Early Voting Begins Wednesday, February 12 for March Primaries

February 9, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Early voting begins Wednesday, February 12 for the March 3 primaries

The Tennessee Presidential Preference Primaries will be held across the state for both the Democratic and Republican parties while locally the DeKalb County Democratic Primary will be held along with a primary for a special judgeship election.

Voters will be going to the polls to select their preference for President, the Republican nominee for Criminal Court Judge Part II, and the Democratic party nominees for Assessor of Property and Constable in 6 of the 7 districts.

Early Voting begins February 12 and runs through February 25 (with no voting on February 17, President’s Day). All early voting will be conducted at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Smithville. Early voting hours (available at www.dekalbelections.com) are: Mondays 1-5; Tuesdays 9-1; Wednesdays 9-1; Thursdays 2-6; Fridays 9-1; and Saturdays 9-Noon.

There are 3 Republican candidates for President and 15 Democratic candidates.

The following candidates will be on the March 3 ballot:
Republican Primary Ballot
• Donald J. Trump
• Joe Walsh
• Bill Weld

Democratic Primary Ballot
• Michael Bennet
• Joseph R. Biden
• Michael R. Bloomberg
• Cory Booker
• Pete Buttigieg
• Julián Castro
• John K. Delaney
• Tulsi Gabbard
• Amy Klobuchar
• Deval Patrick
• Bernie Sanders
• Tom Steyer
• Elizabeth Warren
• Marianne Williamson
• Andrew Yang

In addition, the Republican Party selects its delegates to the GOP National Convention and there are 29 at-large candidates with all but five committed to President Donald Trump and voters can vote for up to 14 of those candidates. There are eight 6th district delegate candidates with all but two committed to Trump. Voters can vote for up to three in that race. The Democratic Party chooses its delegates by a different method.

Republican Wesley Bray is unopposed in his bid to fill the unexpired term for Criminal Court Judge Part II District 13. No candidate qualified on the Democratic side.

Locally, Democrat Tom R. Duggin is unopposed in his bid to be the party’s nominee for Assessor of Property on March 3. By caucus, the Republican Party chose Shannon Cantrell to be its nominee in August. Both Duggin and Cantrell will be running against each other in the DeKalb County General Election on August 6.

Six constables are unopposed in their bid to represent the Democratic Party for Constable. They are Waylon Kyle in the 1st District, Darrell Johnson in District 2, Paul Cantrell in District 4, Mark Milam in District 5, Jason Brown in District 6 and Johnny King in District 7. No Democratic candidate qualified in District 3. The Republican Party, by caucus, chose Travis Bryant as its Constable nominee in District 3.

February 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Extended Arms Project is excited to announce its second annual “Labor of Love” fundraising event in DeKalb County with a goal of helping the homeless and less fortunate.

The non-profit will host a dinner and auction on February 22 at the County Complex located at 712 S. Congress Boulevard starting with a meal of soup and chili at 4 p.m. and an auction at 5 p.m. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 10 and younger.

The Extended Arms Project, a division of Young Harmony, Inc., is a non-profit organization with a mission of aiding the underprivileged with physical, emotional and inspirational needs.

“We inspire and give hope by reminding others of their self-worth, one individual at a time. For those who need help, we provide necessities such as sleeping bags, hygiene products, gift cards for food, temporary shelter and more,” said Wanda Redmon, Grant Director for the Extended Arms Project.

“You may show your support for the effort by donating or helping to sponsor the event. We are seeking support through donations, goods, McDonalds gift cards, etc as well as food for the dinner including chili, soup, and desserts. All items or monetary gifts donated go entirely toward the Extended Arms Project to help others,” added Redmon.

Donations may include toboggans, backpacks, gloves, scarves, bath towels, washcloths, shampoo, bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand lotion, razors, shaving cream, chap stick, socks, combs, brushes, and spoons, and more.

All donations are tax deductible.

Extended Arms currently operates in Atlanta, GA., Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, TN., Smithville TN, Cincinnati Ohio and Lexington, KY .

To purchase tickets for the dinner please contact Wanda Redmon at 615-351-1119.

For more information on the Extended Arms Project visit, www.ExtendedArmsProject.com

February 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Beautiful ladies from across Tennessee including one from DeKalb County will be gathering at the historic Palace Theatre in Crossville this spring to participate in the annual Ms. Tennessee Senior America pageant which serves as the preliminary to the Ms  Senior America Pageant.

Susan Hinton of Smithville will represent the DeKalb County Fair in the pageant as the Ms. Senior Grandpa Fair of the South.

The reigning Ms Tennessee Senior America is Susan England of Sparta.

The Ms. Senior America Pageant is the world’s first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women who have reached the “Age of Elegance.” It is a search for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. The Ms. Senior America philosophy is based upon the belief that seniors are the foundation of America, and our most valuable treasure. It is upon their knowledge, experience and resources that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society.

Contestants must be at least 60 years of age and a Tennessee resident. Prior entrance in other pageants is not required.

The three judges will be looking for the woman who best exemplifies the “Age of Elegance.” Volunteer work is considered.

Judging is based on interview, philosophy of life, talent presentation and evening gown appearance.

“My philosophy of life platform will be about literacy education and that you are never too old to learn because it is not where you start but where you finish that counts,” said Hinton, a longtime educator.

The winner of the pageant will receive flowers, sash, crown and a paid trip to Atlantic City, NJ, to represent Tennessee in the National Competition, along with $500 to assist with personal expenses.

The Ms Tennessee Senior America Pageant will be held Saturday, April 18 in Crossville where contestants will meet individually with the pageant judges for the interview portion. Judges hope that during the personal interview they will be able to select a woman whose charm, personality and conversational ability meet the ideals of Ms. Senior America. Saturday evening will be full of excitement with entertainment from past queens, and each of the ladies in the pageant performing their own unique talent. Afterward, the ladies will be in evening gowns; the evening gown portion allows each judge to see the contestants poise and grace on display, along with their fashion style. The contestants “philosophy of life” will be presented individually along with the evening gown portion of the pageant.

Before the evening is over, the new Ms Tennessee Senior America will be crowned. And the next journey begins — Atlantic City in October for the national pageant.

Hinton said she is thrilled to have this opportunity and is proud to represent DeKalb County and the Fair in the Ms.  Tennessee Senior America Pageant.

“There are always people smarter, prettier, and more intelligent but there is nobody who could win that would love people and have a heart for Tennessee like I do,” said Hinton.

“This pageant is about inner beauty for our age, the age of elegance, and that outside beauty should be a reflection of your inside beauty. It is to show that senior Americans are still a vital part of the world and that they are the foundation of America and one of the most valuable treasures of America,” added Hinton.

Susan is no stranger to pageants. As a teen, she competed in the DeKalb County Fair and Harvest Festival pageants and while in college represented Belmont University in the Miss Tennessee pageant. Hinton has also judged and been an emcee for beauty pageants over the years.

The Ms Tennessee Senior America Pageant also champions worthy causes through fundraising activities of each contestant.

“We sell ads for the Ms. Tennessee Senior America program and the person who wins the ad competition gets a portion of that money which goes to their favorite charity and mine is for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income, but each county has to support the effort by donating a certain portion of money,” said Hinton.

Button Willow downtown Smithville is also hosting a benefit concert featuring Susan on February 28 from 7-9 p.m. in a program called “A Night of Elegance”. The public is invited to attend.

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