Smithville Fire Department awards the Late Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale Posthumously
by: Dwayne PageJan 17, 2025
Make it nine!
During Thursday night’s annual appreciation dinner for city firefighters, the late Smithville Volunteer Firefighter and Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale was posthumously honored with the “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” as a volunteer. Hale, whose service with the department spanned 40 years, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29. It was the ninth time Hale had earned this honor, named in tribute to the late Robert Eller, who served the Smithville Fire Department as a member and assistant chief for 64 years until his death in 2009. The award goes to the volunteer who responds to the most incidents during the year. Although Hale passed away nine months into the year 2024, Fire Chief Charlie Parker said Hale still earned the honor for having attended more fire department incidents, trainings, and events over any other department member.
Hale’s sons and daughter in law, Devin and Quentin Hale and Myrie received the award Thursday night, presented by Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker and Hale’s successor as Deputy Chief Jeff Wright.
“We can’t say enough about Hoyte,” said Chief Parker. “We have had a hard time adjusting to his passing, each one of us in our own way. It has affected our department, not just for the members but the way we operate and do things. We didn’t realize how much to start with but since going to a few fire calls and meetings, we have really started seeing the impact Hoyte had on our department. We always counted on Hoyte to be there. If we had a house fire Hoyte was always there. We want his family to understand how much Hoyte meant to the Smithville Fire Department and the citizens of Smithville,” said Chief Parker.
Meanwhile Dalton Roberts received the “Robert Eller Award” for attending the most incidents, trainings, workings, and events as a career (paid) firefighter. Roberts also received the career training award for having put in 135 training hours, the most of any other career firefighter. In addition, Roberts claimed the first ever” Hoyte Hale Firefighter of the Year” award given to the firefighter who goes above and beyond to help others and better the department. This award was presented to Roberts by the department and members of Hale’s family.
“When Hoyte passed away we wanted to do something to honor him so we are starting the “Hoyte Hale Award”. “This award is in honor of Hoyte for his 40 years of dedication and service to the Smithville Fire Department. This award is to recognize a firefighter who goes the extra effort, extra step, to help others, to help our department grow and help our community to be better,” said Chief Parker.
The top training award for a volunteer went to Joseph Taylor, who also put in 135 training hours.
Chief Parker presented a 50-year lifetime service award to William “Wink” Brown, who has been a volunteer with the Smithville Fire Department for 27 years but has dedicated his life and service to fire departments here and other places for 50 years.
“I started in 1974 with the Williamson County Rescue Squad, “said Brown. “In 1987 I started the Arrington Fire Department. Two years into that I spent 12 years on the State Fire Fighting Commission, and I joined here in 1998,” said Brown.
Chief Parker recognized member Mark Riggsee for his service to the department.
The Smithville Fire Department is made up of four career (full time paid firefighters) including Chief Charlie Parker, Dalton Roberts, Glenn Lattimore, and Ryan Evans along with almost 30 volunteers. Members of the department were recognized and presented certificates for their years of service.
Chief Parker highlighted several fire department achievements during the year including Dalton Roberts’ having received his EMT certification. Sean Hatch also earned his EMT certification and completed his basic fire training. Seth Wright became certified as an instructor and John Poss and Dalton Roberts earned their FF1 Fire Commission certification. Chief Parker said the department as a whole responded to 249 incidents and there were 54 trainings and 8 events involving the department.
A badge pinning ceremony was observed for members Jeff Wright, promoted to Deputy Chief and to firefighters Jayden Mitchell, Max Lahoda, Daine Powell, Joseph Taylor, Mackenley Turner, and Ryan Evans.
Another Round?
by: Dwayne PageJan 15, 2025
Another round?
At the request of Alderman Jessica Higgins, a proposal to change the distance requirement in the Smithville beer ordinance will be back on the agenda at the monthly meeting in February.
Mayor Josh Miller made that announcement during Monday night’s workshop with the aldermen.
“Jessica did ask me to put the beer ordinance back on the agenda for February,” said Mayor Miller. “I am not having another workshop on this. We have talked this to death in the last few months. Its either going to pass or its not going to pass. Its basically what we voted on the last time. There has to be a motion and a second and then I will call the roll. There would have to be two readings and a public hearing before it could pass,” said Mayor Miller.
During the workshop both Aldermen Higgins and Danny Washer said they had been asked by members of the public to bring the issue back up.
In September, the aldermen voted 3 to 2 against amending the city beer ordinance to eliminate the 400-foot distance requirement between a church or school and businesses seeking an on-premises consumption permit. Had it been approved the ordinance amendment would have only applied to the C-2 zone which is the downtown business district and none of the other existing regulations in the ordinance would have been changed.
Alderman Jessica Higgins made a motion to approve the amendment removing the 400-foot distance requirement and Alderman Danny Washer offered a second to the motion, but they were the only two who voted in favor. The remaining three Aldermen, Donnie Crook, Beth Chandler, and Shawn Jacobs voted against changing the ordinance.
Under the existing ordinance, the language states that “In no event will a permit be issued authorizing the manufacture or storage of beer, or the sale of beer within 400 feet of any school or church. The distance requirement shall be measured in a straight line from the primary entrance of the establishment seeking a permit to sell beer to the primary entrance of the school or church”.
During January’s regular monthly meeting last week, Bert Driver, owner of the Harvester Event Center downtown, addressed the mayor and aldermen during the public comments period asking them to reconsider the issue. Driver, who already has a city issued beer permit, said changing the ordinance regarding the distance restrictions would not only level the playing field for downtown businesses who might otherwise qualify for a permit but it would bring in more tax revenue at a time when the county is needing more funding with plans to build a new school.
Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree Non-Profit food booths Deadline February 15, 2025
by: Dwayne PageJan 15, 2025
The Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival Board of Volunteers wants to remind the community of the upcoming deadline for non-profit organizations to register their food booths for the July 4th – 5th, 2025 festival.
The board allows all not-for-profits to have the first chance to reserve a prime spot around the Smithville Square. Following the March 1st deadline, all for-profit vendors will be allowed to register for the remaining available spaces.
“We always make the local non-profits our first priority. We also give special consideration to those food vendors who have previously supported the Jamboree. In addition, we want to spread the word that many churches and organizations partner with an established commercial food vendor. These partnerships allow the charitable organization to make a profit, without having to gather volunteers, or bear the burden of setting up a booth. I encourage anyone who may be interested in this type of partnership/fund-raising to reach out to me prior to the February 15th deadline. It is a wonderful way to raise money for your organization.” said Jack Barton, Director of Food Services for the Jamboree.
Deadline for non-profit food booths is February 15th with payment by March 1, 2025. For more information, call the Jamboree office at 615-597-8500, email smithvillejamboree@gmail.com or message their Facebook page @SmithvilleJamboree.