News 2016

This week the House of Representatives took a major step forward in protecting religious liberty and defending life by passing my bill, the Conscience Protection Act of 2016. This legislation would prevent governments from penalizing or in any way discriminating against a healthcare provider for refusing to participate in abortion.
In doing so, it would codify an act known as the Weldon Amendment, which has been attached to annual spending bills since 2004 with bipartisan support. But importantly, the bill would also take the law a step further; allowing victims of abortion discrimination to take their case to court in order to seek a resolution.
Today, if you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of refusing to be involved in abortion, you appeal to the Obama Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). That’s right – you would plead your case to the same Administration that called babies a “punishment”, that said churches shouldn’t talk about abortion, and that infamously said “God bless you” to Planned Parenthood at their annual fundraising gala.  The Obama Administration is many things, but a neutral arbiter of the law on matters of abortion is not one of them. We’ve  seen that proven time and again.
In the case of Cathy Cenzon-Decarlo, a pro-life nurse from New York forced by her employer to assist in the abortion of a 22-week preborn baby, it took it took HHS three years to close its investigation into her case.
And in California, where the state Department of Managed Health Care required all insurance plans in the state to offer coverage of elective abortion, HHS dragged its feet for two years before finally determining that no violation of the law had occurred – this despite the fact that churches and Christian universities are now required to subsidize abortion through their insurance plans.
By passing my legislation, the Conscience Protection Act, Congress is taking action to clarify and strengthen our laws so that the conscience rights of every American are protected.  
I look at it this way: Pro-abortion Members of Congress frequently talk about protecting the “right to choose.” Of course, we all know their argument leaves no choice for the innocent life inside the womb, but if politicians are willing to defend that “right” it stands to reason that they should protect the other right to choose as well: the right not to be a forced partner in the practice of abortion. This is what my bill will do. 
It was our nation’s third President, Thomas Jefferson, who reminded us that “No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.” Those words must be as true in 2016 as they were when Jefferson penned them in 1809. With the passage of the Conscience Protection Act, we can make certain that these basic rights of pro-life Americans are safeguarded from government attack.

Billboard Magazine named Maybe April as “one of the top girl groups in country music to look out for.” Recognized for their three-part harmonies, strength as instrumentalists, and shared roles as front women, Katy, Kristen and Alaina have been writing songs and singing harmonies as a trio, each adding something different from their musical backgrounds to create a country indie folk sound. As they rotate instruments and crack mediocre jokes on stage, each performance not only tells stories of everything from hardship to heartache, but also shows how the three girls support one another as both friends and musicians.
 
Just like their harmonies, Alaina, Katy, and Kristen are a perfect fit. Their love for each other and their music continues to push them in their endeavors in Nashville, where they have been based since 2013. Maybe April was born in the summer of 2012 when Katy Bishop, Kristen Castro, and Alaina Stacey traveled across the country to Nashville, Tennessee for a week long music industry camp. Sharing a deep love of country-folk music, genuine admiration for one another’s unique sound, and a constant willingness to laugh at themselves, the three strangers from Jonesboro, Arkansas, Simi Valley, California and Chicago, Illinois quickly became friends. In just a few short hours, the three singer-songwriters wrote a county song that shocked music industry professionals. “Loving You Still” sounded as though it was written by artists who had been working together for years. Little did they know “Loving You Still” would grow to be a very important song for them.
 
In January 2014, Maybe April was invited to play it at the GRAMMY event “A Song is Born” at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, CA alongside incredible artists and songwriters like Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, Allen Shamblin, Gavin DeGraw, J.D. Souther, Joy Williams from the Civil Wars, and many others. Maybe April will open for Sarah Jarosz at The Station Inn in Nashville and for Brandy Clark at the City Winery in Chicago later this summer.
 
About Bird Song Studio:
Owned and operated by Americana Singer/Songwriter Robyn Taylor, Bird Song Studio is located in a renovated church in Woodbury, Tennessee. The 2016 Roots Music Series will also include appearances by Jeff Black in August, Mary Gauthier in September and Missy Raines & The New Hip in October. Bird Song Studio’s second series – Bluegrass In the Hills – will include a Friday, July 15th performance by Bluegrass Songwriter and Performer Ashleigh Caudill. Robyn Taylor will also perform the week of the show, on Wednesday, July 13th, with special guest Briana Murphy on fiddle.  All three shows are sponsored by Hylabrook Antique Mall in Murfreesboro. Tickets for Maybe April are $10 and can be purchased online at http://www.thebirdsongstudio.com or at the door on the evening of the performance.

The tomatoes have arrived, make plans to drop by the Farmers Market on Saturday to get  the “King of the Garden”, the red ripe tomato. Sweet corn is in as well, and the Martin’s will be at the Market with Peaches and Cream. For those with needing a sweet fix, bees have been busy with plenty of local honey. As our kickoff of the season, Woodbury Farmers Market tote bags will be available
The Cannon County Farmers Market has squash, potatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, assortment of peppers, okra green tomatoes and much more.
Best way to get your veggie fix is to drop by the Cannon County Farmers Market Pavilion, located at the Arts Center of Cannon County, on Saturday mornings. Local farmers are there bright and early beginning at 7 and the Market is open until noon or at times earlier if the veggies, canned items or homemade baked goods and of course Ms. Irene’s famous fried pies are gone.
Please help spread the word, local farmers have been busy this year bringing the very best selection to the Market. They look forward in seeing you on Saturday. For more info on what’s available, large quantities for preserving or interested in becoming a vendor, contact Bruce Steelman at the Cannon County UT Extension Office at 563-2554.
 

The Cannon County Budget Committee is ready to make a recommendation to the full Cannon County Commission on the 2016-2017 Cannon County Budget  during their regular monthly meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. in the courtroom of the Cannon County Courthouse.  
The committee voted in to increase property tax seven cents in order to fund this year’s budget.  That would mean the tax rate would go from $2.68 to $2.75 on each $100 of taxable property.  With the property tax rate going up and other estimated revenues, Cannon County will have approximately an estimated $4,875,798.00 of revenue at the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year.  Take away the estimated expenditures and Cannon is estimated to have a fund balance of $269,766.00 which is less than the estimated fund balance of this fiscal year.  The Commissioners will vote on the recommendation during the meeting.  Other items on the agenda is Commissioner Russell Reed will discuss parking and blocking of roadway on Auburntown Bridge.

Performances of The Little Mermaid this Friday (tonight) and Sunday are SOLD OUT- but the good news is a limited number of tickets are still available for tomorrow, and we have ADDED a 2:30 performance next Saturday, 07/23. This will be the final matinee of the run, so get your tickets before they are gone!

Early Voting for the August 4th election begins Friday at the Cannon County Election Offices.  Early voting hours are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 8A to 1P.  Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7PM.  Saturday the 16th and 23rd from 10A to 2P and Saturday the 30th from 8A to 6P.
On the ballot for this particular election will be Republican and Democratic primaries for the Tennessee House Of Representatives 46th District, United States of Congress 6th Congressional District.  
County General Election for Road Commissioners of Cannon County in zones 1,2, and 3.  
Cannon County Property Assessor, and Cannon County Board of Education members for districts 1,2,3, and 4.
There’s also some judicial elections with court of appeals and court of criminal appeals positions up for grabs on the federal level.  
The Cannon County Election Office is located at 301 West Main Street Suite 244 in Woodbury.

AGENDA
CANNON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
July 14, 2016
Woodbury Grammar School Cafeteria
6:30 PM
1. Approve Agenda. – 1 minute
2. Consent Agenda – 1 minute
a. Approve the minutes of the June 8 and June 28, 2016 meetings of the Board
3. Director’s evaluation – 3 minutes
4. Approve revised GP budget – 3 minutes
5. Approve Board Policies
a. 1.407
b. 4.605
c. 4.700
d. 6.206
e. 6.304
6. CCHS Principal Mike Jones will address the Board concerning approval of the CCHS
student handbook – 2 minutes
7. CCHS Principal Mike Jones will address the Board concerning a new scoreboard for the CCHS football
and soccer field – 3 minutes
8. Matt Rigsby, Chairman of the Middle Grades Sports Committee, will address the Board concerning
Middle Grades Basketball guidelines – 2 minutes
9. Shelley Walkup will address the Board concerning: – 2 minutes
a. Middle School Sports Approval for basketball and other sports to come
b. Using the Veterans gym for activities
c. Providing a key for use of the Veterans gym
d. Budget for Band/Music
e. Budget for Veterans gym – plumbing and lighting
f. CNA classes for high school students
g. Driver education
h. Custodians for CCHS and WGS – adequate staffing
i. Sanding and refinishing gym floors
j. CMA Foundation grant
10. Pupil Transfer Requests – 4 minutes
a. Anthony and Paula Leach
b. Heather Johnson
c. Jamie and Tori England (Received after June 30)
d. Hannah and Cody Kennedy (Received after June 30)
11. Safety Update – Workshop only – 2 minutes
12. Director’s Comments – 2 minutes
a. Financial Report
13. Chairman’s Comments – 2 minutes
a. TSBA Fall District Meeting

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam Monday announced the reappointment of Mark Gwyn as director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

Gwyn, 53, has led Tennessee’s lead investigative law enforcement agency for 12 years. Under his leadership, the TBI has expanded its resources and embraced technology to enhance the agency’s investigating strengths. Gwyn oversaw the creation of a Technical Services Unit that is responsible for high-tech surveillance methods, computer forensics, and investigating internet crimes against children; helped establish the nationally recognized Tennessee Fusion Center which services as a central hub of information sharing between local, state, and federal law enforcement partners; and spearheaded the state’s efforts to combat human trafficking, including the creation of a special unit to investigate cases and train law enforcement officers across the state.

“Mark has dedicated his career to making Tennessee safer and his ambitious efforts have helped the TBI become a proactive law enforcement agency. As part of the Public Safety Subcabinet, Mark has helped lead the fight against some of the most serious crimes in our state, including human trafficking, meth production and gang violence and will continue those efforts to further protect our communities,” Haslam said.

Prior to his initial appointment as TBI director in 2004, Gwyn led the agency’s Forensic Services Division and served as its Executive Officer. He joined the TBI as an agent in 1988. Gwyn previously served as a patrol officer for the McMinnville Police Department.

“I am both humbled and honored to continue leading the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and appreciate Governor Haslam’s confidence in my ability to advance our agency’s mission. I’ll continue to do everything possible to work with his administration and the men and women of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to fight crime and improve public safety in Tennessee,” Gwyn said.

Gwyn is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and the FBI National Academy. He has completed law enforcement and leadership training at the FBI’s National Executive Institute, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the FBI’s Leadership in Counter-Terrorism Program. Gwyn received extensive terrorism training conducted in Israel by the Israeli National Police while attending the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange and in 2015 graduated from the inaugural Tennessee Law Enforcement Command College. He serves as the president of the Board of Directors of the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies and sits on the boards of several law enforcement-related organizations.

A native of McMinnville, Gwyn earned a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and in 2010 received the Distinguished Alumni Award for professional achievement from MTSU.
 

Application for Plant Certification License – This replaces individual applications for individual categories:
Greenhouse License – is required for each location where a person uses a greenhouse to grow or propagate nursery stock or annual plants for sale or distribution on a commercial basis.
    Nursery License –is required for each location where a person grows or propagates nursery stock or annual plants for sale or distribution on a commercial basis.
    Plant Dealer License – is required for each location where a person who is not the original grower of nursery stock or annual plants, sells, offers for sale, distributes, or holds the plants for distribution on a commercial basis.
    Florist License- is required for each location where a person otherwise subject to licensure as a plant dealer is engaged in business as a florist.
    Landscaper License – is required for any person engaged in business as a landscaper.
    Wild Plant Collector License – is required to collect, sell, or raise native wild plants for sale in Tennessee.
    Sweet Potato License– is required to sell certified sweet potato plants and slips in Tennessee.
    Turfgrass License – is required to produce certified turfgrass sod for sale in Tennessee.  Non-certified sod requires a Nursery Certificate.
    Phytosanitary Certificate – To certify pest-free status for sale or transport of plants (or plant parts) as required by other states or countries. Contact your Plant Inspector for application and requirements.
For links to applications and fee schedules:
https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/article/ag-licenses-plant-certification

For more information call Bruce Steelman at the UT-Extension Cannon County office at 615-563-2554
 

Cannon County Schools have issued an update to the Notice Of Home School

Any parents/legal guardians who intend to conduct an Independent Home School, grades K-12, during the 2016-2017 school year must provide annual notice to  their local public school Director’s office each new school year.  This requirement applies to previous home school parents and new ones alike.

Home School registration forms for the 2016-2017 school year are available at the Cannon County School Director’s office and online at the Cannon County Schools page (http://www.ccstn.net/ under the homeschool department tab) or the Tennessee State Department of Education Home School page (http://www.tn.gov/education/schools/homeschool.shtml). Upon completion, forms should be returned to the Director of School’s office at 301 West Main Street, Woodbury, TN 37190 by August 1, 2016. 

Any parent/legal guardian wishing to conduct an Independent Home School for grades K-12 must provide 1) proof of legal custody or guardianship by a copy of child’s birth certificate or court order, and 2) copy of a high school diploma or GED, and 3) the student’s immunization record.

If you have any questions regarding home schools, please call 563-5752 or 563-5029 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.