Andy Pack Gets Vacant Sixth District County Commission Seat (View Video Here)

February 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

One month after a vacancy was created on the county commission from the 6th district with the resignation of Justin Adcock, a new member has been seated.

See video on our youtube channel

(View the entire county commission meeting video on the wjle facebook page)

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Andy Pack of Corinth Church Road was appointed to the position by the county commission to serve for the next six months until the August 1, 2024 DeKalb County General Election, when someone will be elected to serve out the remaining two years of Adcock’s unexpired term which ends on August 31, 2026.

As commissioner, Pack will serve on the county’s Audit Committee, Community Economic Development Committee, Public Works Committee, and Planning Commission as approved by the county commission. The same committee assignments as held by former commissioner Justin Adcock.

After the meeting, Pack was sworn into office by County Mayor Matt Adcock. Pack told WJLE that he is a Republican and will seek election to the position in August to the fill the unexpired term.

Pack beat out two others, Bruce Parsley and Danny McGinnis, who had announced an interest in filling the vacancy during last Thursday night’s committee of the whole meeting of the county commission.

“I want to commend Mr. McGinnis and Mr. Parsley. I am surprised that I got this position, but I am glad it worked out like it did,” said Pack. “Two words that keep coming to mind is expectation and accountability and that’s what I want to hold myself to. I have expectations for myself being a part of the county commission and representing my district. I want to be a productive person for the commission and hopefully represent my district in a way to honor it and DeKalb County. I want to fill this role to the expectations of myself and the other commissioners. I would like to thank my fellow commissioners for entrusting me and voting me in this position. I will try to fill this position as best I can,” said Pack.

Before the vote Monday night, the commission had to settle on the voting procedure. The commission decided to accept nominations and vote on each one separately.

In the first round of voting, Andy Pack received nine votes, Bruce Parsley three, and Danny McGinnis with one vote. Although Pack already had more than the seven votes needed from the 13-member commission to get the appointment on the first ballot, essentially a run-off vote was taken by the commission to determine the final outcome between Pack and Parsley. In the run-off vote, Pack received ten votes to five for Parsley. Two of the commissioners, Tony Luna and Tony (Cully) Culwell voted for both Pack and Parsley on the roll call for each.

Here’s how the voting took place:

The first nomination came from Commissioner Tom Chandler who placed Andy Pack’s name on the floor for a vote. Commissioner Larry Green nominated Bruce Parsley and Commissioner Myron Rhody followed by nominating Danny McGinnis.

On the first roll call vote, Pack received nine votes for his appointment and four against. Those voting for Pack were Tom Chandler, Tony Luna, Greg Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Glynn Merriman, Daniel Cripps, Jeff Barnes, Sabrina Farler, and Tony (Cully) Culwell. Commissioners voting against Pack were Larry Green, Beth Pafford, Susannah Cripps Daughtry, and Myron Rhody.

On the next roll call vote, Parsley received only three votes for  appointment from Beth Pafford, Larry Green, and Susannah Cripps Daughtry.

Only Commissioner Myron Rhody voted for McGinnis on the third roll call vote.

Although it wasn’t really necessary, the commissioners took two more roll call votes including one each for Pack and Parsley, after dropping McGinnis’ name from the list.

This time, Pack received ten votes including the support of Tom Chandler, Tony Luna, Greg Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Glynn Merriman, Daniel Cripps, Jeff Barnes, Sabrina Farler, Tony (Cully) Culwell, and Myron Rhody. Only Beth Pafford, Larry Green, and Susannah Cripps Daughtry voted against him.

In the last round for Parsley, five voted in his favor including Tony Luna, Larry Green, Beth Pafford, Susannah Cripps Daughtry, and Tony (Cully) Culwell.

In his remarks to the commission last Thursday night, Pack summarized his background as a farmer, family man, volunteer firefighter, and employee of Middle Tennessee Natural Gas.

“I live at 1685 Corinth Church Road,” said Pack. “I have lived there all my life. I actually built a home behind my mom and dad’s place there now. I work at Middle Tennessee Natural Gas. I have been there 23 years. I have always wanted to give something back to my community, so I volunteer my time as a volunteer firefighter. I have done that for 18 years. I operate a cattle farm. We started out with three acres and are blessed to now have a 120-acre farm that my family and I operate. My wife and I have been married for 22 years. We have three children. One of them is a senior in high school. Another is a sophomore, and we have one in kindergarten. Throughout my career and the businesses on my cattle farm I operate, I have found you have to be in tune with loss prevention and planning. I have taken pride in that at my employment. I am on the safety committee. We try to recognize issues and before it becomes a bigger issue, we try to resolve those. I think my whole life and through the positions I have found myself in with my careers has somewhat prepared me for this. I try to let my faith guide me in my decisions. I didn’t act on instinct or impulse for this position. I discussed it with my family and on President’s Day it hit me that this is a role I could fill and be productive for the county especially for my district. I come here to ask for your nomination and your vote,” said Pack.

February 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Outstanding senior defensive lineman Wil Farris, who blazed a trail over his award-winning four-year football career at DCHS, will be aiming to do the same starting next season at the college level.

Accompanied by members of his family, coaches, and fellow Tiger football players at DCHS, Farris signed a letter of intent Monday with Cumberland University in Lebanon to play for the Phoenix.

Farris will graduate from DCHS in May as a member of the Class of 2024.

“I just felt like it (Cumberland University) was the right place for me,” said Farris. “I visited there last spring and again in the fall and I really liked it. I fell in love with the campus and the coaches are great too. I’m just really excited about this next chapter in my life. I plan to play on the defensive line for the Phoenix football team and as for my studies, it will be in criminal justice.”

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said he is proud of Farris, who is joining a long list of talented players who have gone on to continue their football career in the college ranks after playing for him.

“Wil had a couple of different opportunities where he could have chosen to play but at the end of the day he decided to go to Lebanon and play for the Cumberland Phoenix. We already have other guys who have gone down there too,” said Coach Trapp.

“It’s a school (Cumberland) that got on Wil pretty early. They came down to see him last spring and summer and kept tabs on him. Wil seemed to enjoy the vibe they gave off and made his decision to go there and play,” said Coach Trapp.

“Wil was a four-year starter for us,” Coach Trapp continued. “He had played defensive end and left tackle and during his four years with us he always won some kind of award every single year and was named an All-Region player every year. Wil has been a decorated player for us and a good player, and we feel Cumberland is getting a very quality young man and a quality football player in him,” added Coach Trapp.

Farris said a highlight of his high school football career was as a junior in a homecoming game against Livingston Academy when he scooped up a wildcat fumble and scored a touchdown for the Tigers on a 25-yard run. DeKalb County went on to beat Livingston Academy that night 48-0.

Although he also played on the offensive line, Farris said he enjoyed playing as a defensive lineman more and that’s what he became most recognized for on the field.

In his freshman year, Farris was named Newcomer of the Year at the team awards banquet and made the All-Region 2nd Team. As a Sophomore, Junior, and Senior, Farris won the team defensive lineman of the year award and made the All-Region 1st Team.

” My high school football career has meant a lot to me,” said Farris. “Everything I’ve learned from the coaches and players and the memories and friends I’ve made have been great. I am honored and blessed to have had this opportunity,” added Farris.

February 26, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell reminds you that March 1 is an important date for business owners and March 15 for applicants of the Greenbelt Program.

“March 1 is the deadline for personal property schedules. Anyone who owns a business needs to have those turned in or postmarked by March 1. If you do not turn one in at all or it is not turned in by March 1, there are penalties after that deadline. We want you to avoid those penalties, if possible,” said Assessor Cantrell.

“March 15 is the deadline for Greenbelt applications. If you do not have your form turned in or postmarked by March 15, you will not be able to qualify for the savings for the 2024 tax year,” said Cantrell.

“If you are already enrolled in the Greenbelt program, you do not have to reapply. However, if you have purchased property, added acreage to your farm, or had a name change within the last year and seek to enroll in the Greenbelt program, you need to apply by March 15 in order to get the 2024 savings. In addition to not receiving the 2024 savings, there could be a rollback tax that might apply as well. A rollback tax is the savings received on the property for the previous three years,” Cantrell said.

“Basic requirements for the Greenbelt application are that you must own a minimum of fifteen acres and be actively farming a minimum of fifteen acres and are able to produce some kind of agriculture product to the gross amount of $1,500 per year. Also, if you own fifteen acres and you do not have an agriculture product, your land may qualify under forestry. Requirements under the forestry program include a forestry plan written for the property.”

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