|
News Headlines
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
|
McKenzie Guardsman Killed in Iraq, Three Others Injured |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
The McKenzie community is grieving with the family and
friends of Tennessee National Guardsman James Dustin "Dusty"
Carroll, 23, of McKenzie, who was killed while on active
duty Sunday morning south of Baghdad, Iraq.
Major General Gus Hargett, Tennessee Adjutant General,
confirmed Monday that Specialist Carroll died when an
improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the vehicle
in which he was riding.
Three other soldiers in the vehicle received injuries,
according to family members and unofficial sources. They
included Specialist Robert Gulledge and Specialist Timmy
Dyal, both of McKenzie, and Specialist Chris Lewis, who is a
member of the Milan Guard unit.
|
Chris Lewis, a member of the Milan detachment, was the
most seriously injured of the survivors.
|
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of
Sunday, July 31, 20 miles south of Baghdad, said Hargett.
Carroll was a member of McKenzie's Company A, 230th Engineer
Battalion. He had been a member of his hometown National
Guard unit since September 15, 2001.
Specialist Carroll was a passenger in one of the vehicles
performing a convoy clearance mission, Hargett confirmed.
Carroll's funeral arrangements were incomplete at press
time. His remains are expected to arrive at Dover, Delaware,
in approximately 10 days, prior to being flown to Memphis
International Airport before beginning his final journey
home.
Dusty's mother, Debra Carroll of McKenzie, was informed of
her son's death when an Army chaplain and another member of
the National Guard delivered the devastating news to her and
her husband, John Brimm, at their home at 27 Locust Avenue.
(Click
here for a special article, "No Greater Love: A
Mother Mourns the Death of Her Son", on page 4B of this
edition.)
Bobby Gulledge, who serves with the McKenzie unit, was
hospitalized.
|
Officials also delivered the sad news to Dusty's
stepmother, Barbara Carroll, of 25 Skunk Hollow Lane in McKenzie.
Dusty's father, Pat, is also serving with Company A in Iraq
as a member of the Milan unit, which was deployed along with
the McKenzie unit in January. Pat was home on leave at the
end of June and will be returning once again in the next few
days to help plan Dusty's funeral services and to spend time
with the family.
"He was a very special boy and he was loved by all and he
was the pride and joy of his father," said Barbara.
Louise Gulledge said she learned of the explosion through a
phone call from her son, who called "to let us know he was
okay."
Robert, or "Bobby" as she calls him, suffered a head injury
and mild concussion, which required a two night stay in a
hospital in Baghdad, she said, adding that Robert, 28, was
driving the vehicle when it was struck by the explosive. He
will have completed six years in the guard in November.
"I talked to him by phone Saturday at 11 p.m. our time,"
said Louise. "He said he had talked to the chaplain, who
advised him to place the call. He said he (the chaplain)
told him it was better for family members to hear it from
him.
Timmy Dial is a member of Company B in Huntingdon. He
volunteered to fill a slot in Company A in order to
assist the mission in Iraq.
|
"Bobby is pretty shook up, but said he would be okay,"
said Louise.
"They were told they did everything the way they were
trained to do it," she added.
Dyal's mother, Marie Gallimore said she also spoke to her
son Sunday in a three-party call, consisting of Timmy, his
wife Rebecca Dyal of Camden, and herself. Timmy married
Rebecca while on leave from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, just before
leaving for Iraq. He also has a son, Christopher James Dyal
of Paris.
"He said he was bruised up pretty bad, but was doing okay,"
said Marie, who noted Timmy is back with his unit, but not
going on any missions as yet.
"He is shook up pretty bad," she said. "He said it is
something that will be with him the rest of his life, but
something he will have to put in the back of his mind."
Timmy, 33, enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He
served four years, before joining Huntingdon National Guard.
He was deployed to Ft. Sill with the McKenzie unit in
November.
Lewis was reportedly the most seriously injured of the three
survivors, but is expected to recover, according to local
reports. He has been transferred to a medical facility in
Germany.
"I just want all the boys over there to know that we're
proud of them, not just the ones that were injured," said
Louise. "They are all doing a good job and we're praying for
them."
Marie added, "I just want the boys to come home safe.
Everyone keep praying for them."
Carroll is the eighth Tennessee Guardsman to die in the
Middle East since the war began in 2003, and the second
serviceman from McKenzie to lose his life. In April, 2004,
Marine Captain Brent Morel, son of Mike and Molly Morel
formerly of McKenzie, was killed in a battle in Fallujah.
As of August 1, there were 1,792 U.S. deaths attributed to
Operation Iraqi Freedom, 1,382 of which were killed in
action and 410 contributed to non-hostile action. A total of 13,657 have
been wounded, 7,089 of which were returned to duty within 72
hours and 6,568 who were not returned to duty within 72
hours.
|
|
Mayor Reveals Results of Probe into Misappropriations,
Declines to Name Alleged Perpetrator |
A deceased dispatcher for the city of McKenzie is alleged
to have embezzled at least $10,000 roughly during the years
of 2002, 2003, and 2004, according to an audit completed in
April by the firm Arnold, Spain, Truett & Hewitt, P.L.L.C.
under sub-contract by city auditors Dunn, Creswell, Sparks,
Smith, Horne & Downing, P.L.L.C.
McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester commented on the results in
a written statement Thursday, July 28, 2005, during a
regular meeting of the McKenzie City Council, however, the
item was not on the evening's agenda and council members
said they had received no notice that the issue would be
presented.
Winchester declined to name the person alleged to have
committed the act and city attorney Kent Jones followed
suite, however, Winchester confirmed letters were mailed to
family members of the late Faye Nored advising them the
audit results would be presented at the meeting. Nored, who
was a fulltime dispatcher for the McKenzie Police Department
from November 1, 1997, died November 16, 2004, as a result
of cancer.
The letter from the accounting firm dated April 12, 2005,
noted: "Our audit revealed that a former dispatcher
collected $9,992 in traffic fines and traffic school charges
during the above noted period that were not deposited into a
city bank account. In addition, we were unable to obtain
responses on 143 traffic citations totaling $16,919 due to
returned mail from incorrect addresses. Also, we were unable
to obtain responses on 211 traffic citations totaling
$20,920 due to unconfirmed circumstances. Finally, there was
$729 collected on past due fines and turned over to the
McKenzie Police Department."
Winchester said "unconfirmed circumstances" referred to
letters sent twice to individuals who did not respond. He
said the actual figures of the investigation were not
provided the city. C.P.A. Mark Downing and other accountants
involved in the investigation were unavailable Friday to
clarify issues surrounding the investigation.
Winchester had previously delayed reporting to the council
on the matter because, he said in former months, the audit
was incomplete and he expected the T.B.I. to extend the
investigation. He noted in the current disclosure that a
representative of the T.B.I. visited his office
approximately in May at which time they advised "the local
audit was sufficient and that there was no need to extend
the investigation."
Winchester said the report was further delayed because the
results were turned over to the state comptroller's office
in order to determine if that entity wished to extend the
inquiry.
He said the comptroller found controls put in place after
the discovery of the embezzlement "were sufficient to
probably preclude this incident from happening again."
In January, Winchester said Nored was in early October 2004
discovered to have failed to enter into the state
computerized database collections from fines and/or driver
education class payments. He further noted that the same day
the violations were discovered, Nored had visited her doctor
and learned she was in an advanced stage of cancer. The
issue was not addressed before her last day of work on
Friday, October 8, he said.
The incident was discovered when citizens began producing
receipts proving they had made payments. In time, Winchester
said in January, "stacks of tickets" were discovered to have
been receipted but not placed on the driving class ledgers
in violation of Police Department policy. The cost of
attending the class is $72.25.
Routine audits had not revealed evidence of
misappropriations although the Police Department's
accounting procedures were written up due to violations in
receipting monies timely in accordance with a three-day
requirement. This most often occurred when a holiday took
place or when court was held on Monday, Winchester had said.
He noted Nored had worked independently in City Court after
which she was to have entered the court's dispositions into
the computer database.
While Winchester's statement Thursday evening noted an
insurance claim had been filed to recover the lost funds, he
later clarified the claim has not yet been submitted pending
consultation with the city attorney regarding the amount
that should be claimed.
Jones said the use of multiple receipt books was one of the
methods used to escape detection of the embezzlement and
that another contributor was failure to keep a head count of
people present and fines paid on court nights.
Sam Wheat, Nored's brother, announced, "I have here, with
me, pages from my sister's diary... This is not the first
time things have gone missing in the (Police Department.)"
He said he would supply copies of the pages to each council
member and to local newspapers but later decided to seek the
advice of legal counsel before making the documents public.
Nored's sister, Lisa Goode, requested copies of all
documents dealing with the investigation, which Winchester
agreed to dispense upon written request.
After the meeting, Nored's sister-in-law, Lisa Wheat,
alleged other employees handled money receipted by Nored
between the time she took it and it was (presumably)
deposited.
Anguished family members objected strenuously to Nored's
name having been used in news reports, asserting her
inability to defend herself against the allegations.
In other business, the council:
* Approved on second and final reading an ordinance adopting
the fiscal year 2005-06 budget. The action took place in the
absence of Vice-mayor Gene Hale, who was visiting family
members, according to Winchester;
* Amended to August 8 the date for a called meeting during
which council members plan to study a sign ordinance
proposed by the McKenzie Planning Commission. Adkins
requested that community planner Charlie Goforth or others
be present to help explain the ordinance. Winchester said he
would ask that the Planning Commission attend the meeting;
and
* Approved a non-agenda item in which the Carroll County
Humane Society requested the use of Downtown Veterans
Memorial Park the evening of Saturday, August 20, for the
purpose of participating in a national event designed to
call attention to how spaying and neutering pets can reduce
the cost of euthanization.
In another matter, upon questioning from the audience, city
clerk Charlie Beal explained approval of bill payment was
discontinued as an agenda item following the advice of
auditors, who said the council is not required to revisit
bills paid pursuant to contracts and bids previously
approved by the council. Only unapproved items or those in
excess of approved amounts will come before the council, he
said.
Councilmember Wade Allen thanked the city for signs erected
in commemoration of former Webb School principal, teacher,
and community leader J.L. Seets. The prominent signs are
displayed in several locations in both directions along
Walnut Avenue and may be confusing to drivers unfamiliar
with McKenzie politics.
In the February 24 meeting of the council, Allen, who was
chair of a committee appointed to study a Planning
Commission recommendation to rename Walnut Avenue after
Seets, said the committee voted instead to "recommend that
well-designed signage be placed at various locations long
East and West Walnut to honor the late Professor J.L. Seets"
and that the name Walnut Street remain in place for the
entire street. The signs, however, in blue lettering on a
yellow background (Webb's school colors) read "J.L. Seets
Memorial Avenue".
Winchester said the final coat of asphalt had been applied
to Walnut Avenue but that sidewalks and driveway entrances
were not yet complete. The city had previously planned to
complete aprons off the main thoroughfare before applying
the final asphalt.
Upon Adkins' request for information about the Park Theater,
Winchester said the grant that paid for the partial
renovation of the theater and for sidewalks leading from
downtown through the Bethel campus was insufficient and the
city would need to apply for more grants to finish the job.
He said sidewalks had been constructed along College Drive
from Cedar Avenue through the main Bethel campus.
Adkins reported the Fire and Rescue Department had responded
to 154 calls as of July 24 (as compared to 106 calls through
June 30 last year) and that collections on rural fire
contracts through Tuesday totaled $18,300, exceeding the
$18,000 budgeted. She said residents had a few days left to
respond and that she expected more payments would come in
after the end of the month.
|
|
School Board Revisits Huntingdon High School Renovation -
Budget Approved |
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
HUNTINGDON - Major renovations and additions at Huntingdon
High School are being revisited after cost estimates for the
project were too high in 2003. Teachers and administrators at
Huntingdon High School, at the request of the board, told of
the needs at the building.
Dr. Lee Carter, chairman of the board, said the 2003 review of
the project came during the Jackson tornado, when many in the
construction business were extremely busy. He said the board
realizes the need to improve the 25-year-old facility.
Requested items included a new art room, an updated intercom
and fire alarm system that works throughout the building, a
larger special education classroom with restrooms, a teacher's
lounge, a true computer lab or Computers on Wheels (COWS),
more restroom facilities for teachers, a new cafeteria, the
removal of a seldom-used small theatrical stage, removal of
mold on the exterior of the building, and adequate ventilation
in the biology lab.
Teachers told of waiting in line to use the restroom, taping
portable fans in the windows of the biology lab, and of not
being able to hear the fire alarm or activate the intercom
system in some parts of the building.
The 2003 proposal included a new cafeteria, new suite of
administrative offices, renovated classrooms, a new kitchen,
and construction of an all-purpose classroom.
Carter said the board would submit the ideas to the architect,
once selected.
The 2005-2006 fiscal year budget was approved with a property
tax rate of $1.65 per $100 assessed value, the same rate as
last year. The $6.356 million budget includes a two percent
pay increase for certified and 25 cents per hour raise for
non-certified staff members. The system also agreed to pay an
additional $100 on the co-pay of certified staff's major
medical insurance. The system will pay $400 monthly.
A uniform student grading system was also approved to comply
with new state requirements. A grade of A is 93-100, B is
85-92, C is 75-84, D is 70 to 74, and F is below 70.
Future valedictorians and salutatorians must be enrolled at
HHS for the final six semesters of their high school career to
be eligible for the two top academic slots following board
action Thursday.
Director of Schools Lynn Twyman said a school social worker
could be added to the faculty if the state approves the pre-K
grant. The board authorized Twyman to add the position in that
event.
A pre-K program at Huntingdon Primary School can be added as
soon as September 6, if the state approves the system's plan
for the new grade level, said Twyman.
The board acknowledged the resignation of Deborah Barger and
the employment of Ashley Nicholson at the Primary School.
Rachel Smothers has been transferred from third to fifth
grade. Changes to the student attendance policy were also
approved. |
|
Counseling Center Prevails Over Semi-rural Neighborhood |
|
HUNTINGDON - Carey Counseling Center prevailed in a
rezoning quest that would allow the construction of an
apartment building and duplex in a semi-rural neighborhood
near Kelley Sports Complex and the Carroll County Civic Center.
The action will take place despite the objections of residents
in the Buena Vista/Cherry Blossom Lane neighborhood and the
refusal of council members to act against their protests in
prior meetings wherein the center sought rezoning.
Fran Howe, director of housing for the center, said during the
Tuesday, July 26, meeting that Carey Counseling Center wished
to readdress the issue of rezoning the region "for the purpose
of constructing housing for people who are homeless and
disabled."
The counseling center apparently sought and obtained a grant
to build the facilities on the site without consulting the
town regarding zoning or consulting residents of the
neighborhood.
"That's how we always do it... We go in where we think it is a
good place to provide that type of housing," said Robert
Vaughn, director of the center, after the meeting, noting that
opposition has been rare.
Mayor Dale Kelley conceded that town attorney Robert Keeton
and an MTAS (Municipal Technical Advisory Service) attorney
advised that state and federal laws prohibit zoning
requirements that would impede housing for mentally or
physically handicapped residents that are not a threat to the
community.
"It appears that re-zoning is not required under state statues
but, if it is requested, federal law requires that the
property be rezoned to accommodate housing for the mentally or
physically handicapped," he said, noting Tennessee Code
Annotated sections 13-24-101 through 104 specify the law's
purpose is to remove zoning obstacles that would prevent
mentally or physically handicapped persons from living in
normal residential surroundings and that persons who pose the
likelihood of serious harm or who have been convicted of
serious criminal conduct related to the disability are
excluded from its protections.
Keeton, in response to questioning by Councilmember Clarence
Norman, said licensed health care professionals were
responsible for making the determination of who had a mental
or physical handicap and who might be a threat to the
community.
Kelley expressed displeasure and disappointment in both the
counseling center and the town's state-provided community
planner for not having previous knowledge of the statute, as
the request had been presented to the Planning Commission
prior to consideration by the Town Council.
He said the council would take under advisement a request by
Legal Services attorney Carol Gish for "reasonable
accommodations" in speeding up the process to grant the
rezoning, noting construction must be completed by June 30,
2006.
Kelley had previously indicated the council would hear the
issue on first reading on August 9 with second reading and
required public hearing on August 23. He said the meetings of
legal necessity must adhere to the requirements of the
Sunshine Law, which include adequate public notice of regular
and called meetings.
The counseling center, during the council's regular meeting on
June 14, had requested a change in zoning in the region from
an R-1 (low density, single-family dwellings) to R-2 (medium
density residential) district, which allows the construction
of multi-family housing. Neighborhood residents had protested
the rezoning would destroy the complexion of the neighborhood,
in which, they said, children are now able to ride bicycles
and play outside unhindered, as well as expressing concern
regarding the inhabitants of the housing facilities.
The eight-unit apartment complex could house from eight to 16
residents while the two-bedroom units in the duplex could each
house up to three persons (two parents and a child) according
to center representatives.
The original proposal was postponed to June 28 after seven
citizens from the neighborhood voiced concerns. At that time,
no representative of Carey Counseling Center was in attendance
and both Kelley and landowner Harold Miller indicated they
were under the impression the center hoped to build housing
for senior citizens who also suffered psychological
disabilities, and who would be supervised 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.
During the June 28 meeting, representatives of the counseling
center clarified that residents could be from 18 year of age
and up, and that they would be supervised only during some
daylight hours but that, in the event of problems, on-call
personnel would respond within an hour. They further noted
applicants would be screened to preclude convicted felons and
known sexual offenders.
In other business the council:
* Approved an ordinance amending the time of the council's
bimonthly meetings from 7:00 to 6:00 p.m. Kelley noted the
town charter specified the council must meet monthly, however,
he endorsed the council's current practice of meeting every
second and fourth Tuesdays;
* Presented the "Pinnacle of Excellence" award to Dr. Tim
Tucker and Dr. Lee Carter for their dedication in presiding
over the South Carroll Relay for Life event for the past six
years. See separate article, this edition;
* Heard Kelley congratulate Huntingdon's 19 and under Babe
Ruth team for wining the state championship. "That was a nice
effort by them and we congratulate them," he said, noting they
will compete in the Southeast regional championships in
Mobile, Alabama the weekend of July 30;
* Heard Kelley advise he had attended a meeting in Nashville
July 21 with Tennessee Transportation Commissioner Gerald F.
Nicely regarding the proposed Memphis to Bristol Railway. "We
want to be sure it gets in (the Tennessee Department of
Transportation's) next ten-year plan," he said. Huntingdon
would be a major stop on the transportation network, which
would reduce interstate traffic by transporting both cargo and
passengers in a network that would connect with other state
systems nationwide.
"It's a very important initiative..." said Kelley,
"particularly to rural areas. It will be very significant to
the future." He noted Huntingdon was the first municipality to
approve a resolution supporting the establishment of the
railway.
* Was apprised by letter of Greyhound Lines, Inc.'s decision
to discontinue service to Huntingdon and six other service
points across the state including Brownsville, Dickson,
Greeneville East, Hurricane Mills, Lebanon, and Nashville
Airport. |
|
|
Banner Photos |
| Click the Photo Reprints button to buy reprints
of almost any photo in The McKenzie Banner print edition.
CLICK HERE FOR PRINTS
Photos are mailed directly to you. Don't see what
you're looking for? Give us a call at 731-352-3323.
70-year fade life
35 mm quality |
|
