New Smithville Police Department Building may be completed by August

April 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The new Smithville Police Department building may be operational by August.

Smithville Mayor Josh Miller said Friday that construction is proceeding well and that the outside portion of the building may be completed by around the first of July.

“I spoke with Wayne Oakley of Studio Oakley Architects, Lebanon (city’s architect) this week and they are hoping to have the outside of the building complete by the Jamboree. That doesn’t mean the inside will be finished. Hopefully we will get the officers transferred from the old building to the new one sometime in August,” said Mayor Miller.

The contractor, Boyce Ballard Construction of Murfreesboro, got the bid for construction of the police department building at $2,395,000 but the city issued up to $2.5 million in bonds for the project. After groundbreaking last fall construction ground to a halt after Boyce Ballard Construction encountered unsuitable soils on the site. The city and contractor agreed to split the cost to remedy the problem. The city’s portion was up to $50,000. Since then the city has had a few other add-ons still Mayor Miller said the project is within budget.

“The city budgeted $2.5 million through a bond issue. There has been some add-ons including the soil issue but we are within budget although we will still have to furnish the building but that will be addressed in next year’s budget,” said Mayor Miller.

The facility will have a total roofed area of 12,800 square feet which includes a 1,400 square foot sally port. It is to encompass a front lobby, records clerk office, hallways, three holding cells, armory, conference and training rooms, offices for the chief, captain, detectives, and other officers, rooms for records, evidence, investigations, filing reports, locker room, electrical room, closets, restrooms, and break room.

April 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

All dogs need love and affection especially those in their golden years. Such is the case with “Goldie” the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week”.

DeKalb Animal Shelter employees Emmaly Bennett and Jennifer Angaran with Goldie from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Goldie is our senior pet of the week. She is about 10 years old. This sweet girl is probably a golden retriever mix of some sort. We took her to the veterinarian and had some blood work done and they said health wise she is doing great. She just needs dental care and will feel much better. Goldie can’t hear or see very well but she does need a place to hang out, sleep, and be loved on for the rest of her days,” said Shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

“If you would like to meet “Goldie” go to our website under our adoptable animals tab at https://www.dekalbanimalshelter.com/ and you will be called to set up an appointment after you fill out an adoption application. For more information call 615-597-3647 or send a message on facebook or email,” said Bennett.

April 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

It may be late June before Chancellor Ronald Thurman has another hearing on the animal shelter issue.

A tentative date is set for June 24.

In the meantime a temporary restraining order will remain in place to keep the City of Smithville from intervening in the operation of the Animal Shelter which is under the control of the DeKalb Coalition for Humane Treatment of Animals, INC.

Chancellor Ronald Thurman extended the order during a hearing in DeKalb County Chancery Court on Tuesday morning, March 30. The proceeding went longer than expected and had to be cut short before all the proof was presented in order that Chancellor Thurman could make it to a noon court session in another county.

Chancellor Thurman kept the temporary restraining order against the city intact until another hearing, now set for June 24, in which both sides will get to finish making their case. Chancellor Thurman also wants the County to join in the hearing because it has a stake in the matter.

The Coalition, represented by attorney Sarah Cripps, is seeking to make the temporary restraining order against the city permanent and for the Chancellor to construe and interpret provisions of both the Coalition’s lease and contract with the City as well as the Coalition’s memorandum of understanding with the County.

City attorney Vester Parsley is asking that the temporary restraining order against the city be dismissed.

Both the city and the coalition claim they are in charge of operating the animal shelter and that the two full time employees work for them.

Chancellor Thurman may sort it out at the next hearing.

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