ARCHIVES
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News Headlines
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
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Tennessee Iris Festival events
underway in Dresden |
The 26th Annual Tennessee Iris Festival, which got
underway last Thursday, continues through Saturday. So far,
the numbers have been outstanding at all Iris Festival
events.
The Iris Festival opened Thursday with the Tasting Party,
held at the Southside Christian Activity Center, and
provided a wide selection of great food prepared by some of
the best cooks in Weakley County. Approximately 250 people
turned out for the event, which was sponsored by James H.
Westbrook, CPA; Dr. Jeff Higgs; Premier Nissan; and William
R. Neese, attorney. Co-chairpersons Winnie Moore and Jane
Tucker orchestrated the Tasting Party.
On Friday, area boys and girls enjoyed activities at the
Teddy Bear Picnic, which was previously a girl’s only event
called, “Tea For Dolly and Me.” The event was held inside
Dresden First Baptist Church’s Family Life Center.
Several events took place on Saturday, including the Opening
Ceremony of the Tennessee Iris Festival, which featured live
entertainment, games and fun activities for the whole
family. Dr. Doug Obetz sponsored this event.
Co-chairpersons - Kerri Maddox, Kim Laws and Melanie
Johnson, organized the event.
Another Saturday event was the Pilot Club Bicycle Rodeo for
grades K-4, which was sponsored by the Dresden Pilot Club.
Co-chairpersons were Cindi Higgins and Kim Coleman.
On Saturday afternoon, the Cub Scout Cubmobile Derby,
sponsored by McCauley Chevrolet, was held at Wilson Park.
Steve Stroud served as chairman of this event.
Also on Saturday was The Amazing Iris Festival Race,
formerly called the “Road Rally Scavenger Hunt,” which was
held at Dresden High School’s Rotary Field. Instead of being
a citywide automobile race, as in the past, it was held at a
single location, so the participants could get from one
station to another without driving. Safety was one
consideration in the change, since previous contestants
tended to push the speed limit a bit during the race. This
event was sponsored by BancorpSouth. Serving, as
co-chairpersons for the event were Melody Sawyers and Amy
Lewellen.
Sunday’s sole event was the Iris Festival Cemetery Walk,
which honored the teachers of yesteryear with its theme
“Educators of Dresden.” This event was sponsored by Primrose
Oil Company and Fred Stoker & Sons. Co-chairpersons
responsible for making it a huge success with 400-500
visitors were Bobby Goode and Tommy Moore.
And finally, on Monday, the Iris Festival Prayer Breakfast
was held at Dresden Elementary School. This event was
sponsored by Dresden First United Methodist Church. It was
co-sponsored by Mike Pentecost and Dr. Don McCulley.
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Dresden approves charter change |
By David Fisher
david@dresdenenterprise.com |
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the
Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen, members approved the
first reading of Resolution 2005-14, which alters the city’s
charter concerning election rules.
City Charter Change
The measure, calling for city alderpersons to resign their
offices “upon qualification with the election commission as
a candidate for election to the office of mayor,” was
approved by a split vote of 4-2 with aldermen Gwin Anderson,
Mike Forchione, Mike Parrish and Mike Youngblood voting in
favor of the charter change and alderpersons Joyce Hurt and
Danny Roberts voting against it. Before receiving final
approval of the Dresden Board, the resolution had to be sent
to the Tennessee State Legislature for approval. Private
Charter No. 32, which is House Bill No. 1656 of the 104th
General Assembly, was passed on April 7, 2005.
Municipal Code
The board unanimously approved the second and final reading
of an ordinance adopting and enacting a codification and
revision of the ordinances of the city of Dresden. Due to
the fact that some of the city’s ordinances were obsolete,
inconsistent with one other, or inadequate, this measure
updates the city’s codes to reflect current regulations.
City Fines Increased
Another significant measure approved during the meeting was
Resolution 2005-05, which increases in the city’s fines and
court costs from $50 to $70.
Administrative Assistant Jennifer McAlpin stated that her
research reveals that the fines currently in place were far
below what they should be. “After speaking with the judge
and the chief of police, and talking with several of the
other cities in the county, and also a meeting that I had
with the state of Tennessee, we are well below what we
should be charging for court costs,” McAlpin said. “Martin
charges $60 for court costs, Greenfield charges $65, and
they are looking at increasing that. And, after speaking
with a gentleman from the state of Tennessee, he said at a
very minimum, he recommended that we increase it to $70. So,
this is our recommendation to the board.”
Dresden Police Chief Jerry Wilson stated that some of the
other municipalities in the county charge graduated speeding
fines based on speed (the faster the speed, the higher the
fine), but added, “I think with the increase in court costs
and fines, we’re well on par with other cities here in the
county.
(Read the
rest of this story in this week's print edition of the
Dresden Enterprise.)
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Local teachers honored at Iris
Festival Cemetery Walk |
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Over 350 people attended this year’s Iris Festival Cemetery
Walk, featuring the theme of past educators. Jennifer Reavis
led off the tour portraying Sue F. Mooney (1837-1920). Ms.
Mooney was married to Rev. Mooney a Methodist minister. She
taught school in various places before the family settled
down in Dresden. The couple purchased the Dresden Female
Academy and operated the school. Later in honor of the
couple, Dresden named a street after Mooney; Mooney Street
is located near the Sunset Cemetery.
Rep. Mark Maddox portrayed Dr. John McMurry Hill
(1887-1966). Dr. Hill was the son of a county judge and
taught school in Texas. Dr. Hill was very well educated and
traveled extensively throughout Europe, where he studied in
France and Spain during World War I. Dr. Hill published many
works that included Spanish Literature and Drama. Dr. Hill
was also fluent in 20 languages. Dr. Hill was a collector of
old and rare books, some dating back to the 16th & 17th
centuries. Later, the collection was donated to Vanderbilt
University.
Eva Brooks (year of death 1979) was portrayed by Cynthia
Jones. Ms. Brooks taught at the Dresden Jr. High from the
1920’s to 1950’s. Ms. Brooks was liked by her students. A
highly gifted individual, she had the ability to write with
both hands. (Read the rest of this story and much more new in the
May 4th edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)
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Martin P.D. reports
vandalism |
The Martin Police Department is investigating two acts of
vandalism that occurred over the weekend after someone drove
through two yards on Mt. Pelia Road.
One of the incidents occurred at 334 Mt. Pelia Road, and the
other at a residence at the corner of Mt. Pelia and Ivie
Lane. In both cases, someone drove their vehicle off the
road and spun them around in a circle. Both lawns had ruts
left in the grass.
One of the residents has offered a $100.00 reward for the
name of the person or persons that did this act. Crime
Stoppers will also pay for information that leads to the
names of the guilty party. Anonymous Crime Stoppers tips may
be left by calling 587-2611.
In a separate incident, a Moody Street resident called the
police department Sunday morning and reported that someone
threw a beer bottle at his car and broke out his rear window
as it was parked on Moody Street. The victim said the damage
was done sometime Saturday night. Damage to the window was
estimated at $350.00.
The Martin police made no arrests over the weekend.
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