Property Assessor John C. Isbell reported an ending balance on hand of $6,607 at the end of the first quarter. Isbell is the Republican nominee and is unopposed on the Aug. 2 County General ballot. He reported starting with a balance on hand of $8,105.04, raising receipts of $525.40, and expending $2,023.44 since the pre-primary report ending on Feb. 25. Isbell reported an itemized contribution of $250 from Doug Shannon and $275.40 of unitemized contributions of $100 or less.

Brian Keith Belcher who lost to Isbell in the Republican Primary reported a zero ending balance on hand with no receipts and expenditures of $1,111.50. Itemized expenditures totaled $823.35 with loan repayments of $288.15 towards a $500 loan from himself. A loan of $211.75 remains outstanding.

School Board races slow to raise cash

School Board District 2 incumbent candidate Tim Brewer of Hendersonville reported that he received and expended less than $1,000 and did not have to file a detailed report for the first quarter disclosure for the August 2 election. No report from Challenger Tony D. Jackson.

District 8 incumbent candidate Ted Wise reported he did not have to file a detailed report and showed $25 in receipts with no expenditures and a $25 balance on hand. No report from challenger Nathan Miller.

District 10 challenger candidate Teddy D. Baird of Portland reported that he received and expended less than $1,000 and did not have to file a detailed report for the first quarter disclosure for the August 2 election. His report showed no contributions, no expenditures, and a zero balance on hand. No report from incumbent Glen Gregory.

Unopposed District 4 incumbent candidate Beth Cox of Hendersonville reported that she received $300 from Michael Todd Cox, at the same address as her report, and expended no funds for a balance of $300.

Unopposed District 6 candidate Nancy Glover reported receiving $85 and expending none for a balance on hand of $85.

By Jesse Hughes

HighPoint Health System CEO Mary Jo Lewis is retiring, and the search for a new CEO is currently underway, according to Jeff Seraphine, Division President of LifePoint Hospitals, the company with which HighPoint is affiliated. In the coming weeks, Seraphine and Lewis will work closely together to lay the groundwork for a smooth leadership transition as they search for the right person to lead HighPoint Health System in the future.

“I want to thank Mary Jo for her many valuable contributions to HighPoint Health System. She was instrumental in leading the successful transition of HighPoint following LifePoint’s acquisition of the hospital system almost two years ago,” Seraphine said. “I am also appreciative that she has made herself available to help during this transition as we search for the next CEO of HighPoint. While we will miss Mary Jo, we wish her the very best in her retirement.”

Lewis has served in the top leadership position at HighPoint Health System – formerly named Sumner Regional Health Systems – since it was acquired by LifePoint Hospitals in September 2010. Previously, Lewis served as CEO of Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield, Ky., since 1999. During her tenure at Jackson Purchase, the hospital was recognized as one of Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals^® and as one the “100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare.

“I have enjoyed my work as CEO of HighPoint Health System, and I am very proud of everything the organization has accomplished during my tenure. I leave this position with the satisfaction of knowing that HighPoint is well positioned to achieve new levels of growth and success in the future.”

Submitted.

With approximately 600 in attendance over the entire weekend, organizers of the inaugural Sumner County Bluegrass Jamboree at Vol State termed the event a success. “Were very pleased with the turnout of both contestants and spectators for our jamboree,” said Melissa Du Puy, chair of the Bluegrass Program at Vol State. “I am sure this was only the first of many such events that Vol State will host, and we are excited about the future of our new Bluegrass program.”

Contest winners:

Dobro

1st place: Rob Pearcy

2nd place: Joey Gipson

3rd place: Chris Gray

Bluegrass Banjo

1st place: Joey Gipson

2nd place: Chris Gray

3rd place: Rob Pearcy

Mandolin

1st place: Rob Pearcy

2nd place: Chris Gray

3rd place: Ben Ayers

Guitar

1st place: Rob Pearcy

2nd place: Tyler Sellers

3rd place: Ben Ayers

Bluegrass Band

1st place: Mary Rachel Nally Band

2nd place: Raygan Sellars Band

3rd place: Hillary Bevels Band

Pee Wee Fiddle

1st place: Ivy Phillips

2nd place: Jaden Smith-Borne

3rd place: Savannah Ritter

Beginner Fiddle

1st place: Steven Alonso

2nd place: Lauren Clardy

3rd place: Raygan Sellers

Junior Fiddle

1st place: Gail Johnson

2nd place: Hillary Bevels

3rd place: Dave Wascher

Senior Fiddle

1st place: Jerry McGlockin

2nd place: Carl Franklin

3rd place: Dan Sadler

Pee Wee Dance

1st place: Brayden Chunn

2nd place: Ivy Phillips

3rd place: Lexi Johnson

Junior Dance

1st place: Ty Jackson

2nd place: Sierra Tomlin

3rd place: Kelcy Tomlin

Senior Dance

1st place: Garry Giles

2nd place: Tim Bradley

3rd place: Shawna Taylor

Square Dance

1st place: Main Stage Fusion

2nd place: Main Stage Explosion

3rd place: Tri-Star Express

The numbers speak for themselves: 925 clients, 106 business starts and 337 jobs created and retained. Those are just a few of the accomplishments for the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Volunteer State Community College. It’s the five-year anniversary of the TSBDC and business owners have plenty to say about the help they’ve received.

“We wanted to expand our catering business, to owning a large event facility and with the TSBDC’s help we did it,” said Christopher Newton of Chef Christopher’s Catering and EPIC Event Centre in Gallatin. “We started with a business plan and lots of advice, which led to the purchase of a million dollar facility. TSBDC is the first place to go when starting or expanding your business.”

“Our time spent with the TSBDC has been extremely important to the success of our business,” said Linda Alkasem of Café Rakka in Hendersonville. “His expertise working with small businesses has been such a valuable tool for our restaurant.”

Charles Alexander is the director of the TSBDC at Vol State. He offers free and inexpensive workshops for small businesses that address their most pressing needs, as well as one-on-one business consulting free of charge. There has been an overwhelming response from the local community and surrounding counties to the services offered by the TSBDC. 3,687 people have attended the 233 classes and workshops held over the last five years. Alexander was recently named a 2012 Business Champion by the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce.

Visit www.tsbdc.org to see what workshops are available. To schedule an appointment to meet with a business counselor e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 230-4780.

Charles Alexander has been teaching classes in marketing, finance and small business loans with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Vol State for five years now.

Two Sumner County residents were presented VSA Tennessee Awards of Excellence for 2012 at recent ceremonies held at Fontanel Studio Galleries in Davidson County. These awards are given to individuals and corporations across the State of Tennessee that has demonstrated a commitment to disabilities and the arts. 

The Art Educator Award was presented to Renee Tuninetti who is a teacher at Station Camp High School. The Corporate Award was presented to Publix Supermarkets and accepted by the Gallatin Store Manager, Matt Corcoran. The host of the evening who presented the awards was Paul McCann, a familiar voice at the Nashville Predators Games.

VSA Tennessee is a statewide nonprofit based in Gallatin with a mission to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in and express themselves through the arts and arts education.

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