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Archives
06-19-2002 News
Statue of Liberty graces Overton County
turf
Statue of Liberty graces Overton County turf By KEVIN BURMEISTER, OCN staff
This smaller version of the Statue of Liberty may be seen in the front yard of Sam and Clara Norrod, located on Green Acres Road just off of Windle Community Road.
Samuel Norrod had a vision. A five year-old vision that, in order to be fulfilled, took loads of money, patience, and a little more money. Norrod's vision was to raise up a replica of this nation's most powerful landmark, the Statue of Liberty, in his own front lawn. Norrod conceived his vision while he lived in Portage, IN, where his neighbor sported a mini-sized Lady Liberty as a very unique, as well as patriotic lawn ornament. "We looked at it for quite a few years," Norrod said. "We liked it and went to a great deal of trouble to find out where he got his, and where to get another one. After we moved down here, we still wanted to get one." His dream was further fueled after he and his wife made a trip to New York City to see the actual statue. He took numerous trips back to Portage, where he made inquiries about his neighbor's statue. After returning home and seeing his lawn take a significant beating from a cement truck, Norrod finalized his plans and ordered his very own cast aluminium Statue of Liberty. The September 11 tragedy supported his vision, providing an inspiration to all passersby of the new landmark's home on Green Acres Road. His replica features a fully functional torch, which, with the assistance of a modest 30-watt bulb, shines as a beacon for all of Livingston's tired, poor, and huddled masses who yearn to breathe freely. Norrod is proud of his bold lawn decor statement, which slaps the face of plastic flamingos everywhere. But, more importantly, he is proud of the nation that it represents. "We have always thought a lot of the United States,Ó he said.
Holmans arraigned on arson charges By ROBERT FORSMAN, court reporter Douglas Holman Jr., 35, and wife, Dana Copeland Holman, 31, were arraigned on arson charges Monday, June 17 in Overton County Criminal Court, Judge Lillie Ann Sells presiding. The couple were proprietors of D&D Carpet, a Livingston business located in a rented building on Main Street. Fire consumed the building in the early morning hours of February 28. Overton County Grand Jury indicted the couple June 3 on charges of arson and burning the personal property of another. They were arrested June 5 and released on $100,000 bond each. Following arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Owen Burnett presented a motion requesting that Mr. Holman be placed in custody because the property bond that secured his release wasn't a valid deed of trust bond. Judge Sells granted the motion and ordered Holman taken into custody. A hearing to reduce bond is scheduled for June 24. Following arraignment, Mrs. Holman was convicted of a probation violation unconnected to the case and sentenced to a previously suspended prison sentence. She was ordered to report to Overton County Jail at 10 a.m. the following morning. Her arson case was deadlined for August 20.
Legislative Body meeting held June 11 By Rachel Smith, OCN staff Overton County Legislative Body met in regular session Tuesday, June 11 with all commissioners present and Commissioner Billy Sullivan presiding. After the minutes of the April meeting had been approved by all commissioners, Budget Committee Chairperson Tom Montooth started off committee reports by informing everyone that the committee had been meeting with each individual office to "go over their wants and needs" and that a few bid openings had been conducted for the Highway Department. "That's about all the business we've done. Just trying to get everything lined out working on the new budget,Ó he said. Chairperson Gail Arney stated that a meeting of the Solid Waste Committee is planned to discuss summer hours for convenience centers. Arney also reported that the Highway and County Property Committee met in late May with several items on the agenda. She began with a request that the full legislative body consider rescinding the $5 fee currently being set aside for the Teen Center as the center is no longer functional. Other items discussed by the committee included the sale of the old Health Department building, as well as the sale of the house and approximately two acres of the industrial property in Rickman. Both items were presented for a full vote later in the meeting. During her report, Arney clarified to those present the current status of her real estate license, stating, "I just want it to be public record that I have put my real estate license on retirement, so I cannot sell real estate." Presenting the Nursing Home Committee report, Chairperson Grant Pennington said, "Today, we have 144 residents in house, He went on to say, "We will start working on the budget sometime this week. He further stated, "Our new controller is at work. She started June 1." Chairperson Jean Moore reported that the Education Committee had met with Director of Schools Bill Needham, Karen Cowan, and about five members of the school board on June 10 to go over the year-end school budget, resulting in a motion presented later in the commissioners' meeting. She also advised the full legislative body of plans being made to repair the football stadium at Livingston Academy. Presenting the Public Safety Committee report, Chairman Bill Phipps advised, "We've had one meeting with the sheriff and the ambulance service. Everything looked good with their budgets. He also said, "Everything is going good with the ambulance service. They've got moved in over there, and things, as far as I know, are going pretty good." Perhaps the most debated new business item of the night was to consider giving the county executive authority to sell the house and approximately two acres of property that are part of the industrial development area planned in Rickman. With a motion made to give the executive this authority, but never seconded, Commissioner Bill Phipps was quick to point out that he had talked to several people. He said, "What I would like to see the court do...I'd really like to let this go on to the next court...Check it out a little more... Investigate it. I've talked to several people...That property with the highway frontage right there the way the land lays, may be worth more to the industrial park, if we get one in there, to not even have a house on it. He further stated, "I'd like to make a motion to put this off until the next court and let them deal with it." With this motion presented and seconded, Bobby Dan McCoin reminded everyone the reason for selling the house and property was to pay for the engineering fees associated with the proposed industrial park. After much discussion, commissioners voted, in a split decision, to delay the decision to sell the house and property until the new administration takes over in September. With a roll call vote, commissioners voted unamiously to sell the old Health Department building with the proceeds to be given to the proposed new library. Bobby K. Lawson was approved as a half-time warrant writer. At the request of Director of Schools Bill Needham, the legislative body was asked to consider imposing a 20 mph speed limit on Oakley-Allons Road in front of Allons Elementary School. After much discussion, commissioners voted to delay a decision until research could be done to investigate the cost of blinking lights or to add the phrase "When Children Are Present" to the speed limit sign. Commissioners then adopted a resolution to authorize an actuarial study to determine the liability associated with allowing members with one year service credit in the T.C.R. system to establish retirement credit for time during which such members were employed by a political subdivision. Other items approved by the legislative body included a resolution for 2002-2003 to participate in the Tennessee Department of Transportation Litter Grant Program and appointing Jim Johnson as E-911 director to replace Roger Phillips who resigned. The county executive was given authority to appoint approximately seven members to the Planning Committee as recommended by the Highway and County Property Committee, with the primary function of the Planning Committee being to work with the state planning office to develop subdivision regulations that can be enforced. Budget amendments for end of year General Fund, Solid Waste, Drug Fund and Highway Department was approved in the amount of $37,981.47. Commissioner Billy Sullivan said, "That is to clean up...Move from one place to another place to zero out." Also adopted during the June meeting was a resolution to continue operating on the 2001-2002 budget after the end of the current fiscal year. With a unamimous vote, commissioners voted to approve the school department's quarterly report for the month ending March 31, 2002, as follows: General Purpose Funds, Federal Projects, Central Cafeteria, Education Capital Projects, and Education Debt Service. School department Budget Amendment No. 4 2001-2002 in the amount of $337,348 was also approved. Notaries at large approved during the meeting included Marla Smith, Theresa Sharp, Anthony Young, Michell Stover, Christie Reeder, Heather D. Hammock, Teresa Key, Carolyn Mabe, Teresa Barlow, Leisha Bozza, Vicki L. Hunley, and Lee Copeland. Approved as a last minute addendum to the agenda was a resolution authorizing the county to request separate insurance bids for the Highway Department and to accept a separate insurance bid if lower than the combined rate. The meeting adjourned.
Overton County News
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