The Leader

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THE LEADER THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 8 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪

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GOVERNMENT

I-69 plans may come to standstill By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer is not mincing words about the future of Interstate 69 in West Tennessee under the current funding structure. Last week, through various media outlets, he essentially said Tennessee will not put any more money into the interstate, which would connect Canada and Mexico and run through West Tennessee from South Fulton, Ky., to Memphis, until the federal government supplies a financial helping hand – in a big way. The state has already spent approximately $200 million on the project for design, land acquisition and planning. About 75 percent of that money came from the federal government. “Currently, there are no more congressional earmarks, no promises and no commitments on the federal level to help us finish this highway,” Schroer wrote in a guest editorial that appeared in The Commercial Appeal. “That leaves TDOT staring at a $1.5 billion price tag to build 65 miles of new highway between Memphis and Dyersburg.” Tipton County Executive Jeff Huffman has been keeping tabs on the project for obvious reasons. The addition of a major interstate through the county would be huge on several fronts. Last October, Huffman attended a meeting in Franklin that included several area county mayors and was called by Schroer. The crux of the meeting, Huffman said, was that Tennessee is struggling to provide maintenance and repair for many roads in the state.

SEE I-69, PAGE A3

SCHOOLS

Bibb: Students testing well By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com Tipton County Schools are testing better than other area systems and the state as a whole, school safety is a priority and plans are in the works for new classrooms at Atoka Elementary School. Those were the messages delivered by Director of Schools Dr. Buddy Bibb on Monday during a report to the Tipton County Commission. Results from the 2011-12 TCAP, which is taken by students in grades through eight, showed that 50.5 percent of county students were proficient or advanced in math, compared to 47.2 percent for Tennessee and 38.5 percent for the 15-school-system Southwest/ Memphis Region. On the reading/language/arts test, Tipton County students posted a 52, compared to 49.9 statewide and 40.6 in the Southwest/ Memphis Region. Bibb also presented end of course test results for algebra I and English II. Tipton County was 30 percent higher than the area systems in algebra I and 15 percent higher in English II. Compared to the state, local students were 22 percent better in algebra I and five percent higher in English II. “Tipton County has made an enormous impact on the schools and the community it supports,” Bibb said. “Its emphasis on individual growth and success, as well as rigorous curriculum and relentless usage of data, means that Tipton is truly educating its students for the

Rep. Debra Moody is pictured with supporters Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Cannon on Tuesday, Jan. 8, the day she was sworn. Source: Marianne Purcell Dunavant

TAKING OFFICE Moody sworn in

By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Last week history was made as Debra Moody became the first woman sworn in to serve Tipton County as state representative. “I never dreamed I’d be here,” she said from her Nashville office Tuesday. “I can’t tell you how it feels.” Many people traveled from Tipton County to the state capitol to watch her take the oath of office. “When you take that oath, that’s when it really hits,” she said. “It makes you feel so humble and grateful to serve a great county and state. This is a wonderful opportunity.” Moody, who handily won against Conneye Albright (D-Munford) and Tommy Hill (I-Brighton), is the first new representative the county has elected in nearly four decades. Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) served District 81 for more than 38 years and announced his retirement in March 2012. Moody said his shoes are hard to fill but she’s working to make a name for herself. “He is certainly a legend up

REPRESENTATIVE DEBRA MOODY R-Covington District 81 — Tipton County 301 6th Avenue North Suite 108 War Memorial Bldg. Nashville, TN 37243 Phone (615) 741-3774 rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov district address

here,” she said. “I realized you have to be yourself and I’ve tried to keep that in mind. I can’t take anyone’s place but I can bring a new personality and a new dynamic to this seat.” When the 108th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee convened on Jan. 8, Moody said she was “very, very excited” to get started. So far, Moody hasn’t seen much action aside from the election of officers, including Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, and committee assignments (she’s on the state government and education committees and the education subcommittee). Freshman representatives are still working on moving into their permanent offices and attend-

ing orientation, but she is looking forward to going back into session on Jan. 28. Rep. Moody doesn’t yet have an official permanent office – she was told there may be some reassigning – but she encourages her constituents to stop by when they are in Nashville, call (615-741-3774) or even email her (rep.debra.moody@ capitol.tn.gov). “I think we are anxious to hear from anyone,” she said. “I welcome comments and questions, or if you just want to say hi, because that’s important to me. I want to make (my constituents) proud of the legislation we get to look at and I want them to know we’re moving Tennessee in the direction of being a strong state.”

Shelter begins spay/neuter program By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com A new program aims to help control the county’s overwhelming pet population. This week, the Tipton County Animal Shelter began its pilot spay/neuter program, offering the service at a reduced cost to residents needing to al-

ter their pets. “As responsible pet owners, we must make valiant efforts to keep our animals from running at large and carrying unplanned litters,” said Tipton County Public Works Director Shannon Reed. “We are very excited to be able to offer this program and hope that it can become an annual event.”

For $25, residents can have their dogs and cats spayed and neutered.

Through the program, residents can purchase a $25 voucher that will fully cover the cost of the operation. Reed said 300 vouchers will be available initially. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served

SEE SHELTER, PAGE A3

INSIDE

THE MORE YOU READ …

Brighton wrestler Essex Ramsey has eyes set on state. B1

Reader's Guide Opinion Obituaries Community Correspondents Sports

A4 A6 A7 A8 B1

Puzzles Faith Classifieds Legals Education

B3 B4 B6 B7 B10

Crestview Middle student enjoy first book fair B10

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