Tim Waldrup

MCKENZIE (August 24) Water Superintendent Tim Waldrup was named as McKenzie's new public works superintendent - a move that combined the supervision of both the water and public works department.

The McKenzie City Council voted unanimously to appoint Waldrup to the combined supervisory position. Councilman Gene Hale said it's the best time to combine the jobs. Current Public Works Superintendent Joe Curtis is retiring September 29.

Mayor Walter Winchester said Waldrup would begin training for his new position immediately. The city will net a savings in excess of $30,000 annually, estimated the mayor, who said Waldrup's new salary has not been determined. The mayor said he has considered combining the positions since he took office in 2002.

Waldrup is a 29-year employee of the McKenzie Water Department, where he has served as the superintendent for six years. He and wife, Jennifer, make their home in McKenzie.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of eight mobile radios for the Fire Department upon the recommendation of Councilman Wade Allen. An ad hoc committee reviewed the bids opened last meeting and determined that B&E Electronics of Jackson bid of $5,039 was the lowest and met specifications.

Beverly Owen was unanimously approved to fill the unexpired term of the late Mamie Strickland on the McKenzie Housing Authority Board. Mayor Winchester said Owen's nomination came from the Housing Authority.

City officials will pursue a new Transportation Enhancement Grant (T-21) and will convene sometime later to establish the priorities for the application. Mayor Winchester said the grant could be used for pedestrian or bicycle routes, possibly museums, or to complete the Park Theatre project. Councilwoman Jill Holland asked about the establishment of a transportation museum or the painting of murals on business buildings. Hale asked if the downtown park's lighting could be updated. The deadline for the 80 percent grant application is November.

Lighting at City Park will need repairs following a lightning strike. Holland said the insurance would pay for repairs on one electric box and a computer system. She said security lighting and street lights will be installed at Mulberry Park, where the addition of a lock will be installed on the softball field lights and a timer will be installed on the basketball court.

Hale reported the recently purchased video camera is operational in one police car and two new radar units have been purchased through the Drug Fund.

The Police Department wrote a total of 187 citations from July 1 to August 24. Of the 187 citations, 148 were for no city sticker (wheel tax). A total of 62 persons were also arrested during the period.

Councilwoman Darra Adkins was absent.

HUNTINGDON - Recently elected officials in Carroll County will take the oath of office Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the Carroll County Courthouse.

County Mayor Kenny McBride said Chancellor Ron Harmon will administer the oath of office to General Sessions Judge Larry Logan, Mayor Kenny McBride, Sheriff Bendell Bartholomew, Trustee Pat Rich, County Clerk Carolyn Lutz, Property Assessor Johnny Radford, acting Circuit Court Clerk Bertha Taylor, Register of Deeds-elect Natalie McCullough, four incumbent road supervisors Dennis Parker, Nolan Robinson, Scotty Bailey, and Ricky Scott; county commissioners Wayne Kirk, John Mark Robinson, Randy Long, Bobby Argo, Ronnie Murphy, Steve Parker, Larry Spencer, Richard Goodwin, John Mann, Marsha Barger, LaRenda Scarbrough, Jerry White, Johnny Blount, Jimmy McClure, Harold Baker, Walter Butler, Gaylon Sydnor, Harold Vinson, Ben Surber, Billy Kirk, and Joel Washburn.

Donald Parish, circuit judge-part 2-elect, will take the oath at 10:30 a.m. at The Dixie in Huntingdon. District Attorney-elect Hansel McCadams will be sworn in Huntingdon sometime following Parish's oath ceremony. Parish will administer the oath to McCadams.

The public is invited to the oath of office ceremonies.

Unemployment rates in the tri-county area increased in July, reflecting seasonal declines in government as the local school year had ended. Carroll and Weakley counties showed a slight decrease in manufacturing employment primarily because of vacation closings, according to Judith Bradberry, Labor Market Analyst with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Weakley also experienced continued seasonal decline in manufacturing.

Carroll County's July unemployment rate was 7.6 percent, up from the June rate of 7.0 percent, but down from July 2005 when the rate was 8.4 percent. From a labor force of 13,940, a total of 12,880 were employed, leaving 1,050 unemployed.

Henry County's July unemployment rate was 8.2 percent, which is an increase from the 7.8 percent rate in June. The rate is also up from the July 2005 rate of 7.2 percent. From a labor force of 14,250 available workers, a total of 13,090 were employed, leaving 1,160 jobless.

Weakley County's July jobless rate increased to 11.3 percent, up from 8.6 percent in June and also up from July 2005, when the rate was 9.0 percent. From a labor force of 15,720, a total of 13,940 were employed, leaving 1,780 without jobs.

Tennessee's unemployment rate for the month of July is 5.9 percent, up from the seasonally adjusted June rate of 5.6 percent, according to Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley. The national unemployment rate for July is 4.8 percent, up from the June rate of 4.6 percent.

"Employment growth for Tennessee has been significant in the past year with 2.4 percent, versus only 1.6 percent for the nation, according to the household survey," said Neeley. "Similar to last month, the unemployment rate rose from June due largely to an increase in the number of people seeking employment."

The June-to-July business survey shows increases in arts, entertainment and recreation, up 1,000 jobs. Employment in trade, transportation and utilities increased by 800. Hospital employment increased by 700 jobs. Seasonal month-to-month employment decreases took place in local government educational services with 12,600 jobs lost. Manufacturing employment dropped by 4,500 jobs, mostly because of seasonal shutdowns. State government educational services lost 3,100 jobs.

From July 2005 to July 2006, trade, transportation and utilities jobs increased by 10,500. Jobs in leisure and hospitality rose by 8,800 and educational and health services jobs increased by 7,100. Employment decreased in manufacturing by 5,800, food and beverage stores by 1,500 and federal government jobs by 700.