News 2011

More than 50 sobriety and driver license checkpoints are planned across the state, as the Tennessee Highway Patrol steps up enforcement efforts for the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period now thru Midnight tonight.
According to Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons, “St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular holiday for many Americans to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, it has also become a very dangerous night on our roadways due to drunk drivers. We want to remind all Tennesseans to act responsibly, drive safely and never get behind the wheel impaired.”
Nationwide, there were 103 crash fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Out of that number, 47 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In Tennessee, six people were killed in six fatal crashes during the 2010 St. Patrick’s Holiday, and two of those crashes involved alcohol.
In 2010, preliminary statistics indicate that 1,033 people died on Tennessee roadways, a decline of one percent, compared to 1,043 fatalities in 2009. A driver convicted of DUI can face up to 48 hours in jail and the loss of driving privileges for up to a year for a first offense. The associated costs of driving impaired also include attorney fees, court costs, reinstatement fees and higher insurance premiums.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam tonight delivered his first State of the State address to a packed House Chamber, calling upon legislators and other state officials to join him in transforming how government sets priorities and makes choices.“Ten years from now we will not – and cannot – be doing government the same way we did 20 years ago,” Haslam said. “The time is right to go on a rigorous diet that consumes less and exerts more energy.”
Last year’s state budget totaled $32 billion, and tonight Haslam delivered a $30.2 billion budget proposal to state legislators, a sensible proposal making tough choices with a $1.4 billion budget gap to fill.
The proposal puts money back into the state’s Rainy Day Fund, gives state employees a much-deserved raise and focuses reductions on administrative areas rather than direct services to minimize any impact felt by Tennessee taxpayers.
“State government does a lot of good things,” Haslam said. “We have worked hard to try and continue funding many of those things. The reality is that there are a lot of things I would like to do, that each member of the Legislature would like to do, but that we simply cannot afford.”
Being realistic about the state’s financial situation does not, however, limit any of the Governor’s expectations that the state needs to improve its educational ranking – and potential to attract new businesses and grow jobs.
“Every discussion we have about education should always begin and end with what is best for the child in the classroom,” Haslam said.
“In education we are blessed with the tools to be game changers for all students,” he added. “Better teachers; improved school leadership with great principals; standards of academic excellence; parental involvement and students who are challenged to learn – that can and will happen in Tennessee.”
“If we strive to be more, we will achieve much more,” he concluded.

Capitol Hill Weekby Senator Mae Beavers
The Senate voted 28 to 5 this week to approve a “No State Income Tax” amendment resolution to Tennessee’s Constitution. If voter agree, the proposal would clarify that an income tax and a payroll tax are prohibited by the Tennessee Constitution.
Tennesseeans do not need an income tax. I am a prime co-sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 18 which specifies that the legislature as well as Tennessee counties and cities shall be prohibited from passing either an income tax or payroll tax, which is a tax on employers measured by the wages they pay their workers. A payroll tax has been proposed as a way around an income tax.
The most serious attempt to pass a statewide income tax was in 2002, when the proposal received 45 of the 50 votes necessary for passage in the House of Representatives. Last year, eight state lawmakers co-sponsored legislation to implement a state income tax.
Not having a state income tax has already brought jobs to Tennessee. Being able to tell prospective businesses that we will never have an income tax will help us recruit jobs as we compete against other states in the Southeast for high quality jobs.
In order for a constitutional amendment to pass, it must first be approved by a simple majority in both the House and the Senate this year. Then, it must be approved by a two-thirds vote in each chamber during the next General Assembly in 2013-2014. After that the amendment would be placed on the next gubernatorial ballot for ratification by the people in November 2014.
I am very pleased this resolution has finally passed. When approved by the voters, it will put this issue to rest once and for all.
Health Freedom Act goes to governor – In other major action this week, the House of Representatives passed and sent to the governor legislation I am sponsoring with Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) to allow Tennessee patients to make their own health care choices regardless of the federal action taken in Washington last year. We passed this bill through the Senate last year but it stalled in the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 79 does not seek to “nullify” any federal law, as it would allow individuals the option to participate in a federal program. However, it acknowledges the right of Tennesseans to refuse to participate in a government-run health insurance program. The legislation, called the Tennessee Health Care Freedom Act, seeks to protect a citizen’s right to participate, or not participate, in any healthcare system in Tennessee, and would prohibit the federal government from imposing fines or penalties on that person’s decision.
We are talking about stiff penalties that will escalate to 2.5 percent of a citizen’s taxable income by 2016 if they do not purchase health care insurance. This is will put a heavy burden on citizens who are already struggling to make ends meet. I am very hopeful this legislation will pass our General Assembly this session.
The health care law passed by Congress last year is ‘big brother’ at his worst. The citizens of Tennessee believe they should be able to choose whether or not they want to participate in a federal health care plan. That is what this bill seeks to accomplish.

Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Ryuji Matsumoto, president of VIAM Manufacturing Inc., have announced plans to locate VICAM in Manchester.The company is a newly formed subsidiary of leading nonwoven materials producer Japan Vilene Company (JVC) to be managed by VIAM Manufacturing and utilize technology developed by Oyama Chemical. VICAM will build a facility for the production of a polyester-based carpet fiber that is expected to open in January 2012, and represents an investment of $32 million and 70 new jobs when all phases of construction are complete.
The plant will be located on a 12-acre site that will house a 44,000 square foot facility with the capability for a future expansion of 120,000 square feet. Future expansion plans include supplying PET stable carpet fiber to VIAM Manufacturing in their manufacture of automotive floor mats. As a producer of high quality, custom design floor, trunk and cargo mats, VIAM is a supplier for many of the big automotive companies, including Nissan North America, Inc.
“I couldn’t be more pleased VICAM has chosen to make this investment in Coffee County,” said Coffee County Mayor David Pennington. “VIAM Manufacturing has a strong reputation for quality and reliability within the automotive industry, and VICAM will be creating good quality jobs for our community.”
JVC was established in 1960 in Japan and has become a world leader in nonwoven products. In 2008, VIAM’s Manchester location became the headquarters for VIAM North America, a leader in automotive floor mats and interior products.

A Cannon County man ended up in jail last Friday due to a domestic assault. Cannon County Sheriffs Deputy Tommy Barker was dispatched to a call to a residence on Sycamore Road. According to police reports, upon arrival he noticed the front door was standing wide open, all electricity had been shut off and Mr. Philip Adams was laying on the couch in the living room which was surrounded by other furniture that had been turned over. When Mr. Adams was asked why the house was in disarray, he responded that he and his wife had lost the house phone and was trying to find it. Adams then stated that his wife and daughter left the residence and he had just thrown the TV in the creek. Deputy Barker left the residence and met with Mrs. Lynn Adams at the Cannon County Jail. Ms. Adams then explained that when she had arrived home Mr. Adams had started yelling at her. After she had heard glass break Ms. Adams decided to leave the residence with her daughter until things cooled down. When Ms. Adams came back to get some clothes, Mr. Adams started yelling at her again. As Ms. Adams got in her car to leave, Mr. Adams jumped on the hood pounding the windshield with his fists. Ms Adams felt that Mr. Adams would hurt her or her daughter since he busted the window in the other vehicle the night before.
According to reports from the sheriff’s department, After Ms. Adams backed up the third time, Mr. Adams jumped off the hood and tried to open her door, he started yelling that he was Lucifer and the children would have to pay. At that point Ms. Adams left the residence and contacted dispatch.
Mr. Adams was then taken into custody and transported to the Cannon County Jail on a domestic assault charge.

The Cannon County Lionettes turned their focus into a state tournament win in the quarterfinals of the TSSAA State Tournament at Murphy Center in Murfreeesboro Thursday morning. With a outstanding turnout of crowd support cheering the Lionettes. The sharpshooting Sissom girls, Emily and Abby combined for 6 three pointers as Cannon finished off the game with a 6-0 run en route to a 57-51 win over the Elizabethton Lady Fighting Cyclones. Cannon used a drive by Chelsea Payne followed by free throws from Emily Sissom to ice the game with 3 seconds left and take the win.Emily Sissom finished with a game high 17, Abby Sissom followed with 13 and Chelsey Payne added 10. The win moves Cannon County to the semi-final bracket to face McMinn Central. McMinn’s only loss this year has been to the Lionettes at the Cannon County Classic in November 64-55.
Game time for the semifinal matchup will be Friday at 2:30. Cannon County Schools will be in regular session with the buses running at normal time in the morning. However since the Lionettes won, school will be dismissed at 1:00 Countywide. WBRY encourages you to come to Murphy Center and help the Cannon County Lionettes get to the championship game. We’ll have the live broadcast beginning at 2:15 with the Mayor and The Coaches Corner on 1540AM 96.7FM WBRY.

A meth lab operating in Cannon County was shut down last week. Acting on information Thursday March 3rd, Cannon County Sheriff’s Investigator Anthony Young, along with Cannon County Sheriff Darrell Young, deputies Randy Neal, Seth Perry and Randy Moss discovered a meth lab in operation on Arthur Hollis Road. According to Investigator Young the Sheriff’s department confiscated all of the meth making materials and the finished meth product which were destroyed by a hazmat team.
Antoinette Frattallone, 42, who rented the residence, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to resale, maintaining a dwelling for the use, keep or sale of a controlled substance, simple possession/casual exchange, possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia and initiating the process of manufacturing meth. Frattallone remains in custody at the Cannon County Jail. Bond was set at a total of $157,000. She was appointed a public defender. Her next court date was set for May 3rd. One other person was in the home at the time of the discovery of the meth lab. Dillan Collette, age 19, of Mason Hollow Road, was charged with simple possession of marijuana.
Collette was given a citation to General Sessions Court and will also appear on May 3rd.

The day is finally here for the Cannon County Lionettes. The 29-7 team led by Coach Dodgen will make their first appearance in the TSSAA state tournament since 1992 when they play this morning at 11:30 against Elizabethton. Cannon County Schools are in regular session today however any student or Cannon County School employee who wishes to attend the game today will be allowed to sign out starting at 10:00 provided they bring proof of game attendance the following day such as a ticket stub or a staff member taking roll at the game.A pep bus will be available for school students who may not have other transportation to the game at no charge but they will be responsible for the $10 admission ticket to the game. The pep bus will deliver the students back to their respective schools by early afternoon. Students will be able to catch their proper bus home at the normal dismissal time.
The estimated crowd from Cannon County expected to be at Murphy Center Thursday morning is around 1,000 people. You are invited to come out and support the Lionettes this morning. If you can’t make it, WBRY AM-1540, FM 96.7 will have complete coverage beginning at 11:10 with the coaches corner, 11:30 tip-off
In order to make today’s broadcast possible, several of our normal midday program underwrites agreed to allow their programs to be moved. WBRY would like to thank Woodbury Funeral Home, Jennings Jewelers and Smith Funeral Home. The Churches of Christ midday Bible study program will air Thursday at 10:40am instead of its normal time of 12:15.

With the costs of food expected to rise Cannon County Schools Food Service Director Jennifer Insell addressed the Cannon County Board of Education during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at Auburn School to ask permission to join a buying group made up of 12 school districts and over 75 schools. The buying group will give buying power to the participating school districts, keeping prices low on food. The Board voted unanimously and gave permission to join the buying group.Director of Schools Barbara Parker recognized the recent spelling bee winners Katie Hoskins, Braden Strange and Jake Hoskins all from Eastside.
At the recent Beta Club Convention, Hannah Freeman, a sophomore at Cannon County High School, placed second place in the pencil sketch of the art competition. Hannah will now go on to compete at the National Convention in June.
Ms. Norma Lewis a teacher at Cannon County High School was named State Sponsor of the Year. Ms Lewis has been involved in the Beta Club for 34 years.
The 4-H grade level public speaking contest took place recently. First place in 4th grade was Emily Nave from Woodbury Grammar School. First place in 5th grade was Valkyrie Rutledge from Westside. 6th grade public speaking contest winner was Leah Hyatt from Woodland. 7th grade winner was Taylare Campos from Westside and the 8th grade winner was Megan Braswell from Short Mountain
One notable item on the consent agenda was the approval of the recommendation of the math textbooks as presented by the textbook committee
The office is in the middle of the bid process for the cooling tower for Cannon County High School. The pre-bid meeting will be held Thursday with the bid opening slated for 2:00 Thursday afternoon March 17th. Director Of Schools Barbara Parker suggested to the Board to recess the meeting until March 18th for the purpose of approving the bid of the cooling tower as the system needs 8 weeks to order the cooling tower equipment and would like to have that in place ready to begin construction May 31st. Board Member Shannon Davenport made a motion that the decision would be approved in a executive decision instead of by the entire board. The executives are Board Chairman Randy Gannon and Director Of School Barbara Parker.
The motion passed.
Board Chairman Randy Gannon, along with Board Members Kathy Hyatt, Shannon Davenport, Chris Blackburn, Mike Mayfield Student Board Members Jeran Tenpenny and Tyler Stone along with Cannon County Director of Schools Barbara Parker were in attendance.
The next Regular Board workshop will be at the Central Office on April 12th at 6:00 p.m. with the next regular board meeting Thursday April 14th at 6:00 at the Eastside School.

The Town Of Woodbury Mayor and Board Of Aldermen met for their regular meeting Tuesday night at the City Hall in Woodbury. In a light agenda the board approved a roadblock permit for the Cannon County Rescue Squad for May 21st.The board also approved a roadblock permit for the Cannon SAVE program for May 28th.
On first reading the board passed an adoption of an ordinance to allow the Woodbury Fire Department to charge insurance companies a fee for responding to fire calls. The ordinance will now go to the April meeting for a public hearing and possible adoption on second and final reading.
Mayor Patrick informed the Board about an open forum the Cannon County Republican Party has scheduled at the Cannon County Courthouse April 7th at 6:00pm. Tennessee State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representative Mark Pody will be on hand to discuss ideas centered around the development of new industry and the creation of new jobs in Cannon County.