Shooting a man’s dog is just not right
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It’s the story of a family of three returning from a family vacation. The only reason they were passing thru Cookeville on I-40 was to make their way back to North Carolina. Little did they know they were about to get pulled over by police, yanked from their car and handcuffed, then watch their dog get shot to death in front of their faces.
The incident began to unfold when James Smoak pulled off I-40 to get gas. He inadvertently left his wallet on the roof of the car and then drove off.
As he was driving down the road, another motorist noticed the wallet fly off the top of the car. That motorist thought — for whatever reason — the wallet had been thrown from the car. Then, probably as a result of watching too many episodes of “Magnum P.I.” the motorist decided to call 911 and report a person had been kidnapped and their wallet tossed from the car.
What’s equally as puzzling is police accepted this call from a concerned citizen as being the absolute truth. They put out a description of the station wagon and it was pulled over near the 287 exit in Cookeville.
James Smoak, his wife, and his 17-year-old son were all ordered out of the car and handcuffed face down to the ground. When their dog, traveling with them on vacation, hopped out of the car and approached the family, it was shot. What infuriated the Smoaks even further is officers began to snicker after shooting their dog.
Eventually the family’s innocence was uncovered by the top-notch law enforcement officers in Cookeville and the family was allowed to leave. As you would expect, the Smoaks have filed complaints with every possible agency. The Cookeville Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol, who both combined for this traffic stop, have announced they are launching internal investigations.
I can save everyone time and money and announce the results of my Business Pulse investigation — a bunch of police officers really messed up. And they should have known better. You can’t yank a family out of a car and kill their dog based on a report from some yahoo on a cell phone.
The part I really don’t understand is the shoot-the-dog-then-laugh part. You just don’t shoot a man’s dog. You just don’t shoot a man’s dog while you have him handcuffed face down on the side of the interstate. It doesn’t seem right.
I don’t care what the court system ultimately rules. As fair punishment, I say the family should get to go to each officer’s house, yank them out into the yard, handcuff them face down, and then shoot their dog.
Now, for this week’s Business Pulse.
There’s now a new soft drink in town
Want a new soft drink taste that’s a new spin on 7 UP? Well just turn the classic 7 UP label upside down and you’ve got a new, green-colored drink known as dnL.
And since our local Sundrop/ Dr Pepper distributor now has the rights to distribute 7 UP in a recently hatched deal, it also distributes dnL. It didn’t take long for word to spread around town and soon they were trying it at the county government offices.
“It’s better than a Hardee’s ham and biscuit,” said county clerk David Smartt, who used to drink around 20 cans of Dr Pepper a day so he knows all about cold drinks.
Added Kathy Boyd, “It may be a little better than 7 UP.”
In a company-issued press release, 7 UP president Mike McGrath said, “dnL offers consumers a chance to turn their thirst and perspective upside down. It provides our teen and young adult consumers with a one-of-a-kind taste and a kick of energy they’ll love.”
By Friday afternoon, word of dnL had already spread over to the courthouse where Kelly Cowell found herself a bottle.
In short, look for dnL in stores near you. It will make you a better person.
Jack in the Box schedules opening date
Anyone who has driven past the Jack in the Box lately can see the restaurant isn’t far from opening.
There are tables and chairs inside, the parking lot has been paved and even the sign has been erected. Other than a few finishing touches, all that appears left is to open the doors. So when will that day be? It will be Sunday, Jan. 19 when our fast-food burger choices increase by one.
So what’s happening to the Snookers building?
Just as many of you have noticed the Jack in the Box is almost ready and have asked me about its opening date, I’ve fielded several questions about what’s happening to the old Snookers building on Sparta Street.
The former pool hall and laundromat is receiving a major facelift as it’s getting a second floor and beginning to develop a down-home look. When I stopped by Friday afternoon, I made sure to tell the construction workers they were doing a great job. Then I asked them why they were fixing up the building.
I was told it’s going to be a doctor’s office, although the construction foreman didn’t know the doctor’s name or his/her specialty. I’ll provide more information on this project when it becomes available to me.
Former Smartt’s Grocery building now for sale
Speaking of Sparta Street, while I was out that way I noticed some activity inside the building which was formerly the longtime home of Smartt’s Grocery. Curious person that I am (that’s a nice way of saying I’m nosy), I poked my head inside and asked a few questions.
I found Dale Smartt and Billy Hudson inside huddled around a heater and shooting the breeze. Dale is now part owner of the store after buying it at auction along with his two sisters. Billy is the former owner, who had operated Smartt’s Grocery with his wife, Linda, for the last 25 years.
“We did all right,” said Billy when asked about his years in the grocery business. “We made a living at it.”
When Billy decided to retire, Smartt’s Grocery went with him. That’s when Dale and his sisters decided to buy the building at auction and now they’re looking to sell it themselves.
“We’ve had some people come in and look at it but nobody has made an offer,” said Dale, who wanted to stress he’s an avid NASCAR fan who always pulls for Jimmy Spencer. “We’re hoping things pick up as soon as this spring gets here because McMinnville needs something. You look around and there aren’t many jobs to be had here. It’s got to turn around sometime.”
Dale said several folks have asked about leasing the building but no one has expressed serious interest in buying it. He says he thinks someone who wanted to buy the building, and then rent it, could easily make their money back. For anyone interested, the number to call is 473-7055.
Beulah Smith retires after 30 years of service
Anyone who has spent much time in the register of deeds office lately has probably relied on the help of Beulah Smith. Actually, anyone who has been there in the last 25 years has most likely encountered Beulah’s warm smile and friendly service.
After 25 years working for three different register of deeds and five more years of working in the trustee’s office, Beulah has decided to call it quits. At her retirement gathering Friday afternoon, Beulah said the years have flown by.
“It’s been a fast ride,” she said. “It’s tricky work, not anything you get bored with. Even after 25 years, we’d still have to confer about some things.”
Beulah began her career in the register of deeds office back when John Davis ran the show. Then it was Donnie Starkey as the register of deeds for years before Terry Smith was elected over four years ago.
As for her retirement plans, Beulah says she’s never been one to travel much and will probably spend a good deal of time with her three grandchildren. As for things she’ll miss, Joyce Hodges, her co-worker of 25 years, tops the list.
“She’s my other sister,” said Beulah.
That’s all folks
Be sure to catch next week’s column when Cookeville police, in conjunction with the Highway Patrol, harass two little, old ladies.
If you’ve got business news, give me a call at 473-2191 or send me an e-mail at [email protected].