Rutherford County Magazine - Winter 2012 Edition

Occupy Smyrna

With all of the news recently of the occupying movements in different towns and cities I thought to share the time that Smyrna was occupied.

After the civil war the south became the source of groups such as the Pale Faces and the Klan. In other areas there was no need for such organizations and people performed acts of violence on their own. Smyrna was a small town but that did not spare it the issues such groups created. This is the story and time line of one short week in 1869.

Memphis daily appeal., August 31, 1869

Lawlessness in Middle Tennessee
Nashville August 30 Nearly 100 negroes have come to this place from the neighborhood of Smyrna, in Rutherford county, and report that they have been driven away from home by bands of lawless white men. These negroes have been working on shares with the planters, and they as well as the planters will lose heavily if they are not protected in securing the crop. A well known planter from that neighborhood, who makes about 300 bales of cotton , has been threatened by the regulators, and he was here to-day to see what could be done to protect himself and the negroes in his employ.
Bands of Lawless man are also operating in Sumner County, visiting the negro cabins and taking the negroes out and whipping them. The men engaged in this work are wholly irresponsible and will not work themselves and desire to prevent others from enjoying the fruits of their labor. Gov. Senter's proclamation warning them may have some effect, but it is probable that the planters will have to form combinations for self protection.

It would be an understatement to say things were looking bad at this moment. The next day the following was printed in the same newspaper.

Memphis daily appeal., September 01, 1869

The Rutherford County Disturbance - Meeting of Negroes in Nashville
Nashville Aug. 31st. A meeting of colored men took place this evening, to investigate the cause of the disturbance at Smyrna, Rutherford Co. A number of refugees from that vicinity were present. Hon. Jno Trimble, Neil S. Brown and Henry S. Foote took part. The meeting adjourned, finally, without doing anything, to 2 o'clock p.m. to-morrow.

The next day the newspaper went into more detail on the issues effecting the county. Maybe it was their attempt to try to lay some of the blame on the 'Negroes' or maybe there was a lot of truth to their words. Either way they openly say the Governor should act on the happenings.
Memphis daily appeal., September 02, 1869

Some unhappy troubles have lately occured in Rutherford county, which have drawn forth a proclamation of the Governor. Some white men have undertaken to act as "regulators" near Smyrna, but against the wishes of the people of the county generally.

This, however, seems to have been caused by bad conduct of the negroes. Certain mean whites advised the negroes unfortunately, and originated bad feelings in that manner. One SKILLMAN, with some others of the abandoned whites, told the that they "must do something," that they must "raise hell generally" or the "rebels would keep the upper hand and put them back into slavery."

They taught the negroes that by bringing about the collision and trouble they would gain the only chance they had of procuring the intervention of the Government to put STOKES in the Governor's chair. The negroes [t]hen attempted the assassination of Mr. William Smith and burned barns, cribs, stables, and gin-houses extensively.

The character of these acts showed plainly by when they were committed. Under such circumstances how is it possible to visit these "regulators" with the severest of censure? Must we utterly forbid self-defense against depredators, against life and property, with fire?These acts of the Regulators may have been rash, uncalled-for and wrong; they may be irresponsible or bad and criminal men for aught we know. But they who handle fire should be satisfied to take the consequences. Excess in retaliation and punishment is to be expected under such damning circumstances. Our sympathies must be with those, who, however irregularly attempt the suppression of crime.

We think the governor does well to suppress disturbances of this character, and that the people are quite right in fully sustaining him. Mobs cannot be permitted for any purpose. Men have no right to band together and take the law into their own hands, and must be put down when they attempt to do so. Nevertheless it is not easy to believe that a disturbance originatting in crime and and an illegal effort to suppress it is one which is without excuse on the part of the "regulators," and one in which their criminality should be looked to. We are as earnestly for making an end of lynching as it is possible any one could be. But our mode would be extend the shield of the law over all the citizens alike.

The men who most deserve punishment are those incendiaries who incited the negroes to depredations, deceived and fooled them. We hope Gov. Senter will hang all those before he begins with any others. Do justice first, and do the hanging afterwords. The Nashville papers call on the people to put down all this lawlessness on every hand. They say it is idle to protect the reputation of the state by merely denouncing the reports of outrages as fables.That is true. But the true remedy is to strike at the root of the matter and punish the scoundrels who are inciting the freedmen to crime. Do that, and though there may be lawless youths about, we believe the influences of their seniors will then be all sufficient for their control, and the negroes will go lazily to work.

Two days later in a short insert they announced that Smyrna and Murfreesboro would be re-occupied by Federal Troops. This sadly is the end of series on the troubles in our county for that year.
Memphis daily appeal., September 04, 1869
That is how in 1869, years after the end of the Civil war that Smyrna found itself reoccupied by Federal Troops.

It's Monday — everybody works on Monday

It's Monday — everybody works on Monday so for those who need work here are some local government jobs that are open if you're interested.

Smyrna has two listed as being open, but one closes today so I'm just listing the one with time remaining.

Police Officer Trainee
Police
Full time
Deadline 08.26.2011

LaVergne has a nice number open giving you a wide range of options.

Library Clerk 2011 (Part-Time) (Posted 08/08/2011 until 08/23/2011)
Parks and Recreation Director 2011 (Posted 8/11/2011 until Filled)
Payroll Clerk 2011 (Part-Time) (Posted 8/12/2011 until Filled)
Public Works Director 2011 (Posted 08/03/2011 until Until Filled)
Seasonal Parks Maintenance Laboror (Temporary) (Posted 8/02/2011 until filled)
Sewer Supervisor 2011 (Posted 7/21/2011 until Filled)

Murfreesboro also has a nice number to fill.

FULL-TIME
WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT
Business and Finance Manager - $5,860.27 - $6,570.85 monthly DOQ&E

PART-TIME
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Part-Time Transit Operator - $13.11 hourlyMust have CDL for public passenger transport valid in TN.
ST. CLAIR STREET SENIOR CENTER
Part-Time Nurse Assistant for the Nurse on Duty Program - $10.30 hourly
MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
Part-Time Range/Cart Helper - $7.55 hourly

Rutherford county itself has fewer jobs then you would expect for a whole county.

Soil Conservation
Part-Time Soil Conservationist District Assistant
Trustee Office
Part-Time Seasonal Deputy Trustee
Chancery Court
Part-Time Chancery Court Clerk - 5th Floor
PAWS (Pet Adoption and Welfare Services)
Part-Time Kennel Attendant

Good luck if you're hunting for work.

Its Monday — everybody works on Monday

Here are the known community job listing that might interest you.

In Smyrna we have some good listings including police.

Senior Accountant (Analyst) Finance
Accounting Clerk Finance
Accounting Clerk Finance
Network Administrator Info Technology
Police Officer Trainee Police

In LaVergne

Assistant Treasurer 2011 (Posted 8/10/2011 until Filled)
Library Clerk 2011 (Part-Time) (Posted 08/08/2011 until 08/23/2011)
Parks and Recreation Director 2011 (Posted 8/11/2011 until Filled)
Payroll Clerk 2011 (Part-Time) (Posted 8/12/2011 until Filled)
Public Works Director 2011 (Posted 08/03/2011 until Until Filled)
Seasonal Parks Maintenance Laboror (Temporary) (Posted 8/02/2011 until filled)
Sewer Supervisor 2011 (Posted 7/21/2011 until Filled)

In Murfreesboro

FULL-TIME
WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT
Business and Finance Manager

PART-TIME
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Part-Time Transit Operator -
ST. CLAIR STREET SENIOR CENTER
Part-Time Nurse Assistant for the Nurse on Duty Program -
MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
Part-Time Range/Cart Helper

For Rutherford county the pickings are slimmer.

Circuit Court
Juvenile Court Deputy Clerk II
Trustee Office
Part-Time Seasonal Deputy Trustee
Chancery Court
Part-Time Chancery Court Clerk - 5th Floor
PAWS (Pet Adoption and Welfare Services)
Part-Time Kennel Attendant

That is it for this weeks job listings for government jobs. I'm looking into finding job listings for the state, but their system has some issues. Good luck to all that apply.

Its Monday — everybody works on Monday

In 1993 the movie 'Dave' had a line I always liked. "Its Monday — everybody works on Monday" was something that always stuck with me. Here in Smyrna the economy simply sucks as much as the rest of the USA, and it's hard to find a job. With that in mind I'm asking you to take a moment if you have the need and look at these job openings from the town of Smyrna.

Maintenance Laborer Parks Seasonal
Operator III (Midnight Shift) WWTP Full time
Equipment Operator Water & Sewer Full time
Mechanic Supervisor Vehicle Maintenance Full-time
Senior Accountant (Analyst) Finance Full time
Accounting Clerk Finance Part time
Accounting Clerk Finance Full time
Network Administrator Info Services Part time

In Murfreesboro they have the following openings. Note that the Murfreesboro links open a PDF file and does not go to an individual webpage.

FULL-TIME
WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT
Business and Finance Manager
Lead Water Plant Operator
PART-TIME
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Part-Time Transit Operator
ST. CLAIR STREET SENIOR CENTER
Part-Time Nurse Assistant
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Office Assistant

Rutherford county has just 2 positions open and their links also go to PDF files.

Health Department
Community Outreach Representative Part Time
P.A.W.S.
PT Kennel Attendant

Getting a job does not just mean a paycheck, it also means benefits, dental, life insurance, and all the other items that remove some of the stress of daily life. I'm not sure if anyone will get hired by this blog post and the following ones each Monday...but I'll try.

Dave: If you've ever seen the look on somebody's face the day they finally get a job, I've had some experience with this, they look like they could fly. And its not about the paycheck, it's about respect, it's about looking in the mirror and knowing that you've done something valuable with your day. And if one person could start to feel this way, and then another person, and then another person, soon all these other problems may not seem so impossible. You don't really know how much you can do until you, stand up and decide to try.

Good luck in your job hunting.

Just $10

The Sam Davis home is having their Summer Soiree and you could go for the company, but stay for the exhibit.

Much like they would have 150 years ago just after Tennessee seceded from the Union, Rutherford County residents will gather at the Sam Davis Home at 6 p.m. Thursday for music and food.
.....
A Summer Soiree at the Sam Davis Home is being held in conjunction with a traveling exhibit entitled “This Cruel War: The Civil War in Rutherford County,” which will be on display at the Sam Davis Home and Museum through first week of July. The exhibit was created by MTSU public history students under the direction of Dr. Brenden Martin for the Sesquicentennial Remembrance, sponsored by the Rutherford County Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee.

Have fun.

Higher than the county

The unemployment numbers for the county and Smyrna have been released and Smyrna is higher to my surprise.

Rutherford County’s unemployment rate for February stayed at the same 8.8 percent rate measured in January, the state reported Thursday.
.....
Smyrna’s unemployment rate was at 9.7 percent for both the first two months of this year. Both rates are lower than the 10 percent unemployment measured February 2010.

This is not a horrible difference...unless you're one of the .9 percent employed that is the difference.

Part time work locally

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office posted online this small item.

HELP WANTED - RCSO is looking for part time help in the School traffic division. If you are interested please contact the Community Service Unit at (615) 904-3019 or (615) 904-3033.

If you feel this might be up your alley give them a call.

Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting - February 10, 2011

This looks like something a few of you might be interested in. When Smyrna did their comprehensive plan the turnout for non governmental people was rather lite.

A small edit here. For those who might wish to view this plan they have it posted online here. Enjoy.

Wanted

The Rutherford county Sheriffs office has released their weekly most wanted.


click for larger image

County forum III

Sheriff Jones did not make the forum and while writting my column for next week I found this by accident. I'll let this stand as his public forum.



Note the 'humor' tag before you try to kill me people. This video was put on youtube 4 years ago so even then people did not like the man.

Of course the two sheriff candidates that did show up are here for your viewing needs.



Enjoy

County commission moonshiners?

I dropped by YouTube today and had a good laugh at the expense of the county commission. YouTube has a section where they recommend for you videos related to the subject matter of other videos you've watched before. At one time I had watched "County Commission Meeting - December 17, 2009" of the Rutherford county government. YouTube somehow saw our county government meeting and recommended this video as being related.

Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton was a famous moonshiner until his death in 2009. The quality of his product and his extreme desire to be left alone made him a legend in his own lifetime. This video interview was by Johnny Knoxville of 'Jackass' fame.

Now I know that local politics can be a bit backwards in some areas, but for YouTube to view our county meetings and connect them to moonshiners just made my day and gave me a good laugh. Thanks YouTube.

Sparks to run

It is now official. Michael Sparks has announced that he is going to run for the 49th state district seat currently held by Kent Coleman.

Commissioner Mike Sparks plans to file papers in the coming days to serve as state representative for District 49. The seat is currently held by state Rep. Kent Coleman, a Democrat, who was elected in 2002.

Sparks was elected to represent county District 11, which covers central Smyrna, in 2002. He defeated then-incumbent Jimmy Woods. A lifelong resident of Smyrna, Sparks said he was approached by the Republican party to run for the state seat that same year.

“I didn’t feel lead to run for it at that time. Since then, I’ve been on the county commission, the Smyrna Municipal Planning Commission and I’ve been a business owner. I feel like I’ve gotten some good experience,” said Sparks, 39. “I feel like now I can bring another conservative voice to the state legislature.”

That leaves Chris Deal as the only contender for Mike Sparks county seat.



House 49

2010 Census "It's in Our Hands"

The Rutherford county government has started to put their meetings on YouTube for easier viewing. While this does not allow bookmarking sections in meetings as agenda items come up, it does allow more people quicker access to them. The county commission put this video out and I thought sharing it would be proper.

Pimping myself...and others

The 2009 Ruthies are up and it was brought to my attention that this year I am in the running in the category of "Best Newspaper Columnist"

There are several specific categories for the Smyrna/LaVergne area

Favorite Place for a Quick Lunch - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Restaurant - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Dentist - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Doctor - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Drug Store/Pharmacy - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Place to Get a Haircut - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Auctioneer - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Banker - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Elected Official - LaVergne
Favorite Elected Official - Smyrna
Favorite Employer - Smryna/LaVergne
Favorite Place to Worship - Smyrna/LaVergne
Favorite Florist - Smyrna/LaVergne

and we did not forget the important category of......drum roll.......

Favorite Real Estate Agent - Smyrna/LaVergne

Yes dear readers. Our friend and co-blogger- and sister-city blog administrator Kathy Tyson from This is LaVergne is listed in this category so drop by and vote for her also.

Remember
VOTE EARLY
VOTE OFTEN

Are you on this list...or know who is?

Remember Bush's big stimulus plan? Well not everyone got their check.

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for Tennessee taxpayers who are missing more than 5,800 economic stimulus checks totaling about $3.3 million and nearly 2,000 regular refund checks totaling about $1.7 million that were returned by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.

Some 243 Rutherford County residents are due economic stimulus or refund checks. These 247 checks are worth $155,450. A list of the Rutherford County residents with undeliverable is below.

Here is the list for those who might want to take a look at it.

Tonight is the night....if you can see it.

Tonight is the night for the debates between the candidates for the the sister towns of Smyrna and LaVergne. They will be broadcast on the Rutherford County Government Access Channel

• 6:45-7:15 p.m.: La Vergne Alderman. Candidates are Senna Mosley, Dennis Waldron and Mike Slinker.

• 7:30-8 p.m.: Smyrna Town Council. Candidates are Paul Johns, Tim Morrell, Mary Esther Reed and James Yates.

I have a request for the two...or maybe three regular readers of This is Smyrna.

I have tried for three days to get online and check out the online streaming feed supposedly at THIS link (link also on the RCTV page). At first I received this error message.

Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the server is not responding. If you entered a URL or path to play the file, verify that it is correct. If you clicked a link to play the file, the link may not be valid.

I emailed them and they responded that the problem should be fixed...but now I get this error.

Windows Media Player cannot play the file because a network error occurred. The server might not be available. Verify that you are connected to the network and that your proxy settings are correct.

I have gone to other streaming sites that stream through windows Media player and they all work, and have even updated to the latest version of media player and all to naught.

Will you click to see if the link works for you, and if not could you email them. I received no response after the second email, and I really want to watch the debate. Sadly my plans to go view it have been derailed by a bum knee that I have re-hurt. Yep. Back on crutches for a while.

I know a good number of people view the town meetings here in Smyrna by way of computer and if everyone is having this issue then it needs to be corrected.

Give it a try and tell me in comments if your system works. Thanks

Election information

Early voting sites.

080708 earlyvotingad - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: 080708 earlyvotingad

List of August 7th candidates.

080708 candidates - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: 080708 candidates

Careful what you ask for.

Whenever people talk about the future of this county and its growth, one dream keeps getting mentioned. Fast Rail! They always bring up the glory that is the fast rail for Lebanon.

Sadly the 'glory' that is fast rail is falling short of any projected number, and may cost the area a lot of money during these troubled economic times.

The Music City Star's money problems can be traced to its first year of operation, when passenger ticket sales came in $800,000 below projections and unanticipated costs, including high insurance premiums, drained its budget.

Now, as its parent agency scrambles to fill a $1.7 million hole in next year's budget, the U.S. government is watching intently.

The Federal Transit Administration, which invested more than $30 million in the 2006 startup of the Lebanon-to-Nashville commuter line, would demand its money back from the Regional Transportation Authority and the return of all assets if the Music City Star were to stop running, it wrote in a letter to local authorities this week.

What the federal government gives, it can also take away so very easily, leaving the tax payers on the hook for a good dream, but a fiscally impractical approach.

Take a moment next time the areas future is discussed and remember Lebanon. The light rail of Lebanon does make it seem cheaper to travel on it then by car, because your expenses are paid for by our tax money through a myriad number of agencies.