Committee Backs Plan to Relocate Election Commission Office to County Complex Subject to Funding

September 19, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Election Commission Office may be moving from the courthouse to the county complex within the next few months subject to funding.

During a meeting Tuesday night, the county commission’s public works committee voted to approve the plan of Election Administrator Dustin Estes using both unfinished spaces at the complex in what was designed for the county mayor’s office. Not only would the move provide more space for the election commission to operate but ensure tighter security at the courthouse.

Estes presented his floor plan to the committee a month ago but it was not drawn to scale showing exact square footage measurements. He returned to the committee Tuesday night with a more detailed plan.

“I came last month and officially requested to move our offices from the courthouse to the county complex,” said Estes. “Since then, I presented the same information to the commission workshop where Commissioner Larry Green requested a more detailed floor plan that was to scale. That is what I am providing you tonight,” he said.

“The current square footage of what we occupy with our offices (courthouse) and storage is 1,269.7 square feet. Including the courtroom calculating the area which we use for early voting is 873.75 square feet. In total we occupy 2,143. 5 square feet,” said Estes.

“I have also enclosed details of both unfinished areas at the complex. Looking at the proposed unfinished space #1, not including the bathroom because that is space we would not be able to use unless it was knocked out, is 1,140.69 square feet,” Estes explained. “Comparing that to just our office and storage space (courthouse) we are actually short 120 square feet. If you add on the unfinished space #2, not including the IT closet, that’s an additional 1,123.45 square feet so in total we come out ahead about 200 square feet,” he said.

“If we include early voting within close proximity to where our offices are located (complex) we would need both spaces. The alternative would be our offices being on the county offices side of the complex and early voting on the opposite community center side,” said Estes

According to Estes, “If we are only granted one space at a bare minimum with the unfinished space #1, I would request that we knock out the bathroom to open that up to give that much more space. But it is workable to have early voting and our offices together by occupying both unfinished spaces, #1 and #2 at the complex,” Estes said.

County Mayor Matt Adcock said based on action taken at the last meeting of the public works committee, he randomly selected three construction companies for quotes to renovate the unfinished spaces at the complex. Two of them responded. One provided a quote of $88,000 and the other was for $157,200. The third company never came back with a quote.

“These contractors came and I met them there at the rooms and showed them everything that needed to be done. I shared with them the first layout that Dustin had given us and asked them to give us a quote to make this happen,” said County Mayor Adcock.

Committee member Andy Pack made a motion to proceed with Estes’ plan to use both unfinished spaces for the election commission office and for the budget committee to decide on the funding source. Member Glynn Merriman offered a second to the motion. Others voting in favor were members Sabrina Farler, Myron Rhody, and Chairman Mathias Anderson.

September 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The United States Constitution, America’s most important document, stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights. And, Constitution Week is celebrated annually during the week of September 17-23 to commemorate its history, importance, and bring attention to how it serves still today.

Mayor Josh Miller of the City of Smithville and County Mayor Matt Adcock of DeKalb County signed Proclamations for Constitution Week September 17 through 23.

Susan Hinton represented the Daughter’s of the American Revolution Rock House Chapter for the signing of the proclamations.

WHEREAS: The Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a Republic dedicated to rule by law; and

WHEREAS: September 17, 2024, marks the two hundred and thirty seventh anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention; and

WHEREAS: It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it; and

WHEREAS: Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week,

NOW, THEREFORE I, Josh Miller by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of Smithville, Tennessee and Matt Adcock by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of DeKalb County, Tennessee do hereby proclaim the week of September 17 through 23 as CONSTITUTION WEEK and ask our citizens to reaffirm the ideals the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of September in the year of our Lord 2024

September 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School has awarded its student and parents of the month for August.

Emily Anderson, a junior, received the honor last Thursday for “Student of the Month” while Dan and Marianna Boyd are “Parents of the Month” based on a winning essay by their daughter Chloe Boyd, a sophomore at DCHS.

Emily, daughter of Jamie and Holly Anderson, said she was honored to have been named “Student of the Month”.

“It’s a really big accomplishment and I am honored that the teachers chose me for that this month,” said Anderson.

In addition to her talents on the course as a member of the DCHS golf team, Emily is a member of the Service Society, BETA Club, Student Government, and the Science Club. Emily is a dual enrollment student meaning she is working toward an Associate’s degree from Motlow State Community College while still in high school. After high school, Emily said her plans are to attend Tennessee Tech. “I plan on graduating from high school with my associate’s degree in general education and I want to be a high school math teacher,” she said.

Emily has one sister, Hannah Brown.

“Emily was nominated by a teacher and then was voted on by school wide staff to win this award,” said Assistant DCHS Principal Seth Willoughby. “Emily is always smiling and helping others. She keeps up with her schoolwork while playing golf and working after school,” he said.

When the award was announced and the photo made of the award presentation last Thursday, Emily was dressed as an older person in conjunction with the DCHS Homecoming week observance of “Dress up Day”. The theme for that day was to dress as an older person or in black and gold.

Chloe Boyd said writing a winning essay in tribute to her parents Dan and Marianna was a labor of love and it took them by surprise.

“They were surprised, and I loved seeing their faces. My mom started crying. It was just a really good family moment and memory we will always have to share,” said Chloe.

“My parents have always been my supporters since day one. They taught me how to play golf and like I said in my essay, they taught me how to tie my shoes, ride a bike, etc. Since they have always been my biggest supporters, I always felt like I needed to reward them for how many times they rewarded me so in writing this essay I felt like I needed to show them how much I love them by putting in my time and effort like they do,” added Chloe.

Like Emily, Chloe is among the talents on the DCHS Golf team, and she is a member of the Yearbook Club, Service Society, and this year she plans to help in the annual DCHS Beautification Day in the spring.

After high school, Chloe plans to further her education at a Division I college and play golf and then get on the LPGA Pro Tour when she is older. “I just want to help others so I am hoping my major in college will be something in the medical field so I can help others maybe in sports medicine”.

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