The Leader

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THE LEADER THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , 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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Municipal campaigns now underway Candidates for mayor, aldermen prepare for Nov. 4 ByECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com

The 2014 election season isn't yet over, which is evident with a quick drive around any neighborhood in the county. New political signs are beginning to pop up in yards as candidates for municipal offices begin their campaigns. The filing deadline for the Nov. 4 election was Aug. 21, however the Tipton County Election Commission is still working to qualify petitions. In Covington, incumbent mayor David Gordon is seeking re-election and has opposition in former Action News 5 reporter Justin Hanson. Covington aldermen John E. Edwards (District 1), Tommy Black

(District 2) and Bill Scruggs (District 3) are running for re-election. Wayne G. "Mac" McGowan is also running for the District 2 seat. The Town of Mason has seven people – Frank Boyland, Emmit Gooden, Elcanius Hughey, Gwendolyn Kilpatrick, Sandra Norvell, Linne Waddell and Gloria Whitley – running for six seats on the board. Mayor David Smith is running for re-election and is unopposed. In Atoka, mayor Daryl Walker is running for re-election without opposition. Aldermen Barry Akin, Danny Feldmayer and Mike Joyner are hoping to keep their seats on the board; Jack Smith is the fourth person on the ballot to fill three seats.

Munford has four running for three seats as well – Sue Arthur, John S. Bomar, Jack Foraker and Todd Martchek – with Ray Deneka running for election to finish the term originally held by Terry Colin, who resigned her position when her husband, Peter, was hired as the town administrator. Garland has three candidates – Kelley Gray, Donald Anthony Hardwick and Clayton Wilson– running for six seats on the board . Mayor Ben Little is running for re-election and Lisa M. McClain is running for town recorder. Brian J. Shoemaker, Carolyn Sloan and John Paul Walker are running for Gilt Edge's three councilman seats.

Cougars upset Chargers at home

Danny Howard is running for councilman in Burlison. Also included on the November ballot are the offices of governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressman (8th district) and state representative (81st district). Incumbent Debra Moody (R-Covington) won the Republican primary earlier this month. No Democratic candidate filed. Residents may register to vote until Oct. 6. Early voting runs from Oct. 15-30 in Munford and Covington. Per new ordinances, non-resident property owners must now vote by absentee ballot. For more information, see tiptonco.com/election_commission/index. php.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Mason fugitive turns himself in By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com

Covington senior K.J. Hines undercuts Munford junior running back Wilson Lowry during season-opening action Friday night in Covington. Defense ruled a game that Munford pulled out 10-7 with a field goal in the final minute. It was a big win for Munford, which broke a three-year losing streak against its Tipton County rival. See more in sports on page A16. Photo courtesy Phil Ramsey/covingtonchargerfootball.com

BUDGET

Munford proposes $3.8M budget, property tax increase ■ Mayor: No raises yet, looking at bonuses in 3Q By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com The Munford Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved an ordinance on first reading Monday night that included the 2014-15 budget and property tax rate. Tipton County went through a property reappraisal from the state this year, something that is done every six years. The assessed property value in the county decreased from $981 million to $951.8 million. Because of that, the state set revenue-neutral property tax rates for the county and its

municipalities. Munford's property tax rate increased from $.93 last year to $.98 this year. Since property values generally decreased, most residents will actually pay less property tax despite the increased rate. The budget of $3.841 million is an increase over last year's $3.456 million. The largest expenditures in this year's budget are for police ($1.169 million), parks and recreation ($1.011), fire protection ($827,705) and streets ($352,571). There was no raise for city employees in the budget, but Mayor Dwayne Cole said that will be re-evaluated at the end of the calendar year. “Although there was no

raise for our employees, there was not an increase in insurance premiums,” Cole said. “We're looking at maybe a bonus for them in the third quarter.” “I'd really like for us to reevaluate (at the end of the year) and see if we can do something for our employees,” Alderman Jack Foraker said. There will be a second reading of the budget and a public hearing on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.. In other matters: • Fire Chief Alan Barkelew said the application process to hire a new firefighter has closed and he expects to make an offer to a prospective employee by the end of the week.

• Barkelew told board members that he is still trying to get the department's ISO rating decreased from a four to a three. The state dropped the rate from five to four last month and Barkelew said a three is within reach. The ISO program provides a country-wide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment and training. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire-suppression program doesn't meet ISO’s minimum criteria. The next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22 in the board room.

A man wanted by Mason police for the alleged attempted murder of Devon Fields on June 15 has been found. Mason Police Chief James Paris said Wallace Jermaine Goodwin turned himself in to police on Aug. 21. He was charged with reckless endangerment, attempted firstdegree murder and criminal simulation. Police reports indicate Goodwin, Fields and other individuals were involved in an argument at the Low End Bar on Front Street at approximately 11:30 p.m. the night Fields was shot. Fields reportedly left in his vehicle and headed GOODWIN to a residence in the Richland Hills subdivision. That's when police say the shooting happened. Goodwin allegedly began following Fields and before Fields could arrive at his destination, Goodwin began shooting at him and his vehicle near the area of Friendship Circle and Countryside. Fields, said Paris, was hit by gunfire at least four times, one of those in the back of his head. A Countryside residence was also struck by a bullet. A police officer found Fields at Gainesville Lane and Springview. He was transported to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis. Goodwin was arraigned on Aug. 22. He was released on a $50,000 bond.

DUE TO THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY, THE LEADER OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, SEPT. 1. WE'LL REOPEN ON TUESDAY, SEPT. 2. ADVERTISING DEADLINES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO TUESDAY AT 10 A.M. IT'S BACK!

Cougars, Cards, Rebels win season openers. A16

Reader's Guide Opinion A4 Obituaries A6 Classifieds A12 Legals A13 Puzzles A10

TIME FOR TEA

Education Sports Community Correspondence Faith

A18 A16 A7 A19 A8

Starnes celebrated with tea party. A7

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FOOTBALL! Best Wishes to all of our area teams!

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