City Expecting to Hear from $4.6 Million Airport Taxiway Grant Application by February

January 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is expected to receive word by next month on its application for $4.6 million in grant funding to build a parallel taxiway at the airport.

During last Monday night’s monthly meeting, Airport Manager Joe Johnson informed the mayor and aldermen that the city has met all criteria for the funding. “The grant application has been submitted and we are awaiting FAA approval. We should know something in February,” said Johnson.

In November the aldermen voted to apply for a $150,000 grant to pay most of the engineering costs in conducting a 30% design of the taxiway project to be funded 90% by federal funds, 5% by the state, and a 5% local match or $7,500.

Should the $4.6 million grant be approved, then the city will proceed with the remaining 70% of the taxiway design at a 5% grant match.

If the grant is approved it will likely be 2020 before construction begins on the taxiway.

Meanwhile, Johnson requested and received approval from the aldermen to renew the city’s five year contract with the airport engineering consulting firm of CHA, subject to a review by the city attorney and approval by the state aeronautical commission.

Johnson, with the city’s blessing, is also seeking additional grant funds to help pay for the cutting and removal of trees on private property near the airport to meet the 20:1 federal requirement for keeping the glide paths clear as aircraft approach the runway.

The airport manager informed the mayor and aldermen in September that the first phase of the project would affect eleven property owners at an estimated cost of $118,516 but if the city should acquire a grant, the local cost would only be $5,925.80. Plans call for the city to identify trees to be cut and to obtain permanent easements from the property owners for the work to be done now and again in the future.

Since September, Johnson said the city has learned that it can apply for a grant amendment to add sixteen more properties to the project at an additional cost of $20,000 to $30,000 but with a local match to the city of only 5% of that amount. If approved, Johnson said the city would save money in the long run.

Johnson also announced that the fixed based operator at the airport, Cedar Glade Aero Marine gave up its lease as of December 31 but that Landergood Aviation has signed a six month lease with the city to take over as fixed based operator subject to a review by the city attorney.

January 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A member of the DTC Communications Board of Directors and owner of a popular catering business lost his life on Friday in an accident on U.S. Highway 70 south at the intersection with Cummins Hollow Road in Cannon County.

Dead is 53 year old Michael Anthony Alexander of Woodbury.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that Alexander was driving a 1985 International model dump truck eastbound at around 3:11 p.m. on U.S. Highway 70S (McMinnville Highway) and ran off the road to the right side. He then overcorrected and went across both lanes of travel. When the truck got to the left side of the road, it rolled over and Alexander, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected.

No other vehicles were involved.

Alexander and his wife Christie owned and operated Christie Q BBQ and Catering. Their food truck regularly served customers in this area.

In addition to operating Christie Q Bar-B-Que, Alexander was a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for 28 years in Smithville. Alexander was elected to his first three year term on the DTC Board of Directors from the Woodbury Exchange in September, 2017. He was a native of DeKalb County.

Survivors include his wife, Christie Lynn Alexander of Woodbury; Son, Erik (Emilee) Buckmeyer of Woodbury; Brother, Brian (Andrea) Alexander of Woodbury; Mother-in-law, Mary Moses of Alexandria; Brother-in-law, Ronnie (Kim) Moses of Cookeville; Nephews & Niece, Hugh Braxton Alexander, Andrew Michael Alexander, Keeley Moses, & Landry Moses; and Favorite Aunt, Joyce Owen of Woodbury.  Several aunts & cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert & Margaret Alexander.

Funeral Services will be 12 PM Monday, January 14, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Sycamore Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 12 to 8 PM, Sunday, January 13, 2019 at the funeral home.

Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

January 12, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tigers snapped a 15 game losing streak Friday night with a 61 to 49 victory at Macon County. The Lady Tigers lost their game 61 to 36

The boys game was tied at 8 after the 1^st period but DC grabbed a 24 to 16 halftime lead and held a 46 to 28 advantage after the 3^rd period before going on to win 61 to 49.

Nathan Atkins scored 23, Tanner Poss 16, Dallas Cook 8, Dakota White 5, Colter Norris 4, Lucas Hale 3, and Evan Jones with 2.

The Lady Tigers trailed Macon County 20 to 15 after the 1^st period, 37 to 21 at halftime, and 53 to 31 after the 3^rd period before losing 61 to 36.

Lydia Brown scored 16, Kadee Ferrell 10, Maddison Parsley 4, and Joni Robinson, Mya Ruch, and Mallori Hart each with 2 points.

The Tigers improve to 2-16 on the season and 1-5 in the district while the Lady Tigers slip to 12-6 overall and 4-2 in the district.

Girls District 8AA Standings as of January 12:
Macon County: 17-4 (6-0)
Upperman: 16-3 (6-0)
DeKalb County: 12-6 (4-2)
York Institute: 7-9 (3-3)
Livingston Academy: 9-13 (2-4)
Cannon County: 11-8 (1-5)
Smith County: 6-9 (1-5)
Watertown 7-12 (1-5)

Boys District 8AA Standings as of January 12:
York Institute: 12-3 (5-1
Livingston Academy: 13-8 (5-1)
Macon County: 8-12 (4-2)
Upperman: 14-4 (4-2)
Watertown: 12-6 (2-3)
Cannon County: 9-11(2-4)
DeKalb County: 2-16 (1-5)
Smith County 1-12 (0-5)

The remaining schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, January 15: Smith County*-Away 6 p.m.
Friday, January 18: York Institute*-Away 6 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22: Livingston Academy*-Home 6 p.m.
Friday, January 25: Watertown*-Away 6 p.m.
Tuesday, January 29: Cannon County*-Home 6 p.m.
Friday, February 1: Upperman*-Away 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 5: Macon County*-Home 6 p.m.
Thursday, February 7: Smith County*-Home 6 p.m.
Friday, February 8: Monterey-Home 6 p.m.

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