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DeKalb Democratic Party to Hold Mass Meeting

January 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Democratic Party will hold a Mass Meeting for county and state Democratic candidates, Saturday, February 17, 2018, to kick off the election year. The event will take place at the DeKalb County High School cafeteria, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Meet the candidates for Governor, US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, State Representative, County Mayor, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Supervisor, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, County Commission, School Board, City Council.

Mary Mancini, Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, will be the keynote speaker.

The event will feature live music by Jake Hoot, coffee, donuts, and conversation.




Mike Foster Joins the Race for County Mayor

January 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Former County Mayor Mike Foster is now officially in the race to get his old job back.

Foster filed his qualifying petition with the election commission today (Wednesday) and it has been verified.

Foster is among three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the office in the May 1 Primary along with incumbent County Mayor Tim Stribling and 3rd District County Commissioner Bradley Hendrix, who have already filed their petitions and been verified. Randy Paris picked up a petition Tuesday to run for County Mayor in the DeKalb County General Election on August 2. He has not yet filed it.

The qualifying deadline for all county wide offices and the county commission is February 15.




Ugandan Children Perform at Smithville First Baptist Church

January 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The Sozo Children’s Choir brings its vibrant and joyful voices to Smithville First Baptist Church on February 6. Twenty-two Ugandan children and six adults will sing traditional African songs, children’s church songs and the contemporary music from worship bands like Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, and Elevation Worship. The community is invited to the performance starting at 6:30 p.m. at Smithville F.B.C., 101 West Church Street.Seeing a need to rescue the children immediately from their suffering, abuse, and neglect, Sozo Children was formed in 2010.
“The Sozo Children are raised by born-again Christian Ugandans to become future leaders and carriers of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their country,” says Jon Brennan, Pastor of Spiritual Development and Sozo Choir Director. “Christ is our foundation, and education is a priority.”
Sozo now has 121 children. 81 live in four homes, and the others still live with their families while the ministry provides school fees and/or medical needs.
14-year-old Dennis Nabireeba, who has been with Sozo since its beginning, is one of the choir’s best singers, dancers, and performers. The 6th grader enjoys playing soccer and riding bikes.
“Dennis is all boy!” Brennan says. “He’s a trickster and you have to watch him,” he adds with a smile.
“He has a mother and father, but as is very common in Uganda, the father never married his mom, and he has rarely seen him. His mom is unable to care for him, and she placed him in a children’s home many years ago, which is where Sozo found him suffering and neglected without school fees or food. This children’s home was eventually closed by the government of Uganda.”
“Occasionally Dennis goes to visit his mother for “home visits” but there is not a strong relationship. We try to keep them connected to their families, but often the parents are not interested.”
The choir director says working with the ministry fills him with mixed emotions.
“Uganda, as much of Africa, is extremely heartbreaking because of poverty but extravagantly joyful. We, as Americans, have a lot to learn about the hospitality, immediate friendship and joy that Africans, particularly Ugandans, share with us. It is very rewarding. I get the blessing rather than them.”
Link to website performance: http://www.sozochildren.org/choir




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