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City Takes First Step Toward Annexation of Two Properties

October 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Two tracts of land may soon be annexed into the City of Smithville.

During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the aldermen adopted on first reading ordinances to annex properties at the corner of Miller and Foster Road and at Highway 70 east and Colvert’s Lake Road.

Mayor Josh Miller and City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson say the property at Foster and Miller Roads belongs to Tracy Foutch and most of it is already in the city zoned for industrial use. Foutch wants the remaining 17 acres of the parcel annexed in the city.

Meanwhile the property at Highway 70 east and Colvert’s Lake Road belongs to Greg Dugdale who bought it at auction. Mayor Miller and City Administrator Hendrixson say Dugdale wants the 8 acre site to be annexed and later zoned commercial fronting Highway 70 and residential on the back side.

The aldermen will consider both annexation ordinances on second and final reading following public hearings at the next regular monthly meeting in November.




Green Found with Drugs and Stolen Handgun During Traffic Stop

October 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man was found with drugs and a stolen handgun during a recent traffic stop.

22 year old Jere Raymond Green of South Mountain Street is charged with theft of property over $1,000; possession of a controlled substance (meth and marijuana) with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; possession of drug paraphernalia; evading arrest; and no valid driver license. His bond is $20,000 and he will be in court October 15.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on October 1 a detective observed Green driving a gold GMC Yukon on West Broad Street, Smithville knowing that Green did not have a valid driver license. The detective tried to stop the vehicle but Green failed to pull over. The officer then initiated a pursuit which ended on South Mountain Street. As Green exited the vehicle he threw something into the woods. There the detective recovered a Glock 48- 9 millimeter handgun which had been reported stolen. A white bag was also found on the ground near the vehicle which contained a glass pipe along with a baggy that held a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine which weighed 3.75 grams and another baggy with a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana that weighed 8.84 grams. Green also had $4,755 in cash on his person which was seized as suspected proceeds from drug transactions.

Meanwhile, 30 year old Christopher Lee Cunningham of Old Blue Springs Road, Smithville is charged with theft of property over $1,000. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court October 27.

Sheriff Ray said that on September 4 Cunningham stole various gaming consoles and games for the consoles from a residence where he was staying on Short Mountain Highway. The estimated value of the stolen items is $1,580. Cunningham sold some of it to GameXChange in McMinnville.




DeKalb County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss Switching Political Party Affiliation

October 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

After having been elected twice as a Democrat, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss has announced that he is switching political parties and will be seeking re-election in 2022 as a Republican.

In a statement released today, Poss said while he is thankful for the support shown him over the years by the local Democratic Party, he does not share the views of today’s national Democratic Party leaders.

“As I continue my job as your County Clerk, I remain excited and humbled having the opportunity to serve you. I take my service to you very seriously. With that said, I want to ask you to understand after months of discerning heartfelt convictions, my individual political commonalities do not align with today’s National Democratic Leadership and I cannot, in good conscious faith continue representing the direction the national party has taken. This is just my personal belief and conviction. I do not fault or judge others with their personal opinions or political beliefs.”

“Only through God’s wisdom, direction and forgiveness, I am able to serve public office with a purpose, faith and accountability. With no disrespect to anyone, I recognize all people and their right for individual beliefs. However, I too have a responsibility for my individual faith, belief and trust in God and this is my strong conviction. Therefore, because of these reasons, I will be seeking re-election as DeKalb County Clerk in 2022, as a Republican”.

“As a local leader, I will not change my position as a SERVANT TO ALL. I will continue serving with equal service and gratitude, carrying out duties of the office. I will also continue serving with honesty, fairness and respect to every person regardless of your personal opinions or political beliefs. I will continue serving LAWFULLY, with compassion, humility, appreciation and dignity,” he said.

Poss said DeKalb County remains a great place to live and raise families with good hard working people and he is especially thankful to local law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS and first responders for the job they do and the respect they deserve in serving our county.

“For several years, I served the DeKalb County Ambulance service as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. During that time, I obtained vital firsthand experience, attributes and various benefits provided by multiple levels of law enforcement. I cannot imagine our local communities and states without the profession of law enforcement and other emergency services. Everyone deserves quality public services, including professional law enforcement, honoring those who serve and holding accountability to all. Just the same, we should honor and provide the necessities for our nation’s military, ensuring its ability of protecting the United States. May God bless our community, state and nation,” he said.

Poss is in his second term as County Clerk. He was first elected in 2014 and was re-elected without opposition in 2018.

The DeKalb County Democratic Party selects its nominees for local offices through the primary process while nominees of the DeKalb County Republican Party are chosen by a caucus of party delegates.




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