DeKalb County Observes EMS Week

May 20, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A week dedicated to celebrating emergency service workers is being recognized in DeKalb County.

The community relies on emergency workers to rush to the rescue, no matter what the circumstance.

County Mayor Tim Stribling has signed a proclamation designating May 15-21 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in DeKalb County. EMS Director Hoyte Hale joined County Mayor Stribling for the occasion.

“We are proud of our DeKalb County EMS employees, EMTs, Paramedics, First Responders and Dispatchers. They are on the front lines, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year Their commitment, dedication and bravery speaks to their character and willingness to serve others, not just this week, but every day of the year. We are honored to celebrate their service this week, and we are grateful to them every day,” said Stribling.

The proclamation is as follows:

“Whereas, Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service; and Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

Whereas, access to quality Emergency Care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and

Whereas, the Emergency Medical Services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and
Whereas, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and

Whereas, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week;

Now, Therefore, I Tim Stribling, County Mayor, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 15-21 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

With the theme, “Rising To The Challenge”, I encourage the community to observe this week with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities”.

Members of the DeKalb EMS Staff in addition to Director Hoyte Hale (EMT-P) are:

A-Shift:
Vernon Uptergrove-EMT-P
Jessica Wilson-AEMT
Tony Williams-EMT-P
Donna Melton-AEMT

B-Shift:
Kristie Johnson-EMTPCC/ICQA
Misty Green-AEMT
Dennis Sherman-EMT/PCC
Heather Billings-EMT-B

C-Shift:
Trent Phipps-EMT-P
Justin Thompson-AEMT
Matthew Terrell-EMT-P
Rachel Checchi-AEMT

D-Shift:
Matt Melton-EMT-PCC
Matthew Adcock-AEMT
Stephanie Brown-EMT-P
Trevin Merriman-AEMT

Day Truck:
Zachariah Clark-EMT-B
James Wes Eldridge-EMT-B

Day Truck:
Jamie Parsley-AEMT
Moamen Elkelany-EMT-B

Part-Time Staff:
Houston Austin-EMT-PCC/IC
Greta Stone-EMT-PCC/IC
Clayton Anstis-EMT-PCC
John Bradford- EMT-PCC
Cody Johnson-EMT-PCC
Kim Johnson-EMT-PCC
Kenny Moffitt-EMT-PCC
Marie Turpin-EMT-PCC
Jamie Vernon-EMT-PCC
Eli Beadle-EMT-P
Aspen Flarity-EMT-P
Terrance Hall-EMT-P
Charles Nokes-EMT-P
David Pitts-EMT-P
Daniel Summers-EMT-P
Becky Atnip-AEMT
Ed Brooks-AEMT
Kevin Cripps-AEMT
Tony McCulley-AEMT
Rebecca Partridge- AEMT
John Poss-AEMT
James Ray-AEMT
Jason Rice-AEMT
Gary Duane Wynn, Jr.-AEMT

May 20, 2022
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber and DeKalb County Mayor’s office held the DeKalb County Clean Up event on May 14th with over 50 people signing up to pick up trash. Mayor Tim Stribling and Chamber Director Suzanne Williams expressed how important a clean county is to tourism, to potential businesses looking to relocate here, and to the residents who live here.

One week before the event, dumpsters were placed across the county to allow people to get a head start on their litter pick up. Dumpster trash collection reports are as follows: Dowelltown collected 8,520 lbs., Liberty 5,120 lbs., Alexandria 4,420 lbs., County Complex 520 lbs. for a total of 18,580 lbs. of trash collected.

This year’s DeKalb Clean Up Teams included Brandon Cox Team (with the largest number of team members), DeKalb Prevention Coalition, Justin Potter Library, and Edgar Evins State Park. Edgar Evins State Park picked up trash on the Highland Rim Trail. Justin Potter Library employees pick up litter and cigarette butts all year long around the library.

DeKalb Clean Up Spotlight Volunteers! Diane and Jim Loy have been a part of the TDOT “Friends of Tennessee” Adopt-a-Highway program from February 2001 through May 2022 and have picked up trash and cleaned numerous areas monthly on Hwy. 56 from Hurricane Bridge South to 2.1 miles toward Smithville. They also pick up litter at the Center Hill Lake Scenic Over-Look and League Chapel Cemetery. On May 10th, the Loys collected nine 33-gallon size bags of trash. From June 2021 to April 2022, they have picked up a total of 109 bags of trash. What a debt of gratitude we owe to them for their 21 years of dedicated service. They love DeKalb County, and it definitely shows in their actions.

For beautification, new flowers were planted on three sides of the DeKalb County Courthouse.

The Smithville Town Cemetery has numerous volunteers who are working on beautifying that historic graveyard as well as restoration projects.

Whether beautifying a street, highway, park, ball field, stream, or home, what a difference we can make through working together! Thank you to everyone who helped in any way.

May 19, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Many DeKalb County land and business owners may see a change in their property assessments this year.

Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell said “Change of Assessment” letters are being sent to those affected.

“Change of assessment letters are going out this month (May) because the assessment on your property, whether it be real property or personal property, has either gone up or down. There has been a change so you will get a “change of assessment” notice,” Cantrell said.

If you don’t agree with your property assessments, Cantrell said you should not wait until you get your tax bill in the fall to try and do something about it. The time to raise concerns is when the DeKalb County Board of Equalization meets in June. Cantrell will be taking appointments for those appeals starting May 18. The Board of Equalization will meet in person starting Wednesday, June 1 through Friday, June 3 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Monday and Tuesday, June 6th & 7th from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

“Remember once the county board has met then you can no longer appeal locally for the 2022 taxes. I think that’s what catches a lot of people by surprise. They get their tax notice October 1 and that’s what really gets their attention if their taxes have gone up. Then they want to appeal it. But by that time the appeal for 2022 has already passed. We’re in the appeal season now,” said Cantrell.

“What is important to remember is that the county board of equalization normally meets the first week in June and if you would like to appeal your assessment now is the time to do that. Beginning May 18 call our office at 615-597-5925 and make an appointment to meet with the county board of equalization to discuss the assessment on your appraisal,” Cantrell continued.

“It doesn’t have to be that you had a change of assessment this spring. Maybe nothing changed from last year but maybe you weren’t pleased with your assessment last year. Anybody can come and see the county board of equalization,” Cantrell added.

County equalization boards across the state are to meet each year on June 1 (or the next business day if the 1st falls on Saturday or Sunday). The county board is authorized by law to receive and hear appeals of current year property tax assessments as fixed by the county assessor of property. Generally, an assessment must be appealed to the county board of equalization to preserve the taxpayer’s right to further appeal.

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