Helping Hand  2/28/07

          Tuesday's total came to $3801 bringing the total to date to $249,240.  Wednesday is the last day of the radio auction.  It can be heard on WTPR.

Metro Crime Unit  2/28/07

     Paris Police Chief Tommy Cooper, Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew along with Chief Deputy Randy Gean, Lieutenant Stan Pinson and Investigator Rick Watson held a press conference Tuesday morning where they announced that due to Metro Crime Unit investigations 22 warrants would be issued for the arrest of subject purchasing over 9 grams at one time or in one place,  of  pseudoephedrine,  which is used in the manufacture of meth.

     The Metro Crime Unit investigated sales of  'Sudafed' at local pharmacies.  New technology allows the sale of the cold medicine, a main ingredient in meth , to be tracked since it is required, by law,  for the purchaser to sign for the medicine.  The computer based tracking can inform law enforcement of the purchase, at what drug store and by whom as the purchase is made.  The sting covers Henry County, Weakley County, Benton County and up into Calloway County, KY.

     "This was done in cooperation with local pharmacies," stated Belew.  The purchase of over 9 grams of the medicine is a class D felony and carries a 2 to 4 year prison sentence .  "We will prosecute to he fullest extent of the law," added Cooper.

     A federal grant has provided training for 58 officers to become certified  by the West TN Meth Task Force.  The grant also provides equipment,  all at no cost to the county.  Cooper is a member of the state Meth taskforce board and Belew is a member of the West TN board. 

BPU  2/28/07

     At Tuesday's monthly meeting of the  Paris Board of Public Utilities General Manager Charles Perry told the board that the Utility had been experiencing vandalism to fire hydrants on their system.    "Fire Hydrants have been opened up in the middle of the night causing thousands of gallons of water to be lost and water service to customers to be effected. The efforts of firefighters to extinguish a fire could also be impaired."  4 more hydrants were opened Monday night and  Perry stated that turning on a fire hydrant is unlawful and in violation of the city of Paris Municipal Code.  "Violators will be prosecuted .  We are asking the public to report suspicious behavior to the Paris Police Department at 642-2424."

     In other business the board approved a quote to repair Well #1 by Donald Smith Co. out of Mississippi for $32,178.  They also submitted the lowest quote for repairs on Well #4 in September.   Chairman of the board Bill Caldwell requested that 2 bids or quotes be received in the future.  "It will keep them honest," he stated.  ",Prior to the latest problems it had been 17 years since the last well needed repair," explained Perry.

     Utility Technologies of Murfreesboro has been hired to install and maintain the wastewater flow monitoring program BPU now has in place, specifically in the Lone Oak drainage basin.  

     Also approved by the board was a surplus vehicle sale.  The sale will include a 1999 Ford Ranger, a 3/4 ton Utility Truck, a1995 3/4 ton  utility truck and a1990 Nissan truck.

     In a final piece of business the board approved retraining Steve Greer as BPU's attorney, after several months of not having one.  Greer is also the attorney for the Paris Henry County Natural Gas Utility District.  "For as long as I have worked here we have never had a conflict of interest with the gas co." stated Perry, who foresees no further problem with using the same lawyer.

     Perry also announced that stock bought in Telecore for $15 a share  4 years ago is now worth more than $30 a share.  Ownership of stock also allows BPU to purchase electrical supplies through them at a discount.

Helping Hand  2/27/07

     Helping Hand total for Monday came to $3580 bringing the total to date up to $245,439.

Henry School Leo Club  2/27/07 

The Cottage Grove Lions Club with Henry Leos

Henry Leos with District Gov. Bill Boughton from the Humboldt Lions

     Henry Leo Vice President Megan O'Connor signs the Henry School Leo Club Certificate of Organization.

     The Henry School Leo Club was formed 

and elected as their President Fred Villeneuve,  Megan O'Connor as Vice President, Olivia Looney as Secretary.  Other members include Zack Ball, Crystal Doouglass, Brandon McMurray, Donna Jean O'Daniel, Ryan O'Daniel, Danielle Owen, Jeffrey Perry, Colton Scheiblein, and Brooke Smith.

     The School Faculty Advisors are Lynn Hedges, Linda Wilkerson and David Huber.  Mr. Sam Tharpe is the principal of Henry School.  The Henry Leo Club is sponsored by the Cottage Grove Lions Club.

     Photos curtsey of Mackey Gallimore of the Puryear Lions Club.

Helping Hand  2/26/07

     Saturday Helping Hand Total came to $8472 bringing the total to date up to $241,859.

  Wednesday is the last day of the Helping Hand Auction and is open to anyone wishing to donate items at the Enoch Building at the Henry County Fairgrounds.

VISIONS CONCERT  2/26/07

      The Paris-Henry County Arts Council presents a gala benefit for The World Cataract Foundation, "Helping the Blind to See", Sunday, March 11 ^th at 2:30 pm at First Christian Church, 101 South Poplar St., Paris.    

     A special afternoon of vocal and piano music will be presented by Amy Yeung, Elaine Harriss, Allison Nelson, and Kurt Gorman. The program will include several Italian and Spanish love songs, English art-songs, some well-known operatic arias and Broadway selections, and piano duets from the Hungarian Dances by Johannes Brahms.    

     The World Cataract Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Memphis Tennessee. Its purpose is to prevent and cure blindness in third world countries, and to return sight to those who would otherwise have little or no chance for surgical care.

     Helping to sponsor this event are Abbotts Print Shop, Commercial Bank and Trust Company, Henry County Medical Center, Lakeway IGA, Paris Rotary Club, and Security Bank. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in Paris at Jack's Java, W. G. Rhea Library, or at the door the day of the event. For further information call the Arts Council at 731-642-3955 or check out our website at www.phcarts.com.

Helping  Hand  2/24/07

     Friday Helping Hand total came to $4309.  Total to date is $233,387.  Next Wednesday, Feb. 28 is the last day for the Helping Hand Radio Auction.  If you have not has an opportunity to donate an item remember the last day of the auction is open to anyone.

Hunter Safety Class  2/24/07

     A hunter Safety Class sponsored by TWRA and the Henry County Sheriff's Office will be held Feb 26th, 27th & March 1st and 2nd with live fire on March 3rd.  Classes will be held in the Henry County Court house 2nd floor courtroom from 6 to 9pm each night.  You must attend each class and the live fire.  The live fire will be conjunction with the NWTF Lakes Day.  You must be at least 9 years old to take the class.  Please bring your social security number and a #2 Pencil.  For more information contact Monte Belew at 6421672 of Clay Riley at 642-3094.

Helping Hand  2/23/07

     Thursday total for Helping Hand was $3389 bringing the total to date up to $229,078.

HCMC   2/23/07

     At Thursday's meeting of The Henry County Medical Center Board of Trustees, Medical Center Administrator Thomas Gee reviewed the  Tenncare program designed to cover the uninsured   that were dropped  from the  program.   The new program is called Cover Tn.,  "The governor is really banking on the success of this program to increase health care coverage in the state."   According to Gee Bluecross will administer the plan which will cost $150 per month per member.  The governor is concerned  because health providers are not signing up for the Cover TN network.  "To date most hospitals, including HCMC, feel there are major problems  with the burden it places on hospitals."  One of the major problems is that the program calls for reimbursement rates below what Tenncare now pays after the benefits have been exhausted.  Another problem is the length of the waiting time for business to gain access to the program.  Only 5 or 6 hospitals in the state have signed on.  "It is pretty bare bones coverage," added Gee.

     The search for a psychiatrist continues.  Gee told the board that    most do not want to open a private practice on their own and suggested that a clinic, sponsored by the Medical Center might be more appealing.

     The Medial Center is still working with St. Thomas to bring them in as an official affiliate in such areas of specialty like cardiology and other specialty clinics.

     January at HCMC was a busy month with the daily census up and the length of patient stays down.  The Healthcare Center is showing steady growth as is the Hospice care while Home Health care is down.

     In a discussion of finances Chairman of the board Phil Wichlan stated,"  We must be profitable to fulfill our mission to provide quality healthcare  for the community,"  Gee added that the profits are put back into the community.  "We don't have huge amounts just sitting in a bank somewhere,".

     Henry County Medical Center's Helping Hand Day is Saturday.  All the money raised will go to Helping Hands.  The Henry County Healthcare Foundation will be at the Enoch building on Saturday selling home made chili, pimento cheese sandwiches and a drink for $5.    Saturday's radio auction on WTPR begins at 11am.

Helping Hand  2/22/07

     Wednesday's Helping Hand total is $5052 bringing the total to date to $225,689. 

Seminar  2/22/07

     Henry County Medical Center will sponsor a free educational seminar Thursday at 6pm in the HCMC Learning Center.   "Innver Vue Diagnostic Scope" by Dr. Blake Chandler.  Seating is limited and registration can be made by calling 731-644-3463.

TANNER: 07 CRITICAL YEAR IN AFGHANISTAN  2/22/07

     During a conference call with Tennessee media on Tuesday U.S. Congressman John Tanner said he is discussing the future of NATO operations in Afghanistan during meetings of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly at NATO Headquarters in Brussels , and in Paris and Rome . Tanner is chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the legislative arm of the NATO alliance.

       The purpose of the trip is to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to NATO's efforts in Afghanistan , Tanner said. All 26 NATO member countries are supporting efforts in Afghanistan , where al Qaeda is reportedly planning a spring offensive. The United States has committed additional troops and funding for NATO operations in Afghanistan .

       NATO allies also expect 2007 to be a "critical year for Afghanistan because of the momentum," Tanner said. "There are now almost 2 million girls in school in Afghanistan , which they were not allowed to do during Taliban control of that country."

       Tanner said it is unfortunate that some people in the U.S. and Europe now lump the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq together.

       "We are here to affirm that from a Congressional standpoint, regardless of any controversy in Europe about Iraq - or for that matter, any controversy in the United States about the strategy in Iraq - Afghanistan is a completely different situation and one where the United States and NATO are more or less joined at the hip. We must make a success of Afghanistan ."

       Tanner said Iraq has been a topic of discussion among his counterparts from other NATO countries.

       "My concern with Iraq has always been whether or not those people can philosophically and psychologically separate church and state to the extent one must in order to get along Monday through Friday and build a civil society, even though they practice different religions - Shiite and Sunni - on the weekend," Tanner said.

       "Our military has done everything we've asked of them, and they've performed magnificently. We've taken down Saddam, they've had an election, and they've got a government now. At some point, [the Iraqis] are going to have to pick the ball up and run with it."

Helping Hand  2/21/07

     Helping Hand total for Tuesday came to $2906 bringing the total to date up to $220,637.

PSSD  2/21/07

     The Paris Special School District approved a 4 year contract for Mike Brown who was named as the new Director of Schools by the PSSD Board of Education.  The contract can be extended and will take effect July 1st.  Dr. Paul Doyle will be leaving on April 30th and Brown will be filling both positions as applications for a new principal at Inman are accepted.

      The board also approved a new Pre-K building for PSSD.  The 16,000 square foot building will be built on the Rhea School campus.  Included in the proposed building project is an upgrade to Rhea's office and a 700 square foot addition to the kitchen at Rhea to accommodate the extra students.  The proposed project is estimated to cost $2 million.  Funding possibilities for the project will be discussed at next month's meeting.  

County Commission  2/21/07

     The commissioners agreed to a study committee for centralized purchasing at this months Henry County  Commission meeting which was held on Tuesday due to the Presidents Day holiday.  The move to centralized purchasing was proposed by Commissioner Kenneth Humphreys during last week,s budget committee meeting.    "This us a complex issue," stated County Mayor Brent Greer.  The group will be looking at Carroll County and Weakley County, which have moved to centralized purchasing.  The budget committee members will present their findings and recommendation by June 1.  

     Commissioners  also approved a resolution for a contract with the TN Department of Military, TN Emergency Management Agency and Henry County for the purposed of funding a Hazardous Material Emergency Preparedness Grant for Hazmat training.   The grant is for $9,600 and is a 20% matching grant.  The event will be held at the Paris Landing Convention Center and the  classes will be held Aug 21 and 22 .  According to Henry County Emergency Management Director Ron Watkins the conference has been held at Pick Wick for the last 4 years.  An expected 200 plus will be  attending.  "We are excited to bring it here to Paris Landing," stated Watkins.

     The county will be holding a surplus sale which will include old school buses and trucks  that were used by the Solid Waste Department.  "We will either sell them or salvage them," explained Greer. 

     Commissioners also approved the appointment of Dr. Charles Walker as the county Medical Examiner.     

Office on Aging  2/21/07

          The Henry County Office on Aging Committee set up a committee to consider possible locations for the Russwood Senior Citizen Center.  Located in the lake area it has 20 to 30 active members.  The current building they use is for sale and the group will be looking for a new location as well as possible funding for the building. Helping Hands Day for Henry County Office on Aging will be  Monday Feb. 26th.  

     Also announced at Tuesday's meeting were the up coming Senior Olympics.  Bowling will be held in Union City and field games will be held at UT Martin.  Applications will be available in March with the entry deadline set for April 13th.

     Funding for the senior adult water aerobics in the amount of $4,000 and low impact exercise program, in the amount of $3,000 thru the Henry County Health Council has been cut  as of May 31st.

Helping Hand  2/20/07

     Helping Hand auction total for Monday is $4884 binging the total to date to $217,731.

Tour of Great Britain  2/20/07

     February 20^th is the deadline for those in Henry County and the surrounding area to sign up for an educational tour of Great Britain. High school teacher David Webb is organizing the 11-day trip to Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. The requested tour dates are May 30-June 9, 2007.

     The cost for the tour is approximately $2,903 for adults and $2,563 for students. This price includes a departure fees, round-trip airfare to and from Nashville, eight overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms, breakfast and dinner daily, a full-time tour director, sightseeing tours, walking tours, visits to special attractions, tour buses, a ferry across the Irish Sea and an overnight train from Edinburgh to London. The program fee does not include transportation to and from Nashville, gratuities, lunch, drinks and optional excursions, such as Windsor Castle.

     Webb has led educational tours to England, France and Italy for several years. “Although this tour is designed primarily for middle and high school students, anyone is welcome to accompany us, even if they live outside of Henry County,” said Webb.

School   2/19/07

     The Paris Special School District and the Henry County School System will be closed for President's Day on Monday as will government agencies and there will be no mail delivery. 

Helping Hand  2/19/07

     The Helping Hand Saturday auction brought in  $7759 and the night auction brought in $3090, bringing the total to date to $212,847.

Severe Weather Week  2/19/07         

      Henry County Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management and Safety wishes to announce Governor Phil Bredesen, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and the National Weather Service have declared February 18-23, 2007  “Severe Weather Awareness Week”.  Henry County will be participating in several events through out the week relating to severe weather preparedness.

     Ron Watkins, emergency management director, stated,” Henry County has been given a breather from severe weather thus far during the months of October and November with the mild weather.  These two months have produced tornado’s for the past several years.  We should take this time to prepare for the upcoming springtime severe weather season.”

     Watkins wishes to remind citizens that preparedness is the best defense. One easy step toward preparedness for severe weather includes purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio.  Our area transmitter is located in the Vale community.  The frequency of the weather radio signal is 162.450 MHz and can be received on any standard NOAA Weather Radio.  The broadcast transmission originates from the regional National Weather Service office in Memphis and will have a coverage radius of approx. 40 miles.  Counties included in the coverage area are Benton, Carroll, Henry and Weakley. The 1000-watt transmitter provides up to the minute weather forecasts and advanced warning of approaching severe weather such as a tornado.  Weather radio receivers are available that will instantly turn on when important warning information is issued by the National Weather Service in Memphis.  Watkins states,  “Advanced warning of severe weather is important to the safety of your family.  An advanced warning could provide that extra time desperately needed to react and take cover.

     On Wednesday, February 21, Henry County will participate in “State wide Drill Day”.  Watkins has asked local schools to practice facility tornado preparedness plans.  The schools have been requested to conduct an actual tornado drill in each school.  This gives the students and faculty an opportunity to practice the actual motions to go through if an actual warning were given for their area.  Each school in the county now has a NOAA Weather Radio and access to immediate warning information.  The  “test warning” will be broadcasted by the National Weather Service between 9 and 9:30 AM Wednesday morning. Additionally, The Henry County Schools and Paris Special Schools radio communication systems will be tested by having our 911-dispatch center pass along the  “test warning.” The City of Paris lone warning siren atop city hall will also be tested at that time as well as the City of Henry’s new warning siren as well.  Local daycares, nursing homes, manufacturing plants, and government agencies are urged to participate.

     On Thursday, February 22 at 5:30PM the Office of Emergency Management will offer damage assessment training to local responders and support staff at the Emergency Operations Center on Cedar St.

      Coming in March to coincide with Severe Weather Week, The Office of Emergency Management and the Henry County School System will be hosting a Severe Weather Spotters Course.    The course is scheduled for March 6, 2005, 6:30 PM at the Henry County High School Testing Center located on the second floor of new  “E” Building next to the field house.  Mr. Dan Valle, Warning Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Memphis will be here to conduct the training.   The spotter-training course introduces the spotter to the NWS warning system and shows the hazards associated with severe thunderstorms.  Spotters are shown what to look for when observing thunderstorms.  Examples of downburst winds, wall clouds, funnel clouds, and tornadoes are shown and explained.  Local severe weather climatology and basic severe weather meteorology are covered as well.  Spotters are also instructed on how to report their observations to the NWS.   The class lasts two hours and features slides, videos, and a video quiz.  There is no pre-registration or prerequisites for the course and class materials are provided.   The class is free and open to the public.   Public safety officials, teachers, day care operators, church groups, and industry to urged to participate in this informative event.

Helping Hands  2/17/07

     Friday Helping Hand total  is $3707 bringing the total to date up to $201,998.  

     Saturday is Educators Day and the auction starts at noon on WTPR AM 710.  There will also be a  Saturday night on the air auction beginning at 6:30 pm. 

Historical Society  2/17/07  

     The Henry County Historical Society will hold a special meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007, at the Paris-Henry County Heritage Center. This meeting will replace the group’s regular February meeting.

      The society’s special guest will be Darnell Arnoult, who is writing a novel that is set in Henry County during World War II.

      The historical society will also sponsor a follow-up round table discussion at the Heritage Center on Tuesday, February 20^th, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Anyone who is willing to share first- or second-hand accounts of Henry County during the World War II era is encouraged to attend one or both meetings. Those who have knowledge of Camp Tyson, including construction, military activities, the role of women, and German prisoners of war, are especially needed.

      “I am eternally grateful to all those who are so willing to share information and memories of Paris and Camp Tyson in the late ‘30s and ‘40s,” said Arnoult. “This is such a gift for a writer, particularly one writing outside her own time and place. I love stories, and these interviews will keep me engaged in the new book throughout my travels. I am so excited about this trip to Paris.”

      Arnoult will be visiting Paris for two days while promoting her paperback book, Sufficient Grace.

      Darnell Arnoult was born and raised in Henry County, Virginia, on the Eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains.   Arnoult lives with her husband William Brock in Smith County, Tennessee.

Helping Hand  2/16/07

     Thursday Helping Hand total is $5547, bringing the total to date up to $198,291.

Tax Relief Program  2/16/07

     The Henry County Trustee's Office, located in the courthouse annex, will be open Saturday Feb. 17th and Saturday Feb. 24th from 9am to 1pm.  According to County Trustee David Stone the office will be conducting regular business, however their main focus will be the Tax Relief Program.  "There may be those who are not able to come to the office during the week and our goal is to reach those individuals  by opening on those 2 Saturdays," explained Stone.

     Requirements for the State Tax Relief Program have changed from last year.  To qualify you must be 65 years old or over, or be 100% disabled and earn $20,000 or less for the 2005 year and reside on the property.  Stone stated that so far for 2006 147 new applications for tax relief have been accepted.  

     The trustee's office also has a drop box on the outside of the office and payments  deposited on the  night of Feb. 28th will be accepted without penalty.

     At this point the trustee's office has collected 54% of the 11 million dollars plus owed to the county in taxes.  The goal is to collect 94% by June 30, 2007 which insures a strong bond rating for Henry County if the county would wish to borrow money.  

     "This county has always enjoyed the ability to rely on our tax collections so that we stay fiscally healthy.  As the county banker  we work closely with the county mayor's office to promote a sound budget and a low tax rate for the citizens of Henry County." 

     Pictured are David Stone and Leisa Wimberley as they review the tax rolls.

Helping Hand  2/15/07

     Wednesday Helping Hand total was $4599 bringing the total to date up to $192,744.

Early Voting2/15/07

     Early voting for the March 6th Paris City election began Wednesday.  Early voting will continue until March 1.   Hours for early voting will be 8:30am to 4pm Monday thru Friday with the 2 Saturdays hours 9am to noon.

Called Meeting  2/15/07

     The Paris City Commission met in a special called meeting Wednesday to discuss the FY2008 budget process.

     On City Manager Carl Holder's recommendation the commissioners agreed to an extended budgetary and policy review.    "I'm not recommending all these changes happen this year but over the next few years," Holder told the commissioners.  He told the board, "We need to make sure that we are informed so that we can give good  solutions."

     Instead of following the normal procedures the commission will be forming into 3 committees.

      An Administrative Review Committee to update the capital  budget, review the current revenue structure, consider a merit pay system and review benefits package as well as healthcare costs.  

     The second committee would be a Public Safety Committee to review such items as public safety and administrative facilities, personnel, technology and vehicles.

     The 3rd committee would be Public Works and Parks.  it would study  budgets, facilities, technology and  vehicles.

     According to the proposed plan each committee will be responsible for making recommendations for policy changes as needed.  Budgetary goals include a balanced budget, recommendations for a merit pay system and well defined goals for community development.

     If all goes as planned a budget draft would be presented  in May with adoption in June.

Helping Hand  2/14/07

     Tuesday Helping Hand total was $4466 bringing the total to date up to $188,145.

Gas Co.  2/14/07

     The Paris Henry County Public Utility District board of directors approved the payment to Natural Gas Piping Inc. for $430o to cover the cost of filling,  seeding and straw of the approx. 2 and a half miles of pipe line on Hwy 641.  According to Manager Don Green it is a state requirement that the contractor provide the service.

     The GIS mapping of the Utility's system is, according to Green, " starting to come together."  On site training on digital documentation  and installation of the data base is underway.  "Magnolia River Service has been saying good things about our people," stated Green. The training and   data collection has been modified by Magnolia to fit the gas system.      The gas co. currently has 616 2customers and storage of gas is at 58% of capacity.   "We have used more gas this year than last year," Green told the board.

Puryear  2/14/07

     The Puryear Beer Board approved beer permits for off premise consumption for Minit Mart at Tuesday's meeting held prior to the Mayor and Aldermen's meeting.  Approved for on premise consumption were City Limits BBQ, the 641 Club, K&J Allsport, and Nick's Firehouse.  According to Puryear City regulations on premises is only allowed on the north side of the city.

     The city of Puryear will begin in house billing for city water bills.  "This is something we have been looking into for years," stated Puryear Mayor Kenny Paschall.  The June bills will be printed in house and they will continue to use  cards.  Currently other small municipalities such as Hazel and Paris Landing are dinging in house billing.  According to the Mayor there should be a 2 year pay back on the new billing o\procedure.

     The Mayor and Board of Alderman passed an ordinance for an ethic policy.  Mandated by the state, the policy is the same one approved by Paris and Henry County.  As city attorney Beth Belew will serve as Ethic's Officer for Puryear. 

     Work continues on the building intended to be the city hall annex with termite control being applied. 

Chili Day  2/14/07

     The Paris Lions Club held their annual Chili Day Tuesday, an event that has been sponsored by the Lions for at least the last 50 years.  The proceeds will benefit the organization's charities.

     According to organizers the 53 member group expected to serve 1200 people and prepared 180 gallons of Chili along with desserts and drinks.

Helping Hand  2/13/07

First Baptist Church Saturday daytime on the air auction and silent auction total was $11,832 and the night time in house  total was $10,655 for a total of $22,493.   

     Monday total was $3524 for a total to date of $183,679.

     You can listen daily on WTPR AM710  beginning at 12:45.

Budget Committee  2/13/07

     Henry County Commissioner Kenneth Humphreys made  a requested that the county move to centralized purchasing in a 2 phase plan at Monday's meeting.

     The first part of the plan would require general government to move to centralized purchasing, which would require all purchases to be approved before the fact.  The second part of the plan would require all departments to move to centralized purchasing within 2 years.

     The reasoning behind Humphreys request was two-fold.  One to save money and 2, to put a check on purchases to prevent such problems as were found in the previous sheriff's department.  The lack of centralized purchasing has appeared in the annual county audit for some time.

     "Its a good idea and we could probably save money," stated committee member Lyman Black.  Currently most purchases are made and accompanied by an invoice.  The proposed plan would require a requisition before the purchase, then a purchase order and then an invoice for the purchase once it was bought.

    " It is a better form of accounting but I don't know if it is practical," stated County Mayor Brent Greer.

     The committee agreed to study the matter.  Several near by counties have already gone to centralized purchasing, some with the audit showing the audit note no longer occurring.  Some departments, such as education, do not have the problem noted on their annual audits.  A visit of these counties and departments will be part of the research conducted by the budget committee. 

     In other business the committee approved several budget requests from the general purpose School fund, the drug control fund and the Highway fund.  None of the requests required new money and were simply transfers from one line item to another.

Road Board  2/13/07

     The Henry County Highway Commission reviewed requests for improvements to county roads.  Around $1,210,000 is estimated to be needed to finish this years road plan.  An additional $3,00,000,000 is the estimated amount  needed  to finish other roads in the county.  Road Supervisor Ray Norwood provided the board with cost figures for tar and chip as well as hot mix.  "We will study these figures and come  back to this next month," stated Chairman Brown.

  The board will also be considering a new machine that would refinish roads, smoothing and filling holes by reheating the surface.

    The 30 day work plan was approved by the Highway Commission and included graveling and grading as well as patching and bush hogging.  Also on the work list is checking the first box bridge on Shady Grove Rd. which continues to show problems from washing. 

Tiny Tot  2/12/07

     The final weekend of the 54th Annual World's Biggest Fish Fry Pageants  sponsored by the Jaycees  were held in Grove Weston Hall as a full hall of family, friends and well wishers cheered for their favorite beauty.

     Named Queen for the Tiny Tots was Kaylee Haas, age 4, daughter of Alice & Jason Hass.  King is Skylard Hoofman, 5, son of Joe & Mandy Hoofman.   1st maid is Jayden Roberts, 3 year old daughter of Michael  & Krista Roberts.  1st paige is Chanceton Wimberley 3and 1/2 year old son of Amanda Wimberley & Robert Lauritzer.  2nd Maid is 4year old Kristina Roberts, daughter of Bryan Roberts & Tonya Thompson.  2nd paige is 5 year old Britian Hutson, son of Joey & Christina Hutson.  

Jr. Queen  2/12/07

     Crowned Jr. Queen for 2007 was 9 year old Olivia Brogdon daughter of Jeff & Gina Brogdon, who attends Paris Elementary.  1st maid is Kara Brogdon.  7 year old Kara attends Lakewood and is the daughter of Stacy & Staci Brogdon.  2nd maid is 7 year old Hallie Drummon, daughter of Bo & Emily Walker and Chad Drummond who attends Rhea.  3rd maid is Olivia Harber.  The 6 year old attends Rhea and is the daughter of Lydia & Paul Harber.  4th maid is 6 and 1/2 year old Julia Dye who attends Lakewood.  She is the daughter of Anisha Wilkins & Brad Dye.    

Preteen  2/2/07

     Crowned 2007 Preteen Queen was 10 year old Paris Elementary student Ali Davis, daughter of Andy & Laura Davis.  1st maid is Jerin Fautt.  The 12 year old daughter of Christi Fautt & Brian Neu is a student at Inman.  2nd maid is Bailey Papszycki.  The 11 year old daughter of Tom & Amy Papszycki is a student at Paris Elementary.  3rd maid is 12 year old Darian French.  She attends Lakewood and is the daughter of Robert & Christien Radford.  4th maid is 12 year old Kelli Lynn St Clair who is a student at Inman and the daughter of Terry & Mary Ray St Clair. 

Little Prince & Princess  2/12/07

The Little Prince & Princess pageant was the final pageant for 2007 and was broken down into categories of 0 to 5 months, 6 to 11 months, 1 year olds and 2 year olds.

     Birth to 5 month old princess is Ella French, daughter of Todd & Bonnie French.  Prince is Gage Bullington, son of Jennifer Bullington & Douglas Bradley.  1st maid is Bailey French, daughter of Adam & Bobbie Joe French.  1st Paige is Jacob Davis, son of Chris & Amy Davis.  2nd maid is Katheryne Lauritzen, daughter of Amanda Wimberley & Robert Lauritzen.  2nd paige is Keaton Jackson, son of Ashley Walker & Joe Jackson.  

     6 to 11 month old Princess is Taylor Bishop, daughter of Tiffany & Randall Bishop.  Prince is Jacob Brown, son of Shelia & Jan Brown.  1st maid is Maesyn Hart, daughter of Derek & Molly Hart.  1st Paige Breven Hutson, son of Joey & Christina Hutson.  2nd maid Emily Potts, daughter of Larry Potts & Melissa Marr.  2nd paige is Chase Capps, son of Neal & Jennifer Capps.  Also named 2nd paige was Braylyn Perry, son of Clint & Daisy Perry.  

     Princess for the 1 year olds is Chloe Reynolds, daughter of Todd & Christy Todd.  Prince is Carter Hedges, son of Jess & Candy Hedges.  1st maid is Sophie Plumley, daughter of Matthew & Shellie Plumley.  1st paige is Ian Drummond, son of Chad Drummond & Laura Robinson.  2nd maid is Merrick Taylor, daughter of Melissa Winston & Ray Taylor.  2nd Paige Tate Lee, son of Amelia Kate & Lucas Lee.

     2 Year olds Princess is Saiylor Beecham, daughter of Brian & Stephanie Beecham.  Prince is Trevor Haepp, son of Brad Haepp & Carrissa Stephenson.  1st maid is Alyson Bizeau, daughter of Brian & Christina Bizeau.  1st paige is Weston Capps, son of Scott & Dana Capps.  2nd maid is Ivy Plumley, daughter of Matthew & Shellie Plumley.  2nd paige is Jacob Chandler, son of Mike & Teresa Chandler.     

     Helping with the pageants by escorting young contestants and handing out trophies were the 2007 Hostess Princess Tara 'Z' and her court, 1st maid  Khristina Grissom, 2nd maid Christian Hassell,  3rd maid  Brittany McNutt and 4th maid Erica Brockwell. 

Helping Hand  2/10/07

Friday's total was $4924 bring the total to date up to $157,662.

Black History Program  2/10/07

     The Sister to Sister Auxiliary of the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council, located at the Central Community Service Center on Jones Bend Rd.  is sponsoring a Black History Program on Saturday, Feb. 10th .  The local guest speaker will be Mrs. Patricia Gardner.

     The event will be held in Quinn Chapel at 6pm Saturday.  "Please come out and hear and share in this program, " stated Ms Ollie Lewis. 

Earthquake Awareness Week  2/10/07

       West Tennessee Earthquake Awareness Week  2007, February 12 – 16,  is a mutual effort between the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

       The goal will be to increase awareness of the earthquake hazard and to promote planning among public, professional, and business communities to that will result in more disaster resistant communities in West Tennessee. 

       Ron Watkins, Henry County Emergency Management Director, encourages local residents to “Be Prepared 72”.    This means to be prepared to sustain you and your family or fellow employees for 72 hours.  Henry County is located close to the New Madrid Fault line and chances are very good that a large magnitude earthquake will affect us. Some older buildings could collapse as well as bridges. Local responders may be overwhelmed during a major earthquake or other disaster and may not be able to reach you for some time.  Build an emergency kit and stock it with a FM Radio, flashlights, extra batteries, basic hand tools, plastic sheeting, duct tape, bottled water, canned food with opener, first aid kit, blankets, emergency contact phone numbers or current phone book. Watkins adds, “Many homes use a cordless phone or speakerphone that will not work during a power outage.  Purchase a basic telephone that does not require a separate power source for backup so that you have use of your phone service if operating.”  Know where utility shut offs are located and conduct a “Hazard Hunt” in your home.  Look for ways to safeguard your home or business against earthquake.  Look for large furniture that could topple over and cause injury, heavy pictures on the wall that could fall.  Heavy objects should be anchored to the wall if possible.  Gas water heaters should be strapped to the wall to prevent gas leaks.  NOAA Weather Radio will also broadcast emergency information for the community as well.  Consider stocking extra batteries for your weather radio as well.

       Remember to “Stop, Drop and Hold” during an earthquake.  Protect yourself during the shaking.  Stop where you are, drop to your knees and cover your head with your arms, crawl under a  large sturdy table or desk and hold till the shaking stops.  Exit the building if you can safely.

       Community Emergency Response Team training is still available to local residents with a course planned for this spring.  CERT training provides a basic understanding of medical treatment, search and rescue, scene management, and fire protection techniques for citizens. It is open to the public free of charge.  

        For more information on earthquake preparedness or CERT training, please browse the Internet at http://www.ceri.memphis.edu or www.fema.gov/areyouready/  or call the emergency management office at 644-2678.  

 KINDERMUSIK.

Family Time, a 10 week class for families with children 6 months to 7 years, begins on February 7^th.