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MCNAIRY COUNTY PUBLISHING
SINCE 1902
YEARS www.independentappeal.com
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022
Volume 121, Issue 02 4 50¢
Supreme Court has ruled: Towns can't restrict political yard signs
Selmer mayor enforces sign ordinance By Janet Rail Publisher
A
s county elections loom the fifth of August, candidates are putting up political signs and yard signs across the county, including the City of Selmer, where the city mayor is enforcing a sign ordinance that some consider a violation of First Amendment rights. There is a simple solution according to legal experts for candidates who want to put up political yard signs bigger
than the local laws allow. To put them up whenever they want and leave them for however long they choose, to just challenge the local law. The New York Civil Liberties Union says a unanimous 2015 decision by the U. S. Supreme Court clearly called regulating signs based on content unconstitutional. The confusion and debate about political signs is one that was never enforced by the previous city administration. Residents are further confused as are some politicians, about how the ordinance
is being applied. “I can't stress to people enough that any ordinance they don't agree with to voice their concerns. We are open to discussion,” said Replogle. In many arguments across the country regarding political signs, the courts have made it clear that aesthetics and traffic safety are not compelling reasons to regulate signs. There is a question of constitutional rights being violated under United States Supreme Court rulings in “City of Ladue v. Gilleo,” “Reed v. Town
of Gilbert” and “Wilson v. City of Bel-Nor.” County Mayor Larry Smith put up a number of large signs around the city weeks ago. It wasn't until other candidates put up signs, like Clifford Wynn,
who is a challenger in the county mayoral race, that the ordinance become an issue. Wynn reportedly put up signs at the Highway 45/64 intersection and only had about 8 small signs in the ground when
he received a call from Building Inspector, Jim Replogle, that his signs were in violation of the city sign ordinance and need-
See SUPREME COURT, 3
Walking Tall Music Fest set for June 4 By Janet Rail Publisher
A
one day music festival, Walking Tall Music Fest, is set for Saturday, June 4, in Adamsville City Park marking a first to honor the late Sheriff Buford Pusser sponsored by the Buford Pusser Home and Museum and the City of Adamsville.
Pusser served as sheriff of McNairy County from 1964 to 1970 and is known in history as a legend in law enforcement. Pusser was no stranger to music as the late singer Eddie Bond wrote and recorded several songs honoring Pusser, beginning with “Buford Pusser” in 1968. Pusser himself was also a recording artist,
with “It Happened In Tennessee,” released in October 1973 on Stax Records. Pusser is known for his war on moonshining, prostitution, gambling along the Mississippi– Tennessee state line. His efforts inspired several books, songs, movies and a TV series. Museum curator, Tina Mullis, is excited about the music fest and the entertainment lined up as people come from all parts of the globe. Headlining the fest is Georgette Jones, daughter of Hall of Fame husband and wife country artist, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. In fact, her parents performed at the very first Buford Pusser Festival and were friends with Buford. Charlie Rich and Johnny Paycheck also performed that day in 1973. Georgette, named after both parents, Jones has been singing from a young age and perSee WALKING TALL, 3
Several fire departments including Finger, Leapwood, McNairy and Selmer responded to a structure fire at 1646 Finger Leapwood Road, Finger at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, May 17. The home was known to many as "The Lemons Home." Upon arrival the home was engulfed in flames as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze coming from the attic area but quickly overcoming the structure. There were no injuries reported, however, the fire was still under investigation as of printing.
TCAT Crump host first annual Farm Career Expo
T
CAT Crump recently hosted their first annual Farm Career Expo. 22 industry representatives and several hundred area high school students participated to learn what the the new Farming Operations
Technology Program had to offer. Lunch was provided as well as vendor demonstrations. Financial aid and employment opportunities were presented to the students. Local ag teacher Jeff Lipford took 32 Adamsville High
School students. Lipford stated, "The students were excited and had a great time meeting the various agriculture representatives. The interaction between students from the various high schools was a good thing to see. "
BIBLE VERSE
" Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above." Isaiah 7:11 KJV Obituaries 6 Opinion 7 Classifieds 8School 11Sports 12
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