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THE LEADER Thursday, February 11, 2010
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Volume 123 • No. 99
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Pam Deen announces retirement By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com After spending four decades working for the county, Tipton County Clerk Pam Deen has announced she will not be seeking re-election this year. Retiring from the posi-
tion she's held since 1994 is bittersweet, she said. "It's happy and it's sad at the same time, but I'm leaving in good health and with the office in good shape." Deen began her career with the county clerk's office in 1968 under the direction of Clara
McMillin. Back then, everything was done by hand. "We hand wrote each and every auto renewal, title application, business tax, marriage license," she said. "I have a permanent ridge on my finger from writing those renewals back in
those days!" Deen said when she joined the department, employees were supposed to be at least 21 years old, but McMillin went to court to have her In the years since, auto renewals have changed to a staggered system –
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they used to be done in March and April only – and the office has become fully automated. Automation is one of things for which Deen is most proud. She is also proud of branching out to include a satellite office in Munford, SEE DEEN, PAGE A3
Residents up in arms over proposed gun range By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com
Photo by Echo Day
Ella Stacy, 4, daughter of Phillip and Rebecca Stacy of Brighton, puts the finishing touches on a valentine card. Stacy and approximately 15 other children attended Bookworm Buddies, sponsored by the Tipton County Junior Auxiliary, at the Munford library Saturday morning.
Storm brings salt shortage, street repairs By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com A surprise snow fell in the Mid-South early Monday morning, catching residents and forecasters both offguard. This snowstorm - the third in a month - also caught the public works department by surprise, especially since it had recently run out of salt for the roadways. "Last year we used two loads all year," said Tipton Photo by Echo Day County Public Works Director Shannon Reed. "We use two Wednesday, local TDOT road crews worked to fill in pot holes or three loads for each snow left by recent snowstorms. Forecasters predict more snow event." could hit the area this weekend. Tipton County isn't the only one out, though. Due to the snowstorms that have hit the region this year, Bumps in the road there is a shortage all over the region. Along with salt shortages, the serial snowReed said the department normally stock- storms have also caused damaged to roadpiles two or three loads, but this winter has ways. Each time the county thaws out, more been "a rough one." and more potholes appear. Wednesday, most of the primary and second"These old roads are brittle," Reed said. ary roadways in the county had cleared after The precipitation allows moisture to seep being plowed by road crews and melted by into cracks in the subgrade, he said, then it the sun. freezes, expands and thaws. This cycle causes "The sun comes out and it gets a little above damage to the roads. freezing, that helps more than anything," he "This is one of the most frustrating things said. about working on streets," said Covington More salt should arrive on Saturday, just in Public Works Director Robert M. Simpson. time for what could be another chance of snow on Sunday. SEE REPAIRS, PAGE A2
There’s been a battle heating up in Tipton County over a proposed outdoor gun range located in the Mt. Lebanon community. Long-time hand gun instructor Chester Evitt and local Covington business owner Jay Ridings have been working together to have an outdoor range built on Ridings’ property. The two recently appeared before the Tipton County Board of Zoning Appeals to request a use permit with special exception for a recreational facility to operate an indoor classroom and 100 yard outdoor shooting range. “In the past five years I have been trying to get a gun range built somewhere in Tipton County,” explained Evitt to the board and more than 75 residents in attendance against the proposed gun range. “I have pleaded with [County Executive] Mr. Huffman to use county land and I have been turned away from private owners.” The proposed range would be located on Ridings 14 acres on Mt. Lebanon Road. The closest home is located approximately 375 feet east of the proposed site. Evitt explained to the board he and Ridings intended to follow the requirements set by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “We want to follow the proper procedures,” Evitt told the board. “Which is why it is in front of you tonight. I am currently involved in building three ranges in Montgomery, Ala. and no range I have ever been involved in has ever had an accident. For the record, no range built in the state of Tennessee and built to standards, has ever had an accident that was not cause by an individual there.” Evitt told the board the reasons he has been told against the gun range include concerns over the noise level and ricochetting ammunition. “Noise abatement is a big problem, guns do make a lot of noise but in our community so do a lot of other things,” said Evitt. “A gun reaches a 160 decibel (db) level when it’s fired. It’s down to 92db at 100 feet and at 200 feet it’s at 60db or less. A typical John Deere tractor, crop duster, cotton gin or the car next to you at a stop sign with its music blaring are all things we hear every day. All of these things make louder noise than SEE GUN RANGE, PAGE A5
CPD nets six drug arrests in four days By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com COVINGTON – In four days, police officers in Covington have netted six drug arrests and several drug seizures. On Friday, Feb. 5, Officer Andrew Hefner conducted a traffic stop near Logan Drive after observing a Honda CRV speeding on Hwy. 51 North. The driver, identified as Daniel Alexander Cox, 26, of 2039 Woodlawn Ave. in Brighton, was arrested for driving on a revoked license and gave Hefner consent to search his vehicle. During the search, Hefner found a brown coat contain-
ing a spoon and syringe, each with a white residue. According to the police report, Cox told Hefner the substance on the syringe and spoon was Oxycontin and admitted to self-medicating. He was charged with possession of a schedule II substance, driving on a revoked license and speeding. The following evening, a traffic violation led to the arrest of another pair of men. Two passengers in a white Ford Crown Victoria were observed traveling eastbound on Ripley Ave. and neither was wearing a seatbelt. SEE ARRESTS, PAGE A5
Area events events Area This week’s week’s Featured This featuredChurch: church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
FRONT.indd 1
St. Paul Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Turn to to Page Turn PageA7 A7forfordetails details
Feb. 20, 6-11 a.m. Lions Club Pancake Breakfast Covington Integrated Arts Academy Tickets: Adults $5; Children $3
2/10/10 3:42:50 PM