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COVINGTON
Group accuses city of racism By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com
Several charges of racism were levied at the City of Covington, its police department and its fire department during Tuesday evening’s bimonthly meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. In front of a packed room, Minnie Bommer, spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens of Color in Covington (CCOCIC), addressed the board, reading
from a four-page list of concerns and questions. During her statement, Bommer told the board the group felt it had been left with no recourse other than to seek assistance from the Department of Justice regarding the city’s perceived non-compliance with Civil Rights laws. All representatives of the CCOCIC in attendance at the meeting were Black. According to CCOCIC, there has been a population shift in
Covington and people of color make up 48 percent of the city’s population, the group alleges that fact is not represented within the ranks of the city’s police and fire departments. “The police department has no person of color in an administrative position,” read Bommer. “This department does not reflect the population - as we stated, we are 48 percent of the population and nearly 90 percent of the arrests,
yet Blacks make up less than 10 percent of the force and no Blacks in a decision making capacity. In the best interest of the city, this should not continue.” Bommer went on to say that some of the White police officers of the City of Covington and the police chief, Chief Bennie Carver, do not talk or treat Blacks with the same respect given to them. She mentioned a complaint of unfairness regarding the
department’s hiring and promotion process was brought to Carver’s attention but instead of addressing the issue, he gave the next promotion to an Alderman’s son - a person supposedly, she said, with less time on the job than two of the long-time Black officers. “This was done after this board changed the nepotism law,” she said. “This is clearly favoritism and racism and cannot be allowed in 2011.” At the mention of this, alderSEE CITY, PAGE A3
Deputy recovering after pit bull attack By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
HERE SHE IS! On Saturday, Aug. 6, Jessica McCullough was crowned the 2012 Miss Tipton County by Stephanie Tynes, the outgoing titleholder. A former Miss Teen Tipton County, she and sister Jennifer have made county history as the only pair of sisters to both be crowned Miss Tipton County. McCullough, 18, is a graduate of Brighton High School and the daughter of Larry and Barbara McCullough of Brighton. She competed in the Miss Tennessee pageant in June and will compete again in June 2012, this time representing her home county. Photo by Scottie DeLashmit
Reader’s Guide
COMMUNITY
TCCA encourages ‘Cooking with Friends’ By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com
Cookbooks have a way of bringing people together and not just for the wonderful dishes that come out of them. Cookbooks also represent personal history – a way of linking generations, the places one travels, a life-long quest for
DRUMMONDS – A Tipton County deputy is recovering after being attacked by a pitbull at Wilkinsville Trailer Park last week, officials with the sheriff’s office said Monday. After serving a warrant on Wednesday, Aug. 3, deputy Clay Honeycutt believed he smelled an odor commonly associated with illegal drugs and began investigating to determine its origin. And that, said Lt. Shannon Beasley, is when he met Brutus. It was unfor“We’ve had officers bitten by tunate for the dogs before, but fortunately we haven’t had it to this extent,” he dog and for the said. “Most of the time they’re a dog’s owner, but lot less minor.” Beasley said Brutus was inside (Honeycutt) had the Curt Street home of owner Linda Sage, broke past his owner to protect himand allegedly began attacking self. Honeycutt. It is said the dog first bit the deputy’s elbow, knocking - LT. SHANNON BEASLEY him on the ground. Brutus bit the deputy in the calf, on the hand and above his left elbow, becoming dangerously close to Honeycutt’s head and neck. The deputy fired a gunshot into the dog’s neck. Sage helped control the dog while waiting on animal control officers to arrive on the scene. Though the gunshot wound would have eventually taken his life, Brutus was euthanized by Tipton County Animal Control officers. “We think he did a fine job,” Beasley said. “It was unfortunate for the dog and for the dog’s owner, but (Honeycutt) had to protect himself.” He said although Brutus was inside the residence, pet owners still have a responsibility to control their pets around others. “If you’re met with deadly force, deadly force is what you have to resort to,” said Beasley. Animal control officer Shane Hooks said to his knowledge there had been no complaints ever made on the dog. Hooks said the department receives an average of 10-15 vicious dog complaints each week. “Ninety percent of the time it’s nothing, but we do have the occasional few we have to take,” he said. Though it was determined the drug odor did not originate from Sage’s residence, she was charged Friday with having the dog running at large and causing bodily injury. She is scheduled to appear in Tipton County General Sessions Court on Aug. 16. Honeycutt was taken to The MED where he was treated and released Thursday, Aug. 4. He suffered cuts in his leg and arm and three broken fingers.
good health, support for various organizations and pride in one’s community. The Tipton County Commission on Aging (TCCA) is hoping support for its organization and pride in the community will spur residents to donate recipes for its upcoming cookbook, scheduled
for release in October. Cooking With Friends will be the third cookbook in TCCA’s cookbook series and will feature 800 recipes in a variety of categories such as main dishes, vegetables, desserts, beverages, microwave dishes, diabetic and low-calorie meals. The books are
released approximately every four years and highlight the favorite recipes of Tipton County residents. “We all know that Tipton County is home to the best cooks in West Tennessee,” said TCCA Executive Director Molly Egg. “We are asking residents to send us their
TODAY’S WEATHER Excessive heat continues. High, 98. Low, 76. INSIDE Opinion Faith Obituaries Community Lifestyles
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Sports Community events Classifieds Puzzles Arrests
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FOOTBALL FEVER! Don’t miss our Football Preview special section in next week’s edition! HOW TO REACH US Call 901.476.7116 Fax 901.476.0373 Email news@covingtonleader.com Visit us at 2001 Hwy. 51 South, Covington, TN 38019
SEE TCCA, PAGE A3
LOCAL EVENTS SCHOOL OF THE WEEK
Brighton Elementary Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Mortgage Ofces in South Tipton • South Covington • Collierville • Millington
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1201 Old Hwy. 51 South " Brighton, Tennessee 38011 Phone: 901-837-5860 " Web: www.tipton-county.com/bes
SEPT. 10 Millington Goat Days SEPT. 17 Celebrate Munford SEPT. 24 Heritage Day with Arts & Crafts
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