Bedford County Post

“They’re not going anywhere once we get this done,” he said. McCollister said they now have a contract and a plan to move forward and complete the job as quickly as possible. The building and its businesses are still open. “That sca ff olding has been very challenging to all the businesses in there because people don’t know they’re still open,” said McCollister, who added that BoxDrop—an appointment-only mat- tress store—went under while the sca ff olding has remained. “This property means a lot to me. I feel a huge responsibility to my ten- ants,” said McCollister. “I have nine commercial tenants in there. I am ob- ligated to provide them with a safe, good space for their businesses. “And, I want to be a part of Shelbyville and its growth.” The Post will continue to monitor this story and keep readers updated on the situation. Street. There are some nice farms out there that are going to be devel- oped.” Landers said people come to the meetings and sometimes fi ll the room complaining about a lit- any of things a new de- velopment would cause from tra ffi c to sewer is- sues. “There is one problem with that,” Landers said. “The way the State of Tennessee and any judi- cial court looks at that it is not fact…it is opinion,” Landers said. “What we have to look at as a plan- ning commission is facts. “We are basically a board of judges as a court. We are told not to listen to the public. We are coached not to do that. If someone is con- cerned about a develop- ment that may be built behind their house I have to say I am sorry because I can’t talk to them about it. I can answer a ques- tion, but when someone starts campaigning I have to stop them.” Anything said about a development or rezon- ing has to be made in a public forum such as the planning commission. “The only time we can listen to the pub- lic is when it is a zoning change,” Landers said. “When you come in with a zoning change what the developer is asking for is to change the rules. We can take public input into consideration.” Landers senses the aggravation from the general public and has even had close friends try to in fl uence him. He admits that sometimes he isn’t very popular. He often fi nds himself on the “naughty” list on Face- book. Tennessee Code An- notated states since plan- ning commission mem- bers are appointed they are required to make decisions based on rules and regulations. The city council members are elected and are required to listen to constituents. “If a subdivision comes in we can make that decision,” Landers said. ‘It doesn’t have to go to the City Council. That is why we have to follow the rules. We can’t listen to anyone. Our job is to determine if the de- velopers are abiding by the rules. “I think the Council does take what we say to heart. But the Council can do what is wants to do. They are elected by the people and they have that right.” Bedford County Post, Wednesday, June 5, 2024— 11A Project Facts Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 The old Kyle Bonding building is being renovated by Dowdle Construction to become a Grindstone Cowboy coffee shop. –Photos by Zoë Watkins According to a release from the Shelbyville Po- lice Department’s Crimi- nal Investigation Depart- ment (CID) Travis had sustained multiple stab wounds. The release add- ed that Travis was able to identify his attacker as Nicole Burk before being transported to Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital where he succumbed to his inju- ries a short time after ar- riving at the hospital. During the CID in- vestigation, it was made known that Burk and Tra- vis had an estranged rela- tionship. Burk had reportedly left the scene in a red Ford C-Max with Tennes- seeWalking Horse special license plate 390WH2. She was arrested by the Andalusia Alabama Police Department on Sunday morning. “The Shelbyville City Police Department would like to thank all who as- sisted in the investiga- tion and the arrest,” the Shelbyville Police Depart- ment said in a Facebook post. Not a fun ride In another incident not too far away from the Gateway location, the Shelbyville Police Depart- ment was called to the parking lot of Madison Street Self-Storage where a carnival has been held for several days. When the o ffi cers ar- rived around 10:23 Friday night they were told gun- shots had been heard. It has been determined the shots were fi red by a juve- nile or juveniles. Police located a male who had su ff ered a gun- shot to the arm. The vic- tim was transported to Vanderbilt Hospital with non-life-threatening in- juries. Reports indicate multiple individuals were involved, and the investi- gation is ongoing. Anyone with informa- tion is urged to call the Shelbyville Police Depart- ment Criminal Investiga- tion Division at 931-684- 5811. Violent Continued from Page 1 Over the last two years, Duksan committed $95 million to the project and continued to meet milestones and benchmarks along their path toward opening. One of the fi nal steps in the process is the issuance of a certi fi cate of occupancy from the city. Duksan is set to begin that application process in the coming weeks. “We are very eager to begin working and t o see the fruits of our labor begin to take shape,” Yim said. “Being a good neighbor and valuable member of this community has always been an important goal to Duksan. The people of Shelbyville have been welcoming to us, and we look forward to making Bedford County a home for our company, our employees, and their families.” Helping Duksan along the way have been several invaluable partners. Nashville- based Gresham Smith designed the facility, and general contractor Turner Construction spearheaded the building e ff orts. Both fi rms have led numerous projects across Tennessee and the United States. “It was important for us to work with partners who have strong Tennessee roots and who share our commitment to safety and quality,” said Yim. Another key ally and supporter of Duksan has been the Shelbyville- Bedford Partnership. “Duksan is helping to bring new industries and additional jobs to our region,” said Shane Hooper, president and CEO of the Partnership. “The collective work of the city and county governments helped to bring Duksan to 231 North Business Park, and as the completion of their production facility nears, we look forward to the continued growth of our workforce in Shelbyville and Bedford County.” That workforce is already beginning to take shape. In addition to Yim, Duksan currently has twenty-four workers dedicated to their Shelbyville location. They have also hired the initial fi fteen members of their production and quality team, and they expect to add ten more team members by mid- July. The number of new hires will continue to climb beyond one hundred as production ramps up throughout the year. “Several of our employees have already begun to make to make Shelbyville and Bedford County home,” Yim said, “and we don’t think we could have picked a better place.” Duksan Continued from Page 1 Mother M ymother didn’t know it wasMother’s Day. We had made plans several weeks ago to enjoy aMother’s Day lunch at HenryHorton Park. But she didn’t know it wasMother’s Day. In a matter of days my mother went from func- tioning with dementia to requiring 24-hour care. She would be embarrassed to know I am writing this, but sadly she isn’t going to know. In the Mother’s Day special in the “Bedford County Post” I showed her our photo on Friday. There was no reaction. That was just one of my in- dications her situation was suddenly in a rapid de- cline. For the past several months we have been making the best of an unpre- dictable situation. Sometimes things are good. Sometimes not so good. You never knowwhat to expect. Her Mother’s Day card was fi nally opened this past week. I waited for a timewhen shemight knowwhat itmeans. And one night last week she asked me if it wasMother’s Day. I felt the time was right to fi nally give her the card. The card was signed, “Your son, Mark,” because sometimes she doesn’t knowwho I amanymore. As an only child it has sometimes been a long and lonely journeywith her the past fewmonths. She took care of me longer than I have been taking care of her and I realize that. I am frustrated there is nothing to be done to help improve her life physically ormentally. The ravages of time are hitting hard. Compassus Hospice and my caregivers have been a blessing for me and my mother. Hospice is always there when I need them. My caregivers have all gone above and beyond in their care of mother. I also appreciate the concern of many others as well. It is hard for me to wrap my arms around the reality that is now. Un- less there are dramatic improvements she has eaten in her last restaurant, attended her last concert, and will no longer be in her usual seat on the back row at church. She hasn’t passed, but her quality of life has. A fewweeks ago she said tome she never expectedher life to turn out this way. Truthfully, I don’t knowanyonewhoknowsmymotherwhowouldhave expected her to be in this condition. But she is. I guess God has his reasons. Maybe one day I will understand what they are. As an only child she and my father provided me with a great life beyond what they shouldhaveat times in terms of spending.Now, I don’t knowwhen I have felt more desperate and alone. Oh, by theway, the sentiment in the card says, ‘Mom, thank you formak- ingmewho I amtoday.” Shewas the driving force inmy life in somanyways. Success is measured in many ways, but while I may not be a fi nancial whale I have lived a great life throughmy careers. She never discouragedme in anything I tried to do. Mother is here, but I grieve on a daily basis what we have already lost. At least I have thememories. I hope and pray I always will. Time to Say Goodbye I t’s time to say goodbye, and it’s time to move on to another chapter. I will be leaving my posi- tion as editor and writer at the Bedford County Post. And even though leaving this newspaper is bitter- sweet, I am excited for this new opportunity and job ahead of me. I thank our community and our consistent sub- scribers for supporting us and local journalism. Please continue to support the Bedford County Post, and as always, thank you for reading. It’s informed citi- zens like you who make this industry worthwhile. Through this past year, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Bedford County Post start up and thrive. The need for unbiased, fact- based, local journalism will always be there. And I hope to see that kind of journal- ism and reporting prevail, especially as our world— from the political to the economical to the religious- -becomes more and more divided. As I endeavor in this next chapter, I will think of my time as a cub reporter and then editor in Bedford County. I am grateful for all the relationships I formed. I’ve learned a lot. And I thank this community for that. With that, I’m signing o ff and giving you all one last heartfelt ‘Goodbye, and thank you!’ M any local citizens don’t understand that South Central Area Transit Services (SCATS) is available as a ff ordable, reliable public transportation, or think it’s just for senior citizens. Although SCATS is associated locally with Shelbyville-Bedford County Senior Citizens Center, it’s available to users of any age. Transportation is available Monday through Friday within Bedford County or to speci fi c nearby cities such as Tullahoma. SCATS is a part of the South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD). On Tuesday, May 28, Bedford County Mayor Chad Grahamsignedaproclamation recognizing Rural Transit Day. Stanley Bean, a transportation mobility manager for SCTDD who works with the SCATS program in the eastern half of the district, and Sonia Miller, director of the Senior Citizens Center and manager of the local SCATS program, were in attendance. To schedule SCATS transportation, or learn more about the program, call (931) 684-0019 at least 24 hours in advance (longer is recommended). From left, Sonia Miller of Shelbyville-Bedford County Senior Citizens Center, Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham and Stanley Bean of South Central Tennessee Development District, as Graham signs the Rural Transit Day proclamation. –Bedford County Government photo Rural Transit Day Declared