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Independent Appeal
independentappeal.com
Volume 118, Issue 28 | 50 cents
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Defendant in wrongful death lawsuit dies By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
A defendant in a $2.5 million wrongful death lawsuit has died. Ninety-five-year-old Aaron Dalton Stamey passed away Friday at his home in Hornsby. Stamey was among nine defendants named in the lawsuit filed by the estate of Sherri King Duncan in June, 2017. Duncan and fiance Michael Johnson
were killed when a vehicle driven by Stamey crashed through a barricade and struck the pair during the 8th Annual Rockabilly Highway Revival Festival on June 11, 2016. Nine defendants were named in the 21-page lawsuit. Larry King – father of Duncan and administrator of her estate – is listed as the plaintiff. The lawsuit was submitted by Rosenblum & Reisman, P.C. of Memphis in Mc-
Nairy County Circuit Court on June 7, 2017. The Duncan estate is seeking $2.5 million from each defendant. If damages are limited by the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, the plaintiff is seeking the maximum amount permitted by law for each such municipality but no less than $300,000. The lawsuit demands a jury trial. Aaron D. Stamey and his wife – Lois M.
Stamey – were cleared of criminal charges in March of 2017 by the 25th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Others named in the lawsuit are the Town of Selmer, McNairy County, Arts in McNairy, McNairy County Chamber of Commerce, McNairy County Economic Development Commission Inc., Rockabilly Highway Revival Festival, Rockabilly Highway Revival Festival and Car Show and Lois M. Stamey.
Lee sees hope for rural counties Governor in town to cut ribbon on health department By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
Governor Bill Lee sees hope in rural Tennessee. It’s displayed on the faces of those who work and live in communities like McNairy County. “This is the fun part of the job, getting out and rubbing shoulders with people,” said Lee after cutting the ribbon on the new location of the McNairy County Health Department. “Government doesn’t solve problems – people do.” Lee visited and had photos taken with employees during a 30-minute visit on Friday. “There is a lot of hope for this part of the state,” said Lee. “This is one piece of the puzzle that has to happen.”
The local health department relocated to the former Prime Care Clinic at East Poplar Avenue in June. The move added around 4,000-square feet to the department. “Healthcare access is important to rural counties,” said the governor. “A lot of people don’t know that primary care can be delivered out of this facility.” The state contributed over $750,000 to make the move happen, according to County Mayor Larry Smith. “We are so thankful for what Gov. Lee is doing for rural Tennessee,” said Smith. “His staff has been great to work with.” Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey commended the work of
Staff Photo by Steve Beavers
Governor Bill Lee talks with McNairy County Health Department LPN Deborah Graham about the department’s relocation to the former Prime Care Clinic.
See RURAL, 5
‘Home for Christmas’ will be all-day festival Wind velocity was some By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
Heart of a Champion organizers want McNairy Countians to think about “home” two days following Turkey Day. “Home for Christmas” will paint Selmer with the holiday colors of red and green and an array of activities at the Dixie Park Splash Pad. “It’s going to be a big Christmas festival with something for every-
one,” said Kelcey Amerson Hutcherson of the Saturday, Nov. 30 all-day festival. The event gets off to a running
start with the “Run for Claus” 5K and one-mile run in Adamsville. Registration is at 7 a.m. and the race is set for 8 a.m. at Adamsville Elementary School. Registration for the 5K is $25 on the day of the race. Entry fee for the children’s one-mile fun run is $10. An entry form for the 5K/onemile run can be found on the Heart of a Champion Facebook page. There
See HOME, 4
of highest to hit county By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
Parts McNairy County received some of the highest velocity of wind when remnants of Tropical Storm Olga hit the area on the afternoon of Oct. 26. The weather/wind report of the McNairy County
Emergency Management Agency stated the county was hit by 75-100 miles per hour winds. “The National Weather service reported that the weather event was caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Olga and impacted
See WIND, 5
Rotary names couple Citizens of the Year By Joel Counce Staff Writer
Staff Photo by Joel Counce
Billy and Denise Brown were presented the Rotary Citizens of the Year during the civic organization’s annual banquet on Thursday.
Billy Brown is motivated by helping others. Brown and his wife, Denise – the 2019 Rotary Citizens of the Year – have dedicated their time to converting an industrial park building into a facility to help local families. Brown was inspired by Bob Buford – author of the book “Halftime.” “He was successful,” said Brown. “But he thought there was more to life than that and what he decided to do was focus on others ... this is what has motivated me the last few years.” The McNairy Family Center’s goal is to help children and adults overcome the mental and physical effects of childhood trauma, train the public about (ACEs) Ad-
Did you know? David Leckner was elected the City of Adamsville’s youngest mayor in October of 2009. z Opinion 6 z Obituaries 12 z Events 15 z Community & Lifestyles 15 z Sports 8 z Classifieds 13
verse Childhood Experiences, and support individuals and families dealing with addictions. The building also houses Loaves and Fishes after it was previously home to Repicci’s Italian Ice. “That business deteriorated until it didn’t make sense anymore to operate it,” he said. “We contracted it to a business in Atlanta and sold them our equipment.” Brown offered the property to Loaves and Fishes. “They liked it,” he said. “They had moved around a lot by then and were excited about being there.” Brown, a long-time accountant with Henco and CFO Spectrum, joined Rotary 32 years ago and began volunteering his time then.
See CITIZENS, 5
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