MCKENZIE (June 13) - Cut Right Wood Products is slated to double the size of its building following action by the McKenzie Industrial Board.

Billy Barksdale, executive director of the McKenzie Industrial Board, said 10,000 square feet of floor space and another 5,000 square feet of unheated storage area will be added to the current 10,000 square-foot building, located in the McKenzie Industrial Park-South on Hill Road.

Cut Right manufactures wooden frames for New Generations Furniture Company. In 2000, the company started with 17 employees, has 35 now, and plans to add five more, said Barksdale. The building is owned by McKenzie Industrial Board and leased to Cut Right. Prior to Cut Right being established in McKenzie, New Generations received its woodwork from a Mississippi company.

A request from Dana-Plumley Companies to upgrade the air conditioning system in the plant on Airport Lane is being considered. The McKenzie Industrial Board owns the building and leases it to Dana. Barksdale said Dana wants to upgrade the air conditioning system at a cost of $325,000. An amendment to the lease payment may be in the offing to accommodate the request.

The board offered its praise for the McKenzie High School juniors and seniors who participated in a community study of the positives and negatives of the community. Barksdale said the students were very thoughtful.

TREZEVANT (June 13) - City fathers heard a proposal for establishing zoning in Trezevant during the monthly meeting at city hall. David Pechin with the Tennessee Local Planning Office, said the establishment of zoning requires the establishment of a planning commission, a board of zoning appeals, and some related expenses for the services of the Local Planning Office.

Zoning regulations are designed and enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of a community. It regulates the location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of the lot which may be occupied, the sizes of yards, courts and other open spaces, the density of population, and the uses of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, public activities and other purposes.

Some predictable zonings include residential, commercial and industrial, said Pechin. The establishment of zoning cannot affect uses of the land prior to its implementation. Current uses would be "grandfathered." The establishment of zoning requires public hearings before adoption.

Pechin said the Local Planning Office charges a minimum fee of $4,500 annually for consultative services. That includes attending a monthly meeting, visiting the city one to two weeks prior to each monthly meeting, and providing other consultative services.

Mayor David Bryant questioned if planning could be established within a year's time if the city votes to establish zoning. Pechin responded yes.

Street paving will take a sabbatical for this calendar year. Councilman Jim Moore said the cost of paving is tied to the cost of oil. "We have some streets in bad shape," said Moore, who said the estimated costs would be $12,000 to $15,000 to pave the needed areas. Moore said he prefers to pave one street each year but this year's budget will only allow for street patching.

Councilman Lloyd Bateman said the city did more paving than usual last year.

The absences of roadside house number markers (9-1-1 signs) at approximately 132 homes created a request for homeowners to replace those signs at their own expense. Mayor Bryant said the city cannot afford to replace them at a cost of $8.00 each. He noted the 9-1-1 board will not replace the markers, which were originally furnished and installed by the 9-1-1 board in the early 1990s.

Mayor Bryant authorized Councilman Bobby Blaylock to request bids to replace a wooden overhead door at City Hall. Blaylock said the existing door is heavy and hard to open.

A special meeting of the board will be scheduled to hear the 2006-2007 budget presentation by the city's auditors. Mayor Bryant commented is not in "too bad of shape."

A $200 donation was granted to the West Carroll energy team for a trip to Washington.

Fund balances include: General Administration $39,882.67; CD $10,872.69; Sanitation $3134.94; Street Aid $2,448.75; Drug Fund $11,904.23; Water Fund $10,739.43; and Water Reserve $30,152.13.

Councilman Joe Butler was absent.

Carroll-North Relay for Life has reached its goal of $111,000. Additional funds from the Steve McCadams Casting for a Cure fishing rodeo, $3,000, and a squirrel hunt, $1,300, and other donations pushed the total over the top. A total of $106,243 was collected following the June 2 at McKenzie Park.

Kay Wood, chairman, noted every single person who volunteered, spent money on Relay events and activities, or purchased luminaries helped reach the record-breaking amount.

McKenzie Lions Club and The McKenzie Banner are co-hosting a forum for countywide candidates for contested elective offices in the August 3 general election. The event is slated for Tuesday, July 11, 7:00 p.m. at McKenzie High School Theater.

Candidates for the office of county mayor, sheriff, district attorney, register of deeds, and circuit court clerk are invited to participate.

The forum will provide an opportunity for the people of Carroll County to know the candidates and their positions on the issues facing all citizens of Carroll County.

Each candidate will be given five minutes for introductory remarks and then will be asked to respond to questions presented by a panel of media representatives. Following the question-and-answer session, candidates will be given three minutes for closing remarks.

The public is invited to attend the forum. Early voting begins July 14 and ends July 29.