THE LEADER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 7 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Munford committed to fire safety Mayor: Staffing a ‘glaring weakness’
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Though the city was criticized last week by its partners for not adequately staffing their joint fire department, Munford officials said they're committed to fire safety. "We recognize that we need more firefighters, it's a glaring weakness," said mayor Dwayne Cole. The fire department, which Munford shares with the Town of Atoka, currently staffs eight full-time firefighters. Cole said
CPD to host safety meeting
there are approximately 30 volunteer firefighters, a number that often changes. In Atoka, aldermen are upset that though $310,000 is paid annually for fire services, their station is not often manned. The lack of adequate staffing has been a concern for the south cities for many years, but has been more of a hot topic lately when Munford did not budget funds for additional firefighters this year.
Valid concerns have arisen that understaffing could result in longer response times during emergencies. The combined department serves more than 5,000 residences within the cities' boundaries alone, not to mention the businesses and the homes in the county. The fire department is also responsible for responding to emergencies, such as accidents and medical calls, and requests
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SEE MAFD, PAGE A3
County ranks 43rd in health By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com On Monday, Covington police will host another safety awareness meeting, this time focusing on holiday safety. "We're going to go over holiday safety tips," said Officer Danielle Faulk. This summer, following a period of increased crime in the city, the COVINGTON departSAFETY AWARENESS ment held MEETING a comWhen: Monday, Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m. munity Where: Covington meeting Municipal Center (former that went First Baptist Church) over well. Why: Discuss holiday Faulk said safety and other concerns Chief Tim Glass wants to continue meeting with the public. "He really wants to be in touch with the community, to talk with residents and find out their needs and concerns," she said. "We want to cater to what they need and better assist the community." The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the newly-named Covington Municipal Center, located at the corner of Church and Main streets in the former First Baptist Church facility. The public is invited – and encouraged – to attend the meeting. It will be attended by the police chief, assistant chiefs and other city officials.
for mutual aid. Firefighters must also respond to a 911 call, even when it does not involve a legitimate emergency. "It's an extremely high burden on them," Cole said Wednesday. Despite this burden, however, fire chief Alan Barkelew said firefighters are doing the best they can do. "We're making all of our calls," Barkelew said during the Dec. 4 meeting of Atoka's Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Photo by Echo Day
Results of a new study indicate Tipton County is only the 43rd healthiest county in Tennessee and its residents are more obese than much of the nation. The study is part of the 2012 America’s Health Rankings, an annual assessment of the nation’s health created by United Health Foundation in collaboration with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention. According to the results, more than a third of Tipton County’s adult population is obese, a measure that is determined by having a body mass index of 30 or greater. Comparable to all neighboring counties, the adult obesity rate is 36 percent. The national benchmark is 25 percent and, at 32 percent, the statewide results are also above the average. And while the obesity rate in the county and the state are greater than the national rates, Tennessee moved up two spots from 2011. It is currently ranked 39th in the country for overall health. Sendentary lifestyles, violent crime and diabetes contributed to the state’s low national ranking; however, the state performed well for its low prevalence of binge drinking and moderately well for its availability of primary care physicians SEE HEALTH, PAGE A3
BEEN A GOOD BOY? At the Dickens Christmas on the Square event Saturday, Tiny Tim (Levi Howell) poses with Father Christmas (Richard Vandergrift) at the Chamber Center. For more photos see B1.
Sold: Millington Telephone expects ‘no changes’ for customers By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com There will be no immediate changes in telephone, television and broadband service coming for residents of South Tipton County following the acquisition of Millington Telephone. Ritter Communications, a provider of advanced tele-
communications services and broadband technologies to businesses and residential customers in northeast and central Arkansas, announced it completed its purchase of the communications company on Tuesday afternoon. “Right now, the only thing that has changed is the ownership,” said Dan Hatzenbuehler, the company’s CEO. “This is INSIDE Local librarians raise money for the Ladybug Library, a project headed by Kate Krull to donate more books to LeBonheur Childrens Hospital. B3
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the beginning of a process, and all of us at Ritter are looking forward to new and exciting changes yet to come.” The company provides services to approximately 20,000 customers in parts of Tipton, Shelby, Haywood and Fayette counties. Though it was announced no immediate changes were coming, the company said it plans
to upgrade equipment and enhance services for customers in 2013. “That work begins now with a formal infrastructure assessment,” said Ritter Communications President Chip Dickinson. “Stay tuned for announcements regarding new advanced services in the months ahead.” Originally founded in 1912,
Millington Telephone was purchased by Mr. B.L. Howard in 1928. More information about the company’s history can be found at millingtontelephonecompany.com/mtc_about. html. Customers of Millington Telephone and Millington Cable will still be serviced by local offices in Munford and Millington.
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Logan and Landon Clemons donate to food pantry. B5
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