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Local Government Committee considers sign honoring Don Childress at Bogota Fire Department
WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
Staff Reporter
The Dyer County Local Government Committee met Monday evening, September 9, voting on two items. The first involved placing a plaque at the Bogota fire station honoring former County Commissioner Don Childress, a Bogota resident who died in 2012. Also up for vote was a resolution that would affiliate the volunteer group Keep Dyer County Beautiful with Keep Tennessee Beautiful and by default, the organization Keep America Beautiful.
Members present included Chairman Brandon Dodds, Hunter Jackson, Steve Sartin, James T. (Bubba) Cobb, Larry Shawver, Mark Korn. Debra Roberson was absent, as was Mayor David Quick. Dyer County officials and staff attending included County Clerk Dianne Moore, Commissioner Doug Singleteary, Commissioner Dob Johnson, Road Superintendent Jeff Jones, Sheriff Jeff Box, Finance Director Amy Perkins, Building Inspector Dale Dozier, Administrative Assistant Beverly Ellington, and from Building and Zoning, Amber Fitzhugh. In attendance too were members of the Keep Dyer County Beautiful organization, including former City of Dyersburg Alderman Bob Dean.
Jackson asked the committee to approve a plaque at the Bogota Fire Department in honor of former commissioner Childress. Shawver responded that he did not think that it was the committee’s place to approve it. However, Dodds noted that they had approved similar honors for former Dyer County Mayors Richard Hill and Chris Young. Shawver replied that if the committee had the power to approve it to send to the CLB, “We ought not do it.” Jackson motioned to approve the plan, Korn seconded, and the motion passed five to one, with Shawver dissenting.
Dozier presented next the resolution that would affiliate Keep Dyer County Beautiful with Keep Tennessee Beautiful, which would qualify the county group for grants and give local students a chance at scholarships through the state and national organization. He remarked, “It won’t cost the county a cent.” He said that he would include a line item in the sanitation budget for $1,500 as a place holder and that dues are $150 per year but that any costs would come from grants. He noted that the organization missed out last year for $5,000 by not being affiliated with the state organization.
Keep Dyer County Beautiful is an all-volunteer organization which picks up trash and litter several weekends a year in the area. In 2023 and 2024, they have picked up and disposed of significant amounts of trash.
The main obstacle for the committee was their hesitation to form a new committee, as requested in the resolution. Instead, they asked for a council of citizens to lead the organization but answer to the Local Government Committee.
Dean addressed the committee, noting that in the past, county government had made a great decision: “Thank goodness we had the foresight” to buy the land occupied now by the fairgrounds. “Imagine if we did not have that 100 acres.” He said that he believes this affiliation between Keep Dyer County Beautiful and the state organization requires the same kind of foresight. He added, “Why am I here tonight? To encourage you to adopt this resolution.”
Cobb suggested that Dozier supervise the project. Cobb then motioned to approve, Sartin seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.