News 2012

Susan (Sue) Conley, FACHE, has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for DeKalb Community Hospital (DCH) and Stones River Hospital (SRH) by the Upper Cumberland Healthcare Initiatives (UCHI) Board and Capella Healthcare in consultation with the hospital’s Board of Trustees.  She begins the new position on Monday, October 1. 
“With over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare leadership roles, Sue brings outstanding qualifications to this role,” said Mark Medley, President of Hospital Operations for Capella. “With the opportunities ahead of us I, along with the board members, believe Sue is the right leader to help these hospitals reach their fullest potential. We all have great confidence in Sue’s ability to work with all of the hospitals’ constituents to lead both organizations through the transitional years ahead.”
 
Conley comes to DCH and SRH from Van Buren, AR, where she has been serving as CEO of Summit Medical Center, a 103-bed acute medical/surgical hospital.  Prior to this, she served as CEO at Mesa Vista Regional Hospital in Mesquite, NV; and as COO at a number of hospitals including 492-bed Sparks Health System in Fort Smith, AR; Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado, AR; and Brownwood Regional Hospital in Brownwood, TX.  She also served as an Assistant Administrator and Laboratory Supervisor after beginning her healthcare career as a Medical Technologist.
 
Conley earned a B.S. degree in biology (cum laude) from Hardin Simmons University, Abilene, TX; and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University, San Antonio, TX.  She has earned Fellowship status in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
 
Conley will be moving to the area in the next month with her husband Allen.  She has two grown children, a daughter JoBeth who lives in Sacramento, California, and a son Michael who lives in London, England.  She has two grandchildren.

The sporadic history of the past Cannon County Industrial Boards has created some major problems that the current Industrial Board is working toward straightening out.  Over the past eight years the Industrial Board which had been meeting quarterly only had two meetings where a quorum could be called.  Past boards conducted meetings, made decisions and continued with business as usual despite a lack of quorum.  This in itself has caused some issues with Industrial owned buildings and tenants leases. The problems of the past were evident during last nights monthly meeting of the Cannon County Industrial Board.  The Board set up guidelines for lease agreements for two current tenants operating in Industrial owned buildings
Those guidelines will allow for a tax abatement for both tenants T.H.C. Select on Alexander Drive and P.C. Disposal on Bryant Lane.  After a cost benefit analysis was completed on both businesses by consulting firm Younger and Associates of Jackson Tennessee it was suggested from the information submitted that the rent on THC Select could be as high as $8860 a month.    THC Select hasn’t paid any rent since they occupied the Alexander Drive Building in January of 2011.  Board Member Doug Bodary made the motion that with all the figures given the rent should be set at $5,500 a month.  In addition $2,000 per month will be charged to T.H.C. Select to recuperate $17,522.00 that the Industrial Board paid through the county for the electricity and water of the building while THC Select were moving their operations from Waverly to Woodbury.  The County paid the electricity and water with IDB funds from August of 2010 through Feburary of 2011.  The back rent owed to the Industrial Board from THC Select which amounts close to $51,000.00 will be waived as there was no drawn up lease agreement in effect  Rent will be due by the 10th of the month.  After the 10th a late fee of 10 percent will be tacked on.  If rent has not been paid for two consecutive months, the tenant will be subject to eviction.  P.C. Disposal’s rent according to the analysis could be as high as $3612.00 a month.  However it was also suggested by Bodary that the rent should currently be set at $1500 a month.  P.C. Disposal had not paid rent in the last four months .  Their back rent was also waived because as in  the case of THC Select there was also no lease agreement in effect  The motion was passed.  Board chairman Randal Reid along with board member Dean Moore will talk with officials from both companies to make sure all are in agreement before drawing up a lease.
In other actions during the meeting which took place at Crane Interiors on Alexander Drive last night.  The Board agreed to look further into the costs and benefits of moving their account out from under the County and into their own separate fund.  This move will allow them to be responsible for their own monies and not have to rely on the County Executive’s office to sign any checks.  After a tour of the Crane Interior facility hosted by Mark Scott, it was back to work on new business items on the agenda.
The only new business that was actually heard before adjournment was from Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon.  Gannon pointed out a few discrepancies on the July 2012 minutes.  When the Board discussed THC Select during that meeting it was put in the minutes that THC Select had not paid any rent or utilities to date.  THC Select has actually been taking care of the utilities since Feburary of 2011 even though the Industrial Board has yet to see a rent payment.  It was agreed that the correction will be reflected as comments in the minutes of the September meeting.  The second discrepancy that was pointed out by Gannon showed that he was named as allowing THC Select to waive personal property taxes for a five year period.  Gannon says that he had not given that authoriziation and did not know anything about the matter until recent discussions with County Property Assessor Donald Preston.  The correction will be made based on a letter THC Select had sent to the Property Assessor’s office.  The third discrepancy dealt with the minutes reflecting that the THC Select deal that brought their operations to Woodbury was conducted by Executive Gannon under the term handshake deal.  Gannon maintained that any decision on bringing THC Select was in conjunction with the Industrial Board and the handshake deal was actually termed a gentlemen’s agreement.  After a video on the internet was played that showed Gannon discussing a gentlemen’s agreement during a previous Industrial Board Meeting, he backed off of the importance of that correction being made.  It was also noted that the meeting in question with the Industrial Board and THC Select back in 2010  was one of the meetings that due to lack of quorum that no official decisions should’ve been made in the first place. To help clear everything up in regards to these corrections, secretary Corey Davenport will review the tape of the meeting and make the corrections and present them at the next board meeting in October

The Cannon County Beer Board had scheduled a meeting for last night during the August regular monthly meeting of the Cannon County Commissioners.  The purpose of the meeting was to consider a request to allow the Short Mountain Market to sell beer even though they are less than 300 feet from a nearby church.  However most people were confused after recently seeing the meeting date in publications as next TuesdaySeptember 11th.  Around 15-20 people gathered at the Courthouse yesterday only to be  told by Beer Board Chairman Jim Bush that the meeting had been postponed due to short notice of the meeting being called in the first place.  No one representing the Short Mountain Market was present last night.  

MTSU’s Department of Art is celebrating the fall 2012 semester with “Painting Painters Paint,” an exhibition of the collected works of 15 innovative current artists, in the Todd Art Gallery through Thursday, Sept. 20.Art Professor Sisavanh Houghton, who envisioned the exhibit, and fellow professors Melissa Newman, Bob Durham and Charles Clary invited colleagues from across the Midsouth to participate.
The result is an outstanding collection of style, interpretation and process, according to gallery curator Eric Snyder.
The participating artists are well-known in the region, and many also have achieved national recognition. “Painting Painters Paint” artists include Mark Bradley-Shoup, Ron Buffington, Tom Burtonwood, Gianna Commito, Jeff Danley, Joshua Dildine, Hamlett Dobbins, Greg Eltringham, Jason Hoelscher, Joshua Huyser, Mead McLean, Laura Mosquera, John Nelson, Yvonne Petkus and Craig Drennen.
Todd Gallery also plans a busy autumn with more exhibits, including:

the annual Graphic Design Juried Student Exhibit Sept. 25-Oct. 11, sponsored by the MTSU chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design, with an artists’ reception on Monday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.;

“Forms of Expression: A Survey of Contemporary Clay” Oct. 17-Nov. 17, curated by Professor John Donovan and featuring ceramic artists Dana Chapman-Tupa, William DePauw, Lisa Elrich, John Oles, Quintin Owens and Adam Paulek, with an Oct. 22 artists’ reception;

the fourth annual Seasonal Scholarship exhibit Nov. 19-21, featuring work donated by MTSU art faculty, staff, students, alumni and community artists; and

three graduating-senior exhibits in studio art, known as the “Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibits,” scheduled Nov. 6-8, Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 27-29. The BFA exhibits feature work in painting, sculpture, clay, printmaking and letterpress and include a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. each Monday before each exhibit’s Tuesday opening.
Todd Gallery exhibitions, receptions and lectures are always free and open to the public. The Todd Gallery is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and is closed on state and university holidays.
For additional exhibit or parking information and directions, contact Snyder at 615-898-5653.

  Varsity  CCHS vs. MTCSSet 1:  CCHS 15 – MTCS 25
Set 2:  CCHS 24 – MTCS 26
Set 3:  CCHS 25 – MTCS 21
Set 4:  CCHS 20 – MTCS 25
 
Ace:  Cheyenne Fann – 1, Marion Wallace – 2
Kill:  Ariana Kailiponi – 4; Abbey Spry 2
Block:  Ariana Kailiponi – 1
Tips:  Emily Sissom – 2, Ariana Kailiponi – 1; Abbey Spry – 3, Marion Wallace – 1
 
 
JV CCHS vs. MTCS
 
Set 1:  CCHS 25 – MTCS 16
Set 2:  CCHS 16 – MTCS 25
Set 3:  CCHS   6 – MTCS 15
 
Kill:  Haylee Mooneyham – 2, Cheyenne Fann – 1
Ace:  Emily Sissom – 5, Shawni Heery – 2
 

Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon is scheduled to address the Cannon County Industrial Development Board tonight at their regular monthly meeting.  At issue is the wording of the minutes from the July meeting where a couple of the Industrial Board Members are claiming that Gannon made handshake deals with existing industry in order to get them to move here.  Executive Gannon wants the minutes corrected to reflect that he does not have the authority to make any kind of arrangements with potential industrial businesses and has pointed out that any final details and plans that would result in bringing such business to the county has to be made by the industrial board themselves.  The meeting will take place at Crane Interiors 200 Alexander Drive in Woodbury tonight.  Other items on the agenda.  The board will address modifications to r & m transactions for Crane Interiors.  They will get an update on Chairman Randall Reid’s abilities to co-sign for any industrial board written checks as well as an update of the cost benefit analysis for THC Select and PC Disposal.  The board will also be updated on the 2012-2013 Budget and discuss a summary concerning phone, mailbox, office space, brochure and census.  The meeting starts at 6:00  

Cannon County Deputies recently recovered a reported stolen vehicle out of Dekalb County and arrested three of the occupants with various charges.  According to sheriff’s reports, last week Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve McMillen along with Sgt Randy Neal was dispatched to the Old Center Hill Market in connection with the stolen car being at that market.  Upon arrival, the officers had to pull the vehicle over.  After talking with Mr. Brandon Byford the driver the officers ran a check on his license and the other two people that were in the car, Stephanie Fagan of Smithville and David Anderson of Florida.  Mr. Byford’s license returned suspended and he had four warrants out of Rutherford County.  Mr Anderson was wanted for Violation of Parole out of Florida however Florida did not want to extradite him.  Furthermore after conducting a weapons search on Mr. Byford, Deputy McMillen found a Xanax pill in his pocket.  A search of the vehicle produced three hyperdermic needles, one spoon and another xanax pill.  Mr Byford was arrested for the theft of the vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.  Mr. Anderson and Ms Fagan were taken into custody and transported to Dekalb County in reference to the theft of the vehicle.  

The Town of Woodbury Board of Mayor and Aldermen will conduct a Public Hearing Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM at Woodbury City Hall concerning a proposed ordinance that would require all Nonresident property owners who wish to vote in the CITY ELECTION to vote by absentee (paper) ballot only. This only applies to the City Election ballot and nonresident property owners would still be required to vote on all other matters on the ballot as usual, either by early voting, voting at assigned precinct poll, or by absentee ballot. The hearing is part of the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen In other government meetings The Cannon County Beer Board will also meet today at 5:00 at the Cannon County Courthouse to discuss Short Mountain Market’s request to receive a beer permit
 

Many home gardens suffer from high soil acid levels. This is called a low soil pH and results in metals like aluminum and manganese becoming toxic to your garden plants. When this happens, Dr. Hugh Savoy a soil specialist with University of Tennessee Extension, says the fertilizer you are applying can’t be properly utilized by your garden plants for growth and development. “Your plants often become stunted and the result is a loss of production or quality,” he said. 
A simple soil test properly taken and processed can tell you when your garden soil has too much acid in it. Soil analysis is available through the UT Soil, Plant and Pest Center in Nashville. Sampling, processing and mailing instructions are available online at http://soilplantandpest.utk.edu/.
 
Results are returned to you within a short time and will tell you how much lime to add to your soil should acid levels be too high for the garden plants that you want to grow in the sampled area. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer recommendations for your garden are also provided on your report.
 
Lime will work quicker if mixed into your garden soil but it can also be surface applied with good results. Agricultural lime is available in bags at most garden and farm supply stores. “Don’t delay,” says Savoy. “Soil test today and lime if needed.”
 
For more information contact the Cannon County Extension Office at 563-2554
 

This September, the American Red Cross is honoring local families impacted by childhood cancer by asking donors to roll up their sleeves and help. 
Each year in the U.S. approximately 13,400 children between the ages of birth and 19 years old are diagnosed with cancer, according to the American Childhood Cancer Institute. In addition, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children between infancy and age 15. Despite these startling facts, childhood cancer research remains vastly and consistently underfunded.
 
At the American Red Cross, our blood services team works around the clock to collect and process red blood cells as well as platelets that help cancer patients and especially those with Leukemia.
 
Thomas Raccuglia is one of hundreds of childhood cancer patients in the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region who have relied on the generosity of blood donors in this area. When Thomas was 15, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
 
“It was scary at first and then I realized I had no other choice but to fight and have faith that I would get better,” Raccuglia said. During his treatments at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Thomas used close to one hundred blood products. Thankfully, after three and a half years of treatments, Thomas won his battle with cancer, but he understands he didn’t do it alone. “If there weren’t people in the area who were willing to donate blood or platelets I wouldn’t be here today. I never knew how important it is to donate until I was sick. I want to say thanks to everyone who donates blood and platelets. When you do that, you give kids like me a chance at life.”
 
When you donate red blood cells, they can stay on the shelves for 42 days. Platelets are a five day product. We need about 500 platelet donors every month to meet our commitments to local hospitals.
 
Please roll up your sleeve and help a child in need by support American Red Cross during Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Simply visit redcrossblood.org/make-donation and make your appointment online.
 
September Blood Drives in your area:
 
9/13/12
12:00 PM
6:00 PM
Lions Club Building
540 W Adams St.
Woodbury
 
 
How to Donate Blood:Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information or to make an appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors 18 and younger.