Emergency personnel responded to Paris Street Thursday morning after Shawn Flatt fell from a tree to his death.

A Thursday morning tree-removal accident at 657 Paris Street in McKenzie claimed the life of a 30-year-old Trezevant man.

Shawn Flatt, of 1240 Highway 105, was pronounced dead at 9:51 a.m. at the scene by Carroll County Coroner Steve Cantrell. The victim sustained internal head trauma when he plunged 30 feet to the ground, according to Cantrell.

Flatt was reportedly equipped with a safety harness and spurs as he attempted to cut a top section of a tree at the home of Phil and Kathy Campbell, who moved to the residence approximately two weeks ago.

For reasons unknown, witnesses observed him unhook the guide rope, Cantrell said. Moments later, the tree snapped and came down, causing him to fall to the ground.

Flatt was one of four men completing tree removal at the location. Working with Flatt were Charles Harris, Kenneth Payne and Ricky Winstead.

McKenzie Police Department, McKenzie Fire and Rescue team, and McKenzie Regional Hospital EMS responded to the scene, as well as Cantrell. Members of McKenzie Fire and Rescue team cut tree limbs to extricate the victim.

Flatt was married to Janice (Parker) Flatt and the couple celebrated the birth of a son, Trevor Flatt on May 21.

Other children include Dakota Flatt of Camden, Kyle McKennie of McKenzie, and a daughter, Sierra Henley of Trezevant.

He was the son of Carol (Floyd) Arnold of Trezevant and the late Wesley Phillip Flatt.

(See separate obituary in this edition)

MCKENZIE (August 5) A Trenton couple is doing well following a Sunday afternoon single-vehicle crash in Henry County.

Wayne and Bertha Steele were traveling south on U.S. 79 when their late model Dodge pickup truck left the roadway, destroyed several feet of guardrail, flipped twice and over the guardrail and onto the driver’s side, stopping on a bridge just feet short of plunging into the creek bed below. The accident occurred one mile north of McKenzie in an area known as Skunk Hollow.

Tennessee Highway Patrol, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, McKenzie Police Department, McKenzie Emergency Medical Services, McKenzie Fire/Rescue Department, and Henry Fire Department responded to the scene.

McKenzie Fire/Rescue stabilized the pickup truck by connecting a steel cable to the vehicle and installing wood blocks to prevent movement of the truck. Mr. Steele was strapped in his seatbelt and was pinned in the driver’s seat while Mrs. Steele was dislodged from her seat and tangled in her seatbelt.

McKenzie Fire/Rescue cut out the windshield and removed the occupants through the opening.

According to the Steeles’ daughter, both were treated and released from McKenzie Regional Hospital. She said her parents were very lucky to escape with minor injuries.

 
Carroll County commissioners will consider a $16.5 million budget during the August 13 meeting. After months of deliberations, the Budget Committee has submitted the budget which includes a three-percent raise for all county employees. Three capital projects are planned for the 2007-2008 budget year. A new Highway Department building is planned on Highway 22 South at the fuel depot. The current building will be sold to Carroll County Electric. The new steel building for an office and garage will have a net cost of $75,000 including the proceeds of the sale of the current building. Two fire department tankers at $60,000 each are budgeted and major airport improvements costing $280,000 – payable over two years - are included in the budget.

A proposed tax rate of $1.00 per $100 assessed value will be also considered to fund the budget. The $1.00 rate exceeds the certified rate of 92 cents, which would generate an equal amount of revenue following the 2007 reappraisal of all real estate. The $1.00 rate is comprised of: 63 cents for General Government; seven cents for Solid Waste and Sanitation; eight cents for Highway and Public Works; seven cents for General Debt Service; and 15 cents for School Transportation.

Donations to non-profit, charitable agencies for approval include: Rescue Squad $6,000; Gordon Browning Museum $4,000; McKenzie Memorial Library $8,000; Carl Perkins Center $3,500; West Tennessee Hearing and Speech $1,000; McKenzie Senior Citizens Center $200; Atwood Senior Citizens Center $200; Huntingdon Museum $400; Carroll County Museum $400; McKenzie YMCA $1,000; and Tennessee Rehab Center $1,000. Total proposed donations total $25,700.

Not included in the proposed budget is a $1.3 million request from Sheriff Bendell Bartholomew for additional manpower, pay raises, and additional patrol cars.

The sheriff indicated the county has one of the state’s smallest number of deputies as a percentage of population. Carroll County Sheriff’s Department has 11 road deputies, four sergeants, one chief, three investigators, four dispatchers, and 10 jailers. Road deputies’ maximum pay is $28,045, sergeants’ $28,739, chief deputy’s $34,204, and investigators’ $29,601. The county pays 75 percent of the major medical insurance for both employees and dependants. Coverage is provided by Blue Cross-Blue Shield. The county’s portion is $383 for individual, $766 for two persons, and $1,079 for family on Network P, and $356, $712, and $1,003 respectively for Network S.

Bartholomew’s attorney, Matt Maddox of the law firm Maddox, Maddox, and Maddox, said the Budget Committee’s actions in denying the requests were “A slap in the face.” He said the three-percent raise probably won’t even cover the cost of living. According to state law, Bartholomew can seek remedy through the Circuit Court if he chooses to file suit to contest his department’s budget.

Three separate resolutions would allow the county Highway Department to perform road work in the towns of Huntingdon, McLemoresville, and Clarksburg with all costs reimbursed to the county.

A resolution to apply for a grant for litter and trash collection from the Tennessee Department of Transportation will also be addressed.

George Atwood, representing the Carroll County Fair Board, is on the agenda to speak to the commission. The Fair Board is a non-profit board not connected with the county government.

Anyone wishing to address the commission, concerning items on the agenda, has an opportunity to speak for up to two minutes by registering to speak during the citizen’s forum.