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WEAKLEY COUNTY INFORMATION

By David Fisher david@dresdenenterprise.com

     Members of the Weakley County Commission voted to approve combining the office of Juvenile Court Judge and General Sessions into a single judgeship upon the retirement of Juvenile Court Judge James Bradberry, during Monday night's meeting. Weakley County Mayor Ron Gifford also gave the State of the County address at the close of the meeting.

Resolutions

     One of the top items for discussion was Resolution No. 2006-48, which urges the Tennessee General Assembly to enact a private act placing the jurisdiction of the Weakley County Juvenile Court in the Weakley County General Sessions Court upon vacancy of the office of Juvenile Court Judge through death, resignation or retirement, was approved by a vote of 15 "for" and three "absent." Providing the General Assembly approves this private act and it receives two-thirds approval by the Weakley County Commission, when current Juvenile Judge James Bradberry leaves office, his duties will be assumed by the General Sessions Court Judge, a post currently held by Tommy Moore. To compensate the General Sessions Judge for the additional responsibilities, he would receive an increase in salary of $20,000 annually. However, the act would prohibit the person holding this post from practicing private law, since the judgeship is considered a full-time job. The end result is that, by combining the two positions, the county would save several thousand dollars each year in salary costs.
     The commissioners also approved Resolution No. 2006-49, which urges the Tennessee General Assembly to enact a private act granting the General Sessions Court of Weakley County mental health commitment jurisdiction. In the event this authority is granted by the state and the Weakley County Commission approves the measure by the required two-thirds vote it will go into effect. The resolution stipulates that the base compensation of the General Sessions Judge of Weakley County, as adjusted by any applicable cost-of-living increases and other supplements, shall be set $5,000 annually.
     Another important measure passed by the County Commission was Resolution 2006-39, which authorizes a General Fund amendment to the Weakley County Election Commission's budget in the amount of $208,000 in federal funding. The measure will reimburse Weakley County for the purchase of new voting machines to replace the county's 30-year-old plus punch-card balloting machines, as required by law, prior to the upcoming elections in July 2006. In committee discussion, Administrator of Elections Diane Cashon stated that the state has approved the purchase of approximately 40 voting machines, which cost in the range of $2,500-$3,000. She noted that these funds would also pay for the additional costs of software and programming.
Resolution No. 2006-32, which calls for applying for a sewer grant to extend the sewer line from the city limits of Dresden to Dresden High School, was unanimously approved. The total cost of the project is estimated at $325,978. This resolution seeks to fund the project by getting a $280,341 Community Development Block Grant, plus another grant in the amount of $9,779 from the Three Star Program, with the remaining $35,858 being funded by the Weakley County Educational Capital Projects fund. In committee discussion, Commissioner James Westbrook noted that the grant was not successful last year, but the county will try again this year to hopefully get the much-needed funds.

(Read the rest of the story in this week's print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)

By David Fisher david@dresdenenterprise.com

     Students in Mrs. Pam Copeland's class at Dresden Middle School got insight of the daily operations of Congress, as well as information about the latest political developments at home and abroad, from 8th District U.S. Congressman John Tanner, who stopped by to speak with the class Friday, after receiving an invitation from Mrs. Copeland.
     Tanner, who serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, is known for being a national leader on budget issues, particularly because of his fight to eliminate the national debt and his advocacy for fiscal responsibility. He also plays a prominent role on issues of agriculture, conservation, health care, national security, education, economic development and the protection of Social Security.
     During the class, the Union City Democrat, answered the students' questions on such important and diverse topics as the war in Iraq, the NATO alliance and the roll it played following the terrorist bombings of 911, as well as his personal background and experience and what caused him to decide to go into politics. Brad Thompson, who serves on Tanner's staff, was also present for the event.

(Read the rest of the story in the March 29th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)

  On Monday, members of the Martin Fire Department responded to a blaze at MTD Products, Inc., located at 136 Industrial Drive in Martin.
     At approximately 12:30 a.m., a small fire that erupted on the roof shut down three departments, plus quality control. Those areas of the factory affected by the fire included the hanging paint, assembly line and welding departments, which were all closed during the emergency.
     The flames erupted northeast section of the plant, in the vicinity of the bake oven, where the paint sprayed on lawn products is cured by the heat.
     The blaze resulted in third shift workers being sent home. However, employees were allowed to return to work as regularly scheduled beginning with first shift.
     No one was injured in the incident and there was no structural damaged reported to the building.
     The cause of the fire is reportedly still under investigation.
     Established in 1985, MTD, which employs approximately 1,000 workers, manufactures lawn and garden and other outdoor equipment products, which are sold in the United States as well as in international markets.