Liberty Mayor Dwight Mathis Resigns

August 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Liberty Mayor Dwight Mathis has resigned.

Citing personal reasons including health issues, Mayor Mathis tendered his resignation effective immediately in a letter to the Board of Aldermen during their regular meeting Monday night.

Incumbent Liberty Alderman and Vice Mayor Dwayne Blair will succeed Mathis as Mayor and will serve in that role until the next election in August 2022.

After serving several years as Alderman, Mathis was first elected Mayor of Liberty in August 2013 succeeding longtime Mayor J. Edward Hale who passed away in May that year. Mathis was re-elected in 2018 to his second term as Mayor which will expire in 2022.

“I am writing this letter to inform everyone that I will be resigning this position as Mayor of Liberty effective immediately due to personal reasons. With much thought and prayer, I have made the decision to step down,” said Mayor Mathis.

“I have enjoyed serving in the capacity of Alderman as well as Mayor. I have appreciated the time I have been given to serve with all the members of the council and wonderful citizens of Liberty to make our community the best it could be. I know the welfare of Liberty and townspeople’s interests are in very capable hands. Your support, friendship, and sincerity will always be remembered”.

“I want to thank the Council for all their support, advice, and their encouragement. I also want to recognize Charlotte Bratten (City Recorder and Secretary) for her selfless service. Because of her contributions this Council has been productive and the City has flourished”.

“Lastly I want to thank my wife for standing by my side during this endeavor and being the person I could always depend on”.

“Thank you all for everything you have done and everything you will do. You are a great group of individuals. Sincerely, Dwight Mathis,” the letter concluded.

Other members of the Liberty Town Council are Aldermen Jason Ray, Howard Reynolds, Jr., J.D. Bratten, and Derek Johnson. Now that Blair has stepped down as Alderman to assume the role of Mayor, it will be up to the Council to name his successor to serve as Alderman until the next election in August 2022.

August 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

More DeKalb Countians are choosing to obtain a valid Tennessee handgun carry permit.

According to the latest available records kept by the state, DeKalb County had a total of 2,492 handgun permit holders as of July 1, 2020. A significant increase from 1,321 ten years ago.

Classes are available locally for anyone wanting to obtain a permit

Randy Caplinger, an authorized state handgun permit class instructor, teaches a class at the county complex building at least twice a month.

“ I usually do them on Saturday mornings. It starts at 8 a.m. until around 12 noon to 1 p.m. I also occasionally do a night class on a Tuesday or Thursday evening for those who can’t make the Saturday morning classes. The Saturday class is just for one day and everything is completed that day. For the night classes we have to schedule a qualification at a later date so it’s a two-part class. The cost is $70. The only thing students furnish is their weapon and a box of ammunition. For those who do not have a weapon or ammunition, they can purchase ammunition through the class and borrow a gun. Most of them like to shoot their own weapon. Some people don’t have a weapon but still want to take the class. Either way we have it covered,” said Caplinger.

In order to take the class, participants must first receive a confirmation number from the state after completing information online at the link below

https://www.tn.gov/safety/tnhp/handgun/handgunonline.html

“It used to be you could just show up for the class but its not that way anymore. You have to be approved through the state and receive a confirmation number to be able to take the class. You go to https://www.tn.gov/safety/tnhp/handgun/handgunonline.html and click on the red box that says “Online Services” and it will take you to the option for “Driver Services” or “Handgun “Permits”. Then click on handgun permits and it will show you the different type permits being offered today. There are permits for “Concealed Carry Only” and permits which most people get called “Enhanced Permits” that allow you to carry in 37 other states with which Tennessee has a reciprocal agreement. It allows you to carry “concealed” or “open” whichever the student decides. Originally a permit was good for four years but now they are good for eight years and you have the option to get a lifetime permit. An eight year permit is $100 and the “Lifetime Permit” is $300. With the “Lifetime Permit” you never have to renew it again. Even if you get the eight year permit you can go back during that time and upgrade to a Lifetime Permit for $200,” he said.

“Beware of bogus websites that ask you for money to receive a confirmation number because they could gain access to your Social Security number and other personal information,” Caplinger continued.

“Once you finish the course go to any full service Driver Services Center in Tennessee to complete the process. Every student has to show either a birth certificate or valid passport. Most of the time the state requires a birth certificate from the state where you were born. If you have lost your birth certificate go to your local health department and get the short form birth certificate which does work with the state. Anyone with an honorable discharge DD214 from the military, the state also accepts that. A few years back once you completed the course and went to the driver license station, it would take 90 to 120 days to get your permit in the mail. Today, once you take the course and go to the driver license station, most people are getting them back in about 10 days. It’s a lot faster process now,” said Caplinger.

For more information call Caplinger at 615-684-4812 or email Randyc6755@yahoo.com

August 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The newly elected Smithville Aldermen will take their oath of office during a special meeting of the city council on Friday, September 4 at 5 p.m. at city hall.

The special meeting will be held in lieu of the regular September board meeting.

Incumbent Aldermen Shawn Jacobs and Danny Washer were re-elected while Jessica Higgins defeated Incumbent Alderman Donnie Crook for the third available alderman seat in the Municipal Election last Thursday.

Jacobs was first elected to the council in 2009 and Washer came on board after his first election in 2011. Crook was appointed by the aldermen in 2018 to fill the unexpired term of former alderman Josh Miller who was elected mayor that year.

The City of Smithville has five aldermen and a mayor but they do not all run for election in the same year. Three aldermen were elected this year. The other two aldermen, Gayla Hendrix and Brandon Cox and Mayor Josh Miller were elected in 2018 and will be up for election again in 2022.

All terms are for four years.

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