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THE LEADER SERVING TIPTON COUNTY SINCE 1886 | COVINGTONLEADER.COM | VOL. 124, NO. 51 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010
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Reward offered in post office killings By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com HENNING – A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing two postal employees on Monday morning. One of those employees was Covington resident Paula Croom Robinson, a wife and mother of two. Robinson was a retail clerk who had interviewed with the U.S. Postal Service in Nashville just weeks prior to her death. She and rural carrier associate Judy
Spray, 59, of Henning, were son or persons responsible discovered shot to death just for the murders, the U.S. after 9 a.m. Postal Inspection Service District Attorney General said Tuesday. Mike Dunavant said the sus“Postal inspectors’ duties pect or suspects were armed include protecting postal and dangerous and said the employees and investimurders were carried out with gating violent crimes that “disturbing violence.” may occur at postal faciliA motive for the killings has ties,” said Inspector in not been released by investigaCharge Martin D. Phanco. ROBINSON tors. “Homicides in the postal serAn active investigation was launched vice are rare, but when they do occur, immediately with more than 60 law make no mistake, we will aggressively enforcement officers from across the investigate to find those responsible.” Deputies with the Tipton County county committed to finding the per-
Sheriff’s Office are working in conjunction with the postal inspection service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; 25th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the Henning Police Department. The tragedy has rocked the small town of Henning, which boasts a population of 1,200 people, and thrust it into the national spotlight. SEE KILLINGS ON PAGE A2
‘Elvis’ to perform By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader. com
EARLY VOTING FEVER Gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter came to the Tipton County Election Commission office to campaign and speak with voters. McWherter was with his wife Mary Jane Wooten McWherter and her family who are from Covington. McWherter is running against Republican Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. Early voting is going on until Oct. 28 and Election Day is Nov. 2.
Hardin tries to unseat Naifeh By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader.com Can anyone beat State Representative Jimmy Naifeh? In the 36 years of his time in office, there have been many to try, a few to come close, but no one has managed to unseat the former Speaker of the House of Tennessee. This news might be daunting to some potential challengers, but Naifeh’s current opponent, Covington businessman Jim Hardin, remains optimistic of his chances. “I think we are going to win,” said an upbeat Hardin during his campaign kickoff months ago. “He has been there for just too long.” After knocking on hundreds of doors and making more than 1,000 phone calls, the Hardin campaign staff may be weary and tired, but are still driven to getting him elected. Hardin, a Navy man who now works for the Delfield Company in Covington, is an older friendly face in the local Republican Party and has worked on many campaigns to try to unseat incumbent Naifeh. This is not his first day in the political arena, but it is his first time to run. While many things seem in order, Hardin’s wishes for a debate were unanswered due to scheduling conflicts from Naifeh’s daily duties. “He’s gotten away with being
‘Mr. Jimmy’ in Covington, Burlison, Stanton and Brownsville when he comes home and talks a good game,” said Hardin in a press release. “But the voters are starting to see that his votes in Nashville don’t line up with their values.” Conservative groups supporting Hardin have sent out advertisements picturing Naifeh alongside Congressional House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama. They refer to Naifeh as having a “liberal record” and siding more with the lobbyist dollars than with the people at home, but Hardin has personally not condoned attacking Naifeh. Both Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn and State Representative Beth Harwell have spoken to voters on behalf of Hardin and said he was the right man for the job and the one who can actually beat Naifeh. While Hardin must battle Naifeh’s years of experience and familiar name recognition, the campaign recognizes one major thing that Naifeh has going against him. It is the “D” in front of his name in the voting booth. “I never thought that having a ‘D’ in front of my name would make people dislike me so much,” said County Commissioner Quincy Barlow. “People have to understand that there are some good democrats, especially here in town, and Naifeh is one of
This Saturday, Oct. 23 there will be a live musical event called “Memories of the King” featuring famed impersonator Danny Spinosa. It will be at 7 p.m. at the historic Ruffin Theater in Covington on the Court Square. Deep in the heart of Elvis country, the King of Rock N’ Roll had played in many places in the southeastern United States, one of those places happens to be at the Ruffin Theater. This historic moment in Tipton County will be recreated on Saturday night for two shows. One show will feature the greatest hits of Elvis and the other will be for
Elvis’s gospel music. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $10 for general admission seating. The proceeds for the event will be to benefit Tipton County Emergency Unit and Covington Animal Rescue Effort. Danny Spinosa was born and raised in Memphis. He grew up in Graceland Subdivision behind the Graceland Mansion and had many encounters with Elvis himself. He first started performing Elvis songs at the age of four in his parent’s restaurant. Spinosa has entertained people in the Mid-South and across the country for over twelve years. Spinosa’s show prices are usually higher than $10, but the price has been reduced since the money is going SEE ELVIS ON PAGE A2
Watson’s rebuilds after the flood By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
them. That is how he got so many Republicans to vote for him over the years.” After Barlow mentioned this at a Naifeh fundraiser, several Naifeh supporters were quick to point out several known republicans in attendance. Many democrats in this election cycle are stepping it up due to the lack of popularity from the democratically controlled Congress and President. Even though Naifeh has no power or role in Congress and has never met Speaker Pelosi, he is still being associated with the Democratic Party that is weak right now. This has not distraught the Naifeh campaign who say they are relying on his experience and accomplishments to overcome the negative aspects of the national party. “He is the most effective legislator in Tennessee,” said attorney Houston Gordon. “He is responsible for getting millions of dollars in growth here. When they wanted to expand Unilever, we knew to call Jimmy and he will get you answers.” Personally, Naifeh said he considers the opening of The Jimmy Naifeh Center of Dyersburg State Community College as his greatest accomplishment in his 36 years in office. DSCC now has more students than the original campus in Dyer County. Naifeh was one
Ask Trey Watson and he’ll tell you little bit of water can’t keep him down. Nearly six months ago, his appliance and repair business on Quinton Drive was flooded with six feet of water and this weekend he will celebrate a fresh start for Watson’s Appliance. “It was bad, it was really bad,” Watson said of the May 1 flood. “We lost all of our inventory.” Watson started the business in 1998 after moving to Tennessee from California. It began in a small 900 square foot building, but in the 12 years since, business has grown exponentially, he said, and he has relocated twice. Watson’s sells new and used major appliances such as stoves, refrigera“It’s like a fresh tors, freezers, dishwashers, washers and dryers start and all and garbage disposals. of the old Frigidaire, Samsung, GE and Hot Point brand problems have appliances are carried instock and most other been washed brands can be ordered. away.” Watson’s also services appliances, both in-warranty and otherwise, and keeps approximately 15,000 parts in stock. Whatever you buy there can be serviced there. They also feature free delivery to Millington and Tipton County residents. After the flood, Watson’s was closed for a week, then began taking service calls again and selling appliances from a “gutted-out” warehouse. Thirty days after the flood, renovations began on his building and, he said, it has been completely remodeled. “We’ve redone the floor plan, revamped the whole business model,” he said. “It’s like a fresh start and
SEE ELECTION ON PAGE A3
SEE WATSON’S ON PAGE A2
Area events
AREA EVENTS
This week’s week’s Featured This featuredChurch: church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
Ravenscroft Episcopal Church Turn A7for fordetails details Turn to to Page Page A7
11/2/10 Election Day 11/6/10 4 p.m. 4th Annual FOP Chili Cook-off Court Square – Covington