City Making Plans to Install New Irrigation System at Golf Course

October 29, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Plans are in the works to eventually install a new irrigation system for the fairways and greens at the Smithville Golf Course replacing the 55-year-old infrastructure.

During a special called meeting Thursday night, the Aldermen adopted a budget amendment ordinance on first reading in the amount of $375,000 to purchase materials for the project. The labor costs will be addressed later estimated to be around $215,000. Bids were advertised recently but none were received.

“On the golf course irrigation, we put it out for bids and never got any bids because everybody (contractors) is too busy to put it in right now during the fall and wintertime because they have too much work right now,” said City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.

“My suggestion is to find the materials (based on the state bid contract) and then bid it out in two or three months. That way they will have time to put it on their books for next year in October,” added Robinson.

The city’s financial advisor Janice Plemmons Jackson said that the funds are available for this project in the city budget thanks in part to golf course generated fees over the years.

“We have a separate checking account that all golf course monies come into and currently we have $414, 750 in the golf course checking account. I would add that not only did the golf course bring in that kind of revenue but two years ago from last week $300,000 was transferred out of that checking account into the general fund so the golf course does bring in revenue to help cover its costs. In the last several years it has brought in over $700,000 in revenues. Looking at material costs only based on Kevin’s quotes its $375,000 so with $400,000 in the bank we could write a check out of the golf course account and pay for the materials and then in operations going forward we are only looking at the labor costs in a few months and that would probably hit in the following year’s budget,” said Jackson.

The Aldermen also adopted a budget amendment ordinance on first reading in the amount of $15,832 toward the purchase of a new garbage truck and $112,541 to do street paving. These are funds needed to meet costs above what was budgeted for these projects.

“I talked to Ford and to get a truck its probably going to be 2023 before we could get one from Ford so I have contacted Municipal Equipment where we are getting the garbage truck bed and they partner with International. It’s the same as a GM Duramax and they told me they could probably have one ready by May, the complete truck and everything but its about $15,000 more. I got these quotes about six or seven months ago and prices have gone up. I think $115,000 was put in the budget for the truck and the cost is now $130, 832 and that is for the truck, bed and all,” said Robinson.

“The total bid price on the paving is $447,540 and that is to pave all of Miller Road, North Mountain Street, and Atwell Street. Part of that paving is also to be funded partly from a grant,” added Robinson.

“This paving project does not have anything to do with our ARP money fixing our sewer system on Carter Street, West Main Street, and Earl Avenue so don’t get confused with that paving versus this,” said Mayor Josh Miller.

The Aldermen also approved the hiring of Victor Roller to fill a vacancy in the sanitation department.

The Mayor and Aldermen will have a workshop on November 17 at 6 p.m. at city hall.

October 29, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Another one-point overtime loss for the Tigers.

On the last night of the regular high school football season, the DeKalb County Tigers lost to the visiting Stone Memorial Panthers on senior night 29 to 28 in overtime. With the win, Stone Memorial (9-1, 4-1) claims the regular season region championship and will host Hixson (5-5, 3-3 Region 3) in the first round of the state play-offs. The Tigers (6-4, 2-3), who have lost three straight including a one-point overtime loss at Upperman two weeks ago, finishes at 4th place in the region and will travel to East Hamilton (7-3, 6-0 Region 3) next Friday night (November 4) for the first round of the state play-offs. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. (EDT) and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

The Tigers struck first in the game Friday night as quarterback Jordan Parker found Malachi Trapp for a 6-yard touchdown pass completing a 56-yard drive with 9:36 left in the 1st period. Kicker Juan Ortega connected on the extra point and DC led 7-0.

Stone Memorial answered with one second left in the 1st period as QB Hunter Heavilon scored on a 6-yard keeper completing a 50-yard drive. Kicker Justin Barnett booted the extra point, and the score was tied at 7-7.

DeKalb County jumped back out front with 10:24 left in the 2nd period on a Jordan Parker pass to Austin Nicholson good for 49 yards and a touchdown. Ortega added the extra point and the Tigers led 14-7.

After a Stone Memorial turnover, the Tigers got another score with 8:01 left in the half on a 2-yard touchdown run by Malachi Trapp to give DC a two-touchdown lead at 21-7 after the Ortega PAT. The scoring drive was set up after Tiger Johnny Skinner picked off a pass and returned it to the Panther 33-yard line.

That would be all the scoring for the Tigers until overtime.

Stone Memorial drew closer on a 69-yard drive with 10:03 left in the 3rd period as QB Heavilon scored on a 2-yard touchdown keeper and with the PAT by Barnett, the Panthers trailed 21-14.

The last score of regulation came with 9:39 left in the 4th period on a 33-yard touchdown pass play from QB Heavilon to Bear Eldridge. Barnett converted the PAT and the game was tied at 21-21 heading into overtime.

The Tigers got the ball first and scored in the OT on a 2-yard touchdown run by Colby Barnes and with Ortega’s extra point DC led 28-21.

Stone Memorial then got their turn in overtime and scored on a 1-yard QB keeper by Heavilon. The Panthers then won the game 29-28 on a 2-point conversion Heavilon pass caught by Brady Lane.

Final Class 4A Region 4 team standings for the regular season are as follows:

*Stone Memorial: 9-1 (4-1)
Upperman: 8-2 (4-1)
Macon County: 8-2 (4-1)
DeKalb County: 6-4 (2-3)
Cumberland County: 2-8 (1-4)
Livingston Academy: 0-10 (0-5)

October 28, 2022
By: Tecia Puckett Pryor, Development Committee Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, Tennessee, Inc

It was a record-breaking day for the 18th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, held on Friday under sunny skies on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Twenty-one chili teams participated in the cook-off; over 600 bowls of chili were served; and $9,300 was raised for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, which will be used towards the building of the next Habitat house in 2023. Habitat officials report that this was the most successful cook-off in the history of its chili cook-off, which began in 2004.

“The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “Top Gunners” from Amvets Post 101 placing second. Third place chili honors went to “First Finest Chili” from FirstBank.

The Best Decorated Booth Award went to Smithville Electric System; with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second place and “Great Bowls of Fire” from the DeKalb County Fire Department placing third.

The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with Smithville Electric coming in second and the “DCHS Biting Tigers” from DCHS FCCLA coming in third.

Rounding out the participating teams were: “DeKalb Democrats” from the DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Great Bowls of Fire” from the DeKalb County Fire Department; “Dr. Crow’s Chili Shots” from DeKalb County Health Department; “Spot On Chili” from DeKalb Market; “Chil…i To the Bone” from DeKalb Prevention Coalition; “Snatched from the Fire” from First Baptist Church; “Blazin Broncos” from Galaxy Ford; “The Loan Rangers” from Liberty State Bank; “Marines” from Marine Corps League DeKalb VSO; “MTNG – Out of This World Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; State Farm, Mallory Pfingstler; “Legal Limit Spice” from the office of Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney-at-Law/Center Hill Title, LLC; “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas” from WY Forge Co; “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; Adoration Home Health; and Hywater Title.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County thanks each of these teams for making this a record-setting day and for their enthusiasm and support of the event; all those who donated the delicious baked goods; City Mayor Josh Miller and his staff and County Mayor Matt Adcock and his staff for facilitating the event space; and all the fine folks of the community who came out to support Habitat and this great community event.

Habitat also thanks the following for their donations: DeKalb Title, Swallows Insurance Agency, and Janney and Associates for sponsoring the “Treat Tent;” Lucas Antoniak for his design services; Evins Mill for water, Dr. Pepper for drinks; Smithville Food Lion for cheese, crackers and drinks; Jack Barton for promotional yard signs; Smithville Fire Department for ice; Smithville Electric System for ensuring we had power and putting up the temporary electric pole; Middle Tennessee Natural Gas for tables and chairs; DCHS Tiger Bakery and local churches for baked goods.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181 or find them on Facebook @HFHDeKalb TN.

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