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Volume 110, Number 26, Wednesday, November 14, 2012
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Bethel abolishes police Longest-serving officer in McNairy County fired Board pledges money to pay for sewer
Sparks fly as aldermen-elects clash with Bethel’s Mayor Cox By Jeff Whitten
By Jeff Whitten
Head News Writer
Head News Writer
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Bethel Springs City Recorder Erin Pickle made an impassioned plea for unity at last Monday’s Board of Aldermen meeting but as the meeting progressed it became apparent that her plea fell on deaf ears. “I, as an employee and someone who loves this town, demand... to stop all this fighting,” she said. Pickle challenged the new Aldermen to use their individual skills for the good of the town. “Sherrie Smith works for TDOT, and in the past, we’ve asked them to please replace Old 45 out here. Maybe you can help us Sherrie. We need a new road. Shirley Williams, you’ve worked with...USDA, you have knowledge of getting grants. We need grants. We need water and sewer grants. Gary (Bizzell, Jr.), I worked with you. Your Daddy had businesses here. We need businesses here. We need everybody
The Bethel Springs Board of Aldermen voted to abolish the police department and use the money that would have been spent on it to reduce sewer bills at their meeting last Monday. The vote was 3-1, with Mayor Kay Cox and Aldermen Bobby Gray and Lew Perrigo voting yes and John Wood voting no. ViceMayor Bob Graham was absent from the meeting. Newly elected board members Shirley Williams, Sherrie Smith and Gary Bizzell, Jr. were not sworn in because the results of the Nov. 6 election have not yet been certified. Under the town's charter, they will be sworn in at the first meeting after the election results are certified. “The next thing we want to talk about is money spent by the town
See BETHEL POLICE, 4A
See ALDERMEN, 3A
Maxedon rolls to victory in GOP tide By Jeff Whitten
BIG NIGHT FOR CARDINALS’ ODOM AHS takeaways lead to rout of Mt. Pleasant PAGE 1B
Circuit Court Clerk Byron Maxedon 5,375 Kevin Lipford 4,127
Head News Writer
Democrat Barack Obama was reelected as President of the United States, but it was the Republicans who had a good night at the state and local level, with all of their candidates winning their races. Republican Byron Maxedon defeated Democrat Kevin Lipford in the one local county race for Circuit Court Clerk. This vacancy was created when Ronnie Brooks was elected County Mayor in August.
56% 43%
Bethel Springs elected three new Aldermen: Sherry Smith, Gary L. Bizzell, Jr. and Shirley Williams, defeating Bob Graham, Bobby Gray and Lew Perrigo for reelection. Bethel Springs Alderman-Four-year term (2 positions) Sherry D. Smith 196 34.2% Gary L. Bizzell, Jr. 160 27.9% Bob Graham 83 14.5% Bobby Gray 54 9.4% Benny Jennings 43 7.5% B.J. Jackson Patterson 34 5.9%
Ballots Cast Registered Voters Turnout 9,923 15,718 63.1%
Bethel Springs Alderman-Two-year term (1 position) Shirley Williams 138 42.1% Gary Lynn Bizzell, Sr. 115 35.1% Lew Perrigo 75 22.9%
Republican incumbent St. Sen. Dolores Gresham defeated Democratic challenger Meryl Rice, both in the county and in the district as a whole. State Senate-County Dolores Gresham 5,215 Meryl Rice 3,333
60.9% 39.0%
See ELECTION, 3A
McNairy County honors veterans By Amanda Lowrance Feature Writer
AIM-AZING SHOW
Painted in the patriotic colors, red, white, and blue, the Veteran’s Day Ceremony was held at the Selmer Courthouse last Saturday to honor the veterans for their time and service in fighting for our freedom. A wreath was stationed in front of the courthouse statue that honored the lost soldiers and veterans of the different branches and the different wars. “We have many people here that have served,” said 28-year veteran, John Anderson. “Not all the people of our American Legion posts here in Selmer, but we have many veterans that are here.” Mr. Anderson gave a description of what everyday objects represent to the fellow veterans beginning with an empty chair. “We have hopes at every meeting that one of our brothers or sisters will sit in that chair. That is an empty place derived from the psalms of the Civil War.” An American flag stood on a table representing the many lost soldiers, a single rose expressed the bloodshed, and a yellow ribbon was conveyed to honor the loved ones who waited at home. Anderson went on to explain
Young actors display talent in Tolkien’s classic PAGE 6B
CHAMPS HOIST ANOTHER TROPHY Michie’s Lady Blue Devils win SCA Tournament PAGE 1B
Staff Photo by Amanda Lowrance
Children proudly waive American flags in honor of Veteran’s Day in Selmer last Saturday.
z Opinion 6A z Obituaries 7A z Events 8A z Community 9A z Lifestyles 9A z Courtroom 10A z Sports 1B z Campus 6B z Classifieds 8B Wed - 55/29 Sunny
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FREE WINE TASTING Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 4 pm - 9 pm
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Big Blowout Sale! 775 Wayne Road, Savannah • 731-925-3901 across from Walgreen’s next to Shell station
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181 Merlot 750 ml
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Sun - 60/32 Partly Cloudy
See VETERANS, 2A
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