THE LEADER Thursday, November 19, 2009
75¢
Serving All of Tipton County Established 1886
Volume 123 • No. 86
www.covingtonleader.com
Mason clerk indicted for stealing
MASON – Mason’s former city and court clerk was indicted by the Tipton County Grand Jury earlier this month following an investigation by the state Comptroller’s Division of Municipal Audit. On Nov. 6, Arnita Mitchell posted bond and was released from the custody of the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office on charges that she stole nearly $100,000 from the
town’s coffers. Between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009, auditors discovered that Mitchell took more than $96,000 worth of taxpayer money for her personal use. Also, auditors found that she had received more than $1,000 worth of water and gas services from the town for herself and another person without paying. And auditors found Mitchell had falsified written and electron-
ic town records to cover her tracks. “This is the type of excellent work we expect from our auditors,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “While it’s disappointing that fraud, waste and abuse sometimes occur in government, our auditors are trained to spot it when it happens. Hopefully, cases such as the one involving Ms. Mitchell will serve as a deterrent to anyone who
might consider improperly using public money for private gain.” “Let this be a warning to government employees who commit fraud: It’s only a matter of time before my investigative team catches you and you are brought to justice,” added Dennis Dycus, director of the Division of Municipal Audit. “Abuse of taxpayer funds cannot and will not be tolerated. And now, more than ever,
public officials must be diligent stewards of tax dollars to ensure they are not only spent wisely, but also safeguarded from greedy hands.” Following the investigation, Mitchell was indicted on the following charges: Theft over $60,000; Forgery over $60,000; Computer Fraud over $60,000; Theft of Services over SEE MASON, PAGE A3
Mitchell
Tipton County schools remain in good standing By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Ida Lee, played by Nikki Powell, reacts to a joke told during the 21st annual Hee Haw Howdy. The hometown favorite raised more than $2,000 during its two-day run for the American Cancer Society.
Hee Haw Howdy raises funds for ACS By SHERRI ONORATI sonorati@covingtonleader.com The annual Hee Haw Howdy variety show, a long-time Tipton County favorite and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, performed in front of a sell-out crowd and then “PFFT! They was gone!” With crowds in excess of 700 for the two-night performance run, the 21st annual Hee Haw Howdy brought the total amount of money raised for the American Cancer Society to more than $55,000 in its 21-year history. “We were excited with the large crowds,” said Lee Johnston, executive director of the Tipton CountyCovington Chamber of Commerce and Hee Haw Howdy director. “Over $2,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society. My cast always has a great time playing in the Hee Haw Howdy Show.” The three-hour show, held at the Historic Ruffin Theater, had audience members laughing and dancing in the aisles, and when students from Covington Integrated Arts Academy sang, “I’m Proud to be an American,” even tearing up. The 14-member cast, many who have been repeat performers over the years, included:
Doc Nurse Goodbody Dusty Ida Lee Miss Minnie Junior Lulu Belle Lavern Grandpa Professor Goober Hee Haw Gal Hee Haw Gal
Jimmy Trotter Kristie Escue Tim Hershberger Nikki Powell Bonnie Walker Vaden Glass Millie Pullen Elaine Shankle Lee Johnston John Weedman Harold Morris Jeff Morris Roxann Jones Tab McDivitt
Music for the variety show was performed by The Glass Onion, Corey McCaskill with Kaci and Madi Hawks, Vicky Creasy’s CIAA students, Jeff Morris, Eric Pilkington, Lisa Byrd and Paige Koneski. The cast of Hee Haw Howdy would like to thank the Historic Ruffin Theater, the Tipton County Arts Council, Dawn Johnston, Holly Lyle, Mark Holder and the many people who came out to enjoy the show for their support in ensuring another successful year and look forward to planning next year’s event. “This was the 21st year and if the cows come home and the creek don’t rise, then we will do it again next year!” laughed Johnston. “Y’all come back now!”
Each November, the Tennessee Department of Education releases its report card on the state's schools and this year, some schools may not have made the grade. This year the state has implemented a new grading scale and scores once considered proficient in years past may now be Bs or Cs. "This does not reflect a loss of learning, but a change in the scale," the department said in a press release earlier this month. TDOE has reset the average baseline comparison for student performance to the 2009 average performance data. It was previously set using data from 1998. The change comes as an alignment of standards and assessments associated with the American Diploma Project. In 2007, Tennessee and 30 other states joined forces to form the ADP network with the purpose of producing students who are workplace- and college-ready. Tennessee also formed its own curriculum, known as the Tennessee Diploma Project, which became effective for high school freshmen this school year. "In order for the TDP to work properly, we are responsible for making sure our graduation requirements and tests reflect properly that are students are prepared," said officials with the department. As a result of changing the base-
line to 2009, there is no ability to compare data from previous years for Value Added and Achievement scores for this year's report card. Additionally, a new grade scale for the report card has been implemented this year. (The scale can be viewed online at http://tn.gov/education/reportcard/grade_scale.shtml.) Tipton County in good standing As a system, Tipton County Schools met all federal benchmarks for adequate yearly progress and the system is in good standing with the federal No Child Left Behind act. However, Brighton Middle School has been labeled a target this year after it did not meet adequate yearly progress for students with disabilities. In 2008, Crestview Middle School was a target, but is now in good standing. Academic achievement System-wide, Tipton County Schools are at or near average in academic achievement. For grades 3-8, TCAP scores reflect math, reading/language and science scores meet the average score for the state, earning the system Bs in those subjects. The social studies score, which was one point below the state average, earned the system a C. TCAP writing scores for fifth, eighth and eleventh grade students SEE CARD, PAGE A3
Millington man injured in wreck By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com DRUMMONDS – A Millington man is in serious condition after an accident on Wilkinsville Road Tuesday night. Reports from the Tennessee Highway Patrol indicate that at approximately 11:30 p.m., 28-year-old Otis Rooker was operating a motorized minibike southbound in the northbound lane of Wilkinsville Road, near Meadowview Road, when he was struck by another vehicle. "I think he was attempting to turn left on Meadowview, but he didn't make it," said
Trooper William Butler. Also traveling northbound on Wilkinsville was Tracy Puckett Landsdown in a 1992 Nissan Maxima. After the head-on collision, Landsdown went to a nearby gas station at the corner of Simmons
and Wilkinsville to call police. Reports indicate Rooker, of 230 Meadowview Road, sustained serious injuries in the accident. Butler said he was transportSEE WRECK, PAGE A3
Area events Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
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Nov. 26 Thanksgiving
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