DeKalb Schools Reopen Monday, January 4

December 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Students will be back in school Monday, January 4.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said plans are for students to return to their schools for in-person learning Monday except for those who have already previously signed up to be on remote learning. Parents who want their children to be signed up for virtual learning for the first time may contact the school where their children attend on Monday, January 4.

December 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The County Commission is asking Governor Bill Lee and the Legislature to issue a statewide mask mandate

A resolution making the request was adopted by the commission Monday night.

Seventh District Commissioner Beth Pafford, member of the Health, Education & Public Welfare Committee , moved that the resolution be approved.

“This comes from everything our nation, county, and state has experienced in this pandemic. This is rooted in the desire to promote public health and now that we are blessed to have a vaccine for people to get vaccinated. Even though we as a legislative body can’t issue mandates we know that over the course of the last nine months health care professionals have been pleading with the governor to institute a mask mandate and County mayors have been asking for one. We need to let our elected representatives know how we feel about that and that is what this resolution will do. Let them know how we feel,” said Commissioner Pafford.

Although he supported the resolution, Fifth district Commissioner Jerry Adcock said a mask mandate could not be enforced.

“I am for wearing masks but there is no way we can make someone (wear a mask) There is no law. This resolution refers to supporting rewarding people who wear a mask. What do you give them an attaboy”?

Second district Commissioner Myron Rhody replied that while there are no laws to make anyone wear a mask and this is not a local mask mandate, this resolution serves as an encouragement for people to wear a mask and for the governor and legislature to have a stronger voice in that statewide.

The resolution states that “Whereas, the State of Tennessee has been identified as having the highest per capita outbreak of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States; and

Whereas, the CDC has identified mask wearing as an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and

Whereas, a majority of the members of the DeKalb County Commission support a statewide mask mandate; and

Whereas, members of the DeKalb County Commission support rewarding individuals and entities that abide by the mask mandate as an effective means of gaining compliance;

Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the DeKalb County Commission urge Governor Bill Lee, State Senator Mark Pody, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, and State Representative Clark Boyd to support a statewide mask mandate until the CDC recommends that wearing a mask is no longer recommended.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the DeKalb County Commission and that a copy be sent to Governor Bill Lee, State Senator Mark Pody, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, and State Representative Clark Boyd”.

December 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Anyone in the first district who wants to serve on the county commission may let their wishes be known.

In November, First district Commissioner Dennis Slager gave notice that he was resigning. A position he has held since being elected in 2018. He gave no reason for his decision.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the county commission voted to accept Slager’s resignation although it wasn’t legally required and to move forward with filling the position after a notice of the vacancy has been published in the newspaper.

Under state law the procedure for appointing someone to fill a vacancy on the county commission is briefly summarized as follows:

1. The vacancy must be filled within 120 days of receiving notice of the vacancy unless during that time there is a general election scheduled in the county and there is sufficient time for the vacancy to be placed on the ballot. TCA 5-5-104(b)(2).

2.The presiding officer (Chairperson) of the county commission shall cause public notice to be given in a newspaper at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the office is to be filled, notifying the public of the vacancy or opening to be filled at the meeting. TCA 5-5-111(a)(2).

Each of the seven county commission districts has two commissioners. Julie Young is the other first district commissioner.

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