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145th Year • No. 4 Haywood County, Tennessee $1.00 One Section, 20 pages Brownsville STATES-GRAPHIC Thursday, August 26, 2010 See recipe on page 5 See weather on page 20 Thu 7/1 88/63 A mainly sunny sky. High 88F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Fri 7/2 91/70 Sunshine. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the low 70s. Sat 7/3 91/72 Plenty of sun. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the low 70s. SEE DUI PAGE 3 Special guest speaker, Dr. Will Jones used help with some of his props from members of the Boys and Girls Club. Enjoying dinner together, people crowded into the Carver Gymnasium for the annual Steak N’Burger Dinner. From left, Alicia Russell, Andrew Russell, Christian Albaroto, Tommy Russell Pam Russell, and Omarion Wilks. Quick question. What do Michael Jordan, Jennifer Lopez and Rhett Akins have in common? While all are heavily known throughout the public eye for their unique talents and abilities, all three were former members of the Boys and Girls Club. They served as model examples of the club’s mission: “Inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” One could get a sense of the mission continuing to remain a success last Thursday, August 19, at the former Carver High School gymnasium, as the Brownsville unit of the Boys and Girls Club held its annual Steak N’ Burger Dinner. The event kicked off with the Haywood High School Air Force Junior ROTC presenting the U.S. and Tennessee Flags. Brownsville Boys and Girls Director Alisa Hopson welcomed the crowd before attendees dined on dinner and dessert. As tradition, the dinner has served as a type of yearly fundraiser. This year however, the dinner was also grounds for celebration, as 2010 marked the ten-year birthday of the organization in Brownsville. “We appreciate all the people who came out to celebrate our ten-year anniversary and Steak & Burger Dinner fundraiser,” Hopson said. The club originally began in Brownsville in 2000 with the help of J.D. Clinton, Chairman of InSouth Bank. With a desire to start a club, much like he had seen during his travels in other locations, Clinton, along with the National Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club, chipped in to have the city’s version of the club built. It would be five years after its initial birth before the club would find its current home on East Jefferson Street. Some view the club’s ten years here in Brownsville as a successful climb. “Since this is our tenth anniversary, I think we’re doing something right. Don’t you?” Hopson said to the crowd, who answered her question with a clamorous applause. The event continued with a music performance from local music group, Diverse Five and words from guest speaker Dr. Will Jones. A professor of philosophy and religion from the University of Mississippi Desoto, Jones is a former resident of the county. He self- described himself as someone unable to “take Haywood County out of the boy.” “We miss Haywood County so much that we named our dog, can you guess? That’s right…Haywood,” Jones said to the crowd, expanding on he and his family’s love for their former home. The rest of Jones’ message, though humorous, aimed to teach the children of the Boys and Girls Club patience, practice, dealing with peril and perseverance. Judge Lyle Reid followed Jones’ speech with a special presentation detailing the history of the club, listing the roles and work of members both past and present. Present members of the Board of Directors include Michael Banks, Gem Bell, Joe Bond, Alan Callery, Allen Currie, David Duke, Martha Lyle Ford, Pearlie Hess, Undrae Johnson, Leon King, Debbie Lewis, Brent Porterfield, Karen Shaw, William Barken, Cyntha Rawls Bond, Fred Boyd, Lisa Carlton, Walter Dirl, Carolyn Flagg, Drayton Hawkins, Jimmie Johnson, Leslie Keathley, Jody Lea, Abby Nichols, Teresa Russel and Andrea Smothers. The Brownsville Boys and Girls Club Staff were recognized for their work. Besides Hopson and Executive Director Sabrina Anderson, the club includes Miguel Cobb, James Barkens, Arniece Perkins and Yvonne Shaw. And finally club member Kennedi Dancy, concluded the night by reading “Our Deepest Fear,” by Marianne Williamson. With Dancy reading her chosen poem one couldn’t help but sense that maybe she was talking directly to fellow members instead of just the adults. Maybe it was a call to arms for each member to become the best they possibly can be. “We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone,” Dancy read. “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Looking at it, Williamson’s poem wasn’t too far off from the club’s mission. Boys and Girls Club celebrates with annual dinner During Medford’s retirement party, from left to right, Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith, Ann Medford and former Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh. “It’s going to be a happy occasion and a sad one.” For many that have worked with her, these words probably couldn’t have been truer as former Haywood County Clerk Ann Medford spoke them during Monday’s special called county meeting. Medford was commenting on her retirement as County Clerk. She has worked in that position for approximately 38 years. Medford began working in the County Clerk’s office in 1962 as Chief Deputy Clerk when J.R. Moore was the County Clerk. He retired ten years later and upon his recommendation, the county commission appointed Medford that year to fill his unexpired term until September 1974. “I was so happy when I walked to the doors of the court house in March of 1962 to start my career, working up the ladder to become the County Clerk of Haywood County,” Medford said. “How many women were in that position? I know of only one other in the state of Tennessee. How many took over as County Clerk at the age of 30?” I know of no one.” She plans to travel, as well as spend more time with her family, she said. She is hopeful that her successor, Sonia Castellaw, will be great for Haywood County. “She’s going to need your help and guidance, but she will do a great job,” Medford said to the County Commission. “She’s worked with me for 18 years, and I’m sure her training will be forthcoming.” Many within the county said their thanks and appreciation for Castellaw, including the County Mayor. “I want to say, probably no clerk in the State of Tennessee runs a more efficient office than Ann does,” Smith said. “We don’t always agree on everything but it would be strange if folks agreed on everything. It has been a pleasure for me to work with our County Clerk.” Retirement party held for former County Clerk The Haywood County Special Olympics Basketball team takes the time to pose for pictures during the celebration for winning the men’s Division 1 gold medal. Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith noted that there were more people at the courthouse August 20, or last Friday afternoon than when the Haywood County Special Olympics Basketball team left for Nebraska to compete. Through their talents of course, the team did not come back empty- handed. The team won the men’s Division 1 gold medal at the Special Olympics National Games, facing against Minnesota in the finals. Representing Tennessee, it would only make sense that the team would receive such fanfare, from not just Haywood County, but also the entire state. The team was escorted by the Brownsville Police Department while in a limo, driving up from East Main. Time seemed to slow down a bit, as the excited crowd waited for the limo to wrap itself around the courthouse during its journey to park. The limo driver got out and rolled out the red carpet for the athletes and coaches. With the band blaring, a huddled crowd loudly cheering and the constant blinking of camera flashes, you would have thought it was the scene of some big Hollywood premiere. Walking past the various praises and accolades from those in attendance while making their way to the front, the team was presented with a special proclamation from former Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh, plaques from the County, and letters of thanks and recognition from Senator Corker and Governor Bredesen. “These young men did what no one in Haywood County has ever done,” County Mayor Smith said. “They have brought a lot of pride to the community and the state.” The team includes: Quenta Reed, Cordarious Baltimore, Mark Michael, Terrion Cooper, Julius Hughes, Floyd Boyd, Kevin Jones and Shaquille Carter. Coaches are Chrystel Roach, Clinton Smith and Roger Westbrook. Haywood team cheered on as they bring home the gold The problem of impaired-driving is a serious one. While America witnessed a decline in the number of impaired- driving fatalities from 2007-2008, the numbers are still too high. That’s why the Brownsville Police Department recently announced it will join other law enforcement agencies throughout the country in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving this August 20–September 6, known by its tagline, Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. In 2008 alone, nearly 12,000 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit, according to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes is young people age 21-24. In every State as well as the District of Columbia it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. Approximately 10,000 police agencies will participate in this year’s mid-August through Labor Day crackdown, including law enforcement officers representing every State, the District of Columbia and many U.S. cities and towns. The Brownsville Police Department said its officers will be aggressively looking for all impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone they find driving while impaired — regardless of age, vehicle type, or time of day. “Our message is simple and unwavering. BPD launches end of summer DUI campaign
