Some DeKalb Voters Will Cast Ballots at Different Precincts in 2022

October 11, 2021
By:

Voters impacted by the redistricting plan and changes to precincts will be getting new voter cards in the coming weeks, according to Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections.

The election commission by a unanimous vote has now completed the legal process of drawing precinct lines, a requirement following the county legislative body’s adoption of a district plan based on the 2020 federal census.

Every 10 years the county commission is tasked with looking at the district populations and redrawing the boundaries to coincide with the equal representation law based on the latest census. Then the process requires the election commission to review precinct lines based upon the newly-adopted districts and adopt changes needed to make the overall election process operate more smoothly and be more economically efficient.

The voters moved from District 3 to District 2 under the redistricting plan have been assigned to the Snow Hill Community Center. Those moved from District 5 to District 6 have been placed at the Blue Springs Community Center precinct.

In addition, the commission also by a unanimous vote combined three other voting precincts. Those who were voting at the Dowelltown Community Center have been assigned to vote at the Liberty Community Center precinct; those who were voting at Edgar Evins State Park have been assigned to the Temperance Hall precinct; and those who were voting at Belk have been assigned to the Keltonburg precinct.

After reviewing the precincts, election officials said there were two factors in combining three voting locations: costs and the labor pool

“Polling places are not provided free of charge,” Election Commission Chairman Walteen Parker and Administrator Dennis Stanley said in a joint statement. “The workers are paid, there is a cost to programming voting machines, and there is a cost to the materials provided at each precinct.”

“It has also become increasingly more difficult to find the number of workers needed to man 15 voting locations. These moves provide more flexibility in administering the entire process,” the two added.

While no plan as been adopted at this point, election officials are looking at the possibility of expanding the early voting opportunities.

“No final decision has been made, but with the savings of combining precincts, the commission will likely look at either adding a few extra hours at the courthouse or adding an early voting site in the western part of the county for a portion of the early voting period,” Parker said. “That’s a decision that will be made early next year.”

October 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County High School Football game vs Upperman this Friday night, October 15 in Smithville is in the running for the Tennessee Titans High School Game of the week and Tiger fans are urged to cast their votes on line today at https://www.tennesseetitans.com/community/game-of-the-week

Voting ends at  9 p.m. Wednesday, October 13.

The Titans High School Game of the Week program, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, is designed to recognize excellence in high school athletics.

Each week throughout the season, a panel of media members select the top matchups from around the state. These nominations are then eligible to be selected as the Titans High School Game of the Week.

Other games in the running this week are Tyner Academy at Meigs County, Riverdale at Oakland, and Haywood at South Gibson.

Fans are encouraged to vote for their preferred matchup throughout the week right here at https://www.tennesseetitans.com/community/game-of-the-week.

The game with the most votes is the Tennessee Titans High School Game of the Week, with the winning head coach being named the Tennessee Titans High School Coach of the Week.

Each Coach of the Week will receive a grant from the Tennessee Titans in the amount of $2,000 to benefit their school’s football program.

October 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry reminds citizens that the state is heading into fire season. A debris burn permit is required for leaf and brush piles from Oct. 15 until May 15 each season.

“Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” State Forester David Arnold said. “Thanks to rainfall, our wildfire numbers are low so far this fall. However, it’s always necessary to practice safe debris burning and remember that state permits are required starting next week in areas where local governments do not have established outdoor burning ordinances.”

In DeKalb County to obtain a burn permit call (615) 597-4015 if you live west of the Caney Fork River or (931) 839-2328 if you are east of the Caney Fork River. In the City of Smithville call 615-215-3000.

Debris Burn Permits for leaf and brush piles are available at no charge via the MyTN mobile app or online at www.BurnSafeTN.org. Online permits can be obtained daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Central Time for any size leaf and brush burn pile. Each pile should be completely out by the permit expiration. For larger, broadcast burning, such as forestry, agricultural, and land clearing, call the Division of Forestry burn permit phone number at 877-350-BURN (2876) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. If you have limited access to internet, this number can also be used for a debris burn permit, but callers can expect lengthy wait times when call volume is high.

Permits are issued only when conditions are conducive to safe burning. If you live inside city limits, check with your municipality for additional restrictions before you burn.

A list of materials that are not allowed to be burned can be found from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation at www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/apc-air-pollution-control-home/apc/open-burning.html.

Burning without a permit is a class C misdemeanor and punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine. Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. The hotline is answered 24 hours a day, and callers may remain anonymous. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction. Call 1-888-891-TDEC to report illegal burning.

Visit www.BurnSafeTN.org for additional tips to burn safely and to protect your community.

The Division of Forestry protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildfires, coordinating all hazard emergency response, providing prescribed fire guidance and contract services, as well as wildland fire training, in addition to promoting the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. The Division also works to promote forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.

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