New food-distribution program available to residents this month

Mark Oakes of the Salvation Army shared a new voucher program to be offered to residents in Dyersburg and Dyer County as early as this month. The program is an initiative of the Salvation Army, the Noon Rotary Club and the Memphis Food Bank to supply much-needed aid to residents in the county affected by recent economic conditions.

Residents currently enrolled in programs for public assistance like food stamps and public housing may already be eligible to receive food from the program, but Oakes said the advantage of the program is that it aids a wide range of residents.

"The beauty of this program from USDA (is that) it includes people who experience an emergency situation," said Oakes. "People who have lost their job, have been laid off, have been placed on furlough, or are affected by these rolling layoffs that a lot of factories around here are doing. They've relaxed their standards to help the numbers in this county that need it."

Oakes said there are many ways to obtain a voucher for the food program that will distribute for the first time from 8 a.m. until noon, on Nov. 20, at the National Guard Amory. The deadline for program registration is Tuesday, Nov. 10. The goal of the distribution is to fill the refrigerator of a family of four for seven to 10 days.

Permanent sites to obtain the vouchers include the Salvation Army, the Union Mission and Matthew 25:40.

Employees in service areas throughout the community will also make certain that vouchers are available to qualifying residents in need within the next week.

"We are working on a 'shotgun effect.' Just getting it everywhere," said Oakes. "This is not a free-for-all. It's being pulled here because there is a need. Residents have to physically have this voucher (to receive the food)."

Alderman Bob Kirk asked Oakes where local residents can make donations, with Charles McCright asking the same concerning monetary donations. Oakes said the Memphis Food Bank is providing the food at no cost, but area agencies can always use food and monetary donations and are thankful to receive blessings from the community. Oakes also said the Salvation Army will be setting up its kettles in mid-November. He also encouraged residents to come and help carry the heavy food boxes for the residents who qualify for them.

Excess food not distributed will be donated to food banks in the Dyersburg/Dyer County area.

Alderman Bart Williams suggested local churches or civic organizations look into providing rides to residents who may qualify for the food, but are unable to find a ride.

Also at the meeting, Mayor John Holden and members of the board:

* approved a beer permit to Jyothi Yaram and Santhosh Panuganti of Sri Dyumna I, LLC for the property located at 2264 St. John Ave, in Dyersburg.

Dyersburg Police Chief Art Heun said the applicants meet all the requirements to receive the permit, with alderman Shannon Walker asking if the city might require a translator in the future to help in communications with applicants.

Kirk moved to approve the permit, with Kevin Chaney adding a second. The motion was approved unanimously, with all board members present.

* approved a bid for emergency repairs to restore railroad service to the Industrial Park in the amount of $30,315.25 to Shelby Railroad of Memphis. The funds will be used from the Community Development Fund.

Alderman Lewis Norman moved to approve the payment, with Bart Williams adding a second. The motion passed unanimously.

* approved a recommendation from the Gas, Water and Wastewater Committee to award a bid for $211,390 to Waterserv Company to replace weirs and aluminum skirts on Clarifier No. 1 in the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The budgeted item is the most needed in a long line of repairs expected for the 27-year old structure.

Other bids were submitted from Ronald Franks Construction for $226,468; Clifco for $231,037.44; Quinn Construction for $234,800; and Claunch Construction for $270,000 for aluminum skirts. Each company also included bids for the more expensive fiberglass skirting on the clarifier.

Norman moved to award the bid to Waterserv, with alderman Freeman Dudley adding a second. The motion passed unanimously.

* listened to a report from a joint meeting of the Finance and Sanitation Committee updating aldermen on the progress of city employees now under the supervision of John Damesworth.

In aldermen reports:

* Williams invited residents to participate in the Forest of Dreams irrigation project under way at Dyersburg Middle School. Civitan members and Dream Factory representatives will meet at the school at 8 a.m. this Wednesday to begin digging and installing an irrigation system for the arboretum honoring local children who have been served by the Dyer County chapter of the Dream Factory.

* Norman asked Holden for an update on the interlocal agreement between the E-911 Board and the city to construct a building to house the mobile 911 communications center and provide storage for the Dyersburg Fire Department. Holden said the E-911 Board voted down the city's proposal at their meeting last week, with members deciding to move ahead with purchasing a lot and constructing a building themselves for less money.

* Kirk, Dudley, Chaney, Walker, Moody and McCright had nothing to report.

In the Mayor's Comments, Holden reminded residents that leaf trucks began running this week. Residents should rake their leaves to the curb, but not into the gutters for city trucks to pick up. The Weed and Seed Committee will also meet in the next week to tour the city.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.