By CODI KIRK
The Hendersonville Standard

Avondale area citizens can only dodge dips and potholes and watch a small stretch of roadway in front of Jack Anderson Elementary School deteriorate from a lack of maintenance, while the City of Hendersonville and Sumner County are caught up in a jurisdiction dispute over Shute Lane.

At least one city official noted Shute Lane was not part of the city’s annexation of the Jack Anderson Elementary School property, leaving maintenance in the hands of the county, according to a city ordinance.

Several residents have recently issued complaints about the road’s deteriorating condition in front of the school.

County Executive Anthony Holt stated that he was aware there was an issue with that section of roadway but, he said as an elected official he has no authority over any other elected official and felt confident it would be dealt with competently by those with the authority to do so.

City of Hendersonville Planning Department Director Fred Rogers was able to locate the ordinance which addressed the annexation of the school property into the city limits.

Rogers explained that annexation is very precise, usually done by parcel number and that, if the right of way is to be included, it has to be clearly stated in the ordinance.

By PATRICK HALL
The Hendersonville Standard

Next week, the City of Hendersonville is hosting its annual Spring Fling event on Thursday, April 11, with a “Superheroes” theme, allowing local youngsters to dress up as their favorite heroes and play games, have fun and possibly meet other heroes as well.

The event will run from 3 to 5 p.m. at City Hall and all children up 12-years-old are welcome to attend and see what each city department has to offer in terms of fun activities, games and prizes.

An annual event, the Spring Fling has been moved to April, to keep it consistent moving forward, noted Special Events Coordinator Christie Anglea of the Parks Department.

"As of this year, we’ve decided to set it for the first or second weekend of April,” Anglea said.

From staff reports

A report released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin places Sumner County as the third-healthiest county in Tennessee.

Four broad areas are used in the survey to make final determinations with respect to each county’s status. Those areas include health behaviors; clinical care; social and economic factors; and physical environment.

In the category of health behaviors the use of tobacco, diet and exercise, and alcohol consumptions are considered, while clinical care is directed toward the availability or access to quality health care.

Social and economic factors include considerations for education, employment, income, family and social support, and community safety.

By CODI KIRK
The Hendersonville Standard

A Certificate of Recognition was awarded by Sumner County Commission to Police Chief Carla Deneise Etheridge in honor of her announced retirement “after an outstanding career that spanned twenty years in the Westmoreland Police Department,” at the March 18 general commission meeting.

“At this time, it’s also a very distinct honor to give a certificate to Police Chief of Westmoreland who has served so faithfully that city,” cited Commission Chairman, Merrol Hyde.

Etheridge was credited for being one of the very first female officers and one of the first women to be police chief in Sumner County.

“I have to say it’s an honor and a sad moment,” said District 1 Commissioner Moe Taylor as he began presentation of the certificate.

From staff reports

Sumner County Director of Schools Dr. Del R. Phillips III announced on Wednesday that he has named Katie Brown to be the next Safe Schools, Healthy Students Coordinator for Sumner County Schools.

Brown has served as the Executive Director of the Sumner County Anti‐Drug Coalition since 2009. She has also worked as a site manager, grant writing assistant, and a coordinator within SCS’s Unity.com program.

Brown will be replacing Pat Conner, who was named the Executive Director of the Office of Safe and Supportive Schools for the Tennessee Department of Education last month.

Mrs. Brown said she is excited to follow in Mrs. Conner’s footsteps and to continue to promote school safety and prevention in Sumner County Schools.

“I have worked alongside Pat and with a lot of the programs she has developed and I am looking forward to building on the foundation she has created,” Brown said. “I think it’s one of the most important things we do in the school system because having that healthy school atmosphere allows the students to focus on getting the education that they need.”

Phillips said Brown’s previous experience in Sumner County Schools combined with her work at the Sumner County Anti‐Drug Coalition made her a natural fit for the Office of Safe Schools, Healthy Students.

“She has some big shoes to fill, but I am confident that she has the experience and the skills to continue to make the programs managed by Office of Safe Schools, Healthy Students a success,” Phillips said.