News 2012

Dorinda Mankin is now officially the Administrator of Elections until April of 2013.  That decision was made by the current Cannon County Commission during last night’s monthly meeting.  With commission members Sue Patrick, Jackie Gannon and Corey Davenport along with Chairman Matt Studd present for the meeting, the Commission decided to table the item on the agenda concerning rescinding the motion to place former of Administrator of Elections Stan Dobson back into office.  Commission member James Hill was not present to cast his vote on the matter and coupled with the fact that the Commission felt they needed to meet with their legal counsel at a future date was the cause of tabling the item.  Sue Patrick then made a motion to place Dorinda Mankin in office until April 2013.  The terms of the current Election Commission will come up in March of 2013.  The State will then appoint the Election Commission.  It will then be up to the Election Commission at that time to appoint an Administrator of Elections. The Commission tabled agreeing on the Mission Statement.  They voted to keep the meetings at the Cannon County Courthouse instead of the Election Commission office and they voted to institute a prayer and pledge of allegiance before future monthly Election Commission meetings
 

Bidding remains open for The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties’ Women’s Initiative Christmas tree at the Readyville Mill in Readyville, Tennessee. The proceeds from the auction will benefit United Way’s Born Learning initiative. Bidding continues through 12 PM on December 15, 2012.  The Readyville Mill is located at 5418 Murfreesboro Road, Readyville, TN 37149 and is open every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM for breakfast.  
The tree includes several bonus items such as a classic facial at Bomb Shells Hair Studio and Spa, a 30-minute massage at Bomb Shells Hair Studio and Spa, a $15 gift card to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, a $25 gift card to Bonefish Grill, a one-night stay at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, six MTSU Lady Raiders Basketball Tickets (2 each for games vs. Western Kentucky, Arkansas State and Troy), six MTSU Men’s Basketball Tickets (2 each for games vs. Western Kentucky, Arkansas State and Troy), a CD by John Blankenship, a $50.00 gift certificate from Readyville Mill and a MTSU fan gift bag. 
More information regarding the tree auction, the Women’s Initiative and the Born Learning initiative can be found on United Way’s website, www.uwrutherford.org

Reviewing draft amendments to the debt policy, occupancy tax private act, and options for solid waste operations are three of the items on the agenda of the Cannon County Commission meeting tonight.  Director Ricky Cope will be addressing the Commission on monitors that the Ambulance Service is in need of.  The Commission will also request that County Execuitive Mike Gannon be present at all future monthly Commission meetings.  The Cannon County Commission meeting is scheduled for tonight at 6:00 at the Cannon County Courthouse  

Another Cannon County Election Commission meeting is scheduled for tonight and some of the items on the agenda will be familiar topics as the Commission has discussed these for several months.  The first one deals with former Administrator of Elections Stan Dobson.  Dobson was voted out of the position in July by the Commission for unprofessional conduct.  Dobson launched a lawsuit as a result.  Tonight the Commission will consider yet another move to rescind the actions taken by the Commission regarding  Dobson’s termination.  The Commission have also tried to agree on a Mission Statement for the past couple of months.  Tonight they will try to adopt the Mission Statement during this month’s meeting.  Other items on the agenda will be to discuss and act upon adding a prayer and pledge of allegiance to the monthly meetings  and discuss and act upon resuming the meetings at the election office.  They will attend to new voter registrations by looking over and processing them.  The Election Commission meeting is scheduled for 5:30 tonight at the Cannon County Courthouse  

The purpose of The American Legion High School OratoricalScholarship
Program “A Constitutional Speech Contest” is to develop a
deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the
United States on the part of high school students. Other
objectives of the contest include the development of
leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly
and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the
duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of
American citizenship.
Scholarship awards are presented to the three finalists in the
final round of the national contest as follows: 1st
Place—$18,000.00; 2nd Place—$16,000.00; 3rd
Place—$14,000.00. Each participant in the first round at
national will receive a $1500.00 scholarship. And each first
round winner who advances to and participates in the second
round will receive an additional $1500.00 scholarship.
Eligible participants in the contest shall be citizens of or lawful
permanent residents of the United States. All contestants must be bona
fide students herein described as any student under the age of 20 years on
the date of the national contest who is presently
enrolled in a high school (9-12 GRADES) (public, parochial, military,
private or home school) in which the cirriculum is
considered to be of high school level , commencing with grade nine (9) and
terminating with grade twelve (12). Students must be enrolled in high
school during the time of participation at any level of the contest.
High school students that graduate early during the school year are
eligible to compete if they are not enrolled in college, university, trade
school or other institutiion of higher learning at the time of the
department finals contest.
Mr. William F. Curtis, Government Teacher at Cannon County High
School, is the contest coordinator, for Post 279 competition. Mr. John
Basinger is the Oratorical Contest Director for the American Legion Post
279. American Legion Post 279 competition is scheduled for Monday,
7:00PM, January 7, 2013 at the Senior Citizens Center in Woodbury.
District level will be February 18, 2013 in Murfreesboro. Divisional
level will be at
the Senior Citizens Center in Woodbury on Saturday, February 23,
2013 and on March 2, 2013.

Trees and shrubs enhance the aesthetic, environmental and economic value of your property, and fall is the ideal time to add them to your landscape. Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck, a forestry specialist with University of Tennessee Extension, offers these tips for successfully adding trees to your landscape: 
* Select the right tree for the right purpose. If you’re looking for shade, the tree should be large and sturdy. If you want aesthetics, the tree should feature a graceful form and showy foliage or flowers. To attract wildlife, berry or mast-producing trees/shrubs are useful. A wide variety of species and sizes are usually available at local nurseries. Choose the one that best fits your purpose.
 
* Avoid fast-growing, weak-wooded species such as silver maple, Bradford pear, lombardy poplar, Leyland cypress or Siberian elm. These and other species have proven to be problems in Tennessee or species susceptible to disease and insects.
 
* Select the right tree for the available space. Avoid planting large forest and shade tree species in areas with limited space for root or crown growth (next to structures, under power lines, near sewer or water lines, driveways and sidewalks). Many species become very large. If planted in a confined area, the tree may become a future problem. If space is limited, select a smaller tree species.
 
* Select the right tree for the environmental conditions. Many species require full sunlight and well-drained soils and will not survive in shady or wet sites. Match the species requirements with the site conditions.
 
* Plant at the right time. Trees should be planted when they are dormant and not actively growing. Avoid planting during the growing season or when soils are frozen. The best planting months are November-March. Avoid planting on excessively hot, cold, or windy days.
 
* Plant your tree right. Take the extra time to dig a planting hole that will be large enough to accommodate all the roots and to allow them to grow and expand. Use the natural soil to fill the planting hole. Do not add soil amendments or fertilizer.
 
* Give your new tree a helping hand. Water twice a week to maintain soil in a moist condition, but do not overwater. Mulch the area around newly planted shade trees, but do not allow the mulch to touch the tree. Mulch helps to control weeds, conserves moisture, adds nutrients as mulch breaks down and protects trees from lawnmowers and string trimmers.
 
For more information, contact the Cannon County Extension Office at 614 Lehman Street or by phone at 615-563-2554.
 

District basketball action returns to Woodbury tonight as the York Institute Dragons basketball teams make an appearance at Robert A Harris Gymnasium to meet the Cannon County Lions basketball programs.  The Lionettes are 8-0 and they are expected to be tested tonight as they face a Lady Dragonette team who are 8-1 and are coming off a 10 point win against Cumberland County 51-41.  Lionettes are getting good minutes from Madison Walkup, Rebekah Faulkner and Macy Clements off the bench who will be utilized tonight to help lead the way for Cannon County.  The Lions behind Cory Henley got back on track snapping a two game losing streak to become a 6-2 team. York is coming off a 14 point loss to their neighbors from Crossville which suggests that York is still rebuilding. Our coverage will begin tonight at 5:45 with the coaches corner, tipoff is slated for 6:00.  Live coverage of each game can be heard tonight on AM-1540/FM96.7 WBRY and streaming live on wbry.com  

G. Sumner R. Bouldin, an attorney for Bouldin and Bouldin law firm from Murfreesboro has been hired to represent legal matters concerning the Cannon County Industrial Development Board.  The motion was made and approved to open Tuesday night’s Cannon County Industrial Development Board meeting.  Bouldin made a few suggestions to the Board  The first suggestion was to rename the Board to term it as the Industrial Development Board of Cannon County Tennessee to match the charter. Bouldin said they could continue to go by the Cannon County Industrial Development Board name but that they would be noted as the Industrial Development Board of Cannon County Tennessee on legal paperwork. An update on status on THC Select was given.  Bouldin says he has had contact with THC Select’s lawyers and is looking into steps going forward with an answer to the lawsuit that was filed by THC Select.  
A grant request was submitted to the Economic And Community Development to see if they will award $198,000 to repair the Crane Interior Roof.  There is a possibility that the State could fund all of it or part of it.  The answer from the State will come soon.
The Board discussed the potential tenant status of 475 Bryant Lane property.  There are 5 companies that are interested in moving into the building on that property.  
After looking over the various companies, the Board approved the motion of approaching EJ Company and working out terms of a lease with them.  Rent is $2,100 a month on the building, abate $1000 each month up to 20 months to pay for HVAC repairs worth $20,000.  They will sign a 5 year lease, will receive an abatement of real property taxes as long as they meet employment numbers for at least 6 months out of each year after the first year and EJ Company will be responsible for all maintenance of shop.  Randall Reid will meet with them.  
Next meeting of the Industrial Development Board of Cannon County Tennessee will be held January 3rd at the Cannon County Courthouse
 

Appointments made to achieve a full council and changes ahead for the fire departmentwere just a couple of the items discussed when the Auburntown City Council met December 4th for their regular monthly meeting.  The Mayor and all Council members were present except Beth Hancock and Frank Patrick.      The previous month of November minutes were presented by the City Recorder for approval.  The minutes were approved as presented.
      The financial report ending November 30, 2012 was presented, discussed and approved.  Balance of funds was $36,027.37.
      The Mayor gave a Certificate of Election to each member who ran for office in the last election.  The certificates were provided by the Cannon County Election Commission.
      The Mayor recommended three new members for appointment to the office of Alderman, thus, making a full slate of officers for the city.  The following were recommended; Denise Farless, Janice Fletcher and Frank Patrick.  They were approved without objection and were  welcomed into their new responsibilities effective January 1, 2013.      The Mayor expressed his appreciation for all who were instrumental in hanging the Christmas light all over town.  He specifically gave MTEMC a sounding round of approval for supplying a lift bucket in this endeavor.
       Chris Blackburn, Volunteer Fire Chief, gave a report and assessment of the present condition of the fire department.  He said he  had accomplished many of his goals but felt there were also several needing more attention than he could give.  Some of the present conditions plaguing the department were; a shortage of personnel, lack of commitment and training, accountability for supplies and equipment, and the need for a person (or persons) who could always be available to answer calls for service.  As the population has become more mobile it makes training and retention of personnel very difficult.  Therefore, he was submitting his resignation as Chief, effective immediately.
      The Mayor, as well as all Councilmen, expressed their appreciation for his service as Chief.  They felt he had done an excellent job under the circumstances and wished him well as he continues as a fireman. The Mayor said that Chief Blackburn would be hard to replace and the city would began to look in earnest for his replacement. 
 

Bridge Dedication Friday December 7th at 1:00.  The bridge, over Hill Creek and near the entrance to Cannon County High School will have a dedication ceremony open to the public.  The bridge at that time will be name the Cannon County Veteran’s Memorial Bridge. Join the holiday fun when the Arts Center Of Cannon County presents the downright hilarious “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Holiday Dinner Show” December 7-22.  The number of available dates is limited and they run out quickly. The show begins tonight and runs each weekend until the 22nd  Tickets are $28 per person and include dinner, drink,dessert and the show.  Performances Friday and Saturday Dinner starts at 6:30 with the show beginning at 7:30pm.  Sunday performances, dinner starts at 1:00 and the show begins at 2:00.  To make reservations call the Arts Center at 563-2787