Members of the Sharon Board of Mayor and Aldermen will hold a called meeting Monday, October 27, 2008, to adopt an identity theft policy for the city.

    The board’s decision to meet later this month came during their regular monthly meeting Monday, October 13. At that time, board members were informed the deadline for adopting the federally mandated identity theft policy is November 1, 2008.

    The policy outlines the operating procedures to be followed by city employees concerning securing the personal information of local citizens and others doing business with the city of Sharon.

    All federal, state, county and local government offices are required to adopt an identity theft policy in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission’s new regulations, which are designed to protect the personal information of citizens contained in the records of governmental entities.

    Some of the heightened security measures include: storing customers’ information inside file cabinets that lock, or in a storage room behind a locked door; shredding or burning paperwork with personal information rather than throwing it in the trash; not taking or giving out sensitive personal information over the phone, but using the fax machine instead to insure the information only goes to those agencies authorized to receive it; turning off the computers at night; and having password protection on all computers. Bulletproof glass and bars over the windows at the service desk are also recommended, but not mandated.

(Read the rest of this story in the October 22nd print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    In an effort to reignite patriotism in the hearts of community members, a newly formed local organization will pay tribute to all service men and women by hosting a veterans’ parade Saturday, November 8.

    Rolling Thunder Chapter 6, an organization whose main goal is to spread awareness for veteran’s rights as well as POWs-MIAs will host a Veterans’ Parade the weekend before Veterans’ Day.

    “Growing up, people can remember going to Veterans’ Day Parades and now it is not that common. That is a part of our heritage and we want the general public to come and show our support for our military,” Rolling Thunder Program Director Pat Laird shared.

    The group that formed this summer gathered ideas for troop awareness and discovered that Weakley County did not offer a Veterans’ Parade. They kicked into action and gained the support of First Citizens National Bank of Martin. With that, a parade route was determined and word has spread about the event.

    “We want all veterans in the area to participate. We are hoping family members will want to join with us too. We will recognize and honor our fallen as well as those who are still missing in action or became prisoners of war,” Laird added.

Thus far, local Boy Scouts of America chapters, a local band and University of Tennessee at Martin Army ROTC plan to participate.

    “Our goal is for people to appreciate they are free because of those who have fought and died for those freedoms. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true. Our freedoms came with a price and this is one way to show our appreciation and pay tribute,” Laird said.

    Laird and her sister-in-law and fellow Rolling Thunder Chapter Program Director Carol Laird have been busy printing handbills and garnering support for the event.

    There is no entry fee to participate in the Veterans’ Parade. Staging for the event is at 9 a.m. at Virginia Weldon Park in downtown Martin.

    The parade route is planned for North Lindell Street at 10 a.m. that day.

    For more information contact Pat Laird at 587-9742 or 364-5766 or Carol Laird at 364-9766.

    Participants must reserve a parade slot by November 3.

    Mt. Vernon Methodist Church will celebrate its 185^th anniversary with a special service October 26, 2008, at 2 p.m. The church is located on Highway 89 approximately three miles west of Sharon on the Sharon-Sidonia Highway.

    The celebration will be in the afternoon so as not to interfere with other churches in the area and to allow more time for out-of-town visitors to arrive.

    Mt. Vernon has sent many sons and daughters out into the world who are scattered far and wide today. All have memories and friendships from their youth at Mt. Vernon.

    Everyone is invited to come and join the members of the church in recalling the church’s magnificent heritage, sharing memories, and honoring past attendees. The service will be a time, not only to renew friendships and reminisce, but also to express gratitude to God for the founders of the historic church and for all the previous generations who kept it alive until today.

    The Reverend Russell Gallimore, retired Methodist minister of Jackson, will return to his home church as the featured speaker. Rev. Gallimore, son of the late Noyel and Flora Scearce Gallimore, grew up in the Mt. Vernon church and community. Russell graduated from Sharon High School in 1953. He wrote a summary of the church’s history when the present church was built in 1956. He has contributed many photos and information for display during the celebration. He is familiar with the church and its members, past and present.

    Following Rev. Gallimore’s address, two trees will be planted on the church lawn and dedicated to the church’s forefathers. The first will be dedicated to Reuben Edmonston, who founded Mt. Vernon Church in 1823. Folks from the church recently met with Edmonston’s great great granddaughter, Mrs. Gloria Edmonston Taylor, and her husband, Jerome, who reside near Gleason. Gloria has expressed her pleasure that the church is honoring her ancestor and plans to be present for the special occasion.

(Read the rest of this story in the October 22nd print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)