THE LEADER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 ▪ VO L . 1 2 8 , N O. 3 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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Record number of early ballots cast By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Today is the last day of early voting, and it's been a busy last two weeks, said Neil Bell, Tipton County's administrator of elections. "Voting has been phenomenal," he said. "The campaigning hasn't been as active lately as I've seen it, though." By Wednesday morning, more than 13,230 people – a third of the county's registered voters – had already turned out to cast their ballots. Comparatively speaking, in 2008, the county recorded 17,554
early votes and 7,874 more on election day. Bell said he doesn't anticipate the total reaching that level, but it won't be far behind. "We'll be a little under that, about 15,000 or 16,000," he said. "But we're very pleased (with turnout)." Statewide, early voting in this election is the second highest on record, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced Wednesday. "Election officials continue to be very pleased with the strong early voting turnout," Hargett said. "I hope Tennesseans will continue to take advantage of the convenience
and flexibility of early voting as we have less than a day remaining to vote early in person." The highest turnout in the state's history was in 2008, he said. And while the presidential election naturally has the highest interest, Bell said there's also high interest in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 81 race. The race to fill that seat, which was held by Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) for 38 years, has become the biggest local election. Naifeh announced his plans to retire earlier this year, prompting candidates Conneye Albright
Campaign workers greet voters in Munford during early voting. Neil Bell, Tipton County's administrator of elections, said he expects 15,000-16,000 early voters. Photo by Jeff Ireland
SEE VOTING, A3
COMMUNITY
Kirby resigns from Carl Perkins post
UNDEFEATED! A WIN AGAINST RIPLEY FRIDAY MEANS COVINGTON IS
By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com The face of child abuse prevention in Tipton County is leaving her post. Bethany Kirby, who has been with the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse in Covington since its opening 20 years ago, most of that time as director, tendered her resignation last week, effective Oct. 29. In a letter to the center's advisory board and staff, Kirby wrote, “The best friends of my life have been made at the Carl Perkins Center and KIRBY I thank you all for the 20 years of being able to work for and beside you … The standard which I set for the Center and the expectations I held high from each of you came from a personal code of ethics instilled throughout childhood as well as embraced and valued by administration for 20 years. "The greatest compliment to me would be that in your own way take some lessons you have learned from me and apply it to your life.” Kirby began her professional career as a teacher. An experience with an abused student led to her changing careers. For the past 20 years she has spearheaded countless fundraisers as the center in the Elliston Building has grown and undergone renovations. Kirby declined comment on her reasons for leaving until the board meets next week. The first Carl Perkins Center opened in Madison County in 1981. There are now 18 locations across West Tennessee serving all area counties excluding Shelby County. There will be a meeting of the advisory board next Wednesday to decide what the center will do moving forward. “The Tipton County CPC has risen to a level of excellence under SEE KIRBY, A3
Covington's football players flash 10 fingers after completing a 10-0 regular season Friday night at home against Ripley. It was the program's first undefeated regular season since 2002. The Chargers will host Hillcrest tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Photo by Phil Ramsey – www. covingtonchargerfootball.com
Charging ahead after perfect regular season By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com The last time Covington went through a regular season undefeated, current Charger head coach Marty Wheeler was a Covington assistant. It was 2002 and Covington advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals, falling to eventual state champ Ridgeway. Wheeler coached for a couple more seasons at Covington, left to take a head coaching job at Ripley and came back to take the head job at
Covington in 2009. The Chargers were struggling, having missed the playoffs three straight years. On Friday against Ripley, the Chargers won handily to finish off a 10-0 regular season to punctuate a massive reversal of fortune. But, according to Wheeler, the punctuation for now is more like ellipses hinting at something more to come. Certainly not a period. “We acknowledged it (going 10-0) on Friday night and Saturday we were ex-
cited about it,” said Wheeler, whose Chargers will open the Class 4A state playoffs Friday night at home against Hillcrest. “But we're putting that behind us. We'll talk about that at the end of the year.” There's no doubt Charger fans around town are excited about a 10-0 record and dreaming about the program's first state title. Covington has been to the state title game three times – 1971, 2000 and 2003 – but has come up short each time. Wheeler's goal is to keep
his players focused on what could be accomplished, not what has been accomplished. “It's hard not to think about it (10-0),” Wheeler said. “The guys are being congratulated every day. But we've got a group of guys with playoff experience who should know how to handle it.” For more information on the Covington-Ripley game, as well as a preview of the playoffs, see B1.
Candidates: corner store is ‘public nuisance’ By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com COVINGTON – If there’s a place in District One that’s considered a nuisance more than any other, it’s the Thrifty Mart at the corner of Peeler and Simonton. “It’s a nuisance and some of the houses are a nuisance in this area,” said Shelvie Rose, the alderman currently representing Covington’s northwest district. Many of the crimes committed in District One have ties to the convenience
store. The owner refused to go on record, but made it clear he does not want to be held responsible for anything that happens beyond the store’s walls. In March, Chris Somerville was stabbed in the parking. He died next door, at his house. This past weekend, three juveniles were arrested after shots fired calls were reported in the area, as well as on Feezor and Bledsoe streets. During the morning Monday, the store SEE STORE, A3
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
INSIDE Don't miss our first Hunting & Outdoors guide, C1.
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Reader's Guide Opinion A4 Obituaries A6 Community A7 Correspondents A8 Education A10
Sports Faith Puzzles Classifieds Legals
“In Memory of Many, In Honor of All”
B1 B4 B6 B7 B8
Thanks to each of our veterans and heroes.
Brighton Middle announces its students of the month. A11
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