Swimming Pools to Remain Closed Under Governor’s Executive Order

April 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Don’t count on the Smithville Municipal Swimming Pool to open on Memorial Day weekend as it normally does.

Under the Governor’s latest executive order, all swimming pools in the state must remain closed due to COVID-19.

During a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen were to make a decision on whether the pool should be opened this summer and if so when. But due to the Governor’s order, that decision has been put on hold. The aldermen voted to table the issue for at least a month.

Alderman Danny Washer said he isn’t convinced that the public would come to the pool even if it were opened because of the pandemic concerns.

“I contacted some parents that I knew have used the pool at least two to three times a week in the past and asked them their feelings about the city opening the pool at least on the weekends. They said I don’t care when you open it I am not going,” said Washer.

“But there’s a lot of people on social media who are very upset with us who think we may not open,” said Alderman Gayla Hendrix.

“Of course we have to follow the Governor’s orders but I did some research and found an article from the World Health Organization which says the virus does not live in chlorinated water with the correct ph balance. But the other safety concern is handling door knobs, going to the restroom and that sort of thing. I still think this is a lot safer environment than going to Walmart but I am not the Governor,” added Hendrix.

“If things change by June we could discuss later opening the pool for limited numbers of people like the senior adults exercise class, adult swim time, private birthday parties, etc. and if we did open it to the public only allow a certain number of people who could show up at a time,” she said.

Having an adequate number of available life guards at the pool is another concern. Currently the city has only five life guard commitments.

“There is the possibility we could keep the pool open later in the year if we open late. I know the pool is expensive to run but its parks and recreation. Its not a money making venue. It is a service to our community. If we could open the pool by the end of June and keep it open until Labor Day it would be worth it if everything changes to where we can,” said Alderman Hendrix.

According to the city’s financial advisor Janice Plemmons Jackson, the city lost $60,000 last year on the pool comparing total revenues collected versus total operating expenses for the year.

April 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Almost every year at least one or more seniors at DCHS completes the credits necessary to earn an associate’s degree from Motlow State Community College just as they are finishing up their high school studies in preparation for graduation.

Such is the case this year for Holly Evans and Elizabeth (Lizzy) Guinn, members of the DCHS Class of 2020 who have been working for the last two years toward an Associates of Science degree from Motlow State Community College. They had planned to walk the line in a Motlow commencement ceremony at MTSU in Murfreesboro on May 10, five days before their scheduled high school graduation on May 15 but both events have been put on hold due to COVID-19.

While they are disappointed that the pandemic has put a damper on their senior year, Evans and Guinn understand why they must wait for their academic rewards.

“I have been very upset about it but I’d rather everybody be safe,” said Evans, who is also the DCHS Class of 2020 Salutatorian.

“Senior year is something everybody looks forward to as a high school student. It is something really special and the coronavirus has really stripped all of that away and we are missing out on a huge event (graduation) but the school system is working really hard to get everything in order for us and we are looking forward to when that day comes,” said Guinn. “I am thankful the school system is working things out so we can experience part of our senior year that we are missing out on.”

Through Motlow College’s dual enrollment program, high school students like Evans and Guinn can earn college credits while still enrolled in high school. Students can take classes on a Motlow College campus, online, or even at a partner high school like DCHS.

“I have really enjoyed doing the online courses at Motlow. I found it pretty easy to balance my high school and college work because my college studies took the place of a lot of my high school work,” said Evans. “I still took every possible Advanced Placement (AP) class I could at the high school. I really enjoyed calculus. I will finish my college classes at Motlow next week with finals so it will be official then. I will be getting an Associates of Science degree. This fall I will be attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. I will be going for a bachelor’s degree in accounting.”

“My junior year I was taking a lot of high school classes mixed in with my college classes so that was kind of tough juggling the two but I finished out my high school classes last year and basically did my college classes this year so that has made it pretty easy this year,” said Guinn. “English and Science are probably the main areas I excel in.”

After she earns her Associates degree, Guinn will further her education at Tennessee Tech where she plans to major in sociology. “After I graduate with my bachelor’s degree I plan to go to Belmont law school and become a lawyer,” she said.

While both Evans and Guinn, like their fellow high school students, have missed out on many end-of-the-year school related activities, they are looking forward to a rescheduled graduation ceremony and prom possibly this summer.

“I was broken hearted about everything that was canceled. I really missed us not having the prom even though I know they are still planning to have that for us this summer as well as graduation,” said Evans. “I was to attend a ceremony at Motlow to receive the Presidential Scholar Award and that was canceled. We will miss our senior awards ceremony, senior walk through the halls of the elementary schools, a state lawmakers recognition dinner for me as Salutatorian and Valedictorian Anna Chew and I am very disappointed that we have missed our FBLA State Conference this year.”

“One of the things I will miss the most is our year book signing. That is special for seniors because we get to spend time with all these people we grew up and spent a lifetime with and they all sign our year books.” said Guinn. “ Now that is not going to happen.”

During their high school years, both Evans and Guinn have led an active academic life.

“I am in FBLA. That is my favorite club at the high school and I have been in it for the past four years and was the social media officer this last year,” said Evans. “I have also been in the Climate Crew, BETA, HOSA, Spanish, and FCA clubs and as well as a prayer group and Virtual Enterprise which is a business class at the high school. I am a four-year basketball cheerleader and was a co-captain my junior year and captain this year.”

“Over four years I have been in BETA, the Climate Crew, Science Club, Literature Club, and the ACT 21+ Club, among others,” said Guinn. “It’s been an amazing roller coaster ride shuffling studying, friends, and work but the memories are something I wouldn’t give up for anything.”

Evans is the daughter of Mike and Amy Evans of Alexandria. She has an older sister and a younger brother. Guinn’s parents are Kendra and Rick Guinn of Smithville and she has six siblings.

April 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The Board of Education may be getting closer to a decision on the purchase of property for a new Pre-K to 2 school.

During a work session prior to Thursday night’s monthly meeting, the board asked a committee to contact two property owners near Northside Elementary School for the purpose of negotiations and report back to the board on the outcome at its next regular monthly meeting on May 7.

The committee, appointed by Board Chairman Danny Parkerson in March, is made up of fellow board members W.J. (Dub) Evins III and Doug Stephens along with Director of Schools Patrick Cripps. Their mission is to formally recommend where to purchase approximately 25 acres of additional property (possibly adjacent to Northside Elementary School) to be funded (land purchase) by the school system.

The sites currently under consideration are owned by Dr’s Cripps, Rhody & Hooper, General Partnership and the Steve Colvert family.

“We have been talking about land near Northside Elementary School and we have been behind the doctors’ building and walked it. Between the three of us (committee) we all like that land as well as the Colvert property. I would like to see if we could go ahead and start negotiating with them to make a purchase in one of those areas for the new facility,” said Director Cripps Thursday night.

“I think we need to go ahead and make an offer one way or another to somebody and get the ball rolling. I think you as a committee could negotiate a price between the two (landowners) and bring one (recommendation) back to the board for us to discuss and hopefully vote on,” said Board Chairman Parkerson.

In addition to the purchase price, the board will have to consider the site prep costs based on the topography, the amount of fill dirt which may be needed, and the land compaction rate at each site.

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