By Joel Washburn washburn@mckenziebanner.com

Major David Riddick presents the Purple Heart to Larry Burke some 37 years after he was wounded in Vietnam.
 

MCKENZIE (March 13)- Larry Dean Burke received his Purple Heart today for wounds he sustained in Vietnam on January 21, 1969. Major David Riddick of the Army Reserves had the privilege of presenting the award to Burke in a small ceremony at Carroll Bank and Trust-McKenzie.

Riddick, a Jackson lawyer and native of Carroll County, served in Kuwait with the 3rd Army, December 2004 to April 2005. He is a member of JAG - Judge Advocate General.

"I'm proud to have opportunity to do this," said Major Riddick during the presentation of the medal.

Mark Warren of Carroll Bank and Trust learned that Burke had never received his Purple Heart and inquired of his brother-in-law David Riddick how Burke could receive the award. Riddick submitted Form SF180 to the Army to successfully receive the award.

Specialist Burke was wounded in Vietnam from shrapnel from a Claymore land mine detonated by a North Vietnamese some 50 feet away. The mine contained 746 stainless steel balls, which wounded Burke and fellow soldiers. Burke, 20 years and a day old, sustained two broken legs, one of which had a compound fracture. Burke, a radio operator, remembers setting off a canister of smoke so other troops could locate the wounded soldiers. A landing zone was cut from the floor of the jungle for choppers to land, recalls Burke. He was transported to Saigon and then to Dunang for surgery. In 15 days, he was at a hospital in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky where he underwent a second surgery. Confined to the hospital for five months and in body casts, he was told that his left leg would require amputation. He refused their recommendation and successfully walked again. His injuries required 119 stitches in the left leg and 79 in the right. Today, he still bears some of the pain of his injuries and some of the stainless steel balls that penetrated his body on that fateful day.

During his service in Vietnam, Burke was also wounded by a direct lightning strike.

The Purple Heart is an individual decoration. It differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not recommended for the decoration; rather, he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria. It is awarded in the name of President Washington to any member of an armed forces or any civilian nation of the U.S., who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, has been wounded or killed in any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged. The wounds must be caused by an enemy bullet, shrapnel or other projectile created by enemy action, an enemy placed mine or trap, or concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy-generated explosions.

Burke was drafted into the Army on January 4, 1968. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division when he arrived in Vietnam, and discharged from the Army on December 15, 1969.

Burke is a custodian/maintenance man at the United States Postal Service-McKenzie, where he has worked 18 years. He has worked at Gaines Manufacturing, Atlantic Homes, Ben Franklin Family Center, Ace Hardware, and Wal-Mart.

He and wife, Marilyn, have four children - David, Adam, and Chance Burke, and Teresa King, and two grandchildren. He is the son of the late James Burke and the late Nannie Mae Gaskins.

   McKenzie - (March 9) McKenzie city council member Jill Holland responded Thursday, during regular session of the McKenzie Board of Mayor and Council, to allegations made by another council member, Wade Allen, during a recent public hearing regarding whether the city should amend its charter to abolish the present ward voting system in favor of an at large system.

During the public hearing, held March 2, Wade said language used in McKenzie Banner editorials urging citizens to take part in city elections and that used by Holland in requesting the council address the issue of wards was similar, although he did not mention why he took umbrage with that observation. He said both entities termed the move "progressive" and "an opportunity to obtain the best qualified candidates."

He further noted he was "perplexed" by Holland's language that he said could be construed as discriminatory. "I find your request to have no validity," he told Holland. "Everything you are promoting has been implemented and carried out through the ward system; every citizen has a voice though their representative . . . We all know it is the Carroll County voter registration board (Carroll County Election Commission) who determines who is qualified."

Holland made her response near the end of the March 9 meeting, saying, "I resent the opportunity that was taken to attack me personally, rather than the issue at hand. Many false accusations were made against me, all unfounded, and of which I take great issue. Let me assure you that any decision I make, or any issue I bring up, is with the full intent of being in the best interest of McKenzie even though it may not be in the best interest of us sitting here. Never in my life have I ever thought of my friends as black, white, Asian, Hispanic, or otherwise. I have simply thought of them as my friends. Friends do not see color. Nor have I ever thought of black or white citizens, I see the people in this town as McKenzians. In my opinion anyone who thinks or acts otherwise is driving a huge wedge in race relations in our community."

She further explained her use of the term "best qualified": "At no time have I ever said or insinuated that the present council is not qualified. However, this town is full of qualified people just as good or perhaps better qualified than each of us."

Holland said comparisons of city representation to state and federal representation was deficient, stating, "Unlike the state of Tennessee, our ward representatives are elected every four years instead of every two years as state representatives are elected. Anyone residing in this town should be allowed to run for city government every two years."

She also reiterated her belief that an at large voting system would better serve the city, noting, "The present ward system stifles competition to run for city government. Competition can be good, it keeps us sharp. . . . Each of us was elected to be a public servant--that is all we are. We are not on pedestals, we are not here to take away from the town, we are not here in our own best interests. We were elected to serve, and our duty is to do everything we can to make our town better--even if it means implementing changes which may jeopardize our own positions--but in the long run enhance the growth and progress of this town."

In other business the council approved the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council's five-year plan in which items that would likely require grants for funding were prioritized based on a vote of Parks and Recreation board members. The list includes, in order of priority: property purchase/acquisition for ball fields and trails; pavilion at Mulberry park with picnic tables; pavilion at T-ball area with picnic tables; permanent soccer facilities; walking trails in the city; concession stand at Mulberry Park; picnic area at City Park water tower area with future walking trail; fencing for the Senior Babe Ruth field from dugouts to outfield fence; and downtown theater renovation.

Parks and Recreation chairman Debbie Broadbent said the list is in addition to an in-house repairs list recently presented to the council, the items on which include: pier repair, volleyball lights near tennis courts at City Park; scoreboard boxes; electric boxes improved at concessions and press building; additional batting cages or upgrade; scoreboard repairs; parking at the T-ball area; windscreen or green tarp for Little League field; and girls softball field home plate.

Mayor Walter Winchester said he had allowed the time to elapse and had not submitted this year for a park and recreation grant. He said the city was still expending $58,000 in funds from a prior grant to install lighting and construct walkways.

The council approved a resolution ratifying the amended Carroll County Growth Plan which Winchester said shows the city's support for the proposed 1000-acre Carroll County Lake and which gives them the authority of planning in that region for the purpose of regulating growth.

Also approved was a resolution giving Police Chief Harry Cooper authority to participate in the West Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force. Cooper said the affiliation would allow officers incurring overtime for meth related investigation and cleanup to be paid overtime. Officers Ryan White, Andy Weaver, and Chad Davis are members of the local methamphetamine task force, said Cooper.

"I'd like to join it; it would be a big help to the city of McKenzie," he said.

TDOT sanctioned and the council awarded a contract for a flashing beacon--to be placed at the intersection of Highway 22 Bypass and Old McKenzie Road (Highway 124)--to low bidder Shelby Electric Co. in Memphis ($7,988). Other bids were received from Jack Hornsby Electric Co. in Jackson ($18,980), and Wade Electric Co. in Jackson ($11,925).

The council tabled the issue of purchasing two flagpoles, planned for either side of the main flag pole in front of city hall, due to excessive cost. The sole bid GSC Signs and Awnings in McKenzie priced the poles at $3,656 and $3,210, depending upon whether the pole had an internal or external halyard.

Approved was the sole bid of G & C Supply in Atwood for four self-contained breathing apparatuses priced at $2,975 each and four additional canisters at $500 each for a total of $13,900. The units were requested by the fire department. Liaison Darra Adkins said the money for the units had been appropriated in the current year's budget.

The council approved the purchase over three years of three police cruisers and the retirement of the three they will replace. The old units have accumulated nearly 200,000 miles each, said Cooper.

The McKenzie Fire Department report showed 32 calls through February as compared to 52 last year. Nine training hours have been logged.

Holland reported lights were under construction at the girl's softball field, a new metal roof was installed on the shop building, the large concession stand had been cleaned and the small one painted, and the Senior Babe Ruth and girl's softball fields were ready to go. She also mentioned the trimming of trees at Downtown Veterans Memorial Park.

  

HUNTINGDON (March 13) Bruceton will soon be the home of Allgood Industrial Door Manufacturing following a vote of the Carroll County Commission Monday. The Camden industry has agreed to purchase the 100,000 square-foot building, formerly known as the Henry I. Siegel (HIS) main plant on Lexington Street in Bruceton.

County Mayor Kenny McBride said Allgood plans to expand its manufacturing operations to Bruceton and hire approximately 10 employees initially. The county of Carroll has agreed to sell the building in an "as is" condition to Allgood for $75,000, payable within 30 days.

This is the last of the older H.I.S. buildings in Bruceton, said the mayor. "It's in a terrible state of disrepair," he said. The sale will put the building back on the tax rolls.

The county of Carroll purchased the building at a delinquent tax sale in 2005, said McBride. Approximately $316,000 in taxes were owed against the building at that time. The successor company to HIS had a right of redemption for one year following that tax sale. McBride said the right of redemption has expired.

Last year, Purity Foods of Ohio purchased the former HIS cutting plant on Rowland Mill Road for $375,000 and later a warehouse building in downtown for $31,000. Purity operates a food packaging facility in the Rowland Mill Road location.

McBride said the county still owns the former HIS distribution center on Rowland Mill Road in Bruceton.

HIS, maker of CHIC brand jeans, closed its domestic garment production in the year 2000, moving production to Mexico. The company abandoned manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee, including Bruceton, Trezevant, and Gleason locally.

In other business Monday, the commission approved:

• to expand the written Carroll County Growth Plan to control development around the proposed Carroll County Lake in the Leach Community. Each of the eight municipalities must also approve the changes. Atwood and McKenzie have already approved the amendment. Commissioner Roger Hollowell asked if the change in the Growth Plan would have any negative effects. McBride said the effects should be positive for the landowners around the lake. He explained that the county, outside of municipalities, is zoned as rural/agriculture except that surround the Carroll County Airport in McKenzie T. Richard Goodwin questioned when the lake might be completed. McBride said land purchases should begin this calendar year followed by construction. The Federal Housing and Urband Development has provided $500,000 for land acquisition and another $3,000,000 is promised from the state when construction begins. The local $10 wheel tax provides another $250,000 annually to the project. The wheel tax will cease when $3 million is collected from that source;
  
• transferred $40,000 into the aviation fuel account for the Carroll County Airport. Fuel sales have increased along with the price of fuel requiring the budget amendment. McBride said the Airport Committee decided to sell fuel a few cents less than area airports. Pleasure pilots shop around for the best prices, said the mayor;
  
• amended the budget to accept $13,839 from five police departments in the county to share in the cost of a new cross match fingerprint machine at the Sheriff's Department;
  
• amended the budget to accept $1,153 from the state of Tennessee to supplement the certified veterans service officer's salary.
  
• heard McBride announce renovation of the Courthouse is proceeding well. He hopes the first commission meeting can be held there in July.

  

Unemployment rates throughout the tri-counties increased slightly during the January reporting period, according to latest statistics from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Carroll County's jobless rate rose to 7.3 percent in January, up from 6.7 percent in December. From a labor force of 13,330, a total of 12,360 persons were employed, leaving 970 unemployed.

The increase resulted from slight changes in manufacturing employment, according to Judith Bradberry, Labor Market Analyst for the state.

• From available labor of 1,080 in Carroll County, 970 were unemployed, 50 were discouraged workers, and 60 were partially employed. From available labor, 690 were female and 390 were male.

Henry County's unemployment rate climbed from 7.5 percent in December to 8.4 percent in January, as the result of decreases in manufacturing employment. From a labor force of 13,850, a total of 12,690 were employed, leaving 1,160 unemployed.

• From available labor of 1,280 in Henry County, 1,160 were unemployed, 60 were discouraged workers, and 60 were partially unemployed. From available labor, 630 were female and 650 were male.

Weakley County's jobless rate for January was 6.1 percent, up from 5.5 percent for December. From a labor force of 15,470, a total of 14,530 were employed and 940 were unemployed. There was a slight decrease in government; however overall, there were no significant changes in employment, according to Bradberry.

• From available labor of 1,030 in Weakley County, 940 were unemployed, 50 were discouraged workers and 40 were partially unemployed. From available labor, 540 were female and 490 were male.

Tennessee's unemployment rate for the month of January is 5.1 percent, down 2.3 percentage points from the seasonally adjusted December rate of 5.4 percent, according to Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development James Neeley. The national unemployment rate for January is 4.7 percent, down from the December rate of 4.9 percent.

"January's unemployment rate has decreased from a year ago when the rate was 5.5 percent," said Neeley. "Both the household and business surveys show year-to-year employment growth. Major employment increases continue in trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality."

  

A Trezevant woman is incarcerated in Carroll County Jail on multiple charges following a multi-county chase Monday afternoon. Carroll County Sheriff's Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol filed charges against Charlotte Dailey, 42, of 345 Mill Road, Trezevant after she refused to stop her Ford Probe, leading officers on a chase along state highways, and roads in Carroll and Gibson counties.

THP officers have charged her with DUI and violation of the implied consent law. Carroll County Sheriff's Department intends to add drug violations and felony evading arrest to those charges.

Tim Meggs, drug investigator with the CCSD said he was patrolling near Atwood around 2:00 p.m. when his patrol car met Dailey, who was in violation of her probation and never reported to jail to serve a 165-day jail sentence. When he turned to pursue the Ford, it sped away leading Meggs along State Route 220, Spring Creek Road, Brewer Road, onto gravel roads in Gibson County, again on 220 between Medina and State Route 70, and back into Carroll County, where she was eventually stopped via a rolling roadblock. Top speeds of approximately 80 miles per hour were achieved, said Meggs. CCSD Chief Deputy Terry Dickey pulled his patrol car in front of hers while Meggs closed in behind. Dailey rammed Dickey's car, causing slight damage to the patrol car and her vehicle. The incident ended the chase and Dailey was taken into custody.

Dickey was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Huntingdon for back pain. He will return Thursday for observation, said the sheriff.

Participating in the chase and apprehension were sheriff's deputies, THP uniformed officers and officers from the THP Criminal Investigation Division, said Sheriff Bendell Bartholomew. The sheriff said Dailey was throwing things out the window during the pursuit. Bartholomew and deputies retraced the route and found some drug items on the road.

Confiscated from the vehicle were: approximately seven grams of methamphetamine, coffee filters with methamphetamine residue, $3,064 cash, two digital scales, marijuana, three long guns, one of which was loaded, and several pills in schedule II and schedule III category.