53rd Annual Chamber Prayer Breakfast: A Morning of Inspiration and Unity

October 19, 2023
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is delighted to invite the community to the 53rd Annual Chamber Prayer Breakfast, a cherished tradition of togetherness and reflection. The event will be held on Thursday, November 16th, from 7 AM to 8 AM at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center, located at 101 W. Church Street, Smithville. The doors will open at 6:30 AM, welcoming all who wish to attend.

“This year, we are honored to host Senator Janice Bowling as our guest speaker, promising a captivating and uplifting address. The event will feature special music and prayers led by members of our community, adding depth and meaning to this special morning. As an added treat, the Smithville First Baptist Church’s Men’s Group will prepare a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast for all attendees. The Leadership DeKalb Class of 2024 will be on hand to help serve,” said Chamber Director Suzanne Williams

Tickets for the 53rd Annual Chamber Prayer Breakfast are available at a nominal cost of $5 per person. To secure your tickets, please contact the Chamber via email at swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org or send a text message to 615-464-7760 with your name and the number of tickets you need. Payments can be made at the door, ensuring a hassle-free and convenient registration process.

“This annual event serves as a significant opportunity for the community to come together in gratitude and unity, giving thanks for the abundant blessings that have graced our county and seeking divine guidance as we journey into the future. It is a time for reflection, connection, and shared spirituality, making it a heartwarming way to usher in the holiday season,” said Williams.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our generous sponsors who have made this event possible: Center Hill Realty and Chalets, DTC Communications, FirstBank, Liberty State Bank, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas “Project Hometown Help,” Wilson Bank & Trust, Caney Fork Electric Cooperative, and Smithville First Baptist Church,” Williams continued

“Please join us at the 53rd Annual Chamber Prayer Breakfast and be a part of this uplifting and unifying experience. Let us come together as one community to celebrate our blessings and seek divine wisdom for our shared journey ahead,” said Williams

About the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce:
The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and thriving community. We work tirelessly to connect, support, and represent local businesses and organizations, creating a stronger and more prosperous DeKalb County. Our events and initiatives, such as the Annual Chamber Prayer Breakfast, bring our community together to celebrate our shared values and aspirations.

October 18, 2023
By:

The Tennessee Supreme Court held Tuesday that a property owner using his home on Center Hill Lake as a short-term rental did not violate homeowner association restrictions requiring that homes be used for “residential and no other purposes.” However, the Court also held that the property owner’s short-term rentals did violate later amendments to the restrictions that impose a minimum lease term of 30 days.

The ruling affects Four Seasons, a housing development on Center Hill Lake in DeKalb County. FSD Corporation operates the Four Seasons homeowners’ association.

Pratik Pandharipande purchased a property in Four Seasons in 2015. The property was subject to restrictive covenants that stated the property must be used for “residential and no other purposes.” Pandharipande began leasing his property to third-parties exclusively on a short-term basis. His leases lasted between two and 28 days. In 2018, a majority of FSD’s shareholders amended the restrictive covenants by a majority vote. The amendments provided that property owners could lease their properties but imposed a minimum lease term of 30 days. Pandharipande continued to lease his property for terms of fewer than 30 days.

Pandharipande sued FSD and sought declaratory and injunctive relief. FSD counterclaimed and also sought declaratory and injunctive relief. Pandharipande argued that no restrictive covenant prohibited him from using his property for short-term rentals. FSD, by contrast, argued that both the original restrictive covenants and the 2018 amendments prohibited such use. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of FSD, holding that Pandharipande’s short-term rentals violated the residential-purposes provision of the original restrictive covenants as well as the 2018 amendments. The Court of Appeals affirmed.

The Supreme Court granted Pandharipande’s application for permission to appeal.

The Court first considered whether the residential-purposes provision of the original covenants prohibited Pandharipande’s short-term rentals. The Court examined the text of the provision and concluded that, at best for FSD, the provision is ambiguous as to whether short-term rentals are allowed. Because restrictions on property use must be clear and unambiguous, the Court held that the residential-purposes provision does not prohibit Pandharipande from leasing his property for short terms.

The Court next considered the 2018 amendments. Pandharipande did not dispute that his short-term rentals would violate the provision imposing a minimum lease term of 30 days. He instead argued that his short-term rentals were permitted under the amendments’ grandfather clause, that amendments to restrictive covenants may not impose additional restrictions on property use, and that the amendments were arbitrary and capricious. The Court rejected those arguments and held that the 2018 amendments prohibited Pandharipande’s short-term rentals. The Court therefore affirmed the Court of Appeals in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings.

October 18, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Heavens to Betsy!

How is it a sweet cuddlebug like “Betsy” doesn’t yet have a forever home?

Make her day and yours too by adopting “Betsy” at the DeKalb Animal Shelter. Her adoption fee has been reduced to only $80.

“Betsy is a 7-month-old Lab mix and she is super sweet,” said Shelter Director Emmaly Bennett. “Betsy came in here with her brother Justice and both are still here. We have had them since summer. We really want to find them a good home. Betsy has been spayed, micro-chipped, and is up to date on everything. She is just a sweet puppy. Betsy gets along well with kids and everyone else and she loves to walk and play”.

“If you are interested in adopting Betsy please check out the adoptable pet’s link on our website to fill out an application at https://www.dekalbanimalsheltertn.com/ and we will call you to come in and meet her,” she said.

The shelter is open Monday-Friday from 8 to 4 and Saturday from 8 to 12 at 186 Transfer Station Road. Phone 615-597-3647.

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