MYSTERY CAR GIVE-A-WAY REGISTER EVERY DAY UNTIL JUNE 29TH
CAR WILL BE GIVEN AWAY 3PM ON JUNE 30TH MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN
LIMIT ONCE PER DAY
COUNTRY CHEVROLET
3299 HWY 51 SOUTH • COVINGTON, TN 38019
901.313.8629 • tryuschevy.com *Must be 18 or older to register; must have valid driver’s license. We will draw names til we have a winner
THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2012 ▪ VO L . 1 2 8 , N O. 3 5 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Munford proposes $3M budget Pay to increase, taxes remain same
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
In Munford, salaries are expected to increase and property tax rates to remain the same according to a "very tight" $3 million operating budget proposed during the monthly meeting of the Board of Mayor and Alderman. Before the budget was approved on its first reading Monday night, the mayor and aldermen had some discussion regarding the pay increase to determine whether it'd be given as a lump sum, as it was
done last year, or a true salary increase. "We have options here, something, frankly, we didn't have last year," said alderwoman Terry Colin. Revenues for fiscal year 2012-2013 are proposed to be $2.962 million and expenses are proposed to be $2.955 million. With the pay increase, revenues are expected to be $6,983 above the town's expenses. However, without the twopercent raise, revenues would
be an estimated $35,000 more than expenses. Colin also suggested a one-and-a-half-percent raise or a two-percent bonus. "If there are no raises, we can also hire a firefighter and split (the cost) with Atoka," she said. But other aldermen were vocal in their disagreement. "I would like to see our employees get the two-percent raise," said Jack Foraker. "It will be reflected overall on Social Security and as the years go on. As much as I'd like to hire
a firefighter, in the needs of the entire workforce, a two-percent raise is what I have to support right now." Alderman Bob Forbess agreed for the same reasons. "I'd much rather have raises than bonuses," he said. "You draw more Social Security and more retirement. If you get a $1,000 bonus, in two weeks it's gone. I'll worry about next year's budget next year." The proposal, which Mayor SEE BUDGET, PAGE A3
Victim's family still looking for answers By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com MASON – Yesterday afternoon at her home in Longtown, located just minutes southeast of Mason, Thelma Lee looked over framed pictures of her son, who was shot to death in Mason a little more than three months ago. Moments later, Catina Jackson, the fiancée of her son Shuron Lee, joined the lady that would have been her mother-in-law if not for an incident March 24 at Shirley's Bar that took the life of a father of six, first-born son and husband-to-be. “The past three months have been … just feelings of emptiness, loneliness, rage and frustration,” said Jackson. “Someone you spent every day with is all of sudden gone. They're not there.” “He's the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back. All you had to do was get to know him,” Lee said. “Thursday SEE ANSWERS, PAGE A3
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ANIMAL RESCUES
Social networking saving dogs By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Pictured above is a post Angie Patton made on the Helping Tipton County Animal Shelter Animals Facebook page Wednesday, sharing the photo of a male dog available for adoption at the shelter. Patton said she believes networking the animals increases the survival rate.
The group focuses its efforts at the Tipton County Animal Shelter, a "highkill" facility located near the landfill and Public
Works Department in Brighton. "This is not a motel for animals," Patton said. "It's not the shelter's fault
we have to euthanize. I thought the (high-kill rate) was due to ignorance, but I just don't think people reSEE DOGS, PAGE A3
Court costs on the rise in Munford
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Atoka Sweetees All-Star Chloe Lowry was among hundreds of softball players who took part in the Dixie Girls' Softball District Tournament this weekend in Atoka. for more on this and other tournaments, please see B2/B11. Photo by Jeff Ireland
Not many people can resist pictures of adorable puppies and adult dogs in need of a home, and that is just what Angie Patton is counting on. Patton, who works with Angels Among Us, a rescue organization founded in July 2011, said social networking sites are saving dogs from certain euthanization in Tipton County. "We started out a year ago with the Facebook page," she said. "We take their pictures and post them. We're now up to about 3,000 followers." More than just followers, the Facebook page has helped the rescue group save "at least 200" dogs through fostering and adoption.
Munford City Park, College Street US Navy Band with Fireworks Display
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By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Court costs are on the rise in Munford to help meet the costs of new technology for the court and police department. On Monday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen authorized Police Chief Jim Harger to purchase a lease with SAS, the company that hosts the new web-based fine and court cost payment system. The lease will cost $31,439 and, said Mayor Dwayne Cole, is a selfsupporting budget-neutral item.
Currently, court costs are $88.75 and the increase will bring them to $105.75. The basic fee, said Town Recorder Stacy Craig, is $92; $13.75 will go to the state and $12 will go to SAS to help pay for the new program. "This is a very modest increase," said Cole. "It's $5 for the city and $12 for the technology increase." After the five-year lease period is up, and the program has been paid off, the $12 SAS fee will become "a welcome revenue stream" for the town, the mayor said. Persons receiving tickets in Mun-
“Our patriotic hearts beat red, white and blue”
ford will soon be able to pay them online. The new program will increase convenience for violators as well as for officers who will be able to transmit reports to the state electronically. "You're trying to go as paperless as you can, Chief," Alderman Johnny Crigger suggested. "Yes," said Harger, "I am." Court costs have not increased in Munford for an estimated six years, said the chief. Atoka and Mason were also said to be considering switching to the new program.
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