NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Secretary of State Tre Hargett is warning Tennessee business owners about a scam that has recently resurfaced targeting businesses with a deceptive mailer from a company that goes by two names: Tennessee Certificate Service and TN Certificate of Existence Filing Company.

“Our Division of Business and Charitable Organizations and I personally have heard of multiple complaints from business owners across Tennessee about these misleading mailers. We have seen scams like this before, with similar deceptive language that implies that businesses must have a Certificate of Existence to complete its formation or to fully operate in the state,” said Secretary Hargett. “This is not the case. Unfortunately, businesses who order a Certificate of Existence through these scammers may be paying an exorbitant amount for something that is totally unnecessary or would only cost $20 through our office.”

The misleading mailer titled 2022 Certificate of Existence Request has been sent to businesses across the state—purporting that all Tennessee businesses are required to pay a fee of either $83 or $175.50 for this third-party company to step in and complete the Certificate of Existence paperwork on businesses’ behalf. However, a Certificate of Existence can be obtained directly from the Secretary of State’s office for just $20, either by phone, mail or online at

https://tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerc...

The mailer makes it appear that the 2022 Certificate of Existence Request is part of the business entity’s registration process: “A Certificate of Existence certifies that your Tennessee business is in existence, is authorized to transact business in the state and complies with all state requirements.”

The mailer and organization are not affiliated with or authorized by the Secretary of State’s Office in any way.

Businesses may wish to obtain a Certificate of Existence in certain circumstances, such as a loan closing or other business transaction. However, they are not required to do so as a matter of course during the business formation process.

Secretary Hargett encourages business owners to call the Division of Business and Charitable Organizations by phone at 615-741-2286 or email TNSOS.CERT@tn.gov if they receive a questionable mailer or want to know more about obtaining a Certificate of Existence.

Mailer example:

The 2021-22 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Sewanee Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal of $102,291 will help 20 organizations that have requested basic needs funding for quality of life, community aid, children’s programs, and those who are beyond Sewanee but still serve our entire community.

This week we shine the spotlight on the Animal Harbor.

The purpose of Animal Harbor is to provide health care and temporary shelter for lost and homeless companion animals; find new loving homes for these pets; reduce pet overpopulation by promoting spaying and neutering; promote animal welfare by creating a high standard of care and educating adults and school children; support the animal welfare community as a whole including Franklin County Animal Control, creating relationships that allow rescue to rescue collaboration; and maintain a no kill policy except for reasons of mercy or dangerous temperament.

Animal Harbor’s adoption program is the pillar of the organization which cares for homeless dogs and cats and provides them with complete veterinary care including spay or neuter. Animal Harbor places them into new, loving homes, both locally, and outside of the immediate area via transports. In 2018 they developed a Transport Program to transport animals from both Franklin County Animal Control and Animal Harbor to rescue partners in the north, which saved significantly more lives in doing this. The transport program is thriving, and since 2018, Animal Harbor has placed more than 800 cats and dogs in foster-based rescues. The SNAP Program is a subsidized spay/neuter program for pets belonging to low-income residents of Franklin County. This program helps combat the pet overpopulation problem, which is the root of the problem the county faces.

In 2020, Animal Harbor took in a total of 206 dogs and cats from across Franklin County. Of this total, eight (3.8 percent) came directly from Sewanee, and 47 (23 percent) came from Franklin County Animal Control, which includes animals picked up from the entire county, including Sewanee. Among those adopted, 16 pets (7.8 percent) were placed with adopters in Sewanee. In 2020, with low intake in comparison to previous years, Animal Harbor allocated some of their time and resources to help pull and transport Franklin County Animal Control animals. In 2021, Animal Harbor is experiencing a much higher volume of animals in desperate need, with the intake numbers increasing by almost 100 percent, and trending to exceed 100 percent of 2020 intakes.

The average direct and indirect cost of vetting and caring for (housing, feeding, staff care, operation costs) a dog in 2020 was $462, while the average cost of vetting and caring for a cat was $472. This cost of additional stay guarantees these animals are protected, emotionally cared for, and provided medical treatment and preventions until the best fit adopter can be found, but this also increases the costs associated with caring for the animal. The average cost of care for an additional month is $90 per animal.

The Animal Harbor will receive $3,000 from the Sewanee Community Chest for project/program support and general operating expenses in the quality-of-life and Beyond Sewanee funding areas. With the goal this year to rescue and find homes for 350 abandoned pets, Sewanee Community Chest funding will help to provide complete care for these pets while they are in Animal Harbor’s care.

Since 1908, the goal of the Sewanee Community Chest has been to help citizens by funding the community. With Community Chest donations, local organizations provide for basic needs such as books, food, animal care, housing, scholarships, recreational spaces, elder care, children’s educational needs and more. The Sewanee Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. Go to <http://sewaneecivic.org>; for more information or to donate online.

After 10 years at the Sewanee Children’s Center (six as director) Sandy Glacet has stepped down to become the assistant to the academic dean and registrar at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee. Parents and SCC board members agree that Glacet leaves behind a much stronger institution: one more organized, more financially stable, functioning with greater cooperation among parents, teachers, and board members, and garnering the highest DHS ratings in the state year after year. In many ways, Glacet’s story epitomizes the best outcome of a cooperative preschool like the SCC. Her relationship began as a parent, deeply involved in the education of her two sons at SCC; then Glacet became a teacher, working to create curriculum guided by the children’s curiosity at play; and finally, when SCC needed her most, she stepped up as director.

Over the past 70 years, the SCC has been deeply rooted in this community; however, Glacet was never content to rely on the past. Every year she instituted major improvements, which not only benefited the center but improved the lives of our families: creating a toddler class and a summer camp program, seeking out grants to support enrichments like music, dance, yoga, and fitness, as well as improvements to the playground, committing herself and the board to envisioning the future of the center in ambitious and achievable ways, and collaborating with the board on fundraising opportunities that gave back to the community, while raising money for curriculum and salaries.

Guiding the Center safely—and with the promise of a future—through the COVID pandemic was one of the most important achievements of her tenure. Those who have worked with Glacet knows she does not shy away from tough but necessary decisions, and when COVID hit she implemented a new vision for the SCC that met CDC and DHS requirements as well as the needs of teachers, parents and children.

Glacet recognized SCC’s need and potential and she fulfilled both with love, intelligence and humor. The parents and children of SCC say it best. Julie Elrod, parent of three SCC children, says that Glacet was “able to create what truly feels like a family environment within a school. I hope Sandy can look at the youth of this beautiful community and see all of the lives she has touched and what she has inspired to thrive in their bright futures!”

Kindhearted, calm, consistent, empathetic, practical, conscientious, and loving are all words used to describe Glacet. But perhaps Iris Hopwood-Meyer, a five-year-old alumnus of the SCC preschool, says it best: “My favorite thing about Ms. Sandy is that when I ask her something or talk to her, she always listens to me.”

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

More candidates ran for election as Sewanee Utility District commissioner and more SUD customers voted in the recent election than ever before in the history of the utility. At the Jan. 25 meeting, commissioners Doug Cameron and Ronnie Hoosier counted the ballots. All five of the candidates made a good showing, but Johnny Hughes and Donnie McBee were the clear frontrunners. Each customer was allowed two votes, and of the more than 140 customers voting, over two-thirds cast a vote for Hughes and more than half voted for McBee. At the next meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 15, the board will elect officer and the two new commissioners will be sworn in.

Reporting on 2021 year-end finances, SUD manager Ben Beavers said the utility would finish the year approximately “$100,000 to the good,” but cautioned, “Prices are still going up.”

Cameron asked if the surplus would enable SUD to deal with the price increases.

“We won’t run out of money,” Beavers said. “But we may need to redo the budget.”

Beavers noted the utility still held “$80,000 in escrow I don’t foresee having to spend.” Law required SUD to put $194,000 in reserve to pay for moving water and sewer lines in conjunction with the project to narrow Highway 41A. Of that amount, $80,000 remains. The project is expected to come in under budget, but SUD must keep the money in escrow until the project is completed. [See Messenger, Oct. 22, 2021].

The University has verbally agreed to help offset SUD’s costs for the project. [See Messenger, November 19, 2021].

“We need to know the final cost before we talk to the University,” Cameron said.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Jan. 24 Sewanee Community Council meeting, the council grappled with concerns about the construction to narrow Highway 41A. The council unanimously approved an emergency grant from Community Funding Project monies to replace the HVAC unit at the Sewanee Community Center.

Frame Gallery owner Harriet Runkle’s comments about the construction echoed those of other residents—“My main concern is the purpose is to narrow the highway to slow traffic down and it’s not working.” Runkle whose business fronts the highway said traffic travelled in excess of 60 mph. “More police presence is needed,” she insisted. Pointing to the increased safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians due to the construction, and noting construction would not resume until February, she asked, “Who’s minding the store? It’s a dangerous situation…the safety while they’re doing this needs to be addressed.”

Karen Singer, University Assistant Vice President for Facilities Planning & Operations, observed there was “no tax base to support downtown” and “nobody is in charge of it.”

Solutions proposed by residents included flashing lights, a four-way traffic light, speed bumps, and a roundabout.

David Shipps, University Vice President for Economic Development and Community Relations, acknowledged the “active work site” was “a mess” and “disruptive.” The May completion date still held, but the contractors were also committed to a companion project and moved back and forth between the two projects at their leisure. “I have no basis on which to judge other solutions,” Shipps said. Some proposed solutions, like a roundabout, were considered earlier and rejected, but Shipps could not comment on why because the discussion predated his tenure at the University. Shipps recommended residents communicate their concerns to Tennessee Department of Transportation Community Relations Officer Rae Anne Bradley. But Shipps stressed “speeding is 100 percent a law enforcement issue” both now and once construction was completed.

Taking up the request of Community Center Board President Trae Moore, the council approved a $4,000 emergency grant to help offset the cost of replacing the beyond-repair HVAC system at the center. Moore said COVID closures “hurt” the center’s revenue from rental income. The center pledged $2,500 to the project and center supporters donated another $3,500 to the total cost of $10,500.

Normally the Project Funding Committee evaluated grant requests, acting vice-chancellor Nancy Berner said. The council agreed to suspension of rules to approve the $4,000 emergency grant. Project Funding Chair Kate Reed said the program was transitioning from funding COVID emergencies back to funding community enhancement projects. See the Lease Office website for grant applications. Available funds for the spring cycle exceed $15,000.

Sallie Green reported there were 34 leasehold sales in 2021, the most in a single year since she served as Superintendent of Leases. Of the leaseholds sold, 32 were residential and two commercial; 18 sold to employees and 14 to nonemployees; 27 sold to fulltime residents and five to second-home owners. Three new homes were constructed.

The council approved, on second reading, the amendment to the constitution expanding the council voting boundaries and membership eligibility boundaries to include all residents in the 37375 zip code. In the expanded districts, Deep Woods and Midway will be incorporated into District 1, Jump Off into District 2, Sherwood Road into District 3, and Roarks Cove Road into District 4.

Election officer Lynn Stubblefield announced qualifying petitions for the District 4 special election were available at the Lease Office. Council member Mary Priestley moved out of the district leaving her seat vacant. Candidates must present a petition signed by 10 registered voters in District 4 by noon, Thursday, Feb. 3, to the Provost Office.

Updating the community on the cell tower, Berner said construction was complete and Verizon was ready to install the equipment scheduled to arrive in early February.

The Monteagle-Sewanee Rotary Club is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser from 8–11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 5, at Kennerly Hall.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and children under 3 eat free. Tickets are available by contacting Michael Payne at (414) 502-4059, email <mdpayne26@charter.net>. You can use Venmo @Michael-Payne-148. You may dine in or take out. The menu is pancakes, served with sausage, coffee and orange juice.

All proceeds will be used for charitable purposes. Monteagle-Sewanee Rotary supports the food insecurity programs at the Community Action Committee, Morton Memorial United Methodist and Grundy County Food Bank; Grundy County Scholarships at the University of the South; educational needs at the Monteagle and Sewanee Elementary schools; and other charitable causes on the Plateau and beyond.

On Jan. 21, the University of the South Board of Regents announced the appointment of Nancy Berner as acting vice-chancellor. She will serve in that role until the 18th vice-chancellor is elected and takes office. Berner, the university provost, assumed the role of vice-chancellor pro tempore in December following the resignation of Reuben Brigety.

Berner’s appointment as acting vice-chancellor created a vacancy in the provost’s office, and Scott Wilson has been appointed acting provost. Currently vice provost for planning and strategic initiatives, Wilson has been at Sewanee since 1994 and has chaired both the Politics Department and the Asian Studies Program, served as associate dean, and led the Office of Global Citizenship.

“The Board of Regents is grateful that Nancy has again agreed to serve Sewanee in this capacity,” said Board Chair Reid Funston. “They continue to have every confidence in her and in the University’s senior leadership team.”

The process for identifying the University’s 18th vice-chancellor has begun.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Jan. 21 special called meeting, the Monteagle Planning Commission approved subdividing a 350-acre tract that will enable Cooley’s Rift residents to assign restrictive covenants to the land to keep it “forever wild.” The commission first considered the request at the Jan. 4 meeting, but the plat presented failed to comply with Monteagle ordinances governing subdividing property.

The 350-acre tract adjoins the residential Cooley’s Rift development. The Cooley’s Rift developers offered the tract for sale for timbering. A group of Cooley’s Rift residents wanting to keep the property in its natural state decided to join together to buy the land so they could protect it with restrictive covenants. No one in the group could afford to buy the entire tract, so the property was subdivided into nine lots, explained Cooley’s Rift resident Pam Henning. Monteagle subdivision regulations require all lots to have access via a construction quality road, noted town planner Annya Shalun. All but one of the lots in the division proposed Jan. 4 would have had access through the land of the new property owner. One lot, however, was landlocked. [See Messenger, January 14, 2022].

At the Jan. 21 meeting, the group represented by Cooley’s Rift resident Eric Young presented a new solution. The landlocked tract was combined with another lot. Elaborating on the details, Henning said seven property owners would purchase tracts adjoining their properties, and the remaining tract, which had county road access, would be purchased jointly by the other 30 Cooley’s Rift residents in the group. The ultimate intent is to donate that tract to the Cooley’s Rift Home Owners Association, Young said. The restrictive covenants assigned to the 350 acres will guarantee the property remain in its natural state.

RESERVE YOUR TREES ONLINE, NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 13, 2022

Nashville, TN --- Tennessee residents are invited to reserve native trees to plant during the 8th annual “Tennessee Tree Day” event taking place on March 19, 2022. Trees must be reserved online before February 13, when registration closes. There are ten native tree species to choose from on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. A small donation is requested for each tree during registration. All trees must be picked up on the dates and at the locations chosen during registration. Visit www.tectn.org/TennesseeTreeDay to reserve trees.

“We’re looking for people that want to beautify their yards, farms, and neighborhoods across Tennessee and help improve our environment,” says Cynthia Hernandez, Tennessee Tree Program Manager with Tennessee Environmental Council. “We have set up 130 volunteer-run tree pick-up locations in communities across the state to make it convenient for folks to pick up their trees and participate,” says Hernandez.

Tree Day is designed to help maintain a healthy tree canopy in communities across Tennessee. Native tree species available statewide will vary by pick-up location and may include: bald cypress, eastern redbud, gray dogwood, northern red oak, Nuttall oak, pawpaw, pecan, red mulberry, shagbark or shellbark hickory, Virginia pine, and wild plum.

“Trees help to provide clean water, wildlife habitat, products for our everyday use, and places to recreate,” said Heather Slayton, Assistant State Forester with Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry. “We are proud to partner with the Tennessee Environmental Council in promoting the many benefits of planting trees through the Tree Day event,” says Slayton. “Many of the trees that will be planted have been grown at our East Tennessee Nursery in Polk County and are specifically adapted to the Tennessee climate.”

This annual event is organized by Tennessee Environmental Council (tectn.org), a non-profit organization. Every year the event attracts thousands of volunteers who plant trees at their own homes, farms, businesses, neighborhoods, and other locations of their own choosing. Since 2015, more than 600,000 trees have been planted in Tennessee as a result of this effort.

Tree Day is sponsored by numerous funders and agencies, including the Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tractor Supply Company Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, Memorial Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Sharing Change, and TVA. A complete list of event sponsors is featured on the event website:

https://www.tectn.org/tennesse...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, Secretary of State Tre Hargett launched a new statewide campaign, Be an Election Hero. Become a Poll Worker., to encourage Tennesseans to serve their community as poll workers for the 2022 election cycle.

“We cannot run elections in Tennessee without poll workers. They are the most fundamental piece of the process,” said Secretary Hargett. “That is why we are encouraging Tennesseans, especially young adults, to step up to serve their community as poll workers and be the next generation of election heroes for our great state.”

During early voting and on Election Day, poll workers help polling sites in their community run smoothly by conducting various tasks, including greeting voters, answering questions, explaining how to cast a ballot, and counting votes.

Poll workers are paid for working during early voting and on Election Day, as well as for attending required training sessions.

Most Tennesseans are eligible to work as poll workers, regardless of political affiliation. The minimum age to work as a poll worker is 16 years old. Anyone over 18 must be a registered voter in the county they are serving in.

Qualifications to Be a Tennessee Poll Worker:

Be at least 16 years old

Be a registered voter in the county if 18 or older

Be able to read and write in the English language

Not be a candidate or close relative of a candidate

Not be supervised by a county or municipal elected worker on the ballot

Government Employees Who Can Serve as Poll Workers:

All City, County and Metro employees (unless working directly under the supervision of an elected worker on the ballot)

State of Tennessee employees

Federal employees – consult your Human Resources Department to ensure eligibility

“It takes thousands of poll workers to help Tennessee’s 95 county election commissions run elections so that voters can confidently cast their ballot and know the election results are secure,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins.

Established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to raise awareness about the important role poll workers play in elections.

For the latest information about becoming a poll worker or upcoming Tennessee elections, follow the Secretary of State’s social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate.

To step up to serve your community as a poll worker, apply now at

https://sos.tn.gov/govotetn

The 2021-22 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Sewanee Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal of $102,291 will help 20 organizations that have requested basic needs funding for quality of life, community aid, children’s programs, and those who are beyond Sewanee but still serve our entire community.

This week we shine the spotlight on the Sewanee Community Center.

The purpose of the Sewanee Community Center is to improve the quality of life in Sewanee by providing a space for community-initiated programs and projects. The Center is truly a space that unites the community. Everyone from college students to senior citizens to young children of all ages use the space. A sample of the programs include the South Cumberland Farmer’s Market, yoga, tai chi, gymnastics, dance classes, Scout meetings, meditation workshops, chair exercise and dog obedience training. The Sewanee Community Center supports small business enterprises through the local online farmer’s market in addition to those who teach classes for income. Approximately 800 individuals are using the Center for various purposes each month.

The Sewanee Community Center will receive $4,000 from the Sewanee Community Chest for general operating support in the quality-of-life funding area. This grant will be used for the general operating costs of keeping the Center open including utilities, insurance, maintenance, mowing and manager’s salary.

Since 1908, the goal of the Sewanee Community Chest has been to help citizens by funding the community. With Community Chest donations, local organizations provide for basic needs such as books, food, animal care, housing, scholarships, recreational spaces, elder care, children’s educational needs and more. The Sewanee Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. Go to <http://sewaneecivic.org>; for more information or to donate online.

An historic moment occurred at Franklin County Library on Jan. 12, as the Library went Fine Free by a unanimous vote from the Trustees.

Overdue and/or lost items may be returned via the new bookdrop or at the circulation desk as you enter the library.

There is also a new bookdrop and Little Free Library.

The outdoor bookdrop replaced one that had been donated some years ago by the Mount Juliet Library. It was a little worse for wear after being crashed into three times. The Franklin County Library Foundation met the need for a new bookdrop in the fall of 2021. It has two bins: one for media and the other for books.

The Little Free Library was donated by Blue Oak Projects in 2020. Due to installation challenges that we have now overcome, it stands tall and proud and greets visitors. For those not familiar with a little free library, it operates on the premise of take one, leave one. It is a free, shared service. Anyone may borrow without time limit and may also leave items for others to borrow.

The Library is open and accessible with normal hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Masks are encouraged inside the Library. Curbside pickup is also available. Call (931) 967-3706 to make an appointment for pick up.

The Franklin County NAACP is hosting a virtual Book Club to commemorate MLK and Black History Month. The zoom meeting will be held Tuesday evenings 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan.25, Feb. 1, 15 and 22. (Note: No meeting on Feb 8.)

The selected book for reading and discussion is “So You Want to Talk about Race” by Ijeoma Oluo, and can be purchased at the Sewanee Bookstore or on Amazon.

Oluo is a noted and influential African American writer and speaker. This New York Times bestseller offers a hard-hitting, user-friendly examination of race and racism in America and is an excellent starting point to promote cross-cultural dialogue.

We hope you will join us for this exciting opportunity. If possible, please read the Introduction and Chapter 1-4 for the first meeting. Please contact <chriscolane@gmail.com> for the Zoom link to be provided.

Grundy County Food Bank will hold its annual meeting and election of directors on at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the Parish House of Christ Church Episcopal, 530 10th St., Tracy City. There are two openings on the board of directors. Interested parties, particularly those with any board experience, are urged to attend and self-nominate. Face masks will be available and attendees are requested to wear one. Please direct any questions to <GCFoodBank@benlomand.net>.

The Sewanee Civic Association invites nominations for open positions on the 2022-23 Board of Directors. Experience working in fundraising and for nonprofits is a plus, but any adult who resides in the area and shares concerns of the community is welcome. Specifically, the board position of treasurer will be open in April.

Nominations are due by Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. The slate will be presented at the Feb. 22 membership meeting. Voting will occur at the annual membership meeting on April 26. For more information, email at sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com