6 p.m. at city hall.

In June, local businessman Tony Luna was one of three people who addressed the mayor and aldermen to make this request. Luna renewed his request during Monday night’s monthly meeting.

Luna said in June that the existing beer ordinance is an impediment to economic growth and its unfair because of the distance requirement for businesses to obtain a beer permit. The other two people who addressed the mayor and aldermen in June, Ken Fennell and Gary Booth, essentially made the same arguments.

Local businessman Ace Gonzalez spoke Monday night saying essentially that he could support changes in the ordinance if good restrictions are in place particularly for establishments who currently allow customers to bring in their own beer.

Under the ordinance, the language states that “In no event will a permit be issued authorizing the manufacture or storage of beer, or the sale of beer within 400 feet of any school or church. The distance requirement shall be measured in a straight line from the primary entrance of the establishment seeking a permit to sell beer to the primary entrance of the school or church”.

Mayor Josh Miller explained that any change in the beer ordinance would require passage of an ordinance on two separate readings and a public hearing.

August 8, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A McMinnville man has been arrested by Smithville Police for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and solicitation of a person under age 18 as a result of an undercover investigation.

31-year-old Toby Denton Pack is under a $12,500 bond and his court date is August 22.

Police Chief Mark Collins said that during a recent investigation of a runaway detectives determined that Pack gave the juvenile a ride from Smithville to Warren County further preventing a safe return to her family or law enforcement.

“Also, Pack, through a “snap chat” solicited an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old female to come to his house for sexual favors”, said Chief Collins.

“During an interview, Pack admitted to these charges,” he concluded.

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