Special-Called Meeting of the Carthage City Council – February 20, 2020
The Carthage City Council gathered for a special-called meeting on the evening of Thursday, February 20, 2020. The meeting was called for the council to discuss the following agenda items: - The transfer of funds to Local Government Investment Pool
- Chief Municipal Finance Officer recommendation
- Compensation for City Recorder and CMFO
- Discussion of possible amendments to the City Charter
Press Release: Early Voting Ends Tuesday
Many voters will receive a special edition “I Voted” sticker with a yellow rose during the 2020 election. The yellow rose honors the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Time is running out for Tennesseans planning to vote early in the Presidential Preference Primary election. Early voting ends Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Election Day for the Presidential Preference Primary is Tuesday, March 3.
“Early voting offers Tennesseans a convenient opportunity to cast their ballots instead of waiting until Election Day,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Now is the time to make your voice heard and cast a ballot in the 2020 election.”
Voters can find their early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots, see their elected officials, districts and county election commission information as well as access online election results through the GoVoteTN app or online at GoVoteTN.com. Download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play.
Tennessee’s 95 counties conduct early voting at their local election commission offices or at another location designated by the election commission. Some counties also offer early voting at satellite locations. Contact information for election offices can be found here: County Election Commissions.
Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.
More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found here: What ID is required when voting? or by calling the Division of Elections toll free 1-877-850-4959.
Visit https://www.smithcountyelection.com for local voting information.
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James Mackler to attend Smith County Democrats Meeting – February 22, 2020
U.S. Senate candidate James Mackler will attend the meeting of the Smith County Democrats this morning, February 22, 2020.
The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Nobel’s restaurant on North Main Street in Carthage with a volunteer brunch to follow.
To learn more about James Mackler’s campaign, please visit https://www.jamesmackler.com.
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2020 Reagan Dinner to be held on March 6, 2020, with featured speaker John Rose
The Smith County GOP will host the annual Smith County Reagan Dinner on Friday, March 6, 2020, at the Smith County Ag Center.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. The evening’s program will start at 7:30 p.m.
The featured speaker for the 2020 Reagan Dinner is Congressman John Rose.
U.S. Representative John Rose represents Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their son, Guy. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, and Wilson counties as well as portions of Cheatham and Van Buren counties.
Tickets to the Reagan Dinner are $30. Tables (6) may be purchased for $400.
To purchase tickets, please text or call 615-684-3907.
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February 2020 Meeting of the Smith County Board of Education
The Smith County Board of Education held its monthly meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.
You can watch the full meeting below.
Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!
The Smith County School Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the Smith County Board of Education, located at 126 Smith County Middle School Lane in Carthage, Tennessee.
The next School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
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Press Release: Sen. Pody files legislation to count unborn children in population to benefit fastest growing Tennessee cities
Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody
(NASHVILLE) – State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) has filed legislation to allow local governments in Tennessee to conduct their own special census to include unborn children in their population. Since local governments receive state dollars based on population size, Pody says this legislation will benefit local governments by putting them in a position to receive more funds from the state.
“Even though a child might not yet be born, that life will certainly add to the population size and impact the community,” said Pody. “Not only will it cost money to educate that child, but that life will also increase costs for infrastructure, healthcare and other services. This legislation simply gives local governments the opportunity to prepare for the arrival of that child and ensure they have the proper funds to meet the needs of the community.”
Though the federal census is conducted every ten years, some Tennessee cities with fast growing populations have opted to conduct a special census. The purpose of an interim census is to get a more accurate population count, which can dramatically change in only a few years. For instance, the cities of Lebanon and Gallatin grew by over 8.5 percent from 2017 – 2018, according to the Tennessee State Data Center.
“Cities and towns, especially in the Nashville area, are growing rapidly, and experts project these trends will continue,” said Pody. “It is important for city planners and local officials working to provide services in these communities to have the most accurate population count possible, and this legislation will support those efforts.”
Pody also says the bill is in line with Tennessee values, which recognizes an unborn child as a person.
“If we believe an unborn child is a person, and I certainly do, then the life of that child deserves to be counted in the population,” said Pody.
The legislation has been referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee, where it will be considered in the coming weeks. The legislation is Senate Bill 2069.
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Op-Ed: Why I’m Supporting Javin Cripps for Circuit Court Judge
Gordon Borck
The following article was submitted and paid for by Gordon Borck.
I first met Javin Cripps after I was diagnosed with a critical illness and my wife & I enlisted Javin’s wife, Dr. Melanie Cripps, to advise us on what we can do to restore my health.
I already had one friend who had plans to run for the Circuit Court Judge position, so after getting to know Javin Cripps I was faced with the decision that many of us in Smith County are faced with: which friend do I vote for on March 3rd?I could let my long-standing friendship with Michael Collins persuade me to support him, or I could let the fact that Dr. Melanie Cripps is working to save my life persuade me to support her husband, Javin; but I don’t think either one of those is a valid reason to vote to put a man in a position where he has so much authority over the lives, freedom, and well-being of so many of our friends, family, and neighbors. I had to have better reasons to support someone for the office of Circuit Court Judge.
After getting to know Javin Cripps I have determined to support him for the following reasons:
Javin has spent most of his career as a prosecutor (he is the only prosecutor in the race). He has a history of putting dangerous criminals and drug dealers behind bars instead of back on the streets. But Javin Cripps has also spent time as a Public Defender, so I believe he will be fair. Even as a prosecutor Javin has worked to get victims of drug dealers who are overcome by addiction into a rehab facility and out of jail.Besides being honest, Javin Cripps is competent in the legal profession and possesses a good judicial temperament.
One more very important reason I’m supporting Javin Cripps for judge is that, in my opinion, he is the only candidate from Smith County who has a clear path to victory in this race due to his broad base of support not only in Smith, but also in Wilson and Macon counties.I hope many others from Smith County will join me in supporting Javin Cripps for Circuit Court Judge on March 3rd. You can see his info at www.crippsforjudge.com
Elections like this can be divisive, so whether we agree or disagree on who to support, let’s commit to work together as friends and neighbors for the common good of our community after this election is over.Respectfully,
Gordon Borck
This article was submitted and paid for by Gordon Borck and does not necessarily represent the views of any political candidate or smithcountyinsider.com
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Smith County Commission passes resolution declaring Smith County a “Second Amendment Sanctuary County”
During the February 2020 meeting of the Smith County Commission on Monday night, commissioners unanimously voted to pass a resolution declaring Smith County a “Second Amendment Sanctuary County.”
Mayor Mason presented the resolution to the commission, and a motion to approve the resolution as written was made by District 8 Commissioner David Gross and seconded by District 8 Commissioner Frank Woodard.
During discussion of the resolution, District 4 Commissioner Erika Ebel suggested a few grammatical and formatting corrections. Commissioner Ebel also presented four amendments to the wording of the resolution. None of her amendments received a second.
In a roll-call vote, the motion to approve Resolution 02-2020-05 with grammatical changes was passed unanimously.
The Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution reads as follows:
Resolution No. 02-2020-05
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of our nation; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Smith County, Tennessee recognize their duty as law-abiding citizens to act in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, protects the inalienable and individual right of the people to keep and bear arms; and
WHEREAS, the Tennessee Constitution, Article I, Section 26, declares: “That the citizens of this state have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defense; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime”; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has affirmed an individual’s right to possess firearms, unconnected with service in a militia, for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home; and
WHEREAS, Smith County Board of Commissioners each took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the laws which are deemed constitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Smith County Commission to declare its support of the United States Constitution and the Second Amendment to protect the inalienable and individual right to keep and bear arms; and
WHEREAS, the Smith County Commission opposes any federal or state law that infringes on a citizen’s Second Amendment right to bear arms and encourage our representatives at both the state and federal level to refrain from supporting any such legislation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Smith County Legislative Body has declared Smith County to be a “Second Amendment Sanctuary County” with all rights and responsibilities so entitled, furthermore, We the People of Smith County, Tennessee, through this resolution hereby declare our rights, our freedom, and our liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America.
Approved and adopted this 10th day of February 2020.
You can watch the full February 2020 Meeting of the Smith County Commission below.
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Eddie Stout appointed to fill vacant District 5 County Commission Seat
Eddie Stout, newly-appointed District 5 County Commissioner
During the February meeting of the Smith County Commission, Gordonsville resident Eddie Stout was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the commission.
The seat in District 5 became empty last month when commissioner Colby McKinney announced his resignation during the commission’s January meeting.
Registered voters living in District 5 (Gordonsville/Lancaster/Hickman) had the opportunity to submit their name for consideration for the empty seat.
Prior to Monday night’s meeting, Jimmy Austin submitted a letter expressing his interest in filling the vacant seat.
On the night of the meeting, Chris Ray submitted a letter to the commission, and Eddie Stout and Jimmy Gregory addressed the commission directly.
Jimmy Gregory, Eddie Stout, and Chris Ray were all nominated by the commission, and current commissioners took a vote to determine which candidate would fill the empty seat.
Eddie Stout was appointed by a vote of 18 to 5, with the other 5 votes being cast for Jimmy Gregory.
Eddie Stout will be sworn into office and is expected to fill his seat on the commission at the March 2020 meeting.
You can watch the February 2020 meeting of the Smith County Commission below.
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February 2020 Meeting of the Smith County Commission
Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason acknowledges David Plassman for his dedication to picking up trash in the community.
The Smith County Commission held its February meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2020.
You can watch the full meeting below.
Thanks to Powell & Meadows Insurance Agency for sponsoring the live broadcast of this meeting.
Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!
The Smith County Board of Commissioners meets on the second Monday of every month except December. Commission meetings are held in the General Sessions Courtroom of the Smith County Jail and Courts Facility, located at 322 Justice Drive in Carthage.
All meetings are open to the public and are streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
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February 2020 Meeting of the Gordonsville City Council
The Gordonsville City Council held its February meeting at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2020, at Gordonsville City Hall.
You can watch the full meeting below.
Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!
The Gordonsville City Council meets at 6:15 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Gordonsville City Hall, located at 63 Main Street in Gordonsville. All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
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Coble seeking re-election for Smith County Road Superintendent
The following press release was submitted to Smith County Insider by Smith County Road Superintendent Steve Coble.
Smith County Road Superintendent Steve Coble
I, Steve Coble, am announcing my candidacy for re-election for Smith County Road Superintendent’s office on August 6, 2020.
First of all, I would like to thank all the citizens of Smith County for the opportunity to serve as the Road Superintendent for the past ten years. It has truly been an honor to represent Smith County in this capacity. We have made many upgrades to vehicles and equipment in an ever-changing world that meets technology demands every day.
We have a staff of nineteen men and two women, ranging in seniority of one year to forty-one years.
We maintain a road system of over 300 roads, 464 miles. During the past ten years we have been able to rework approximately 123 roads. This year we have been able to resurface (tar and chip) Gill Branch, Barnetts Campground, Denny Branch, Hilltop Circle, Hickman Creek Road North and South, Preston Lane, and Stewart Hollow. We have, also, done small repair work on Holmes Gap, Switchboard, Harris Hollow, and Green Hills. We always have work scheduled, but things change due to weather. With your patience, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.
I have applied and received a great many state aid grants over the past ten years. These include:
- September 15, 2011 – Little Creek Road, $413,000, Lojac contractor
- June 12, 2013 – Hiwassee Road, $148,012.12, Highway Dept, in house work
- August 5, 2013 – Mulherrin Road/Dyers Branch Road, 217,940.12, Highway Dept, in house work
- August 26, 2013 – Tanglewood Road, $96,800, Lojac contractor
- March 26, 2014 – Webster Road, $41,447.64, Highway Dept, in house work
- April 23, 2014 – Scudder Road, $82,400, Lojac contractor
- October 9, 2015 – Kennys Bend Road, $249,427.75, Lojac contractor
- May 3, 2016 – Maggart Road, $300,485.43, Lojac contractor
- August 18, 2016 – Big Creek Road, $289,468.86, Lojac contractor
- April 13, 2017 – Bluff Creek Road/Cedar Creek Road, $182,900.56, Lojac contractor
- May 9, 2017 – Shoulders Lane, $141,279.10, Mid Tenn Concrete contractor
- June 28, 2017 – Gladdice Road, $389,740.86, Vulcan contractor
- August 21, 2018 – Enigma Road, $276,106.67, Vulcan contractor
Total $2,829,009.11
State aid grant projects since 2009 for bridges include:
- August 31. 2011 – Smith Hollow Bridge, $108,024.22. Mid Tenn Concrete contractor
- July 10, 2013 – Scudder Road Bridge, $57,538.78, Mid Tenn Concrete contractor
- November 12, 2013 – Maggart Road Bridge, $280,639.52, Mid Tenn contractor
- January 6, 2015 – Reece Hollow Bridge, $332,682.54, Mid Tenn Concrete contractor
- January 22,2015 – Sullivans Bend Bridge, $315,250.44 Eatherly Group contractor
- February 9, 2016 – Jonesboro Bridge, $188,496.60 Mid Tenn Concrete contractor
- September 5, 2017 – Nickajack Bridge, $205,318.82, Mid Tenn Concrete contractor
- April 24, 2018 – Friendship Hollow Bridge, $260,504.71, Mid Tenn Concrete contractor
Total $1,748,455.63
The total bridge and road grants over the past ten years is $4,577,464.74.
As always, the door to my office is always open for residents to come by and discuss county road business.
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February 2020 Meeting of the Carthage City Council
The Carthage City Council held its February meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Carthage City Hall.
You can watch the full meeting below.
Thanks to Smith County Animal Clinic for sponsoring Smith County Insider’s live broadcast of this meeting.
Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!
The Carthage City Council meets on the first Thursday of each month at Carthage City Hall, located at 314 Spring Street. All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
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Early Voting begins this week for March 3, 2020 Primary Election
Early Voting for the March 3, 2020, Primary Election will begin this week, on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
This election season, voters will be able to vote early at two locations: The Smith County Election Office and the Gordonsville Municipal Building.
Early voting at the Smith County Election office will be open from February 12 through February 25, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Voters may vote early at the Gordonsville Municipal Building from February 21 thru February 25, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday and Monday and 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Late-night early voting will be available at both locations on February 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Please note that all voting locations will be closed February 17, 2020, for President’s Day.
If you are registered to vote in Smith County, you may choose to vote early for all eligible offices on the ballot at either location regardless of where you live in the county. Please note the dates and times the locations are open.
If you choose to vote on Election Day, you must go to the precinct located in the district where you live.
Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
As this is a Primary Election, voters will choose to vote in the Republican or Democratic Primary.
On the Republican ballot, voters will select their preference for one Presidential candidate, one candidate for Circuit Court Judge (15th District), one candidate for Public Defender, 14 delegates-at-large, and three delegates for the 6th Congressional District.
On the Democratic ballot, voters will select their preference for one Presidential candidate.
At the local level, voters will have the chance to vote for or against two $25 county wheel taxes and for or against an increase in the county’s sales tax rate. These referendums will appear on both the Republican and Democratic ballots.
The referendums will appear on the ballot as follows:
- Wheel Tax Referendum # 1: Shall Resolution No.: 10-2019-05 adopted by the Smith County Board of Commissioners on September 9, 2019, and October 14, 2019, supporting a twenty-five ($25.00) dollar Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax pursuant to TCA § 5-8-102 to financially support the Smith County Highway Capital Projects for ten (10) years be approved?
- Wheel Tax Referendum # 2: Shall Resolution No.: 10-2019-04 adopted by the Smith County Board of Commissioners on September 9, 2019 and October 14, 2019 supporting a twenty-five ($25.00) dollar Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax pursuant to TCA § 5-8-102 to financially support the Smith County General Fund for three (3) years be approved?
County Wide Referendum except the residents of the Towns of Carthage and Gordonsville will be exempted from the sales and use tax referendum because the local option sales tax rate in these cities is already at the maximum percentage of 2.75%.
- Sales Tax Referendum: Shall the resolution passed pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Sections 67-6-701, et seq., by Smith County, published in a newspaper of general circulation, increasing the Local Sales and Use Tax Rate from two percent (2%) to two and three-fourths percent (2.75%), except as limited or modified by statute, become operative?
View a Sample Ballot here: https://www.smithcountyelection.com/pdf_files/sample_ballot.pdf.
For further information about the upcoming election, visit https://www.smithcountyelection.com.
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Press Release: Rose Welcomes President Trump’s Rightful Acquittal
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following President Donald J. Trump’s acquittal in the United States Senate, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-6) lauded President Trump’s continued focus on achieving results for the American people.
“Just as we knew from the beginning, House Democrats’ impeachment process was purely partisan and an embarrassment to our country. More importantly, their focus on this process served as a distraction from the work the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to accomplish,” Rep. Rose stated.
“I applaud President Trump for his relentless optimism and work for the American people during the past three years as House Democrats played political games,” Rose continued. “Once the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell fairly but efficiently handled the matter, and now the Senate will be able to return to the work of the people. I commend my Republican colleagues in the Senate, and I look forward to advancing President Trump’s America First vision.”
The Articles of Impeachment were considered in the House of Representatives on December 18, 2019 and Rep. Rose voted against both. The Senate voted to acquit President Trump today, February 5, 2020, on both accounts.
U.S. Representative John Rose represents Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their son, Guy. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, and Wilson counties as well as portions of Cheatham and Van Buren counties.
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