Attorney gets go-ahead from council to serve papers on the mayor

By Teresa N. Settle
TENNESSEE EXPRESS STAFF WRITER

It’s been an item under “old” business for a long time—and dates back, according to Erin City Recorder Linda Bratschi for over 25 years. The issue: payments in lieu of insurance for city mayors and city attorneys.
“This has been a practice of the City of Erin for the past 25 years. I have documents to prove it,” says Bratschi, who cites at least four mayors in the past and several city attorneys who received in lieu of insurance payments.
However, this old business took up considerable time at the Erin City Council meeting last Tuesday, April 6.
At the outset of the meeting, City Attorney Jennifer Roberts apologized for Attorney Tim Potter, who was running late to the meeting. Roberts said Potter was in court, but that he should be able to make the meeting later.
Potter had been retained by the city council after a June 24, 2003 public hearing to file a declaratory judgment action to see whether or not receipt payments in lieu of insurance for the mayor and city attorney were “proper” or “improper.”
The wording of the city ordinance allows for payments in lieu of insurance to city employees; however, the mayor and the city attorney are not technically employees.
Potter addressed the board and said that he has done his job and after numerous trips to the city of Erin and other phone calls and investigations, he is ready to file the declaratory judgment.
City Councilmember Loraine Beechum asked Potter if he felt he had done an accurate investigation to the best of his ability, and Potter replied, “Absolutely.”
Potter also stated that he had been contacted by Assistant District Attorney General Carey Thompson regarding the case, but stated at the moment this is a civil matter, and this limited the scope of his investigation.
Roberts then sternly spoke to the council saying that past payments have been done for over 25 years and that it is the council that allowed them to be done this way.
“This board has continued to do that,” she said. “Those payments have been made, whether negligently or intentionally. Each one of you are the ones that did it.”
Roberts said the auditors see no problem with it, but the council obviously does but is not doing anything to stop it.
“Ya’ll have taken no action to stop it,” she said. “It’s still an ongoing issue, but it’s not being paid.”
Councilmember Wanda Lockhart said she had asked that when Mr. Potter attended the first council meeting that it be advertised in the local newspaper, but it wasn’t. She said during budget meetings she asked the mayor if the payments were going to continue and he said yes.
She also said that Councilmember Martha Greenfield made a motion in November to take the matter to circuit or chancery court, but that Roberts said a declaratory action had to come first.
Lockhart made a motion to request a full state compliance audit of the city’s affairs for the past five years to see if the laws were in compliance, which was seconded by Beechum.
Greenfield stated, “We should wait to get the ruling [on the declaratory action]. One step at a time. I just think that’s sensible.”
The motion failed before a motion to have Potter proceed with the declaration action passed.
When asked how long this would take, Potter said the Mayor as the responding party would have 30 days to file and answer, then either side would have “discovery” where they could obtain document depositions.
“I think we need to expedite the matter and get it heard,” Potter stated.
Later, Beechum stated for the record that Roberts was wrong in saying the council had done nothing to stop the in lieu of insurance payments from continuing. She said during budget talks she expressly stated that it should not be left in the budget.
She then made a motion to stop any payments to all unauthorized persons not classified as employees of salary in lieu of insurance according to the charter.
Alderman Terry Lewis addressed the mayor then by saying, “You are not receiving insurance money and Mrs. Jennifer [the city attorney] is not. Why have this motion? Why do we even have to vote on it?”
However, the motion passed.
Lockhart then asked Potter to discuss his conversation with the assistant D.A. Potter told him that he had not formed an opinion about the matter but that he did give him a copy of the declaratory action.
Stay tuned for other action by the board in part two. To send comments on this or other stories, write to Tennessee Express Writer Teresa N. Settle at redwriter@hctn.net.
MORE PHOTOS Read more!

Erin Council Taxes Local Cable Company

Photos by Mike Davis

Story by Teresa N. Settle
TENNESSEE EXPRESS STAFF WRITER

Peoples Cable TV will be asked to pay an additional five percent to the City of Erin. That’s because the Erin City Council voted to create a franchise tax at their regular meeting last Tuesday night, Feb. 3.
The motion narrowly passed, with two council members objecting to the measure.
Jimmy Lowery, Ward 2, stated, “We don’t need to create any new taxes. Honestly, I think we’re going about it the wrong way.”
Lowery added that he did not feel this would generate more money for the city.
Agreeing, Wanda Lockhart, Ward 1, said the new tax would hurt the lower income residents, because she and Lockhart felt the cable company would just turn around and charge the residents in order to pay the tax.
“If you have cable, you are going to starting paying a tax,” Lowery said.
In favor of the motion, Martha Greenfield, Ward 3, stated, “The reason I favor this motion is to treat every business the same.” Greenfield said in the past 25 years, Peoples Cable has never been asked to pay a franchise tax.
The motion in favor of the franchise tax passed 5-4. Voting “yes” were: Greenfield, Randy Lewis (Ward 1), Terry Lewis (Ward 4), Betsy Ligon (Ward 2), and Mayor Rhyne Largent.
Voting “no” were: Loraine Beechum (Ward 4), Walter “Bo” Dunn (Ward 3), Lowery, and Lockhart.
The council also revisited charter revisions. City Attorney Jennifer Roberts explained changes, including a past-tense change under general elections and a change denoting the city judge will be appointed to a four-year term with the salary to be fixed and approved annually by the council.
One sticking point that council members and the mayor debated was in regard to a proposed change that did not pass. Lockhart and Beechum felt the wording under officers and employees salaries was inappropriate. The two argued that the phrase “salary and compensation” should not be listed together under the pay plan.
After a motion by Randy Lewis and seconded by Terry Lewis to adopt the charter, Beechum wanted more discuss on the proposed change that failed at the last committee meeting.
“The elected officials should not fall under the pay plan,” she said. “It’s a mixed up plan. It leaves open salary raises by elected officials.”
Lockhart and Mayor Largent had words about the wording as well, but in the end, the charter revisions passed with six in favor and only three voting no. Beechum, Dunn, and Lockhart carried the no votes.
After the charter revisions passed, Mayor Largent said the council had been discussing changes for several months and that now that the charter revisions had been adopted, the council would have to move to send them to the legislature for a private act and approval from the Governor. That motion also passed 6-3.
When the charter returns, the mayor explained, the council will then vote to ratify it.
Under new business, Brian Welch with Tennessee Wire asked that the council waive the industry’s sewer tap fee.
Welch said the company, which is located in the Stewart-Houston Industrial Park, has maintained an average of 80 employees since opening in 1997. It has paid over $36,000 in county taxes and provides revenues and local jobs.
“Now we need a large system,” Welch said, adding that the company would like the council to consider their request based on its contributions to the community in general.
After his request, Mayor Largent stated, “We’ve actually dealt with these types of situations before.”
He reminded council members that Cass Rye, owner of Rye’s N Shine service station, just up the road on Hwy. 149 across from the industrial park, came before the board years ago asking for the same waiver. The board did not grant it, however.
“If you do it for one, you set a precedence,” the Mayor said. Largent added that the tap fee is $1,000 an inch for industrial lines. Since it is a six-inch line, it would be a $6,000 tap fee.
Lowery made a motion to waive the tap fee, but since there was no second, the motion died.
With no other new business, and a quick motion to pay the bills, the council adjourned.
The Erin City Council meets at City Hall on the first Tueday of each month at 6 p.m.MORE PHOTOS Read more!

FIRST LOTTERY ADS HIT MONDAY
TV & RADIO COMMERCIALS DESIGNED TO BUILD AWARENESS

NASHVILLE --Enthusiastic lottery players across the Volunteer State will see and hear the Tennessee Lottery's first broadcast ads on Monday, eight days before the first games go on sale January 20.

The initial ad campaign, produced by Nashville agency Gish Sherwood & Friends, includes two TV commercials and one radio ad, all of which will begin airing statewide on the same day. The consistent message in each ad is clear: Get ready for fun and excitement on January 20.

"These early ads are all about building awareness that the Lottery will begin raising money for education on January 20," said Rebecca Paul, president and CEO of the Tennessee Lottery. "The more Tennesseans who know about our games, the more dollars we'll raise for Tennessee students."

The first commercials include:

"Ticket to Fun"--Ten-second TV "teaser" mimics an instant ticket being scratched to reveal the Lottery's bright yellow, purple and green logo, and a message about the imminent launch: "Tennessee Lottery. Coming January 20."

"Mark Your Calendar"-- Thirty-second TV commercial features an office scene in which a rumbling phenomenon affects desktop and hanging calendars and a personal digital assistant (PDA). The PDA signals an urgent alert and the calendars automatically flip to the Lottery's January 20 launch date.

"Exciting Forecast"--Sixty-second radio spot features a fictional weatherman predicting a "blizzard of excitement" and forecasting a "massive fun front" rolling in ahead of the Tennessee Lottery's launch date January 20.

In addition to TV and radio ads, the Lottery is planning a color newspaper insert that will be placed in publications across the state before the launch. The insert will provide players with written instructions on how to play the games as well as information on how Tennessee students can apply for Lottery-funded scholarships.

All Tennessee Lottery profits go to education. Most immediately, the Lottery is charged with raising at least million by July 1 in order to fund scholarships for an estimated 65,000 students expected to attend Tennessee colleges and universities next fall.
Read more!

RESCUING THE HELPLESS…

One Woman’s Battle against almost unbeatable odds in Houston County
Story by Teresa N. Settle

PART FIVE: The Sheriff Responds

Houston County Sheriff Kennith Barnes said in an interview that he did not get a call from the 911 center on Sept. 12, but he did get a call from Dep. Laxton. He said McCoy did visit him at the Sheriff’s Dept. after leaving the scene, and that he asked for her charter. He disputes having her charter since March of 2000. Contrary to the reports of the neighbors, Sheriff Barnes also claims that Dep. Laxton did not help remove the puppies from the first location.
Sheriff Barnes said Dep. Laxton acted appropriately on Sept. 12, and that the first situation was due to the dog owner being sick and hospitalized.
When asked if Dep. Laxton acted appropriately on Nov. 1 by kicking McCoy off a different location weeks later (yet due to the situation again with the same puppies, and at the request of the officers on duty), Sheriff Barnes said, “Yes.”
Barnes said the deputy followed proper channels, speaking with a judge and the assistant district attorney before making McCoy give the puppies back to the owner due to her “refusal to supply credentials.”
“I feel like it was an unintentional case of neglect,” Barnes said, regarding the animals, . Sydney Warden (son of William Warden) was charged, however, with five counts of animal cruelty, a Class A misdemeanor.
Barnes said jail time is not likely, based on the circumstances and since the owner is a first time offender.
According to Sheriff Barnes, if anyone in Houston County suspects a case of animal cruelty or neglect, they should call the Houston County Central Communications non-emergency number, 721-4019. When asked if his office ever encounters of a bad case of neglect or abuse of domestic animals, Sheriff Barnes said he will continue to contact McCoy for her assistance, so long as her charter (which he says he now has) does not change.
McCoy did contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and on Nov. 7, she was interviewed over the phone for two hours concerning the events of Sept. 12 and Nov. 1. However, later, the TBI investigator phoned her from the Dickson County Central Communications office, to tell her the investigation had been cancelled by none-other-than District Attorney General Dan Alsobrooks.
In the meantime, the dog owners’ arraignment took place Tuesday, Nov. 25. A trial date has been set for Feb. 3 at 8 a.m.
“Faith,” “Hope,” and “Charity,” the three remaining puppies, have been taken into custody by St. Francis, where they have been placed into a foster home. The puppies may be permanently crippled from their ordeal, but they are now getting much-needed love, are improving daily, and are gaining weight.
As for McCoy and St. Francis: The stress of the past two months has nearly killed her and the animal rescue itself. She has contacted other animal rescues in order to downsize her operation. Caring for over 100 animals and serving Houston County almost single-handedly has taken its toll, and this ordeal has been traumatic enough to even cause her to consider closing her doors and leaving Houston County for good.
But then again, who would take up the charge of caring for neglected and abused animals here?
“My commitment is to the animals,” says McCoy. “And as long as I live, there will always be a St. Francis. The bottom line is I have worked too hard to achieve what I have achieved.”

If this five-part story has moved you, there IS something you can do…
1. Become a volunteer with St. Francis;
2. Adopt a pet from the animal rescue; or
3. Dig deep in your pockets for this non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible.
Call 289-4858 or mail your check or money order to St. Francis Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 266, Erin, TN 37061.
St. Francis was the patron saint of animals. In Houston County, after the ordeal she’s had, Annamaria McCoy should get that title, too.

To contact the author…
E-mail the author with your comments at redwriter@hctn.net Read more!

RESCUING THE HELPLESS…
One Woman’s Battle against almost unbeatable odds in Houston County

Story by Teresa N. Settle

PART FOUR: A Cry for Help

Going to her computer, unable to sleep and armed with the digital pictures she took to document the atrocity, McCoy began e-mailing everyone she could think of, asking for help.
By Sunday, the story via the internet has gone national and international. Some of the organizations contacted were: the American Humane Association, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, Animal League Defense Fund, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. To see some of the graphic pictures of the puppies, for instance, go to canadianvoiceforanimalsand click on “A Cry for Help.”
On Monday, Nov. 3, the Houston County Animal Clinic received a visit from Dep. Laxton and a member of the dog owner’s family. They brought a puppy for Dr. Beuerlein to examine. The vet’s findings: the pup was emaciated, had worms and an ear infection, and was suffering from rickets (a malady due to malnourishment). He estimated the dog to be about five to six months old. It weighs 11 pounds. (A healthy dog would weigh 55 to 65 pounds at this age.)
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, District Attorney Dan Alsobrooks responded to an e-mail from an animal welfare officer who had gotten wind of the case.
Alsobrooks wrote, “I have talked with one of my assistants, who indicated that the Houston Co. Sheriff’s Dept. and a local veterinarian have been involved in an inquiry concerning some puppies that were allegedly to be mistreated. I have further been advised that no criminal charges have been issued and that the circumstances you have described, upon being investigated, have not been supported by the actual facts at this time.”
Alsobrooks had apparently not seen McCoy’s pictures or spoken to her about the incident.
Alsobrooks added in his e-mail, “I am confident that the Sheriff’s Dept. has taken the appropriate steps to investigate this matter.”
On Thursday, Nov. 6, two months after the first call and a week after the second call, the Sheriff’s Department did charge Sydney Warden with animal cruelty, but the puppies remained in his custody.
Later that same day, Carey Thompson, the assistant D.A., told McCoy in a phone conversation that he had informed the dog owner of his right to press charges against McCoy for trespassing, in spite of the fact that she was acting on the request of the Sheriff’s Department and in the company of two deputies.
“I have no idea why they are protecting [the dog owner],” McCoy said of her two harrowing run-ins with Dep. Laxton. “I put my family and the lives of these dogs (referring to over 100 she currently cares for at St. Francis) in danger. I feel very much threatened. How far are they going to go to protect him?” she wonders.
“This is a case when animal rights and human rights alike were violated,” she said.
Ironically, for unknown reasons, the district attorney’s office did appear to reverse its position, contacting the Sheriff’s Department and instructing them to allow McCoy to take charge of the puppies on Thursday, Nov. 13. (Yes, it’s now her THIRD attempt to RESCUE these animals). Well, third time’s a charm, even though the property owner again did not want to relinquish them. However, with a deputy on the property, McCoy was able to get the animals and take them to the Houston County Animal Clinic for further treatment.
Log on tomorrow for the final segment of this Five-Part Series Read more!

RESCUING THE HELPLESS…
One Woman’s Battle against almost unbeatable odds in Houston County

PART THREE: Several Weeks Later
Story by Teresa N. Settle

It’s Saturday, Nov. 1, at 9:29 p.m. The phone at St. Francis rings. It’s the dispatcher at the Houston County 911 center requesting her assistance in yet another case of “severe animal cruelty.” The central dispatcher gave her the cell phone number of the deputy on duty, Officer Randy Hagler. Dep. Hagler explained that he had never worked this kind of case before, and that his supervisor (Dep. David Barnes, told him to contact McCoy for assistance.
McCoy and another animal rescue volunteer met the officer at Tennessee Ridge Elementary School and followed him to where the dogs were being kept. Neighbors Dale and Mary Johnson (who had called 911 this time) said they had knowledge of the severely neglected coon dogs.
“As soon as we enter, the stench is so strong you just want to throw up right there,” McCoy recalls. The two deputies escort McCoy and the other volunteer to the kennel.
“I can’t believe this,” McCoy thinks, “they get me back out here for the same case, the same dogs.”
This time, McCoy has brought along her digital camera (since the Sheriff’s Dept. hadn’t bothered with one in September). So she starts taking pictures of the evidence. The stench is unbearable, but McCoy is sizing up the situation. There are two dead dogs in a black plastic container and three live dogs eating on the decayed dogs’ carcasses, because the food that is in the kennel is covered in maggots.
Meanwhile, the deputies have confronted the property owner, who has come out of the house. The deputies talk the owner into agreeing to hand over the emaciated dogs, and McCoy continues to call 911 to get the Sheriff out to the property.
Instead, Dep. Laxton (the same officer from the Sept. 12 incident) arrived and according to McCoy began threatening with physical violence if she did not leave.
“You can kill me if you want to,” McCoy returns, “but not until you look at these puppies.” She wanted Laxton to see the horrific situation she felt he helped create with his interference on Sept. 12.
“There is nothing wrong here,” Dep. Laxton says, as the Johnsons look on.
Dep. Laxton gave McCoy two choices: return the puppies to the owner and leave, or be arrested for trespassing (even though she is there at the property at the request of the other two deputies), blocking an official vehicle (because she has followed the other deputies and is parked behind them), and theft (even though the owner had already relinquished the puppies into her care).
McCoy did the only thing she could by relinquishing the puppies, although she refused to return them to their maggot-infested home.
Dep. Laxton told McCoy and the concerned neighbors that the owner had fed the pups earlier in the day and none were dead at that time. The neighbors disagreed, claiming that at least one puppy had been dead for several days before they finally called 911.
At home, McCoy was distraught and infuriated.
“I cannot begin to describe to you what I felt.”
Log on tomorrow for Part Four of this Five-Part Series Read more!

RESCUING THE HELPLESS…
One Woman’s Battle against almost unbeatable odds in Houston County

Story by Teresa N. Settle

PART TWO: A Rude Awakening

It all started in March of 2000. St. Francis Animal Rescue was looking for a country setting to relocate from Clarksville. Houston County seemed ideal at the time, or so McCoy thought. With no zoning or restrictions, a small farmhouse off Hwy. 49 just outside Erin was purchased to relocate the organization.
Within a week of opening its doors, St. Francis had its first run-in with Houston County officials. Though no laws were being broken, neighbors were upset with the noise of the barking dogs, and the county commission got involved. McCoys says she received a late night visit from a sheriff’s deputy a week after she moved here. At that time, McCoy says, she handed over a copy of her charter, showing that St. Francis was a non-profit corporation whose purposes included “to provide benevolent relief of unwanted dogs, puppies, and other domestic animals; and to provide food, shelter, medical assistance, and general relief to those animals that have been injured, abused, abandoned or made homeless through the acts or omissions of people; and to do EVERY ACT AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY to promote the goals and gains of this mission.”
With the county in possession of the charter, and attempts to pass a nuisance law foiled, things settled down. In fact, over time, St. Francis began to get local calls for assistance with animal control issues. Over the years, the Sheriff’s Department has asked her to quarantine dogs in bite cases, and they have handed over to her stray and hurt dogs.
“You name it,” says McCoy. “They would call me and involve me. So many cases. Any time, day or night.”
Just this past March, McCoy says Sheriff Kennith Barnes’ brother David, who is also a deputy, called her about a relative who had died and left behind 34 coon hounds. True to form, McCoy came to the rescue, providing thousands of dollars in services for the homeless animals. This is just one example of McCoy’s commitment to her mission and to her community.
Given the solid relationship McCoy had established with the Sheriff’s Department, the events of September 12 came as a rude awakening for this tireless champion of animal rights. It began innocently enough, with a rather typical phone call.
Liota Powell, a Hurricane Loop Road resident, contacted 911 to report that there were dogs starving to death near her home, with no one feeding or watering them. The owner, William “Bill” Warden had apparently had a heart attack and was a patient at the nursing home. According to Powell, the 911 center told her to contact McCoy.
This was business as usual for McCoy, who had prosecuted over 300 animal abuse cases in Montgomery County, including one precedent-setting case that resulted in jail time for the abusive pet owner.
McCoy arrived at the location, with another animal rescue volunteer in tow. They found a litter of emaciated puppies, a half-starved mother dog to weak to stand, and a chained up male dog without water or shelter. After assessing the severity of the situation, McCoy herself called 911 and asked for Sheriff Kennith Barnes to come to the site. Over two hours later, Deputy Jason Laxton arrived according to mccoy Dept. Laxton threw her off the property. Before leaving, she told Dep. Laxton to NOT remove any evidence, that she would be contacting the local animal clinic AND the sheriff about this. But instead, the neighbor who first called 911, watched as Dep. Laxton helped in removing the dogs from the location by loading them into the back of a truck.
True to her word, McCoy did go to see the Sheriff, who met her on the sidewalk in front of the jail. According to McCoy, the sheriff told her that in order to proceed with her complaint, she would have to file her professional credentials with the district attorney. The D.A.’s office was closed, however, and would not reopen until the following Monday. Of course, by then, the neglected dogs were nowhere to be found.
Log on tomorrow for Part Three of this Five-Part Series.
Read more!

RESCUING THE HELPLESS…
One Woman’s Battle against almost unbeatable odds in Houston County

Story by Teresa N. Settle

PART ONE: All’s Well That Ends Well???

Annamaria McCoy is a champion of animal rights. As president of St. Francis Animal Rescue, located in Houston County, she has spent the past three-and-a-half years helping domestic animals here. It hasn’t been easy. It may never be.
Take a suspected case of neglect or cruelty. Who should you call? According to the Tennessee Cruelty to Animals Statutes (Title 39, Chapter 14), animal offences against domestic pets such as dogs and cats refers to “any act, omission, or neglect whereby unreasonable physical pain, suffering, or death is caused or permitted.”
For instance, if a dog owner fails to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter to an animal in the person’s custody, that constitutes cruelty. [TCA 39-14-202(a)(2)]
St. Francis Animal Rescue has a special place in state law with regard to animal cruelty. Section 39-14-210 says that the agents of any society which is incorporated for the prevention of cruelty to animals (as St. Francis “Animal Rescue” clearly is chartered) may make arrests and bring before any court cases of animal cruelty [TCA 39-14-210(a)] and any officers or members may LAWFULLY interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in such person’s presence [TCA 39-14-210(b)].
Ironically, these laws have not been carried out well here in the past two months. According to McCoy she has had to fight battles with local law enforcement officers here, and even the district attorney general’s office, in the past two months to save the lives of three coon puppies—appropriately named “Faith,” “Hope,” and “Charity.”
It’s a story full of emotion: Sadness for two puppies who died of neglect; Helplessness as McCoy made attempts to save the puppies all the way back to September. Confusion as local law enforcement officers would not assist her in her mission to save the animals; Anger, as a deputy threatened her with charges as she tried to save the animals; and finally, Hope, as the three live puppies continue to improve and get much needed love and attention.
It’s a story whose ending we still await, and it all started back in March of 2000 when St. Francis Animal Rescue opened its doors in Houston County.
Log on tomorrow for Part Two of this Five-Part Series.
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Consolidation Talks…
Houston County committee holds public forum

Story by Teresa N. Settle

Over 40 members of the Houston County community turned out last week at Houston County High School to hear from members of a committee studying governmental consolidation. Attendees were welcomed by Chairman John Law and the other 14 members on the committee. Law gave a brief history of the committee and said the committee’s final recommendation (for or against) consolidation should be ready for the January meeting of the Houston County Legislative Body.
“Your presence here tonight shows your concern [for this issue],” Law said, adding that the committee’s work since last July has been a very good civic exercise.

Merits for exploring consolidation
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Law listed five points why the topic of consolidation has come and gone over the years in Houston County:
1. Consolidation can give an economic development edge;
2. Consolidation can bring combined purchasing power for economies of scale;
3. Consolidation would bring less duplication of operations, offices, and employees;
4. Government Accountability; and
5. More harmony and less discord (with only one governing body).
Law reminded members of the community that the committee’s findings and recommendations, whatever they will be in January, will not be binding.

Members of the committee
Law introduced all of the other committee members, saying they were appointed by Houston County Mayor George E. Clark with the approval of the Houston County Commissioners. They include, along with Law: Russ James, Byde Simpson, Paul Moody, Ken Douglas, Nina Finley, Clay Hataway, Polly Fussell Miller, Frank Goodwin, Webb Mitchum, Kent Tyler, Daniel Whitaker, Paul Lyle, Jerome Parchman, and Kenneth Adcock.

A brief history of consolidation
In 1953, there was an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution allowing for city and county governments to consolidate, but it wasn’t until 1987 that two counties did so. They were Nashville-Davidson County and Lynchberg.
In 1990, Hartsville-Trousdale (population 7,259) and Moore County (population 5,740) consolidated.
The Houston County committee has studied the Trousdale consolidation and paperwork extensively, since it is similar in size to Houston County.

A unique situation
Since Houston County has two incorporated cities (Erin and Tennessee Ridge), there is a bit of a snag to consolidation.
“Tennessee Ridge is simply in charge of their own destiny,” Law said, explaining that since Erin is larger (by just 90 residents), the city of Erin would become the “urban services district.”
Tennessee Ridge could continue to be a city unto itself, or it could try to become a part of the consolidation process. Members of Tennessee Ridge and Erin, however, would have to approve Tennessee Ridge’s becoming a part of the Urban Services District because it is the smaller city.

Those who have tried, but failed
The committee looked at a number of counties who have tried, but failed, to consolidate. Law delineated each county and their population. The committee tried to establish why the move to consolidate didn’t work.
For Franklin County (population 39,000), they found consolidation to be a very emotional issue, since there were five smaller cities that would be giving up their identities;
For Coffee County (population 48,014), they found the issue to be schools;
For Hamblin County (population 58,128), the issue was law enforcement.
Residents in Sullivan County (population 15,300) told committee members that they are just “not much on change.”
Other counties where consolidation has failed include: Warren, Knox, Madison, White, Hamilton, as well as neighboring Montgomery County (population 134,768).

Committee members speak out
During the public forum, several members of the committee answered questions from the audience about issues such as the question of “identity.” Several committee members said consolidation would not affect the identities of the communities in Houston County. In other words, Erin would still be Erin, Tennessee Ridge would still be Tennessee Ridge, Stewart would still be Stewart, and so on.
Although most of the night’s comments seemed to be pro-consolidation, Russ James added that the committee is getting both sides of the issue “pretty vehemently.”
Webb Mitchum spoke briefly on zoning and planning. He said even though “zoning” is a dirty word for some, planning, on the other hand, is a very important part of the process. He reminisced how the Arlington community was annexed years ago, stating it still hasn’t lost its identity. He touted community functions in Stewart, McKinnon, and Tennessee Ridge, as well.
Another concern brought up is a way to maintain certain ordinances, like the no beer sales in Tennessee Ridge. Erin also has zoning laws, while the county doesn’t. Law said the committee has looked into ways to maintain local ordinances like this.
One committee member said that while Trousdale is not saving any money yet, the county is convinced that they will be saving within five years.

Finance committee findings
Byde Simpson talked about findings from the finance committee. The committee studied such things as revenues and expeditures for the local governmental entities of Houston County, the City of Erin, and the City of Tennessee Ridge.
The total revenues, for instance, for Houston County, are $17 million, or 86 percent. For the City of Erin, they are $1.6 million, or eight percent; and for Tennessee Ridge, revenues are $1.2 million.
Of total expenditures, schools takes up $8.7 million; general administration gets a $3.4 million chunk; and roads gets $2.2 million. The rest includes law enforcement, solid waste, and fire.
Another interesting comparison by the finance committee was the annual local tax revenue per capita. In Tennessee Ridge, it’s about $196.43 per person. In Erin, it’s $489.38; and in Houston County, it’s $415.76.
The annual expenditures per capital are: $200.26 per person in Tennessee Ridge; $730.68 per person in Erin; and $1,800.58 per person in Houston County.
Of course, it was explained that there are different services for Tennessee Ridge, Erin, and the county.

Public Works findings
Ken Douglas chaired a committee looking into public works, such as water, sewer, roads, solid waste, and parks and recreation. He compared the two cities and the county water departments and noted how many employees and the pay scales for each, as well as which ones have benefits. For instance, the City of Erin pays nine full time employees and three part time employees in their water department. The pay scale ranges from $7.83 to $14.21 per hour. The City of Tennessee Ridge has three employees (who do double dutyu with the street department). The pay is $11.47 to $15.68 per hour.
When comparing road figures, Houston County maintains 313 miles of roads at $6,166 per mile. Erin maintains 19 miles of streets at $19,958 per mile. Tennessee Ridge maintains 13 miles of streets at $2,769 per mile.
“I do believe that some monies could be realized by consolidation,” Douglas said, while comparing the figures.

Where do they go from here
“Regardless of what we recommend, the county can take it or leave it,” Law said, adding that even residents themselves could call for a vote for consolidation with a petition only 272 registered voters. That would enable the forming of a charter commission.
The commission, made up of 10 members of the county and five from the city of Erin, would take nine months to prepare and file a charter for consolidation. Then a referendum election would take place within 80 to 100 days. If voted on by the county, the new consolidated government would levy a property tax, establish legislative districts, outline a budget, etc.

Your comments are welcome
Law said the committee wants to hear from members of the community on this topic soon, since they will meet again in mid-December before coming up with a recommendation for the county commission. You can write your comments down and mail them to Law at P.O. Box 196, Erin, TN 37061. Read more!

Singing Waiter Steals the Show

Story by Teresa N. Settle
Photos by Mike Davis

Erin Rotarian Phil Averitt stole the show Thursday night, Nov. 6 at the annual Rotary Spaghetti Dinner and Auction when he belted out the tunes for “Rocky Top” and “The Lollipop Kids” (from the Wizard of Oz), not to mention giving a spectacular Tarzan yell to the delight of over 100 area residents in attendance. Averitt, an avid Alabama fan, was coerced into singing the chorus of “Rocky Top,” by a special $50 donation taken up among the diners.
The event started out like all regular Rotary meetings: with the recitation of the four-way test (led by Rotarian Ken Douglas) and the Pledge of Allegiance. Rotarian Bruce McMillan then invited dinner attendants to join with the “Rotary A cappella Choir” as they sang “God Bless America.” The Rev. Harriett Bryan said the blessing before Erin Rotary President Linda Bratschi welcomed everyone to the event, one of the club’s top fundraisers for the year.
Ticket-holders enjoyed salad, spaghetti with a choice of sauces, Italian bread, and a wide range of desserts. And best of all was the service…
Rotarians pulled the duty of waiting on tables, decked out in white aprons and tall white chef hats. An added benefit was that they were “singing” waiters… taking requests (for an additional $5.00).
Topping off the evening was an auction of items that netted quite a haul, all for good causes, like scholarships, the Rotary park (next to the middle school), clothing, food, and toy drives.
“It’s just a fun night,” stated President Bratschi, describing the event as waiters hustled from table to table, taking drink orders and delivering the food.

Singing Waiters…
Waiting on tables were Rotarians Dr. Jim Branson, Russ James, Tim Cleghern, Jeff Rye, Phil Averitt, Donnie Simmons, Dana Miller (filling in for Judge Sid Vinson who was delayed in Dover), Mitch Mitchum, and Ray Fussell. Other Rotarians also helped out with food, drinks, desserts, and by taking song requests.
While Rotarians may be known for their “service” to others, their singing is another story…
Still, there were numerous requests throughout the evening. Russ James kicked things off nicely by serenading his table with an old college alma mater (something to the effect of My gal’s a hullaballu).
Tim Cleghern really shook things up when he donned Elvis glasses and sideburns to sing a special request made by Scott Bratschi: “I’m a little teapot.” Cleghern thrilled the audience with body movements to mimic the handle and the spout on the teapot as well.
Bratschi, who spurred other requests, said, “I always heard about Tim’s voice. It was more than I expected.”
Bratschi’s dad added that Tim must have gotten his singing from his momma.
Donnie Simmons was asked (i.e. ordered by another $5.00 request) to sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”
A nice duet was performed by Mitch Mitchum and Ray Fussell as they belted out “Sweet Home Alabama.” (You guessed it, they’re really UT Vols fans!)
Then Phil Averitt thrilled the crowd with “Rocky Top,” “The Lollipop Kids,” and the Tarzan yell.
Next, Gina Bell rivaled Tanya Tucker as she sang “Delta Dawn.”
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” was… well, sort of sung… by a trio of Billy Ray Cleghern, Webb Mitchum, and Beck Alsobrooks.
Jeff Rye, who works for MLEC, was asked to sing “I am a lineman for the county,” which he had no trouble doing.
Then Bell and Dana Miller sang “You are my sunshine.”
During the auction, one last request was put to Judge Sid Vinson to sing “I’m a little teapot.” His rendition, though not as demonstrative as that of Cleghern earlier, was, nonetheless, hilarious.

Top bidders…
Bidding was fierce at times, funny at times, and downright breathtaking at other times, but all for a good cause. Top bidders (spending $50 or more) were:
* Sylvia Vinson, who bought a Playtime Wonder Doll Set for her granddaughter Kyran (who was also present);
* Grant Gillespie, who paid $255 for end zone tickets to the Titans vs. Colts game. (He dualed it out with Rotarian M.J. McMillan on the bidding.)
* Randy Baggett, who paid $120 for season basketball tickets for Austin Peay games. He later purchased a full-size quilt handstitched by Houston Countians in green, brown, tan, and yellow, for $160;
* Lori Pendergrass, who purchased a beautiful handstitched framed Erin railroad picture done by Donna Carson, for $55. Pendergrass later grabbed an antique-looking pie safe for $110;
* Barbara Alsobrooks, who got a beautiful full-sized quilt in lovely shades of mint greens, creams, and pinks, for $260;
* Randy Gill (the auctioneer himself) who walked away with an autographed Titans football for $85;
* Ruth Herrington, who pocketed a collection of the first 25 state quarters, for $50;
* Russ James, who salivated over a country ham to the tune of $65;
* Becky Averitt, who got a red berry Christmas tree for $55;
* M.J. McMillan, who gave $130 for two Titans tickets with parking to the Titans vs. Buffalo game in December on the 35-yard-line five rows back;
* Art Sloan, who lugged home a 20-inch color TV for $135;
* Bruce McMillan, who bid on an elaborate Christmas sleigh floral arrangement for $60;

Other bidders…
With so many items to choose from, no one had to go home empty handed, or with empty pockets. Plenty of items were up for grabs, and lots of attendees got exceptional value for their money, spending less than $50. Even Miss Houston County (Nikki Wilburn) bid on and got a fall wreath for just a few bucks.
Young Megan Rye couldn’t resist yelling “I want it! I want it!” as a Celtic Cow Parade Collectible, green with gold accent, was put on the auction block. Needless to say, she got it!
And another neat bidding occurrence happened when several people started bidding competitively on a stenciled poem ready for framing entitled “Frettin.” Jimmy Felts made the top bid on it at $30 for Highers, Koonce and Associates. Then he turned around and donated it back to the Rotary Club to be auctioned off again. Teresa Mitchell took it home the second time for $27.50.
In all, there were pictures, books, trinkets, floral arrangements, wreaths, autographed sports memorabilia, knives, candles, vases, throws, pictures, prints, and more, that were auctioned off for a good cause.

Door Prizes
To break up the evening’s entertainment and auction, Rotarians also kept attendants throughout the evening in the hopes they would win a door prize. Lucky winners were: Linda Smithey, Kristy Hinson, Nikki Wilburn, Rhonda Nolen, Lori Oldham, Faye Mobley, Brad Averitt, and Becky Averitt.

Erin Rotary
The Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon at Erin United Methodist Church. Officers, along with Bratschi, are Vice President Russ James, Secretary-Treasurer Anne Baggett, and Sargent at Arms Phil Averitt. On the Board of Directors are Jim Branson (Recorder), Donnie Simmons, Sid Vinson, Drew Taylor, and Yvette Gillespie.

How you can get involved…
Erin Rotary Club is currently collecting food and toys for needy families for the holidays. There is a display and collection bins inside Erin City Hall, or you may contact Beck Alsobrooks to donate food, or Gina Bell to donate toys. According to President Bratschi, this year’s theme is “Lend a Hand,” and the local club is doing their part. Rotary International is celebrated 100 years in 2005, and the local club has been around since 1950
Read more!

Houston County is seeing stars…
Story by Teresa N. Settle

After days, weeks, and months of planning by locals here, it all came down to a two-day visit by members of a state committee who seek to certify “three-star” communities.
The result… Houston County made it.
“You’re in,” said State committee member Ronny Gaither, to a packed house at Erin City Hall for the Houston County Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership banquet.
As the crowd waited with bated breath, Gaither read an official letter declaring that Houston County had qualified as the 70th Tennessee community under the Governor’s Three-Star program.
He praised the evident cooperation of city and county government, the Leadership Houston County Alumni, and the Houston County Chamber of Commerce before stating, “You have much to be proud of,” he said. “You’re in.”
Accepting the award proudly were Randall and Kay French, for the Leadership alumni organization, Erin Mayor Rhyne Largent and City Recorder Linda Bratschi, Tennessee Ridge Recorder Nancy Cobb, Houston County Mayor George E. Clark, and Chamber President Kristi Basey.
Gaither added that he has been working with communities for over 37 years, but coming to Houston County was very refreshing.
“There is such a wonderful spirit [of cooperation and good will] here that I have not seen in probably 20 years,” he said. He also commented on some very nice, new facilities, like the Houston County jail and the new high school.

Chamber Banquet
The 2003 annual membership banquet was held Thursday, Oct. 23, at Erin City Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendees were greeted by wonderful fall decorations, both on the exterior and the interior of the building. Area organizations had displays in the foyer to boast all that is good in Tennessee Ridge, Erin, and Houston County. Among the displays were Workforce Essentials, Erin Rotary Club, Highland Rim Economic Corporation, Erin Police Department, Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency, Houston County Lions Club, Houston County Health Council, Houston County Public Library and Friends of the Library, and the University of Tennessee’s local Agricultural Extension Service. There was even a display showing how Houston County High School received the 2002 School of the Year Award for excellence in architectural design.
All in all, it was a great night, and Houston County shown like a bright star anyway.

Presidential Remarks
As the banquet got underway, Chamber President Kristi Basey welcomed attendees and cited recent efforts of beautification, including the recent courthouse “bath,” planting of trees, and general sprucing up around town. She recognized State Senator Rosalind Kurita and State Representative John Tidwell, along with the state team here to see if Houston County qualified for the three-star award.
Team members reviewing to see if Houston County qualified included: Bill Shuff, MTIDA; Rural Development’s Tom Mayberry; Tonya Blades of Greater Nashville Regional Council; Angela Fernandez, Local Planning; Bill Edwards, Business Services; Paul LaGrange; John Henry Hedge; Anna Montgomery; Grimm Ramell; Connie Trotter, and Ronnie Gaither, of the Economic Council.
Giving the invocation before dinner was Chamber member Kathy Parchman.
After accepting the three-star award, Basey declared, “Wow, what a way to end a year as president!”

Senator Kurita speaks out
“I love Houston County,” Senator Rosalind Kurita started by saying. “This is a community that works hard together.
Always a favorite with Houston Countians, the senator continued, “Ya’ll always have some great projects going, not to mention some of the best cooks in Tennessee.”
She was referring to the prime rib dinner catered by Houston County’s own George Powell of Southernaire Restaurant.
Sen. Kurita took another moment to ask area residents to keep members of the military—and their families—in prayer. Sen. Kurita had just come from the funeral of a Ft. Campbell soldier who died in Iraq.
Rep. John Tidwell also commented on what an honor it was to attend the chamber event and to share in the news about the three-star award.
“You may not realize now, but this opens the door to you for economic opportunities,” he said.
Rep. Tidwell said he enjoyed the drive up from the south looking at the fall foliage.
“Houston County is one of the prettiest counties I have ever seen,” he added.

Auctioning for a good cause
One of the highlights of the chamber banquet each year is an auction. Houston County’s Randy Gill, assisted by his daughter Morgan, auctioned of some highly coveted items as follows:
• A pound cake made and decorated by Byde Simpson sold for a whopping $45. The high bidder was Wanda Dority.
• Randy Baggett went home with a $75 gift certificate to Southernaire Restaurant.
• Erin’s Dr. Doug Ligon grabbed Predators hockey tickets for $75.00.
• John Law thrilled his wife Adrienne when he purchased a wooden vase handmade by Benny Ferrell and donated by J.V. Averitt Lumber Company for $100.
• Bro. Robert Mitchell was the high bidder of a colorful, handmade quilt, paying $115.
• And finally, the most coveted prize of all each year… Tennessee Ridge resident Gene Parrish’s handmade duck call. After ardent bidding, Sam Fussell waddled away with it for $180. Parrish, who was present with his lovely wife Wanda, even said he would donate ten percent of his duck call proceeds between now and Christmas to the chamber.

The Evening’s Entertainment
Houston Countians were bathed with “culture” Thursday night as the group “Amadeus” performed dinner music. The quartet included three violins and a cello. The musicians hailed from surrounding communities. On the cello was Kristen Johnson of Clarksville; Violinists included Dallas Blackwell and Usha Mani of Dickson, and Lora Brown of McEwen. They played classical music and even circulated through the tables as the meal was enjoyed. Anyone wanting to book Amadeus may call Brown in McEwen at (615) 289-6954. If they mention the chamber event, she will waive the booking fee.

New Chamber Officers Inducted
As Chamber President Basey stepped down in an emotional tribute to her grandfather, and with thanks to many who had helped her this year, John Law presented the new slate of officers for the coming year.
The 2004 President is Dana Miller; Vice President is Becky Averitt; Secretary is Judy Stephan; and Treasurer is Anne Baggett. New directors added to the board include Mary Chappell, Kay French, Meridith Baggett, and Judy Stephan.
They join other board members including: Becky Averitt, Paul Bailey, Gina Bell, Linda Bratschi, Mark Carson, Ray Fussell, Robin Freeman, Russ James, John Law, Robin Lyle, Diane Lynch, Dr. Dan Martin, Bettye McKinnon, Dana Miller, Jane Parchman, Lajuana Parchman, Natalie Short, Drew Taylor, Donna Underwood, and Freda Whitaker.
The event concluded with closing remarks by upcoming Chamber President Dana Miller.
Read more!

Toy Run Triumph
Submitted by Teresa N. Settle


When 170 motorcycles roared through Houston County Saturday, Oct. 18, everybody was smiling: the bikers, the residents enjoying the show, and especially the children.
This year’s Sixth Annual Houston County Toy Run was bigger and better than ever. More bikes, a longer route, beautiful weather, more toys collected, and added events. It made for a sweet success story.
The bikes left Danville shortly after noon and traveled up Hwy. 147 to Gray’s Cross in Tennessee Ridge before turning onto Hwy. 49 to head into Erin. The 17-mile trek made by bikers ended in downtown Erin as they turned down Spring Street for the Betsy Ligon Park Pavilion.
There the cyclers, clad mostly in riding gear and black leather, parked their rides and proceeded to fill the back of a truck knee deep with toys so needy children in Houston County will have a merrier Christmas.

Erin Police Department

Erin Police Chief Tommy Parchman was very pleased with the event’s success. Chief Parchman said the event has grown in the last six years. Originally started by the Erin Police (EPD) and Fire Departments (EFD), Chief Parchman enlisted the help of a Clarksville biker organization called Bikers Who Care (BWC). Then two years later, the family of Betty Wyatt got involved to help the event.

Erin Fire Department

Erin Fire Chief David Hardin said this year’s event was a smooth ride for all involved. Not only was it longer (in previous years bikers have ridden from Tennessee Ridge’s National Guard Armory), but more bikers participated.
“The weather was fantastic,” Hardin said, and no accidents were reported.
EFD member Brian Richardson agreed about the day, reminiscing about the rain last year that caused a low turnout. Richardson said more toys were collected this year as well.
If you missed the event but would still like to contribute to the cause, the EFD will continue its Toys for Tots collection with a roadblock in Houston County on Nov. 1.

Bikers Who Care

The Clarksville BWC has been the “driving” force of this local event, bringing many out-of-town participants to the small town of Erin to help a neighbor in need. The current BWC President, Bill Langford, was on hand, as well as numerous others. BWC member Jim Scott, also of Clarksville, rode one of his two Harleys (he claims there is no other bike)), a 1979, in the run.
When asked about riding in general, Scott said bikers enjoy a better look at nature and just getting out on the road. “It’s just a thrill,” he added.
Also on hand was BWC member Booger Watson. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the annual Bike Toy Run in Clarksville each year is in memory of Watson’s father, Leslie W. Watson.
Booger’s father was the owner of the first full-time motorcycle shop in Clarksville back in the 40’s. Following in his daddy’s footsteps, Booger builds Harleys himself. During the Erin run, Booger rode a 1946 H-D Knucklehead which he described as “radically customized.”
The bike he built has twin carbs, fat tires, a custom (low) body, and at least 25 handmade pieces. It also has a history—as the paint job will attest. Painted in the traditionally Harley colors of orange and black, it also sports a lot of silver—to represent the color of his father’s first bike—and it has lime green tips to remind Booger of the color of his first bike back in the 70s.
Booger’s wife didn’t ride in style on the back of his back, but instead styled on her own ’39 Knucklehead. A former dirt bike rider before meeting him, Susie Watson said her husband introduced her to the “awesome” world of Harleys.

Betty Wyatt Memorial Fund

The family of the late Betty Wyatt of Houston County was also on hand to participate in this year’s event. Her son, Danny, who now lives in Lavergne, said his mother loved Christmas and kids.
She used to run the local Dollar Store and after she died, her family decided to continue the tradition. It’s their fourth year to be a part of the run.
“We buy $1,000 worth of toys,” Wyatt said, along with helping to select needy families and making up Christmas baskets. Last year the Wyatt family also sponsored 20 residents at the local nursing home for Christmas. Throughout the year, they have yard sales and sponsor a dance as a fundraiser.
“It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work,” he said.

Local Bikers

Nobody seemed to get into the ride more than the local bikers. Erin resident Bruce McMillan, 74, was probably the oldest participant in the ride.
“I am more than pleased with the committee that organized this ride,” he said, “and the number of bikers with gifts and monetary contributions.”
McMillan rode a Yamaha trike, and he wasn’t alone. His young, female companion was his granddaughter, Caitlyn Walker. Walker, a fourth grader at Erin Elementary, said she had fun riding with her “poppy,” adding that he’s a safe driver. Her only complaint: “He needs to go faster!”
Carl and Pam Bland of Cumberland City are among several bikers at their Erin church, First Assembly of God, and the couple enjoys biking in their spare time. However, in Carl’s line of work—the oil field exploration business—he’s only home about a third of the time.
Pam, who works for a real estate closing attorney, said, “I think it’s a good thing for people on motorcycles to bring these toys for the needy kids of Houston County.”

Local Residents and Businesses

Young and old residents alike turned out to enjoy the food, festivities, musical entertainment, and even a first-ever auction, not to mention just walking around in the beautiful weather admiring the variety of old and new bikes—from vintage to sporty to custom.
There were loud bikes, low-down bikes, shiny chrome flashing everywhere, fancy helmets, fringe, and flames. It was a sight to behold, and area residents and business owners look forward to the annual event as well.
Gene Bell of Bell’s Florist and More said, “I think this is a wonderful event… People don’t realize how big the hearts of bikers are. Maybe this event will show it.”

In Loving Memory

The weather was great, the turnout supper, and many firsts were accomplished this year, but for Emerald Acres resident Jack Jordan, it was also a day to remember old friends.
Jordan, who has been riding for 38 years, said this year’s Houston County Toy Run was dedicated to the memory of Bill Short and Ernest Shockley.
“Ernie was the oldest member of BWC,” Jordan stated. And Short, who died last year, was Ernie’s son-in-law.
Short’s widow, Sandy, of Houston County rode this year on the back of a bike belonging to her brother-in-law, Houston Countian Sammy Mathis.

Other Sponsors

Other sponsors, along with EPD, EFD, BWC, and the Wyatt family, included the City of Erin, Coca-Cola, Houston County Printing, Images, B.J.’s Diner, Cleghern’s Piggly Wiggly, Bell’s Florist & More, Magnum Manufacturing, Wright Wrecker Service, Erin Auto Body, Houston County Tire, AmSouth, The Irish Grille, and Tennessee Ridge NAPA and ACE Hardware.

As for next year…

As for next year’s bike run, everyone was in agreement, hoping next year’s run is even bigger and better. What with this year’s success story, that just might be a tall order. But with so many fantastic sponsors, local support, and terrific participants, it will definitely be worth watching again!
Read more!

TRADITIONS BANK PHOTO NAMES

Pam Rye (Pam Rye Landscape Design & Consultation), Melinda Mitchell (VP for
Operations, Traditions First Bank), Bob Upton (VP of Marketing, T.W.
Frierson Contractors), Clint Reynolds (Traditions First Bank Board of
Directors), Joe Slate (Project Supervisor, T.W. Frierson Contractors), Tommy
Mitchell (President & CEO, Traditions First Bank), Kyle Miller (Vice
President, Traditions First Bank), Paul Moore (Traditions First Bank Board
of Directors), Jerry Reynolds (Jerry W. Reynolds, Architect), Eldon Schmidt
(Traditions First Bank Board of Directors), Tim Luppe (Sr. Project Manager,
T.W. Frierson Contractors), Phil Averitt (Traditions First Bank Board of
Directors), Drew Taylor (President Houston Co. Area Chamber of Commerce),
Beverly Nolen (Traditions First Bank Board of Directors), Becky Scott
(Consultant, Rowland Business Interiors), and Renee Rowland (President,
Rowland Business Interiors)
Read more!

Beyond the Bale: Forage Field Day Relates to both Producers and Consumers

SPRING HILL, Tenn. -- If you have ever mowed your lawn, enjoyed a steak
dinner, or suffered a fire ant sting, a University of Tennessee field day
in Middle Tennessee is an event you will not want to miss.

"Making Forages Work" is a free public event to be held June 13 at the
Middle Tennessee Experiment Station. Its purpose is to educate producers
and consumers on the importance of forage plants that are grazed or
harvested for use as animal feed. Organizers hope to inform and entertain a
broad audience.

Session topics will cover a variety of issues pertinent to livestock
producers and the forage industry, such as efficient hay equipment and
storage, mineral availability to grazing livestock, and grazing systems for
both warm- and cool-season grasses. In addition, many lectures and
demonstrations will cater to those at the top of the forage food chain.

"We want to show how forages touch all areas of livestock, extending all
the way from the farm to the fork," said Dennis Onks, superintendent of the
Middle Tennessee Experiment Station. "Forages are important to the
homeowner as well as the producer."

Visitors will benefit from session topics such as selection of lawn grass
varieties, management of fire ants at home and in pasture, and weed
identification demonstrations. A diagnostic lab, organized by UT plant
pathologist Dr. Alan Windham, will also be set up on-site, and members of
the public are invited to bring in diseased plants for expert examination.

Demonstrations will promote preparation methods for "Fruits of the Forage"
-- including beef and goat dishes -- and safe handling of meats. Visitors
will be able to taste free samples.

A fishing rodeo on the station's main pond will provide some additional
entertainment for kids of all ages. A prize will be awarded to the person
who brings in the largest bass. A state fishing license is not required for
children under the age of 12.

The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will finish around 3:00 p.m.
Researchers, extension agents and local vendors will remain onsite to
answer questions and greet participants.

The Middle Tennessee Experiment Station, one of 11 research facilities in
the statewide UT Agricultural Experiment Station system, is noted as the
home of the performance-tested bull program, which has been in operation
since 1972. The station performs research in forages for both beef and
dairy cattle.

The station is located on Hwy. 31, just minutes south of Nashville. Take
exit 53 from I-65. Follow the signs to Columbia on Hwy 31 with the
experiment station entrance on the east side of the highway. For more
information regarding the event, or to obtain a map, contact the Middle
Tennessee Experiment Station at (931) 486-2129.


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Contacts: Dr. Dennis Onks, (931) 486-2129
Patricia McDaniels or Keli Woodard, (865)-974-7141
Read more!

UT To Host Beef and Forage Field Day in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, TN (April 9, 2002) -- The University of Tennessee plans to host
a Beef and Forage Field Day on Friday, June 21, at the Knoxville Experiment
Station Blount Unit.

Free to the public, the program will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a trade show.
Formal presentations will begin at 8:30.

The opening session speaker will be Lemmy Wilson of Wilson Livestock
Network, Inc., in Newport. He will discuss current trends in the beef
industry. Sessions hosted by UT experts include discussions of using
electronic identification (EID) in beef cattle management and marketing,
overseeding tall fescue with winter annuals, weed control in pastures,
synchronization of beef cows and heifers followed by fixed-time
insemination, management of the herd bull, and an overview of vaccines used
for beef cattle.

A special afternoon session will feature a live cattle demonstration. David
May, general manager of Golden Belt Feeders, St. John, Kansas, will focus
the seminar and demonstration on factors affecting feedlot cost of gain and
feeder cattle prices.

The field day will adjourn at 2:30 p.m.

The Blount Unit is located approximately 8 miles south of the intersection
of Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 129. The field day will be held on
Singleton Station Road. A map is available on the Web at
http://web.utk.edu/~taescomm/kes/fieldday/blount.html

For more information about the field day, contact your local county
Agricultural Extension Agent or the Knoxville Experiment Station at
865-974-7201.

The Knoxville Experiment Station is one of eleven branch research
facilities in the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station system.

###

Contact: Patricia Clark McDaniels, 865-974-7141
Read more!

Time to Fertilize Your
Warm-Season Lawn Grasses

For Immediate Release


Fertilize Warm Season Lawns in April

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 22) -- April is the time to fertilize your
warm-season lawn grasses such as Bermuda grass or Zoysia.
Dr. Hugh Savoy, a University of Tennessee soil fertility specialist,
cautions to be sure and choose the right soil amendments for your specific
soil and apply them only in needed amounts. "The information needed to
correctly choose which soil amendments are needed and "how much" to apply
can only be provided through soil testing," he said. Soil testing
information is available through your county Agricultural Extension office.
Savoy also said displays are located at many garden supply stores in
Jackson, Chattanooga, Lawrenceburg and Knoxville as part of a pilot program
to reach home owners.
Savoy said the public can access the UT Soil Testing Laboratory in
Nashville. "It provides dependable service using the most appropriate
quality control measures, updated equipment, research-based fertilizer
recommendations and timely delivery of results. In fact, soil test reports
can now be received over the internet by simply providing your email
address on the Soil Testing Information sheets available at your local
county Extension office," he said.
According to Savoy, failure to apply the right amount of material is
a common problem. "Concentrated fertilizer materials are very easily and
commonly over used, resulting in increased weed and disease pressures as
well as greater potential for pollution of our surface and ground waters,"
he said. New recommendations from UT suggest exactly the right amount of
specific fertilizer materials to use per unit area of your lawn. The
information is also available through the county Extension offices.
Savoy cautions about relying on visual assessments. "For concentrated
materials it will always appear that you haven't applied enough," he said.
"While for less concentrated materials like agricultural limestone a sight
assessment will usually result in under application."
Savoy also warns that it is important to be aware of the weight of
material being applied per unit area. "Calibrate your spreader properly or
flag off areas of known size when applying lime and fertilizer materials,"
he said.

###

Contacts: Hubert J. Savoy, Jr., (865) 974-7266
Patricia Clark McDaniels, 865-974-7141


More photos Read more!

EDUCATION COST RISING AT ALARMING RATE

In the last decade, Tennessee has moved to a tuition-driven economy
for higher education. During this period, tuition revenues have risen at a
rate three and one-half times the rate of inflation, as estimated by the
U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI). Whereas the CPI increased 45.9% during
this period, tuition revenues at UTK increased by 164%, at UT Martin by
165% and at the College of Veterinary Medicine by 229%. Increases in
tuition revenues were driven primarily by double digit percentage increases
in tuition during several years of the decade, not by significant increases
in enrollment.
"During the same period, state-appropriated funding for several UT
units increased at about 70% of the rate of inflation?increases ranged from
26% to 43%, depending on the budgetary unit. In other words, the state
began to shift the burden for funding higher education from the taxpayers
to the students. This resulted in a drop in the percentage of the state
budget allocated for higher education from about 16% to about 13%.
"The move to a tuition-driven economy in higher education in Tennessee
is having an adverse impact on non-formula units of UT, including the
College of Veterinary Medicine, the Agricultural Experiment Station, the
Agricultural Extension Service, the Institute of Public Service and the
College of Medicine and other health units in Memphis. These units receive
no revenue or a very small percentage of their budget from tuition.
Although a 10% increase in tuition raises the overall UT academic budget by
about 4%, a similar increase in tuition raises the overall budgets of the
medical units, including veterinary medicine, only by about 1%. What is
more, since UT's research and outreach units receive zero funding from
tuition, the long-term impact is that some units of our land grant
university are being severely penalized by the tuition-driven economy.
"Many of our elected officials are not aware of the serious impact
that the tuition-driven economy is having on the units of the Institute of
Agriculture and other non-formula-funded units of UT. They need to
understand that the tuition-driven economy for higher education will rob UT
and Tennessee of certain research and outreach services that have the
greatest potential to impact critical issues in the state. For example, our
statewide research programs to improve water quality, our training programs
in food safety, and our efforts to ensure safe use of pesticides are
jeopardized by lack of funding for non-formula units. UT's statewide land
grant mission cannot be sustained in a tuition-driven economy for higher
education.
from Jack H. Britt, UT Vice President for
Agriculture
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Read more!

Subject: This Hasn't Been Broken
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2002 15:22:00 EST

Subject: this hasn't been broken
This has been kept alive and moving since 9/11. In memory of
all those who perished this morning; the passengers and the pilots
on the United Air and AA flights, the workers in the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon, and all the innocent bystanders. Our prayers go
out to the friends and families of the deceased.

IF I KNEW
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
Pass this on to others to show your support.
PLEASE DON'T BREAK IT!!!!!!
Read more!

Don't Try To Be My Sugar-Daddy!

by Dr. Bill Nieporte

When you marry a "southern girl" (like I did) you learn a
brand new vocabulary! I heard an interesting phrase
from my "southern born" wife. Commenting on a man who left
his wife for a "younger woman," Jeana said: "That woman
doesn't love him! She's just looking for a 'sugar-daddy' to
pay her credit card bills!"

Isn't that the approach many marketers take when looking to
recruit others into their business venture? How many times
a day do you get junk email from people offering (in
essence) to be your "sugar-daddy?" Here's just a few
examples of these offers in my email box for today:

"Guaranteed $90,246.00 in 60 Days or Less!"

"Let Me Build Your Downline for YOU!"

"I'll do ALL THE WORK--> YOU keep ALL the MONEY!"

"Get 10,000 in Your Downline OverNight With Our 'System!'"

"Massive Advertising About To Begin: Join Now For
Spillover!"

Aren't you sick of it?

Aren't you tired of all that *sham and scam spam* that
promises
unlimited riches, without work, virtually overnight?

It certainly bugs me. Here's why?

1. These offers appeal the lower-self.

The people who want to be your "sugar-daddy" try to entice
you to believe that that only thing that matters is the
acquisition of more wealth. For those who desire to be your
"sugar-daddy" things like ethics, values, morals, and just
plain good manners don't matter. What matters "mo money, mo
money, mo money!"

Don't you wish that somebody would appeal to your
higher-self? Don't you wish that somebody would appeal to
your desire to help, build, and create something of lasting
value? Isn't wealth earned helping others much more
enjoyable that simply getting rich? Aren't you one of those
people who still think that ethics, values, morals, and good
manners really do matter?

2. These offers also assume that you are basically lazy.

Those who want a "sugar-daddy" probably are rather lazy.
You're not, are you? Check out the truly successful
business builders in the world (both online and off) and you
will discover that they are all hard-working and industrious
individuals--and they encourage and expect that same type of
effort in their partners. These men and women realize that
building a successful business requires an honest and
consistent effort.

3. These opportunities don't work!

Here's the final problem with the "sugar-daddy" approach to
marketing. It just plain doesn't work. If you've ever been
caught up in one of these ventures, you'll know that the
only people who are getting any wealthier are the few
scoundrels at the top who thought up the darn thing.

I don't know about you, but I am tired of those
"opportunities" that don't work, aren't ethical, promote
laziness, and appeal to the darker side of human
life.
Give me something that works. Give me something that can
make a
positive difference in somebody's life.

And if you join one of my business ventures, don't sit on
you lazy rear and wait for me to do WHAT ONLY YOU CAN DO to
build your business. I will support you! I will encourage
you! I will train you! I will hold you accountable to your
commitments, goals, and ambitions. But I will definately
NOT be your "Sugar-Daddy."

Don't Try To Be My Sugar-Daddy! I don't need one! You don't
either, do you? You are a hard-working and industrious
individual who is willing to work to succeed, right? Then
here's what I invite you to do! The next time somebody
offers to "build your business for you" and "make you rich,"
tell them that you don't need a "sugar daddy!"

=========================================

You can subscribe to Bill Nieporte's popular bi-weekly
ezine: "The Success In Life Newsletter" at
http://ezinesuccess.com

"Guilt-Free Network Marketing!"
No hype. No lies. No downline clubs. No appeals to laziness!
Just real upline HELP and a company you can be proud of.
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No Matter What Your Business, This Is The Site To Visit.
Get "no hype" training from genuine Expert Marketers.
Click here to learn how: http://www.expertmarketers.com

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title

The Ice Cream 'Comb' Story

She was three. Just released from a far-away hospital after
life threatening brain surgery, ready to take on the world
again. I was happy just to have her back. My little "Mr. Clean"
(shaven head and hoop earrings) and me driving along to our
local mall. Hanging out with dad day. I recall her words as if
it were yesterday.

"Daddy, can I get a treat?"

As she was understandably spoiled (if there is such a thing), I
replied "ok honey, but just ONE".
Her eyes beamed like the Fourth of July in anticipation of that
something only she knew at the time.

We drove around to the new end of the mall on the normal
seek-and-destroy mission of capturing a parking place. After
all, it was Saturday. We landed a fair distance from our
destination, and began walking hand-in-hand towards the
entrance, her pace gaining momentum with each tiny step. A few
feet from the doors she broke loose and ran hands-first into
the thick wall of glass, trying with everything she had to
swing the big doors open. No luck. With a little assistance,
she 'did it' and tried the very same thing at the second set of
doors.

It was then that I asked her what she wanted for her treat.
Without hesitation, she matter-of-factly said "an ice-cream
comb from the ice-cream store". Ok, the goal was set and we
were in the mall!

But hold on! What was this? At the end of what was just an
ordinary looking lane of retail chain outlets she spied
something new- this huge fountain, water shooting who knows how
high into the air. The new goal line!

She ran, and I walked (don't ya just hate it when parents let
their kids run wild in public?), and we arrived at the
spectacle at about the same time. The turbulent noise was
almost deafening.
"Daddy, can I make a wish, can I make a wish?" she screamed as
she jumped with the kind of pure joy we've all long since
forgotten.

"Sure honey, but that will be YOUR TREAT you know" I explained
(gotta be firm with these kind of things).

She agreed.

I fumbled around in my pocket and pulled out what I think was a
dime (big spender) and placed it in her outstretched hand. She
cupped it tightly, closed her eyes and grimaced, formulating
her wish. I stared at that little scrunched-up face and said my
own kind of prayer of thanks, feeling so blessed to still have
this ball of energy in my life. And then like a shooting star,
the coin was flung into the foaming water and with it, her
wish.

We happily continued our stroll into the familiar section of
the mall. An eerie silence ensued, which I was admittedly
uncomfortable with. I couldn't resist breaking it.

"Aren't you gonna tell daddy what you wished for?"

She retorted "I wished I could get an ice-cream comb".

I just about lost it right then and there. Couldn't imagine
what the shoppers thought of this lunatic laughing
uncontrollably in the middle of a crowded mall. And needless to
say, she got her wish, and two treats.

Little did I know then that my beautiful little girl would soon
embark on a long road of seizures, surgeries, special schools,
medications and end up partially paralyzed on her right side.
She never learned to ride a bike.

Today, she is almost seventeen. She cannot use her right hand
and walks with a noticeable limp. But she has overcome what
life seemed to so cruelly inflict on her. She was teased a lot
and always struggled in school, both socially and academically.
But each year she showed improvement. She is planning a career
in early childhood education. With one year still remaining in
high school, her and I, one night not too long ago mapped out
all the courses she would need to take in community college. It
was her idea. She volunteers weekly at a local hospital, on the
children's floor. She baby-sits a neighbors children five days
a week. On her own this year, she stood outside in line for
four hours on a cold Canadian January afternoon and enrolled
herself, with her own babysitting money, into two courses she
felt she would need for college.

You see, to her failure was never an option.

It would almost be redundant for me to explain why I wanted to
share this story with you. She IS my daughter and I carry all
those fatherly biases with me wherever I go. But these aside,
she is a very exceptional person and one that I admire and have
learned a lot from.

It is my sincerest hope that her story will have even a
momentary positive impact on you as a human being, a parent, a
spouse or even, an entrepreneur.

I'd like to leave you with a closing thought. As human beings,
we deserve all the treats, and the multitude of good things
that life can offer us. We all have wishes and dreams, AND the
power to make them reality. Just simple truths of the universe.

We can wish for, and get, that ice-cream comb.

Rick is the author of 3 top-selling marketing books at:
http://www.interniche.net/ebooks.htm
as well as the purveyor of those famous I.D. IT! Plates:
http://www.iditplates.net

FINALLY, you can make great income from giving away Rick's
FREE eBook - The Articles! Every page, and every article
contains links that make money. Now they can make money for
you:
http://www.interniche.net/freebook.htm


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