Directions: Take Hwy 194 N. from Hwy. 64.  Turn right at Fair Oaks Entrance.  Take the 1st right, Fair Oaks Dr. to the end where the Club House is located on the right.

February 26, 2009 

The West Fayette Republican Club will meet Thursday, February 26, 2009 at Pleasants Christian Church on Hwy 194 in Rossville at 6:30 pm. Sheriff Riles will be our guest speaker for the evening.  His subject will be “How the Economy is Affecting Fayette County’s Crime Rate.” BBQ and all the “fixen’s”, from Loven Fresh bakery, will be served for $8.00 per person.  You have the option to pay at the door and have dinner or you may attend without dinner.   If you plan to attend and have dinner, please call Ronda Antilla at 901-465-0113 or email rantilla@hughes.net. We need a headcount so please make your reservations by 6:00 pm Sunday, February 22, 2009.    

Directions to Pleasants Christian Church

From Oakland:  Take Hwy 64 then go South on Hwy. 194 towards Macon.  Stay on Hwy 194 when it turns south, as you leave Macon, going towards Rossville.

From Somerville you can go South on Hwy. 76 to Hwy. 195. Take Hwy. 195 until it merges with Hwy. 193 and follow it to the right to Hwy. 194 in Macon.  Turn South on Hwy. 194 towards Rossville.

Pleasants Christian Church is on the right, approximately 2.5 miles South of Macon on Hwy. 194.

March 26,2009

The West Fayette Republican Club will meet Thursday, March 26, 2009 at The Main Street Eatery, 13075 N. Main St., Somerville, TN 38068 at 6:30 pm.  The Main Street Eatery will be serving Baked Chicken Breast, Scalloped Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Salad, with a choice of dressing, Rolls, Tea, Coffee and a Choice of Deserts for $10.00 per person.  You have the option to pay at the door and have dinner or you may attend without dinner.  THE PUBLIC IS INVITED.  THE SEATING IS LIMITED

.   If you plan to have dinner and/or attend, please call Ronda Antilla at 901-465-0113 or email rantilla@hughes.net. We need a headcount so please make your reservations by Noon on Friday, March 20, 2009.   We only accept cash and checks at this time.

Mark Ward, Fayette County Assessor, will be our guest speaker for the evening.  His subject will be “Reassessment of Property Values for Fayette County.”

Mark A. Ward, born 10/05/1956 in Shelby County.  My parents are Minnie Ward Graham and J. V. Graham, both deceased.    At age five, my family moved to Hickory Withe, TN where I remained a resident until adulthood.   I have eleven siblings and three of my siblings currently reside in Hickory Withe.  

I was educated in the Fayette County school system and have since completed various State courses including Mapping, numerous GIS courses, and Laws & Essentials of the Appraisal Process.  I am a Certified Public Administrator, which required some fifty courses to qualify.   I have served two years as Vice President of the West TN Assessors Association and one year as President of the Association.

I was employed by Binswanger Glass Co. from 1974 to 1986 holding the title of Master Glass Cutter.   In 1986, I pursued the American dream and purchased a small grocery store in NE Fayette County.  In 1990, I closed my business and was hired by Ernest Atkeison, Fayette County Property Assessor, to work with the State's one-year reappraisal program and continued employment as Field Appraiser for the Assessor. Mr. Atkeison died in January 1992, and I was elected as the Fayette County Property Assessor in August of 1992 and currently hold this position.  My duties as Assessor include locating, identifying, and appraising property at fair market value.  I do not set the tax rate, nor do I collect taxes.   In my 17 years as Assessor, I have made many good friends and hopefully, not many enemies.  I enjoy working with the public and serving the residents of Fayette County.  I have assembled an excellent staff who are readily available to serve as well.   It has been a challenge with the rapid growth in Fayette County over these 17 years.

I was married in August 1975 to Glenda Davis.   She is an insurance agent and has been employed with Somerville Insurance Agency since 1976.   We have two daughters, Hollie and Kelley.    Hollie is married to Rev. Bob Holland and she teaches preschool at Macon Road Baptist School.  They reside in Oakland and have two children, Sidney and Reid.  Kelley is currently attending nursing school at Union University in Jackson TN. She will graduate in December 2009. 

I am of the Baptist Faith and an active member of Oakland First Baptist Church. I serve as an adult Sunday School teacher and Deacon.   My hobbies include golf,  motorcycle riding and following my grandchildren in their various sports activities.