Pick up our first magazine today!
Spotlight
t h g i l t o p S r 201 7
ca nc er Br ea st e rs sh ar su rv ivo cil ity Lo ca l fa the ra py t us es pe r ev er y Ca re fo life of sta ge
Filled with informative articles on the ways McNairy County residents can live healthy lives. See page 11A for a listing of where you can get one!
Oct obe
lth on hea
Fo cu sin
alt h g on he
lln es an d we
cN ai s in M
ty ry Co un
Independent Appeal
Volume 116, Number 22, Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Independent Appeal Making McNairy County headlines for 115 years
www.independentappeal.com 50¢
Commission votes to leave position vacant By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
The 6th District will be down to one constable until August. The McNairy County Commission voted to leave the spot vacant after accepting the resignation of former 6th District Constable Bradley Huckabee due to health reasons. Huckabee’s son, Blake, and Selmer Police Department officer Nick Inman were seeking the
position prior to the vote by commissioners. The district is the lone one to have two constables. Perry Price is the other constable in the sixth. An August 18 general election will determine the new constable in the district. Commissioner Tammy Dillon made the motion to leave the constable spot vacant until the August election. Keith Jernigan seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-4 with
nine commissioners absent. Those voting in favor of the motion were Aubrey Harris, Steve Browder, Brenda Cauley, Steve Hunter, Stan Wheeler, Jim Rickman, Dillon and Jernigan. Casting the nay votes were Kevin Lipford, Troy Moore, Jay Weatherford and Sandy Whitaker. In other board business, Scott Gibson with Cumberland Securities discussed funding options for the expansion of the McNairy County Justice Center.
Former alderman Nicky Atkins is challenging for the position of Selmer Mayor in the Nov. 4 election.
“This is a very conservative projection that will give you something to think about,” said Gibson. Gibson put together figures based on a $5.5 million cost. The county’s payment based on a 3.5 percent interest rate would be $400,000 a year over 20 years. A 10-cent property tax increase or $20 wheel tax would fund the project. A $20 wheel tax retired the
debt on the current justice complex. “The $20 wheel tax is based on 80 percent collection,” said Gibson. “You won’t get 100 percent participation.” Gibson said the county could consider increasing the wheel tax to $25. “That would generate another $100,000 to stay ahead,” he said. Cook Coggin Engineers Inc.
See VACANT, 5A
Selmer Mayor John Smith is seeking a second term on Nov. 4 when he faces the challenge of Nicky Atkins.
Candidates square off in mayoral debate By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
The Selmer Mayor wants four more years of moving forward together while his challenger is hoping the plan of a 24-hour emergency room will get him elected. Mayor John Smith and challenger Nicky Atkins got a chance to share their campaign platforms during the Independent Appeal/Town of Selmer Debate at the Selmer Community Center on Thursday. Early voting begins Oct. 18. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. In 2013, 1,054 votes were cast in the mayor’s race. “This is not anything personal against Mayor Smith,” said Atkins in his opening
remarks. “I just feel led to run and it means a lot to hear from citizens tonight.” Smith captured 45.4 percent of the vote in the 2013 election. He defeated incumbent David Robinson by 55 votes (479-424). “It has been a true honor to be your mayor,” said Smith in his opening remarks. “I made promises four years ago and have fulfilled all of them.” Smith served eight years as alderman before being elected mayor. “This is an important race,” said Smith. “It’s a race for the future of Selmer.”
Atkins was elected alderman in November of 2015. The owner of Moody Auto Sales collected the second most votes (445) in the race as three new candidates were elected to positions on the board. “Putting in a 24-hour emergency room is one of the main things,” said Atkins in response to important things which can be done to improve the town. “I am working on a rural development grant and making decisions before I get in office.” The challenger said if the town re-
ceived a $2.5 million grant it could be used for an ER. “It wouldn’t cost citizens anything and would get the town growing,” he said. Smith said number one is to continue to work on jobs in Selmer. He would also would like to continue a street paving project which has paved over 28 miles of city streets. “We want to do every street and are working hard on so many other things,” he said. Both candidates were asked: What are the most important challenges facing Selmer and how do they propose to address them.
See DEBATE, 5A
List dwindles in alderman race DRA makes project investment By Steve Beavers Assistant Editor
The list for the unexpired term of Selmer Alderman is down to three. Candidates to fill the two-year term of Nicky Atkins dwindled when Daniel Patterson withdrew from the Nov. 7 race. Patterson’s withdrawal was announced prior to Thursday’s Independent Appeal/ Town of Selmer Debate. The three remaining candidates – Troy
Moore, Jon Ross Reaves and William F. “Big World” Yarbrough – had a chance to address the audience prior to the mayoral debate. Moore was selected by the Selmer Mayor and Board of Aldermen to fill the term until the November election. “The aldermen have done a good job and I want to help them continue that,” said Moore.
See RACE, 6A
Believe in McNairy
By Jeff York Contributor
McNairy County will receive almost a $1 million investment from the Delta Regional Authority. The county is slated to get $800,000 from DRA to help with the Monogram expansion project. Monogram’s project –
which will add a new product line and create about 140 more jobs – is supported by DRA’s Community Infrastructure Fund. “This is great news for our industrial board here in Selmer,” said Eddie Crittendon, McNairy Chamber and EDC. Monogram’s expansion could benefit and improve
economic conditions in 40 percent of the severely distressed counties in West Tennessee. “It takes a lot of people working together to help create an environment where companies want to expand or want to come here,” said Crittendon.
See PROJECT, 6A
Lambert in business to help others
Believe in McNairy
By Joel Counce Contributor
Joe Lambert is in the business of helping people get better. “I just want to help whether it’s showing kids how to get better at their sport, having an influence on them or helping them be better people,” said Lambert as he helped members at his Lambert Sports and Fitness. “Work hard” and “be coachable” are just two phrases written on one of the gym’s walls. Lambert also wants his students to be team players, embrace the
2A
struggle and respect the environment. “I just want to see them get better,” said Lambert, who opened the gym in March. Lambert, certified by the American Council of Exercise and a 1987 graduate of McNairy Central High School, left the county to join the Navy soon after high school. “I’ve been pretty much been involved in sports or fitness since I left high school,” said Lambert. Lambert joined the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department as a K-9 officer after
See GYM, 6A
Mary Lou Johnson, Inc. continues work of late McNairy Co. teacher.
Joe Lambert officially opened Lambert Sports and Fitness in March.
Women of Courage works to bring more awareness to breast cancer.
3A
z Opinion 8A z Obituaries 9A z Events 10A z Community & Lifestyles 10A z Sports 1B z Campus 4B z Classifieds 5B
Staff Photo by Joel Counce
Follow us on Facebook © 2017 Independent Appeal