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.

2011 Move It, Lose It Challenge begins January 15

This popular YMCA-sponsored challenge has become a new year tradition.

Happy Birthday, Shiloh ... and you're invited!

You're invited to the 116th anniversary of the establishment of the Shiloh National Military Park. The event will take place Tuesday, December 28, beginning at 2 p.m., at the Shiloh Visitors Center. The event is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Park was established by Congress December 27, 1894 and commemorated the April 6-7, 1862 battle that raged around Shiloh Church and Pittsburg Landing. That event produced more than 23,000 casualties and was the largest engagement in the Mississippi Valley campaign during the Civil War.

Learn more about the Park: http://www.nps.gov/shil

Santa Bucket Truck

Santa doesn't need a sleigh or 8 tiny reindeer when Southwest is around. What in the world am I talking about?

You remember that Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation won first place in the Hatchie Fall Fest Scarecrow Contest. They also won the People's Choice Award. When it was time to remove the scarecrows from the courthouse lawn, Southwest chose to move theirs to the lawn of their headquarters.

October 2010

I thought that was a great idea but never dreamed that it would be used in so many ways. At Thanksgiving the bucket was occupied by a Pilgrim, complete with a hunting rifle. Now, Santa is using it to get on rooftops.  

December 2010

See what I mean ... and the bag of toys actually has toys peeking out of it.

I'm sure it brings a smile to the faces of those that drive by each day. I know it has mine. Today I made myself turn around and go back to get the picture. I am sorry that I did not get one of the pilgrim at Thanksgiving (maybe next year).

So cute and creative. Can't wait to see who shows up in the bucket next.

Merry Christmas!

Bredesen appoints Hayes to State Commission

Sharon L. Hayes

Governor Phil Bredesen has appointed three women to serve on three state boards and commissions. Among them is Sharon Hayes of Brownsville, who has been appointed to serve on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Hayes recently retired from the University of Memphis and is the Director of Planning for the City of Brownsvillle.

“The state of Tennessee relies on citizens like these women who are willing to serve the state through its boards and commissions,” Bredesen said. “I appreciate their willingness to offer their service to our state, and thank them for the valuable additions they will be to the organizations to which they have been appointed.

“During my eight years as Governor I’ve had the privilege of making thousands of appointments to various boards and commissions. With these final appointments of my term, I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of these Tennesseans for their willingness to serve our state. Much of the function of our government relies on the honorable, voluntary service of these individuals, and I thank each of them for their contributions.”

Appointment terms vary based on statutory recommendations or term limits specified by geographic or other qualifications. 

The other appointments are:
Governor's Council on Service Members, Veterans and Their Families
Alyson Delaney, Fort Campbell

Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board
Beverly G. Bond, Germantown

A Message from the Brownsville Police Department

A Little Holiday Cheer Can Go a Long Way on Our Roads This Holiday Season
Remember: Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest

As party-goers celebrate the holidays with friends and family, everyone should heed Brownsville Police Department’s (BPD) warning to keep the party off the road or be ready to face the consequences. Law Enforcement will be out in force beginning December 16, cracking down on anyone caught drunk behind the wheel.

“After hearing about the dangers of drinking and driving time after time, most people have gotten the message that if they’re planning on drinking, they should always plan a safe way home,” said BPD Lt. Barry Diebold. “But sadly, millions of Americans still think they are invincible and regularly choose to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink.”

“We know that the holiday season can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in drunk driving.” Said Lt. Diebold. “Don’t let your 2010 end in an arrest or worse, death. Remember, whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk!”

The Brownsville Police Department will be conducting saturation patrols and Sobriety Checkpoints for impaired drivers and drivers violating traffic laws from Thursday Dec16, 2010, thru Monday January 3rd, 2011.

Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.

The Miracle of Christmas

Brownsville's annual Christmas parade was again a sight to see. Many colorful floats, cars and boats. The Rescue Squad works hard to make this happen each year and deserve a lot of thanks for all their hard work.



1st Place - Haywood County Schools

 

2nd Place - Upper Salem Baptist Church

3rd Place - First South Bank

Brownsville's First Annual Children's Christmas Parade

Here are scenes from this year's first Children's Christmas Parade. Sponsored by Brownsville-Haywood County Rescue Squad and New Wave Communications.

http://tinyurl.com/2d298fq

Operation Medicine Bottle

The City of Brownsville Police Department, Ward 2 Neighborhood Watch, and the Haywood County Community Coalition would like to announce an upcoming event that is designed to help clean up our neighborhoods and reduce the availability of old prescription medications. We are hosting our first prescription medication take-back program that is called OPERATION MEDICINE BOTTLE.

OPERATION MEDICINE BOTTLE will be held on Saturday Dec. 11th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at the W.O.W. building on Boyd Ave. by the HHS football field.
 
This program is designed to help reduce (3) primary problems:

1. To reduce the amount of medical waste that is FLUSHED down the drain polluting our water supply. According to the EPA, ¼ of our water supply is currently contaminated with trace amounts of medications and antibiotics.
2. To reduce the abuse of prescription medications by teens. Juvenile courts across the country have seen an increase in teen prescription abuse. Most teens get these prescriptions from friends and relatives medicine cabinets.
3. To reduce home burglaries that target medication theft.(primarily of citizens taking medications that are for pain, like cancer treatment drugs)

To help, we are asking everyone to bring in old containers of prescription medications. All you do is drop off the medications at the WOW building. You do not sign anything when you leave the medications. Trained medical personnel will count and itemize the pills for Police Destruction procedures. The plastic containers will have the labels peeled off and they will be destroyed with the medications following all Police procedures for destruction of evidence. The empty bottles will be sent to the county recycling site.

Please help us spread the word, DON’T FLUSH OLD MEDICINES bring them to the WOW building on Dec. 11th for proper destruction, and help keep our community clean and safe.

For more information contact Lt. Diebold at the Brownsville Police Dept. 731-772-1260

Brownsville chosen for Tennessee Downtown Program

Brownsville's effort to create a better downtown commercial district was rewarded yesterday with the news that an application to be a part of the Tennessee Downtown program had been accepted. Here's more about the program and the 11 other communities that were also chosen.

http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/6440

Congratulations Mayor Matherne, Steering Committee and staff people who put together the winning application.

Contest Galore at the Hatchie Fall Fest

Okay, Contest Lovers! Get ready to have a blast at this year's Hatchie Fall Fest. There is definitely something for everyone, from Pet Lovers to Mini Tractor Pullers. And, of course, the Frozen T-Shirt Contest is back. This is by far the most popular contest each year. Who doesn't love to try to get a frozen t-shirt unthawed enough to put on? You'll have to check out this event!

 

Check out the website for a complete schedule of events: www.hatchiefallfest.com

Annual Christmas Parade December 4

Time to start thinking about the Annual Christmas Parade Saturday, December 4. Deadline for entering the parade is November 29. This year's theme is "The Miracle of Christmas" and Dustin Milton will be the Grand Marshal. Activities will be happening along the parade route and on the square the day of the event, including shopping, pictures with Santa, music and more ... let's call it a Christmas Festival and the parade will be the grand finale. Who doesn't want to be a part of the excitement?!?

Download an Entry Form!

Thank You from the Haywood County Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center

Haywood Company's Choir "Inspirational Voices" performed at this year's Circle of Hope Telethon

The Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center would like to thank all those who participated in Sunday's Circle of Hope Telethon by performing, presenting checks on stage, answering phones, helping in serving food, and donating money. Together West TN raised $1,075,000 to help the fight against child abuse. Child abuse is real in Haywood County and without the support of the caring residents of Haywood/Brownsville we would not be able to give the needed services to help these children and families to continue on with a form of normalcy to their lives. All money collected and given by Haywood residents stays in Haywood County. We encourage you to come by the Center located at 130 Boyd Avenue and take a tour of the building and ask questions about all the programs and services we offer to the residents of Haywood. Again thank you for all you do for the Center and we look forward to serving our community.


Employees of the Center:
Beth Wilson, Program Director
Taryn McCord, Family Advocate
Tammy Snipes, Americor Worker
Martha Ledford, Office Manager

Proposed Meat Packing Plant Discussion Continues

I received the following comments from  Mr. Jerry Rogers with the request that I share it with you. I hope you will comment and share your opinion on the meat packing plant that is proposed for the County Farm site after the jail moves into the new Justice Center.

I ATTENDED THE MEETING LAST NIGHT (Public Hearing Monday, August 16) ON THE PROPOSED PACKING PLANT. I WAS TRULY AMAZED AT WHAT WENT ON.

I MOVED TO HAYWOOD IN 1972 AND AM MOST LIKELY STILL LOOKED AT AS AN OUTSIDER.

 I FEEL THAT THE COUNTY HAS DECLINED DRAMATICALLY.

 I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CATTLE INDUSTRY SINCE 1975.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO GAIN A COMPANY TO COME TO THE COUNTY. IT COULD ALSO BRING IN SOME NEEDED REVENUE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING OTHER ASSOCIATED COMPANIES. IT COULD ALSO BRING PEOPLE FROM MEMPHIS, JACKSON AND OTHER PLACES INTO BROWNSVILLE THAT WOULD NOT COME TO OUR COMMUNITY. THIS INCREASED TRAFFIC WOULD IMPACT OTHER BUSINESS IN TOWN FROM SHOPPING AT OTHER
BUSINESS. THE INCREASED JOBS WOULD BENEFIT THE LOCAL ECONOMY WITH A  STARTING WAGE OF $12.00 AN HOUR.

THE EMPLOYEES WOULD BE TRAINED AND HIRED FROM THE LOCAL WORKFORCE. THE BUILDING WOULD BE SET BACK OFF ROAD WITH A TURN LANE THAT WOULD NOT IMPEDE TRAFFIC ON HWY 70. THE BUILDING WILL BE A METAL BUILDING WITH A DOOR AND TWO WINDOWS FACING HWY 70. CATTLE WOULD NOT BE VISIBLE FROM HWY 70 OR THE ROAD TO THE EAST.

ADDRESSING THE COMPLAINTS OF OTHERS, THERE ARE ALREADY CATTLE AND HOGS AT THIS LOCATION. THE CATTLE COMING IN HERE WOULD COME IN THE MORNING AND BE PROCESSED BY NOON. ALL BYPRODUCTS FROM THE OPERATION WOULD BE HANDLED ON SITE IN A SEPTIC TANK ON THE PREMISE.  PRODUCTS THAT COULD BE SOLD WOULD BE STORED IN A REFRIGERATOR  ROOM IN SEALED METAL DRUMS. THIS IS A LOGICAL LOCATION DUE TO THE UTILITIES NEEDED ARE AT THE SITE ALREADY. MOVING LOCATION TO THE OTHER INDUSTRIAL SITE WOULD REQUIRE THE COUNTY TO EXPEND FUNDS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY, OR ANYTIME IN NEAR FUTURE, AVAILABLE.

I DO NOT RECALL ANY OBJECTION TO THE GIN AND THE OLD SALE BARN THAT BROUGHT MORE TRAFFIC AND SMELL TO THE AREA.

SUMMING UP THIS IS A PLUS FOR THE COUNTY IN ALL RESPECTS.

JERRY C. ROGERS

Packing Plant looking to build in Haywood County

Mike and Charline Lenagar, Neola Farms in Brighton, TN, presented the Rotary program today. They would like to bring a packing plant to Haywood County. The site is part of the County Farm/Jail. Their black angus beef is all natural and the plans are for the site to include a retail store that we can buy from, too. This will be coming before the County Commission at the August 23 called meeting and will include some public hearings as well. Right now they are selling to restaurants, hotels and St. Jude hospital. Because of the quaility of this meat, the hospital is able to offer this meat to the young patients whose immune systems are so low. This seems to be a well thought out plan and the Lenagars assured us that there would be no smell and no noise. This is a great opportunity for Haywood County.

The Memphis Chamber did this video about Neola Farms. It's a great introduction to the family and the type operation that they run.
http://tinyurl.com/276qe2y

Haywood County Election Results

Please remember these are the unofficial numbers. These numbers have not been certified. There were 4,781 votes cast. Only the local contested races are listed.

Haywood County Mayor

• A. Franklin Smith - 3293
• Freddie O. Smith - 1330

Haywood County Sheriff

• Melvin Bond - 3628
• Jason Singleton - 1013

Circuit Court Clerk

• Mary Bond Lonon - 2828
• Rick Rouse - 897
• Elma Pirtle - 894

County Clerk

• Sonya Castellaw - 3256
• Shalanza Hawkins - 1333

Register of Deeds

• Steve Smith - 2916
• Broderick Pearson - 1530

County Commission Positions

• 2nd District, Position 2
• Richard Jameson - 221
• Felecia P. Walker - 177
• 4th District, Position 1
• James Teddy Waldrop - 338
• Robert Christopher Call - 203
• 7th District, Position 1
• Larry G. Stanley - 278
• Albert E. Boyd - 222
• 7th District, Position 2
• Bob C. Hooper - 276
• James Morgan - 252
• 8th District, Position 1
• Jeffery Richmond - 218
• Ronald Woods - 206
• 8th District, Position 2
• Marjorie Vaulx - 229
• Robert T. Campbell - 200
• 9th District, Position 1
• Samuel T. Mathes, Jr. - 270
• Tucker Johnson - 39

Road Commissioner

• 8th & 9th Districts
• James H. Boyd - 422
• Barney Garrett - 368

Constables

• 3rd District
• Joe Ing - 197
• Luke Warren - 82
• Glen Claburn - 1
• 7th District
• Ed Ellington - 304
• Mike Walker - 178

Tax Free Holiday this weekend

The 2010 Sales Tax Holiday begins this Friday, and provides three full days of tax breaks on clothing, school and art supplies, and computer purchases.

Visit http://www.tntaxholiday.com/ or new dedicated facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/TNTaxHoliday for detailed information on the holiday.

The holiday begins Friday, August 6 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, August 8 at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less.

Breakfast for Babies

HHS "Senior Orientation"

The Class of 2011 is asked to attend a Senior Orientation Tuesday, July 27, from 6-8 p.m., at Haywood High School. Students and parents are needed at this event. The STEP program will be introduced along with lots of other information the seniors will need during their last year at HHS.

Remember this is for members of the Class of 2011 and their parents.

Hope for Haywood County - Case Managers Needed

Hope for Haywood County Disaster Recovery Services, with the help of the 'Green Shirts,' have identified 6 cases so far of families in Haywood County who need immediate long-term disaster assistance. Hope for Haywood County needs help working these cases and is looking for 6-10 people who can volunteer to be Case Managers.

Contact info and more details about the position can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/28jknh9

Haywood County has never failed to come to the aid of its fellow citizens and I know there are many who are perfectly suited to take on this task. Please call.

Tax Free Holiday coming up in August

Everyone looks forward to a tax free holiday. The next one comes up August 6-8. Check out this link for all the details.
http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/5510

Solar Farm Contractor/Designer Named

Latest happening about the Solar Farm:

http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/5525

New Skate Board Park

Brownsville has a new skate board park. The official ribbon cutting was held Thursday, July 1, at the park located beside East Side School on Jefferson.

Retirement Reception for Mayor

The Brownsville Haywood County Chamber of Commerce and First South Bank hosted a Retirement Reception for outgoing Mayor Webb Banks and Vice-Mayor Joe Taylor Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at the First South Community Room. More than 100 well-wishers stopped by to greet the gentlemen and wish them all the best. Both will officially leave office on July 13.

Here are some random pictures from the reception:

STEP needs Haywood County Mentors

It seems there are many things that need to happen to get us ready for an industry in our new megasite. While the general public can't do anything to help the infrastructure issues that will have to be dealt with, we can help in other areas.

First and foremost we must present a positive attitude about ourselves, our community and our future. Second we must help create a more educated workforce so that when an industry is ready to come here, our residents will have a chance at the new jobs that will be created.

Enter the STEP program. Simply put, with the help of local mentors, students will be better prepared to enter college and receive the level of education they will need to compete for the high tech jobs of the future.

Here's more about STEP:

http://www.allaboutbrownsville.net/newsandevents/NewsEvents/10stepinitiative.htm
http://www.swtdd.org/redi/step.php

Nothing to Do?

Okay, someone remind me again. Who said there was nothing to do in Haywood County?

http://www.allaboutbrownsville.net/calendar/2010/june10.html

New Website Launch

Dynametal Technologies, a leader in powder metallurgy products, located at 400 North Dupree Ave., Brownsville, Tenn., launched a brand new customer–focused, interactive website on June 1, 2010.
Please log on @ http://www.dynametal.com/ to view the website and to stay current with Dynametal News and Events.

Matherne Wins Mayor Race

Congratulations to our new Mayor-Elect Jo Matherne; and to Carolyn Flagg who is re-elected to the Ward 2 Alderman seat and Thomas Averyheart who has been elected to the Ward 4 Alderman seat.

Lots of very qualified candidates running and it was a good race. All the candidates should be commended for their interest and energy in wanting to help make Brownsville a better place.

I can see all of them working together now to make the things they talked about during the campaign happen.

These are the unofficial numbers as I know them (none have been certified as yet):

Mayoral Race

1. Jo Matherne - 888
2. Anne Banks - 652
3. John Ashworth - 585
4. Larry Fitts - 90
5. James Peace - 54
6. Mike Dew - 26

Alderman - Ward 2

1. Carolyn Flagg - 301
2. Cedric Bunch - 50

Alderman Ward 4

1. Thomas Averyheart - 227
2. J.P. Moses - 193

WTDHC publishes first e-newsletter

Check out the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center's First E-Newsletter.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs027/1103454893098/archive/1103475250399.html

Free Concert June 19 - Southern Gospel meets Country Spiritual

Ya'll Come!

Sorry it took so long

WOW! I can't believe it's been almost 6 months since my last blog entry. Someone should have sent an ugly e-mail wanting to know what was going on. And then I would have had to admit that my job as Director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center has been taking up a lot of my time. I've also been busy learning about marketing with social media like facebook, twitter and foursquare. At any rate, I hope you will forgive me for my absence here.