DeKalb Democrats enjoy fellowship with an eye on the 2020 elections

August 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Democrats gathered for fellowship and a potluck meal Monday evening at the DCHS cafeteria with an eye on the 2020 elections.

Tennessee House of Representatives Democratic Leader Karen Camper of Memphis and US Senate candidate James Mackler addressed the party faithful.

Camper, who has served in the Tennessee General Assembly for 11 years, was elected on December 17, 2018 to be the Leader of the Tennessee House Democratic Caucus, the first African-American leader of a party caucus in the Tennessee General Assembly’s history.

Speaking with WJLE before her speech, Camper said the state should do more in the area of health care and in the battle against the spread of opioids. She also talked about jobs, educational vouchers, and the outlook for the 2020 elections.

“I think we really need to take care of our health care system because we have been hit horribly particularly in the rural areas. Its awful. Tennessee has seen the second-most number of hospital closures in the country behind Texas. It is the number 1 issue. If you look at the states that decided to expand (Medicaid), they’re not closing like that so I do feel there is a direct link,” said Camper.

“Opioids is also a big problem in this state and we have got to put some money behind turning the tide on that,” Camper continued.

“The other big thing facing us now is these education vouchers that could conceivably have a horrible impact on public schools. It may start in Memphis and Davidson County but it can go on to other areas so we need to do something about that,” she said.

The notion of taking public funding and putting it in private schools, better known as vouchers or Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account, started as a statewide concept but the legislation which was adopted into law is only for Davidson and Knox Counties.

Camper said she believes vouchers would especially have a negative impact on rural areas.

The Memphis Democrat added that the state also needs to focus on the creation of more sustainable jobs so families can better support their families.

As for the 2020 campaign, Representative Camper said she is optimistic about Democrats’ chances in the elections.

“In my listening tour across the state I am encouraging people. When I got to the General Assembly, there were 67 democrats. Over the past 10 years there has been some gerrymandering to get us where we are but it doesn’t mean democrats are not out there and don’t want to have a voice. We have to make sure we have candidates out there who have a message that resonates with people like right here in DeKalb County to say I am going to get out and vote. I am excited about the possibilities. I think 2020 is a great time for us and I am ready to lead the charge,” said Camper.

U.S. Senate candidate James Mackler, a Nashville attorney and Iraq War veteran, was the first Tennessee Democrat to announce plans to run in 2018 for the state’s U.S. Senate seat held by then Republican Senator Bob Corker but he later dropped out when former Governor Phil Bredesen got in the race. Bredesen won the nomination but lost to Republican Marsha Blackburn.

Mackler is now in the race to succeed US Senator Lamar Alexander who is not running for re-election in 2020. Former Governor Bredesen has now endorsed Mackler for this office.

The Nashville Democrat, speaking with WJLE, said there are plenty of issues to run on in this campaign.

“Unfortunately our neighbors all across the state are really hurting. Tennessee has become the epicenter of the worst effects of the Trump administration’s policies. We have a trade war that is hurting our economy more than any other state. We have an opioid epidemic that is going unchecked and ravaging our communities and we have had more rural hospitals close than just about any other state in the nation. Those were all issues in 2018 and now voters can see it. The people they elected to tackle those difficult problems either can’t or won’t fix them. We need to have people in Washington who believe in servant leadership which is what my campaign is all about. As I have traveled the state I have found that Tennesseans really respond to my track record of service and sacrifice as an outsider, a veteran, and a man of faith. I joined the Army after 9/11 because I felt called to serve. I felt like our country was in a time of crisis. I feel the same way now and I am stepping up to serve again,” said Mackler.

August 12, 2019
By:

DeKalb County High School golfer Anna Chew finished 2nd in the Cookeville Early Bird Tournament Monday.

A senior, Chew carded a 3 over par, 73 at the Golden Eagle Golf Course. There were 31 golfers from 12 different schools competing in the tournament.

Hannah Nall of Cleveland won with a 2 under par 68. Nall birdied the final 6 holes.

Meanwhile, Jadyn Young shot a 90 and Justin Washer carded a 103. On the boys’ side there were 71 golfers representing 14 schools.

August 12, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A 53 year old man who led Smithville Police on a 12 mile pursuit from the city limits to Silver Point was taken into custody Monday morning but not before he rammed a patrol car and had to be forced off the road by Chief Mark Collins and Lieutenant Detective Matt Holmes who rammed his car.

Marty Tallent is charged with reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device, speeding, violation of the financial responsibility law, aggravated assault, and evading arrest. His bond is $35,000 and he will be in court on the charges August 29.

Chief Mark Collins told WJLE that the incident began when Lieutenant Detective Holmes spotted Tallent in front of him driving recklessly in his Volkswagen Jetta on South Congress Boulevard near the New Life Pentecostal Church.

“He (Lieutenant Detective) Holmes noticed a vehicle acting strangely in front of him (on South Congress Boulevard). That vehicle (Tallent’s car) then just stopped in the middle of the road in front of Holmes,” said Chief Collins.

Holmes could be heard on the police scanner reporting to central dispatch that he (Tallent) kept braking trying to get him (Holmes) to hit him.

“Tallent then pulled over to the shoulder and back into oncoming traffic before doing a uturn causing an approaching motorist to almost wreck,” Chief Collins continued.

According to Police, Tallent flipped Holmes a bird as he made his getaway.

Lieutenant Detective Holmes then turned around and gave chase as Tallent headed north on Congress Boulevard running through traffic lights speeding out of town. Chief Collins, Captain Steven Leffew, and Officer Will Judkins joined the pursuit which continued often at high speeds on Highway 56 north (Cookeville Highway) out of the city.

Chief Collins eventually took over as the lead officer in the pursuit and tried to ram Tallent’s car as the chase neared Interstate 40 at Silver Point in Putnam County .

“As we were nearing the church at Silver Point running 60-70 miles per hour I noticed there was a lot of traffic so I thought now would be my time. When he (Tallent) hit his brakes like he was going to stop in the line of traffic, I tried to get around to slow him down but when I pulled up beside him he rammed me in the passenger side of my patrol car but I was going fast enough that I was able to get in front of him. Tallent then got onto the shoulder of the oncoming lane and tried to pass me but I rammed him and the impact sent his car into a yaw before it shot across the road toward the driveway of a residence. Lieutenant Detective Holmes then rammed Tallent’s car and it spun around before coming to a stop,” said Chief Collins.

The officers jumped from the patrol cars and drew their weapons as they approached Tallent but they placed him under arrest without incident.

Putnam and DeKalb EMS responded but no one had to be transported to the hospital although Chief Collins sustained a sore foot from the incident.

The patrol cars driven by Chief Collins and Lieutenant Detective Holmes were damaged and have been taken out of service.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the crashes

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