The Daily News-Journal from Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 6

A6 Tuesday. May 19, 2009 1 THE DAILY NEWS JOURNAL www.dnj.com STATE Etliics Commission fires executive director If Androphy listened. He said at the end he felt he did the best job he could. The plaining Androphy and his staff acted on ethics questions from officials without consulting the board first. Among issues that have vexed the commission was a months-long struggle over ifs adherence to open government laws and a commission vote to overrule a staff opinion on whether lobbyists who are treasurers of political action committees can sign campaign contributions to candidates.

Androphy was hired in 2006 from a pool of about 150 applicants. He came to Tennessee after nearly 17 years with the New York State Ethics Commission. The commission itself could be put out of business this year by lawmakers. A Republican-led effort to merge the Ethics Commission into the state Registry of Election Finance has lost steam, but that bill and one that would allow the agency to expire this summer are still pending in the Legislature. The commission vote put Androphy on administrative leave immediately.

He will continue to receive his salary, worth $138,684 a year, and benefits until Aug. 10. Androphy has been the top staff member of the Ethics Commission since it began in 2006. But as early as 2007 some commissioners were com Ethics Com- ANDROPHY mission was created in 2006, the centerpiece of reforms enacted in the wake of the Tennessee Waltz bribery scandal that convicted nine local and state officials and a lobbyist. The agency regulates lobbying, collects finan-' rial disclosures from state and local officials, investigates ethics complaints, issues advisory opinions and conducts ethics training.

BRIEFLY Tenn. abortion amendment passes House NASHVILLE (AP) A proposal to change the Tennessee Constitution to allow the state to impose stricter limits on abortion was approved by the House. The resolution, which has already passed the Senate, was approved 76-22 by House members Monday evening. The measure which says that "nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion" seeks to change the state constitution to void a Supreme Court ruling in 2000 concerning abortion restrictions. Tenn.

ash spill threatens fish population KNOXVILLE (AP) Environmental experts say a massive coal ash spill is threatening bass, catfish and other species in Tennessee's Emory River and that dredging could make things worse. The Appalachian Voices environmental group released a report Monday saying elevated levels of arsenic and selenium were found downstream of the Kingston Fossil Plant in samples taken 18 days after the December spill. Their experts at Appalachian State and Wake Forest universities and the Tennessee Aquarium say Emory River fish must have already been affected by selenium releases before the spill and now are at a "tipping point" where reproduction and growth could be affected. Knoxville man dies in Cumberland River ONEIDA (AP) A Knoxville man has died in the Cumberland River in East Tennessee after canoeists missed their planned take-out point and were swept through a Class 4 rapid. Officials of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area identified the victim on Monday as 61-year-old Tony Evans, who they said died in the incident Friday.

A news release said Evans was one of four people who launched two open canoes at Leatherwood Ford to begin a two-day trip downriver. They intended to portage their canoes around Angel Falls Rapid, about two miles from where they began, but missed their spot and were swept through the whitewater after their canoes overturned. Evans' companions got him to shore, but were unable to revive him. OBITUARIES ASSOCIATED PRESS NASHVILLE The Tennessee Ethics Commission, facing an uncertain future, on Monday fired its executive director. Commissioners voted 5-1 to dismiss Bruce An-drophy (an-DROH-fee), in part over opinion pieces he wrote that they felt thrust the agency into partisan politics.

Commissioners also said the agency, which was created in 2006, hasn't been functioning well. The vote was a surprise and wasn't listed on the meeting agenda issued earlier this month. The commissioners spent several hours debating the issue while aia Harvey uaiey Lala Harvey Daley, age 65, of Smyrna died Sunday May 17, 2009 at her home. She was a native of LaV-ergne. She was the daughter of the late Sterling Excell and Annie Lucille Vaughn Harvey.

She was a member of Smyrna Church of Christ and was a retired secretary with IRS, VA Hospitals, and worked in book returns with Ingram Books. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Eugene Daley daughter, Maria Donour of Alabama; son, Eugene Daley II of Murfrees-boro; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, June Lannon of LaV-ergne and Delona Griffin of Texas; and brother, Dale Harvey of Smyrna. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Smyrna Church of Christ, with Brother Tim Lavender officiating. Burial will follow in Mapleview Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Woodfin Chapel, Smyrna. 615-459-3254. www.woodfinchapel.com. Grady Edward Dillon Grady Edward Dillon, age 79, went to be with the Lord Sunday, May 17, 2009.

Mr. Dillon was a native of Walter Hill and the son of the late James E. and Ester West LJt ZJ DRIVER'S BACKHOE SERVICE LOCALLY OWNED OVER 30 YEARS Providing Assistance for Storm Victims Demolition, Debris Haul, House Footers, Water, Electric, Sewer Lines, Step Tanks Low Rates I 615-893-8388 TREE SERVICE MORE 25 Years Fully Experience Insured Dillon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Arms Dillon who died in 2006. Also preceding him in death were two brothers, Thomas Lee Dillon and James Davis Dillon.

Mr. Dillon was a member of Walter Hill First Baptist Church, a veteran of the Korean War, and a retired mechanic. Funeral services will be 1 1 a.m. Wednesday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Ike Davis will officiate with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Dillon is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Mary Ann Dillon of Murfreesboro, TN; and one sister, Mai Frances Wilson of Goodlettsville, TN. He is also survived by grandchildren, Tiffany Dillon of Memphis, TN, Mickey (Brandy) Prater of McMinnville and David (Sheryl) Prater of McMinnville, TN; and four great-grandchildren, Jadda, Anna, Haley and Candice Prater. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Walter Hill First Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Mr.

Dillon. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. 615-893-5151. www.

woodfinchapel.com. Rosa Lee "Leahew" Helton Rosa Lee "Leahew" Helton, age 89, died at the home of her sister, Dorothy Taylor of LaVergne, on Sunday. May 17, 2009. She was the daughter of late Sam and Ada Nipper Leahew. She is survived by two sisters, Susie Kay Eads of Mona and Dorothy Taylor of LaVergne; several nieces, nephews; and her devoted friends, Robert and Joyce Huddleston.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Helton; one brother, Sam 0. Leahew; four sisters, Mattie McCrary, Nora Barrett, Mae "Henderson" Swann, and osh Smith General Contractor Locally Owned Operated a Licensed Insured 13 Years Experience LET US HELP REBUILD YOUR HOME Verna Dunaway McCurdy Funeral services were held Thursday, May 14 at the chapel of Charmichael Funeral Home in Marietta, GA. Verna was an active member of Roswell Street Baptist Church and served as secretary of Christian Friends Sunday School Class. She is survived by her husband of 54 years. Parry "Pete" T.

McCurdy; sons David (Rhonda) McCurdy and James McCurdy; brother Willie Dunaway of Peoria, IL; and sisters Ida Rea of Murfreesboro, TN, Bertha Bruning of Flintstone, GA, Susie Stafford of Hendcrsonville, TN and Martha Adams of Annandale, VA; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Verna grew up in Murfreesboro and attended Central High School and graduated from Middle Tennessee State College. Ron Wheeler Ron Wheeler, 46, of Murfreesboro passed away Saturday, May 16, 2009' at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. He was a mechanic with John Roberts Toyota and of the Baptist faith. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Michael Wheeler, Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Kathi Nivens Wheeler; sons, Jeremy Wheeler and Justin Wheeler; mother, Rose Wheeler of Dover, FL; sister, Michelle Austin of Plant City, FL; and nephews, Adam Frese, Kyle Austin and Travis Austin. The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. Thursday until the Memorial Service at 5 p.m. at Murfreesboro Funeral Home with Sherman Boyd officiating. Private burial to be in Florida.

Those wishing may send condolences online at www.murfreesborofuneralh ome.com. Murfreesboro Funeral Home, 145 Innsbrooke Murfreesboro, TN 615-896-2229. VANDERVORT EXCAVATING Demolition Removal, Backhoe, Bobcat, Dozer Work All types Septic Systems, House Footers, Yards Special Rates for Tornado Victims 615-896-6281 or 849-6880 Adaline "Wilson" Thompson. Eulogy will be by her nephews, John O. Leyhew and Dr.

Nate Schott. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Woodfin Chapel Smyrna with burial to follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

Tuesday at Woodfin Chapel Smyrna. The family extends special thanks to Sun Health Care and to Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro. 615-459-3254. www.woodfinchapel.com. Virginia Drudge HerrorJ Virginia Dmdge Herrod of Murfreesboro, age 90, passed away on May 18 2009 at Northside Health Care.

She was a retired art teacher in Columbia, S.C. and attended Third Baptist Church. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Joe F. Herrod; and parents, Henry and Vera Drudge of Columbia, S.C. She is survived by cousins in Virginia; nieces, nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Randall Rickard, Stones River Manor, Northside Health Care and Odessey for the wonderful care she received. Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Mike Lee officiating.

Visitation with the family will be from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Jennings Ayers Chapel. In lieu of flowers; memorials may be made to the Jessie C. Beasley Spay and Neuter Clinic.

Jennings Ayers, 820 S. Church Murfreesboro, TN 37130. 615-893-2422. www.jenningsandayers.com. There's a better way to make a living.

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