TUESDAY, MAY 26 , 2015
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION
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ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
On Their Way to High School!
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 2
The graduating class at Springfield Middle School is excited and ready for high school after walking the graduation line last Thursday night. Photo by Curtis Castle.
Library to reopen
Saturday
Merchants say more
signs needed in
downtown Springfield
Looking for something
to do this weekend?
FULL STORY ON PAGE 3
FULL STORY ON PAGE 4
FULL STORY ON PAGE 12
2
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM | May 26, 2015
Congratulations graduates
of Springfield Middle School
Photos by Curtis Castle.
May 26, 2015 | ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
3
Criminal cases will be assessed $2 fee Welcome to
Additional money will go
towards county archives
By Walter George
Robertson County Connection
The Robertson County Commission met Monday night, May 18 with
the first item on the agenda dealing
with filling a vacant position on the
county equalization board.
That position went to resident
Wayne Dugger, who had previously
served the county as the veteran’s services officer. That committee’s next
scheduled meeting will be in June.
“There was a total of 12 resolutions, presented to the commission,
most of which were budget amendments,” County Mayor Howard
Bradley said. “This is typical because
we are now very close to the end of
the fiscal year and a number of the
departments have to bring certain
items back into compliance with the
line item for which they were dedicated, so we had two items from the
general fund, a rather lengthy one
from schools, and one from the highway department.”
The commission also approved the
sale of some surplus property declared
from both the sheriff ’s department
and from the library. Commissioners
also approved an agreement between
the county planning office and the
city of Springfield planning office, in
terms of being able to share some of
the permitting responsibilities, so that
residents who are inside the city limits
would not have to pay a county permitting fee for certain inspections.
A resolution was approved that
appropriated up to $130,000 for the
possible purchase of a parcel of property located across the street from
the county office building on the corner of Brown Street and 8th Avenue,
which Bradley said could possibly be
used for county purposes at some
point in the future, and certainly
could be used for parking.
The commission spent a good part
of the evening talking about a fee that
would be assessed in criminal cases.
A fee of $2 was decided upon, even
though the statute called for a fee that
would not exceed $5. The commission
elected to go with a smaller amount,
with that money to be used toward
cataloging and keeping historical documents in the archives.
“We know how important that is
and how necessary it is, but there
also has to be a way to fund that activity,” Bradley said.
Commission members were
pleased to learn that the Gorham
McBain Public Library will be having their grand opening on Saturday,
May 30 beginning at 9 a.m.
“This will be the opening of the
new part of the structure. If you
have gone by 5th Avenue and White
Street during the past year, you have
seen that building coming up out of
the ground, and you saw the old library disappear behind it. So we will
be opening up the new part, which is
about 16,000 square feet, and I think
you will be awed and pleased with
the way the library looks inside,”
Bradley told commission members.
“Renovation of the older facility,
the chamber
Howard Bradley
which is about 8,800 square feet is
currently going on and should the
completed by the end of August, so
sometime in early fall we will have
a big ribbon cutting as we bring the
two parts together, but were going to
go ahead and celebrate the new part
being online on May 30 and we invite
you to come out and join us.”
The county mayor also reminded
commission members, the budget
committee begins their weekly meetings on Thursday, May 28th at 5
o’clock. “If you have never been to a
budget committee hearing we invite
you to come and see what goes on,
and who says what, and how the budget begins to be put together,” he said.
Those meetings will continue on
Thursday evenings until the middle
of July, as the committee prepares
for the presentation of the proposed
County budget to the full commission
the third Monday night in August.
Library reopens Saturday
Mimi Illges has been hired as the new membership director at the
Robertson County Chamber of Commerce. Illges was introduced to
members at Good Morning Robertson County last Thursday morning.
Illges is from Robertson County and is a graduate of East Robertson
High School, as well as Western Kentucky University.
Now hiring
all shifts
APPLY AT WWW.MCSTATE.COM
Springﬁeld location:
-EMORIAL"LVDs4OM!USTIN(WY
inside WalMart
Public invited to
attend ceremony
By SHERRY MITCHELL
Robertson County Connection
For residents that have missed
going to the library, the new addition is completed and the public is
invited to attend the reopening of
the Gorham-MacBane Public Library
this Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m.
The library has been closed to the
public for nearly six weeks, with staff
working daily to move everything
into the new space that was built in
front of the old library.
Patrons to the new facility can
enjoy full service starting this weekend, including Wi-Fi, computers,
a genealogy center, study rooms, a
public meeting room, and programs
for children, to name a few.
Library Director Chris Hall said
the original portion of the library
building will continue to remain
closed until late summer or early fall,
The new Gorham-MacBane Public Library will reopen this Saturday.
Photo by Curtis Castle.
while the remodeling is finished. That
part of the library is being renovated
into a children’s library, she said.
The project got underway in June
of 2014. When completed, the new
facility is expected to cost around
$4.7 million and will be renamed the
Stokes Brown Public Library.
Both the county and the city of
Springfield contributed $1 million
each to the new library. The reaming
funds were contributed by donations
and several large bequests. Ownership of the library will be split equally
between the city and the county.
The library is located at 405 White
Street in Springfield.
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4
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM | May 26, 2015
Springfield increases water and sewer rates
By WALTER GEORGE
Robertson County Connection
Members of the Springfield Board of
Mayor and Aldermen had basically no questions, comments, or discussion when they
passed, unanimously a 12 percent increase
in water rates and an increase in waste water rates as well, at their meeting Tuesday
night May 19th at Springfield City Hall.
In way of a public explanation, Mayor
Billy Paul Carneal said, “What we are doing
is a significant amount of capital outlay in
the way of water, and in the sewer area. This
is a total rehab of our sewer system, which
goes back decades. No one knows when
it really first began, but it is a thorough
overhaul of the system and prepares us for
many, many years in the future.
Carneal said the work is being required
by the Environmental Protection Agency to
maintain the integrity of the system and to
allow for growth.
“The amount we have spent thus far is
roughly $25 million and there is still more
to be spent as we work through this thing,
for probably another 2.5 years before we
complete this thorough overhaul,” he said.
“So, when that is done and the water line is
laid from Guthrie, Kentucky, to Springfield
along Highway 41, Springfield’s capacity in
the way of water and with the wastewater
conclusion of the upgrade two years from
now, we will have our infrastructure in both
water and wastewater, prepared for a long
time in the future.
“We already see a whole lot of progress
with a reduction in the overflows of our
manholes when we have extensive rain
events, so this is to let you know why this
is being done. We have waited, we did not
jump into it until we had to, because we
knew the expense it was going to be for all
of our customers, but it is now absolutely a
necessity.
801 Memorial Blvd., Springfield, TN 37172
Office Hours:Tuesday and Wednesday,
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday & Friday, Closed
Phone (615) 384-6212 • Fax (615) 384-0653
E-mail: [email protected]
Publication Day - Tuesday
DEADLINE THURSDAY NOON
Established November 2013
ROBERTSON COUNTY CONNECTION
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Advertising Policy: To ensure the best response to your ad, please
take time to be sure your ad is correct in the first issue it appears.
If your ad is incorrect, please call us immediately to have it corrected. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy submitted for publication and the publisher shall not be
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assumes sole liability for all content of advertisements.
Downtown Merchants Association
wants more signs
Billy Paul Carneal
Carneal said the city had no choice - the
rates have to go up to keep the system in
the black.
“The Comptroller does not allow us to
run a deficit in any of our utilities, whether
it is electric, gas, or water, or wastewater,
or the sanitation fund, or the storm water
fund for that matter,” he said. “This is the
minimum we can raise these rates by and
still come in in the black, which we are required to do.
“So if you see this board not asking a
lot of questions, it is because we have had
meeting after meeting after meeting with
our engineers and gone over all of this. We
have had plans put up on the board; we have
seen what has to be done, and each month
our water-wastewater director gives us an
update of what is going on and the progress
that has been made. I want to assure you
that what we are doing is in the interest
of the city, preparing it for the future, as a
great place to live and work and raise your
family.”
STAFF
Sherry Mitchell, Editor
[email protected]
Pauletta Epley, Advertising/Sales
[email protected]
Carrie Tomlin, Graphic Design
[email protected]
Martha Holmes, Graphic Design
[email protected]
Jennifer Cope, Classifieds
[email protected]
Sheryl Harper, Classifieds
[email protected]
MAIN STREET MEDIA OF TENNESSEE
Dave Gould, President
[email protected]
EDITORIAL POLICY: The Robertson County Connection is dedicated to publishing
a cross-section of public opinion and providing a forum for diverse discourse.
We reserve the right to edit for grammar and punctuation. Length is limited to
200 words. We appreciate your opinion, and ask that you include your name,
address, and phone number for verification. Letters to the editor may be sent by
e-mail to [email protected] or send to The Robertson County Connection
at 801 Memorial Blvd., Springfield, TN
By WALTER GEORGE
Robertson County Connection
Mary Hester of Our Serenity Shop,
told the Springfield Board of Mayor
and Aldermen at their recent meeting, the Association of Merchants
is trying to revitalize the downtown
Springfield area , and that they have
some concerns about parking.
“We have gotten some new retail
people up there, a couple of boutiques, but when we had our association meeting, they are facing the
same problems I face, and that is
parking,” Hester said. “It’s not that
we don’t have the parking in our free
parking areas, it’s just that people
can’t find it. The signage is not very
clear to guide people where to park.
And the two-hour parking is not being honored, which I think we talked about a couple of years ago. But
what we are asking, is if you could
help us with doing some signage to
guide people that are coming in from
Nashville or other areas, which kind
of shows them the way to the free
parking.”
Hester said the association was in
the process of designing a brochure
to hand out that will highlight those
parking places, but said they really
need help with signage that is big
enough to guide people to those areas.
“We can’t have a thriving retail
area downtown without proper parking,” she said.
Hester’s business is located in
downtown Springfield at 102 6 th Ave.
West.
“During the day, we suffer,” she
said. “I’ve been there for two years,
and my business still suffers, so I’m
asking for you all to invest in our
downtown area.”
Hester also explained they had
started what is called an “Art Walk”
last year, on the third Thursday of
each month. “We open up our businesses for appetizers and wine. And
each shop shows different artists
and it is a great community event.
All of you that live in Springfield
should come and get to know your
neighbors over food. That’s really
what we would like for our town.”
Hester said business owners
wanted growth and a community
where everyone could feel like they
could get together.
“We do want growth and it will
happen, but we need to plan for that
growth downtown because we want
to have a vibrant downtown area,
but we struggle with parking, so we
are asking for your help,” she said.
Springfield Mayor Billy Paul Carneal told Hester following the conclusion of her presentation, “The
board is going to have to take this
under consideration and it will be
forward to public works, and the
traffic committee for them to take a
look at.”
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May 26, 2015 | ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
5
No tax increase in Springfield Cancer charities scammed
By WALTER GEORGE
Robertson County Connection
Citizens of the city of Springfield have
been wondering whether or not they were
going to be faced with another increase
in city taxes this year. Water and sewer
rates are increasing 12 percent, but
the new budget for the next fiscal
year, does not call for a tax increase.
The proposed budget got off to a
good start with unanimous approval by the Springfield Board of Mayor and Aldermen at their monthly
meeting for May.
The proposed city tax rate of $1.20 for
each $100 of assessed value, remained the same
as the previous year, which prompted Mayor
Billy Paul Carneal to tell board members, “This is
good news. When we ended our last fiscal year,
we were working for a goal of $2 million dollars in reserves and we exceeded that by about
$300,000, so we are in better shape that way,
and we are hoping to do well again this year.”
Carneal reminded board members,
the proposed budget will require two
more readings before it is passed.
Those readings will take place at the
board’s regular meeting on June 16,
and then at a special noon meeting
on Monday, June 22 for the third
and final reading.
City officials pointed out, the
public will have an opportunity to
voice any concerns they may have, at the
public hearing scheduled on the budget’s
second reading on June 16. Board members
had basically no questions or comments as
they voted for approval of the budget.
Low interest home loans available
for Robertson residents
From Staff Reports
Robertson County Connection
USDA Rural Development Nashville
Area Office Director Chris Westbrook announced that funding is now available for
all Rural Development Housing Programs. The Nashville Area Office serves Cheatham,
Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphries,
Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford,
Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson,
and Wilson counties. Many individuals
have a dream of someday owning their own
home. USDA Rural Development is able
to help make that dream a reality for many
families in rural Tennessee. Through the USDA Rural Development
Single Family Housing Direct Loan program, applicants may obtain 100 percent
financing to purchase a home. The current
interest rate is 3 percent which is on a fixed
33-year term. Some buyers may qualify for
payment assistance that may reduce the
effective interest rate to as low as one percent – thus reducing the monthly payment. Often, the monthly payment is lower for
a homeowner than the amount that they
may be paying for rent.
The purpose of the loan is to provide financing at reasonable rates and terms with
no down payment. Eligible applicants may
purchase an existing dwelling, purchase a
site and construct a dwelling, or purchase
a newly constructed dwelling. Eligibility criteria for this program must be met
and includes such requirements
as meeting the income guidelines, have good credit
history, be a U.S. citizen and have repayment ability for the
home that they wish
to purchase. Those
interested in the program should contact
the USDA Rural Development Office
in Nashville for
information
on
the eligibility and
application process, and to submit an application.
“Many in our rural communities are
unaware that USDA Rural Development is
also able to assist those individuals who already own their homes with needed home
repairs,” Westbrook said. The Home Repair
program is a loan program with a one percent annual interest rate designed to help
the owner remove health and safety hazards and to make essential repairs. Most repairs completed under the program are for
roof, siding, window and door replacement,
electrical repairs, furnace and air conditioning replacement and other repairs needed
to keep the home livable. To qualify for the
program, applicants must own and occupy
the home and have an income within Rural Development guidelines. The program
application paperwork is relatively simple
for applicants with no initial cost involved. Those interested in the repair program are
encouraged to contact the USDA Rural Development Office in Nashville for specifics
on the eligibility criteria.
USDA Rural Development is moving investments to rural America with housing,
business and infrastructure loans and grants
to create jobs and strengthen rural economies with an emphasis to assist areas of persistent poverty. Since 2009, the agency has
assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee
families and businesses in 230 communities
in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing
more than $5.4 Billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees
and grants.
For more information on USDA Rural
Development
programs available in
middle Tennessee
contact the Nashville Area Office at
615-783-1359, or
800-342-3149
x 1359. Visit us
online at www.
rd.usda.gov/TN.
nearly $2 million
From Staff Reports
Robertson County Connection
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre
Hargett, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery, III, together with state law
enforcement partners in every other state
in the nation, the District of Columbia,
and the Federal Trade Commission, have
jointly filed a federal lawsuit against four
phony cancer charities and their operators
with strong roots in East Tennessee, who
allegedly scammed more than $187 million
from consumers throughout the country.
"It's unfortunate that we even have announcements like this. This action is about
protecting Tennesseans from people or
organizations determined to scam them
out of hard-earned dollars they thought
were going to help people in need. These
organizations made unsuspecting people
believe their donations were actually going to help cancer patients,” said Secretary
Hargett. “It’s a sad situation, but these
types of charities, and their operators,
should know we will hold them accountable as long as they prey on the kind
hearts of Tennesseans.”
The joint complaint alleges that the
defendants—including Cancer Fund
of America, Children’s Cancer Fund of
America, Cancer Support Services and
The Breast Cancer Society—portrayed
themselves to donors as legitimate charities with substantial nationwide programs whose primary purposes were to
provide direct support to cancer patients,
children with cancer, and breast cancer
patients in the United States. In fact,
the overwhelming majority of consumers’ contributions benefitted only the
perpetrators, their families and friends,
and professional fundraisers, who often
received 85% or more of every donation. Consumers’ donations were wasted
and misused, cancer victims were not
helped, and the representations that defendants were legitimate charities were
false. Among other things, defendants
or their telemarketers often told donors
that their contributions would be used
to provide pain medication to children
suffering from cancer, transport cancer
patients to chemotherapy appointments,
and/or pay for hospice care for cancer patients. These, however, were lies. The defendants did not operate programs that
provided these services.
“I am happy to join with our state and
federal colleagues and the District of Columbia as we present a united front combatting charity fraud of the worst kind.
The Public Interest Division of our office,
led by Janet Kleinfelter, has worked extremely hard to stop this egregious behavior. With our actions today, we are
ending deceptive solicitations that targeted residents of Tennessee and every
other state in the country. These companies claim to assist children with cancer
and breast cancer patients, but do very
little to that end and in the process take
advantage of the generosity of individuals who truly want to help those battling
the disease. We are also continuing the
fight against Cancer Fund of America in
court, where we will be seeking to halt
its deceptive acts as well,” said Tennessee
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III.
The federal court complaint names
Cancer Fund of America, Inc., Cancer
Support Services, Inc., the president of
these two corporations, James Reynolds, Sr., as well as the CFO of both and
the former president of Cancer Support
Services, Kyle Effler; Children’s Cancer
Fund of America, Inc., and its president
and Executive Director Rose Perkins;
and The Breast Cancer Society, Inc., and
its Executive Director and former president, James Reynolds, II. The federal
and state plaintiffs today also filed stipulated judgments with five of these defendants: Children’s Cancer Fund and Rose
Perkins; The Breast Cancer Society and
James Reynolds, II; and Kyle Effler. Litigation will proceed against Cancer Fund
of America, Cancer Support Services
(which the complaint alleges operates as
a common enterprise with Cancer Fund
of America), and James Reynolds, Sr.
The federal court complaint alleges
that Cancer Fund of America, Cancer
Support Services, Children’s Cancer
Fund of America, and the Breast Cancer
Society were sham charities, “operated as
personal fiefdoms characterized by rampant nepotism, flagrant conflicts of interest, and excessive insider compensation,
with none of the financial and governance controls that any bona fide charity
would have adopted.” The individual defendants allegedly hired family members
and friends, whether qualified or not,
and used the organizations to provide
them with steady, lucrative employment. The sham charities spent more money on
salaries than on the goods and services
they provided to cancer patients. In addition, the complaint alleges that the defendants spent donations on things like
cruises, jet ski outings, concert tickets,
and dating site memberships—actions
that were made possible by corporate
boards who rubber-stamped the decisions of the individual defendants. In the eight-count complaint, the FTC
and all the plaintiff states charged the defendants with misrepresenting that contributions would be used for charitable
purposes, misrepresenting specific program benefits, misrepresenting revenue
and program expenses related to international (gifts-in-kind) GIK, and misrepresenting that the primary focus of their
reported programs was to provide direct
assistance to individuals in the United
States. Thirty-six states also charged defendants with making false and misleading filings with state charities regulators.
In addition, the FTC and 36 states charged
Cancer Fund, Children’s Cancer Fund, and
the Breast Cancer Society with providing
their professional fundraisers with deceptive fundraising materials and thus the
means and instrumentalities of deception. Finally, the FTC and the plaintiff
attorneys general, including the AttorSee SCAMMED l Page 6
6
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM | May 26, 2015
SCAMMED
From page 5
ney General of the District of Columbia, charged defendants with
violating the FTC’s Telemarketing
Sales Rule. Cancer Fund, Children’s Cancer Fund, and the Breast
Cancer Society were charged with
assisting and facilitating in TSR
violations and Cancer Support Services was charged with violating
the TSR’s prohibitions on deceptive charitable solicitations.
To hide their high administrative and fundraising costs from
donors and regulators, the complaint alleges that Cancer Fund,
Children’s Cancer Fund, and Breast
Cancer Society wrongly reported
certain GIK as donated revenue
and program services in their financial statements. Through this
accounting scheme, these corporate defendants claimed to have
received more than $223 million
in donated GIK goods, and then
reported distributing these goods
to international recipients. In fact,
however, the complaint alleges
that these defendants were merely pass-through agents, did not
own the GIK as they claimed, and
should not have reported it as donated revenue or program expenses. By reporting this GIK, these defendants created the illusion that
they were much larger and much
more efficient with donors’ dollars
than they actually were.
Settlements require that Children’s Cancer Fund and Breast
Cancer Society be dissolved; Individuals Perkins, Reynolds, II, and
Effler banned from fundraising,
operating charities
In settlements filed concurrently with the complaint, five defendants agreed to leave the charity
business and to stop fundraising. Children’s Cancer Fund of America
and Rose Perkins agreed to entry
of a judgment for $30,079,821, the
amount that consumers donated
to Children’s Cancer Fund between
2008 and 2012. The judgment
against Children’s Cancer Fund will
be partially satisfied by payment of
the proceeds of the liquidation of
all its assets by a receiver. In addition, the receiver will dissolve
the corporate existence of Children’s Cancer Fund. The judgment
against Perkins will be suspended
based upon her documented inability to pay. In addition, Perkins
will be banned from fundraising,
from managing a charity, and from
oversight of charitable assets.
Breast Cancer Society agreed
to entry of a judgment for
$65,564,360, the amount consumers donated to it between
2008 and 2012. Breast Cancer Society also agreed to the appointment of a liquidating receiver who
will close its operations, liquidate
its assets, and dissolve its corporate existence. The Breast Cancer
Society settlement provides an
option, subject to court approval,
for the organization’s Hope Supply Warehouse program to be
spun off to a legitimate, qualified
charity unrelated to the current
individual defendants and their
family members, if such a charity
willing to accept the program can
be located. Remaining assets will
be paid to plaintiffs to partially
satisfy the judgment. In a separate
order, Reynolds, II also agreed to a
$65,564,360, judgment for the injury caused by the corporation he
controlled, but that judgment will
be suspended because of his limited ability to pay, upon payment of
$75,000. In addition, Reynolds, II
will be banned from fundraising,
from managing a charity and from
oversight of charitable assets.
In a separate settlement, the
former Cancer Support Services
president and chief financial officer of Cancer Fund, Kyle Effler,
agreed to entry of a $41,152,231
judgment, the amount that con-
sumers donated to Cancer Support Services between 2008 and
2012. That judgment will be
suspended following a payment
of $60,000. Effler, too, will be
banned from fundraising, from
managing a charity, and from
oversight of charitable assets.
“I am grateful for the support we
have received from multiple partners in Washington, D.C. and across
the country,” Secretary Hargett said.
The action was filed in the U.S.
District Court for the District of
Arizona. The settlement agreements will not be final until approved by the Court. Litigation
will proceed against Cancer Fund
of America, Cancer Support Services, and James Reynolds, Sr.
People with questions about a
charity or professional solicitor
operating in the state of Tennessee should contact our Division of
Charitable Solicitations and Gaming by calling (615) 741-2555 or
going to sos.tn.gov/charitable.
CORRECTION
A story in the May 19 edition of the Robertson County Connection
called “Player’s comments cost coach’s job” incorrectly stated the amount
of time a student reportedly received racial slurs. The correct time should
have been less than two years.
“Crime Victim Compensation”
“Poverty may be the mother of crime,
but lack of good sense is the father.”
~Jean de la Bruyere (French essayist and moralist, 1645-1696)
Crime happens, but Tennessee has a
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
Q. What does this program do,
and who pays for it?
The State of Tennessee Treasury Department operates the program, and
makes payments of up to $30,000 to
victims of crime, or their families when a
victim is killed.
The money to help innocent victims
comes from fines, penalties, and fees set
by the Legislature, which courts assess
against persons convicted of crimes.
Q. Who is eligible for benefits?
If certain eligibility conditions are met,
benefits can be paid to:
A persons who was bodily injured as
an innocent victim of a violent criminal
act in Tennessee;
A Tennessee resident who was an innocent victim of terrorism or mass violence outside the United States;
Dependents of a homicide victim;
An innocent person injured or killed
while trying to apprehend a person suspected of committing a criminal act; or
An innocent person hurt or killed due
to a motor vehicle or watercraft accident
caused by an intoxicated driver or a
driver who intentionally caused injuries.
Q. What expenses are covered?
This program is a “fund of last re-
sort” for uncovered expenses.
Benefits can be used to compensate
for:
Medical or mental health expenses;
Lost wages;
Permanent disability;
Death benefits, including funeral and
burial expenses;
Crime scene clean-up;
Moving expenses, if the crime happened in the victim’s home;
Travel expenses in order to attend the
trial;
Other financial losses or expenses not
listed above that were actually incurred by
the victim; and
Pain and suffering, but only for victims
of sexually-oriented crimes. Note: Tennessee is one of only two states that allow
compensation for such pain and suffering.
Applications for benefits are available
through District Attorney General offices,
and through the Treasury Department
at (615) 741-2734. Information is also
on-line at www.treasury.state.tn.us/
injury.
James B. (Jim) Hawkins is a general practice and public interest law attorney based in
Gallatin. This column represents legal information, and is not intended to take the place
of legal advice. All cases are different and
need individual attention. Consult with a
private attorney of your choice to review the
facts and law specific to your case. Call (615)
452-9200 with suggestion for future column
topics.
May 26, 2015 | ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
7
RN/LPN/CNA
Salon and spa business joins White House
Call today for an interview!
555 E. Bledsoe (located behind the hospital in Gallatin)
or online at www.Goldenliving.com
615-452-7132 E.O.E. - M\F\D\V
The Robertson County Chamber of Commerce recently helped Royal Tease Salon and Spa celebrate their move to White House with a ribbon cutting. Photo submitted.
COLE & GARRETT
FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATION SERVICES
Goodlettsville
White House
127 North Main Street
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
212 Tennessee 76
White House, TN 37188
(615) 859-5231
(615) 672-3936
ColeandGarrett.com
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Come by to take a tour
enjoy food and enter to win
Friday, June 5th
White House 10am-5pm
Goodlettsville 2pm-5pm
Saturday, June 6th
White House 9am-5pm
Goodlettesville 9am-5pm
JJoin
oiin us for our open house to
l b t new local
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8
OBITUARIES
WALTER GERALD RAINWATER, age 84 of Greenbrier, TN, died Sunday morning May
17, 2015 at his home. Memorial service was conducted a Wednesday May 20, 2015
in the Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson County Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Carroll
officiating. Mr. Rainwater was born March 22, 1931 in Robertson County., TN to the
late Henry Kenneth and Buena Fulton Rainwater. His son, Samuel Kipp Rainwater and
a brother, Harry Rainwater also preceded him in death. He was of the Methodist faith
and worked as a butcher and a farmer. Gerald loved to fish and he loved people, especially his family. He was very proud of his two grandsons, Beau Mixon, a Lieutenant
Colonel in the United States Army, and Josh Mixon, a veterinarian in Lexington, KY.
Surviving him are his wife of 65 years, Peggy Ann Simmons Rainwater of Greenbrier,
TN; daughter and son-in-law, Glenda Kay and Manley Mixon of Greenbrier, TN; brother,
Doug Rainwater of Springfield, TN; seven grandchildren and several great and greatgreat-grandchildren. Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
H E MURPHEY, age 88, of Springfield, died Sunday May 17, 2015 at Alive Hospice Skyline Madison Campus. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday in the
Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson County Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Interment followed in the Springfield Memorial Gardens with Kevin Murphy,
Mark Murphy, Richard Hewitt, Mark Poole, Chuck Birdwell, and Chaz Birdwell serving
as pallbearers. Mr. Murphy was born Jan. 26, 1927 in Robertson County to the late
Henry and Elizabeth Head Murphy. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served
in Korea and was the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Mr. Murphy was a
retired butcher, having worked for Jacobs Packing, Tennessee Dressed Beef, The Beef
House, and he attended North Springfield Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he
was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Dickerson Murphy. He is survived by his son,
Kim (Anita) Murphy of Goodlettsville; grandsons, Kevin (Jennifer) Murphy of Brentwood, Mark (Trisha) Murphy of Rockvale; great-grandchildren, Maggie and Henry
Murphy. The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookdale Alzheimer Assisted Living in
Goodlettsville, and Alive Hospice in Madison for their devoted and kind care. The family request memorial contributions be made to the North Springfield Baptist Church
building fund. Robertson County Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
HAROLD ROSCOE CLINARD, 80, of Springfield, died Monday May 11, 2015 at NHC
Healthcare in Springfield. Graveside services were conducted Wednesday May 13 in
the Oakland Cemetery with Tim Harris officiating. Harold was born Dec. 4, 1934 in Davidson County to the late Roscoe and Marie Blackburn Clinard. He worked for Southern
Heel for over 25 years. Harold was a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church, where he
was the church song leader for a while. Lighthouse Baptist was the former Covington
Heights Mission. Harold enjoyed photography and won many ribbons and awards. He
was one of the founding members of the Mellow Tones Quartet and also sang with
the Christianaires gospel group. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death
by his wife, Annie Clinard and by his grandson, Robert Clinard, Jr. Harold is survived by
his daughter, Jeannie Clinard (Donnie) Hart of Springfield; son, Robert Harold (Tina)
Clinard of Greenbrier, step-children: Judy Whitaker, Wallace Whitaker, and Vanessa
Whitaker; grandchildren, Lori Hart, Alyssa (Brad) Fisher, Gina Clinard, great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Curry and Kaylee Wallis, several step-grandchildren and step-greatgrandchildren. Robertson County Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
ROBBIE RUTH CASTLEMAN, 83, of Greenbrier, died Saturday May 16, 2015 at NHC
Healthcare Center in Springfield. Funeral services were conducted Friday May 22 in
the Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson County Funeral Home with Phillip Rainey officiating. Interment followed in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Goodlettsville with
Mike Rainey, Brian O’Saile, Ray Rainey, Gary Gray, Barry Harshaw, Duane Gray, Jason
Minton, Bradley Minton, J.R. Castleman, and Jamie Castleman serving as pallbearers.
Mrs. Castleman was born April 6, 1932 in Davidson County to the late Lester Amos and
Martha Holliman Davenport. She was a homemaker and of the Assembly of God faith.
Mrs. Castleman loved her family dearly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded
in death by her husband, Charles Castleman and great-grandson, Jacob Minton. Mrs.
Castleman is survived by her sons Jeff (Terri) Castleman of Greenbrier, Chris (Shannon)
Castleman of Greenbrier; daughter Elaine (Steve) Minton of Castilian Springs; brothers,
Hansel Davenport of Goodlettsville, Willie Lee Davenport of Madison; sisters, Wilma
Jones of Goodlettsville, Ruby Smith of Linden, Shirley Rainey of Hendersonville, Eva
Pruitt of Springfield; grandchildren, Jason Minton, Bradley Minton, J.R. Castleman,
Jamie Castleman, Casey Castleman, and Cody Castleman; great-grandchildren, Jason
Minton, Jr., Braxton Castleman, Brenley Castleman, and Daisy Castleman. Robertson
County Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
MILDRED LUCILLE JENKINS, 88, of Springfield, died Monday May 18, 2015 at her
home. Funeral services were conducted Thursday May 21 in the Oakhurst Chapel of
the Robertson County Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Interment
followed in the Springfield Memorial Gardens with Kenneth Jenkins, Jerry Jenkins,
Robert Jenkins, Ricky Jenkins, Mark Jenkins, and Michael Knight serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Jenkins and William Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins was
born Nov. 7, 1926 in Robertson County to the late Robert Golden and Ora Ethel Spivey
Dorris. She was a retired cook from East Robertson Elementary School and was a member of Orlinda Baptist Church. Mrs. Jenkins loved reading her Bible and spending time
with her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter,
Karen Harris and her grandchild, Shawn Knight. Mrs. Jenkins is survived by her husband, Ray Jenkins of Springfield; sons Kenneth (Joy) Jenkins of Orlinda; Wayne (Bertha) Jenkins of Springfield; William (Mary Ann) Jenkins of Hendersonville, Jerry (Vicki
Jenkins) of Springfield; Robert (Barbara) Jenkins of Springfield; Ricky (Sherry) Jenkins
of Greenbrier; daughters Doris (Brad) Lett of Springfield; Debbie (Rick) Tooley of Adairville, KY; brothers, Paul Dorris of Franklin, KY, Terry Dorris of Westmoreland; sisters,
Betty Jones of Indianapolis, IN, Linda Garrison of Franklin, KY; 16 grandchildren, 30
great-grandchildren. Robertson County Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM | May 26, 2015
Robertson teen loses
life in weekend crash
From Staff Reports
Robertson County Connection
The Robertson County community is mourning the loss of a beloved teenager, Cory Stokes, 18, of
Cross Plains, after a single car rollover crash claimed his life over the
Memorial holiday weekend.
According to Lt. Bill Miller, with
Tennessee Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 8828 Cedar Grove Road, when
Stokes’ Honda Accord left the road and
he attempted to correct and get back
on the roadway; ultimately veering off
into a field after a tire blew.
The preliminary accident report
reads, “Vehicle 1 was traveling west
bound on Cedar Grove Rd. Vehicle 1
drove off road side right over correcting to the left. Vehicle 1 exited
roadway left into a field. After ex-
iting the roadway right front tire
blew causing Vehicle 1 to rotate
right. Driver side tires caught causing the vehicle to roll. Driver of Vehicle 1 was ejected through sunroof
onto the ground.
The report also indicates that
drugs or alcohol were not determined to be a factor in the accident,
however, according to THP Trooper
Ernest Young who was investigating
the crash, the teen was not wearing
a seat belt at the time of the accident. It was not yet known whether
speed was a contributing factor
or not. The posted speed on Cedar
Grove Road is 35 mph.
According to his Facebook page,
Stokes graduated from East Robertson High School last year.
As of Sunday, funeral arrangements were still pending and out-
Cory Stokes
of-state family was still being notified of the accident. For the latest
updates, visit the Robertson County Connection Facebook page.
Local Recovery Drug Court is
reducing crime and saving lives
Improving public safety by
sentencing more drug-addicted
offenders to supervised treatment
From Staff Reports
Robertson County Connection
Since 2003 Recovery Drug
Courts in Tennessee, including Robertson County, have offered intensive judicial supervision, substance
treatment services, sanctions, and
incentives to address the needs of
drug-addicted non-violent offenders. The Tennessee Department
of Mental Health and Substance
Abuse has been providing funding
for the courts since 2012.
During the month of May, designated as “National Drug Court
Month” Tennessee is joining with
courts across the country that are
demonstrating how a combination
of accountability and compassion
is the foundation for handling individuals addicted to drugs in the
criminal justice system.
“Recovery Drug Courts are one
of the most effective strategies for
diverting people from incarceration
and reducing recidivism among
people with substance abuse addictions who are nonviolent offenders,” said E. Douglas Varney, Commissioner, Tennessee Department
of Mental Health and Substance
Abuse Services. “By treating those
who are struggling with substance
abuse, we can save taxpayer money,
promote public safety and reduce
drug abuse in communities.”
Just a few of the benefits of Recovery Drug Court:
Reducing correctional costs
Protecting community safety
Improving public welfare
Across the U.S. more than 3,000
Recovery Drug Courts offer communities a judicially-supervised court
docket. In Drug Courts, seriously
drug-addicted individuals remain in
treatment for long periods of time
while under close supervision.
“On average nationally, 75 percent of individuals who complete
Recovery Drug Court are not re-arrested,” said Commissioner Varney.
“Courts can also save up to $13,000
for every individual they serve and
return as much as $27 for every $1
invested. These specialized courts
are a proven budget solution and
must be expanded.”
To ensure accountability:
Defendants are regularly and randomly tested for drug use
Required to appear frequently
in court for the judge to review their
progress
Rewarded for doing well and sanctioned for not living up to their obligations
Research continues to show that
Recovery Drug Courts work better
than jail or prison, better than probation, and better than treatment alone.
The mission of the Tennessee
Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services is to plan
for and promote the availability of a
comprehensive array of quality prevention, early intervention, treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation services and supports based on
the needs and choices of individuals
and families served. For more information, visit .tn.gov/mental.
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
May 26, 2015 | ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
Meet Meisha and Shelly
COMMUNITY
Barrel Festival highlights
the cooper, woodworking
From Staff Reports
Robertson County Connection
The third annual Barrel Festival and
its Barrel Fest 5 Miler returns to Coopertown on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. With continued focus on the rich
heritage of Coopertown, this year’s community-wide, rain-or-shine event, will
highlight the “Cooper of the Year” (Wood
and Craft) Contest.
The contest will allow both woodworkers and local craftsmen to showcase their
skills in order to be considered for prizes
provided by Sparks Roofing and Lowe’s
Home Improvement. The first place $100
prize will be awarded to the “Cooper of
the Year,” the one who submits the winning woodworking project that best represents the idea, or best incorporates the
theme of, the wooden barrel.
Last year’s winner was vendor “Glass
from the Past” who presented a wooden
stool with legs made from barrel staves.
Non-woodworking categories will also see
winners, as did last year’s “barrel cake”
by 24 Cupcakes and “barrel of Pampered
Chef painting” by Jill Krantz.
“The hope is to set little, if any, limits
to the imagination as long as the entrants
include the idea of the barrel somewhere
within their project. One can make a project to look like a wooden barrel, use parts
of an actual barrel, or simply feature the
idea of the wooden barrel within their creation,” says Chairman Valorie Buck. “The
goal is to continue to weave this cooper
theme throughout our event, reiterating
the pieces of our Town’s history of which
many residents are unaware. Unaware,
that is, that a cooper is a barrel maker,
which is how Coopertown originally got
its name.”
Cooper Contest exhibits will be accepted no later than 10:30 a.m. on Saturday,
June 6, to be considered for judging, at the
Jack Chambliss store which is located at
the festival halfway point on Old Cooperd 3rd place winners
town Road. 1st, 2nd and
oon in woodwill be announced by noon
ing,
working, nonwoodworking,
ies at
and youth categories
the Barrel Festival.
ment
Another wooden element
of the event, sure to be a
keepsake, will be the finear’s
ishers medal of this year’s
fted
Barrel Fest 5 Miler, crafted
raftby Tennessee Woodcraftmpliers, Inc. “Of all the compliments given last year from
our 123 runners and walknd finers, their one-of-a-kind
ong the
ishers medal was among
most noted, next to the tech shirts
9
and the beautiful, mostly shaded course,”
said Race Director Vicky Bumgardner.
The 5-mile race will take place at 7 a.m.
on the portion of the Trail of Tears across
the highway, on a chip-timed USATF Certified loop course that begins and ends at
Coopertown City Hall on Burgess Gower
Road.
Participants registering before May
28 will receive a Barrel Fest 5 Miler tech
shirt. $100 first place prize and paying
prizes for second and third place will be
awarded to the overall male and female
finishers, as well as the three-deep age
group awards.
Children of all ages will have the opportunity to show their hand in woodworking at the festival thanks to Lowe’s
and the building projects they will offer at
the “Lil’ Cooper” table located in the Kids
Zone. Admission into the Kids Zone will
be free
this year, with a selection of free activities to choose, as well as many new
kids’ activity-related vendors. Adults will
have their choice of free activities to enjoy while the kids play, including tractors,
corn hole, checkers, bung toss and more
family-friendly fun.
Nearby will sit the “The Main Stage”
Live Music Stage, presenting local music students and dancers, and featuring
other artists like TalentWatch TV Host
Jessica Ford and Roundabout Records’
Lillie Syracuse who will perform for the
thousands
expected to attend the 2015 Barrel
Festival. And, of course, one will not want
to miss the “History of the Barrel” and
other exhibits put on display by the Commission of Culture, History and Arts.
The town will again offer free admission, free parking, and free shuttles for
attendees thanks to community partners like CEMC, Heritage Bank, Robertson County Times, Catalyst Enterprises,
Elitte Septic, Sudden Service and the
many volunteers o
on our team.
The Festival
and the run will
Fe
serve as the third community-wide
fundraiser held
nity
in Coopertown’s historic
area
ar and hosted by the
Coopertown
CommuniC
ty
t Development Committee
in order to raise
m
funds
to help define the
f
town
and areas
t
within the Historical
District.
To participate,
D
contact
Coopertown
co
Cit Hall at 615-382City
4470 or visit www.barrelfestival c
estival.com
We can’t say enough about this
sweet little lady. Shelly came to us
a few months ago, gave birth to five
little kittens, who were all adopted.
They day after her last kitten left,
3 baby stray kittens came in with
no mother. Shelly, immediately adopted them and has been raising
them as her own. They are now old
enough to be adopted, so it’s time
for Shelly to get a new forever home
too. She is a wonderful kitty and we
hope she finds one soon.
Shelly
Take a look at our sweet little lady
Meisha - she is a golden retriever mix and
just as friendly as can be. She is approximately 4-years-old and she loves attention. She also enjoys a good head scratch.
She came to us as a stray, so we don’t
have any background on her. She’s been
a wonderful dog since we’ve had her and
we hope she gets a new family soon.
Meisha
You can meet these and other adoptable dogs and cats at the Robertson
County Animal Control at 2900 West
County Farm Road in Springfield; 615
384-5611.
For your gynecology needs, there’s
a Vanderbilt specialist nearby.
Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health at NorthCrest Medical Center provides state-of-theart gynecology services here in your neighborhood. Our nationally renowned physicians
offer advanced care including minimally invasive surgery. We also treat female pelvic
disorders like urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse. VanderbiltWomensHealth.com
CENTER FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH
SPRINGFIELD
Nor thCrest Medical Center
522 NorthCrest Dr.
500 Building, Second Floor
(615) 933-2765
Se Habla Español
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
4603-ASAP-0215
10
SPORTS
May 26, 2015
[email protected]
2015 Class A State Girls’ Softball Tournament
East Robertson’s run ends after valiant effort in tourney
Katie Penick connects on a pitch against Marion County.
Photos by Zach Womble.
By ZACH WOMBLE
Robertson County Connection
MURFREESBORO – After pulling out an
incredible victory the day before, the East
Robertson softball team lost 5-3 to Sale
Creek on Thursday and saw their remarkable season come to a close
The Lady Indians finished the season
24-13. They were regular season District
10-A champions, they won the post-season
District 10-A tournament, they were the
Region 5 A runners-up and were one of just
eight teams to qualify for the TSSAA Class
A state softball tournament.
“I’m so proud of what these girls accomplished this year,” said head coach Kevin
Evans. “I knew we had the potential to get
here (state tournament) but I didn’t expect
it. What we thought would be our weak
part of our game (pitching) turned into one
of our strong suits.
East Robertson started the doubleelimination tournament by falling 5-0 to
Marion County.
In the next game, the Indians scored
three runs in the bottom of the seventh
inning to pull out a thrilling 3-2 win over
Union City.
ERHS’ season ended the following day at
the hands of Sale Creek, 5-3.
Here’s a recap of each game:
Loss to Sale Creek ends season
Following a wild walk-off victory the day
before, East Robertson saw its season come
to an end on Thursday in a 5-3 loss to Sale
Creek. After the game, Indians head coach
Kevin Evans noted the Lady Indians had
struggled to score runs.
“Our bats just went quiet,” said Evans.
“At the beginning of the season that’s what
we thought would carry us and it did up un-
The team celebrates the walk-off win over Union City.
til the tournaments started.”
Sale Creek struck first in the top of the
second inning to take a 1-0 lead.
Deana Phillips continued here hot
streak at the plate in the bottom of the
second with a lead off double. Phillips
then scored when Sale Creek’s third baseman made a throwing error on a ball hit by
Ashtyn Blair.
In the bottom of the third, Phillips hit
a hard double past the shortstop’s outstretched glove scoring Val Seay.
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth,
ERHS loaded the bases but a 5-2-3 double
play took runners out at home and first.
Still down just one run heading into the
bottom of the sixth, Shae Dunn led off
with a double and just a couple batters later
was knocked in on a sacrifice by Blair to tie
the game at three.
Sale Creek then scored two runs in the
top of the seventh to take the lead, 5-3.
With Seay on second and one out, Phillips hit one off the pitcher’s right arm where
a waiting second baseman caught then ball
then tagged out Seay at second, ending the
season for East.
“Hopefully they will learn from their
mistakes and this will fuel them next season. Getting to state is not our goal next
year, it’s winning it,” said Evans.
********
WALK OFF: Phillips sends ERHS to
the next round
Facing a win or go home game situation
against Union County Wednesday morning, the East Robertson High School Lady
Indians finally broke through in the bottom
of the seventh to take home a thrilling, 3-2,
walk-off win to keep their championship
dreams alive.
Again, it was Val Seay who took the circle for East Robertson.
Other than one pitch in the first inning,
Seay was dialed in the entire time.
After Union County’s lead-off hitter walked
in the first inning the next batter hit one over
the fence to give Union City a 2-0 lead.
“If you look at her games, the teams that
score runs score all their runs early. She
always settles in and she will be fine,” said
East Robertson coach Kevin Evans. “She
just missed one pitch really. That’s what
you’re going to get in the state tournament
- teams that can hit. And if you miss on a
pitch, they will take it out.”
The score remained unchanged until the
seventh inning. Multiple times the Lady Indians had runners in scoring position but
they weren’t able to bring runs home.
With their backs against the wall and
their season on the line, the Lady Indians
produced.
Gabby Zizzi led off the bottom of the
seventh with a double. Two consecutive
Lady Indians were retired and ERHS was
down to their last out.
Seay walked to put runners on first and
second. Lexi Young hit a double down the
third base line to bring Zizzi home and
move Seay to third base.
Deana Phillips stepped to the plate
wide-eyed and ready to send her team to
the next round.
After fouling off multiple pitches - including one or two that, if they were fair,
would have won the game - Phillips connected on a pitch and rode the ball all the
way to the fence to score Seay and Young to
give East Robertson the 3-2 win.
“I was just trying to get on top of it,” said
Phillips. “We were popping it up all game
long so I just wanted to get up there and
drive it out.”
“I’m just shaking all over,” said Evans.
“The two at-bats that Lexi had and Val had
and even Deana where they are fouling off
balls, it’s just a testament to them that they
are just trying to go out there and win the
game.”
********
Lady Indians manage just three hits
in opening round loss
The Lady Indians mustered just three
hits in a 5-0 loss to Marion County in their
first game of the Class A state softball tournament.
“I think the pressure got to us today,”
said head coach Kevin Evans. “We played
tight all game long. Everyone wants to
come in and win it all but in reality you just
want to get that first win, that first run and
that first hit. Once you do that the pressure
goes away and we just didn’t do that today.”
Evans continued, “We got us a loss now,
so now we can just go out there and play.
We had some opportunities but we just
didn’t cash in on them.”
East Robertson connected on just three
pitches all game. Val Seay, Dee Dee Dunn
and Gabby Zizzi all had singles but the
team could never string together enough
runners to get on the board.
“I know what will happen when we get
back to the hotel,” said Evans. “We lost a
game 16-0 and we bounced back and now
we are in Murfreesboro because of that resiliency."
Evans continued, “I love our team’s fight.
They will be ready to go come tomorrow
morning and get the win. I like our chances.
Of course we will have to do some things
different if we want a different outcome.”
May 26, 2015 | ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM
11
Springfield hires new girls basketball coach
By DAVE GOULD
Robertson County Connection
Springfield High School has
hired Sycamore assistant girls
basketball coach Todd Babington to run its girls program.
Babington
He met the team for the first
time Wednesday.
“It was great to meet the team,” Babington
said. “I think there is a lot we can do to build
this program.”
Babington is originally from Crystal Lake,
Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. He
played at Austin Peay from 2004-08 and played
overseas for a short time after graduation.
After that, he returned to the area and
eventually pursued a teaching position.
“I had been working in a couple different
jobs in Clarksville and Hopkinsville and I decided I needed to get back in the classroom
and put my degree and my masters to work,”
Babington said. “I got the job teaching and
coaching at Sycamore and I really enjoyed it.”
Sycamore won the regular season 9-AA district championship this past year. Their season
ended with a loss in the regionals to MLK, the
eventual Class AA state champion.
Babington said he has also been coaching
a boys AAU basketball team in Clarksville the
last couple of years.
“We are super excited to have him here,”
Springfield principal Teresa Leavitt said. “He
has tons of experience playing college and as
an assistant coach. He has a very positive attitude. He is excited about getting started and
we’re glad to have him join our team.”
Babington replaces Jeff Cooper, who was
fired last December after he failed to provide
the school district with required documentation, including paperwork showing he was
licensed to teach in the state of Tennessee.
Springfield teacher Kate Gower served as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
The team has struggled on the court the
last few seasons, but Babington said that did
not keep him from wanting the job.
“I didn’t really think about that too much,”
Babington said. “I didn’t really care about the basketball side of it. I more or less cared about the type
of character the team had. I was more concerned
the about the situation I was getting into in terms
of teaching. I met with Ms. Leavitt and Mr. (Jeff)
Haines (assistant principal and co-athletic director) and Coach Wilson (co-athletic director) and I
really enjoyed the interview process with them. I
know the team has been struggling so I’m excited
to see what we can do to build on that.”
Babington said he won’t decide his on-court
approach until he has had a chance to see the
girls play.
“My philosophy is - whatever puts the team
in the best position to win is what we’ll do,”
Babington said. “I’ve got ways that I’ve coached
before and things I’ve done when I played in
high school and college but that might not be
the best fit for every team. I really don’t know
anything about the girls and I’ve never seen
them play so I’m not sure what will fit them
the best. I’ve coached so many different styles
so whatever is going to put us in the best position to win is what we’ll do.”
Babington said the team will still start practicing the first week of June.
“We’re going to have our first big week of
practice June 1-5,” Babington said. “Then we
will take some time off and there will be dead
period. In July we will get back in some practices and get a little heavier in implementing
our offense and defense.”
Babington said he is also going to coach
Springfield’s golf team.
“I coached golf at Sycamore too and it just
fell into place here,” Babington said. “I told
them if they needed me to do anything I would
and it happened to work out. I don’t play basketball too much anymore so that‘s what I like
to do for fun.”
At Sycamore, Babington taught Special Ed
Math. In his new role, Babington has been
hired by the county as a full-time Special Education teacher.
Babington is making no predictions for the
upcoming season other than his belief that
fans will enjoy watching their games.
“I’ve been in the area for about ten years now
since I started going to Austin Peay. I love the
area and I don’t plan on going anywhere. I can’t
guarantee how many games we’re going to win
but we’ll be fun to watch,” Babington concluded.
Yellow Jackets
name baseball and
wrestling coaches
From STAFF REPORTS
Robertson County Connection
Springfield High School has
announced that Joey McClung
has been hired as the school’s
new head baseball coach.
McClung is a graduate of
White House Heritage High
School where he was an alldistrict baseball player for
three years.
He also played baseball at
MTSU and was a three-year
letterman.
McClung spent the 2014 season as an assistant baseball coach
at Oakland High School and this
past season he was an assistant
with White House Heritage.
********
Bubba Chandler has been
hired as the school’s head wrestling coach. Chandler will also be
an assistant coach for the football team. Chandler has been
coaching for several years - most
recently at Sycamore where he
was the defensive coordinator
and assistant wrestling coach.
Focus on middle school sports: Greenbrier Middle School
From STAFF REPORTS
Robertson County Connection
This week we take a look at the coaches
from Greenbrier Middle School as well as
some important upcoming dates.
Football, Wrestling and
Baseball – Coach: Cody
Coomes ([email protected])
Coach Coomes is new to
Tennessee and GMS and will
be coaching football, wrestling and baseball this year. He played each sport at the
high school level. This past year he coached
high school wrestling in Kentucky. Coach
Coomes has a goal for all of the sports he
coaches to develop and hone the fundamentals for each sport while teaching athletes to be well-rounded, responsible and
trustworthy citizens. He is excited to be a
part of this wonderful community. Cross Country/Girls ‘Basketball – Briana Newton
(Briana .newton@rcstn.
net)
Coach Newton comes from
Westmoreland, TN where she
played basketball, volleyball and softball
all throughout high school. She is a recent
graduate of Tennessee Technology University and very eager to begin her career as an
educator and a coach.
Boys’ Basketball – Steve
Weaver ([email protected])
This will be my second season to coach the Lady Cat bas-
ketball team, and my 14th season to coach the
Bobcat basketball team after a 9-year layoff
from boys’ basketball. One of the biggest
goals for the Lady Cats and Bobcats this upcoming year is to bring home a county championship. I’m looking forward to the new season and working with the newest member of
our coaching staff coach Brianna Newton.
* Coach Weaver and Coach Newton will
co-coach the basketball teams
Softball – Carri Hudgins
([email protected])
The 2015-2016 school
year will be my 7th season as
softball coach at Greenbrier
Middle School. I have enjoyed
seeing the way our sport has grown over the
last decade. We became an officially sanctioned school team my first year as coach.
At that time, not every school in the county
fielded a middle school softball team. Now,
every middle school in the county competes
in our sport, we have our own athletic association and we have regular season contests complete with a year-end tournament.
I have enjoyed seeing both the popularity
and competitiveness of our sport improve
in Robertson County over the last several
years. One thing I am looking forward to
the most about this year is having a strong
core group of experienced players coming
back from last year’s county championship
team to lead us on the field once again. Our
goal as a team and as a coaching staff is to
focus on continually improving on the field
and in the classroom and building a “team
first” atmosphere among our players.
Softball – Asst. Coach Kala
Sorrells ([email protected])
This will be my second season as assistant coach for the
Greenbrier Lady Cats softball team. I played softball for eight years
and have been around baseball/softball my
whole life. I look forward to another winning season and our teams working toward
another county tournament win this year.
Volleyball – Jordyn Medeiros (Jordyn.medeiros@
rcstn.net)
I will be coaching middle
school volleyball at Greenbrier
Middle School. I played volleyball in middle school and high school, and
have been the assistant coach here at GMS
for the past three years. As a coach I focus
on effort, attitude, and improvement. But
being a student athlete is more than that.
Throughout the season there are life lessons
that will inevitably be learned from the game;
teamwork, resilience, responsibility, balance,
dedication and sportsmanship (just to name a
few). I try to have a positive impact and build
confidence in every player. A successful season would include getting a group of kids to
play together as a team, play hard, reach their
ultimate potential, and of course, have fun.
Cheerleading – Stephanie
Drumright ([email protected])
I, along with Cayce Shanks,
coach the Greenbrier Middle
School cheerleaders. We have
been coaching cheerleading here for the last
five years. We have a great squad of girls for
the upcoming season and are looking forward to preparing them for the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead, practices,
camp, competitions, pep rallies, etc.
KEY DATES
Volleyball
Camp @ Greenbrier High School, June 8
and 9, 1-4 p.m.
Tryouts for 7th and 8th graders, June 10 @
Greenbrier Middle School, 8-10 a.m.
Tryouts for 6th graders, June 11 @ GMS,
8-10 a.m.
Football
June 15 – 19, 8:30-10:30 a.m., meet in GMS
gym.
Baseball
Tryouts, July 27 - 29 (time TBA)
Softball
Tryouts, June 1 and 2, 5 - 8 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Tryouts for 8th graders, May 26, 12:30-2:30
p.m.
Tryouts for 7th graders, May 28, 10 a.m. Noon
Tryouts for 6th graders, May 29, 10 a.m. Noon
Cross Country
TBA
12
ROBERTSONCOUNTYCONNECTION.COM | May 26, 2015
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
ONGOING
*Slaves and Slaveholders of Wessyngton Plantation
exhibit at the Robertson County Historical Museum, on
the square in Springfield now through May 30. Open
Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with additional days on May 25 and 30. Call 615-382-7173 for
more information.
Robertson County residents receive UT Martin Awards
Two local residents were recognized during an awards banquet for the University of Tennessee at Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Trisha Crutcher, of Cedar Hill, received the Outstanding Freshman in Agriculture Award. She is pictured with Dr. Jason Roberts, assistant
professor of animal science. Miranda Carlton, of Greenbrier, received the Outstanding Wildlife and Fisheries Student Award. She is pictured with
Roberts (left) and Dr. Todd Winters (right), professor and dean, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
Lucy vacationing in Nashville
Robertson pup needs a home
From Staff Reports
Robertson County Connection
Lucy’s co-foster, who lives in Nashville wanted her to come and hang out
for a week so Lucy is vacationing at his
pad with him and his dog, Molly. So
far the highlight of the visit has been
her participation in a three-mile community walk on the Harpeth River
Greenway where she met Nashville’s
Mayor Karl Dean. Miss Lucy is having
a big time in the city.
Lucy was rescued by I Could Have
Been Adopted and is available for rehoming. She is a 40-pound mutt that
we guess is around two years old.
After a good long walk in the mornings, Lucy chills on the porch or couch
90 percent of her day. Her coat is a
lovely fawn brown and as soft as velvet. She’s a gentle dog to people, but
has an alpha tendency. She probably
needs a home with an older, submissive dog or a home where she would be
the only dog. She loves cats. Besides
being great on a leash, Lucy is spayed,
up to date on vaccines, heart worm
negative, housebroken, and crate
trained. If you would like to give Lucy
a forever home call ICHBA at 615 390
9622. Check out our other adoptable
animals by googling petfinder/TN743
99¢ McDouble ALL OF MAY
MAY 28
*TWRA will sponsor a Boating Education Class, 5:30
to 9 p.m. at Highland Rim Research and Education Center, 3181 Experiment Station Rd., Springfield. Class
is for anyone born after 1/1/1989. Must be at least
12-years-old to take the test. Bring type 600 boating
safety exam permit. Available wherever TWRA licenses
are sold for $10. No sign ups required. Just show up!
Questions, call Mike Murdock 615-293-7522. Type 600
permit required for the test.
MAY 29
*Raising funds for our facility and scholarship for
our students; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch, or 5 to 7 p.m.
for supper. White beans, slaw, cornbread and tea for $8.
Homemade desserts are $1. Takeout is available. Information at 615-380-8071. Event is at Willow Oak Center
for Arts & Learning, 726 South Main St., Springfield.
MAY 29-30
* Live the “Green” Way 5K - Pre-race packet pick up on
Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. Event that evening is free and everyone is welcome; not just registered runners. BBQ plates
on sale for $10, entertainment, silent and live auctions,
booths and more. The 5K Color Run will be Saturday and
runners will start at the Robertson County Fairgrounds
and run to Travis Price Park and back. For more information or to sponsor, volunteer or register for the race,
visit jennifergreenfoundation.org.
JUNE 6
*The 17th annual Evening at Elmwood Cemetery will
be held at 6 p.m. Step back in to the past and relive history through former residents of Robertson County.
Enjoy a box dinner and then meet our “living” characters. Tickets are $15 and available at the RC Historical Museum on the square in Springfield, Wednesday
through Friday, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. For information, call
615-382-7173. In the event of rain, please come to the
senior center off the square.
*Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Free Fishing Day. Children up to age 14 can try to catch the big
one at the Free Fishing Rodeo beginning at 7 a.m. at J.
Travis Price Park. Bring your gear including fishing pole,
stringer and bait (no artificial lures). For more details
contact the Springfield Parks & Recreation Dept. at
615-382-1655 or the TWRA website state.tn.us/twra/
fish/events/events.html.
JUNE 8
*The Robertson County Players and King’s Kids
Summer Theater Camp will be held at Springfield High
School in Springfield. Unlike last year, the 2015 Camp
will run for two weeks, from June 8 through 20. Those
eligible for the camp are 1st grade thru 8th grade students and the hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each
day. The deadline for accepting camp applications is
Monday, June 1. For more information about the theater camp, go to The Robertson County Players Facebook page or website www.robertsoncountyplayers.
org or contact Danny Atchley at [email protected]
Available at your local Springﬁeld location:
-EMORIAL"LVDs4OM!USTIN(WY
inside WalMart
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