MCKENZIE (December 14) - Rebel fans will be greeted with new home-side seating, but on the opposite side of the field when the 2007 Rebel season opens. A new home-team field house, serving both the MMS and MHS Rebels is still on the drawing board and might be constructed as well in the estimated $500,000-plus-renovation project at Rebel Field.

McKenzie Special School District Board of Education approved the installation of aluminum seating for 1,572 fans, including 14 wheelchair and 14 companion seats and a new press box at a price of $282,520 by E and D Specialty of Louisville, Kentucky. The new seating will increase capacity for home fans by approximately 50 percent. Sturdisteel bid $286,645, and Steel Stadium's bid was rejected because it lacked the state-mandated certificate of a drug-free workplace. Superintendent Jim Ward said Steel Stadium's bid was the highest of the three. E&D can complete the project in 90 days from the contract date.

The board however directed Superintendent Ward to negotiate with E&D for slightly fewer seats to possibly lessen the price difference between the bid of $282,520 and the board's previously estimated price of $250,000.

Bids for the 500-seat configuration (without a press box) was $60,105 by Sturisteel and $93,010 by E&D Specialty. Ward noted Sturisteel failed to include the necessary concrete work in the bid.

Recently, the old visitor's seats, constructed of concrete and aluminum, were razed after being deemed "unsafe" by the board. Until 1982, home fans occupied what's now known as the visitors' side. In that year, community fund-raisers generated the $65,000 necessary to construct seating for 1,013 fans, based on 18 inches per seat.

In 2004, new field lighting and new restrooms were added at a cost of $108,000, which all but precluded any new discussion of moving the stadium to the campus of the nine-year old high school.

Bids were solicited on two seating configurations - (1) 500 seats on the current visitor's side and (2) 1,500-plus seats on the visitors' side, converting it to the new home side. In a 4-2 vote, the board approved the larger configuration and the switch of sides for the home fans. Jon Davis, Jill Holland, Monte Cunningham, and Brad Davis voted in favor of the 1,500-plus seats and the resultant switch of sides by the fans. Karen McCaleb and Greg Barker voted against.

McCaleb lobbied for the 500-seat configuration on the current visitors' side and adding approximately 384 seats on the current home seats. She said Rebels fans do not want to switch sides of the field. The old visitors' side seating had 896 seats, based on the 18-inch standard.

Brad Davis said he would rather spend money for the home fans rather than visitor seating.

Jon Davis said investment in the new seating would last a long time.

Ward said he believes the school system can financially benefit through arbitrage, whereas the school can borrow the money at current low market prices for three years while keeping its current money invested at a higher interest rate.

Concerning the proposed field house, architects were sent back to the drawing board after school board members decided to include a wall to split the dressing room into separate areas for the MMS and MHS Rebels. The two teams would share a common shower and restroom area.

Architects from Mt. Juliet-based architectural firm Kaatz, Binkley, Jones & Morris Architects, Inc. designed a 80- by 40-foot field house, which includes home team dressing rooms, a dressing room for TSSAA officials, public restrooms, and new concession area to be constructed on the new home side. Visiting teams would use the current Rebels field house.

McCaleb lobbied for the dividing walls in the home dressing rooms, stating that the MMS Rebels often find equipment missing after the MHS Rebels dress in the facility. She said she doesn't believe it malicious.

David Brown with Kaatz said the proposed field house would be split block construction with a standing-seam steel roof, complete with 45 lockers and concession equipment. He estimated the price at $100 per square foot, or approximately $320,000.

Jon Davis said the $100 per square foot cost was too pricey. Brown said he would check with contractors at the Huntingdon High School worksite and the Henry County High School stadium construction site for courtesy price estimates on the project.

McCaleb broached the idea of placing the new field house/concession stand at the west end of the stadium for the convenience of both sides.

Ward said that west end site would require the dirt work to bring it up to grade level, the removal of a subsurface drainage system, and the extension of utilities.

The board might review the proposed field house in a special January meeting or during the regular February meeting.

Huntingdon First Baptist Church.

HUNTINGDON (December 17) A large gathering of church congregants and guests celebrated open house ceremonies at the new $2.8 million, 21,000 square-foot Huntingdon First Baptist Church.

The beautiful and spacious structure, designed by architect Roy Gilliland of Nashville and built by Barger Construction Company of Huntingdon, replaces a previous 9,000 square-foot, 600-seat structure that had become too small to accommodate the churches average Sunday morning attendance.

Reverend Fred Ward, who has served the congregation for 20 years, pastors First Baptist Church.

View of the large balcony seating area.

Huntingdon mayor and church congregant Dale Kelley stated that he was quite pleased with the construction of the new church.

He said, "This opening marks a historical time in the life of First Baptist Church and for the town of Huntingdon. The church represents yet another beautiful addition to our community's downtown area." He added, "This morning, we had a very good dedication service that included many former church pastors on hand. Pastor Jerry Glisson, who is now 83, who attended today's service, baptized me in 1952. It has been a wonderful day."

Carroll County Mayor Kenny McBride, surveying the churches exquisite interior while sitting beside Kelley, said, "This is truly a gorgeous sanctuary. Every member of First Baptist Church will be pleased with the outcome of the building project. This church is a great asset to the Huntingdon and to the entire religious community."

Church congregant Hugh Thomas stated during a tour of the facility, "We are proud of our new church. There was a huge turnout this morning for the dedication, and it was great to be able to have everyone together. It was the first time in 15 years that we had space to have everyone join together in service at the same time. But, of all the rooms and spaces, we are most proud of our baptistery. It is there that the heart of our church resides."

The multi-level, elevator-equipped church sanctuary is home to floor and balcony level seating that can hold a maximum capacity of 935 people. The choir loft, in addition to seating 80 people, also incorporates ample space for the church's piano, organ and an orchestra pit. Large, ornate stain glass windows rise behind the baptistery.

Paster Fred Ward, Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelly and Carroll County Mayor Kenny McBride rest in the pews of First Baptist Church's new sanctuary.

Thomas added, "The organ was donated to the church in honor of Marge Tucker. The piano was also donated to the church by an unknown person."

Thomas said that the sanctuary is also blessed with a customized, state-of-the-art sound system.

Thomas noted, "The new sound system sounded incredible this morning-it was so clear."

Built in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, all church entrances and exits are completely handicap accessible.

To better serve the parking needs of parishioners, the church has purchased additional parking space behind the Carroll Bank and Trust Community Room that may be utilized along with various parking areas located around Court Square.

The structure was opened one year and six months after its April 10, 2005 groundbreaking.

MCKENZIE (December 14) - McKenzie City Council voted to purchase 30 sets of firefighter turnout gear at a price of $46,350 from NAFECO of Decatur, Alabama, which had the third lowest bid.

According to Councilperson Darra Adkins, NAFECO provided the best bid for the specified equipment, as determined by the ad hoc committee of Adkins, Councilman Gene Hale and Fire Chief Brian Tucker. The bids were as follows: Tennessee Fire Equipment and Safety Supply of Chattanooga - $50,745; G&C Supply of Atwood - $49,000; Tupelo Fire Equipment of Tupelo, Mississippi - $43,242.60; Ferrara Fire Apparatus of Holden Louisiana $44,955; and NAFECO of Decatur, Alabama - $46,350.

The city budgeted $46,500 for new turnout gear in the 2006-2007 budget. Adkins said two bids were discarded because they exceeded budget. Low bidder Tupelo submitted a bid for standard size uniforms but was going to charge extra for larger size uniforms. Additionally, Tupelo's was a lesser quality than specified. Ferrera also failed to meet specification because the jacket did not have a collar harness to retrieve a downed firefighter.

Adkins assured the council the new uniforms will be stored at the fire station and only used for structure fires. The current uniforms will be used for all other type fires.

Jill Holland asked about the longevity of the uniforms, to which Hale said three to five years. Chief Tucker said the useful life of uniforms for firefighters inside structures is shorter than those who work outside the structure. Replacements should be on a rotational basis in the future, said Tucker.

The Council returned to its original decision to rent a city-owned house instead of selling it. The frame home is located on Como Street in front of the McKenzie City Park and on 7.9 acres recently purchased for park expansion.

Mayor Walter Winchester said he had spoken with recreational and planning professionals who recommend the city maintain ownership of the house and possibly raze it for the construction of recreational sports fields in the future.

Based on Winchester's recommendation, the council unanimously rejected bids for purchase of the home. Those bids were from Randy Hodges of Huntingdon in the amount of $30,000 and Fred Morris of McKenzie for $26,111.

Winchester announced a work session for the Council on January 8 to address sewer system renovation. Currently, the city sewer system is under a moratorium, which disallows any new hookups to the system without state approval. Winchester said the consulting firm of GRW would give details of the smoke test on the sewer system. Smoke emanates to the surface from defects in the system. Information from a previous water commission meeting indicated the leaks are on both the city's lines and the customers' lines. Winchester said the council would determine how to approach citizens to make the necessary repairs on their lines.

Gene Hale and Joe Stewart were reappointed to the McKenzie Water Commission. Stewart's term is for five years and Hale's runs concurrent with his councilman term, but exceeding five years.

A $100 donation was make to the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital.

The Council welcomed new members Brad Davis and Charles Ramey.

Mayor Winchester extended sympathy to the family of WHDM radio reporter John Kent Curnutt, who had reported the city of McKenzie meetings for several years.