By David Fisher Staff Reporter

   

    A Dresden man died over the weekend from injuries sustained in a tragic accident while clearing fallen trees and limbs across roadways in Oklahoma in the aftermath of an ice storm.

    During a phone interview Monday, the victim’s grandmother, Pamela Johns of Greenfield, stated her grandson, Nathan Tabor, 24, of Dresden, and his mother, Tracy Hoots, traveled to Oklahoma where they, along with other volunteer workers, were assisting in clearing fallen trees along an interstate highway.

    According to a January 2, 2008 newspaper article in the Tulsa World, during the early morning hours of Sunday, December 30, Tabor had crossed the road to see about something on the other side, and as he was returning, he was struck by a 2007 Toyota Corolla driven by Grady Gregory Kersh, 23, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers explained that Tabor ran south before turning and running back north across the westbound lanes of Interstate 44 near Harvard Avenue when he was struck by the car about 12:15 a.m. Sunday. It was not clear why he was running across the interstate at that hour.

    Troopers stated that neither Kersh nor his passenger was injured in the accident.

    Tabor, who suffered brain damage, a fractured spine, a severely injured arm, and other injuries in the accident, was admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma in critical condition. Surgeons performed brain surgery on Tabor on New Year’s Day, in order to release pressure created by blood clots which had formed.

    Doctors told family members that if Tabor survived, he could be severely brain damaged. However, Tabor died at approximately 11:30 a.m. Friday as a result of the massive injuries he suffered in the accident.

    Bowlin Funeral Home in Dresden is in charge of funeral arrangements. Visitation was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.  Wednesday morning with funeral services at 2 p.m. Services were held at Journey of Faith Freedom Church in Greenfield with burial in Hornbeak Cemetery at Greenfield.

(Read the rest of this story in the January 9th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

By David Fisher Staff Reporter

   

    Members of the Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussed a wide range of topics during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, including: the results of a city audit for fiscal year 2007, acceptance of a donation for improvements at the Harmon and Lucille McWherter Civic Center, an Industrial Board appointment, application for a PILOT Fasttrack Grant for site preparation at the Dresden Industrial Complex, consideration of a contract for wireless internet service, emergency repairs to a road weakened by a sewer line break, problems with garbage pickup by renters who move away without paying for removal of bulk items, parking safety issues, non-payment for and other matters.

 

2007 Audit

 

    Kevin Howell with the Alexander, Thompson and Arnold CPA firm reviewed the audit results of the City of Dresden’s books for fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

    Howell stated that the audit reveals that the city is in sound financial condition. He stated that the city’s net assets, including governmental funds and business assets, amount to approximately $8.6 million total with about $2.8 million of this in current assets. Total liabilities are about $2 million with $500,000 to $600,000 of this amount in current liabilities.

    He added that there are no negative variances to indicate that the city had spent more than it budgeted.

Howell stated that the only page added to the preliminary audit includes a schedule of financial assistance including grants obtained by the city, which shows receipts vs. expenditures.

    The only findings were: (1) property tax receivable balancing issue; (2) water loss problems, which is steadily improving due to the city’s new policies concerning monitor of water loss, as well as improvements in the city’s water and sewer system (going from 24-25 percent water loss early in the year to 11-14 percent later in 2007); and (3) the problem of lack of segregation of duties, which he noted all small municipalities are written up for each year, due to the lack of funds to hire enough employees to completely segregate all duties, as some of the large cities are able to do. He pointed out that while in an ideal world, the segregation of duties would be best; it is not always possible.

    “It was a clean, unqualified opinion, and the city’s doing a good job,” Howell said.

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

    The Martin Police Department issued an arrest warrant for a Martin man in connection with the alleged assault of a neighbor.

    On December 28, 2007 at approximately 12:55 a.m., Ptl. Michael C. Wenz was dispatched to 529 Lee Street, Apt. 5B, in reference to an aggravated assault.

    Upon arrival at the scene, Ptl. Wenz and Lt. Jason Arant made contact with the victim, Barry Bridgewater, 40, who stated that he had gone to the home of the defendant, David W. Frazier, 42, of 529 Lee Street, Apt. 4D.

    Bridgewater stated he and Frazier are friends, and he just stopped by to see what Frazier was doing. But, as Bridgewater was leaving, he accidentally kicked over Frazier’s grill causing the coals and meat to spill on the ground. Bridgewater said that Frazier became enraged and tackled him, causing him to fall into the coals, and then, continued to push Bridgewater’s face into the hot coals.

 

(Read the rest of this story in this week's January 9th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)