Two Smithville Aldermen-Elect Sworn Into Office (View videos here)

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Aldermen-elect Jessica Higgins and Danny Washer were sworn into office during Friday evening’s city council meeting at city hall.

Smithville Alderman Elect Jessica Higgins takes oath of office from City Attorney Vester Parsley from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Alderman Shawn Jacobs, who was unable to attend in person, participated in the meeting via conference call, but he will be sworn in at a later meeting. City Attorney Vester Parsley administered the oath to both Higgins and Washer separately.

Smithville Alderman Elect Danny Washer Takes Oath of Office from City Attorney Vester Parsley from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Higgins is beginning her first term as Alderman. She has never held elective office before. Washer was first elected Alderman in 2011. Jacobs has served as Alderman since 2009.

The terms are for four years.

The aldermen then confirmed the appointments of Mayor Josh Miller to various city boards. The vote was 4 to 1. Alderman Danny Washer voted no.

The appointments are as follows:

Vice Mayor and Commissioner of the Water and Sewer Department: Alderman Danny Washer

Commissioner of the Streets and Safety Department: Alderman Brandon Cox

Commissioner of the Police and Fire Departments: Alderman Shawn Jacobs

Commissioner of the Sanitation Department: Alderman Jessica Higgins

Commissioner of Finance: Alderman Gayla Hendrix. (Note- this appointment was made before Hendrix resigned as Aldermen after being appointed city judge)

Smithville Planning Commission: Citizen members Brandon Miller and Glen Nichols, Jr.

Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals: Dwayne Snow and Janie Knowles

Smithville Electric System Board: Hilton Conger reappointed to 4 year term.

In other business, the aldermen voted on second and final reading to adopt an ordinance to change the zoning classification of the Mark Wallace property on Miller Road from R-1 low density residential to C-1 local commercial.

The property, formerly known as Mark’s Body Shop, is located adjacent to City owned property where the water tower is located. Although Wallace ran a business for several years on his property, it was not zoned commercial, but residential. The property has now been sold and will be used for other commercial purposes.

Mayor Miller said the Smithville Planning Commission recently voted to recommend that the alderman change the zoning from R-1 to C-1.
 

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Although it will not be quite like the traditional Grandpa Fair of the South, the DeKalb County Fair Association has announced that a one day event is planned for Saturday, October 31 on the fairgrounds with several activities including pageants, exhibits, and fun things for kids. But there will be no carnival rides or hilltop events as in the past such as a rodeo, demolition derby, and motorcycle racing, etc.

Johnny Barnes, a member of the Fair Board, told WJLE Friday that board members voted Thursday night to move forward with plans for the event to coincide with Halloween.

Like so many other fairs and summer events, the DeKalb County Fair, originally scheduled for July 13-18, was postponed this year due to COVID-19 in accordance with guidelines pertaining to attractions and large venues by the Tennessee Economic Recovery Group. But in that announcement made on June 1, the Fair Board said plans were to have an event later in the year if possible.

“We voted to proceed with a one day fair and fair activities on October 31. We are going to try to have some of our traditional entries and fair activities during the day. We plan on having some pageants and some entries for our crops, canning, and crafts and all those things that usually take place in the women’s building. We also have plans for doing numerous activities for kids throughout the day. We plan on doing a pet show, some Halloween costume contests, kiddie tractor pull, and a few other events we are still working on. We would also like to do an antique car and tractor show for other interested parties to come to during the day. We hope to get as many community partners as possible involved to help us pass out candy in a trunk or treat activity that evening for all the kids who want to come out and trick or treat,” said Barnes.

According to Barnes the committee will meet again next week and try to finalize all the festivities for the day. “When we get more details we will release a full schedule for the day and deadline for all entries to be turned in,” said Barnes.

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

“Mother Teresa” is a most remarkable cat.

This 18 month old feline, the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week” has not only nursed four of her own but five other orphaned kittens during her stay at the shelter, thus earning her the name “Mother Teresa”. It’s time she found her forever home. Can you help?

DeKalb Animal Shelter Employees Emmaly Bennett and Jennifer Angaran with Mother Teresa from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Teresa came into the shelter with four kittens of her own and we had five baby orphan kittens that she also nursed. She is about a year and a half old. She is super affectionate. She gets along well with everybody including kids and other cats. She has been at the shelter the longest of all the animals we have here after Oscar, the four month old cat we featured last week, got adopted. Teresa’s adoption fee is $85. She has already been spayed and is up to date on all her vaccinations. If you would like to meet her go online to fill out an adoption application. Email it to us and we will call you to set up an appointment so you can come in and meet her,” said Shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

“We are still doing everything by appointment only. Give us a call and we can walk you through that process or visit our facebook page. You can find our adoption application at dekalbanimalcoalition.org. On the adopt tab scroll all the way to the bottom to find the application and send it to our email and we will call you and schedule an appointment,” said Bennett.

The shelter, located on Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive off Highway 70 east in Smithville, has been in operation since November, 2017 under the DeKalb Animal Coalition, a 501 c 3 non profit organization.

Phone 615-597-3647 (DOGS) for more information.

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