Showing posts with label haywood county. Show all posts
Showing posts with label haywood county. Show all posts

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Haywood County Leadership Class of 2013

Introducing the Haywood County Leadership Class of 2013

Johnny N. Bradford
Johnny N. Bradford 
A 21-year resident of Haywood County, Johnny is currently serving as a substitute teacher and also provides sound for various programs and events in the school system. He is also a disc jockey. Johnny is active in his church, Willow Grove Baptist, where he serves as sound technician and a Youth Department committee member. He has also served as an assistant to the Teen Advisors at Haywood High and is a member of the National Education Association. This year he is serving as a Blueminati, a group who helps bridge the gap between Tennessee State University alumni and undergrads. Johnny’s goal in life is to give of his time and energy to help others. He loves to read and is a self-described history buff, an avid sports fan and is trying his hand at video production. Johnny holds a bachelor of science degree from Tennessee State University and is currently working on earning a master’s degree from Bethel University. He believes a major issue in Haywood County is that youth do not realize the importance of a post-secondary education. He wants to see the community come together to solve various pressing issues here. “If we do,” he says, “we will see a dramatic increase in the quality of life here.”

Senica Ann Cephus
Senica Ann Cephus
As office manager at Golden Circle, Senica oversees the day-to-day business activities for the company. She is a Haywood High School graduate, holds an associate degree from Jackson State and a bachelor of business degree from Lane College. Senica also holds a certified license in property and casualty, life and health insurance. She was named to Who’s Who at Lane and earned honors and Dean’s List recognition. She has lived in Haywood County for 30 years. She is a member of Faith Deliverance Church and serves as a youth advisor. Senica enjoys mentoring youth, and in addition to the youth at church, she also served as a mentor at Lane College. She feels it is important to always be helpful to others. Her hobbies include shopping, fashion, spending time with husband and two sons, swimming and helping others. An issue Senica believes is of utmost importance in the community is the lack of recreation for the community’s youth. “When Haywood can come together with a common goal, as a community, we are unstoppable,” she says. She also believes that we have a lack of vision and actions concerning our community.

Terry G. Chambers
Terry G. Chambers
Terry Chambers, who holds certification as a landfill operator, has been in Haywood County for 40 years. He attends Brownsville Baptist Church, has served in the Dixie Youth Baseball program and was a member of the Jaycees. What he believes to be important about his work in the community is helping others, especially children. He enjoys gardening and landscaping, fishing and hunting, and going on beach vacations with his wife. Most of all, he says, he enjoys spending time with family – his children and grandchildren. He believes unemployment is a huge issue and challenge that our city and county leaders face. Terry is concerned for the young people who are looking to settle in Haywood County and raise their families. He also believes that city and county government leaders, the school system and civic organizations are three strong areas in the community.

Timothy Lewis Chapman
Timothy Lewis Chapman 
Tim Chapman, who lives in Stanton, is a senior process/cost reduction engineer at Teknor Apex. He manages a maintenance group in the garden hose plant. He has worked in Haywood County for 6-1/2 years. He is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers and Wire Association International. Tim has been a teacher of Kung Fu and attained a Black Sash rank. He enjoys attending antique tractor and engine shows, working on old tractors and stationary engines, residential wiring, welding, carpentry, gardening, landscaping and other outdoor activities. Tim holds a bachelor of science degree in plastics engineering technology and an MBA from William Carey College. He also holds an associate degree in landscaping technology. Tim was awarded a patent for a new garden hose design. He believes that Haywood County would benefit from more good-paying employment opportunities. He is impressed with the local schools, the quality of life here and the local hospital. Tim says, “I can make an impact working to keep my employer strong to help maintain and grow the stable, good paying jobs we already have.”

Clinton Francis
Clinton Francis
Clinton Frances supervises the daily operations of the deposit functions of InSouth Bank. He has worked in Haywood County for six years. He is a member of the Exchange Club in Covington and has served as treasurer. He enjoys supporting his children’s sports, hunting and spending time with family. Clinton is interested in learning more about the community he works in, and he sees that the people here have great support for their community.


Gordon Joseph Geter
Joey Geter is a newcomer to Brownsville/Haywood County. He has been here for nine months and is a partner in his CPA firm that also has offices in Jackson, Martin and Paris. He is from Natchez, Mississippi, and holds a master’s degree in accounting with seven years’ experience and attends more than 40 hours of CPE a year. He was a founding member of the Chamber of Commerce – Natchez Young and Upcoming Professionals. He was also named to Who’s Who Among Young Professionals and Executives and is the co-creator of the Brownsville Business column in the States-Graphic. Joey is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Brownsville Rotary Club, the Brownsville Country Club and the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a coach and board member for the local Dixie Youth Baseball. He said being in these organizations has helped him become accustomed to the town and how it functions. He enjoys fishing, golfing, going to church, spending time with family and participating in and watching sports. Joey believes that a major issue in the community is city growth and industrial development. He says our rich agriculture history and a welcoming small-town feeling are two of Brownsville’s strengths. He believes we can keep that feeling while growing and modernizing.

Vincent A. Harvell
Vincent A. Harvell
Vincent Harvell is the Chief Financial Officer for Haywood County Schools. In his eighth year with the school system, he is responsible for the management of fiscal operations, maintenance and building operations and technology infrastructure. Vincent holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Lambuth University. He’s also taken additional classes through the University of Memphis and Jackson State Community College. He is a member of St. Paul M. B. Church and serves as Trustee and as a Sunday School teacher. He is a member of the Tennessee Association of School Business officials, the BEP Review Committee and a former Lambuth College Alumni Board member. Vincent believes as a Sunday School teacher, he has had the opportunity to mentor children and try to make a difference in their lives. He enjoys his job with the schools, watching basketball games and playing with his granddaughter. His concern for Haywood County is centered on education. He wants to see training opportunities for citizens, and he believes affordable decent housing is also an issue. He also believes that Haywood County’s school system has made tremendous improvement. “It is a work in progress, but has a very good upside,” Vincent said.

Drew Scott Magruder
Drew Scott Magruder
The voice of Brownsville Radio, Drew Magruder, oversees operations for the day part of programming for the local station. He has been in Brownsville for 5-1/2 years and has become an integral part of the community. He attended the Columbia School of Broadcasting. He is also CPR trained. Drew serves on the Haywood County Rescue Squad and is the PA announcer for the Tomcats. He says his training has taught him how to communicate in stressful situations. His hobbies are exercising and biking, and he feels he now has more energy and wants to more active in community. Drew sees race relations as one of the biggest challenges in the community. “Haywood Countians should learn to work together,” he says. “It is the only way our county can move forward.” Drew also believes that the people are the county’s biggest asset. He believes that the good, creative and passionate people of this community can work together to make positive changes.

Renee Moss
ReneƩ Moss
New to Brownsville/Haywood County, Renee Moss was recently selected to lead the local chamber of commerce. Before moving to Brownsville, she served on the McNairy County Chamber Board, on the Executive Board of the Tourism Association of Southwest Tennessee and as the Adamsville Partnership Secretary. She is a certified Tennessee Tourism Professional and is a graduate of McNairy County Adult Leadership 2010. Through her work, Renee has used her skills and experience to organize a number of community events. Her hobbies include spending time with family, shopping, reading, playing games online and Facebook. She believes Brownsville’s challenges are in the areas of education and retail. For community strengths, she listed industrial development, city and county work well together, community involvement and agriculture.

                                                 
Joyce Ann Pirtle
Joyce Ann Pirtle
Joyce is retired from the Haywood County Clerk’s office and spends her time in retirement visiting the nursing home and the sick and shut-in, attending meetings, helping at church and with family members. She has lived in Haywood County since 1975. Joyce is currently a Policy Council Member for the Southwest Human Resource Agency, the secretary for the Haywood County NAACP, and serves as a committee member and secretary for the Relay for Life committee for Willow Grove M. B. Church. She has also served as missionary secretary, Sunday School secretary and Youth Committee member at her church and as a committee member for the United Way. She attended the West Tennessee Business College in Jackson. Joyce has received a number of plaques, certificates and awards for her work at church and in the community. From her work, she has met and worked with people from all walks of life. She likes to listen to ideas and comments from others so that whatever needs there are in the community can be met. Joyce believes that homelessness is an issue in Haywood County, and she is interested in being involved in correcting this problem. She also believes that the people of Haywood County should be proud of their community service and willingness to help others.

David Leonard Prine
David Leonard Prine
David Prine, a 30-year resident of Haywood County, is a machinist for Lasco Fittings. He is a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he serves as Sunday School Director, a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher and is actively involved in numerous committees. He was active in the Industrial Softball League here. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and camping, which he says has allowed him to spend quality time with his grandchildren. He is from Leland, Mississippi, and attended Mississippi Delta Junior College on a football scholarship. He also held the position of commissioner with the Brownsville Dixie Youth Baseball League. David believes that Haywood County lacks activities for our young people to keep them busy and off the streets. He wants a safer environment for the youth, and believes that we need to encourage and train our children to become future leaders in the community. He also believes that the community has a strong industrial base.

Holt Pritchett
Holt Pritchett
Holt Pritchett, who has been with First South Bank for six years, is a commercial lender in the Haywood County branch. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a business degree, of Barnett School of Banking Commercial Lending Academy and the Southeastern School of Advanced Commercial Lending. Holt is an officer for Habitat for Humanity and has been a volunteer for Relay for Life and March of Dimes and is a member of Rotary. He has assisted numerous families through HFH to better their lives and has helped raise funds needed for numerous other organizations. He enjoys hunting, golf, water sports, sports and running. Holt believes that the local school system and the lack of growth in the community are two of its biggest challenges. He also believes that continued involvement by citizens will improve both of these issues. In his opinion, the fact that the community is so tight-knit will help it overcome its weaknesses. Holt points out that our agriculture base, a beautiful courthouse and downtown area and our close proximity to larger towns are three other assets of the community.

Teri Leann Robinson
Teri Leann Robinson
A 10-year resident of Haywood County, Teri Robinson is in customer service and performs various other duties at Brownsville Utility Department. She holds a BBA in general business from the University of Mississippi. She is active at Westside Church of Christ, in the Republican Women, PTO, Relay for Life and Boy Scouts. She says serving in her church and the community, especially helping children and families, is the most important thing she can do. She appreciates the opportunity to meet others in this service. She is an avid Ole Miss fan and tries to attend all home games. She also likes to read, spend time with her kids and walk. “Fostering an attitude of free enterprise and small business friendliness is a great concern of mine,” Teri says of Brownsville’s challenges. She believes Brownsville can become a hub for small businesses and wants to research our business policies and recruitment strategies to make sure they are the best in the area. Teri believes that involvement and concerns from our citizens during time of need is impressive. “So many of our town come out and support our local charities, businesses, and children’s activities.”

Glenn William Stoots
Glenn William Stoots
Glenn Stoots is a supervisor at Teknor Apex and has lived in Haywood County for 30 years. He has attended seminars to become a more effective supervisor and learn management and leadership skills. Glenn is a member of the Haywood County Volunteer Fire Department District #5. He has also served with the United Way Fund Allocation Team. He says his involvement in these activities has been important to him because it has given him the opportunity to give back and help out in the community. He is also very interested in finding out ways that he may be able to help out in volunteer work in the community, especially with the youth. According to Glenn, one particular issue he feels is critical to the community is creating more activities for the youth. Because of this, he says, our community is losing tax dollars and losing families to surrounding communities. Glenn said that its strongest asset is that the community will come together to help out its fellow citizens.

Regen M. Thornton
Regen M. Thornton
Regen Thornton, who has lived in Brownsville for 10 years, has deep roots in the community. He has been coming here for years to visit Brownsville, and now calls it home. He is an agriculture loan officer for First State Bank. Regen is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and holds a degree in agriculture business. He is also a licensed land surveyor. He has been training with First State since January learning about farm financial analysis and recently completed a week-long Agricultural Lending School at the University of Missouri. Regen’s hobbies include golf, hunting and fishing. He believes that education is a challenge in Haywood County and that its biggest strength is its agriculture.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

SWTDD presents Impact Award to Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith and Community Excellence Award to City of Brownsville


 More than 220 people gathered at the Doubletree Hotel in Jackson recently for the Southwest Tennessee Development District’s Annual Board of Directors Meeting and its first ever awards program to recognize individuals and organizations who work cooperatively with SWTDD’s Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities (AAAD) and its Economic & Community Development (ECD) divisions. Winners were selected by way of nominations submitted from  throughout the region.  Brownsville-Haywood County was recognized in three different areas at the event.


Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith
Impact Award
For his untiring efforts to help the elderly and disabled in his county, Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith was presented with SWTDD’s Area Agency on Aging & Disability Impact Award. The purpose of the Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made an observable or measureable impact on the quality of life of older adults by providing leadership in advocacy, public policy change, securing new or additional funding, program development and/or cultural enhancement. 

“Mayor Smith has worked diligently for many years to ensure that the elderly and disabled populations in Southwest Tennessee receive services that enable independence and dignity,” said Joe W. Barker, SWTDD executive director. “From being a county mayor, to an executive director at Southwest Human Resource Agency, to serving as the Chairman of the SWTDD Board of Directors, Mayor Smith has advocated not only for his community of Haywood County, but for citizens throughout the region… Mayor Smith is a true statesman with a gentleman’s heart.”

Other AAAD award winners were: Senior Center of the Year: Selmer Senior Center; Partnership of the Year: West Tennessee Legal Services; and Advisory Council Members of the Year: James Pearson of Parkers Crossroads and Bobby Hysmith of Henderson.

Sharon Hayes, Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne, Thomas Skehan
Community Excellence Award
The City of Brownsville won SWTDD’s ECD Community Excellence Award for its “Brownsville on the 
Move” program. The Community Excellence Award recognizes a community project within the SWTDD boundaries that shows initiative, reflects originality, demonstrates a collaborative effort, has long-term positive impact on the community, includes public participation and can easily be scaled or replicated in another community.

“With the Brownsville on the Move program, local officials recognized the need to create a new vision for their community that would set a course for the next 15-20 years and would impact the economic success of their city,” said Barker.  “Brownsville leaders contracted with the University of Memphis to generate and analyze a comprehensive plan and enlisted the help of local Planners to assist in their effort.  Composed of City leaders and residents, this group defined goals, principles and methodology.  The end product was a dynamic, well-documented and detailed blueprint for the future of their city that is based on extensive public input and creative ‘out of the box’ thinking.”

Regional Collaboration Award
Haywood County was also recognized as an important part in the SWTDD Regional Collaboration Award for its participation in the Tri-County College Summit hosted by Dyersburg State Community College. 

“This collective effort was all about helping the students connect to a college or another form of post secondary education,” said Barker. “The group worked together to host an enormous college fair that included students from the six high schools (400+ students) in the REDI counties of Haywood, Lauderdale, and Tipton Counties, 13 post-secondary institutions from across the State of Tennessee, and the entire 11-county REDI staff. It was of tremendous benefit to the students and has become a catalyst for what will become the new norm with REDI in our region.”

The other two SWTDD ECD awards were the Innovation Award to the Lexington Industrial Development Board for its Virtual Speculative Building Initiative and the Building Block Award to McNairy County for its extensive use of SWTDD services.
 
 “Southwest Tennessee Development District is an organization with a talented and compassionate staff, but it relies heavily on our city and county governments, volunteers and partners to carry out the organization’s mission,” said Joe W. Barker, SWTDD Executive Director. “Tonight’s awards program is a first step in publicly recognizing those who are working to improve the economic climate and quality of life in the SWTDD region. Although only eight awards were presented tonight, there are many other individuals and groups who are working hard for the citizens in this region every day. We look forward to recognizing them in the years to come.”

SWTDD provides services to individuals and governments in the counties of Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and McNairy. Also recognized at the event was Parsons’ Mayor Tim David Boaz, the outgoing SWTDD chairman, who passed the leadership gavel to Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis.

To learn more about the SWTDD, visit www.swtdd.org or call 731.668.7112.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Rockin' & Rollin' for a Cure


Relay for Life in Haywood County began in 1997. Nancy Cates was the first Chairperson of the event. This year the event will celebrate 15 years of raising money to fund cancer research and will be held Friday, June 17, beginning at 5 p.m., at the football field in Brownsville. This year's theme is Rockin' and  Rollin' for a Cure.

Among the many activities taking place will be the recognition of all the chairpersons over the last 15 years. Heading this effort is this year’s co-chairs Carolyn Flagg and Alan Callery. Flagg herself has served as a co-chair since 2006. She and Callery have served together since 2008.

Another landmark for this year’s event is the participation of 41 teams. “That’s the most we’ve had,” according to Flagg. She hopes to raise $100,000 through this year’s efforts.

Insouth Bank is one of those teams who have been on board since the beginning. Callery is proud of the banks involvement. “It gives our employees an opportunity to give back to the community.”

The event will officially begin on Thursday, June 16, during the Survivor’s Luncheon. Survivors and caregivers are invited to Brownsville Baptist Church gym at 11:30 a.m., for a special lunch. Note the new location this year. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to Flagg at 731-772-0425.

Friday night’s activities will also include many local and regional entertainers, a Survivors Walk and a special Luminary Ceremony, plus lots of fun and games on the field.

The entire community is invited to come out for the fun and to participate in helping to find a cure for cancer. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Levy sworn in as Chancery Court Clerk & Master

Sarah Levy is sworn in as Chancery Court Clerk & Master by chancellor George Ellis. Levy's husband, David, holds the  Bible during the ceremony.

Sarah Levy was sworn in as Chancery Court Clerk and Master of Haywood County Sunday, May 1, 2011. Levy will replace retiring Clerk Judy Hardister. Chancellor George Ellis conducted the ceremony that also included swearing in the Deputy Clerk, Rochelle Futrell. The ceremony took place at the newly opened Justice Center on Dupree. Bonnie Gordon, also a Deputy Clerk, was sworn in on Monday.

Levy has been a resident of Haywood County since 1994. She is married to David Levy and they have a son, Jacob. The Levy's own Willow Oaks Flower Farm in Brownsville. Levy holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. She was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 1990 and the Tennessee Bar in 1994. She has served as Asst. Attorney General in Arkansas and Asst. District Attorney in Tennessee.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

West Tennessee Solar Farm Receives Environmental Approval

U.S. Dept. of Energy Issues Finding of No Significant Impact, Project Moves Forward
Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Bill Hagerty of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced Wednesday, February 2, 2011, that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has completed its environmental review for the West Tennessee Solar Farm in Haywood County and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which means the project complies with all applicable federal regulation for environmental protection. The review was conducted under guidelines specified in the National Environmental Policy Act and was part of the requirement for utilizing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for the project. The finding allows site preparation and installation to begin on the five-megawatt solar array.

Read more ...

Friday, December 31, 2010

Haywood County Attractions Join Haslam Inaugural Celebration

In honor of Bill Haslam’s inauguration as the state’s 49th governor, Haywood County museums are joining with cultural and historical attractions across the state to stay open and offer free admission on Saturday, January 15, 2011.

The theme of the inaugural celebration is “Tennesseans: Working Together, Moving Forward.” In the spirit of this theme, the governor-elect has asked that cultural establishments, tourist attractions, museums and other points of interest open their doors on Inauguration Day at no charge to the public.

“We’d like to offer this day as a time for Tennesseans across the state to come together in the celebration – wherever they are in the state - and take part in our culture, inventions, history and heritage, as a collective people,” says Kim Kaegi, director of the Haslam inaugural team.

Haywood Countians are encouraged to be a part of this historical event by visiting their local museums. Museums in Brownsville and Stanton will participate and include the Haywood County Museum, Haywood County Sports Museum, Felsenthal Lincoln Collection, Dunbar-Carver Museum, West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center and the Stanton Welcome Center and Lending Library.

College Hill Center
Home to the Haywood County Museum, Haywood County Sports Museum and The Felsenthal Lincoln Collection

The Haywood County Museum, located at the College Hill Center, 127 North Grand, will be open from 1-3 p.m. The Haywood County Sports Museum and the Felsenthal Lincoln Collection, housed at the Center, will also be available for viewing during this time. College Hill was originally established as the Brownsville Baptist Women's College in 1851 and later became the Haywood County High School.

Dunbar Carver Museum is located on the site of the former Carver High School. The Brownsville Unit of the Boys and Girls Club is also located here.
Dunbar-Carver Museum will extend their hours and will open at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. They are located at 709 East Jefferson Street. The Dunbar-Carver Museum tells the story of African American life in Haywood County through events associated with the one hundred plus year existence of the Dunbar-Haywood County Training-Carver High School.

Blues Pioneer Sleepy John Estes' last home is located on the grounds
of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.
The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, located at 121 Sunny Hill Cove behind McDonald’s, will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Delta Heritage Center is home to three museums that explore the early history of cotton production in West Tennessee, music greats who were born and called West Tennessee home and the scenic Hatchie River, the last wild river of the lower Mississippi.

A Historical Marker was placed at the Stanton Welcome Center September 28, 2008, courtesy of the 2008 Leadership Haywood County class.
The Stanton Welcome Center and Lending Library will also open. The Center is located at 49 Main Street in Stanton, and serves as an archive for history and memorabilia for the Town of Stanton, family histories of Stantonians, and digitizes historical photos and stories.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

A Lack of Diversity in All About Brownsville

“A lack of diversity in All About Brownsville.” A recent comment from a faithful reader. One I agree with 100 percent!! You may have at one time or another thought the same.

More variety does need to be shown and shared in AAB. To say that Brownsville and Haywood County is diverse somehow seems like a gross understatement. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to explain or even describe the different cultural elements of our community. The reader seems to think that AAB’s content is solely directed at a “very small percentage of people...”

If this is true, it is not intentional. I would hope that everyone, regardless, would be interested in what’s happening in our community. But I am especially grateful to the reader for bringing up the subject.

Okay, so there is no doubt that more variety should be shown in the content of the newsletter. I asked the reader for suggestions and now I’m asking you.

What can I do, or any of us do, to learn more about the (different) things happening in our community? Our whole community?