By Jimmy Gilliam sports@mckenziebanner.com

 

McKenzie Banking Co. President Keith Priestley.
 
MCKENZIE - Charles P. Wilson, CEO of McKenzie Banking Company (MBC) announces the promotion of Keith Priestley to president. He has also been elected to the Board of Directors. Both positions are effective immediately.

Wilson will continue his duties as chairman of the board and chief executive officer. MBC will remain a family-owned bank with offices located in McKenzie, Paris, Alamo and Jackson.

The decision to promote Priestley was made after considerable thought and consideration of long term planning for the bank. In an e-mail to MBC employees, Wilson wrote, “Gradually, over time, Keith will take on some of my responsibilities and will eventually take over all of my responsibilities. However, I plan to remain active in the bank and do not plan to retire as long as my health permits.”

Prior to his current position, Priestley has served as vice president of MBC since June 2004. Priestley has been closely involved with the local community for a number of years and is actively involved in the McKenzie Rotary Club, the Board of Commissioners for McKenzie Housing Authority, the Municipal Regional Planning Commission for the City of McKenzie and is a past president of Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

Priestley and Wilson have a long-standing working relationship and share the fundamental vision that MBC exists as a tool to invest in those things that will outlive us. Wilson highlighted Priestley’s qualifications, “I have known Keith for twenty-one years. He served as an advisory board member to the bank in the late 1980s and early 1990s and also was a member of the Board of Directors for ten years. He was owner of the Jim Alexander Insurance Agency for twenty-two years until he sold the business in 2001,” said Wilson

Priestley is a graduate of Greenfield High School, the University of Tennessee at Martin, the Southeastern School of Banking, Southeastern School of Commercial Lending, Southeastern School of Advanced Commercial Lending and the Southeastern School of Consumer Credit.

Priestley and his wife Sherri have three children, Brents, who is an investment representative for Edward D. Jones in McKenzie; Cara Kelly, who sells real estate in Goodlettsville, Tenn; and Brice, who is a freshman at Harding University.

Priestley and his family are members of McKenzie Church of Christ, where he is a Sunday school teacher and serves as an elder.

Priestley expressed his view of his promotion, “McKenzie Banking Company exemplifies what it means to be a community bank. Mr. Wilson, the directors and the dedicated staff have devoted themselves to preserving this unique identity. I am confident we will continue to build upon this strong foundation and I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve our communities and our customers as the president of McKenzie Banking Company.”

  

MCKENZIE (January 11) -McKenzie Water Commission unanimously approved a 14-year, $891,749 contract with Utility Service Company to provide maintenance on the city's three elevated water tanks. The Georgia company was the lone bidder for the services.

Utility Service will provide all necessary maintenance including painting of the tanks at the airport, hospital, and recreation park. The first year's payment is $58,837, followed by $100,330 for four years, and then $43,045 in years six to eight, $47,781 in years nine to 11, and $53,038 in years 12 to 14.

Washouts and visual inspections of the tanks will be performed on alternate years for each of the tanks. After the initial paintings, exterior renovations will be scheduled based on the needs identified during the annual inspections. Generally, the exterior must be overcoated every eight- to 10-year period and interiors renovated each 10- to 12-year period.

In support of the long-range maintenance agreement, Mayor Walter Winchester said the painting of the tanks alone costs $96,000 at the airport and $89,000 at the hospital. All tanks will be painted in the first two years, said Winchester.

"We have no choice but to do this," said Commissioner Gene Hale, who made the motion to enter into the contract.

 
HUNTINGDON - An 18-year-old woman attempting to evade Huntingdon police units was involved in a one-vehicle accident on Rowland Mill Road, 1,000 feet north of Maytown Road, January 5 at approximately 8:55 p.m.

According to a Tennessee Highway Patrol report, Cassie L. Williams, 18, Green Valley Road, Huntingdon, was traveling southbound in a 2000 Nissan Maxima owned by Sandra Sherrod, same address as the driver. While attempting to flee from police units she failed to negotiate a curve. Leaving the right side of the roadway, the vehicle traveled approximately 75 feet along a roadside ditch before striking a tree with the right rear of vehicle. Upon impact, the vehicle rotated clockwise and struck another tree before coming to a final rest along the southbound edge of the roadway.

Williams was transported by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

The Huntingdon Police units involved in the chase notified the THP of the crash. Williams was cited by HPD for lane law, registration, seat belt, and driver license violations.

Larkins’ Towing removed Williams's vehicle, severely damaged in all areas, from the scene.

 
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting Traffic Enforcement Roadblocks on January 16 in Carroll County.

Recognizing the danger presented to the public by unlicensed drivers and unsafe vehicles, Troopers will concentrate their efforts on vehicles being operated by drivers who would violate the law by operating unlicensed or by operating unsafe vehicles within the statues of Tennessee.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has found these Traffic Enforcement Roadblocks to be an effective means of enforcing the motor vehicle statutes of Tennessee while ensuring the protection of all motorists.

 
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting Sobriety Checkpoint Roadblocks on January 23 in Carroll County.

Recognizing the danger presented to the public by intoxicated drivers, troopers will concentrate their efforts on vehicles being operated by drivers who would violate the law by operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has found these Sobriety Checkpoints to be an effective means of enforcing the driving under the influence statutes of Tennessee while ensuring the protection of all motorists.